ã€ŠRising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Eraseã€‹


 Chapter 1

    ?Chapter 1:

    Inside Wront Prison, the July heat hung so heavily that it was almost impossible to breathe.

    As she let her sleeve drop to cover the ring scar on her arm, Maia Watson ¡ª once known as Maia Morgan ¡ª heard a correctional officer call out, ¡°Maia, someone from the Morgan family is here to pick you up!¡± Her hand froze mid-motion.

    Hearing ¡°Morgan family¡± again was like tasting something bitter and familiar all at once.

    She had once been the daughter of the Morgan family.

    Everything had fallen apart four years ago, when the police knocked on their door and announced they had tracked down Richard and Sandra Morgan¡¯s real daughter ¡ª Rosanna Morgan.

    In the blink of an eye, Maia¡¯s identity had been ripped away. She was branded a fraud, a fake.

    Her real parents had died long ago. To maintain appearances, the Morgans had made a show of eptance. They told the world they still considered Maia part of the family. But anyone who had been watching them for seventeen years would have known better. Richard and Sandra were always preupied with their business ventures. Maia had been more of a guest in their home than a daughter.

    Then Rosanna came back, and suddenly, their entire world revolved around her.

    Then came the incident with Radiant Jewels. Rosanna stole a prized treasure and pinned the me on Maia. It was an obvious setup, but the Morgans didn¡¯t care. They believed Rosanna without question. In fact, they helped her. They made public usations, doing it with such ease that Maia never stood a chance.

    Radiant Jewels belonged to the Cooper Group. The Coopers weren¡¯t just powerful ¡ª in Wront, they were practically royalty. The Morgans couldn¡¯t afford to offend them ¡ª not for someone who wasn¡¯t even their real daughter.

    They erased Maia¡¯s name from the Morgan family, told the public that she had been taken in from a struggling family named the Watsons, and sent her straight to prison.

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    At the memory, Maia¡¯s knuckles tightened until her nails bit into her skin.

    She had survived four years behind bars for a crime Rosannamitted. And now, that sentence was over. She was finally getting out.

    Just beyond the prison gates, the crowd of reporters buzzed with restless energy. Heat rippled through the air, and impatience was evident on every face. Then, atst, the massive gates creaked open.

    Maia walked out into the sunlight, dressed in the same in outfit she had worn the day she was locked away.

    The moment Sandra spotted Maia, her face lit up as if she had just found a long-lost child. She rushed over, surrounded by a swarm of reporters waving microphones and shing cameras.

    Maia watched the entire spectacle and nearly rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Maia, my dear daughter, I came to bring you home,¡± Sandra said, her voice catching as tears shimmered in her eyes. Even a few of the reporters nearby couldn¡¯t help but murmur in sympathy at the emotional performance.

    Unfazed, Maia stared her down and said coldly, ¡°You must be mistaken, Mrs. Morgan. I¡¯m not your daughter.¡±

    Sandra stiffened where she stood. She quickly recovered, painting sorrow across her face. ¡°How could you say that, Maia? I was the one who raised you. You lived under my roof for more than ten years. We never once stopped thinking of you as our daughter.¡±

    Maia¡¯s lips twitched into a cold smirk. ¡°Is that right? Then remind me ¡ª four years ago, when you framed me and cast me out, didn¡¯t you call me a Watson? You let me go to prison without a second thought. I stopped being your daughter the day you erased me from your family.¡±

    ¡°Framed?¡± To top it off, they said she wasn¡¯t even a Morgan ¡ª she was a Watson? Maia¡¯s few words hit like a bomb. Reporters exchanged stunned looks, then chaos broke loose as they rushed forward, shoving microphones closer, eager to catch every word.

    With cameras pointed her way, Sandra had no room tosh out. Her face tightened, but she forced down the anger bubbling inside.

    Right then, a voice sliced through themotion. ¡°Maia! What kind of lies are you feeding everyone? The treasure from Radiant Jewels was found right in your bag ¡ª you were caught red-handed! How dare you im you were framed? You spent four years behind bars, and we still dragged ourselves through this heat to pick you up.¡±

    ¡°And this is how you thank us? You sound like someone spitting at the hand that once fed you!¡±

    Jarrod Morgan was the one speaking ¡ª the oldest son of Sandra and Richard. Maia had always thought of him as a big brother. But when the truth was twisted against her, he turned on her without hesitation to defend Rosanna, even going as far as shoving her to the floor.

    She hadnded hard. Her arm struck the sharp corner of a table, ripping her skin open and leaving behind a scar that never truly faded.

    That infamous jewel? Rosanna had slipped it into Maia¡¯s bag while she was washing her hands in the restroom.

    At the time, Maia had genuinely believed that Rosanna meant well. She had seemed warm, honest, and eager to be friends. That was why, when Rosanna offered to help, Maia handed her the bag without a second thought. The idea that someone so soft-spoken and sweet could harbor such petty cruelty had never crossed Maia¡¯s mind.

    The reason behind it was simple ¡ª she saw Maia as a threat. Afraid that Maia might be more beloved in the Morgan family, Rosanna decided to eliminate her. That was the day Maia¡¯s eyes were opened to the truth about the Morgan family.

    Since then, her heart had been hardened by betrayal.

    ¡°She must still be upset with me. That¡¯s why she¡¯s twisting everything¡­¡± Rosanna clung to Jarrod, her voice trembling as hershes fluttered through misty eyes. ¡°Maia, I swear I never came back to steal your ce in the family. Please don¡¯t hate me for this.¡±

    Tears spilled down her cheeks as her slender frame shook.

    Jarrod couldn¡¯t stand to see her cry. He pulled her close and said, ¡°This isn¡¯t on you, Rosanna. Maia stole a life that was rightfully yours for seventeen years. She¡¯s the one who did wrong. If she can¡¯t admit it, then maybe more time behind bars will teach her.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Sandra gave him a sharp look, flicking her eyes toward the hovering press. With this many cameras rolling, she couldn¡¯t afford to lose control.

    Facing the press, she quickly put on a diplomatic smile. ¡°It¡¯s been four years since Maia lived with us. She¡¯s clearly still adjusting, and I can understand her emotions. If she can acknowledge her mistakes and show some change, she¡¯ll always be part of my family.¡±

    Part of her family?

    Maia let out augh that was anything but amused. She arched a brow and looked her dead in the eye. ¡°Mrs. Morgan, didn¡¯t you sign the paperwork that cut all ties between us? Is that it? You¡¯re telling me you actually want me back in your family now?¡±

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 Chapter 2

    ?Chapter 2:

    Sandra¡¯s face darkened instantly. Back then, in order to cut off any connection with Maia, the Morgans had forced her to sign a severance document ¡ª with a representative from the Cooper Group as a witness, just to clear their name from any future usations. It had been an act of desperation, not dignity.

    A swarm of reporters rushed in, shoving microphones toward Sandra. ¡°Mrs. Morgan, is this true? You once said you wouldn¡¯t abandon Maia, that she was still your daughter even after reuniting with your biological child.¡±

    Trying to keep herposure, Sandra mustered a smile that barely held. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not true. Of course not.¡±

    With a sly grin, Maia said, ¡°So, Mrs. Morgan, do you have the nerve to call someone from the Cooper Group and find out if that severance document exists or not?¡±

    ¡°Maia, don¡¯t go too far! The people from the Cooper Group aren¡¯t someone we can just summon at will!¡± Jarrod shouted, his anger ring from the sidelines.

    With a smug tilt of her brow, Maia nced his way. ¡°So you¡¯re admitting you won¡¯t call them?¡±

    Jarrod was left speechless.

    The image they had worked so hard to maintain was starting to fall apart, and Sandra scrambled to y the sympathy card. Her body shook with a sudden cough, loud and dramatic.

    Catching on quickly, Rosanna hurried to her mother¡¯s side and rubbed her back in gentle circles. ¡°Mom, what¡¯s wrong? Are you okay?¡±

    Her gaze then shifted to Maia, filled with exaggerated grievance. ¡°She¡¯s been worried sick ever since you were locked up. She cries every night, Maia. The doctor warned us that her health is getting worse. And if you still care ¡ª even a little ¡ª for everything she did for you growing up, don¡¯t make this harder. Juste back with us.¡±

    Maia felt nauseated by Rosanna¡¯s pretentious act.

    ¡°Come back with them?¡± Those words used to bringfort to her. But now, they meant nothing anymore. Thest thing she wanted was to get caught up with them again.

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    There was no mistaking the resolve etched across her face. ¡°That girl you all knew ¡ª she died four years ago. And the Morgans were the ones who buried her.¡±

    Maia said her piece, then strode through the crowd and walked away without looking back.

    The moment she was gone, Sandra dropped to the ground, putting on a show of sobs as if her heart had just shattered. She took a dramatic, deep breath before copsing in a faint.

    Panic erupted instantly as gasps and shouts filled the scene.

    Wasting no time, Jarrod lifted Sandra into his arms, while Rosanna trailed right behind him. The second the car doors shut and the cameras were behind them, Sandra¡¯s eyes snapped open, and she straightened up without effort.

    Had she not faked that copse, everything might have unraveled beyond repair. This whole mess, in her mind, traced back to one person ¡ª Maia.

    They had shown up at the prison, making a public effort to wee her back with grace. And how did she respond? By dragging the entire Morgan name through the dirt in front of a crowd.

    There wasn¡¯t a single ounce of gratitude in that girl.

    ¡°She¡¯s outrageous! We gave her everything, and she turns on us like this!¡± Jarrod cursed angrily, gripping the steering wheel.

    The warmth in Sandra¡¯s face vanished, reced by a sudden chill in her eyes. A bitterugh escaped her lips. ¡°No money. A criminal record that sticks to her like glue. She¡¯s got nothing to her name. Without us, she¡¯s done. There¡¯s no doubt Maia will return ¡ª and when she does, I¡¯ll have more than enough ways to handle her!¡±

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 Chapter 3

    ?Chapter 3:

    Later that afternoon, Maia stood alone in front of City Hall in Wront, with some documents required for marriage registration in her handbag.

    There was still time before her appointment, so she leaned casually against a tree, eyes downcast, thoughts drifting far from the present.

    Back when she first stepped into prison four years ago, the torment seemed relentless, etched into every corner of her memory.

    One night, when she was nearly beaten within an inch of her life, someone had stepped in to save her.

    It wasn¡¯t a guard. It was a woman ¡ª an inmate with more influence than anyone else. Her cell looked more like a private suite, and even the correctional officers stayed out of her way. Most inmates feared her and kept their distance.

    But for some reason, she had taken an interest in Maia. She offered protection ¡ª but it came with a condition. If Maia wanted that safety, she had to ept a marriage agreement and carry out a task afterward.

    Back then, trapped in a nightmare with no way out, Maia had no room to refuse. Survival meant sacrifice. Without hesitation, she agreed to the deal and pledged her loyalty to the woman who¡¯d saved her.

    Fulfilling that promise had be her top priority now that she was free. That meant going through with the marriage agreement she¡¯d epted in prison.

    Not far away, a stretch Rolls-Royce Phantom was parked in the shadows.

    ¡°Is that the one your aunt picked for you to marry, sir?¡± asked Brad Curtis, Chris Cooper¡¯s special assistant.

    The view through the car window revealed a woman with lowered eyes and a slim frame. Dressed in a in white shirt and low-rise jeans, she moved with ease. When she stretched, her slim waist showed for just a moment.

    There was a boldness in her silence. An edge of defiance that didn¡¯t ask for approval.

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    Pretty as she was, her past carried a criminal record that couldn¡¯t be ignored. Brad couldn¡¯t understand why Zoey Cooper had pushed for this match. What could she possibly see in a woman who had served time? Even more puzzling was the fact that Chris hadn¡¯t objected.

    Reclining in the back seat, Chris rested his arm with easy confidence, his rolled-up sleeve showing off a well-toned forearm. His eyes, narrowed slightly, settled on the woman¡¯s exposed waist, and an amused glint danced across his face.

    Without a word, he shoved the car door open and stepped out.

    ¡°Are you Miss Maia Watson?¡±

    Maia turned when she heard someone call her name. She stood still for a second, caught off guard.

    A man in a fitted ck shirt stood before her, tall enough to block the sun from her face. He looked unreal. Handsome in a way that made her pause. Each feature wless, almost sculpted.

    Could this really be the illegitimate son of the Cooper family Zoey had mentioned? The one with a bad reputation and a trail of reckless rumors following him?

    A flicker of difort ran through her chest. ¡°Are you¡­ Mr. Chris Cooper?¡± she asked, uncertain.

    He gave her a small nod.

    Her eyes wandered back to him, studying every detail. His clothes were simple, but something refined clung to him. That faint smile hovered on his lips, never quite touching his eyes, leaving just enough mystery to stir her curiosity.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been staring for a while now, Miss Watson,¡± Chris said with a softugh.

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 Chapter 4

    ?Chapter 4:

    Snapping out of it, Maia quickly turned her head, realizing just how obvious she¡¯d been.

    ¡°My bad,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Should we head inside?¡± she asked, trying to recover.

    Together, they made their way into City Hall. When they came back out, a marriage certificate rested in Chris¡¯s hand.

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep my end of the bargain, Mr. Cooper. Once Zoey¡¯s request is fulfilled, I won¡¯t stick around. I¡¯ll file for divorce right after,¡± Maia said.

    Feelings weren¡¯t part of their arrangement, and she wasn¡¯t delusional. Most men wouldn¡¯t sign up for a life with someone who had a prison record.

    Chris tilted his head, casting her a look. Her dark hair danced in the breeze, and while her face was striking, there was something clear and honest in her eyes. Instead of answering her directly, he asked, ¡°Is my aunt doing okay in there?¡±

    Thrown off by the change in topic, Maia answered quickly, ¡°She¡¯s healthy. Nothing bad has happened to her.¡±

    After a short pause, she pressed her lips together.

    Truth be told, Zoey didn¡¯t just survive in prison ¡ª she thrived. It was practically herfort zone.

    ¡°d to hear it.¡± Chris didn¡¯t ask anything more. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a sleek credit card, and handed it to her. ¡°Here. A little something to wee you in.¡±

    Maia shook her head, hands raised in protest. ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. I¡¯ve got¡­¡±

    ¡°My own money.¡±

    Sure, they were now legally married, but it was still their first day meeting. And from what Zoey had shared, Chris might¡¯ve had the Cooper name, but he was treated like an outsider. His standing in the family and at the Cooper Group was practically nonexistent.

    From what she¡¯d heard, he held no serious job title and spent most days drifting aimlessly. She figured that he probably didn¡¯t have much saved up either.

    The thought of epting anything from him made her ufortable. But Chris didn¡¯t waver. He took her hand, ced the card firmly in her palm, and didn¡¯t let go.

    His eyes locked onto hers ¡ª cool, enigmatic, and impossible to read.

    ¡°We justpleted the marriage registration, which technically makes me your husband now. That gives you every right to use my money. Or is it that you¡¯re turning it down because you¡¯re not ready to admit I¡¯m your husband?¡±

    Hearing that word ¡ª ¡°husband¡± ¡ª sent a faint flush across Maia¡¯s otherwiseposed features.

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying that¡­¡± Maia began, trying to exin, but her voice trailed off before she couldnd on the right words.

    Without another word, she took the card and gave him a quiet, polite thank you. Seeing her relent, Chris showed a smile of approval.

    ¡°So, where are you heading? I¡¯ll give you a ride.¡±

    At that moment, a weight settled in Maia¡¯s chest. Her n was to return to the Morgan family home.

    It wasn¡¯t the house she cared about. What mattered was the bracelet ¡ª thest gift from her grandmother, Vicki Morgan.

    Back when Richard and Sandra treated her like an afterthought, Vicki had been the one constant. She had taught Maia everything from table manners to standing tall in a crowd.

    Though no blood tied them together, Vicki¡¯s love had been as real as any grandmother¡¯s.

    Maia knew, without a doubt, that if Vicki had still been alive, she would¡¯ve defended her with everything she had.

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 Chapter 5

    ?Chapter 5:

    That thought brought a quiet ache Maia didn¡¯t show.

    Still, she shook it off and gave Chris a calm smile. ¡°There¡¯s something I need to handle, Mr. Cooper. I¡¯ll be fine on my own.¡±

    ¡°No problem. Just call if you need anything.¡±

    He handed her his number, then stayed behind as she walked off.

    When her silhouette finally disappeared around the corner, he nced down at the marriage certificate still in his hand. A knowing smile curved his lips.

    Divorce? Not happening.

    Nobody could guess how long he¡¯d been waiting for this moment.

    Maia stood outside Vista Vis, her finger pressing the doorbell of the Morgan estate. She had picked this time carefully ¡ª she remembered how afternoons were usually quiet, with each family member off chasing their own distractions.

    When the door creaked open, it was Tricia Scott, the longtime housekeeper. Her eyes flew wide at the sight. ¡°Is that really you, Miss Morgan? I¡­ I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here!¡±

    The moment the words spilled out, Tricia covered her mouth with her hand, instantly regretting them.

    The title belonged to Rosanna now. As far as the Morgans were concerned, Maia didn¡¯t exist anymore. And if Rosanna happened to hear how Tricia had spoken to Maia, the fallout would be brutal.

    With a quiet, measured tone, Maia said, ¡°I¡¯m just here to pick up a few of my things.¡± Then she walked in as if she¡¯d never been gone.

    Just as she¡¯d expected, the ce felt empty ¡ª eerily so. No voices, no footsteps.

    As she made her way toward the stairs, Tricia rushed after her in a fluster. ¡°Miss¡­ uh, Maia, what exactly are you looking for? I can help you search.¡±

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    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Tricia. Everything I need should still be in my room. I¡¯ll just be a moment.¡±

    But before she could take another step, Tricia blocked her path. Her gaze darted everywhere but Maia¡¯s face. ¡°Well, um¡­ about that¡­¡±

    A crease formed on Maia¡¯s forehead. Something didn¡¯t sit right.

    Her voice lost its calm edge. ¡°Tricia, what happened?¡±

    With her shoulders sinking, Tricia finally gave in. A weary sigh escaped her. ¡°Miss Morgan cleared everything out after you were imprisoned. And your old room ¡ª it¡¯s not yours anymore. It¡¯s just a storage room now.¡±

    Maia froze. Her eyes grew wide, disbelief settling in. ¡°Everything?¡± Was the bracelet that Vicki had given her thrown away too?

    A slow, regretful nod from Tricia confirmed what Maia had feared.

    The truth hit Maia hard, sudden and brutal, like a lightning strike.

    Someone like Rosanna wouldn¡¯t have had the guts to toss out her things unless Richard and Sandra were in on it too.

    Trembling from head to toe, Maia clenched her fists tight.

    That bracelet had been Vicki¡¯sst gift to her ¡ª a symbol of love in a house that had offered her none.

    Anger swelled inside her, fierce and uncontroble.

    She had tried to walk away from the Morgan family, to leave the past buried. But now, all that anger came roaring back.

    From behind, a voice she hadn¡¯t missed in the slightest cut through the room. ¡°I knew you¡¯d show your face again, Maia!¡±

    Maia turned to look.

    Jarrod was there, standing a short distance away, that same smug grin stered across his face.

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 Chapter 6

    ?Chapter 6:

    Rosanna was by Sandra¡¯s side, gripping her arm as if ying the dutiful daughter for the cameras no one could see.

    Without saying another word, Tricia slipped out of the room, sensing the tension.

    Jarrod closed the space between them, towering slightly over Maia as he looked down with smug contempt.

    ¡°You were really bold outside the prison this morning. What¡¯s the deal now? Sneaking back in like this? Let me guess. With a record like yours, no one¡¯s gonna hire you. So you came crawling back. We¡¯re the only ones still willing to throw you a scrap, aren¡¯t we?¡±

    With a lifted brow and a voice filled with sarcasm, he said, ¡°Here¡¯s a thought ¡ª admit everything now. Post a public apology to the Morgan family, and maybe we¡¯ll let you stick around out of pity. Sound fair?¡±

    Jarrod had been simmering with rage ever since that morning.

    That stunt Maia pulled with the press had bruised the Morgan name, and while he hadn¡¯tshed out then, he was done holding it in.

    Now that she had walked straight into their home, he nned to crush whatever defiance she still had left from prison.

    Putting Maia in her ce felt long overdue, and now that she had returned to the house, Jarrod believed it was his right to set her straight.

    An apology, a fresh start, and keeping her distance from Rosanna ¡ª that was all it would take for him to consider letting Maia back into the family.

    Her around barely made a dent in the Morgan finances. Feeding her and offering shelter was no different from tossing away loose change.

    Still, even freeloaders usually had the sense to be polite. A bit of humility wasn¡¯t too much to expect. But Maia acted like the world owed her a debt. That attitude made his blood boil.

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    When Maia stepped forward, Jarrod lifted a brow and folded his arms, fully expecting her to stop and beg for forgiveness.

    Instead, she walked right past him without a single nce, heading straight toward Rosanna.

    His smugness vanished in an instant.

    Then again, Rosanna was the one Maia had insulted publicly. Maybe this was her way of making things right.

    But what came out of Maia¡¯s mouth next shattered that assumption.

    ¡°Where are my things, Rosanna?¡±

    Rosanna stiffened on the spot. A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes before she painted on a look of pure innocence. ¡°What things? Maia, I have no idea what you¡¯re going on about.¡±

    A cold fire lit up Maia¡¯s eyes, the kind that didn¡¯t just re ¡ª it cut. Her stare locked onto Rosanna like a de, and her tone came out t, stripped of emotion. ¡°This is thest time I¡¯ll ask. Where did you put everything that was in my room?¡±

    Instantly, Rosanna¡¯s face crumpled into a pitiful expression, and tears spilled down her cheeks. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean anything by it, Maia. I just¡­ I thought they¡¯d wear out if I left them there too long. I figured I¡¯d rece them once you came back, so I¡ª¡±

    Before she could finish, a loud p cracked through the room, cutting the air like lightning.

    Rosanna¡¯s cheek red red with a vivid mark where Maia¡¯s hand had struck. Frozen in disbelief, she barely registered Maia¡¯s voice cutting through the moment like a whip. ¡°Who gave you the right to go through my things?¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s expression twisted in shock, his eyes darkening with fury.

    In a rush, he moved in front of Rosanna, shielding her with his body. One look at her tear-streaked face, swollen from the rising bruise on her cheek, and something snapped inside him. His hands curled into fists.

    Maia striking Rosanna was enough to make his blood boil. It was clear she had no respect for him whatsoever.

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 Chapter 7

    ?Chapter 7:

    If she wouldn¡¯t listen, he¡¯d make her. Today, she¡¯d pay for that disrespect. He raised his hand, ready to strike ¡ª but before it could fall, Maia¡¯s hand shot up and caught his wrist, stopping him cold.

    With one swift motion, she shoved him hard. Jarrod stumbled backward, nearly losing his bnce. He stared, stunned, at the woman standing before him. The person he saw now felt like a stranger.

    The Maia he remembered had always trailed after him when he asionally visited home, like a little shadow.

    But that version of her no longer existed. Four years behind bars had carved out someone sharper, someone who stood on her own.

    Where had this strengthe from?

    He couldn¡¯t say.

    Back in her early days in prison, Maia faced constant bullying and abuse ¡ª fresh bruises forming before the old ones even had a chance to fade.

    Still, she never cried for help. Never lowered her head.

    One day, pushed too far, she snapped. With pure rage, she sank her teeth into the prison¡¯s top dog and wrestled her to the floor. Blow after blownded on her back, but Maia never let go.

    Over time, and with Zoey¡¯s relentless training, Maia sharpened her instincts and became a fighter no one dared to provoke.

    Eventually, the threats faded. She¡¯d earned both her ce and their fear.

    Jarrod stayed put, cing himself between Maia and Rosanna, his re sharp and unyielding.

    ¡°Maia, you¡¯vepletely lost it! We¡¯re talking about some old clothes and random junk ¡ª nothing worth a fight! And you hit Rosanna over that? Apologize. Now!¡±

    Maia¡¯s sudden outburst caught Sandra off guard. After a short pause, she wrapped Rosanna in her arms, worry etched across her face.

    She red furiously at Maia as she said, ¡°I¡¯m the one who gave permission to throw out your things! Rosanna only meant well. She was going to buy everything back ¡ª new and fresh ¡ª so you wouldn¡¯t be haunted by the past! But you? You didn¡¯t just reject that. You hit her! After everything, I never thought you¡¯d sink this low. Maia, you¡¯ve truly disappointed me!¡±

    Disappointed? A coldugh slipped from Maia¡¯s lips.

    That same line had been used four years ago ¡ª right after they framed her. They¡¯d shielded Rosanna back then too. And Maia? She¡¯d been the target. If anyone deserved to feel disappointed, it was Maia. She had already buried everyst bit of hope she once held for the Morgan family.

    Her eyes settled on Sandra ¡ª the woman she used to call ¡®Mom.¡¯

    There was a time Maia loved and respected Sandra, even if Sandra rarely showed she cared. Now, that love twisted into something sharp in her chest.

    ¡°You¡¯ve always known I can¡¯t stand people touching my belongings,¡± Maia said, her voice tight with restraint. ¡°And still, you let her throw them out. Did you even realize that Vicki¡¯s bracelet was among them?¡±

    Sandra had always been busy and seldom paid attention to Maia¡¯s life, but this particr habit of Maia¡¯s was something she knew clearly. But when it came to Rosanna, Sandra¡¯s judgment blurred.

    Years of guilt over being absent in Rosanna¡¯s life made her ovepensate. And when Rosanna wanted something, Sandra never said no.

    For more than ten years, Maia had lived the life that should¡¯ve been Rosanna¡¯s ¡ª or so Sandra believed. So what harm was there in throwing out a few of her things?

    To Sandra, even if Rosanna had been the one who stole the treasure from Radiant Jewels, she still thought that Maia should¡¯ve taken the me. That thought alone washed away any lingering guilt Sandra had ever felt toward her.

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 Chapter 8

    ?Chapter 8:

    ¡°Let me remind you of your ce, Maia. You¡¯re not one of us. You were only raised by us ¡ª nothing more. That keepsake from Vicki? It was always meant for a true¡­¡±

    ¡°Even if it were still around, Rosanna would have every right to it. Who do you think you are toy im to it? If she wanted to burn it, that would still be her right.¡±

    A stabbing pain twisted in Maia¡¯s chest. She could sever ties with every Morgan in that house ¡ª but not with Vicki. That woman had loved her, protected her, and made her feel like she belonged.

    And now Maia had failed to guard the one thing that still connected them. The ache in her heart deepened, sharp and unrelenting.

    From the sidelines, Jarrod let out a cruelugh. ¡°So that¡¯s why you flipped out over some garbage. Let me guess ¡ª you¡¯re broke, and you came crawling back here to pawn whatever you could find!¡±

    Though he had once seen the bracelet, it looked cheap to him. He never imagined that it held any real value.

    With a sneer, he pulled a few bills from his wallet and tossed them at her feet. ¡°Is this enough for your little trinket? Take the rest ¡ª it¡¯s on me. Consider it charity.¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes burned with anger, rimmed red as she stared down the people she once called family.

    There had been a time she believed she owed them gratitude. After all, they¡¯d raised her for seventeen years. That belief had led her to help them through their darkest years, without hesitation.

    But now? That illusion had shattered.

    What was taken from her ¡ª she would get back. And the Morgans? They had chosen cruelty. It was time they learned that she didn¡¯t forgive and forget.

    Maia let her anger subside. She took the cash Jarrod threw and smiled. Without hesitation, she shredded the money into pieces and threw them straight at his face.

    ¡°Keep your filthy money. I¡¯d rather have nothing than take anything from you.¡±

    With that, she turned and walked straight out of the vi, not sparing anyone a second nce.

    Fury twisted Jarrod¡¯s face as he clenched his jaw, burning with humiliation.

    His finger jabbed toward Maia¡¯s back as she disappeared through the doorway. ¡°You¡¯ll regret this, you ungrateful bitch! Without us, you¡¯re nothing! You¡¯lle crawling back ¡ª I¡¯ll make sure of it!¡±

    Sandra¡¯s face flushed red with anger, her voice rising. ¡°We picked you up from prison this morning, Maia! That was out of the goodness of our hearts! No one forced you to walk away ¡ª you did that yourself. Don¡¯t bother returning once you leave. You made your choice. It ends here!¡±

    A cold, humorlessugh escaped Maia¡¯s lips.

    Even now, Sandra clung to the story that made her look like the victim. Her audacity was almostughable.

    Turning slowly on her heel, Maia leveled the family with a chilling stare. ¡°Drop the act. You¡¯re not fooling anyone. You called the press yourselves. Was that supposed to be a warm wee? Or just a performance to make yourselves look like saints in front of the cameras? You know exactly what you were doing.¡±

    And with that, she walked away, never once turning back.

    Behind her, the illusion shattered, leaving the Morgans standing stiff and speechless. Their masks had cracked wide open.

    Rosanna buried her face in Sandra¡¯s shoulder, her voice trembling with tears. ¡°This is all my fault. We could¡¯ve been a real family.¡±

    Instead of reflecting, Jarrod and Sandra focused onforting Rosanna, acting like Maia didn¡¯t exist.

    Not a minute after stepping out of the Morgan estate, Maia pulled out her phone and made a single call.

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 Chapter 9

    ?Chapter 9:

    ¡°Cut off all dealings with the Morgan family. Effective immediately.¡±

    The call ended, and she slid the phone back into her coat pocket, turning around to give the house behind her onest, lingering look. That ce no longer felt familiar. It might as well have belonged to a different lifetime. Everything that tied her to the Morgans was over. From here on, there would be no turning back.

    Drawing in a slow breath, Maia gathered herself.

    But just as she turned to walk away, she collided hard into a solid figure. The sudden impact made her stumble, but before she could fall, a hand reached out and caught her firmly by the arm.

    ¡°Maia?¡± a deep voice asked.

    Her head tilted up, and for a rare moment, emotion flickered across her usually unreadable gaze. She hadn¡¯t thought her heart could still react like that. Yet somehow, it skipped more than just a beat.

    Of all people, it was Vince Ward standing in front of her ¡ª the son of Wront¡¯s powerful Ward family, her ex-fianc¨¦.

    Out of instinct, she yanked her arm free and put a few paces of space between them.

    Vince¡¯s brows tightened ever so slightly as he took in her cold, unreadable face. The woman standing there hardly resembled the bright, cheerful girl from the Morgan family Maia used to be.

    ¡°You¡­ came back,¡± he said softly, choosing his words with care. He didn¡¯t say ¡°got out¡± ¡ª perhaps to spare her dignity ¡ª but the gesture only made her chest tighten with disdain.

    There had been a time when she loved him out loud, without shame. She had spoiled him, learned to cook just to see him smile, done everything to win his affection.

    But he had never given her more than silence. He never once imed her in public, never called her his. Still, she held a firm belief, convinced that kindness would melt the wall he kept so firmly built.

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    And yet, on the day her world copsed ¡ª when she was framed and wrongly used ¡ª he stood right there.

    But he had stood by Rosanna¡¯s side, and the disgust and warning in his eyes matched those of the Morgans perfectly. Not a single word of defense hade from Vince when she needed it most.

    Years ago, it was Rosanna¡¯s grandfather who had pulled Vince¡¯s father from the wreckage of an ident. That one act of heroism had sealed a marriage promise between two families.

    Back then, the Morgan family¡¯s daughter had been Maia. Now, the daughter was Rosanna. Naturally, the arrangement had fallen onto Rosanna.

    So Vince siding with Rosanna wasn¡¯t surprising ¡ª it was expected.

    But even now, whenever Maia thought back on it, a soft ache tugged at her heart. She tucked that pain away behind a polite smile, lifting her chin.

    ¡°You must be here for Rosanna, Mr. Ward. I hear the engagement¡¯sing up. Congrattions.¡±

    She used to call him ¡°Vince¡± with warmth, and now, being addressed so formally made him realize that the gap between them had grown wider.

    Something twisted in Vince¡¯s chest, sudden and sharp.

    He stared at her, his voice rough around the edges. ¡°Four years, Maia¡­ and that¡¯s all you¡¯ve got to say?¡±

    Back then, Maia would talk his ear off whenever she was near. Now, all he felt from her was a chill and a wall he couldn¡¯t get past.

    Her silence made his frown deepen, the quiet stretching too long.

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 Chapter 10

    ?Chapter 10:

    After a beat, he nodded toward the Morgan family vi behind her. ¡°I heard your family came to pick you up today. Why are you already walking away?¡±

    Maia replied, ¡°That¡¯s none of your business.¡±

    Though her tone was cool, her eyes ¡ª bright and guarded ¡ª flickered with something unspoken.

    Those words struck Vince harder than he expected.

    ¡°I just wanted to make sure you were alright.¡±

    A bitterugh escaped Maia¡¯s lips. ¡°Seems like your concern¡¯s pointed in the wrong direction, Mr. Ward. Shouldn¡¯t it be aimed at your girlfriend? You¡¯re nearly engaged, aren¡¯t you? Imagine Rosanna catching you circling around me ¡ª how do you think she¡¯d take that? So, is the n now to turn your back on the real Morgan daughter just to chase after someone like me ¡ª a woman branded by a criminal past?¡±

    No words followed from Vince. There was just silence ¡ª the same kind that had cut through her four years ago.

    Maia let out a sharp, humorless snort. ¡°Why don¡¯t you do us both a favor and stay out of my sight, Ward?¡±

    But Vince¡¯s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist before she could take another step. He held on, refusing to let go. His voice dropped to a hush, rough with emotion. His eyes were turning red.

    ¡°Maia, it¡¯s true. Rosanna and I are getting engaged. But things don¡¯t have to be any different ¡ª if you¡¯re willing, we could still go back to the way things were.¡±

    To Maia, Vince¡¯s words sounded like a bad joke. Go back to the way things were? The fact that he could even suggest such a thing wasughable. Everything had changed the moment he chose to stand by Rosanna¡¯s side four years ago.

    Maia angled her head slightly, her expression unreadable as she fixed her gaze on him. ¡°You must be confused, Mr. Ward. We¡¯re nothing to each other now. Kindly take your hand off me.¡±

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    Though her voice remained steady, a quiet coldness crept through every word. Vince looked stunned, like he hadn¡¯t expected her detachment.

    The girl who once followed him with a warmth that lit up every room no longer stood before him. He felt an emptiness inside.

    He couldn¡¯t understand how all that love she¡¯d poured into him had disappeared without a trace.

    His fingers tightened around her wrist. His temper red, clouding his reason. ¡°Maia, if you¡¯re still willing to be mine, I¡¯m ready to leave the past behind us.¡± The way he said it made it seem like he was offering a favor, as if being with him was still a privilege.

    After a long look at Vince¡¯s sharp, polished face, Maia suddenly let out augh. ¡°Vince, you¡¯re not the man I used to know. Whatever you¡¯ve turned into now ¡ª it¡¯s disgusting.¡±

    Her voice turned icy as she finished.

    Something in Vince snapped. His face went stiff, the veins along his temple standing out.

    Losing control, he yanked Maia forward, the softness in his face twisting into something harsh and unfamiliar.

    ¡°Look at you, Maia ¡ª an ex-convict acting like she still has the right to talk back. You think you¡¯re better than you are. I¡¯m offering you a chance because of what we once had. Who else would even consider you now?¡±

    He was nothing like the calm, polite man from just moments before.

    For the first time, Maia truly saw him ¡ª Vince¡¯s real nature out in the open. For so long, she had let her feelings cloud the truth. Now, she saw him clearly for what he was.

    A slow, mocking grin tugged at Maia¡¯s lips. ¡°Vince, even if every man except you in the world were gone, I would never be with you! Let go of me, or don¡¯t me me for what happens next!¡±

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 Chapter 11

    ?Chapter 11:

    His eyes, reddened with rage and humiliation, narrowed into a grin. ¡°Is that right? Then by all means ¡ª show me.¡±

    Without hesitation, he wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned forward, trying to steal a kiss.

    Maia didn¡¯t hesitate either. Her knee shot up fast and brutal, catching him right where it hurt the most.

    A low groan slipped from Vince as he loosened his hold.

    Bent over in agony, he couldn¡¯t find the words. The shock stole even his breath. All he could do was stare at Maia, disbelief written all over his face.

    Rubbing her sore wrist where his grip had left its mark, Maia spoke with a voice stripped of warmth. ¡°Consider that your first and only warning. Come near me again, and I won¡¯t hold back.¡±

    With that, she turned around and walked off, not even sparing him a backward nce.

    Unbeknownst to them, a figure stood upstairs behind the velvet curtains of the Morgan family vi, watching it all unfold.

    Rosanna bit her lip hard as she watched Maia leave.

    ¡°You think you can steal Vince from me, Maia? Over my dead body!¡± Rosanna muttered.

    Turning away, she stepped inside and unlocked the drawer beneath the vanity, pulling out a small iron box.

    Lifting the lid, she revealed whaty within ¡ª an antique emerald bracelet, glinting softly in the light. She held it up between her fingers. A sly grin stretched across her face.

    In her mind, she snapped, ¡°Seventeen years, Maia. You stole what should¡¯ve been mine, the bracelet¡­ and Vince. That ends now. I won¡¯t let you keep them.¡±

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    Meanwhile, at Elysium Apartments, Maia pushed open the door, peeled off her shirt, and dropped onto the couch in nothing but a camisole. Zoey had made the arrangements for this ce.

    Even though Maia could¡¯ve stayed elsewhere, Zoey had made it clear ¡ª this was where she was meant to be after stepping out of prison. And going against Zoey¡¯s wishes? That wasn¡¯t an option.

    The space was small, but spotless ¡ª like someone cleaned it every single day.

    Even so, the air felt empty. It was too clean, like no one really lived there.

    While she sat there in silence, her phone lit up with a soft ping. A WhatsApp notification appeared, making her sit up straighter in an instant.

    ¡°Maia, I heard you and Chris got your marriage license, so that makes you my niece-inw now! I don¡¯t have much to give, but here¡¯s a little wedding gift. I hope it¡¯s enough ¡ª it¡¯s from the heart.¡±

    Another notification dropped down right after ¡ª this time, it was a transfer message lighting up her screen. Zoey had transferred a million to her.

    Maia counted the zeros carefully. It was six in total!

    A disbelieving smile tugged at her lips as she replied, ¡°Zoey, you really didn¡¯t have to send this much!¡±

    In no time, Zoey responded, ¡°Did you just say too much? You think it¡¯s hard for me to make this money?¡±

    Maia didn¡¯t even know how to respond. For someone like Zoey, money flowed like tap water.

    So she settled on a cheerful response. ¡°You¡¯re the best, Zoey! Thank you!¡±

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 Chapter 12

    ?Chapter 12:

    Zoey replied right away, ¡°Remember what you promised. And whatever you do, keep my identity under wraps. Especially from anyone at the Cooper Group. That includes Chris.¡±

    Maia responded with a grin, ¡°Rx. I won¡¯t spill a word, not even under torture.¡±

    ¡°Cut the jokes. Are you settled in the apartment yet?¡± Zoey asked.

    ¡°Just walked through the door,¡± replied Maia.

    A secondter, Zoey sent another message. This one came with a smirking emoji. ¡°I left you a little something. Don¡¯t let me down.¡±

    Surprise? Maia was confused.

    Before she could think more on it, the apartment door creaked open from the outside. Maia was startled.

    As her eyes darted up, she locked onto a familiar face. Chris was standing in the doorway.

    Scattered across the floor near his feet were the clothes she had tossed off earlier.

    He scanned the apartment slowly, and his gaze came to a halt on Maia ¡ª who sat on the couch in just her camisole.

    The sight of her, graceful and utterly unbothered, lit a spark in him he hadn¡¯t expected.

    Silence settled between Maia and Chris as they faced each other. The weight in the room was hard to ignore.

    Her eyes dropped to the mess of clothes strewn across the floor. She started to move toward them, nning to clean up, only to freeze ¡ª she was wearing nothing but a camisole.

    Her arms immediately crossed over her chest as she turned her back to him.

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    Words slipped out before she could stop them. ¡°Tell me, Mr. Cooper ¡ª if I said I¡¯m not the kind of woman you think I am, would you believe it?¡±

    Chris crouched down, calmly lifted her clothes, and folded them into a tidy pile. He gave a slight smirk, the corners of his lips curving upward. ¡°And what exactly do I think you are?¡±

    ¡°I mean, it¡¯s not¡­ I don¡¯t¡­¡± she stammered, trying to say that prison hadn¡¯t changed her into something she wasn¡¯t and that she still had dignity.

    But nothing came out the way she wanted.

    In this kind of situation, who would even believe her? It would only sound like she was trying to talk her way out of something. That bitter truth had hit her four years ago ¡ª sometimes, silence saved more face than exnations.

    Choosing not to push it further, she changed topics. ¡°Why are you even here?¡±

    ¡°Well, this is my ce,¡± Chris¡¯ voice was calm, but it made Maia¡¯s eyes fly open in an instant.

    Before she could say anything, a light shirt was draped over her shoulders. Right as she was about to turn, she froze ¡ª Chris was already there in front of her, and she hadn¡¯t even noticed him move.

    A quiet intensity lingered in his steady gaze as his eyes narrowed slightly. His face, all sharp lines and elegance, held a dangerously captivating charm. Now it all made sense ¡ª Zoey had sent her to stay here, but she hadn¡¯t mentioned it belonged to Chris.

    Heat rushed to Maia¡¯s cheeks out of nowhere.

    Still, when she thought about it, the arrangement wasn¡¯t all that strange. They were legally married, after all. It made sense to live together.

    She pulled the shirt tighter around her, catching the faint, lingering scent of his cologne in the fabric.

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 Chapter 13

    ?Chapter 13:

    Living under the same roof with a man was a brand new experience for her. Naturally, it left her feeling a little uneasy.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize this was your ce, Mr. Cooper. If I had known, I wouldn¡¯t have¡­¡±

    Her eyes caught sight of the pile of clothes Chris had gathered near the doorway.

    He gave her a casual smile, his voice smooth and unrushed. ¡°No need to apologize. Aunt Zoey told me she set everything up. We¡¯re married now, remember? Treat this ce like your own. You¡¯re free to settle in however you like.¡±

    That simple reassurance helped Maia breathe a little easier.

    The apartment, roughly one hundred square yards, was wellid out, with two bedrooms.

    Originally, she had her sights set on the master room. Now, though, the guest room felt like the safer choice. It even had a small balcony that caught the afternoon light.

    ¡°I appreciate it. Sorry for the inconvenience,¡± Maia said, pointing toward the guest room. ¡°Is it alright if I take that one?¡±

    Chris didn¡¯t say much, but the look he gave her was unreadable, his lips curving just slightly. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be formal in your own home. But since we¡¯re married, if you¡¯d rather we shared a room, I wouldn¡¯t turn you down.¡±

    That made Maia¡¯s eyes go wide in an instant. She quickly replied, ¡°Well, I prefer to sleep alone. I¡¯ll go get settled now, if that¡¯s okay.¡±

    She scooped up her clothes without another word and headed to the guest room, shutting the door quietly behind her.

    Inside, she ced a hand over her chest, trying to get her heartbeat under control.

    This marriage hadn¡¯t been Chris¡¯ idea. She knew that well.

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    The only reason she was here was to make good on her promise to Zoey ¡ª helping the Coopers¡¯ ck sheep, who had no drive and even less credibility, climb to the top of the family business.

    An impossible mission, maybe. But it was Zoey¡¯s only chance to finally earn her freedom.

    When that day finally came, Maia and Chris would go their separate ways. They were never meant to y the role of husband and wife. Distance was the safest bet.

    Her train of thought was interrupted by the fabric draped over her shoulders ¡ª Chris¡¯ shirt, still warm from earlier.

    She hadn¡¯t changed since walking out of prison, and aside from that worn set of clothes, she had nothing else to wear.

    All of Maia¡¯s belongings from her time at the Morgan estate had been discarded without a second thought. Even the most basic things were now out of her hands.

    After slipping into one of her old T-shirts, Maia folded Chris¡¯ shirt with care and stepped out of the room.

    She found him sprawled out on the living room sofa, legszily crossed, phone in hand as he scrolled without urgency.

    Without saying a word, Maia walked over and ced the shirt beside him. Looking up from the screen, Chris caught her eye, a faint grin tugging at his lips. ¡°Heading somewhere?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I need to stop by the mall and pick up a few clothes,¡± said Maia, her voice steady.

    Sliding his phone into his pocket, Chris got to his feet. ¡°I¡¯ve got time. I¡¯ll go with you.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. I can manage on my own. You probably have work or something else to do,¡± Maia quickly replied.

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 Chapter 14

    ?Chapter 14:

    With a raised eyebrow, Chris gave her a slow, yful look. ¡°Not particrly. And what kind of husband would I be if I let my wife shop alone?¡±

    She gave him a brief look but said nothing.

    Before she could form another protest, he was already at the front door, slipping on his shoes. ¡°Come on. I need to grab a few things for the apartment too. You can help me pick them out.¡±

    Zoey had once told Maia that Chris, as the Cooper family¡¯s overlooked illegitimate son, had been dealt a rough hand in life ¡ª financially and otherwise. As her eyes swept over the apartment, theck of decoration stood out. It was clean, functional, but cold. The emptiness reminded her of the prison cell she had only recently left behind.

    Clearly, the ce could use a little life.

    Although Chris had given her a card earlier, she doubted there was much money on it. Her n was simple ¡ª she would keep it safe and return it when he needed it most.

    Zoey had always voiced her concern about the way Chris had been forced to live, scraping by. That thought made Maia decide she¡¯d cover the cost of whatever the apartment needed ¡ª and maybe pick up some new clothes for him too.

    Saying nothing more, she quietly followed Chris as they headed downstairs. Just outside the building, a sleek ck Rolls-Royce Phantom caught her attention.

    Her brows lifted slightly. That car didn¡¯t seem to belong here.

    The next moment, the car door swung open. Brad stepped out.

    Just as Brad reached out to open the car door for his boss, Chris caught his wrist mid-motion and opened it himself. ¡°What brings you by, sir?¡±

    Sir? For a second, Brad couldn¡¯t think at all ¡ª his mind just emptied out. Then, in the very next moment, he spotted Maia ¡ª freshly married to Chris that same day ¡ª emerging from behind him.

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    When did she arrive? How did she know about Chris¡¯ apartment here? It took him a few seconds to register what was happening, but the situation quickly clicked.

    Had he dyed even a heartbeat longer, Chris might¡¯ve crushed his fingers with that grip.

    ¡°Make sure you¡¯re here first thing tomorrow morning. And don¡¯t forget to get the car cleaned,¡± Brad said, tossing the keys to Chris before making a hasty retreat, practically sprinting away from the scene.

    Chris turned to Maia with a straight face. ¡°Technically speaking, I¡¯m just the driver.¡±

    So he had a job after all. Apparently, Chris wasn¡¯t the idle, ambitionless cker the world painted him to be.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with being a driver,¡± said Maia, giving him a slight smile. ¡°Your boss asked you to do something, so you better get to it. I¡¯ll be fine on my own.¡±

    Chris answered, ¡°The car isn¡¯t needed until morning. We¡¯ll have time to get it cleaned after our shopping trip.¡±

    With that, he pulled the door open and gave her a small, respectful nod.

    Thinking it through, Maia realized that he had a point. Having a ride would make it easier to carry more things back.

    She climbed into the passenger seat without furtherment.

    Huntington Mall stood tall on the other side of town, its ssy front reflecting the buzz of Wront¡¯s shoppers. The ce had be a major draw for everything from grocery basics to high-endbels.

    As she wandered past racks of women¡¯s wear, Maia slowed when she caught sight of a shop with avish, refinedyout.

    MCN ¡ª a luxury brand that had rapidly risen in poprity in recent years.

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 Chapter 15

    ?Chapter 15:

    It had only been on the scene for a couple of years, but it exploded in the fashion world after its debut at an international show, winning over celebrities, heiresses, and anyone with enough wealth to chase prestige.

    Wront¡¯s elite never missed a season ¡ª every time MCN dropped a new collection, they scrambled to ce preorders, often shelling out ridiculous sums just to snag a piece.

    Owning the newest MCN piece became a badge of honor.

    And the most coveted design of all hade from Eileen Vaughn ¡ª the elusive genius behind the brand. What no one knew was that Eileen Vaughn was Maia herself.

    That particr piece had swept up every major fashion award during its debut year. Ever since its release, the collection vanished from shelves as fast as it appeared. Its scarcity only made it more desirable.

    To her surprise, disyed in the front window of Huntington Mall¡¯s MCN boutique was the very creation she had poured her heart into ¡ª her signature design, the ¡°Blue Sea.¡±

    Chris noticed the way she stared at the disy and leaned in. ¡°You like it? Why not go in and give it a try?¡±

    With its delicate diamonds and cool sky-blue hue, the dress echoed Maia¡¯s elegance almost too perfectly.

    Temptation stirred inside her. It was, after all, her own work ¡ª a design that she had crafted but never worn.

    It was the price that gave her pause. The Blue Sea was never meant to be affordable. It was designed to be elite.

    While money wasn¡¯t exactly a concern, dropping a fortune on her first shopping trip with Chris didn¡¯t sit quite right with her.

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    She turned to leave. But just then, a cheerful voice chimed from the boutique entrance. ¡°Come on in and take a look if it caught your eye, miss. No pressure to buy ¡ª we¡¯re running a fitting event right now and scouting for models across the country! With a figure like yours, you could end up as MCN¡¯s exclusive fitting model!¡±

    She remembered the campaign well. Pattie Miller, her closest friend and the other half of MCN¡¯s founding team, had told her about it.

    Maia served as the head designer, Eileen behind the scenes, while Pattie acted as the public face of MCN, regrly appearing in fashion news and magazines, busy but happy.

    ¡°I think that dress would look amazing on you,¡± Chris said, his smile easy as his gaze met hers. ¡°Why not go try it on?¡±

    Without another word, Maia stepped into the store alongside him. Just then, Chris¡¯ phone began to ring.

    A quick look at the caller ID made his brows knit together. Turning to Maia, he said, ¡°Give me a moment. I need to take this call. I¡¯ll be right back.¡±

    Maia offered a slight nod, and he stepped outside. Left alone, she let her eyes wander over the disys.

    Though MCN¡¯s collection wasn¡¯trge, every single piece radiated precision and thoughtfulness.

    Going through them one by one, Maia felt a quiet wave of satisfaction build inside her. Her sketches hade to life, one by one. But out of them all, the Blue Sea still captured her heart the most.

    Her gaze naturally shifted back to it, and she pointed at it. ¡°Would it be alright if I tried that one on?¡±

    Before she could get a response, a sharp female voice rang out from behind. ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t the Morgan family¡¯s little fraud. Spent four years in prison, and now she wants to y dress-up in a luxury boutique?¡±

    Maia¡¯s hand froze in midair.

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 Chapter 16

    ?Chapter 16:

    The sales associate, shocked by what she had just heard, instinctively took a step back, and her gaze toward Maia shifted.

    When Maia turned to see who was behind her, she found Rosanna standing there. Beside her was a woman wobbling on high heels, her makeup bold enough to be seen from across the mall.

    ¡°Come on, Stacy. Please don¡¯t say things like that ¡ª she¡¯s my sister.¡± With a light tug on Stacy Bet¡¯s sleeve, Rosanna spoke gently, her tone unsure as her eyes flicked toward Maia. ¡°This is a surprise, Maia ¡ª I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d see you here. Stacy¡¯s a good friend of mine, but she tends to speak without thinking. If she upset you, I¡¯m truly sorry for her. Please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±

    Without Maia saying a single word, Rosanna managed to y the victim ¡ª like she¡¯d been the one hurt all along.

    Watching the scene unfold, Stacy immediately stepped in front of Rosanna like a self-appointed bodyguard. ¡°Why are you apologizing to her, Rosanna? What did I say that wasn¡¯t true? She had the audacity tomit a crime and then pretend she was the victim!¡±

    With a sigh and a look of concern, Rosanna said, ¡°Stacy,e on. Maia knows she made a mistake. Let¡¯s not drag it all up again.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re too forgiving for your own good!¡± Stacy huffed, frustration bubbling up. ¡°Your family cut her offpletely, yet you still insist on seeing her as your sister? Have you forgotten how she betrayed you? She was terrified you¡¯de back and take her ce, so she stole Radiant Jewels¡¯ most prized piece and tried to make it look like you did it. If people hadn¡¯t sided with you, she¡¯d still be out here living like royalty while you rotted in a cell!¡±

    Maia let out a dry, humorlessugh.

    It amazed her how effortlessly Rosanna could twist the truth, how convincingly she could portray herself as the innocent.

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    Maia found herself wondering how these same people would react when Rosanna¡¯s carefully crafted mask finally slipped.

    When Rosanna dared to look up and meet Maia¡¯s eyes, she quickly looked away again, guilt flickering across her face.

    ¡°Maia spent seventeen years in my home. Took on all the expectations that were meant for me. Maybe she just couldn¡¯t ept my return, afraid that I would take¡­¡±

    ¡°Back to her happy life as a Morgan, so she acted impulsively. Four years is a long time to reflect. I believe she¡¯s changed,¡± Rosanna said, her voice trailing off.

    Something about Maia feltpletely different now, even after four years apart. Her gaze stayed calm, untouched by emotion, but the coldness in her eyes sent a shiver down Rosanna¡¯s spine.

    Something in Maia¡¯s eyes ¡ª sharp and unblinking ¡ª felt like a predator stalking prey in the dark, and it sent a cold shiver crawling down Rosanna¡¯s spine.

    ¡°Changed, really?¡± Stacy scoffed, eyes narrowing at Maia with contempt. She tilted her head, full of disdain. ¡°She just got out of jail and already thinks she can walk into a luxury store like she belongs here. Does she think she¡¯s still a Morgan? Where would she even get the money to afford something like that? And now she thinks it¡¯s okay to try on MCN¡¯s most coveted dress?¡±

    With a cold chuckle, Stacy stepped closer to Maia. ¡°Right, I keep forgetting ¡ª you¡¯ve been locked away for four years. You have no clue what¡¯s going on. That dress? It¡¯s worth more than your entire life¡¯s savings. Even if you sold everything you have, it still wouldn¡¯t be enough!¡±

    They had shown up today for a reason. Word had spread that this boutique might be disying that particr dress, and both women had hoped to im it first.

    Running into Maia here, who casually asked to try on the ¡°Blue Sea¡± of all things, wasn¡¯t part of their n. The idea of her touching a gown with that kind of value ¡ª a woman with a criminal record, no less ¡ª seemedughable.

    To them, it was nothing short of absurd.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 17

    ?Chapter 17:

    Rosanna pressed her lips tightly, anxiety flickering in her eyes as she nced at Maia. ¡°You¡¯ve only just gotten back on your feet. I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re still figuring things out financially. This isn¡¯t really the kind of thing you should be looking at. Why not consider something more reasonable?¡±

    ¡°More reasonable?¡± Stacy snapped, lifting her chin with exaggerated disdain. ¡°I¡¯m certain she can¡¯t afford anything in this entire store. Someone like her should know when they don¡¯t belong. If I were in her shoes, I¡¯d have turned around the second I saw the entrance ¡ª no way I¡¯d humiliate myself like this.¡±

    ¡°Stacy, that¡¯s enough¡­¡±

    ¡°I mean it, Rosanna. Don¡¯t let her ruin the day for us.¡± Stacy tugged her away from Maia and made her way to the disy. Then, with practiced confidence, she said to the sales associate, ¡°We¡¯ll take that dress.¡±

    The staff member offered a polite, professional smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,dies. That gown isn¡¯t avable for purchase. It¡¯s part of our disy collection, and only Supreme VIP members of MCN can ce an order for it.¡±

    Being a Supreme VIP at MCN meant more than just wealth. These were elite patrons who spent over seven million dors annually and were personally approved by Pattie, the brand¡¯s co-founder. Influence and status were mandatory ¡ª money alone couldn¡¯t buy ess.

    Only a handful of clients worldwide had ever made the cut.

    Stacy and Rosanna both faltered, their confidence shrinking just a little. They had known this gown was nearly impossible to obtain. Today had been nothing more than a hopeful gamble.

    Still, Rosanna¡¯s gaze lingered on the ¡°Blue Sea.¡± She had dreamed of wearing it at her engagement to Vince. That dress was supposed to be her grand entrance.

    She had already tried every route she could think of ¡ª called in favors, begged connections ¡ª but none of it had worked.

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    Now here it was ¡ª so close that she could almost touch it. Yet still, somehow, just out of reach.

    Rosanna¡¯s mood sank all at once.

    ¡°Let¡¯s not waste time. That gown¡¯s out of reach. Let¡¯s check out some other options,¡± said Stacy, gently pulling her away toward another section of the store.

    But as they turned away, Stacy caught a glimpse of Maia still standing nearby.

    Her annoyance boiled over. She snapped at the associate, her voice sharp and scornful, ¡°What kind of ce is this? You just let anyone walk in off the street? Someone like her doesn¡¯t belong here. Get that ex-con out of the store!¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡± The sales associate hesitated, clearly torn. MCN had built its entire brand around treating customers with respect. Expelling someone from the boutique? That had never happened before.

    ¡°What are you standing around for? She has a criminal record. Are you really going to wait until something goes missing? These dresses cost a fortune. If she pockets something, are you going to cover it?¡± Stacy¡¯s sharp voice quickly attracted attention, stirring murmurs among nearby shoppers.

    ¡°Seriously! When did MCN start letting criminals walk in like it¡¯s a discount store?¡±

    ¡°How are we supposed to shop with someone like that hanging around? Throw her out already!¡±

    Though Rosanna kept her expression sympathetic, a quiet spark of satisfaction danced in her eyes.

    Now even the sales associate started second-guessing whether this woman would really try to steal.

    With hesitation reced by difort, she finally approached Maia and said stiffly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, miss, but I¡¯m going to have to ask you to leave.¡±

    Instead of reacting, Maia stayedposed. Her eyes narrowed just slightly as she looked the woman over. ¡°Are you serious? Is that how MCN handles its Supreme VIPs?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 18

    ?Chapter 18:

    The staff member froze, color draining from her face.

    Stacy broke the silence with a loud, disbelievingugh. ¡°You¡¯re what now? A Supreme VIP? Maia, you were in prison. You don¡¯t even have pocket change. Did you hit your head, or are you just stuck in some fantasy?¡±

    With mock concern, Rosanna chimed in, ¡°Come on, Maia. I get that you like to keep up appearances, but this is just pathetic.¡±

    The whispers turned louder, the judgment in the room growing heavier. How could someone dressed so inly ¡ª sopletely forgettable ¡ª im she was among MCN¡¯s elite? Even her liecked imagination.

    The very sight of her made their skin crawl. They didn¡¯t say a word, but every re they threw begged the sales associate to make her disappear. Her presence alone was humiliating.

    From the corner of her eye, the saleswoman was already doubting everything. That VIP im? Completelyughable. MCN didn¡¯t just hand out that title like candy ¡ª it was reserved for the elite few.

    An ex-con with that kind of status? The idea was ridiculous. She had no shame. Disgust and contempt now in on her face, the saleswoman said sharply, ¡°Miss, please leave, or I¡¯ll have to call security.¡±

    Without a flicker of emotion, Maia raised her gaze and said in an even tone, ¡°My ount number starts with five zeroes. The password is MWI 5087. Go ahead, check it. If I¡¯m lying, I¡¯ll walk out on my own. But if I¡¯m telling the truth¡­¡± Her hand gestured past the stunned faces in the room. It stopped right at Stacy and Rosanna. A chill curled at the corners of her lips. ¡°Then I want both of them banned from MCN. Toss them out.¡±

    Stacy and Rosanna both stiffened.

    Stacy was the first to erupt. ¡°You think shouting out some made-up numbers is going to fool us? You¡¯re asking for it, Maia! Tricks like that won¡¯t scare us off. Alright then, here¡¯s the deal ¡ª if you turn out to be a Supreme VIP, I¡¯ll kneel and apologize to you in front of every person here. But if you¡¯re not, you¡¯re going to kneel and give us an apology. Loud enough for everyone to hear.¡±

    I@te$t ¡é#@pter$ In g@!novel$.c0m

    A slow grin spread across Maia¡¯s face. ¡°Deal. I¡¯ve never lost a bet before, and I¡¯m not starting now.¡±

    Not wanting things to spiral further, Rosanna stepped in with a performance of concern. She reached for Maia¡¯s arm and tried to reason with her. ¡°Maia, stop this. You just got out. You probably don¡¯t understand how rare Supreme VIP status is. Hardly anyone in Wront has it. Just walk away now before you embarrass yourself. If this turns ugly, I won¡¯t be able to save you.¡±

    Maia yanked her arm back. Her eyes narrowed, cold. Irritation etched deep into her brow. She gave Rosanna a hard stare. ¡°Don¡¯t ever speak to me like that again.¡±

    Rosanna looked at her, confused and speechless.

    Then Maia added, voice low and filled with disdain, ¡°Your hypocrisy makes me sick. Isn¡¯t it tiring to act in front of others?¡±

    At Maia¡¯s words, Rosanna stiffened, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She bit her lip, trying to look wounded and innocent.

    Stacy noticed her distress and rushed over without a second thought. She tugged Rosanna behind her and red sharply at Maia. ¡°Did you really just say that? No wonder you turned out like this. Clearly, you were raised without a shred of decency.¡±

    A faint, amused smile tugged at Maia¡¯s lips. ¡°That¡¯s odd. I grew up in the Morgan family too. And since Rosanna¡¯s the biological daughter, wouldn¡¯t that mean we were taught the same way? If Ick manners, wouldn¡¯t that say something about her? Or are you trying to say her parents are fools, unable to teach their children well?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s face darkened.

    ¡°You¡¯re twisting my words!¡± Stacy snapped, flustered as she turned toward Rosanna. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 19

    ?Chapter 19:

    Without wasting another second, Maia turned her attention back to the saleswoman, clearly done with their nonsense.

    A deep crease formed between the saleswoman¡¯s brows. Supreme VIP numbers with five zeroes? That sounded off. Was Maia bluffing to save face?

    Still, Maia looked far too confident for someone who might be lying.

    Well, there was an easy way to settle it. The system would tell the truth soon enough. Then they¡¯d all get to see just how Maia nned to dig herself out of this hole.

    ¡°Please hold on. I¡¯ll need to check our internal system.¡± With that, the saleswoman walked through a discreet door tucked behind one of the disys. Without missing a beat, Stacy stepped forward and blocked Maia¡¯s path. Arms folded, she sneered, ¡°Trying to buy time so you can sneak off the moment we¡¯re not looking? Don¡¯t even think about it. I¡¯m not letting you out of my sight.¡±

    Maia didn¡¯t even blink. She gave Stacy no attention at all.

    Inside the back office, the saleswoman sat down at the terminal. She typed in the digits Maia gave her, followed by the password.

    The screen loaded. A profile popped up with a name, a photo, and details that made her stop cold.

    Back on the sales floor, the tension was thick. Everyone kept their eyes on Maia, waiting for the moment her lie unraveled in front of them.

    When the saleswoman returned, everything about her had changed. She looked at Maia with quiet respect, despite the in T-shirt and worn jeans Maia wore.

    ording to the system, Maia wasn¡¯t just a Supreme VIP. She held the top-level clearance at MCN. Just who exactly was she?

    ¡°Come on now. It¡¯s clearly obvious Maia¡¯s faking it. There¡¯s no way she¡¯s a Supreme VIP!¡± Stacy marched toward the saleswoman, full of smugness as if she owned the ce.

    Every tale finds a home at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Rather than respond to Stacy, the saleswoman turned sharply and went straight to Maia. Her hands shook slightly as she bowed her head. ¡°M-Miss, I¡¯m so sorry. I failed to recognize your identity and treated you with disrespect.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± Both Stacy and Rosanna snapped their heads in Maia¡¯s direction, their eyes wide with disbelief.

    Around them, customers exchanged confused nces, whispers trailing in the air.

    ¡°This has to be some kind of joke! She¡¯s clearly bluffing!¡± Stacy shouted, refusing to back down.

    Even Rosanna began to panic. Her voice wavered. ¡°Could there be a mistake in your system?¡±

    Now fullyposed, the saleswoman met their stares with a cold gaze. ¡°There¡¯s no mistake. She holds the highest-tier Supreme VIP status at MCN. She¡¯s one of our most important clients.¡±

    For a few seconds, silence pressed down on the room like a weight.

    Stacy¡¯s mouth dropped open. ¡°No way! That¡¯s impossible! She¡¯s a criminal ¡ª she went to prison for theft! Even if those details are real, she probably stole someone else¡¯s ount. Yeah, that has to be it!¡±

    The associate rolled her eyes and let out a low scoff. The membership record had a photo. Was this woman really suggesting that the staff couldn¡¯t match a face?

    Just then, a tall man in a tailored suit entered, followed by a small group of uniformed security officers.

    Without hesitation, they came to a stop in front of Stacy and Rosanna.

    ¡°I¡¯m the manager of this mall. The two of you are now cklisted for spreading false usations and ndering a valued customer. You¡¯ve disturbed other shoppers, and I need you to leave ¡ª right now.¡±

    False usations and nder?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 20

    ?Chapter 20:

    The crowd blinked, stunned for a moment. But then the realization hit them all at once.

    The way they looked at Maia shiftedpletely.

    If the manager of Huntington Mall himself had stepped in, this young woman had to be someone important.

    Her simple clothes didn¡¯t matter anymore. In fact, it only made her stand out more. People with real status didn¡¯t need to unt it. Not like those two loudmouths who couldn¡¯t afford the Blue Sea dress and ndered others instead. How vile.

    Whispers and judgmental stares started to swirl around Stacy and Rosanna. Rosanna clenched her jaw, shaking with anger.

    Stacy, furious and exasperated, yelled, ¡°Have you lost your mind? Do you even know who I am? You think you can throw me out just like that?!¡±

    The mall manager let out a scoff, standing his ground. ¡°You can walk out now, or we¡¯ll help you out the hard way.¡±

    One look at the tall guards behind him was enough to shut Stacy up. Picking a fight now wasn¡¯t worth it.

    ¡°You¡¯re gonna regret this!¡± She shot Maia a re and tugged Rosanna along as she stomped toward the exit.

    They barely made it to the exit before Maia stepped in, blocking their way.

    ¡°What now?¡± Stacy snapped irritably.

    With a calm and knowing smile, Maia leaned slightly closer. Her gaze locked onto Stacy¡¯s reddening cheeks. ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who said you¡¯d kneel and apologize if you lost?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Stacy¡¯s face turned beet red.

    ¡°Come on. Everyone here heard you. Are you really going to walk away without keeping your word?¡± Though Maia¡¯s smile stayed friendly, there was a weight in her voice that couldn¡¯t be ignored.

    Let your mind wander with g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??????

    Rage simmered behind Stacy¡¯s eyes. Her fists clenched. ¡°Don¡¯t test me, Maia.¡±

    A quietugh escaped Maia. ¡°Test you? Please. You¡¯re the one who made a scene, dragged people into a bet, and now you¡¯re backing out like none of it happened.¡±

    As if on cue, murmurs rippled through the crowd. All eyes now turned to Stacy, full of judgment.

    ¡°The bet was her idea. She¡¯s the one who said the loser had to apologize in public. And now, just because she lost, she decided to go back on her word and y the victim?¡±

    ¡°Seriously. A deal¡¯s a deal. Take the loss with some dignity.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen someone this cheeky. It¡¯s actually painful to watch.¡±

    Humiliated and boiling with frustration, Stacy tried to bolt, dragging Rosanna along. But Maia caught her arm and yanked her right back inside.

    The sudden force knocked Stacy off bnce. Her heel slipped, and she nearly hit the floor.

    With her hands tucked into her jeans pockets, Maia walked over at a steady pace. There was a sharp,manding presence about her that made Stacy instinctively step back.

    Stopping close, Maia tilted her head and whispered into her ear with a smile that didn¡¯t match her eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t want to cross someone who¡¯s been through prison. Here¡¯s the deal ¡ª I can ease the requirements. You don¡¯t need to kneel, but you must apologize sincerely.¡± She didn¡¯t raise her voice. She didn¡¯t need to.

    A chill passed through Stacy like a sudden gust of cold air.

    As she stared at Maia, a flicker of fear crossed her eyes. Was this really the same woman she once thought was weak? The one she used to ridicule without a second thought?

    Whispers began to stir through the crowd once someone pointed out who Rosanna was. The moment people realized she was that countryside girl trying to blend in with the elite, their judgment came swift and sharp.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 21

    ?Chapter 21:

    Inside MCN, the crowd wasn¡¯t ordinary ¡ª they were the daughters of power, raised in Wront¡¯s most exclusive social circles. Rosanna, freshly reintroduced to that world, couldn¡¯t afford to be humiliated here.

    Her face turned grim the second she caught wind of their condescending remarks. Nothing rattled her more than the thought of being dismissed or pitied. So when her pride was on the line, she didn¡¯t hesitate. With a cold re, she turned to Stacy and said, ¡°There¡¯s nothing worse than someone who goes back on their word. You lost. That means you follow through. If you don¡¯t, we¡¯re done ¡ª don¡¯t speak to me again!¡±

    Shock froze Stacy in ce as she looked at Rosanna, her body trembling from head to toe.

    Every bit of privilege she had came from clinging to Rosanna¡¯s side. Without her, she was nothing. Defying Rosanna wasn¡¯t an option.

    Trying to hold herself together, Stacy bit down on her lip and forced the words out. ¡°I am truly sorry, Maia. I should not have talked to you so arrogantly and embarrassed you in public. Please forgive me, and I promise I will remember this lesson.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t sound so sincere, but whatever. I ept your apology.¡± Maia raised an eyebrow and gave a slow, satisfied nod.

    With her face buried in her hands, Stacy bolted out of the store.

    As Rosanna passed Maia, she shot her a nce full of resentment. In her heart, she made a silent promise ¡ª Maia would regret this.

    But Maia didn¡¯t even flinch. Her attention drifted elsewhere as she noticed Chris entering from the main entrance.

    Watching the two retreating figures, Chris squinted before turning to Maia. ¡°Care to exin what just went down?¡±

    With a careless grin, Maia shrugged. ¡°Just ran into a couple of lunatics who didn¡¯t know when to quit.¡±

    That drew a subtle smirk from Chris, his brow slightly lifted.

    Instead of asking more about those two women, he simply changed the topic. ¡°Anyway, did you like the clothes?¡±

    At that, Maia suddenly remembered something. She leaned in and whispered by his ear, ¡°Mr. Cooper, these prices are way too high. Maybe we should shop somewhere else?¡±

    ¡°Too high, huh?¡± Chris, ying along, raised his voice slightly on purpose.

    That was all it took for the manager to catch on. He hurried over, stering on the brightest smile he could manage. ¡°Miss, please ept our sincerest apologies. We¡¯ve caused you unnecessary trouble today. Aspensation, the mall would be honored to cover your purchases. Anything you choose is free of charge.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ I wasn¡¯t expecting that.¡± Maia blinked in surprise.

    Is the mall owner really that generous? Could they not fear the possibility of her cleaning out their inventory and bankrupting them? Or was it possible that they recognized her as an MCN Supreme VIP, and that was why they were bending over backward to amodate her?

    ¡°Let¡¯s ept it; it would be discourteous to decline.¡± As Maia was still pondering, Chris gently took the voucher and ced it in her hand.

    After expressing her gratitude to the manager, Maia nced up at Chris with a hint of mischief in her eyes. ¡°This turned out to be a hidden blessing!¡±

    Caught by her mischievous expression, Chris paused briefly. It had been about eleven years since he¡¯dst seen that look on her face.

    He grinned. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s not quite as costly as we thought.¡± With that, he started toward the MCN store. But Maia swiftly tugged at his arm.

    ¡°Actually¡­ I¡¯ve had a second look, and the styles here don¡¯t really appeal to me. Let¡¯s check out another ce,¡± she suggested.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 22

    ?Chapter 22:

    She was aware that if he entered the store with her, her status as an MCN Supreme VIP would be revealed.

    She was not yet prepared to reveal her true identity to him. Knowing too soon could disrupt her carefullyid ns. Exiting now seemed like the wisest course.

    Noticing a sky-blue dress disyed in the window, Chris expressed his reluctance with a hint of disappointment. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go then.¡± Together, they left the mall, walking side by side.

    Watching them depart, the mall manager breathed a deep sigh of relief. Receiving that unexpected call from his boss ¡ª actually Chris ¡ª had nearly caused him a panic, fearing he had made a grave error.

    It turned out the issue was merely about managing a troublesome situation. Women iming connections to Chris had visited the store. However, Maia was the first to arrive, apanied by Chris, prompting direct instructions from him.

    In the bustling environment of Huntington Mall, Maia clutched the free shopping voucher, scarcely believing its authenticity.

    But Chris, standing beside her, looked perfectly calm, as if nothing out of the ordinary had urred.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, doesn¡¯t this surprise you at all?¡± Maia inquired casually. Chris responded with aposed demeanor, ¡°What¡¯s there to be surprised about?¡±

    ¡°Just now, the mall manager appeared out of the blue and resolved a trivial matter by giving away a free voucher. Doesn¡¯t that concern the owner about potential losses?¡±

    A slight smile yed across Chris¡¯ lips.

    Earlier, he had positioned himself on a phone call just outside the store, strategically ced to observe the unfolding events inside. From his vantage point, he had keenly watched Maia handle the situation, both impressed and taken aback by her actions.

    L¨»¦Ó??¦Ó c§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ??n g??l??ov?l??.??o??

    Chris considered the consequences for anyone who dared to cross his wife in a mall he owned; simply cklisting and ejecting them seemed quite merciful. Moreover, he thought, why should his wife ever have to pay in a mall that belonged to him? He¡¯d dly offer her anything she desired.

    Chris said nonchntly, ¡°Perhaps to the owner, ensuring every customer¡¯s satisfaction is not a minor detail. Moreover, framing someone falsely is no trivial matter.¡±

    Reflecting on Rosanna¡¯s false usations against her four years ago, Maia nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

    Chris continued specting, ¡°Maybe a staff member tipped them off. That would exin why the manager reacted so fast.¡±

    Maia nodded once more, her eyes lingering thoughtfully on Chris.

    His demeanor wasposed, his insights precise. He bore little resemnce to the man rumored about in hushed tones. At that moment, Chris faced her directly, his gaze intense yet filled with a gentle warmth.

    Maia averted her eyes swiftly, clearing her throat. ¡°It¡¯s no surprise that Huntington Mall has rapidly grown to be among thergest in Wront. The synergy between the owner¡¯s vision and the team¡¯s implementation is remarkable.¡±

    Chris¡¯s eyebrow quirked up at her words, his smile both elegant and rxed. ¡°Indeed, you¡¯ve got that right.¡±

    Stacy and Rosanna found themselves expelled from the mall, left to contend with the cold wind on the roadside.

    Stacy, tears streaming down her face, stamped her foot in frustration. ¡°Rosanna, why did you defend Maia just now? You made me look foolish!¡±

    Rosanna returned her gaze sharply. Despite her irritation, she knew that she still needed Stacy for certain schemes, so it was crucial not to sever ties.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 23

    ?Chapter 23:

    With her lip quivering and eyes welling up, Rosanna pleaded, ¡°Stacy, please understand, I was cornered. Didn¡¯t you hear what those socialites were whispering about us back in the store? If I hadn¡¯t intervened, we¡¯d be the talk of the town. How would we face anyone in Wront¡¯s high society again? Surely you don¡¯t n to remain with that old man indefinitely, right? Don¡¯t you aspire to marry into wealth?¡±

    Rosanna and Stacy had been acquaintances long before Rosanna¡¯s reintegration into the Morgan family. At that time, Stacy worked as a salesgirl at a cosmetic counter in a shopping mall. Upon discovering Rosanna¡¯s true identity as the daughter of the Morgan family, Stacy endeavored to gain her favor. It was Rosanna who then introduced her to a local entrepreneur.

    Stacy quickly became involved with him, entering a life of luxury and excess. She had grown ustomed to a life of pride and rarely faced any degradation.

    After reflecting for a moment, Stacy reached out and took Rosanna¡¯s hand, expressing remorse. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rosanna. I overreacted. You were only trying to help me.¡±

    Rosanna gave a forgiving smile.

    ¡°They werepletely out of line to throw us out like that,¡± Stacy said through clenched teeth. ¡°And Maia! How does she know the manager at Huntington Mall? Why did he defend her?¡±

    A shadow passed over Rosanna¡¯s face, her tone filled with bitterness. ¡°Vince¡¯s firm has dealings with Huntington Mall. I¡¯ll call him to figure out what¡¯s happening.¡±

    Stacy¡¯s face brightened at the mention. ¡°Oh, of course! If Vince intervenes, he might just get that manager dismissed and clear our names from the cklist! And as for Maia ¡ª she deserves to be banned from here permanently.¡± Stacy smirked confidently and crossed her arms. ¡°That¡¯s right. They must face the consequences of crossing us!¡±

    Rosanna pulled out her phone and started dialing Vince¡¯s number.

    ¡°Rosanna, did everything go well with your shopping today?¡± Vince questioned. He had intended to spend the afternoon shopping with Rosanna but had changed his ns after a disheartening run-in with Maia earlier. Offering his credit card aspensation, Vince excused himself, citing urgent business needs.

    Uncover new tales on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s??om

    Though disappointed, Rosanna, ever amodating, chose not toin and invited Stacy to join her instead.

    Now, as soon as she heard Vince¡¯s concerned voice, Rosanna¡¯s tears welled up. Her voice trembled and broke as she began to cry, whispering, ¡°Vince¡­¡±

    Sensing her distress, Vince quickly responded, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Who has upset you so?¡±

    ¡°It was Maia.¡±

    Vince fell silent for a beat before saying, ¡°Maia?¡±

    Rosanna cried even more desperately. ¡°When I was shopping with Stacy at Huntington Mall, we ran into Maia. She was rude to me, and to protect me, Stacy revealed Maia¡¯s past of stealing and going to jail. Who would have thought the manager of Huntington Mall would suddenly appear, use us of ndering Maia, cklist us, and kick us out of the mall?¡±

    Vince¡¯s expression grew stern. ¡°What?¡±

    Rosanna continued, ¡°I just can¡¯t understand why the mall manager would stand up for Maia. That man is in his forties. Could it be that¡­ he¡¯s taken a liking to her? It¡¯s not the injustice towards Stacy and me that bothers me; I¡¯m worried about Maia. She¡¯s recently out of jail, has no money, and has cut ties with the Morgan family. She¡¯s vulnerable, and I fear she might go down the wrong path.¡±

    Vince tightened his grip on his phone. He replied softly, ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll make a call to the mall right away to investigate.¡±

    Rosanna ended the call with a sly smirk, a gleam of triumph in her eyes. Realizing that Vince still cared deeply gave her a lift.

    Turning to Stacy, she confidently said, ¡°Vince is on it. We¡¯ll be off the cklist before you know it.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 24

    ?Chapter 24:

    ¡°You¡¯ve got Vince wrapped around your finger, Rosanna! You truly are brilliant.¡± Stacy beamed, looping her arm through Rosanna¡¯s, clearly impressed. She added boastfully, ¡°We¡¯ll just wait here. They¡¯ll surely send someone from Huntington Mall to apologize and bring us back.¡±

    Meanwhile, Vince initiated a call to the corporate head of Huntington Mall.

    He said in a cold,manding tone, ¡°This is Vince. Today, my girlfriend and her friend were wrongly cklisted and ejected by your mall manager. Is this the level of professionalism your managers exhibit? Is this eptable management practice?¡±

    Vince was confident that once the corporate head realized who theint involved, they would act swiftly to fire the manager and make amends, possibly even escorting Rosanna and Stacy back personally.

    However, the response Vince received was unexpectedly dismissive. ¡°Oh, yes, I¡¯m aware of the incident. Our boss has instructed us to cklist anyone who intervenes on their behalf as well.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Vince was stunned. ¡°Are you serious? If that¡¯s your stance, I¡¯m prepared to sever the Ward Group¡¯s ties with your mall immediately!¡±

    The general manager responded with a dismissive chuckle. ¡°Feel free. We¡¯re hardlycking in partners.¡±

    The call ended abruptly, leaving Vince visibly shaken and seething with fury. As the heir to the Ward Group, Vince was unustomed to such tant disregard from a business partner.

    Meanwhile, Rosanna and Stacy remained outside the mall, hopeful.

    When Rosanna¡¯s phone lit up with Vince¡¯s number, she quickly picked up, her face lighting up. ¡°Vince, how did the call go? Are they sending someone to bring us back?¡±

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    Vince¡¯s reply came through, his tone subdued and clearly annoyed. ¡°Find a different mall to shop at. Stay away from Huntington Mall from now on.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Rosanna responded in disbelief.

    ¡°There are several otherrge shopping centers in Wront, you know. Just steer clear of Huntington Mall in the future.¡±

    Vince quickly ended the call, leaving Rosanna dumbfounded.

    What was Vince trying to say? Was he truly unable to handle the situation? That seemed unlikely.

    Still standing beside her, Stacy smugly inquired, ¡°Rosanna, are they on their way to apologize? An apology alone isn¡¯t sufficient. They need to own uppletely ¡ª and publicly.¡±

    Rosanna clenched her teeth and furrowed her brow. ¡°Stacy, we should leave.¡±

    ¡°Leave? To where?¡± Stacy appeared puzzled. ¡°Aren¡¯t we supposed to wait for their apology? I¡¯m not letting them get away with this!¡±

    Rosanna exhaled slowly. ¡°No one¡¯s apologizing. Let¡¯s just go and shop elsewhere. Let¡¯s forget about Huntington Mall.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Stacy eximed, clearly shocked.

    This unfolded in a way she hadn¡¯t anticipated. Rosanna always boasted about Vince¡¯s influence and his ability to fix any problem, so how was it possible that he couldn¡¯t manage a mall manager? Stacy felt like cursing out loud but held back her frustration since Rosanna was right beside her.

    Just as they were about to walk away¡ª

    ¡°Look, Rosanna! Is that Maia?¡± Stacy gripped Rosanna¡¯s arm, pointing in disbelief a short way off.

    They watched as Maia stepped into a Rolls-Royce Phantom, which swiftly drove away.

    Rosanna and Stacy stood frozen, eyes wide open.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 25

    ?Chapter 25:

    It took a while before Stacy finally said, ¡°That makes sense now. She has that supreme MCN membership because she¡¯s clearly being financed by someone wealthy!¡±

    Rosanna frowned, puzzled. ¡°She¡¯s fresh out of prison, though. How could she manage¡ª¡±

    Stacy scoffed. ¡°Maybe she was already being kept before she went to prison, and now she¡¯s just reverted to her previous lifestyle.¡±

    Frustration gripped Rosanna, her nails digging into her flesh.

    Could their ejection from the mall today have been influenced by the man backing Maia? Even Vince seemed outmatched. Who could this influential man connected to Maia possibly be?

    With no possibility of returning to Huntington Mall, Rosanna and Stacy reluctantly caught a taxi to another major shopping center.

    Their outing had originally been nned around visiting MCN for itstest collection, but their visit was cut short by their abrupt expulsion.

    Fortunately, other malls also housed MCN stores.

    Upon entering the MCN store at the new location, Rosanna and Stacy selected some items from the new collection and approached the checkout. It was then that the saleswoman informed them, ¡°I¡¯m sorry,dies, but our system shows that you¡¯re both on the cklist. You cannotplete any purchases here at MCN.¡±

    The saleswoman¡¯s demeanor was noticeably unweing.

    It was rare for MCN to cklist anyone unless the offenses were severe ¡ª theft, vandalism, or serious nder. These women must havemitted a significant infraction to warrant such a sanction.

    The saleswoman made no effort to mask her scorn as she said, ¡°Unfortunately, we cannot serve anyone who is cklisted. You¡¯ll need to leave now.¡±

    L?t?st ch¦Ápt?rs ¦Én g??l??ov§Ö???.????

    Rosanna and Stacy found themselves ejected once again.

    This incident only intensified Stacy¡¯s anger.

    Rosanna, fists clenched, realized the gravity of their cklist status at MCN.

    Was this situation linked to the influential man backing Maia? His clout must be substantial. Who could this man be, who held such sway that Maia had captured his favor?

    Overwhelmed with anger yet bound by her need to appear genteel, Rosanna couldn¡¯t show her frustration openly.

    Effortlessly, she mustered a carefree expression and suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s drop it. Their merchandise isn¡¯t worth our concern. Maybe we¡¯ll find something better in the other shops!¡±

    As darkness settled, turmoil stirred within the walls of the Morgan family mansion.

    Richard was pacing back and forth in the living room, wringing his hands in worry. Thepany¡¯s biggest business partner had suddenly and unterally ended their coboration. For the Morgan Group, the impact was nothing short of disastrous.

    ¡°Darling, could we have done something to offend them?¡± Sandra was perplexed, struggling to understand how their flourishing partnership had unexpectedly copsed.

    No reasons were provided by their business partner, leaving them powerless to mend the rtionship.

    ¡°Miss Morgan has arrived.¡±

    Upon Rosanna¡¯s entry, Tricia promptly came forward to relieve her of her shopping bags and took them inside. Observing the logos on the bags, which were all from upscale brands, Richard¡¯s expression shifted to one of concern.

    The Morgan Group had just lost their biggest partner, and now bankruptcy was staring them in the face.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 26

    ?Chapter 26:

    Rosanna had recently purchased an array of extravagant, though unnecessary, luxury items. Had Maia made such purchases, Richard would have swiftly rebuked her with a harsh scolding. However, Rosanna was his own daughter, who had been lost to him for seventeen long years.

    Feeling a pang of guilt, Richard was unable to utter a single harsh word. Instead, he let out a frustrated sigh.

    Sandra, noticing Richard¡¯s dilemma, took a moment before gently approaching Rosanna. She sped her hand and sighed softly. ¡°Rosanna, our family¡¯s situation isn¡¯t what it once was. Maybe it¡¯s time to scale back on the luxury shopping. Are these items truly necessary?¡±

    Sandra¡¯s tone was as gentle as possible, yet it caused Rosanna¡¯s eyes to well up with tears instantly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mom.¡± Rosanna¡¯s head dropped, tears flowing freely as she lookedpletely devastated.

    Immediately, Sandra regretted her words.

    Rosanna had been away from them for seventeen years, enduring untold hardships. Sandra now questioned her own judgment. What harm was there in Rosanna indulging in a few pleasures? She didn¡¯t think Sandra should criticize her.

    Sandra was just about tofort Rosanna when she heard Rosanna, her voice slightly choked, saying, ¡°I won¡¯t spend the family¡¯s money so carelessly anymore. But these things¡­ actually, Vince bought them for me.¡±

    Sandra was taken aback. Vince was the one who had made the purchases, intensifying her sense of remorse. She took Rosanna¡¯s hand more firmly and guided her to the sofa, her expression one of regret. ¡°I apologize, Rosanna. It was wrong of me to criticize you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mom. You were just concerned about our family¡¯s well-being ¡ª I get it.¡± Rosanna tried to show empathy and understanding. ¡°But, Mom, what did you mean earlier about our family¡¯s situation changing?¡±

    With a heavy sigh, Sandra exined the abrupt severance of ties by theirrgest business partner.

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    Rosanna¡¯s expression grew troubled as she hesitated, then looked at Sandra. ¡°I have something to tell you, but I¡¯m not sure if I should.¡±

    Sandra offered aforting smile. ¡°Whatever it is, you can share it with me, dear.¡±

    Encouraged by her mother¡¯s reassurance, Rosanna decided to confide. She exhaled deeply and said, ¡°I saw Maia at the mall today.¡±

    ¡°Maia?¡± Sandra¡¯s expression became concerned, her eyebrows furrowing.

    Rosanna gave a confirming nod. ¡°I caught her shopping at a high-end store. More than that, I saw her stepping into a Rolls-Royce. Could it be that she doesn¡¯t feel the need to return to us because she¡¯s found a better situation, one where she looks down on our family? Curiously, our family crisis coincided with her distancing herself. I¡¯m uncertain if these events are rted.¡± Her voice was even, conveying a message that was clearly understood.

    Out of Rosanna¡¯s view, Sandra¡¯s hands balled into fists.

    It now made sense why Maia¡¯s demeanor had drastically changed after prison ¡ª her behavior wasn¡¯t just unfriendly; it had turned scornfully hostile. It seems she had secured a powerful backer.

    Four years behind bars didn¡¯t exactly give Maia the chance to cozy up to anyone influential. Where could she have found the time ¡ª or the people ¡ª to build that kind of support? The idea that someone important might be backing her just didn¡¯t add up.

    Watching Sandra¡¯s puzzled expression, Rosanna stepped in with a quiet but timely suggestion. ¡°She only just got out. There¡¯s no way she secured a ce to stay that fast. Could it be¡­ she made arrangements before she was locked up?¡±

    ¡°Before she was locked up?¡± Sandra echoed, clearly thrown by the possibility.

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t she always head-over-heels for Vince?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 27

    ?Chapter 27:

    ¡°Can anyone really say what was in her heart?¡±

    Her lips pressed together as if she was holding something back. That subtle shift in her expression sparked something in Sandra, who suddenly looked stunned.

    Everyone had believed that Maia¡¯s feelings for Vince were sincere. She had yed the role of the devoted girlfriend so well. But now, it was hard not to wonder what else she might have been hiding.

    Whispers about her being disloyal, maniptive, and fickle might have had some truth. Wearing the Morgan name couldn¡¯t change what was underneath. Maybe they weren¡¯t wrong to use her of stealing the treasure from Radiant Jewels after all.

    Disgust flickered in Sandra¡¯s eyes. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to dig up the truth. If she¡¯s the one pulling strings in the background, I swear she won¡¯t get away with it!¡± she said.

    Rosanna gently ced a hand on her mother¡¯s. ¡°Please, Mom. Maybe Maia didn¡¯t have any other options. Don¡¯t be too harsh on her.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re still defending her after everything she¡¯s done to you? You¡¯re too good-hearted, Rosanna. This world is full of people who¡¯ll take advantage of that.¡± Holding Rosanna¡¯s hand a little tighter, Sandra looked at her with motherly concern.

    A momentter, something seemed to click in Sandra¡¯s mind, and her eyes lit up. ¡°Wait¡­ Those things you showed me earlier. Vince bought them for you?¡±

    Rosanna nodded, still a bit overwhelmed by it all. As Sandra¡¯s eyes swept over the designer¡­

    Bags and essories piled up, and Rosanna estimated the haul was worth close to a hundred thousand.

    Your escape is on g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    Vince¡¯s generosity with Rosanna spoke volumes. It was clear now that he cared deeply for her. That hadn¡¯t been the case with Maia. No matter how many ways Maia tried to impress him back then, he never looked at her with the same affection. Not once.

    In fact, he never spent this kind of money on her ¡ª ever.

    Sandra even remembered how Maia once used Morgan family funds to buy Vince a birthday gift, trying to earn his affection.

    Next to Rosanna, Maia looked like nothing more than a clingy shadow with no real worth.

    Truth be told, men like Vince didn¡¯t fall for just anyone. They were picky and saw through fake smiles and empty charm.

    Rosanna, though ¡ª she was gentle. She was warm. She knew when to speak and when to stay quiet. What man wouldn¡¯t fall for that?

    Clearly, Vince had figured Maia out long ago. That was why he always kept his distance.

    Everything about him changed when it came to Rosanna.

    That thought brought a wide grin to Sandra¡¯s face. ¡°Rosanna, I think it¡¯s time we start talking about your wedding with Vince.¡±

    A soft blush crept up Rosanna¡¯s cheeks, and she tucked in her smile like a girl with a secret.

    Not missing a beat, Sandra continued, ¡°Once you¡¯re married to Vince, the Ward family will have every reason to stand behind us. No more worrying about what others think. And I can finally stop fearing that someone might take advantage of you.¡±

    Though there had always been a formal agreement tying the Morgans to the Wards, their rtionship had remained polite but emotionally distant. While Vince continued to visit their home often, his family had never once taken the lead in discussing marriage.

    Even in business, they kept their support to themselves. During the financial scare two years ago, when the Morgan family was barely hanging on, it was a quiet investor who stepped in with a significant amount of capital ¡ª enough to keep them afloat.

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    .

 Chapter 28

    ?Chapter 28:

    Now, with everything falling into ce, Sandra had no doubt. That anonymous investor had to be from the Ward family.

    Initially, Vince had been promised to Maia. Maybe that was the reason the Wards kept their distance. They never really approved of her.

    After Rosanna was named as Vince¡¯s girlfriend, the sudden shift in support began to make sense.

    There had been a time when Sandra feared the disparity between the families might lead to a broken arrangement. But now that Vince openly adored Rosanna, and with the Ward family quietly showing their hand, that anxiety had finally eased.

    ¡°Why not invite Vince for dinner soon? It¡¯s time we sit down and talk about the wedding like a real family.¡±

    Hearing the word ¡°wedding¡± made Rosanna¡¯s heart flutter with excitement. Still, she yed it cool. ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll do whatever you and Dad think is best.¡±

    Meanwhile, outside, the city streets buzzed with honking cars and the shuffle of pedestrians.

    Inside his car, Vince rubbed his temples, his mind tangled in knots.

    Images of Maia¡¯s bright, genuine smile from the past kept shing in his mind. Alongside that were Rosanna¡¯s carefully chosen words from earlier that day.

    Something didn¡¯t sit right. Who was that mall manager anyway? What kind of connections did that man have that even he, from the Ward family, couldn¡¯t get him fired? And what exactly was his rtionship with Maia?

    The image of Maia smiling so brightly at another man sent a bitter pang through Vince¡¯s chest.

    While staring out the window in silence, his eyes caught sight of a glittering storefront wrapped in gold ents and soft lighting.

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    It was a Radiant Jewels boutique ¡ª one of the brands under the Cooper Group.

    Without thinking twice, Vince straightened and said, ¡°Pull over. Right now.¡±

    Tires screeched as the car came to a sudden stop by the curb.

    Brian Castillo, Vince¡¯s assistant, turned around, puzzled. ¡°Is something wrong, Mr. Ward?¡±

    Without offering a single word, Vince pushed open the door and stepped out. Dressed in a sharp blue suit, he looked every bit the image of poise and authority, every line making its statement clear.

    As soon as he entered the Radiant Jewels store, everyone inside turned to look. One of the sales associates hurried over, her smile brightening as she approached. ¡°Good evening, sir. How may I assist you tonight?¡±

    Brian trailed behind him, still trying to make sense of the sudden detour. Usually, Vince didn¡¯t bother with these things personally. He gave instructions, and Brian took care of the rest.

    Not once today had Vince mentioned anything about shopping for jewelry. Besides, Vince had an important engagementing up soon. They were already runningte, and Brian had been speeding to make up time. Why had Vince suddenly asked him to stop ande into this jewelry store?

    Vince¡¯s eyes stopped on a particr bracelet in the disy. Its silvery sheen shimmered under the lights, catching his full attention.

    A memory, uninvited, crept into his thoughts. He remembered Maia as she used to be ¡ª still carrying the Morgan name. Every time they walked past this store, she¡¯d nce longingly at that bracelet, her eyes lingering with quiet yearning.

    Clearly, she had liked it. And yet, he¡¯d never bought it for her.

    ¡°This piece is quite special. The two interlocked hearts symbolize a deep bond. It¡¯s one of our bestsellers for romantic gifts,¡± the sales associate said, her voice sweet with practiced charm.

    ¡°Is that so¡­¡± Vince let a faint smirk tug at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Wrap it up. I¡¯ll take it.¡±

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 Chapter 29

    ?Chapter 29:

    Brian leaned in quickly, lowering his voice. ¡°Sir, that bracelet costs more than four hundred thousand. Are you sure you want to go through with it?¡±

    A sidelong nce from Vince cut the air between them. ¡°Are you suggesting I can¡¯t afford it?¡±

    ¡°Of course not, sir.¡±

    There wasn¡¯t a doubt in anyone¡¯s mind ¡ª Vince could afford anything he wanted.

    In the past, Vince had never once picked out jewelry for Rosanna himself. It was always Brian¡¯s task, with strict orders to never choose anything over a hundred thousand.

    Even now, Brian¡¯s unease lingered. Watching Vince casually select something so expensive without a second thought made him nervous. What if Vince regretted itter and pinned the me on him for not speaking up?

    Soon, the sales associate returned, presenting Vince with an elegantly wrapped bag. Her eyes shimmered with admiration. ¡°Sir, your girlfriend is incredibly lucky to have someone as thoughtful as you.¡±

    A polite nod and a gentleman¡¯s smile from Vince were all it took to make the young woman blush.

    Looking at him ¡ª so handsome, wealthy, andposed ¡ª she couldn¡¯t help but wonder what kind of woman had captured his heart.

    Once back inside the car, Vince lifted the lid of the box. He stared at the silver bracelet, his mind drifting somewhere far away.

    From the driver¡¯s seat, Brian stole a nce at him through the mirror, a yful edge to his voice. ¡°Mr. Ward, going all out like this ¡ª are you nning to propose to Miss Morgan?¡±

    Without a flicker of amusement, Vince shut the box with a soft click. ¡°That¡¯s not something you need to know,¡± he replied coolly.

    Discover more

    Meanwhile, inside another gleaming Rolls-Royce, Maia was in a good mood. She sneaked a look at Chris, the neon lights outside painting sharp lines across his striking features.

    The sleeves of his crisp shirt were casually rolled up, one hand steady on the wheel with an effortless grace. Long, graceful fingers moved with a kind of natural elegance.

    There was no denying it ¡ª he was dangerously good-looking.

    Catching her stare, Chris lifted an eyebrow with a slow, teasing smile. ¡°See something interesting, Miss Watson?¡±

    Maia snapped her gaze forward, flustered. ¡°No. Nothing at all.¡±

    As he maneuvered through traffic, Chris¡¯ tone turned yful. ¡°If you keep looking at me like that, I might get the wrong idea. Might even think you¡¯re falling for me.¡±

    Maia let out a softugh. ¡°You must be joking, Mr. Cooper. People don¡¯t just fall in love like flipping a switch.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Chris nced at her. ¡°You don¡¯t think love at first sight is real?¡±

    For a moment, Maia said nothing. In her mind, the memory of Vince surfaced ¡ª him standing under the bright sun in a crisp white shirt, his features so handsome that they once stole her breath away. Now, when she looked back, the memory felt hollow, tinged only with sorrow and bitter amusement.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never put much faith in ideas like that,¡± she said eventually, her voice turning distant.

    Chris lifted an eyebrow and studied her carefully. His lowugh rumbled through the car. ¡°Well, I do.¡±

    The night air crept in through the slightly open window, stirring a restless flutter inside her.

    Before the conversation could turn heavier, Maia quickly changed the subject. ¡°You must be starving by now, Mr. Cooper. How about dinner? It¡¯s on me.¡±

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    .

 Chapter 30

    ?Chapter 30:

    Chris kept his attention on the road, his reply easy. ¡°I should be the one treating you. You picked out all those clothes for me today. It¡¯s only fair I return the favor.¡±

    In the backseat, shopping bags rustled with the car¡¯s movement. Those bags held the afternoon¡¯s spoils, carefully chosen by Maia.

    Remembering how earnestly she had gone about selecting each item, Chris let a small smile curve his mouth.

    Maia, on the other hand, felt a bit awkward. She touched the tip of her nose and said, ¡°But I didn¡¯t actually pay for them.¡±

    Chris turned his head slightly, his gaze lingering on her with unexpected warmth. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. You put thought into it. That¡¯s what counts.¡±

    A sudden flutter stirred in Maia¡¯s chest, but she kept silent.

    The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of a secluded, high-end restaurant.

    Maia stepped out and lifted her gaze toward the sign above the entrance. Though tucked away in a quiet suburb, the ce had a distinctive charm ¡ª its design elegant, understated, and polished. Establishments like this rarely came cheap.

    When she turned back, she caught sight of Chris tossing the car keys to the valet with casual confidence. Then again, Chris was his boss¡¯s chauffeur. It made sense that he had been here plenty of times.

    Setting her questions aside, Maia followed him through the entrance.

    Inside, the ambiance shifted immediately ¡ª serene and refined, with each booth nestled among vibrant greenery and blooming flowers that gave the space a soft, natural calm. Every seating area was enclosed with a screen, offering guests a sense of privacy and seclusion.

    Maia and Chris were led to one of these secluded booths and took their seats without much conversation.

    Not far behind them, a tall figure strolled past ¡ª but abruptly came to a stop, his steps stilled by instinct.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s©q??o?? is where stories live

    Vince turned sharply, his sharp eyes narrowing in recognition.

    Maia? What on earth was she doing here?

    Behind him, Brian barely avoided colliding with his back and blinked in confusion. ¡°Mr. Ward, is something wrong?¡±

    Though Vince shifted his gaze away, his thoughts churned.

    He had just seen Maia walk in ¡ª with another man.

    Vince¡¯s hands curled into tight fists as Rosanna¡¯s words from earlier echoed in his mind.

    A high-end restaurant like this wasn¡¯t for casual meals ¡ª had Maia really found herself a sugar daddy? Was it that middle-aged mall manager she¡¯d mentioned before?

    ¡°Mr. Ward, we¡¯re running short on time,¡± Brian said, ncing at his watch. Every instinct in Vince urged him to march in and demand answers. But this meeting was with a major client, and any misstep could cost him.

    Reluctantly, he buried the anger bubbling beneath the surface and forced himself to focus on work.

    Meanwhile, inside the booth, Maia leaned against her hand, her eyes tracing the outline of the moonlit sky beyond the window.

    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Chris asked, breaking the silence.

    Snapping out of her thoughts, Maia reached for the coffee and took a slow sip. ¡°Mr. Cooper, how possible is it to recover something that was thrown away four years ago?¡±

    Chris looked up from the menu, slightly surprised by the question. ¡°Well, that depends. Most trash goes through a recycling center ¡ª recybles are reused, and the rest gets discarded. But after four years? Even recyble materials would be tough to track down.¡±

    Something in his response sparked a small glimmer in her eyes.

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 Chapter 31

    ?Chapter 31:

    She understood that finding Vicki¡¯s bracelet, which had been thrown away, after so long was a long shot ¡ª but even the tiniest possibility was enough to keep her trying.

    Without another word, Maia unlocked her phone and typed out a message: ¡°Help me trace where Vista Vis sent their garbage for sorting and recycling four years ago. I¡¯m looking for something specific.¡± She added a photo of the bracelet before hitting send.

    The response came back almost instantly. ¡°Four years ago? That¡¯s a big favor!¡±

    Without missing a beat, Maia replied, ¡°Should I just do it myself?¡±

    An even quicker message followed. ¡°NO, no! I¡¯m on it right now!¡±

    Seeing the reply, Maia slid her phone back into her bag.

    Chris, noticing the exchange, asked casually, ¡°You looking for something? Need a hand?¡±

    ¡°Just something random I was curious about,¡± Maia said with a light shrug.

    If she couldn¡¯t track it down herself, she doubted anyone else could.

    No need to make it moreplicated than it already was.

    Chris studied her for a second but chose not to press further.

    Once their meal wrapped up, Maia mentioned she needed the restroom and asked Chris to wait at the entrance.

    She had just finished washing her hands and was heading for the door when a shadow fell across the light.

    Looking up, Maia locked eyes with Vince ¡ª his face stiff, his expression unreadable.

    Her breath caught for a second, pupils tightening in surprise. What on earth was he doing here?

    Find thetest stories g?ln¦Òv??ls

    Maia flinched at first, but the hesitation didn¡¯tst. She straightened her back, locked eyes with him, and said indifferently, ¡°Please move aside.¡±

    The coldness in her tone did nothing to deter Vince.

    He hadn¡¯t been able to sit still all evening and had finally used a flimsy excuse to step out ¡ª determined to catch Maia doing something she shouldn¡¯t. Instead, he spotted her heading toward the restroom and instinctively followed. With a hard look etched across his face, Vince kept his eyes fixed on Maia¡¯s soft features.

    ¡°Tell me who that man is,¡± he said, his voice sharp and unyielding.

    Without flinching, Maia responded tly, ¡°That has nothing to do with you.¡±

    She turned on her heel, brushing past him toward the exit.

    Before she could reach the door, Vince grabbed her wrist and yanked her back. The door mmed shut behind them, and he twisted the lock without hesitation.

    Alone now, the tension between them thickened.

    Maia stared at him, startled and unsure, her voice quiet but firm. ¡°Vince, what are you doing?¡±

    He faced her head-on, and the fury in his eyes erased any trace of the polished calm he usually wore.

    ¡°Maia, is someone keeping you?¡± His voice came out rough,ced with a bitter chill. ¡°A guy in his forties? Is that really what you¡¯re chasing now? I can¡¯t believe you¡¯d sink this low. You¡¯ve truly disgusted and disappointed me.¡±

    Maia couldn¡¯t believe how unreasonable he was being.

    ¡°I don¡¯t even know what you¡¯re talking about. Move,¡± Maia snapped, attempting to break free from Vince¡¯s grip.

    But Vince had learned his lesson earlier that day. He didn¡¯t let go. His grip tightened, backing her up until she was pressed against the cold edge of the sink.

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 Chapter 32

    ?Chapter 32:

    Before she could lift her leg to strike, he blocked her with his own ¡ª trapping her in ce.

    ¡°How much did that man offer you?¡± Vince asked, his eyes bloodshot. ¡°Come back to me. I¡¯ll pay you double.¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes widened. Shock froze her in ce. ¡°Have youpletely lost it?¡±

    Back then, her world had revolved around him. Everyone knew how deeply she loved Vince. And yet, he never returned it. Never even tried.

    He soaked up her affection like it was owed to him, but gave nothing back in return.

    Not until Rosanna entered the picture did his eyes finally soften ¡ª just not for Maia.

    That was when it hit her. Everything she gave had meant nothing.

    Now that she no longer chased after him, he suddenly couldn¡¯t seem to let go. Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be thinking about Rosanna? They were about to get engaged. What was he doing here, cornering her like this?

    Maia didn¡¯t want another second of it. She said coldly, ¡°Vince, get a grip. You¡¯re Rosanna¡¯s boyfriend now. My life? It¡¯s got nothing to do with you. Let me go!¡±

    Instead of answering, he slowly reached into his pocket and pulled something out. A bracelet ¡ª silver, delicate, and familiar.

    ¡°You used to like this one, didn¡¯t you?¡± he murmured. ¡°It¡¯s yours.¡±

    The bracelet, with its twin hearts woven together, caught the light with a soft gleam, but to Maia, it served only as a sharp reminder of what had been lost.

    Back then, she¡¯d liked it for a simple reason ¡ª the two hearts made her feel safe. Whole.

    She used to dream that she and Vince could be just like that. Side by side. Never drifting apart.

    Stay connected at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    But that time had passed, and the feeling was gone.

    A bitterugh slipped from Maia¡¯s lips. ¡°Four years have gone by. I don¡¯t like it anymore. Maybe try giving it to Rosanna instead. Isn¡¯t she the one who worships jewelry?¡±

    Vince didn¡¯t respond right away. His dark eyes studied her, the mood shifting in them. For a long moment, he said nothing.

    Then a strange look crossed his face ¡ª something close to realization, followed by a faint, amused smile. ¡°Are you jealous of Rosanna?¡±

    The question caught Maia off guard. What had she said that even remotely sounded like jealousy?

    But Vince looked almost relieved. His tone softened as he stepped closer, saying, ¡°This is about the engagement, isn¡¯t it? You¡¯re upset because I¡¯m marrying her.¡± Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed her hand, forced her fingers open, and ced the bracelet into her palm.

    He continued, ¡°It¡¯s fine. Even after I marry Rosanna, I¡¯ll still take care of you. That bracelet¡¯s worth four hundred thousand. Think of it as a gesture of sincerity.¡±

    Sincerity? So to him, she was just a ything that he could buy with glitter and gold?

    Her gaze lifted to his face ¡ª still handsome, still cruel ¡ª and turned to ice.

    A short, cuttingugh escaped her. With the bracelet dangling from her pinky, Maia tilted her head, eyes glinting like ss. Her voice dropped to a teasing murmur. ¡°Alright. I¡¯m open to it. But I don¡¯t do secrets. Call Rosanna right now. Tell her you¡¯re keeping me too. If she¡¯s good with it, I¡¯ll think about saying yes.¡±

    Vince¡¯s expression turned to stone in an instant.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Scared she¡¯ll find out you¡¯re a liar, a two-timer, and dump you before the ring¡¯s even on her finger?¡± Maia¡¯s voice dripped with scorn as she mmed the bracelet against his chest. ¡°Then stop chasing after me.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, she let go. The bracelet slipped from his grasp, hitting the floor with a sharp metallic clink that echoed in the air between them. Fury flooded Vince¡¯s eyes, the red bleeding in fast. But when he looked up, all he saw was the quiet satisfaction on Maia¡¯s face. Humiliation hit him first ¡ª then anger.

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 Chapter 33

    ?Chapter 33:

    His re sharpened, his voice like a de. ¡°You call me a two-timer, but what are you? Let me remind you ¡ª you¡¯re nothing but a discarded fraud from the Morgan family. A thief. A convict who spent four years in prison for theft. A desperate woman who used her looks to climb. You think you¡¯re better than Rosanna? If I hadn¡¯t taken pity on you, if I hadn¡¯t let you hang around out of nostalgia, you¡­¡±

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t have even made it through the front door of a family like the Ward family. So tell me, Maia ¡ª what more do you want?¡±

    The words were so absurd, so pitiful, that Maia could only stare at him in silence.

    Then her lips curved upward into a smile ¡ª one that didn¡¯t touch her eyes. Her voice came out soft but sharp as she said, ¡°If I¡¯m such trash to you, why can¡¯t you leave me alone? With your reputation, you¡¯ve got women lining up to be used. Mistresses by the dozen, all ready to be your toy. So why keep clinging to me? Do you actually like being humiliated?¡±

    Vince stood in stunned silence, his face shifting between disbelief and rising frustration. For what felt like ages, no words came to him, nothing sharp enough to hurl back in response.

    Maia dropped her gaze to the bracelet still lying on the floor and let out a quietugh. ¡°That suits Rosanna better anyway. She¡¯s always had a taste for leftovers.¡±

    ¡°YOU¡­¡± Vince choked on his rage, jaw clenched so tight that it was a miracle he got any words out. ¡°Maia, you¡¯ll regret this.¡±

    Regret?

    Herughter rang out, light and cold. ¡°Do you know what I really regret, Vince?¡± His expression darkened, shoulders tense.

    She held his gaze, each word crystal clear. ¡°What I regret most is ever loving you.¡±

    Something in her words seemed to hit a nerve, causing Vince to exude an even colder aura.

    Your favorite tales are on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§ànn

    Without warning, he grabbed her arm and yanked her toward him, jaw clenched, his expression barely holding back something darker.

    But across from him, Maia¡¯s eyes were unshaken ¡ª calm and cold.

    The girl who once gazed at him with wide, trusting eyes had vanished. In her ce stood someone cold, distant, and untouched by anything he said or did. A faint smirk pulled at the corner of her mouth, careless and biting, and for reasons he couldn¡¯t exin, it twisted something inside his chest.

    ¡°Maia, just wait. I¡¯ll have you crawling back to me, begging for my forgiveness and mercy!¡± Vince hurled the words at her, then gave her a hard shove. Maia didn¡¯t flinch. She stood there, still, still wearing that same cool, unreadable expression.

    Vince¡¯s hand clenched tightly as he bent down, grabbed the bracelet from the floor, and slid it into his pocket. He looked at her onest time, his gaze cutting and impossible to read, then turned around and walked away.

    Once the door clicked shut behind him, Maia finally let out a slow breath. She leaned against the sink, trying to gather herself. Any motivation to talk business had long since vanished.

    Outside, Vince stepped into the evening air and called off the meeting, instructing Brian to have the vice president handle the clients.

    His attention shifted to a man standing by the door ¡ª a tall figure leaning casually against a Rolls-Royce Phantom. A cigarette bnced between his lips, one hand buried in his pocket. The kind of posture that didn¡¯t need to try.

    He was clearly waiting for someone.

    Vince¡¯s eyes flicked toward him. Chris met the look, silent and calm.

    They held the nce for a beat longer than necessary. Then Vince looked away and kept walking.

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 Chapter 34

    ?Chapter 34:

    Once Chris pulled into the apartmentplex, he and Maia gathered armfuls of shopping bags and headed inside.

    ¡°You can leave everything here for now. You should get going. Don¡¯t miss your car wash appointment,¡± Maia urged.

    With a meeting to attend at thepany, Chris gave the cluttered living room a quick once-over before replying, ¡°We can sort this mess out together when I get back.¡±

    Maia agreed with a smile.

    Yet the second Chris walked out the door, she found herself unable to sit still. Restless, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work.

    In the middle of folding and sorting, her phone started buzzing loudly. Still organizing, Maia tucked the phone between her shoulder and ear and answered.

    Pattie¡¯s voice burst through so loudly that Maia had to pull the phone slightly away. ¡°You¡¯re out, and you didn¡¯t even tell me, Maia? I wouldn¡¯t have known a thing if someone hadn¡¯t spotted you at MCN today!¡±

    Apparently, a sales associate at Huntington Mall had passed word up the line about a mysterious Supreme VIP ¡ª and that had finally tipped Pattie off. Ears still ringing from the outburst, Maia tilted her head and repliedzily, ¡°Well, I got swamped and forgot to call. But hey, you know now, don¡¯t you?¡±

    In a mock pout, Pattie retorted, ¡°I¡¯m not letting you off that easy. You owe me! Meet me at Starlight Bar tonight. NO excuses.¡±

    ncing at the clock, Maia frowned. It was already nine.

    Considering she had just gotten married today, sneaking back home toote didn¡¯t seem like the smartest move.

    A little reluctant, Maia suggested, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte¡­ maybe tomorrow would be better?¡±

    Updates loaded at g¦Ál¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe??s

    ¡°You don¡¯t love me anymore, do you?¡± Pattie¡¯s voice quivered with exaggerated sadness. ¡°It¡¯s only been four years, and you¡¯ve already forgotten about me¡­¡±

    Back in the day, no matter the hour, one call was enough to bring them running to each other.

    Knowing full well that Pattie was being dramatic, Maia still couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of warmth. It had been so long, and she missed her too.

    Chuckling under her breath, Maia gave in. ¡°Alright, darling. I¡¯ll head over after I finish up here.¡±

    After hanging up, Maia quickly arranged the decorations she had bought. Once everything was in ce, the room feltpletely refreshed and full of life. Rather than entering Chris¡¯s room uninvited, she left the newly bought clothes neatly folded on the sofa, deciding that it wasn¡¯t her ce to intrude.

    It had already been more than an hour since Chris left, and there was still no sign of him.

    Remembering her ns with Pattie, Maia pulled out her phone and quickly typed out a message. ¡°Mr. Cooper, I left your clothes on the sofa. I have something to take care of and will be backter. Don¡¯t wait up. Get some rest.¡± Without waiting for a reply, she tucked the phone into her pocket and headed for the door.

    Among Wront¡¯s elite nightlife spots, Starlight Bar stood out as a glittering yground for the wealthy. Without a reservation, stepping through those doors was nearly impossible.

    Big-name performers often graced its stage. Just one song here could earn more than an endorsement deal elsewhere.

    For most people in the entertainment industry, singing at Starlight was a badge of honor ¡ª unless you were already one of the untouchables in the business. Maia had rushed out without changing. She was still in the same casual T-shirt and jeans from earlier.

    At the entrance, she gave Pattie¡¯s name, and only then was she allowed inside. Maia spent some time weaving through the sprawling Starlight Bar before spotting Pattie¡¯s private booth. Positioned right across from the bar stage, it was one of the best spots in the ce ¡ª where just one night could rack up a tab over a hundred grand.

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 Chapter 35

    ?Chapter 35:

    Seeing Pattie lounging there made Maia instinctively want to turn around and leave.

    To her right, a pretty boy leaned into Pattie¡¯s shoulder. On the other side, another guy was tipping a drink to her lips with a flirtatious grin.

    Maia gave a slight shake of her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Four years might have passed, but clearly, Pattie was still the queen of indulgence.

    Out of nowhere, Pattie looked up, catching movement from the corner of her eye. Her expression shifted the moment she recognized Maia. Without a second thought, she shrugged off both men, stood up, and pulled Maia into a hug that caught her by surprise.

    ¡°Maia¡­ I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m really seeing you again,¡± Pattie said, her voice thick with emotion.

    Maia gently took her hand and offered a soft smile. ¡°Well, here I am. Still in one piece.¡±

    Pattie let go of her, dabbed at the corners of her eyes, and gently tugged Maia down beside her on the couch. A familiar glow returned to her features. ¡°So,e on. What¡¯s the story? How have you really been thesest four years? Did anyone give you trouble in there? Because if someone even dared to bully you, I swear I¡¯d hunt them down myself!¡±

    The lights overhead cast a soft brilliance, but Maia¡¯s eyes had turned shadowed.

    Thinking back to those early days in Wront Prison, where dangerous criminals roamed and every breath felt like a struggle, Maia slipped into a fog of memory. But even in a ce like that, Zoey had been a spark in the dark. Knowing someone out here still cared had meant everything.

    A smallfort settled over her as she reached for Pattie¡¯s hand. She gave it a firm squeeze and offered a shake of her head. ¡°Bully me? Please. I was the one calling the shots in there.¡±

    ¡°That sounds exactly like you! I knew you¡¯d hold your ground.¡± Pattie grinned, giving her fingers a quick squeeze. But then something shifted in her expression. Her eyes scanned Maia from head to toe. ¡°Hold on. What is this getup? Since when do you dress like this? This is so not your designer vibe. You¡¯re all about luxury!¡±

    ???§ÁE ??P?¦«T¦®? I§ª G¦«?§ª?V¦®??.???

    ¡°You mean you¡¯re not into it?¡± Maia narrowed her eyes and smirked, yful as ever.

    Pattie reached out and gave her a gentle flick on the forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t be silly. I¡¯m just looking out for you, alright?¡±

    She reached behind the bench and pulled out a gift bag wrapped in silver tissue and ribbon. ¡°Here! Take a wild guess.¡±

    Maia epted the bag and peeked inside. The fabric inside shimmered under the lights ¡ª sky-blue, scattered with crystal details, like stars dipped in twilight.

    Was that¡­ Blue Sea?

    Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked up. ¡°This is¡­¡±

    With a triumphant smirk, Pattie nodded. ¡°Yep. That¡¯s your design. Your finest one, if you ask me. I made sure to save a piece for you. MCN wouldn¡¯t have half its shine without you. And honestly, no one carries that dress like you do. Come on. Let me see you wear it ¡ª just this once?¡±

    Maia rested the bag on the table and nced around the room. ¡°For you? I¡¯d put it on any day. But here, right now? Probably not the best moment.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m flying out to Varninski in the morning,¡± Pattie blinked at her with wide, pleading eyes. ¡°Please. All I want before I go is to see you in that Blue Sea dress and hear you sing ¡®One More Day.¡¯ Just once more. That¡¯s it.¡±

    ¡°One More Day¡± was a song Maia had written back in high school, a tribute to her friendship with Pattie. That afternoon, on Pattie¡¯s birthday, Maia had dragged her onto the football field and performed it just for her.

    Maia still remembered that day clearly. The two of themy on the grass, their eyes on the wide blue sky above, dreaming freely about their futures.

    But not long after, Maia¡¯s life was turned upside down. She was framed, thrown into jail, and went from being the family¡¯s sweetheart to a convicted felon, considered a total disgrace.

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 Chapter 36

    ?Chapter 36:

    The innocence they once shared? It was long gone.

    A quiet, bitterugh slipped from Maia¡¯s lips. ¡°Isn¡¯t Brielle already singing that song every other minute?¡±

    With a shake of her head, Pattie responded, ¡°Come on, that doesn¡¯t count. She¡¯s a pop icon now. I barely catch a glimpse of her anymore. And those songs? They¡¯re for her fans. You always sang it with more heart.¡±

    Back in high school, Brielle Hinks had overheard Maia singing that exact song. She wouldn¡¯t stop pestering Maia until she caved and taught her the lyrics.

    That was the turning point. Brielle took One More Day to the city¡¯s showcase and nailed it. The song catapulted her into the national spotlight. Overnight, she became a sensation.

    With a dramatic pout, Pattie clung to Maia¡¯s arm. ¡°You promised you¡¯d lift my mood today. So sing it for me! Just this once, and I¡¯ll call it even!¡±

    There had never been much warmth from Maia¡¯s parents or brothers. But her grandma ¡ª and girls like Pattie ¡ª kept her heart from freezing over. That was how she stayed full of life.

    Had things not taken such a terrible turn, she could¡¯ve been everyone¡¯s beam of sunshine.

    But Pattie hadn¡¯t had it easy either. She lost her mom when she was young, and after her dad remarried, her stepmother barely saw her as part of the family. If her grandfather hadn¡¯t stood by her, and if she hadn¡¯t been so fierce, Pattie might¡¯ve broken long before now.

    But Pattie didn¡¯t break. She became the force everyone now knew as Pattie Miller.

    It was those scars they shared that made their friendship unbreakable. If they hadn¡¯t found each other back then, their teenage years would have felt like a story with its heart missing.

    Don¡¯t miss out g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m

    That thought brought a smile to Maia¡¯s lips. ¡°Fine. Just this once. But don¡¯t go thinking you¡¯ll get a repeat.¡±

    The spark in Pattie¡¯s eyes returned, and she nearly bounced where she stood. For a heartbeat, the years of struggle melted away. They were just two girls again, back on that old field under the sky.

    ¡°I already have everything ready! Just put the dress on and hit me up!¡± So she¡¯d been nning this little surprise from the start.

    With a resigned sigh, Maia took the bag holding the Blue Sea gown and walked toward the backroom to change.

    In the meantime, Pattie grabbed the two handsome men by the arm and raised her voice. ¡°I hope you¡¯re all ready, because the best voice in Wront is about to blow the roof off this ce. And I better hear apuse loud enough to shake the walls!¡±

    At the edge of the bar¡¯s lounge area, Jarrod was knocking back shots with a table full of spoiled rich young men from wealthy and powerful families. By the time he hit his fourth drink, the tipsiness had kicked in.

    He leaned against one of his friends and pointed toward the singer warming up on stage. ¡°None of these people can match up to my sister Rosanna. Her voice is in a league of its own.¡±

    One guy burst outughing. ¡°You¡¯d take that back so fast if Brielle Hinks walked in right now.¡±

    Even Jarrod had to admit ¡ª he was a bit of a Brielle fanboy. He usually scoffed at other singers, but Brielle¡¯s music? He¡¯d had her songs on repeat more than he cared to admit.

    ¡°I won¡¯t lie. Brielle¡¯s got skills. But the real magices from whoever this ¡®K¡¯ person is. Thatposer¡¯s a chameleon ¡ª one minute it¡¯s sweet pop, the next it¡¯s pure heartbreak. Every track feels like a new chapter. And One More Day? Still unbeatable. I swear, if K ever wrote something for Rosanna, she¡¯d leave Brielle in the dust.¡±

    Jarrod couldn¡¯t help himself ¡ª his whole expression shifted whenever Rosanna¡¯s name came up, like just saying it lit something up inside him. One of the other rich boys let out a sharpugh. ¡°Man, you¡¯re always hyping her up. If she¡¯s that great, why don¡¯t you get her onstage right now?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not the type to spend time in ces like this ¡ª Rosanna¡¯s got ss.¡± Leaning back with a scoff, Jarrod narrowed his eyes. ¡°But if you really want proof, I¡¯ve got something better.¡±

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 Chapter 37

    ?Chapter 37:

    Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed his phone, thumbed through his gallery, and pulled up a saved video. ¡°Watch this. Her school recital. Then maybe you¡¯ll shut up and stop acting like I¡¯m making things up.¡±

    The guys didn¡¯t wait. They all reached for the phone as if it were treasure, eyes locked on the screen.

    There she was ¡ª walking onto a simple school stage in a white dress. Her voice, pure and clear, spilled into the room through the tiny speakers.

    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s actually decent,¡± one of them said, surprised.

    ¡°Wow, look at you now. Back when Maia was your sister, you barely even said her name. Now it¡¯s Rosanna this, Rosanna that, every five minutes. You sound like a fanboy.¡±

    The mention of Maia¡¯s name was enough to make Jarrod tense up. All the ease in his shoulders vanished.

    Jarrod¡¯s eyes turned sharp as he retorted, ¡°She wasn¡¯t real. Just a fraud from the start. She¡¯s nothing without ourst name.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t your family go pick her up today after she got out?¡± someone asked, a hint of curiosity in their tone.

    Clearly annoyed, Jarrod took another swig of whiskey. ¡°We went there, did what any decent family would. And what did she do? Talked back like we owed her something. Dragged all those prison habits with her. She¡¯s nothing but a backstabber. I¡¯d had it ¡ª I kicked her out right then.¡±

    With an approving grin, the guy threw him a big thumbs-up. ¡°Smart move. Women like that ¡ª fresh out of prison? You never know what kind of mess they¡¯re carrying. Now that you¡¯ve let her go, keep it that way. She¡¯ll just bring trouble to your family if she stays.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s out of our lives unless shees crawling back on her knees,¡± Jarrod said, grinding his jaw. He tipped his ss and took another drink.

    At that moment, the overhead lights flickered and dimmed, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. The music cut outpletely. Performers shuffled offstage in a hurry.

    L??t??st ch??pt??rs in g¦Ál??ovels.c?m

    ¡°What¡¯s happening? Is this part of the show?¡±

    Excited whispers rippled through the crowd. Around here, a sudden ckout only meant two things ¡ª a surprise act or a celebrity making an entrance.

    A few haunting piano notes floated through the silence.

    Heads turned as recognition hit all at once.

    It was the opening chords of One More Day.

    Was Brielle really here?

    Before anyone could respond, a woman stepped into the spotlight ¡ª slim, confident, each step graceful, every movement like poetry.

    With each step Maia took, the spotlight followed her until she reached the center of the stage. A silver butterfly mask covered the upper half of her face, but her eyes ¡ª sharp and unwavering ¡ª cut through the beams of light like twin des.

    Her dress was ocean-blue, shaped like a mermaid¡¯s tail, the fabric catching the light with every move. Tiny gems sparkled across it like sunlight dancing on the tide.

    The dress looked as if it had been stitched straight from the sea. Fitted perfectly at the waist, it gave her a shape that was almost otherworldly in its elegance.

    She carried herself like a dreame to life ¡ª graceful, polished, and absolutely breathtaking.

    No one could deny it. She was absolutely mesmerizing.

    ¡°Wait¡­ is that¡­?¡±

    Something about her struck a nerve ¡ª despite the mask, Jarrod narrowed his eyes, convinced it was Maia.

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 Chapter 38

    ?Chapter 38:

    The group of wealthy young men who¡¯d been joking a minute ago had fallenpletely silent, every one of them now staring at the stage.

    As the music yed, Maia opened her mouth to sing the famous song. Her voice floated over the melody, sometimes soft, sometimes fierce. It rose and fell with perfect control.

    It wasn¡¯t just music anymore ¡ª it was memory, ache, and hope all rolled into sound. Each line seemed to brush against forgotten feelings.

    The bar, once loud and chaotic, was suddenly quiet, held still by her voice alone. Nobody blinked. Nobody breathed.

    And when the final note faded, it felt like even the silence refused to let go.

    Finally, apuse erupted like a storm.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard anyone sing One More Day quite like that!¡±

    ¡°At first, I was disappointed it wasn¡¯t Brielle ¡ª but wow, she definitely surpassed my expectations.¡±

    ¡°Does anyone know who she is? She¡¯spletely new to me.¡±

    ¡°Wherever she¡¯s performing next, count me in!¡±

    Even the bar¡¯s manager stood frozen, still holding the ss he was about to clean. He¡¯d only agreed to let Maia sing as a favor to Pattie ¡ª he never expected her to steal the whole damn night.

    While the crowd continued to cheer, Maia slipped off the stage like it was nothing more than stepping away from a quiet conversation. She casually passed Jarrod¡¯s VIP booth on her way out.

    The whole time, he hadn¡¯t taken his eyes off her. His brows were tight, and there was no mistaking the suspicion on his face.

    As she passed, Jarrod suddenly reached out and grabbed her shoulder, pulling her around to face him.

    gal¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe?s.c?m is your update source

    The sudden touch made Maia tense, thinking for a second she was being harassed ¡ª high-end or not, ces like this still had their share of creeps. Instinctively, she stiffened, prepared to shove him away ¡ª but recognition dawned as her eyesnded on Jarrod¡¯s smug face.

    Before Maia had time to say anything, Jarrod snatched away her mask. The moment he caught sight of her face beneath the mask, he eximed, ¡°So it really is you!¡±

    With an effortless flick, Maia brushed his hand off her shoulder and met his gaze with a look as cool as ss. ¡°Is there something you want?¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s temper red the moment she looked at him with that same indifference, as if he wasn¡¯t even worth her time.

    ¡°What¡¯s this? You showing up here now?¡± He scanned her from head to toe, then curled his lip. ¡°Let me guess. You got kicked out by us, burned through your savings, and now you¡¯re here begging for tips through song?¡±

    Some of the rich boys behind him, the same ones who had been mesmerized by her voice and her looks, leaned in, curiosity sparking again.

    But Jarrod¡¯s words stopped them cold.

    The guys exchanged nces, their expressions turning uneasy. One of them muttered under his breath, ¡°Wait a second¡­ isn¡¯t she that fake Morgan daughter? The one who ended up in prison?¡±

    Uneasy nces shot back and forth. Not a single word passed between them. Meanwhile, Jarrod¡¯s blood was still boiling from how she had shredded the cash he had tossed at her earlier.

    If he didn¡¯t teach Maia a lesson, she¡¯d never realize her mistake.

    For seventeen years, he¡¯d treated her like family, like a sister. Now here they were, in front of a crowd, and he wasn¡¯t about to let her slip away without feeling the sting of humiliation.

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 Chapter 39

    ?Chapter 39:

    A bitter grin spread across his face. ¡°You may not carry the Morgan name anymore, but don¡¯t forget ¡ª seventeen years, Maia. Seventeen. I took care of you. So don¡¯t say I¡¯ve got no heart. Seeing you like this, it¡¯s just sad. I¡¯ll let what happened earlier slide. But don¡¯t expect a free pass.¡±

    Then he lifted his chin, full of himself, and continued, ¡°Here¡¯s how this goes. You get on your knees. Say you¡¯re sorry. Admit you messed up. I might be generous and let you work as a maid. Of course, the sry will be generous.¡± His smirk deepened. ¡°And I¡¯ll tell everyone you¡¯re still the Morgan family¡¯s daughter. Not too shabby, right?¡±

    He let out a boomingugh, and the boys around him joined in. Someughed uneasily. Others were enjoying the show.

    ¡°Come on, Maia. He¡¯s giving you a way back. Most people don¡¯t get that kind of offer.¡±

    ¡°If I were you, I¡¯d drop the act and just apologize. Don¡¯t be stupid.¡±

    ¡°At least being tied back to the Morgans might get you married off someday. Beats singing for drunks.¡±

    Maia lifted her gaze slowly, her lips curling into a faint, amused smile. She looked him right in the eye. ¡°Jarrod, what makes you think I¡¯d ever want toe back?¡±

    The words hit harder than a p.

    The crowd, which had assumed she¡¯d been tossed out like trash, suddenly didn¡¯t look so sure.

    The way she said it ¡ª calm, sharp, and sure ¡ª it was like she was the one who walked out and never looked back.

    Jarrod¡¯s expression darkened, sinking into a furious shadow.

    He red at Maia. The moreposed she appeared, the more violently his rage churned inside him.

    Fresh updates loaded g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    He had never truly wanted to disown her from the Morgan family. She¡¯d backed him into that decision.

    ¡°What had the Morgans ever done to earn such spite? Why couldn¡¯t she juste home?¡± The thought gnawed at him.

    It didn¡¯t make sense ¡ª and he couldn¡¯t stomach that.

    She used to trail after him like a loyal pup, always watching him with evident admiration and respect, radiating warmth and light. Now, she was little more than a stranger carved from ice.

    His hands balled into fists at his sides. His voice curled with venom as he spat, ¡°So you¡¯re here to sing tonight, huh? Did you forget to mention to the manager that you¡¯ve done time? What do you think he¡¯ll do when he finds out? And believe me, once that secret¡¯s out, Wront won¡¯t hire you. No bar, no venue, no gig. You think your sad little songs are enough to make you survive without the Morgan name? That criminal record¡¯s permanent.¡±

    A nasty smirk twisted at the corners of his lips, smugness simmering beneath his skin.

    Did she really believe a few gigs had made her untouchable?

    Jarrod nned to lock every path behind her. Shut every door. Then, when she had nowhere left to go, she¡¯d crawl back. She¡¯d be the one begging ¡ª pleading ¡ª for her ce in the family again.

    Maia¡¯s eyes shimmered for the briefest moment, but the flicker vanished as quickly as it came.

    A criminal record?

    Wasn¡¯t that their fault to begin with?

    All she wanted was a clean break. No ties. No name. No family.

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 Chapter 40

    ?Chapter 40:

    But they kept circling her like vultures, never giving her peace.

    Once, she¡¯d believed that she belonged to them too.

    Did all those years mean nothing simply because they didn¡¯t share blood? Did their hatred really run this deep just because she¡¯d unknowingly lived as the Morgan daughter for seventeen years?

    Even after she returned the name and asked for nothing in return, they still refused to let her be.

    Maia had endured four years behind bars ¡ª every cruel, soul-numbing moment.

    She¡¯d trained herself not to feel.

    But something in her cracked open tonight. Bitterness surged up her throat.

    She swallowed it down.

    When her gaze lifted again, it was cold enough to burn.

    ¡°The way I live ¡ª none of your concern. You, the Morgan family ¡ª none of you matter anymore,¡± Maia said, her voice level and unshaken. ¡°Let me be clear. My name is Maia Watson.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s eyes ignited, fury shing red-hot.

    Wasn¡¯t the Morgan name more than enough for her? Hadn¡¯t they treated her better than those dead nobodies who birthed her had done?

    His voice trembled with rage. ¡°Maia, I¡¯m giving you a chance ¡ª out of pity. You should be grateful.¡±

    Her mouth curved into a slow, scathing smile. ¡°Pity? But look at the way you¡¯re clinging to me. That¡¯s the real pity.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s face contorted, the anger boiling over until it nearly consumed him. His stare could¡¯ve scorched the air.

    A dryugh burst from him before he snatched a bottle of whiskey off the table and mmed it down in front of her. His tone dropped to ice. ¡°The Morgans raised you for seventeen years. You want out? Fine. Chug this. Right now. We¡¯re done. You do that, and I¡¯ll never touch your life again.¡±

    Maia nced down at the bottle.

    It was the strong kind ¡ª the kind that burned going down. Just a mouthful would wreck most people. Gulping it? Suicide.

    Jarrod was sure that she¡¯d break, that she¡¯d flinch, freeze, or show the first crack of fear. After all, the old Maia couldn¡¯t even sip a cocktail.

    He could still picture that night she¡¯d confused vodka for water and spent hours clinging to the toilet. Completely wrecked.

    Since then, she wouldn¡¯t touch the stuff.

    Back then, if she ever annoyed him, Jarrod would tease, ¡°Say one more word and I¡¯ll swap your water for booze.¡±

    She¡¯d always fall silent, covering her mouth as if he¡¯d threatened to poison her. And now? That bottle in front of her might as well have beenced with death.

    When she dropped her eyes, silent, Jarrod¡¯s sneer deepened.

    ¡°Afraid? Just admit it. You grew up soft under the Morgans. You think you can make it out here without even knowing how to hold your liquor? The first guy who flirts with you will ruin you.¡±

    The wealthy boys surrounding him nodded in agreement, their voices ovepping. ¡°Jarrod¡¯s looking out for you. The Morgans don¡¯t owe you a thing. He¡¯s giving you this chance out of goodwill and shared history. Stop being stubborn. Go back. Be a Morgan again.¡±

    Goodwill and shared history?

    Maia nearlyughed.

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 Chapter 41

    ?Chapter 41:

    If he had even a shred of those two, he wouldn¡¯t be forcing her to drink something he knew could kill her.

    Her lips lifted into a cial smile, sharp and thin. She reached forward, her fingers wrapping around the bottle, twisting the cap free with a clean motion. Her stare locked onto Jarrod¡¯s, piercing and unyielding. ¡°You said it. Remember.¡±

    Jarrod blinked.

    And then Maia raised the bottle and drank.

    No pause. No twitch.

    He stood stiff, pupils narrowing in disbelief, his mind copsing into silence.

    He couldn¡¯t move. He could only stare as she finished thest drop.

    The bottle hit the table with a hard thud. Herplexion hadn¡¯t faded a shade. Then Maia turned that icy smile on him, slow and merciless. ¡°Stay out of my way.¡±

    With that, she turned and walked out.

    Jarrod stood there, stunned. What he¡¯d just witnessed didn¡¯t register ¡ª until it did. Then his voice snapped like a whip. ¡°Maia, have you lost your mind?¡± he shouted. ¡°You used to ck out from a single sip! And now you just chugged an entire bottle of whiskey? What, are you trying to die?¡±

    A faint chuckle slipped from Maia¡¯s lips, low and hollow.

    Four years ago, she had been in a prison cell, stripped of dignity and dragged through hell by the other inmates.

    They used to yank her by the hair, tilt her head back, and drown her in gut-burning liquor. That wasn¡¯t whiskey. It was something cheaper, dirtier ¡ª harsher than anything sold in stores.

    Corrupt guards had snuck it in, using it as punishment for those who refused to obey.

    L¦Á¦Ó??¦Ó ?§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??om

    The poison hit her so violently that she dropped to the bathroom floor, her body convulsing in a seizure. Her heart came terrifyingly close to stopping.

    Only a stroke of pure luck had kept her alive.

    Later, Zoey took her in ¡ª and the first lesson she was taught was how to drink. Bottle after bottle, Maia downed them all. She drank until her insides tore themselves apart, until she vomited blood and copsed in her own shadow. She did it again. And again. Somewhere in the pain, she found control. Now, with one sip, she could name the brand, price, and proof of anything that touched her tongue.

    Compared to that, this whiskey was nothing.

    Turning her head slowly, she looked at Jarrod ¡ª her eyes bloodshot, her voice steady. ¡°Isn¡¯t this what you wanted?¡±

    The words hit harder than a p. Jarrod had no reply. He didn¡¯t understand why it hurt ¡ª but it did.

    He stepped forward again, his voice climbing. ¡°You think you can live better without us? With that record, you¡¯ll never make it out of the gutter. Everything I did ¡ª everything ¡ª was for your sake. Because you¡¯re my sister!¡±

    A cold, bitterugh slipped from Maia¡¯s lips. ¡°So you finally admit it. Prison ruined me ¡ª and you let it happen. Tell me something, Jarrod. Why didn¡¯t any of you bother to look deeper? Why were you all so quick to say I stole the Radiant Jewels?¡±

    ¡°Was it really because you believed I did it? Or were you just scared that if the truth came out, it¡¯d be Rosanna¡¯s name smeared in the headlines? Is that why you threw me under the bus ¡ª to protect her?¡±

    Jarrod said nothing.

    Back then, the security footage at Radiant Jewels had mysteriously failed. Not a single camera caught what happened. No one could prove she¡¯d stolen a thing.

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 Chapter 42

    ?Chapter 42:

    But the evidence ¡ª conveniently ¡ª turned up in her bag. The entire Morgan family circled around Rosanna like a fortress, dering Maia guilty before a single judge had spoken.

    Even now, Jarrod didn¡¯t know if they¡¯d truly believed the lie ¡ª or if protecting Rosanna had just mattered more.

    He¡¯d been so wrapped up in the joy of finding his long-lost sister, the one fate had taken from them.

    To Jarrod, he had two sisters, but to Maia, she had only one brother. And the second Rosanna reappeared, he discarded her like she was nothing.

    Maia stared at him, not blinking, not breathing. Her heart had died a long time ago, but the ache still wed its way up like it was fresh.

    He didn¡¯t need to speak. His silence was all the confirmation she needed.

    Maia¡¯s mouth curved into a weary, mocking smile. Without another word, she turned and walked away, never once looking back.

    Jarrod came to his senses toote. He staggered in ce, and someone behind him reached out to steady his arm.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let her get in your head, Jarrod. Someone like her won¡¯tst long here. Convicts don¡¯t belong in ces like this. One word to the manager and she¡¯s done.¡±

    Another voice sneered, ¡°Seriously, Jarrod. She¡¯d just drag the family down if she ever came back. But damn, she¡¯s hot. That voice, that body? Whatever her past is, I couldn¡¯t care less. Let her live with me for a while. I¡¯ll straighten her out. I¡¯d put money on her crawling back to you, begging to be taken back. What do¡ª¡±

    Thatst sentence never made it out. Jarrod¡¯s fist connected with the guy¡¯s face before he could finish.

    The guy staggered back, a trail of blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. ¡°Get lost!¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s is your story source

    Jarrod¡¯s voice barely rose above a growl, but the rage in his bloodshot eyes was unmistakable ¡ª a beast barely leashed.

    No matter what Maia had done, no one ¡ª no one ¡ª had the right to speak about her like that.

    Among the rich guys who roamed these circles, Jarrod had always been someone you didn¡¯t cross. He knew how to fight ¡ª and everyone knew it. The guy who caught the punch didn¡¯t even try to argue. He clutched his face and bolted for the exit without a second nce.

    The rest exchanged uncertain nces, unsure of what was boiling inside Jarrod¡¯s mind. Someone grabbed his arm and dragged him back to the table, shoving a fresh drink into his hand.

    Low murmurs started again, desperate to change the subject. ¡°Hey, Jarrod¡­ that gown Maia was wearing earlier ¡ª wasn¡¯t that from MCN¡¯s Blue Sea collection? My girlfriend¡¯s crazy about that line. I tried everything to get one ¡ª no luck. If I¡¯m right, that dress costs over one hundred thousand.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± He stared at them, stunned.

    Maia had left the Morgan family without a penny. How could she afford such an expensive gown?

    ¡°You sure about that?¡± Jarrod asked sharply.

    The guy hesitated, thinking it over. ¡°We were kinda far, and the lighting sucked. But honestly, it looked legit. If it was a fake, it¡¯s the best damn fake I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±

    Even the highest-end knockoffs didn¡¯te cheap.

    Jarrod set his ss down with a quiet thud, a deep furrow cutting across his brow as the thought gnawed at him.

    After changing into her T-shirt and jeans, Maia finally stepped out of the dressing room tucked behind the stage. She made her way back to the private booth, where Pattie had been waiting the whole time.

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 Chapter 43

    ?Chapter 43:

    The moment Pattie saw her, she sped her hand tightly, her eyes welling up. ¡°You were beyond amazing just now, Maia!¡± She dabbed at a stray tear and mischievously added, ¡°I swear, next time I run into Brielle, I¡¯m teasing her relentlessly. How did she ever hit number one when she can¡¯t hold a candle to your voice?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t tease her too much. She gets embarrassed easily.¡± Maiaughed softly as she sank into her chair, her hand gripping the table slightly. The whiskey from earlier was making itself known. She felt a wave of dizzinesse over her.

    Pattie noticed something was off. She leaned in and sniffed. ¡°You¡¯ve been drinking?¡±

    ¡°Only a bit.¡±

    Pattie¡¯s smile vanished as she stared at her. ¡°Since when do you even drink? Who were you with?¡±

    Trying to brush it off lightly, Maia smiled faintly. ¡°Someone praised me and insisted on raising a ss. It seemed rude to decline.¡±

    Noticing Maia¡¯s flushed face, Pattie concluded that her friend had indeed had more than enough. Concerned, she said, ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll drive you home.¡± Maia gave a quiet nod. She didn¡¯t feel like staying, not with Jarrod still lurking around.

    Right as they were getting to their feet, a man in a sharp suit blocked their path, wearing a polished smile that meant business.

    ¡°Ms. Miller,¡± he said with a courteous smile.

    Realizing that it was Starlight Bar¡¯s manager, Pattie immediately adopted her most professional attitude, standing a bit straighter. ¡°Jack, what can I help you with?¡±

    With a softugh, Jack Morris looked over at Maia standing next to Pattie. She might have been with her, but he couldn¡¯t recall ever seeing her before. He assumed that she was one of Pattie¡¯s newest discoveries. Someone fresh, someone talented.

    ¡°Your friend delivered an unforgettable performance of ¡®One More Day,''¡± Jack said earnestly. ¡°I¡¯d love for her to be a regr performer here.¡±

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    Pattie raised an eyebrow and looked at Maia.

    Feeling somewhat tipsy, Maia replied politely, ¡°I appreciate it. But I¡¯m going to have to pass.¡±

    Not one to give up quickly, Jack leaned in a little. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The pay¡¯s not going to disappoint you. This is what I¡¯m putting on the table per night!¡± He held up five fingers.

    Five grand per night. Not bad at all for a neer.

    He expected excitement. Maybe even immediate eptance.

    To his surprise, Maia shook her head. ¡°Thank you, sir, but I¡¯ll have to turn it down.¡±

    Surprise flickered in Jack¡¯s eyes before he pulled himself together. ¡°So, you¡¯re a friend of Ms. Miller¡¯s. Let me be sincere. How does ten thousand a night sound? Same rate I give the stars.¡±

    A figure like that would¡¯ve drawn in more than a few fading stars hoping for onest shot. Offering a deal like that to someone without a name? Unthinkable.

    And yet, Maia simply answered with aposed smile, ¡°It¡¯s really not about the money, sir.¡±

    The offer should¡¯ve stunned any singer, but she didn¡¯t flinch. Jack was taken aback. Her voice wasn¡¯t just good. It was something else entirely ¡ª better than anything he¡¯d heard, even from his biggest stars. If she ended up performing at a rival bar, Starlight would be in real trouble. They had plenty of cash but not enough talent.

    Frustration tightening his jaw, Jack pressed once more. ¡°Fifty thousand. That¡¯s the kind of money we reserve for stars. If you refuse this, people will say you¡¯re being unreasonable.¡±

    Maia gave him a half-smile, her words steady despite the lingering haze of alcohol. ¡°To be honest, I¡¯ve served time. I just got out. Aren¡¯t you worried I¡¯ll hurt your bar¡¯s reputation?¡±

    Jack¡¯s eyes widened.

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 Chapter 44

    ?Chapter 44:

    A singer, he could see. But someone with a prison record? That rattled himpletely.

    ¡°I ¡ª uh ¡ª what?¡± Jack stammered, speechless.

    She didn¡¯t bother waiting for a reply. Linking arms with Pattie, she turned and made for the exit.

    That shook him into action. He snapped out of it and darted forward, cutting them off again. ¡°Listen, your past doesn¡¯t matter. You¡¯re free now. We care about talent, not history. I swear ¡ª your record won¡¯t be an issue.¡±

    Nobody walked into a ce like this looking to dig up someone¡¯s past. They came to rx. And if he let her walk out now, that regret would gnaw at him for nights toe.

    The way he kepting caught Maia off guard. She blinked, surprised that he¡¯d gone this far to follow her. But it confirmed something she already suspected.

    ¡°I¡¯m not rejecting you to be difficult,¡± she said inly. ¡°I have other things to take care of. But I can promise you this ¡ª I won¡¯t sing regrly at any other venue. Now, may I leave?¡±

    That stopped Jack cold. She saw straight through him, knew exactly what was eating at him. He had no arguments left.

    Before he could respond, Pattie stepped in like it was her cue. ¡°Come on, Jack. You¡¯ve got a lineup full of singers. Let my best friend go. We¡¯re done here. Goodnight.¡±

    So she was Pattie¡¯s best friend¡­

    He¡¯d seen Pattie plenty of times at the bar, usually surrounded by business contacts. Never once had she called anyone her best friend.

    There was no pushing this any further. Jack exhaled and stepped aside. ¡°Of course. I won¡¯t stop you. Take care on the road.¡±

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    Out in front of Starlight, Maia slid into the passenger seat of Pattie¡¯s Porsche.

    ¡°Are you staying anywhere tonight? Come to my ce. Don¡¯t even think about going back to the Morgans. You owe them nothing,¡± said Pattie. After what they¡¯d done to her, she couldn¡¯t stand the Morgans.

    But she was unaware that Maia had already cut every tie with that family.

    Remembering the quiet apartment she had finished setting up just hours ago, Maia gave a small smile. ¡°Drive me to my new home.¡±

    Pattie pulled up to the gate of the modest residentialplex where Maia was currently staying with Chris. Compared to the grand estates in the heart of the city, this ce was smaller, tucked away on the outskirts, with nothing particrly striking about the greenery or surroundings.

    ¡°You¡¯re really living here now?¡± Pattie asked, unable to hide her surprise. She still remembered Maia¡¯s old life ¡ª grand vis, luxury dripping from every corner.

    ¡°Why settle for something so¡­ in?¡± Pattie couldn¡¯t help but ask. Someone like Maia could easily afford a penthouse downtown, something with a skyline view and marble floors.

    Pushing the door open, Maia gave a small, even smile. ¡°It¡¯s quiet here. I like the quiet atmosphere.¡± She paused before stepping out, ncing back at Pattie. ¡°Text me when yound in Varninski tomorrow. Let me know you¡¯re safe.¡±

    Just as Maia was about to walk away, Pattie noticed the faint flush on her cheeks. Worried, she reached out and caught Maia by the arm. ¡°You¡¯ve been drinking. Are you sure you¡¯re alright?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just feeling a slight buzz. It¡¯s nothing that¡¯ll knock me out,¡± Maia said with a smile as she shut the car door behind her. Afterward, she turned and said goodbye to Pattie.

    Pattie stayed parked there for a while, watching Maia disappear inside, a strange unease gnawing at her.

    Inside the building, the whiskey¡¯s burn started catching up with Maia, making her head swim and her steps uneven. She fumbled with the key, pushed open the door, and stumbled inside.

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 Chapter 45

    ?Chapter 45:

    Just as she kicked off her shoes out of habit, she froze. She wasn¡¯t living alone anymore. After a beat, she bent down, picked them up, and ced them neatly by the rack.

    Soft light spilled from the living room, casting a sleepy glow. Maia crossed the room and picked up the coffee cup from the table, heading toward the kitchen in search of something to clear the fog in her mind.

    The coffee brewed quietly as she leaned against the counter. Her phone buzzed just as she reached for the cup.

    A quick nce showed it was a string of messages ¡ª from Pattie.

    Maia chuckled under her breath. ¡°Seriously? We just said goodbye, and she¡¯s already bored enough to start texting?¡±

    Bncing the coffee cup carefully in her hand, Maia made her way back to the sofa and opened her chat window.

    In an instant, her screen exploded with a barrage of images ¡ª shirtless, glistening abs everywhere.

    Startled, Maia almost lost her grip on the cup.

    She quickly set it down on the coffee table before her nerves got the better of her.

    Maia typed out a single confused emoji and hit send.

    Pattie¡¯s reply came through almost immediately, saying, ¡°Feast your eyes, bestie! Fresh six-pack deliveries just for you. Pretty good, right? You know I always share the good stuff. We didn¡¯t party enough tonight, but don¡¯t worry ¡ª stick with me. I¡¯ll help you make up for the four years you missed.¡±

    Maia let out a groan and facepalmed hard.

    She was halfway through crafting a sarcasticeback when a low, familiar voice broke through the room behind her.

    Feel the thrill at g aln  ov el s .

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you going to wait for me so we could tidy up the house together?¡±

    The phone slipped from her hands and ttered onto the coffee table. Already lightheaded from the whiskey, Maia stumbled backward, losing her bnce.

    Before she could fall, she crashed into a solid, warm chest.

    When she tilted her head up, she found herself staring straight at Chris ¡ª his sharp jawline framed under the soft, dim light, his longshes casting shadows over those unreadable eyes.

    Only a thinyer of fabric separated them.

    Heat surged up her neck, blooming across her cheeks before she could even process it.

    Snapping back to her senses, Maia straightened up fast and took a quick step back. ¡°Mr. Cooper¡­ you¡¯re still awake?¡±

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t fall asleep. I figured I ought to thank you. You did a wonderful job. The ce feels warm and weing. I truly like it.¡±

    Something in his soft voice sent a slight tremor through Maia¡¯s heart.

    She hadn¡¯t expected him to stay up just to say that. A smile tugged at her lips. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a big deal. I had some time, so I cleaned up a bit. I¡¯m just d you like it.¡±

    Under the dim lighting, Chris¡¯s faint smile took on a deeper warmth, his eyes dark and unreadable.

    Without meaning to, his gaze drifted to her phone resting on the table. Right there on the screen, a coge of shirtless, sculpted abs shed like a beacon.

    Before Maia could react, another message from Pattie popped up, saying, ¡°Maia, which one¡¯s your favorite?¡±

    Maia¡¯s breath caught. She lunged for the phone, but Chris was faster. His hand wrapped around hers mid-air, trapping her fingers under his.

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 Chapter 46

    ?Chapter 46:

    The sudden contact sent a spark racing up Maia¡¯s arm, making her shiver. ¡°Had a good night out?¡± he asked, his voice casual ¡ª but there was something cold buried underneath. Panic flooded Maia¡¯s mind.

    ¡°Oh no¡­ This is bad. He probably thinks I went out hiring gigolos!¡± Maia muttered to herself.

    They had only just gotten married, and this was what he witnessed? The misunderstanding was absolutely ridiculous.

    Even though she had never meant to treat the marriage as anything more than an arrangement, Maia still nned to stay faithful for as long as itsted.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, if I told you it¡¯s not what you¡¯re thinking, would you believe me?¡± Maia asked softly, her eyes blinking up at him.

    Her mind remained sharp, but the whiskey left her feeling both lightheaded and¡­ oddly cheerful.

    Chris lowered his gaze to meet hers.

    A flush colored her cheeks, softening her normally guarded expression into something almost tender.

    Chris felt his throat tighten as he watched her.

    Without thinking, he closed the distance between them.

    Maia instinctively stepped back, wary. She kept retreating until her legs hit the edge of the sofa, and she dropped into it with a soft thud.

    Chris leaned down, bracing his hands on either side of her, trapping her without touching.

    His gaze darkened, pulling her under.

    Before she could even react, his voice brushed against her ear, low and rough.

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    ¡°Which one do you like?¡±

    Maia blinked, her face clouded with confusion. ¡°What?¡±

    Instead of answering, Chris caught her hand and guided it beneath the hem of his shirt.

    The heat of his skin against her fingertips made her jolt, instinctively trying to pull back.

    But Chris tightened his hold and pressed her palm against his firm, sculpted abs.

    Lowering his head until his lips grazed her ear, he murmured, ¡°Mine or theirs?¡± His breath warmed her skin as he added, his voice dipping even lower, ¡°Which one feels better?¡±

    Maia had never experienced this level of embarrassment before.

    The moment she saw Chris¡¯ expression, it hit her ¡ª he¡¯d definitely seen the abs photo on her phone. And judging by that sharp glint in his eyes, the man looked like he¡¯d just been challenged to a shirtless duel.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, you¡¯ve got it all wrong! I swear I didn¡¯t hire a gigolo!¡± The words flew out as she jerked her hand back, as if she¡¯d touched a live wire.

    Chris chuckled low in his throat, one brow arched with effortless mischief. ¡°Did I say you did? Funny how you just confessed without any prompting.¡±

    Maia¡¯s face flushed so fast that it looked like someone had lit a match under her skin. She shoved him away, a flustered mess, puffing up like a cornered kitten trying to appear tough.

    It wasn¡¯t Chris she was angry at. It was herself ¡ª for letting him toy with her so easily and getting swept up in it.

    Chris stood tall, lips curving into a sly grin. ¡°Next time you¡¯re in the mood for abs, juste to me. I guarantee you won¡¯t be let down.¡±

    Her heart stuttered in her chest. The air between them felt heavier, her cheeks heating with the tension. iling to regainposure, Maia shot up from the couch. ¡°It¡¯ste ¡ª I should wash up. You should probably call it a night too.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, she darted into the bathroom and shut the door behind her.

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 Chapter 47

    ?Chapter 47:

    Only then did she realize that her pulse was pounding like a drum in her ears. ¡°What does he mean, juste to him?¡± she muttered under her breath. ¡°He said he wouldn¡¯t let me down? What is this, some kind of rom line?¡±

    She swallowed hard, but her mind betrayed her, painting a vivid image of Chris¡¯ build ¡ª broad shoulders, a firm chest, and that tapered waist ¡ª even underyers of fabric, the outline was distracting¡­

    If he took off his shirt¡­

    Maia shook her head, rattled by where her thoughts were going. Was it the wine messing with her judgment, or had his yful tone lured her into this hazy state?

    She pped her cheeks to cool the heat, then leaned over the sink to ssh cold water on her face. By the time she stepped out, the living room was empty. Chris must¡¯ve already turned in for the night.

    A strange, hollow feeling tugged at her chest ¡ª one she couldn¡¯t quite exin.

    The next day, Rosanna wandered into the dining room, arms stretching overhead as she yawned wide. With no sses or errands to worry about, it was a rare, peaceful morning. She thought back to Sandra¡¯s words from yesterday ¡ª about marrying Vince ¡ª and a quiet smile spread across her face.

    ¡°What¡¯s got you grinning this early?¡± Jarrod¡¯s voice came from behind her.

    Startled, Rosanna turned. ¡°Jarrod? You came backst night?¡±

    Jarrod usually kept to his ce downtown. When Maia still lived here, he¡¯d barely set foot in the Morgan estate. But ever since Rosanna¡¯s return, his visits had grown frequent. She had gone to bed early, thinking that he wouldn¡¯t show.

    Jarrod offered a nonchnt ¡°yeah¡± and pulled out a chair before dropping into it.

    Rosanna slid into the seat across from him. When she caught him rubbing his temples and looking vaguely disoriented, concern crept into her voice. ¡°Are you okay, Jarrod?¡±

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    Just then, Tricia came over with their tes.

    Before Jarrod could respond, Tricia piped up, ¡°He had way too much to drinkst night. Came home muttering Maia¡¯s name nonstop!¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s expression snapped from soft to sharp.

    Jarrod shot Tricia a daggered look. She pped a hand over her mouth and beat a quick retreat.

    Rosanna¡¯s voice turned icy. ¡°Maia? Why were you talking about her?¡±

    Jarrod barely remembered the night, patches of it lost to the booze. He spooned up some oatmeal and mumbled, ¡°Ran into her at Starlight Bar. No clue what I even said. She just annoyed the hell out of me.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°What was she doing there?¡±

    She¡¯d never stepped foot inside Starlight herself, but everyone in Wront knew it was one of the ssiest bars around.

    Jarrod shrugged mid-bite,pletely unbothered. ¡°Probably broke. Looked like she was there singing for tips.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s brow creased. Wasn¡¯t Maia supposedly dating some wealthy guy? Why on earth would she end up performing at Starlight Bar?

    Still, instead of calling her out, Rosanna angled her head with interest and asked, ¡°How much do you think someone could earn performing there for just one night?¡±

    Jarrod let out a dry, humorless snort. ¡°With her talent? Maybe five grand, tops.¡±

    ¡°Five thousand¡¯s not bad at all.¡± Leaning forward, Rosanna gave him a yful grin. ¡°So if I performed there for a night, how much do you think I¡¯d make?¡±

    A memory flickered ¡ª Maia¡¯s smooth, refined voice drifting through the noise ofst night. Jarrod nced at Rosanna and, with a flicker of awkwardness, said, ¡°Hard to pin down a number, but you¡¯re definitely a step above Maia.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 48

    ?Chapter 48:

    Then he gave her a warning. ¡°Still, don¡¯t even think about stepping into ces like that. The Morgans don¡¯t need your money. Just focus on school and enjoy being at home.¡±

    Rosanna lit up at his words. ¡°No worries. Singing¡¯s just for fun. My real dream is to be the world¡¯s top jewelry designer andunch my own brand, just like Anti!¡±

    Anti had made serious waves in the industry over the past few years. Their brand imed it would surpass Radiant Jewels and take the crown as the country¡¯s leading jewelry house. Yet Anti remained aplete enigma. They never made public appearances, gave only a few written interviews to major fashion magazines, and kept their identity a total mystery. No photos. No sightings. No one even knew if they were a woman or a man.

    Rosanna had collected every magazine featuring Anti. She devoured each interview like it was her favorite treat.

    Jarrod reached over and ruffled her hair with a gentle hand. ¡°All I care about is you being healthy and safe. That means more than anything else.¡±

    Rosanna beamed. ¡°Then promise me you¡¯lle to dinner tonight. It¡¯s a huge turning point for me!¡±

    ¡°Dinner?¡± Jarrod looked genuinely confused.

    Blushing, Rosanna filled him in ¡ª Sandra had invited Vince over that evening to talk about the engagement. Sandra had already called Vince the night before. Everything was set.

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll absolutely be there ¡ª as your brother, I wouldn¡¯t miss it for the world!¡± Jarrod agreed without hesitation.

    Still feeling the effects ofst night¡¯s drinks, he shuffled off to his room for a nap once he finished eating.

    The second he was gone, Rosanna snatched up her phone and dialed Maia¡¯s number.

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    Still tangled in sleep, Maia stirred as a soft ringtone dragged her into the morning. She fumbled for her phone and answered, her voice rough with exhaustion. ¡°Hello?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s voice came through light and gentle. ¡°Maia, it¡¯s me ¡ª Rosanna. Did I wake you?¡±

    The dull throb of a hangover already had Maia on edge, and hearing Rosanna¡¯s voice didn¡¯t help. If anything, it made her feel worse.

    Still, Maia swallowed it down and answeredzily, ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a family dinner tonight. Dad, Mom, and Jarrod all miss you. Could youe?¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± The Morgan family dinner? And Rosanna was the one inviting her?

    It didn¡¯t sit right.

    ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with me? Remember? I¡¯m no longer a Morgan. I¡¯m not interested.¡± Her finger hovered over the screen, ready to end the call. Then Rosanna¡¯s voice cut in again.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to know where Grandma¡¯s bracelet is?¡±

    Maia froze. Her thumb lingered in the air, unmoving.

    Jolted wide awake, she sat upright in bed, her voice sharp. ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    ¡°If you show up tonight, I¡¯ll tell you.¡±

    Before Maia could respond, the call cut off.

    Rosanna had no intention of letting Maia sit at the table. In truth, she wished Maia would disappear from the Morgan family entirely. She only wanted Maia to witness the engagement. She wanted her to let go of Vince.

    And more than that¡­

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 Chapter 49

    ?Chapter 49:

    Rosanna intended to shatter Maia¡¯s image in front of everyone, exposing her as nothing more than a homewrecker with a messy, scandalous personal life.

    Maia stared at the screen, Rosanna¡¯s words echoing in her mind.

    Hadn¡¯t Rosanna thrown that bracelet away? How would she know where it was?

    Was she bluffing?

    While Maia stood there weighing the possibility, her phone rang again. The moment she saw the name, she picked up without hesitation. ¡°Did you find what I asked for?¡±

    The voice on the other end sounded sluggish. ¡°Boss, I checked the waste processing logs from Elysium Apartments, four years back. Nothing came up. That item doesn¡¯t exist.¡±

    Maia froze, stunned.

    Could Rosanna have kept Vicki¡¯s bracelet all this time? Was it still in her possession?

    As she lowered the phone, a cold smile crept across Maia¡¯s lips. It looked like there was no avoiding that dinner tonight.

    7:00 PM

    At the Morgan family vi.

    Vince arrived precisely on time.

    d in a crisp white designer suit, he looked every inch the modern-day prince, as though he¡¯d stepped straight out of a movie.

    Rosanna, in a soft pink gown with her hair styled to perfection, resembled a princess. She wore an innocent expression and disyed impable manners, embodying the role wlessly.

    Seeing Vince today made Rosanna¡¯s heart race. In her world, Vince was the most handsome andpetent man she knew, and this perfect man was going to be her husband. The thought filled her with a sense of pride.

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    Rosanna looped her arm through Vince¡¯s and cooed, ¡°Vince, you¡¯re here.¡±

    Vince smiled indulgently, nodded, and followed her into the living room. Sandra, beaming warmly, was the first to greet him. ¡°Vince,e sit down. Dinner will be ready shortly.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Sandra,¡± Vince replied politely, his manners perfect as always. With each passing moment, it was clear that Sandra was growing more fond of her future son-inw.

    Richard emerged from his room just then. He spotted Vince, walked over, and engaged in light conversation.

    After exchanging a few pleasantries, dinner was ready, and everyone made their way to the dining room to take their seats.

    Jarrod sauntered in, a casual air about him, draping an arm over Vince¡¯s shoulder with a smirk. ¡°I¡¯m trusting you with my sister. Be good to her.¡±

    Vince, caught off guard, nced at Rosanna.

    Rosanna, noticing his look, lowered her head, a soft blush creeping across her face.

    Sandra¡¯s soft chuckle broke the tension. ¡°Vince,¡± she said, her voice smooth, ¡°the reason we asked you here tonight is to talk about your marriage to Rosanna. What¡¯s your take? Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time to settle on an engagement date?¡±

    Rosanna had simply mentioned inviting Vince over for dinner. She hadn¡¯t said much else about the real purpose of the gathering. Now, Vince was starting to connect the dots.

    A faint smile crossed his face. ¡°Well, about that¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Tricia¡¯s voice rang out from the hallway,ced with surprise. ¡°Miss Watson? You¡­ you came!¡± The room stilled in an instant.

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 Chapter 50

    ?Chapter 50:

    Eyes shifted toward the doorway. Maia stood there, stepping in from the outside. She wore a beige, form-fitting short-sleeve top, paired with a tight denim skirt. A ck belt cinched her waist, entuating her slender frame. Her long, fair legsmanded attention.

    She appeared taller, confident, and effortlessly chic ¡ª the image of someone who belonged.

    With a casual motion, she pulled out her earphones, surveying the stunned faces around her, and smirked. ¡°What? Not happy to see me?¡±

    Jarrod couldn¡¯t shake the memory of Maia¡¯s vow to never return to the Morgan family. And yet, here she was, barging into their family dinner. A bitterugh slipped from him.

    ¡°Still got the guts to show your face here, huh?¡± Jarrod taunted, sneering.

    Maia¡¯s gaze flickered toward Rosanna.

    Rosanna rose from her seat, forcing a smile as she addressed the group. ¡°I invited Maia tonight. It¡¯s a family dinner, after all. She used to be a Morgan.¡± She hesitated briefly before adding, ¡°Besides¡­ I couldn¡¯t feel right about my engagement to Vince without her blessing.¡±

    Understanding dawned in the room. Maia had once been engaged to Vince. Rosanna likely felt guilty for stepping into her ce and sought Maia¡¯s approval to ease her conscience. Only with Maia¡¯s blessing could Rosanna truly embrace her engagement.

    Despite everything, Rosanna still cared about Maia¡¯s opinion. Once again, the Morgans were impressed by Rosanna¡¯s kindness. She was almost too kind for her own good.

    Sandra and Richard exchanged nces filled with sympathy for Rosanna. Considering the circumstances¡­ Sandra¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°Maia,e sit down.¡±

    Jarrod waved Tricia over, signaling for her to bring an extra chair beside him.

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    Maia strolled over and casually took a seat between Jarrod and Rosanna. Without sparing Vince, seated across from Rosanna, a single nce, she crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, rxed and confident. Her posture was the antithesis of Rosanna¡¯s ¡ª upright, every inch of her poised and polished.

    Sandra and Richard exchanged a look, their disapproval clear. Had Maia really changed so much in just four years? But then again, the couple hadn¡¯t spent much time with her back then. Had they ever truly understood her?

    Maia¡¯s indifferent attitude toward Vince made his frown deepen, though he tried to mask it. He turned his head slightly, and his gaze, perhaps involuntarily, drifted down to her legs.

    The Maia he remembered was a conservative, reserved girl. Despite being the Morgan family¡¯s daughter, she used to wear oversized T-shirts and baggy jeans,pletely disconnected from anything remotely fashionable.

    But tonight, with Maia dressed boldly, her hourss figure on full disy, Vince finally realized how irresistible she truly was. What made matters worse ¡ª or better ¡ª was the icy indifference and defiant attitude she carried, a quality that men found far more tempting than Rosanna¡¯s sweet, well-behaved charm.

    Vince¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple throbbed ever so slightly.

    Rosanna caught Vince sneaking a nce at Maia and felt a surge of anger. ¡°Maia, why are you always unting your body to lure men?¡± Rosanna shouted inwardly.

    She leaned forward slightly, blocking his view of Maia. Rosanna¡¯s fingers tightened around the wine ss, her smile faltering as she raised it toward Maia. ¡°I¡¯m so d you could join us tonight, Maia. This one¡¯s for you.¡±

    Before the ss reached her lips, Vince¡¯s hand shot out, catching her wrist.

    ¡°Maia can¡¯t drink alcohol,¡± he dered abruptly.

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 Chapter 51

    ?Chapter 51:

    The air in the room thickened with tension. Sandra and Richard exchanged bewildered looks, their confusion evident. Jarrod, caught off guard, hesitated.

    He¡¯d wanted to say something, but the memory of Maia effortlessly downing an entire bottle of whiskey the previous night at Starlight Bar held him back. He chose silence instead.

    Still, as Maia¡¯s brother, it made sense that he would be concerned for her health. But he couldn¡¯t help wondering why Vince was involved at all.

    Had Vince forgotten that he had nothing to do with Maia anymore? The woman he was going to marry was Rosanna.

    Rosanna¡¯s expression soured, her grip tightening on the ss. Her fingers clenched around the wine ss as she forced an apologetic tone. ¡°Oh really? I didn¡¯t know Maia couldn¡¯t drink,¡± she replied, forcing the words through a smile.

    She set her ss down gently, pressing her lips together as her eyes flicked toward Vince. ¡°Seems you know her better than I do, Vince. I must¡¯ve been mistaken.¡±

    Sandra, sensing the difort, quickly interjected. ¡°Oh, sweetheart, that¡¯s all in the past. Vince cares for you above all else. Just look at the gifts he brought you yesterday ¡ª almost a hundred thousand dors¡¯ worth. That¡¯s a love others can only dream of.¡±

    Sandra¡¯s tone was meant to soothe Rosanna, but it was more a show of superiority toward Maia.

    After all, Maia had once pursued Vince with fervor, yet he hadn¡¯t so much as nced her way. Not a single gift had been given.

    But now, Rosanna was showered with luxury, and Sandra was eager to unt it. Sandra hoped Maia would realize that Vince was now Rosanna¡¯s. All Maia needed to do was give her blessing and step aside.

    Maia¡¯s amusement only deepened as she heard Sandra¡¯s words. Her gaze flicked to Vince beside Rosanna, an eyebrow arching in mock surprise. ¡°Wow, nearly a hundred thousand in gifts? Vince, you really are generous.¡±

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    Vince¡¯s gaze darkened, his hand clenched at his side, betraying his difort. He understood what Maia was insinuating. Only yesterday, he¡¯d sent her a four-hundred-thousand-dor bracelet, which she had outright rejected.

    Clearing his throat, he replied evenly, ¡°Mrs. Morgan, you¡¯re too kind. Rosanna is my future wife ¡ª this is the least I can do.¡±

    At this, Sandra¡¯s face lit up with delight. ¡°Well, what do you think of what I brought up earlier? Shouldn¡¯t you and Rosanna start making ns for the engagement party and the wedding soon?¡±

    Vince gave a nod. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right, Sandra.¡±

    At that, Rosanna lit up, her face glowing as a wide grin took over.

    Then, without warning, Vince turned his attention to Maia. ¡°Maia, what do you think? Got any advice for me?¡±

    She hadn¡¯t been paying attention at all. In her mind, Vince was a chapter that ended four years ago and was never worth reopening. Whatever ns he had with Rosanna were none of Maia¡¯s concern.

    At that moment, the only thing Maia cared about was figuring out how to get Rosanna to spill the truth about Vicki¡¯s bracelet.

    That sudden question from Vince jolted her. She narrowed her eyes, confused by the shift.

    Around them, the entire Morgan family sat in stunned silence.

    Rosanna¡¯s grin faded in an instant. She was the one he was going to marry, so why in the world was he seeking Maia¡¯s opinion about their wedding? It hit her then ¡ª how Vince had been watching Maia throughout dinner. She remembered how he stopped her from raising a toast to Maia just earlier.

    Was Vince still clinging to whatever he had with Maia?

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 Chapter 52

    ?Chapter 52:

    Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked helplessly at Sandra and Richard, her face filled with silent frustration.

    Richard saw her distress and immediately stepped in, his voice sharp. ¡°Vince, why are you even asking Maia anything about your marriage to Rosanna?¡±

    Maia couldn¡¯t make sense of it either. Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be madly in love with Rosanna? Why was he dragging her into this?

    Despite the tension, Vince remained calm. He smiled, still measured in his demeanor. ¡°Richard, don¡¯t misunderstand. Rosanna just said she would only feel right about the engagement if Maia gave us her blessing. I don¡¯t want that uncertainty hanging over her. So¡­¡±

    Then he turned toward Maia and held her gaze with intensity. ¡°Maia, will you bless us?¡±

    All eyesnded on Maia.

    A cold chuckle slipped from Maia. The Morgans and Vince loved their little performance, acting like her opinions mattered just so they could soothe their own guilt.

    Like ying saint would wipe the te clean. Who were they kidding? If they were going to keep ying this game, Maia was more than ready to tear through their little stage.

    Her fingers tapped softly against the table, her face giving nothing away. Then she met Vince¡¯s eyes, lips curling just a touch as she spoke in an even tone. ¡°And what if I don¡¯t?¡±

    The whole Morgan family went still, their expressions frozen.

    Jarrod shot up from his chair and mmed his hand against the table. ¡°We asked for your input out of courtesy, Maia. Don¡¯t start thinking it meant more than that. This wedding between Vince and Rosanna was decided long ago. You have no ce in it.¡±

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    At the other end, Rosanna was dabbing beneath her eyes, sniffling like someone utterly heartbroken. ¡°Maia¡­ are you saying no because you¡¯re still in love with Vince? Is that why you can¡¯t give us your blessing?¡±

    Vince hadn¡¯t looked away from Maia since. A question stirred in his mind. Was there a part of her that hadn¡¯t moved on? Could it be that her coldness from before was just an act? A petty show of jealousy?

    With a sideways nce, Maia turned toward Rosanna. A sharp, humorlessugh escaped her lips. ¡°Isn¡¯t this whole dinner your idea of a spectacle, Rosanna? You brought me here to unt what you¡¯ve got. But let me make something clear. I couldn¡¯t care less about your rtionship or your marriage ns. Stop pretending to be the victim, looking for pity. I haven¡¯t forgotten why I came here. Let¡¯s get down to business if you¡¯re done acting.¡±

    That sentence sliced through Rosanna¡¯s soft, helpless image like a de.

    Her fingers curled into tight fists by her sides.

    Everything Rosanna had built ¡ª her pride, her happiness ¡ª relied on Maia¡¯s misery. She had wanted her to sit quietly and watch as she took away everyst thing Maia had once cherished.

    For seventeen years, Maia had lived in luxury under the Morgan name. Rosanna believed that Maia¡¯s past life was supposed to be hers. Did Maia even know how Rosanna had survived all those years?

    Why should Maia have had a better life?

    In her heart, Rosanna had always believed that Maia got what she deserved.

    But hearing Maia say none of it mattered? That cut deeper than anything.

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 Chapter 53

    ?Chapter 53:

    That was something Rosanna simply couldn¡¯t ept. She refused to believe it. Without thinking, Rosanna copsed to the floor and wrapped her arms around Maia¡¯s leg, sobbing louder than ever. ¡°Maia, I never wanted it to turn out like this! I know you hate me, and that¡¯s why you always assume the worst about everything I do! But tonight ¡ª I only asked you toe because I wanted your blessing. I can¡¯t enjoy this marriage if you keep holding this grudge. You used to be Vince¡¯s fianc¨¦e. What I have now¡­ that happiness was supposed to be yours!¡±

    The moment she broke down, Jarrod lost it. He reached out and grabbed Maia by the wrist, yanking her up from the chair. His eyes red with anger, and he shouted, ¡°Maia, say sorry to Rosanna. Right now!¡±

    Hearing Jarrod¡¯s demand, Maia let out a cold, cutting smile. Apologize? Without hesitation, she reached out, caught Jarrod¡¯s arm, and twisted free from his grip with a sharp, practiced move.

    Before he could even react, she had him spun around, his arm wrenched tightly behind his back. With one swift motion, Maia mmed him face-first against the dining table, pinning him there without mercy.

    The noise snapped Sandra and Richard to their feet. Shock shed across their faces ¡ª but it didn¡¯t take long for it to sour into anger.

    ¡°Maia! What are you doing?!¡± Sandra shouted, her voice rising in disbelief. On the floor, Rosanna sat frozen, her wide eyes filled with stunned horror. She couldn¡¯t fathom how Maia dared to fight back like this.

    Meanwhile, humiliation boiled inside Jarrod. He couldn¡¯t believe that he was being manhandled by Maia of all people.

    He fought to break free, but her grip held fast ¡ª slim as she was, her strength was unyielding.

    Rage overtook him, and he shouted, ¡°Let me go! How dare you! I¡¯m your brother!¡±

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    ¡°Brother?¡± Maia¡¯s voice was so cold that it could have frozen the air. ¡°I don¡¯t have a brother like you.¡±

    ¡°Maia! Let Jarrod go right now, or you can¡¯t me us for showing no mercy!¡± Richard¡¯s voice stayed measured, but the tight clench of his fists and the veins standing out on his skin gave away the storm boiling inside him.

    Maia spared him a nce, her lips curving into a mocking smile. ¡°Why don¡¯t you alle at me together? Let¡¯s see if the proud Morgan family can even handle one lone wolf fresh out of prison.¡±

    Her words were calm, almostzy. Yet a chill slithered down everyone¡¯s spine. She stood there like a lone wolf prowling through the night, her presence sharp and unsettling.

    The Morgans were rooted to the spot, too stunned to react.

    In the past, Sandra would have charged at Maia without a second thought, but after seeing the chilling ruthlessness Maia had shown when she walked free from prison, it was as if heavy chains anchored her feet to the ground.

    For a moment, Rosanna¡¯s mind nkedpletely. Then, panic flooded back in, and she blinked hard, scrambling toward Maia¡¯s feet once again. ¡°Maia, please, let Jarrod go! He only acted because he wanted to protect me. It¡¯s my fault. I made you angry. If you need to take it out on someone, punish me. Just don¡¯t hurt him! He¡¯s innocent!¡±

    Hearing Rosanna¡¯s desperate pleas stabbed through Jarrod¡¯s heart like a knife. He clenched his jaw and shouted, ¡°Rosanna, don¡¯t lower yourself! We owe her nothing! She¡¯s the one in the wrong, and we shouldn¡¯t feel sorry for her!¡±

    Fury rising, he red at Maia and yelled, ¡°Maia, if you really have guts, kill me right here! Otherwise, I swear I won¡¯t let you walk away!¡±

    Maia stared at him in silence, her face devoid of fear, her eyes colder than ice. Rosanna turned to Jarrod, her tear-filled eyes revealing her grievance and worry. She grabbed Maia¡¯s arm, crying, ¡°Maia, don¡¯t you want to know where that thing is? If you let Jarrod go, I¡¯ll tell you!¡±

    A flicker finally crossed Maia¡¯s otherwise nk expression. Without hesitation, she shoved Jarrod away and said in a chilling voice, ¡°Killing you would be too much of a waste.¡±

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 Chapter 54

    ?Chapter 54:

    Jarrod stumbled upright, rage burning so brightly that he couldn¡¯t see straight. Without thinking, he tightened his fists and lunged at Maia, aiming a brutal punch straight at her head.

    In his mind, the earlier humiliation had only been because he was caught off guard. Now, he¡¯d settle the score.

    From his point of view, having the audacity to bully Rosanna and even raise a hand against him was more than just betrayal ¡ª it was sheer cruelty! Maia hadn¡¯t picked up anything good during her time in prison; she had only grown fiercer and more brutal. Today, he was determined to put an end to Maia¡¯s defiance! He would show no mercy; after all, she had given him no choice!

    As Maia caught the surge of his iing punch, she tilted her head slightly, poised to strike back. But just before Jarrod¡¯s fist could reach her, arge hand appeared out of nowhere and caught it an inch from her face!

    Everyone¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    ¡°Vince, what are you doing?¡± Jarrod growled, his face flushing deep red with rage.

    Even Rosanna stared at Vince, stunned, her mind reeling at the sight.

    Vince¡¯s demeanor remained polite on the surface, but his eyes had turned cold as stone. His voice cut through the tension, low and even, as he said, ¡°It¡¯s a family gathering. There¡¯s no need to make it worse.¡±

    Jarrod let out a mockingugh. ¡°Let¡¯s be clear ¡ª she¡¯s the one stirring up trouble in our home, she¡¯s the one picking on your fianc¨¦e, and she¡¯s the one who threw the first punch! Yet now you¡¯re standing there telling me not to make things worse?¡± He narrowed his eyes, studying Vince closely. ¡°Vince, don¡¯t tell me¡­ you still have feelings for Maia?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s fingers curled into trembling fists as her lips quivered uncontrobly.

    Did Vince still harbor feelings for Maia?

    Rosanna couldn¡¯t wrap her head around it.

    Hadn¡¯t Vince loathed Maia more than anyone else did?

    After returning to the Morgan family, she¡¯d overheard enough chatter among heirs and socialites to know the consensus.

    Everyone had said the same thing: Vince couldn¡¯t stand Maia. At best, she grated on his nerves.

    So then why, during a dinner meant to seal their engagement, did Vince keep leaping to Maia¡¯s defense?

    Sandra, too, had lost herposure. She could tolerate many things, but not Maia meddling in Rosanna and Vince¡¯s rtionship.

    This wasn¡¯t just personal ¡ª it was about preserving the Morgan legacy.

    With a deep breath to steady her nerves, Sandra spoke atst. ¡°Vince, are you seriously in love with Maia? She has a criminal record, and she¡¯s not even my blood. Even if you were interested, your family would never allow her to be your wife.¡±

    Vince didn¡¯t flinch, but a spark of fierceness glinted in his eyes.

    ¡°Sandra, you¡¯re overanalyzing. I¡¯m aware Rosanna is my fianc¨¦e. But I didn¡¯te tonight to get caught in your family¡¯s personal drama.¡± His voice was cold, almost indifferent.

    That detached tone sliced straight through Rosanna.

    He¡¯d affirmed their engagement with a single sentence yet avoided denying his feelings for Maia.

    Rosanna bit down on her lower lip so hard that it stung, her nails burrowing into her palms until blood broke the surface. She held back her tears by sheer force.

    Sandra looked stunned.

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 Chapter 55

    ?Chapter 55:

    The Ward familymanded respect in Wront¡¯s upper crust.

    Their image and influence were everything to them.

    She had pulled every string to bring Vince here and finalize the match. Not once had she imagined Maia barging in and ruining it all.

    If this continued, Vince might start thinking the Morgans were just as ill-bred and undignified as Maia, the outsider.

    Richard, meanwhile, picked up on the undercurrent in Vince¡¯s words.

    Though he simmered with anger at Maia, he knew well that now wasn¡¯t the moment to stir the pot and that he would bide his time. Once Vince was gone, he¡¯d settle things with Maia himself.

    ¡°Vince has a point. Jarrod, this is a family asion, not the time for you and your sister to squabble.¡±

    By downying it as a mere squabble, Richard took the sting out of the moment.

    Jarrod had no choice but to swallow his rage. His bloodshot eyes burned as he yanked his hand away, firing a re at Maia that dripped with venom.

    Maia remained unfazed. She turned her back on both men, offering them not even the courtesy of a nce.

    Instead, her eyes met Rosanna¡¯s. Dazed and motionless, Rosanna stared ahead until Maia broke the silence. ¡°Where¡¯s the item?¡±

    The question snapped Rosanna out of her trance. She blinked, then looked up. Swallowing the hate that seethed behind her eyes, she answered softly, ¡°It¡¯s in my room. Come with me ¡ª I¡¯ll hand it over.¡±

    Maia didn¡¯t speak, just followed Rosanna out of the dining room, her expression unreadable.

    On the second floor of the vi, Rosanna halted at the top of the staircase. Maia turned back, sensing something off, and noticed Rosanna standing still.

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    Her brows pinched in suspicion.

    Rosanna slowly raised her head. A cold, chilling smile crept onto her face.

    Then, without warning, she flung herself backward ¡ª tumbling down the stairs.

    The moment Maia disappeared upstairs, a strange stillness fell over the dining room.

    Then came the sound. A dull thud that echoed through the house ¡ª followed by a scream that tore through the silence.

    Everyone froze in horror.

    Jarrod reacted first, his voice sharp with rm. ¡°Rosanna!¡±

    Everyone sprang to their feet and bolted from the room.

    When they reached the staircase, they found Rosanna sprawled at the bottom, her face twisted in agony.

    And Maia¡­

    She was standing silently on the second floor, arms stiff at her sides. Her eyes were t, as though none of it concerned her.

    Jarrod dropped to his knees, gathering Rosanna in his arms. Panic surged when he spotted the bruises blossoming across her arm. ¡°What¡­ what happened?!¡±

    Tears streaked down Rosanna¡¯s cheeks. She looked up, trembling, and locked eyes with Maia. Her voice broke as she sobbed. ¡°Maia¡­ I was wrong. I shouldn¡¯t have brought up you and that man¡­ but how could you¡­ how could you be so cruel and push me down the stairs?!¡±

    Shock rippled across the Morgan family¡¯s faces all at once. Had Maia really pushed Rosanna down the stairs? And who was ¡°that man¡± Rosanna had mentioned? What had happened between him and Maia?

    Jarrod¡¯s brow furrowed deeper. ¡°Rosanna, please tell us exactly what happened.¡±

    Tears filled Rosanna¡¯s eyes as her voice trembled. ¡°Yesterday, I ran into Maia at Huntington Mall. She was throwing money around, buying all sorts of luxury brands. Then I saw her climb into a Rolls-Royce Phantom. I got worried she was making poor choices, so when we were alone on the stairs, I told her if she was desperate for money, she coulde back to us. I begged her not to destroy her life out of spite. She¡¯s still so young, with her whole future ahead of her. But instead of listening, she lost it¡­ and shoved me down the stairs.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 56

    ?Chapter 56:

    A Rolls-Royce Phantom¡­

    The words echoed in Vince¡¯s mind, stirring a blurry memory of the man he had seen outside the restaurant that night. His eyes narrowed slightly.

    Meanwhile, Jarrod stood there, rattled. Did this mean Maia really had someone backing her?

    Sandra¡¯s face turned an ugly shade of red as she jabbed a finger at Maia. ¡°Shameless girl! Hooking up with some rich man? Rosanna just wanted to talk some sense into you, and you tried to kill her instead?¡±

    Vince remained silent, but Jarrod stared at Sandra in disbelief. Had Sandra known about this all along? Was he the only one left clueless?

    Anger surged through him, so hot that he could barely think straight. All this time, he had worried about Maia struggling after leaving the Morgan family¡ªhad even thought about helping her quietly. And now, hearing she might¡¯ve thrown herself into another man¡¯s arms right after prison? It felt like a p in the face.

    Still holding onto a thread of doubt, Jarrod clenched his teeth. ¡°Maia just got out. How could she already be kept?¡±

    Sandra let out a coldugh, her voice dripping with hatred. ¡°You really think this all started after prison? Please. She was probably sneaking around with some creep long before she ever got locked up.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ that makes sense. It¡¯s the only way to exin it,¡± Jarrod muttered bitterly to himself. His hands curled into tight fists at his sides.

    Back then, Jarrod had never been Maia¡¯s biggest fan. She was noisy, always buzzing around him, pestering him to grab coffee or help her with errands, making herself impossible to ignore. She drove him crazy.

    But after she disappeared ¡ª after she went to prison ¡ª the house had felt empty.

    Rosanna had been there, of course. Sweet, soft-spoken, careful with every word and every smile, doing her best to fit into a family she hadn¡¯t grown up with. But Rosanna was calcted in a way Maia never was. She wasn¡¯t the same.

    L??€$? ???t??§ñ? ?¦Ç g??l??ov?l??.??§àm

    Jarrod had stopped teasing anyone after Maia left because he worried Rosanna might take it personally. He didn¡¯t want to make Rosanna feel small. Yet, despite how perfect Rosanna was, life without Maia had lost something vital. It had lost its spark.

    And Maia? She had been that fire for Jarrod, the spark that kept things alive.

    That was exactly why Jarrod had wanted Maia to return. He had been convinced that she would never make it on her own without the Morgans holding her up. But now, hearing Rosanna and Sandra say that the cheerful, spirited Maia he remembered had been sneaking around and getting her hands dirty for years, maybe even longer, left him reeling.

    It felt like a knife had been driven straight into his back, his blood boiling and his head pounding so fiercely that it seemed ready to burst.

    ¡°Maia!¡± he shouted, unable to contain it any longer. ¡°I never thought you¡¯d fall this low! You disgust me! Was our family never enough? Why would you throw it all away like this?¡±

    Sandra¡¯s voice sliced through the air, cold and merciless. ¡°What did you expect, Jarrod? Her parents were nobodies. Trash from the wrong side of town. She¡¯s got no ss. It¡¯s in her blood. Thank God I got my real daughter back. If Maia had stayed any longer, she would¡¯ve buried all of us before our time.¡±

    Sandra shifted her gaze to Vince, her eyes as sharp as des. ¡°You heard it yourself, Vince. Maia¡¯s hopeless. She¡¯s nothing like Rosanna. Today, she pushed Rosanna down the stairs. Who knows what she¡¯ll do next? I¡¯m not letting her get away with this.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m calling the police.¡± Vince¡¯s brow furrowed, his voice low. ¡°About this¡ª¡±

    ¡°Vince, don¡¯t waste your breath,¡± Richard interjected, stepping forward with a heavy, final tone. ¡°This is a Morgan family matter. We¡¯ll deal with it ourselves.¡± His cold eyes locked onto Maia, standing upstairs, ring at her as if she were a stranger ¡ª a threat.

    ¡°Are you going to turn yourself in, Maia, or should we go ahead and call the cops to drag you away?¡±

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 Chapter 57

    ?Chapter 57:

    From her ce at the top of the stairs, Maia looked down at them ¡ª the family she once would have bled for. Her heart felt heavy, but her face was cold.

    Four years ago, they had believed every lie Rosanna fed them and hadn¡¯t even hesitated before casting Maia aside. And now? Things had only gotten worse. The Morgans were still the same.

    Did it hurt?

    The truth was, the pain had burned itself out long ago. Only numbness remained.

    Maia¡¯s lips curled into a slow, icy smile. ¡°You want the police to take me? Fine. Where¡¯s your evidence?¡±

    ¡°Evidence? All of us here saw it, Maia.¡± Sandra raised her chin, wearing an air of righteous certainty.

    Maia came down the stairs one step at a time, stopping when she stood face-to-face with the Morgan family, her gaze level with theirs. Her eyes were steady, but there was something in them now that hadn¡¯t been there four years ago.

    When she locked eyes with them, an uneasy guilt crept up on them, though none could exin why.

    ¡°You all saw it?¡± Maia repeated, her voice calm and steady. ¡°Did any of you actually see me push her?¡±

    For a beat, the Morgans froze, caught off guard.

    Recovering quickly, Sandra let out a disdainfulugh. ¡°Even if no one saw it happen, it was just you and Rosanna there. If you didn¡¯t push her, then who did? A ghost? Or are you seriously suggesting Rosanna made it up?¡±

    One eyebrow arched, Maia met her stare head-on. ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯splete nonsense!¡± Sandra burst out, unable to contain her fury at hearing her daughter used. ¡°Do you really believe Rosanna could be as shameless and deceitful as you? Rosanna has always been polite and kind, and she¡¯s never once told a lie. How could she possibly trick us? Don¡¯t think that just because you have no real proof, you can go around smearing Rosanna¡¯s name without consequences!¡±

    A softugh escaped Maia¡¯s lips ¡ª sharp, humorless. But the girl standing before them now wasn¡¯t the Maia from four years ago.

    ¡°What if I can prove Rosanna¡¯s lying?¡± Maia asked, her eyes gleaming with quiet confidence. ¡°Would you, as her mother, actually punish her?¡±

    Sandra stiffened. ¡°Rosanna would never lie!¡± she retorted, clinging to her certainty like a shield.

    Maia lifted her voice and said, ¡°If I really pushed her, I¡¯ll hand myself over to the police. But if she¡¯s the one lying, would you have the courage to p her as punishment?¡±

    For the first time, Sandra faltered. She stood there, mouth opening and closing, unable to summon a response.

    Off to the side, Jarrod sneered. ¡°Maia, quit bluffing. If you really have proof, even if Mom won¡¯t act, I will. As her brother, I¡¯ll make sure Rosanna pays.¡±

    Richard sneered. ¡°Maia, my advice is toe clean. We might show you a little mercy for the years we spent raising you.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Maia didn¡¯t bother saying anything else. She pulled out her phone, downloaded an app, and used facial recognition to log in.

    A few swift tapster, and the phones belonging to Sandra, Jarrod, and Richard buzzed loudly all at once.

    ¡°Take a look,¡± Maia said lightly, slipping her phone back into her pocket as she casually leaned against the stair railing.

    Suspicious, they unlocked their screens, brows furrowing. What they found was a video message waiting for them.

    One by one, they clicked y, and as the footage rolled, their expressions twisted into something grim andplicated.

    .

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 Chapter 58

    ?Chapter 58:

    Realizing something was wrong, Rosanna lunged for Jarrod¡¯s phone in a panic, but she was a second toote.

    The video clearly showed Rosanna standing alone upstairs ¡ª no Maia in sight ¡ª then stumbling backward on her own and tumbling helplessly down the staircase. Not a single finger from Maia had touched her.

    Silence fell like a heavy curtain across the room. No one moved.

    Sandra¡¯s face drained of color, then flushed red with humiliation. Every harsh word she had just thrown at Maia now echoed back at her like a p. She looked like she wanted to sink straight through the floor.

    ¡°Done watching?¡± Maia asked indifferently, folding her arms across her chest. Her gaze swept across them, cold and unhurried, before finallynding on Jarrod. ¡°You said you¡¯d act if I had evidence. Now, it¡¯s time to take action.¡±

    Still stunned, Jarrod blurted out, ¡°Where did this video evene from?¡± He couldn¡¯t remember any cameras being installed in the house.

    Maia lifted her hand and pointed casually toward a hidden corner near the second-floor railing.

    ¡°You probably never noticed it, but back then, it was just Vicki and me most of the time. There was one afternoon she fell on the stairs while I was at school. Tricia was busy cooking and didn¡¯t hear anything. Vickiy there for hours. After that, I installed hidden cameras to keep an eye on her in case anything happened again.¡±

    Back in high school, Maia had purchased the surveince system and personally modified it to be as discreet as possible. Only the custom software she designed could unlock the footage.

    She had installed it with the intention of sparing Vicki any unease, and as it happened, the Morgan family had gone all these years without ever noticing the camera.

    Now, with the truthid bare, the Morgan family could hardly hide their embarrassment.

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    Jarrod¡¯s hand shook as he clutched his phone, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Rosanna. He could barely ask, ¡°Rosanna¡­ is it true?¡± Even though he asked, the video left no space for lies.

    ¡°You fell by yourself. Why would you use Maia? Why?¡±

    For the first time ever, Jarrod raised his voice at Rosanna. Tears streamed down her face in thick, messy tracks. ¡°Jarrod¡­ I got dizzy going upstairs¡­ I thought ¡ª I thought it was Maia who pushed me. I¡¯m sorry, Jarrod. I didn¡¯t mean to me her.¡±

    Across the room, Richard shifted awkwardly, stiff and ufortable. He had no intention of scolding Rosanna; all he wanted was to smooth things over as quickly as possible.

    ¡°Maia. Rosanna probably got dizzy from low blood sugar since she skipped dinner. It wasn¡¯t something she did on purpose. We were wrong to use you without knowing the full story. But tonight¡¯s supposed to be a family celebration. Let¡¯s not let this spoil the atmosphere.¡±

    Sandra hurried to chime in, forcing a smile across her face. ¡°Yes, yes, Maia, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make sure to teach Rosanna to get her facts straight before she opens her mouth next time. Look, the food¡¯s getting cold. Let¡¯s all go eat.¡± She then motioned for everyone to head toward the dining room.

    Maia let out a scornful smirk. They had been so self-righteous when throwing usations at her, swearing they wouldn¡¯t let it slide. Now that Rosanna was the one in the wrong, they wanted to brush it off like nothing had happened? How convenient.

    Maia didn¡¯t bother with any more words. She calmly pulled out her phone, holding it lightly in her hand, and nced at the Morgans with a faint smile.

    ¡°No one¡¯s forcing you to act. But the moment I press this button, the video goes live. Rosanna¡¯s pretty popr online, isn¡¯t she? So, tell me ¡ª what do you think her fans will say when they see it?¡±

    What the footage showed went far beyond Rosanna hurling herself down the stairs. It exposed her lies, her false ims against Maia, and the Morgan family¡¯s in, ugly overreaction.

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 Chapter 59

    ?Chapter 59:

    Going public with it would cause chaos.

    This wouldn¡¯t be Rosanna¡¯s first viral moment. Back in school, someone uploaded a video of her singing at a concert. That voice of hers? It turned strangers into diehard fans.

    She had it all ¡ª a delicate face, a good-girl image, and the whole long-lost daughter drama that fueled her charm. Rosanna had built herself a fairytale.

    And it had worked. Her poprity wasn¡¯t insignificant either.

    It even gave Sandra and Richard a little extra shine in their social circle. But if this clip hit the web, it wouldn¡¯t just bruise their egos. It would explode ¡ª quick and loud.

    Their rivals would feast on the scandal. And Rosanna? Her wless image would shatter. Overnight, she¡¯d turn from beloved darling into a scheming fraud. The fallout might be too big for the Morgans to clean up.

    As the reality of it all hit, Rosanna broke down. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to hurt anyone! I¡¯m sorry, Maia. Please, believe me. I mean it. I¡¯ll say it right now ¡ª I¡¯m really, truly sorry¡ª¡±

    ¡°Laws wouldn¡¯t exist if sorry was enough to fix everything.¡± Maia¡¯s eyes narrowed as she locked her gaze on Jarrod.

    ¡°I¡¯m giving it three seconds. If no one steps up, don¡¯t call me heartless for what happens next.¡±

    Panic took hold of the Morgan family. The tension in the room tightened like a noose, heavy and rising with each breath. Maia started her countdown, her voice steady.

    ¡°Three. Two. One¡­¡±

    Right as she reached the end, Jarrod¡¯s jaw tightened. He closed his eyes, turned to Rosanna, and with a heavy hand, struck her across the face. Rosanna¡¯s head¡­

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    Her head snapped to the side, her cheek burning bright red from the p. Shock washed over her as she lifted her eyes, unable to believe that the same brother who used to treat her like a princess had just struck her. Her whole body shook, and fury burned behind her reddening eyes.

    Trying to stayposed, Jarrod turned to Maia. ¡°I did what you wanted. Will you delete the video now?¡±

    ¡°Back when Rosanna said I pushed her down those stairs, you were all ready to call the cops to put me in jail. But now that the truth¡¯s out, you think one p makes up for it?¡± Her smile twisted, cold and unforgiving. ¡°That¡¯s not nearly enough.¡±

    ¡°You!¡±

    Anger surged through him, yet he had nothing to deny.

    Frozen in ce, Richard stood with clenched fists. The guilt weighed heavily on his shoulders. For once, he couldn¡¯t excuse what Rosanna had done.

    ¡°Please, Maia. We used to be family. Don¡¯t make this mess any worse than it already is,¡± Sandra said, her tone sharp as she tried to intervene.

    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right ¡ª used to be.¡± Maia let out a quiet, bitterugh.

    The way she emphasized those three words made Sandra flinch. Her expression tightened like she had just bitten into broken ss.

    ¡°Either keep going¡­¡± Maia lifted her brow and waved her finger near the upload button. ¡°Or I push this button.¡±

    There was no hesitation from Jarrod this time.

    Another p came down. Then another. Rosanna¡¯s head turned with each blow. Shaking all over, Rosanna stood frozen, shock etched in every inch of her. Tangled strands of hair dropped over her face, masking whatever emotion she wore.

    Jarrod¡¯s voice wavered as he shut his eyes, the weight of it all pulling at him. His hand trembled. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rosanna. I have to do this¡­ It¡¯s the only way to save what¡¯s left of your name.¡±

    Turning back to Maia, he fixed her with bloodshot eyes zing with anger. His teeth clenched. ¡°Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s enough?¡±

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 Chapter 60

    ?Chapter 60:

    Without a second thought, Sandra darted over and pulled Rosanna into her arms.

    Tears poured down Rosanna¡¯s face as she gasped for air between sobs. Seeing her daughter break like that, Sandra¡¯s own tears began to fall.

    Without hesitation, Richard moved to block Maia¡¯s view, standing protectively in front of his wife and daughter. His re cut straight through her. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Maia!¡±

    Sliding her phone into her pocket, Maia kept her voice rxed and unbothered. Her head tilted slightly as azy smile tugged at her lips. ¡°The only thing I promised was not to post it. I never said I¡¯d delete it. Whether it disappears or not? That¡¯s up to how I feelter.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s paid the price, Maia. Rosanna knows what she did. Just get rid of the video already.¡±

    The words didn¡¯te from Jarrod this time. It was Vince who finally spoke, his voice barely above a murmur.

    From the way the Morgan family reacted, he didn¡¯t need to see the video to understand. He had seen the whole disaster unfold, and it was clear that Maia had been framed.

    Still, he had known Rosanna for a long time. She wasn¡¯t someone he ever thought capable of fabricating such a serious lie. To him, this had to be some terrible mimunication.

    Even so, Maia¡¯s way of handling things had gone too far. That video in her possession? It was a loaded weapon. One wrong move, and Rosanna¡¯s entire public image could implode.

    As his bride-to-be, Rosanna¡¯s reputation directly impacted his own. If this blew up, Vince wouldn¡¯t walk away unscathed. And if his grandfather got involved, the engagement itself might copse under scrutiny. The old man had zero tolerance for liars.

    It took a moment before Maia nced at Vince, realizing she hadpletely forgotten that he was still around.

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    A yawn slipped out before she spoke, her wordsced with boredom. ¡°Remind me again ¡ª what are you to me? Because I don¡¯t recall owing you anything. You don¡¯t get to tell me what to do. And if you try? Well, I might just surprise everyone tonight.¡±

    Vince¡¯s expression darkened, his jaw tightening.

    The rest of the Morgans froze. No one dared speak again.

    After everything, Maia felt like all the energy had drained from her bones. It was obvious. The bracelet was just bait. Rosanna had never intended to talk. This whole dinner had been a setup from the start.

    She¡¯d served the justice Rosanna had earned. There was nothing left for her in this ce.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t my dinner. It¡¯s yours ¡ª enjoy what¡¯s left of it.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, Maia turned her back to them and walked straight out of the Morgan estate, not sparing anyone so much as a nce.

    The night outside had grown darker, with faint stars scattered across the sky. A rising breeze swept through, carrying a sharp chill.

    Under that endless sky, Maia lifted her head, her face giving nothing away. She looked even smaller, her figure almost swallowed by the vastness around her. Then came the voice she didn¡¯t want to hear again.

    ¡°Maia, wait up!¡±

    Rosanna came rushing forward, breathless and stumbling as she tried to catch up.

    With a slow, irritated turn, Maia faced her. ¡°What now?¡±

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 Chapter 61

    ?Chapter 61:

    A glint of malice crept into Rosanna¡¯s once-innocent face as she looked at her.

    ¡°I may not have Grandma¡¯s bracelet, but I know exactly where it is. You want it? Delete the video first. This time, I¡¯m not bluffing. Ignore me, and you¡¯ll never find it.¡±

    The threat of that video hanging over her had pushed Rosanna into a corner, and desperation made her reckless.

    Studying her carefully, Maia narrowed her eyes. Vicki¡¯s bracelet meant more to her than anything else tonight. In the grand scheme of things, the video was just leverage.

    It made perfect sense that Rosanna, terrified of ruining her reputation, would cling to the bracelet and try to use it as a bargaining chip.

    For a moment, Maia¡¯s curiosity outweighed her distrust.

    ¡°Fine. It¡¯s just a video, not my life¡¯s worth. But listen carefully ¡ª this is yourst chance. Lie to me again, and you¡¯ll regret it.¡± That final warning made Maia¡¯s tone turn ice-cold.

    A flicker of hesitation crossed Rosanna¡¯s face before she quickly masked it. ¡°Of course I know it.¡±

    Without wasting another second, Maia lifted an eyebrow, unlocked her phone, and deleted the video right in front of her.

    ¡°Talk. Where is it?¡±

    In a soft voice, Rosanna said, ¡°There¡¯s a ck market near the big iron bridge in Erygan, over in the south district. What you¡¯re looking for is there.¡±

    ¡°ck market?¡± Maia¡¯s voice dripped with disbelief.

    Rosanna shrugged and said, ¡°The bracelet looked old. I couldn¡¯t bear to throw it out, so I kept it. Not long ago, I ran into a vendor who specializes in antiques. He mentioned his stall was in the ck market under the big iron bridge in Erygan. I didn¡¯t think it mattered, so I just handed it over to him.¡±

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    Watching Maia¡¯s face grow darker by the second, Rosanna hurried to add, ¡°I swear, Maia, I didn¡¯t know it was something Grandma left behind! If I had known, I never would¡¯ve let it go!¡±

    Casting a brief nce at Rosanna, Maia fell silent, weighing her next move. A momentter, without uttering another word, she turned on her heel and walked away.

    From behind, Rosanna¡¯s lips twisted into a slow, cruel smile.

    ¡°Seventeen years as the spoiled princess of the Morgan family, and you probably don¡¯t even know how the ck market works,¡± she muttered with a cruel glint in her eye.

    Tucked into the city¡¯s forgotten corners, ck markets bred illegal trades and shady dealings. Plenty of crimes stayed hidden under the city¡¯s polished image because of ces like that.

    And it seemed there was an invisible hand controlling these ck markets, with the authorities turning a blind eye.

    It was the city¡¯s dirty little secret. A ce where the usual rules didn¡¯t apply. With her fingers pressing against her still-burning cheek, Rosanna¡¯s eyes gleamed with hatred. ¡°This time, Maia¡­ you won¡¯t be making it back.¡±

    Hours had slipped away by the time Maia left the Morgan vi behind. She gged down a cab and rode back to her apartment under the heavy night sky. Unlocking the door, Maia immediately noticed Chris sprawledfortably on a single sofa, lookingpletely at ease.

    The bright overhead light cast a soft glow on his profile, his features as striking as a painting.

    ¡°You¡¯re home,¡± Chris said as he set aside the book he¡¯d been flipping through.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Maia replied.

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 Chapter 62

    ?Chapter 62:

    Crossing into the living room, Maia caught sight of Chris getting up and casually making his way toward his bedroom, almost as if he had been waiting for her all along.

    Trailing after him without thinking, Maia called out, ¡°Mr. Cooper.¡±

    Pausing in his tracks, Chris turned around and nced down at the petite woman. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    Standing before him, Maia felt the weight of his height, a full head taller than her. Though his presence could seem imposing, his voice came soft, like a breeze slipping through the clouds.

    Lifting her chin slightly, Maia met his gaze, her clear eyes shimmering under the warm lights. ¡°You really don¡¯t need to wait for me every time, Mr. Cooper.¡±

    Since returning, her life had be even busier. Knowing that he stayed up just for her weighed heavily on her heart.

    Chris narrowed his sharp eyes and tilted his head, his expression half-teasing. ¡°Since you know I¡¯m waiting, why do you keeping home thiste? Do you like seeing me worry?¡±

    Unsure whether he was scolding her or teasing, Maia quickly shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant¡­¡±

    Before she could speak further, a warm hand ruffled her hair. ¡°I¡¯m messing with you.¡± Despite being husband and wife, Chris had never once tried to put chains on her. Whatever she chose to do was her decision. For him, waiting was never an obligation. It was something he simply wanted to do. Back then, he hadn¡¯t even had the right to wait for her.

    ¡°I get it,¡± he said, his tone as soothing as someone coaxing a sulky child, a small smile tugging at his lips. ¡°But if anyone gives you trouble, promise me you¡¯lle to me first?¡±

    Pressing her lips together in thought, Maia figured it was more likely she would be the one giving others trouble nowadays. Still, she nodded and answered softly, ¡°Okay.¡±

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    ¡°It¡¯ste. Go get some rest.¡± Chris leaned closer, his breath brushing against her ear as he whispered, ¡°And remember, the world out there isn¡¯t always kind¡­ don¡¯t go wandering off.¡±

    Maia was taken aback. Did he seriously think she was three years old?

    Watching Maia struggle for a response, Chris let out a satisfied chuckle. ¡°Goodnight.¡±

    As soon as the door opened and clicked shut behind him, Maia finally exhaled a long breath, like someone waking up from a dream.

    Meanwhile, back at the entrance of the Morgan Vi, just as Vince was about to get into his car, Rosanna appeared, catching up to him.

    Before he could step inside, she reached out and grabbed his arm, her voice soft and hesitant. ¡°Vince, are you leaving already?¡±

    Facing her with a gentle look, Vince said, ¡°I¡¯lle visit you another time.¡±

    Lowering her head in grievance, Rosanna murmured, ¡°I¡¯m sorry about what happened tonight.¡± Her voice trembled as though tears threatened to spill. ¡°I only wanted to bring the family together¡­ If I hadn¡¯t invited Maia, none of this would¡¯ve happened.¡±

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t me yourself,¡± Vince said, pulling her into a light embrace. ¡°After spending four years behind bars, it¡¯s only natural that Maia would hold a grudge.¡±

    That familiar woody scent clinging to Vince made Rosanna feel dizzy with emotion. Without thinking, she slipped her arms around his waist, pulling him closer.

    For a moment, Vince stiffened, caught off guard. Rosanna had always been shy, never one to take the first step.

    With her face tilted up toward his, her eyes shimmered with a fragile kind of beauty under the night sky. In a soft, trembling voice, she whispered, ¡°Vince, earlier tonight¡­¡±

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 Chapter 63

    ?Chapter 63:

    Her courage faltered, and she dropped her gaze before finally murmuring, ¡°If your heart still belongs to Maia¡­ I can step aside.¡±

    Perfectly timed tears slid down her cheeks, painting the perfect picture of sorrow.

    Something inside Vince melted. Ever since their first meeting, it had been her delicate sadness that made him want to protect her. How could he ever bear to see her like this?

    Vince held Rosanna tighter andforted her. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. How could I have feelings for her, a woman with a criminal past and questionable character? My taste isn¡¯t that bad.¡±

    Rosanna lit up instantly. Her lips tried to stay pressed together, but the corners betrayed her, curling into an irrepressible smile. She leaned against Vince¡¯s chest, eyes shining. ¡°Really?¡±

    Vince steadied her by the shoulders and gently drew her back, guiding her face to meet his. His eyes softened. ¡°Rosanna, you¡¯re the one I¡¯m engaged to.¡± Turning toward the car, he retrieved a sleek, elegant box and handed it over with a quiet smile. ¡°This is for you.¡±

    Rosanna lifted the lid and found a silver bracelet nestled inside, glinting coolly beneath the moonlight.

    It was the very piece Vince had once purchased for Maia ¡ª the same one she had refused to ept.

    A soft gasp escaped Rosanna. ¡°Is this¡­ the Two Tied Hearts bracelet from Radiant Jewels?¡±

    She¡¯d seen it in a jewelry magazine before. Its design, meant to symbolize two people deeply in love, was hailed as the ultimate soulmate gift. Back then, she¡¯d secretly wished Vince would buy one for her. But with a price tag over four hundred thousand, she never dared to say it aloud.

    She never thought that Vince would surprise her with it ¡ª let alone now. Vince¡¯s expression gave little away as he nodded. ¡°I meant to give it to you earlier. With everything that happened with Maia, it slipped my mind.¡±

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    ¡°I really love it, Vince!¡±

    Rosanna threw her arms around his neck, beaming.

    But then it hit her how bold the gesture was. She quickly stepped back, fingers fumbling as she looked down, shy and flustered.

    Meanwhile, Vince¡¯s mind wandered to an old memory he hadn¡¯t expected. He remembered re-gifting a rose to Maia ¡ª how her entire face had lit up like springtime. She¡¯d thrown her arms around him too, whispering, ¡°Vince, I love it.¡± Back then, he¡¯d gently pulled away, telling her not to be so forward.

    Now Rosanna showed exactly the restraint he once thought he wanted. So why did it leave him with a strange, empty ache?

    ¡°As long as you like it,¡± he said with a faint smile, brushing the thought aside. ¡°Go on in. It¡¯s getting chilly. Don¡¯t catch a cold.¡±

    Rosanna gave a sweet nod and turned toward the Morgan house, her steps light with joy.

    Vince slipped into the car. His assistant, who had quietly watched the whole scene unfold, turned with a grin. ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Ward. Things seem to be moving along nicely.¡±

    Vince ran a hand over his forehead. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    The assistant blinked in surprise. ¡°Didn¡¯t you just hand Miss Morgan a bracelet worth more than four hundred thousand? It sure seemed like you were proposing.¡±

    But that bracelet had originally been meant for Maia ¡ª who hadn¡¯t even taken it. He¡¯d handed it to Rosanna on impulse, just to lift her spirits.

    A slow irritation rose in Vince, and his tone turned sharp. ¡°You¡¯re running your mouth too much. Say one more thing, and you¡¯re fired!¡±

    .

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    .

 Chapter 64

    ?Chapter 64:

    The assistant went silent, though his mind was filled with confusion. Why had Vince snapped at the mention of marriage? Did he even want to marry Rosanna?

    Back at the vi, Rosanna slipped through the door, quietly humming to herself. But before she could go any farther, Jarrod grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side.

    Keeping his voice low, he asked, ¡°Rosanna, did you just see Maia? Did she do anything to you?¡±

    She shook her head calmly. ¡°No. I only told her where to find what she needed. She agreed to delete the surveince video.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s frown deepened. He recalled catching snippets of their earlier conversation and couldn¡¯t let it go. ¡°And what exactly were you two talking about?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Grandma¡¯s bracelet.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Didn¡¯t you already throw that thing away?¡±

    Rosanna nced at him. For a moment, something calcting flickered behind hershes, but she softened her expression with practiced innocence and recited the story she¡¯d told Maia.

    ¡°An antique dealer¡­¡± Jarrod muttered, eyebrows knotting together.

    ¡°Yeah. Maia said she¡¯s going to track him down and get the bracelet back. I mentioned that he once told me his shop was in the ck market area of Erygan.¡±

    Somewhere in the city. ¡°I didn¡¯t think much of it before, but¡­ Jarrod, what exactly is a ck market?¡± Rosanna asked, feigning naivet¨¦.

    His face tensed immediately.

    Jarrod knew all too well what kind of ce Erygan¡¯s ck market was. It was a den of criminals and dirty trades, where morals vanished with the daylight.

    Was Maia actually headed there? She could vanish ¡ª be trafficked, even.

    Just then, a soft hiss snapped him out of his spiral.

    Looking up, he saw Rosanna touch her cheek, still red and puffy from the p he¡¯d given her earlier.

    His chest twisted with guilt. He reached out, his fingers trembling as they brushed her swollen skin. ¡°Rosanna¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I should have kept you safe.¡±

    Rosanna softly held his hand, her voice warm and caring. ¡°This isn¡¯t your fault. You¡¯ve always protected me. A little hurt doesn¡¯t bother me. As long as you¡¯re okay, I can handle anything. Even if Maia keepsing after me, I¡¯m not scared.¡±

    Her words brought back the memory of when she had dropped to her knees in front of Maia, begging for his sake.

    The guilt surged in Jarrod¡¯s chest.

    He squeezed her hand tighter, eyes dark with resolve. ¡°I swear, Rosanna, I¡¯ll make everyone who hurt you pay. Even Maia¡¯s not walking away this time.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t me her, Jarrod. I¡¯m sure she had her reasons¡­¡± Rosanna added gently, her face a perfect mask of concern.

    ¡°You¡¯re too soft. That¡¯s how they keep stepping all over you,¡± Jarrod muttered, his voice hardening. ¡°You don¡¯t need to defend her. Not this time. She¡¯s finally going to face the consequences. The ck market¡­¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s mouth curled into a cold smirk. That ce was perfect for breaking someone downpletely.

    Watching him fall into her trap so effortlessly, Rosanna smiled inwardly.

    ¡°Maia, I don¡¯t even need to lift a finger to destroy you,¡± she sneered inwardly.

    At midnight, Maia sat up in bed, wide awake. This was when the ck market came to life. Any earlier, and half the vendors wouldn¡¯t have even opened yet.

    Dressed in ck from head to toe, she moved carefully, shutting her bedroom door and locking it from the outside so it looked like she was still sleeping inside.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 65

    ?Chapter 65:

    Then she vanished into the night without a sound.

    Next door, Chris leaned casually against the window, one shoulder propped against the frame, watching a slender silhouette slip out of the apartment building¡¯s exit.

    ¡°You¡¯re so disobedient.¡±

    In Erygan, Maia swiftly located the hidden entrance beneath the old iron crossing. She recalled Zoey once saying these so-called bazaars were simply illegal trading hubs masked under different names. They were havens for forbidden treasures and trafficked merchandise.

    Yet, that never discouraged adventurers from venturing in, hoping to discover rare finds. Word had it someone once unearthed a medieval ivoryb here,ter auctioned for millions.

    Contrasting the quiet exterior, the underground bazaar buzzed with life. Murkynterns cast soft pools of light while the atmosphere resembled a jam-packed festival. Stalls were tightly packed, and vendor calls rang endlessly through the air.

    Maia showed a picture of Vicki¡¯s bracelet on her device, intending to ask around each booth. If it existed here, someone had surely seen it.

    After she questioned more than a dozen merchants, none could recognize it. She then halted before a liquor shop, its broad front suggesting smuggled alcohol dealings ¡ª something Maia found uninteresting.

    As she prepared to leave, a voice sounded behind her. ¡°Miss, we just received exclusive bottles. Care for a peek?¡±

    ¡°Searching for something ¡ª not thirsty,¡± Maia replied with a shrug.

    The shop assistant¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Looking for something, huh? You¡¯re in luck. Nothing escapes my notice in this ce.¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m, your destination for tales

    ¡°Is that right?¡± Maia paused, then decided to gamble. She handed him her phone. ¡°Ever spotted this?¡±

    The bracelet appeared ancient, its rich hue and borate engravings breathtaking.

    Despite extensive experience, the shop assistant hadn¡¯t encountered anythingparable.

    ¡°You sure this piece is floating around here?¡±

    Maia tucked the device back into her pocket. ¡°Forget it.¡±

    She pivoted, but he blocked her path. ¡°Hey, no need to bolt. I might not know, but my boss surely would. Nothing slips past him ¡ª not even spare change.¡±

    ¡°Your boss?¡± Maia¡¯s stare sharpened. ¡°Is this another setup?¡±

    The shop assistant lifted three fingers. ¡°Promise. Just follow.¡±

    Actually, he wasn¡¯t sure if his boss had ever seen this bracelet before. But if this bracelet really was in the market, he had to make sure his boss seized the opportunity to learn more about it ¡ª and perhaps gather clues to secure it.

    Maia agreed and trailed him inside.

    Rows of rare, imported bottles lined the store. Maia¡¯s eyes flicked across them, her brow arching slightly.

    The shop assistant snapped a photo of the bracelet. ¡°Hang tight. I¡¯ll go ask.¡± While he disappeared into the back, Maia perched on a tall stool, idly browsing her phone.

    Momentster, a man in a dove-gray coat entered, carrying a sleek case. He dropped onto the seat next to her, drumming on the counter, and said to another shop assistant nearby, ¡°Is my package prepared?¡±

    The shop assistant¡¯s posture straightened immediately. ¡°Ready, sir!¡±

    Reaching up to the towering shelf, the man carefully retrieved an elegant bottle and passed it reverently.

    The man inspected it, gave an approving nod, and ced the case down, preparing to leave ¡ª until a slim hand seized his wrist.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 66

    ?Chapter 66:

    ¡°This is counterfeit.¡±

    The man blinked, startled, finally noticing the youthful woman beside him. She couldn¡¯t have been past her early twenties.

    The shop assistant snapped irritably, ¡°Mind your tongue, miss! We sell only authentic goods!¡±

    Maia¡¯s calm gaze slid toward the bottle. ¡°Is that so? But I am certain this bottle of tequ you¡¯re selling is fake.¡±

    ¡°Ridiculous!¡± the shop assistant blurted, his face hardening. ¡°This is the finest vintage tequ, with a bottle crafted by a renowned crystal brand known for its exquisite craftsmanship. How could you tell otherwise? You look just a little over twenty, and I doubt you know anything about liquor!¡±

    Maiazily gestured to the silverwork along the bottle, featuring numerous tiny human forms.

    ¡°The true worth of an Annie Tequ lies not in its contents, but in the artistry of its relief,¡± she remarked lightly. ¡°Each figure wears a unique emotion ¡ª grief, tion, even traces ofpassion. But look at this one ¡ª the faces blur together, expressionless and identical. It¡¯s an obvious forgery.¡±

    Her tone was almost offhand, but the man next to her stared in disbelief, utterly floored by her observation.

    The man clutching the forged tequ believed that Maia had a sharp instinct for excellence.

    The shop assistant raised the tequ under themp, squinted suspiciously, and then barked, ¡°What could you possibly detect in this way? You¡¯re clearly here to stir trouble!¡±

    Maia rested her chin against her palm, paying him no mind, and said to the customer, ¡°If you doubt me, feel free to take it to a licensed wine expert for validation. Although, even seasoned experts might miss such a masterful imitation. I¡¯d rmend Annie Crystal¡¯s private facility ¡ª they engineered this model themselves.¡±

    Annie Crystal,unched by the elusive artisan Anti two years prior, expanded swiftly from ornate sswork into essories, homeware, and elite scents. Anti¡¯s revolutionary craftsmanship shook the high-end market, propelling Annie Crystal into the same stratosphere as Radiant Jewels almost instantly. Anti¡¯sndmark piece? This tequ sk, named The Multitude, was created exclusively for a prestigious tequ distillery.

    New chapters now on .c?m

    A dozen silver statuettes, each distinct in expression and form, hoisted the vessel aloft, a design hailed as transformative in product artistry. Once unveiled, the globe¡¯s richest elites scrambled for ownership. In fact, one unit fetched seventeen million at auction.

    Today? It was deemed irreceable.

    Maia¡¯s assertion struck like lightning. The shop assistant nched. For years, the establishment had pushed this brand without suspicion ¡ª not forck of scrutiny, but because the forgery was expertly crafted. Among insiders, it wasmon knowledge: over 60% of Annie Tequ circting was bogus.

    But now the shop assistant couldn¡¯t fathom who this mysterious young woman was ¡ª or how she spotted deceit with a nce.

    ¡°Miss, if you¡¯re aiming to wreck our livelihood, don¡¯t expect kindness,¡± he snarled, his voice low and dangerous. Exposing this could obliterate their reputation. No one would dare buy from them again.

    ¡°I¡¯m simply stating facts. No need for hostility,¡± Maia shrugged, shifting her gaze back to the buyer. ¡°Your decision.¡±

    The man wrestled with uncertainty. Maia appeared astonishingly youthful. Her words shouldn¡¯t have mattered much¡­ Yet the poised conviction in her tone, as though she had mastered the situation, made him falter.

    ¡°I¡¯ll contact my boss,¡± the buyer eventually muttered.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 67

    ?Chapter 67:

    Maia gave a rxed wave, signaling him to proceed.

    He dialed quickly. ¡°Sir. I have something urgent¡­ Understood. Will do.¡± Ending the call, he grabbed the briefcase resting nearby and faced the shop assistant. ¡°We¡¯ll bring this vintage to Annie Crystal for verification. If it¡¯s authentic, you¡¯ll receive full payment.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?!¡± the shop assistant barked, leaping upright. ¡°Policy¡¯s firm ¡ª full cash upfront before anything leaves! No exceptions!¡±

    ¡°Then the deal¡¯s off,¡± the man said coolly, sliding the bottle across the counter. He gave Maia a deliberate nod and headed for the exit.

    ¡°Wait!¡± the shop assistant bellowed, chasing him. But the man had already vanished into the murky alleys of the ck market.

    Furious, the shop assistant stormed back, his expression dark with rage.

    Thatmission would¡¯ve bought him prime real estate beyond the city limits. One reckless girl had sabotaged it in seconds.

    He couldn¡¯t let it slide.

    Grinding his mrs, he shot Maia a venomous re before sprinting outside, shouting into the night, ¡°Rulebreaker! Someone¡¯s wrecking the code!¡±

    Here, those words triggered chaos.

    The ck market thrived under a silent pact, stronger than any boss¡¯s iron fist ¡ª solidarity among vendors kept the system intact.

    ¡°Who¡¯s insane enough to vite the market code? Must have a death wish!¡± Instantly, merchants, hustlers, and all manner of shady characters surged toward the liquor shop, their movements sharp and dangerous.

    Survival here demanded ruthlessness. The atmosphere thickened with imminent violence.

    Over time, gangs, crooks, and even cops had stormed the market ¡ª few escaped without wounds. Some never got the chance to flee.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s, your source for inspiration

    ¡°Denny, what¡¯s going on? Who¡¯s foolish enough to mess with you?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s her!¡± the shop assistant, Denny Portnoy, roared, pointing inside.

    The mob turned toward where his finger jabbed, their gazes narrowing when they spotted a slender young woman in her early twenties.

    ¡°Barely out of school and already causing trouble?¡± someone snorted.

    Denny seethed. ¡°She used us of selling counterfeit tequ ¡ª ruined a major transaction! Everyone knows The Underbarrel¡¯s reputation! We never peddle fake goods!¡±

    The crowd murmured their agreement.

    ¡°Come on, Denny. Even in this business, we trust your stock is genuine.¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s her proof? Empty words mean nothing!¡±

    ¡°Maybe she¡¯s working for thepetition, trying to stir the pot.¡±

    ¡°She thinks she can stir up this ce and walk away? Not happening.¡±

    While tensions soared, a few burly figures in dark clothes tensed up. They recognized Maia. They¡¯d been trailing her since she entered but lost her in the twisting maze of booths and tents.

    Desperation set in when they noticed a crowd forming nearby. On a whim, they joined the gathering, never imagining they¡¯d find the woman standing in in sight.

    Their leader tilted his head almost imperceptibly. ¡°Move.¡±

    Initially, making a move in the ck market was inconvenient. However, this woman dared to cause a scene here. Now, even if the men in ck took her away in front of everyone, others would apud them.

    As soon as their leader gave themand, they lunged toward Maia without hesitation.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 68

    ?Chapter 68:

    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±

    A deep voice suddenly broke through from the side. Several heads turned to find a man in a suit approaching, with the shop assistant who had earlier snapped the photo of the bracelet trailing behind him.

    The men in ck froze on the spot.

    ¡°Boss, let me exin¡­¡± Denny rushed forward, eager to ry what had happened. Vincenzo Casadei ¡ª the owner of The Underbarrel ¡ª listened silently, his expression growing colder with every word.

    When he had first seen the bracelet photo sent from the shop assistant, he¡¯d intended to personally greet the customer. Now, standing here, he realized that she had dared to cause a disruption in his operation.

    Vincenzo stepped closer, his gaze like a de as he stared Maia down. ¡°Youngdy, do you know what it costs to cause trouble in the ck market and walk away alive?¡±

    Maia simply shook her head, her calmness so casual it was as if he had just asked whether she wanted tea.

    Vincenzo¡¯s stare turned lethal. ¡°It costs you a palm,¡± he said coldly. Denny smirked at the sight, already imagining this arrogant girl bursting into tears. That would teach her not to meddle where she didn¡¯t belong.

    Instead, Maia calmly crossed one leg over the other, smiling as if they were discussing the weather. ¡°Me, causing trouble? But if I remember right, the ck market has another rule. No selling fakes. Anyone who does gets their selling rights revoked and their name permanently cklisted. I simply pointed out a fake. How is that causing trouble?¡±

    Vincenzo¡¯s face darkened. This woman, who seemed so naive at first nce, clearly knew the rules here better than he¡¯d expected.

    ¡°Maybe so, but everything sold here is genuine. You publicly used me of selling fakes. What else would you call that if not causing trouble?¡±

    Your adventure awaits at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c©–m

    Without missing a beat, Maia hopped down from the tall stool, her gaze slidingzily toward the shelves packed with bottles behind her. ¡°But the way I see it, half the liquor in your store is counterfeit.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± A stunned murmur rippled through the crowd.

    The Underbarrel had built a reputation even inside the ck market ¡ª a name tied to prestige and authenticity. Here, people believed that if you couldn¡¯t find a bottle anywhere else, you¡¯d find it at The Underbarrel ¡ª and it would be real.

    Vincenzo had been operating The Underbarrel in this spot for ten years, drawing customers from every corner of the country. If he had been selling fake liquor, why would so many people keeping back to buy from him? In truth, mentioning that the liquor came from The Underbarrel carried more weight than saying it was purchased anywhere else.

    ¡°Nonsense!¡± Vincenzo shouted, his face turning a deep shade of red, his mustache twitching furiously. ¡°You think you can tear down my business with just a few words? You have no idea where you are! Take her!¡±

    He snapped his palms, and immediately, two men in ck sprang into action.

    ¡°Cut off her palm and throw her out of here!¡±

    ¡°Hold it.¡± Maia¡¯s voice cut through the tension, calm and unhurried. Her eyes swept the gathering crowd. ¡°Since we have such a good audience tonight, why not verify on the spot whether it¡¯s fake tequ?¡±

    Verifying on the spot?

    The crowd buzzed with a mix of surprise and excitement. People started whispering, some smirking, some eagerly waiting for the scene to unfold.

    Watching Vincenzo¡¯s face tighten, Maia gave azy chuckle. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Afraid?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 69

    ?Chapter 69:

    Vincenzo sneered. ¡°Why would I be afraid? My reputation is spotless. These bottles are known around the world. Any one of them costs more than you could ever hope to pay. If it turns out you¡¯re wrong and I end up taking a loss, how exactly do you n to make it right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you wouldn¡¯t be able to afford even one bottle here if you sold off everything you own!¡± Denny shouted from the side. ¡°If you ask me, you ought to leave a palm behind and walk away with your life. Otherwise, when you end up dead, it¡¯ll be toote for regrets!¡±

    Without a word, Maia reached into her bag and ced a matte ck card on the counter. The card was unassuming except for the gold-embossed iris emblem glinting under the lights.

    Vincenzo leaned closer, and the second he caught sight of the symbol, his face shifted.

    The look he now gave Maia was very different.

    Maia met his gaze without blinking. ¡°If I¡¯m wrong, I¡¯ll pay for every bottle you say I damaged. Besides, you can cut off my palm on the spot in person if you want. Fair enough?¡±

    For the first time, Vincenzo hesitated. His gaze flickered toward the towering shelves of bottles he¡¯d always been so sure of. Was it possible? Could there actually be counterfeits in his business?

    Before he could speak, Denny interjected. ¡°Boss, don¡¯t fall for it! She¡¯s bluffing. Look at her! How could she afford anything here? We should just deal with her like we always do. Cut her palm off and throw her out. No need to waste time.¡±

    Still, Vincenzo stayed silent. Someone holding a card like that wasn¡¯t the type to bluff.

    But a young woman like her, casually iming she could authenticate top-tier liquor?

    g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s, your storytelling home

    ¡°Quite the lively night at The Underbarrel, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡±

    A new voice cut through the air, crisp and sure, carrying a hint of teasing amusement.

    The crowd turned toward the sound, instinctively stepping aside to clear a path.

    ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t Mr. Payne,¡± said Vincenzo, his eyebrows lifting in genuine surprise as he caught sight of the man. Without wasting a second, he crossed the room to meet him.

    There was no mistaking Maxwell Payne. In the underworld, he was the hand pulling all the strings, whether the business was clean or crawling with dirt. Still, whispers told a different story. Some imed there was a phantom even Maxwell bowed to, but no one had ever caught so much as a glimpse of this hidden figure.

    Taking his time, Maxwell settled into the nearest chair, the leather creaking under his weight. Across the room, a woman held his stare with an icy calmness that almost made him chuckle.

    Was this the woman Chris married? The one who just got out of prison? And now she actually dared to show up at the ck market all by herself? Worse still, she even had the gall to cause a scene at The Underbarrel. She was really creating a mess for Chris.

    To be honest, Maxwell figured Chris must havepletely lost his mind. He once introduced his sister to Chris, hoping they could be together. However, he wouldn¡¯t even spare a second nce at her, yet somehow he wound up tying himself to a woman like Maia?

    Clicking his tongue, Maxwell leaned back, unimpressed.

    Meanwhile, across the street, Chris huddled inside a small building, squinting through a dusty window to catch every detail of the brewing storm. Honestly, if Chris hadn¡¯t begged for backup, Maxwell wouldn¡¯t have bothered showing up. Squinting slightly, Maxwell shifted his gaze toward Vincenzo. ¡°With entertainment like this, you think I could just sit it out, Mr. Casadei?¡±

    Grinning as if things were finally looking up, Vincenzo pped his hands together. ¡°Perfect timing, Mr. Payne. The youngdy wants to authenticate some liquor. Looks like fate picked the right man for the job.¡±

    .

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    .

 Chapter 70

    ?Chapter 70:

    Everyone in the business knew Maxwell¡¯s nose was legendary. One sniff, and he could call a fake bottle from a mile away.

    Tilting his head slightly, Maxwell let out a quiet hum. ¡°Is that so?¡± Throwing a casual nce at Maia, Maxwell arched an eyebrow. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s see what she¡¯s got.¡±

    At first, Maxwell could not have cared less. Somewhere between watching and waiting, though, a real curiosity started to creep in. Was she actually good, or was she just coasting under Chris¡¯ protection?

    Running his fingers through his beard, Vincenzo shifted his attention to Maia and said, ¡°Miss, whenever you¡¯re ready.¡±

    Across the room, Denny crossed his arms, his face twisting in obvious contempt.

    Most seasoned sommeliers would have struggled with those bottles. No way was Denny buying the idea that this woman could sniff out a fake. That tequ she called out earlier? Probably just a lucky guess.

    Now here she was, acting bold, thinking she could bluff her way past everyone.

    Crossing The Underbarrel was dangerous enough, but if she managed to anger Maxwell, she might not even survive to see the next day.

    All Denny had to do was sit back and wait. He could already picture Maia crumbling under pressure, begging for forgiveness she was never going to get.

    Without a hint of urgency, Maia shifted her weight and leaned back against the bar,pletely at ease.

    ¡°First row, seventh bottle,¡± Maia said, her voice light and almost bored.

    For a moment, Denny¡¯s pulse jumped. He quickly forced himself to stay cool. Maybe she got lucky once. Luck wouldn¡¯t save her twice.

    At the sound of her callout, Vincenzo tilted his head slightly toward the assistant behind the counter. The young man nodded, moved swiftly, and brought the bottle forward, setting it down with a quiet clink.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m brings endless adventures

    By that time, the crowd had fully gathered, closing in and forming a tight ring around Vincenzo, Maia, and Maxwell.

    ¡°Macan 1950,¡± Maia said thoughtfully, running her fingers along the bottle¡¯sbel. ¡°Supposedly crafted with traditional methods. Barley of the highest quality. Pure spring water. Aged for decades in sherry oak barrels. It checks all the surface boxes, but¡­¡±

    With an easy motion, Maia lifted the bottle and gave it a slow, deliberate swirl. ¡°If it were genuine, the liquid would shine with a deep amber glow touched by gold. This one? The color¡¯s a little too pale.¡±

    Without missing a beat, she twisted the cap open, grabbed a clean ss, and poured out a careful measure. She held the ss under her nose, inhaling softly. ¡°First notes should hit you with dried fruit,¡± Maia exined. ¡°After that, oak, vani¡­¡±

    ¡°And a trace of cinnamon ought to follow. Layers of honey and caramel should be there too. But this one? Only the first two show up. Everything else¡­ is missing.¡±

    After a brief pause, Maia raised the ss to her lips and took a small sip. A knowing smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. ¡°The real Macan 1950 would roll across your tongue rich and smooth. Layers of dried fruit, dark chocte, a whisper of citrus peel, and a hint of smoke. It finishes long, deep, heavy with oak and spice.¡±

    Setting the ss down with a soft clink, Maia turned to Maxwell. ¡°Want to give it a try?¡±

    Maxwell fixed his gaze on her, amused and curious. ¡°You¡¯re telling me this bottle¡¯s a fake?¡±

    A simple nod was her only answer.

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 Chapter 71

    ?Chapter 71:

    Taking a moment, Maxwell reached for the ss, brought it close to his nose, and drew in a slow breath before tasting it.

    The room tensed around him. Every onlooker leaned in, holding their breath for his verdict.

    Across the floor, Denny stood smug and unbothered. That bottle had been doctored carefully enough to fool experts. No way some random woman would blow the cover.

    And Maxwell? He might have loved his liquor, but in Denny¡¯s eyes, he was no sommelier. There was no chance he would catch the trick.

    All Denny wanted was to watch Maia crash and burn. Preferably with a few broken fingers for good measure.

    Just when Denny started picturing her downfall, Maxwell¡¯s face shifted. First surprise, then a heavy frown pulling at his brows. Raising his voice so there was no mistaking it, Maxwell said, ¡°I toured the Macan distillery myself years ago. Had the real 1950 straight from the source. One sip and you never forget it. Whatever this is, it doesn¡¯t evene close.¡±

    Without hesitation, Maxwell set the ss down and turned toward Maia with a slow nod of respect. ¡°You¡¯re right. It¡¯s a fake.¡±

    ¡°Fake?¡± Gasps tore through the crowd, their disbelief hanging thick in the air.

    Vincenzo blinked rapidly, his face a portrait of stunned confusion.

    Across the room, Denny¡¯s mouth fell open,pletely at a loss for words.

    No one could quite wrap their heads around it. Even after tampering with the liquor and adding all those vor tricks, Maxwell had still sniffed out the fraud with a single sip.

    Denny muttered to himself, ¡°Is she just making another wild guess?¡±

    A faint smile flickered across Maia¡¯s face, smoothing away the sharp edges of her earlier coolness. There was a quiet brilliance now lighting up her gaze as she turned to Maxwell. ¡°You¡¯re good, Mr. Payne,¡± she said gently. ¡°They poured tampered liquor into an original Macan 1950 bottle. Most folks wouldn¡¯t have noticed.¡±

    Without saying a word, Maxwell lifted his ss in a silent toast, giving Maia her due.

    Meanwhile, Denny stood rooted to the spot, his body refusing to move. Every word she spoke had been dead-on. A sick, sinking feeling crawled through his legs, leaving him barely able to stand.

    Turning her attention back to the towering wine cab, Maia said slowly, ¡°Second row, fifth bottle¡­ pull that one. Third row, twelfth bottle¡­ grab it. Fifth row, third from the bottom¡­ hand it over.¡±

    Every time she pointed out another bottle, Denny felt like he was strapped to a runaway rollercoaster, getting thrown side to side without a moment to catch his breath.

    Luck could exin picking out one or two bottles. But finding fakes with that kind of precision from a wall of hundreds? That was something else.

    A cold shudder crept through Denny¡¯s limbs, and he realized with horror that his hands had started to shake.

    No way! How could it be?!

    She couldn¡¯t be older than her early twenties. How in the hell did she have this kind of nose for liquor?

    By the time Maia nailed the tenth fake, Maxwell rose from his seat. The teasing grin he wore earlier had drained away, reced by a grim, unreadable expression.

    Without blinking, Maxwell cut his gaze sharply toward Vincenzo.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. There¡¯s no need to continue.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 72

    ?Chapter 72:

    Vincenzo jolted upright, as if waking from a bad dream. Maxwell¡¯s words shook him straight to the core.

    The reality hit like a hammer ¡ª half of his proud collection, the ones he had spent years showing off, were fakes.

    Loving liquor was one thing. Actually knowing it? That had never been Vincenzo¡¯s strength. He had trusted Denny to be his expert, his shield against scams.

    Back in the day, Denny had been a star in the appraisal world. After a fallout with powerful enemies, he slipped into the ck market, where Vincenzo threw him a lifeline and a ce at The Underbarrel.

    It had been a good deal for Denny. Split profits. A steady fortune. Respect. Safety. And this was how Denny chose to pay him back? With shelves full of fakes?

    Blinding fury rushed over Vincenzo. He grabbed the nearest bottle and hurled it straight at Denny with a roar.

    ¡°You lying piece of shit! How ungrateful you are!¡±

    Denny tried to dodge out of the way, but he was a step too slow. The bottle shattered against his arm, tearing the skin wide open.

    Blood streamed down, soaking through his sleeve, and Denny¡¯s face turned ghostly pale.

    He had built an entire operation around this scheme, sourcing top-tier counterfeits that were nearly impossible to tell apart from the genuine articles and passing them off as the real deal.

    And for years, he had managed to slip by unnoticed.

    But today, a young woman had managed to expose him.

    Read more chapters at g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls

    It hit him like a devastating punch to the gut.

    ¡°Boss, please! Just listen to me! I¡­ I swear, I had no idea those bottles were fake!¡± Denny¡¯s voice cracked as he scrambled for an excuse.

    Before he could say another word, Maia¡¯s voice sliced clean through his desperation. ¡°Is there aputer here?¡±

    Caught off guard, Vincenzo blinked but gave a stiff nod.

    ¡°Let me use it,¡± she said, already scanning the room.

    At her request, the shop assistant hurried over with aptop. Maia hopped onto a tall stool, bnced theptop on her knees, and started typing at lightning speed. Within seconds, chat logs filled the screen, lines of damning conversations scrolling by.

    ¡°Here. Take a look,¡± Maia said as she handed theptop to Vincenzo.

    Vincenzo grabbed it, skimmed the contents, and his face darkened like a thundercloud. Rage twisted his features until he barely looked human. He spun theptop toward Denny and shouted, ¡°What else do you have to say for yourself now?!¡±

    Denny staggered back, as if the screen had physically struck him.

    Those were his private messages, the exact records of his dealings in fake wine. Yet those files had been buried deep inside his phone andptop. How on earth had they surfaced here?

    Denny stared at Maia in disbelief.

    Had she really hacked into his devices and pulled out the chat records?

    Who in the world was she?!

    Vincenzo took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He opened the purchase records, ced theptop in front of Maxwell, and said, his voice strained, ¡°Mr. Payne, I swear I value honesty above everything. Since I¡¯ve run this ce, I never once intended to sell fakes. You can check every invoice. Every bottle was bought at top dor. I trusted Denny to handle the selection. I never thought he¡¯d stab me in the back like this. If it weren¡¯t for this youngdy, I¡¯d still be getting conned. And my customers¡­ I owe them. I¡¯ll make it right. Mr. Payne, you decide how we settle this. Whatever you say, I won¡¯t argue.¡±

    Maxwell finally pieced everything together. He rose from his seat, walked straight over to Denny, and said in a cold voice, ¡°Hand over every cent you made from this little scheme, and maybe I¡¯ll let you keep breathing. If not¡­ by tomorrow morning, someone¡¯s going to find your corpse outside the ck market.¡±

    Denny gasped for air, sweat pouring down his face. ¡°I¡¯ll pay it all back! Everyst cent!¡±

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 Chapter 73

    ?Chapter 73:

    Maxwell didn¡¯t spare him another nce. He turned to one of his men and gave a cold order. ¡°Cut off all ten of his fingers and toss him out of the ck market. If he ever sets foot here again, you know what to do.¡±

    ¡°What? Cut off all my fingers?¡± Panic ripped through Denny¡¯s mind.

    Without thinking, Denny copsed to his knees, clutching Maxwell¡¯s pant leg like a drowning man grabbing driftwood. ¡°Mr. Payne, please! I was wrong! I swear, I¡¯ve learned my lesson! Just give me another chance! I¡¯ll never do it again!¡±

    Cold and unmoved, Maxwell shoved Denny away with a hard kick and flicked the dust from his pants. ¡°You knew the rules. Break them, and you pay the price.¡± No amount of begging was going to buy Denny forgiveness.

    Maxwell¡¯s men closed in without hesitation, dragging Denny toward the exit. A sharp, bloodcurdling scream shattered the heavy air momentster, sending a ripple of dread across the entire Underbarrel.

    Vincenzo¡¯s body shook so badly that he almost copsed. His head stayed bowed, too terrified to even nce up.

    At first, Maxwell looked ready to speak, his gaze cutting toward Vincenzo. But then his eyes caught Maia standing nearby.

    Most people would have flinched at that scream. Maia, though, stood still as stone, watching it all unfold like it had nothing to do with her.

    Curious, Maxwell tilted his head slightly. Anyone who had survived Wront¡¯s prison, he thought, wouldn¡¯t be scared easily.

    A soft chuckle escaped him as he made his way toward Maia, narrowing his eyes just a little. ¡°Miss, since you¡¯re the one who uncovered this whole mess, why don¡¯t you decide the owner¡¯s fate?¡±

    Straightening her posture, Maia brushed off his suggestion with a cool air of indifference. Instead, she strolled over to Vincenzo and asked in a steady voice, ¡°Have you seen the bracelet?¡±

    For a moment, Vincenzo just blinked at her, stunned.

    Your next story starts here: g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    He quickly found his tongue and shook his head. ¡°Miss, that bracelet isn¡¯t here.¡± Maia¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°You¡¯re certain?¡±

    Rubbing his sweaty palms against his pants, Vincenzo answered, ¡°I may run The Underbarrel, but I¡¯m a serious collector too. Rare artifacts, hidden treasures ¡ª this market sees it all, and I know every piece that crosses my path. The bracelet you¡¯re talking about? That¡¯s nomon trinket. If it showed up here, I would have known.¡±

    A shadow passed over Maia¡¯s eyes.

    So, Rosanna had lied to her again.

    Slowly, Maia¡¯s fingers curled into tight fists. A cold, mocking smile yed at the corner of her mouth.

    ¡°Rosanna, I¡¯ve already warned you. If you keep pushing me, I¡¯ll make sure you answer for every single lie,¡± Maia muttered to herself.

    With no reason to stay any longer, Maia softly thanked Vincenzo and turned to leave.

    Just as she reached the door, Maxwell¡¯s voice called out, pulling her back. ¡°You still haven¡¯t told me what to do about Vincenzo!¡±

    At the sound, Maia stopped, pivoting slowly to face him. Her eyes dropped to Vincenzo, who was still shaking like a leaf. Her voice stayed steady and cool. ¡°He really didn¡¯t know. You can¡¯t punish someone for ignorance.¡±

    The second her wordsnded, Vincenzo crumpled with relief, sinking into a deep bow. ¡°Miss, I owe you my life. If you ever need anything¡ªanything at all¡ªI¡¯lle running!¡±

    Off to the side, Maxwell¡¯s gaze followed Maia¡¯s retreating figure, the weight of his stare sharpening.

    No matter how he looked at it, Chris¡¯ wife was not the simple woman she pretended to be.

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 Chapter 74

    ?Chapter 74:

    From a shadowed alley across the street, a man dressed in gray watched it all unfold. Quietly, he pulled out his phone and said tly, ¡°Sir, the liquor was fake. And that woman¡­¡±

    He rattled off a quick summary of Maia¡¯s actions. On the other end, silence stretched before a quiet chuckle rumbled through the line. ¡°She¡¯s interesting. I might just find a use for someone like her.¡±

    With the drama at The Underbarrel finally finished, the crowd melted away, leaving only whispers behind.

    Maxwell wasted no time heading back to the building across the street, where Chris sat waiting.

    ¡°Chris, where exactly did you find that wife of yours?¡± Maxwell asked, nting himself in the chair across from him, no longer able to hold back.

    Lounging against the window, Chris propped his chin on his hand, his careless elegance managing to be both effortless and annoying.

    He never once looked at Maxwell. His eyes stayed fixed on the street outside, tracking Maia¡¯s figure. Only after a long pause did he arch an eyebrow and answer, ¡°What could she be? Just a poor girl abandoned by her family.¡±

    ¡°Poor? Are you kidding me?¡±

    Maxwell reyed in his mind the steady, unshaken look Maia wore throughout the whole ordeal, not to mention her almost unreal skill in spotting counterfeits. Maxwell let out a bark ofughter, firmly believing that Maia was by no means ordinary.

    Lazily, Chris tilted his head and asked, ¡°Any clue what brought her to the ck market?¡±

    Thinking back to their earlier conversation, Maxwell remembered Maia grilling Vincenzo. ¡°She¡¯s hunting for some kind of bracelet.¡±

    Your escape begins at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°A bracelet?¡±

    Chris turned to face Maxwell fully, a slight frown knitting his brows.

    Shrugging, Maxwell said, ¡°I don¡¯t know the whole story. Vincenzo might have a lead, though. I¡¯ll get him to send a picture. I¡¯ll forward it to you once it¡¯s in.¡±

    Chris nodded and stood up with a stretch. He yawned. ¡°I¡¯m heading home. If my wifees home and sees I¡¯m gone thiste, she¡¯ll freak.¡±

    Maxwell blinked. Wasn¡¯t it Chris¡¯s wife who stormed out into the night by herself?

    Strangely, Chris didn¡¯t seem concerned about where she had gone. He only worried that she might stress over him.

    Maxwell could hardly believe it. Was this really the same cold, detached Chris he had always known?

    Without sparing him another nce, Chris strolled toward the exit. Over his shoulder, he said, ¡°Make sure she gets home safe. Keep it subtle. If something happens, it¡¯s your problem.¡±

    Then he slipped into the night, as carefree as if he had all the time in the world. Left shaking his head, Maxwell rubbed his temples and sighed. Orders were orders. No matter how weird they sounded, he had to follow them.

    With a sharp motion, he signaled his men to shadow Maia ¡ª invisible protection trailing her every step.

    Just outside The Underbarrel, Maia had barely made it to the street when a figure stepped into her path.

    Lifting her gaze, she found herself face-to-face with the man in gray ¡ª the same one who had bought the tequ earlier. Her brows drew together in suspicion.

    ¡°Miss, my boss would like to have a word with you.¡± The man shifted to the side, and only then did Maia notice another figure standing silently just behind him.

    Standing a few feet away, a man in his early forties studied her with mild curiosity. He wore a dark brown polo shirt, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. He didn¡¯t look aggressive, yet there was an effortless air of authority that surrounded him.

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 Chapter 75

    ?Chapter 75:

    ¡°Youngdy, I owe you my thanks,¡± he said, a warm smile easing across his face. ¡°Lionel filled me in on what went down at The Underbarrel. Your skills are something else, especially for someone your age.¡±

    Maia answered with a polite smile, giving little away.

    Curiosity gleamed in the man¡¯s eyes. ¡°May I ask which wine group you¡¯re working with? Someone of your ability must be tied to a top distributor or winery by now.¡±

    After hearing the full story from Lionel, he had naturally assumed Maia belonged to some prestigious wine circle.

    Shoving her hands deep into her pockets, Maia gave azy shrug. Her voice came out t as she said, ¡°Me? Just got out of prison after doing four years. Not exactly working anywhere morous.¡±

    She had no desire to form ties with people like him. Bringing up her prison record usually did the trick to scare off nosy types. Most folks kept their distance once they found out.

    Sure enough, his smile faltered. For just a second, his face stiffened before he caught himself.

    ¡°And I¡¯m no sommelier, either,¡± Maia added with a casual tilt of her head. ¡°I¡¯ve just sampled a few bottles now and then. I happened to get lucky today, that¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°Lucky?¡± The man doubted it.

    Random chance might exin one or two calls, but the way she had picked apart those counterfeits was pure, trained instinct.

    Still, he chose not to argue. His features smoothed back into a friendly mask.

    Understanding that Maia wasn¡¯t interested in opening up, he slipped a business card from his wallet and offered it with both hands. ¡°This is my card. You¡¯ve helped me more than you know today. If you ever find yourself needing a favor, don¡¯t hesitate to reach out.¡±

    Find your favorite stories at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s., conn

    Maia gave the business card a quick nce.

    At first, she hardly paid any attention. Then her eyesnded on the bold print, where the name Cooper stood out clearly, and a change flickered across her face. She nced up, studying the man with renewed interest before sliding the card into her pocket.

    Another Cooper¡­

    Zoey¡¯s voice echoed in her mind, reminding her that the Cooper family was a sprawling empire, with countless branches scattered everywhere. And this man? His name sounded familiar. Very familiar.

    If her memory was correct, he was not some minor figure either. His influence rested just beneath the true head of the Cooper family. His branch was not only powerful but also carried real weight.

    ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll be seeing you,¡± the man said, giving a small nod before turning to walk away.

    Following a step behind, Lionel Cooper leaned in close and said quietly, ¡°Sir, that woman has a prison record. We still don¡¯t know who she really is. Was it smart to give her your name and a business card?¡±

    Hurst Cooper narrowed his eyes. ¡°So what if she¡¯s done time? There are people from the Cooper Group still sitting in prison right now. And don¡¯t think I¡¯m unaware of why she ended up there in the first ce.¡±

    For a moment, Hurst let the words hang heavy between them. He then continued, ¡°She saved us today. If she hadn¡¯t exposed those fakes, we would¡¯ve eaten a loss of millions ¡ª maybe more if that tequ had made it to the birthday banquet. And think about the humiliation if the other branches caught wind that we brought fake liquor to the event.¡± His tone grew even harder. ¡°I owe her. End of story.¡±

    Lionel pressed his lips together, finding himself at a loss for words. What Hurst said did make sense.

    Stilling up empty after her search for Vicki¡¯s bracelet, Maia headed toward the ck market exit, her mind knotted with restless thoughts. The confusing, windingyout threw her off, and before she knew it, she had wandered deep into a pitch-ck alley.

    This wasn¡¯t right.

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 Chapter 76

    ?Chapter 76:

    Instinct made her pivot, ready to retrace her steps. But the moment she turned, shadows peeled away from the darkness ahead.

    Figures dressed in ck closed in, their movements silent and deliberate, blending into the night.

    They had not dared to make a move against The Underbarrel. But now, with no crowds around and no witnesses in sight, they saw their opportunity, and they had no intention of letting it slip away.

    The man leading them shed a crooked smile. ¡°We don¡¯t want to rough up a pretty girl like you. Be smart ande quietly.¡±

    Maia didn¡¯t budge, her hands staying buried in her pockets. ¡°And what exactly do you want?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± he said, smirking wider.

    ¡°Got it,¡± Maia replied in an easy, careless tone.

    Assuming that she had given up resisting, the leader nodded toward his crew.

    Two men stepped forward, closing the distance without a word.

    Right as they reached for her¡­

    Maia moved like lightning, seizing one man¡¯s wrist and wrenching it backward hard enough to make him yelp. At the same time, she mmed her foot into the chest of the second man, sending him crashing to the ground, then pinned him there with her heel.

    Her movements were so swift that the leader stood frozen in disbelief. It was only when the alley was filled with the sounds of his men groaning in pain that he snapped back to reality.

    Maia lifted her head, her cold, crystal-clear eyes shing sharply in the dark. ¡°Well, I never said I wouldn¡¯t fight back, did I?¡±

    The leader¡¯s nerves faltered. Both of his men had been dropped in an instant by a single woman.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§àm, where stories thrive

    It was almost too much to believe.

    ¡°You idiots, get up!¡± he yelled in frustration.

    But no matter how much they struggled, the two men could not even lift themselves off the ground.

    ¡°Shit!¡± the leader cursed, charging at Maia with his fist swinging high.

    In his other hand, hidden behind his back, he clutched the handle of a gleaming knife.

    ¡°Look out!¡±

    Maia had just moved to block the iing punch when someone crashed into her from the side, throwing her off bnce but also saving her from the sh of a knife that had been aimed straight at her ribs.

    A cold, firm hand mped around her wrist. ¡°Come with me!¡±

    Before she could react, Maia found herself being yanked away into the dark. Behind them, the leader of the attackers roared in fury, ¡°Don¡¯t let them get away!¡±

    Their footsteps pounded against the pavement as they raced out of the alley, the faint streetlights painting broken patches of light across the ground. Only then did Maia catch a clear glimpse of her rescuer, a boy, barely in his teens.

    Yanking free, Maia came to a sudden stop.

    Confused, the boy turned around, wide-eyed, the glow catching in his clear, bright gaze.

    Something about his face caught Maia¡¯s attention ¡ª a faint resemnce and a sense of familiarity she could not quite ce.

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 Chapter 77

    ?Chapter 77:

    Tilting her head with a yful squint, Maia smiled. ¡°Wanna y a thrilling little game?¡±

    The boy furrowed his brow, clearly not following.

    Not long after, the men in ck came storming after them, only to find Maia standing alone beneath the flickering lights near the ck market¡¯s entrance.

    ¡°Why did you stop running, sweetheart?¡±

    ¡°I ran out of gas. Tell you what. I¡¯ll go with you, but can we keep things civil? No more knives or guns, please.¡± She added in a soft, trembling voice, ¡°I¡¯m scared.¡±

    The leader snorted, seeing right through her¡­ or so he thought.

    ¡°Of course, tough at first. Soft when cornered,¡± he muttered to himself. Sure, she had given them some trouble earlier. But in the end, she was still just a scared little thing with no real threat.

    The leader chuckled mockingly. ¡°Rx. As long as you cooperate, we won¡¯ty a finger on you.¡±

    Maia gave him a wide-eyed look. ¡°Then drop the knife first. Give me something to trust.¡±

    For a beat, the leader hesitated. Then, with a grunt, he tossed the knife to the ground with a tter. ¡°There. Feel better now?¡±

    Maia gave a simple nod and moved forward without resistance.

    Two of the men grabbed her roughly by the arms, steering her down a narrow, empty alley. Just as they rounded a corner, one of them yanked her backward, pressing a cloth soaked with knockout chemicals over her mouth and nose. Everything around her went ck in an instant.

    Far on the outskirts of the ck market, where crumbling slums hugged the city¡¯s edge, the air turned foul and heavy. Broken-down houses leaned against each other like rotting bones, their walls alive with buzzing flies and crawling insects. It felt like stepping into a graveyard left to rot.

    Inside one of those copsing shacks, the men dumped Maia carelessly into a filthy corner, her bodynding with a soft thud among piles of trash. The door mmed shut behind them.

    ?¦Ò???? ¦Ô???????????? ¦É?? ?????????????????.??????

    ¡°Boss, she¡¯s pretty damn hot. We really can¡¯t have a little fun?¡± one of the men said, giving Maia a long, leering look.

    The leader shot him a cold re. ¡°You heard the orders. Strip her. Snap some shots. That¡¯s it. No touching.¡±

    Before they could do anything else, the leader¡¯s phone buzzed in his pocket. A new message popped up from their employer.

    ¡°She¡¯s all yours. Have fun. Just make sure you get plenty of photos.¡±

    The leader¡¯s frown deepened as he nced from the screen to Maia¡¯s limp figure on the floor. She looked so harmless lying there. Whatever grudge their hirer had against her, it must have been serious.

    But a job was a job. Orders were orders.

    ¡°The boss changed the deal,¡± the leader said, his voice low. ¡°Do whatever you want.¡±

    At once, the two goons lit up like kids at Christmas, practically drooling as they rubbed their palms together and crept closer.

    This was a first. They had handled a lot of targets, but never one this pretty.

    The moment their fingers brushed her cor, Maia¡¯s eyes snapped open.

    Deep ck, cold, and as sharp as a predator lurking in the darkness.

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 Chapter 78

    ?Chapter 78:

    The two men stood frozen in ce.

    A heartbeatter, each took a punch straight to the face, one right after the other.

    Clutching their faces, the men stumbled back, groaning in pain.

    Without missing a beat, Maia pushed herself to her feet and moved toward the broken window.

    ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re awake?¡± one of them stammered, his voice high with panic.

    Casually rolling her wrist, Maia gave them a t look. She hadn¡¯t breathed in anything when they pressed that cloth against her and had only pretended.

    ¡°Catch this!¡±

    Through the shattered windowpane, a wooden stick sailed toward her, easy to toss through the jagged opening. Maia caught it cleanly, her grip steady.

    Facing the three stunned men, she raised an eyebrow and let azy smile curve her lips. Her voice dropped, cold enough to make their blood run thin. ¡°So, who sent you?¡±

    One of them shouted back, almost with pride, ¡°We are professionals! The first rule is to never sell out a client, no matter what!¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Maia said, her gaze turning cold. ¡°Then do not me me for what happens next.¡±

    The men sneered. ¡°Save your breath. You caught us off guard before. You really think you can handle the three of us in here?¡±

    Maia gave no reply. She simply raised an eyebrow and sprang into action.

    Ten minutester¡­

    L¦¡¦Ó??¦Ó ch¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??????

    The sound of a stick striking flesh rang out from the shack, blending with desperate cries and gasps for mercy.

    ¡°Help!¡±

    ¡°Let me out! Murder!¡±

    ¡°Have mercy, please!¡±

    The three men were now slumped against the door, shoving with all their strength to pry it open, only to find it barred from the outside. Panic gripped them like quicksand, pulling them down fast.

    ¡°Please, stop hitting us! I¡¯ll confess! I¡¯ll tell you everything you want to know!¡±

    The leader of the men in ck finally crumbled and cried out for mercy. Every inch of his body throbbed, battered and bruised by the relentless strikes from the wooden stick. He cursed himself for falling for Maia¡¯s trick earlier ¡ª dropping his knife without a second thought.

    Now, unarmed and humiliated, he had no way to defend himself against the storm she unleashed.

    If this kept going, he knew that he would not walk out of here.

    Maia lowered the stick slightly, pointing itzily at the trio trembling near the door. ¡°Last chance,¡± she said, her voice t. ¡°Talk.¡±

    No longer daring to hold anything back, the leader blurted out, ¡°It was¡­ Jarrod! Jarrod Morgan, the eldest son!¡±

    The moment the name left his mouth, Maia¡¯s expression turned extremely cold. She had suspected that Jarrod might be involved, but hearing it confirmed still hit harder than she expected.

    Deep down, she hadn¡¯t wanted to believe it ¡ª not after calling him brother for over a decade, not after everything they had shared.

    The sharp sting in her chest betrayed the strength she worked so hard to maintain.

    Curling her fingers tightly, Maia forced herself to swallow the emotion down.

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 Chapter 79

    ?Chapter 79:

    ¡°Miss, could you let us go now? We¡¯re just hired hands, not after you,¡± one of the men in ck begged desperately.

    Without another nce, Maia tossed the wooden stick aside and called out toward the entrance, ¡°Let them leave!¡±

    A few momentster, soft footsteps shuffled outside, and the heavy door creaked open just a sliver.

    Without wasting a second, the three men bolted for the door, scrambling away like frantic sprinters chasing the finish line.

    Behind them, Maia stepped outside, her eyes quickly finding the teenager who stared at her as if she had just descended from the heavens.

    Earlier that day, she had whispered a n to him. They agreed that if they wanted to do something to her without being noticed in the ck market, these forgotten¡­

    The crumbling houses on the deserted outskirts would be their safest bet. Time had shattered every window, leaving jagged ss and rotting frames behind.

    Following her instructions, the teenager had wedged a heavy stick against the door from the outside, then tossed a sturdy wooden rod through the broken window to her. Thanks to his help, Maia had sealed off the exit and dragged the truth out of those thugs.

    Now that the chaos had died down, Maia finally had the chance to really study her unexpected ally.

    Standing there awkwardly, the boy looked around fifteen or sixteen. Dirt smudged his face, and wild hair fell across his forehead, but it couldn¡¯t hide the refined features or the lively spark flickering in his half-shielded eyes. Had he not appeared when he did, pushing her out of danger back in that alley, she might have been the one bleeding instead of standing here.

    Drawing closer, Maia offered a warm, easy smile. ¡°I owe you one, little hero.¡±

    The teenager instantly blushed, ducking his head so low that his messy bangs swallowed his face.

    Curious, Maia asked, ¡°Where¡¯s your home?¡±

    Silence answered her, the boy keeping his head bowed like a turtle retreating into its shell.

    A soft chuckle escaped her lips. ¡°Shy one, huh?¡± she muttered to herself. Closing the distance, Maia gently tousled his unkempt hair and grinned. ¡°You saved my life. The least I can do is escort you home. What do you say?¡±

    For a heartbeat, the boy seemed reluctant. Then, almost shyly, he gave a small nod.

    Turning on his heel, he started walking, and Maia fell into step beside him. Instead of heading back toward the ck market, the teenager led her somewhere else entirely¡ªstraight into the slums.

    Step by step, the scenery shifted, and soon the crumbling streets came into view, a haunting reminder of the forgotten corners of the city, even under the cover of night.

    Broken-down buildings lined the filthy roads, while the homeless huddled together under scraps of cloth, shivering in the cold.

    For a ce like Wront, which prided itself on being a beacon of modern progress, the brutal contrast hidden behind its polished streets was enough to leave Maia speechless.

    A heavy weight settled on her chest, tightening with every step deeper into the ruins.

    Trailing behind him, Maia followed the boy until he stopped at what could barely pass for a house ¡ª just a crooked frame of rotting wood and battered walls.

    ¡°Is this¡­?¡±

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 Chapter 80

    ?Chapter 80:

    Before Maia could finish the question, the boy answered quietly, his voice rough and low, ¡°This is where I live.¡±

    Turning her gaze to the shack, Maia felt a jolt of difort. The ce looked like a strong wind could rip it apart.

    She hesitated before asking, ¡°What should I call you?¡±

    With dry lips, the boy swallowed and replied, ¡°Ethan Watson.¡±

    That name caught Maia off guard, a small smile flickering onto her face. ¡°No kidding? I¡¯m Maia Watson.¡±

    At that moment, a faint voice came from inside the shack. ¡°Ethan, is that you?¡±

    The boy lifted his eyes to meet Maia¡¯s, hesitation clear in his expression. Before he could say anything, Maia interjected, ¡°Go on. It¡¯ste. I won¡¯t keep you.¡±

    The teenager pressed his lips into a tight line, stayed silent, gave a small nod, and turned to step inside the shack.

    Maia gazed at the worn-down shack in front of her, let out a soft sigh, and decided that she would return the next day to properly show her thanks.

    By the time Maia made it home, the men Maxwell had sent to trail her had already returned to report.

    Hearing their ount nearly made Maxwell drop the drink in his hand. ¡°Hold up. You¡¯re telling me one woman took down three full-grown men and made them run like scared kids? Honestly, what the hell did I just hear?¡±

    Maxwell was taken aback. Only professional underground fighters could even dream of pulling off something like that.

    Nodding furiously, Maxwell¡¯s men looked just as rattled. They exined that back in that alley, they had been ready to jump in ¡ª but Maia had moved faster than their eyes could track. Two ck-d men were already down before they could even blink.

    Later, instead of escaping when she had the chance, a teenage boy had shown up, trying to drag her to safety. But after a few whispered words from Maia, she turned right back around and willingly handed herself over to those thugs. Sensing that there was more to the n, Maxwell¡¯s men decided against stepping in.

    Step into new worlds at g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s?conn

    They trailed her all the way to a crumbling shack on the edge of the slums. Then came the sounds of bones cracking and men screaming like banshees. The three guys inside were getting wrecked.

    Standing outside, Maxwell¡¯s men exchanged wide-eyed looks, asking themselves, ¡°Wait¡­ are we supposed to be protecting her, or should we be running for our lives too?¡±

    Maxwell pinched the bridge of his nose, overwhelmed by what he was hearing. ¡°No wonder Chris ended up marrying her. With skills like that? Yeah, it all adds up. Itpletely makes sense. They¡¯re both total lunatics,¡± Maxwell muttered to himself.

    Maxwell rubbed the back of his neck, wondering what kind of mess Chris¡¯s wife had stirred up this time.

    Someone had actually dared to make a move on her inside the ck market of all ces. Out there, rules meant nothing. People vanished every day, and no one so much as raised an eyebrow.

    A hit like that wasn¡¯t for show. It was a clear message ¡ª they wanted her gone. Squinting at the thought, Maxwell mulled over whether he should tip Chris off.

    After a minute of weighing the options, he decided that it wasn¡¯t worth it. Whatever drama Chris and Maia dragged in was none of his concern. Maxwell knew better than to get himself burned over someone else¡¯s fire. Besides, from the looks of it, Maia didn¡¯t exactly need a bodyguard.

    Meanwhile, at the Morgan family vi, dinner had ended in a mess no one could clean up.

    Richard and Sandra had intended to sit Rosanna down for a serious talk. But the moment they saw her swollen face and the tears clinging to hershes, every word died on their tongues.

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 Chapter 81

    ?Chapter 81:

    Sure, maybe Rosanna had been too quick to point fingers at Maia. Still, after what happened, she had suffered more than enough.

    In their hearts, Richard and Sandra pinned the me on Maia all the same. If Maia hadn¡¯t shown up and caused a scene, Rosanna wouldn¡¯t have skipped dinner and ended up shaky and dazed from low blood sugar.

    Truth be told, Rosanna had never been strong. Seventeen years of growing up in the slums had left her frail and sickly. When they first brought her back into the Morgan family, doctors had lined up diagnosis after diagnosis ¡ª anemia, vitamin deficiencies, and more.

    To make up for lost time, Richard and Sandra had thrown money into every treatment and supplement under the sun. It had taken years of constant care to build Rosanna into someone who finally looked healthy.

    Tonight should have been a simple misunderstanding, easily brushed aside. But Maia had refused to let it die. Instead, she pushed Jarrod into pping Rosanna across the face, dragging the family¡¯s name through the mud. And this wasn¡¯t even the first time Maia had humiliated them.

    From the moment Rosanna returned to the Morgan family, they treated her like something fragile and precious, shielding her from even the smallest difort.

    The Morgans were convinced that Maia was bitter over Rosanna taking her ce and that now Maia was doing everything she could tosh out. The more they thought about it, the faster any lingering guilt they had for Maia evaporated, leaving nothing but a gnawing worry for Rosanna.

    ¡°If Maia wants to walk away from this family, let her,¡± Richard muttered, his voice low, as Sandra¡¯s fingers moved carefully over his tense temples.

    ¡°She was a disappointment from the start. Awful grades, no talent whatsoever. We poured a fortune into her education, and all she ever managed to do was cause chaos.¡± Richard shut his eyes, deep lines of tension etched across his brow.

    Years ago, they had enrolled Maia in one of the most prestigious prep academies, where just a single semester¡¯s tuition cost more than most people¡¯s yearly sry. It wasn¡¯t because they cared about her academics, but because they wanted her mingling with the children of the elite, hoping that the Morgan name would climb a little higher by association.

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    Things had not gone ording to n.

    Instead of shining, Maia had be the academy¡¯s problem child, the kind who could barely keep up and whom the other wealthy students avoided like the gue.

    At first, the calls from the school had been relentless. Teachers tried to g concerns. But Richard and Sandra, buried in corporate affairs, brushed them off with curt instructions to ¡°handle it.¡± After a while, the school gave up reaching out.

    Even so, whispers spread. Other parents exchanged horror stories. Maia¡¯s name became a stain they could not scrub clean.

    Richard let out a long, heavy sigh. ¡°Now take a look at Rosanna. She grew up in the slums and still turned out polite and thoughtful. She always ranked at the top of her ss. She carries dreams that are bigger than her years, sings like a professional, ys more instruments than I can count, and has a natural gift for design. I can¡¯t even begin to imagine how far she would have gone if she had been raised in the Morgan family from the very beginning. It¡¯s our fault¡­ for losing her when she was just a child¡­¡±

    Sandra caught the edge of regret in Richard¡¯s voice and wasted no time stepping in to soothe him. ¡°You have nothing to me yourself for, dear. The way I see it, getting Rosanna back at all was already a blessing. We¡¯ve gone above and beyond to make up for those lost years. We¡¯ve poured more into her future than we ever did into Maia¡¯s. Sure, Rosanna¡¯s talented. She picked up a lot on her own before she ever found her way home. But without our guidance, she wouldn¡¯t be half the poised and brilliant young woman she is now. Now that she has been epted into Wront University, she has the whole worldid out in front of her.¡±

    What neither of them realized was that Maia had been extraordinary from the start. By elementary school, she was already burning through coursework meant for high schoolers ¡ª all on her own.

    But each time Maia came home with a perfect score, hoping for just a single word of praise, Richard and Sandra would wave her off with the same tired excuse that they were too busy.

    Eventually, she learned that being perfect meant nothing in this house. So she switched tactics ¡ª deliberately missing answers on tests, picking fights, letting her name sink in scandal ¡ª anything to break through the wall of their indifference.

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 Chapter 82

    ?Chapter 82:

    All she had ever wanted was for them to see her.

    Hearing Sandra¡¯s words, Richard finally leaned back and let himself rx. A beatter, he let out a sharp, humorless snort. ¡°Truth is, people aren¡¯t built the same. Rosanna made it through hell because she¡¯s got our blood. Maia? She¡¯s trash. Bad from the inside out. You could dress her up and throw money at her, but she¡¯ll always be a crow trying to pass for a swan.¡±

    Sliding her head onto his shoulder, Sandra let out a soft, contented sigh. ¡°Fate finally did something right. Rosanna came back to us. To have such a talented daughter¡­ Honestly, I could not ask for anything more. As for Maia, I would be grateful if she would stay out of our way and cause no trouble for our family. All those years we spent raising her? They were nothing but aplete waste.¡±

    Richard¡¯s voice dropped to a grumble as he said, ¡°She only lived as well as she did because we cleaned up her messes. Now that she¡¯s cut off, I doubt she¡¯llst a month out there.¡±

    A sudden crease formed between Sandra¡¯s brows. ¡°You know, I heard she¡¯s been seeing some mantely. You think he¡¯s the reason ourpany¡¯s been hit with problems?¡±

    A long silence stretched between them before Richard gave a hard shake of his head. ¡°Not a chance. Even if she managed to cozy up to some rich guy and is riding high for now, he¡¯s just passing the time. No man with real business sense would ever gamble his future on a woman with a record. It won¡¯t take long before she crosses a line, and once she crashes, I¡¯m betting she¡¯ll be knocking on our door within three weeks, crying to be let back in.¡±

    From where she stood, Sandra pressed her lips into a tight, bitter line and sneered. ¡°She really thinks she can treat our home like some roadside inn? Coming and going whenever she pleases? Even if shees crying at our doorstep, I will m the door right in her face.¡±

    Long after the house had fallen silent, Rosannay wide awake, her mind unsettled, despite having sessfully pushed Jarrod into targeting Maia.

    L?t?st ?h??pt?rs ¦Én g??lnov§Ö???.??????

    Something about the whole n gnawed at her, refusing to let her rest.

    On bare feet, Rosanna crept down the hallway toward Jarrod¡¯s room.

    The door gave a soft groan as she eased it open. Inside, Jarrod slept heavily, his phone resting unattended on the nightstand.

    Crossing the room in a few careful steps, Rosanna scooped up the phone and unlocked it without hesitation. Jarrod had trusted her enough to share his passcode long ago.

    A few tapster, the screen pulled up a message thread ¡ª Jarrod¡¯s conversation with the thugs he had hired.

    Apparently, he¡¯d gone after a few street punks, thinking that it would be more than enough to rough Maia up and scare her off.

    The payment he promised wasughably small, but since the target was just a woman, they had jumped at the offer without hesitation.

    One particr message stood out: ¡°Strip her. Snap some shots. That¡¯s it. No touching.¡±

    A frown creased Rosanna¡¯s forehead as she nced over at Jarrod¡¯s sleeping form.

    He was going far too easy on Maia.

    If they were already crossing that line, Rosanna thought grimly, why not go all the way? Why leave the job half-finished?

    In her mind, this was the only way to rip Maia out of Vince¡¯s heart forever. Vince would never be able to look at Maia the same way once he saw her defiled.

    With chilling calm, Rosanna typed a new message using Jarrod¡¯s phone: ¡°She¡¯s all yours. Have fun. Just make sure you get plenty of photos.¡±

    Before second-guessing herself, she deleted the fresh message from the chat history and ced the phone neatly back on the nightstand.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 83

    ?Chapter 83:

    Satisfied, Rosanna turned and slipped into the shadows, her bare feet silent against the floor.

    Roughly thirty minutester, Jarrod was jolted awake by the shrill scream of his ringtone.

    With a groan, he dragged a hand across his face, irritation shing through him. ¡°Who the hell thinks it¡¯s a good idea to call me at this hour?¡± Jarrod seethed silently.

    Reaching blindly, Jarrod grabbed his phone off the nightstand and squinted at the glowing screen, clear annoyance etched on his face. His irritation evaporated the second he saw the caller ID.

    With a frown, he quickly checked his messages ¡ª no photos, no updates. So why the sudden call?

    After a brief pause, Jarrod answered, his voice clipped and sharp, ¡°Where are the photos?¡±

    ¡°What photos? Are you fucking kidding me?!¡± the voice on the other end screamed, loud enough to make Jarrod yank the phone away from his ear. ¡°You set us up, huh?! You send us after some lunatic for scraps of cash? Are you trying to get us killed?!¡±

    Jarrod sat up straight,pletely thrown off guard. ¡°What are you talking about? What lunatic? This was supposed to be about Maia ¡ª what freak?¡±

    ¡°That chick? She¡¯s a goddamn monster! You think we¡¯re some lowlife amateurs? Keep your damn money. We¡¯re done. Lose our number!¡±

    The next thing Jarrod heard was the click of the call ending. He sat there in stunned silence, the dead line buzzing softly in his ear. Tension radiated from the man on the other end of the call.

    Momentster, a notification pinged on Jarrod¡¯s screen ¡ª the entire payment he had sent was refunded without a word.

    Updates loaded at g??????¦Òv????s.co??

    Staring nkly at his phone, Jarrod couldn¡¯t process what he had just heard.

    ¡°A freak? Was that guy talking about Maia?¡± Not only had they bailed, but they had returned the money too. What on earth had gone down? Jarrod waspletely confused.

    These were not rookies. Those guys had handled plenty of dirty jobs for Jarrod in the past. They were dependable. How could three full-grown men lose to a single woman?

    Frozen with a sick feeling churning in his gut, Jarrod tried calling the number again. Nothing. The line was dead. He had been blocked.

    Frantically, he fired off a few texts ¡ª each one bouncing back, undelivered. Stunned into silence, Jarrod could only sit there, his phone slipping from his fingers.

    ¡°What the actual hell just happened?¡± he muttered, his voice low and shaken.

    Frustration boiled over. Jarrod hurled the phone onto the bed and copsed backward, ring up at the ceiling as if it held the answers he desperately needed.

    The following day, Rosanna was already awake, buzzing with anticipation.

    She couldn¡¯t wait to hear how badly Maia had been crushed.

    Just imagining Maia humiliated and ruined filled Rosanna with a dark, gleeful satisfaction she could barely contain. Perched at the breakfast table, Rosanna stirred her oatmeal with delicate grace, doing her best to hide the smug little smile tugging at her lips.

    Before long, the sound of footsteps announced Jarrod¡¯s arrival.

    Right on schedule, just as she had expected ¡ª she had made sure to be here when he showed up. Still, something was off.

    ¡°Rough night, Jarrod?¡± Rosanna asked sweetly, eyeing the heavy shadows bruising the skin beneath his eyes.

    .

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 Chapter 84

    ?Chapter 84:

    Dragging himself into the chair across from her, Jarrod looked like he¡¯d been hit by a truck. Calling it a rough night didn¡¯t even begin to cover it.

    After that insane phone call, sleep had be a lost cause. Jarrod had spent every miserable hour tossing and turning, reying the disaster in his head. Even if Maia had picked up a few self-defense tricks, there was no way, and no reasonable exnation, for how she managed to overpower three grown men.

    ¡°Pathetic. Everyst one of them,¡± Jarrod said bitterly, the words slipping out before he could stop himself.

    Rosanna¡¯s ears perked up instantly at the crack in hisposure. ¡°Pathetic? What are you talking about?¡±

    Pretending to be innocent, she blinked and let out a gasp, as if a sudden realization had hit her. ¡°Oh no¡­ you didn¡¯t really send someone after Maia, did you?¡±

    A sideways nce at Rosanna told Jarrod that he wasn¡¯t going to get away with silence.

    Dragging out a long sigh, he raked a hand through his hair.

    Rosanna truly was far too sharp for her own good. Keeping anything from her was impossible. But to be fair, Jarrod had never really intended to keep it a secret.

    Ruining Maiapletely had never been the goal. His n had been straightforward ¡ª getting a few incriminating photos, leaking them to the right ces, and watching her world copse. Once the scandal hit, the man standing behind Maia would cut ties without hesitation.

    Losing both her backer and her reputation, Maia would have nowhere left to run. Eventually, desperation would drive her back to the Morgan family, humbled and broken.

    In the long run, Jarrod figured that time would smooth over the disgrace. A few quiet yearster, he could still marry her off to some respectable nobody. It would be enough to guarantee that she had a roof over her head and food on her te.

    It had seemed like a perfect n ¡ª a neat way to tame her and secure the family¡¯s grip. In his mind, it was genius. Two birds with one stone.

    . is your storytelling hub

    He had even nned to tell Rosanna everything once it worked out. Now, with everything falling apart, humiliation burned too hot to speak easily.

    Reading the hesitation in his eyes, Rosanna leaned closer, her voice sharp. ¡°If you really think of me as your sister, you¡¯ll tell me what happened.¡±

    The wordsnded like a punch. Jarrod drew in a steadying breath before answering, ¡°I had a few guys posted around the ck market. Nothing major ¡ª just meant to rattle Maia a little if she showed.¡±

    Jarrod looked away, his face tight with frustration. ¡°It blew up in my face. She fought back, beat those three men up, and went back safe and sound. And of course, those guys were enraged. They called to curse me and blocked me.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± Rosanna eximed, jolting upright as her hands mmed onto the table.

    Jarrod blinked, caught off guard by Rosanna¡¯s sudden outburst. A small frown tugged at his brow as he studied her face, confusion flickering in his eyes. Something about her reaction didn¡¯t add up.

    Catching herself, Rosanna quickly masked the sh of panic, smoothing her expression into something softer. Forcing a weak chuckle, she said, ¡°Jarrod, how could you? She was once your sister, remember?¡±

    A wave of relief rushed through Jarrod. It made sense now. Rosanna was just shocked by the idea of him targeting Maia. Sweet, gentle Rosanna had always struggled to ept harshness.

    Chuckling darkly, he waved her off. ¡°Sister? I don¡¯t have a sister like that.¡± In his mind, Maia¡¯s furious words from the night before rang out loud and clear. ¡°I don¡¯t have a brother like you!¡±

    The memory sent a fresh jolt of anger through him, tightening his chest.

    Turning back toward Rosanna, Jarrod softened his tone as he said, ¡°You¡¯re the only sister that matters now. If Maia ever dares toy a finger on you again, I swear I¡¯ll make her regret it. Damn those useless bastards I hired. Couldn¡¯t even get the easiest job done!¡±

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 Chapter 85

    ?Chapter 85:

    Rosanna slowly sank back into her chair, feeling as if the floor beneath her had shifted. So¡­ the whole thing failed? Maia waspletely fine?

    Beneath the table, Rosanna¡¯s fingers curled into tight fists.

    Across from her, Jarrod caught the tension in her posture and misread itpletely. Guilt shing across his face, he hurried to patch things up. ¡°Alright, alright, I get it. No more dirty tricks. Next time, I¡¯ll face her head-on. I¡¯ll get you the justice you deserve. I promise.¡±

    Failing to ruin Maia left Rosanna feeling deeply frustrated.

    Rosanna managed a weak smile and said, ¡°Thanks. I know you¡¯re only trying to help. Anyway, I¡¯m full now, so I¡¯ll go back to my room.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, she rose from her seat and left the dining room. Once inside her room, the uneasy feeling only grew stronger with every passing second.

    No matter how hard she tried to shake it, the thought haunted her ¡ª Maia wasn¡¯t the same person anymore after those four years in prison. Something about her had shifted, hardened.

    The change wasn¡¯t just on the surface. It ran deep enough to make Rosanna feel something she had never felt toward Maia before ¡ª fear.

    A surge of determination pushed the fear aside. She needed to crush Maiapletely, to leave her hiding in the shadows, forced to watch her shine from the sidelines.

    Out of nowhere, an idea sparked, lighting up her eyes with a dangerous gleam. She knew exactly what she needed to do next.

    Elysium Apartments.

    Maia had not fallen asleep until nearly 3 a.m., so by the time she finally woke up, the sun was already shining high in the sky.

    Fresh content live now g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s

    Dragging herself upright, she stretchedzily, the loose straps of her camisole sliding slightly off her shoulder as she wandered toward the door.

    Lately, Chris hadn¡¯t been around much during the day. Assuming that he was busy chauffeuring the CEO around town, Maia didn¡¯t think much of it. Crawling toward the bathroom to freshen up, she reached for the doorknob just as a soft creak announced the front door swinging open.

    A light breeze swept through the apartment, lifting the hem of her silk nightgown and tossing loose strands of her hair across her bare shoulders. Standing in the doorway, Chris appeared with two oversized bags dangling from his hands.

    His gaze locked onto her half-awake face, the messy hair, the way every ounce of her usual coldness seemed to melt into something softer, almost vulnerable. The silk clung shamelessly to her frame, the thin fabric leaving little to the imagination.

    Chris¡¯ mind nked for a beat.

    Only two words formed clearly ¡ª cute and sexy.

    He swallowed hard, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing.

    Maia froze for half a second before realizing what was happening. Red-faced, she hurriedly shut the door in her embarrassment. A quiet chuckle rumbled out of Chris as he stepped inside.

    Honestly, everything about his wife was dangerously adorable.

    He stepped inside, brought the bags into the kitchen, and immediately got to work preparing the meal.

    Inside the bathroom, Maia gripped the counter, ring at her reflection as she fought to calm her wildly pounding heart. What was Chris even doing home so suddenly?

    Sharing a roof with a man, she realized, was turning out to be far trickier than she had expected.

    From now on, Maia told herself, she needed to tread more carefully. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, followed by Chris¡¯ steady, mellow voice saying, ¡°Left some clothes on the doorknob. Lunch is ready. Come eat when you¡¯re done.¡±

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 Chapter 86

    ?Chapter 86:

    ¡°Alright,¡± Maia answered quietly, her voice barely carrying.

    Finishing up in the bathroom, she cracked the door open just wide enough to sneak her arm out and snatch the clothes without stepping into view. Her fingers brushed over a familiar fabric ¡ª one of Chris¡¯ white shirts.

    The faint scent clinging to it hit her immediately: cold cedar, warm skin, and something distinctly masculine.

    Drawn in despite herself, Maia found her nose lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.

    ¡°What the hell am I doing?¡± She was startled by her own behavior, snapping back to her senses with a jolt.

    Heat crept up her neck as she realized how strange she was acting.

    Gratefully, it seemed that Chris hadn¡¯t noticed her odd little moment.

    Suppressing the urge to cringe at herself, Maia pressed her lips into a tight line and quickly slipped the oversized shirt over her head. Only then did she finally push the bathroom door open and step outside.

    Inside the dining room, a flicker of surprise crossed Maia¡¯s face when she noticed Chris carefully setting thest dish onto the table.

    Moving with natural ease, Chris let the warm sunlight from the nearby window wrap around him, creating a soft golden haze that highlighted his handsome face. Once he set down the final te, Chris nced up and caught Maia staring at him. A smirk tugged at his lips. ¡°Do I really look that good?¡±

    Turning her gaze away quickly, Maia muttered to herself, ¡°Yeah, you do¡­ pretty good¡­ and weirdly kind too.¡±

    ¡°Have a seat.¡± Pulling out a chair for her, Chris ced a fork and knife in front of her and said in a warm, easy voice, ¡°Come on, sit down. You were sleeping so soundly. I figured you must¡¯ve been exhausted yesterday. I didn¡¯t want you to sleep through lunch, so I came back just to make sure you¡¯d eat. Go on, give it a taste.¡±

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    Guilt tugged at Maia as she sat at the table, thinking about how she had slipped out the night before.

    Even though she had her doubts about Chris¡¯ story, she decided not to press for the truth. Instead, she picked up her fork and stabbed a piece of beef. ¡°Well? How is it?¡±

    Watching her from across the table, Chris leaned on one hand, a look of eager curiosity in his eyes.

    Without giving much away, Maia reached for another side dish. Her face stayed cool andposed. ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡±

    ¡°Alright?¡±

    Chris¡¯ smile faltered ever so slightly.

    He hadn¡¯t grabbed just any lunch. These dishes were straight from Windsor¡¯s Banquet, the top restaurant in all of Wront. A table there took months to reserve. Michelin-starred chefs ran the kitchen, and Chris had personally arranged for a special delivery just for today. He had pulled some serious strings to get this food delivered. All because he wanted to impress Maia. And yet Maia lookedpletely unmoved.

    Could the delivery have changed the vor?

    Grabbing a forkful himself, Chris sampled Windsor¡¯s signature dish. The taste was perfect. No problem there.

    Then why did Maia seempletely unmoved?

    Chris had been waiting for praise. Now, all he felt was quiet disappointment.

    Finishing her meal without much fuss, Maia dabbed at her lips with a napkin and met his gaze. ¡°Thanks for the fancy meal. I¡¯ll repay you when I get a chance.¡±

    One eyebrow arched in amusement, Chris said, ¡°Since when are you so formal with your husband?¡±

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 Chapter 87

    ?Chapter 87:

    The word ¡°husband¡± made Maia fumble slightly, a cough escaping before she could stop it. She still wasn¡¯t used to the reality of their marriage.

    After all, this marriage had an expiration date. Sooner orter, it would end.

    Choosing silence, Maia said nothing.

    Chris noticed the flicker of awkwardness crossing her face and chuckled under his breath. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll be waiting.¡±

    Later that afternoon, Maia carried several bags filled with fresh fruit and health supplements as she made her way toward the slums, heading for Ethan¡¯s home. From inside the house came the rough sound of coughing.

    With a few quick taps on the weathered wooden door, she waited until it opened a crack.

    A young boy peered out cautiously, his once-bright eyes dulled by a misty sheen.

    Recognition flickered across his face when he saw her, and he pulled the door open wider.

    Surprise lit up the boy¡¯s face as he eximed, ¡°It¡¯s you?¡±

    Offering him a warm smile, Maia said, ¡°You saved me yesterday. I came to thank you properly. What¡¯s wrong? Not happy to see me?¡±

    Frantically, the boy shook his head. ¡°Come in, please!¡±

    ¡°Would it be alright if I came inside?¡±

    Ethan shuffled by the doorway, biting his lip, his eyes red and ssy as if he had been crying.

    Maia¡¯s gaze grew concerned as she nced past him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Only a dim, narrow hallway met her gaze.

    Speaking in a voice so faint that it barely carried, Ethan said, ¡°There¡¯s someone sick inside. It might be better if you stay out.¡±

    Your favorite stories g?ln¦Ò¦Íels

    Before Maia could answer, a rough coughing fit burst from somewhere within the house, followed by a hoarse voice saying, ¡°Ethan, who¡¯s out there?¡±

    ¡°I need to see for myself.¡±

    Maia frowned and moved past him into the house.

    Ethan hurried after her, almost tripping over himself.

    At the end of the short hallway, a cramped room appeared, with two beds, a battered cab, and a worn-out desk.

    Chipped furniture filled the room, the walls peeling with old paint, and water stains spread across the ceiling, leaving it damp and gray.

    It felt like a scene ripped straight out of a tragic TV show.

    Truthfully, even the prison cells she once lived in had looked better than this.

    No words came immediately to her.

    A womany stretched out on one of the beds, her skin pale and her body painfully thin. She looked to be in her forties, maybe even older.

    Setting her bags carefully on the floor, Maia moved toward the bedside.

    The woman blinked at her with wary confusion. ¡°And you are¡­?¡±

    Speaking softly, Maia said, ¡°I¡¯m here to thank Ethan for what he did yesterday.¡±

    Hearing that, the woman turned her gaze to Ethan, who was hovering shyly a few steps behind Maia. Her face softened, a frail smile curling at her lips. ¡°Ethan doesn¡¯t say much, but he¡¯s always had a good heart.¡±

    A few coughs rattled her chest again before she looked back at Maia, her tone tender. ¡°What¡¯s your name, dear?¡±

    ¡°Maia Watson.¡±

    The moment the name left her lips, the woman¡¯s entire expression shifted sharply.

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 Chapter 88

    ?Chapter 88:

    ¡°Maia Watson? The fake daughter from the Morgan family?¡± asked the woman, Kathie Marshall, her voice trembling with a strange mix of curiosity and disbelief.

    The words made Maia stiffen.

    Morgan had once been her name, but after prison, she had abandoned it for Watson. How could this woman have seen through her so easily?

    With a cautious nod, Maia responded, still unsettled, ¡°Ma¡¯am, how did you recognize me?¡±

    At those words, Kathie braced herself against the battered frame of the bed, struggling to sit upright. Maia rushed forward, reaching out to steady her before she could copse.

    ¡°You¡­ you really are her,¡± Kathie murmured, her voice cracking as fresh tears welled up in her eyes.

    A frown crept across Maia¡¯s face, confusion knotting tighter inside her. ¡°Ma¡¯am¡­ do you know who I am?¡±

    Kathie¡¯s expression hovered somewhere between tears andughter. She waved excitedly to the boy standing behind Maia. ¡°Ethan! She¡¯s your sister!¡±

    What?!

    Shock widened Ethan¡¯s eyes as he stared between them, speechless.

    Frozen, Maia struggled to grasp what Kathie was implying.

    Kathie wiped the tears from her cheeks and clutched Maia¡¯s hand tightly before she slowly said, ¡°Four years ago, my older brother and his wife were killed in a terrible ident when a truck struck them down. Not long after, the police showed up at our door and dropped a bombshell: their daughter, Rosanna, was not their biological child. Her real parents were from the Morgan family over in Wront. And the daughter the Morgans had back then¡­ was actually theirs. That very same day, the Morgans sent someone to take Rosanna away. Just like that, they left Ethan behind with no one. My brother and his wife had always treated me well. So I took Ethan in. I sold everything of value we had to give my brother and his wife a proper burial, then I brought Ethan here. Ever since, it¡¯s been just the two of us, trying to scrape by in this slum.¡±

    ¡°Are you telling me¡­ my biological parents have a son? And it¡¯s¡­ Ethan? He¡¯s my biological brother?¡± Maia asked, struggling to believe it.

    Kathie gave a firm nod. Then a thought seemed to sh across her mind, and her eyes burned red with fury. ¡°Rosanna ¡ª that ungrateful girl. For seventeen years, my brother and his wife raised her as their own. We never had much, but whatever we had, we gave. And now¡­ she¡¯s living the good life, while Ethan has suffered. It¡¯s infuriating.¡±

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    They gave to her without a second thought. They never once let her suffer. They skipped meals themselves just to ensure she had the right nutrition. They made sure she got an education. When she wanted extra sses outside of school, they juggled multiple jobs just to scrape together enough for her tuition. If they had not poured everyst penny into her future, they could have left this slum years ago. But what did she do? The moment Rosanna left, she never once looked back. Now she¡¯s living the good life as the Morgan family¡¯s treasured daughter, while Ethan, the boy who grew up with her for seventeen years, was left behind to rot.

    In the slums, survival was a daily battle, and most could barely find enough scraps to stay fed or warm. Compared to them, Rosanna¡¯s situation had been almost privileged ¡ª her anemia wasn¡¯t born of starvation but from self-imposed diets to keep herself slim. Despite their hardships, the Watson family had given her everything they could, yet she abandoned them without hesitation, not even bothering to show up for their funeral.

    Kathie grew more worked up as she continued, and before long, she was coughing uncontrobly. After a moment, she regained herposure and went on. ¡°To lighten the family¡¯s burden, Ethan dropped out of school right after elementary. In his heart, he always saw Rosanna as his true sister. He put her needs before his own in everything. But she never once returned ¡ª not even for a visit. Blood ties aside, do seventeen years of growing up together mean absolutely nothing?¡±

    The weight of those words mmed into Maia like a blow to the chest. Seventeen years. How could living side-by-side for so long mean absolutely nothing in the end?

    Back then, Maia hadn¡¯t fully understood that kind of betrayal. But the Morgans had taught her ¡ª mercilessly, thoroughly. Being abandoned by the ones you loved wasn¡¯t a clean wound. It was a slow, jagged tear through the soul, cutting deeper every time you dared to hope. Strangers could hurt you, yes, but it was family that left the deepest scars.

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 Chapter 89

    ?Chapter 89:

    Tension built in Maia¡¯s hands without her realizing it, her fingers curling into fists. Slowly, she turned toward Ethan, who had been standing silently at her back. Dust clung stubbornly to his skin, and his face, drained of color, looked unbearably fragile.

    He was still so young, yet his eyes held the same shadowed pain she knew all too well. Had he, too, spent thesest years wing through the darkness, searching for something ¡ª someone ¡ª to save him?

    Once, Zoey had told Maia that saving had toe from within. That truth had carried her through her worst nights.

    But what about Ethan? How had he survived, stranded and forgotten?

    Without thinking, Maia extended her hand toward him. His skin was freezing, stiff beneath her touch. At the first brush of warmth, he recoiled instinctively. But refusing to let go, Maia tightened her grip and whispered, her voice thick with emotion, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. It¡¯s me. I¡¯m your sister, and I¡¯m here now.¡±

    If no one had saved him before, she would be the one to do it. Starting today.

    Tears welled up in Ethan¡¯s eyes, turning them bright and ssy in an instant. Without warning, he wrenched his hand free and bolted, running away with everything he had, never once looking back.

    Ready to chase after Ethan, Maia rose to her feet, but before she could move, Kathie gently caught her by the arm. ¡°Let him be,¡± she said softly. ¡°After what happened four years ago, he¡¯s changed. He doesn¡¯t talk much anymore. Sometimes he just needs a little space to sort through it all.¡±

    Those words made Maia hesitate. Slowly, she sank back into her seat, her gaze settling on Kathie¡¯s pale, weary face. ¡°Ms. Marshall, you can¡¯t afford to wait any longer. I¡¯ll get you and Ethan out of here soon. I¡¯ll make sure you get into the best hospital.¡±

    A small, weary smile touched Kathie¡¯s lips. ¡°Just call me Kathie, like Ethan does. I¡¯m not as bad off as you think. Please don¡¯t make yourself carry our burdens too.¡±

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    Worry tightened Maia¡¯s features as she asked, ¡°I heard something after Rosanna went back to the Morgan family¡­ did you really end up in prison?¡±

    In those early days, after Rosanna was brought back into the Morgan household, they had proudly told the world that Maia would remain part of their family and always be their cherished daughter.

    Kathie, heartbroken by Rosanna¡¯s behavior, had never expected Maia to return. After all, who would leave behind theforts of a wealthy family to endure hardship in the slums?

    Still, even knowing that, she sometimes found herself asking around for news about Maia.

    For Kathie, Maia wasn¡¯t just a stranger. She was family ¡ª the daughter of herte brother and sister-inw, a niece she had never even seen.

    Hearing Kathie¡¯s cautious question, Maia gave a small, bitter smile. ¡°It¡¯s true. Rosanna was afraid I¡¯d steal her ce in the Morgan family. She set me up, used me of stealing a piece from Radiant Jewels. To protect their name, the Morgans stripped me of the ¡®Morgan¡¯ surname, told the public that I was from the Watson family, and tossed me into prison. No one ever told me I had a younger brother. I always thought¡­ I was alone in this world.¡±

    Shock widened Kathie¡¯s eyes, disbelief tightening her expression.

    The truth hit her like a punch. She had always assumed that the Morgans treated Maia kindly, seeing her as their real daughter, like they had promised. She hadn¡¯t known until now that reality was harsher than anything she had imagined.

    Parting her lips to speak, Kathie faltered, searching for words that never quite came. After a long pause, she whispered, ¡°You¡¯ve endured so much, Maia¡­¡±

    Over the years, Maia had suffered plenty of injustice, yet she had never shed tears for any of it. She used to believe that none of it deserved her tears.

    Hearing Kathie say those words, even on their first meeting, made tears well up in her eyes.

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 Chapter 90

    ?Chapter 90:

    Maia tilted her head slightly, quickly brushing away the tears at the corners of her eyes. When she faced Kathie again, a soft smile touched her lips. ¡°Trust me, Kathie. I¡¯ll make sure you and Ethan have the best life possible.¡±

    They talked for a while longer, but Maia couldn¡¯t shake the worry twisting in her chest about Ethan. Eventually, she stood up quietly and stepped outside to find him.

    Beneath a tall, silent tree tucked away in the slums, she spotted the boy. He was curled up at its base, his knees hugged tightly to his chest, his head hidden in his arms.

    Without saying a word, Maia settled down beside him, mimicking his curled-up posture. Casting a sideways nce at him, she saw that he didn¡¯t so much as flinch, and a soft smile touched her lips. ¡°Seems like we really are cut from the same cloth.¡±

    Lifting his head atst, Ethan looked at her, confusion clouding his delicate features.

    A soft chuckle escaped Maia as she said, ¡°You showed up out of nowhere yesterday, like a hero dropping from the sky to save me. Right then, I felt this strange sense of familiarity. I never guessed you¡¯d turn out to be my little brother.¡±

    Tightening his cracked lips into a thin line, Ethan stayed silent.

    Shrugging lightly, Maia kept her tone light. ¡°Maybe heaven took pity on two lost kids and decided we should find each other.¡±

    Instead of answering, Ethan stared nkly into the distance, his eyes clouding. His voice, when it came, was low and bitter. ¡°You still have a family. You have adoptive parents.¡±

    Letting out a quietugh, Maia tapped his cheek with her finger. ¡°You mean the so-called family who threw me behind bars, then spent every waking moment trying to tear me apart once I got out?¡±

    The words hit Ethan like a p, and he whipped his head around to stare at her. Sunlight brushed against Maia¡¯s features, softening her calm expression, but the things she said made the air around them seem colder.

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    Turning her head slightly, Maia met his stunned gaze and reached out to ruffle his hair. ¡°I haven¡¯t had a family in a long time. But thanks to you, for the first time in years, I feel like I belong somewhere again.¡±

    Pressing his lips together harder, Ethan struggled to speak, but no words made it past his throat.

    Instead of pushing him, Maia softened her voice even more. ¡°It¡¯s just you and me from now on. Yesterday, you were my hero. Now it¡¯s my turn to protect you. Let your big sister handle it, alright?¡±

    A quiet look crossed Ethan¡¯s face as he dropped his gaze and muttered, ¡°I¡¯m a man. I can protect you too.¡±

    For a second, Maia blinked, then burst into a warm, genuineugh.

    Once they made their way back to the house, Maia headed out to pick up groceries. Using the bare-bones kitchen equipment they had, she whipped up a meal for the three of them.

    During dinner, Kathie couldn¡¯t seem to praise Maia¡¯s cooking enough, while Ethan quietly polished off his te ¡ª and everyone else¡¯s ¡ª with impressive speed.

    When he finally finished, Ethan gave Maia a thumbs-up, his face brimming with pride and satisfaction.

    Watching his silly gesture, Maiaughed despite herself. Realizing how dark it had gotten outside, she reluctantly said her goodbyes, already busy in her mind making ns to lift them out of this life.

    As Maia walked through the narrow streets, a bit of news from earlier crossed her mind. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick message to someone. ¡°Heard you¡¯reing to Wront?¡±

    Her phone buzzed almost instantly with a reply. ¡°Three days out of prison and you¡¯re just now reaching out? I was beginning to think you found someone better and forgot about me.¡± A pouting face emoji rounded off the message.

    Reaching out wasn¡¯t what Maia feared ¡ª it was the fallout afterward that made her hesitate.

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 Chapter 91

    ?Chapter 91:

    The longer she hesitated, the more her temples throbbed. After a brief pause to collect herself, she finally sent a message: ¡°Can you help me get a bed at the Primary Healthcare Center?¡±

    The reply came almost instantly. ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s it? You only remember me when you need an errand boy, huh?¡±

    Smiling faintly at the screen, Maia responded, ¡°I¡¯ll make it up to you. Dinner¡¯s on me. I¡¯ll even cook.¡±

    The mood flipped in an instant. A flood of cheerful emojis came through. ¡°For real?! No problem! I¡¯ll get you a bed, no worries!¡±

    Later that evening, social media exploded with a new trending topic: ¡°Top Doctor from Drakmire Scheduled to Visit Primary Healthcare Center ¡ª Over a Hundred Appointments Gone in Seconds.¡±

    Thement section was a mess of excitement and envy.

    ¡°Elvira Cullen¡¯sing to Wront? Finally, some hope for my old man¡¯s illness!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t get your hopes too high. Even if you throw money at it, you won¡¯tnd an appointment. People line up six months in advance just to see her.¡±

    ¡°I met Dr. Cullen a few years back. She¡¯s not just brilliant; she¡¯s absolutely gorgeous. I used to dream of setting her up with my son¡­ but let¡¯s be real, my kid¡¯s not even in her league.¡±

    ¡°I heard she has an older brother too. If she¡¯s that stunning, imagine what he looks like. Someone, dig up his info already!¡±

    ¡°Her older brother is a bit mysterious. In the past, some hackers tried to dig into his background, but not only did theye up empty, they ended up crashing their own systems. It rattled them so badly.¡±

    ¡°And about the Cullen family¡­ they were nobodies in Drakmire. Who would¡¯ve guessed they¡¯d raise such a prodigy? Dr. Cullen¡¯s already holding a PhD in medicine at her age. Two years ago, on the streets of Drakmire, a critically injured patient copsed from abdominal bleeding. He was barely clinging to life when Dr. Cullen happened to pass by and saved him. She carried out an extraordinary surgery right then and there.¡±

    There on the pavement, the story exploded online, sending shockwaves across the nation:

    ¡°Hold up! A friend of mine was actually there that day. He swears there was another woman in a mask helping with the surgery, but the news never mentioned her. It¡¯s like she vanished into thin air.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s all just gossip. If there really was someone else, with so many people watching, there would¡¯ve been pictures all over the inte. But not a single shot showed up.¡±

    Maiazily scrolled through the endlessments and then closed the page with a flick of her fingers. There was nothing new about Elvira¡¯s story that she hadn¡¯t already heard.

    As for Elvira¡¯s mysterious brother? The mention of him made Maia¡¯s temples throb.

    In her room, Maia flipped open her newly assembledptop. It wasn¡¯t fancy on the outside, but once it powered on, it was a whole different story.

    After a few rapid keystrokes, a hidden program surfaced, and the screen disyed the precise data she had requested.

    Marvelous Garden.

    It looked like the perfect ce to move Kathie and Ethan.

    Without hesitating, Maia picked up her phone and dialed the sales office. A tired voice answered on the other end, t and mechanical. ¡°Hello, Marvelous Garden Sales Office. How can I help you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m looking to buy a house.¡±

    ¡°Have you visited the property yet?¡±

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 Chapter 92

    ?Chapter 92:

    ¡°I haven¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Alright, but we are closing soon. If you¡¯re interested in buying a house, you cane straight to the sales office when you have time, and I will give you a tour. We can exchange contact details, and I will send the property information to your phone afterward.¡±

    Leaningzily into the back of her chair, Maia replied, ¡°No need. I¡¯ll take Apartment 1506, Unit 2, Block A. I¡¯ll send the deposit today ande in tomorrow to sign.¡±

    ¡°E-excuse me?¡± the stunned receptionist stammered after a brief pause.

    Marvelous Garden wasn¡¯t just any development ¡ª it was one of Wront¡¯s premier residential projects, known for its luxury and exclusivity. Each unit came with a jaw-dropping price tag of over ten million, and the one Maia had chosen wasn¡¯t just any unit ¡ª it sat on the best floor in the most coveted section. If not for the staggering price, it would have been snapped up long ago. Still, the woman on the phone hadn¡¯t even seen the apartment firsthand and tossed money at it like it was nothing.

    Suspicion gnawed at the saleswoman ¡ª how did this customer even know that the unit was still avable?

    Hearing only silence on the other end, Maia tilted her head slightly and asked, ¡°Is there a problem?¡±

    Jolted out of her daze, the saleswoman scrambled to respond, ¡°No! No problem at all, ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll add you on WhatsApp. You cane by tomorrow to sign.¡±

    ¡°Sounds good,¡± Maia answered lightly.

    Clutching her phone in disbelief, the saleswoman sat there, giddy. A whole day without a single sale, and now, right before closing, she hadnded a deal worth millions. Talk about a miracle.

    Back at her desk, Maia shifted her focus and tapped out a series ofmands on her keyboard. In seconds, a page loaded ¡ª its ck background and blood-red text giving off a menacing vibe.

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    No IP address. No trace. Just a single word stamped in the corner like a brand: ¡°Killer.¡±

    With steady fingers, Maia posted a bounty.

    It barely took a few minutes before someone epted the task. Simple. Safe. High-paying. It was a dream assignment for whoever picked it up. Leaning back in her chair, Maia allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. She had always believed in bnce. An eye for an eye. Fairness, in her own way.

    The following morning, a message popped up on her phone. It was from Elvira. ¡°Maia, I¡¯ve reserved a bed for you. I¡¯ll be at the Primary Healthcare Center this afternoon. Will you being?¡±

    Without dy, Maia responded, ¡°I will.¡±

    Elvira had only just begun to feel a flicker of excitement when another message popped up.

    Maia added, ¡°I¡¯m bringing a patient with me too.¡±

    Elvira found herself at aplete loss for words.

    Early that morning, Maia set off, making her way to the sales office at Marvelous Garden to sign a new contract. Afterward, she headed straight to the mall, determined to pick up some clothes for Kathie and Ethan.

    Trying on the new outfits, Ethan couldn¡¯t hide the wide grin stretching across his face. Meanwhile, Kathie kept her eyes on the fabric, her voice low and unsure. ¡°I really appreciate it, Maia¡­ but you didn¡¯t have to.¡±

    In her heart, Kathie still saw Maia as a child cast aside by the Morgans after a prison sentence, someone who probably didn¡¯t have much to her name. No matter how kind Maia was, Kathie always felt they were an extra weight on her shoulders.

    Reaching out to reassure her, Maia said warmly, ¡°Kathie, you and Ethan are the only family I have left. Taking care of you is the least I can do.¡± In her mind, it wasn¡¯t even that much.

    Later that afternoon, she took them to the Primary Healthcare Center for a full checkup.

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 Chapter 93

    ?Chapter 93:

    The Primary Healthcare Center was thergest and best hospital in Wront, covering over fifty acres, with towering buildings and lush greenery, looking both impressive and grand. Stepping inside, Kathie froze, overwhelmed by the sheer size and grandeur, not knowing where to look. It was her first time at such arge hospital. Various advanced equipment and clean, bright interior decoration impressed her deeply.

    At her side, Ethan gripped her arm firmly, steady andposed, showing little reaction. As they headed to the outpatient department, the noise grew louder. It wasn¡¯t even official hours yet, but the ce was already packed.

    Crowds had already gathered around the clinic where Elvira treated her patients. Because it was an open clinic, anyone could walk in freely without needing an appointment.

    Some hade for medical help, while the rest were simply eager to catch a glimpse of Elvira. Seeing a famous doctor from Drakmire in Wront was no everyday thing. Even snapping a quick photo would be something to brag about.

    Scanning the area, Maia was about to steer Kathie toward a quiet corner when she felt a hand grab her arm from behind. When Maia turned, she spotted someone behind her, hidden under a mask, sunsses, and a baseball cap. With that kind of getup, it would be easy to mistake them for a celebrity trying to stay unseen.

    Suppressing augh, Maia teased, ¡°Why are you dressed like you¡¯re hiding from the world again?¡±

    With a yful huff, Elvira yanked off her sunsses, her eyes twinkling with mischief. ¡°Seriously? You recognized me even in this getup?¡±

    For a moment, Maia couldn¡¯t find her words. With how Elvira always dressed the same and carried that faint herbal scent around her, it wasn¡¯t exactly difficult for Maia to recognize her.

    Casting a curious nce at the pale woman and the quiet boy standing close to Maia, Elvira raised an eyebrow. ¡°And who might they be?¡±

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    A brief introduction from Maia was all it took for Elvira¡¯s face to light up. ¡°Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Marshall, and you too, Ethan.¡±

    Without hesitation, she nudged Maia aside, slipped an arm around Kathie, and tousled Ethan¡¯s hair. His hair was soft and thick, tempting enough that Elvira ruffled it twice.

    Almost immediately, Ethan stiffened. His delicate features tightened, and he pped his hands over his head, ring at her like a startled puppy. ¡°Don¡¯t mess with my head. I¡¯ll get dumber.¡±

    At his serious protest, Elvira couldn¡¯t hold back augh. ¡°Maia, your little brother is hrious.¡±

    Calmly stepping in front of him, Maia pulled Ethan behind her like a shield and gave Elvira a sideways look. ¡°Touch his head again, and you¡¯ll have to answer to me.¡±

    Clicking her tongue dramatically, Elvira gave a mock sigh. ¡°Tsk, tsk. Listen to you, already acting like a bossy big sister.¡±

    Before Maia could answer, Elvira quickly darted around her and ruffled Ethan¡¯s hair. ¡°But I can¡¯t help it. He¡¯s too cute.¡±

    With a quick dodge, Ethan slipped away, and Elvira gave chase, turning it all into a yful game.

    Watching from the side, Maia rubbed her temples in quiet exasperation. One could only imagine the looks on the patients¡¯ faces if they saw their respected doctor acting so childishly.

    Nearby, Kathie turned to Maia with a puzzled expression. ¡°Maia, who exactly is¡ª¡±

    Just as Maia opened her mouth to exin, a sharp, familiar voice cut across the hallway. ¡°Maia, what are you doing here?¡±

    The sudden interruption snapped Elvira and Ethan out of their chase, and everyone instinctively turned toward the sound.

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 Chapter 94

    ?Chapter 94:

    Marching toward them, arm in arm, were Rosanna and Sandra.

    Their eyes widened in surprise the moment they spotted Kathie and Ethan standing behind Maia. Rosanna¡¯s gaze flickered with guilt.

    At the sight of her, Ethan¡¯s expression tightened. His lips parted like he wanted to speak, but the words caught in his throat. Realization hit him cruelly.

    Rosanna wasn¡¯t his sister anymore.

    The faint light in his eyes faded, reced by a cold, guarded distance.

    Standing nearby, Sandra shot Maia a look filled with thinly veiled disgust. Her voice dripped with mockery as she said, ¡°So, Maia, did you crawl back to these slums because you¡¯re broke? I thought you had a rich man backing you. What happened? Did he toss you aside already? How pathetic. But I thought you¡¯d already anticipated this day. After all, who would ever take a woman like you seriously? A few nights of fun, then they move on. It¡¯s not like you were ever worth more than that.¡±

    Years ago, the Morgan family had kept Ethan¡¯s existence hidden from Maia, terrified that people from the lowest corners of society would cling to their name and cause a scandal.

    Never in her wildest thoughts had Sandra pictured Maia showing up today with them.

    Even after being raised as a Morgan for seventeen years, Maia chose to stand with people from the bottom rather than crawl back and beg for a ce at their table.

    To Sandra, it was absolutely humiliating.

    Seething inside, Sandra could hardly contain the anger and disappointment boiling in her chest.

    Kathie, hearing Sandra¡¯s vicious words, stared at Maia, heart aching. In that moment, she thought she understood. Surely, she thought, Maia must have been desperate enough to sell herself just to scrape by. The pity weighed heavily on Kathie¡¯s heart.

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    Beside them, Ethan bit down hard on his lip, sneaking a nce at Maia. But Maia¡¯s gaze remained calm, unmoved.

    ¡°If you¡¯re this desperate, why show up at a ce like the Primary Healthcare Center?¡± Sandra nced at Elvira¡¯s clinic nearby, sneering. ¡°What, here to beg Dr. Cullen for charity?¡±

    ¡°Watch what you say! Why can¡¯t wee here like everyone else?¡± Unable to hold it in any longer, Kathie stepped forward, her face flushed with anger.

    The sight of Sandra¡¯s face brought a flood of memories crashing back. It had been four years since she showed up with her group and took Rosanna away. And she would never forget the brutal way Sandra had kicked Ethan in the chest, sending the frail boy flying.

    Sandra wore high heels, and that kick was so hard that it left Ethan bedridden for a week.

    And here she was again ¡ª sneering at Maia, proving that the Morgan family had never had an ounce of decency.

    When Sandra¡¯s eyesnded on Kathie, the memory hit ¡ª she was the one who, with Ethan, had tried to stop her from taking Rosanna. She let out a cold, mocking snort.

    ¡°Of course, you can¡¯te here! Still acting high and mighty when you¡¯re nothing but trash from the slums? Know your ce!¡±

    Kathie¡¯s cheeks turned bright red, and her lips started to quiver after hearing what Sandra said.

    Elvira frowned. The idea of Maia, as a gold digger, depending on a man seemed impossible. With the kind of skills Maia had, not even if pigs started flying would she ever lean on any man! She had never shown the slightest interest in Elvira¡¯s own brother. Why would Maia bother giving some random guy a second nce?

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 Chapter 95

    ?Chapter 95:

    The way Sandra spoke, dripping with smugness, made it sound like she was royalty. Elvira felt her stomach twist. She had no patience for arrogant fools.

    Without hesitating, Maia stepped in front of Kathie. Calm andposed, she locked eyes with Sandra. There was a sharp gleam hidden in her rxed gaze. In a voice cold as ice, she said, ¡°Rosanna grew up in the slums, too. So tell me, by your logic, does that make her garbage as well? And she couldn¡¯te to such a ce, too, right?¡±

    Sandra¡¯s temper red instantly. ¡°Rosanna¡¯s not like you! She¡¯s been out of that gutter for years! And she¡¯s got Morgan blood! That sets you and her apart!¡±

    The mention of Morgan hit Elvira like a p. Now it made sense. These were the same Morgans who had thrown Maia behind bars. Disgust welled up in Elvira¡¯s chest, heavier than before.

    Maia arched a brow. ¡°Blood is blood. It¡¯s cells and sma, not some fancyst name. If yours is so special, maybe we should draw some and see what you¡¯re really made of. And if our blood isn¡¯t the same¡­ maybe you¡¯re not even human.¡±

    She then looked over at Kathie and the others standing nearby. ¡°If they¡¯re not human¡­ then what exactly are they?¡±

    ¡°Beasts!¡± Ethan¡¯s voice rang out from somewhere behind Maia, loud and certain.

    After everything they had done to Maia ¡ª setting her up and throwing her behind bars ¡ª calling them monsters felt like giving them too much credit. A loudugh burst from Elvira. She tossed Ethan a quick thumbs-up when no one was looking.

    Color rushed to Ethan¡¯s cheeks, and he dropped his head in a hurry.

    ¡°You!¡± Sandra barked, her face darkening to an ugly shade of crimson. She jabbed a finger in Ethan¡¯s direction and shouted, ¡°Who do you think you¡¯re calling us beasts, you little brat?¡±

    At that, Maia¡¯s eyes darkened. She casually rolled her wrist and said, ¡°Sandra, insult my brother again, and I promise, words won¡¯t be the only thing you¡¯ll have to worry about.¡±

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    Sandra stumbled back, clutching her forehead. ¡°Oh no¡­ my migraine! It¡¯s ring up again!¡±

    Moving quickly, Rosanna rushed to steady Sandra. Her gaze found Maia, pleading and cautious. ¡°Maia, please. Mom¡¯s not well. We only came to see Dr. Cullen today. Her migraines are serious¡­ She can¡¯t handle stress. Please don¡¯t upset her.¡±

    Years of grinding through stressful work had left Sandra with a stubborn migraine condition. The attacks came and went, robbing her of sleep and peace whenever they pleased. She had spent years chasing treatments across Wront, sitting through consultations with some of the city¡¯s best doctors, but a cure had always slipped through her fingers.

    When she heard that Elvira was visiting from Drakmire to consult at the Primary Healthcare Center, Sandra had gone so far as to pay an outrageous amount to a scalper just to snag an appointment. Never in her wildest imagination did she expect to run headfirst into Maia today.

    Maia quirked an eyebrow and flicked a look at Elvira, who stood nearby, thoroughly entertained. A dryugh escaped her lips. ¡°She¡¯s a patient? Newssh, so are we. We¡¯re here for Dr. Cullen too.¡±

    ¡°You? See Dr. Cullen?¡± Sandra lifted her head, looking as if she had just heard the funniest joke. ¡°Someone like her would never waste time treating people like you. Her appointments are nearly impossible to get. Even I had to pull strings and spend a fortune just to secure one. And you? What are you paying her with ¡ª your thick skin?¡±

    ¡°You bought that appointment slot from others?¡± Elvira suddenly spoke up from the side.

    Sandra flipped her hair with a smug toss, arrogance radiating off her as she said, ¡°Damn right I did. Dropped ten grand on it! Bet you have never even seen that kind of cash.¡±

    Elvira sneered. ¡°Funny. I seem to remember Dr. Cullen making it very clear that buying and selling appointments would get them canceled on the spot.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 96

    ?Chapter 96:

    The confidence on Sandra¡¯s face cracked for a moment. She flicked her eyes toward Elvira, lips twitching in difort.

    That woman was wearing a mask like she had something to hide. It did not take a genius to guess that she was one of Maia¡¯s sketchy friends. And if she was hanging around with Maia, then she was probably just as worthless and pitiful as Maia.

    A nasty smile curled across Sandra¡¯s mouth. ¡°Why do you care? I¡¯ll buy whatever I want. Like Dr. Cullen¡¯s gonna find out anyway. Sounds like you¡¯re just bitter because you can¡¯t afford it. If you¡¯re so capable, why not snag an appointment yourself? Coming here empty-handed and still thinking you can get treated? You¡¯ve got some nerve. Should I call security to kick you out?¡±

    With azy shrug, Elvira crossed her arms and chuckled, her voice cool as ice as she said, ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯d actually love to see who gets kicked out.¡±

    Memories of Maia¡¯s past had once reached Elvira¡¯s ears, painting a bitter story of betrayal. Four years ago, Maia had been set up by Rosanna, the real daughter of the Morgan family, framed by those she once called family, and left to rot in prison.

    Rage had simmered inside Elvira when she first heard it. What kind of people could raise a child for over a decade and still know nothing about her character? How could they throw her away without lifting a finger to find the truth?

    Wront Prison was not just a prison. It was a ce people feared ¡ª a living nightmare. The sheer cruelty of the Morgans was something Elvira still could not wrap her head around.

    Standing across from Sandra and Rosanna now, Elvira realized that even her worst assumptions had fallen short. The disgust wing at her chest had never been stronger.

    Oblivious, Sandra remained clueless that the masked young woman she was ring at was the very Dr. Cullen she was so desperate to meet.

    Growing more agitated by the second, Sandra finally snapped and shouted, ¡°Where are the security guards? Someone get them!¡±

    L?t??¦Ó §éh?¦Ñ¦Ó?r? ¦Én g¨»l??¦Ïv?l?.§ão??

    Although today¡¯s event was open to the public, the hospital had made sure to ce security guards every few meters to keep things from spiraling out of control.

    Responding to Sandra¡¯s yelling, a pair of guards quickly made their way over.

    ¡°Is there a problem here, ma¡¯am?¡± one asked, his tone cautious but firm. By then, dozens of curious eyes had turned their way. A few nosy patients even drifted closer, eager to catch every detail of the drama.

    Sandra pointed a manicured finger toward Maia and her group, lifting her chin high as she practically shouted, ¡°These people are trash from the slums. They do not even have an appointment with Dr. Cullen, yet they march in here demanding to be seen. They¡¯re clearly here to cause trouble. Does this hospital just let anyone wander around? Kick them out before they ruin it for the rest of us.¡±

    Hearing the words ¡°trash from the slums,¡± several of the guards narrowed their eyes in disgust.

    Whispers rippled through the waiting crowd.

    ¡°People from the slums? They sure do not look like it.¡±

    ¡°If they¡¯re really from the slums, they probably don¡¯t even have enough to pay the registration fee.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, people like that should just stay where they belong. If you can¡¯t afford medical care, why waste everyone¡¯s time? It¡¯s not like society needs them anyway.¡±

    ¡°Look at that one ¡ª hiding behind a mask. Bet it¡¯s some nasty disease they¡¯re carrying.¡±

    The whispers kept rolling, each one nastier than thest. What had been a calm, orderly waiting area quickly dissolved into a buzz of suspicion and fear.

    Without waiting for things to get worse, one of the security guards stepped forward, his tone sharp and impatient. ¡°You need to leave. Now.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 97

    ?Chapter 97:

    Maia stayed nted where she was, her eyes as steady as ice. Fixing her gaze on the security guard, she said, ¡°Entry isn¡¯t restricted today. Half the people here don¡¯t have appointments with Dr. Cullen either. Why aren¡¯t you throwing them out?¡±

    All around her, contempt crackled in the air.

    ¡°Because you¡¯re from the slums, it¡¯s clear you¡¯re up to something shady. Are you nning to steal?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not like you. Even standing near you makes us look bad.¡±

    ¡°Go back where you came from! Know your ce!¡±

    Off to the side, Sandra stood with her arms crossed, a satisfied little smile ying on her lips. She looked like a queen watching her enemies fall, savoring every second.

    Then, cutting through the growing chaos, a firm, steady voice rose above the noise. ¡°What¡¯s with all the shouting? What¡¯s going on here?¡±

    The crowd instinctively stepped aside when they caught sight of the man wearing a doctor¡¯s gown. Trailing behind him were several doctors, who hurried toward the security guards without hesitation.

    As soon as the guards recognized the man, they quickly straightened up and gave a respectful nod. ¡°Mr. Ortega,¡± one said, before turning to address the crowd. ¡°This is the director of our hospital, Johnathan Ortega.¡±

    The director? The crowd could hardly believe it.

    The man at the head of the group of doctors was none other than the director of the Primary Healthcare Center.

    The second Sandra heard that, she rushed forward without missing a beat. She jabbed a finger toward Maia¡¯s group and said to Johnathan, ¡°Mr. Ortega, let me exin what¡¯s going on¡­¡±

    She spun the story wildly, throwing in extra details to paint herself as the victim. Listening, Johnathan¡¯s brow furrowed deeper with every word.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??????, the heart of fiction

    Turning a cold, unimpressed stare at Maia and her friends, Johnathan said, ¡°Today marks Dr. Cullen¡¯s first official day at our hospital. I personally came to wee her. I won¡¯t allow any disturbances. If you insist on making trouble, I will have no choice but to order security to remove you.¡±

    ¡°Are you nning to kick me out too, Mr. Ortega?¡± Elvira asked calmly, stepping forward without the slightest flinch as she pulled down her mask.

    The moment her face was revealed, a ripple of shock crossed Johnathan¡¯s face. Words caught in his throat. ¡°You¡¯re¡­¡±

    Elvira¡¯s lips curled into a faint smirk. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Mr. Ortega? Don¡¯t you recognize me?¡±

    Johnathan¡¯s voice wavered as realization hit him. ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re Dr. Cullen.¡± The entire hall seemed to freeze, the crowd turning into statues of stunned disbelief. Someone gasped. ¡°That¡¯s her! That¡¯s really Dr. Cullen!¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t she supposed to be from the slums? How can she be Dr. Cullen?¡±

    ¡°Oh no¡­ I said terrible things earlier. Will she still agree to treat me?¡±

    ¡°Damn it! Crossing Dr. Cullen is the biggest mistake anyone could make. Whoever started those rumors deserves to be punished.¡±

    Every head turned sharply toward Sandra, their stares like sharpened knives. Sandra waspletely dumbfounded, staring nkly at Elvira, then incredulously at Maia, Kathie, and Ethan.

    How¡­ how could this possibly be happening?

    A stinging wave of humiliation mmed into Sandra, leaving her frozen in ce.

    In an instant, the hateful, furious stares that had been aimed at Maia¡¯s group now swung directly toward her.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 98

    ?Chapter 98:

    Rosanna¡¯s face drained of color, her usual confidence vanishing in an instant. She had never dreamed that the woman standing with Maia was the real Elvira. Holding her breath, Rosanna shrank back, desperate to avoid being dragged into the mess. If someone snapped a photo and it made the rounds online, she had no idea how she would exin herself to her fans.

    Without hesitation, she inched toward the nearest corner, doing her best to melt into the background.

    The once-confident Johnathan, who had been so full of authority minutes ago, now wore a clumsy, fawning smile. He bent slightly at the waist and asked, ¡°Dr. Cullen, please¡­ could you exin what¡¯s going on here?¡±

    A cold sparkle flickered in Elvira¡¯s eyes as she looked straight at him and said, ¡°Mr. Ortega, if I remember correctly, the Primary Healthcare Center prides itself on treating every patient equally, regardless of wealth or background. That was the only reason I agreed toe here. So tell me, why is it that the second you heard someone was from the slums, your attitude flipped?¡±

    Sweat gathered quickly along Johnathan¡¯s hairline, and he stammered, ¡°Well¡­ that is¡­ because¡­¡±

    His gaze darted anxiously around the room, clearly scrambling for a way out. ¡°Today¡¯s your first open clinic day here, and I was worried that¡­ someone might try to stir up trouble, so I¡ª¡±

    An unimpressed snort came from Elvira. ¡°Oh, I see. So in your mind, this entire mess is somehow my fault?¡±

    A frantic shake of his head was all Johnathan could manage. ¡°No, no, of course not!¡± he stammered, panic tightening his voice. ¡°It was my mistake. Please don¡¯t be upset! I swear, the Primary Healthcare Center treats every patient equally.¡±

    Elvira¡¯s expression turned even colder. ¡°Is that so? Because I clearly remember you assuring me that, to keep things fair, all consultation slots for my sessions would require real-name registration and that reselling them at jacked-up prices would be strictly forbidden. Isn¡¯t that correct?¡±

    Johnathan nodded so quickly that it looked painful. ¡°Yes. You¡¯re absolutely right.¡±

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    Turning her icy gaze, Elvira focused on Sandra, who looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case,¡± Elvira continued, her voice smooth but merciless, ¡°Then exin how someone managed to buy a slot under the table, insult other patients, and throw around false usations without a second thought?¡±

    The weight of her words seemed to crash over the room. Several of the surrounding patients suddenly found the floor very interesting, lowering their eyes in shame. After all, more than half of them had gotten their precious slots through shady connections or backdoor deals.

    Elvira¡¯s consultations were notoriously expensive, even by the standards of the rich. And even then, money alone rarely guaranteed a slot.

    For ordinary people, unless they got incredibly lucky booking directly, seeing Elvira was nothing short of impossible.

    On paper, the Primary Healthcare Center proudly advertised its real-name verification system. In reality, though, the process was riddled with loopholes, with hospital insiders secretly teaming up with scalpers to cash in on inted appointment prices.

    Clearing his throat awkwardly, Johnathan stammered, ¡°Well¡­ um¡­ I¡¯ll have someoneunch a full investigation. Anyone caught viting the rules will be dealt with harshly.¡±

    Elvira arched an eyebrow, her voice sharp and unyielding as she said, ¡°And how harshly do you n to deal with them when the system¡¯s already rotten to its core?¡±

    Panic flickered across Johnathan¡¯s face. ¡°Uh¡­¡± he stuttered, wiping sweat from his brow. ¡°Maybe¡­ you could advise us on what steps to take?¡±

    ¡°Today, I want every single consultation slot thoroughly audited. Bring me a full investigation report. Any slots found to have been bought through shady means will be canceled on the spot. If you fail to do this, I¡¯ll head straight back to Drakmire and refuse to treat a single patient here,¡± Elvira said without a hint of mercy.

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 Chapter 99

    ?Chapter 99:

    Her words sent a ripple of dread across the room. Whispers and murmurs broke out instantly. Many in the crowd, just like Sandra, had paid outrageous sums for their appointments. If those slots were canceled, the financial loss would be devastating.

    Yet everyone knew Elvira¡¯s reputation ¡ª unyielding, upromising, and fiercely principled. Back in Drakmire, not even the wealthiest dared challenge the standards she set.

    Faced with the growing chaos, Johnathan had no choice but to grit his teeth and nod.

    As the crowd descended into despair, they could only direct their anger and resentment toward Sandra. If looks could kill, Sandra would have been torn to shreds on the spot.

    If it weren¡¯t for her, how could things have escted to this point?

    Turning her sharp gaze back to Johnathan, Elvira said calmly, ¡°Since we now know who caused this mess, Mr. Ortega, I assume you don¡¯t need me to exin the next step.¡±

    Johnathan cast a nce at Sandra, who looked ready to sink into the floor from shame, and snapped at the security guards. ¡°Remove them from the Primary Healthcare Center and cklist their names in our patient registry for good. They are never to be allowed back in again.¡±

    Johnathan¡¯s words basically meant that Sandra and Rosanna were now banned from seeking treatment at the Primary Healthcare Center going forward.

    ¡°Mr. Ortega, I didn¡¯t mean to! I had no idea that buying an appointment broke the rules! I spent a fortune on it. You can¡¯t just throw me out!¡± Sandra cried out desperately, clutching onto Johnathan¡¯s sleeve.

    Johnathan¡¯s expression darkened. Without a word, he shook her off and gave the security team a silent signal.

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    Without hesitation, the guards closed in, each one grabbing an arm and steering Sandra firmly toward the exit.

    At the back of the group, Rosanna kept her head bowed, trying to slip away unnoticed. Step by step, she edged closer to the door, praying that no one would notice her. But the second she reached the exit, a shadow fell across her path.

    Looking up, Rosanna found Maia standing there, arms crossed, eyebrows raised with a sharp stare that could cut ss. Her voice was low and impatient as she said, ¡°Rosanna, that bracelet of Vicki¡¯s ¡ª you never sold it to the ck market, did you?¡±

    Caughtpletely off guard, Rosanna froze for a beat, her mouth opening and closing like she could not find the right lie fast enough. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I really did sell it to someone who said he dealt in antiques. Maybe¡­ maybe he wasn¡¯t connected to the ck market?¡±

    The flicker of panic in her eyes told Maia everything she needed to know. A small, mocking smile yed across Maia¡¯s lips. ¡°And how much did you get for it?¡±

    Rosanna hesitated, scrambling to sound believable. ¡°I think¡­ maybe a few thousand?¡±

    ¡°A few thousand?¡± Maia gave her an exaggerated look of disbelief. ¡°You stupid girl!¡±

    Rosanna blinked at her, stunned into silence.

    ¡°Forget it. You have no one to me but yourself for not knowing its value,¡± Maia said, tossing the words over her shoulder as she turned and strode away. Left standing at the threshold, Rosanna could only stare after her, her mind racing. What had Maia meant by that? Could it be that the bracelet had been something priceless? No wonder Maia wanted it back so badly. Maybe it really was a treasure all along.

    A tiny spark of excitement red in Rosanna¡¯s chest. If Maia¡¯s words were true, she might have stumbled onto a fortune without even knowing it.

    Out by the hospital entrance, Sandra stood in the cold wind, her hair in disarray, her face twisted in rage. ¡°What a pathetic excuse for a hospital! And that so-called miracle doctor ¡ª total scam artist!¡±

    Nothing about today had gone ording to n. She had thrown away ten thousand dors and still hadn¡¯t gotten anywhere near seeing the doctor. The pounding in her skull grew worse, like something was chewing through her brain from the inside out.

    .

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 Chapter 100

    ?Chapter 100:

    Across from her, Rosanna, feeling lighter after her earlier discovery, nced sideways and asked, ¡°Mom, how do you think Maia even knows Dr. Cullen?¡± The question nagged at her. After all, Elvira had just arrived in Wront today. Coming straight from Drakmire, how could she possibly be tied to Maia? No matter how she turned it over in her mind, Sandra couldn¡¯t find a logical answer.

    Before she could dwell on it any longer, her phone buzzed sharply in her pocket. She snatched it up, answered, and within seconds her face drained of all color.

    rmed by her reaction, Rosanna stepped closer. ¡°Mom, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    nkly, Sandra stared at her, as if still processing the words she had heard. ¡°It¡¯s Jarrod,¡± she finally said. ¡°He¡¯s in serious trouble.¡±

    Inside the Primary Healthcare Center, Elvira sat across from Kathie, conducting a quick but thorough examination. ¡°Your lungs have been carrying damage for years. Treatment will help, but what you need even more is time to rest and heal.¡±

    Standing beside them, Maia gave a small nod. That diagnosis matched what she had already suspected.

    With the examination done, Elvira wasted no time arranging for Kathie¡¯s admission into a private VIP ward.

    When all the paperwork was finished, Maia found herself walking beside Elvira toward the outpatient building. It was not exactly voluntary. Elvira had insisted she apany her.

    ¡°You¡¯ve earned a doctorate from Norwyn Medical School. It¡¯s really a pity you¡¯re not working as a doctor,¡± Elvira said, casting a sideways nce at Maia. Norwyn Medical School ¡ª the very name carried weight. It was the kind of ce doctors around the world could only dream of attending.

    Getting admitted to Norwyn was a triumph in itself. Earning a doctorate from there? That was the kind of achievement few in the world could even dream about.

    Even with Maia¡¯s prison sentence hanging over her, Zoey¡¯s influence had shifted the odds in her favor.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s, the heart of storytelling

    Thanks to Zoey¡¯s careful arrangements, prison life barely touched Maia. She could even slip beyond the prison walls in secret, though strict rules forbade her from ever exposing her real identity.

    It had been years ago, during a street-side emergency, when fate had thrown Elvira and Maia together for the first time ¡ª an encounter that sealed an unexpected friendship.

    Back then, Elvira had learned a hard truth: no matter how good you were, there was always someone better. For the first time, she realized that there were geniuses whose talents eclipsed even her own.

    Back then, Maia had only been studying medicine on her own for two years, yet her medical abilities were already matching Elvira¡¯s. Fast forward to now, and Maia had a doctorate from Norwyn Medical School tucked under her belt. Her medical skills had undoubtedly soared past Elvira¡¯s. Oddly enough, though, Maia showed no interest in practicing medicine, leaving Elvira to wonder why she had even pursued it in the first ce.

    Walking beside her, Elvira shot a quick nce at Maia¡¯s calm, unreadable expression before slinging an arm around her shoulders with a grin. ¡°By the way, my brother wanted me to pass along a message.¡±

    The sudden mention drew the slightest flicker of annoyance in Maia¡¯s usually indifferent gaze. ¡°Can I pretend I didn¡¯t hear that?¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡± Elvira¡¯s eyes gleamed with mischief. ¡°He said¡­ he¡¯s craving your BBQ ribs.¡±

    A blink of surprise crossed Maia¡¯s face. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±

    Grinning, Elvira nodded. ¡°That¡¯s it. What else did you think he¡¯d say?¡±

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 Chapter 101

    ?Chapter 101:

    With a small huff, Maia picked up her pace. ¡°Tell him he can keep dreaming.¡±

    Jogging to keep up, Elvira teased, ¡°Don¡¯t be so cold! Actually¡­ I want some too! Honestly, with your cooking skills and your medical genius, have you ever considered marrying my brother? He¡¯s handsome, shredded, studied overseas, has two PhDs, paints, fights ¡ª he¡¯s practically perfect for you¡­¡±

    Every single time they met, Elvira managed tounch into this never-ending matchmaking campaign. Maia had reached her limit a long time ago.

    Abruptly, Maia came to a stop and faced her. Elvira¡¯s hopeful expression made Maia sigh. ¡°Elvira,¡± Maia said, her voice soft but firm. ¡°Your brother and I? It¡¯s never going to happen. And¡­¡±

    She hesitated for just a second before continuing, ¡°I¡¯m already married.¡±

    Just as Elvira opened her mouth to speak, her expression shifted dramatically, as if she had been struck by lightning. Her eyes went wide with disbelief, and she nearly shot out of her seat. ¡°Wait, what did you just say? You got married? Hold on, when did that happen? Weren¡¯t you just released from prison?¡±

    With a faint smile, Maia met her stunned gaze. ¡°A few days ago, give or take. So yes, I¡¯m officially a married woman now. Whatever you were plotting ¡ª you¡¯d better drop it.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, Maia turned around and kept walking.

    From behind, Elvira¡¯s voice rose, practically breaking with shock. ¡°Hold up! You went to prison! Are you telling me he doesn¡¯t care?¡±

    Honestly, it was something Maia had never really thought about. She hadn¡¯t asked Chris, and she didn¡¯t n to.

    In her mind, their arrangement was temporary. Once she handled Zoey¡¯s matter, she intended to end the marriage cleanly. Therefore, whether Chris cared or not made no difference to her ns. Casting a sideways nce at Elvira, Maia replied smoothly, ¡°And your brother? Does he care?¡±

    ¡°Of course he doesn¡¯t care!¡± said Elvira, full of conviction. ¡°Come on, everyone has things they¡¯d rather leave behind. My brother has more than you.¡±

    I??¨¨$? ¡é??t?€§ñ? 1n ??l¦Ðo¦Í¦Ål?.c??

    A soft chuckle escaped Maia, but she offered no further reply.

    Clearly unwilling to drop the subject, Elvira continued, ¡°Come on, are you seriously saying there¡¯s zero chance? Think about it. I wouldn¡¯t care even if you had ten ex-husbands, and neither would he! Seriously though, who is this mystery man you married?¡±

    The non-stop chatter made Maia¡¯s head throb. She quickened her pace, finally ushering Elvira toward the outpatient wing.

    ¡°Go deal with your patients already. You¡¯re keeping them waiting.¡±

    Earlier, the hospital had cracked down on people hiring stand-ins to hold spots in line, and Elvira had carved out precious time just to examine Kathie herself and personally get her to a room.

    Despite all her badgering along the way, Elvira could tell Maia wasn¡¯t budging an inch. Pouting, she grumbled, ¡°You seriously won¡¯t even let me meet him? Not even a glimpse? I just want to see what kind of guy he is!¡±

    Without hesitation, Maia answered, ¡°Now¡¯s not the time. And I don¡¯t want him tangled up in my affairs.¡±

    The truth was, if Elvira found out that Chris was an illegitimate son with a reckless streak, she¡¯d probably start a full-scale investigation herself.

    Crossing her arms, Elvira fumed. ¡°He doesn¡¯t even know the real you! What right does he have to marry you? Don¡¯t tell me he¡¯s just some shallow guy chasing a pretty face!¡±

    Chuckling quietly, Maia reached over and patted Elvira¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Rx. I know what I¡¯m doing. Focus on your work.¡±

    Finally running out of time, Elvira pouted onest time before stomping off reluctantly toward the doctor¡¯s office, still looking over her shoulder like she hated leaving things unfinished. Slowly, her hands curled into tight fists at her sides. A dangerous glint flickered in her eyes as she muttered silently, ¡°You really believe I¡¯ll back off just because you said no? Let me see for myself what kind of man has the nerve to win your heart!¡±

    Far from the city¡¯s lights, tucked away inside a dim, crumbling house, lying on a rusty bedframe, Jarrod fought against the lingering fog in his mind. Earlier, he had been drinking and belting out songs with friends at a KTV lounge. He remembered stepping out to find the restroom when someone suddenly mped something over his mouth and nose. He resisted, but the other party was too strong. And then, he lost consciousness¡­

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 Chapter 102

    ?Chapter 102:

    When he woke again, he found himself trapped in this ce. He stared at the crumbling ceiling above him, his gaze slowly shifting downward. When he saw his naked body, he subconsciously tried to sit up, only to realize that his hands and feet were tightly chained to the bedframe!

    What the hell was happening?

    Had he been kidnapped?

    But why strip him down like this if it was just a ransom job?

    Heart pounding, he yanked violently against the chains, desperate to break free. From the shadows in the corner, a low, steady voice broke the silence. ¡°Save your energy. Those chains aren¡¯t going anywhere.¡±

    Startled, Jarrod twisted his body toward the voice, shouting, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±

    ¡°What do you want with me?¡±

    ¡°You made enemies with someone you shouldn¡¯t have.¡±

    Whoever had used a dark app like Killer to hire a bounty hunter was definitely not just anyone.

    Staring wildly around, Jarrod shouted, ¡°I don¡¯t even know who you¡¯re talking about! If it¡¯s money you want, just say the word. I¡¯ll pay ¡ª I¡¯ll give you whatever you want!¡±

    No answer came. Instead, a tall figure dressed in ck stepped from the shadows, his face hidden behind a dark cloth.

    Without a word, the man pulled out his phone and snapped photos of Jarrod¡¯s exposed, helpless body.

    ¡°Stop it! Don¡¯t you dare!¡± Jarrod cried out, desperately twisting to shield his face and cover himself, humiliation burning hotter than fear.

    Once he finished taking the photos, the masked man strode over to the door and swung it open.

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    Without ncing back, he spoke to someone outside. ¡°He¡¯s all yours. Have fun.¡±

    From the hallway, several haggard, ragged old women shuffled in, their eyes gleaming with malicious excitement the moment they spotted Jarrod.

    ¡°Stay away! What are you doing?! Get back!¡± Jarrod shouted, his voice trembling as he watched them approach with wicked grins. His face twisted in panic, his mind racing.

    Coming from the slums, these women had probably neverid eyes on a man so handsome and well-built. Like vultures spotting an easy meal, they rushed at him.

    ¡°Oh no. No, no, no,¡± he muttered under his breath, horror sinking in.

    Faced with the horrifying prospect of being vited by these filthy women, despair washed over him. He would rather die than endure such humiliation. Jarrod cast onest, hopeless nce at the ceiling before mming his head against the wall.

    The impact knocked him unconscious instantly.

    Maia had just arrived at the Marvelous Garden residentialplex, ready to pick up some everyday items for her new apartment, when her phone screen suddenly went dark. Momentster, a chat box appeared.

    It was a highly secure, encrypted chat.

    A series ofpromising photos appeared, each capturing Jarrod in unsettling situations with aged women behaving indecently toward him.

    ¡°Boss, the target has fainted. Should we keep going?¡±

    Maia saved the images with a swift tap, paused briefly to think, then typed back, ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±

    The chat box vanished, and her phone returned to normal.

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 Chapter 103

    ?Chapter 103:

    Jarrod¡¯s pride ran so deep that he would likely prefer death over humiliation. This punishment, Maia figured, had already gone far enough.

    Without hesitation, Maia anonymously uploaded the photos, tucked her phone into her pocket, and resumed her errands, her expression steady andposed.

    At a karaoke bar, Jarrod¡¯s friends noticed his absence and scoured every corner of the ce, but he was nowhere to be found. Attempts to call him failed too ¡ª his phone was off.

    Jarrod never went anywhere without his phone, and he always answered, no matter the hour. A cold sense of unease settled among his friends, prompting them to call Sandra in rm.

    Sandra and Rosanna rushed to the scene, and after hearing the jumbled reports from Jarrod¡¯s friends, they prepared to call the police. Suddenly, a frantic voice cried out, ¡°Oh my God! Isn¡¯t that Jarrod?¡±

    Sandra caught sight of the man, who eximed while clutching a phone. She immediately lunged to snatch it away, her heart pounding ¡ª only to be greeted by an indecent photo.

    The blood drained from her face; she swayed and almost copsed.

    Rosanna peered over her shoulder, and within seconds, she shrieked, pping both hands over her eyes.

    The scandalous images had already spread online, quickly climbing the trending charts.

    Although the man¡¯s eyes and private parts were blurred, anyone familiar with Jarrod would recognize him at a nce.

    The shots were taken so artfully that they concealed the restraints on his wrists and ankles, instead capturing him in a moment of ecstasy.

    Thements flooding in were ruthless.

    Updates always at galno¦Íe??s

    ¡°What kind of sick y is this?¡±

    ¡°People these days really will stoop to anything¡­ Are even unkempt older women fair game? How twisted can you get?¡±

    ¡°My poor eyes! I can¡¯t unsee this. Forwarding to all my group chats so we can suffer together.¡±

    ¡°Heard the guy in the photos is the son of some wealthy family. Want the name?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m PMing you!¡±

    ¡°Me too.¡±

    ¡°Count me in.¡±

    The discussions spiraled wildly.

    Reading the vicious remarks, Sandra turned beet red with fury.

    Unable to stand another second, she dragged Rosanna out of the bar. On the way, Sandra frantically contacted a PR firm, burning through a fortune in an attempt to bury the trending scandal.

    The blownded hard, deepening the Morgan family¡¯s already dire crisis. But even if the posts were suppressed, Sandra knew the photos would continue to circte privately like wildfire.

    Back at the Morgan vi, Sandra slumped onto the sofa, chest heaving, struggling to regain her breath. Was the Morgan family cursed?

    First, partners cut ties. Then Jarrod¡¯s disgrace exploded across the inte. Meanwhile, Maia seemed to lurk in the background, fanning the mes. Sandra teetered on the brink of copse.

    Rosanna sat stiffly beside her, face troubled, unsure how to offerfort. What had gone so horribly wrong? How had Jarrod ended up in such a ce? Who had taken those vile photos?

    As evening fell, Richard stormed into the vi, his face twisted in rage. He stabbed a finger at Sandra¡¯s nose as he roared, ¡°This is the son you raised? He¡¯s dragged our name through the mud!¡±

    Sandra, humiliated and overwhelmed, bit her bottom lip hard, tears welling up in her eyes.

    .

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 Chapter 104

    ?Chapter 104:

    Rosanna sprang up to defend Jarrod. ¡°Dad, please, calm down! Mom¡¯s devastated ¡ª she could barely breathe earlier. Besides, something about this whole thing feels wrong. Let¡¯s hear Jarrod¡¯s side first.¡±

    Just as her words hung in the air, the front door swung open.

    All heads turned ¡ª and there stood Jarrod, staggering into the room, a shadow of the man he once was.

    He moved like someone crushed by disaster, his once-slicked hair now a wild, matted mess, his designer clothes shredded beyond recognition.

    To an outsider, he might have passed for a beggar.

    ¡°Jarrod¡­¡± Rosanna whispered, though the memory of those images shed so vividly in her mind that she could barely meet his eyes.

    ¡°You shameless disgrace!¡± Richard, seething, crossed the room in two strides andnded a heavy p across Jarrod¡¯s cheek. ¡°You still dare show your face here? Get out! I have no son like you!¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s head jerked from the force, but he stood rooted, mute and hollow-eyed.

    Sandra¡¯s heart twisted painfully.

    No matter how far Jarrod had fallen, he was still her son.

    She rushed forward and threw herself between them, her voice cracking as she cried out, ¡°Honey, we don¡¯t even know the full story yet! How can you just hit him like this?¡±

    ¡°What story is left to tell? This ungrateful fool ¡ª it¡¯s bad enough he¡¯szy and has no drive. But now, with the Morgan family in trouble, he¡¯s not just useless; he¡¯s out there making aplete mess of things. What good is he?¡± Richard thundered, his voice shaking the walls.

    Already simmering with humiliation, Jarrod finally snapped. ¡°You think I wanted this? I was kidnapped! I was forced!¡±

    ¡°Kidnapped?¡± Sandra gasped, her face going pale. ¡°What happened to you?¡±

    Fresh chapters uploaded on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls?c?m

    Jarrod finally recounted his experience in detail.

    Shock rippled through the room as everyone absorbed his story.

    Under her breath, Sandra murmured, ¡°Whoever¡¯s behind this doesn¡¯t want money or anything else. They just want to destroy your reputation. Jarrod, is there anyone out there you¡¯ve made an enemy of?¡±

    No matter how hard he tried, Jarrod couldn¡¯t figure it out. That question had gnawed at him the whole way back.

    Sure, he had gotten into his share of petty arguments over the years, but he had never faced anyone ruthless enough to do something so vicious.

    The level of cruelty behind it chilled him to the bone.

    After a long moment of silence, Richard finally spoke, his voice steadier. ¡°Then call the police already! We need to get to the bottom of this, and we need to do it fast! If we let it go, I¡¯ll be too ashamed to even step outside!¡±

    ¡°I already called them,¡± Jarrod said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

    The moment Jarrod had regained consciousness in that filthy shack, he realized he had been left alone. The chains were gone, and aside from his ripped clothes, nothing else had been disturbed.

    Grabbing his phone the second he spotted it, Jarrod wasted no time reporting everything. The officers hade, surveyed the scene, jotted down a few notes, and then sent him on his way.

    Nothing he had ever experienced matched the humiliation he felt now. Deep inside, he made a fierce promise ¡ª he would hunt down whoever had done this, no matter what it took.

    Meanwhile, Maia had just finished arranging her new apartment. In the kitchen, she moved around with practiced ease, carefully preparing a meal packed with healing properties.

    Over the years, Maia had sharpened this skill until it became second nature. To her, food wasn¡¯t just about filling a stomach. Every bite was meant to nourish, strengthen, and protect the body from illness or decline.

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 Chapter 105

    ?Chapter 105:

    In many ways, the meals she crafted worked better than any medicine.

    Back when she first started, her early dishes had tasted downright awful ¡ª strong, bitter, and hard to swallow. But Maia hadn¡¯t given up. She experimented, adjusted, and refined her techniques until now ¡ª now her food not only healed but tasted delicious.

    During her time locked away, Maia had spent her days preparing meals for Zoey. She watched as Zoey¡¯s strength returned little by little, realizing just how powerful food could be in changing someone¡¯s health.

    Zoey never missed a chance to tease her, saying that Maia had even managed to outshine her.

    Still, a heavy regret clung to Maia¡¯s heart. If only she had known then what she knew now, if only she had understood how to fight illness with food, maybe Vicki¡¯s condition would not have spiraled out of control. Maybe Vicki would still be here.

    It was that deep regret that first pushed Maia toward the world of medicine. It was the reason she had thrown herself into studying nutrition and healing through food.

    Determination burned within her even then. She vowed she would never again stand by helplessly while someone she loved suffered.

    Kathie wasn¡¯t dealing with something urgent. It was a long-term condition that needed steady care. Maia believed that if Kathie stuck to these therapeutic meals, she¡¯d be back on her feet soon enough.

    After packing the freshly prepared meal into a thermal container, Maia slipped on her coat and made her way to the hospital.

    Normally, Ethan was always by Kathie¡¯s side. Today, strangely, the boy was nowhere to be found.

    Not wanting to disturb Kathie, who slept soundly in the room, Maia set the lunchbox down quietly on the nightstand.

    Explore new stories g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??s.c?m

    Still, even that small sound roused Kathie from her rest. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she smiled faintly. ¡°You¡¯re back.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± A soft smile crossed Maia¡¯s face as she pulled up a chair. ¡°I brought you something. You must be hungry. Let¡¯s eat while it¡¯s still warm.¡±

    After giving a small nod, Kathie let Maia help her settle against the pillows. Maia opened the lunchbox andid out the food.

    For a long moment, Kathie watched her. Then, in a quiet voice, she asked, ¡°This hospital¡¯s really fancy. It must be costing a lot to keep me here, right?¡±

    Without missing a beat, Maia arranged the food neatly and said in an easy tone, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. Just get better.¡±

    Although she appeared calmer, Kathie¡¯s troubled expression lingered. After a few false starts, she finally spoke in a small voice. ¡°Is it true what Sandra said? Are you really making money by¡­¡±

    Thest part caught in her throat, the words too heavy to say aloud.

    Maia hesitated for a heartbeat before lifting the bowl of soup she¡¯d just prepared. Settling into the seat across from Kathie, she gently blew across a steaming spoonful.

    ¡°Don¡¯t believe a word Sandra said. It¡¯s all just noise.¡±

    Kathie exhaled a shaky breath, her relief quickly folding into worry as her brows furrowed. ¡°Then where did all your moneye from? Maia, don¡¯t just sugarcoat it to make me feel better.¡±

    A soft smile curved Maia¡¯s lips as she met Kathie¡¯s eyes without flinching. ¡°Rx, Kathie. Every cent I spent, I earned fair and square.¡±

    ¡°But you only just got out of prison,¡± Kathie said, her confusion written inly across her face. ¡°You already found a job?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. An old ssmate from high school runs apany now. I work for her,¡± Maia said simply.

    She didn¡¯t want Kathie getting anxious, so she offered a carefully chosen half-truth. Still, it wasn¡¯t a lie ¡ª Pattie was now the CEO of MCN, and Maia led their design team. Everything she said held up.

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 Chapter 106

    ?Chapter 106:

    Kathie¡¯s eyes lit up, her whole face brightening into a grin. ¡°That¡¯s incredible! I was so scared you¡¯d gotten desperate and done something reckless. Maia, you¡¯re still young and beautiful. You have your whole future ahead of you. Please don¡¯t throw it away.¡±

    Maia¡¯s smile deepened as she lifted the spoon to Kathie¡¯s mouth. ¡°Here. Try it.¡±

    Taking a sip, Kathie beamed. ¡°This is amazing! Maia, you could be the head chef at a five-star restaurant!¡±

    Maia simply smiled again, saying nothing.

    After spending time with Kathie, Maia made her way back toward Elysium Apartments. As she walked, she slipped in her earbuds and made a call.

    ¡°Hey, boss. What¡¯s up now?¡± A light, breezy voice answered.

    ¡°Put out a buy notice across all major tforms,¡± Maia said, her tone casual.

    ¡°You¡¯re buying something? What is it?¡±

    Idly twirling the cord of her earbud, Maia answeredzily, ¡°That bracelet I sent you a photo ofst time. Post a high-priced acquisition notice. Keep it anonymous.¡±

    ¡°How much are we offering?¡± The slurp of someone inhaling soda crackled over the line.

    Without missing a beat, Maia replied, ¡°Fifteen million.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡±

    The voice on the other end practically exploded, followed by a choking cough and the sound of soda spraying everywhere. ¡°That dusty thing is worth fifteen million?!¡±

    ¡°Just do as I said. The rest isn¡¯t your concern.¡±

    There was a long, reluctant pause. ¡°Fine¡­ but seriously, why don¡¯t you post it yourself?¡±

    Explore new chapters g?l¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°I¡¯mzy,¡± Maia said nkly.

    ¡°If you say so.¡±

    Posting across multiple tforms while keeping the IP masked wasn¡¯t child¡¯s y. If someone managed to trace it, it could expose her location ¡ª and that kind of slip wasn¡¯t something Maia could afford.

    Still, the guy had no choice but to get to work. Even as he typed, he couldn¡¯t help but grumble to himself. His boss was obviously loaded if she could throw that kind of cash at an old trinket. To him, the bracelet was just some antique with fancy carvings. Nothing worth getting worked up over. But if Maia wanted it, who was he to argue? She had money to burn.

    Maia had just reached the entrance of her apartment building when her phone vibrated again. ncing at the screen, she answered, ¡°What now?¡±

    ¡°Boss, something weird¡¯s happening!¡±

    ¡°Speak up,¡± she said.

    Another long pause stretched over the line. ¡°You¡¯re not gonna believe what I found while posting your buy notice.¡±

    ¡°If you keep making me guess, I¡¯ll wipe your entire system and make sure you nevernd another job,¡± Maia said, her voice cold and steady.

    ¡°No, no, no! Please don¡¯t!¡±

    The voice on the other end cracked with panic. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you ¡ª someone else is already after the same bracelet. They¡¯re offering 150 million.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    In the blink of an eye, Maia¡¯s rxed air disappeared. Her face hardened, her brows knitting into a sharp line. ¡°Did you trace them?¡±

    ¡°I tried pulling their IP and ID, but it¡¯s routed through an international server. Max-level encryption. It¡¯spletely locked down.¡±

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 Chapter 107

    ?Chapter 107:

    Maia said nothing, her mind racing. Maybe five people on the could build a wall like that.

    It had to be either a hacker on par with her ¡ª or someone rich enough to hire one of the best.

    And anyone that skilled wasn¡¯t about to waste time on pocket change.

    150 million¡­

    Who the hell would pay that much for Vicki¡¯s bracelet? Her fingers curled into a fist. Until she figured out their true motive, she couldn¡¯t let that bracelet fall into anyone else¡¯s hands.

    When she spoke again, her voice was crisp and cutting. ¡°Raise the offer. Make it one-point-one billion.¡±

    ¡°Are you out of your mind?!¡± The voice on the other end sputtered. ¡°One-point-one billion isn¡¯t exactly spare change!¡±

    ¡°You heard me clearly. Just do what I said,¡± Maia replied, her tone t and unshaken.

    She ended the call without another word.

    Meanwhile, across the city in Chris¡¯s penthouse, his phone lit up with an iing call from Maxwell.

    ¡°Chris, we¡¯ve got a problem! Someone else is bidding on that bracelet ¡ª and they just raised the offer to one-point-one billion!¡±

    Chris¡¯s brows drew into a hard line. ¡°Any luck figuring out who is behind all this?¡±

    With a heavy sigh, Maxwell shook his head. ¡°Nothing so far. Even Hawk ¡ª the top hacker from ST ¡ª couldn¡¯t crack it. Whoever¡¯s behind this is just as skilled. Hawk suspects it¡¯s someone from Pris, and not just anyone ¡ª probably a high-ranking member.¡±

    In the world of hacking, ST had long been the dominant force. With its globalwork, deep authority, and near-monopoly on major contracts, ST¡¯s name alonemanded respect.

    Meanwhile, Pris had exploded onto the scene in recent years, rising from nowhere to snatch up countless deals that once belonged to ST. Their sudden growth sparked an all-out cold war between the two groups.

    Over time, these battles ¡ª fierce, relentless, and messy ¡ª always ended the same way: stalemates. Neither side able tond a final blow.

    Yet Pris had already seeded in shaking the foundation of ST¡¯s empire, shing its revenue to less than half of what it once was.

    Because of this bitter rivalry, an unwrittenw now hung over the hacking world: if you worked with ST, you didn¡¯t touch Pris. If you crossed that line, you became a target.

    Narrowing his deep-set eyes, Chris muttered, ¡°Pris¡­¡± Even here, someone had the nerve to challenge him.

    Tension tightened across his face. ¡°Increase the bid to one hundred and sixty million.¡±

    At the Morgan estate.

    Curled up in her room, Rosanna sat hunched over her phone. The entire house was steeped in a suffocating gloom, heavy as a wet nket. Even though Jarrod had gone to the police, everyone knew it would be days before anything concrete surfaced.

    The Morgan family had no chance of saving face until the scandal over the indecent photos was cleared.

    No matter how hard she tried to distract herself, Rosanna couldn¡¯t escape it. Her phone was buzzing nonstop with messages.

    Each one asked the same infuriating question ¡ª was the man in those disgusting online photos really her brother, Jarrod?

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 Chapter 108

    ?Chapter 108:

    Overwhelmed and unsure of what to say, Rosanna simply ignored them all. For now, she decided to wait for the official investigation to clear their name. Once that happened, she¡¯d have thestugh.

    While she absentmindedly flicked through post after post, one headline jumped out at her, snapping her awake:

    ¡°Mysterious Tycoon Offers One Hundred and Fifty Million Dors for a Jade Green Bracelet.¡±

    A photo apanied the article, showing a bracelet that looked exactly like the one Vicki had left behind.

    Scrolling through thements, she sawizens losing their minds.

    ¡°Holy crap! What kind of bracelet is this? 150 million dors? Either I know nothing about antiques, or the rich have officially gone crazy!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not even 150 million anymore. Two tycoons are fighting for it. The price is skyrocketing.¡±

    ¡°Imagine owning that thing. You would be rich beyond your wildest dreams. Over 150 million now! Your kids and grandkids would never need to work.¡±

    ¡°Why can¡¯t something like this happen to me¡­¡±

    With her heart pounding, Rosanna quickly followed the trail to a forum buzzing with live updates.

    Right before her eyes, the bidding war unfolded.

    Thetest post read: ¡°New bid! Two hundred million dors!¡±

    Barely ten minutes passed before another notification popped up. ¡°The bid has just jumped again. It¡¯s now at two hundred and twenty million dors!¡±

    The number mmed into Rosanna like a blow. Her vision blurred, and her head reeled in disbelief.

    Your imagination takes flight on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Could that bracelet truly be worth such an outrageous amount? Her mind shed back to Maia¡¯s offhandedment at the hospital earlier that day. With two tycoons now locked in a bidding war, there was no question left. It had to be a priceless antique.

    Excitement lit up Rosanna¡¯s face, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t hide it. Her hands trembled, too restless to stay still.

    More than 200 million¡­ and the price was still rising. If she got her hands back on that bracelet, she¡¯d be set for life.

    Helping the Morgan family out of their crisis with the money wasn¡¯t even on her radar. After all, she had her own ns ¡ª to leverage this situation to expedite her marriage to Vince. With the Ward family stepping in, the Morgans would recover easily, without any need for her to sacrifice anything.

    Meanwhile, across town, Jarrod stumbled upon the viral post about the bracelet.

    Without wasting a second, he dialed Rosanna¡¯s number. ¡°Rosanna, you have to check this out! Someone is offering a fortune for a bracelet that looks exactly like the one Grandma left behind!¡±

    In truth, only Rosanna and Jarrod had seen the bracelet up close. Sandra and Richard had no idea it even existed.

    Rosanna gasped in fake amazement. ¡°Oh my gosh, it really does look the same!¡±

    Frustration exploded through Jarrod as he pped his thigh. ¡°Damn it! How could you sell it? With over 200 million dors, we could¡¯ve pulled the Morgan family out of this!¡±

    Tears welled up in Rosanna¡¯s eyes, and she made sure her voice quivered as she spoke. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Jarrod¡­ I had no idea it was worth that much. I was careless, and now the Morgans have missed the one chance we had to survive. I guess¡­ luck just isn¡¯t on my side.¡±

    Her apologetic and remorseful tone instantly softened Jarrod¡¯s heart.

    ¡°Forget it. It¡¯s not your fault. I saw the bracelet too, and I didn¡¯t know it was worth anything either. What¡¯s done is done. Just don¡¯t tell Dad or Mom. If they find out, they¡¯ll lose their minds. Understand?¡±

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 Chapter 109

    ?Chapter 109:

    Still, no matter how much he tried to convince himself to move on, Jarrod couldn¡¯t shake off the bitter regret gnawing at him.

    Then, a thought struck him. Maia had been so insistent on retrieving the bracelet. Could it be that she had known all along about its extraordinary value? Had she spoken up sooner, they never would have let the bracelet slip away so easily.

    Only one reason made sense. Maia must have been nning to pocket the fortune for herself.

    The more Jarrod thought about it, the angrier he became.

    She was nothing but a selfish traitor.

    ¡°I understand,¡± Rosanna replied softly, her voice gentle and sweet.

    Rosanna ended the call and sank into her chair with a quiet sigh of relief. Thankfully, she had already spun a story for Jarrod about selling the bracelet. If he ever sniffed out the truth, he would no doubt demand a cut.

    That money was hers alone, and she was ready to guard it against anyone who dared, even her own brother.

    Rosanna stayed glued to the screen, eyes tracking every new bid. Silent and patient, she waited for the perfect moment to let the bracelet go to the highest offer.

    Meanwhile, across town, Chris¡¯s scowl only grew darker as the minutes dragged on.

    The seller refused to budge, sticking stubbornly to the rising price. With the bidding now soaring past twenty-four million dors, Chris knew he was staring down an endless money pit. Worse yet, he might lose the bracelet entirely.

    Grabbing his phone, Chris punched in Maxwell¡¯s number. His voice, low and edged with irritation, broke the silence. ¡°Get in touch with them. I want a direct conversation.¡±

    Elsewhere, Maia was perched in front of her monitor, locked onto the auction feed with a re that could cut steel.

    1@?€$? ¡é#4??€?$ 1? g??novels.c?m

    The longer the auction dragged, the more infuriated she became. Why was someone so determined to snatch Vicki¡¯s bracelet? It made no sense at all.

    A sharp ring from her phone shattered her thoughts.

    One nce at the caller ID had Maia answering without hesitation. ¡°Boss, the buyer contacted me. They want to negotiate privately.¡±

    Negotiate privately?

    That was not a bad y.

    Dragging this out would only drive the price into madness. Plus, Maia was itching to see who exactly was on the other end. ¡°Okay. How do they want to set it up?¡±

    ¡°They suggested an anonymous chat channel where you can message directly.¡±

    Maia tilted her head thoughtfully. ¡°Alright.¡±

    Without missing a beat, she started cking away at the keyboard, masking her IP and tossing up an extra firewall for good measure.

    Momentster, her monitor flickered. The screen went ck. Then, stark white text blinked into view, saying, ¡°Step out of the bidding. Set your price.¡±

    Maia leaned back, a slow smirk forming. She said, ¡°Not stepping out. Not unless you show me who you are.¡±

    Sitting in another room, Chris hesitated before responding, ¡°Face-to-face?¡±

    Fingers hovering over the keyboard, Maia weighed her options. Then she replied, ¡°Deal.¡±

    ¡°One hour. Starlight Bar. Do not bete.¡±

    As soon as the screen cleared and her system reset, Maia picked up her phone again.

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 Chapter 110

    ?Chapter 110:

    She tapped out a quick call. ¡°I need someone to do me a favor.¡±

    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s going on?¡± a startled voice interjected through the phone.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got one hour. Meet the person bidding against me at Starlight Bar. I need to know who they are and what they want.¡±

    The person practically gasped. ¡°Boss, you cannot be serious! You know I¡¯m horrible at face-to-face stuff. I might just drop dead from the stress!¡±

    That was about the response Maia expected, though she had secretly hoped for less drama.

    She could not take the risk of showing up herself, not when she had no idea who was on the other side. It could easily be a setup. Plus, if she involved anyone more recognizable, it would stir up trouble she didn¡¯t need.

    After running through her limited options, she knew this person was her safest bet.

    ¡°Here¡¯s the deal ¡ª if you help me this one time, I¡¯ll take care of half your workload,¡± said Maia. She shed a quick smile and added, ¡°And I won¡¯t charge you a thing.¡±

    The line buzzed with hesitation before the voice answered, half thrilled and half terrified, ¡°Wait¡­ are you serious?¡±

    ¡°If you let this chance slip away, you won¡¯t get a second one,¡± Maia said, a sly glint in her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s only a single meeting. You don¡¯t need to be nervous ¡ª I¡¯ll stay close. I¡¯ll coach you through everything from a distance. All you need to do is stick to what I tell you.¡±

    Silence stretched on the line, heavy and reluctant, until the voice finally said,

    ¡°Alright, alright! I¡¯ll do it!¡±

    After hanging up, Maia shut down herputer. She waited a while, then checked the time. When it was almost time to leave, she got dressed and headed out.

    Check updates now on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    Only when it was close to the scheduled time did she throw on a jacket and head for the door. As soon as she turned the knob, the door across the hall creaked open.

    Chris, stepping into the hallway, caught herpletely off guard. She had assumed he was out since she hadn¡¯t seen any signs of him earlier. From the look on his face, he was just as taken aback. Still on a call with Maxwell moments ago, he clearly hadn¡¯t realized Maia had been home.

    ¡°You¡¯re here.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re here.¡±

    They spoke at the same time, and the air between them grew awkward.

    With a small chuckle, Chris broke the tension. He straightened his sleeves with an easy grace, his eyes unreadable but not unkind. ¡°Heading out?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, meeting someone,¡± Maia said casually, slinging her bag over her shoulder. ¡°You?¡±

    ¡°My boss needs a ride,¡± Chris replied smoothly, not missing a beat.

    They exchanged a knowing nce, neither feeling the need to press for more. They walked out of the apartment side by side but split off in different directions once they reached the building¡¯s front door.

    Outside Starlight Bar, Maia had barely arrived when her phone screen flickered ck once again. Within seconds, a new message popped up, revealing the designated seat number for tonight¡¯s meeting.

    Without hesitation, she slipped inside and picked a quiet seat where she could watch the whole ce without drawing attention.

    After forwarding the location to her contact, Maia slipped on her headphones and sank into the plush sofa, tugging her baseball cap lower to better conceal her delicate face.

    At this early hour, Starlight Bar was still waking up. The dim, erratic lights gave the ce an eerie, unsettled feeling.

    ncing at her watch, Maia noted there were still five minutes left until the arranged time.

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 Chapter 111

    ?Chapter 111:

    Tilting her head toward the seat listed in the message, she soon spotted a man d in a ck hoodie cautiously moving into view. After surveying the room with sharp eyes, he dropped into the designated seat with deliberate care. Through her earpiece, a steady voice broke the silence.

    ¡°Boss, I¡¯m here. Where should I look?¡±

    Keeping her movements subtle, Maia lifted the microphone to her lips and murmured, ¡°I¡¯m close by. Stay calm. Don¡¯t turn around. Don¡¯t make him suspicious.¡±

    Immediately, the man froze and dropped his eyes to the table, trying to act natural.

    Out of nowhere, the room darkened, and the hooded man looked up to see a middle-aged figure seated across from him.

    Their contact had arrived.

    Maia narrowed her eyes, focusing intently, and a trace of surprise flickered across her face. How could it be him?

    The man was Vincenzo, the elusive owner of The Underbarrel.

    A few steps behind Vincenzo, hidden away in the dimmest part of the room, was a tall figure with long legs, a ck baseball cap pulled low over his face. His ck clothes melted into the shadows, making him almost invisible unless one looked closely.

    Choosing toe in person, Chris wanted to see firsthand who was pulling the strings.

    However, the moment heid eyes on the man across from Vincenzo, Chris caught on right away. Both of them were simply middlemen. The real powers at y were still tucked safely out of sight.

    Feeling no need to stick around, Chris pushed himself up from his seat and walked toward the exit without a second thought.

    L§Ñt?st ch¦Ápt?rs in g??l??ov??ls.£ã¦Ïm

    Just then, Maia lifted her head and spotted a tall figure weaving quickly through the crowd.

    Her fine brows drew together in a faint frown. There was something hauntingly familiar about that man.

    Across from him, Vincenzo watched the man closely, taking in the hunched figure dressed in a ck hoodie and mask.

    Thick ck sses covered most of his face, leaving only a pair of wary eyes exposed.

    Leaning back slightly, Vincenzo studied him with suspicion and asked, ¡°You must be the one who¡¯s been trying to snatch that bracelet online too?¡±

    At a nce, the man¡¯s timid and greasy manner made it hard to imagine him as someone wealthy enough to toss hundreds of millions at a piece of jewelry. He looked more like a reclusive shut-in than a high-rolling bidder.

    Guided by Maia¡¯s voice crackling softly in his earpiece, the hooded figure slowly turned toward Vincenzo and answered in a raspy voice, ¡°Vincenzo Casadei. Owner of The Underbarrel, one of the ck market¡¯s hidden gems in Erygan. Famous collector of rare treasures. Never thought you¡¯d be chasing the bracelet too.¡±

    Surprise shed across Vincenzo¡¯s face.

    Despite the mask covering most of the man¡¯s face, Vincenzo was certain he¡¯d never seen him before.

    Still, the man had revealed his name, identity, and personal interests without missing a beat.

    Instantly, Vincenzo¡¯s yful attitude faded, reced by sharp caution.

    Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Vincenzo asked, ¡°Mind telling me your name? And how you came to hear about this bracelet?¡±

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 Chapter 112

    ?Chapter 112:

    Without hesitation, the man said, ¡°Names don¡¯t matter. What matters is that if we keep bidding against each other, we¡¯ll both bleed money. So I¡¯ll make it simple ¡ª what¡¯s your price to walk away?¡±

    A low chuckle rumbled from Vincenzo as he answered, ¡°You should know something ¡ª I didn¡¯te here to strike a deal. I came to tell you that I¡¯ll have that bracelet no matter what it costs. However, to keep things clean and avoid ridiculous price wars, future bids will be handled through the DTN forum with escrow deposits. You in?¡±

    Someone who could toss around that kind of money ¡ª and even pull in a hacker who could match Hawk from the ST group ¡ª would surely know what the DTN forum was all about.

    The DTN forum had existed on the dark web, hidden from the public eye. Anyone who had been active on the forum was likely concealing an identity far moreplex than they let on.

    Many of the transactions carried out on the dark web involved enormous sums of money, and to ensure safety, deals were typically overseen by a moderator from DTN¡¯s trading section. Only with their involvement could the transaction move forward.

    Nobody knew who the moderator really was. Nobody dared to ask, either. Rumors said thest fool who tried had their entire bloodline dragged through investigations and torn apart by the authorities overnight.

    Listening in, Maia felt a knot tighten in her chest. Vincenzo¡¯s drive to snatch Vicki¡¯s bracelet was more ferocious than she had ever imagined.

    The mention of DTN escrow made everything crystal clear. Every time she ced a bid, she would have to deposit the full amount beforehand.

    Higher offers meant more upfront cash. Even though the money would be returned if the bidder lost, few could actually afford to risk that kind of money without real financial capability.

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    Worse, there was no ceiling on the bidding.

    Once a bidder¡¯s funds dried up, they would be immediately kicked out of thepetition. It was a brutal but effective system to keep the ying field honest.

    In most cases, bidders appreciated the protection it offered.

    However, Maia had no ns to throw real money into a bidding war. After a brief pause, she brought the microphone close and whispered into her earpiece.

    ¡°Tell him that you will withdraw your bid.¡±

    As soon as the hooded man heard Maia¡¯s order, he immediately conveyed it to Vincenzo.

    At once, Vincenzo¡¯s features hardened into the same cold sneer he wore upon entering. Maxwell had judged correctly ¡ª mentioning ¡°DTN¡± practically guaranteed a retreat.

    After all, few could summon billions in liquid assets without blinking.

    Vincenzo dismissed the threat as mere posturing.

    ¡°Very well,¡± he muttered, rising from his seat, offering no further words, and moving to depart.

    ¡°Boss, who are these people? They¡¯re ridiculously rich ¡ª unfazed even by DTN! And that bracelet¡­ Could it really be worth that much?¡±

    The hooded figure¡¯s stunned voice crackled in Maia¡¯s earpiece as she slipped from her chair and followed Vincenzo into the crowd.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she answered, weaving through the throng, her voice steady. ¡°But thanks for helping me today.¡±

    Vincenzo¡¯s earlierment gnawed at Maia¡¯s mind.

    She knew the bracelet Vicki had gifted her was exquisite ¡ª each intricate carving a testament to masterful craftsmanship. Yet hundreds of millions? That seemed absurd.

    .

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 Chapter 113

    ?Chapter 113:

    Vincenzo, no stranger to rare artifacts, wouldn¡¯t have thrown out numbers lightly.

    Maia¡¯s curiosity deepened.

    Outside Starlight Bar, Vincenzo headed for the parking lot. Turning a corner, he nearly collided with Maia.

    ¡°Mr. Casadei?¡± Feigning surprise, Maia spoke first, her refined beauty unforgettable.

    ¡°It¡¯s you¡­ Miss, what brings you here?¡± Vincenzo¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°Just finished dinner nearby with some friends,¡± Maia said, letting out a faint sigh. Worry clouded her expression.

    Vincenzo caught the tension written across her features. If not for the generosity this youngdy had shown him previously, under the brutalws of a ndestine¡­

    Trading in rare artifacts, Vincenzo might have lost more than just his livelihood ¡ª perhaps a few digits as well. His stall at the hidden market might have been nothing but a memory.

    Deep within, Vincenzo harbored endless gratitude toward Maia.

    Now, witnessing her distressed look, he couldn¡¯t hold back his concern.

    ¡°Miss, has something happened?¡± he asked gently.

    Maia lifted her gaze, sorrow shimmering in her clear eyes, stirring unexpected empathy within him.

    With a faint breath, she began, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Mr. Casadei, do you recall the bracelet I brought you not long ago?¡±

    Vincenzo gave a firm nod. ¡°Absolutely.¡±

    ¡°That piece¡­ it¡¯s all I have left from my grandmother.¡±

    Your next tale lives on g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s,

    ¡°Something that precious¡ª¡± Vincenzo¡¯s expression grew serious.

    Maia bit her lower lip before recounting her encounter with the Morgans ¡ª how Rosanna had discarded her possessions and deceived her into retrieving the heirloom from the underground market.

    Her words floated in the silence, yet they weighed heavily on Vincenzo¡¯s heart. He hadn¡¯t realized that the bracelet carried such emotional gravity.

    If it was her only link to her grandmother, its worth went beyond any appraisal¡­

    ¡°I believe Rosanna Morgan still has it. But just now, someone posted a bounty online ¡ª 150 million dors ¡ª to acquire it. Rosanna won¡¯t hesitate to sell it off. If a stranger buys it, I¡¯ll have no way to track it down. And even if I tried to outbid them¡­ with that kind of money, it¡¯s impossible¡­¡±

    Vincenzo saw her downcast expression and her clear eyes brimming with sadness, and his heart softened.

    Although he remained clueless about why Maxwell was so eager for the bracelet, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to snatch away Maia¡¯sst memory of her grandmother.

    Vincenzo¡¯s fists tightened. She had once rescued him; now it was his turn to step up.

    However, Maxwell¡¯s orders carried serious consequences, and disobedience wasn¡¯t a decision to take lightly. Vincenzo hesitated for a few agonizing seconds before resolving to act.

    ¡°Please stay right here, miss,¡± he said softly.

    He retreated to a secluded corner and swiftly called Maxwell.

    Summarizing Maia¡¯s story in a few sentences, he pleaded, ¡°Mr. Payne, this woman once saved me. I can¡¯t simply stand by. Could we perhaps¡­¡±

    Meanwhile, Chris had just climbed into Maxwell¡¯s vehicle after leaving Starlight Bar.

    In truth, it had been Chris¡¯s suggestion for Vincenzo to pretend to be a buyer and make contact.

    .

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 Chapter 114

    ?Chapter 114:

    Hearing Vincenzo¡¯s call, Maxwell switched to speaker mode. After absorbing the details, he turned and shot a questioning nce at Chris, silently seeking his verdict on the matter concerning his woman.

    Chris arched an eyebrow, the sharp angle of his jaw tipping slightly in silent consent.

    Catching the message, Maxwell replied, ¡°Tell her you¡¯re the purchaser. Once you have it in hand, give it back to her. That way, you honor your debt.¡±

    Relieved, Vincenzo expressed his gratitude profusely. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Payne. You¡¯re wee to anything from my collection!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care for those trinkets,¡± Maxwell replied bluntly, cutting the call short. He tossed an amused look over his shoulder at Chris and chuckled. ¡°Tsk, tsk. They weren¡¯t kidding when they said men would pay any price for the women they love. Chris, once she finds out you spent 150 million to get her keepsake back, she¡¯ll be overwhelmed.¡±

    Chris, lounging in a rxed sprawl, his long legs making the spacious car seem cramped, gave off an aura of effortless authority.

    A glint of cold warning shed in his striking eyes as he shot Maxwell a chilling nce ¡ª one that screamed enough.

    Maxwell immediately zipped his lips, sensing the unspoken threat, and said nothing more.

    Sliding his phone back into his pocket, Vincenzo turned toward Maia with a casual smile. ¡°No need to be upset, miss. Truth is¡­ I¡¯m actually the one who bought the bracelet online.¡±

    At his words, Maia¡¯s lips lifted ever so slightly. She tilted her head, disbelief clouding her eyes. ¡°You? Why would you do that?¡±

    ¡°The instant I spotted the bracelet in the photo, I knew it was special. This isn¡¯t just some old piece of jewelry. It¡¯s a relic from an ancient civilization, more than a thousand years old. Its true worth is beyond imagining.¡± Vincenzo darted a quick nce at her, a flicker of unease betraying hisposed front. ¡°You know how much I love collecting rare artifacts, so¡­¡±

    Feel the magic on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    Even though Vincenzo barely knew the first thing about wine, he had no equal when it came to antiques.

    ¡°One hundred and fifty million dors was actually a conservative estimate. The true value of this bracelet can¡¯t be measured in money.¡±

    Back when Maxwell had first asked for an appraisal, Vincenzo had purposefully set the price high. After careful thought, he finally named the 150-million-dor figure, knowing that undervaluing the piece could scare the owner off.

    Hearing this, Maia froze where she sat, unable to hide the shock shing through her eyes.

    Never had she imagined that Vicki¡¯s bracelet carried such staggering worth. The realization hit her hard ¡ª Vicki had entrusted her with something priceless, and she had failed to guard it properly.

    Determined not to crumble, Maia straightened and met Vincenzo¡¯s gaze, her voice steady but carrying a quiet plea. ¡°Mr. Casadei, you once told me that if I ever needed anything, you¡¯d help me. Does that promise still stand?¡±

    A knowing smile tugged at Vincenzo¡¯s mouth as he caught the deeper meaning behind her words. ¡°Of course, miss. That bracelet belongs to you. Once it¡¯s in my hands, I¡¯ll make sure it finds its way back to you, no strings attached. Consider it a gesture of thanks.¡±

    Atst, Maia let go of the breath she had been holding, and a small smile touched her lips. ¡°Actually, I have a n. There¡¯s a way to get the bracelet back without spending a dime. Would you be willing to hear me out?¡±

    Blinking in surprise, Vincenzo leaned slightly forward. ¡°Really? What kind of n?¡±

    Leaning in, Maia whispered a few short sentences into his ear, her voice low and full of mischief.

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 Chapter 115

    ?Chapter 115:

    For a moment, Vincenzo hesitated.

    It wasn¡¯t like him to meddle in shady schemes. His reputation had been built on clean deals. But as he weighed the situation, he reminded himself of the truth ¡ª Maia had been robbed of what was rightfully hers.

    Lured by Rosanna¡¯s lies, she had walked straight into an underground ck market while chasing the bracelet. It was obvious now just how vicious Rosanna¡¯s intentions had been. She had wanted not only to block Maia from getting the bracelet back but also to make sure she paid a heavy price for even trying.

    And in situations like this, it felt only right that a deceiver be outwitted by their own game.

    The doubt in Vincenzo¡¯s face melted into a determined resolve. He gave a firm nod.

    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s make it happen.¡±

    Early the next morning, Rosanna was already wide awake, practically buzzing with excitement.

    During the night, one of the two deep-pocketed bidders had pulled out of the auction, settling the final price at a staggering two hundred and forty million dors.

    Without wasting a second, she had reached out to the remaining buyer, worried they might backpedal on the deal, and locked in a meeting for nine o¡¯clock sharp.

    Her original n had been to keep the bracelet as a way to control Maia. But stacked against a payday of two hundred and forty million, that idea now seemedughable.

    Selling the bracelet as fast as possible was the smarter move. Dragging things out would only invite trouble.

    After wrapping the bracelet carefully, Rosanna tucked it into her bag. As she made her way out of her room, a bubbling sense of triumph took hold, and she struggled to hide the grin breaking across her face.

    Stay connected g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s

    However, just as she reached the staircase, she bumped into Jarrod, who was just stepping out of his room.

    Still half-asleep, Jarrod squinted at Rosanna, noticing her dressed and ready to leave, and shot her a questioning look. ¡°Heading out this early, Rosanna?¡±

    Snapping herself back intoposure, Rosanna quickly pressed her lips together and threw out a casual excuse. ¡°I¡¯m meeting up with Stacy for some shopping.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Stacy again? She used to be a makeup counter saleswoman. After knowing you, she used your connection to hook up with those rich men, and she¡¯s even willing to be a mistress. She¡¯s scheming and unscrupulous. You should stop associating with her.¡±

    In his eyes, Stacy had never been worth much. It was clear that she was using Rosanna as a stepping stone to climb higher. Yet Rosanna, too kind and too trusting, had weed her without a second thought.

    Jarrod¡¯s disgust had only deepened after learning that Maia had gotten mixed up with a simr type of man.

    Badpany tended to rub off, and he feared Rosanna might start picking up the same tricks.

    Tightening her grip on her bag, Rosanna rolled her eyes and brushed past the topic with a quick turn. ¡°Anyway, how¡¯s your situation going?¡±

    Hearing the mention of the kidnapping and the embarrassment he had suffered the day before made Jarrod¡¯s temples throb with irritation.

    ¡°Nothing yet. Now that you mention it, I should head to the police station and push them a little. If they keep stalling, I¡¯ll make sure they have no choice but to move.¡±

    Muttering under his breath, he turned back to his room to wash up and get ready.

    Watching him retreat, Rosanna finally let her guard down. Without wasting another second, she slipped out of the house and followed the address the buyer had given her, arriving in front of a jewelry and antique shop.

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 Chapter 116

    ?Chapter 116:

    The jewelry boutique stood among Wront¡¯s oldest and most respected establishments. Although it couldn¡¯t match the grandeur of Radiant Jewels or Annie Crystal, it still carried a respectable weight in the city¡¯s jewelry scene. Rosanna strode to the front desk and gave the receptionist her appointment details.

    Momentster, Vincenzo, having been alerted, made his way down from the second floor.

    ¡°You must be Miss Morgan, right?¡± he asked with courteous ease as he approached.

    Rosanna arched a brow, her expression tinged with pride. ¡°Yes.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Vincenzo guided her to the VIP lounge, instructing the staff to serve her coffee and an assortment of refreshments.

    Once she wasfortably settled and thoroughly pampered, Vincenzo kept his pleasant smile intact. ¡°Miss Morgan, did you bring the item I requested?¡±

    From her bag, Rosanna retrieved a carefully wrapped bracelet. As she extended her hand, she suddenly pulled back, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. ¡°Are you really prepared to pay two hundred and forty million dors for this bracelet?¡±

    Vincenzo¡¯s face didn¡¯t so much as twitch; his voice remained steady. ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ transfer the money first. Once I confirm the funds are in my ount, I¡¯ll give you the bracelet,¡± Rosanna said, pretending to stay calm even though she wasn¡¯t used to handling deals like this.

    Vincenzo let out a soft chuckle. ¡°Please rest assured, Miss Morgan. Once the bracelet is authenticated and proven genuine, the full amount will be transferred to you.¡±

    ¡°Authenticate?¡± Rosanna¡¯s frown deepened slightly.

    ¡°Miss Morgan, you must know that authenticating valuable jewelry is standard practice before any purchase. Without it, how could I be sure what you¡¯re offering is genuine and not a counterfeit?¡± Vincenzo¡¯s expression stayedposed and unreadable, as if he were merelymenting on a matter of routine.

    Get the newest chapters g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls

    Rosanna thought for a moment. It did make sense.

    After all, two hundred and forty million wasn¡¯t pocket change. It was only natural for the buyer to proceed with caution.

    Her eyes wandered across the boutique, taking in the vintage decor that whispered of Wront¡¯s history.

    Standing before her, Vincenzo looked every inch the part of a refined gentleman, his understated luxury speaking louder than any shy disy.

    He didn¡¯t seem like the type to deceive her.

    Swayed by her own reasoning, Rosanna asked, ¡°How will the authentication be done?¡±

    Vincenzo motioned toward the rear of the second floor. ¡°We have a fully equipped authentication room with professional appraisers and advanced tools. Miss Morgan, you only need to wait here a short while.¡±

    Rosanna followed his gesture with her eyes. ¡°Can I observe the authentication?¡±

    ¡°Apologies, Miss Morgan. Only certified appraisers are allowed inside, due to the delicate nature of the instruments. However, the process is recorded, and you¡¯re wee to review the footage whenever you wish.¡±

    That exnation finally eased the knot of worry in Rosanna¡¯s chest.

    She had studied jewelry design in college and knew firsthand how meticulous authentication work could be.

    Even a minor error could spell disaster. The more experienced the appraiser, the less interference they tolerated.

    And boutiques of this caliber certainly didn¡¯t hire amateurs.

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 Chapter 117

    ?Chapter 117:

    With this in mind, Rosanna didn¡¯t think any further. She handed the bracelet to Vincenzo. ¡°Alright, but please hurry. I¡¯m in a bit of a rush.¡±

    With a polite smile, Vincenzo, wearing pristine white gloves, took the bracelet and ced it into a velvet-lined box. ¡°Miss Morgan, please wait here for a moment.¡±

    Turning on his heel, he headed back upstairs.

    Once he was gone, Rosanna released a long, shaky breath and sank into the sofa¡¯s embrace.

    Despite her return to the Morgan family and the sophistication she had since acquired, her roots in the slums left her unprepared for handling such high-stakes negotiations alone.

    In front of Vincenzo, she had kept a wless facade ofposure.

    But inside, her heart was hammering with exhration.

    It felt like a dream ¡ª one that fate had finally granted after seventeen long years of hardship as the rightful Morgan daughter.

    Rosanna¡¯s mind raced ahead, already nning how she would spend her newfound fortune.

    Her first n was to enlist her designer friends to help her track down the Blue Sea.

    Rosanna always imed what she desired.

    If Maia had it, then she needed it too ¡ª no exceptions.

    The Blue Sea dress rarely stayed on shelves, with resellers snapping up the few avable pieces and inting their prices to outrageous levels.

    Its resale price had soared tenfold, cing it far beyond the reach of most socialites. That unattainability was exactly what made it a symbol of elite status.

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    Now, with 1.8 billion within reach, Rosanna could easily afford it, no matter the markup.

    MCN might have cklisted her, but money would open doors. Once she wore the Blue Sea to her engagement party with Vince, she would surely outshine everyone and reim her ce at the center of the socialite world.

    As Rosanna reveled in her fantasies, Vincenzo reappeared from the second floor, carrying the bracelet¡¯s box.

    Rosanna could practically see her ount bnce soaring. Bursting with excitement, she jumped up and blurted, ¡°You can transfer the money now, right?¡±

    But Vincenzo¡¯s face had hardened. He leveled a cold look at Rosanna and said, ¡°Sorry, Miss Morgan. After authentication, we¡¯ve concluded that your bracelet is a counterfeit.¡±

    Boom! Rosanna¡¯s mind reeled as if struck by lightning.

    She stood frozen, eyes wide, stammering, ¡°What¡­ did you just say?¡±

    Vincenzo calmly offered the box he carried. ¡°This bracelet is a replica. We can¡¯t proceed with the purchase. Kindly reim it.¡±

    Rosanna jerked the box from his grasp, hastily lifting the lid. She retrieved the bracelet and scrutinized it, flipping it in her fingers again and again ¡ª yet it appeared unchanged. Whispering in stunned disbelief, she said, ¡°No way¡­ This isn¡¯t possible¡­ It¡¯s exactly the one you requested. It¡¯s identical!¡±

    ¡°Miss,¡± Vincenzo replied, clearing his throat, ¡°forgeries and originals often mirror each other closely. Without a specialist¡¯s assessment, especially with artifacts like this, telling them apart can be nearly impossible.¡± He eyed her briefly before adding, ¡°Frankly, you¡¯re not alone. Several individuals have already tried to sell simr copies here. Unfortunately, like you, none of them brought the real thing.¡±

    Rosanna stumbled backward, momentarily overwhelmed.

    It felt as if the fortune she¡¯d dreamed of had crumbled into ashes. The blow left her numbed, like someone cursed by fate.

    ¡°Miss, if there¡¯s nothing else, take care. Have a nice one,¡± Vincenzo said crisply, turning his back on her without another nce.

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 Chapter 118

    ?Chapter 118:

    Rosanna stood there, paralyzed for several long seconds.

    Her nails dug sharply into her palms as realization set in.

    Of course. She should have known. If this piece had truly been so priceless, why would the old woman have hidden it from the world and entrusted it only to Maia?

    ording to what the shop owner had just said, there seemed to be many counterfeits of this bracelet, and the one in her possession was clearly one of them.

    How gullible she had been.

    She almost forgot. Maia was nothing but an imposter herself. An imposter could only deserve counterfeit goods.

    Anger boiling inside her, Rosanna lifted her hand, ready to smash the bracelet into pieces, but stopped mid-motion. She remembered ¡ª Maia probably hadn¡¯t yet discovered that the bracelet Vicki left was worthless.

    With the shop¡¯s recent purchases causing a buzz online, Maia had surely heard the news by now.

    She would undoubtedly scramble to reim the bracelet.

    And that was Rosanna¡¯s golden chance to trap her.

    Swallowing her rage, Rosanna inhaled deeply and slid the bracelet carefully back into her purse.

    Meanwhile, on the second floor, Maia sat quietly in the appraisal room, her vision swimming with tears as she stared at the deep green bracelet before her.

    She extended trembling fingers, tenderly cupping the item she had fought so hard to retrieve.

    No matter its mary value, even if it were just an ordinary trinket from a street vendor, it was priceless to Maia.

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    It was the only treasure her beloved Vicki had left her.

    ¡°Grandma¡­¡± Maia choked out softly, her nose stinging. ¡°I finally have it back. I won¡¯t let it slip away again.¡±

    She pressed the bracelet to her heart, murmuring to it as if speaking across worlds.

    Opposite her, Vincenzo exhaled heavily, his chest tight with emotion.

    Earlier, once the authenticity test wasplete, he had discreetly exchanged the real bracelet for a decoy he had prepared. His hand movements were so precise that even cameras wouldn¡¯t catch the switch.

    Years operating within the shadowy markets had honed his sleight of hand into an art form. Though he had vowed never to use those skills for personal gain, he broke that rule today ¡ª for Maia. It was not only because she had once saved him, but because Rosanna, in his eyes, had brought this upon herself. To Vincenzo, this was rightful retribution.

    Thus, he felt no remorse ¡ª only a fiercer loyalty to Maia.

    ¡°Miss Watson, what¡¯s your next move? If she uncovers the swap, there could be trouble¡­¡± Vincenzo said uncertainly.

    Maia¡¯s lips curled into a sly grin. She lifted her gaze, amber eyes gleaming with mischief. ¡°I want her to realize it. She needs to know exactly what happens when one tries to trick me.¡±

    Seeing Vincenzo¡¯s puzzled look, Maia gave a soft, confidentugh. ¡°Rx, Mr. Casadei,¡± she said smoothly. ¡°I¡¯ve already ounted for every possibility.¡±

    Elsewhere, Jarrod stormed into the police department, demanding answers about his case.

    Because his scandal had already ignited massive attention online, the authorities had worked nonstop through the night since receiving hisint.

    Yet the officer on duty informed him, ¡°Sorry, but so far, we haven¡¯t uncovered any conclusive proof that you were abducted.¡±

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 Chapter 119

    ?Chapter 119:

    ¡°What?¡± Jarrod roared furiously, jabbing a finger at the officer. ¡°Are you suggesting I voluntarily went wandering into abandoned slums to party with a bunch of ragged old hags? Am I insane? Where¡¯s the security footage? The karaoke bar ¡ª they must have surveince! Did you even bother checking?¡±

    Though annoyed, the officer kept his tone even. ¡°We reviewed every tape from the locations you mentioned. Unfortunately, either the cameras were malfunctioning or the footage had already been erased. Even our tech experts couldn¡¯t retrieve anything. As for the shack where you im you were confined, no fingerprints or tangible evidence were found. I understand how angry you are now, but mere words are useless. We need proof.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s fury only deepened.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious someone messed with the surveince footage on purpose? They set me up!¡± Jarrod mmed his fist against the counter, his voice sharp with frustration.

    Across from him, the officer stayed calm and answered, ¡°I get why you¡¯re upset, but investigations need evidence. Without hard proof, we can¡¯t just hand out verdicts.¡±

    Boiling over with rage, Jarrodunched into a string of curses. ¡°What kind of useless cops are you? You can¡¯t even solve a simple case! Why are you even here? You¡­¡±

    With a sharp re, the officer cut him off and said in a chilling tone, ¡°Badmouthing the police in public is a serious crime. Keep it up, and you might just find yourself locked behind bars.¡±

    For a moment, Jarrod stood frozen, his mouth half-open but no wordsing out.

    Boiling with anger butpletely helpless, he could only slink away from the station, shame burning his cheeks and fear settling deep in his gut.

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    Meanwhile, a female officer approached her colleague, giving him a light pat on the back. ¡°Rich punks like him think the world owes them something. Always throwing their weight around. Whoever put him in his ce this time? Honestly, I hope it sticks. Maybe he¡¯ll finally learn he can¡¯t buy his way out of everything.¡±

    Over the years, Jarrod¡¯s name had been a regr sight in their files ¡ª bar fights, public disturbances, petty harassment.

    Most of the time, he leaned on his family¡¯s wealth and influence to walk away clean, usually after targeting people without the means to fight back.

    This time, however, someone powerful had clearly stepped in to deliver justice, leaving Jarrod utterly humiliated. The officers couldn¡¯t help but admire whoever was behind it.

    Outside, standing under the harsh morning sun, Jarrod¡¯s anger simmered into a gnawing sense of dread.

    For the first time, he truly wondered who could have set such a perfect trap. The person not only kidnapped him without leaving a single trace but also wiped out every shred of evidence afterward. It was no amateur, that much he knew. But who hated him enough to go this far?

    He wracked his brain, thinking back. Other than a few nasty run-ins with Maia recently, nothing serious came to mind. He had beenying lowtely. Perhaps Maia had done this? No, impossible.

    Jarrod quickly dismissed the thought. Not only was Maia unlikely to have the resources to pull off something like this, but she¡¯d been his sister for seventeen years. There was no way she¡¯d resort to such cruel measures to destroy himpletely.

    The memory of that awful night hit him hard. If he hadn¡¯t knocked himself out in time, those old women might have done things so horrible that he would rather be dead. The thought made his stomach turn. Maia knew him too well to ever use that against him. Still, if not her, then who?

    The more Jarrod thought, the worse his headache got, the answer slipping away like smoke through his fingers.

    By the time he reached the parking lot, he was close to unraveling. How on earth was he supposed to face Richard now?

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 Chapter 120

    ?Chapter 120:

    Dragging himself back to the Morgan estate, Jarrod nearly collided with Rosanna right at the gate. She had juste home too, looking no better than he did.

    Both of them stopped in their tracks, staring at each other with hollow eyes.

    Earlier that morning, both of them had left the house brimming with energy. Now, they looked like the life had been knocked right out of them, worn down by the day¡¯s unseen battles.

    Without saying a word, Jarrod slipped past her and headed upstairs, desperate to dodge any ufortable questions about the police investigation. Thest thing he wanted was to be humiliated in front of his sister.

    Meanwhile, Rosanna sank onto the living room sofa, the weight of the day pulling her down. Just then, her phone rang.

    It was a call from Stacy.

    Rosanna answered, her voice barely above a whisper, ¡°Hello?¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡­ what¡¯s going on with you?¡± asked Stacy, picking up on her foul mood instantly.

    ¡°I¡¯m just not in the mood,¡± Rosanna replied.

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly why you need to get out! If you¡¯re in a bad mood, having some fun is the best fix! Don¡¯t forget about tonight¡¯s Wront gathering! You promised you¡¯de with me!¡±

    Closing her eyes, Rosanna rubbed her aching temples. The disaster of her day had pushed tonight¡¯s eventpletely out of her mind.

    It had taken endless scheming and persistence for her to squeeze herself into the Wront socialite circle, finally earning a seat at their precious gatherings.

    Even dragging Stacy along had been a calcted move.

    Unforgettable stories on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s??o??

    Still, Rosanna¡¯s standing in the group was shaky at best.

    Every few months, the Wrontdies met up ¡ª not to bond, but to show off. Designer bags, custom outfits, sparkling jewels. That was the real agenda.

    Stacy¡¯s presence sometimes made Rosanna shine a little brighter byparison, butpared to the real socialites, she still felt like an outsider desperately trying to belong.

    In that circle, the ultimate prize was the Blue Sea dress, which was so legendary that none of them had managed to snag it.

    Thinking about it made Rosanna clench her fists in frustration.

    As her eyes drifted to the silver bracelet circling her wrist, a spark of inspiration lit up inside her.

    Who said she had nothing to show off tonight?

    If she unted this bracelet the right way, the others would see how deeply Vince valued her.

    It was the one thing she could unt that would make those socialites envious. Feeling lighter already, Rosanna grinned and said to Stacy, ¡°Of course, I didn¡¯t forget. We¡¯re going together tonight.¡±

    After thanking Vincenzo, Maia made her way straight to the Marvelous Gardenplex.

    She could not afford to skip preparing Kathie¡¯s special restorative dishes.

    Once everything was packed and ready, Maia headed over to the Primary Healthcare Center and slipped into Kathie¡¯s hospital room.

    Surprisingly, Ethan was nowhere in sight.

    While opening the lunchbox and neatly ting the food, Maia asked in an easygoing tone, ¡°Where did Ethan disappear to?¡±

    Kathie offered a helpless smile and exined, ¡°Since I have a full-time nurse looking after me now, Ethan figured he wasn¡¯t needed. He knew you wereing with food, so he disappeared early this morning.¡±

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 Chapter 121

    ?Chapter 121:

    Everything about the VIP ward¡¯s service was meticulous andforting, right down to the smallest details.

    Earlier, Maia had informed the staff that she would be dropping off homemade meals every day. In addition to Kathie¡¯s restorative foods, she always packed a filling, nutrient-rich meal just for Ethan too.

    Years of hardship had carved deep marks into Ethan¡¯s body, leaving him thin and fragile from long-term malnourishment.

    Yettely, whenever Maia dropped by, Ethan seemed to vanish without a trace. Thankfully, the VIP amenities included a microwave, so he could still enjoy a hot mealter.

    ¡°It¡¯s a bit tight here, and kids his age are always full of energy. Once you¡¯re out, I¡¯ll make sure you and Ethan have a better ce to stay,¡± Maia said calmly.

    Kathie gave her a long look, her lips parting as if to speak before she silently thought better of it.

    Kathie didn¡¯t mind her own circumstances, but Ethan was already a young man. Staying in their cramped, rundown shack in the slums was no longer appropriate. She had no choice but to trouble Maia.

    Once they finished eating, Maia stayed for a while, chatting lightly with Kathie to keep herpany.

    Before long, the afternoon passed, and Maia headed home to prepare the evening batch of restorative food.

    To maximize their healing benefits, Maia had learned from doctors that the restorative foods needed to be eaten while they were fresh.

    Back at Marvelous Garden, Maia was busy chopping and stirring when the lively tune of her ringtone filled the kitchen.

    Without even checking the screen, she tapped the answer button and kept her focus on her cooking.

    Don¡¯t miss it: g?l§Úov???.c§àm

    ¡°Maia.¡± The overly sweet voice on the other end came through the speaker.

    Arching a brow with a hint of amusement, Maia muttered to herself, ¡°That was fast.¡±

    She kept her voice casual as she asked, ¡°What do you need?¡±

    With a soft, delicate voice, Rosanna said, ¡°We¡¯re having a small get-together tonight. If you¡¯re free, I¡¯d love for you toe.¡±

    Just as Maia opened her mouth to speak, Rosanna quickly added, ¡°After you brought it up yesterday, I suddenly remembered something about my grandmother¡¯s bracelet. If youe tonight, I¡¯ll¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± Maia replied decisively.

    A slow, satisfied smile tugged at Rosanna¡¯s lips.

    It yed out exactly as she expected. The moment she dangled the bracelet in front of Maia, she bit.

    ¡°I¡¯ll send you the address. Be there at seven sharp,¡± Rosanna said.

    Once she dropped off Kathie¡¯s meal, Maia headed straight to the address Rosanna had sent, finding herself standing outside a private club.

    Inside, Chris sipped his drink,ughing with rowdy friends, while Cooper family spies kept a quiet watch nearby. Whenever they did, he slipped into the reckless yboy persona they expected him to be.

    Laughter and smoke clouded the private room, and every man had a lightly dressed woman clinging to his side.

    Chris was no exception.

    His hand rested lightly on the sofa behind the woman sitting next to him, making it seem as if he was holding her. In reality, he hadn¡¯t touched her at all. Meanwhile, the woman beside him seemed thrilled beyond measure, even though she had met¡­

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 Chapter 122

    ?Chapter 122:

    Plenty of rich young heirs, but Chris¡¯bination of perfect physique and good looks had her cheeks turning red.

    There was something dangerous about his good looks¡ªa maic mix of unruly charm and effortless elegance that shed in the most intoxicating way. With aid-back ease, he stretched out on the sofa, his shirt cor falling open to show corbones that looked like they had been shaped with an artist¡¯s careful touch. His sleeves, pushed up carelessly, revealed a glimpse of his strong forearm.

    One look was all it took to set wild imaginations spinning, pulling people closer without a second thought.

    Sensing an opportunity, the woman inched closer, sending him a series of lingering, flirtatious nces.

    But the sickly-sweet stench of her cheap perfume turned Chris¡¯ stomach. Without a word, he pushed himself off the sofa and muttered, ¡°I need to take a call.¡±

    With long strides, he left the private room.

    While the others stayed busy having fun, no one seemed to notice him. The woman next to him, feeling ignored, pressed her lips together in quiet frustration.

    Finding a quiet spot in the hallway, Chris leaned against the wall, one knee bent casually. He lit a cigarette, the glow briefly illuminating his sharp features as he blew a slow stream of smoke into the air.

    But his mind wasn¡¯t on the party, the drinks, or the smoke. All he could think about was Maia.

    What was she doing right now?

    Inside another private room,

    Initially, Rosanna had nned to arrive with Stacy, but ast-minute issue dyed her friend¡¯s arrival.

    Every journey starts at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c????

    Right now, a small crowd of Wront¡¯s elite young women had circled around Rosanna, their eyes locked on the sparkling Radiant Jewels bracelet wrapped around her wrist ¡ª a piece worth more than four hundred thousand dors.

    ¡°Rosanna, Vince must be crazy about you to give such an extravagant gift. Are you two getting engaged soon?¡± someone asked enviously.

    ¡°Hmm,¡± Rosanna shyly pressed her lips together and responded softly.

    ¡°It¡¯s amazing how life turned around for Rosanna! After spending all those years away from the Morgans, she came back and swept Vince right off his feet. That impostor never stood a chance!¡±

    ¡°You really hit the jackpot, Rosanna. The Ward family is way out of our league. We couldn¡¯t even dream of breathing the same air as them. Who would have guessed they had a marriage agreement lined up with the Morgans?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Once you marry Vince, you¡¯ll be living on another level altogether. Bet you won¡¯t even nce back at small gatherings like this!¡±

    Admiration mixed with jealousy filled their every word.

    This kind of talk, though, was exactly what fed Rosanna¡¯s vanity.

    Her marriage agreement with Vince did little to change the fact that years spent in a slum made the true upper-ss socialites look down on her. Before she could officially be part of the Ward family, she was forced to maintain shallow friendships with the lower-tier socialites.

    It was the only way to keep her less-than-morous past hidden.

    Rosanna¡¯s voice turned sweet as she said, ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be silly. Even after I marry Vince, you¡¯ll still be my closest friends.¡±

    ¡°Hey, Rosanna, didn¡¯t you say that impostor was supposed to show up today? Where is she?¡± someone asked curiously.

    Before Rosanna could reply, another woman scoffed, ¡°You know, it would have been better if you had left her out. This is supposed to be our time together. Letting someone with a prison record hang around is just inviting bad luck.¡±

    With a graceful motion, Rosanna tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and said softly¡­

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 Chapter 123

    ?Chapter 123:

    ¡°She¡¯s fresh out of prison, and honestly, she¡¯s been avoiding the Morgan family out of stubborn pride. She¡¯s broke now, barely scraping by among the poor. I only invited her because she used to be a part of our circle. I thought if she saw some familiar faces, maybe it would remind her of what she¡¯s lost ¡ª and maybe you could help me convince her to stop dragging herself down.¡±

    Every word from Rosanna sounded dripping with kindness, but it was enough to stir the room into a storm.

    ¡°Wait, are you saying she¡¯s hanging around with those kinds of people? From the slums?¡±

    ¡°How tragic. I hear the stench from those areas sticks to your clothes. I hope she doesn¡¯t stink up the whole room!¡±

    ¡°Seriously, Rosanna, you¡¯re too kind. Someone like her doesn¡¯t deserve to breathe the same air as us.¡±

    ¡°Quick, call her and tell her to stay away. We don¡¯t need her dragging bad luck into our night!¡±

    Rosanna faltered, her voice soft with hesitation. ¡°I already sent her the invitation¡­ Wouldn¡¯t it seem rude if we¡ª¡±

    The words barely left her mouth when the door swung open with a soft creak.

    Every head turned sharply toward the entrance.

    Standing in the doorway, Maia wore a simple white V-neck blouse tucked into a high-waisted denim skirt that framed her slim waist. Brown high-heeled boots rose halfway up her legs, and a small crossbody bag hung loosely from her shoulder, adding to her casual confidence.

    Compared to the heavy makeup and shy dresses of the women inside, Maia¡¯s effortless style struck like a bolt of lightning. Light makeup highlighted her clean, natural beauty, putting their painted faces to shame.

    Eyes locked on Maia for a few seconds, and the room fell into stunned silence, a flicker of astonishment slipping through. In no time, though, that astonishment gave way to jealousy.

    L?t£åst ch?pt?rs in g??lnovels.??¦Ï??

    It was as if they were only now realizing how truly breathtaking she was.

    Four years in prison had changed her in ways they hadn¡¯t expected.

    The so-called elite women shifted ufortably in their seats, biting down jealous thoughts that bubbled too close to the surface.

    So what if she was pretty? No matter how she looked, she was still just an ex-convict.

    Worse yet, she was scraping by in the slums, probably wearing an outfit that cost less than their shoes. Pathetic. That was what she was.

    Rosanna vividly remembered the first time she met Maia four years ago. Back then, even though Maia was the daughter of the Morgan family, she had only worn a loose T-shirt and had no makeup on.

    Yet even then, something about her simple look had stirred up Rosanna¡¯s deep, bitter unease. And now, Maia ¡ª with nothing but a in outfit and a trace of makeup ¡ª hadpletely shattered the fragile confidence Rosanna clung to.

    Years ago, Maia had cared about appearances. She had chosen in clothes and a bare face only after Vince had casually mentioned that he liked girls who looked natural and untouched. Eager to please, she had molded herself to fit that innocent image.

    Looking back now, she wished she could reach into the past and smack some sense into her naive younger self.

    ¡°Sorry I¡¯mte,¡± Maia said as she walked over and took a seat beside Rosanna, her face adorned with a faint smile.

    With a forced smile, Rosanna said, ¡°Maia, let me introduce you. These are my friends. I thought you might want to get acquainted with people from the upper circles. It¡¯ll be good for you.¡±

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 Chapter 124

    ?Chapter 124:

    Upper circles?

    Letting her gaze drift across the room, Maia took in the so-called elite socialites. From their clothes and the way they carried themselves, it was clear they were barely clinging to the lowest level of high society.

    Still, she said nothing. Instead, Maia¡¯s lips curled into a half-smile, her voice light. ¡°Sounds wonderful. I¡¯m looking forward to it.¡±

    A haughty socialite flicked a nce at Maia and sneered, ¡°Word is you¡¯re going by Watson now. But did you know? Vince gave Rosanna a Radiant Jewels bracelet worth over four hundred thousand dors ¡ª a bracelet that screams luxury and exclusivity! He absolutely spoils her. And you know what¡¯s funny? Someone used to chase after Vince shamelessly for years, but rumor has it he never even gave her so much as a knockoff.¡±

    ¡°Please. A woman who¡¯s been locked up has no businesspeting with Rosanna. Vince has good eyes. He wouldn¡¯t settle for secondhand.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s out of the Morgan family now. Four hundred thousand? She¡¯ll be lucky if she ever sees four thousand!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s sunk so far that she¡¯s running around with those from the slums. Forget about four hundred thousand ¡ª she probably wouldn¡¯t even be able to pay three hundred!¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t have the money, but that¡¯s never stopped her from stealing! Wasn¡¯t it because she swiped a Radiant Jewels piece that shended herself behind bars?¡±

    The insults flew like darts, but Maia only let out a low, amused chuckle.

    Her attention shiftedzily to Rosanna¡¯s wrist.

    Sensing Maia¡¯s gaze, Rosanna gave a dramatic toss of her hair, shing the bracelet as if she were modeling it for a catalog.

    New updates in g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    The sight made Maia want tough out loud.

    So Vince really recycled gifts. Either he was cutting corners, or Rosanna was shameless enough to strut around in a hand-me-down without blinking. Rather than trade jabs, Maia simply raised her own hand and rested it on the table. A glint of green caught the light ¡ª a wless emerald bracelet encircled her wrist.

    Sharp-eyed as ever, one socialite gasped and leaned in.

    ¡°Wait ¡ª isn¡¯t that the bracelet that¡¯s been blowing up online? The one someone offered 150 million dors for?¡±

    ¡°What?!¡±

    In a blink, the entire room descended into chaos.

    ¡°It seriously looks like the real thing. Could it actually be?¡±

    ¡°Impossible! There¡¯s no way she could afford something that insane. It¡¯s gotta be a fake.¡±

    ¡°Fake or not, it¡¯s still pathetic. Even her jewelry¡¯s a knockoff.¡±

    Across from them, Rosanna¡¯s eyes suddenly widened, her pupils shrinking as she whipped around and seized Maia¡¯s wrist. ¡°Where¡­ where did you get this bracelet?¡±

    With a serene twist of her hand, Maia slipped free of Rosanna¡¯s grip and gave a soft, knowing smile. ¡°Vicki left it to me. Naturally, it belongs to me.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s voice cracked as she shouted, ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡±

    She almost blurted out that it had been in her possession but quickly caught herself, changing her tune. ¡°It was clearly something I sold a long time ago!¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Maia¡¯s smile vanished, reced by a chilling stare. ¡°You say you sold it long ago. Then exin why I heard you tried pawning it off this morning at a jewelry collector¡¯s shop?¡±

    Murmurs of confusion spread across the room. From what they could piece together, the bracelet Maia wore might really be the one that had set the inte on fire. But how could that be possible?

    The socialites stared, bewildered and increasingly uneasy.

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 Chapter 125

    ?Chapter 125:

    Rosanna stiffened, her face draining of color. ¡°You knew I was there?¡± As realization struck, panic twisted her features. ¡°It was you! You must have worked with the shop owner ¡ª you switched my bracelet, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    Rather than answer outright, Maia simply smiled, letting the silence confirm everything.

    Losing what littleposure she had left, Rosanna sprang to her feet, jabbing a trembling finger at Maia. ¡°She¡¯s the thief! She stole my bracelet!¡±

    The room erupted in low gasps and hurried whispers.

    ¡°Rosanna, is it true? Is that really the bracelet that¡¯s been all over the inte?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious. There¡¯s no way you actually own something that valuable.¡±

    ¡°Fake or not, it¡¯s not even worth the attention. Let¡¯s not waste our breath.¡±

    Across the room, Rosanna¡¯s vision blurred with rage.

    She knew better than anyone ¡ª Maia would never stage a show like this over a cheap knockoff.

    Inside, the truth hit her like a blow. Maia had crushed herst shot at striking it rich.

    Everything Rosanna had dreamed of¡­ Maia had snatched away without a second thought.

    ¡°Maia, hand over the bracelet!¡± Rosanna shouted, her mind clouded with desperation. All she could think about was getting the bracelet back.

    That bracelet was worth 150 million dors.

    She hurled herself toward Maia, reaching out to snatch it, but Maia slipped out of her grasp with ease.

    Around them, the socialites froze in shock. Never had they seen Rosanna so unhinged, so desperate.

    L??t??¦Ó ?h??¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??§àm

    Was it possible that the bracelet was genuine? If it truly was the legendary piece everyone whispered about ¡ª the one valued at 150 million ¡ª then they would have struck gold. It did not matter whether it was authentic or not. Whoever seized it first woulde out on top.

    Within seconds, greed took over. Like a pack of rabid wolves, the socialites lunged at Maia, desperate to rip the bracelet from her wrist.

    The chaos knocked Rosanna off bnce. She hit the floor hard, and no matter how she iled or screamed, no one bothered to help her.

    Chaos swallowed the room whole. Friends turned into enemies in an instant. With a flick of her wrist, Maia tossed a bracelet onto the couch ¡ª a piece she had prepared in advance, matching the original in both shade and design. The private room was poorly lit, making it impossible for anyone to notice if it was the same bracelet she had worn before. Not that it mattered. All that filled their minds was the need to im it, and within seconds, the room erupted into chaos.

    Using the uproar to her advantage, Maia quietly slipped out.

    At the door, she turned back to nce at the so-called socialites, now red-faced and even physically fighting over the bracelet. Her lips curled into a cold, mocking smile.

    Without another nce, she turned, pushed the door open, and walked away without hesitation.

    At the far end of the club¡¯s hallway, a woman with dramatic makeup floated by, her attention snagging on a tall, maic figure.

    He lounged with effortless ease against the wall, a cigarette dangling between his elegant fingers.

    His eyes were slightly lowered, and a thin stream of white smoke escaped from his lips. The dazzling neon lights cast a kaleidoscope of colors over his sharp, chiseled profile.

    The shifting neon lights painted his sculpted features in a thousand dazzling hues, making him look more cinematic than any heartthrob on screen.

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 Chapter 126

    ?Chapter 126:

    The woman¡¯s heart skipped a beat.

    With a slow, seductive sway, she strutted over, halting before him. Tossing her hair over one shoulder, she purred, ¡°Hey, gorgeous. Smoking alone? Need somepany?¡±

    Her delicate fingers brushed his arm, her body leaning forward with practiced allure.

    Chris¡¯ gaze sharpened briefly with contempt.

    Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar figure. With a slight shrug of his shoulder, he shook off the woman¡¯s hand. In one swift motion, he sidestepped, leaving the woman leaning forward into empty space. Startled, she gawked at him.

    He coolly dusted off the spot she had touched, as if ridding himself of something unpleasant.

    Smirking faintly, he said, ¡°Apologies, my wife¡¯s arrived.¡±

    And with that, he strolled away, leaving the woman frozen, mouth agape.

    Across the room, Maia exited a private suite, ncing casually toward a nearby corner where a man and a woman seemed engrossed in a close exchange. Such scenes were a dime a dozen here; she barely registered it.

    Just as she turned to leave, a towering figure abruptly blocked her way. Before she could react, he grasped her hand firmly.

    Startled, Maia lifted her head ¡ª and met Chris¡¯ piercing gaze.

    ¡°Chris? What are you doing here?¡± she gasped, her shock slipping out unchecked. Suspicion prickled as she peered past him.

    Sure enough, the man she had noticed earlier had disappeared; the woman remained, glowering at her like a jilted lover.

    New updates uploaded to g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    Maia stammered, flicking her eyes back to Chris. ¡°Did I interrupt something?¡±

    The question escaped before she could swallow it back.

    Chris had long been known for his flirtatious ways, so it wasn¡¯t surprising to see him casually charming others.

    However, now that they were officially bound by marriage, even if merely in a technical sense, they were recognized as husband and wife.

    Her inquiry could easily be taken the wrong way.

    Chris, naturally, picked up on her true intent. Arching a brow, heced his fingers through hers, their palms joining in a firm grip. Shifting his attention back to the other woman, he tipped his chin with a slight air of satisfaction and dered, ¡°See? I¡¯m not by myself. My wife is right here.¡±

    His voice held a subtle arrogance, as though proudly unting his status. It also carried the unspoken message that he had no ties to the woman before them.

    Maia¡¯s face warmed unexpectedly at the public deration.

    Then Chris¡¯ rich, velvet tone dipped low, a teasing murmur reaching her ears. ¡°She wouldn¡¯t leave me alone. Lucky you came.¡±

    The woman before them scoffed with annoyance. How could a man so striking already be imed? Still, if given the opportunity, she wouldn¡¯t have minded his marital status. Watching him boast so openly, though, was salt poured into a fresh wound.

    Flushed with humiliation, she pivoted sharply and marched away.

    Maia began hesitantly, but he dropped his gaze to her, his dark eyes sparkling under the ambient lighting with a mesmerizing intensity.

    ¡°Were you nning to meet someone here?¡± he asked.

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 Chapter 127

    ?Chapter 127:

    Before Maia could respond, a door to a nearby lounge swung open forcefully. A cluster of ruffled socialites spilled out, rage twisting their features ¡ª the same ones who had quarreled over the bracelet earlier.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Maia? Find her!¡± one shouted. ¡°She can¡¯t just mess with us and walk away!¡±

    Another quickly spotted Maia standing down the hallway. ¡°There she is!¡±

    ¡°Move!¡± Maia urged.

    Without thinking, she seized Chris¡¯ wrist and darted off.

    Together, they sprinted toward the club¡¯s exit, where a row of cabs awaited. By the time the angry women neared, Chris and Maia were safely inside a taxi, escaping victorious.

    Once themotion faded and quiet settled over them, Maia let out a soft breath of relief. She wasn¡¯t scared of confrontation ¡ª far from it. If she had to, she could easily defend herself.

    But making a spectacle, especially with Chris present, was thest thing she wanted.

    That was when she suddenly noticed the lingering heat in her hand.

    Only then did she realize that their fingers were still entwined ¡ª a gesture far too intimate forfort.

    Flustered, she jerked her hand back, folding her arms stiffly across her chest.

    Chris¡¯ lips quirked into a knowing smirk as he watched the color rise along her ears.

    ¡°Those women earlier¡­ who exactly were they?¡± he asked, his voice low and curious.

    A slight dryness crept up Maia¡¯s throat, but she waved it off with an easyugh. ¡°Nothing more than a bunch of crazy women, that¡¯s what they were. They tricked me intoing over, tried to take something from me, failed, and now they¡¯re just throwing a tantrum.¡±

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    Her tone was light and dismissive, but it still made Chris¡¯ deep eyes darken slightly.

    ¡°What room were you in earlier?¡± he asked, his tone deceptively casual.

    Blinking in surprise, Maia hesitated. ¡°Uh¡­ 502. Why?¡±

    Chris replied with an easy, offhand tone, ¡°Funny. We were on the same floor.¡± Pulling his phone from his pocket, he tapped out a quick text message without another word.

    A sudden thought struck Maia, making her sit up straighter, concern shing across her face. ¡°Mr. Cooper, did I pull you away from something important? I didn¡¯t mess up any of your ns, did I?¡±

    Her earnest expression made Chris lift an eyebrow, amused. ¡°Not even a hint of curiosity crossed your mind about who I was with tonight? Maybe wondering if there happened to be any women around?¡±

    The question made Maia stiffen slightly. She darted her gaze away and answered quietly, ¡°Whatever you do is your business. I don¡¯t really have the right to question it.¡±

    ¡°But we¡¯re husband and wife.¡±

    For a second, Maia could only sit there, speechless.

    It was precisely because she understood what kind of man Chris was that she didn¡¯t ask.

    Their marriage had always been an arrangement, not built on love or trust.

    Chris wouldn¡¯t be changed by a marriage with no real love.

    Fully aware of that, she constantly reminded herself not to cross into his personal world, no matter how close they lived under the same roof.

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 Chapter 128

    ?Chapter 128:

    Keeping her distance was a promise to herself. It was easier that way, easier to leave cleanly when the time came for them to part.

    Noticing her silence, Chris tilted his head and teased, ¡°You know, some woman practically threw herself at me earlier. You¡¯re really not the least bit jealous?¡±

    Slowly, Maia pinched her fingers together, a faint smile ying at her lips. ¡°Mr. Cooper, with looks like yours, who could me them? You¡¯re better looking than half the male celebrities stered all over billboards. Getting hit on seems like something that justes with it.¡±

    Leaning backzily against the seat, Chris let out a low, husky chuckle, his gaze holding a look that was hard to read. ¡°I¡¯ll take that as apliment.¡±

    Before long, the car slowed to a stop outside the Elysium Apartments.

    Neither said much as they got out, a heavy silence trailing between them. Chris unlocked the door with a quick press of his thumbprint. Maia followed quietly behind him.

    As soon as the door swung open, Maia slipped in after him and carefully pulled it shut.

    Darkness swallowed the apartment, and Chris made no move to reach for the light.

    Reaching blindly for the switch, Maia barely brushed the wall when his tall figure closed in, trapping her against the door.

    ¡°Tell me, Maia¡­ would you ever be tempted to hit on me?¡± His deep, seductive voice slipped through the darkness, brushing past her ear as his heavy breathing mixed with the cold scent of cedar and a hint of alcohol.

    A jolt of panic rooted Maia to the spot, her heartbeat running wild. She could not understand why he refused to drop the subject.

    Although she couldn¡¯t see much in the dark, she was acutely aware of how close Chris stood, the space between them thick with tension.

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    Testing the waters, Maia said in a soft voice, ¡°Mr. Cooper¡­ have you been drinking?¡±

    But instead of answering her, Chris pressed on, ¡°I¡¯m your husband. You saw me with another woman, and you feel nothing?¡±

    Without warning, Maia¡¯s palms grew sweaty. She tried to push against Chris¡¯ chest, but her small hand was quickly caught. He leaned in closer, his face brushing so near to her ear that the faint touch of his stubble left a ticklish feeling.

    ¡°You said I¡¯m handsome and well-built, so¡­ are you sure you don¡¯t feel anything?¡±

    Hearing his words, Maia felt her heartbeat tumble into a messy rhythm, no longer steady or sure.

    Luckily, the darkness veiled the flustered expression that broke across her face. She steadied herself and answered in a faint but steady tone, ¡°Mr. Cooper, you are clearly not sober.¡±

    Chris paused for a moment.

    Afterward, he let go of her. Whatever warmth he had left behind disappeared just as quickly as his presence faded.

    Maia slowly lifted her head. Her vision was beginning to adjust to the darkness. Through the wide ss windows, moonlight seeped into the living room, draping a gentle light over the man standing ahead.

    Chris looked like a figure in a shadow painting ¡ª his figure wless, sensual.

    Maia fought to steady her breathing, sensing it was wrong to keep her gaze locked on him for much longer.

    ¡°Still hung up on him?¡± said Chris, catching Maia off guard with the suddenness of his question.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

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 Chapter 129

    ?Chapter 129:

    ¡°Vince.¡±

    It did not take Maia long to catch on. Everyone in Wront¡¯s tight-knit upper circles knew about her history with Vince, so it made perfect sense that Chris would too.

    Worried he might get the wrong idea, Maia quickly exined, ¡°There¡¯s nothing between us anymore. Hasn¡¯t been for a long time. There won¡¯t be in the future either.¡±

    An awkward silence hovered over them.

    A low chuckle slipped out of Chris. He reached over and flicked the light switch. Instantly, warm light flooded the room, chasing the shadows away.

    With a small sigh, he rubbed at his forehead. His eyes stayed lowered as he said, sounding almostzy, ¡°I think I had a bit too much to drink tonight. My head feels a little light. I¡¯m going to call it a night. Sleep well.¡±

    The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Maia standing there. She released a shaky breath. What was wrong with Chris tonight? He was actingpletely out of character.

    Inside the private lounge, the tension hung heavy.

    Unable to keep up with Maia, the socialites stormed back into the room, their faces dark with frustration.

    Rosanna slouched low on the couch, her face drawn tight with misery. Red blotches marked her swollen eyes, and angry bruises peeked through her skin.

    She wanted to chase after Maia too, but her strength had long abandoned her. Earlier, a fight over a bracelet had shattered whatever fake friendship they clung to, leaving only raw hostility in its ce. An awkward, suffocating silence settled among them as they turned their attention to smoothing their rumpled clothes and messy hair.

    ¡°Rosanna, we¡¯re so sorry. We were just trying to help you get the bracelet back. Who could have imagined things would get out of hand?¡± one of them finally said after clearing her throat.

    Another interjected quickly, ¡°Really! The lighting here is so bad, we could barely see anything. If we hurt you by ident, we truly didn¡¯t mean it!¡±

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    Rosanna forced a smile so brittle that it looked painful but kept her mouth shut. ¡°Is that bracelet seriously worth 150 million dors?¡±

    Moments ago, greed had driven their hands to violence. Now, regret flickered across their faces as doubt crept into their voices.

    Watching them scramble to excuse themselves only deepened the pit in Rosanna¡¯s stomach. There was no chance she would tell them the full story.

    ¡°I really don¡¯t know how much it¡¯s worth. You can¡¯t believe everything online. But that bracelet belonged to myte grandmother, Vicki. Maia isn¡¯t part of the Morgan family anymore. She had no right to take it. I¡¯ll get it back, no matter what it takes.¡±

    Understanding clicked into ce for the women. The bracelet¡¯s value wasn¡¯t about money after all. It was about blood, family, and betrayal.

    Shame crept over them, tightening their lips into thin, ufortable lines.

    ¡°Did you notice? Maia wasn¡¯t alone earlier,¡± one of them blurted out, desperate to change the mood.

    ¡°Yeah! She was with some guy. They looked pretty close too.¡±

    A spark returned to Rosanna¡¯s tired face. She dropped her voice into a whisper and said, ¡°You might not believe this¡­ but Maia hasnded herself a rich backer.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Shock spread across the women¡¯s faces. ¡°Someone is actually willing to stand by a woman like her, even after prison?¡±

    ¡°She probably picked up a few tricks to hook men while she was locked up. Did you notice what she had on today? She looks like a slut!¡±

    ¡°Did anyone catch a better look at the guy she was with? From behind, he looked like he could be a model,¡± said another woman, her voice thick with curiosity.

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 Chapter 130

    ?Chapter 130:

    Rosanna pressed her lips together, frustration burning in her chest. She had been wondering the same thing ¡ª who exactly was backing Maia now? Before she could spiral deeper into her thoughts, the door creaked open once more.

    Stacy walked into the room, her face bright with excitement, ready to join the fun. The second she caught sight of the disaster inside, her smile faltered and slipped away. Disbelief shed across her features as she took in the scene. Everyone looked wrecked ¡ª hair askew, clothes wrinkled or torn at the seams. No one looked worse than Rosanna, though, who sat slumped with a ruined dress and bruises dotting her arms.

    Across the floor, puddles of liquor and shattered ss created a chaotic, glittering mess.

    Stacy stared around in shock and asked, ¡°What the hell happened here?¡± The question hung awkwardly in the air. Eyes darted from woman to woman, and after a long pause, one of them forced a dryugh. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really! We were just¡­ having a little too much fun.¡±

    Before anyone could attempt a better cover-up, the door mmed open with a bang that rattled the walls.

    A troop of bodyguards stormed inside, moving with swift precision as they fanned out and surrounded them.

    For a beat, no one said a word. The socialites sat frozen, unsure whether to scream or flee.

    A man in a sharp suit followed behind them, his gaze cutting across the room like a knife. His voice was low but brutal. ¡°Starting trouble here? Get them out. Now.¡±

    What?

    Hands grabbed them roughly. Designer heels scraped against the floor as they were dragged out into the hallway like criminals.

    Stacy, still too stunned to protest, found herself shoved along with the rest. She had barely stepped into the party, and now she was being thrown out like trash. Onlookers crowded around as they stumbled outside, their makeup smeared and hair in tangles. Murmured jokes and mockingughter filled the air.

    ¡°Man, this ce is wild. Even the escorts look like a mess tonight.¡±

    Escorts?

    Hearing the insult hit them harder than any p. Their anger red hot and fast. One of the women shouted back, her voice shaking, ¡°Who the hell are you calling an escort? You¡¯re asking for it!¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re not an escort, then what are you pretending to be? A bunch of wannabe heiresses? Give me a break.¡±

    The heat of humiliation painted their faces red. Some looked ready to cry, others ready to fight.

    Rosanna stood apart from themotion, her arms wrapped around herself, fighting back tears. ¡°It¡¯s Maia,¡± she whispered. ¡°She must have gotten her man to talk to the club¡¯s owner¡­ they set us up.¡±

    Hearing that name again ignited a new fury in the group.

    ¡°That bitch is going to regret this!¡±

    By the time Rosanna stepped inside the Morgan Vi, the anger burning in her chest had only grown fiercer. There was no calming the storm raging inside her.

    How could she possibly stand by and let Maia walk away with that bracelet? Whether or not the bracelet was truly worth 150 million, it didn¡¯t matter. If Maia hadn¡¯t taken her ce all those years ago, that bracelet would have been hers.

    It was hers by right, and she was not about to give it up now.

    At this thought, Rosanna¡¯s eyes narrowed with cold determination.

    Without hesitating, she grabbed her phone and started typing on social media.

    .

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 Chapter 131

    ?Chapter 131:

    ¡°I hate to bring personal matters into the public eye, but I honestly don¡¯t know where else to turn. Many of you know that I spent seventeen years separated from my family, only reuniting with the Morgans four years ago. Back then, I had every intention of building a rtionship with my sister, Maia Morgan. Unfortunately, things spiraled in a way none of us expected. Maia ended up in prison. Although it broke my heart, I still hoped she woulde back and be part of the family after she served her time. Just a few days ago, we stood waiting for her outside the prison gates. Instead ofing home, she told us she was Maia Watson and had no intention of returning to the Morgan family. We tried everything, but she refused. I could have lived with that, but I never dreamed that she would sneak into our house while we were away and steal the bracelet our grandmother left behind. I never got the chance to meet my grandmother, but that bracelet is the only thing she ever gave me. It is the only link I have to her. Please, Maia. I am begging you, give the bracelet back! @Maia¡±

    Rosanna included a clear picture of the bracelet with her post.

    The inte exploded almost instantly.

    People quickly recognized the bracelet. Wasn¡¯t that the one rumored to be worth 150 million dors, the one wealthy collectors had been fighting over? To think it had belonged to Rosanna¡¯s grandmother all along sent shockwaves through the onlinemunity.

    Already popr, Rosanna¡¯s online following pushed the topic into the trending charts in a matter of minutes.

    Adding fuel to the fire, an old news clip of the Morgans picking Maia up from prison made a sudden reappearance.

    Back then, the Morgan family had carefully edited the footage to make themselves seem generous while casting Maia in a negative light. The story had barely made ripples at the time.

    Now, however, with Rosanna¡¯s emotional post stirring public sympathy, that old footage fanned the mes even higher.

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    Soon, Rosanna¡¯sment section overflowed with furious messages aimed straight at Maia.

    ¡°How can Maia be so shameless? That bracelet was clearly meant for Rosanna, her grandmother¡¯s true granddaughter. Maia herself imed that she no longer belongs to the Morgans. Why would she take it?¡±

    ¡°Unbelievable. After everything, the Morgans still tried to bring her back with open arms. And how does she repay them? By refusing to return and then sneaking in like a thief to steal the bracelet? She must have known it was worth a fortune and decided to keep it for herself!¡±

    ¡°After raising Maia for seventeen years, this was the thanks the Morgans got? Ungrateful leech! Watching this unfold is enough to break anyone¡¯s heart!¡±

    ¡°First, shended herself in prison for stealing from Radiant Jewels. Now she has the nerve to steal from her foster family too. Some people really never change! How low can she get?¡±

    ¡°If something does not belong to you, you have no right to it! Maia, hand the bracelet back to Rosanna already! @Maia¡±

    While chaos stirred online, Rosanna¡¯s fans rallied around her, flooding her page with messages of love and encouragement.

    ¡°I feel sorry for Rosanna. Seventeen years lost to a life that was never hers, and just when she thinks she can move forward, she has to face a foster sister as terrible as Maia!¡±

    ¡°Maia stole Rosanna¡¯s rightful ce as the Morgan family¡¯s eldest daughter for all those years, and now she dares to snatch the bracelet too? Some people really have no shame. She deserves the worst!¡±

    ¡°No matter what happens, Rosanna, we¡¯ve got your back! If Maia refuses to hand over the bracelet, we¡¯ll track her down ourselves and get it back for you!¡±

    Grateful butposed, Rosanna replied in thements, ¡°Thank you, everyone. I truly wanted to handle this privately, but since Maia refuses to do the right thing, I had no other choice. I am sorry for causing you all to worry.¡±

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 Chapter 132

    ?Chapter 132:

    Her fans responded with even more fervor, ¡°You have nothing to apologize for, Rosanna. It is Maia who should be ashamed! No matter what happens, we will stand with you!¡±

    The uproar online was like a single spark igniting a roaring wildfire. That very night, the socialites who had attended the party with Maia caught wind of the trending storm and began airing their own usations.

    Everlee Bates said, ¡°It is all true. We were at Aurora Crest tonight when Maia strolled in, shing that bracelet around like she owned the ce. She had no shame at all. And here¡¯s some extra gossip ¡ª she is not just a thief. She is also being kept by a man!¡±

    Backing her up, Harlee Rivera responded, ¡°I saw it with my own eyes. Maia was with some man tonight. When we tried to help Rosanna get the bracelet back, that guy used his pull to have the club owner throw us out!¡±

    Jemma Holmes reposted bothments and said, ¡°I was there too, and everything they said is true. If I am lying, may bad luck follow me forever!¡±

    Never one to miss the chance for drama, Stacy jumped in and said, ¡°Same here! Just a few days ago, I spotted Maia shopping at the MCN store in Vanrich Global za. Staff said she¡¯s one of their Supreme VIPs. Later, I saw her slipping into a Rolls-Royce Phantom!¡±

    Known for their carefully curated lives and morous selfies, each of these socialites had a hefty online following of their own.

    Their posts spread like wildfire, gaining speed with every share andment. By the end of the night, hashtags like #MaiaKeptByAMan and #MaiaStealsBracelet dominated the trending charts, iming the top two spots with ease.

    ¡°Hold up ¡ª wasn¡¯t Maia just released from jail recently? How¡¯d she end up being someone¡¯s sugar baby? Is the guy blind or what?¡±

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    ¡°If you ask me, Maia was probably being kept by someone even before all this.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t she used to be totally obsessed with Vince? What ¡ª ditched him that fast?¡±

    ¡°Well, Vince was her fianc¨¦ at one point. But that¡¯s ancient history. Obviously, she had totch onto someone new. Who else is going to bankroll her lifestyle? Girls like her can¡¯t fend for themselves ¡ª they always need someone to leech off!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s still leagues ahead. Remember those clips of her singing back in school? She seriously had star potential. But instead of chasing fame, she turned down all those talent scout offers to pursue her true calling ¡ª designing jewelry! Even now, being engaged to Vince hasn¡¯t made her conceited.¡±

    ¡°Maia spent seventeen years living like royalty. How can she possibly measure up to Rosanna, who climbed every rung through grit and hard work? Honestly, women like Maia should just stay in theirne and quit trying to overshadow the real queen!¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s supporters didn¡¯t just hurl nasty remarks ¡ª they took it several steps further. They hunted down Maia¡¯s old pictures, photoshopped them into eerie memorials and ghost images, and flooded Facebook with hashtags like #MaiaTheMooch, #MaiaTheCrook, and #MaiaTheShameOfWront at breakneck speed.

    A small group of more level-headed viewers spoke up. ¡°Don¡¯t you think Rosanna¡¯s fans are crossing a line? Nothing¡¯s even been proven yet, and they¡¯re already making creepy edits? They do realize tampering with personal images couldnd them in legal trouble, right?¡±

    ¡°Are you Maia¡¯s secret burner ount? Why are you defending her so much? Hope you lose every family heirloom you own after your parents pass!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s already such a disgrace, and people are still sticking up for her? Bet Maia¡¯s paying fake ounts to cover for her!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s attached herself to someone powerful. Forget bots ¡ª she could erase these trending topics in a snap! Girls, don¡¯t slow down. Let¡¯s see who¡¯s quicker ¡ª her scrubbing the mess or us airing her dirtyundry!¡±

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 Chapter 133

    ?Chapter 133:

    As the web exploded with a frenzy of hate, Rosanna¡¯s spirits soared.

    With the public tide surging and emotions boiling over, even Maia¡¯s powerful backer would find it nearly impossible to clean up the wreckage without causing more harm.

    Besides, Facebook wasn¡¯t about to sacrifice all that traffic. Any attempt to silence the noise could easily backfire, making things even uglier.

    Public outrage was a beast that no one could easily tame.

    Rosanna smirked coldly, whispering, ¡°Maia, this time, I¡¯m not just taking back the bracelet ¡ª I¡¯ll bury youpletely.¡±

    Yet, despite the wildfire raging online, Maia loungedfortably against her pillows, casually munching on an apple while skimming through the chaos on her screen.

    She seemed entirely unbothered, methodically saving screenshots of the nder for future use.

    Just then, her phone buzzed. It was Pattie.

    ¡°Maia! You¡¯re trending again! I¡¯m out here in Varninski, and you¡¯re still giving me migraines. Should I spend some cash to wipe the trending tags?¡±

    Speaking around a mouthful of fruit, Maiazily answered, ¡°Nah. Leave it.¡±

    Pattie, sounding stressed, said, ¡°How can you stay so calm? Have you seen how savage thosements are? It¡¯s brutal!¡±

    ¡°Let them rage. The worse it gets, the better,¡± Maia said with an easy shrug.

    Pattie was stunned. ¡°Maia, have you lost your mind?¡±

    Maiaughed softly. ¡°Ever heard the phrase ¡®karma¡¯s a boomerang¡¯? You gotta let it build up until it snaps back hard.¡±

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    ¡°So you¡¯ve already mapped out aeback?¡± Pattie asked, hopeful.

    Maia raised an eyebrow. ¡°Come on. Who do you think stirred up this whole mess in the first ce?¡±

    It was all because Maia had been quietly stirring the pot behind the scenes. Pattie let out a huge sigh. ¡°You really had me worried for nothing! But seriously, these trolls are vicious. It¡¯s not just name-calling ¡ª they¡¯re making creepy death edits now. Don¡¯t stress ¡ª I¡¯ll help crush them when I get back!¡±

    ¡°Thanks, but just focus on your work over there. We¡¯ll catch up once you¡¯re home.¡±

    ¡°Alright. If you need backup, holler. I¡¯ve got a meeting now ¡ª talk soon!¡±

    As Pattie ended the call, Maia returned to scrolling through Facebook. Then, something caught her eye ¡ª a post from a very familiar name. Elvira had just updated her status.

    ¡°Appearances deceive. Whispering falsehoods across the inte could bring you legal trouble. Stay safe, everyone.¡±

    This gentle nod of encouragement toward Maia, quietly shared on Facebook, was soon met with bacsh from Rosanna¡¯s supporters.

    ¡°What kind of ¡®Famous Physician from Drakmire¡¯ behaves like this? Absolutely disgraceful ¡ª how can she still call herself a doctor?¡±

    ¡°This is a Wront issue. Foreigners from Drakmire should mind their own business.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t entrust my well-being to her! Supporting a criminal says it all!¡±

    ¡°Ban Elvira! Send her packing from Wront!¡±

    Yet, Elvira¡¯s loyal followers fired back against the smear campaign.

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s fans, enough! Dr. Cullen saved my family countless times. Who are you to insult her?¡±

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 Chapter 134

    ?Chapter 134:

    ¡°Right on! What falsehood did Dr. Cullen spread? Are you Rosanna herself? Why ept her word blindly? Think critically!¡±

    ¡°Can Rosanna¡¯s followers stop flooding every post? You think only Rosanna has fans? Newssh: Dr. Cullen has admirers across the globe, and I stand with her!¡±

    ¡°Absurd! A medical professional with groupies? She¡¯s clearly chasing fame ¡ª gross!¡±

    ¡°Vicki passed away long before Rosanna¡¯s return. If she left a bracelet, it belonged to the Morgan child of that era ¡ª Maia. If Maia ims it, so be it!¡±

    ¡°Hold on ¡ª Vicki left it to her real granddaughter. Is Maia her blood kin? Taking advantage of the dead, who can¡¯t defend themselves, is despicable! Maia is just a scammer who should know her limits!¡±

    The Facebook skirmish exploded into an all-out verbal battlefield. Amid the frenzy, clear-headed opinions were scarce. Most had been swept away by Rosanna¡¯s propaganda, joining the mob against Maia.

    In her room, Maia set down her device and stretched, yawning. ¡°I¡¯ll tackle it tomorrow,¡± she mused.

    She burrowed beneath her quilt, ignoring the chaos outside, and soon fell into a peaceful sleep.

    Meanwhile, Chris lounged in his leather chair, bathed in the silver beams filtering through the tall windows behind him. A cigarette smoldered between his fingers, the ash glowing faintly.

    He rang Maxwell.

    ¡°Got a favor to ask,¡± he said casually, a sly grin tugging at his lips, his features mesmerizing under the moonlight. ¡°Nothing big ¡ª just standing up for my woman.¡±

    The next day, sunlight slipped through the curtains and danced across Maia¡¯s sleeping face. Her eyelids fluttered open.

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    Remembering her duty to prepare nourishing meals for Kathie, she got up at once. After freshening up, she nced at her phone again. The heated discussions involving her still dominated the trends from the night before.

    Rosanna¡¯s supporters had hurled non-stop abuse while she slept.

    Powering off the device, Maia left for Marvelous Garden to gather ingredients, then made her way to the Primary Healthcare Center.

    As she neared the ward, she noticed Ethan sitting silently on a hallway bench, dabbing at his eyes.

    ¡°Ethan,¡± Maia called gently, concern etched on her features. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Who upset you?¡±

    At the sound of her voice, Ethan quickly wiped his face and stood, avoiding her gaze. ¡°Nothing. Just dust,¡± he muttered.

    Maia gently lifted his chin, revealing puffy, bloodshot eyes and pale lips, devoid of any color.

    rmed, she frowned. ¡°Ethan, I haven¡¯t seen you around when I came by with Kathie¡¯s food these past few days. Where have you been?¡±

    Ethan bit his lower lip, remaining silent.

    ¡°You still see me as your sister, right?¡± Maia pressed, her voice steady. ¡°Am I still your family?¡±

    His expression crumbled, fear shing in his eyes. ¡°Of course you are,¡± he blurted.

    ¡°Then why hide things from me? We¡¯re the only family we¡¯ve got. Don¡¯t shut me out.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s fists clenched tightly, his lips quivering. ¡°It¡¯s not¡­ it¡¯s not what you think, Maia.¡±

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 Chapter 135

    ?Chapter 135:

    Maia grasped his shoulders firmly and looked him directly in the eye. ¡°You once swore you¡¯d protect me, remember?¡±

    Ethan nodded fiercely.

    ¡°Then promise me ¡ª you¡¯ll never keep secrets from me again,¡± Maia said quietly, her voice steady with conviction.

    The dam finally broke.

    Ethan recalled overhearing Sandra say that Maia¡¯s money came from being some man¡¯s mistress. Though he had kept a calm facade, deep down, he had vowed to earn enough money so Maia would never have to degrade herself for financial reasons again.

    Fumbling in his pocket, Ethan pulled out a wad of crumpled bills and thrust them into Maia¡¯s hands, his tears falling freely. ¡°Maia,¡± he sobbed, struggling to catch his breath, ¡°please don¡¯t sell yourself short anymore. I¡¯ll take care of you. I swear.¡±

    A sharp ache tore through Maia¡¯s chest, as if an invisible hand had struck her heart.

    Across from her stood Ethan, barely into his teenage years yet bearing the weight of someone who had already shouldered too many burdens.

    A thick mist clouded her vision. Sniffling softly, she managed to whisper, ¡°You¡¯ve been working these past few days, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    Without hesitation, Ethan gave a small nod. His voice scratched against his throat as he replied, ¡°I picked up every job I could find, but this is all the money I made. I¡¯m sorry, Maia. I feel like such a failure.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you ever say that,¡± Maia said, reaching out to ruffle his hair with a gentle hand. ¡°You¡¯re amazing, Ethan. Absolutely amazing.¡±

    Yet Ethan¡¯s frown only deepened, frustration etched into every line of his face. ¡°Even so, I couldn¡¯t protect you. This morning¡­ I overheard a nurse. They were gossiping about you, saying horrible things. They called you a thief. Said you were someone¡¯s mistress. I wanted to defend you, but I had no evidence and couldn¡¯t get the words out.¡±

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    Fresh tears pooled in his eyes, and he bit down hard on his lower lip.

    Only then did Maia finally understand why he had been crying so bitterly. Maia¡¯s heart melted at the sight. She pinched his cheek yfully and shed him a bright smile. ¡°Do you trust me?¡±

    Ethan stiffened, then gave a serious nod.

    ¡°Then hear me clearly,¡± Maia said. ¡°I¡¯ve never stolen a thing in my life, and I¡¯m nobody¡¯s mistress. Every cent I¡¯ve earned came from honest work. Enough to take care of you and Kathie. As for the trash people are spreading online? Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make sure every single one of them eats their words.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡± Ethan said, his voice trailing off.

    Before he could argue, Maia straightened her shoulders and interjected firmly, ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to be worrying about grown-up problems, Ethan. You¡¯re still a kid. Earning money can wait until you¡¯re old enough. Right now, your job is to study hard and live your life.¡±

    ¡°Study?¡± Ethan blinked, as if he hadn¡¯t heard the word in years.

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Maia said, arching a brow. ¡°You don¡¯t want to go back to school?¡±

    Ethan dropped his gaze to the floor. ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to¡­¡±

    Patting his shoulder with a gentle thump, Maia said, ¡°Then it¡¯s settled. No more odd jobs. No more worrying about bills. I¡¯ll handle the rest. You just focus on your studies. I¡¯ll get you enrolled soon, I promise. Now,e on ¡ª Kathie¡¯s probably awake, and I made pancakes. Your favorite.¡±

    Ethan hesitated, standing rooted to the spot for a moment longer. But finally, wordlessly, he followed Maia back toward the hospital room.

    Once breakfast was over, Maia made her way to the nearest electronics shop and picked out two of the newest smartphones they had.

    Halfway back to the hospital, a videonded in her inbox from an anonymous sender. It showed the Morgan family waiting to pick her up the day she walked out of prison, all caught on camera by the media.

    .

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 Chapter 136

    ?Chapter 136:

    A frown tugged at Maia¡¯s lips. She had been nning to hack into the media archives to dig up this footage herself, but someone had beaten her to it.

    The question gnawed at her. Who was stepping in to help? Zoey shed across her mind. Still, if it were Zoey, why bother hiding behind an anonymous ount?

    Curious and cautious, Maia tried to trace the number. No luck. It led to a virtual ount with no visible IP address.

    With no other option, Maia saved the video and decided to deal with itter. Arriving back at the hospital room, she handed the sleek new phones to Ethan and Kathie.

    Neither of them had ever touched a smartphone before. They eyed the devices like fragile treasures while Maia patiently walked them through every basic function.

    Ethan caught on quickly, tapping through the apps like he had been born knowing how. Kathie, on the other hand, struggled with the swipes and taps, so Maia tasked Ethan with being her personal tech tutor.

    ¡°I¡¯ve already stored all the important contacts in your phones, so you can get a hold of me easily,¡± Maia said, ncing at the clock before she stepped out of the room.

    After giving them a few more reminders, she left the hospital behind and returned to Marvelous Garden. Lunch needed prepping ¡ª a hearty, nourishing meal ¡ª but before diving into cooking, Maia opened Twitter to skim thetestments.

    The online chaos had snowballed overnight and showed no signs of slowing down.

    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Maia made a statement yet? Feeling guilty, maybe? Scared to show her face?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s there to even say? She clearly took something that wasn¡¯t hers! If I were in her shoes, I¡¯d return that bracelet to Rosanna without hesitation or crawl into a hole and nevere out again!¡±

    ¡°Whoever¡¯s dumb enough to support her must have rocks for brains. If we find out who he is, he¡¯s getting boycotted too.¡±

    Discover more at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??s

    ¡°The Morgan family must be cursing the day they ever took her in. If I were them, I¡¯d beat her until she begged for mercy!¡±

    Thank goodness Maia didn¡¯t have a personal ount, or her inbox would have been flooded with hate mail and disgusting photos by now.

    Still, overnight, a few anonymous ounts had emerged. Unlike the mob, these ounts fiercely defended Maia, shing with anyone who dared to badmouth her.

    ¡°Is your brain just for decoration? You¡¯re all falling over yourselves for someone who¡¯s faking innocence. Keep it up ¡ª the truth has a way of hitting people hard. You treat a few random things someone you¡¯ve never met says online as gospel truth? Brains are tools, not ornaments ¡ª try using them for once!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s fans have been screaming in thements for hours, and half of them can¡¯t even string a sentence together. How about learning some punctuation before embarrassing yourselves more?¡±

    Fury burned through Rosanna¡¯s supporters like wildfire.

    ¡°What lies are we telling? The video speaks for itself! The Morgan family weed Maia after her prison release, and she spat in their faces! Sandra even fainted from heartbreak!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s a thief. in and simple. If people like her get sympathy, what hope is left for real victims?¡±

    ¡°If Maia didn¡¯t steal the bracelet, then where is it? Are you using Rosanna of making the whole thing up? Rosanna is everything Maia isn¡¯t ¡ª kind, smart, and honest. Meanwhile, Maia is nothing but a maniptor.¡±

    Thement section quickly turned into a full-blown war zone. Reports flew, insults sharpened, and reposts fanned the mes wider, while Rosanna¡¯s fans worked overtime to keep the scandal alive.

    Then came another twist ¡ª Rosanna herself posted a second statement on her Twitter.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 137

    ?Chapter 137:

    ¡°I¡¯m deeply grateful to everyone who¡¯s spoken out for me. Truly, all I ever wanted was to ask Maia to return the bracelet. I never imagined things would spiral like this. If she¡¯s willing to give it back, please, I beg you all ¡ª give her a second chance and stop hurting her. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.¡±

    Within minutes, her fans rushed to flood herments with love.

    ¡°Rosanna is too pure for this world! She¡¯s still defending Maia after everything,¡± one fan said in thements.

    ¡°I¡¯m crying right now. If Rosanna can forgive, it¡¯s up to us to make sure justice is served! We can¡¯t let good people lose hope!¡±

    ¡°Hmph! Rosanna might be merciful, but I¡¯m not! People like Maia need to pay for every wrong theymit!¡±

    After her first Twitter postst night, Rosanna had made up her mind toe clean to Sandra and Richard¡ªwell, her version of the truth, anyway.

    Sitting them down, she spun her story. She exined that she hadn¡¯t realized the bracelet was a precious keepsake from Vicki and had sold it off unknowingly. Onlyter did she find out that it ended up in Maia¡¯s hands. Rosanna imed that Maia had unted the bracelet at an exclusive party, deliberately waving it in front of her. That was when Rosanna realized what had happened and asked Maia to return it.

    But Maia insisted that the bracelet had been a gift from Vicki and outright refused to return it.

    Sandra and Richard had no idea that Vicki had left behind such a valuable family treasure. When they discovered that Maia had taken the bracelet, potentially worth 150 million dors, they were too rattled to stay calm.

    After finalizing their next move, the Morgan Group¡¯s official Twitter page reposted Rosanna¡¯stest message barely a minute after it went live. They added a statement of their own: ¡°No matter the circumstances, Maia will always be one of us. If she returns the bracelet and sincerely repents, our home will remain open to her.¡± In true opportunistic fashion, they rode the trending wave to slip in some subtle brand promotion.

    Before long, thement section exploded.

    M??? ??d???? ?? g????????.????

    ¡°Now that¡¯s what you call real ss! The Morgan family truly lives up to their reputation!¡±

    ¡°Seventeen years of raising her without even a blood connection. That¡¯s genuine love right there. Who could turn their back on such a bond?¡±

    ¡°No wonder Rosanna turned out so incredible. Kindness and elegance must run in the Morgan bloodline!¡±

    ¡°Forget it, I¡¯m supporting the Morgan Group from now on. Buying their products is the least we can do!¡±

    Watching their approval ratings soar, Sandra and Richard beamed with satisfaction, practically glowing with pride.

    Meanwhile, Rosanna loungedzily on the velvet softness of the Morgan Vi¡¯s cashmere sofa, legs elegantly crossed, a victorious smirk tugging at her mouth.

    Confidence radiated off her in waves. In her mind, Maia had no escape left ¡ª it was just a matter of time before she surrendered the bracelet and posted a public apology for everyone to see.

    However, across town, Maia sat quietly, her eyes narrowing into sharp slits as she scrolled through thetest posts. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s finally time,¡± she whispered under her breath.

    Without hesitation, she created a brand-new Twitter ount and began drafting a post. Simple but cutting, the caption read: ¡°Actions reveal truth better than words ever could. Fairness lives in the hearts of those who choose to see.¡± Beneath the message, she uploaded a video.

    Since Maia had used her real name, it was easy for people to track her down and start following her. Rosanna¡¯s supporters, eager to go after her, rushed to her page, only to be greeted by the post.

    The video showed an elderly woman sitting by a sunlit window, her face glowing with a gentle, aching tenderness. It was Vicki ¡ª Maia¡¯s beloved grandmother ¡ª speaking into the camera, her voice carrying the soft cadence of goodbye, wrapped in endless love.

    .

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 Chapter 138

    ?Chapter 138:

    ¡°Maia, my darling girl, if you¡¯re seeing this video, then I have probably already left this world. Please don¡¯t cry for me. I¡¯m not gone ¡ª I¡¯m just staying with you in another way. The happiest part of my life has been seeing you grow from a small child into the caring, thoughtful young woman you have be today. Your parents were always caught up with work and hardly ever home, so you would often snuggle into myp, listening to the stories I told and asking me to braid your hair. Those moments are the sweetest memories I hold onto.

    I may not have much wisdom to offer, but I hope you¡¯ll eat properly, get enough sleep, and stop staying up sote. Taking care of your health matters more than anything. And remember, never let the opinions of others drag you down. Always stay true to yourself. Your smile is the brightest thing to me ¡ª it¡¯s the treasure I hold closest to my heart.¡±

    As Vicki¡¯s hand reached offscreen, she lifted a piece of jade into view. Under the soft lighting, the bracelet¡¯s green glow shimmered with a quiet, timeless beauty.

    Softly, Vicki continued, ¡°There¡¯s not much I can leave behind, but this bracelet¡­ this has been in our family for generations. It¡¯s the one thing I hold dearest, and I want you to have it now. I never told your parents or your brother about it, because in my heart, I always knew ¡ª only you, my Maia, truly deserved it. That¡¯s why I had your name secretly engraved on the back. No one else has any right to it. Whenever you feel alone, whenever you miss me, just hold this bracelet tight. It carries my love. It will always be with you.¡±

    The raw tenderness in the video shattered every ounce of certainty Rosanna¡¯s fans had clung to. Shock buzzed through their minds, leaving them speechless.

    Before they could recover, Maia posted again. This time, she attached a close-up photo ¡ª one that captured the back of the jade bracelet, focusing clearly on a single engraved character: ¡°Maia.¡± Within minutes, the inte erupted. Public opinion swung like a wrecking ball, wiping away everything Rosanna¡¯s camp had tried to build.

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s supporters, why have you all gone so quiet now?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t stopughing! Turns out the bracelet was always meant for Maia! Her grandmother even had Maia¡¯s name carved into it. Maybe she predicted that Rosanna would try to snatch it! Game over!¡±

    I??€?? ¡é§ß?¦Ñ§ä¦Å?? ?¦Ç g?l§Ú¦Ò¦Í¦Å??.c?m

    ¡°Even though Maia is not rted to the Morgan family by blood, the connection she shared with her grandma over thest ten years is something you cannot deny. It¡¯s clear her grandma truly loved her! Why else would her grandma keep the bracelet hidden from the rest of the Morgan family and have ¡®Maia¡¯ engraved on it instead of ¡®Maia Morgan¡¯? Take a moment and think about that.¡±

    ¡°This just proves her grandma had always been afraid that someone from the Morgan family might try to take the bracelet away from Maia! Does this suggest that Richard and Sandra did not treat Maia well? Think about what Vicki mentioned in the video ¡ª they were hardly home.¡±

    ¡°Picture this. A young girl who had no one but her grandmother to lean on as she grew up. Then, after her grandmother passes away, someone suddenly appears, saying she is not really her biological granddaughter, and tries to snatch away the only thing her grandmother left behind. If you were in her ce, what would you do?¡±

    ¡°Someone exin how Maia is the viin here? She didn¡¯t steal anything. She didn¡¯t even know she wasn¡¯t a biological Morgan until wayter. She¡¯s a victim too! All this hate toward her? It¡¯s disgusting.¡±

    Within hours, Rosanna¡¯s Twitter page descended into chaos. Casualizens flooded herments section, drowning out her fans¡¯ defenses.

    ¡°Feeling stupid yet? Go watch the video and tell us again how the bracelet was yours.¡±

    ¡°Wow, what a wless little snake. If you¡¯ve never evenid eyes on your grandmother, how strong of a bond could you really have had with her? Let¡¯s be real ¡ª you are only chasing after that bracelet because it¡¯s worth a fortune, right?¡±

    ¡°Putting up that post was clearly a move to turn everyone against Maia. And your fans still have the guts to call you pure and sweet? Absolutely sickening!¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 139

    ?Chapter 139:

    Without wasting time, Maia fired off her third post, this time attaching another explosive video.

    A short caption appeared above it: ¡°Full, uncut footage.¡±

    ying on screen, the video captured the exact moment the Morgan family had shown up outside the prison gates, caught perfectly by the media¡¯s cameras. Every word was crystal clear.

    Looking them dead in the eye, Maia asked, ¡°Four years ago, when you framed me and cast me out, didn¡¯t you call me a Watson? Mrs. Morgan, didn¡¯t you sign off on the paperwork that cut all ties between us?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s words in the video were clear enough for all to hear. ¡°She must still be upset with me. That¡¯s why she¡¯s twisting everything¡­ Maia, I swear I never came back to steal your ce in the family. Please don¡¯t hate me for this.¡±

    Following that was a reporter shoving his microphone toward Sandra. ¡°Mrs. Morgan, is this true? You once said you wouldn¡¯t abandon Maia, that she was still your daughter even after reuniting with your biological child.¡±

    In the video, everyone could see that Sandra was caught off guard by the reporter¡¯s words. She stammered, ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not true. Of course not.¡±

    Still holding her ground, Maia retorted, ¡°So, Mrs. Morgan, do you have the nerve to call someone from the Cooper Group and find out if that severance document exists or not?¡±

    Jarrod snapped, his temper slipping. ¡°Maia, don¡¯t go too far! The people from the Cooper Group aren¡¯t someone we can just summon at will!¡±

    Maia¡¯s mouth curved into a small, cold smile. ¡°So you¡¯re admitting you won¡¯t call them?¡±

    At that moment, the scene spiraled out of control, ending with Sandra copsing to the ground as chaos broke loose around her. It was a sharp contrast to the earlier news stories, which had clearly leaned in favor of the Morgan family. Netizens quickly woke up to the truth.

    £í????£å £õ??£ä??£ô£å£ó ??£î ???£ì????£ö??£ì??.??????

    ¡°So all along, it was the Morgan family who severed ties with Maia first!¡±

    ¡°Just because there¡¯s a video doesn¡¯t mean Maia¡¯s telling the truth. Where¡¯s the actual proof?¡±

    ¡°Let me guess ¡ª you¡¯re one of Rosanna¡¯s diehard fans, huh? Funny how you swallow everything she posts without a blink, but when Maia drops evidence, suddenly you need courtroom-level proof. That¡¯s Olympic-level hypocrisy right there.¡±

    ¡°Maia got locked up for allegedly stealing a Radiant Jewels collection under the Cooper Group. Based on what we just saw in the video posted, it looks like the Morgan family deliberately cut her off in front of Cooper¡¯s people to save their reputation. So Maia has nothing to do with the Morgans.¡±

    ¡°Seventeen years they raised her ¡ª and just tossed her aside like garbage.¡±

    ¡°Can someone from Cooper Group step up and verify this already? Did the Morgan family really say all that? What¡¯s the real story behind this severance agreement? @CooperGroup @RadiantJewels¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m siding with Maia on this. And honestly, did you catch Rosanna¡¯s statement dripping with fake sympathy? I almost lost my appetite.¡±

    ¡°The way the media reported it was even more pathetic. They were so one-sided. They totally ignored the fact that the Morgans had signed a severance agreement and twisted it to seem like Maia abandoned them. What aplete joke.¡±

    ¡°Clearly someone paid the press off. No way mainstream news would spin it that hard for free.¡±

    ¡°So the Morgan family¡¯s been sabotaging Maia¡¯s name from the start? Absolutely disgusting.¡±

    Still, not everyone was ready to back down. Some of Rosanna¡¯s loyal defenders refused to ept it.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 140

    ?Chapter 140:

    ¡°Unless someone official from Cooper Group confirms it, I¡¯m sticking with Rosanna! End of story.¡±

    ¡°You all can cry all you want. Maia¡¯s a thief and a snake. She spent four years behind bars and had an affair too. End of story!¡±

    The inte barely had time to breathe before Radiant Jewels, the jewelry brand under the Cooper Group, broke their silence. Suddenly, a rification video appeared ¡ª polished, official, and devastating.

    The manager of Radiant Jewels¡¯ gship boutique sat calmly in front of the camera, his expression cool andposed. ¡°We¡¯ve seen a lot of questions online. Here¡¯s the truth: four years ago, the Morgan family personally informed Maia that she was no longer their daughter. They made her sign a severance agreement right in front of me. Everything Maia said ispletely true. As for the rest ¡ª believe what you will.¡±

    The moment the video dropped, it was like tossing a grenade into a crowded room. Defenders who had been so loud seconds ago vanished without a trace. Shock rippled through Rosanna¡¯s fanbase. They couldn¡¯t believe it ¡ª The Cooper Group actually spoke up?

    Apany as powerful as theirs ¡ª one that usually stayed silent through waves of scandals ¡ª had weighed in for Maia¡¯s sake?

    For a corporation that rarely acknowledged any scandal, stepping into Maia¡¯s situation spoke volumes. No wonder Rosanna¡¯s supporters had been strutting around like they owned the ce.

    But that confidence? It crumbled into dust almost instantly as soon as this video was released.

    Silence swallowed Rosanna¡¯s fanbase whole, leaving nothing but awkward gaps where their voices used to be.

    A few fans went so far as to delete their ounts and vanishpletely from the online world.

    Get thetest g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    Almost immediately, public opinion swung in the opposite direction. The bacsh now was fiercer, louder, and far uglier than the praise Rosanna once basked in.

    General users, who had grown sick of the blind fan worship, finally had an outlet. With the Cooper Group¡¯s testimony, anger boiled over. Furious arguments broke out everywhere. Rosanna¡¯s supporters were dragged into brutal debates they couldn¡¯t win.

    People who had once joined the smear campaign realized that they had been yed ¡ª and they were furious about it.

    ¡°You all aren¡¯t just delusional ¡ª you¡¯re Olympic-level stupid,¡± someone sneered.

    ¡°The way you worship that girl is embarrassing. Go touch some grass.¡±

    ¡°Rosanna says a few fake-sweet lines and you act like it¡¯s Shakespeare. Bet you didn¡¯t even cry that much at your grandma¡¯s funeral.¡±

    ¡°The ship¡¯s already sinking, but you clowns are still trying to patch it with duct tape. Incredible.¡±

    ¡°Fans begging for receipts and getting publicly humiliated? I¡¯m living for it.¡± Naturally, the Morgan family found themselves dragged into the inferno too. Their corporate page overflowed with savagements.

    ¡°Honestly, the Morgan family, have some decency. You were the ones who ended things with Maia first, but then you acted all generous just to take her bracelet, pretending to be so sentimental. But in truth, it was all about the money. You didn¡¯t even show any mercy to the daughter you raised. How selfish!¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s still buying Morgan products after this? If your family¡¯s this shady, your goods are probably fake too.¡±

    ¡°Totally agree! If anyone still wants to support the Morgan family after this, good luck to them ¡ª but I¡¯m out.¡±

    ¡°Same here. Morgan Enterprises is dead to me. Full-on boycott starting today!¡±

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 Chapter 141

    ?Chapter 141:

    ¡°By the way, remember that mess with the leaked photos a while back? Surprise, surprise ¡ª the guy in the middle of it was Jarrod Morgan, their so-called pride and joy!¡±

    ¡°Are you kidding me? No wonder the whole family¡¯s a disaster. Rot starts at the roots.¡±

    Once they¡¯d ripped the Morgans to pieces,izens shifted their sights to the influencers who had once fawned over Rosanna.

    ¡°Those influencers? Complete Rosanna followers. A perfect example of guilt by association. They used Maia of being some rich man¡¯s mistress with no proof at all. Anyone can run their mouth. I¡¯ve already unfollowed them.¡±

    ¡°Have you checked out their photos? All fake setups. I¡¯m sure during the day, they act like royalty, and by night, they¡¯re on livestreams, scrambling for coupons like broke college students.¡±

    ¡°Pathetic. True elegance can¡¯t be bought. It¡¯s all about how you carry yourself. Maybe instead of constantly editing your selfies, you should focus on earning a degree that won¡¯t get exposed.¡±

    Faced with the online firestorm, those influencers seethed in private. None of them had expected that hitching their wagon to Rosanna would cost them thousands of followers ¡ª and their credibility.

    Trying to post anything only made it worse. Every word got drowned out by a tidal wave of mockery.

    Meanwhile, Rosanna¡¯s own situation hit rock bottom. Losing over half a million followers was brutal enough, but the real pain was seeing her Facebook page turn into a public execution.

    Never before had Rosanna tasted true inte shame until now.

    Across town, Morgan Enterprises¡¯ once-quiet Facebook page blew up ¡ª but not with anything they wanted. Trolls swarmed in by the thousands, tearing them apart with brutalments.

    Your next chapter awaits g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m

    At the same time, Maia¡¯s following skyrocketed. In just a few short hours, her Facebook ount gained over a million new fans, and thement section flooded with support.

    ¡°Maia doesn¡¯t waste breath. She just drops cold, hard evidence. Respect.¡±

    ¡°So what if she did time? Honestly, looking at how shady the Morgans are, she probably got set up.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! Even Vicki, a Morgan herself, didn¡¯t trust them. I wouldn¡¯t put it past them to sacrifice Maia to save their reputation.¡±

    ¡°At least Maia never lied to us. Compared to the Morgans, she¡¯s a damn hero. I¡¯m sticking with her.¡±

    At the Morgan Vi, Rosanna red at the flood of hatefulments online, her body trembling uncontrobly. Anger burned so fiercely in her chest that she thought she might explode.

    There was no way she could let anyone know that Maia had teamed up with the jewelry store owner to swap the bracelet. After all, Rosanna had been the one to initiate the sale of the bracelet, posting such a long, emotional message about it. If theizens found out she had nned to sell the bracelet, wouldn¡¯t that only confirm her hypocrisy?

    That was why she had fabricated the story about Maia stealing the bracelet. At the time, it seemed like a wless n. Now, it had blown up in her face, leaving her aughingstock.

    Any attempt at defending herself would only pour gasoline on the fire.

    She kept writing and erasing posts on her social media, each one feeling more useless than thest, until frustration got the better of her. The phone slipped from her hand andnded on the couch with a dull thud.

    Sitting beside her, Sandra let out a long, weary sigh. ¡°Imagine that. Vicki actually recorded a video for Maia and had her name engraved on the bracelet. It was supposed to be a symbol of inheritance and meaning. Richard and I didn¡¯t even have a clue!¡±

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 Chapter 142

    ?Chapter 142:

    Turning toward Rosanna, Sandra¡¯s tone became stern. ¡°You rushed things, Rosanna. This should have been handled quietly between you and Maia. Stirring up the inte crowd never ends well. They¡¯re fickle. They¡¯ll tear you down faster than they built you up.¡±

    Rosanna sat frozen, her lips pressed into a hard line, unwilling or unable to answer.

    ¡°Another thing I don¡¯t get,¡± Sandra continued, ¡°how did Maia get hold of the media¡¯s footage? And why is Cooper Group suddenly backing her up? None of this makes any sense.¡± Sandra frowned.

    But Rosanna tightened her fists until her knuckles turned white.

    The only exnation was chillingly clear. Maia had help. Powerful help. She had prepared for everything ¡ª except the possibility that Maia¡¯s backer might have ties to the Cooper family.

    If her suspicion was right, then everything that had happened made perfect sense.

    The Cooper family weren¡¯t just rich ¡ª they ruled Wront. Their power eclipsed even the Ward family, a level the Morgan family could only dream of reaching. So how could someone from the Cooper family take an interest in Maia?

    For now, Rosanna told herself that she had to find proof to tell everyone that Maia was being kept. She needed something that would reveal the man behind it all. Only with that knowledge could she plot her next move and crush Maia once and for all.

    As for the current inte storm, there was no point fighting it yet. Timing was everything. When the truth came out, it would destroy Maiapletely. With her mind made up, Rosanna¡¯s stiff shoulders finally loosened a little.

    Facing Sandra, she said in a low, broken voice, ¡°Mom, I¡¯m sorry. I wasn¡¯t thinking straight. I just wanted to get the bracelet back¡­ Our family¡¯s struggling, and I thought if it really was worth 150 million, it could help us survive this mess. I never imagined it would turn into such a disaster¡­ This is all on me. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Sandra¡¯s stern expression melted away the moment she heard Rosanna¡¯s apology. ¡°You¡¯re not the only one to me. Maia should have been honest about the bracelet¡¯s worth. No wonder she didn¡¯t want toe back to us ¡ª she must have been nning to keep all that money for herself.¡±

    Fresh updates avable at galno¦Íe?s?c?m

    Rosanna gave a weak nod and pressed her hand to her forehead. ¡°Mom, I don¡¯t feel well. I think I¡¯ll go lie down for a bit.¡±

    Seeing Rosanna¡¯s pale and weary appearance, Sandra felt a pang of guilt. The bitter words she had thrown at Rosanna earlier weighed heavily on Sandra¡¯s mind. Thinking back, she realized that Rosanna never meant any harm. Every move had been driven by a desperate attempt to help the Morgan family. Now that the situation had spiraled out of control, Rosanna had ended up beaten by the fallout too.

    But no matter how much sympathy she felt, the Morgan family¡¯s troubles were real. Their strongest business partner had already abandoned them, and now the inte outrage only tightened the noose.

    Pressing her fingers to her aching temples, Sandra closed her eyes, trying to will away the pounding headache that had be a constantpanion. Once Rosanna disappeared upstairs to rest, Sandra dragged herself back to her own room, too drained to think anymore.

    Meanwhile, Richard had spent the entire day scrambling to put out fires at thepany. By the time he finally checked the news, it felt like the walls were closing in on him.

    By the time evening rolled around, he stomped into Morgan Vi like a storm brewing on the horizon. He walked, seething, uncertain where to aim his fury. ming Rosanna seemed impossible ¡ª his heart just would not allow it, and deep down, he knew that she had not acted alone.

    Mid-stride, his gaze caught Jarrodzily making his way down the stairs. Without thinking, Richard lunged forward, grabbed Jarrod by the ear, and dragged him toward the living room.

    ¡°Ow, ow! Dad, what the hell?!¡± Jarrod yelped, trying to wriggle free.

    Richard jabbed a finger toward his son¡¯s nose, his face filled with fury. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you filed a report with the police? Where¡¯s the progress? Why hasn¡¯t the inte been cleared of this garbage yet?!¡±

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 Chapter 143

    ?Chapter 143:

    Rumors had exploded online, dragging Jarrod¡¯s name into the mud, and with the Morgan family already under siege, this new scandal was sinking them even faster.

    Shifting awkwardly, Jarrod rubbed his nose and murmured, ¡°The police are still looking into it. These things¡­ they don¡¯t happen overnight¡­¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t get them to speed it up, I swear, I¡¯ll wring your neck!¡± Richard shouted, not even attempting to hide his disgust. He stormed up the stairs, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.

    Left standing in the middle of the living room, Jarrod rolled his eyes so hard that it almost hurt. It was obvious that Richard¡¯s anger wasn¡¯t really meant for him. Rosanna had be untouchable in their parents¡¯ eyes, so now he had be their preferred target.

    In that instant, Jarrod had an epiphany. When Maia was still around, she had been the family¡¯s punching bag. But ever since Rosanna came back and Maia left, he had be the one Richard and Sandra vented all their anger on! For a moment, he just stood there, unable to figure out what he even felt anymore.

    Still, he couldn¡¯t pretend Rosanna was meless. She had gone rogue, posting without warning, dragging everyone into a mess that no one could clean up. He realized that Rosanna could be incredibly naive at times ¡ª it was almost maddening.

    Jarrod let out a deep sigh. She was his own sister ¡ª what was he supposed to say?

    Maia stepped out of the hospital room just after delivering Kathie¡¯s medicinal lunch, feeling the weight on her shoulders lighten considerably.

    Having sessfully dealt with Rosanna and the Morgan family, she felt a wave of pride and relief wash over her. As she reached the hospital entrance, she decided to reward herself with an ice cream, savoring each bite like a small victory.

    Out of nowhere, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning, Maia saw Elvira, who was partially hidden behind a face mask.

    Uncover new worlds at g   alnov els

    ¡°Do you really need the mask?¡± Maia joked lightly.

    Elvira, adopting a mysterious tone, pulled Maia to the side. ¡°I¡¯ve be somewhat of a celebrity. Without this mask, I¡¯d be mobbed!¡±

    Her recent trip to Wront for medical consultations had sparked considerable attention, particrly at the Primary Healthcare Center, where she was quickly recognized. Despite many seeking appointments, they were unable to secure one. Any public sighting of her would likely lead to impromptu consultations.

    Maia raised an eyebrow. ¡°The hospital arranges a car to pick you up and drop you off every day, and they¡¯ve even booked you the most luxurious hotel. Why venture out at all?¡±

    Elvira¡¯s pout was visible even under her mask. ¡°I needed a break from being indoors all the time. It¡¯s not often I visit Wront. I wanted to see more of the city.¡± She then narrowed her eyes at Maia, shifting topics. ¡°Have you sorted out everything online?¡±

    Maia confirmed with a nod.

    Unable to contain her excitement, Elvira gave Maia¡¯s arm a yful smack. ¡°I was sure you¡¯d manage it! My brother was in a panic when the issue blew up on social media. He¡¯s in Drakmire and didn¡¯t know much about this. So he even called me to¡ª¡±

    ¡°Hold on a second.¡± Maia swiftly interrupted Elvira, cutting off a likely lengthy spiel about her brother.

    Directing a serious look towards Elvira, Maia asked, ¡°Knowing I could manage, why did you get involved using your main social media ount? Weren¡¯t you worried about repercussions?¡±

    Elvira sighed heavily, saying, ¡°Those inte trolls and their nastyments drove me to it. Do they think there are no consequences to their actions online? I¡¯ve saved every bit of their libel, insults, and manipted images. Believe me, if needed, my brother could make them regret their words.¡±

    ¡°Is such a straightforward case even worth involving your brother? I¡¯ve collected all the necessary evidence. At the right moment, I¡¯ll have awyer handle these inte bullies effectively,¡± Maia reassured her.

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 Chapter 144

    ?Chapter 144:

    Elvira¡¯s gaze shifted, deep in thought. She realized that involving her brother¡¯s high-profile legal team could indeed attract unwanted media attention nationwide.

    Without pressing the issue, she broke into a proud grin. ¡°I must confess, debating those clueless fans with my alt ount was a st!¡±

    ¡°I had a hunch it was you,¡± Maia responded, linking arms with Elvira and shing a yful grin. ¡°As a token of my gratitude, what do you say to a real tour of Wront tonight?¡±

    Ever since Elvira¡¯s arrival in Wront, Maia hadn¡¯t yet had the opportunity to show her the sights, something she had intended to do.

    ¡°That sounds perfect! Just remember, you owe me one of your home-cooked meals,¡± Elvira told her, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten,¡± Maia assured her.

    Recently, Maia had been preupied with preparing therapeutic meals for Kathie, leaving little time for othermitments. She nned to cook for Elvira once Kathie was more stable.

    ¡°Oops, I need to head back for my afternoon sessions! After your visit with Kathie tonight, make sure to give me a call!¡±

    Elvira, having slipped away during her lunch break, was now in a rush to return. Maia nodded, bidding Elvira farewell. As she turned away, her phone began to ring.

    She responded with a question. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°Boss, you¡¯re incredible! You handled that huge online mess so swiftly! I was ready to spend days fighting with trolls using my backup ount. But then the Cooper Group intervened and set the record straight!¡± Maia¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion.

    Cooper Group? She hadn¡¯t orchestrated that.

    Perplexed, she pondered why Radiant Jewels, the top-tier brand of the Cooper Group, had released a statement presumably endorsed by their management.

    What could have prompted their involvement?

    Might Zoey be involved? Considering the longstanding feud between Zoey and the main Cooper family, it seemed improbable that she would reach out to them for assistance. Wait¡­ Could it have been Chris?

    The suspicion barely had time to form before Maia brushed it aside. Chris, after all, was nothing more than the ck sheep of the Cooper family, unwanted and pushed aside by the legitimate heirs. There was no way he had enough influence to make anyone from the Cooper Group speak up for her. Could it really be that the Cooper Group was worried the public bacsh had grown too intense and might tarnish their image?

    Maia was not convinced. The Cooper Group had survived bigger controversies without flinching. Compared to those, this situation barely registered as a nuisance.

    Chasing answers she could not find was a waste of energy. Zoey had taught her that. Smiling faintly, Maia turned back to the call and said warmly, ¡°Thank you. I saw how you all stood up to the trolls for me. You handled them beautifully. Next time, give them even more hell.¡±

    She could easily guess who was behind the sudden army of defenders online, and the thought left a quiet warmth blooming in her chest. Even if the Morgan family had abandoned her, she still had allies who chose to stand by her without question.

    ¡°Boss, why are you being so formal with me? You still owe me half my sales orders, remember¡­¡± The voice on the other end faded into a sheepish mumble, and Maia let out a softugh. ¡°Rx. I haven¡¯t forgotten.¡±

    Shortly after she ended the call, a message from Pattie popped up. She, too, was stunned by how fast Maia had flipped the situation ¡ª and confessed that she had been one of the anonymous ounts fighting for her.

    But to Maia, this was only the beginning. The real storm was brewing over the Morgan family and Rosanna.

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 Chapter 145

    ?Chapter 145:

    Their products were tanking, sales plummeting as the public turned its back on them.

    Rosanna had not even made it to her first ss of the new semester, yet already a brutal thread dominated the university forum, titled: ¡°The Pure Goddess Revealed as a Master Maniptor?¡±

    Hundreds ofments flooded in, many from students who once adored her ¡ª now voicing only disappointment and disdain.

    Scrolling through the flood ofments, Rosanna felt her jaw tighten until it ached. Fury boiled under her skin, barely kept in check. She had spent years polishing her reputation to perfection, carefully crafting her image until her ssmates saw her as untouchable ¡ª a goddess among mortals.

    There was not a ttering word that had not once been thrown at her feet. And now, with a single blow, Maia had shattered it all.

    Everything she had built ¡ª every lie, every facade ¡ª was reduced to rubble. She could not bear it.

    And the bracelet ¡ª she still had not gotten it back.

    A heavy, suffocating pressure crushed down on her chest until she struggled to breathe.

    She sat frozen at the edge of her bed, the curtains drawn tight, darkness swallowing the room whole.

    The sudden chime of her phone sliced through the silence.

    Rosanna barely nced at the screen. The caller ID showed a name that she vaguely recognized ¡ª a talent scout who had once pursued her for the entertainment industry.

    Lifting the phone to her ear, she said in a muted voice, ¡°Hello?¡±

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    ¡°Miss Morgan, it¡¯s been a while. Do you remember me?¡± The voice crackled through the receiver, warm and brimming with excitement.

    Rosanna shifted slightly, her tone guarded but polite. ¡°I do.¡±

    ¡°Perfect!¡± The caller¡¯s enthusiasm surged. ¡°Ourpany is coborating with a major televisionwork tounch this year¡¯s biggest singingpetition. It¡¯s going to be massive! We¡¯re bringing in the country¡¯s top singers, legendary songwriters ¡ª you name it. The lineup is unlike anything we¡¯ve ever done. We¡¯d love to have you join as a contestant. What do you think?¡±

    A sliver of doubt crept into Rosanna¡¯s mind, making her pause.

    Once before, she had brushed off the scout¡¯s offer without a second thought. Now, picking up on her hesitation, the scout rushed to fill the silence. ¡°Joining thepetition doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re locking yourself into a pop career. Think of it as exploring another side of yourself. Your voice is incredible ¡ª honestly, I¡¯d bet good money you¡¯dnd in the top three! Plus¡­ I¡¯ve seen the mess brewing online. The bacsh is real. You need a distraction, something to make people look somewhere else. Remember, your fans fell in love with your voice first. Get back out there, remind them why they adored you. They¡¯lle running.¡±

    Every word hit a nerve.

    Rosanna knew better than anyone that the entertainment world thrived on attention, not love or loyalty. Praise or curses didn¡¯t matter. As long as people talked, she still had power. That was why the scout returned, still seeing value in her even as her reputation crumbled.

    And he had a point. Her true fans were drawn to her singing long before they cared about anything else.

    A shy, attention-grabbing moment was exactly what Rosanna needed now to bury the ugly whispers about the bracelet scandal.

    If she sat back and let the bacsh simmer, it would only dig deeper into her future, poisoning every opportunity before it even began.

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 Chapter 146

    ?Chapter 146:

    What was more, winning the singingpetition would not only bring her fame but also a substantial cash prize. It was a win-win situation that would also satisfy her vanity.

    Even better, she could paint it as an act of gratitude ¡ª make it seem like she was stepping onto that stage not for herself, but for her loyal fans who still believed in her.

    It would be the perfect story.

    And once the narrative shifted, the old scandal would rot in the forgotten corners of the inte, just like every other fleeting outrage.

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll do it.¡± Rosanna tightened her grip on the phone, her decision firm.

    Excitement lit up the scout¡¯s voice as he wrapped up the call on a cheerful note.

    Maia finished replying to Pattie¡¯s message and opened her Twitter, scrolling to the video Vicki had left behind.

    Her nose tingled, and tears threatened to well up in her eyes.

    That video had been her lifeline during the darkest days. If it hadn¡¯t been for her determination to publicly discredit Rosanna and show that the bracelet was a keepsake from Vicki, she would never have made it public.

    Brushing the screen with trembling fingers, she traced Vicki¡¯s gentle smile and murmured, ¡°Grandma¡­ I miss you so much.¡±

    Lifting her wrist, Maia tilted it toward the window where the sunlight caught the bracelet¡¯s deep green surface, scattering light like tiny stars.

    Once, Vicki had told her that whenever the ache of missing her grew too heavy, this bracelet would be herfort.

    Drawing a soft breath, Maia let her fingertips dance over the bracelet¡¯s cold surface.

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    No auction, no price tag could ever tempt her to give it up. To her, it was irreceable¡ªwoven so tightly into her heart that losing it would feel like losing herself.

    While she was still wrapped in a cloud of memories, her phone buzzed against the couch, jolting her back to reality. ncing at the screen, she froze.

    Chris¡¯s name shed across the disy.

    In an instant, shes of the night before flooded her mind¡ªthe way Chris had cornered her against the door, the closeness of his voice, the questions that had left her rattled. She could still feel the ghost of his breath brushing past her ear.

    For once, Maia hesitated, unsure whether she was ready to face him.

    Finally gathering her courage, she pressed answer and lifted the phone to her ear. ¡°Hello?¡±

    ¡°Have you eaten?¡± Chris¡¯s voice drifted through, low and easy, as if they were just two old friends chatting.

    At the very mention of food, Maia¡¯s stomach let out a loud, embarrassing growl. She had spent her lunch break throwing fuel onto the fires of social media and had

    She had barely touched a real meal. The only thing she had managed to cook was Kathie¡¯s medicinal soup before dashing out the door.

    Originally, she had nned a lunch outing with Ethan. Earlier that day, though, a different scene had unfolded. Instead of pestering her or begging for attention, Ethan had buried his nose deep into his phone.

    Worry had flickered through her ¡ª was he falling into the same trap so many kids did, sucked into endless scrolling? Yet when she peeked closer, she had caught a glimpse of something unexpected: no social media, no mindless videos. Instead, Ethan was lost in an e-book, so absorbed he might as well have been in another world.

    With no better options, Maia quietly ordered takeout for him.

    Hunger hadn¡¯t really bothered her until Chris¡¯s voice brought it to the forefront. Now her stomach grumbled loudly, making its displeasure impossible to ignore.

    One hand pressed against her empty stomach, she said, ¡°Not yet. I was just about to find something to eat.¡±

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 Chapter 147

    ?Chapter 147:

    Chris chuckled lightly through the phone and said, ¡°Then let¡¯s eat together. I haven¡¯t had anything either. Where are you? I¡¯ll swing by and pick you up.¡±

    Trying to sound casual, Maia teased, ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be driving your boss around today?¡±

    ¡°The boss has a lunch meeting with an important client. It¡¯s likely to runte, so I have some free time.¡± His voice held a rxed charm. ¡°The real question, Miss Watson, is whether you¡¯ll do me the honor of dining with me, your legally married husband?¡±

    Thatst bit carried a yful whine, as if he was using her of neglect. Caught off guard, Maia cleared her throat and responded with a small sigh, ¡°I¡¯ll send you the address.¡±

    Less than fifteen minutester, a cab rolled up to the curb, and Chris leaned out the open window. His arm restedzily along the frame, muscles taut and rxed all at once. With a tilt of his head, he said, ¡°Get in.¡±

    Without a word, Maia slipped into the seat, making sure to leave a polite gap between them.

    Chris caught the move but said nothing, though the corner of his mouth lifted in quiet amusement.

    The ride was short, and the cab soon pulled up in front of a restaurant. A nce at the sign made Maia blink in surprise. It was a three-star establishment, famous for its award-winning chefs and sky-high prices.

    Given Chris¡¯s job chauffeuring his boss around, she doubted his paycheck left much room for fine dining. Yet he acted like treating himself to luxury meals was no big deal. No wonder people gossiped about him being carefree and a little reckless with money.

    Still, the thought of owing him weighed on her mind. She had promised to treat him once, and today seemed as good a day as any to settle the debt.

    Choosing a cozy table by the window, they settled in as the restaurant¡¯s soft lighting cast a warm glow over everything. A gentle melody floated through the room, courtesy of a live pianist tucked away in the corner.

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    Paired with the quiet murmur of diners and the asional clink of cutlery, the music created a peaceful, almost dreamlike atmosphere.

    After handing his menu back to the waiter, Chris leaned in and chuckled lightly. ¡°We should call this a celebration.¡±

    Eyebrows lifting in confusion, Maia asked, ¡°A celebration?¡±

    ¡°You, Miss Watson, just hit a million followers. That calls for a toast,¡± Chris said, lifting his ss with a glint in his eye.

    A wry smile tugged at Maia¡¯s lips as she caught his meaning.

    Of course he had seen the chaos online. Honestly, with how the drama had exploded, it would have been a miracle if he had missed it. She was probably trending by now. With a light clink, she tapped her ss against his.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± she said quietly, though her mind was already racing. For a moment, she simply watched him. The way the soft light spilled across his sharp features made her heart give an uneasy flutter.

    After a brief pause, she finally asked, ¡°Chris, do you have any idea why Cooper Group suddenly spoke up for me?¡±

    For a moment, a shadow passed across his face.

    With an indifferent shrug, he replied, ¡°Who knows what goes through Cooper Group¡¯s head? Maybe they were just bored and decided to get involved.¡±

    Doubt flickered through Maia as she caught the dismissiveness in his voice. There was no way Cooper Group acted on random whims. Their te was always full¡ªthere was no reason they would dive into someone else¡¯s mess without a solid motive.

    Since Chris offered nothing more, she tucked the question away. It was enough to confirm her gut feeling¡ªit had nothing to do with him.

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 Chapter 148

    ?Chapter 148:

    As silence stretched between them, Chris¡¯s gaze dropped to her wrist, lingering on the bracelet. Tilting his head, he murmured, ¡°So that¡¯s the one. The bracelet from your grandmother. It¡¯s¡­ different.¡±

    At once, Maia stiffened. Without thinking, she pulled her hand back. She muttered to herself, ¡°Could Chris actually be after this bracelet worth billions?¡±

    Maia¡¯s reaction didn¡¯t escape Chris¡¯s sharp observation. A blend of resigned amusement stirred within him, one he couldn¡¯t shake off.

    He had once nned to buy the bracelet back for 150 million dors. Thankfully, Maia was clever enough to team up with Vincenzo and pull off a clever sleight of hand, retrieving the bracelet and saving him a fortune. Now, her reaction hinted at her suspicion that he harbored hidden intentions towards the bracelet.

    Such doubts weren¡¯tpletely unfounded, given his notorious reputation forvishness and carelessness, making Maia¡¯s cautious stance towards him quite rational.

    In Maia¡¯s view, Chris was the epitome of a carefree and indulgent heir, living without caution or restraint. Though his demeanor appeared wless, she had learned never to trust mere appearances.

    Having been hurt and betrayed by the Morgan family, Maia had built an emotional wall around her heart, remaining constantly guarded with those she couldn¡¯t fully trust or understand. Chris remained a mystery to her.

    This time, she had returned to help him reim his position in the Cooper Group and secure his inheritance rights under Zoe¡¯s instruction. But when it came to Chris himself, Maia had little faith in him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have no interest in taking your bracelet,¡± Chris casually remarked, reclining in his seat. His eyes softened with a gentle sincerity as he regarded Maia. ¡°That bracelet, a gift from your adoptive grandmother, symbolizes her love for you. And love, after all, is beyond price.¡±

    As he spoke, a hint of sadness crossed his face, evoking memories of his own past.

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    His straightforward words made Maia blush with a mix of embarrassment and surprise.

    ¡°I apologize, Mr. Cooper. I just¡­¡± She rubbed her cheek, her lips pressing into a tight, awkward line. The words seemed to get stuck in her throat, and a subtle wave of embarrassment and unease shed across her face.

    Her usualposure seemed to disappear, rendering her oddly endearing to Chris.

    Chris leaned in, propping his chin on his hand, his curiosity heightened as he continued to observe her closely. He found each of her subtle movements fascinating.

    Trying to escape his intense scrutiny, Maia ducked her head. Just when she felt overwhelmed, a familiar voice cut through the tension, offering her a much-needed respite.

    ¡°Miss Watson, what a surprise to see you here this evening!¡±

    The voice belonged to Vincenzo, who had just entered and immediately noticed Maia. He walked over with a warm smile.

    Maia felt a wave of relief and quickly stood up. She nced around the room before smiling at Vincenzo. ¡°Mr. Casadei, are you dining alone?¡±

    ¡°Just me tonight ¡ª solitude seems to be my constantpanion,¡± Vincenzo replied, his gaze drifting to the man opposite Maia.

    Chris¡¯s striking appearance andmanding presence made him impossible to overlook. Even Vincenzo was taken aback ¡ª this man was more irresistibly handsome than Maxwell.

    Turning back to Maia, Vincenzo gave a yful smirk and asked, ¡°And who might this distinguished gentleman be? A friend of yours?¡±

    Before Maia could reply, Chris rose to his feet, nonchntly cing an arm around her shoulders and offering a smug grin. ¡°I¡¯m her spouse.¡±

    Vincenzo, caught off guard, stammered, ¡°You¡¯re married, Miss Watson? And so young?¡±

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 Chapter 149

    ?Chapter 149:

    Vincenzo, who had assumed that Chris might be her boyfriend, was now reeling from the revtion that he was actually her husband. What an exceptional young woman, and to be married at such a young age!

    Vincenzo had once toyed with the idea of introducing Maia to his son but quickly dismissed the thought, judging his son unworthy of such an aplished young woman. He was taken aback to learn of her marital status, especially to someone as distinguished as Chris.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Maia turned to Chris, who exuded confidence, his demeanor unapologetic, as if announcing his marital status was the most natural thing in the world. She then told Vincenzo, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m married, and this gentleman here is my husband.¡±

    As Maia acknowledged their marriage, Chris¡¯s face lit up with a broad smile, his eyebrows arching in amusement.

    ¡°Mr. Casadei, since you¡¯re here by yourself, would you care to join us?¡± Maia suggested kindly. ¡°You¡¯ve been such a help to me, and I¡¯ve yet to thank you properly. It would be great if my husband and I could treat you to dinner. Please, join us.¡±

    Chris¡¯s smile briefly faltered. He had been looking forward to a private evening with Maia, and now their ns were being interrupted.

    If Vincenzo were perceptive, he would decline and leave them be. However, Vincenzo cheerfully epted the invitation. ¡°I¡¯d be delighted to dine with you.¡±

    Maia quickly shuffled to make space, and Vincenzo slid into the seat next to her, facing Chris. Chris found himself at a loss for words.

    As Vincenzo settled in, he looked at Chris and asked, ¡°So, what is it that your husband does?¡±

    ¡°Why does that matter to you?¡± Chris responded, leaning back and folding his arms, his voice tinged with annoyance. His authoritative presence briefly silenced Vincenzo.

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    To diffuse the growing tension, Maia shifted the conversation. ¡°Mr. Casadei, you seem quite spirited these days. Have you stumbled upon any rare finds recently?¡±

    This change of topic sparked Vincenzo¡¯s passion, and he dove into a lively discussion with Maia about his recent discoveries.

    Chris sat silently, feeling excluded as his wife and Vincenzo chatted like old friends. He had beenpletely left out. Narrowing his eyes, he red at Vincenzo with a sharp look.

    Vincenzo didn¡¯t pay him any attention,pletely absorbed in his lively conversation with Maia.

    Vincenzo had no idea that the man sitting across from him was actually his superior¡¯s superior.

    As Maia and Vincenzo chatted, Chris¡¯s phone buzzed sharply against the table. One nce at the caller ID, and he rose from his seat with a stiff expression. ¡°I need to take this,¡± he said, his voice clipped and cold.

    Maia nodded in response and continued her conversation with Vincenzo.

    Vincenzo, for his part, hadn¡¯t met someone he could talk to like this in years. Despite Maia being much younger, her knowledge of jewelry and antiques far surpassed that of his store employees. Sitting there, he found himself thinking, with a rare surge of warmth, ¡°When you find the rightpanion, the keg never runs dry,¡± he muttered to himself.

    Outside, a ck car cruised past the restaurant. Inside, Rosanna lounged in the backseat, ncing out the window when something caught her eye. The next second, she jerked upright.

    ¡°Stop the car!¡± she shouted.

    Vince¡¯s assistant, startled, immediately pulled over.

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 Chapter 150

    ?Chapter 150:

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Vince, who had been resting with his eyes closed, frowned slightly at the interruption.

    ¡°Vince, look over there! Isn¡¯t that Maia?¡±

    At the mention of Maia¡¯s name, Vince straightened, his attention sharpening. Through the wide ss window, they saw Maia inside the three-star restaurant, deep in conversation with an older man. And that man¡ªwasn¡¯t he the owner of the jewelry store? The one who had bought the bracelet during the auction?

    Anger tightened Rosanna¡¯s chest, stealing her breath. Maybe that old man had been backing Maia from the shadows all along. No wonder he had sided with Maia back then. So the two of them had been colluding all along. Thinking about it this way, Rosanna guessed that the bracelet might not even be worth 150 million¡ªit could have all been a setup to get the bracelet back!

    A twisted sense of rity flooded through Rosanna, darkening her hatred even further. Atst, she had something tangible¡ªsomething she could use to expose their dirty little alliance.

    Smirking, she rolled down the window and angled her phone carefully, snapping photo after photo of Maia and Vincenzo from just the right distance to make the situation look suspicious.

    Once satisfied, she tucked her phone away and nced sidelong at Vince, her tone light but cutting. ¡°This ce¡­ not exactly cheap, is it?¡±

    Vince¡¯s expression hardened the moment he recognized the restaurant¡¯s name. It was a level above the private dining room where he had first crossed paths with Maia. His fingers curled into a fist on hisp, his jaw clenching as anger flickered in his eyes.

    ¡°Shameless,¡± Vince muttered under his breath.

    ¡°Vince, someone really is keeping Maia. But online, people keep brushing it off as rumors and defending her, even attacking anyone who tells the truth.¡± Rosanna gave a pitiful sniffle, her voice heavy with hurt. ¡°I always saw her as my real sister, but that does not give her the right to twist the truth like this¡­¡±

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    Vince had seen the discussions online. Rosanna had done everything she could to protect her image in Vince¡¯s eyes, painting herself as the helpless victim caught in a storm she never created.

    She had cried as she told him about the bracelet, swearing she believed it was a keepsake from her beloved grandmother, Vicki ¡ª something priceless only because of sentiment, not money.

    When it came to Maia¡¯s falling out with the Morgan family, Rosanna imed ignorance, insisting that she had been kept in the dark about the whole affair. Her trembling voice and tearful confession had left a heavy mark on Vince¡¯s heart.

    In his mind, Rosanna was not the type to scheme. She was simply misunderstood. Unlike the fickle voices online, Vince believed he could see true sincerity when it stood before him.

    Afterforting Rosanna, Vince had taken her out for a meal. Neither expected to cross paths with Maia on the way back to the Morgan Vi.

    Through the restaurant¡¯s wide windows, Vince saw her ¡ªughing and lively with an older man. It hit harder than he expected. When was thest time Maia had smiled at him like that?

    A sharp ache twisted in his chest, jealousy bubbling up so fast that it nearly choked him. His hands curled into fists, knuckles whitening. His gaze dropped to Rosanna¡¯s phone, where the new photos waited like a loaded weapon.

    ¡°Send them to me,¡± Vince said stiffly. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure everyone sees her true colors.¡±

    Rosanna, careful not to seem too eager, offered a measured analysis. ¡°We need to be smart about it. They¡¯re just photos. If someone traces them back to this restaurant and pulls the surveince footage¡­ and if that footage shows nothing inappropriate, Maia could flip the story around again.¡±

    She had been burned by Maia¡¯s tricks before ¡ª publicly humiliated by videos that showed just enough truth to make her look like a liar. This time, Rosanna had taken photos with angles meant to stir suspicion, but the reality was harmless. From a legal standpoint, Maia and Vincenzo hadn¡¯t done anything wrong.

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 Chapter 151

    ?Chapter 151:

    There was always the risk of it backfiring.

    Vince¡¯s eyes narrowed, and a cold, humorlessugh slipped from his lips. ¡°Then we make sure the surveince footage goes out of order. Once that¡¯s taken care of, the photos will be the only thing anyone sees.¡±

    Hearing that, Rosanna hid a sly smile. If Vince was willing to get his hands dirty, things would be easier than she ever hoped.

    ¡°Vince, are you sure you want to take it this far?¡± Rosanna asked, her voice light and tentative as she bit her lip, stealing a nce at his sharp, unreadable profile. ¡°After all¡­ Maia was once your fianc¨¦e.¡±

    ¡°She stopped being that a long time ago.¡± Vince did not flinch. His gaze, cold and steady, stayed fixed on the road ahead.

    He had said it before ¡ª he would make Maiae back, begging for forgiveness.

    By the time Chris returned, an ufortable silence had settled between Maia and Vincenzo. Hardly any of the food on their tes had been touched. Nobody spoke as they half-heartedly picked at their meals, and Chris sat there like a statue, his face a mask of cold indifference.

    Tension hung so thick in the air that it felt like breathing through a heavy fog. Across the table, Vincenzo shifted uneasily, unable to figure out why the man opposite him was throwing off such a hostile vibe.

    When the meal was winding down, Vincenzo set down his fork, forcing a polite smile in Maia¡¯s direction. ¡°Miss Watson, thanks for the meal. I had a great time chatting, but there¡¯s something urgent I need to handle back at the shop. I¡¯ll be heading out now. You two enjoy the rest of your evening.¡±

    Before Maia could even muster a reply, Vincenzo was already rising from his seat, practically bolting from the room as though he couldn¡¯t escape fast enough.

    After Vincenzo left, Maia turned her attention back to Chris. His head was slightly bowed, his entire posture humming with barely concealed tension. Breaking the heavy silence, she said, ¡°Mr. Cooper, that man ¡ª Vincenzo ¡ª he¡¯s the one who bought the bracelet online. Without him, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to get Vicki¡¯s bracelet back.¡±

    hosts great stories

    ¡°Right,¡± Chris responded with a t tone.

    Of course, he knew. He was the one who had made sure Vincenzo got the bracelet in the first ce.

    Trying to bridge the growing distance, Maia added, ¡°That¡¯s why I invited him to dinner. I just wanted to thank him properly.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± Chris muttered, a hollow chuckle escaping him.

    Frustrated, Maia bit her lip before asking, ¡°If you know all that, then why are you acting like this? You¡¯re obviously unhappy.¡±

    Chris halted mid-slice, the knife poised awkwardly in the air. His gaze liftedzily, but the slight redness creeping up his neck betrayed him before he could hide it behind a smirk. ¡°Oh? Am I?¡±

    Maia sat there, momentarily at a loss for words.

    He didn¡¯t need to say it. His face practically had ¡°Not Happy¡± written across it in bold letters.

    With a sly twist of his lips, Chris leaned closer, the edge of his smile mischievous. His handsome features hovered dangerously close to hers as he tilted his head and studied her. ¡°You¡¯ve been exining yourself quite a lot. What¡¯s wrong? Worried I¡¯ll get the wrong idea?¡±

    Without warning, Maia¡¯s heart kicked up a frantic rhythm. To hide her flustered state, she quickly dropped her gaze and took a slow sip from her ss, buying herself a few seconds. ¡°Since we¡¯re married, it makes sense to be upfront with each other.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Chris let out a low, mockingugh from deep within, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°But didn¡¯t you tell me before that my personal matters were none of your business? So why do you feel the need to exin your personal affairs to me?¡±

    Maia was briefly taken aback. She remembered how, just the night before, after leaving the club, Chris had asked her if she cared about who he spent time with. She had told him it was his personal matter and that she had no reason to get involved. And now, here he was, tossing her words right back at her ¡ª only this time, there was an unmistakable weight behind them.

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 Chapter 152

    ?Chapter 152:

    Even though she knew that she hadn¡¯t done anything wrong, even though she owed him no exnations, a pang of guilt prickled in her chest when she caught the hurt flickering across his face.

    ¡°I¡¯m certain there¡¯s nothing between you and Mr. Casadei,¡± Chris said, his hand steady as he wiped his mouth with a napkin, his movements calm and purposeful.

    Maia mped her lips together, unsure how to respond. A quiet, almost self-deprecatingugh slipped from Chris. ¡°All I¡¯m saying is¡­ next time, maybe spare a little conversation for me too.¡±

    The words hit her harder than she expected. Only then did Maia realize ¡ª she had been so caught up chatting with Vincenzo earlier that she had barely spared Chris a nce. Anyone in his position would probably feel a little left out.

    Realization hit her, and a bright, teasing smile lit up Maia¡¯s face. ¡°Got it. Next time, I¡¯ll make sure the three of us chat about something you actually care about!¡±

    Chris simply stared at her, utterly speechless. At this point, he figured it was better to pretend he had never opened his mouth in the first ce.

    Once they finished eating, Maia made her way to the front desk, ready to settle the bill herself. But before she could even pull out her wallet, the receptionist smiled politely and informed her that everything had already been paid for.

    Spinning around, she spotted Chris approaching with those long, confident strides. So he must have paid the bill earlier when he stepped out to make a phone call.

    Considering how expensive the meal had been, Maia felt the weight of yet another favor stacking up between them.

    ¡°Where are you going? I can drive you there,¡± said Chris as they walked out of the restaurant.

    The offer made Maia hesitate. She still needed to meet Elvirater and finish preparing the herbal remedies for Kathie. Juggling both would be hard enough without dragging Chris into the mess. Thinking quickly, she smiled and said, ¡°I was just nning to wander around a bit. You should probably head back. Your boss¡¯s dinner party must be wrapping up by now, right?¡±

    Discover your escape on g  aln ov el s

    There was no way she was ready to drag Kathie or Ethan into the conversation yet. That would only open doors she wasn¡¯t prepared to walk through.

    Chris gave her a brief look, sizing her up, but said nothing.

    With a short nod, he raised a hand and hailed a taxi.

    Sliding into the cab, Chris leaned back against the seat, but the irritation simmering beneath his calm exterior refused to stay buried. The thought of Vincenzo barging in and spoiling the afternoon gnawed at him.

    Grabbing his phone, Chris jabbed at the screen and made a call.

    On the other end, Maxwell blinked awake from a luxurious nap at an upscale bathhouse. His phone buzzed with relentless urgency until he fumbled it to his ear.

    ¡°Yeah, hello¡­¡± he said, his voice thick with sleep.

    Before he could even finish his greeting, Chris¡¯s cold voice crackled down the line. ¡°If Vincenzo keeps ying dumb, tell him he¡¯s done with the ck market. Finished.¡±

    The call ended before Maxwell could even ask what happened. He stared at the screen,pletely baffled.

    ¡°What the hell did Vincenzo do this time?¡±

    Later that evening, Maia dropped off the restorative foods Kathie had requested and found time to take Elvira on a stroll through Wront.

    The moment they entered a boutique full of quirky charm, Elviratched onto Maia¡¯s arm, excitement bubbling over. As she browsed the shelves, she asked casually, ¡°So, Maia, are you living with your new husband now?¡±

    Maia hesitated, running her fingers over a disy of delicate rings before answering, ¡°Something like that.¡±

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 Chapter 153

    ?Chapter 153:

    Technically, they shared a house ¡ª but not a bed.

    ¡°Something like that?¡± Elvira repeated with a dramatic huff, crossing her arms. ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound very wifely. And you still haven¡¯t spilled who this mystery man is. Don¡¯t tell me you married some shady character?¡±

    Maiaughed under her breath. ¡°Can you dial it down a little? My love life isn¡¯t public property.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just being a good friend,¡± Elvira replied, jutting out her bottom lip. ¡°If you married a jerk, it¡¯s my duty to rough him up for you.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not that reckless,¡± Maia said, picking up a pale blue hairband and tossing it onto the counter without a second thought.

    By the time they stepped out of the boutique, the streemps had flickered to life, and night had fully settled over the city.

    Elvira shot her a sideways grin. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Want me to drive you home?¡± Maia nced at her watch, then gave a small nod.

    Soon, a sleek red Porsche Macan rolled to a stop in front of Elysium Apartments.

    Elvira peered up at the glittering building and shed a mischievous grin at Maia. ¡°We¡¯re already here. Shouldn¡¯t you invite me up for a cup of tea or something?¡±

    ¡°NO,¡± Maia said without hesitation.

    Elvira let out an exaggerated sigh. ¡°You treat me like I¡¯m about to rob the ce,¡± she grumbled, though she made no move to push further.

    Undoing her seatbelt, Maia stepped out into the night air, tossing a casual wave over her shoulder. ¡°Get home safe. I¡¯ll treat you to dinner some other day.¡±

    ¡°It better be home-cooked!¡± Elvira called after her, still smiling as Maia disappeared.

    Into the lobby, once she was out of sight, Elvira¡¯s smile faded. She quickly sent a message, then called a private investigator.

    ?@???? ??@t?¨¨?? ¨ª¨½ ??????????????????.??????

    ¡°Hello? I just sent you the address and some photos. Keep an eye on her. If you see her with a man, snap pictures immediately. I want every detail you can dig up.¡±

    Elvira¡¯s lips curled into a sly, knowing smile. ¡°Let¡¯s see what kind of man dares to step into my brother¡¯s territory. I¡¯ll uncover everything.¡±

    Upstairs, Maia entered her apartment and slipped off her shoes. Her phone buzzed just as she settled in. A Twitter notification blinked across the screen with a sensational headline: ¡°Maia Exposed: Caught Secretly Meeting an Older Man!¡±

    A frown pulled at Maia¡¯s lips as she unlocked her phone and opened Twitter. Right at the top of the trending list, the hashtag #MaiaBeingKept zed in bold letters.

    She tapped into the topic, and the first image that popped up made her narrow her eyes. It was a blurry photo, taken when she and Vincenzo were dining at a restaurant. The shot was taken from such a tricky angle that it made them look as if they were sitting extremely close, whispering intimately to each other.

    Scrolling down, she noticed Vincenzo¡¯s personal details had been dug up and sshed all over the thread ¡ª his age, his business, even the fact that he had a family.

    A cold, humorlessugh escaped Maia as she scrolled through the rising tide ofments. As expected, Rosanna¡¯s fans were in full attack mode, stirring the pot with fresh energy.

    Insults filled the screen like wildfire.

    ¡°Vincenzo, a jewelry store owner, over fifty, married with kids! Some people never change. Once a thief, always a homewrecker!¡±

    ¡°Every time you turn around, this woman¡¯s wrapped up in some scandal. First stealing things, now stealing husbands! What a joke!¡±

    ¡°Look at this picture. Tsk, tsk. Sitting that close at dinner? No shame at all!¡±

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 Chapter 154

    ?Chapter 154:

    ¡°A woman who wrecks marriages deserves to be dragged by the whole inte!¡±

    Before long, the tone of the attacks shifted again, aiming to prop up another false narrative.

    ¡°How does someone who goes after married men still have fans? Poor Rosanna ¡ª what exactly did she do wrong? She only mistook a bracelet left by her grandmother. And now she¡¯s the viin? What is this worlding to?¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡±

    ¡°Either Maia¡¯s buying fake fans or paying people off. Anyone withmon sense can see Rosanna¡¯s the real victim here!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s the real daughter of the Morgan family! She thought the bracelet was hers, and who could me her? That old woman siding with an outsider over her own blood is what¡¯s truly shameful!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s a saint. She keeps her head down, doesn¡¯t argue, doesn¡¯t retaliate. That¡¯s what true ss looks like!¡±

    Snapping her phone shut, Maia let out a soft, humorlessugh.

    The smear campaign felt familiar, the same tired tactic they used years ago when they pinned a theft she nevermitted on her. Maia almostughed. Four years had passed, and Rosanna was still dragging out the same worn-out ybook. Only now, Maia was not the naive girl she had been back then.

    If Rosanna insisted on picking a fight, then Maia saw no reason to keep ying nice.

    Across town, inside Vince¡¯s office, the atmosphere was sharp and heavy. Brian stood stiffly by the door, his face tight with unease.

    ¡°Mr. Ward, the traffic we bought is starting to work. Public opinion¡¯s turning fast. Maia¡¯s being ripped apart online.¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s, where the best stories live

    Leaning back in his chair, Vince tapped his long fingers against the polished surface of his desk, the rhythm slow and deliberate. A cold smile ghosted across his lips. ¡°Keep it going. Don¡¯t let the fire burn out.¡±

    Brian shifted on his feet, gathering a little courage before asking, ¡°Mr. Ward, are you nning topletely destroy her reputation?¡±

    At that, Vince¡¯s eyes snapped to him, sharp and glinting like a de. ¡°Do your job. Don¡¯t ask questions.¡±

    Brian dipped his head quickly and made his exit without another word.

    Left alone, Vince narrowed his eyes, his mind spinning with quiet calction. Destroying Maia¡¯s reputation? That would be ideal. Once the world turned its back on her and she had nowhere to run, she would crawl back to him ¡ª exactly where he wanted her.

    The online uproar continued to escte. The scandal of Maia allegedly seducing a married man and being kept as a mistress by an older man showed no signs of dying down; instead, it grew increasingly intense.

    Marketing ounts fanned the mes relentlessly, framing her as the perfect example of a ¡°shameless seductress.¡± The trending threads overflowed with filth and nder.

    ¡°How can anyone be this low?¡±

    ¡°No wonder she bounced back so fast after thest scandal. She had an old man pulling strings for her!¡±

    ¡°Do you think Cooper Group¡¯s statement was bought and paid for by her sugar daddy?¡±

    ¡°Vincenzo owns a jewelry boutique, right? Maybe he¡¯s tied up with Radiant Jewels, too.¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s true, then Radiant Jewels¡¯ so-called rification isn¡¯t worth a thing. Just another dirty deal between rich vultures!¡±

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 Chapter 155

    ?Chapter 155:

    Still, scattered among the mindless mob, a few rational voices refused to be swept up by the tide.

    ¡°That photo¡¯s so blurry it could be anyone. If I¡¯m not wrong, they were at L¡¯Aur¨¦ole, a Michelin three-star restaurant. ces like that have crystal-clear surveince. If they release the footage, this whole mess will be sorted out. @L¡¯Aur¨¦ole, please show us the truth!¡±

    Before long, waves of people began tagging L¡¯Aur¨¦ole, demanding that the restaurant release its security footage.

    Meanwhile, Maia moved through her apartment with steady calm, walking to the fridge and pouring herself a ss of water. As she took a sip, her phone chimed softly with a WhatsApp notification. It was from Pattie. ¡°Why are you trending again?! Who¡¯s behind it this time? The Morgan family? Maia, answer me already!¡±

    Before Maia could respond, her phone buzzed with an iing call. Pattie¡¯s voice burst through the speaker, sharp with barely contained anger. ¡°What the hell is this mess?!¡± Pattie fumed. ¡°The photo¡¯s a blurry joke, taken at some creepy angle, and people are treating it like it¡¯s hard proof? Have they all lost their minds?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t waste your energy,¡± Maia said, her tone steady, almost indifferent. ¡°They¡¯re still pressing the restaurant to release the surveince footage, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    As she spoke, a push notification slid across the top of her screen.

    Pattie¡¯s voice pitched higher, rattling Maia¡¯s ear. ¡°Maia, check it now! L¡¯Aur¨¦ole just released a statement. They said the surveince footage was intentionally sabotaged and can¡¯t be recovered!¡±

    Maia¡¯s hand froze midair. A cold light shed through her eyes.

    The surveince footage was sabotaged?

    g¦Á ? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s has it all

    Without hesitation, she tapped the notification and pulled up the restaurant¡¯s official announcement.

    Grinding her teeth, Pattie practically hissed through the phone, ¡°You and I both know ces like L¡¯Aur¨¦ole don¡¯t just lose footage. Their systems are bulletproof. Someone¡¯s pulling strings behind the scenes, no doubt about it.¡±

    Maia sat still, her fingers tapping a slow, thoughtful rhythm against her ss. Tampering with security at L¡¯Aur¨¦ole was not something Rosanna could do alone ¡ª unless someone more powerful was pulling strings in the shadows. For some reason, Vince¡¯s sanctimonious and smug face suddenly surfaced in Maia¡¯s mind.

    Her fingers curled tighter around the phone.

    The timing was too clean. First the photo leak, then the sudden ¡°technical failure¡± of the surveince system ¡ª it all steered the tide of public opinion straight against Maia.

    ¡°The footage is gone? Now Maia can spin whatever story she wants!¡±

    ¡°Please, it¡¯s obvious. Her sugar daddy probably wiped the footage clean to cover for her!¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Now she can pretend the blurry photo means nothing and cry about being set up!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s so maniptive. Nothing like Rosanna ¡ª so gentle and pure.¡±

    ¡°This time, she¡¯s not fooling anyone. Let¡¯s see her try to worm her way out of this!¡±

    The story had spiraled out of control. Nearly everyone now believed Maia destroyed the footage to cover up her so-called affair. With the public against her, clearing her name felt impossible.

    From the other end of the line, Pattie¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°What are you going to do now?¡±

    Maia arched a brow, her voice light but firm. ¡°Simple. I¡¯m going to hit them where it hurts.¡±

    Meanwhile, at the Morgan vi, Rosanna lounged on her velvet sofa, a ss of red wine dangling from her fingers. Her phone screen lit up her face, shing trending topics with Maia¡¯s name. Each scroll brought fresh insults, and Rosanna drank it in with a slow, satisfied sip.

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 Chapter 156

    ?Chapter 156:

    A sly grin crept across Rosanna¡¯s face, her eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction. Vince hadn¡¯t just stirred public opinion ¡ª he had flooded the inte with paid traffic and hired an army of bots to guide the narrative exactly where he wanted it.

    ¡°Now that the footage is gone, Maia, let¡¯s see how you n to crawl out of this one.¡±

    Meanwhile, Vince stood motionless by the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze fixed on the flood of trending headlines on his phone. Everything was unfolding just as he nned. The bacsh against Maia was growing, while Rosanna¡¯s image was quietly being polished. It was truly a masterstroke, achieving two goals at once.

    A low, humorless chuckle escaped him. His lips curled into a faint, detached smile. ¡°You¡¯lle to me soon enough, Maia. You¡¯ll have no other choice.¡±

    Vince lifted his phone and calmly dialed an international line. When the call connected, his voice turned smooth and firm. ¡°Handle the surveince footage properly. Leave no traces.¡±

    Azy chuckle came from the other end, tinged with mockery. ¡°Mr. Ward, you really think you need to remind me of something so basic? Don¡¯t worry. As long as the payment¡¯s good, there won¡¯t be anything left for them to find.¡±

    The man he spoke to was a ghost in the digital world ¡ª a top-tier hacker known for his clean jobs and steep prices. Getting the footage back would take top-tier hackers from elite groups like ST or Pris ¡ª the kind of people you could barely even find, much less hire. Thus, he was confident.

    ¡°It better be wless.¡± Vince¡¯s eyes sharpened into something colder as he ended the call and sank back onto the sofa. For now, every piece was right where he wanted it.

    Meanwhile, Maia lounged in her apartment, the glow from herptop flickering over her face. A faint, knowing smile tugged at her lips as she skimmed thetest headlines.

    Without hurry, she picked up her phone and made a call.

    ???€$? ?§ß???€?$ 1? g??l??ov?l??.????m

    The line clicked, and a familiar, weary voice answered, ¡°Boss, what¡¯s the n this time?¡±

    Reclining deeper into the cushions, Maia spoke with azy edge that carried a hidden sharpness. ¡°I need L¡¯Aur¨¦ole¡¯s surveince footage restored. Send it to me. Also, find out who is pulling the strings.¡±

    The person on the other end had already seen the online drama and had anticipated her request. Their voice wavered slightly. ¡°Uh¡­ There¡¯s a small problem. Whoever wiped it is serious. It¡¯s going to take a hacker on your level to fix this, and, well, I¡¯m nowhere close.¡±

    Maia chuckledzily. ¡°Do you want to finish your backlog of orders faster or not?¡±

    The line crackled with a flustered cough before the voice rushed out, saying, ¡°Got it, got it! I¡¯m on it!¡±

    With a flick of her wrist, Maia tossed her phone onto the coffee table after the call ended, her smile fading into something cold and dangerous.

    Rosanna had indeed put some thought into her n this time, but her methods remained as underhanded as ever.

    Too bad Rosanna had picked the wrong person to mess with.

    As Maia mulled it over, her phone buzzed again. Seeing Vincenzo¡¯s name shing on the screen, she sighed and picked up.

    ¡°Miss Watson, I¡¯m really sorry about this mess. It seems my enemies are trying to target me, and you got caught in the crossfire. But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make sure your name is cleared. I¡¯ve already hired a top-notch legal team. Those people spreading lies won¡¯t get away with it.¡±

    The guilt in his voice was obvious, and he kept apologizing over and over, ming himself for everything. In this regard, he was quite responsible.

    ¡°It¡¯s not what you think, Mr. Casadei. I was the one who had been targeted, and you ended up caught in it by ident. I owe you an apology,¡± Maia said gently, feeling a little awkward.

    Before he could interrupt, she added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±

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 Chapter 157

    ?Chapter 157:

    Vincenzo stared at his phone after the call ended, stunned into silence for a few seconds. It sure sounded like Maia already had a n up her sleeve. Whether she was being honest or just trying to reassure him, he wasn¡¯t sure. Either way, he knew he had to act fast and clean up the situation too.

    The online uproar was growing nastier by the minute. Vincenzo didn¡¯t care about his own reputation, but Maia was different. She was young, and she had a husband. If the rumors kept spreading, how was she supposed to hold her head high?

    ¡°Whoever leaked those pictures, you¡¯re dead meat,¡± Vincenzo said through gritted teeth, cursing under his breath.

    At that same moment, Maxwell stumbled across the trending news while scrolling through his phone. His heart skipped a beat at the flood of venomousments. Now he finally understood why Chris had lost it earlier. What man could sit back and watch his wife get dragged through the mud like this?

    ¡°How can one person stir up so much chaos? Vincenzo! You have truly¡­ dragged me into a real mess,¡± Maxwell muttered under his breath while dialing Vincenzo¡¯s number.

    The second the call connected, he cut straight to the point. ¡°Listen carefully. Stay away from Maia. If you don¡¯t, don¡¯t me me when things get ugly.¡±

    Vincenzo¡¯s stomach dropped the moment he heard the warning in Maxwell¡¯s voice. It didn¡¯t take a genius to realize that the scandal had reached some serious ears.

    ¡°Mr. Payne, you¡¯ve got it all wrong!¡± Vincenzo blurted out, practically choking on his own panic. ¡°I only bumped into Miss Watson at the restaurant. We had a normal meal, nothing shady! I have no idea how those photos ended up online!¡±

    A scoff from Maxwell was all he got in return. ¡°Oh really? How convenient that someone just happened to catch you and Maia at the perfect moment?¡±

    ¡°I swear, it¡¯s the truth!¡± Vincenzo retorted, practically begging now. ¡°The security cameras at the restaurant could¡¯ve cleared everything, but someone tampered with the footage! Somebody must be targeting me¡­ or maybe even her!¡±

    g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s, where stories thrive

    ¡°Got any idea who¡¯s behind it?¡± Maxwell asked after falling silent for a moment.

    ¡°No clear leads yet, but I¡¯ve already asked the restaurant to recover the original footage. It¡¯ll take some time,¡± Vincenzo said, frustration dripping from his voice. ¡°But no matter what, I¡¯m not letting Miss Watson take the fall for this.¡±

    At least the guy had enough sense to care about fixing it, but Maxwell was in no mood to hand out medals. ¡°Smart or not, I¡¯m warning you onest time¡ªstay away from her,¡± Maxwell said sharply, then ended the call without waiting for a reply.

    This whole situation had spiraled way beyond harmless gossip. If Chris got any angrier, Maxwell knew that he¡¯d be caught in the fallout too.

    Wasting no time, he dialed Chris¡¯s number and started spilling the details about Vincenzo and Maia¡¯s supposed dinner date. He didn¡¯t even get halfway through before Chris¡¯s calm voice interjected, ¡°I know. I was there too.¡±

    Maxwell froze like he had been doused in ice water.

    Frantically, he tried to rewind the day¡¯s events in his mind. After a long, panicked pause, he dared to ask, ¡°Wait¡­ was there really something going on between Maia and Vincenzo?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Chris replied, short and sharp.

    Relief flooded through Maxwell¡¯s body¡ªbut only halfway. Something about Chris¡¯s tone told him that the storm wasn¡¯t over yet.

    Scratching his head, Maxwell thought back to the photos he¡¯d seen online. With a little hesitation, he asked, ¡°But¡­ were they really that close?¡±

    ¡°Not at all,¡± Chris replied evenly. ¡°They were just talking. The photos were taken from angles meant to stir up drama.¡±

    Hearing that, Maxwell finally let out a full breath he hadn¡¯t even realized he was holding. At least he wouldn¡¯t have to figure out how to throw Vincenzo under the bus without getting sttered himself.

    ¡°So if that¡¯s the case,¡± Maxwell asked cautiously, ¡°why were you still so pissed off? If you knew the truth, what¡¯s got you so worked up?¡±

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 Chapter 158

    ?Chapter 158:

    No answer came.

    For once, Chris seemed at a loss for words, caught somewhere between thought and silence.

    Sensing that he had touched a nerve, Maxwell quickly said, ¡°Alright, alright, forget what I asked. Anyway, Vincenzo already hired a team to recover the footage. Once it¡¯s fixed, Miss Watson¡¯s name will be cleared.¡±

    Chris¡¯s voice came through low and steady, saying, ¡°If this was a setup from the start, fixing the footage won¡¯t be that easy.¡±

    ¡°Come on. How good could they be?¡± asked Maxwell, raising an eyebrow in doubt.

    Before he could dwell on it, two hourster, Maxwell¡¯s phone buzzed again. Vincenzo¡¯s voice, breathless and panicked, sted through the line. ¡°Mr. Payne, bad news! The footage ¡ª it¡¯s beyond repair. My tech guys couldn¡¯t recover a thing. You¡¯ve got to help me! Without proof, thewyers can¡¯t even file a case!¡±

    Maxwell¡¯s face darkened instantly, frustration boiling under his skin. Chris had seen thising a mile away. He responded, ¡°Alright, hold tight. I¡¯ll figure something out.¡±

    Even Vincenzo¡¯s best team couldn¡¯t recover it. Whoever orchestrated this mess wasn¡¯t ying games.

    Without wasting another second, Maxwell pulled out his phone and immediately dialed Chris¡¯s number.

    Maxwell¡¯s voice crackled through the phone, edged with urgency. ¡°Mr. Cooper, you were right. Vincenzo¡¯s team couldn¡¯t recover the footage. What are your instructions?¡±

    Chris, calm as ever, barely paused before answering, ¡°The cybersecurity level at L¡¯Aur¨¦ole is no joke. This must be the work of a top-tier hacker. Let¡¯s bring in Hawk.¡±

    Maxwell blinked in disbelief. ¡°Hawk? For a surveince video?¡± It felt like dropping a nuclear bomb to swat a fly.

    I??§Ö$§ä ¡é#¦Áp?¨º§ñs I§Ú galno¦Íels

    But the longer he thought about it, the more he realized this was no minor inconvenience. If this mess spiraled any further, it would leave a stain ¡ª one Chris could not afford, not even as a whisper of rumor.

    And Chris was not the kind of man who tolerated even the smallest blemish on his name.

    ¡°Understood,¡± Maxwell said, snapping to attention. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±

    Energized by the weight of the task, he wasted no time dialing the private line for ST¡¯s most elusive hacker.

    The moment the call connected, Maxwell inhaled slowly, steadying himself. He knew the golden rule: keep quiet. Admitting this involved Chris¡¯s wife would be suicide.

    Saying too much would be the same as broadcasting to the world that Chris Cooper¡¯s name was being dragged through the mud by whispers of betrayal. And if Chris caught wind of that slip, Maxwell knew he would not escape the consequences.

    Besides, no one else even knew about Chris¡¯s marriage ¡ª except him. If Chris had chosen to keep it buried in silence, there was no way Maxwell would dare to expose it.

    Maxwell fumbled for words, scrambling to spin a convincing excuse. Stretching the truth a little, he added in a rush, ¡°Just think of it as doing me a personal favor. Please, I¡¯m counting on you¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it,¡± interjected a low voice from the other side of the call, clipped and to the point.

    ¡°What?¡± Maxwell stiffened. His jaw hung slightly open. He had not even gotten through half of what he nned to say, and Hawk had already agreed? Just like that? Since when was Hawk, of all people, this easy to sway? Despite the shock, Maxwell let out a slow breath. Whatever the reason, the mission was now secured.

    Meanwhile, the storm brewing online only grew fiercer by the second. The same socialites who first used Maia of being a gold-digger now fanned the mes even higher, stering post after post across every corner of social media.

    .

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 Chapter 159

    ?Chapter 159:

    ¡°Look at the evidence! Maia¡¯s a homewrecker and a kept woman. We were right all along!¡±

    ¡°Remember when you all defended her and called us liars? Bet you feel pretty stupid now.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s sickening. One moment everyone¡¯s worshipping her, the next they¡¯re dragging innocent people through the mud. Are all of Maia¡¯s fans fake ounts paid to make her look good?¡±

    The bacsh spread like wildfire, swallowing up every tform it touched.

    At the same moment, Rosanna finally broke her silence with a public post.

    ¡°Dearizens, my friends only exposed the situation about Maia being kept because they wanted to help me retrieve myte grandmother¡¯s cherished heirloom. Please stop attacking them. They meant well. It¡¯s my fault for misunderstanding my grandmother¡¯s intentions, which led to this series of events. The bracelet incident was my mistake, and I sincerely apologize to everyone. But I hope you can focus on the facts and give my friends the fairness they deserve.¡±

    To reach more eyes, Rosanna tagged all her friends and paid to boost the post. Rosanna¡¯s well-timed show of vulnerability hit its mark.

    Her fans, touched by what seemed like genuine sincerity, quickly rallied behind her. Some even felt guilty for ever doubting her, and a growing number of former followers quietly found their way back.

    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t have doubted Rosanna. Maia yed us all for fools!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s the real victim here! How could she have such a terrible sister?¡±

    ¡°Stand with Rosanna! Kick Maia out of Wront for good!¡±

    In no time, the tide of public sympathy shifted yet again. The inte, true to its ever-changing moods, swarmed against Maia without a second thought.

    ????t??st ch??pt??rs in g??lno¦Íels.??????

    On the other side of the chaos, Maia¡¯s team finally pulled a win.

    ¡°Boss, you owe me big time for this one,¡± grumbled the caller, slumping into a chair. ¡°I swear, another day of this and I¡¯ll be hospitalized.¡±

    Maia barely spared him a nce. ¡°Save the drama. Just spit it out.¡±

    ¡°You really do know me too well,¡± he said, shing a sheepish grin. ¡°Anyway, about the second half of the project¡­ can we pick up the pace? The client¡¯s breathing down my neck so hard, I might pass out.¡±

    Before the caller could even argue, Maia cut him off with a final order. ¡°You upload the video. We¡¯ll sort the project detailster,¡± she said, then ended the call without waiting for a reply.

    She barely had time to set her phone down before it lit up with another iing call.

    ¡°Boss! I swear, I didn¡¯t even touch the upload button! Someone else posted the video first!¡±

    What?

    Maia¡¯s brows furrowed sharply. She snatched her phone back up and tapped open Facebook. There it was. An ount under the name ¡°Justiceze¡± had already posted the footage with a screaming headline: ¡°Breaking News! The Real Story Uncovered ¡ª You Won¡¯t Believe Your Eyes!¡± The video was already surging up the trending charts.

    Without hesitation, Maia pressed y.

    What she saw left no room for doubt. Not only had the entire dinner with Vincenzo been captured, but the footage had been cleaned up, sharpened, and polished to full HD quality. Every nce, every word, and every gesture was visible from multiple angles, so crisp it almost looked staged.

    The audio? As clear as if they were speaking directly into the viewers¡¯ ears.

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 Chapter 160

    ?Chapter 160:

    The reaction was instant. Every corner of the inte roared to life as the video tore through social media like a spark in a dry field.

    On the video, Maia and Vincenzo maintained a respectful distance, discussing only topics rted to jewelry and antique collections, with no hint of intimacy. Their conversation unfolded smoothly, with Maia speaking confidently and responding to every topic without missing a beat. Her insight ran even deeper than Vincenzo¡¯s, leaving many industry insiders thoroughly impressed.

    Eventually, the whole truth was unveiled. It turned out that they were just having dinner and chatting, with no inappropriate action. People online were stunned by Maia¡¯s intelligence and poise. Public opinion quickly shifted.

    ¡°Maia is a prodigy! How is she so knowledgeable at her age?¡±

    ¡°I was so upset by those lies that I lost sleep over it. Now, I feel relieved. Truth has a way of prevailing, and intellect quiets the rumors. Bravo, Maia, for silencing the detractors!¡±

    ¡°Maia, you¡¯re a gem! I regret my earlier words. I was deceived. I¡¯m unfollowing Rosanna and her ignorant clique right now. They¡¯re too bad!¡±

    In addition to celebrating Maia, online users also praised the whistleblower.

    ¡°Finally, someone with integrity couldn¡¯t stand by and had to act!¡±

    ¡°The public is discerning, and justice favors Maia!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve had enough. There¡¯s a new hero in town, and I¡¯m joining the ranks of Rosanna¡¯s detractors!¡±

    ¡°And count me in as another of Rosanna¡¯s anti-fans! I¡¯m joining the movement too!¡±

    Suddenly, a flood of users bombarded Rosanna¡¯s Facebook with criticalments.

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    ¡°Rosanna, you wanted justice, right? How about now?¡±

    ¡°Rosanna, quit ying the victim. Watch the video and see the truth!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯sughable how some never learn. Got humiliated again, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Talk about a reality check! Rosanna, have you no shame left?¡±

    Opening her Facebook, Rosanna was met with these mockingments, her anger reaching a boiling point.

    Her fellow socialites were also bombarded with harshments, their inboxes filled with bitter messages, driving them to message Rosanna, distraught and in tears.

    Rosanna was in no state to respond. Her public image had taken yet another hit, and the torrent of criticism left her reeling, nearly causing her to copse.

    Before long, some astute viewers spotted a man across from Maia in the video. His face was obscured, and he stepped away to answer a phone call. Yet, his tall, impressive stature was unmistakable ¡ª clearly a man of allure. This triggered another flurry of online conjecture. Viewers spected about his identity and his possible connection to Maia. Was he her romantic partner? However, some observed that there seemed to be no interaction between Maia and the striking man, suggesting a mere acquaintance.

    A mere acquaintance? Chris, checking his messages, showed a resigned smile. He was far more than that; he was Maia¡¯s husband!

    After wrapping up his tasks, Chris approached their apartment door, opened it, and found Maia nestled on the couch, engrossed in her phone.

    Unaware of Chris¡¯s arrival, Maia was deeply engrossed in her thoughts about the recent turmoil. She wondered about the origins of the video. Who had uploaded it? Who was secretly supporting her? And where had they essed the surveince footage from?

    Even a friend of hers, a skilled hacker, had to put in a great deal of effort to recover it. It was clear that the person behind this possessed impressive skill, yet there seemed to be no apparent reason for them to help her.

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 Chapter 161

    ?Chapter 161:

    As these thoughts swirled in her head, Maia felt a sudden dryness in her throat and reached for her water cup, only to find it missing. Instead, the cup was in another¡¯s grasp.

    Looking up, Maia caught Chris drinking from it, his throat moving smoothly as he downed the water in a single gulp.

    Startled, Maia eximed, ¡°Hey, that¡¯s my water¡ª¡±

    Chris ced the cup down, his lips curving into a slight smile. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t realize,¡± he remarked casually.

    His eyes then settled on Maia with a trace of reproach, causing her to shift ufortably under his scrutiny.

    Chris moved closer, his tone light yet pointed. ¡°I was outside on a call earlier. It seems you had quite the chat with Vincenzo?¡±

    Fearing a misunderstanding due to the online frenzy, Maia quickly exined, ¡°Have you seen thetest online? There¡¯s nothing between me and Vincenzo. It¡¯s all sorted out now. Someone uploaded a video from that day. Here, let me show you,¡± she insisted, reaching for her phone to pull up the video.

    Maia straightened her posture and quickly pulled out her phone, determined to find the video for Chris to see.

    Chris found her earnestness mildly amusing. After all, he had been there himself and had arranged for the video¡¯s restoration. Of course, he knew the details of her interaction with Vincenzo.

    Yet, even with all the facts, Chris felt a sting of irritation as a husband. That day, Maia had been so absorbed in her discussion with Vincenzo that she hadpletely overlooked Chris.

    Chris¡¯s expression grew serious as he told her directly, ¡°Maia, I¡¯m your husband. Isn¡¯t it inappropriate for you to engage so freely with another man, especially in my presence?¡±

    Taken aback by his words, Maia met his intense gaze. Could it be that Chris was feeling jealous?

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    The thought barely formed before Maia gave her head a firm shake. They had only just gotten to know each other. There was no way Chris felt anything for her ¡ª much less jealousy.

    Still, even if their marriage was nothing more than a paper agreement, they were technically husband and wife. She had been so wrapped up in chatting with Vincenzo earlier that she hadn¡¯t spared Chris a second nce, probably making him feel left out and invisible. That was careless.

    Now that the whole inte was buzzing with rumors, it was no wonder he seemed upset.

    With that in mind, Maia raised her eyes and said earnestly, ¡°Mr. Cooper, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t think about how you might feel.¡±

    Chris stiffened, caught off guard by her apology.

    When he stayed silent, Maia assumed that the damage ran deeper than she thought. After a beat of hesitation, she decided to try and smooth things over. ¡°It really was thoughtless of me. Let¡¯s do this ¡ª I¡¯ll treat you to dinner tomorrow to make up for it. Deal?¡±

    One eyebrow lifted slightly as Chris met her gaze, a mischievous sparkle lighting his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t forget, you already owe me a meal. With this apology dinner, that¡¯s two.¡±

    Holding up three fingers in mock seriousness, Maia grinned. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s three. Remember L¡¯Aur¨¦ole? You treated me then too. That counts.¡±

    Without warning, Chris¡¯ gaze shifted, darkening with something she could not quite name. Before she could react, he reached out and caught her raised fingers. With a gentle but deliberate pull, Maia lost her bnce and stumbled straight into him.

    There was barely any space left between them ¡ª no more than two inches ¡ª and the soft hush of their breathing tangled together.

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 Chapter 162

    ?Chapter 162:

    Frozen, Maia barely dared to move. She could smell the faint, clean scent of cedarwood clinging to Chris, crisp like fresh mountain air, but carrying a quiet intensity that made her heart hammer wildly.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, you¡­¡± she stuttered, instinctively pressing her palms against his chest in an attempt to create distance.

    Beneath the thinyer of fabric, she felt everything ¡ª the solid strength of his chest, the heat of his skin, the steady, unshakable beat of his heart.

    When Chris finally spoke, his voice was low, rich, and dangerously close. Every word dripped slow and deliberate from his lips. ¡°Maia, do you really see me as your husband?¡±

    A quick flutter jolted Maia¡¯s chest, her heartbeat stumbling before racing ahead. She gave a small nod and answered softly, ¡°We¡¯re married now¡­ so of course I do.¡±

    Across from her, Chris lowered his gaze, studying the nervous twitch of her fingers and the faint flush coloring her cheeks. A ghost of a smile curved his mouth. ¡°Oh really?¡±

    A slight movement in his throat drew her eyes to the way he swallowed, and when his gaze met hers again, it was deep enough to drown in. His voice came low and steady, wrapping around her like silk. ¡°If that¡¯s true, then why are you still putting walls between us?¡±

    That simple question rattled something inside Maia.

    Normal marriages didn¡¯t draw such rigid lines. Ordinary couples blurred them without even trying. But what they had ¡ª it had never been ordinary.

    To prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings, she figured it was best to clear the air. She said bluntly, ¡°Mr. Cooper, our marriage was arranged. There was no foundation to begin with. I know you didn¡¯t marry me out of genuine affection.¡±

    She understood this clearly, which was why she had always made sure to keep her distance from Chris.

    More content now at g?l¦Ç¦Òv???s

    Chris must have understood that too ¡ª or so she thought.

    Without warning, Chris released her hand. Taking a slow step back, he watched her with an unreadable expression, the corner of his mouth lifting into something half-smirk, half-challenge. His voice dropped into a teasing drawl. ¡°Who says I didn¡¯t?¡±

    Shock froze Maia where she stood. Was he serious? Was he actually suggesting that there had been real intent behind their marriage?

    The thought alone seemed impossible. Chris ¡ª the man who lived like a free spirit, untouched by anyone¡¯s expectations ¡ª surely wouldn¡¯t choose to chain himself down.

    He must be ying with her, throwing out careless words just to rattle her. But Maia wasn¡¯t the same girl she used to be. Life had taught her not to fall for charming smiles or pretty lies.

    Lifting her head, Maia met Chris¡¯ gaze with a calm, unshaken smile. ¡°And how exactly am I supposed to tell if you¡¯re being sincere? Mr. Cooper, we¡¯re both adults here. If this is your idea of a joke, then honestly¡­ it¡¯s not a very good one.¡±

    Chris¡¯ eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous glint sparking in their depths. ¡°You think I¡¯m just messing with you?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what you¡¯re doing?¡± Maia replied lightly, her lips curving into a cool, almost mocking smile. ¡°You expect me to believe a stranger can catch real feelings after a few brief meetings? That you¡¯re the type to fall in love at first sight?¡±

    Keeping herposure, she softened her voice, almost as if she were exining something obvious to a child. ¡°Mr. Cooper, no one knows you better than you do. Certainly not me.¡±

    The reminder wasn¡¯t just for him ¡ª it was for herself too. Whatever tenderness he pretended to show, she couldn¡¯t afford to fall for it.

    Without waiting for a response, Maia turned on her heel and walked away, disappearing into her room without a second nce.

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 Chapter 163

    ?Chapter 163:

    Left standing there, Chris found himself uncharacteristically at a loss for words. A tight, unfamiliar frustration twisted in his chest, one he couldn¡¯t easily shake off.

    He dragged in a slow, steadying breath, forcing the storm of emotions beneath the surface where they belonged.

    He knew exactly who he was ¡ª there was no denying that. But Maia¡­ she didn¡¯t know him at all. Worse, she had already made up her mind about the kind of man he was.

    Chris pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the dull weight of exhaustion settle over him.

    Over the years, he had be a master at hiding behind carefully craftedyers. Maybe he had buried the real version of himself too deep.

    And now, the boundary between the mask and the man had blurred so much that even he was struggling to pull them apart.

    It looked like it was finally time to show Maia a side of him that she had never seen before.

    A thick cloud of tension hung over the Ward Group¡¯s office, so heavy that it seemed one could cut it with a knife.

    Vince couldn¡¯t sit still. The moment he saw the surveince video making rounds online, his face flushed a furious beet red. The veins in his forehead throbbed as he dialed the top-tier hacker, his grip tightening on the phone. As soon as the call connected, he could no longer hold back the growl that rumbled in his chest. ¡°What on earth are you doing?¡± he demanded.

    The hacker, lounging abroad and blissfully unaware of the brewing domestic storm, was caught off guard. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Vince¡¯s tone turned ice-cold. ¡°What do I mean? Not only has the video been restored, but it¡¯s in high definition!¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s???§àm hosts thrilling adventures

    The hacker froze, as if struck by lightning. He blurted, ¡°Impossible! I covered my tracks cleanly. Unless the very heads of the two greatest hacker organizations moved against me, there¡¯s no way to recover a video I erased!¡±

    ¡°No way, you say? Just check online and see for yourself. The video has already been posted and is being shared all over the inte!¡± Vince mmed his hand on the table with a bang that echoed across the office. ¡°You owe me an exnation ¡ª now!¡±

    In a cold sweat, the hacker scrambled to open a domestic website and logged onto Facebook. The moment he saw the video, he felt like the ground had been ripped out from under his feet.

    In the upper right corner of the footage shimmered a watermark ¡ª a faint, predatory silhouette of a hawk. Only those familiar with the trade would recognize the symbol at a nce.

    It was the mark of Hawk, the chief hacker of ST.

    How could this be possible? Hawk was a ghost among men, a figure so legendary that even the National Security Agency had failed to enlist him. How could he have been drawn into restoring a woman¡¯s video? It was nothing short of unbelievable!

    Vince noticed the deathly silence on the other end of the line and pressed impatiently, ¡°Have you seen the video? What on earth is going on?¡±

    The hacker, utterly bewildered, could only mutter under his breath, ¡°How is this possible¡­ No way¡­¡±

    No matter how many questions Vince fired at him, only stunned silence answered.

    ¡°Useless!¡± Vince roared, his face so dark it seemed a storm cloud had settled there. ¡°I paid you a mountain of money, and you can¡¯t even handle this? How dare you call yourself a top-tier hacker? I think you should go back and retrain from scratch!¡±

    This remark was a p across the hacker¡¯s pride. That was Hawk they were talking about; even if he spent ten more years honing his craft, he wouldn¡¯t reach that height!

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 Chapter 164

    ?Chapter 164:

    Burning with indignation, the hacker shot back, ¡°I¡¯ll refund your money. Don¡¯t ever look for me again!¡±

    With that, he ended the call angrily.

    Vince sat there, his brows furrowed into a deep knot, feeling his blood seethe and boil. He clenched his fists so tightly that the veins on the back of his hands looked ready to burst. One misstep now, and everything would crumble into dust. He had been so close to forcing Maia back to him. Could it be that someone had secured a backup of the video before his hacker made a move? How on earth had Maia gotten so lucky?

    Meanwhile, back in her room, Maia sat at her desk, her mind a tangle of restless thoughts.

    Though she hated to admit it, Chris¡¯ recent words had wormed their way into her heart, stirring it like a stick through a ho¡¯s nest. Her mind, once a stillke, now rippled with unease.

    Unable to shake the feeling, Maia switched on herputer. If sleep wouldn¡¯te, she might as well put her wakefulness to good use.

    At that moment, a notification from Facebook shed onto her screen.

    Vincenzo had already broken his silence, posting a public statement. He imed he had gathered sufficient evidence and was preparing to sue those responsible for spreading rumors, all in an effort to clear the names of the parties involved.

    The post was rapidly gaining traction, with the number ofments soaring.

    Many were apologizing for their previous remarks, while others rallied behind Vincenzo. Of course, there were also those who mocked him, iming that he was blowing the situation out of proportion.

    Maia arched an eyebrow. With a wry smile, she reposted, adding, ¡°To those who spread rumors about me and photoshopped creepy images of me, I will also be suing. The evidence is ready, so brace yourselves for a legal notice!¡± She tagged several ounts, mostly belonging to Rosanna¡¯s fans, including her official fan club.

    Her post quickly garnered over ten thousand likes and thousands ofments. The inte buzzed back to life, once again igniting with activity.

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    The mood shifted quickly to mockery.

    ¡°Spreading rumors is one thing, but can she actually sue for public shaming online?¡±

    ¡°I think Maia is just bluffing. She¡¯s probably trying to scare people. It¡¯s hrious that some are actually apologizing.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! Ever heard of freedom of speech? It¡¯s not like she was wrongly used without reason. It all started because there was no surveince footage. Does she have to turn it into such a spectacle?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of anyone getting sued for this sort of thing. Rx, everyone ¡ª there¡¯s nothing to worry about. If she dares, let here sue me! I¡¯ll be right here, waiting online¡­¡±

    Just as the jeers reached a fever pitch, an officially verified ount bearing a blue checkmark ¡ª Zenith Legal ¡ª shared Maia¡¯s post along with Vincenzo¡¯s. Their message was crisp and heavy with finality. ¡°Zenith Legal has officially taken on this case.¡±

    The inte was once again aze with controversy!

    Zenith Legal, a prestigiousw firm headquartered in Drakmire with a branch in Wront, was recognized as a top yer in the legal field. Its partnership roster featured celebrated attorneys, many drawn from high-caliberw firms, boasting an unparalleled sess rate of 100% in their cases. Yet, their services were prohibitively expensive, typically reserved for high-stakes cases involving tens of millions.

    Why would such a firm take on Maia¡¯s seemingly minor case?

    Netizens were stunned. Spection ran rampant ¡ª did Maia have some kind of extraordinary connections?

    After Zenith Legal shared Maia¡¯s update, they stirred the pot further with a startling new post.

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 Chapter 165

    ?Chapter 165:

    The post detailed: ¡°Legal tidbit: Spreading rumors, online harassment, and the creation or distribution of altered or malicious images can constitute several breaches ofw, including rights to one¡¯s image, defamation, nder, spreading violent or terroristic material, circting falsehoods, and vitions of cybersecurity statutes. Serious cases might lead to imprisonment for more than three years!¡±

    This revtion made it clear to everyone: online harassment could indeed result in serious legal consequences. Maia was not taking things lightly this time!

    Supporters of Rosanna, who had been actively spreading false rumors and targeting Maia online, were suddenly gripped by panic.

    They flooded Facebook with messages of desperation, practically begging Maia for mercy.

    ¡°Maia, I¡¯m pleading with you, forgive me! I¡¯m just an average person, don¡¯t bear a grudge against me. I was deceived, honestly!¡±

    ¡°The whole mess was Rosanna¡¯s doing! I¡¯m still in school ¡ª I can¡¯t bear a criminal record. I admit my mistakes, truly. Please don¡¯t pursue legal action. My life would be destroyed! I¡¯m blocking Rosanna as we speak¡­ No, I¡¯ll just delete my entire ount!¡±

    ¡°Maia, I¡¯m deeply sorry! I¡¯ve already hit myself so many times. Please, I implore you to forgive me!¡±

    ¡°Seriously, you¡¯re not joking? I¡¯m down on my knees here, begging you! Let¡¯s handle this quietly. I¡¯ll pay whatever you want, just please don¡¯t take this to court. My dad would have my head if he finds out what I¡¯ve done!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna tricked me. I had no idea she was capable of this. She¡¯s the one who deserves the me! Please, don¡¯t hold this against me¡­ I can¡¯t afford to go to jail!¡±

    Everyone was taken aback by the swift change in attitudes.

    Read it first on g?lno?els.c?m

    Maia¡¯s supporters were now savoring the downfall of the trolls who had shed with them, rallying to maintain their stance for justice. Eagerizens banded together, relentlessly tagging those who had spread falsehoods and insults towards Maia on Zenith Legal¡¯stest post. This call to action garnered massive support, with users tirelessly participating. Curious bystanders also started tagging Rosanna.

    ¡°Wow, Rosanna¡¯s fans are fighting her battles and now face legal action, maybe even prison, while she¡¯s nowhere to be seen, too scared to even speak!¡±

    ¡°See? This is the person you defended!¡±

    ¡°The inte isn¡¯t outside thew. These folks don¡¯t merit your pity; they¡¯ve brought this on themselves!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s actually quite sad. These fans were mere pawns and didn¡¯t even realize it ¡ª totally misguided and pathetic.¡±

    ¡°Like attracts like. You know what they say about birds of a feather.¡±

    ¡°The turnaround and the public shaming are more satisfying than any drama. Some people might not see what¡¯sing, but with a prestigiousw firm like Zenith Legal stepping in with official legal warnings, no attorney they hire can help them. I¡¯m almost excited to see how this ends¡­¡±

    In front of herputer, Maia gazed at the ¡°Zenith Legal¡± logo on the post that shared her story, deep in thought. She knitted her brows and picked up her phone to call Elvira.

    ¡°Elvira, be honest with me. How did Zenith Legal end up taking my case?¡±

    On the other line, Elvira absentmindedly scratched her cheek, pretending to be clueless. ¡°Zenith Legal took your case? I don¡¯t know.¡±

    Maia said with a serious tone, ¡°Come on, the truth ¡ª now.¡±

    A nervousugh escaped Elvira as she fidgeted with her sleeves. ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s because my brother saw all the drama about you online. He¡¯s worried and wants to step in.¡±

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 Chapter 166

    ?Chapter 166:

    ¡°Your brother suddenly decided to y hero out of nowhere?¡± Maia arched an eyebrow, her voice dry with suspicion. ¡°Elvira, if you don¡¯t spill the real story, you can forget about ever tasting my cooking again.¡±

    Throwing up her hands in surrender, Elvira retorted, ¡°Alright, alright! I begged him, okay? I just thought¡­ maybe if he helped you, he¡¯d impress you somewhat¡­¡± By the time she finished, her voice had shriveled into a guilty whisper.

    Maia didn¡¯t need a magnifying ss to see through Elvira¡¯s half-baked scheme. Sighing heavily, Maia shook her head. ¡°Elvira, I¡¯ve exined it before, and¡ª¡±

    Not wanting to sit through one of Maia¡¯s lectures, Elvira jumped in first. ¡°I know, I know! You¡¯re married now, and you¡¯re keeping it all hush-hush. I don¡¯t even know if this guy treats you right ¡ª or if he¡¯s hiding some shady secrets!¡± Then, Elvira¡¯s eyes lit up like she¡¯d just cracked a case. ¡°If you don¡¯t want me stressing, let me meet this dude. If he passes my vibe check, I¡¯ll stop trying to set you up with my brother. Swear on it.¡±

    Rubbing her temples like she was already exhausted by the conversation, Maia replied, ¡°Elvira, I¡¯ll exin everything someday. But today is definitely not the day.¡±

    However, the more evasive Maia got, the more Elvira¡¯s internal gossip rm screamed at full st. All this mystery? Yeah, there was definitely more to the story than Maia was letting on.

    Still, Elvira knew better than to push too hard when Maia put up her walls. With a dramatic sigh, she backed off. ¡°Fine, no big introduction. But don¡¯t blow off my brother¡¯s help. He¡¯s in Drakmire now, but thewyers assisting you are from Wront.¡± Leaning closer, Elvira grinned. ¡°And trust me, with Zenith Legal backing you, this case is basically a m dunk.¡±

    Maia didn¡¯t even bother arguing. After all, Zenith Legal had already made it official with a shy post online. She was locked in whether she liked it or not.

    Meanwhile, Chris was scrolling through thetest wave of online chaos. Pausing mid-scroll, his eyebrow twitched upward. ¡°Why in the world was a heavyweight like Zenith Legal getting involved in Maia¡¯s tiny case?¡± he muttered.

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    For a firm that usually tackled billion-dorwsuits, this was a joke. Defending Maia¡¯s situation was like sending a nuclear missile to squash a mosquito.

    There was no way this was about money.

    If money was not the reason, then someone powerful had their hands in the game.

    But who was moving the pieces?

    Chris¡¯s expression hardened as he mulled it over, suspicion brewing. ¡°This mess is starting to get really interesting.¡±

    Meanwhile, over at the Morgan family vi, Rosanna was in the middle of a full-blown meltdown. Screaming in frustration, she swept her entire makeup table clean ¡ª lipsticks, highlighters, and powders went flying. One tube of lipstick snapped clean in half when it hit the floor.

    Already fuming over the relentless bacsh online, Rosanna could not wrap her head around it. How did Maia manage to dodge every bullet like she had nine lives?

    Hadn¡¯t Vince hired a top hacker to wipe the restaurant¡¯s footage clean? Then how had that cursed video still made it to the inte?

    The thought gnawed at her. Maybe Vince had flipped sides. Maybe he had gotten soft over Maia and patched things up himself. This was the only reason she could think of.

    Rosanna stormed around her room, furious yet too rattled to pick up the phone and tear into Vince.

    That was when she caught sight of Zenith Legal¡¯s Facebook post, and for a moment, it felt like her heart stopped beating.

    She had no direct connection to Zenith Legal, but just hearing their name was enough to make her break out in a cold sweat.

    Zenith Legal was the country¡¯s undefeated champion ¡ª the kind of firm that steamrolled its opponents without ever breaking a sweat.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 167

    ?Chapter 167:

    How in the world did Maia, of all people, manage tond them on her side?

    With Zenith Legal throwing their weight behind Maia, Rosanna¡¯s so-called supporters were about to get shredded in court. And once they were done, Rosanna¡¯s name would be the one trending ¡ª for all the wrong reasons. Getting torched online would just be the start. After that, no amount of PR could put her reputation back together.

    Panic wed at Rosanna¡¯s throat as she desperately scrambled for a solution. Only one name came to mind that might even have a shot against Zenith Legal: Vince.

    Taking a shaky breath, Rosanna tapped his number and switched to full damsel-in-distress mode. Her voice cracked with perfectly timed tears. ¡°Vince¡­ I¡¯m in so much trouble. You have to save me¡­¡±

    Rosanna confided in Vince, revealing Maia¡¯s cruel n to drag her fans to court.

    ¡°They were just standing up for me, but what can I even do? I¡¯m powerless against her. Maia never cared about me or the whole Morgan family. Now she¡¯sing after the people who supported me. She¡¯s trying to crush mepletely, isn¡¯t she? I¡¯m not like her, Vince. I don¡¯t y nice with people or have powerfulw firms like Zenith Legal lining up to help. Right now, you¡¯re all I have¡­¡±

    Tears blurred her voice, soft and full of hurt.

    Vince¡¯s chest tightened at the sight of her crumbling. He let out a slow breath and said, ¡°Rosanna, calm down. I¡¯ll find a way to fix this.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Rosanna¡¯s voice lifted with desperate hope. ¡°You mean it, Vince? You¡¯re not just saying that to make me feel better? Everything¡¯s falling apart so fast. I don¡¯t even know where to start.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m serious. I would never lie to you, Rosanna. You know that,¡± Vince said, his voice steady.

    His words were not a hollow promise. Vince truly meant it. Rosanna wasn¡¯t just anyone ¡ª she was the woman he was going to marry.

    Read thetest updates at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    If she went down, the shame wouldn¡¯t be hers alone. The Ward family¡¯s name would take the hit too.

    And deep down, Vince still simmered with anger over his recent humiliations. There was no way he would let Maiae out on top.

    While he wrestled with these thoughts, Rosanna¡¯s soft voice floated to him again, saying, ¡°I knew you wouldn¡¯t leave me, Vince.¡±

    She hesitated, nibbling on her lip, then added in a small voice, ¡°Maia¡¯s just been ridiculously lucky this time. Without that video clearing her, she¡¯d be finished. And even with it¡­ it doesn¡¯t exactly prove she wasn¡¯t being kept by someone shady. Vince, who do you think that ¡®Justiceze¡¯ guy really is? How did he even get hold of that surveince footage?¡±

    Rosanna said this deliberately, hoping to gauge Vince¡¯s reaction. She wanted to know if Vince had anything to do with the video¡¯s release.

    Vince¡¯s eyes darkened slightly. The whole mess had already bruised his pride. He could not let Rosanna catch a glimpse of his shame.

    Shrugging it off, he said casually, ¡°I already have people digging into it. You don¡¯t need to stress yourself out. Just stay put at home and wait for my update. I¡¯ve got some things to handle. I¡¯ll call youter.¡±

    Vince tapped the screen to end the call and leaned back, letting out a long breath.

    Across the line, Rosanna had still wanted to hear his voice a little longer, but all that greeted her was the cold, hollow beep of a disconnected call.

    Rosanna¡¯s doubts grew even stronger under Vince¡¯s careless attitude. She remembered him bragging before about hiring the finest hacker to wipe out the surveince footage for good. If that were true, then how had it been recovered without any trouble? Maybe Vince had started feeling guilty and decided to fix the damage behind her back. Or maybe Maia, backed into a corner with no one else to turn to, had begged Vince for help and somehow convinced him to clear her of any me.

    Rage bubbled up inside Rosanna. She mmed her heel down onto her lipstick, grinding it into a shattered mess on the floor.

    Bitterness toward Maia burned hotter with each passing moment, flooding her mind with rage. ¡°Maia, someday, I¡¯m going to smash you the same way I crushed this lipstick!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 168

    ?Chapter 168:

    Sleep had been a stranger to Maia all night. Slouched in front of herptop, she barely noticed the sunrise spilling across her desk. By the time she finished sorting out all the promised orders, morning had broken in full.

    The ticking clock caught her eye. Six o¡¯clock already. Maia stretched her limbs and rubbed her heavy eyelids.

    Knowing that Kathie¡¯s breakfast needed to be prepared soon, she decided to skip sleep altogether. Shuffling to the bathroom, she sshed cold water on her face to shake off the drowsiness.

    Opening the door, Maia nearly collided with Chris.

    Both froze, caught off guard.

    A thick, awkward silence settled between them, hanging in the air like heavy fog.

    Chris took one look at her pale face and the dark circles under her eyes. Concern flickered across his features. ¡°Rough night?¡± he asked softly.

    Honestly, Maia felt likeughing. ¡°Rough¡± didn¡¯t even cover it.

    Restlessness had kept her up. To distract herself, she buried her head in work until the first light of dawn crept across the sky.

    Facing her was the cause of her sleepless night ¡ª the tall man who had haunted her thoughts.

    Everything Chris had said the night before kept looping inside her mind, refusing to fade.

    Without bothering to hide the annoyance flickering in her eyes, Maia shot him a brief nce and murmured, ¡°It was fine.¡±

    She did not wait for a reaction. Instead, she brushed past Chris and headed straight for the bathroom.

    Chris stayed rooted in ce, his brows drawing together in confusion. As far as he remembered, he had kept his distance the night before. So why did Maia seem so distant now, throwing him looks filled with resentment and indifference? Had he misspoken somehow? But if anything, she had been the one throwing sharper words his way. Maybe she really had just had a rough night.

    Explore fantastic tales on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s; ?¦Ïm

    Trying to understand women felt like chasing the wind. Chris could only scratch his head helplessly.

    By the time they were both ready to leave, they ended up stepping out together, their footsteps matching unconsciously as they walked toward themunity gate.

    Maia kept her silence the entire way, not sparing him even a casual word. Hoping to break the ice, Chris said, ¡°Where are you heading? I can drop you off if you want.¡±

    ¡°No need.¡±

    Her answer came quick and sharp as she gged down a taxi that pulled over almost immediately.

    Chris watched the cab carry her away, a hollow ache settling in his chest.

    In the end, he pulled out his phone, opened his barely used social media ount under the name ¡°Justiceze,¡± and typed out a desperate post: ¡°Help! What do you do when your wife¡¯s furious and won¡¯t even look at you? Any advice would save my life!¡±

    This Facebook post was only visible to followers.

    Chris had never been the type to live his life online. At best, he would scroll through social media now and then, mostly to catch wind of thetest news or some juicy business drama. But ever since he set up his anonymous ount, he had found the whole scene surprisingly addictive.

    After he posted that video, his ount, ¡°Justiceze,¡± exploded overnight, gaining hundreds of thousands of followers. New notifications kepting in every hour.

    Chris had gged Maia as a priority contact. The moment she followed him, he would know. The same went for her posts. Whenever Maia shared anything new, Chris would get an instant notification. Unfortunately, among all the new followers, Maia still wasn¡¯t one of them.

    Chris tucked his phone away, walked to a secluded spot, scanned the area, and slid into his Rolls-Royce.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 169

    ?Chapter 169:

    While cruising through the streets, Chris pulled out his phone again, skimming through the flood ofments under histest post. The sun had barely risen, but thanks to his sky-high poprity, thement section was already buzzing like a beehive.

    ¡°Wow, even Justiceze has off days? LMAO. Winning her back isn¡¯t rocket science. Be real, sweet-talk her, and boom ¡ª she¡¯lle running.¡±

    ¡°Easy. Buy her a bag. If that doesn¡¯t work, buy two. It never fails. That¡¯s how I keep my wife happy.¡±

    ¡°Men are hopeless. Justiceze, listen close: We don¡¯t care about fancy gifts. We care about attitude and real feelings. Cut the crap, own up to your mistakes, and actually listen for once.¡±

    ¡°Why make itplicated? Send her flowers. Women can¡¯t resist them. Just like that, problem fixed.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, crawl on a pile of Legos if you have to. Pain shows sincerity, and she might just pity you enough to forgive.¡±

    ¡°Bro, your wife¡¯s mad, and you¡¯re still ying it cool? Get on your knees before you blow it!¡±

    Chris scrolled through dozens ofments, a smirk tugging at his lips. Honestly, these people were offering better advice than half the stuff he found on Google.

    Of course, there were the jokers too ¡ª daring him to kneel on a cactus or survive walking barefoot on Legos ¡ª and ironically, those wildments were getting the most likes.

    Chris hadn¡¯t said a single word since getting into the car. From the driver¡¯s seat, Brad couldn¡¯t help but steal nces at Chris in the rearview mirror. Chris was fixated on his phone, grinning and chuckling quietly to himself every so often.

    What was going on?

    Your imagination thrives at  punt

    Finally, he couldn¡¯t bite his tongue anymore. After a long breath, he asked, ¡°Mr. Cooper, what¡¯s got you in such a good mood?¡±

    Chris shot him a half-hearted look and said, ¡°You don¡¯t have a wife. You wouldn¡¯t understand.¡± Brad was floored. That one hit him right between the eyes.

    From the back seat, Chris casually added, ¡°Find a florist. Order a bouquet of the best red roses you can get.¡±

    At Marvelous Garden, Maia was up at the crack of dawn, whipping up a hearty breakfast and lunch before rushing over to the Primary Healthcare Center. Inside the VIP ward, Ethan had fallen asleep at a small coffee table. Some papers were crushed under his arm, and a brand-new phone rested by his side.

    He didn¡¯t stir when Maia slipped quietly into the room.

    Maia quietly ced the food on the bedside table. She tiptoed to Ethan¡¯s side but didn¡¯t wake him. Instead, her eyes drifted toward the papers under his arm. She frowned, narrowing her gaze. From where she stood, it looked like a page packed with intricate forms.

    She gently pulled out a sheet, and as she read it, Maia¡¯s eyes went wide in disbelief.

    The top of the paper was filled withplex math problems, and beneath them, Ethan¡¯s precise solutions. Some of it was advanced college-level calculus.

    Ethan had used forms and theorems far beyond what any typical high school freshman should know, and the wildest part? Every answer was wless.

    Maia stood frozen, stunned. At his age, Ethan should barely be entering high school, not tackling mind-bending problems like this. Could Ethan really be¡­ a math prodigy? Maia thought.

    Ethan slowly opened his eyes, feeling the world graduallye into focus as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. When he saw Maia standing there, his face lit up with surprise and joy.

    ¡°Maia! You¡¯re here!¡± he burst out, springing to his feet with enthusiasm. In his rush, he identally tipped over a stack of papers he had been holding, sending them fluttering across the floor right into Maia¡¯s path. Maia bent down to gather the scattered papers, her gaze quickly catching theplex calctions scribbled on them.

    ¡°Ethan, did you work through all these by yourself? Did you check the answers?¡± she inquired, holding up the sheets.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 170

    ?Chapter 170:

    Ethan touched his head in an embarrassed gesture. ¡°Yes, I did these alone. But I¡¯m not sure if they¡¯re correct ¡ª I fell asleep before I could check the answer.¡±

    ¡°How did you manage to learn all this?¡± Maia¡¯s curiosity was piqued, considering Ethan¡¯s background. As a person who had grown up in the slums and onlypleted elementary school, Ethan¡¯s educational opportunities had been limited. Maia was puzzled about how he had gained such advanced knowledge.

    Ethan¡¯s face brightened as he picked up his phone. ¡°I discovered it all online! I found the subjects fascinating and started to teach myself. With a smartphone, you have ess to the entire world ¡ª it¡¯s amazing! So¡­¡± Ethan paused, pondering, then continued, ¡°Maia, I¡¯ve been thinking. Maybe I don¡¯t need formal schooling. It¡¯s costly and time-consuming. If I work and study online, you wouldn¡¯t have to work so hard to support us¡­¡±

    Maia felt a warm surge of affection hearing his considerate suggestion. However, a realization dawned on her ¡ª she had only given Ethan his smartphone two days prior.

    ¡°Hold on,¡± she interjected with a mix of surprise and skepticism. ¡°Are you telling me you learned all this in just two days?¡±

    The idea of mastering suchplex subjects in such a short time seemed improbable, even for a college student.

    Ethan rubbed his cheek, exining, ¡°Well, when I used to scavenge back in the slums, I often found old books in the trash. After selling scrap for some cash, I¡¯d buy used textbooks. I¡¯ve worked through materials from middle and high school already. The advanced stuff came from books like ¡®The Princeton Companion to Calculus,¡¯ ¡®Visual Differential Geometry and Forms: A Mathematical Drama in Five Acts,¡¯ and other sources I found online.¡±

    Acts¡¯, and ¡®Complex Analysis: A Visual Approach¡¯, mostly focusing on mathematics¡­¡± His voice faded into a whisper.

    Recalling the tiny, cramped room where Ethan and Kathie once lived, Maia remembered the shelves crammed with books.

    ?????? ???????? ? g??lnov?l??.???m

    This revtion exined a lot.

    She was taken aback by her brother¡¯s extraordinary capabilities ¡ª she couldn¡¯t let such potential go untapped.

    ¡°Ethan, I assure you, I¡¯ll find a suitable ce for you to further your mathematical studies,¡± Maia dered, her voice resolute as she affectionately tousled his hair. She then added with firm resolve, ¡°And about working, forget it. That would truly be a waste of your talents.¡± She looked at him intently and spoke with conviction. ¡°You have such a passion for math ¡ª don¡¯t you wish to expand your knowledge? At your age, you should be dedicating your spare time to learning.¡±

    ¡°I get it,¡± Ethan responded, his lips pressed in a thin line as he nodded affirmatively.

    His love for math was genuine, yet he was concerned about Maia¡¯s situation. Pausing briefly, he voiced his concern in a gentle tone. ¡°Maia, are you really nning to take legal action against those people online?¡±

    It was apparent to Maia that Ethan had been following the unfolding drama on Facebook.

    With a reassuring smile, she ruffled his hair once more. ¡°Absolutely! I always stand up for myself and ensure justice prevails. I can¡¯t let others think I can be easily intimidated. But don¡¯t stress about it. A reputablew firm is handling the case, and it¡¯s under control. Just concentrate on your studies, and if there are any books you need, tell me ¡ª I¡¯ll get them for you.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s expression brightened, filled with excitement and appreciation. ¡°That¡¯s great! I¡¯ve read that Zenith Legal is top-notch. I¡¯m confident they¡¯ll manage your case well!¡±

    He red at Maia, his smile sincere and heartfelt. ¡°I¡¯m here for you, Maia!¡±

    As the morning sun poured through the window, it cast a golden light around Ethan.

    .

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 Chapter 171

    ?Chapter 171:

    Overwhelmed with pride and affection, Maia encouraged him. ¡°Go ahead, enjoy the breakfast I made ¡ª it¡¯s always best when served warm!¡± She handed him his te and then went to take out Kathie¡¯s medicinal meal from the bag.

    Ethan began to eat, browsing through Facebook as he did.

    He stumbled upon a new post from ¡°Justiceze,¡± the ount he¡¯d followed the previous night, which read: ¡°What should I do when my wife is angry at me? Need advice ASAP!¡±

    He remembered that this was the ount that had posted a crucial video aiding Maia during her recent ordeal. Without that video, Maia might still be facing harassment.

    Grateful for the assistance, Ethan feltpelled to offer his own help to this blogger.

    He dove into thements section, joining themunity of thinkers supporting ¡°Justiceze,¡± and began typing with purpose and dedication.

    So engrossed was he in his task that he didn¡¯t notice Maia approaching. Maia, who had nned to join him for breakfast, paused when she saw the screen of his phone disying the name ¡°Justiceze.¡±

    Raising an eyebrow, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s got you so hooked on following him?¡±

    Ethan looked up, surprised to see Maia so close, and his face lit up with a broad, eager smile. ¡°Absolutely! He¡¯s like a hero to me! I dream of being someone who defends others just like he does when I¡¯m older!¡± His expression radiated admiration and aspiration.

    Maia chuckled softly, her lips curling into a gentle smile as she yfully tousled Ethan¡¯s hair. She muttered to herself, ¡°It¡¯s wonderful for a teenager to have role models.¡±

    In her hospital office, Elvira received a message from her private investigator. She leaned forward, focusing intently as she erged the photos on her screen. The photos depicted Maia exiting a residential building with a man at her side.

    Discover new content now g?ln¦Ò¦Íe?s?c?m

    Elvira raised an eyebrow, noting the man¡¯s tall stature and charismatic demeanor. ¡°Could he possibly be Maia¡¯s elusive husband?¡± Elvira pondered. She quickly sent the photo along with a firm instruction to her contact: ¡°Gather all the information you can on this man!¡±

    Having bid farewell to Kathie and Ethan, Maia exited the hospital. The time was just past nine in the morning. She was about to call a cab when her phone vibrated.

    As Maia answered, she was greeted by an energetic voice that almost shouted, ¡°Boss! You¡¯re unbelievable! I just checked your message after waking up! At first, I thought I was still dreaming, but this is real! You, you, you managed toplete half of my pending orders overnight? How is that even humanly possible? Even if I worked non-stop, it would take me a week to do all that!¡±

    Maia pulled the phone slightly away from her ear, letting the excited outburst subside. Once the voice on the other end paused for a breath, she brought the phone back and responded coolly, ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleepst night, so I thought I might as well be productive and help out.¡±

    There was a moment of stunned silence on the line. The incredulity was noticeable as the person mulled over her exnation. Maia had finished half his workload just because she couldn¡¯t sleep? Was the reason really so easy?

    In truth, if Maia were ever to formally join The Connections, she would likely rise to legendary status in no time. After all, this guy had reached the pinnacle of Pris¡¯s hacker group and held his own against ST¡¯s Hawkrgely because Maia had been supporting him discreetly all along.

    Indeed, Maia was the true powerhouse behind the scenes of Pris¡¯s hacking operations.

    ¡°Boss, you¡¯re incredible¡­ You¡¯re my heroine!¡± The voice on the phone was overflowing with admiration.

    Maia stifled a yawn. Whether it was the relentless praise or sheer exhaustion from her sleepless night catching up with her, she was ready to end the call. ¡°Got anything else to add? If not, I¡¯m going to hang up,¡± she said tly.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 172

    ?Chapter 172:

    She felt herself nearing the point of copse. Theck of sleep from the previous night demanded recovery. Maia mused that if there had been a bed nearby, she might have fallen asleep the instant shey down.

    After sleep, she still had one moremitment ¡ª a meeting at Zenith Legal¡¯s Wront office with herwyer. He had reached out the previous evening to discuss crucial aspects of her case face-to-face today.

    ¡°Understood, Boss. Get some rest. Just call if you need anything!¡± The voice responded hastily.

    Ending the call, Maia hailed a cab.

    Back at home, she copsed onto her bed and immediately fell into a deep sleep. She didn¡¯t stir until well past three in the afternoon, having inadvertently skipped preparing lunch for Kathie.

    She had set an rm, but it might as well have been nonexistent.

    Barely awake, Maia quickly called Ethan. Learning that both Kathie and Ethan had managed to eat, she sighed in relief.

    ¡°Look after yourself too, okay? Don¡¯t overdo it.¡± Ethan¡¯s concern was evident. Having noticed the dark circles under Maia¡¯s eyes that morning, he wanted to ensure that she didn¡¯t overexert herself. ¡°I¡¯ve got things covered here, so don¡¯t stress.¡±

    ¡°Ethan, you¡¯re a lifesaver. Really, you¡¯re the best little brother!¡± Maia responded with a chuckle, her voice full of affection.

    Maia felt a surge of warmth. Having such a considerate and intelligent younger brother was indeed a blessing.

    On the other end, Ethan blushed, but his voice radiated pride.

    Their conversation also brought good news; Kathie was recovering well, thanks to the nutritious meals and excellent hospital care. It seemed that she might be discharged in just a few days.

    Before they ended the call, Maia encouraged Ethan to keep up his studies and to call her if any issues arose.

    Now fully alert, Maia picked up her phone once again to call Vincenzo. Given that the legal case involved both of them, it was essential to stay coordinated. Zenith Legal had recently shared their joint statement online, and they were proceeding as co-intiffs against the online attackers and rumor spreaders.

    After confirming their appointment, Maia pulled her long hair back into a sleek ponytail and slipped into a tailored beige suit. She took a final look in the mirror, pleased with her polished appearance, before leaving her home.

    As Vincenzo reached the entrance of Zenith Legal, his eyesnded on Maia, causing him to momentarily stop in his tracks. He was ustomed to seeing her in casual, easygoing attire, exuding a rxed vibe. Today, however, she was d in crisp, professional clothes that underscored her resolve, as if she were gearing up for a legal showdown.

    Reaching the doors of the firm, they were about to enter when they noticed a man waiting for them. This man, dressed in a sharp suit, stepped up, opened the door with a respectful bow, and gestured for them to enter with a polite nod.

    ¡°Miss Watson and Mr. Casadei, wee,¡± he said.

    Silently exchanging looks, Maia and Vincenzo proceeded inside.

    As they stepped inside, they were met with a scene that left them both astonished. The interior was far morevish than they had anticipated, and along both sides of the hallway,wyers stood in attention, almost as if they were there to greet them.

    They didn¡¯t appear to be hired specifically to greet them. Instead, Vincenzo and Maia noticed the badges on their chests, which made it clear that they werewyers at the firm.

    Vincenzo let Maia lead, his pace slowing as he took in the unusual reception. This was an entirely new experience for him.

    Maia moved ahead with a steady, assured stride, her demeanor unshaken by the grand wee.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 173

    ?Chapter 173:

    The treatment they received was extraordinary, akin to being the proprietors rather than guests. Doors swung open before them, respectful bows were given, and even their chairs were pulled out at the conference table.

    Then came the coffee, rare and exquisite, its rich aroma enhancing the room¡¯s sophisticated atmosphere.

    Taking a tentative sip, Vincenzo couldn¡¯t resistmenting, ¡°This coffee is exceptional! It surpasses even those in my collection.¡± In response, thewyer facing them bowed deeply and presented his business card. ¡°Mr. Casadei, Miss Watson, it¡¯s a privilege to represent you. Please, inform me of your needs ¡ª whether it¡¯s seeking damages from the defendant or pursuing a custodial sentence, I am at your disposal. Should it exceed my capabilities, I will find a way.¡±

    Vincenzo coughed, almost spitting out his coffee in surprise. Although familiar with legal professionals, this level of opulence was unheard of at a firm like Zenith Legal. He could hardly believe the special treatment they were receiving. If the word spread, it would surely be a story people would be eager to boast about. Yet, deep down, he recognized that hecked the influence needed to deserve such a level of attention. Clearly, this extraordinary reception was orchestrated for Maia¡¯s sake.

    Vincenzo cast a curious nce at Maia, inhaling sharply. Who was Maia, really? Memories of Maxwell¡¯s cautionary words surfaced, stirring a wave of difort within him.

    Maia, meanwhile, chuckled softly in frustration. She had no doubts about who was orchestrating these disys: Elvira, using her elder brother¡¯s influence in yet another attempt to impress. It was growing tiresome. Online rumors had already portrayed her as a figure with substantial clout. Seeing Vincenzo¡¯s shocked face, Maia realized that no exnation would convince him otherwise; he¡¯d likely think she was downying her connections. He wouldn¡¯t ept that she was merely amon woman with no powerful allies, freshly out of imprisonment.

    Deciding not to linger on these thoughts, she shifted the conversation to the specifics of their legal case.

    After two hours at the firm, they left, receiving the same vigorous send-off as on their arrival. Reflecting on Maxwell¡¯s caution and the deferential treatment from thewyers, Vincenzo maintained a respectful distance. ¡°Miss Watson, today¡¯s achievements are all thanks to your intervention. Without your influence, Zenith Legal surely¡­¡±

    I@?e$t ¡é§ß@???§ñ$ ?¦Ç ???§Ú?v¦Å??.c?m

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t have epted our case.¡± He paused, then added with sincerity, ¡°I have a favor to ask, and I hope you won¡¯t decline, Miss Watson.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s hear it,¡± Maia said.

    ¡°I wish to pay the legal fees for this case. It involves both of us, and I feel it¡¯s only right that I contribute,¡± Vincenzo said earnestly. ¡°I¡¯d be restless otherwise.¡±

    Maia saw no reason to object. Yet, she suspected Elvira might ensure the fees were never billed. Nevertheless, she nodded, allowing Vincenzo to proceed as he desired.

    With a relieved exhale, Vincenzo thanked her and took his leave.

    Maia then made her way back to Marvelous Garden. She still had time to visit Kathie for dinner. Swiftly, she prepared a nutritious meal enriched with medicinal herbs and took it to the hospital.

    After spending some time with Ethan and Kathie, she departed. As evening fell, Maia returned to Elysium Apartments. The streetlights had just flickered on, casting a warm, amber glow. A bright full moon dominated the night sky, and a soft breeze rustled through the air.

    Approaching the entrance of her apartmentplex, Maia noticed a striking red Porsche parked conspicuously nearby. It was impossible for her to overlook; it stood out too much.

    Leaning casually against the car, sunsses perched on her nose, was Elvira. She wore a faint smile and raised an eyebrow as she looked in Maia¡¯s direction.

    Maia furrowed her brows. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

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    .

 Chapter 174

    ?Chapter 174:

    ¡°If I didn¡¯t show up, you¡¯d let that jerk pull the wool over your eyes!¡± Elvira snapped, her disgust for Maia¡¯s husband evident in every syble.

    Maia froze, her mind spinning in confusion. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    Elvira took off her sunsses, turned around, and retrieved a photo and a file from the glovepartment, shoving them into Maia¡¯s hands.

    ¡°See for yourself. Don¡¯t even think about thanking me ¡ª this is just what best friends do!¡± Elvira said, tilting her chin proudly, as if expecting a round of apuse for her effort.

    Maia nced at the photo ¡ª her and Chris, casually talking at the entrance of the residentialplex earlier that day. She opened the folder, her eyes quickly scanning the documents inside. They were all about Chris.

    ¡°This is your mysterious husband, right?¡± Elvira¡¯s tone was sharp, dripping with disdain. ¡°Chris Cooper, the illegitimate son of the Cooper Group¡¯s president. Lazy, self-indulgent, and aplete disaster. Do you even know how many women he¡¯s been with?¡±

    Elvira¡¯s heart clenched at the thought ¡ª seeing Maia tied to someone like Chris felt like a cruel twist of fate. She softened her tone just a fraction, as if trying to pull Maia out of her delusion. ¡°Okay, fine, Chris is good-looking. But marriage isn¡¯t a joke, Maia. It¡¯s not something you just throw away for a pretty face, is it?¡±

    Maia¡¯s face hardened, and her voice went icy. ¡°Did you¡­ have someone follow me?¡±

    A gust of wind swept through, sending a chill across Elvira¡¯s skin, her body bristling with tension.

    ¡°I just wanted to know what kind of man you married,¡± Elvira muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing.

    Then, with a huff, she added, ¡°No wonder you¡¯ve been so tight-lipped about your husband. Looks like you couldn¡¯t even bring yourself to say it out loud.¡±

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    Maia was momentarily speechless.

    She should¡¯ve known better ¡ª Elvira had never been one to let things slide. Once her mind was set on something, she¡¯d tear through it like a freight train.

    Keeping secrets from Elvira was never an easy task.

    Sighing, Maia shifted, trying to exin. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think¡­¡±

    Elvira wasn¡¯t in the mood for excuses. She grabbed the photo from Maia¡¯s hands, holding it up in front of her, and demanded, ¡°Just tell me ¡ª is this man your husband?¡±

    Maia paused, hesitation flickering in her eyes before she finally murmured, ¡°He¡¯s not.¡±

    It was a lie she had no choice but to tell. If she admitted that Chris was indeed her husband, her life would be anything but peaceful.

    Elvira would be convinced that Chris was bad news and would stop at nothing to push for a divorce. Worse, Elvira would enthusiastically try to set her up with her brother.

    Maia didn¡¯t have the time or energy to entertain Elvira¡¯s meddling. She still had Zoey¡¯s tasks hanging over her head.

    For now, denying it was the only way to keep the storm at bay and silence Elvira¡¯s hopes of Maia bing her sister-inw.

    Elvira blinked, stunned by Maia¡¯s firm response. Her suspicion flickered, her brow knitting. ¡°Really?¡±

    Maia nodded, her gaze unwavering.

    Elvira stared at her for a long moment, the frown deepening as she studied the photo again.

    The two people in the picture were standing at the entrance of theplex, but a closer look revealed that the distance between them wasn¡¯t particrly intimate. If they were married, they¡¯d surely be closer ¡ª perhaps even holding hands, especially if they were newlyweds. Instead, they looked like distant acquaintances sharing a polite conversation.

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 Chapter 175

    ?Chapter 175:

    Could it be¡­ she was wrong?

    Just as Elvira¡¯s doubt began to creep in, a figure appeared in the distance.

    Chris was striding toward them, a bouquet of red roses in hand, his expression unreadable.

    He was more focused on what he¡¯d say to Maia.

    As he looked up, Chris spotted Maia standing downstairs, talking to another woman.

    Surprised to see her home so early, Chris quickened his pace, a faint smile ying at the corners of his lips.

    Out of the corner of her eye, Maia noticed a man holding a bouquet of roses. She turned to look, her eyes widening in shock. It was Chris! When her gaze locked onto the enormous bouquet in his hands, her mind went numb, a sudden jolt of panic surging through her.

    What in the world was Chris ying at?

    He stopped in front of her, roses ready to be handed over, but Maia stepped forward quickly, raising her hand to stop him. She nced at him briefly, her lips pressed into a tight line, and shook her head just slightly.

    Chris raised an eyebrow, then, as if reading her thoughts, moved the bouquet behind his back.

    Elvira¡¯s eyes flicked between the two of them, suspicion clouding her gaze.

    Really? Was Maia still going to deny it? The guy was standing here with a mountain of roses, and Maia was still pretending there was nothing between them?

    Chris turned to Elvira with a smile, then asked Maia, ¡°And this is?¡±

    ¡°Let me introduce. This is my friend, Elvira Cullen,¡± Maia said quickly, then turned to Elvira with a forced smile. ¡°Elvira, this is Chris Cooper, my¡­ neighbor.¡±

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    Her neighbor, really?

    Chris raised an eyebrow and fixed Maia with a probing stare. She appearedpletelyposed, as though every word she spoke carried the weight of undeniable truth.

    Chris was puzzled by Maia¡¯s insistence on concealing their marital status, but chose to go along with it for the time being. Perhaps she had her reasons.

    Elvira, only partially convinced and retaining her doubts, slid the photograph back into her purse, still not fully epting the ¡°merely neighbors¡± exnation.

    Her gut feeling screamed that there was more to their rtionship than met the eye.

    ¡°He once assisted me with changing a light bulb, and since then, we asionally chat when we bump into each other,¡± Maia exined smoothly, offering a casual backstory for their familiarity, evident in the photograph.

    Before Elvira could probe further, Maia turned to Chris, feigning surprise. ¡°Mr. Cooper, what lovely flowers! Are they for your girlfriend?¡±

    Chris¡¯s expression darkened, his gaze sharpening. His deep-set eyes met Maia¡¯s.

    ¡°Indeed, they are. Sadly, she can¡¯t receive them today.¡±

    Maia shifted her gaze away, her lips pressed tightly in apparent difort.

    Seizing the moment, Elvira asked, ¡°Mr. Cooper, does your girlfriend also reside here?¡±

    Chris answered casually, ¡°Yes, we live together. However, she just informed me that she¡¯s been called away on a sudden business trip, so she won¡¯t be home tonight.¡±

    He let out a sigh, acting as though he were disappointed. ¡°I had made reservations for dinner. It¡¯s a shame; the deposit is non-refundable.¡±

    Then, struck by an idea, he brightened and suggested to the two women, ¡°Have you had dinner yet? Would you care to join me instead?¡±

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 Chapter 176

    ?Chapter 176:

    Elvira¡¯s senses sharpened. Join him for dinner?

    His girlfriend was away on business, and he was already out trying to charm other women?

    This behavior was just as profligate as the rumors had suggested.

    Was Chris showing interest in Maia ever since that light bulb incident? Despite her reservations, Elvira couldn¡¯t deny Chris¡¯ allure. He was remarkably handsome, almost distractingly so, surpassing anyone she had encountered in Drakmire. In person, he was even more captivating than in any photograph.

    While Elvira often appreciated good looks, her priority was Maia¡¯s happiness. Today, she was determined to make this yboy abandon any thoughts of Maia¡ªand maybe uncover more about their rtionship in the process.

    Elvira quickly formted a n and turned to Maia, saying, ¡°Maia, didn¡¯t you mention wanting to treat me to dinner? I¡¯m heading back to Drakmire soon, so why not today? But¡­ I¡¯m not in the mood to dine out. I¡¯d much rather enjoy your cooking.¡±

    With a grin, Elvira then addressed Chris. ¡°Mr. Cooper, I¡¯m often away in Drakmire and can¡¯t keep an eye on Maia. You¡¯ve helped her before, and it feels like you¡¯ve assisted me as well. Today seems to be your lucky day. Why don¡¯t you join us for dinner? Maia¡¯s culinary skills are exceptional¡ªfar surpassing anything you might order at a restaurant.¡±

    Maia was at a loss for words.

    This situation was unfolding in ways she hadn¡¯t expected.

    She assumed that Chris would politely decline the invitation.

    However, Chris surprised her by smiling warmly and responding eagerly, ¡°Really? I recall Maia promising me a meal after I helped with that light bulb issue.¡±

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    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Elvira eximed. ¡°Maia is always quick to repay a kindness. It¡¯s fortunate that I¡¯m here today, or you might have missed out on her delicious cooking.¡±

    Maia immediately understood Elvira¡¯s tactic. She clenched her teeth and gave Chris a sharp look. ¡°Mr. Cooper, haven¡¯t you already made a restaurant reservation? If you don¡¯t go, your reservation fee will be wasted.¡±

    ¡°But Mr. Cooper, consider this,¡± Elvira interjected, raising an eyebrow suggestively. ¡°You might not have another chance to enjoy dishes prepared by Maia.¡±

    Chrisughed softly, his gaze lingering on Maia. He then turned to Elvira, saying, ¡°You make a good point. I just remembered the restaurant allows rescheduling, even though the deposit is non-refundable.¡±

    He stepped aside, pretending to confirm this on a call.

    Returning shortly, Chris announced, ¡°All settled. I¡¯ll visit the restaurant with my girlfriend another time.¡±

    Maia shot him a sharp re, her expression clearly saying, ¡°Can your acting skills be any worse?¡±

    ¡°Maia, you can¡¯t really say no now,¡± Elvira pressed, seizing the opportunity. ¡°Perhaps Mr. Cooper will be of help to you again in the future. Since you¡¯re neighbors, it would be impolite to refuse him now.¡± She was determined to make the most of the situation.

    Maia sighed in defeat. Caught between the two, she had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

    ¡°However, I wasn¡¯t prepared for guests today. I don¡¯t have the proper ingredients,¡± Maia said, hoping to find a way out.

    Chris was quick to offer a solution. ¡°Just let me know what you need. A friend runs a nearby supermarket, and I¡¯ll get everything delivered directly to your ce.¡±

    ¡°Well, that settles it,¡± Elvira dered enthusiastically. ¡°Let¡¯s go upstairs. I¡¯ll help Maia in the kitchen, and maybe I¡¯ll learn something new.¡± With that, she took Maia¡¯s arm and began guiding her toward the apartment.

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 Chapter 177

    ?Chapter 177:

    With no further excuses left, Maia reluctantly led the way to her apartment, steeling herself for an evening that was sure to be anything but ordinary.

    Elvira walked into the room, her eyes eagerly scanning every corner. Almost immediately, she grumbled, ¡°Maia, how can you live in a ce like this? Hasn¡¯t your husband sorted something better out for you?¡± As the words left her mouth, she shot a look at Chris.

    She was deliberately saying this to Chris, implying that Maia already had a husband and that he stood no chance.

    Chris, for his part, remained calm, his expression betraying nothing.

    Elvira gave a small, dismissive snort before turning back to Maia. ¡°Even if he¡¯s broke, you could still¡­¡± she trailed off.

    ¡°Elvira!¡± Maia snapped, her sharp gaze silencing her. Only then did Elvira realize she had almost let something slip.

    If this useless, no-good bastard from the Cooper family found out that Maia was sitting on a fortune, he¡¯d cling to her like a leech. There was no way she could let that happen.

    ¡°Oh, right, Maia, what line of work is your husband in?¡± Elvira quickly changed the subject, steering the conversation in a new direction. ¡°If he¡¯s not making much, maybe I can hook him up with something better,¡± she added, letting her eyes wander around the small space once more. ¡°By the way, where is your husband hiding?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s away on a business trip,¡± Maia replied casually. ¡°Chances are, he won¡¯t be back anytime soon.¡±

    Elvira pressed her lips together. What a funny twist of fate¡ªChris¡¯s girlfriend was away for work, and now Maia¡¯s husband was doing the same. If she didn¡¯t know better, she might have thought the two of them had packed their bags and left together.

    With Maia¡¯s husband out of town, Elvira figured it was a waste of time to keep the private eye tailing him.

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    She pouted slightly and began eyeing Chris with growing suspicion.

    The more she watched him, the more she realized that something about his actions in the room seemed familiar.

    For instance, he set his things down without a second thought and reached for a ss to pour himself some water. It felt almost like¡­ he was kicking back in his own living room.

    ¡°Have you been hanging around here a lot?¡± Elvira suddenly blurted out, locking eyes with Chris.

    Chris gave an easy smile. ¡°I dropped by once¡ªto help her swap out a light bulb.¡±

    As he spoke, he even lifted a hand and pointed straight at the ceiling light.

    ¡°But you move around like you know this ce like the back of your hand,¡± Elvira said, narrowing her almond-shaped eyes, as if trying to peel away hisyers.

    Chris, however, answered smoothly, ¡°I live right next door. Theyout¡¯s a carbon copy, so everything just feels kind of familiar.¡±

    Elvira mulled it over and figured his story checked out, so she didn¡¯t push the matter further.

    Meanwhile, Maia had already made her way into the kitchen and tied an apron around her waist. Elvira hurried after her without missing a beat.

    Chris let out a small breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding and carefully straightened the roses he had brought. Then, he lifted his head and nced toward the kitchen, where Maia was bustling around.

    His eyes darkened slightly.

    Before long, the groceries arrived.

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 Chapter 178

    ?Chapter 178:

    Maia was a little taken aback that Chris had managed to find such fresh ingredients at such ate hour.

    Chris gave a crooked smile and said, ¡°After grinding away for years, I¡¯ve built a few connections. The supermarket manager¡¯s an old buddy of mine.¡±

    Truth be told, the food had actually been sourced from the best restaurant in Wront, freshly picked or butchered that very morning, then flown over in cold storage.

    While Maia bustled around the kitchen, Elvira imed she was lending a hand but didn¡¯t so much as lift a spoon. She was never the type to get her hands dirty with kitchen work.

    Chris offered more than once to pitch in, but Maia turned him down every time. In the end, he could only retreat to the living room and sprawl out on the sofa.

    Elvira shot a quick nce at the tall, easygoing man stretched out on the sofa. Then she leaned in toward Maia, gave her a little nudge, and whispered, ¡°Maia¡­¡±

    ¡°Since Chris lives next door, have you ever caught sight of his girlfriend? Does he swap girlfriends often?¡±

    Maia¡¯s knife froze in mid-air for a moment, but she answered smoothly, ¡°I have no idea. He lent me a hand once, but we hardly talk.¡±

    Elvira raised an eyebrow but chose not to dig any deeper. Instead, she moved even closer and whispered sharply into Maia¡¯s ear, ¡°Listen, you need to steer clear of that guy. He¡¯s bad news. Think about it¡ªwhat kind of man has the nerve to invite another woman over for dinner when his girlfriend¡¯s out of town? I only asked him tonight to see what he¡¯d do, and look¡ªhe showed up without blinking!¡±

    Elvira folded her arms across her chest, convinced she was only looking out for Maia. ¡°Do you know the gossip about Chris around Wront? People say he¡¯s just a pretty face drifting through life. Doesn¡¯t even have a steady job.¡±

    Thinking of the private investigator¡¯s report, Elvira added, ¡°Word is, he switches women like most people change shirts. Don¡¯t be fooled by that handsome face. Trust me, the better a guy looks, the more trouble he¡¯s likely to be!¡±

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    Maia hesitated for a moment before ncing over at Chris, who was still lounging in the living room, casually tapping away on his phone. He was sprawled out on the sofa, his long legs stretched in front of him. Under the soft glow of the lights, the sharp angles of his face and the perfect cut of his features looked almost unreal¡ªlike a dreame to life.

    She had to admit, Chris had the kind of looks that could make any woman lose her head.

    There were moments when even she found her mind drifting without meaning to.

    But Maia understood very clearly what stood between her and Chris. She also knew deep down that a man like him¡ªdangerous and tempting¡ªwas trouble she couldn¡¯t afford to invite into her life.

    That was exactly why she had always kept him at arm¡¯s length. A slight stiffness crossed Maia¡¯s face as she remembered the half-meaningful things Chris had said to her the night before.

    She went back to chopping the vegetables and said in a cool, distant tone, ¡°I know.¡±

    Afterward, Maia worked her magic in the kitchen, her movements smooth and effortless. Lately, she had been cooking for Kathie, and with every meal, her skills had only sharpened.

    Soon, a tantalizing aroma wafted up from the kitchen, rich and mouthwatering, tempting both Elvira and Chris within range.

    Chris, seated on the couch, unconsciously swallowed, his senses heightened as the delicious smell drifted toward him.

    When the meal was ready, Maia, Chris, and Elvira gathered around the table.

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 Chapter 179

    ?Chapter 179:

    In less than two hours, Maia had whipped up ten dishes, each more impressive than thest.

    Maia slipped off her apron, herposure wless. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead, but there was no sign of weariness in her demeanor.

    The dishes before them were nothing short of divine, the aromas more irresistible than anything Chris had ever encountered, even in the finest restaurants in Wront.

    Chris took a deep breath, his gaze locked onto Maia. His admiration was unmistakable. ¡°I had no idea you were this talented in the kitchen!¡±

    Maia responded with a faint smile.

    Elvira shot Chris a teasing look, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Mr. Cooper, you haven¡¯t even touched your food yet, and already you¡¯re showering Maia with praise. Do you always tter women so easily?¡±

    Chris raised an eyebrow, a yful gleam in his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t hold back onpliments, but only for those who truly deserve them. Notice how I haven¡¯t said anything nice to you?¡±

    Elvira¡¯s face darkened, and she red at Chris, daggers in her eyes.

    Chris, unfazed, ignored herpletely.

    The air between them thickened with tension.

    Maia quickly intervened, her voice cutting through the silence. ¡°Aren¡¯t you two hungry? Stop talking and start eating!¡±

    After all, it was Maia¡¯s cooking. With a burst of eagerness, Chris grabbed his fork and skewered a piece of the fish.

    The instant the vor hit his tongue, Chris¡¯s expression shifted¡ªpure astonishment written across his face. It was perfectly tender, rich without being greasy, and the taste lingered on his tongue.

    In fact, it was better than anything he¡¯d ever had at Windsor¡¯s Banquet, the most prestigious restaurant in Wront.

    No wonder Maia had once remarked that Windsor¡¯s Banquet was just average. She could easily outshine any top-tier chef.

    Chris¡¯s face lit up with pride and unbridled joy. His admiration for Maia was ringly obvious, his gaze burning with affection.

    Elvira, noticing how Chris was practically staring through Maia, scowled and waved her hand in front of his face. ¡°Hey! If you keep looking at her like that, your eyes are going to freeze over!¡±

    Chris tore his gaze away, shooting Elvira a cold nce.

    Elvira crossed her arms, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Mr. Cooper, with the way you¡¯re eyeing Maia, someone might think you¡¯re more interested in her than in the food.¡±

    Chris raised an eyebrow, amused. He smirked inwardly, I am interested in Maia. What¡¯s the problem with that?

    Maia pressed her fingers to her temple, her patience running thin. Through gritted teeth, she warned, ¡°Elvira, that¡¯s enough.¡±

    Elvira pouted but remained silent. The way Chris had been gazing at Maia only fueled her suspicion that he had a thing for Maia¡ªand perhaps he had for some time now.

    How could it be such a coincidence? Maia¡¯s husband was out of town, Chris¡¯s girlfriend was conveniently absent, and Chris just happened to show up with flowers.

    Everything about it felt far too calcted.

    Today, Elvira had made up her mind. No matter what, she was going to crush Chris¡¯s little fantasy about Maia. Even if Maia tried to stop her, Elvira was still going to say what needed to be said.

    With a sugary smile, Elvira addressed Chris. ¡°Maia is incredible, no doubt, but she¡¯s a married woman, Mr. Cooper. I trust you understand what that means?¡±

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 Chapter 180

    ?Chapter 180:

    Chris, still savoring his meal,zily replied, ¡°What are you trying to say?¡±

    Elvira¡¯s blood boiled. Was he really pretending to be this clueless? She was practically spelling it out for him, yet he acted like he had no idea. Was he doing this on purpose?

    Elvira gripped her fork so tightly that her hand trembled, nearly shattering it. She forced herself to stay calm, straightened her posture, and looked Chris dead in the eye. ¡°What I mean is, Maia isn¡¯t someone you can fantasize about. I don¡¯t care what you¡¯re thinking. Drop it now. Look at yourself. Aside from a decent face, what else do you even have that¡¯s good enough for Maia? Do you have any idea how many people¡­¡±

    ¡°Elvira!¡± Maia cut her off sharply, her voiceced with warning. ¡°That¡¯s enough. You¡¯re out of line.¡±

    Elvira shrugged, unbothered. She¡¯d said her piece.

    Across the table, Chris¡¯s expression hardened.

    Chris paused mid-motion, his hand hovering in the air with a piece of food. He let out a soft scoff and set his fork down. Then, with a graceful motion, he wiped his mouth with a napkin. ¡°I¡¯m done. You two carry on,¡± he remarked smoothly.

    Maia blinked in surprise, but before she could speak, Chris had already risen and exited.

    The door clicked shut behind him, and only then did Maia sense that something was wrong.

    Frowning slightly, she faced Elvira and remarked with a trace of scolding, ¡°Elvira, Mr. Cooper has been good to me. Even if you dislike him, you shouldn¡¯t speak like that in his presence. He¡¯s not the kind of person you believe him to be.¡±

    Elvira leaned back casually, lips pursed. ¡°Really? Didn¡¯t you notice the way he stared at you? My observation can¡¯t be wrong! Feelings like that need to be snuffed out early. Otherwise, when I leave for Drakmire, what if he tempts you? He hasn¡¯t been out of line, yes, but who knows about the future? His unrealistic fantasy about you is dangerous, and you need to kill it off before it¡¯s toote.¡±

    Maia knew Elvira¡¯s blunt nature. Once her mind was made up, it was nearly impossible to sway her.

    galn¦Ò¦Íels.c¡ðm hosts fresh updates

    However, Maia also knew that her connection with Chris wasn¡¯t what Elvira imagined. There was no way to exin everything now. Calming Elvira down before her departure seemed the only option. Maia let out a quiet sigh, tinged with resignation. ¡°Rx. I¡¯m not someone who falls easily anymore,¡± she assured.

    Indeed, after suffering betrayal from someone she once adored, Maia had closed off her heart and guarded her trust fiercely.

    Realizing that she might have gone too far, Elvira pressed her lips together before dismissing the tension with a flick of her hand. ¡°I mean, avoid the bad ones¡­ but if it¡¯s someone like my brother, that¡¯s different,¡± she amended.

    ¡°If you¡¯re finished eating, I¡¯ll clear the tes,¡± Maia interjected with a pointed nce.

    Elvira said nothing further but still sat tall, believing she had protected Maia from future heartache.

    Faced with a table brimming with dishes she had craved, Elvira eagerly dug in, her spirits lifting. She even gave Maia a thumbs-up, eximing, ¡°Maia, your cooking is incredible!¡±

    ¡°Has reached new heights! I could feast like this forever. Pity my brother¡¯s missing out!¡± Maia merely smiled, offering no reply.

    Later, the two lounged on the couch, chatting idly.

    When Maia mentioned her fatigue, Elvira reluctantly rose to leave. Maia walked her to the car and stood by as the red Ferrari roared off into the distance.

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 Chapter 181

    ?Chapter 181:

    Exhaling slowly, Maia finally felt some peace.

    On her way back inside, memories of Chris¡¯s abrupt exit resurfaced.

    Pulling out her phone, she dialed his number.

    After a few rings, his even, unreadable voice came through. ¡°Yes?¡±

    Gripping the phone tighter, Maia asked softly, ¡°Where are you now?¡±

    ¡°At my ce,¡± he replied without inflection.

    A flicker of emotion crossed Maia¡¯s face, but she quickly buried it. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be over soon,¡± she said.

    Reaching her front door, Maia paused, considering her words carefully. Elvira¡¯s earlierments had admittedly crossed a line. As someone close to her, Maia believed it was only right to offer Chris an apology in Elvira¡¯s stead.

    Stepping inside, she noticed the dining area was spotless. Scanning the room, she realized the bouquet of roses was missing¡ªand Chris, too, was nowhere to be seen.

    Turning toward the kitchen, she spotted him¡ªhis back to her, standing at the sink. Chris, washing dishes?

    Astonished, Maia watched silently.

    In her past with Vince, she¡¯d once believed that cooking would earn a man¡¯s heart. She had practiced endlessly, perfecting every dish, hoping for his affection.

    And as her culinary skills improved, Vince did start to enjoy her cooking¡ªbut that was all.

    Sometimes, Vince would request her to prepare meals he craved, yet once he finished, he¡¯d quickly find excuses to disappear, offering no assistance with the aftermath. Thus, she often remained behind, clearing the mess alone, burdened by loneliness and fatigue.

    She had once believed that Vince was beginning to depend on her, blind to the fact that he merely treated her like a convenient chef¡ªsomeone summoned and dismissed without a second thought or gratitude.

    I??€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? ?¦Ç ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.c??

    It became painfully clear that if affection wasn¡¯t present, no amount of culinary effort could capture a heart.

    Reflecting on this, Maia released a small, bitter chuckle, realizing how naive she had been. Love is blind, and now she finally understood its meaning.

    Pushing away those memories, Maia turned her attention to the tall, striking figure busy in the kitchen. Perhaps Chris wasn¡¯t as she had initially assumed.

    Gathering her courage, she crossed the threshold and said, ¡°Mr. Cooper, maybe I could lend a hand?¡±

    He momentarily halted but kept his focus downward, responding, ¡°It¡¯s alright. You¡¯ve already done so much today; you must be worn out. Rx. I¡¯ll wrap things up. Almost there anyway.¡±

    Standing close, Maia observed that he truly was nearly finished.

    Clearing her throat shyly, she added, ¡°Um¡­ about earlier ¡ª I¡¯m sorry. My friend tends to be blunt, and she sometimes says things without meaning harm. If she offended you, I sincerely apologize.¡±

    Chris methodically organized the dishes before lifting his gaze to meet Maia¡¯s. His face remainedposed, though something unreadable flickered in his eyes.

    Chris finished storing thest dish in the cab, removed his apron, and hung it up. He turned to Maia with a serene expression and remarked, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t feel obliged to answer for others¡¯ mistakes. Wise individuals don¡¯t let misunderstandings upset them. Your friend doesn¡¯t know me well enough, so I don¡¯t have to confront her.¡±

    He walked towards Maia, his voice steady, and continued, ¡°However, since we live under the same roof, I do hope you¡¯ll get to know me better.¡±

    Maia stopped in her tracks, locking eyes with him. His gaze held a soft, mysterious smile.

    She took a moment to gather her thoughts before nodding slowly. Maia knew that to fulfill the responsibilities Zoey had given her, she needed to understand Chris ¡ª the more, the better. Only by doing that could she assist him effectively and achieve their goal.

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 Chapter 182

    ?Chapter 182:

    Despite Zoey¡¯s detailed briefing on Chris, the past few days of interaction had led Maia to believe he wasn¡¯t as useless as the rumors made him out to be. In fact, in many ways, he seemed to be quite the opposite. He disyed emotional stability,petence in household chores, attentiveness, and thoughtfulness.

    Maia pressed her lips together and murmured, ¡°About tonight¡­ there were specific reasons I had to introduce you as my neighbor. Thanks for ying along.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wee,¡± Chris said, a faint smile ying on his lips. Then, with a sudden shift in tone, he asked, ¡°But¡­ does this mean I¡¯ll have to start ying the role of your neighbor from now on?¡±

    His yful question made Maia¡¯s heart flutter unexpectedly. She had braced for his anger or probing questions after her return, yet he had not responded with the harsh words Elvira had used.

    Nor did he demand an exnation for why she hadn¡¯t introduced him as her husband.

    Instead, his demeanor wasforting, providing her with a reassuring presence.

    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. Today was just an exceptional circumstance,¡± Maia responded quickly. ¡°We are legally married, after all. It¡¯s just that with Elvira¡­ well, there are specific reasons to keep this from her right now. I want to avoid unnecessaryplications in our lives.¡± She let out a quiet sigh.

    Maia hadn¡¯tpleted Zoey¡¯s assignment yet, so contemting a divorce was out of the question at this point. Moreover, since she had married him, the legal reality was that he was indeed her husband.

    After sharing her thoughts, Maia looked at Chris and noted with relief that he appeared understanding. Feeling emboldened, she added, ¡°Elvira tends to jump to conclusions based on rumors, but at heart, she¡¯s just concerned about my well-being. Can you see where she¡¯sing from?¡±

    ¡°Really, do you believe those rumors about me?¡± Chris asked, narrowing the space between them.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m is packed with great reads

    The subtle scent of cedarwood permeated the air, enhancing his already distinct presence. Maia¡¯s pulse quickened once more. He continued, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter to me what others think. Your opinion is what¡¯s important.¡± Her heart pounded faster.

    Elvira had formed her opinion of Chris based on hearsay; Maia realized that she had initially done the same.

    She had entered into this marriage at Zoey¡¯s behest, without any real desire to understand him, allowing gossip to color her judgment of him. Sincerity was often betrayed, and rumors were easily believed. The wounds from her past had long since stopped bleeding, but they had carved deep, heavy scars across her heart.

    She had surrounded herself with a protective shell, too afraid of experiencing pain once more to let anyone close. But how much of what Chris had said was true? And how much was nothing but lies? Maia couldn¡¯t say.

    She studied his face, her voice silent for a lengthy period before she finally said, ¡°Mr. Cooper, seeing can be deceptive, and rumors aren¡¯t always reliable. I will only trust my own judgment.¡±

    ¡°Your judgment?¡± Chris moved even closer, causing Maia to retreat until she was backed against the kitchen counter.

    Chris, taller than her by a head, lowered his gaze, his expression unreadable. ¡°Your judgment is that I didn¡¯t marry you sincerely, that my attempts to get close to you and everything I¡¯ve done are just for fun. Is that right?¡±

    Maia found herself speechless. She responded after a moment, her voice strained, ¡°Could it not be?¡±

    Chris let out a softugh. He rested a hand beside her, reducing the distance until their eyes were on the same level. His intense gaze held her captive.

    He spoke clearly. ¡°Remember what you said ¡ª seeing can be deceptive, and rumors aren¡¯t always reliable. How can you be so certain about what I am?¡±

    Maia was thrown into turmoil. She struggled to argue because his point was valid.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 183

    ?Chapter 183:

    She had barely known him. What basis did she have for her judgments? Were they just rooted in spection?

    ¡°Like you, I trust my own perceptions,¡± Chris said seriously, maintaining eye contact. ¡°I married you because I trust in who you are. I don¡¯t believe you were responsible for stealing the Radiant Jewels collection all those years ago. I believe someone else was at fault and made you the scapegoat.¡±

    He had never viewed Maia as a criminal. He was already looking into the matter, intent on proving her innocence.

    Maia was taken aback.

    She looked at Chris, at a loss for words, overwhelmed by his revtion.

    Maia was stunned. The people she once trusted most had turned their backs on her, leaving her to wonder why Chris would ce such unwavering faith in her, a woman he had only recently met.

    Maybe Zoey had spilled everything about her past to him? That had to be it.

    Maia exhaled sharply, forcing herself to regainposure. She nced at Chris, her voice soft but steady. ¡°Thank you for believing in me. I¡¯ll admit, I had some¡­ preconceived ideas about you. You were right. It¡¯s not fair to judge someone without truly getting to know them. So¡­ from now on, let¡¯s forget about all the rumors. Can we start over and really get to know each other?¡±

    Chris gave a warm smile, standing tall with an air of effortless charm that seemed to fill the space around him.

    With casual grace, he extended his hand. ¡°Of course. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Watson.¡±

    Maia nced at Chris¡¯s long, elegant hand, paused for a brief moment, then took it with a firm shake. ¡°Pleasure to meet you, too, Mr. Cooper.¡± They shared a smile, and for Maia, it felt as though tonight was truly their first meeting.

    Just as the air between them rxed, an unexpected thought struck Maia. ¡°By the way, Mr. Cooper, what happened to that bouquet of flowers?¡±

    Every story starts at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??§àm

    Chris raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion. ¡°Flowers? What flowers?¡±

    ¡°The bouquet of roses you brought back¡­¡± Realizing how intrusive she sounded, she exined quickly, ¡°Don¡¯t read too much into it. I was just curious.¡±

    Chris appeared to remember, his voice casual. ¡°Oh, I tossed them.¡±

    Maia was taken aback.

    ¡°Those roses were gorgeous. What a waste to throw them away.¡±

    Chris shrugged, an almost yful glint in his eyes. ¡°If I wasn¡¯t giving them to anyone, what was the point of holding onto them?¡±

    Maia hesitated. ¡°Were they meant for¡­ someone special?¡± She wanted to ask if the flowers were for her, but the question felt embarrassingly self-centered. What if Chris had someone else in mind, someone he couldn¡¯t give them to?

    Her question hung in the air, unfinished.

    Before Maia could retract it, Chris locked eyes with her, his voice low but resolute. ¡°They were for you.¡±

    Maia¡¯s heart skipped a beat. With the air cleared between them, she figured there was no harm in asking. ¡°Why did you want to give me flowers?¡± she asked. Then, with a yful glint in her eye, Maia teased, ¡°Or do you give flowers to every woman you find attractive?¡±

    Chris chuckled, a low, maic sound that made the room seem warmer. ¡°I¡¯ve only ever given flowers to one woman ¡ª my wife.¡±

    Maia froze, stunned.

    Chris continued calmly, ¡°And I gave them to apologize for what happenedst night. I hope you don¡¯t think I¡¯m the kind of guy who¡¯s just ying around.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 184

    ?Chapter 184:

    Truth be told, Maia hadn¡¯t really med Chris for what had happened. What bothered her more was the sense of being casually flirted with, as if she were just another woman.

    Upon reflection, she realized that Chris hadn¡¯t really done anything wrong.

    In fact, she felt oddly unworthy of his apology.

    Still, it was a shame to see such a beautiful bouquet of roses go to waste. How could he just throw them away like that?

    Maia nced up at Chris, a hint of annoyance in her voice. ¡°But the flowers you brought to apologize¡­ they¡¯re already gone.¡±

    Chris chuckled softly, an impish spark in his eye. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t thrown them away, would you have epted them?¡±

    Before Maia could respond, Chris pulled the bouquet from behind his back with a flourish, as if he had pulled it from thin air.

    In a soft, almost teasing tone, Chris said, ¡°You can¡¯t discard flowers that haven¡¯t been given yet.¡±

    Maia couldn¡¯t help but smile at his sly charm.

    She reached out, epting the vibrant red roses with a small, appreciative smile. ¡°Thank you. I really like them.¡±

    Chris¡¯s face instantly brightened, like a light flicking on in a dim room. He realized that flowers, small acts of kindness, thoughtful gestures, and paying attention to Maia¡¯s preferences truly worked like magic. He couldn¡¯t help but think that his decision to ask for advice online had been the best move he¡¯d ever made.

    Later, sprawled across his bed, Chris couldn¡¯t wipe the ridiculous grin off his face.

    Unable to help himself, Chris posted another update on Facebook. ¡°My wife forgave me. Turns out sincerity really is the key to winning her heart!¡±

    Magic begins at g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    Thements section erupted.

    ¡°True devotion moves mountains! Seems like you¡¯ve finally cracked the code!¡±

    ¡°Sincerity alone won¡¯t cut it. Buy her a designer bag, and no woman can resist!¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­ did you really beg?¡±

    ¡°Give us the details on how you were sincere. I¡¯m dying to hear it!¡±

    ¡°I swear, I¡¯m dying ofughter reading thesements. You guys are hrious!¡±

    Meanwhile, in a hospital room, Ethan, just about to fall asleep, felt his phone buzz.

    It was a message from the Facebook user Justiceze.

    ¡°Thanks for the advice. It really paid off!¡±

    If it hadn¡¯t been for the user named Winters privately telling Chris that sincerity was the key to any rtionship, tonight¡¯s honest conversation with Maia might never have taken ce.

    Ethan smiled, feeling a sense of warmth. He quickly replied, ¡°Sincerity really is the ultimate weapon! Honestly, this principle was told to me by my sister.¡±

    Meanwhile, Rosanna, too, saw the Facebook post by the meddlesome ¡°Justiceze.¡±

    ¡°Who could this possibly be? What¡¯s their agenda? Are they just meddling? And they¡¯re even married,¡± she muttered angrily.

    Among Maia¡¯s acquaintances, none matched the vague description. Rosanna tightened her fists, having long harbored the urge to confront the troublemaker. Had they not leaked the security footage, she wouldn¡¯t be facing public bacsh now.

    Yet the user remained well-hidden.

    Nheless, Rosanna had already hired an investigator to uncover their identity, determined to expose them.

    Her Facebook inbox had be chaotic, flooded with harsh messages. Meanwhile, Vince had seemingly vanished¡ªignoring her calls and leaving her texts unanswered.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 185

    ?Chapter 185:

    Just then, another tag appeared under the post.

    This time, however, it wasn¡¯t from an anonymous user; it was from the official page of ¡°The Voice of Zephyria.¡± The announcement revealed that Season Six of the show would soon premiere on one of Zephyria¡¯s biggest TVworks. A wave of contestants had already enrolled, and multiple recordbels and celebrity guests were onboard. Most thrillingly, the elusive songwriter K was revealed as one of the judges.

    Rosanna leapt up in pure joy.

    It was K! Her favoriteposer!

    The beloved track ¡°One More Day,¡± made famous by Brielle, had been K¡¯s masterpiece. Without that anthem, Brielle¡¯s meteoric rise would never have happened.

    Yet K had always remained a mystery¡ªno photographs, no appearances. Now, Rosanna finally had a shot at seeing the legendary musician live.

    After months of misfortune and constantly being eclipsed by Maia, Rosanna believed her breakthrough had finally arrived.

    Winning K¡¯s admiration, paired with her vocal skills, could redefine her public image. As they say, every cloud has a silver lining.

    Originally, Rosanna had entered the contest just to strengthen her following. Never had she imagined a window like this opening.

    The individual who had tagged her turned out to be a talent scout from Universal Entertainment, hoping to capitalize on Rosanna¡¯s online visibility.

    There was truth in the saying: even bad press is still exposure. Maybe, just maybe, she could ride the wave and turn critics into supporters.

    Rosanna quickly spoke with the agent over the phone. They promised to promote her on Facebook that evening.

    Step into a new world at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    ¡°Rest easy, Miss Morgan. Ourpany is seasoned at this. Tonight, we¡¯ll boost your announcement, and tomorrow morning, I¡¯ll bring the paperwork. Focus entirely on your music preparations,¡± the agent assured her.

    ¡°I appreciate it deeply,¡± Rosanna replied, her spirits lifting. Hanging up, she pictured herself dazzling on stage, basking in cheers and a roaring standing ovation ¡ª K rising to apud among the crowd.

    Without wasting a moment, Rosanna updated her Facebook, announcing her spot on Season Six of The Voice of Zephyria. ¡°This time, I¡¯ll bring you new melodies and the truest version of myself. Hope you¡¯ll cheer for me!¡± she wrote.

    The response was swift and overwhelming:

    ¡°Cheering for you, Rosanna! You¡¯re unstoppable!¡±

    ¡°Amazing news! Rosannapeting on The Voice means hope for Zephyria¡¯s music industry!¡±

    ¡°Her covers are phenomenal ¡ª can¡¯t wait to hear her original songs!¡±

    ¡°Talent and beauty rolled into one. Those critics must be green with envy!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m all in for Rosanna. My entire household will vote nonstop.¡±

    ¡°Launching a Rosanna fan club ASAP. This year¡¯s winner will be her!¡±

    Scrolling through the flood of support, Rosanna felt her gloom lift almostpletely.

    Her phone buzzed again. It was Vince.

    He shared that he had found a solution to tackle Zenith Legal.

    ¡°Plus,¡± Vince added, ¡°our Ward family has ties with The Voice of Zephyria. We¡¯ll help boost your profile.¡±

    After ending the call, Rosanna was energized. Vince hadn¡¯t abandoned her after all.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 186

    ?Chapter 186:

    In one night, three pieces of good news came in session. Obviously, the tide was turning atst.

    Fueled by the momentum, Rosanna posted another Facebook update. ¡°I¡¯ll pour my heart into thispetition and make every supporter proud!¡±

    Meanwhile, on the opposite end, Maia once again turned down the request from The Voice of Zephyria.

    ¡°I¡¯m swamped these days. I can¡¯t make it,¡± she exined curtly.

    ¡°Miss K, we¡¯ve already publicized your role as a judge. Please reconsider. We¡¯re ready to boost your payment by half. Could we work something out?¡± they pleaded.

    Letting out a breath, Maia replied, ¡°I¡¯ll get back to you tomorrow.¡± Once she ended the call, she immediately rang Brielle.

    ¡°Brielle, how could you make choices for me without even asking?¡± she demanded.

    ¡°Please, just help me this once,¡± Brielle mumbled anxiously. ¡°I have strong ties with the organizers. I¡¯m begging you.¡±

    Brielle had promised the organizers while drunk, only to wake up to the public announcement about Maia¡¯s participation. Now desperate, she was depending on Maia¡¯s cooperation.

    ¡°You can¡¯t stay hidden forever. This is a golden moment, K. The music world feels iplete without you,¡± Brielle pressed.

    Maia grimaced. ¡°Enough of the ttery, Brielle. I¡¯m not doing it.¡±

    ¡°But the announcement is already out there¡­ and the breach of contract fine?¡± Brielle¡¯s voice was almost pleading.

    ¡°Whoever authorized it should deal with the fallout,¡± Maia snapped before ending the conversation.

    Your source: g??ln??v??ls.??????

    Curious, Maia checked online. As Brielle warned, the headlines about K bing a judge were everywhere.

    Yet Maia had no intention of stepping into the public eye as a songwriter or lyricist.

    ¡°Hold on! Is Rosannapeting in The Voice of Zephyria too?¡± she muttered, startled.

    Manyizens tagged Maia in Rosanna¡¯s Facebook post.

    Supporters of Rosanna weren¡¯t kind either.

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s gifted, unlike certain people who rely on powerful men,¡± one wrote.

    ¡°Exactly! That woman is always bossing people around, acting like getting Zenith Legal involved made her invincible. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s all just a front; in a few days, the hype will die down. Who¡¯s to say the case will even move forward? Instead of paying attention to this lunatic unnecessarily, why not back Rosanna¡¯s music career?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right. Only shallow minds react poorly to feedback. We¡¯re simply raising questions, and some people can¡¯t handle it. Honestly, she could never match Rosanna.¡±

    Rosanna even put up a Facebook post asking fans to stop attacking Maia. Regardless of everything, Maia had once been her sister. Her seemingly harmless message quickly gathered sympathy from the public.

    Maia, reading the responses, slowly curved her lips into a smirk. Clearly, Rosanna hadn¡¯t learned her lesson. Since Rosanna was practically begging for it, Maia saw no reason to hold back. She called Brielle and said coolly, ¡°I¡¯m in.¡±

    Across the line, Brielle wept tears of happiness. ¡°Maia! You¡¯re a lifesaver! I knew you¡¯de through¡­ Otherwise, I¡¯d be doomed!¡±

    ¡°Spare me the dramatics. You¡¯re a star now, not starving,¡± Maia replied.

    ¡°Even if I had money pouring in, I still couldn¡¯t manage this,¡± Brielle said, her voice switching from hopelessness to overwhelming gratitude. She kept showering Maia with thanks.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 187

    ?Chapter 187:

    ¡°You¡¯re my hero, my role model, my shining star! Maia, I can¡¯t thank you enough. Just tell me how many times I should thank you. I really wonder who your future partner will be. They¡¯re so lucky!¡±

    Maia was left speechless.

    Was Brielle tipsy again?

    Why was she drinking so muchtely?

    And every time she got drunk, she rambled nonstop.

    ¡°Alright, enough. Keep this up, and I¡¯ll block you,¡± Maia said tly before ending the call.

    Despite her fame, Brielle still behaved like a free spirit behind closed doors.

    Checking Facebook again, Maia noticed that The Voice of Zephyria was trending like wildfire.

    Her eyes gleamed as her fingertips flew over the screen.

    She posted simply, ¡°The Voice of Zephyria ¡ª see you soon!¡±

    Unexpectedly, that short message triggered an online explosion. Rosanna¡¯s fans were in a frenzy, staying up all night to dominate the discussion boards and promote their idol.

    Soon, someone spotted Maia¡¯s post.

    Screenshots, reposts, tags, and furiousments spread like a virus.

    ¡°Look at this! Some people really want to jump into every spotlight. Maia Watson joining The Voice of Zephyria? What a joke! She should take a long hard look at herself.¡±

    ¡°Trying to piggyback off Rosanna¡¯s fame, how pathetic. She just started gaining followers and now wants to act like an influencer?¡±

    ¡°Everyone knows Rosanna¡¯s voice is unmatched. Maia, honestly, how dare you even think you¡¯re worthy topete?¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c¨®m is your escape

    Before long, Rosanna¡¯s supporters swarmed Maia¡¯s page with mocking remarks, conveniently forgetting they had only recently tried to move.

    Maia found their behavior hrious and thought of the perfect word to describe them¡­ Clowns!

    Seeing that Maia didn¡¯t respond, the trolls grew even more emboldened.

    ¡°Look! She¡¯s scared stiff!¡±

    ¡°Disgusting! Wanting to ride on everything. Does she really think a rification video can clear her name? Who knows what she¡¯s like in private? Even her singing can¡¯t match Rosanna¡¯s little finger.¡±

    People even started tagging the show¡¯s organizers.

    ¡°Is Maia Watson seriously entering The Voice of Zephyria?¡±

    ¡°Does this show even have standards anymore? Does this mean anyone ¡ª or even anything ¡ª can join? Should I sign up my dog too? Say something, The Voice of Zephyria!¡±

    ¡°Hello? The Voice of Zephyria ¡ª don¡¯t ghost us! Confirm if she¡¯s participating!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m reporting this officially! Someone¡¯s desperately chasing clout under your name, Voice of Zephyria!¡±

    Behind the scenes, entertainment agencies happily stirred the pot.

    After all, stirring up controversy meant free publicity.

    At Universal Entertainment, the talent scout was practically bouncing with excitement. His instincts were never wrong: Rosanna brought chaos ¡ª and clicks ¡ª wherever she went.

    Meanwhile, the organizers at The Voice of Zephyria were panicking. It wasn¡¯t just Facebook melting down; even their investors were asking questions.

    Frantic, the team scoured the list of registered contestants but couldn¡¯t find Maia¡¯s name on it.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 188

    ?Chapter 188:

    They hurriedly released an official statement: ¡°Maia Watson has not registered for The Voice of Zephyria. Please avoid spreading false information.¡±

    The statement reignited the public debate, with the tide turning almost instantly against Maia.

    Fans of Rosanna finally found a reason to celebrate, channeling their fervor throughments about Maia. Facebook was bombarded with caustic remarks overnight.

    ¡°Look at her, showing off as if she¡¯s apetitor. Turns out, the organizers gave Maia Watson the cold shoulder. She¡¯s utterly shameless, trying to capitalize on a fleeting moment of fame!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna has truly earned her stripes with multiple viral hits that resonate with students across various social tforms. And what about Maia Watson? A four-year stint in prison doesn¡¯t equate to a degree from a music academy.¡±

    ¡°The organizer¡¯s official statement really hit the spot. We can¡¯t allow just anyone to stir up trouble here. Why is Maia Watson staying silent?¡±

    Theizens kept tagging her.

    ¡°Let¡¯s face it, perhaps we¡¯ve all been duped by Maia, unfairly targeting Rosanna. Now it¡¯s clear for all to see, isn¡¯t it? Maia is nothing but a fabricator; nothing she ims holds any truth.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t Maia threaten to sue us? Why no legal action yet? Is her threat as hollow as her supposedpetition entry? Fresh out of jail, can she even handle the legal expenses?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly my point. The supposedwsuit is likely just a spectacle. It¡¯ll be forgotten soon. How could Maia possibly afford the costs of a firm like Zenith Legal?¡±

    ¡°But remember, she was once connected to the Morgan family. Perhaps they¡¯ve resolved it quietly, given it¡¯s a family issue. Let¡¯s not fuss over it too much.¡±

    Explore new chapters gal¦Çovels.c¡ðm

    ¡°I just think she is really pushing her luck. Why did she insist that she was listed among the contestants when she wasn¡¯t? You¡¯re caught in your own lies, Maia Watson!¡±

    It seemed as though thoseizens had no recollection at all. They convinced themselves that Maia would not take legal action.

    Maia didn¡¯t bother to respond. She decided to watch how things would unfold for a while.

    Pattie, however, called her. Despite being in Varninski, she was closely following Maia¡¯s online drama.

    ¡°Are you seriously nning topete in the singing contest?¡±

    Maia answered, ¡°Why would I lie about that?¡±

    Pattie¡¯s excitement surged. Unfazed by the online noise, she dered, ¡°That¡¯s fantastic! I¡¯m booking my flight right now toe and support you.¡±

    Maia pulled the phone slightly away from her ear. ¡°Just take a moment to breathe¡­¡±

    Pattie¡¯sughter rang through the phone. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see you silence all the doubters!¡±

    At that, Maia was left speechless.

    Vince couldn¡¯t help but smile when he noticed the official statement from The Voice of Zephyria on their page.

    ¡°Maia, you¡¯ve truly made a mess of things this time.¡±

    He was puzzled as to why Maia would falsely im she was participating in The Voice of Zephyria, but regardless, the unfolding events were ying right into his hands.

    Lighting a cigar, Vince inhaled deeply before making a phone call to Rosanna.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 189

    ?Chapter 189:

    During the call, he informed her that he had set up a professional recording studio for her use, and she should start rehearsing the following day. He also reassured her about not worrying over Maia¡¯s legal threats, promising that he would take care of everything.

    ¡°Rosanna, I¡¯m eagerly anticipating your performance.¡±

    After ending the call, Rosanna felt a surreal shift in emotions. Just days before, she had been anxious and fearful, but now a wave of satisfaction washed over her.

    She realized that thewsuit and the singingpetition ims were likely just bluffs from Maia. The entertainmentpany had even confirmed that Maia¡¯s name wasn¡¯t listed among the contestants.

    ¡°Maia, you¡¯ve really sabotaged yourself this time.¡± That night, excitement kept Rosanna awake.

    Conversely, the next morning found Maia rising early, refreshed from a good night¡¯s sleep. She found the breakfast tableid out with all her favorite foods.

    Chris had left a note exining his early departure. Maia felt a warm surge of gratitude. She wondered¡ªhad she ever mentioned her food preferences, or had Chris simply intuited them? As she enjoyed her breakfast, her phone kept buzzing with Facebook notifications.

    Despite nearly a hundred notifications since the previous evening, Maia showed no interest in checking them. She simply turned her phone face down and continued savoring her meal.

    Meanwhile, online buzz was growing around a mysterious singer. A video of Maia performing at Starlight Bar had been posted, where she sang incognito, wearing a mask, which only added to the intrigue. Most crucially, her singing was exceptional. Her version of ¡°One More Day¡± was beingpared to Brielle¡¯s iconic performance, with some iming that it even surpassed Brielle¡¯s.

    What a remarkable disy of skill!

    The impact was electrifying!

    Every story starts at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    The video quickly amassed over five million views.

    It swept through social media, with her voice captivating listeners nationwide.

    A fanmented, ¡°Look at this gem! If she doesn¡¯t make it onto The Voice, it¡¯s truly the show¡¯s loss.¡±

    ¡°Talent really doese from the most unexpected ces. Being a hardcore Brielle fan, I have to say this masked singer¡¯s got serious chops. The video quality is so poor, I¡¯m half-convinced it¡¯s Brielle in disguise.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s definitely within the realm of possibility. Look at the dress; it¡¯s MCN¡¯s hit, the Blue Sea. That¡¯s not something just anyone can get their hands on.¡±

    ¡°But Brielle is the Queen of Pop; she wouldn¡¯t perform in such a lowkey venue.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m calling on The Voice organizers to bring this singer on board, or I¡¯m tuning out.¡±

    Fans of Rosanna dropped disparaging remarks in thements section. ¡°Clearly a fake. If she had money, why would she perform there?¡±

    Nevertheless, the public was unfazed.

    A massive number of social media users bombarded The Voice of Zephyria¡¯s organizers with tags, moring for the masked singer to be allowed topete.

    The organizers found themselves in a dilemma. They had just issued a rification the day before, and now they were dealing with a masked singer.

    Yesterday¡¯s facts were straightforward to verify, but today¡¯s mystery was far moreplex.

    With only one video to go on and no other leads, they were hardly detectives. Yet, the undeniable quality of the singing piqued the interest of even the investors and owners.

    Out of options, the official ount took to Facebook again, offering a reward for information that could help identify the singer. This move was also an attempt to meet the soaring expectations of the fanbase.

    For a time, the narrative around the masked singer was a whirlwind of truth and rumors.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 190

    ?Chapter 190:

    The staff of the organizers was swamped. How could so many im to be the singer? Had they even listened to themselves?

    Across town, everyone seemed to have theories about the real identity of the mysterious vocalist.

    Jarrod watched the video and felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He had been at that bar that day, and he knew clearly that the masked singer was none other than Maia.

    He dreaded the thought of Maia being invited to the show and overshadowing Rosanna. He was terrified that everyone would recognize the divine quality of Maia¡¯s voice.

    He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of that woman gaining such acim and feared that she might never reconcile with the Morgan family.

    ¡°No, this cannot get out! I must make sure no one realizes that the singer is Maia!¡±

    Trembling with anxiety, Jarrod hastily dialed his friends who had been present that night, warning them to keep Maia¡¯s identity a secret, or they would face his wrath.

    After cautioning those so-called friends, Jarrod found himself pacing restlessly. Unable to find peace, he wandered downstairs to the living room, where Richard¡¯s and Sandra¡¯s lively voices floated through the air.

    There they were, seatedfortably on the sofa alongside Rosanna.

    Sandra, practically glowing with excitement, clutched Rosanna¡¯s hand tightly. ¡°Sweetheart, you must give it your all this time. I have every faith in you. I¡¯ve already sent your songs to some of my friends, and they sang your praises. They¡¯ll help rally votes for you during thepetition, too.¡±

    Richard, too, seemed to be in high spirits. ¡°When exactly is thepetition?¡±

    Lately, Richard had been weighed down by the cloud of online controversies, brooding for days on end. But if Rosanna could seize the championship title on The Voice of Zephyria, it might just turn the tide in favor of the Morgan family and wipe clean the stains left by Jarrod¡¯s earlier missteps.

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    ¡°It¡¯s next Saturday,¡± Rosanna replied in a soft voice, ¡°and it¡¯ll be broadcast live on television.¡±

    Richard narrowed his eyes, sinking into deep thought.

    Just then, Jarrod¡¯s approach caught his eye, and Richard let out a cold scoff but held his tongue.

    After stirring up such a storm, Jarrod still hadn¡¯t found any useful clues. He was just running about each day, busy with who-knew-what. Richard¡¯s disappointment in his son ran deeper than words could capture.

    Sandra, catching the brewing tension, shot her husband a quick nce before motioning for Jarrod to sit beside her.

    She spoke with gentle earnestness, ¡°Your sister is stepping into The Voice of Zephyria singingpetition. As her elder brother, it¡¯s your duty to be her pir ¡ª cheer her on and escort her to the venue.¡±

    Jarrod darted a look at Richard, then nodded sheepishly. ¡°I understand.¡±

    Out of the blue, Richard¡¯s voice rang out, sharp as a whip. ¡°You¡¯d better walk the straight and narrow from now on. Don¡¯t you dare drag your sister down with you again, or don¡¯t expect any mercy from me.¡±

    ¡°Alright, Richard. Jarrod knows he was wrong. He won¡¯t repeat his mistakes,¡± Sandra quickly stepped in, smoothing the tension. She then turned to Jarrod with a gentle reminder, ¡°Your father¡¯s been buried inpany affairstely. You should try to understand him.¡±

    Jarrod lowered his head further, biting back his words.

    Suppressing his lingering anger, Richard turned away from Jarrod and addressed Rosanna instead.

    ¡°Rosanna, are you confident you can win the championship this time?¡±

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 Chapter 191

    ?Chapter 191:

    Rosanna immediately straightened her posture like a soldier answering a call. ¡°Dad, Mom, I can¡¯t say I¡¯mpletely confident, but I promise I¡¯ll give it my all. The previous online mess happened because I acted impulsively. I sincerely apologize for bringing shame upon the Morgan family. This time, I will make you proud.¡±

    At her heartfelt words, Richard¡¯s stern expression finally softened, a flicker of a smile brushing across his face.

    He nodded approvingly, though he couldn¡¯t help but throw Jarrod another frustrated re. ¡°Look at your sister, then look at yourself!¡± Turning back to Rosanna with a much gentler voice, he said, ¡°The past is the past; it¡¯s water under the bridge. It wasn¡¯t entirely your fault. If not for Maia stirring trouble online, none of this would¡¯ve snowballed. Focus on preparing for thepetition. If you need anything, just let the butler know.¡±

    From the side, Jarrod watched Rosanna, an ache of envy gnawing at his heart.

    Both of them had stumbled and embarrassed the Morgan family, yet Rosanna was met with open arms while he was met with closed doors. But then again, Jarrod thought bitterly, he had no shining talents to stack against Rosanna¡¯s natural gifts.

    Living a carefree life, away from the heavy crowns others wore, suddenly didn¡¯t seem like such a curse after all.

    Pressing his lips together, Jarrod swallowed his growing dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, back in her room, Rosanna immersed herself in thepetition¡¯s guidelines.

    This time, winning the championship wasn¡¯t her only goal.

    There was something even more precious she was chasing ¡ª the recognition of the legendaryposer, K.

    It was her dream to have K craft a song just for her. She firmly believed that only a melody spun by K¡¯s hands could truly capture the magic of her voice.

    L?t§Öst ch¦Ápt?rs ??n g??l§ßov?ls.§ã§à??

    Wasn¡¯t it the case that the masked singer stirring up waves online had also soared to fame because they sang a song written by K?

    Beyond her door, Jarrod stood silently, wrestling with his own resolve. Rosanna was his blood, his sister. Of course, he wanted nothing but the best for her.

    But there was a wolf hidden among the flock ¡ª Maia.

    That night at Starlight Bar, he had witnessed with his own eyes the raw power of Maia¡¯s voice.

    As much as it pained him to admit, Maia¡¯s talent could stand shoulder to shoulder with Rosanna¡¯s ¡ª or perhaps even eclipse it.

    No way!

    He wouldn¡¯t stand by and watch anyone steal Rosanna¡¯s light ¡ª not if he could help it.

    Maia had just stepped out of the hospital, the cool air brushing against her skin. Kathie¡¯s condition had taken a significant turn for the better today, a small relief in the midst of everything else.

    Ethan, however, seemed distracted, his mind clearly preupied with the rumors swirling around the uing singingpetition. Maia didn¡¯t indulge him. She simply told him to focus on his studies and that he could catch the live broadcast if he was interested in watching.

    Unexpectedly, as soon as Maia stepped out of the hospital gates, she ran into Jarrod.

    Jarrod had tried calling Maia repeatedly, but she never picked up. His messages had vanished into the void, unanswered. It had driven him to the edge of frustration.

    After hearing from Rosanna that Maia had been seen with Elvira at the Primary Healthcare Center, he had decided to investigate for himself. And now, here she was.

    Before Maia could react, Jarrod grabbed her arm, his grip tight and insistent.

    .

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 Chapter 192

    ?Chapter 192:

    ¡°Maia! Are you nning to enter the singingpetition too?¡±

    Maia jerked her arm free, her gaze cold and unwavering. ¡°Why does that concern you?¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s face twisted into a scowl. ¡°Are you trying to steal the championship from Rosanna? You¡¯ve enjoyed the life that should¡¯ve been hers for seventeen years, and wasn¡¯t that enough for you? Are you still trying to steal the spotlight from her?¡±

    Maia arched a brow, her lips curling into a smirk. ¡°Why are you so agitated? Is it that you think if I enter, she¡¯s guaranteed to lose? Is that really the level of confidence you have in your dear sister?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Jarrod sputtered, the words caught in his throat. After a tense pause, he snapped, ¡°Maia, listen to me ¡ª give it up now! Your name isn¡¯t even on the official list. Even if you tried to register, it¡¯s toote! I¡¯ve already spoken to the organizers. They won¡¯t let you in!¡±

    Maia almostughed in his face. ¡°The registration deadline is still weeks away, and if you were truly as influential as you think, you wouldn¡¯t be chasing me down with threats. Jarrod, maybe you should focus on saving your own reputation first. Those scandalous photos from a while back ¡ª don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve forgotten them already?¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s face froze, his skin turning a deep shade of red.

    The photos had been blurred, and he had convinced himself that no one would recognize him. But Maia¡¯s words hit him like a cold p. Suddenly, he felt exposed, vulnerable, and burning with shame.

    ¡°Maia, don¡¯t push me!¡± he hissed, his voice trembling with fury. ¡°If you insist onpeting, I¡¯ll make sure you never set foot on that stage!¡± It was an outright threat.

    ¡°Really?¡± Maia¡¯s voice remained cool, but her eyes were like daggers¡ªsharp and unforgiving. ¡°What are you going to do? Kidnap me? Or maybe murder me this time?¡±

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    She took a deliberate step forward, her gaze unyielding, as if daring him to try something.

    Jarrod¡¯s chest tightened with panic. The memories of his previous attempt to have Maia abducted rushed back. He had never intended to hurt her, but the intensity in her stare made him feel like she could rip him apart with nothing but her gaze. A chill crawled up his spine.

    He took an instinctive step back, his breath shallow. ¡°Even if you enter, you won¡¯t beat Rosanna. The judges are stacked with real talent, including that elusiveposer K. Rosanna¡¯s been training for years. You sang a song at a bar and got some praise, yes, but whenpared to those professional and experienced singers, you won¡¯t stand a chance! You¡¯re delusional. In front of those pros, you¡¯ll be exposed for what you really are.¡±

    Maia couldn¡¯t be bothered to waste another word on him.

    ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± she said coldly, turning her back on him.

    As she walked away, Jarrod stood frozen, humiliated, his rage simmering beneath the surface. Maia didn¡¯t care¡ªhis threats were meaningless to her.

    She hailed a cab, the sound of Jarrod¡¯s furious shouts barely reaching her. She couldn¡¯t hear the words clearly, but she didn¡¯t care.

    The door mmed shut, and Maia leaned back in the seat, her gaze ahead, a faint smile ying on her lips.

    The buzz online showed no signs of slowing, yet Maia chose to stay silent, not uttering a single word in response.

    Rosanna, unable to sit still, decided to step into the fray herself, posting several heartfelt essays.

    ¡°Maia casually shared a quick post on social media, never imagining it would stir up such a storm. Her post was just to record her feelings, not to inform the public about this matter, so please don¡¯t take it too seriously or criticize her. She¡¯s different from me. I¡¯ve loved singing since I was little, dreaming of standing on stage, practicing with all my heart every single day. Everyone deserves the right to chase their dreams. Even if the path is rocky and uncertain, we must still pursue the light within us. Yet, not everyone can soar toward their dreams. I want topete with truly talented contestants in thispetition, to sharpen myself and grow stronger. I will pour everything I have into The Voice of Zephyria and will not let my fans down.¡±

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 Chapter 193

    ?Chapter 193:

    The moment Rosanna posted, her fans erupted, creating a storm of mentions aimed at Maia, urging her to recognize the massive gap between herself and Rosanna.

    Still, Maia refused to respond.

    Instead, Justiceze dropped a few sharp-edgedments:

    ¡°How hypocritical!¡±

    ¡°Disgusting!¡±

    ¡°What is wrong with you?¡±

    Beneath these remarks, a lively thread quickly wove itself together, filled with Justiceze¡¯s supporters and Maia¡¯s defenders, all pouring fuel on the fire.

    ¡°Invincible, Justiceze! Your words slice like a knife. Well done!¡±

    ¡°Quit putting on a show! We¡¯re all busy enough without watching your little act.¡±

    ¡°Only fools fall for her crocodile tears.¡±

    The discussions zed on like wildfire.

    The relentless wave of criticism shattered Rosanna¡¯sposure as she sat before herptop. She was so furious that she almost forgot how to breathe. Her hatred for Justiceze deepened, turning into a fire that gnawed at her.

    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, she dialed the private investigator she had hired to ask about thetest findings.

    ¡°Sony, but the IP was faked,¡± the detective reported grimly. ¡°They¡¯ve only posted twice on Facebook, making it hard to dig up solid clues. All we know is that they¡¯re married and newlywed. Tracking their real identity will take more time.¡±

    The moment she heard the report, Rosanna¡¯s fury hit a new high. Who in the world was Justiceze? Why were they gunning for her?

    Married? Newlywed?

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    It couldn¡¯t possibly be Vincenzo. Could it be that Maia had gotten entangled with another married man?

    Meanwhile, across town, Chris chuckled after posting hisments. These past few days, he had picked up quite a few tricks from Winters. Just a handful of words had managed to whip up a hurricane.

    Rosanna¡¯s fans cursed him left and right, but following Winters¡¯ advice, Chris pped back at them without breaking a sweat.

    Though his wife had yet to utter a word, Chris simply couldn¡¯t sit back and do nothing. Inte trolls were nothing more than noisy shadows; despite all their bluster, Chris found his own sharp words struck deeper. He thought that if he ever met Winters in person, he¡¯d make sure to thank him properly.

    From the driver¡¯s seat, Brad stole a nce at his boss through the rearview mirror, wondering why Chris was grinning at his phone like he¡¯d just won the lottery. But wisely, Brad held his tongue.

    Three days flew by in the blink of an eye.

    Maia¡¯s name still hadn¡¯t appeared on the official contestant list, and thewsuits showed no fresh movement.

    Meanwhile, Rosanna¡¯s poprity was on the rise. She threw herself into daily singing practice, asionally sharing updates on Facebook. Yet no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t uncover the true identity of Justiceze ¡ª the thorn in her side.

    Every time she posted, she was greeted by the same bitingments.

    ¡°Is that it?¡±

    ¡°Sounds terrible!¡±

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 Chapter 194

    ?Chapter 194:

    ¡°Trying way too hard.¡±

    Eachment was like a p to the face, and the worst part was ¡ª she could do nothing about it.

    Lately, more and moreizens had started leaving sarcastic jabs under her posts. Rosanna suspected that Maia¡¯s silent maneuvering was behind it.

    One particrly irritating user, Winters, kept digging up Rosanna¡¯s old scandals, taunting that she never learned from her past mistakes and would only embarrass herself once again.

    Frustrated beyond measure, Rosanna mmed a long list into the private investigator¡¯s hands. ¡°Find them!¡± she ordered. ¡°At least catch one!¡±

    The investigator hung up quickly and wasted no time in contacting a top hacker.

    The hacker, desperate for money, had begun epting even the smallest of jobs without hesitation.

    However, just half an hourter, the hacker sent a message back, exining that he couldn¡¯t get the job done, refunded the payment, and blocked the detective.

    Staring at his screen, the hacker found himself in the darkest moment of his career. Last time Vince had approached him, he ran into ST¡¯s Hawk. Now, the detective had found him, only to be met with Pris¡¯ chief.

    In just a few days, he had encountered the highest ranks from both ST and Pris, two leading hacker organizations. Realizing that he was in over his head, he fled without a second thought.

    Maia¡¯s phone rang.

    ¡°Boss, listen to this,¡± the voice on the other end said excitedly. ¡°I was ripping into Rosanna online when I noticed a hacker trying to trace me. I couldn¡¯t let that slide, so I hacked their system right back. Boss, take a guess ¡ª who do you think sent them?¡±

    g??????¦Òv??????.c?m ¨C check it out!

    Who else could it be?

    It was either someone from the Morgan family or Vince.

    Maia remained calm, ncing at the screen. ¡°Whoever it is, we¡¯ll deal with them one by one.¡±

    The voice on the other end chuckled with glee, ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re the boss!¡±

    By now, Maia had already put together a list ofwsuits and sent it over to Zenith Legal. After consulting with thewyers, they decided to focus their efforts primarily on Rosanna¡¯s loyal fans.

    As for the clueless followers, Maia had no intention of suing them. Attacking too broadly might backfire. Instead, Maia nned to make an example out of a few, hitting them where it would hurt the most.

    Meanwhile, the masked singer¡¯s video continued to gain momentum, slowly but surely stealing the spotlight from Rosanna.

    ¡°Wow, who is this?¡± onementer marveled. ¡°How can they sing ¡®One More Day¡¯ with such grace? And their stage presence is so steady, it¡¯s hard to believe they¡¯re just a neer. Could they be a big shot in disguise?¡±

    ¡°I think the masked singer might already be signed up for thepetition,¡± another theorized, ¡°but their true identity is still a mystery.¡±

    ¡°The official page hasn¡¯t confirmed anything yet,¡± someone else noted in frustration. ¡°Has the masked singer joined or not? It¡¯s driving me crazy. The Voice of Zephyria just wouldn¡¯t be the same without them.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve actually been to that ce ¡ª Starlight Bar in Wront,¡± one person shared. ¡°I had a friend dig up more details, and the regr singers don¡¯t include the masked singer. They must be a guest performer who decided to sing on a whim.¡±

    ¡°Really? Wront is full of hidden talents. I remember Rosanna is from Wront, right? Could it be her?¡±

    Before long, Rosanna¡¯s name was everywhere online as users tagged her profile, demanding to know if she was the singer behind the mask. Soon after, talent agents from entertainment firms bombarded her with calls, eager for her to cash in on the sudden spotlight.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 195

    ?Chapter 195:

    Despite knowing the truth¡ªthat she wasn¡¯t the one on stage¡ªRosanna had no ns to clear up the rumor.

    Instead of issuing a denial, she uploaded a batch of pictures to her Facebook page. The shots were from her recent night out at Starlight Bar. She added a caption beneath them: ¡°Starlight Bar¡¯s a vibe. Great for a chill night with friends.¡±

    That post hit like gasoline on a me.

    In no time, Rosanna¡¯s fans were buzzing, acting as if they¡¯d just had a shot of pure adrenaline.

    ¡°Rosanna is totally the masked singer!¡±

    Within minutes, the rumor rocketed to third ce on the trending charts.

    Overnight, Rosanna¡¯s name was everywhere. Spection grew fierce. Many swore she would be this season¡¯s winner on The Voice of Zephyria. Her rumored performance of ¡°One More Day¡± was being hailed as pitch-perfect.

    Not content with the mystery, some followers tagged her directly, begging to know if she¡¯d sing ¡°One More Day¡± when the contest went live. Instead of giving a straight answer, Rosanna simply said that she had always been a devoted fan ofposer K.

    To mostizens, this was as good as a confession.

    Rosanna had basically admitted that she was the masked singer. While her supporters basked in the hype, they also decided to throw shade in Maia¡¯s direction.

    ¡°Get a clue, Maia. That kind of talent? It¡¯s Rosanna, no doubt. You should step back gracefully instead of embarrassing yourself.¡±

    ¡°And now you¡¯re silent? What¡¯s the matter ¡ª getting nervous already? It¡¯sughable how someone with zero hits thinks she belongs on the same stage. Yes, Maia, that¡¯s you.¡±

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    ¡°Has Maia fallen off the face of the inte or something? Feels like ages since shest posted.¡±

    ¡°Even the event staff confirmed her name¡¯s missing from the participant list. Looks like she¡¯s too scared to even show up.¡±

    At the same time, those who had once mocked the masked singer¡¯s supposed fake designer clothes were now scrambling to switch sides.

    ¡°Take a good look¡ªRosanna¡¯s rocking the Blue Sea gown by MCN. Total ss act. Not like that other one, always tagging along in bargain bin copies.¡±

    Someone with a more level head chimed in, ¡°Didn¡¯t you all say earlier that Rosanna¡¯s dress was a knockoff too?¡±

    That didn¡¯t sit well with one of Rosanna¡¯s fans. ¡°Well, the footage was blurry. Nobody could be sure. But on second thought, she¡¯s not just anybody¡ªRosanna¡¯s a real socialite, engaged to Vince Ward of Wront. She¡¯s practically royalty. Why would she wear fakes? If anyone¡¯s faking it, it¡¯s Maia.¡±

    ¡°Maia can¡¯t even afford imitations. She¡¯d be lucky tond a job fetching Rosanna¡¯s coffee.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t wait to see Rosanna shut it down on stage in that dress. She¡¯s gonna own the night.¡±

    Every word of praise felt like sunshine on Rosanna¡¯s skin. Poprity was carrying her forward like a rising tide.

    And truthfully, even if the actual masked singer decided to reveal themselves, Rosanna wouldn¡¯t flinch. She never said that it was her after all. The fans had done all the imagining on their own.

    Her phone buzzed on the table just then. Vince¡¯s name lit up the screen. Her smile came easily as she answered without missing a beat.

    His voice was warm through the speaker. He promised to send her a gift for good luck and told her he believed that she¡¯d steal the spotlight.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 196

    ?Chapter 196:

    Elsewhere, Sandra couldn¡¯t hide her delight. She scrolled through trending posts with a smile that didn¡¯t go away. Lounging on the couch, she waved Jarrod over the moment he stepped inside. She practically shoved the screen in his face.

    ¡°You have to see this! Your sister¡¯s a star. That One More Day performance? Out of this world.¡±

    Still taking off his shoes, Jarrod blinked at the screen. His brow furrowed the second he recognized the video.

    ¡°Wait, Mom¡­ who do you think that is?¡±

    ¡°Rosanna, of course!¡± Sandra beamed, pride shining through. ¡°You really need to stop living under a rock! Even I know more about what¡¯s going on. Your sister¡¯s trending everywhere! This might be the moment that saves our whole family!¡±

    She let out a full, unfilteredugh. ¡°I even told your dad to block off his calendar. We¡¯re all heading to the show to cheer her on. Front row and loud as ever!¡±

    Meanwhile, up in his room, Jarrod sat in stunned silence.

    The truth hit him hard ¡ª Rosanna was pretending to be Maia. Grabbing his phone, he dove into her Twitter feed, examining every caption, photo, andment with sharp eyes.

    After scrolling for a few minutes, he noticed something ¡ª Rosanna had never explicitly said that she was the masked singer. That gave him a bit offort. It was just theizens¡¯ guess, and Rosanna wasn¡¯t to me.

    Still, a question popped into his head out of nowhere. ¡°Wait ¡ª when exactly did she even go to Starlight Bar?¡±

    His expression darkened. Without hesitating, he walked straight to her door and gave it a firm knock.

    When Rosanna opened it, Jarrod was already standing stiff, a hard edge to his gaze. Skipping any sort of greeting, he got to the point. ¡°When did you go to Starlight Bar?¡±

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    In his eyes, she had always been above that kind of scene. She was the textbook definition of innocence. Quiet. Proper. A girl who wouldn¡¯t dream of stepping into a bar.

    Looking up at him with soft eyes and a hint of wounded innocence, Rosanna replied gently, ¡°It was just a ssmate¡¯s birthday party. Everyone was invited. I didn¡¯t think it would matter¡­ Are you mad that I went? I swear I won¡¯t do it again if it bothers you.¡±

    Her answer tugged at something in him. His stern look began to melt into concern.

    Jarrod¡¯s expression eased. ¡°That¡¯s not it. I just worry about you. Bars like that aren¡¯t safe. Next time you want to go somewhere like that, let mee along. I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re okay.¡±

    A sweet smile spread across her lips, her wordsced with affection. ¡°I knew you¡¯d protect me. You always do.¡±

    Once the conversation ended on aforting note, Rosanna closed the door gently behind her. But once alone, her expression shifted¡ªjust slightly. A sly curve pulled at her mouth. She had already crafted the perfect excuse before posting those pictures. Everything was falling neatly into ce.

    At that very moment, over at Starlight Bar, Jack stared at the viral videos with wide eyes, his stomach twisted in regret. The singer had been right there, and he¡¯d let her walk away without even getting a name. He could¡¯ve signed her. Now, he¡¯d missed his chance.

    Business was booming at Starlight Bar like never before. Crowds poured in nightly, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious masked singer. Reporters, vloggers, and influencers packed the ce, turning it into a circus¡ªbut Jack wasn¡¯t fooled. He knew hype this loud never stuck around for long.

    Despite the noise, Starlight stuck to its rules. Customer privacy was sacred. And Jack? All he really knew was that the singer had some connection to Pattie. Her actual name remained a mystery.

    Yet one thing was clear in his mind¡ªRosanna wasn¡¯t the one behind the mask, no matter how loud the rumors grew.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 197

    ?Chapter 197:

    But Jack had no intention of clearing things up. With no proof to back him, any attempt to correct the rumor could spark bacsh¡ªand that could bring Starlight more harm than good.

    For now, he¡¯d let the frenzy run wild. Free attention was still attention. As for the rest? Jack figured he would stay silent. He was content to sit back and let the drama unfold.

    Five days rolled by, and theunch of The Voice of Zephyria¡¯s sixth season had finally arrived. Before the first note even yed, online viewership had already shattered six hundred million¡ªwith countless foreign viewers tuning in too.

    With just sixty minutes left on the countdown clock, the energy at the venue was electric. Contestants, celebrities, and producers poured in one after the other, the backstage halls buzzing with excitement.

    Everyone waited, some breathless, for Rosanna¡¯s debut moment. But even more, they whispered and spected about Composer K ¡ª the enigmatic genius who had never been seen in public.

    Thepetition venue was alive with energy.

    Behind the scenes, staff were in a flurry of activity¡ªtense and bustling, their movements a choreographed dance of urgency. The event, being broadcast live across the inte, was already a spectacle, with over two hundred million viewers eagerly tuning in, making it one of the most awaited moments in recent history.

    ¡°Hey, I can¡¯t help but wonder ¡ª which judge is K? I¡¯m such a die-hard fan, I¡¯d trade anything for an autograph,¡± one staff member mused, her voice tinged with both awe and curiosity.

    ¡°As far as I know, K¡¯s identity is a mystery. If it weren¡¯t for Brielle, the singing sensation, we might never have gotten K to judge this event,¡± another responded.

    Their voices blended in the air, their eyes drifting toward the judges¡¯ table on stage, where K¡¯s namete stood in bold letters. The air around it seemed to vibrate with anticipation.

    Your next story begins at  .

    Whenever someone passed by, all eyes would instinctively dart toward that spot.

    The anticipation for K¡¯s arrival was electric, even surpassing the excitement of the contestants themselves.

    Outside the venue, influencers and independent media outlets, eager to stake their im to the spotlight, began live streaming, quickly attracting a massive audience. Undoubtedly, the excitement for thispetition had already surpassed any previous events.

    Online discussions were in full swing, with ¡°Will Maia Watson attend?¡± trending as the talk of the day.

    ¡°I bet Maia won¡¯t show up. She¡¯s not a contestant ¡ª what, is she going to shamelessly be part of the audience? Has she gone mad trying to be an influencer?¡±

    ¡°So what¡¯s wrong with being an influencer? Do you even know how many influencers are already here? K is the one who¡¯s the real legend today. Thepositions alone ¡ª are you even aware of the magic K¡¯s created?¡± another retorted.

    ¡°I think I saw Rosanna. Wow, she looks absolutely radiant today. Go, Rosanna!¡± someone eximed.

    ¡°I saw her too. Can¡¯t wait for Rosanna to perform ¡®One More Day¡¯ and steal the spotlight!¡± another voice chimed in.

    ¡°Why haven¡¯t some others shown up? ying dead? Rosanna¡¯s here and she¡¯s already the front-runner for this season of The Voice of Zephyria.¡± Maia was particrly tagged in thisment.

    In response to these provocations, Justiceze couldn¡¯t resist stepping in with sharp mockery.

    ¡°Champion? Stop daydreaming! Wake up!¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 198

    ?Chapter 198:

    The fans erupted in anger, their fingers itching to retaliate.

    Why did Justiceze have to be so insufferable?

    When they rushed to the opponent¡¯s Facebook page to respond, they found that Justiceze had already locked it downments were disabled. Frustration bubbled over, leaving a trail of curses in its wake.

    Since learning that Maia was also a contender for The Voice of Zephyria, Chris had transformed into her staunch protector. Online jabs didn¡¯t bother him; whatever his wife did was nothing short of perfect in his eyes.

    He relished watching the trolls squirm in frustration, unable to find a way through.

    The past few days had been a whirlwind for him, and Maia had been busy. But this morning, he cleared his schedule to apany her to thepetition.

    To his dismay, Maia firmly rejected him.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, if youe along, it¡¯ll affect my performance,¡± Maia teased, her smile mischievous.

    Before leaving, she added, ¡°Don¡¯t be too surprised if something unexpected happens today.¡±

    Chris, not fully understanding her cryptic words, simply nodded. If his wife said it, it was the gospel truth.

    Thus, he watched the live stream while stepping into the shoes of Justiceze, ready to defend Maia online.

    On screen, the event was a veritable who¡¯s who of the industry. Big names from the entertainment world made their grand entrances, waving to the cameras. Some even announced that they¡¯d flown in just to see the legendary K in action.

    Chris rested his chin in his hand, watching the unfolding spectacle with a sense of awe. The influence Kmanded was undeniable ¡ª it was like a tidal wave that had swept through the entire entertainment scene.

    Though K had only written a handful of songs, each one was a chart-topper, a masterpiece that became an instant ssic.

    Chris¡¯s two favorite songs, ¡°One More Day¡± and ¡°Under The Stars,¡± were both born from K¡¯s genius.

    He refreshed his Facebook feed and saw that discussions about K had quickly overtaken the chatter about The Voice of Zephyria itself. ¡°Legendary Composer K Makes First Public Appearance as Special Judge for The Voice of Zephyria!¡± The topic was everywhere, swiftly climbing to the top of the trending charts.

    Inside the broadcasting hall, Rosanna¡¯s entrance sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd. Staff members stole nces at her, eyes gleaming with admiration.

    The sensation of being in the spotlight was intoxicating. Some contestants recognized her, waving at her as she passed. She smiled and greeted each person warmly, basking in the attention.

    Following closely behind her was Sandra, who beamed with pride, her grip firmly on Richard¡¯s arm. ¡°Look, Richard, our daughter is so popr,¡± she whispered, a note of pride in her voice.

    Richard, having witnessed many such moments in his lifetime, was more reserved, but even he couldn¡¯t help but feel a swell of pride. It was as though Rosanna had already imed victory simply by stepping onto the stage.

    ¡°Our daughter has made us proud. She¡¯s clearly inherited my excellent genes,¡± Richard remarked with a touch of humor.

    Sandra shot him a yful nce. ¡°It¡¯s our good genes, not just yours. And Rosanna is a hundred times better than Maia.¡±

    ¡°Why bring her up now?¡± Richard scoffed, dismissing Maia with a wave. ¡°Didn¡¯t Maia say she¡¯d show up? Where is she? After four years in prison, she still hasn¡¯t learned anything but how to ride on Rosanna¡¯s coattails.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 199

    ?Chapter 199:

    Jarrod, walking quietly behind them, remained silent, scanning the room with unease. Maia¡¯s name wasn¡¯t on the official contestant list, and he had no idea what she might be nning.

    Staying vignt was always a good strategy. If Maia showed up, he would immediately escort her away from thepetition venue, making sure she wouldn¡¯t be able to do anything to Rosanna.

    However, Jarrod didn¡¯t spot Maia ¡ª he spotted Vince instead.

    Vince, d in a wlessly tailored suit, exuded an air of sophistication as he strode toward Rosanna and her family, a bouquet of fresh flowers in hand.

    Rosanna¡¯s eyes widened as she saw him approach. A delighted smile tugged at her lips as she asked sweetly, ¡°Vince, these flowers are stunning. Are they for me?¡±

    Vince¡¯s gaze softened as he handed them to her. ¡°A small token of encouragement for your sess today.¡±

    While Vince¡¯s attention remained courteously on Rosanna, his eyes flickered restlessly, scanning the crowd with quiet intensity. Would Maia show up? Vince¡¯s mind raced with questions about Maia¡¯s intentions. Was she trying to prove to him that she was superior to Rosanna? Did she wish for him to see her in a whole new light?

    Vince chalked it up to the unpredictable nature of women. A chuckle escaped him, but he quickly masked it.

    At that moment, a few contestants approached Rosanna, their eyes alight with admiration as they took in the sight of Vince handing her the bouquet.

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s so romantic! Look, blue roses! Rosanna, is he your boyfriend? He¡¯s so thoughtful!¡±

    ¡°Such a sweet gesture. He must havee just to surprise you!¡±

    Stay tuned at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°You two are a perfect match! With a lucky charm like that by your side, there¡¯s no way you won¡¯t dominate today!¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s cheeks flushed, her heart swelling with pride as she replied, ¡°He¡¯s my boyfriend, and we¡¯ll soon get engaged.¡±

    Her pride was almost palpable, her breath catching with the unexpected thrill of his gesture.

    Vince¡¯s unexpected arrival threw Rosanna off bnce. She never imagined that he¡¯d show up, let alone with flowers in hand. Richard and Sandra, overhearing the exchange, exchanged delighted smiles, their faces lighting up with joy.

    After Vince greeted them, he gestured toward the VIP section, inviting them to join him. He had secured the best seats in the front row, offering an unbeatable view of the event.

    ¡°Vince, you really didn¡¯t have to go to such lengths, but this is such a delightful surprise for our entire family,¡± Sandra said, her affection for him growing with every word. She had been eager for Vince and Rosanna to settle on a wedding date, and today seemed like the perfect moment. She subtly nudged Richard, signaling him to say something.

    Richard chuckled, patting Vince on the back. ¡°Well done. Since you two are clearly getting along, how about we sit down after thepetition and finally pick a wedding date?¡±

    Vince nodded politely, his tone calm and respectful. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll go along with whatever ns you and Sandra decide.¡±

    Still, even as he answered, his eyes darted back to the crowd, scanning for any sign of Maia.

    Suddenly, a voice cut through the murmurs, ¡°Look! Who¡¯s that?¡± Jarrod whipped around, his face draining of color.

    There, stepping into the room with an aura that demanded attention, was Maia. After putting on makeup and getting dressed up, she looked nothing like the Maia she usually was, but having grown up together, Jarrod recognized her instantly.

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 Chapter 200

    ?Chapter 200:

    He took a step forward, his instincts urging him to approach her ¡ª but the intimidating crowd around her gave him pause.

    Maia entered with the effortless grace of someone born to dominate the room.

    Her attire was impably sharp, and her makeup, though subtle, was undeniably striking. The tailored navy zer and cream silk blouse fit her frame with precision. The ash-gray trousers, embroidered with intricate details, added to her imposing presence, speaking of quiet power and refined elegance.

    Fine embroidery and delicate tassels subtly enhanced the outfit, imbuing it with a sophisticated yetmanding grace.

    Maia¡¯s presence cut through the room like a drawn sword ¡ª cold, sharp, and impossible to overlook.

    Without a single word, she sliced through the crowd¡¯s chatter, her presence so maic that the air seemed to still.

    The venue plunged into stunned silence. Then, hushed whispers spread like wildfire.

    ¡°Who is she? Is she the host today? I¡¯ve never seen her before.¡±

    ¡°Is she an A-list celebrity? She¡¯s absolutely stunning!¡±

    From across the room, Rosanna¡¯s eyes locked onto Maia, and a surge of jealousy red inside her. Maia¡¯s aura radiated with full force,manding the room. Behind her, Pattie, draped in a beige coat, observed with quiet satisfaction.

    As the top designer, Eileen, and founder of MCN, Maia, in a custom, one-of-a-kind creation she had personally altered, was nothing short of mesmerizing. This was no ordinary outfit. Maia had transformed it after purchasing it, weaving her own design into every stitch, creating a truly unique masterpiece.

    Thepetition hadn¡¯t kicked off yet, but the production team was already warming up the broadcast, the air thick with anticipation. When the camera panned across Maia, the online livestream erupted into chaos.

    ¡°Oh my God! Where can I buy that outfit? It¡¯s wless! I need it now!¡±

    Dive into the story world at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s?c?m

    ¡°Is that a custom piece? It looks a bit like MCN, but I can¡¯t quite tell.¡±

    ¡°Who is this woman? Her beauty and presence are out of this world!¡±

    In an instant, the live chat was flooded with an endless stream ofments.

    Chris, watching from the sidelines, was mesmerized too. ¡°My wife¡­ she¡¯s absolutely stunning. I have impable taste,¡± he muttered, his voice full of pride.

    Within seconds, the live chat exploded with an avnche of love derations. Chris frowned at first, then rxed, a proud smile spreading across his face. He couldn¡¯t help but feel triumphant.

    At the venue, Vince rose abruptly, his gaze fixed on Maia. She was so stunning, so unreal, that it almost felt like a dream.

    Rosanna noticed Vince¡¯s reaction, and a cold knot of insecurity tightened in her chest. Was Maia here to steal the spotlight, to humiliate her? She couldn¡¯t let that happen.

    ¡°Maia? She really came? But she didn¡¯t even sign up for thepetition,¡± Rosanna whispered, her words quiet but just loud enough for those around her to hear. ¡°Is she Maia?¡±

    The surrounding contestants finally caught on to what was unfolding. Right then, Maia spotted Rosanna and casually made her way over. It wasn¡¯t often that the whole Morgan family was seen together in public.

    Richard stayed quiet, his face carved into a deep frown.

    Without thinking, Jarrod balled his hands into fists and instinctively shifted to protect Rosanna.

    Sandra, too, wasn¡¯t one to sit by and watch. She shot up from her seat and snapped, ¡°Maia, you¡¯ve got some nerve showing your face here!¡± Maia didn¡¯t even spare her a nce.

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 Chapter 201

    ?Chapter 201:

    Sandra¡¯s temples throbbed with frustration, her mind racing with worry that Maia might stir up trouble and ruin her daughter¡¯s performance in thepetition.

    Without hesitation, she shouted at a staff member nearby, ¡°Maia Watson isn¡¯t registered topete. Why is she even allowed in?¡±

    The staff member knitted his brows, about to verify the im, when he caught sight of Pattie behind Maia.

    Pattie Miller?

    Was Maia walking in with Pattie?

    Pattie Miller was a well-known figure at MCN, recognized for being one of the key investors behind the singingpetition.

    Without hesitation, the staff member stepped aside and addressed Sandra firmly, ¡°Sorry, ma¡¯am, but spectators are allowed inside.¡±

    A wave of shock drained the color from Sandra¡¯s face.

    Amused by Sandra¡¯s blunder, Maia let out a soft chuckle.

    Richard gave Sandra¡¯s arm a tug, urging her back into her seat as he whispered, ¡°You¡¯re not a contestant either. Sit down and be quiet.¡± With a quick tilt of his chin, he pointed toward the cameras stationed around them.

    Thanks to Rosanna, they had ess to the venue. They were here to boost her image, and every action they took was being watched by the public eye.

    Even though Sandra was fuming inside, she forced herself to stay silent.

    At the same time, Maia¡¯s unexpected arrival at thispetition set Facebook abuzz once more.

    ¡°OMG, it¡¯s Maia Watson! She¡¯s gorgeous! I absolutely love her!¡±

    ¡°Where are all the haters now? Isn¡¯t this a huge p in the face? Maia showed up, and she looks amazing!¡±

    But Rosanna¡¯s fanbase wasn¡¯t about to sit back and let Maia steal the spotlight. They jumped into thements, firing shots at her.

    ¡°So ¡®see you soon¡¯ was just her showing up to ride on the fame, huh? How pathetic!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s got real talent and a solid shot at winning. Who does Maia Watson think she is, crashing the event?¡±

    ¡°Seriously? Dressing up like that just to be seen? She¡¯s making a fool out of herself. What a clown!¡±

    ¡°Talent trumps a shy outfit every single time!¡±

    Just then, Justiceze stormed back into thement section, dropping his usual savageebacks.

    ¡°Why are you all so agitated? Afraid that Maia will attract all the public eye? She¡¯s definitely better looking than Rosanna and all of you!¡±

    His words lit a fire under the angrymenters on Facebook, sending the thread into chaos.

    Right after, Chris started liking every positivement about Maia, his fingers tapping away at lightning speed.

    Maia¡¯s loyal fans weren¡¯t about to sit back quietly either.

    ¡°Talking trash about Maia? Hope you¡¯re ready to get your ount suspended!¡±

    Not long after, several of Rosanna¡¯s supporters noticed something strange. Their ounts started crashing, and they couldn¡¯t post anything anymore.

    Off to the side, Pattie leaned in to whisper something to Maia, then quietly made her way out and approached the event organizers. With a small, knowing smile, Maia turned her attention toward the judges¡¯ area on the stage.

    That simple smile once again turned heads and stole hearts.

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 Chapter 202

    ?Chapter 202:

    Whispers rippled through the crowd as people who didn¡¯t recognize her began asking who the stunning woman was.

    Right then, Rosanna came rushing over and blocked Maia¡¯s path.

    Luckily for both of them, the confrontation happened off-camera. It just so happened that the program had cut to amercial break, and the director had already switched the broadcast feed.

    nting herself firmly in Maia¡¯s way, Rosanna spoke up. ¡°Maia, where are you heading? The seats for the audience are back there.¡± A few contestants who had recently gotten friendly with Rosanna quickly joined her.

    ¡°Is this the sister you said spent four years in jail? She actually showed up just to ride your sess, and you¡¯re not even upset? You¡¯re way too kind. If it were me, I¡¯d have kicked her out by now.¡±

    ¡°Right? Thepetition¡¯s about to start, and she¡¯s wandering around like she belongs here. What¡¯s the n, huh? Is she about to grab a microphone and embarrass herself on stage?¡±

    ¡°Hey, you! Don¡¯t even think about causing a scene. I already called the staff over,¡± one of the contestants warned, their tone dripping with sarcasm. Smirks spread across the faces of the nearby contestants, clearly more interested in the drama than thepetition.

    With the cameras off during themercial break, they seized the moment to stir up trouble.

    Out of nowhere, Maia asked, ¡°What are your names?¡±

    The group exchanged mocking nces before one of them scoffed. ¡°What, trying to use us to get famous now?¡±

    Without responding, Maia simply observed their rude behavior, mentally crossing them off her list of people worth remembering. Her impression marks for them were zero.

    More chapters just for you g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s

    Just then, several staff members arrived, cutting through the crowd.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, the audience seats are that way,¡± one of them said, stepping in front of Maia and gesturing toward the designated area. ¡°We¡¯ll need to see your ticket before you can proceed.¡±

    Without batting an eye, Maia replied calmly, ¡°I don¡¯t have a ticket¡ª¡± Before she could exin, Jarrod stormed forward, jabbing a finger toward Maia and shouting, ¡°Did you hear that? She¡¯s not even supposed to be here! Get her out before she causes trouble!¡±

    ¡°Exactly! This is a professional event. We can¡¯t let random people just stroll in, right?¡± Another contestant chimed in with a smirk, desperate to get on Rosanna¡¯s good side.

    ¡°Get her out of here already! If she messes up the live broadcast, who¡¯s going to take responsibility for it?¡± A smug smile tugged at Rosanna¡¯s lips as she nced over at Maia, clearly pleased.

    If Maia got thrown out in front of everyone, it would be the ultimate humiliation.

    Fueled by the contestants¡¯ usations, the staff grew increasingly hostile, shooting Maia cold, suspicious nces. One of them stepped forward and warned in a firm tone, ¡°Miss, if you¡¯re not an official guest, you¡¯ll need to leave immediately. Otherwise, we¡¯ll have no choice but to escort you out.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s definitely not a spectator.¡±

    A soft, melodious voice cut through the air, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. From behind Maia, a slender figure stepped forward, elegant and poised.

    Rosanna¡¯s eyes shot up, and her breath caught. It was none other than Brielle ¡ª the Queen of Pop.

    Dressed in a stunning red silk gown, backless and gleaming, Brielle looked even more mesmerizing in person than she did on screen. The moment she stepped into view, the crowd went wild, a chorus of screams and gasps rising around them.

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 Chapter 203

    ?Chapter 203:

    ¡°Brielle! I love you!¡±

    ¡°Oh my God! When did she get here?¡±

    ¡°Mom! It¡¯s our idol! Right there, I can¡¯t believe it!¡±

    ¡°Ugh, if I¡¯d known she wasing, I would¡¯ve snatched front-row seats! I can barely catch a glimpse of her from back here!¡±

    Brielle had just made her way over from backstage, unnoticed until now.

    And thest thing she expected was to hear someone take shots at Maia the second she walked into the hall. How could she just stand by and let that slide?

    Her gaze turned icy as she swept her sharp eyes over Rosanna and the others, cutting through them like a knife through butter.

    Rosanna had assumed Brielle¡¯s earlier remark, ¡°she¡¯s definitely not a spectator,¡± was a cue for the staff to remove Maia from the premises. After all, Maia didn¡¯t even have a ticket.

    But then Brielle¡¯s eyes locked onto her.

    Rosanna¡¯s heart stumbled in her chest, thudding hard against her ribs. ¡°And you are?¡± Brielle asked, her voice as mesmerizing as her songs.

    Rosanna immediately stepped forward, her heart racing, though she tried to appear calm. ¡°I¡¯m your fan. My name is Rosanna Morgan.¡±

    The other contestants, equally star-struck, followed suit, eager to make their introductions. This was as close as they¡¯d ever get to their idol.

    Brielle listened attentively, memorizing their names.

    Meanwhile, the staff stood frozen, uncertain whether to step in and drag Maia out.

    Step into fiction with g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s???o??

    Rosanna shot a sly smile, her tone dripping with disdain. ¡°This is Maia Watson, the one who made a big fuss online about entering thepetition. The show¡¯s about to start, and she hasn¡¯t even registered. She¡¯s insisting on going on stage, and I was just about to ask her to leave.¡±

    Her words were meant for Brielle, but her eyes darted toward the staff, signaling them to act.

    Maia crossed her arms, lips curling into a sneer. ¡°When did I say I was here topete?¡±

    ¡°Maia, do you have no shame? You¡¯re making a spectacle at such an importantpetition. Do you even know it¡¯s being streamed live?¡± Several contestants chimed in, echoing Rosanna¡¯s disdain.

    ¡°I say we call the police and send Maia back to wherever she¡¯s been for thest four years.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯d she even get in? Look at that dress ¡ª probably a knockoff, and she¡¯s acting like she¡¯s important.¡±

    ¡°A knockoff? Please, that¡¯s gotta be a fake. She¡¯s probably here thinking she¡¯s the star of the show.¡±

    Brielle¡¯s frown deepened. What was all this nonsense?

    How dare they talk like that about K? Were they ready to throw their own chances away?

    Her voice sliced through the tension like a de. ¡°Enough! This is a singingpetition, not a circus.¡± The group froze, eyes wide in fear.

    Oh no! Brielle was angry.

    And it was all Maia¡¯s fault.

    Just as they steeled themselves for Brielle to have Maia thrown out, something unexpected happened. Brielle reached out and grabbed Maia¡¯s hand.

    With a warm, reassuring smile, she said, ¡°Come on, don¡¯t let a few idiots ruin your day.¡±

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 Chapter 204

    ?Chapter 204:

    Maia gave a nod, her earlier defiance softening. ¡°Alright.¡±

    Without sparing Rosanna a single nce, Maia turned and walked off with Brielle.

    The crowd was left frozen, gaping in shock, mouths hanging wide open.

    Even Vince and the Morgan family in the audience were stunned.

    Rosanna stumbled back, her mind reeling in disbelief.

    Maia and Brielle¡­

    They¡­ knew each other?

    How could that be?

    Rosanna pinched herself. The searing pain shooting through her ¡ª this wasn¡¯t a dream.

    But then, something even more jaw-dropping unfolded.

    Brielle led Maia straight to the judges¡¯ panel.

    Maia confidently walked toward the center seat.

    Just then, themercial break came to an end.

    The broadcast director swiftly cut back to the stage, the camera zeroing in on Brielle, the Queen of Pop.

    Then, the lens shifted to Maia.

    In an instant, hundreds of millions of viewers watched as she took her seat. K¡¯s seat.

    Thement section went wild.

    Social media tforms, especially Facebook, were engulfed in total chaos.

    Find exclusive chapters g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Maia Watson? Why is she sitting in K¡¯s seat?¡±

    ¡°Is this a mistake? Why hasn¡¯t the official team said a word?¡±

    ¡°Hold on¡­ Could Maia actually be a judge? And is she¡­ K?¡±

    ¡°No way! Maia¡¯s an ex-con. If she¡¯s K, I¡¯ll eat my hat.¡±

    The online frenzy intensified, with discussions spiraling out of control.

    Rosanna stared at Maia in shock, her expression hollow as if all life had drained from her.

    How dare Maia sit there? She was nothing more than a former convict who¡¯d just been released.

    Rosanna¡¯s fans were no better. They flooded the inte with outrage, demanding answers and threatening to boycott thepetition unless the organizers stepped in.

    Thepetition¡¯sint hotline was bombarded, and the organizers were swarmed with demands for a statement.

    Vince, too, was stunned as he watched Maia. Had she lost her mind? Why did she take K¡¯s seat? If K saw this, wouldn¡¯t it cause trouble unnecessarily?

    But no one was more stunned than Jarrod. In his wildest dreams, he never imagined that Maia would dare sit in K¡¯s seat and pass herself off as the legendaryposer.

    To him, K was the pinnacle of musical greatness. Every song she wrote was a gem, permanently etched into his ylist.

    In his eyes, K was the ultimate hero of the music industry.

    Years ago, when the industry was on the brink of copse, K¡¯s song ¡°One More Day¡± had taken the world by storm. Since then, each of her releases had been a hit, reigniting the fire and energy of the music scene year after year.

    How dare Maia ¡ª an ex-convict, a woman with scandal hanging over her ¡ª impersonate theposer he revered most?

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 Chapter 205

    ?Chapter 205:

    Jarrod¡¯s anger red. He wanted to storm the stage, rip Maia out of that seat, and demand an exnation. The venue buzzed with confusion and doubt.

    Industry veterans exchanged uneasy nces, their frowns deepening. They¡¯de to see K, not Maia Watson ¡ª this ex-con, this woman with a tainted past, now sitting where the most reveredposer in the industry once sat.

    They called for the live broadcast to be stopped, insisting that Maia be removed from the panel without dy. The organizers were in full panic mode.

    They¡¯d seen Brielle bring Maia to the judges¡¯ table and assumed that Brielle was K. How could they have known this was Maia Watson, fresh from prison and riddled with scandal?

    ¡°Quick, director! Switch to anothermercial!¡± the head of the organizingmittee barked, his voiceced with panic.

    He regretted every decision that had led to this live broadcast disaster. A pre-recorded show could have spared them this disaster, and now, with the live broadcast in full swing, the organizer was drowning in regret.

    Suddenly, a hand pped onto his shoulder.

    Pattie appeared at his side, a yful smile tugging at her lips.

    ¡°Why the panic?¡± she asked, her voice calm and full of amusement.

    ¡°Ms. Miller, my sincerest apologies,¡± the event organizer¡¯s leader stammered, wiping the sweat that sprang to his brow. ¡°Something unexpected hase up. Someone is masquerading as K. We¡¯ll need to suspend the livestream.¡±

    Pattie arched an eyebrow, her tone brooking no argument. ¡°Don¡¯t stop!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± the organizer blurted out, clearly thrown off bnce.

    New chapters uploaded at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°If you suspend the broadcast, I¡¯ll pull my funding. The choice is yours,¡± Pattie dered, arms folded tightly across her chest, her tone leaving no room for argument.

    ¡°Why? What¡¯s happening here?¡± the organizer stuttered, panic painting his face with wide, frantic strokes.

    Just then, Brielle¡¯s steady,posed voice crackled through the earpiece, cool as a mountain spring. Unflinchingly, she rattled off the list of names she had memorized, pausing pointedly on Rosanna¡¯s. ¡°Kindly remove these troublemakers from thepetition, or I¡¯ll be forced to withdraw.¡±

    The organizer¡¯s leader stood there, stunned into silence, as if struck by lightning.

    Meanwhile, Brielle picked up the microphone, turned to face the bewildered crowd, and spoke with a voice as clear andmanding as a bell. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce theposer and lyricist of ¡®One More Day¡¯ ¡ª Maia Watson. She is none other than the legendary K you have long admired.¡±

    The room fell into a stunned, breathless silence, as if the very air had been vacuumed away.

    Backstage in the control room, Pattie nced at the stunned organizer and gave a decisive nod. ¡°You heard her loud and clear. Maia is K.¡± She leanedzily against the wall, a sly smile dancing on her lips, like a cat who knew the canary had no escape. ¡°The MCN ads are ready to roll. Stopping the broadcast now would mean a catastrophic loss of audience and a mountain of breach-of-contract penalties.¡±

    The organizer groaned, pping his forehead, and barked out frantic orders.

    ¡°Everyone, resume the livestream! Emcee, introduce her properly ¡ª she¡¯s K, Maia Watson is K, got it? Introduce her with the honor she deserves! And escort those doubters out. We¡¯ve got five minutes of ad time left. Make it count!¡±

    At once, the staff surged toward Rosanna and her group.

    Richard, still grappling with the revtion that Maia was K, stood frozen in disbelief. The staff members were ready to escort them out, but his mind was reeling, struggling to piece together the impossible truth.

    The shock hit him like a hammer blow, shattering his pride, dignity, and self-confidence into countless, irretrievable fragments. Confusion, helplessness, and regret washed over him like a relentless storm, devouring everything in its path.

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 Chapter 206

    ?Chapter 206:

    Sandra stood motionless, her jaw ck, unable to find her voice. Her wide eyes shimmered with panic, the slow, creeping dread of dreams turning to dust settling in her chest.

    As soon as the organizer and Brielle confirmed that Maia was, in fact, K, any hope Sandra had pinned on Rosanna evaporated into thin air. Jarrod¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, his body stiffening as if turned to stone. The truth that Maia was K crashed down on him with the force of an avnche, leaving him trembling, teetering on the edge of copse.

    Even Vince felt a sharp throb behind his temples. The absurdity of the scene unfolded before him like a bad theater show, so surreal that he half-wondered if he had lost his grip on reality.

    When had Maia be K? And how had he, of all people, been kept in the dark?

    Vince¡¯s mind ground to a halt, paralyzed. The Maia he once knew¡ªthe girl who had once looked at him as if he were the center of her universe¡ªnow seemed like a ghost from another life.

    He nced up at Maia, who now sat confidently at the judges¡¯ table, bathed in the spotlight, shining like a lone star piercing the midnight sky.

    Beside him, Rosanna¡¯s voice rang out in desperation, her plea almost shrill. ¡°Vince, you can¡¯t let them throw me out! I haven¡¯t evenpeted yet! Maia spent four years in prison¡ªhow could she possibly be K? That¡¯s impossible! She doesn¡¯t know anything!¡±

    Vince hesitated for a heartbeat, then instinctively stepped forward, shielding Rosanna from the approaching staff. He lifted his eyes to Maia, torn between pride and desperation.

    Maia¡¯s cold, detached gaze swept over Vince and Rosanna, her demeanor lofty, as if they were no more than insignificant specks beneath her feet. In that moment, for Rosanna¡¯s sake¡ªand for the reputation of the Ward family¡ªthe proud heir found himself bowing his head to Maia.

    ¡°Maia,¡± Vince said stiffly, ¡°I admit Rosanna may have made mistakes in the past, but she didn¡¯t mean any harm. Could you allow her to finish thepetition?¡±

    Maia shot him a frosty nce but remained silent.

    Vince¡¯s face stiffened, a fresh crack splintering his pride.

    Yet, the staff moved forward undeterred, still set on removing Rosanna. Gritting his teeth, Vince raised his voice, barking, ¡°Stop! I¡¯m Vince Ward! The Ward family invested in this event too! You can¡¯t just throw contestants out like trash!¡±

    Before Maia could reply, Brielle and Pattie intervened, their displeasure as clear as storm clouds on the horizon.

    Backstage, Pattie let out a cold, mockingugh. ¡°Vince Ward? He dares to raise his voice here? The Ward family¡¯s investment is a mere drop in this ocean. What right does he have to bark orders?¡±

    The organizer¡¯s leader eagerly nodded in agreement. ¡°Yes, yes, Ms. Miller. Please, don¡¯t withdraw. You¡¯re our major investor.¡±

    Onstage, Brielle¡¯s gaze, icy and piercing, fixed on Vince. ¡°She¡¯s lucky we¡¯re not pressing charges for disruption. And yet you stand here, making demands? Who was it, earlier, that dared to insult K so brazenly in front of me?¡±

    Vince¡¯s face flushed red with embarrassment. Even his intervention, which had once been his shield and sword, was proving utterly useless.

    Time ticked away relentlessly. With the Livestream about to resume, the organizer paced nervously, like a cat on hot bricks. They couldn¡¯t afford to cram in more ads now, could they?

    The broadcast director scurried to Maia¡¯s side and whispered hurriedly in her ear.

    Maia immediately turned to Brielle and said, her voice steady, ¡°Don¡¯t make things harder for the organizers. Let¡¯s stick to the schedule and continue thepetition. I¡¯d actually like to see what Rosanna can do.¡±

    Pattie, hearing this, let out a soft chuckle. She nced at the shell-shocked Rosanna and whispered, ¡°I see what Maia means.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 207

    ?Chapter 207:

    Turning to the organizer, she smirked and said, ¡°Let thempete as nned. The more, the merrier. After all, the bigger the crowd, the better the show.¡±

    A wave of excitement swept across the country as The Voice of Zephyria kicked off its official broadcast.

    When the livestream resumed, the host stood center stage, beaming under the spotlight, ready to make a dramatic reveal. With ir, he revealed the truth ¡ª Maia was the mysteriousposer known as K. Brielle stepped forward, ready to back the revtion. ¡°In high school, Maia and I were inseparable. She gave me ¡®One More Day,¡¯ the song thatunched my career. But Maia always cared more about her music than fame. That¡¯s why she stayed hidden all these years.¡± The inte practically erupted.

    In the blink of an eye, ¡°Maia Watson is K¡± shot straight to the top of the trending topics. As disbelief spread across the online world, Maia¡¯s Facebook page exploded. Followers poured in by the millions, her influence growing with every passing second.

    Meanwhile, Rosanna¡¯s fans were dragged through the mud without mercy. Mockery flooded every corner of the inte.

    ¡°Hey, who was the genius who promised to eat their hat live on camera if Maia turned out to be K? Still breathing, or do we need to send a search party?¡±

    ¡°Are Rosanna¡¯s supporters feeling inferior? Inparison to Maia, Rosanna hardly measures up. K wasn¡¯tpeting as a contestant like Rosanna. She was invited as a judge. So, of course, you couldn¡¯t find her in the contestant list.¡±

    ¡°Has the chatter from Rosanna¡¯s fans abruptly stopped? What¡¯s happened? Has that reality check left you speechless? Are there any Rosanna fans willing to step forward? Let¡¯s see you now!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna always ims she treats Maia as her real sister, but she didn¡¯t even know Maia was K? That¡¯s hrious. Only fools like you will believe what Rosanna says.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, Rosanna¡¯s life is like a reality show at this point. Pure entertainment!¡±

    galn¦Òv???s.????m ¨C your update hub

    Not everyment dripped with sarcasm. Some users, genuinely confused, asked, ¡°Wait ¡ª wasn¡¯t Maia the one who went to prison? How did she end up as K? Was she writing songs in a jail cell or something?¡±

    Others wasted no time defending her. ¡°Her past doesn¡¯t erase her gift!¡±

    ¡°Exactly! If you don¡¯t know the full story, maybe hold off on judging.

    With talent like hers, it¡¯s no wonder people tried to drag her down.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely. Some people just can¡¯t handle seeing others rise.¡±

    Meanwhile, Rosanna¡¯s fans were utterly defeated. It wasn¡¯t that they didn¡¯t want to respond; it was that the revtion about K had left thempletely dumbfounded. They couldn¡¯t even string a sentence together.

    Some even tried to reply, only to be blocked byment restrictions, left pounding furiously at their keyboards in silent frustration.

    Meanwhile, at home, Chris leaned back in his chair, the corners of his mouth lifting into a quiet, satisfied smile.

    He had thought that he knew every corner of Maia¡¯s life.

    Yet here she was ¡ª full of surprises.

    The woman who shared his name¡­ was K.

    The mastermind behind some of the most iconic songs in the industry ¡ª if this secret ever made it to the public, Chris could only imagine how many would burn with jealousy.

    Right then, his phone buzzed.

    Maxwell¡¯s voice burst through the line, practically vibrating with excitement. ¡°Chris! You¡¯re unbelievable! I was wondering why you rushed into marriage out of nowhere. Now it all clicks ¡ª your wife is K! K! I still can¡¯t believe it. Did you know the whole time?¡±

    Chris allowed a small smirk to tug at his lips, the pride impossible to hide.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 208

    ?Chapter 208:

    Still, his reply was calm and cool. ¡°Earlier than you figured it out.¡±

    Vincenzo stood frozen in front of his TV, having shot up from his chair the moment the news broke.

    Fragments clicked together in his mind ¡ª how thewyers from Zenith Legal had treated Maia with such unshakable respect.

    He had thought that she must have had powerful connections. It finally made sense. Maia was not someone who needed backing ¡ª she was the power herself.

    Inside a quiet hospital room, energy buzzed through Ethan as he struggled to stay still. His sister ¡ª his very own sister ¡ª was K.

    ¡°Kathie, you have to see this!¡± Ethan shouted, dashing over and flipping his phone sideways so she could get a clear look.

    Kathie leaned in, blinking at the screen. ¡°Isn¡¯t that your sister? Why is she on TV?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s a guest judge!¡± Ethan practically bounced with excitement. ¡°Kathie, Maia isn¡¯t some pathetic woman living off other people ¡ª she¡¯s making her own way.¡±

    ¡°Shining all on her own! She¡¯s so talented, and she¡¯s never once bragged about it. I want to be just like her ¡ª strong, independent, unstoppable!¡±

    Kathie¡¯s hands trembled as she pushed herself upright, tears blurring her vision. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful news,¡± she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. ¡°Maia¡¯s had such a hard life. The Watson family finally has someone they can hold their heads high for. If your parents could see her now, they¡¯d be so proud.¡±

    She patted Ethan¡¯s hand gently. ¡°You must follow her example, Ethan. Study hard. Make her proud. Make yourself proud.¡±

    Ethan nodded fiercely, determination burning in his eyes.

    Meanwhile, in the shadowy corners of an abandoned factory, a rough group of men exchanged nervous nces.

    Your next journey starts at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s???o??

    ¡°Are you telling me we actually kidnapped K?! Of all people, we snatched our idol? If we¡¯d known, we would¡¯ve lined up for an autograph instead!¡±

    ¡°No wonder K went silent. Damn it, Jarrod yed us! He set us up and threw us into this mess. He won¡¯t get away with it. We¡¯ll make sure he pays.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, we have to get back at him,¡± one man muttered, then paused.

    ¡°But¡­ did he really trick us? We did agree to the job, didn¡¯t we?¡±

    Meanwhile, at thepetition venue, Maia stood poised on stage, delivering critiques so thoughtful and precise that many contestants left in tears ¡ª of gratitude.

    The second they stepped off stage, Facebook lit up with their excitement.

    ¡°Dreame true! I actually got personal feedback from my idol. I¡¯m over the moon!¡±

    ¡°Mom! You¡¯ll never believe it¡ªI met your favorite singer today! She¡¯s not just a songwriting genius; her vocal skills are unreal. Such a professional!¡±

    ¡°K is everything. I¡¯m literally crying. Her voice could heal the world!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s like a rare diamond. A true idol shining on a global stage.¡±

    ¡°Even though she pointed out my ws, I couldn¡¯t be happier. She spent more time with me than anyone else ¡ª totally worth it!¡±

    Behind the scenes, the organizers practically buzzed with excitement. Ratings for this season had already smashed through the records of the previous year.

    Pattie stood off to the side, arms crossed, a smug smile tugging at her lips.

    This was the victory they had worked for.

    Partnerships, sponsorships ¡ª everything was about to pour in. Projected revenue? Over one billion for MCN and still climbing.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 209

    ?Chapter 209:

    With a quick nce at the event director standing stiffly beside her, Pattie offered aforting pat on his shoulder. ¡°Feeling a little less nervous now?¡±

    Flushed with excitement, the organizer grabbed her hand like a lifeline. ¡°Ms. Miller, could you get K¡¯s autograph? Just here.¡± He shoved a copy of the ¡°One More Day¡± CD at her. ¡°My wife¡¯s a huge fan. Please, you have to help me!¡±

    Meanwhile, chaos was brewing again on Facebook. Rosanna¡¯s fanbase, newly reawakened, returned to Facebook with fresh outrage, insisting that their ounts had been hacked, all whileunching a fresh attack on Maia.

    ¡°How can you all seriously be worshipping a criminal? Have you lost your minds?¡±

    ¡°Just because she can write songs doesn¡¯t mean she can sing. Her critiques are so pretentious. Professional? She probably memorized a few lines and keeps repeating them.¡±

    ¡°This whole contest is a scam! If Maia¡¯s really K, then Rosanna¡¯s about to get eliminated. How is that fair? What has Rosanna ever done to deserve this?¡±

    ¡°Total setup! Think about it! K never shows her face. They probably dragged in some fake just to boost ratings! The Voice of Zephyria is just a scripted circus! Maia must¡¯ve slept her way to the top just to destroy Rosanna. Boycott this joke of a show! Just because they say Maia is K doesn¡¯t make it true. Where¡¯s the proof?¡±

    Chris sat hunched over hisptop, his brow furrowed in frustration as his fingers flew across the keyboard.

    As the old saying went, ¡°Show me your friends, and I¡¯ll show you who you are.¡±

    If Rosanna¡¯s fans were anything to judge by, they were as clueless as she was.

    Inside thepetition hall, Jarrod¡¯s eyes stayed locked on Maia, not wavering for even a breath.

    Jarrod¡¯s face flickered between astonishment and heavy sadness. At his house, the shelf groaned under the weight of K¡¯s records, stretching from One More Day all the way to Listen to the Breeze. Even his phone red The Gray Skyline whenever someone rang him, a tune crafted by K¡¯s own hand.

    More books uploaded on g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m

    But what on earth had he done to Maia?

    He had wrongly used her and shoved her so hard that she hit the ground, scraping her arm badly.

    He felt so guilty that he didn¡¯t deserve to be a fan of K¡¯s.

    Richard stole a quick nce at Sandra, who seemed all worked up. ¡°Maia can write music? Why didn¡¯t I know this? Did you?¡±

    Sandra shook her head, frustration written all over her face. ¡°How should I know? This has to be a setup, a charade ¡ª it¡¯s all a lie! And what about Rosanna? Maia¡¯s going to give her a big fat zero.¡±

    But Richard didn¡¯t respond this time.

    He had noticed that everyment Maia made was spot on, not some act.

    Vince¡¯s face darkened as he watched Maia confidently speak on stage. Was this really the same fake daughter from the Morgan family, the one who used to cling to him like a shadow?

    On stage, the first ten contestants had wrapped up their performances. The host stepped forward. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, we¡¯ve received a lot of calls about the fairness and honesty of thepetition. The Voice of Zephyriamittee takes these concerns very seriously. Let me exin things once again. We have six special guest judges who score based on the contestants¡¯ performances. The highest and lowest scores are tossed out, and we calcte an average. On top of that, audience members and recordpany reps also give their scores, which form another average. Webine both averages, with the judges¡¯ scores making up sixty percent and the audience¡¯s forty percent. Also, we¡¯ve canceled online voting to avoid any tampering. For the first time ever, we¡¯re doing this live instead of recording it, so everything stays as fair and clear as possible. Stick around after the break for more action.¡±

    Then, MCN¡¯stest collection made a stunning entrance.

    The crowd quickly realized that the model¡¯s outfit looked almost exactly like what Maia was wearing that day.

    Thements came pouring in.

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    .

 Chapter 210

    ?Chapter 210:

    ¡°Unbelievable! She¡¯s wearing MCN¡¯s exclusive design?¡±

    ¡°Anyone still questioning Maia¡¯s identity? Can an ordinary person get their hands on MCN¡¯s unreleased new pieces?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m beyond excited! I can barely stay in my seat. K¡¯s songs have been with me for four whole years.¡±

    ¡°K¡¯s style is amazing! I can¡¯t wait to preorder from MCN, but I still don¡¯t want to miss thepetition.¡±

    The social media exploded with reactions.

    ¡°See? It¡¯s all a setup! I knew this was fake. Just actors hired by MCN to push their new collection. Maia Watson is a fraud unless she can write andpose right here, right now.¡±

    ¡°No one¡¯s ever seen K. The industry can push whoever they want. They just want us to believe whoever they call K.¡±

    ¡°This is the mostmercialpetition I¡¯ve ever watched. The whole thing is basically an ad for MCN¡¯s new arrivals!¡±

    Maxwell rolled his eyes at the online chatter. How could they talk about his best friend¡¯s wife like that?

    Maxwell had once believed that Maia, because of her prison record, wasn¡¯t a respectable woman and wasn¡¯t good enough for his friend. But now, knowing that she was K, itpletely changed his perspective.

    So what if she¡¯d been to prison? There were even former prisoners who had gone on to be presidents. Chris¡¯ wife wasn¡¯t just capable ¡ª she was a hidden gem.

    Maxwell made up his mind to put these online haters in their ce.

    Did they really think Maia had no one backing her up?

    L?t?st ch?pt?rs in g?lnovels.c?m

    His fingers raced across the keyboard.

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s fans, huh? What¡¯s she fed you? You¡¯re totally out of touch!¡± After a while, he posted the secondment. ¡°Everyone¡¯s a liar, but you think you¡¯re the only clean ones, right? Look at you! Are you hiding in the shadows, seeing nothing but conspiracies and scams? You don¡¯t like ads? Without themercial sponsors, who¡¯s going to sponsor thispetition? And who¡¯s going to give Rosanna a stage to show herself? Can¡¯t you evenprehend such simple logic? It seems Rosanna¡¯s fans are no better than retards. And you say someone backing Maia is unfair? Then why is no one backing Rosanna? Because she¡¯s not good enough.¡±

    Meanwhile, Chris, Ethan, and Vincenzo were also busy firing back at the haters.

    Justiceze typed, ¡°Can¡¯t handle the truth?¡±

    Winters added, ¡°Wow! Rosanna¡¯s fans are a joke.¡± Abundance wrote, ¡°That¡¯s right. I can¡¯t help but agree!¡± Thepetition was restarted.

    The host called out, ¡°Next up, Rosanna Morgan!¡±

    The spotlight zed down on Rosanna as she stepped onto the stage.

    After finding out K was Maia, Rosanna waspletely thrown off. She couldn¡¯t make sense of it, trying to figure out how Maia could possibly be K.

    Her thoughts were racing, and she felt as if she had lost herself.

    Rosanna grabbed the microphone the host handed her.

    Her hands shook, and she couldn¡¯t bring herself to nce at Maia at the judges¡¯ table.

    There, the namete reading ¡°K¡± was a p in the face, blinding her.

    In the crowd, Sandra was on edge.

    ¡°Why is Rosanna acting so nervous? She must be rattled by Maia. Maia¡¯s so cruel. We raised her for years, and Rosanna¡¯s her little sister. Maia took Rosanna¡¯s life, and now she¡¯s out to humiliate her in front of everyone. It¡¯s worse than raising an ungrateful child, it¡¯s like keeping a snake in yourp.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 211

    ?Chapter 211:

    Richard¡¯s expression darkened, clearly annoyed by his wife¡¯s constant chatter. The looks from those around them said it all.

    ¡°Enough!¡± he snapped.

    Sandra blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Did I say something wrong? She spent four years in prison. How did she go from that to being aposer? Did she write music behind bars?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Richard growled again, giving Sandra a cold, hard stare.

    Just then, the host¡¯s voice cut through. ¡°Contestant number 11, Rosanna Morgan, you may begin your performance.¡± The music began.

    Everyone was shocked when herpetition piece wasn¡¯t ¡°One More Day.¡±

    Instead, Rosanna chose a song that she had never sung in public before.

    As soon as she finished, the online buzz started up once again. ¡°Oh my goodness! What happened to her? Was it the music, or did something else go wrong? Did she miss a note?¡±

    ¡°I thought the same thing! She was off-key, her breathing was shaky, and the rhythm was all over the ce.¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t she stick with her usual ¡®One More Day¡¯? This one was terrible!¡±

    ¡°Seriously? I¡¯m starting to wonder if her earlier songs were really worked on by some skilled sound engineer. Is she going to get kicked off?¡±

    ¡°Not really. The others weren¡¯t much better either; they were a total mess.¡±

    ¡°So this is her real singing ability¡­ Terrible, I must say. And her fans are still worried about K deliberately disparaging her? Is that really necessary? Justmenting frankly is enough to make Rosanna ashamed.¡±

    Chris saw those posts on social media and immediately liked them. He¡¯d just turned down the volume and was still shocked by how underwhelming Rosanna¡¯s performance was.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c???? brings imagination alive

    Now, Justiceze was having a field day.

    He jumped onto social media and started roasting her. ¡°Is this really the best you can do? @RosannaMorgan¡± Immediately, the online criticism flooded in.

    But Rosanna¡¯s fans weren¡¯t having it.

    ¡°Are you all just haters? Rosanna was a little nervous, thanks to Maia. She sounded fine once she got into it.¡±

    ¡°Where was she off-key? I didn¡¯t hear it. Are you getting paid by Maia to troll? How much do you make per post? Share the secret with me.¡±

    ¡°Rosanna, don¡¯t let them get to you! Keep going ¡ª we¡¯ve got your back.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Rosanna¡¯s ssmate from college. I can vouch for it ¡ª her performance was off. This isn¡¯t her true talent.¡±

    ¡°Anyone who¡¯s watched Rosanna¡¯s videos knows she wasn¡¯t herself today. She should¡¯ve done better.¡±

    Brielle¡¯s critique hit the mark. Rosanna¡¯s performance wasckluster, full of ws.

    When it was Maia¡¯s turn to makements, she stayed silent and handed the microphone to the next judge, sparking a storm online.

    Maia chose to stay silent about Rosanna¡¯s performance, effectively avoiding any possible criticism from Rosanna¡¯s fans.

    ¡°This exins why K is a legend! If anyone still thinks Maia would intentionally sabotage the scores, step up and say it!¡±

    ¡°Did you catch that? Pure ss! Maia stayed out of it, which technically counts as giving her the lowest possible score without dragging down the final average.¡±

    ¡°This whole thing is hrious. The highest score was an eight from Brielle. Everyone else? Sevens, sixes, even a five! You should¡¯ve seen the judges¡¯ faces. It was priceless!¡±

    ¡°Now that I think about it, Rosanna might actually get booted this round. Weren¡¯t there people hyping her up like she was the seconding of a champion? What a joke!¡±

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 Chapter 212

    ?Chapter 212:

    When the final tally revealed Rosanna¡¯s score of 6.58, the air around her seemed to freeze. Her face drained of color.

    She had known her performance was shaky, but standing there, it felt like the floor beneath her was about to give way.

    It was over.

    Rosanna locked her gaze on the screen, her body trembling with the effort not to fall apart.

    There was no way she could face the fans waiting for her.

    She had spent countless hours rehearsing in the private studio Vince had arranged, but when it counted, everything unraveled. She copsed into a chair backstage, grabbed her phone with trembling hands, and logged onto Twitter.

    She couldn¡¯t let the fanbase she had worked so hard to build slip away just like that.

    ¡°I apologize for letting everyone down. I truly am sorry. It was the first time I discovered that Maia is actuallyposer K, and I was overwhelmed by shock and excitement, which affected my performance. I¡¯ve put in so much effort, but this is all I was able to show. I know I must have disappointed all of you. I had secretly practiced a new piece, hoping to surprise everyone with a perfect performance. Unfortunately, everything was too rushed this time. But no matter what happens, I¡­¡±

    She would not give up on singing. ¡°Thank you all for the support and trust you¡¯ve given me along the way.¡±

    Once Rosanna¡¯s post went live, waves of fans flooded thement section. Some rushed tofort her, while others shifted the me onto Maia, using her of manipting Rosanna and ruining the performance.

    It was nothing short of a circus.

    Gal no ve l s . hosts your favorite stories

    In Maxwell¡¯s eyes, Rosanna could have taught a masterss in fake tears and heartfelt monologues.

    Justiceze wasted no time, dropping a sharpment: ¡°Putting on a full-blown soap opera now, huh?¡±

    Soon, a crowd of fed-up viewers rallied behind thatment. The likes shot past a thousand, and the replies kept piling up. ¡°Is the Morgan family secretly running a drama club? Rosanna sure knows how to y the poor little victim!¡±

    ¡°She knows she¡¯s about to get kicked out, so now she¡¯s scrambling for a pity card. ¡®Secretly practiced a new song¡¯? Did she really? If she had been as well-prepared as she imed, the performance wouldn¡¯t have been so awful.¡±

    ¡°Bad is bad. No need for a wall of text. Same pity routine every time. Can she at least try something original?¡±

    Meanwhile, the official results for the first round came in. Despite everything, Rosanna barely scraped by inst ce. Her score edged out the next contestant by a measly 0.1 points.

    ¡°Wonderful! Rosanna made it through!¡± Tears streamed down Sandra¡¯s face, her excitement overwhelming her as she released a deep breath of relief.

    A bit of color returned to Richard¡¯s face, though the tension still lingered in his eyes.

    Meanwhile, Jarrod remained quiet, sinking deeper into thought.

    As for Vince, he never once looked away from Maia, his gaze locked on her with strange intensity.

    Back on Twitter, Rosanna quickly posted again: ¡°I¡¯m beyond lucky. Blessed to have fans like you, and lucky enough to move on to the next round. I promise I¡¯ll give it my all next time!¡±

    The fandom exploded with cheers and congrattions.

    .

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 Chapter 213

    ?Chapter 213:

    ¡°Look at that! Rosanna¡¯s got real talent, and hey, a little luck never hurt anyone!¡±

    ¡°Finally! Rosanna¡¯s moving forward. The music industry lives to see another day!¡±

    ¡°My hands were sweating like crazy. I only managed to breathe again once they announced the final rankings. Next time, though, please stick to songs you know better! I¡¯m already nning the victory party.¡±

    ¡°Next round, she has to pull out all the stops! She should sing ¡®One More Day,¡¯ just like she did at the Starlight Bar. Let the judges hear real music for once. She needs to own the stage if she wants to stay safe!¡±

    ¡°Wait, it just hit me. Rosanna is the masked singer! If she belts out ¡®One More Day,¡¯ there¡¯s no doubt she¡¯ll snag first ce!¡±

    Cheers from her fans seemed endless.

    Backstage, Rosanna felt the pressure closing in. Choosing not to perform ¡°One More Day¡± would crush the faith her fans had in her. Deep down, she knew she wasn¡¯t the masked singer everyone adored, but she had no choice but to gamble on herself.

    She loved the song and had secretly worked hard on it. In her mind, she wasn¡¯t any less talented than the mystery singer.

    When the second round kicked off, Rosanna stood ready backstage.

    Onstage, the host practically buzzed with energy. ¡°Now, let¡¯s give a huge wee to contestant number 11 ¡ª Rosanna! Performing ¡®One More Day!''¡±

    No sooner had the intro yed than thement section exploded.

    ¡°This is it! Brielle¡¯s signature song! An absolute masterpiece!¡±

    ¡°Victory is guaranteed! Rosanna singing ¡®One More Day¡¯? Total gamechanger!¡±

    Your story source g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°They¡¯re about to see what true talent looks like. No way she¡¯s losing now!¡±

    ¡°The mystery masked singer is about to reveal herself on stage and surprise the whole world! The championship¡¯s already in the bag!¡±

    ¡°Tell me again how Rosanna could possibly lose after this?¡±

    Drawing in a deep breath, Rosanna steadied herself. Standing at the edge of disaster, she knew there would be no second chances. Determined not to falter, she unleashed everything she had the moment the music began, desperate to pull the audience into her world.

    Across the live stream,ments exploded like fireworks.

    ¡°This is insane! She¡¯s absolutely killing it! It sounds like apletely different personpared to herst song!¡±

    ¡°Finally! She found her groove. I¡¯m so pumped that I can barely sit still!¡±

    ¡°I told you so! Rosanna just needed to shake off her nerves. People thought shecked talent? They¡¯re about to eat their words!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s signature track, right here! Feels like we¡¯re back at the Starlight Bar all over again!¡±

    ¡°Where are all the haters now? Rosanna is the masked singer, no question! Tell me she¡¯s not a star!¡±

    Excitement rippled through the crowd as the melody stirred up waves of nostalgia. Some fans even swayed along, mouthing the lyrics with bright eyes.

    Watching from the judges¡¯ table, Richard leaned forward, his face lit with anticipation. Rosanna had faltered in the previous round, but this time, she had steadied herself. He was certain that she would make the Morgan family proud.

    ¡°This one¡¯s miles better than herst performance,¡± he said, nodding in approval.

    Unable to contain herself, Sandra started waving at anyone who would look, her voice bright with pride. ¡°That¡¯s Rosanna up there! That¡¯s my daughter!¡±

    Hearing Richard¡¯s praise made Sandra¡¯s heart soar even higher. She leaned toward him and said, ¡°Richard, just listen to her! Doesn¡¯t she sound every bit as brilliant as Brielle? Our Rosanna might just be the next queen of the music scene!¡±

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 Chapter 214

    ?Chapter 214:

    However, Jarrod, seated close by, knitted his brows together. Something didn¡¯t sit right. This song was supposed to carry a feeling of hope blooming through sorrow. Yet, Rosanna had failed to grasp the sorrow, leaving the performance feeling hollow. It was even more noticeable during the chorus, where her falsetto broke the flow and stripped away the song¡¯s beauty.

    Brielle had once been the only singer able to conquer the song¡¯s demanding range, but now there was talk of a masked neer stepping up to the challenge.

    Trying to leave asting impression, Rosanna made a bold choice to push the pitch even higher. Under the spotlight, her voice floated through the air, sweet and dazzling to the ear. Yet on the judges¡¯ panel, Brielle¡¯s forehead tightened into a deep frown, and the others wore equallyplicated expressions. Down among the crowd, quiet murmurs passed from row to row. Despite the technical beauty of her voice, something about Rosanna¡¯s performance did not sit right.

    Meanwhile, on Twitter and the live chat, her fans kept flooding in with unconditional praise.

    ¡°This is unreal! Her technique is wless! She¡¯s about to blow past the original score with a solid 9!¡±

    ¡°This version is so different from the original, but I love it. It¡¯s got this dreamy, almost ethereal vibe. Rosanna¡¯s about to take the crown!¡±

    ¡°This song has been released for years, and many singers have covered it in their own styles. But I must say, Rosanna flips it into something new ¡ª now that¡¯s real courage! And she¡¯s doing it right in front of Brielle! Most singers would have crumbled!¡±

    Not everyone, however, was swept away by the hype. A few audience members offered quieter, more honest opinions.

    ¡°Compared to the original¡­ and even the masked singer¡­ there¡¯s something hollow here.¡±

    Explore more chapters on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s?c?m

    ¡°Why would you crank up the pitch if you can¡¯t evennd the notes properly? That¡¯s not brave, it¡¯s reckless.¡±

    ¡°She can¡¯t even imitate it convincingly. How can anyone believe she¡¯s the masked singer?¡±

    ¡°The song¡¯s supposed to tear at your heart. But this? No feeling at all. Nothing that hits you. All I feel is that she just wants to show off her singing skills.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s voice finally faded out, and a heavy silence filled the room. Her chest heaved with every breath. Deep down, she already knew that she had reached for something far beyond her reach.

    For a few heartbeats, the entire venue hung in a thick, uneasy silence. Breaking the tension, the host hurried back onto the stage with a bright smile. ¡°Let¡¯s hear it for Rosanna! Thank you for that performance!¡±

    A wave of apuse followed, though most of it felt stiff and obligatory, with only Rosanna¡¯s family pping with real enthusiasm. ¡°And now, let¡¯s invite the judges to share their thoughts.¡±

    One by one, the judges traded nces, all their eyes eventually settling on Brielle ¡ª the one whose opinion carried the most weight. Catching the signal immediately, the host gave a quick nod and turned to Brielle. ¡°Brielle, would you like to go first?¡±

    Facing Rosanna with an unreadable look, Brielle said tly, ¡°You have a beautiful voice. There¡¯s clear natural ability there, and your technique shows real effort. Honestly, your opening line caught me off guard in the best way.¡±

    A flicker of hope lit up Rosanna¡¯s face the moment she heard those words.

    Meanwhile, her fans online erupted in pure excitement.

    ¡°Did you hear that? The Queen of Pop herself just praised Rosanna!¡±

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 Chapter 215

    ?Chapter 215:

    ¡°Even Brielle said her first line was amazing! Rosanna¡¯s got this locked down!¡±

    ¡°As long as Maia keeps quiet, Rosanna¡¯s moving on for sure!¡±

    However, just as the atmosphere began to brighten, Brielle paused ¡ª and then continued speaking.

    ¡°However,¡± Brielle began, her voice calm but firm, ¡°it¡¯s a pity your performance came off too rigid,ced with unnecessary vibrato and missing the emotional core. Your grasp of the song and its arrangement was, frankly, off the mark. Rosanna, do you see what I¡¯m getting at?¡±

    She paused briefly, letting her words sink in before continuing, ¡°At the heart of this song lies the sorrow of parting, the ache of promises left unfulfilled, and the tender hope for a shared future. Yet you¡­ you were merely ¡®singing.¡¯ No heartstrings were pulled, no emotions stirred.¡±

    As Brielle¡¯s critiquended, the judges around her, save for Maia, nodded in agreement like trees swaying in the breeze.

    ¡°I do agree with Ms. Hinks¡¯ments. This observation is dead-on. Only the original singer can truly draw out the spirit of this piece.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. ¡®One More Day¡¯ is a bittersweet farewell to the present and the past, wrapped in a fragile hope for tomorrow. There¡¯s a delicate emotional transition embedded in it, and Rosanna¡¯s chorus didn¡¯t evene close.¡±

    ¡°An overuse of vibrato, notes stretched too tight, and forced high pitches strangled the emotion right out of it. She knows the techniques, no doubt, but she wielded them like a novice.¡±

    Meanwhile, the host stood by, nodding earnestly.

    At the center of the stage, Rosanna stood frozen, her face drained of color, her expression stiff as stone.

    The best reads are at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    In an instant, the inte lit up like wildfire with voices echoing Brielle¡¯s sentiment.

    ¡°The Queen of Pop proves her worth. Brielle¡¯s critique cuts right to the bone!¡±

    ¡°No wonder something felt off! A lyrical bad stripped of feeling ¡ª it¡¯s like a river without water!¡±

    ¡°Singing ¡®One More Day¡¯ before its original singer? That¡¯s like showing antern to the sun! I¡¯m starting to doubt if those masked singer videos weren¡¯t just polished magic tricks. If she were truly that good, even Brielle would¡¯ve risen to her feet in apuse!¡±

    ¡°But if Rosanna isn¡¯t the masked singer¡­ then who is?¡±

    Back on stage, the host turned to Rosanna, inviting her response to Brielle¡¯s razor-sharp critique.

    Rosanna¡¯s fingers dug so tightly into her palms that it was a wonder no blood was drawn.

    She had poured her heart into it. It had sounded so good ¡ª how could it havecked emotion?

    ¡°Thank you, Ms. Hinks, for your insights,¡± she said stiffly. ¡°But¡­ there are still parts I don¡¯t quite understand.¡±

    Just then, the host¡¯s earpiece crackled to life. She listened intently, nodded several times, then turned back to Brielle with a bright smile. ¡°Ms. Hinks, the director just informed us that both the audience here and those watching at home are eager for you to show how it¡¯s truly done. Would you be willing to sing ¡®One More Day¡¯ for us?¡± The mere suggestion sent the online world into a frenzy.

    However, Brielle merely smiled warmly and turned to the host. ¡°With such a heartfelt invitation, how could I possibly decline? I can sing,¡± she said, pausing deliberately, ¡°but tonight, I¡¯m not the one best suited for it.¡±

    She gazed straight into the camera, her meaning clear as daylight. ¡°Everyone knows ¡®One More Day¡¯ wasposed and written by K. And the only person who can truly breathe its full soul into life¡­ is K.¡± The hint could not have been heavier if it had been spelled out in neon lights. With Maia present, Brielle would not steal the master¡¯s thunder. ¡°If there¡¯s to be a demonstration,¡± Brielle added lightly, ¡°it should be K.¡±

    As her words echoed through the hall, the audience stirred like leaves in a sudden gust. The once-boisterous hall fell into a stunned silence. Every pair of eyes turned, almost maically, toward Maia.

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 Chapter 216

    ?Chapter 216:

    In the seats, Vince¡¯s gaze locked onto Maia as well, his face clouded with a brewing storm of confusion. How many more secrets was Maia hiding from him?

    Meanwhile, thements section of every livestream erupted like a volcano.

    ¡°Hold on ¡ª does this mean¡­ K can sing too?!¡±

    ¡°Oh my God! Is Maia a jack of all trades and master of everything?¡±

    ¡°Though, maybe Brielle is just exaggerating?¡±

    ¡°Saying she¡¯s better than the Queen of Pop? Isn¡¯t that a stretch too far?¡±

    The host, catching the electric mood of the moment like a seasoned fisherman sensing a tug on the line, swiftly turned to Maia and asked if she would honor them with a performance.

    For a heartbeat, it was as if time itself hit the pause button.

    The stage lights dimmed, and a single spotlight cast a halo over Maia. The audience held its collective breath, hanging on her answer.

    Maia slowly rose, her smile calm and warm. ¡°With such passion urging me on, it would be hard to decline. I¡¯ll step backstage to prepare.¡± With that, she turned and made her way to the backstage area.

    Rosanna¡¯s fans wasted no time, pouncing on the moment like wolves scenting blood,unching a fresh wave of attacks against Maia online. ¡°What¡¯s with the theatrics? Going backstage to ¡®prepare¡¯? She¡¯s probably plotting her escape!¡±

    ¡°I bet Brielle¡¯s just throwing empty praise her way. Can Maia really outsing the Queen of Pop? Honestly, it¡¯s doubtful she can even outshine Rosanna!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s clear Maia¡¯s just stalling to make Rosanna look bad. The longer she drags her feet, the longer Rosanna has to stand there under that spotlight like a fool. What a cunning sister!¡±

    ¡°Ast-minute scramble? Maybe she¡¯s running backstage to find a stand-in singer!¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s, the ce for amazing tales

    Still, not all voices were swept away by the rising tide of hostility. Plenty of level-headed viewers held onto their anticipation, eager to see what Maia would bring to the stage. Some chose to turn a blind eye to the noise, while others kept locking horns with Rosanna¡¯s most loyal defenders.

    The moment Maia stepped into the dressing room, she found Pattie already waiting, holding out a fresh set of clothes and a familiar mask. Maia quirked an eyebrow, a slow smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Well prepared, I see. I can already picture the p this is going tond squarely across Rosanna¡¯s pride.¡±

    Pattie couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°Of course. A realeback doesn¡¯t leave a single thread dangling.¡±

    Meanwhile, back on the stage, the lights overhead suddenly snapped off, plunging the hall into darkness. A single beam of light pierced the gloom, sweeping toward the distant backstage entrance. Slowly, a figure emerged into everyone¡¯s view.

    Rosanna¡¯s breathing hitched, shallow and sharp. A chill like creeping ivy wrapped around her heart, whispering of the storm toe.

    When the stage lights brightened again, Maia stepped out, wearing the Blue Sea costume and a butterfly mask.

    The crowd was stunned, their mouths hanging open in shock. Even the host couldn¡¯t help but exim, ¡°Oh my God! This is¡­ the masked singer!¡±

    The ¡°masked singer¡± who had once blown everyone away at the Starlight Bar and taken the inte by storm was now standing on stage.

    The audience went wild, unable to believe what they were seeing. ¡°Wasn¡¯t Maia supposed to perform? How did she end up as the masked singer? Could it really be¡­ Maia is the masked singer?¡±

    ¡°Who can say if it¡¯s just someone ying her part behind that mask?¡± ¡°I believe Maia is just copying the masked singer. Do you really buy everything you see?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s fanspletely lost it again. They flooded the inte, scrambling to protect their star.

    ¡°Impossible! How could someone with a prison record be K, much less the masked singer? And how could Maia afford the luxury Blue Sea?¡± ¡°Maia has no shame! I won¡¯t ept her as K, much less the masked singer! She can¡¯ttch onto Rosanna¡¯s fame, so now she¡¯s faking it as K and even the masked singer! What a shameless woman!¡±

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 Chapter 217

    ?Chapter 217:

    ¡°Don¡¯t be tricked. Until she removes that mask, who can say who¡¯s really behind it?¡±

    ¡°Look at the videos going around online. Does this person really look like the one we¡¯re seeing now?¡±

    Out of nowhere, a well-known tune started to y. Maia slowly shut her eyes, allowing herself to be carried away by the emotions she¡¯d felt when she first wrote that song.

    It was a song she had written before going to prison, back when high school was ending, and everyone was about to head in different directions.

    The song talked about goodbyes, hesitations, regrets, dreams, and a sense of hope. It was a heartfelt dedication to the bond between girls, a song she had written for her friend Pattie.

    As the music built, Maia ¡ª K, the masked singer ¡ª started to sing. The moment her haunting voice filled the air, it was as if the entire room fell silent.

    Her voice was simple, pure, and deeply moving, pulling everyone in with its magic.

    Full of range, emotion, and power, her voice left Rosanna in the dust.

    Brielle got up from her seat, pping in time with the beat. Maia was the one who truly understood this song.

    Meanwhile, Vince tightened his fists, struggling to look at Maia on stage. When did she be this mesmerizing?

    Maia¡¯s performance had the crowd spellbound, leaving thempletely entranced. There was no question ¡ª she had outshone everyone who had ever covered this song.

    At that moment, the inte was buzzing again.

    ¡°Justiceze¡± suddenly uploaded a high-definition video, showing Maia¡¯s full performance of ¡°One More Day¡± from the Starlight Bar that night.

    Step into a new journey on  .con

    In the caption, Justiceze wrote, ¡°It¡¯s 1080P ¡ª still not clear enough for you?¡±

    Online users were stunned.

    ¡°Just like your name, Justiceze! Two times in a row with the clearest videos. You¡¯re the real hero cleaning up the inte, living up to your name. A true legend!¡±

    ¡°Wow! This is incredible! So much clearer than the other versions!¡±

    ¡°Leave it to you to get it right! @Justiceze.¡±

    In the video, the woman wearing the butterfly mask had the same voice, outfit, and the features visible beneath the mask matched the person on stage perfectly. Even her unintentional gestures were exactly the same. Everyone gasped.

    Every little detail was spot on.

    As the song ended, Maia stood in the middle of the stage, grinning as she took off her mask for everyone to see. It was, without a doubt, Maia.

    The whole venue exploded in excitement, with judges and audience members all rising to their feet, pping and wiping away tears. Even those watching on screens were cheering, pping like mad.

    They were both stunned and in awe.

    Maia¡¯s performance of ¡°One More Day¡± was nothing short of stunning and deeply emotional.

    The apuse went on for what felt like forever. The host, clearly moved, covered their mouth as tears streamed down their face.

    Meanwhile, online, things were heating up.

    ¡°Unreal! Simply amazing! I¡¯m speechless, everyone. Let¡¯s give her a thumbs-up! From now on, Maia is my idol!¡±

    ¡°So, what was Rosanna pretending to be all this time? The masked singer is Maia, and K is Maia too. Talk about a game-changer! And all those fans who blindly praised Rosanna, I wonder how red-faced you are now?¡±

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 Chapter 218

    ?Chapter 218:

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t it Rosanna¡¯s fans who were mocking Maia before, iming her clothes were fake? Isn¡¯t that rich? MCN is one of the event¡¯s sponsors. If it were fake, how would the organizers let that slide? And how would MCN deal with it?¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s probably feeling crushed right now, huh? Always throwing around sarcasm, and in the end, she¡¯s the one who ended up looking foolish. This is honestly priceless! She¡¯s given me enoughughs for a whole year! Is she trying to kill us withughter? I think it¡¯s better for her to be aedian rather than a singer.¡±

    At that moment, Rosanna stood at the edge of the stage, her facepletely pale.

    Her once-glorious talent was now in shambles.

    Her world had fallen apart in an instant.

    Apuse still ringing in the air, Maia made her way back to the judges¡¯ table without a hint of hesitation.

    Off to the side, Rosanna trudged off the stage, her shoulders slumped in defeat. Instead of encouragement, her usual army of online supporters seemed to vanish into thin air. What swamped herment section was a tidal wave of mockery and doubt.

    ¡°Was this really the girl everyone crowned champion before thepetition even started? She¡¯ll be lucky to crack the top ten! Where did she get that ego from? Maybe now she¡¯ll finally understand her limits!¡±

    ¡°Dishonesty runs deep with liars. Rosanna and her fan club deserve every bit of bacsh. Not calling out anyone in particr ¡ª just you delusional inte warriors!¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re not the masked singer, why fake it? Hoping to steal the spotlight? Visiting Starlight Bar doesn¡¯t make you royalty. Posting that photo was just bait. Either you¡¯re clueless or you¡¯re ying dirty!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna, get ready to write another essay. I can¡¯t wait to see how you twist the story this time!¡±

    Dive into fiction with g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    Meanwhile, inside the venue, the audience remained lost in the lingering emotion of ¡°One More Day.¡±

    Across the Morgan family¡¯s row, not a shred of spirit remained. Clenching the armrests until his knuckles turned pale, Richard shut his eyes, struggling to process the humiliation.

    Seated beside him, Sandra kept her re locked onto Maia, anger and disbelief burning in her chest. She couldn¡¯t fathom how things had unraveled so fast. Maia ¡ª was she really K? How could that be?

    Seventeen years. They had raised her for seventeen years without the slightest clue. Was Maia hiding it all along? Or worse, was the entire thing a ploy cooked up by the show to create fake drama?

    Heat boiled under Sandra¡¯s skin, and she almost burst out yelling at Maia again. Opening her mouth to speak, she was immediately drowned out by angry shouts from the crowd.

    ¡°Sit down and shut up!¡±

    ¡°Get off the stage already if you can¡¯t keep quiet!¡±

    ¡°Your daughter embarrassed herself. Now you want to join her?¡± sneered Richard, forcing Sandra to swallow the bitterness wing up her throat.

    Questions spun wildly in her mind, but none of them mattered ¡ª the reality was clear: Maia hadpletely shattered Rosanna¡¯s dignity. Casting worried nces at Vince, Sandra feared that he might abandon Rosanna without a second thought.

    Meanwhile, Jarrod could barely calm the wild beating of his heart after discovering that Maia was the elusive K. The voice that had breathed life into his favorite song, ¡°One More Day,¡± belonged to her.

    Conflicted emotions tangled inside him, thick and heavy. Thinking back to his earlier sh with Maia before thepetition only made his chest tighten with regret.

    From the speakers, the host¡¯s cheerful voice pulled everyone¡¯s attention back to the massive screen above the stage. One by one, the judges¡¯ scores appeared. Just as before, Maia chose not to submit a score.

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 Chapter 219

    ?Chapter 219:

    When the final numbers settled, Rosanna¡¯s average for this round sat at a disappointing 7.38. Contestants continued to step onto the stage, each performance bringing the round closer to its close.

    By the time the results were locked in, Rosanna found herself at the very bottom of the ranking, leading to her immediate elimination.

    Still, thepetition wasn¡¯t over yet. As per the show¡¯s rules, the two highest-ranked eliminated contestants would be given a final shot at redemption through the revival round.

    Faint hope flickered back to life within the Morgan family. Across social media, loyal fans rushed to encourage Rosanna, begging her not to give up.

    Before the sympathy could even settle, Rosanna stunned everyone by announcing on Twitter that she would withdraw from the revival round and quit thepetition entirely.

    Her spirit had crumbled beyond repair, and with no path left to redemption, she chose to leave while she still had a shred of dignity. Almost immediately, the hashtag #RosannaWithdrawsFromCompetition shot up to im the third spot on the trending charts.

    Hovering at number one was a storm louder than hers: #MaiaUnmaskedAsSinger.

    Making her way back to the audience area, Rosanna barely had time to collect herself before Vince walked over. Keeping his voice even and distant, he said, ¡°Rosanna, I have things to take care of at thepany. Head home with your family. I¡¯lle see you when I can.¡± Without waiting for a reply, Vince turned and left, not sparing her a word offort.

    Tears welled up in Rosanna¡¯s eyes, blurring her vision as she fought to hold them back. At her side, Sandra, seeing how hard Rosanna was taking the blow, rushed to offer hollowfort. She hissed bitterly that Maia was the true viin, stealing Rosanna¡¯s life for years and now trying to rip away her future too.

    From behind them, Richard cut her off sharply, telling her to save the usations for when they were back home.

    Discover more on g¦Á ? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s,

    Deep down, he couldn¡¯t deny it ¡ª Maia had stirred the whole world tonight. Seventeen years of raising her, yet he had never caught even a glimpse of her true talents.

    Still, no matter howplicated things became, he had raised Maia, and that was something she couldn¡¯t deny or erase. She owed him. ¡°Let¡¯s go home,¡± he said quietly.

    Even though thepetition had officially ended, the electric energy inside the arena refused to die down. A swarm of fans rushed forward, eager for autographs.

    Standing off to the side, Maia struggled to stayposed. This was exactly the chaos she had hoped to avoid by keeping a low profile. Dealing with fans was one thing. Handling the relentless media circus was another headache altogether.

    Relief swept over her when Pattie and Brielle appeared, moving quickly to shield her from the growing crowd.

    Yet the moment they stepped outside, all three of them froze in shock. A massive crowd of reporters had already taken position, blocking the only way out from backstage. Everywhere they turned, a wall of people pressed closer, trapping them inside a maze of cameras and questions.

    Hundreds of microphones pointed straight at her, ready to catch her every word like hunters lying in wait. Not even Pattie or Brielle had expected this level of chaos. The crowd wasn¡¯t justrge ¡ª it was overwhelming.

    Without pause, the reportersunched their questions like missiles. ¡°Miss Watson, why hide your identity for so long? Does it have anything to do with your past imprisonment?¡±

    ¡°Now that you¡¯ve stepped into the spotlight as a judge, are you nning to officially debut?¡±

    ¡°Rosanna once imed she was the ¡®masked singer.¡¯ How do you respond to that?¡±

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 Chapter 220

    ?Chapter 220:

    ¡°There¡¯s talk about you suing Rosanna and her fans. Can you confirm it? And what do you think about the rumors spread about you online? Do you have anything to say?¡±

    ¡°Miss Watson, how do you feel about Rosanna pulling out of thepetition? There are ims that she turned down the revival round because of you.¡±

    The uproar over the incident was overwhelming, and the media swarmed in, quickly enclosing the three of them. Every question seemed like a loaded trap, ready to spin Maia¡¯s words against her.

    Pattie¡¯s expression darkened into a deep frown.

    Maia didn¡¯t flinch, maintaining an indifferent silence as if the reporters were invisible.

    ¡°That¡¯s far enough,¡± Pattie retorted coldly, stepping protectively in front of Maia. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go bother Rosanna instead? She¡¯s the one who¡¯s been ying you all for fools.¡±

    ¡°We need security, now!¡± Brielle urgently dialed her phone. Matching Pattie¡¯s fierce stance, she swiftly moved Maia behind her.

    Within moments, security guards and several staff members rushed to the scene. They swiftly formed a protective wall, blocking the reporters from advancing any further.

    Seizing their chance, the three women broke through the gap, though the relentless reporters quickly regrouped.

    With no other option, Pattie and Brielle pushed Maia to move ahead. They stayed back, ready to block the reporters and buy her some time. Maia hesitated briefly but quickly realized that there wouldn¡¯t be another opportunity. She gave a grateful nod, then turned and bolted. By the time the reporters realized what was happening, Maia had already ducked into a narrow alleyway.

    Chaos erupted behind her, voices shouting and cameras shing.

    ¡°Move aside! She¡¯s escaping¡ªthis is urgent news!¡±

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    ¡°Ms. Watson, at least leave your number! We¡¯d love an exclusive interviewter!¡±

    Maia knew that Pattie and Brielle couldn¡¯t hold off the crowd forever, but they¡¯d done enough to buy her crucial time. Only a few persistent reporters remained on her heels. She could easily lose them now.

    Without slowing her pace, Maia sprinted down the alley. If memory served, this alleyway opened onto a busy shopping street. Once there, blending into the bustling crowd would force her pursuers to abandon the chase.

    Her footsteps quickened¡ªthe brightly lit exit was within reach. But just as Maia prepared to slip onto the crowded street, a sleek ck Maybach abruptly blocked her path.

    It belonged to Vince.

    Maia had ridden in this very car years ago, a memory now tainted by time.

    A knowing smirk crossed Vince¡¯s lips.

    He¡¯d anticipated Maia¡¯s escape route perfectly.

    ¡°Hop in ¡ª I¡¯ll get you out of here,¡± Vince called out calmly.

    She hesitated, instinctively ready to refuse, but the rapidly approaching footsteps forced her hand.

    Without any other option, she slid into the passenger seat.

    The car elerated sharply, leaving the frantic clicks of camera shutters fading into the background.

    Inside the vehicle, passing streetlights painted rhythmic patterns across Maia¡¯s and Vince¡¯s faces.

    Vince drove casually with one hand on the steering wheel, the other casually moving toward Maia¡¯s hand.

    Maia immediately jerked away.

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 Chapter 221

    ?Chapter 221:

    In a swift motion, she unbuckled her seatbelt, her hand firmly gripping the car door handle.

    ¡°Pull over,¡± she instructed coldly, her tone as harsh as frost.

    If it hadn¡¯t been an emergency, she would never have gotten into Vince¡¯s car.

    Vince kept stealing nces at her, his eyes darkening, yet he remained silent.

    He slowed down gradually, guiding the car toward the side of the road. The second they stopped moving, Maia immediately reached for the handle, eager to leave.

    But Vince swiftly grabbed her arm. ¡°Maia, is this how you thank me? We should talk.¡±

    Maia shook off his grip, her expression utterly indifferent. ¡°Thanks for the rescue, but there¡¯s nothing left for us to discuss.¡±

    Frustration flickered across Vince¡¯s face, his feelings straining at the surface. Nothing left?

    His voice turned rough, filled with restrained emotion. ¡°Sometimes, I can¡¯t stop thinking about how things were four years ago. Back then,¡­¡±

    ¡°Stop right there. If that¡¯s all you wanted to say, I¡¯m not interested.¡± Maia reached for the door again.

    Vince clenched his jaw tightly, raising his voice slightly. ¡°Maia, before you go, answer me a question! You never told me you were K! How much more have you hidden from me?¡±

    Maia paused, slowly turning her head to meet Vince¡¯s gaze. Her stare was cold, edged with bitter mockery. A humorlessugh escaped her lips. ¡°Have you ever bothered to know me?¡±

    Vince froze. Maia was right. Every time she¡¯d tried to open up, he¡¯d quickly dismissed her. He¡¯d never truly listened or shown any interest in her world.

    It wasn¡¯t that Maia chose secrecy ¡ª Vince and the Morgan family simply didn¡¯t care enough to ask.

    Find your next chapter g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s

    Eventually, Maia learned that silence was the best way to avoid rejection.

    His lips twitched awkwardly, his voice strained by sudden desperation. ¡°What if I told you I want to know you now? Would you give me a chance?¡±

    Maia dropped her gaze, her eyes colder than he¡¯d ever seen.

    When she finally spoke, her tone was steady yet distant. ¡°It¡¯s toote for that. If you¡¯re so eager to understand someone, start with your fianc¨¦e, Rosanna. Do you really think she¡¯s who you believe she is?¡±

    Maia shed a faint, disdainful smile and stepped decisively out of the car without looking back.

    Vince sat there, stunned. He watched her go, then urgently scrambled out and followed her.

    He reached to stop her, but Maia deftly avoided his grasp.

    Determined, Vince stepped directly into her path, arms spread wide. His eyes shed with defiance and an almost desperate sincerity. ¡°This is about Rosanna and me getting engaged, isn¡¯t it? But even if I get married, it won¡¯t change anything between you and me.¡±

    His voice dropped lower, more seductive. ¡°Stay with me, Maia. I¡¯ll give you everything you¡¯ve ever wanted. You¡¯re a talentedposer. I can fund your music, even set up your ownbel. You can create freely without worrying about anything else.¡± Vince inched closer, eyes locked intensely with hers. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be perfect?¡±

    Maia¡¯s lips curved ever so slightly, but her eyes remained as sharp and cold as steel.

    ¡°Vince, after everything you¡¯ve said, isn¡¯t it just so you can keep me as your secret lover?¡±

    She raised her eyes and spoke with a heavy dose of sarcasm. ¡°If you¡¯re so taken with Rosanna and so desperate to marry her, why are you still wasting your time on me?¡±

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 Chapter 222

    ?Chapter 222:

    ¡°I just¡­¡± Vince found himself struggling for words.

    Before he could respond, Maia cut him off. ¡°Is it really so hard to be faithful to one person? You want everything, and it¡¯s honestly disgusting.¡±

    Vince¡¯s fists clenched, his knuckles paling, his eyes filled with a storm of emotions. Disgusting? Was that really how she viewed him?

    He fought to keep his temper in check. ¡°Maia, you know the engagement with Rosanna was arranged by our families. It wasn¡¯t something I chose. You also know that being born into money means we don¡¯t get to call all the shots.¡±

    Maia¡¯s lips twisted into a wry smile. Hearing this from Vince made her want tough. Four years ago, when Rosanna had set her up for stealing Radiant Jewels¡¯ exclusive collection, Vince had sided with Rosanna. Wasn¡¯t that a decision in itself? Now, as he said these things, did he really expect her to buy it?

    She stayed quiet, giving him nothing but a cold smile.

    Vince¡¯s eyes locked onto Maia¡¯s. A breeze stirred the leaves, bringing with it a sharp chill. His usual arrogance faded, and his voice softened.

    ¡°Maia, if it weren¡¯t for what happened four years ago, you¡¯d be my wife by now. I know I¡¯ve wronged you, and I want to make things right. Please, can you give me another shot?¡±

    The Maia from before might have been touched by his words. But now, she saw right through Vince¡¯s feeble act. She no longer felt anything for him, and hearing him speak only caused her pain.

    It hurt to remember that she had once loved such a deceitful man.

    Maia stared at him without emotion, her face firm. ¡°Vince, do you know what the best way to make it up to me is? It¡¯s to never show up in front of me again.¡±

    With that, she turned to leave.

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    But in the next instant, he grabbed her wrist.

    Before she could react, he yanked her roughly into his arms.

    Maia was taken aback.

    She lifted her gaze and found Vince staring at her with intense eyes.

    His voice was tight, as if struggling to get the words out. ¡°Maia, I don¡¯t believe you feel nothing for me.¡±

    Vince leaned in close to her ear, his breath hot against her skin. ¡°I remember you once said you¡¯d love only me forever¡­¡±

    Maia narrowed her eyes and lifted her hand.

    Then, a sharp p cracked across Vince¡¯s face.

    Vince stood frozen, shocked that she had struck him so fiercely. A bright red handprint, each finger clearly outlined, bloomed on his cheek.

    ¡°I must¡¯ve been blind before,¡± Maia said coldly, shoving the stunned Vince aside. She shot him a warning, ¡°Lay a finger on me again, and it won¡¯t just be your face taking the hit!¡±

    Without sparing him another nce, she spun around and walked away.

    Not far off, hidden behind a tree, a paparazzo quickly snapped a photo.

    Maia caught a taxi and headed home.

    The moment she walked in, she spotted Chris sitting in the living room, waiting for her.

    The dining table was packed with all kinds of mouth-watering dishes. Chris wore a simple white shirt, the top buttons undone, his sleeves casually rolled up.

    His strong corbone and the lines of his muscles stood out clearly. He pulled out a chair for her and said, ¡°Tonight, I¡¯m the chef. Come and see if my cooking¡¯s up to scratch.¡±

    He didn¡¯t say much, but everything he did felt like a quiet celebration of Maia¡¯s victorious return.

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 Chapter 223

    ?Chapter 223:

    Maia set down her bag, slipped off her coat, and made her way slowly toward the table.

    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if word about today had already spread, and what Chris might think of it all. But since he kept quiet, she figured it was best not to mention it either.

    ¡°This is incredible¡­ You really made all this?¡± Maia asked, eyes wide with surprise. Somehow, he had prepared all her favorite foods, and the taste was spot-on.

    Chris turned to her with a grin. ¡°If you like it, I¡¯ll make it for you whenever you want,¡± he said warmly.

    ¡°I just picked up cooking recently. Honestly, I was afraid it wouldn¡¯t match your taste,¡± Chris added, a bit of pride creeping into his tone. ¡°But I guess my skills aren¡¯t too far behind yours.¡±

    In truth, he had messed up more than a few times, burning through ingredients before finally managing a few decent tes.

    Maia¡¯s eyes flicked toward the hefty ck trash bag by the kitchen door but chose not to call him out.

    ¡°I¡¯ll stick to cooking most of the time,¡± she said, a faint smile ying on her lips. ¡°But you can take over the kitchen once in a while. It¡¯s actually pretty good.¡±

    Her words were simple, but they held genuine approval.

    Neither Maia nor Chris brought up anything about The Voice of Zephyria.

    At that moment, Maia¡¯s phone started ringing.

    It was Elvira on the line.

    ¡°Maia! I can¡¯t believe I only found out today that you¡¯re K! What else are you keeping from me? How can you be both gorgeous and insanely talented? I just posted a picture of us on Instagram, and guess what? In under a minute, it got over a thousand likes! Now my inbox is blowing up. I¡¯m honestly¡ª¡±

    Find the best stories g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Meanwhile, Maia was calmly eating. Even though Maia hadn¡¯t switched to speakerphone, Elvira¡¯s excited voice was so loud that Chris couldn¡¯t help but overhear.

    ¡°I¡¯m having dinner with my husband right now. We¡¯ll chatter,¡± Maia said quickly.

    Then she ended the call without waiting for a reply.

    Maia took a small breath and looked at Chris, ready to clear things up. But Chris beat her to it.

    ¡°Maia¡­¡± he said softly.

    Chris raised an eyebrow, a yful half-smile tugging at his lips. His gaze lingered on Maia, eyes sparkling with quiet amusement. ¡°So, what else have you been hiding from me?¡±

    He lifted his right hand, counting off on his fingers. ¡°Let¡¯s see ¡ª you¡¯re reserved, mysterious, incredibly talented.¡± He paused, adding two more fingers with deliberate slowness. ¡°Beautiful, and, as it turns out, an amazing cook.¡±

    Tension tightened his slender fingers into a hard knot.

    In that moment, Chris¡¯ eyes, burning with intensity, spoke volumes without a single word. His gaze conveyed more warmth than his yful words ever could.

    Maia found herself locked in his stare.

    Suddenly, Chris leaned slightly forward, his voice deepening, growing more sincere. ¡°Honestly, how did I end up this lucky?¡±

    Maia snapped out of her daze. No wonder he was such a renowned charmer ¡ª she had almost gotten lost in his charm. Chris truly had an enviable appearance, and his words were incredibly smooth.

    ¡°Lucky?¡± Maia echoed softly, feigning skepticism.

    ¡°Exactly.¡± Chris pointed from Maia to himself, his eyes twinkling. ¡°Getting to call you my wife ¡ª if that¡¯s not good fortune, I don¡¯t know what is.¡±

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 Chapter 224

    ?Chapter 224:

    Earlier, he had searched online for tips on how topliment his wife.

    Onement had caught his attention: ¡°Tell her meeting her was like hitting the jackpot, like you must have done something incredible in a past life. Understood? If you find it useful, give me a like.¡± Soon, tens of thousands ofizens gave him a like.

    As someone whose reputation as a charmer was mostly fictional, Chris had decided to try out this advice for himself.

    Maia almost reminded him that their marriage was, at its core, purely transactional.

    Yet something about the warmth between them made her hold back.

    The air felt delicate, charged with an unexpected closeness.

    With a teasing tone, Maia said, ¡°Chris, you¡¯re rmingly smooth. Tell me ¡ª do you use that line often? Do you usually tell women you¡¯ve surely done something amazing in another lifetime to deserve them in this one?¡±

    Chris blinked.

    How had Maia anticipated exactly what he¡¯d nned to say next?

    For a brief moment, he was utterly speechless.

    Recovering quickly, heughed gently, shaking his head. ¡°If I said I didn¡¯t, would you believe me?¡±

    Instead of answering, Maia softly changed the subject. ¡°Does it bother you that I kept my identity hidden, Mr. Cooper?¡±

    When her identity was exposed, Elvira¡¯s reaction had been much more typical.

    Yet Chris hadn¡¯t even confronted her about it.

    Your favorite tales live at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s£®??????

    ¡°No,¡± Chris answered inly. ¡°Why would I be upset? It wasn¡¯t my ce to ask.¡±

    His straightforward reply caught Maiapletely off guard.

    Even when Elvira had visitedst time and intentionally tried to provoke him, Chris had remained calmly supportive.

    Later, he¡¯d openly voiced his belief in Maia¡¯s innocence without hesitation.

    Indeed, not everything could ¡ª or should ¡ª be judged on appearances alone.

    ¡°Besides,¡± Chris added earnestly, ¡°you must have had your reasons. I¡¯m your husband, at least in name, and I trust you. I¡¯ll always respect your decisions.¡±

    He spoke sincerely, without an ounce of pretense or hidden motive. Lowering her gaze, Maia reminded herself once again of the arrangement between them ¡ª Chris was her husband only in name.

    She shouldn¡¯t let her thoughts wander. Chris wasn¡¯t upset precisely because he respected the boundaries they¡¯d established from the beginning.

    This made Maia feel at ease, but at the same time, his rationality stirred a faint, inexplicable sense of loss within her.

    Pushing the thought away, she quickly lifted her gaze and gave him a genuine, radiant smile. ¡°Thanks, Mr. Cooper.¡±

    The sky that evening stretched endlessly, crystal clear and free of clouds.

    Standing by the open window, Maia gazed thoughtfully at the radiant moon overhead.

    Its soft silver glow danced through her hair, gently tousled by the night breeze.

    She blushed softly as Chris¡¯ words reyed warmly in her mind. Later, Zoey¡¯s message popped onto her screen, asking curiously how Maia now felt about Chris.

    With a faint smile, Maia typed a short, honest reply. ¡°He¡¯s pretty good.¡± Zoey instantly bombarded Maia with replies, fiercely promising that even if Maia were behind bars, she¡¯d find a way to punish Chris if he dared mistreat her.

    Maia burst intoughter at Zoey¡¯s protectiveness.

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 Chapter 225

    ?Chapter 225:

    A cool breeze drifted gently through the room.

    For once, Maia truly felt thefort of belonging.

    Elsewhere, Chris sat contentedly at hisputer, his spirits unusually high.

    As he began casually scrolling through thetest gossip online, something unexpected caught his eye. Photos had surfaced on a social media page.

    There was Maia, clearly entering a luxurious ck Maybach. Another image showed her leaning toward the car owner in an intimate stance.

    Though the man¡¯s face was partially hidden, Chris immediately sensed familiarity in his profile.

    Eyes narrowing sharply, Chris¡¯ grip involuntarily tightened.

    Under the mounting pressure, the mouse gave out.

    In the next instant, it snapped with a sharp crack!

    Maxwell had just settledfortably into bed when his phone buzzed urgently.

    Picking it up, he heard Chris¡¯ tense voice, saying, ¡°Look online at the new photos. I want every detail you can find on this guy ¡ª right now.¡±

    After ending the call, Maxwell quickly opened his messages to review the photos.

    A secondter, his eyes widened in disbelief. He growled furiously, ¡°Who¡¯s the idiot daring enough to mess with Mr. Cooper¡¯s woman? They must have a death wish!¡±

    Filled with seething anger, Maxwell was tempted to track down the culprit himself and teach him a painful lesson.

    ¡°Sleep can wait tonight!¡± he muttered fiercely, immediately contacting hiswork to dig up every scrap of information possible. By sunrise, he intended to hand Chris a file containing detailed records.

    At the Morgan residence, a suffocating silence hung heavily over the dinner table.

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    Richard¡¯s expression was dark as he stared nkly at the dishes, cold and reheated so often they¡¯d lost any appeal.

    No one dared move until he did.

    After being reheated repeatedly, the food had lost all trace of appeal. Tricia lingered nearby, silent, dutifully warming and serving the dishes without a single question.

    Jarrod¡¯s stomach growled loudly, betraying his hunger.

    Richard shot him a scathing look. ¡°Is eating all you think about?¡±

    Sandra quickly interjected, sharply defending her son, ¡°Richard, you might have lost your appetite, but don¡¯t punish everyone else. We¡¯ve waited the entire day. Eat first, and talkter.¡±

    Richard remained silent.

    Without another word, he picked up his fork and started eating. Only then did the others cautiously join in, eating quietly, tension thickening the air.

    Jarrod kept his head low, hastily eating, unable to erase the dazzling image of Maia dominating the stage from his thoughts.

    After the meal, the family moved silently to the sofa, each anxiously scrolling through thetest news.

    Sandra¡¯s fingers trembled as she clutched her phone, deep lines furrowing her brow.

    One headline after another shed across the screen, all tied to the singingpetition.

    The sheer intensity of it all stole the breath from her lungs.

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 Chapter 226

    ?Chapter 226:

    ¡°Maia Watson Unmasked as the Legendary ¡®Masked Singer¡¯ ¡ª Zephyria Music Scene¡¯s New Sensation!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna Morgan Publicly Exposed for Impersonating Maia Watson ¡ª Humiliated Before Millions!¡±

    ¡°Fans Abandon Rosanna Morgan After Embarrassing Public Withdrawal!¡±

    ¡°Heires Showdown Ends with Maia¡¯s Stunning Victory ¡ª Rosanna Left Disgraced!¡±

    Each word stabbed Sandra like a dagger.

    The articles were devastating, humiliating every member of the Morgan family and shattering their carefully crafted image.

    Their family was once again notorious ¡ª but now for all the wrong reasons.

    Richard¡¯s face darkened further with every headline.

    His greatest fear hade true ¡ª the Morgan family¡¯s reputation had hit rock bottom again.

    Rosanna and Jarrod had already embarrassed him repeatedly, but those incidents had been manageable.

    This disaster, however, was televised for the entire country and even countless foreign viewers.

    He wanted to reprimand Rosanna, yet seeing her pale, tear-streaked face, he found that he couldn¡¯t bring himself to speak harshly.

    After all, she was his daughter.

    His anger had nowhere to go, smoldering helplessly inside him.

    Sandra continued scrolling, her fury rising uncontrobly.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s is where imagination thrives

    Her grip tightened dangerously, and suddenly, the phone slipped from her hand and crashed onto the table with a loud, echoing bang.

    ¡°Maia, that maniptive little snake! She nned all of this to disgrace us! Seventeen years we raised her, and now she repays us by dragging our name through the mud. The whole inte is tearing Rosanna and our family apart, and it¡¯s all because Maia intentionally sabotaged thatpetition!¡±

    Sandra¡¯s anger intensified with every usation, each word tainted with suspicion toward Maia.

    She abruptly stood, pacing restlessly as she continued her rants. ¡°People online are using us of secretly mistreating Maia, iming we threw her out and never even knew she was K! But in fact, it¡¯s Maia who didn¡¯t want to return to our family. She never told us anything from the start. Is she trying to get revenge on us, nning from the beginning to tarnish our name?¡±

    Rosanna sat nearby, her eyes swollen and red. As Sandra spoke, Rosanna sensed an opening and seized the chance.

    Lifting her head with tears streaming down her cheeks, Rosanna sobbed emotionally, saying, ¡°Mom, I always hoped Maia still cared, even if she resented me. But now I see the truth ¡ª she never considered us family. If she¡¯d just admitted being K, I wouldn¡¯t have panicked today and made such a fool of myself.¡±

    The painful memory of the talent scout abruptly ignoring her after thepetition flooded her mind, deepening her anguish.

    She continued bitterly, shoulders trembling with each sob, ¡°I worked so hard, spent countless hours practicing every song, just to make you proud. I only wanted to be the daughter you could brag about, not the joke everyone is mocking now. I¡¯m the one who humiliated the Morgan name. It¡¯s all my fault. Maybe you should just send me back to the slums where I belong.¡±

    Sandra immediately rushed to embrace Rosanna. ¡°Sweetheart, you¡¯re our own flesh and blood. We fought so hard to find you again. How could we ever me you? No matter what happens, we¡¯ll always protect you. There¡¯s no way we¡¯d ever let you suffer that horrible life again.¡±

    Richard sighed heavily, his previous disappointment overshadowed by guilt and sympathy at Rosanna¡¯s misery.

    Jarrod, seeing Rosanna devastated and ming herself, felt his irritation melt away.

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 Chapter 227

    ?Chapter 227:

    Hurriedly, he reassured her, saying, ¡°Rosanna, don¡¯t say things like that! None of this is your fault ¡ª Maia¡¯s the one who betrayed us, deliberately hiding the truth to embarrass our family.¡±

    Considering their current crisis, Jarrod grew increasingly bitter. ¡°Maia must have earned a fortune as K over the years, but she hid every penny from us. She clearly never intended to share!¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Richard retorted sharply. ¡°The Morgan family hasn¡¯t sunk low enough to need Maia¡¯s money!¡± He closed his eyes, briefly calming himself.

    Momentster, Richard¡¯s eyes shed with cold determination. ¡°She thinks she can simply walk away after everything we¡¯ve done for her? If Maia wants a war, we¡¯ll give her one.¡±

    ¡°Give her one ¡ª she won¡¯t get away with humiliating the Morgan family so easily. We¡¯ll settle this once and for all!¡±

    Richard called the housekeeper over and said, ¡°Go find every single expense we covered for Maia while she lived under our roof. I want a full list.¡±

    Sandra pressed her lips together before turning to Richard. ¡°Even if Maia repays every dime, it won¡¯t erase what she did to Rosanna today. Maia might be riding high in the entertainment world right now, but what about our Rosanna?¡±

    Richard let out a bitterugh and added, ¡°So she writes a few catchy songs and suddenly thinks she¡¯s unstoppable? The entertainment world chews people up faster than ever. Let¡¯s see how long shests.¡± His gaze darkened as he sat up straighter. ¡°And let¡¯s not forget. She¡¯s a former inmate. Does she really think she can glide through the entertainment business untouched? The moment the right people catch wind of her past, she¡¯ll be out faster than she can blink.¡±

    Determination hardened Richard¡¯s voice. Every word he spoke sounded like a judgment being handed down.

    Hearing him fueled Sandra¡¯s satisfaction. If Rosanna¡¯s dreams had been crushed, then Maia¡¯s deserved to burn right alongside them.

    g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s, your fiction escape

    Eager to pour more venom into the wound, Sandra leaned forward, her voice loud and scathing. ¡°Exactly! No matter how much she hides it, Maia¡¯s criminal record is set in stone. How can a heartless, selfish girl with a past like hers have any ce under the spotlight? She never deserved a single ounce of her sess!¡±

    No matter how much she tried to make sense of it, Sandra couldn¡¯t understand. After seventeen years of living together, shouldn¡¯t there have been some warmth? Some loyalty? Anything at all? But Maia had only pushed the Morgan family further and further away.

    Her chest tightening with bitterness, Sandra added through clenched teeth, ¡°I never thought Maia would grow into someone like this. We gave her seventeen years of care, spent money, spent time, and now that she¡¯s earning her own fortune, she turns her back on us. Worse yet, she drags the Morgan family down with her. It¡¯s like a knife to the heart!¡±

    Frustration boiled over, and a few tears slipped down Sandra¡¯s face.

    Richard, feeling the weight of it too, let out a weary sigh.

    Sandra wiped her cheeks and turned to Rosanna. She sped her hand gently and said in a softer voice, ¡°Rosanna, you¡¯re the true light of this family. You¡¯re the one who deserves the spotlight.¡±

    Her fingers tightened around Rosanna¡¯s hand as she said with fierce conviction, ¡°You are our future. It doesn¡¯t matter that you stumbled this time. There are better, brighter ces for you to stand out. This industry is shallow and cruel. They don¡¯t deserve your talent. For now, stay quiet online and out of the public eye. Let me handle the mess.¡±

    Lowering her voice to a whisper, she added, ¡°When the chaos dies down, you must marry Vince without dy. That¡¯s the path that will secure everything for you. Do you understand?¡±

    With a shaky breath, Rosanna nodded, her resentment toward Maia carving itself even deeper into her heart.

    At longst, she had broken free from the slums and found her real parents. A new chapter of her life, bright and full of promise, had only just begun.

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 Chapter 228

    ?Chapter 228:

    Quitting was not an option she would ever consider.

    Everything Maia had stolen from her burned fresh in her mind, fueling a fire that would not die until Maia paid for it all.

    Curling her lips into a cold smile, Rosanna muttered to herself, ¡°Maia, enjoy your little moment while you can. The man you once chased after four years ago is about to stand beside me at the altar. In the end, I¡¯m the one who wins, and you were never meant to have anything beautiful.¡±

    Meanwhile, Jarrod pushed open his door and stepped into the quiet gloom of his room, his face clouded with unease.

    The echoes of Rosanna¡¯s broken sobs, Sandra¡¯s sharp usations, and Richard¡¯s furious voice still rattled inside his head, making him feel restless and hollow.

    His phone buzzed with an iing call from a friend asking him to grab a drink, but he let it ring until it went silent.

    Once upon a time, he had set a song written by Maia as his ringtone. Now he stared at the screen, unsure if it was right to keep it.

    After a few seconds of wavering, Jarrod finally made up his mind and switched the ringtone.

    Thest thing he wanted was to stir up more hurt in Rosanna.

    Right as he locked the phone again, a news alert blinked across the screen: ¡°Maia, the Genius Composer K, Captivates the Inte with ¡®One More Day¡¯ and Her Stunning Vocals.¡±

    A sharp flicker crossed Jarrod¡¯s eyes, and his chest tightened.

    Without thinking, he dragged his finger across the screen and pressed y.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s has your next chapter

    The opening notes washed over him, and Maia¡¯s voice floated into the room, full of aching beauty and strength.

    He had always loved this song.

    Yet somehow, tonight, it sounded like a memory slipping further away. He had known that it wasposed and sung by Maia.

    That strange pull in his chest twisted his thoughts into a mess he couldn¡¯t untangle.

    Without warning, he jabbed the pause button. His hand hovered stiffly, as if the screen had scorched his skin.

    A deep crease formed between Jarrod¡¯s brows.

    Searching for some kind of relief, he pulled up his music library and wiped Maia¡¯s song from both his favorites and his regr ylist. Determined to erase herpletely, he scrolled through the rest of her tracks, ready to hit delete without a second thought.

    Yet, as his thumb hovered above the final confirmation, he hesitated just long enough to second-guess himself. In the end, he shifted all the songs to a forgotten ylist he barely used.

    Out of sight, out of mind. That was good enough for now.

    He flipped the phone over onto the table and slumped back into his chair, rubbing his temples as frustration gnawed at him.

    Over at the Ward family mansion, tension hung thick in the air despite the mansion being lit up like a grand affair.

    Vince had just stepped through the door when he saw his father, Gavin Ward, sitting on the sofa, his expression darkened.

    The coffee cup rattling slightly on the polished table told Vince that it had been mmed down hard not long ago.

    Quickly crossing the room, Vince offered a careful smile. ¡°Dad, I just got back. Why are you still awake?¡±

    Setting the newspaper aside, Gavin fixed Vince with a piercing stare and replied casually, ¡°I stayed up for you. I need an exnation.¡±

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 Chapter 229

    ?Chapter 229:

    A tight knot formed in Vince¡¯s stomach. ¡°What exactly do you mean?¡±

    One eyebrow lifting in obvious disbelief, Gavin said, ¡°You¡¯re really going to pretend you don¡¯t know? The Morgan girl, Rosanna, has been making a public spectacle of herself. Even some of my oldest¡­¡±

    ¡°Friends, who have no business keeping up with online gossip, are talking about it. And you expect me to let you marry into that mess?¡±

    Vince was surprised by how well-informed his father was.

    Beads of sweat emerged on his forehead.

    He pursed his lips and said in a calm voice, ¡°Rosanna¡­ actually just wants to win our family¡¯s favor, though she might be trying too hard. The whole ordeal was merely a mishap.¡±

    ¡°Trying too hard? A mishap?¡± Gavin mocked. ¡°Do you really believe I¡¯m out of my mind, that I¡¯ll buy the excuses you make for her? Our family has no ce for an entertainer. We seek a woman with proper upbringing and grace!¡±

    After a brief pause, he added, ¡°Rosanna hasn¡¯t even fully stepped into the entertainment realm, yet she¡¯s constantly surrounded by controversy ¡ª dropping out of contests, facing harsh criticism online. How can you consider such a woman as your wife?¡±

    Vince held his silence for a beat, then replied softly, ¡°Rosanna didn¡¯t mean any harm.¡±

    Gavin¡¯s face twisted in displeasure, clearly unhappy with Vince¡¯s defense. ¡°You better keep your fianc¨¦e under control and prevent further issues!¡±

    ¡°That is enough. Stop ming Vince.¡± A firm, weathered voice drifted down from the staircase.

    Charles Ward, Vince¡¯s grandfather, came into view, his hand gripping a cane while a staff member carefully guided him down the steps. He sank into the living room armchair, casting a cold nce at the two men before settling his eyes on Vince.

    ¡°After a thorough investigation with Gavin, it¡¯s be apparent that the core issue originates from the fake heiress within the Morgan family ¡ª namely, Maia,¡± Charles said with measured calm. ¡°This woman is a crafty one. Driven by jealousy, she cunningly entrapped Rosanna, setting the stage for her current dilemma.¡±

    He took a few steps before continuing, ¡°Consider this ¡ª had we not uncovered her deceit as the fraud daughter, she could have been standing here as your spouse. Regardless of your feelings, our actions now must serve a higher purpose. You must cut off all personalmunication with Maia.¡±

    Vince¡¯s eyes sparkled momentarily at Charles¡¯ words.

    His eyebrows knitted together in concern, yet he remained silent.

    Charles struck the marble floor with his cane before saying, ¡°I¡¯vee across Rosanna. She¡¯s a simple soul, shaped by the harsh streets of her childhood, sheltered from life¡¯s trueplexities. She foolishly believes the entertainment world is child¡¯s y and wrongly dismisses Maia, who reced her. All these disturbances ¡ª yet who suffers? Not Maia. It¡¯s the Morgan family paying the price. Such subtle maniption speaks volumes. Someone who once sat in jail for theft is hardly trustworthy.¡±

    Charles¡¯ tone was full of cold authority as he added, ¡°Regardless of Maia¡¯s supposed talent, she¡¯s merely an insignificantposer. Hardly worth our time. All she is doing is pleasing the elite and putting on a show for the crowd. You need to stay away from any improper thoughts. Do you understand?¡±

    Vince¡¯s fingers curled into tense fists, the knuckles turning white.

    Yet, he remained silent.

    Taking Vince¡¯s quiet defiance as confirmation, Charles said sternly, ¡°I see clearly what¡¯s on your mind. You¡¯d best abandon those thoughts swiftly.¡±

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 Chapter 230

    ?Chapter 230:

    Charles tapped his cane once more, lightly yet firmly, underscoring his words. ¡°Rosanna¡¯s father did me a significant favor years ago ¡ª that¡¯s the foundation of your arranged marriage. Vince, when you marry her, your loyalty must never waver. You will fulfill your duty as a husband.¡±

    Vince pressed his lips tightly together, his face growing pale and firm.

    ¡°Speaking of Rosanna,¡± Charles said earnestly, not caring about Vince¡¯s sour expression, ¡°isn¡¯t she studying jewelry design? The Ward family owns a prominent jewelry business. Have her gain experience there ¡ª it¡¯s valuable for our family. The jewelry market hastely been dominated by Radiant Jewels and Annie Crystal. It¡¯s high time we reimed our position.¡±

    Gavin nodded firmly. ¡°Vince, guide Rosanna wisely. Our family empire is vast andplex. You¡¯ll be at its helm soon enough, and a capable partner is essential. The entertainment industry is no ce for someone as naive as Rosanna. The sooner she leaves it behind, the better.¡±

    Charles straightened slightly, setting his gaze sharply on Vince. ¡°As for the wedding date, we¡¯ll arrange it as soon as she graduates.¡±

    He fixed Vince with a questioning look. ¡°You don¡¯t object, do you, Vince?¡±

    Vince¡¯s expression darkened further.

    There was no room left for him to speak up.

    The decisions had already been sealed between his father and grandfather.

    After a pause that stretched longer than it should have, he finally said, ¡°I understand.¡±

    A flicker of approval crossed Charles¡¯ face as he gave a firm nod. ¡°Now that¡¯s the attitude I expect!¡±

    Rising to his feet, Gavin gave Vince¡¯s shoulder a firm pat before leaning in close. His voice dropped to a hard whisper as he said, ¡°From here on out, you are to cut all ties with Maia. No exceptions.¡±

    Explore fresh updates on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s

    Vince¡¯s hands clenched at his sides, his knuckles so tight they lost their color.

    A few seconds dragged by before he dropped his gaze and answered in a steady voice, ¡°Alright.¡±

    The next morning, even before Maia opened her eyes, her phone buzzed relentlessly on the nightstand.

    She pulled herself out of bed and grabbed it, still half-asleep.

    Yet again, dozens of unread messages waited for her.

    One after another, news alerts kept pouring in without pause.

    The first headline that jumped out at her read: ¡°Maia Watson and Vince Ward Spotted in Secret Meeting, Stirring Rumors of a Rekindled Romance.¡±

    Maia¡¯s face tensed momentarily.

    As she browsed through her notifications, the headlines grew increasingly sensational.

    One read: ¡°Intensifying sh Between Alleged Real and Fake Daughter: Maia Watson Implicated in Vince Ward¡¯s Seduction!¡±

    Another: ¡°Rosanna Morgan Struggles with a New Scandal: Her Fianc¨¦ Rumored to Be Ensnared by Maia Watson, ndestine Encounters Revealed!¡±

    ¡°Singing Contest Turns Personal: Two Women Compete for One Man, Igniting a Feud!¡±

    A wry smile crossed Maia¡¯s lips.

    She gently tapped to open the most circted tabloid story.

    The images released were provocatively clear.

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 Chapter 231

    ?Chapter 231:

    In the first, Vince was seen sping her wrist in a way that suggested they were hand in hand.

    The second captured Vince seemingly whispering to her, with Maia angling her head towards him, creating an air of closeness.

    The final picture showed them at a street corner at dusk, their elongated shadows cast by the setting sun, depicting a scene of lovers lingering before parting.

    Beneath the pictures, the caption screamed: ¡°Shocking News! Giftedposer K, Maia Watson, and her former fianc¨¦, Vince Ward, were spotted together at sunset, sharing an intimate moment! Sources im that Rosanna Morgan, recently withdrawn from The Voice of Zephyria, is engaged to Vince¡­ Tensions between Maia and Rosanna have reached a dangerous high¡­¡±

    At once, Maia¡¯s eyes sharpened, and a heavy chill fell over her features. Up until now, she had not even stepped into the spotlight, yet someone was already trailing her.

    Some nosy photographer had secretly snapped photos of her with Vince.

    Furthermore, the selection of these photos was intentional.

    Angles were chosen specifically to twist the truth, painting a false story.

    Anyone seeing the pictures without context would surely fall for the lie. It was clear they were stirring up trouble between her and Rosanna just to draw a crowd.

    She realized that these entertainment tforms had long since abandoned any sense of decency. Two womenpeting for the same man? Was Vince even worth it? He and Rosanna, with all their fake smiles and hidden knives, truly deserved each other.

    Casting a disdainful look at thement section, Maia¡¯s lips tightened into a cold, unimpressed line. So, this was the game they wanted to y? Fine. Let them try.

    The onlinements were exploding with reactions.

    Your new favorite is g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    ¡°Impossible! Wasn¡¯t Vince about to marry Rosanna? How did Maia get involved with him again?¡±

    ¡°Back in Wront, it wasmon knowledge how deeply Maia was infatuated with Vince. She always seemed to be following him around. Didn¡¯t think she¡¯d still be hung up on him after all this time.¡±

    ¡°Really? That¡¯s some spicy news! It¡¯s no surprise the sisters are at odds, though I never guessed a man would be the cause. That¡¯s quite amusing!¡±

    ¡°Sibling rivalry, truly the worst! But since K is involved, I¡¯m curious about who the real outsider is. My bet¡¯s on Rosanna. Honestly, I believe K is meless!¡±

    ¡°What a way to start the day ¡ª with such entertainment drama! Sibling rivalries and love triangles, how thrilling. Anyone with more gossip,e forth and share!¡±

    However, among these remarks, some were noticeably repetitive, hinting at orchestrated drama.

    ¡°So what if Maia is a K? Having talent doesn¡¯t equate to good character. Her actions, stealing Rosanna¡¯s fianc¨¦, are simply uncultured and hical! I strongly rmend banning Maia from the industry!¡±

    ¡°Everyone knew about Maia¡¯s crush on Vince. Having been walked over for years, is she finally getting her moment? Vince, how could you change your heart at such a moment? Have you ever considered your fianc¨¦e Rosanna¡¯s feelings?¡±

    ¡°Poor Rosanna! Her own sister is stealing her fianc¨¦, and what is she supposed to do? Maia is bullying her, thinking she can do anything just because she is K. She is taking away both her career and her love life!¡±

    Meanwhile, some marketing ounts began spreading a heavily edited video using an old photo of Maia and Vince taken four years ago,plete with tear-jerking background music.

    They spun the story to make Maia seem like a desperate, lovesick woman.

    While Maia was still staring at the flood of gossip, Pattie¡¯s name shed on her screen. When she answered, the panic in her voice was clear. ¡°Maia, things are¡­¡±

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 Chapter 232

    ?Chapter 232:

    ¡°Things are getting bad! If you are not mentally ready for this mess, stay off the inte. I¡¯m already working to get someone to shut it down!¡±

    In a calm voice, Maia said, ¡°I¡¯ve already seen it. It is disgusting.¡±

    A moment of silence followed, then Pattie realized that she had been too slow. She rushed to say, ¡°Don¡¯t let it get to you. I bet either Vince or that scheming Rosanna is behind this! Vince is trash! I warned you about him four years ago!¡±

    ¡°Why are you more upset about this than I am? Get me the details on that photographer. I need to know who he is,¡± Maia said evenly.

    ¡°I¡¯m not upset. It¡¯s just the nature of fame to attract scandals.¡±

    ¡°Understood, you¡¯re in charge! I¡¯ll update you shortly.¡±

    Immediately after Pattie ended the call, Brielle¡¯s message popped up. Maia texted back, ¡°I¡¯m okay, will reach outter.¡± Soon after, Elvira¡¯s persistent calls began.

    With a resigned sigh, Maia picked up the phone.

    ¡°Maia, Vince can¡¯t hold a candle to my brother in looks. What could possibly attract you to him? It seems like he¡¯s pestering you. Am I right?¡±

    ¡°Exactly! You nailed it,¡± Maia said.

    ¡°As I was saying, my brother was shocked when he saw the headlines. Also, you¡¯ll be hearing from someone at Zenith Legal soon. Don¡¯t hesitate to use their services!¡± Elvira¡¯s enthusiasm didn¡¯t wane, her voice showing her disregard for the gossip and herck of worry for Maia. ¡°But how will you exin this situation to your new husband? The photos are quite suggestive¡­ Why not just reveal your marriage? And introduce me to this mysterious husband of yours!¡±

    At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

    From beyond the doorway, Chris called out, ¡°Maia, can you hear me?¡±

    Discover what¡¯s next on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s???o??

    ¡°Wait just a second,¡± Maia replied to the door.

    Dropping her voice to a whisper, she muttered something to Elvira and hurriedly ended the call.

    A thought crossed Maia¡¯s mind: maybe Chris had shown up at this odd hour because he had caught wind of her situation with Vince. She rose from her seat and made her way toward the entrance. Her fingers hovered uncertainly above the doorknob for a moment before she finally swung the door open.

    Chris stood there, looking sharp as a tack ¡ª his suit crisp, shoes gleaming, carrying himself with the poise of someone used to being in charge. He appeared almost too good-looking to be real, like a charismatic leading man from a romance novel.

    For a heartbeat, Maia stood rooted to the spot, half-thinking he must be someone else.

    ¡°Good morning, Mr. Cooper. Is there something I can do for you?¡± she asked.

    Chris¡¯ face gave nothing away.

    He gave a small nod and motioned with his hand toward the kitchen table.

    ¡°Yes. I whipped up some breakfast. Care to join me?¡± he offered.

    Maia gave Chris a wary look. It wasn¡¯t like him to bother making breakfast. Most days, he just grabbed something prepackaged. Maybe her earlier praise about his cooking had gone to his head. Maybe that had pushed him to try making something from scratch.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve cooked up, Chef Cooper!¡± she said with a grin.

    Before long, the two of them were sitting across from each other at the table.

    Maia bent over her te and took her first bite.

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 Chapter 233

    ?Chapter 233:

    She had to hand it to him ¡ª Chris really did have a talent for putting together a good meal.

    The breakfast might have been simple, but it was easy to tell when something was done right ¡ª and Chris had clearly knocked it out of the park.

    Even so, something in the air felt off.

    Maia stayed focused on her te, chewing quietly.

    Chris mirrored her, eating without making a sound.

    The silence stretched between them, heavy and unbroken.

    Maia couldn¡¯t shake off what Elvira had said on the phone. A sense of unease crept over her. Had Chris seen the news and gotten upset? She was still his legal wife, yet rumors about her and another man were spreading. Anyone would find it hard to brush that off. As Maia took a sip of her milk, she nced over at Chris.

    His face remained unreadable, not a flicker of emotion showing.

    Maia frowned, puzzled. If Chris had seen the news, why hadn¡¯t he said anything? Or was she just overthinking it? Maybe he hadn¡¯t seen it at all?

    Still, Maia figured that if Chris wasn¡¯t going to bring it up, mentioning it herself would only make matters worse. Trying too hard to exin would make her look suspicious, as though she was hiding something.

    After thinking it over, Maia decided to stay quiet.

    ¡°I¡¯m done. Chef Cooper, this is incredible! Honestly, if you told me you bought it, I¡¯d buy that too!¡± Maia set her fork down and gave him a genuinepliment.

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    She then looked at him and gave a small smile. ¡°You¡¯re all dressed up today. Got an important meeting?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m going to a big conference today,¡± Chris said, his voice calm as he cleared the dishes. ¡°With the boss.¡±

    Maia nodded and got to her feet. Then, a thought popped into her head. ¡°Oh, just so you know, I have ns today. I might bete getting back. If you¡¯re making dinner, don¡¯t worry about fixing my te.¡± She had a lot on her te, including a stop at Zenith Legal.

    Maia didn¡¯t want Chris hanging around waiting for her.

    Chris paused for a moment but quickly carried on, acting like nothing was out of the ordinary. He simply replied, ¡°Alright.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t until Maia had left that Chris finally turned to nce in the direction she had gone.

    The rumors were all over the inte ¡ª there was no way Maia hadn¡¯t seen them, and no way he hadn¡¯t. But why hadn¡¯t she said anything to him?

    The night before, when he first came across the photos online, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the man in them looked familiar. Then, when Maxwell confirmed that it was Vince ¡ª Maia¡¯s ex-fianc¨¦ ¡ª Chris felt a sharp, tightening pain in his chest, as though someone had squeezed his heart.

    He knew just how much Maia had loved Vince in the past. The rumors online weren¡¯t pulled out of thin air.

    For the first time since they¡¯d married, Chris was hit with a wave of insecurity.

    His mind wouldn¡¯t stop racing. Could Maia still have feelings for Vince? Even though their marriage had been arranged by his Aunt Zoey, Maia was his wife now. Did she not care about how he felt? How did she really see him? What did she think of their marriage?

    A quiet frustration bubbled inside Chris, threatening to spill over. He fought to keep his cool, to stay logical, but the tension in his mind felt ready to snap. Where was Maia heading tonight? Was she going to see Vince again?

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 Chapter 234

    ?Chapter 234:

    Chris gripped his fists tightly. No matter howposed he tried to look, as a man, how could he stand by while his wife secretly met another man? His face darkened, a storm brewing just below the surface.

    After a brief pause, he grabbed his phone and dialed Maxwell. ¡°Do whatever it takes to keep Vince at home today.¡±

    Maxwell¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion.

    Meanwhile, over at the Morgan family estate, Rosanna had recently gotten out of bed, her eyes puffy and bloodshot. She red at her reflection in the mirror, cursing Maia for everything.

    Her phone had been buzzing relentlessly.

    She took a deep breath and gathered the strength to unlock it.

    The inte was swarming with all sorts of cruelments.

    Rosanna was no stranger to this, but when she saw the headline, ¡°Maia Watson and Vince Ward Spotted in Secret Meeting, Stirring Rumors of a Rekindled Romance,¡± she wentpletely still, as if time itself hade to a halt.

    Her eyes immediately filled with tears, turning bright red.

    Her breath came in sharp, ragged gasps.

    Her nails nearly broke through her palms as her face twisted in anger. Maia!

    So, Vince¡¯s so-called urgent matter yesterday was just a lie to sneak off and see Maia!

    It was clear now that Vince still had feelings for her.

    The photos in the news showed them standing so close together.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s has stories worth exploring

    Rosanna dropped to the floor,ughing hysterically.

    Tears streamed down her face, one after the other, sshing onto her phone screen.

    In thements, many people were taking Maia¡¯s side.

    ¡°Maybe Vince has always been in love with Maia. But when it turned out she was the fake daughter, the Morgans and Wards had to swap her out for Rosanna. Still, Maia¡¯s the one Vince truly loves, so are they defying the arranged marriage now? This is true love!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna is obviously just an outsider here. She needs to get out of the way. A loveless marriage is a graveyard. Even if she marries into the Ward family, she¡¯ll never win Vince¡¯s heart.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve double-checked with local sources ¡ª Maia has always been madly in love with Vince! The Morgan family was heartless to tear them apart just because Maia¡­¡±

    The daughter they raised for seventeen years wasn¡¯t their biological child. But guess what? The two of them never really moved on from each other!¡±

    ¡°What a heartbreaking love story. I really hope Maia and Vince can finally be together.¡±

    Rosanna read thesements, biting her lip so hard that it started to bleed.

    Her hands shook violently, unable to process what she was seeing.

    She inhaled deeply, trying to bottle up her emotions.

    A wild grin slowly spread across her face.

    .

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 Chapter 235

    ?Chapter 235:

    It was impossible to tell whether she was crying orughing.

    Ignoring Sandra¡¯s advice to ¡°stay quiet online,¡± Rosanna swiftly typed a post on Twitter.

    ¡°Maia has always outshone me. I grew up with less, so I worked my fingers to the bone, but I still can¡¯t measure up to her ¡ª in singing or in love¡­ If Vince really loves her, then I am willing to step aside and let them be. I truly wish them all the best.¡±

    After posting, she pressed a hand to her chest, feeling like she couldn¡¯t catch her breath.

    The second the post went up, it went viral.

    ¡°Rosanna has once again announced her exit!¡± The topic quickly shot to the top of the trending list!

    Thement section remained filled with mockery.

    ¡°Who thought of this topic? It¡¯s hrious, I can¡¯t stopughing. First, Rosanna said she was leaving apetition. Now she¡¯s leaving a rtionship. What¡¯s she going to quit next?¡± Rosanna frowned, feeling the sting of their words.

    Luckily, the nextments were more supportive.

    ¡°Poor Rosanna! She¡¯s so kind. Even though her sister treats her this way, she doesn¡¯t cry or make a scene. She¡¯s still willing to step back. She¡¯s an angel!¡±

    ¡°I have to say, this is the true grace of a Morgan family daughter! And Rosanna is stunning ¡ª she¡¯ll have no trouble finding someone even better. Who cares about Vince? Rosanna deserves more than that!¡±

    ¡°Maia is full of tricks. How dare she use others of stealing her man? As far as I¡¯m concerned, K is garbage, and Maia has totally ruined her own name!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna didn¡¯t choose this arranged marriage. But Maia ¡ª wasn¡¯t she thrown out of the Morgan family? What gives her the right to be with Vince? She wants it all, doesn¡¯t she? She¡¯s too greedy!¡± Finally, a smile tugged at Rosanna¡¯s lips.

    This post had definitely earned her a solid fan following!

    Although it didn¡¯t fully ruin Maia, it was enough to make the public start turning against her.

    Meanwhile, in the Morgan family living room, Sandra was so angry that her teeth were gritted. She mmed the cup in her hand, and it shattered with a loud crash.

    The photos in the news had almost made her lose her temper.

    Now, Rosanna had gone and posted on Twitter, offering to step aside!

    Wasn¡¯t she just ying right into Maia¡¯s hands?

    How naive Rosanna was!

    ¡°That bitch! She¡¯s still after Vince! She¡¯s not even part of the Morgan family anymore, yet she dares to want him?¡± Sandra paced around restlessly, like a caged animal.

    ming Rosanna for her stupid mistake wouldn¡¯t do any good now.

    What mattered was stopping the Ward family from getting any ideas.

    With Richard out of the house, there was no time to waste.

    Grinding her teeth, Sandra took a deep breath and made up her mind to call Vince¡¯s father, Gavin.

    Though both families had each other¡¯s numbers, Sandra had always hesitated to reach out. The difference in status and power made her nervous, worried that she might say the wrong thing and offend them. But this time, she couldn¡¯t hold back.

    .

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 Chapter 236

    ?Chapter 236:

    Meanwhile, at the Ward family vi, Gavin nced at the caller ID, his eyebrows knitting together. He answered the phone, his voice calm, ¡°Mrs. Morgan, what¡¯s going on?¡±

    Sandra immediately softened her voice.

    With a dramatic sigh, she said, ¡°Mr. Ward, I had no other option but to call. Everyone knows about Vince and Rosanna¡¯s engagement, but now there¡¯s chaos online. I need to understand Vince¡¯s feelings. Has he¡­ not moved past Maia?¡±

    Gavin¡¯s forehead creased as he quickly grasped the situation. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Sandra exaggerated the details. ¡°The inte¡¯s aze with stories about Vince and Maia. The gossip is fierce. They¡¯re saying Vince¡¯s heart still belongs to Maia. Poor Rosanna can¡¯t even step outside without being targeted. She¡¯s cried so much, her eyes are swollen! You know how deeply she cares for him.¡±

    She sighed again, adding softly, ¡°I only have two daughters, Mr. Ward. Vince can¡¯t im both, can he?¡±

    Gavin stayed quiet, his expression darkening.

    Sensing his hesitation, Sandra pressed on, ¡°Mr. Ward, Maia is no longer considered part of our family. She¡¯s served time, she associates with lowlifes from the slums ¡ª she¡¯s not fit for the Wards.¡±

    Emotion surged as she continued without filter, ¡°My family may not rival yours, but Rosanna is precious to us. She spent years lost to us, suffering hardships. Since she returned, we¡¯ve treated her like a treasure. As her mother, I can¡¯t stand by and watch her hurt.¡± The unspoken warning was clear. The Morgans would not allow Rosanna to be humiliated, nor let Maia sabotage the marriage.

    Gavin finally spoke, his tone very somber. ¡°I¡¯ll give you an exnation for this matter.¡±

    Sandra ended the call, a cold smirk curving her lips. She eagerly anticipated Maia¡¯s downfall.

    The Ward family would only recognize Rosanna.

    Inside the Ward mansion, Gavin closed his eyes after hanging up, lost in thought.

    Momentster, he summoned the butler.

    ¡°Fetch Vince,¡± he ordered.

    Soon, Vince entered the study, puzzled. ¡°Dad? Is there something you need me to do?¡±

    Gavin rapped his fingers against the desk, his voice sharp. ¡°I warned you yesterday to stay away from Maia! Now there¡¯s a scandal everywhere. Are you disregarding my words?¡±

    Caught off guard, Vince stammered, ¡°It¡¯s not like that, Dad¡ª¡±

    ¡°Oh, really?¡± Gavin cut him off with a scoff, shoving his phone at him. ¡°What do you call these, then? Do you think I¡¯m an idiot? I may be aging, but my mind is sharp!¡±

    Seeing the incriminating photos, Vince stepped back in shock.

    He hadn¡¯t checked his notifications all morning. He never expected such a situation to arise.

    Trying topose himself, he said, ¡°It¡¯s the paparazzi twisting things. Maia and I¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Gavin mmed his palm on the desk, rage radiating from him.

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 Chapter 237

    ?Chapter 237:

    His re was chilling. ¡°Still hung up on that woman? Tell me, what makes her so special?¡±

    Vince¡¯s chest tightened, but he said nothing.

    Mentioning Maia only deepened Gavin¡¯s disdain. ¡°I told you before ¡ª Maia¡¯s prison record and filthy reputation make her unworthy. Talent means nothing when a character is rotten!¡±

    He mmed the table again, furious. ¡°If you dare have any more entanglements with her, I¡¯ll make sure you face serious consequences!¡±

    Vince¡¯s fists clenched, turmoil shing across his face.

    Eventually, he forced himself to say, ¡°I get it. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±

    Just then, Charles arrived, drawn by the uproar.

    After hearing the details, he gave Vince a piercing look and said with finality, ¡°Since you realize your mistake, fix it. Finalize the engagement with Rosanna immediately. Visit the Morgans today. Console Rosanna and finalize the ns. The engagement banquet between the Ward and Morgan families must be grand, so the public will shut their mouths.¡±

    Vince felt a suffocating weight in his chest.

    Maia¡¯s calm face shed in his mind, and he struggled to breathe.

    He nodded stiffly. ¡°I¡¯ll go now.¡±

    As Vince turned to leave, Gavin barked, ¡°Not empty-handed. Buy proper gifts. Show some respect.¡±

    Meanwhile, nearby, Maxwell lounged inside a van with several men. He was orchestrating the chaos partly out of spite, partly for amusement ¡ª punishing Vince for daring to covet Chris¡¯ wife.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m is a world of wonder

    Peering through binocrs, Maxwell spotted Vince.

    Vince got into a vehicle ¡ª but it wouldn¡¯t start.

    He switched to another car, but soon after, the tire blew out.

    Frustrated, Vince called for a driver ¡ª who hadn¡¯t shown up that day. To make matters worse, a broken-down car blocked the mansion¡¯s entrance, causing further dys.

    Maxwell roared withughter, unable to contain himself.

    He snapped a few photos and sent them to Chris, along with a message: ¡°Everything¡¯s set. Vince¡¯s day just got ruined!¡±

    After sending the message, Maxwell picked up the walkie-talkie and instructed, ¡°All units, be ready! Don¡¯t let him leave today!¡±

    Vince red icily at the truck blocking the entrance to his house.

    Although there were many cars parked inside, the gate was locked tight, preventing any vehicle from getting out. Was someone trying to mess with him?

    He narrowed his eyes, eyeing the scene with suspicion, and nced at his watch ¡ª it was already past the usual time.

    Vince told the butler to deal with the issue at the gate and made his way to the helipad, nked by his bodyguards.

    Maxwell was on edge, waiting for Vince to finally leave the house. He had hired a crew of supporters and muscle, sure that Vince wouldn¡¯t be able to make it out.

    Then, a buzzing noise filled the air.

    Maxwell looked up.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 238

    ?Chapter 238:

    A helicopter flew high above.

    ¡°No way¡­ Vince took off in a chopper?¡±

    Maxwell¡¯s hasty decision to get personally involved backfired badly. He had never considered that Vince¡¯s family might have their own helicopter.

    Now, updating Chris would be a real challenge.

    Maxwell figured that he needed to figure out Vince¡¯s destination first, so he could give Chris the right information.

    ¡°Everyone, listen up! Track where that helicopter¡¯s headed!¡±

    The helicopter finally touched down on the roof of Eagle Empire Mall. After picking up some gifts, Vince, surrounded by bodyguards, hopped into a stretch Lincoln and headed for the Morgan estate.

    As the car disappeared from view, the mall manager quickly dialed Maxwell.

    Earlier, every location in Wront with a helipad had been notified, told to report Vince¡¯s movements as soon as they spotted him.

    After all, it was a favor from Maxwell, the third son of the powerful Payne family. Since it was nothing too difficult, everyone was happy to help, hoping to gain Maxwell¡¯s favor.

    Inside the Morgan home, Sandra couldn¡¯t hide her grin as Vince walked in, arms full of gifts.

    She wasted no time calling Rosanna over.

    Rosanna had been looking stressed, but her expression softened as soon as she saw Vince.

    ¡°Vince, you shouldn¡¯t have gone to all this trouble with so many gifts!¡± Sandra teased, nudging Rosanna with her elbow. ¡°Rosanna, look! They¡¯re all from your favorite brands. Why are you just standing there?¡±

    ¡°Vince,¡± Rosanna whispered, her hands gripping her dress tightly.

    Vince remembered his grandfather¡¯s advice and moved closer, noticing Rosanna¡¯s pale face. He spoke softly. ¡°Rosanna, those rumors online are nothing but lies. Maia and I bumped into each other by ident yesterday. The photos? The paparazzi twisted them on purpose; they¡¯re not real.¡± His eyes shifted to the Morgans, making it clear that his words were for them too. ¡°I stepped in to defend Rosanna, but some people misinterpreted the whole situation. Maia didn¡¯t realize the mistake and tried to walk off. I stopped her to make sure she apologized to Rosanna.¡±

    Vince finished earnestly, ¡°I was afraid Rosanna might get the wrong idea, so I came to exin things myself.¡±

    Sandra let out a sigh of relief. So that was how it went! She knew that Vince wouldn¡¯t ditch kind, thoughtful Rosanna for someone like Maia ¡ª selfish andcking in character.

    All her worries melted away. She shook her head in frustration. ¡°Those paparazzi are vile! They¡¯ll spread any kind of lie. Vince, you¡¯ve been so thoughtful to do all this for Rosanna. We owe you an apology.¡± She gave Rosanna a hint with her eyes.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 239

    ?Chapter 239:

    Rosanna¡¯s hands loosened, and color returned to her face.

    She remembered using the same tactic on Maia before, so Vince¡¯s exnation made sense. These days, the paparazzi would stop at nothing for a headline, and rumors spread like wildfire because of them. She realized that she had blown things out of proportion. But if Maia weren¡¯t K, she might have thought things through more clearly. However, learning that Maia was the famous, mysteriousposer K made her lose confidence for some reason, and she had jumped to conclusions. She had even wondered if Vince had changed his mind after finding out that Maia was K.

    Now, looking at it again, she felt that Maia had no businesspeting with her. After all, she was the real Morgan daughter, and the one who was engaged to Vince was her!

    With that thought, Rosanna took a deep breath, and a smile slowly appeared on her face. She walked up to Vince and said, her voice soft with a hint of hurt, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Vince. I thought you didn¡¯t want me anymore¡­ But love isn¡¯t about owning someone; it¡¯s about making them happy, right? In that moment, I believed that if you really loved Maia, I should step aside. So, I posted that on Twitter¡­¡± As she spoke, tears started to fall.

    Sandra, feeling her heart ache, pulled Rosanna into a hug and gently wiped her tears. ¡°Rosanna, what are you talking about? Vince would never leave you. The one he¡¯s always loved is you, right, Vince?¡± She looked at Vince, waiting for his confirmation.

    Vince stopped for a second and told Rosanna, ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. You¡¯re the one I want to marry. I¡¯m here to talk to your parents about the engagement and lock down the date.¡±

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    Rosanna was shocked when she heard this, and so was Sandra. Sandra hadn¡¯t anticipated that the Ward family would not only bring up the engagement but also intend to set a date right then and there.

    It was amazing.

    Sandra jumped in right away, saying, ¡°We¡¯ll go with whatever your family decides. Honestly, the sooner we set a date, the better, so those rumors online can fade away.¡± Vince nodded.

    Rosanna couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of excitement. She hadn¡¯t imagined things would fall into ce so quickly.

    She had assumed that their engagement would have to wait until after her graduation and internship.

    Rosanna¡¯s face turned red with excitement as she clutched her dress tighter, feeling all her worries slip away.

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 Chapter 240

    ?Chapter 240:

    She was certain that Vince¡¯s heart was hers alone, with no space for Maia.

    After reassuring Rosanna, Vince proposed that they go to a nice restaurant for dinner.

    They decided on the Sky Garden Restaurant in Wront.

    It was located on the top floor of the Wront Grant Hotel, offering a stunning view of the entire city.

    The ce was high-end, exclusive, and only by invitation, guaranteeing both privacy and status.

    Rosanna could hardly contain her excitement.

    Brielle had been performing overseastely, and Pattie had been away on a business trip. Now that they were both back, Maia nned a fun evening to catch up with them.

    When they saw Maia again, they expected her to be upset about the rumors online, but to their surprise, she was veryposed. Zenith Legal had already taken care of everything.

    Rosanna¡¯s fans would soon be receiving court summonses.

    ¡°Maia, are you really okay?¡± Brielle asked, still concerned. The whole situation was partly her fault. If it hadn¡¯t been for her, Maia wouldn¡¯t have be a judge, and all the trouble that followed might never have happened.

    ¡°Of course I¡¯m okay. What could be the problem?¡± Maia shrugged. If anything was bothering her, it was just one thing.

    She was worried that Chris might get the wrong idea after reading the rumors.

    g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s takes you away

    Maia figured that she should probably exin everything to him honestly when she got home that evening.

    Pattie jumped in, saying, ¡°Aren¡¯t you two hungry? Good food is the best cure for a bad mood. I¡¯ve already booked a table at the Sky Garden Restaurant. Let¡¯s go!¡±

    The three of them made their way there in no time.

    A waiter guided them to a private room.

    As they walked down the hall, Maia stayed at the back.

    Out of nowhere, Maia heard Rosanna¡¯s voice behind her. ¡°Maia, what are you doing here too?¡±

    Maia and her friends froze in their steps.

    They turned around and saw Rosanna holding Vince¡¯s hand, looking at them.

    Rosanna wore a beautiful light blue dress, her makeup perfect, but her eyes looked a little puffy.

    Vince was in a blue casual suit, looking sharp, with a look of surprise on his face. What was Maia doing here?

    Maia looked at them both with a nk expression, not saying a thing.

    Pattie, standing next to her, rolled her eyes in amusement. Wasn¡¯t a restaurant for eating? Rosanna¡¯s question seemed either clueless or a bit spiteful.

    Brielle gave Rosanna a quick look, then nced at Vince beside her. She had heard the story about Maia and Vince before, but she had never seen him in person. Now that she did, he didn¡¯t impress her much.

    Brielle hade across plenty of attractive people in the entertainment world, and Vince¡¯s looks were, at best, just above average.

    It was true that looks weren¡¯t everything. But when it came to talent, Vince didn¡¯te close to Maia¡¯s level.

    If Maia wanted, Brielle could easily find her someone much better looking than Vince. She was way out of his league.

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 Chapter 241

    ?Chapter 241:

    Seeing the three of them in silence, Rosanna started to feel ufortable, like she couldn¡¯t breathe.

    Still, Rosanna smiled and took Vince¡¯s hand. She then spoke to Maia, saying, ¡°Maia, Vince has filled me in. The rumors about you two were just made up by the paparazzi. He only came to you that day because of me. Vince and I are about to get engaged, and those rumors will die down on their own. Will you join us on our engagement day?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s lips curved into a small smile. She made sure to say this to show off, knowing that Maia wouldn¡¯t stay indifferent after hearing the news.

    However, Maia kept her face nk and answered smoothly, ¡°Oh, what¡¯s it got to do with me? Why should I bother showing up at your engagement party?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s grin wavered for a second, and she gripped the fabric of her dress a little tighter without even thinking.

    She couldn¡¯t believe how cool Maia was acting. Back then, Maia had been crazy about Vince ¡ª everybody knew it. How could she now act like she didn¡¯t care one bit about the news of their engagement? No way was that real. She had to be pretending.

    Trying to cover the awkwardness, Rosanna forced a stiff smile and said, ¡°I just thought¡­ maybe you¡¯d give us your blessing, and we could set the record straight between us.¡±

    Off to the side, Pattie let out a poorly hidden snicker.

    When it came to putting on a sweet and innocent front, no one could hold a candle to Rosanna. Pattie thought Rosanna¡¯s fake act was downright irritating.

    Pattie shot straight from the hip and sneered, ¡°Congrattions! Hope you two enjoy a lifetime of wedded bliss. After all, trash belongs with trash! Better if you cling to each other forever and save the rest of us the headache!¡±

    Stay tuned for updates at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    Brielle let out a softugh, unable to hold back at Pattie¡¯s biting words. Rosanna¡¯s cheeks burned bright red.

    ¡°How¡­ how could you say such a thing!¡± Rosanna cried out, digging her nails deep into her palm. She spoke in a sugary-sweet tone, her eyes turning red as if she had been terribly wronged.

    Vince¡¯s face clouded over, and a deep frown creased his forehead. It was the first time someone had thrown such brutal words straight at him.

    But what gnawed at him even more was how Maia acted.

    She stayed cold and unbothered the whole time, not showing a hint of feeling.

    For some reason, this got under Vince¡¯s skin. Could she really have stopped caring altogether? Was the woman who once fussed over him, cooked his meals, and hung around him every single day nowpletely indifferent? He couldn¡¯t swallow that.

    Vince wrapped an arm around Rosanna¡¯s shoulder, soothing her gently. ¡°Rosanna, don¡¯t waste your time on someone with a criminal record. She¡¯s no longer your sister, no longer someone important in your life. We don¡¯t need her blessing.¡±

    He said it on purpose, itching to get a rise out of Maia. Even the tiniest reaction would have given him a little twisted pleasure.

    Still, Maia¡¯s face stayed as calm as ever, as if the two people in front of her were no more important than passersby.

    Vince¡¯s hands curled into tight fists, the veins standing out sharply on the backs of them.

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 Chapter 242

    ?Chapter 242:

    Pattie was so mad at Vince that she actuallyughed out loud in disbelief. She couldn¡¯t keep quiet and snapped, ¡°Vince, Maia must have been out of her mind to ever fall for you! It was Rosanna who set her up for stealing back then! And you ¡ª as her fianc¨¦ at that time ¡ª didn¡¯t even defend her. You turned your back on her and stood with Rosanna and the Morgan family, throwing Maia straight into prison. And now you¡¯ve got the gall to throw her past in her face?¡±

    Pattie had never once believed that Maia was a thief. After Maia got out of prison, she hadid everything out for Pattie. Once Pattie heard the whole truth, she was boiling with rage. It had taken everything she had not to storm over and p Vince and the Morgans silly.

    Now, today, they had the nerve to show up, practically begging for a tongueshing.

    Pattie let out a sharp snort and said coldly, ¡°Good thing Maia woke up and finally saw you for what you really are!¡±

    She stepped forward, shielding Maia, and jabbed a finger at Vince. Her voice was sharp as a knife. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare bother Maia again. Take Rosanna and stay out of her sight, or I¡¯ll tear into you every time Iy eyes on you!¡±

    Vince¡¯s face changed slightly, his eyes narrowing into slits. ¡°Maia was framed? What are you talking about?¡± he asked.

    He could still picture it clearly. In his mind, Maia had been the thief, and Rosanna had nothing to do with it.

    Brielle lookedpletely caught off guard. So it had really been Rosanna who set Maia up and got her thrown into prison ¡ª and Vince, the man standing right here, had turned his back on Maia too. She quickly moved closer, also standing protectively in front of Maia, her fists tightening at her sides.

    Rosanna, seeing the old story dragged out into the open right in front of Vince,pletely lost her cool.

    Latest updates at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    She jabbed a finger at Pattie¡¯s face and screamed, ¡°Stop ndering me! You¡¯re making up lies! What proof do you even have to use me of framing her?¡±

    ¡°nder?¡± Pattie scoffed and shot back, ¡°Rosanna, do you even have the guts to swear you had no hand in it? If you¡¯re lying, may karma hunt you down!¡±

    Vince started feeling confused. Pattie¡¯s firm attitude didn¡¯t sound like someone spinning a story.

    He turned his head slowly toward Rosanna, a deep crease forming between his brows. ¡°Rosanna, tell me the truth. What really happened back then?¡±

    Rosanna felt her heart lurch in her chest.

    A momentter, her eyes were filled with tears.

    Rosanna looked utterly devastated, as if she had suffered the gravest injustice.

    She had no clue that Pattie owned MCN; all she knew was that Pattie and Maia were quite close.

    It never crossed her mind that Maia would confide past events to Pattie. Still, Rosanna was shrewd enough to conceal any hint of guilt.

    She swiftly turned, clutching Vince¡¯s arm, her eyes brimming with tears. Her voice, barely more than a whisper, sounded heartbreakingly fragile as she pleaded, ¡°Vince, you witnessed everything¡­ you must defend me. I swear I didn¡¯t do it¡­¡±

    Her performance was wless ¡ª her frame shivering, her words trembling with hurt and injustice. ¡°Maia was the one who took it, yet now she¡¯s tarnishing my name. Vince, trust me, won¡¯t you? If she were truly innocent, how could the court sentence her? They must have solid proof to imprison her. I never disliked her for being a thief and tarnishing our family¡¯s reputation. In my heart, she¡¯s still a family member, but she¡¯s always treated me like a stranger. Now she¡¯s even flinging mud at me, and I¡­¡±

    As Rosanna spoke, tears slid down her face, enhancing her pitiful look. Vince frowned deeply, gently rubbing her back while shooting Pattie a frigid re. His tone was icy as he said, ¡°Miss, I advise you to mind your words or prepare for a defamationwsuit.¡±

    Although Vince felt that Maia¡¯spanion looked somewhat familiar, he didn¡¯t delve into where he might have seen her before.

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 Chapter 243

    ?Chapter 243:

    Pattie, enraged by Vince¡¯s warning, spat furiously, ¡°You¡¯re absolutely clueless!¡±

    She gave a mockingugh before adding, ¡°You¡¯re threatening me over someone you don¡¯t even truly know? Be careful not to make a fool of yourself in the end!¡±

    Rosanna flinched at Pattie¡¯s scathing remarks.

    Fury flickered briefly in her eyes, but she quickly masked it with a fragile act.

    She dabbed her eyes, biting her lower lip. ¡°Vince, you see? They¡¯re all ganging up against me¡­ I did nothing wrong. I just wanted to share the joy of my engagement with Maia and invite her to the formal celebration of our engagement. Why are they treating me like this?¡±

    Hearing that, Vince¡¯s expression darkened, irritation seeping into his voice.

    Maia silently observed Rosanna¡¯s charade with a cool, sardonic smile. Time after time, Rosanna fell back on the same pathetic victim routine. Whether it was framing her before or ying the innocent now, Rosanna hadn¡¯t changed a bit.

    Sensing the rising friction, Brielle quickly realized that they were in a hallway where anyone passing by could witness the scene. Given their celebrity status, an unwanted photo could easily circte in the media, demanding serious damage control.

    Known as the reigning Queen of Pop, Brielle cherished her wless image and stayed mindful of her surroundings.

    Without hesitation, she urged, ¡°Forget it. Don¡¯t stoop to yground theatrics or let them spoil our appetite.¡±

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    .c¨®m is the source

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 Chapter 244

    ?Chapter 244:

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Pattie scoffed, folding her arms. ¡°They¡¯re not worth a second thought. Let¡¯s get some food.¡±

    At that moment, Vince interjected coldly, ¡°Hurl insults and then walk away? Say you¡¯re sorry to Rosanna, and I¡¯ll drop the issue.¡±

    Rosanna, hearing him, lifted her chin with a serene smile. ¡°Vince, no worries. I get it if Maia¡¯s unwilling to attend the formal celebration of our engagement. I mean, you¡¯re exceptional, but I¡¯m the one you¡¯re choosing ¡ª not her. It¡¯s understandable if she loses her temper over this.¡±

    The words oozed with mockery.

    Maia, who had started to leave, halted mid-step and nced back with an amused expression.

    Rosanna immediately grew quiet and instinctively retreated a pace.

    Maia moved closer, a sly curve gracing her lips, eyes gliding over Vince and Rosanna before settling pointedly on Rosanna. She then asked leisurely, ¡°Do you know what a deceitful scoundrel is like?¡±

    Rosanna froze, staring at Maia in bafflement and blurting out, ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Maia let out a softugh.

    She shifted her attention to Vince and answered with deliberate slowness, ¡°The man beside you ¡ª he¡¯s exactly that.¡±

    Vince was simply someone who craved everything, while Rosanna valued him as if he were priceless. Maia almost felt bad for her. ¡°Honestly, Rosanna, I think you¡¯re quite pathetic,¡± Maia said, her voiceced with ridicule.

    Without lingering, she spun around and strode off.

    Pattie and Brielle quickly went after her, disregarding the couple left behind.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s hosts captivating tales

    The trio departed, lighthearted and chatting as though nothing had happened.

    Rosanna stayed rooted to the spot, fists clenched rigidly. What was Maia insinuating? She and Vince were soon to announce their engagement; she had clearly won! How could Maia call her pathetic?

    Rosanna¡¯s face darkened, her teeth sinking sharply into her bottom lip. Vince stayed quiet, his attention glued to Maia¡¯s retreating silhouette, a murky emotion churning in his gaze.

    He barely caught snippets of conversation between the three as they walked farther away.

    ¡°After eating, should we hit Nexus Collective for karaoke?¡±

    ¡°Sounds good. I¡¯m free these days.¡±

    ¡°Perfect, it¡¯s a n.¡±

    Their chatter gradually disappeared into the distance.

    Nexus Collective?

    Vince remained immobile, face impassive, though his eyes sharpened into slits.

    Inside the restaurant, a gentle glow bathed the tabletop in a cozy warmth.

    Vince carefully carved his meat, while Rosanna, eating slowly, kept a wary eye on his face.

    Luckily, Vince acted as usual, though his enthusiasm for food seemed unusually muted.

    When the tes were cleared, Rosanna suggested a shopping trip, but Vince declined, citing urgent office matters and insisting that he would drive her back instead.

    The vehicle glided to a halt at the Morgan estate¡¯s front gate.

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 Chapter 245

    ?Chapter 245:

    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived,¡± Vince stated, his voice carrying a faint chill. ¡°Next time, I¡¯lle along. There¡¯s an emergency meeting tonight ¡ª I absolutely can¡¯t miss it.¡±

    Rosanna, appearing fragile yet sweet, gave a soft nod. ¡°Go ahead, Vince. I¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Once Vince departed, Rosanna lingered at the doorstep, gazing after his car until it vanished, an unsettling feeling gnawing at her chest. Maia¡¯s earlier warnings rang in her ears, but she dismissed them with a scoff.

    Soon, she¡¯d have the life every woman coveted ¡ª she¡¯d be Vince¡¯s bride.

    Vince¡¯s demeanor toward Maia today had said everything.

    He held no affection for Maia.

    Maia was simply resentful, trying to sow discord between her and Vince.

    Rosanna let out a cold chuckle and released a slow breath.

    She refused to fall prey to Maia¡¯s schemes.

    Steeling her nerves, she turned back inside, her cheerful mask restored, looking forward to the engagement celebration.

    After leaving Rosanna, Vince pressed hard on the elerator, pushing the speed past 193 km/h.

    In under half an hour, he arrived at Nexus Collective from the Morgan estate.

    Once parked, he entered briskly.

    With 120 private suites inside, blindly searching was pointless. Vince beckoned a waiter, shed a picture of Maia on his phone, and ordered coolly, ¡°Locate this woman for me.¡±

    The waiter squinted at the image, ready to refuse ¡ª but Vince shoved a wad of bills into his palm, his voice sharp. ¡°You¡¯ll earn more once it¡¯s done.¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??§àm opens doors to fiction

    Vince leaned in and whispered a number into his ear.

    The waiter¡¯s eyes widened slightly before he nodded in agreement.

    Vince added in an even tone, ¡°Follow the instructions I gave you after you find her.¡±

    He murmured further directions.

    Though the waiter hesitated, frowning in thought, greed eventually won, and he nodded.

    The amount Vince offered was so substantial that even if he asked for something more outrageous, the waiter would likelyply.

    With the n set, Vince reserved a suite for himself.

    Bottles of liquor soon covered the table.

    Grabbing a ss, he took a rough gulp.

    He also ordered a carton of cigarettes.

    Vince rarely smoked, but tonight was an exception.

    On his first drag, he broke into a fit of coughing.

    Smoking was a habit he only indulged in during moments of deep unrest.

    As gray tendrils curled around him, Vince¡¯s mind was a storm. Had Maia truly let go, or was she just pretending? Was she ying a game, or had she truly erased him from her heart?

    He needed rity.

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 Chapter 246

    ?Chapter 246:

    He chain-smoked and drank without pause.

    Finally, when the alcohol had dulled his senses, the waiter returned. ¡°Sir, I found her and did everything you asked.¡±

    Vince crushed his cigarette in the ashtray, stood, tossed the waiter a card, and headed out.

    Meanwhile, across the building, Maia, Pattie, and Brielle were reveling. Brielle belted out a song, while Pattie pped along and cheered, ¡°Brielle, you¡¯re incredible! A real pop queen! You nailed it! Maia¡¯s got to pen another hit for you ¡ª you¡¯ll dominate Zephyria¡¯s charts in no time!¡±

    Maia lounged against the couch, swirling her drink before tossing it back.

    Turning to Pattie with a grin, she teased, ¡°nning to overwork me with endless requests? Luckily, I¡¯m not your employee, or I¡¯d be swamped with work every day.¡±

    Pattie shot her a look. ¡°You don¡¯t want to chase fame, fine. But at least help Brielle out! What¡¯s wrong? Lost your passion?¡±

    Then,ughing, she yfully poked Maia, and the room was filled with giggles.

    Just then, Maia¡¯s phone buzzed.

    An unfamiliar number shed on the screen.

    She hesitated, frowned, then rose. ¡°Keep the party going. I¡¯ll take this outside.¡±

    Pattie, slightly buzzed, teased, ¡°Miss Popr!¡±

    Chuckling, Maia slipped out and closed the door behind her.

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    As she turned, she spotted a tall figure nearby, phone pressed to his ear.

    It was Vince.

    He was using a burner phone Brian had arranged beforehand.

    Maia¡¯s face immediately hardened.

    Without answering the call, she canceled it and pivoted to return inside.

    But Vince lunged forward, gripping her wrist before she could retreat.

    ¡°Have youpletely lost your mind, Vince?¡± Maia shouted, struggling to break free from his iron grip.

    Without warning, a wave of dizziness crashed over her, making her legs feel like they could barely hold her up.

    Shadows clung to the narrow hallway, the dim lighting offering nofort.

    Dragging her along without hesitation, Vince hauled her straight into his private room.

    The door mmed behind them with a heavy, echoing thud, cutting her off from everything and everyone outside.

    With a rough shove, Vince sent her stumbling backward.

    A rough shove from him sent Maia stumbling, barely catching herself against the wall. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her body betraying her with trembling limbs and a burning fever she couldn¡¯t exin.

    Heat prickled under her skin, unnatural and suffocating, blurring the edges of her awareness.

    Something was terribly, terribly wrong.

    Locking her gaze onto Vince¡¯s shadowed figure, Maia barely managed to whisper, ¡°Vince¡­ what did you do to me?¡±

    Even speaking felt like dragging words from the bottom of a deep well. Her fingers wed weakly at the wall behind her for support, but strength abandoned herpletely.

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 Chapter 247

    ?Chapter 247:

    Overhead, the dim light threw harsh angles across Vince¡¯s face, one side lit in cold sharpness, the other swallowed by darkness.

    Maia¡¯s chest heaved, beads of sweat slipping down her temple as panic gnawed at her insides.

    She couldn¡¯t move. Her entire body refused to obey her franticmands to fight back.

    Step by deliberate step, Vince closed the distance between them.

    ¡°What¡­ what are you trying to do?¡±

    A whisper of panic flickered across her face as she forced the words out. She staggered backward, each step heavier than thest, until the back of her knees hit the edge of a sofa, and she copsed onto it.

    Before she could even scramble away, Vince leaned over her, his arms braced on either side of her head, trapping her inside a prison of his own making.

    For a long moment, their gazes locked.

    All Maia could offer him was pure, cutting hatred.

    But in Vince¡¯s darkened stare, a storm raged ¡ª full of madness, desperation, and a twisted longing that had been caged for far too long.

    ¡°Stop putting on an act, Maia. Just tell me what is real. Every word you threw at me today ¡ª you only said it because you wanted to get under my skin, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    His voice came out rough, weighed down by something heavier than anger. His eyes, rimmed with red, looked ready to tear her apart, wild like an animal that had been backed into a corner.

    ¡°Deep down, you still cannot move past me, can you? You heard about my engagement to Rosanna, and it is eating you up inside, isn¡¯t it? You are ying it cool, acting like you do not care, but this is all just some twisted way to pull me back to you, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    The questions kepting, one after another, but Maia just remained silent.

    Frustration deepened the shadows across Vince¡¯s face.

    His gaze bore into hers, desperate to find a crack ¡ª a flinch, a flicker of regret.

    Instead, he found only a cial chill in her stare, sharpened with hatred.

    ¡°Say something!¡± Vince shouted, the alcohol tearing down thest of his restraint.

    Had hepletely lost his mind?

    A coldugh spilled from Maia¡¯s lips, sharp as broken ss. ¡°Every single word I said, I meant.¡±

    Even though her body wavered under the strain, her will remained unyielding. ¡°Vince, you¡¯re delusional if you think you matter to me. Your engagement, your life ¡ª they¡¯re none of my business. The sooner you marry Rosanna, the better. Just make sure I never have to see either of you again.¡±

    Her voice might have been low and fragile, but her wordsnded like arrows, sinking deep into Vince¡¯s heart without mercy.

    Shock twisted across his face, giving way to a sh of pure, burning rage in his dark eyes.

    He refused to believe it. He couldn¡¯t believe it.

    Without warning, he shot forward, his fingers closing tightly around her neck, his breathing in harsh, uneven bursts. ¡°You are not telling the truth! You spent so many years loving me. How could all of that disappear just like that? You used to swear up and down that no one else would ever matter to you except me. Am I wrong?¡±

    Lowering his head, he shuddered violently, his voice unraveling into something almost childlike and broken. ¡°I¡¯m right here, Maia. Isn¡¯t this what you always wanted?¡±

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 Chapter 248

    ?Chapter 248:

    Maia gasped for air, a sudden wave of horror crashing down, freezing her blood.

    Madness flickered in the man¡¯s eyes as he stood over her, a shadow of who he used to be.

    Every breath Maia tried to take felt tighter, her mind slipping closer to the edge of unconsciousness.

    Only after a long, tense moment did Vince ease his grip, though his hand lingered like a threat.

    Back then, Vince had always treated Maia like something beneath him ¡ª good enough to adore him, but never good enough to touch.

    He had epted every ounce of her loyalty without guilt, soaking up her care as if it were owed to him, never offering her a single promise in return.

    To Vince, she had been nothing more than a convenient distraction, like a pet meant to entertain him or a servant meant to obey. That version of Maia, however, was long gone.

    Since the day Maia walked out of prison, colder and more distant than ever, Vince had been unraveling inside. Her indifference scraped against something raw in him, driving him to a rage that he could neither exin nor control.

    The farther she pulled away, the more frantically Vince wed to drag her back into his grasp.

    In his mind, she had always belonged to him ¡ª and she always would.

    Swinging her hand up, Maia tried to p him across the face, but Vince caught her wrist with ease, snuffing out her resistance. ¡°Let go of me!¡± she cried, her voice ragged with fury and fear.

    ¡°Don¡¯t waste your energy,¡± Vince murmured, letting his fingertips drift across her flushed cheek. ¡°You¡¯re far too weak to fight me now.¡±

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    Earlier that night, he had ordered the server to spike Maia¡¯s drink, ensuring that her body would betray her before she even realized it.

    Now that the drug was coursing through her veins, Maia pieced it together, hatred ring in her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re despicable! Absolutely disgusting!¡±

    A dark hunger flickered across Vince¡¯s face as his gaze traced the sweat glistening on her skin, the quivering line of her corbone, the shape of her figure beneath the thin fabric.

    ¡°Maia, are you aware? You¡¯ve changed. You¡¯re nothing like the person you once were. Back then, you were so dull that I couldn¡¯t even find it in myself to care about you¡­ But now, you are impossible to ignore.¡±

    Vince gave a low, mockingugh. Then he continued, ¡°I have never once held back from using whatever it takes to im what I desire. Maia, you can only be mine.¡±

    Unflinching, Maia kept her eyes locked on Vince as he drew closer.

    ¡°Vince, you have lost your mind!¡± Her tone was calm and detached. ¡°You are on the verge of getting engaged to Rosanna. Do you not fear what will happen if she discovers what you have done?¡±

    Instead of fury, Vince let out a lowugh, a slow, unsettling grin stretching across his face. ¡°As expected, you¡¯re still thinking about my engagement, huh? Otherwise, why would you even mention it? Don¡¯t worry, honey. As long as you belong to me, everything else can be handled.¡±

    While he spoke, Vince tugged at his tie, tossed it aside, then worked at the buttons of his shirt with feverish hands, hunger zing in his eyes. Maia stared at him in shock, stunned by just how far he was willing to sink.

    Clenching her fists, she red at him, revulsion etched deep in her expression. ¡°Vince, if you dare toy a hand on me, you¡¯ll regret it for the rest of your life.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll make me regret it?¡± Vince¡¯sughter came rough and low, a dangerous glint shing across his face. He leaned close to Maia¡¯s ear, his voice hoarse, ¡°Alright, then let¡¯s be locked in a struggle until then.¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 249

    ?Chapter 249:

    He lowered his head, aiming for her lips, the distance between them vanishing.

    But before he could get any closer, a sudden jolt of searing pain shot through his shoulder, wrenching a sharp grunt from his throat.

    Shock flickered across his face as he reeled back.

    Maia had sunk her teeth into his shoulder.

    ¡°Maia! How dare you sink your teeth into me!¡± Vince eximed, his eyes as cold as ice. ¡°Fine then, this only makes things more exciting.¡± His face twisted into something grim and menacing, ready to force her down once more.

    Out of nowhere, the door burst open with a violent crash, shaking the walls as it mmed against the frame.

    Spinning around instinctively, Vince barely caught a glimpse of movement before a brutal punch mmed into him.

    The sheer force of it sent him reeling backward, crashing off the sofa and hitting the floor with a heavy thud.

    For a long second, he justy there, stunned by the unexpected blow.

    He let out a sharp breath of pain, swiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, and fought to push himself upright. His bloodshot eyes rose ¡ª only for his pupils to abruptly shrink when he caught sight of who stood there.

    It was the same man he had crossed paths with at the private restaurant on the day he had spotted Maia.

    That face, that bearing ¡ª Vince hadn¡¯t forgotten for a second. The man¡¯smanding presence had been impossible to ignore.

    Everything about him radiated a cold, unshakable authority, a razor-sharp aura that made the air itself feel heavier.

    But why had he shown up here? No, something about this did not sit right.

    Vince¡¯s mind raced, a chilling suspicion creeping into his thoughts. Was the man who had shared a meal with Maia at the restaurant that day actually this very man? Could it be¡­ he was the true force behind Maia?

    Vince¡¯s mind spun out of control. He jerked his head toward Maia, then quickly toward the man drawing near, whose eyes were dark and full of threat.

    ¡°Who are you?!¡± Vince yelled.

    Chris stood tall, his expression frigid, casting a cold stare down at him without giving a reply.

    His eyes were like frozen steel, as if he were staring at a man whose life was hanging by a thread.

    He shifted his gaze to Maia, a faint crease forming between his brows. Maia¡¯s lips, bruised and red, stood out against the pale strain of her face, and the emotions swirling in her eyes ¡ª shock, fury, fear ¡ª made his own expression darken even further.

    Chris felt his chest clench tight, a sharp, unfamiliar ache striking him at the sight before him.

    For as long as he had known her, Maia had always worn a shield of cool indifference, untouched by anything.

    The rawness of her expression now sliced straight through his defenses.

    Without wasting a second, he crossed the room in a few strides, sweeping Maia into his arms as if she weighed nothing.

    Vince stumbled back onto his feet, rage shing like lightning in his wild eyes.

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 Chapter 250

    ?Chapter 250:

    Scrambling forward, he threw out a hand as he shouted, ¡°Put her down! Now!¡±

    While holding Maia close, Chris felt the shuddering in her fragile frame, every tremor fueling the storm brewing inside him.

    A cold fury stirred under his skin, hardening his expression into something lethal.

    He stopped, then tilted his head just enough to cast a cold nce over his shoulder.

    The sheer force of that nce pinned Vince where he stood.

    Chris¡¯ stare was horrifying, something Vince had never encountered before.

    It was the first moment in his life he hade face-to-face with such mercilessness.

    Chris¡¯ frigid eyes carried a chilling desire to kill.

    It was a look that radiated absolute authority and hatred.

    The pressure of it was so suffocating that Vince struggled to draw in a breath.

    His legs turned unbearably stiff, and he found himself rooted to the spot. His throat tightened so badly that he could not force out a single sound.

    A fierce wave of panic surged through Vince¡¯s chest, and a thin sheen of cold sweat gathered on his forehead. Who was this man really? But before Vince could fully catch his breath and gather his wits, Chris had already vanished, carrying Maia in his arms.

    Chris strode out of the Nexus Collective with Maia cradled securely in his arms.

    The streets outside were deserted, and the cold wind howled, stretching his shadow long and dark beneath the flickering streetlights. Resting her head against his shoulder, Maia tucked herself closer to him, thest of her trembling slipping away.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??om has it all

    A strange calm washed over her, so gentle and unexpected that it left her almost weightless.

    Still, a question lingered in her mind, gnawing at the fragile peace. Why had Chrise for her?

    Her thoughts barely had time to form before they were swallowed by the dizzying haze building inside her, each second pulling her deeper under.

    She tilted her head up, stealing a look at him.

    The angles of his face stood out sharply against the night, and even the firm line of his mouth seemed impossibly maic.

    Without warning, a feverish heat bloomed in her chest, wild and fierce. An untamed urge stirred inside her, reckless and raw, coaxing her to move closer, to steal the coolness from his skin, to touch him without restraint.

    A ripple of heat rolled through Chris as well.

    He nced down at her, his expression tightening.

    Her flushed cheeks and parted lips set off rms in his mind.

    She was burning up, her breathing in fevered bursts.

    With careful urgency, Chris tightened his grip around her and managed to swing the car door open, settling her inside before climbing in after her, steadying her when she swayed.

    ¡°Go. Head straight back to the apartment,¡± said Chris, his voice low and edged withmand.

    Without hesitation, Maxwell threw the car into gear. He caught a glimpse of the backseat through the rearview mirror but kept his mouth shut tight.

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 Chapter 251

    ?Chapter 251:

    It was rare to feel such intense anger emanating from Chris, and his tone had already indicated the severity of the situation.

    Leaning back, Chris shut his eyes for a moment, trying to cage the raging anger wing inside him.

    Hours earlier, when he realized that Maxwell had let Vince slip away, he had ordered him to tail the bastard.

    Maxwell had followed Vince all the way here, discovering that, besides Vince, Maia had arrived at the Nexus Collective too ¡ª a ce made for sneaky meetups!

    Fuming with frustration, Maxwell had snatched his phone and barked at Chris to get there fast, throwing in a crude warning that if he dragged his feet, he might just get yed for a fool.

    Without wasting a second, Chris tore over, only to walk right into a scene that made his blood boil.

    Now, Maia lookedpletely out of it, her words slurring together, leaving any questions pointless until she could think straight again.

    The car tore through the streets.

    Out of nowhere, Chris snapped his eyes open, a gnawing sense of wrongness tugging at him.

    Maia was restlessly squirming, her delicate brows knitted in distress, her slender fingers tugging unconsciously at her cor, her entire being agitated beyond control.

    Every inch of her was screaming for something cool.

    The cool, clean scent of cedar from the man beside her exuded a special kind of allure, making it increasingly difficult for her to restrain herself.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    Without warning, she reached for him, her hand slipping under his shirt, skimming the hard lines of his stomach.

    Chris grabbed her wrist mid-motion, his throat tightening as he struggled to steady himself.

    ¡°Enough,¡± said Chris, his voice sharp but rough around the edges.

    Yet Maia moved like she hadn¡¯t heard a word.

    Her hand slid up the hard curve of his arm, looping around his neck, while her body pressed urgently against his.

    From the driver¡¯s seat, Maxwell caught a glimpse in the rearview mirror and almost choked on his own breath. Holy hell. Was she serious? She was acting like he wasn¡¯t even there!

    A sudden jolt shook the car as Maxwell swerved slightly, scrambling to get the vehicle back under control without ncing at it again.

    Chris¡¯ jaw tightened. Without hesitating, he pulled Maia firmly into his arms, locking her movements in ce.

    ¡°Maia, you need to calm down,¡± Chris murmured, his voice gravelly from the effort it took to stay steady.

    Maia showed no signs of responding. Her head rested against Chris¡¯ shoulder, and the heat of her breath ghosted over his neck.

    ck and dazed, her gaze drifted, and she whispered in a broken voice,

    ¡°It¡¯s too hot¡­ I can¡¯t take it¡­¡±

    rm flickered in Chris¡¯ eyes as the truth mmed into him.

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 Chapter 252

    ?Chapter 252:

    Something was seriously wrong with her.

    The possibility hit him hard, leaving no room for doubt.

    ¡°Drive faster, Maxwell!¡± Chris eximed, his voice cracking like a whip. Maxwell jammed his foot down on the gas pedal, and the car tore down the street, a blur of red taillights fading into the night.

    Back at the apartment, Chris pushed open the door to Maia¡¯s room and carefully lowered her onto the bed.

    Earlier, he had already instructed Maxwell to track down someone from the ck market. Only they would have ess to the kind of antidote she needed.

    Standing over her, Chris watched helplessly as she twisted in agony, her flushed cheeks and furrowed brows painting a picture of pure torment.

    Hovering over her, Chris watched her squirm in difort, her flushed face damp with sweat and her slender body restless against the sheets. His fists curled tightly at his sides, rage gleaming in his eyes like sharpened steel.

    Chris turned around and walked out of the room to get a ss of cold water. When he came back, he lifted Maia against his chest and helped her drink the water, hoping it would ease her difort.

    However, Maia did not seem satisfied with the coolness of the water. She kept nuzzling against Chris¡¯ chest, searching for the chill hidden beneath his shirt.

    Her hair was already a wild, soft mess, tousled like that of a little kitten, stirring something deep inside Chris.

    He fought hard to keep hisposure.

    After settling Maia back onto the bed, Chris reached out his hand to pull a nket over her.

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    Yet before he could do so, Maia suddenly threw her arms around his neck, yanked him downward without warning, and tilted her head up to press her lips to his cool ones.

    Chris felt a sudden fracture within his psyche, as if thest strand of his self-control had abruptly given way.

    He gently cradled Maia¡¯s head, his lips hungrily drinking in the sweetness of hers.

    Their body heat intertwined through the fabric, igniting thetent desire simmering between them.

    The coolness of Chris¡¯ hand contrasted sharply with Maia¡¯s feverish skin, causing her to tremble.

    The sparks of longing within her red up, spreading swiftly through her being.

    Maia reciprocated his advances with increasing fervor, driven by her deep-seated yearning for relief.

    At that moment, Chris¡¯ body stiffened unexpectedly.

    What was he contemting? Was he really about to take advantage of her vulnerability? Under the drug¡¯s influence, Maiacked her usual lucidity. Should he simply go along with her impulses?

    Despite their marriage and his profound desire for her, the thought of exploiting herpromised state repelled him.

    He longed for her to engage willingly, not for him to capitalize on the situation in such a manner.

    Chris held back his rising emotions, lifted his gaze, and gently turned Maia¡¯s face toward him. His voice was low and rough. ¡°Maia, do you recognize me?¡±

    Her eyes fluttered open slowly. Gazing at Chris¡¯ striking features, she broke into a spontaneous smile. ¡°I know. You¡¯re¡­ Chris.¡±

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 Chapter 253

    ?Chapter 253:

    A sharp intensity shed across Chris¡¯ face, his eyes gleaming with a perilous spark. ¡°Do you understand what you¡¯re doing at this moment?¡±

    Maia leaned back, her hand wandering over his chest, her delicate fingers warm, causing Chris¡¯ muscles to tighten reflexively.

    Her voice, soft and beseeching, barely whispered, ¡°Chris, please¡­¡±

    Chris was taken aback.

    His self-control, which he had always been confident in, crumbled entirely then.

    Overwhelmed by passion, he pressed his lips fiercely against hers, a demanding kiss that stole her breath away and overwhelmed her senses.

    As the atmosphere thickened with tension, the piercing sound of the doorbell echoed unexpectedly.

    Maxwell was at the front door, clutching the urgently needed medication. He kept ringing the bell, puzzled by the silence inside.

    Earlier, Chris had called him in a panic to bring the remedy without dy. Now, standing at the door, Maxwell wondered what had dyed their response.

    Maxwell persisted with the doorbell, and finally, after his one hundred and twenty-seventh press, the door swung open.

    Chris appeared in the doorway, his shirt cor askew, his attire rumpled, his face shadowed like an impending storm.

    Catching sight of Chris¡¯ disarray, Maxwell immediately grasped the situation, awkwardly holding up the bag containing the remedy with a sheepish grin. ¡°Got the remedy, Chris. Shall I throw it away, and you¡­ go on?¡±

    Chris snatched the remedy, his features set in a frosty mien. ¡°This isn¡¯t your concern. Leave.¡±

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    With that, he sharply closed the door.

    Maxwell stood dumbfounded on the doorstep. He had worked so hard to get the remedy for Chris¡¯ wife, and this was how Chris repaid him?

    Clutching the remedy, Chris felt a surge of unease.

    Thankfully, Maxwell¡¯s timely arrival brought back some much-needed perspective.

    Under the influence of the drug, Maia could recognize who he was, but her actions and thoughts were beyond her control.

    With a deep breath, Chris returned to the room, ced a reassuring arm around Maia¡¯s fevered shoulders as she continued her yful taunts. Struggling to master his desires, he took a ss of water from the bedside table and gently helped her take the remedy.

    Gradually, Maia¡¯s cheeks lost their feverish glow; her body rxed, her breathing evened out, and she soon drifted into a peaceful sleep against Chris.

    Chris gentlyid her back on the bed and carefully tucked her in. His long, well-defined fingers swept a stray lock of hair from her forehead while a bitter smile yed on his lips.

    His voice, soft and soothing, broke the silence. ¡°Have a good rest. When you wake up, everything will be alright. I¡¯ll be here, waiting for the day you choose to embrace me willingly.¡±

    The following morning, Maia awoke with a pounding headache.

    She winced, her head heavy, and her body overwhelmed by weakness.

    As she massaged her temples, fragmented memories of the previous night began to surface ¡ª Vince had taken her into a secluded room, seemingly with ill intentions. But what followed was a blur.

    .

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 Chapter 254

    ?Chapter 254:

    She strained to piece together the events, only to recall being rescued.

    And the rescuer was Chris.

    At that realization, her heart clenched suddenly.

    A wave of anxiety swept over her.

    The previous evening, Chris had seen her with Vince, and now, the rumors linking her to Vince continued to circte. Would this deepen Chris¡¯ misunderstandings about her?

    She struggled to recall the details of the night, even how she had ended up back in her own bed.

    ncing at her phone, she noticed several missed calls from Brielle and Pattie, along with text messages filled with concern.

    Pattie¡¯s message read, ¡°Maia, where did you go? If you don¡¯t get back to us soon, Brielle and I are going to call the police!¡±

    Brielle¡¯s message added, ¡°Maia, are you okay? Pattie and I had too much to drinkst night, and when we woke up this morning, we realized you hadn¡¯te back the whole night. Please don¡¯t be mad, alright?¡±

    Choosing to ignore these for the moment, Maia quickly got out of bed, donned a coat, and left her bedroom.

    She found herself standing before Chris¡¯ door, hesitating.

    After a moment of gathering her courage, she took a deep breath and raised her hand to knock.

    Maia¡¯s mind was clouded with confusion, and with each passing moment of silence, her anxiety grew, urging her to resolve the uncertainty.

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    A quiet creak echoed as the door edged open.

    Standing there, Chris leaned casually against the frame, his hands tucked into his pockets. He shifted his weightzily, giving a wide yawn that hinted he hadn¡¯t gotten much sleepst night.

    Blinking a few times, Chris rubbed his eyes before setting his gaze on Maia, a faint, unreadable smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Couldn¡¯t wait to see me this early, huh?¡± he teased, his voice light and yful.

    After a brief pause, he chuckled and added, ¡°You¡¯re not here because you¡¯re hungry, are you? I slept in and didn¡¯t have time to make breakfast, but I ordered some food ¡ª it should arrive any minute now.¡± Just before bed, Chris had sent a request to the Wront Grant Hotel, asking them to have porridge ready for him.

    For a moment, Maia stood still, wondering if Chris was actually not upset.

    Still, she understood that she couldn¡¯t leave things unclear.

    Taking a deep breath, she locked eyes with him and said seriously, ¡°Mr. Cooper, nothing¡¯s going on between me and Vince. Those stories online? They¡¯re fake. The paparazzi twisted everything with those pictures they took! Last night wasn¡¯t what it looked like. He just¡­¡±

    After rushing through everything in one breath, Maia faltered, struggling to find the right words to continue.

    Chris arched a brow, azy grin slipping onto his face. ¡°You¡¯re exining so fast ¡ª worried I¡¯d get the wrong idea?¡± Without missing a beat, Maia gave a firm nod.

    ¡°Exactly.¡±

    A brief flicker passed over Chris¡¯ face, too fast for her to catch. ¡°So, you¡¯re starting to see me as your real husband now? Not just a name on a piece of paper?¡±

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 Chapter 255

    ?Chapter 255:

    Maia blinked, caught off guard by the question. ¡°We¡¯re legally married, and as long as we are, I¡¯d never do anything to betray your trust.¡±

    Chris frowned slightly, a hint of dissatisfaction slipping into his voice.

    ¡°That¡¯s not the answer to the question I asked.¡±

    Maia mped her lips together, unsure of what to say.

    Chris watched her stay silent for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh, his eyes clouded with faint disappointment. His tone was wounded as he said, ¡°Maia, after everything that happenedst night, are you really going to pretend it didn¡¯t happen?¡±

    A sharp jolt ran through Maia as her heart skipped a beat. She stared at him, stunned. ¡°W-What do you mean? What did I even do to youst night?¡±

    Chris¡¯ sharp almond-shaped eyes narrowed briefly before he slipped back into his rxed, easygoing manner. Lifting an eyebrow slightly, he asked, ¡°How about you think back and figure it out?¡± Without waiting for a response, he started pulling the door closed.

    Panic red in Maia¡¯s chest, and she lunged forward to stop him. ¡°Hold on!¡±

    She scrambled to recall the details of the night, her mind a blur. All that surfaced were fragmented images.

    The only things she could vividly recall were waves of heat engulfing her body and a haze clouding her thoughts.

    Did something actually happen between her and Chris?

    No matter how hard she tried, the memories refused toe back. Gripped by anxiety, she eximed, ¡°Can you just tell me what really happenedst night? I really can¡¯t remember.¡±

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    Chris nced down at her, a mischievous smile ying at his lips. ¡°I¡¯m getting ready to change. Are you just going to stand there and stare?¡±

    A flush spread across Maia¡¯s face, and she quickly released her grip on the door handle.

    A soft click sounded as the door shut firmly in front of her.

    Maia instinctively took a step back, her heart pounding wildly. She recalled that Vince had drugged herst night, and Chris had shown up just in time to rescue her.

    But beyond that, everything turned hazy, and a sharp pain throbbed in Maia¡¯s temples.

    Could it be that under the drug¡¯s influence, she had ended up sleeping with Chris?

    A few minutester, Chris strolled out of his room, now dressed and looking fresh.

    Right on cue, the doorbell rang with the arrival of their food delivery, and they soon found themselves seated across from each other at the dining table.

    Though the porridge smelled wonderful, Maia could barely bring herself to take a bite. Her head was a whirlpool of unanswered questions, and no matter how much she tried, she couldn¡¯t shake the confusion gnawing at her.

    She wanted to ask Chris what had really happened, but the words refused to leave her mouth. Every time she tried, hesitation took over, and she second-guessed herself.

    Across from her, Chris ate slowly, his face calm and unreadable, as if nothing unusual had happened.

    Maia gripped her spoon, absentmindedly stirring the porridge, stealing nces at him whenever she thought he wasn¡¯t looking. Dressed casually today, Chris looked effortlessly handsome, his charm radiating without even trying.

    A slight rush of adrenaline sent her heart racing.

    .

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 Chapter 256

    ?Chapter 256:

    Fragments of the previous night flickered in her mind¡ªwhispers of intimacy, a breath near her ear, moments just out of reach.

    Chris suddenly lifted his head and locked eyes with her, his gaze narrowing slightly. ¡°Starting to remember?¡±

    Startled, Maia blinked in confusion. ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Last night,¡± Chris reminded her, a hint of amusementcing his voice.

    Maia quickly dropped her gaze, nervously biting her lower lip. Chris chuckled softly as he pushed back his chair. ¡°No need to rush. I¡¯ll give you some time,¡± he said lightly, grabbing his jacket from the back of the chair before heading toward the door.

    Before leaving, Chris casually tossed over his shoulder, ¡°Just leave the dishes where they are when you¡¯re done. Get some rest. I¡¯ll handle it when I get back.¡±

    The next moment, he was already out the door.

    A flush crept up Maia¡¯s neck, her cheeks ame with the rush of memories flooding her thoughts. She faintly remembered Chris¡¯ whispers¡ª¡±It¡¯s fine¡­¡± and ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting¡­¡±¡ªechoing in her mind. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t piece the full memory together.

    A pounding headache soon overtook her, and she gave up, crawling back into bed.

    Sleep imed her quickly, dragging her into a vivid dream where she could feel herself pressing her lips against Chris¡¯ cool ones. Each kiss, drawn out and full of intent, left her gasping for air, yearning for the next.

    By the time she jolted awake, sweat clung to her skin, soaking her clothes.

    A cold shower helped wash away the lingering daze, and for the first time that morning, her mind felt a little clearer.

    L?¦Ó??¦Ó ch?¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?ls.????

    Once she dried off, Maia sat down and quickly fired off replies to Pattie and Brielle, easing their concerns with a few reassuring messages.

    She kept the truth aboutst night to herself. There was no need to drag them into her mess or add to their stress.

    As for Vince¡­ just thinking about him made her blood boil. How could he stoop so low as to drug her?

    It wasn¡¯t just that Maia had been naive; it was painfully clear now that her judgment had been terrible. How could she have ever cared about someone like him?

    All that running and hiding had only fueled his obsession, making him more reckless each time.

    This time, she swore, she would make sure he paid the price for everything he¡¯d done.

    A sudden vibration buzzed against the table, snapping her out of her thoughts. Her phone screen lit up with notification after notification. Opening Twitter, Maia quickly spotted her name popping up all over thement sections of trending posts.

    The Ward family just made a major ssh on social media, announcing Vince and Rosanna¡¯s uing engagement.

    The post highlighted next week¡¯s engagement celebration, also aiming to dispel recent rumors by affirming that Vince had no romantic ties to any other women.

    Apanying the post was a photo showing Vince and Rosanna hand in hand, their smiles radiating sincere affection.

    This strategic announcement was clearly intended to squash the persistent whispers about Vince and Maia.

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 Chapter 257

    ?Chapter 257:

    The post also called on the public to stick to the facts and cease spreading falsehoods, with a stern warning that the Ward family would pursue legal action against those ndering them.

    Additionally, it disclosed that the Ward family¡¯s attorneys had initiated legal proceedings against the photographer behind the controversial images, demanding an apology.

    The hashtag #VinceAndRosannaEngaged quickly soared into the top five trending topics.

    In just a few minutes, the post gathered thousands ofments. Rosanna¡¯s supporters were thrilled, their celebrations spilling over onto social media.

    Their congrattory messages flooded thements, and they didn¡¯t miss the chance to throw shade at Maia.

    ¡°Amazing, just look into their eyes in that snapshot! You can truly sense the love. And about those older shots of Maia with Vince? I¡¯m now certain those were fabricated by Al!¡±

    ¡°Here¡¯s what genuinepatibility looks like! Not someone desperate for the limelight by concocting phony scandals. With Vince and Rosanna united, it¡¯s time for others to step aside.¡±

    ¡°What a facepalm moment for the gossip spreaders! They imed Maia and Vince were reigniting something, but now we see the clear truth.¡±

    ¡°Maia¡¯s silence speaks volumes, doesn¡¯t it? She must be hiding in shame. Really, who thought a fake Morgan, who actually is from the slums, could mingle with the elite?¡±

    However, not everyone was swept up in the wave of support. Some offered a more critical perspective.

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    ¡°A bit of skepticism might be in order. As the saying goes, there¡¯s no smoke without fire. Would those photos of Vince tugging on Maia¡¯s arm have existed if he hadn¡¯t gone to see Maia? Seems doubtful, Vince.¡±

    ¡°Rosanna appears to have turned the tables miraculously. Just days ago, she was the subject of pity online, and now she¡¯s all polished up? Does everyone online have such short memories? And curiously, right after those photos of Maia surfaced, the Ward family announced this engagement? Rosanna¡¯s ying her hand well.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Rosanna may have won this round, and Maia appears to have lost. However, does Rosanna truly hold Vince¡¯s heart? That remains questionable. After all, whatmitted man finds himself grasping another woman¡¯s hand just before his engagement?¡± The undertone was clearly mocking and sharp.

    Rosanna¡¯s most devoted followers immediately took to defending her. They flooded thement sections, vehemently attacking skeptics andbeling them as paid attackers by Maia.

    Throughout this chaos, Maia maintained herposure. She opted to ignore the online uproar, simply shutting off her phone and distancing herself from the noise.

    Meanwhile, at the Morgan family vi across the city, Rosanna was delighting in her scan of the trending news.

    Witnessing the flood of well-wishes mingled with the critiques aimed at Maia, Rosanna¡¯s face broke into a self-satisfied grin.

    ¡°Maia, you don¡¯t stand a chance against me,¡± she said with a sense of victory.

    Basking in her triumph, Rosanna began to orchestrate the specifics of her engagement celebration alongside Sandra.

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 Chapter 258

    ?Chapter 258:

    A lot of fans had expressed their desire to attend the event in person, though they knew it was impossible.

    Given the limited space at the venue and the extensive guest listprising family and friends, Rosanna opted to capture the entire event on film. She nned toter share this recording on social media, treating her followers to an exclusive glimpse.

    One issue lingered for Rosanna: she hadn¡¯t yet secured a dress that met her standards.

    Initially, she had set her heart on making a grand entrance in MCN¡¯s renowned Blue Sea gown at the event, nning to give Vince an unforgettable surprise.

    However, following a fallout with MCN, which led to her being cklisted, not even pulling strings could secure her ess to the desired gown.

    Compounding her frustration, Maia had recently worn that very gown for a performance at the Starlight Bar. The thought of Maia wearing the Blue Sea gown enraged Rosanna. How could Maia wear it while she couldn¡¯t even purchase it?

    Determined not to be outshone by Maia on her own engagement day, Rosanna resolved that she must appear as the most radiant and stunning woman there. This meant finding an even more spectacr dress than the Blue Sea.

    As Rosanna dwelled on this dilemma, her phone vibrated. Vince was on the line, extending an invitation to a private dinner party.

    Vince made sure to highlight the importance of proper etiquette and even arranged for a set of formal clothes to be delivered for the asion. Later that evening, Rosanna joined him on a trip to an extravagant estate.

    The dinner venue sparkled under brilliant lights, drawing together the most influential figures from Wront¡¯s upper circles. Many faces Rosanna had only ever seen on TV or in newspapers were now right in front of her.

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    Standing at the entrance to the grand hall, Rosanna couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of unease. Moments before stepping out of the car, Vince had quietly mentioned that the host of tonight¡¯s gathering was Mariana Cooper, the youngest daughter of the Cooper family¡¯s patriarch. The Cooper family sat at the very top among Wront¡¯s four major families.

    Such a high-end gathering was something the Morgan family had never even had the privilege to know about in the past. But the Ward family yed on apletely different level; they were one of the four major families of Wront¡¯s elite society. Inparison, the Morgan family couldn¡¯t evenpete with the Ward family.

    Most people viewed Rosanna¡¯s uing marriage to Vince as the chance of a lifetime. If it hadn¡¯t been for the marriage arrangement made by their elders, Vince likely would¡¯ve ended up with a woman from one of the other three major families.

    In the past, Vince was known for bringing a new woman to every event, but tonight things were different. Everyone knew that he was preparing to get engaged to the Morgan family¡¯s daughter, and Mariana had personally extended an invitation to him and his fianc¨¦e.

    Rosanna¡¯s heart raced with a mix of nervousness, excitement, and a sense of thrill. She was finally setting foot into the world she had spent her whole life admiring from afar.

    Squeezing her hand gently, Vince offered a few simple words, his voice steady. ¡°Rx. Just be yourself.¡±

    Rosanna made sure to leave an impression that night. With wless makeup and the elegant evening gown Vince had personally chosen for her, she immediately drew the attention of several gentlemen. Many lifted their sses in polite acknowledgment, while a few acquaintances of Vince¡¯s strolled over to exchange greetings.

    Vince carried every conversation with effortless charm, his presence naturally pulling focus wherever he went. Walking at his side, Rosanna maintained perfectposure, every step and smile carefully crafted to project sophistication and intelligence. Her posture, speech, and expressions were polished to perfection, leaving little room for fault.

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 Chapter 259

    ?Chapter 259:

    Across the room, Mariana had already caught sight of them. Given how much buzz surrounded Vince and Rosannately, she couldn¡¯t help but take an interest. Turning to the person beside her, Mariana smiled and teased, ¡°Not bad, right? The Ward family never disappoints when ites to taste.¡± The woman next to her nodded stiffly, remaining silent. Her gaze flickered toward Vince, and a faint blush slowly spread across her face as she clenched her hands, desperately trying to conceal the emotions she couldn¡¯t shake.

    Before long, Vince led Rosanna over to Mariana. After exchanging a few pleasantries, it became clear to Rosanna that Mariana genuinely enjoyed their conversation, a sign that she had made a strong first impression. Still, Rosanna stayed cautious. She knew better than to appear overly eager¡ªsuch eagerness could easily backfire in circles like these. Following Vince¡¯s lead, she moved through the crowd, exchanging greetings with other influential guests, all the while keeping an eye out for another opportunity to reconnect with Mariana.

    Just then, someone stepped onto the stage, and the sound of live music filled the hall, shifting the atmosphere. A sparkle lit up in Rosanna¡¯s eyes as she eagerly volunteered to sing. The moment her soft, melodic voice filled the room, she captivated the audience and quickly earned their admiration.

    A faint smile tugged at the corner of Vince¡¯s mouth as he watched her shine. Around them, guests murmured praises for Rosanna, and even Mariana¡¯s expression brightened with genuine delight.

    It was clear now that some things simply had to be experienced firsthand to be truly appreciated.

    As Rosanna gracefully stepped down from the stage, Mariana weed her with warm apuse and offered sincere praise, a clear sign that Rosanna was making her mark among the elite.

    ¡°Miss Morgan, your voice is enchanting. You¡¯re every bit as talented as you are graceful.¡±

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    Rosanna responded with a modest smile, her tone gentle andposed. ¡°Miss Cooper, you tter me. It¡¯s truly an honor to earn your praise.¡±

    This time, Mariana took the initiative to chat with Rosanna for a long while. The two conversed happily, as if they were old friends.

    Some nearby guests couldn¡¯t help teasing Vince about his impable taste and specting on how many socialites in Wront must be heartbroken now that he was taken.

    ¡°It¡¯s only natural they get jealous when they see Rosanna. After all, she¡¯s perfect,¡± Mariana teased, shing Vince a yful nce and pretending to scold him for not introducing Rosanna sooner.

    Rosanna appeared quiet and reserved at first nce, but beneath her modest exterior, she expertly guided the conversation. She showered Mariana withpliments about her wless style and sharp wit, making sure to leave Mariana visibly delighted.

    Vince, quietly observing them, couldn¡¯t help but feel a little surprised. Mariana, who was famous for her fiery and unpredictable temper as the youngest daughter of the Cooper family¡¯s head, Kolton Cooper, seemed to genuinely enjoy Rosanna¡¯spany.

    This turn of events worked perfectly in the Ward family¡¯s favor.

    Rosanna¡¯s smile grew warmer as she and Mariana sped hands, a silent but powerful gesture sealing their newfound bond in front of Wront¡¯s high society.

    Everything was unfolding even better than they had hoped.

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 Chapter 260

    ?Chapter 260:

    As the evening drew to a close, it was obvious that Mariana¡¯s affection for Rosanna had deepened. In a burst of enthusiasm, she even imed to everyone present that from now on, Rosanna was a close friend of hers, and that should anyone dare to bully Rosanna, Mariana wouldn¡¯t let them go easily.

    Vince didn¡¯t say anything but felt overjoyed that he would have connections with the Cooper family through Rosanna. Meanwhile, Rosanna responded with the perfect bnce of grace and restraint. She let out a softugh and asked, ¡°Mariana, are you sure? Won¡¯t people start talking?¡±

    Mariana tightened her grip on Rosanna¡¯s hand and said without hesitation, ¡°Let them try! You¡¯re about to be engaged, and as your close friend, I absolutely have to stand behind you. In fact, I¡¯m giving you a gift. Tell me, is there anything you want?¡±

    Rosanna, thrilled yet measured, instinctively turned her eyes to Vince, silently seeking his guidance.

    Vince gave her an encouraging nod, signaling that she was free to ept.

    Mariana, noticing the silent exchange, chuckled and added, ¡°You¡¯re not married yet. No need to be so cautious around him! Just tell me ¡ª whatever you want. As long as it¡¯s within my reach, it¡¯s yours.¡±

    Sensing the perfect moment, Rosanna leaned in slightly, her voice light and sweet, with just a hint of shy excitement. ¡°Mariana, I¡¯ve always dreamed of wearing a custom MCN gown for my engagement party. It would mean the world to me.¡±

    ¡°Still¡­ given where I stand now, even thinking about MCN¡¯s exclusive designs feels like a distant dream.¡±

    The custom dresses produced by MCN were in a league of their own. Tailored for the morous engagement parties of globally recognized socialites, they symbolized pure luxury and untouchable prestige.

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    Inparison, the Blue Sea gown seemed almost trivial.

    If Rosanna could somehow get her hands on one of MCN¡¯s high-end custom gowns, she¡¯dpletely outshine Maia. Moreover, Rosanna would erase the humiliation of being cklisted by MCN and rub her victory right in Maia¡¯s face.

    All Rosanna wanted was for Maia to see that she could still walk proudly in MCN¡¯s finest. When that moment arrived, it would be Maia choking on her own words.

    A gentleugh escaped Mariana. ¡°Why stress over it? It¡¯s just an MCN gown. I¡¯ll get one sent to you.¡±

    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Unable to contain her excitement, Rosanna grabbed Mariana¡¯s hand tightly.

    ¡°Of course I am. You can count on me!¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s heart raced with anticipation.

    Gratitude flowed from Rosanna as she thanked Mariana, already feeling as though she had one foot inside the dazzling world of the true elite. It all seemed to be falling into ce, almost too smoothly.

    Once Vince dropped her off at home, he urged Rosanna to spend more time around Mariana. In his eyes, the Coopers were the most powerful family in Wront, and Mariana, being the spoiled daughter of the family, was a valuable connection. Building a bond with her could unlock limitless opportunities.

    When Vince finally drove away, Rosanna remained lost in a happy haze. Everything was moving faster than she had ever imagined.

    Without wasting any time, she hurried to share the night¡¯s events with Sandra and Richard. They were overjoyed, showering her with endless praise. They even encouraged her to start attending more exclusive gatherings and hinted that she¡­

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 Chapter 261

    ?Chapter 261:

    She should bring Jarrod along, hoping that he might stumble upon an even grander prospect.

    Morning arrived with a new invitation from Stacy, who wanted to take Rosanna out shopping. Recently back from a trip to Galote with an older lover, Stacy jumped at the chance to reconnect the moment she heard that Rosanna was about to marry into the Ward family.

    Tired of living as someone¡¯s mistress, Stacy was desperate to w her way into the world of the truly wealthy, and she saw Rosanna as her best bet.

    Since Rosanna needed the perfect jewelry toplement her uing MCN gown, she epted Stacy¡¯s offer, and together they headed to Harmony za.

    Hourster, after wandering from boutique to boutique, both were beginning to feel the weight of exhaustion. Then, Stacy suddenly pointed in a direction and said, ¡°Look! Isn¡¯t that Maia?¡± Her tone was dripping with contempt. ¡°First, she gets us thrown out of the mall. Now she won¡¯t stop making your life miserable. Don¡¯t worry, Rosanna. I¡¯ll make sure she pays for it.¡±

    Determined to prove her worth, Stacy was eager to show that she could be an asset if Rosanna ever opened the doors to the elite for her.

    A sharp chill settled in Rosanna¡¯s gaze as soon as she heard Stacy¡¯s words.

    Across the mall, Maia was enjoying a leisurely afternoon with Pattie, browsing the newest arrivals from several high-end brands. Pattie had originally convinced Maia that it was all in the name of gathering creative ideas for her next batch of MCN designs.

    Truth be told, Pattie was more interested in shopping for herself than helping with any real creative work.

    Lunch was already on Maia¡¯s mind, and she was practically drooling over the thought of dining at the new fusion restaurant that had just opened upstairs. Word had it, the food there was divine. They had just wrapped up the call to secure a private dining room.

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    From somewhere behind them, a voice dripping with mockery cut through the air. ¡°Well, well. If it isn¡¯t the famous K herself, Maia Watson. Been hiding outtely, haven¡¯t you?¡± Stacy taunted.

    At the sound, Maia slowly turned to face them, her expressionposed as she met the eyes of Rosanna and Stacy.

    With a sweet smile that barely concealed her anger, Rosanna said, ¡°Maia, how have you been? Vince and I are celebrating our engagement this weekend. You¡¯ll be there, won¡¯t you?¡±

    Pattie¡¯s face instantly twisted into a frown, and she cursed silently. Seriously? Did she and Maia have to run into these clowns everywhere?

    Tugging discreetly at Maia¡¯s sleeve, Pattie muttered under her breath, ¡°Just ignore them. They¡¯re not worth your time.¡± Maia responded with nothing but a polite smile.

    The sight of it made Rosanna¡¯s smile falter.

    Pattie¡¯s sharp tongue had humiliated Rosanna before. Knowing she would likely lose if another round of verbal sparring started, Rosanna wisely held back.

    Without missing a beat, Stacy rushed to seize the moment. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Speechless? Or are you just bitter? Rosanna¡¯s being generous, even inviting you. It¡¯s an honor, you know, letting you witness her big moment! Did you really think cklisting us from MCN changed anything? Let me tell you¡ªRosanna will be unting one of MCN¡¯s finest custom gowns at the party. That¡¯s real luxury, Maia! And even if you¡¯re too petty toe, don¡¯t worry. The whole world will watch the event live. You can stew in your jealousy from some dark little corner.¡±

    Noticing that Maia remained silent, Stacy smirked, convinced she had finally managed to hit a sore spot.

    But Rosanna didn¡¯t speak either, so Stacy figured she needed to press harder.

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 Chapter 262

    ?Chapter 262:

    Moving in closer, Stacy jabbed a finger at Maia and said, her eyes gleaming with vicious triumph, ¡°Stop acting. Everyone knows you¡¯re not deaf! Maia Watson, you¡¯re nothing but a pathetic joke! So what if the Blue Sea dress you wore at Starlight Bar was authentic? Compared to MCN¡¯s fancy custom pieces, it¡¯s trash! Rosanna is about to be Mrs. Ward, a member of a prestigious family. And you? Just a struggling songwriter. Do you honestly think you belong in the same world as her? People in high society wouldn¡¯t even bother to spare a nce at someone from the entertainment industry like you! How dare you even think you¡¯re on the same level as Rosanna?¡±

    ¡°What a load of nonsense,¡± Pattie muttered inwardly.

    Arching an eyebrow, Pattie recalled that as the true owner of MCN, she had a hand in approving every single high-end custom order¡ªand not once had Rosanna¡¯s name evere up.

    A smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. They seriously had the nerve to brag about MCN in front of her? Pathetic!

    Driven by a fresh wave of irritation, Pattie decided she would take pleasure in putting Stacy and Rosanna back in their ce.

    Pattie replied quickly with a mocking tone, ¡°Really? A fancy custom piece from MCN? Where did you find that? It can¡¯t be a knockoff, can it?¡± Her final words dripped with sarcasm and contempt.

    Stacy scowled, trying to figure out who the person next to Maia was. Given Rosanna¡¯s position, the idea of a fake piece seemed ridiculous. It looked more like jealousy from someone who couldn¡¯t afford such luxury.

    Stacy sneered, disgusted by the thought. How dared two ordinary people¡ªlikely never to taste such luxury¡ªquestion them?

    She shot a look of pure disdain at Maia and Pattie, her voice cutting, ¡°Where it came from isn¡¯t any of your business¡­ People like you will never know that kind of luxury. I bet you¡¯ve never evenid eyes on MCN¡¯s top-tier custom pieces!¡±

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    ¡°Who do you think you¡¯re talking to¡ª¡± Pattie began, ready to snap back angrily, but Maia quickly raised her hand to silence her.

    Maia shook her head, signaling for Pattie to calm down. Her face remained unreadable. The taunts clearly didn¡¯t faze her.

    Rosanna quickly adopted a sweet, innocent expression, and her voice grew soft and caring. ¡°Stacy, that¡¯s enough. Don¡¯t hurt Maia¡¯s delicate feelings.¡±

    A trace of smugness lingered in her eyes as she smiled elegantly. ¡°Maia, you¡¯re not really upset, are you? I just wanted to invite you to my engagement party. I¡¯d love for you to be there and see my happiness.¡± Rosanna drew out the word ¡°happiness,¡± each syble a subtle provocation.

    Stacy, always eager to please Rosanna, quickly added, ¡°That¡¯s right, Maia. Since Rosanna has kindly invited you, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have the guts to show up, won¡¯t you?¡±

    Maia gave a small, faint smile. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll attend your engagement party.¡±

    Rosanna froze for a moment, her face stiffening. She hadn¡¯t expected Maia to agree so easily. A brief look of surprise shed in her eyes, but she quickly covered it, keeping her smile intact. ¡°I¡¯m so d you¡¯ll being, Maia. It really makes me happy.¡±

    Maia gave a small smirk. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be there.¡±

    As soon as Rosanna and Stacy were out of view, Pattie couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. She muttered a few choice words to release her frustration and then dialed her assistant to get the list of clients who had bought high-end custom pieces.

    Finally, she frowned and turned to Maia. ¡°Maia, that smug look on Rosanna¡¯s face is enough to drive anyone mad. She¡¯s clearly inviting you to make a fool of yourself at her engagement party with Vince. Are you really going to go? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re serious!¡±

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 Chapter 263

    ?Chapter 263:

    ¡°Of course,¡± Maia answered casually, her face giving nothing away.

    Pattie scowled. ¡°You¡¯re joking, right? You¡¯re not really thinking of crashing the party, are you?¡±

    Maia¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile, a cold gleam in her eyes. ¡°She¡¯s getting married. Naturally, I have to prepare a very special gift for them!¡±

    The private room was finally ready, and Maia and Pattie walked into the restaurant, taking their seats. The restaurant was well-known, and the service was top-notch. The waiter ced an hourss on the table, a signature feature of the ce¡ªif the sand ran out before the food arrived, the meal was free. Pattie ordered a few of the restaurant¡¯s special dishes along with two sses of juice.

    While waiting, sheined about Rosanna at least five times, insisting that just seeing her hadpletely spoiled her appetite. Maia noticed no hint of irritation in Pattie¡¯s demeanor.

    Soon, they changed the subject.

    Pattie took a sip of her juice. ¡°I have to admit, this fresh juice is excellent! If the cuisine is as delicious, should we invest in this restaurant ourselves? That way, we wouldn¡¯t have to wait in line and coulde whenever we want.¡±

    ¡°Sounds good,¡± Maia replied with a smile, taking a sip of her own.

    The juice was definitely good, but Maia couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something wasn¡¯t quite right. It wasn¡¯t about Rosanna; it was about Chris.

    Thinking about the events ofst night, Maia took a deep breath and looked at Pattie, hesitating for a moment before speaking. ¡°Pattie, I have a question I¡¯d like to ask you.¡±

    Pattie raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. ¡°Well, this is a first. You actually want to ask me something? Go ahead!¡±

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    Maia held her juice cup, usually calm and detached, but now she seemed uncertain. This piqued Pattie¡¯s curiosity, and she blinked, waiting for Maia to continue.

    ¡°How can I tell if I¡¯ve slept with a man while unconscious?¡±

    Pattie¡¯s hand trembled at the question, almost spilling her juice!

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Pattie¡¯s eyes grew wide, her gaze fixed on Maia as if she were conducting an interrogation. Her voice rose sharply. ¡°Maia, did you sleep with a guy? Who took the initiative? Was it at that karaoke ce? Oh my God, that exins why you didn¡¯t pick up your phonest night! What¡¯s his name? How old is he? Is he good-looking? Does he have money? What does he do for a living? How many are there in his family? What¡¯s his physique like? What¡¯s his personality? Is he gentle and reserved, or passionate and unrestrained? You didn¡¯t think to introduce him to me? That¡¯s really impolite! Give him a call now, and invite him to dinner. The food¡¯s not even here yet!¡±

    Maia¡¯s temple began to throb. What started as a simple question had escted into a relentless grilling. Pattie was examining her as if she were a suspect on the stand, with the intensity mounting by the moment.

    Was it necessary for her to be this dramatic?

    Onlookers at nearby tables started to peek over curiously.

    Hastily, Maia put a finger to her lips. ¡°Shh! Keep it down! It¡¯s not about me! I¡¯m asking for a friend!¡±

    A friend? Pattie thought skeptically. It was hard to say whether such a friend ever existed or not.

    Her eyes narrowing, Pattie asked, ¡°Is that so?¡±

    ¡°Yes, truly!¡± Maia confirmed with a vigorous nod.

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 Chapter 264

    ?Chapter 264:

    Observing Maia a bit longer, Pattie eventually rxed, picking up her drink once more. ¡°So, is this the first time for your friend?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it is,¡± Maia whispered, blushing.

    With a knowing smirk, Pattie said, ¡°Then it¡¯s easy. Just see if there was any bleeding.¡±

    Maia hesitated. She had, rather reluctantly, checked the bed linens afterward. ¡°No,¡± she said.

    ¡°Well, actually, that doesn¡¯t settle it,¡± Pattie said, clucking her tongue. ¡°Not all women bleed.¡±

    Pattie continued asking, ¡°Was there any difort afterward? Or perhaps any¡­ unusual feelings?¡±

    Lowering her voice, Pattie proceeded to ask a string of rather direct questions that caused Maia¡¯s cheeks to flush.

    ¡°I don¡¯t remember her saying she felt anything unusual,¡± Maia said, faltering as she struggled for words and strove to maintain her poise. Pattie¡¯s expression turned thoughtful as she reclined in her chair, mulling over the information.

    After a brief pause, she exhaled. ¡°Well, it¡¯s either that he¡¯s not impressive or perhaps nothing significant happened.¡±

    Maia diverted her attention to her beverage, taking a deliberate, slow drink.

    Despite her efforts, Maia couldn¡¯t help but visualize Chris¡¯ impressive physique ¡ª his broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, topped off with subtly defined abs. She took a deep gulp, internally contesting Pattie¡¯s assumptions; he certainly didn¡¯t fit the dull description Pattie suggested.

    ¡°You seem rather well-informed on the subject,¡± Pattie said, noting the blush spreading up Maia¡¯s neck. ¡°Could it be that we¡¯re actually discussing you?¡±

    ¡°No, definitely not me!¡±

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    ¡°Then what¡¯s with the blush?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because you¡¯re being ridiculous,¡± Maia responded gently.

    Time seemed to be dwindling rapidly.

    Fortunately, their meal was served at that moment, smothering the ongoing debate with its delightful scent. Pattie quickly shifted her focus from her probing to the food, attacking it with enthusiasm.

    Maia breathed a deep sigh of relief.

    Once they finished eating, Maia gged down a taxi to take her to the hospital. It was an important day, as Kathie was scheduled to be released.

    Having handled all the necessary documentation, Maia then apanied Kathie and Ethan to their new residence in Marvelous Garden. This was the apartment Maia had carefully selected and purchased for Kathie and Ethan.

    As they entered the fancy neighborhood, Ethan¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Maia¡­ this ce is unbelievable.¡±

    Kathie gripped her hands tightly, her eyes wide as she looked around. ¡°Maia, are we really going to live here?¡±

    With a reassuring smile, Maia responded, ¡°Yes, this is your new home.¡± She gestured towards the ninth floor of Building Five. ¡°You see that unit with the window open? That¡¯s where you¡¯ll be living.¡± A moment of amazement passed between Ethan and Kathie.

    They had grown up in slums, where even dreaming of a residence like this seemed foolish.

    Upon entering the apartment, Ethan stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened at the sight of a massive wall filled with books. The library was meticulously arranged, with shelves brimming with brand-new books. Maia had thoughtfully organized the collection by subject, dedicating a vast section solely to mathematics. Two whole shelves were overflowing with books.

    Overwhelmed with joy, Ethan rushed to the shelf, grabbed a book, and started flipping through it, his face lit up with a broad, uncontroble smile.

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 Chapter 265

    ?Chapter 265:

    Witnessing Ethan¡¯s joy, Maia felt a deep, warm sensation swell within her. She stood quietly behind him, her voice gentle as she said, ¡°Ethan, this is your study now.¡±

    Ethan whirled around, locking eyes with Maia. He had beenughing just a moment ago, yet now tears began to form in his eyes. Ethan struggled to speak, his throat tightening, his voiceing out hoarse. ¡°Maia, you¡­¡±

    Maia had shown him such incredible kindness, more than he knew how to thank her for.

    Silently, Maia extended her hand and gently tousled Ethan¡¯s hair, her touchforting. Her eyes were filled with gentleness.

    ¡°Ethan, you need to work hard. Someday, you¡¯re going to surpass even me!¡±

    Off to one side, Kathie felt a mix of emotions stir within her. As she aged, her constant worry had been her ability to support Ethan. Now, seeing Maia by Ethan¡¯s side, Kathie found that her worries began to fade.

    Taking in her surroundings, Kathie felt the reality of their situation settle in. Her vision blurred slightly with emotion.

    ¡°Maia¡­¡±

    As Maia turned, she immediately saw the tears in Kathie¡¯s eyes. Kathie quickly dabbed at her cheeks and managed a tearful smile. ¡°I¡¯m just overwhelmed with joy. It¡¯s hard to put into words. It feels like things are finally getting better.¡±

    Ethan suddenly said, ¡°You¡¯re crying because you¡¯re happy!¡±

    Laughter filled the room as the three of them shared the moment.

    Maia then guided Kathie to the dining room, where a carefully prepared spread of nourishing meals awaited them.

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    ¡°Kathie, these meals are important for your recovery, but you won¡¯t have to eat them every day. I¡¯ll drop by and cook for you whenever possible.¡±

    ¡°Okay, okay!¡± Kathie replied, holding Maia¡¯s hand firmly, her eyes roving appreciatively over their new, inviting home.

    This felt exactly like what a home should be. She hadn¡¯t experienced such peace andfort in years. Kathie thought that staying together like this would be ideal. She imagined watching Maia and Ethan mature, perhaps starting families of their own someday. Kathie hoped her health would permit her to help with their future children.

    However, her attention was suddenly drawn to something concerning.

    There appeared to be no bedroom designated for Maia. Instead, one room had been transformed into a study.

    This led Kathie to wonder if Maia intended to reside elsewhere. A question formed in Kathie¡¯s mind, prompting her to ask, ¡°Maia, are you¡­ seeing someone?¡±

    Maia paused for a second, and for no clear reason, Chris¡¯ face appeared in her thoughts.

    She wasn¡¯t seeing anyone, but she was already listed as married.

    Maia bit her lip, unsure how to respond.

    Ethan quickly spoke up. ¡°There¡¯s no way Maia has a boyfriend! What kind of guy could possibly be good enough for her? My future brother-inw has to be the best guy out there!¡±

    Maia couldn¡¯t hold back augh. ¡°You¡¯re setting the bar pretty high.¡±

    Ethan replied with all seriousness, ¡°Well, naturally! You¡¯re amazing, Maia. Any guy who wants to marry you has to be perfect. Even I¡¯d have to give my stamp of approval!¡±

    Maia smiled but stayed quiet.

    She looked around the home she had created for them, her eyes firm and unwavering.

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 Chapter 266

    ?Chapter 266:

    This home was her promise, a safe haven for those she loved. Maia silently swore to guard it with everything she had. She didn¡¯t exin why she wasn¡¯t moving in herself. Kathie knew that Maia had her reasons and didn¡¯t press her for more details.

    It was Ethan who spoke up, seriously dering that once he grew up and had enough money, he¡¯d buy a bigger house so Maia could live with them as well.

    Maia tousled Ethan¡¯s hair gently, her voice soft. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting for that day. But until then, you¡¯d better work hard, alright?¡±

    ¡°I will!¡± Ethan replied.

    After having dinner with Kathie and Ethan, Maia got up and made her way back to her apartment at Elysium Apartments.

    The moment Maia walked in, she saw Chris stretched out on the sofa. His legs were propped up, and he flipped through a book withid-back grace.

    When Chris noticed Maia, he nced up and said without a hint of rush, ¡°You didn¡¯t mentioning back for dinner, so I didn¡¯t bother cooking today.¡±

    Maia walked over to the water dispenser and filled a ss, but her gaze stayed fixed on Chris sitting nearby. She spoke with a light tone. ¡°You never used to cook. When did that change?¡±

    Chris closed his book, grabbed the empty ss from the table, and walked over to the dispenser. Standing next to Maia, he filled his ss, and a smile softened his features. ¡°When my wife¡¯s cooking is so incredible, how could I not pick up a few things? I¡¯ve got to keep up somehow.¡±

    Maia turned her head just enough to nce at him, her voice curious. ¡°Usually, in a family, when one person can cook, the others just wait to eat. Why are you so¡­ different?¡±

    Chris met her gaze, his eyes steady. ¡°Cooking might seem easy, but doing it right takes real skill.¡±

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    He squinted just a bit, his voice yful and warm. ¡°In the future, if you want to cook, I¡¯ll be your sous-chef. If not, I¡¯ll take over the kitchen myself. Deal?¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    Her fingers gripped the ss a little tighter. She had once given her heart so easily to Vince, only to face endless demands and no real understanding. Now, with Chris ¡ª someone she barely knew ¡ª he was showing her more care and thoughtfulness than anyone ever had. Even those she had once called her closest friends had hurt her without a second thought. Maia struggled to believe that someone she barely knew could be truly kind, with no strings attached.

    Her voice turned a bit distant. ¡°Why are you so nice to me?¡±

    What was this man really after? Maia couldn¡¯t bring herself to say it out loud.

    Chris saw the tension in her face. He reached out, gently pinching her cheek, and chuckled. ¡°Because you deserve it. Why would I have married you if I hadn¡¯t wanted to be nice to you?¡±

    These words made Maia¡¯s heart race.

    When she had agreed to marry Chris, it had been to honor Zoey¡¯s wish. But what about Chris? Why had he said yes?

    Maia¡¯s thoughts felt scattered.

    She wanted to ask why Chris had shown up at Nexus Collectivest night, right when she needed him to pull her away from Vince. But mentioning Vince now felt wrong, as if it would tarnish the warmth she felt in that moment. So, Maia kept her questions to herself.

    Her gaze dropped without thinking, moving over Chris¡¯ exposed forearm, lean and strong with a hint of muscle, then lower to his slim waist, held by a ck belt. His crisp white shirt barely showed the outline of his firm abs, giving off an unmistakable sense of strength. Chris looked wless, like he had stepped out of a¡ª

    Maia¡¯s eyes wandered downward unintentionally, her mind drifting back to Pattie¡¯s yful remarks from earlier.

    She stopped in her tracks, her throat feeling parched, confirming what she had already suspected. From what she could see, Chris¡¯ manhood was certainly not small by any means.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 267

    ?Chapter 267:

    ¡°What are you staring at?¡± Chris¡¯ smooth voice echoed above her. Taken by surprise, Maia quickly lifted her gaze, feeling caught off guard.

    For a split second, she felt utterly embarrassed, but she quicklyposed herself and said stiffly, ¡°Nothing. I wasn¡¯t staring at anything.¡±

    No sooner had the words escaped her mouth than Chris reached out and took her hand in his. The warmth radiating from his palm sent a thrill shooting up Maia¡¯s spine.

    Feeling puzzled, she nced up at Chris¡¯ face and found his dark eyes sparkling with mischief, a sly grin on his lips. He appearedpletely at ease, almost mischievous, yet there was an undeniable allure in the way he gazed at her.

    It was obvious that he wasn¡¯t buying her story for a second.

    Before Maia had a chance to respond, Chris had already ced her hand on his stomach, right over his shirt. His deep voice had a slight huskiness to it.

    ¡°I have a hunch you weren¡¯t just taking a casual nce¡­ Maybe you were eyeing something in particr?¡± He slowly guided Maia¡¯s hand downward.

    Chris shed a mischievous grin and said, ¡°Or perhaps¡­ Here¡­¡±

    Maia¡¯s cheeks turned a deep red as if they had been set on fire. Her fingers jerked back as though they had been zapped, and her heart raced, swept up in a storm of emotions.

    This guy was simply an irresistible charmer!

    Maia had never experienced anything like this before. Unable to resist the overwhelming tension, she turned, wanting to leave in a flustered rush.

    However, Chris remained rxed, his eyes fixed on her crimson cheeks. With a yfulugh, he said, ¡°Next time, if you want to look, just say it. Don¡¯t sneak around. I¡¯m your husband ¡ª everything is fair game for you.¡±

    Maia felt her heart leap into her throat. The woman, usuallyposed, found herself revealing a rare, girlish shyness.

    Chris watched her, captivated, as if he were enjoying this new side of her that he had never noticed before ¡ª her bashfulness.

    The atmosphere between them became subtly electrified, thick with a sense of awkwardness.

    Resolute in her attempt to steady herself, Maia inhaled deeply. Instead of getting lost in her thoughts, she chose to tackle the issue directly. She turned to Chris and asked, ¡°Mr. Cooper, can you rify ¡ª did something happen between usst night?¡±

    He let out a sigh, looking helpless. ¡°You genuinely don¡¯t remember anything?¡±

    Maia shook her head in response.

    It wasn¡¯t that she hadpletely lost her memory; it was more about her uncertainty.

    ¡°Would you like me to help refresh your memory?¡±

    Chris moved closer, lowering his voice to a quiet whisper.

    He kept a careful distance, never actuallying into contact with her, yet his closeness felt almost too intense to bear. His movements were fluid, inching ever so slightly nearer to Maia.

    ¡°Does this jog your memory at all?¡± His voice was low and soothing, and his warm breath grazed her ear. The cool, fresh scent of cedar filled the air around her.

    The sensation felt familiar and sent a shiver coursing through Maia. Every hair on her body seemed to stand on end. Her skin heated up, and her fingertips curled ever so slightly as vague, fragmented images shed in her mind ¡ª intimate moments she couldn¡¯t quite piece together.

    Maia took a quick breath, trying hard to steady her nerves.

    She stepped back, looking Chris in the eye with determination. ¡°Mr. Cooper, the situationst night was strange. If I crossed any lines¡­ I¡¯m truly sorry.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 268

    ?Chapter 268:

    Her voice came across as honest, leaving Chris momentarily speechless. He wasn¡¯t sure how to react.

    His eyes darted, and then he reached out to yfully tousle her hair, as ifforting a child. ¡°Chill out. Nothing irreversible happened. Make sure to get some sleep early.¡± Chris offered a slight smile, his face hard to read, before he turned and walked back to his room. His tall, sturdy frame vanished down the hallway, leaving Maia frozen in disbelief.

    Nothing irreversible had happened?

    That meant¡­ they had crossed every line except that one?

    Maia¡¯s fingers instinctively brushed her lips, which still felt warm from his presence.

    Was the kiss she had thought was just a figment of her imagination actually real?

    In his room, Chris stood by the window, reflecting on Maia¡¯s response. A small, involuntary smile crept onto his face.

    However, the smile disappeared just as quickly.

    If he hadn¡¯t shown up when he did the night before, things could have spiraled out of control.

    A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes as he grabbed his phone and dialed a secure line.

    A man picked up on the other end. ¡°Boss, how can I help you?¡± he asked, his tone respectful.

    ¡°Begin with the Ward Group¡¯s funding. Sever their ties with partners in Sundara. Simultaneously, leak this information to ensure banks tighten their lending.¡± He urged speed and caution. ¡°You know, my patience is limited.¡± Chris spoke in a steady tone, as if chatting about the weather.

    The man on the other end hesitated briefly ¡ª his boss hadn¡¯t taken such direct action against anyone in a long time. What had the Ward family done to deserve this? They were digging their own grave.

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    ¡°Understood, sir. It will bepleted in three days.¡±

    Chris hung up the phone and leaned against the window, staring into the darkness outside. A small frown creased his forehead, revealing a subtle mix of weariness and cold determination in his expression.

    Maxwell¡¯s message sat unanswered. This time, Chris wasn¡¯t looking for his assistance.

    Meanwhile, Maxwell, having heard nothing from Chris, had no ns to remain idle. How could Vince dare to make a move against Chris¡¯ wife? He must have been as reckless as a daredevil!

    He picked up his phone and instructed his team, ¡°When you get a moment, go and dete Vince¡¯s tires.¡±

    At the Ward Group headquarters, the lights in the CEO¡¯s office still shone bright. Vince sat at his desk, his fingers drumming a steady beat, a dark look on his face.

    His secretary stood in front of him, sweat trickling down her forehead as she nervously reported, ¡°Mr. Ward, those investors from Sundara just let us know they are backing out. They¡¯ll send the official letter tomorrow. This will create serious problems with the funding for several of our projects.¡±

    Vince understood the gravity of the situation, but he still hadn¡¯t figured out who was behind it.

    ¡°Have you discovered who is responsible?¡±

    The secretary shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m afraid not, sir. We haven¡¯t tracked it down. Everyone on their end insists it¡¯s due to financial problems.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 269

    ?Chapter 269:

    ¡°Absurd!¡± Vince mmed his fist on the desk. ¡°I can ept that one of them gives me this reason, but all of them do it at the same time? Someone is definitely manipting things behind the curtain! Keep digging. I want answers!¡±

    The secretary nodded, too intimidated to say anything.

    Vince gestured for her to leave, then lit up a cigarette, holding it between his fingers.

    The unexpected pullout of investors, stricter bank loans, and cut-off partnerships abroad¡­ These weren¡¯t just chance events. They were clear warnings.

    But who had enough power to pull off something like this? Whoever it was, they had a strong background.

    Vince inhaled deeply before putting out the cigarette.

    His mind wandered back to the man who had taken Maia away that night.

    Could it be him? Or was Maia herself the one pulling the strings?

    He narrowed his eyes, a cold spark shing in his gaze.

    He had never met anyone like that man in Wront. Was he possibly from a wealthy family somewhere else?

    The more Vince pondered it, the more frustrated he became.

    With his engagement to Rosanna on the horizon, he couldn¡¯t afford any moreplications. So far, this issue hadn¡¯t caught his father¡¯s and grandfather¡¯s attention. He needed to secure funding quickly to fix things.

    He clenched his fists, his mind reying the incidents from that night at the Nexus Collective.

    Did that guy really think he could take Maia from him?

    No way.

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    Maia belonged to him. He wouldn¡¯t allow her to be with anyone else.

    Pattie went back to the hotel right after saying goodbye to Maia and quickly set up a video meeting for MCN.

    ¡°Check which client recently ced a big custom order with delivery to Wront,¡± Pattie instructed.

    She was actingpletely different from the cheerful, easygoing person she had been at dinner. Her eyes were cold, and her face was serious.

    Before long, Pattie finished the meeting and reached out to Maia. ¡°You won¡¯t believe what I discovered! Rosanna actually ended up with one of our high-end custom dresses. But here¡¯s the twist ¡ª she didn¡¯t buy it. It was Mariana Cooper who ordered it and gave it to her as a gift.¡± Pattie let out a deep sigh after delivering the news. ¡°Rosanna¡¯s really glued herself to the Cooper family, tagging along with Mariana. This order is impossible to turn down. You know the deal ¡ª we can¡¯t say no to VIP clients. That was the rule you set years ago.¡±

    ¡°Whatever,¡± Maia answered with azy grin. ¡°If there¡¯s money to be made, why not take it?¡±

    ¡°Maia, your reaction is downright creepy¡­ It¡¯s like the calm before the storm. Come on, spill it. What are you up to?¡± Pattie¡¯s excitement bubbled over. She knew Maia better than anyone else did.

    Pattie had a gut feeling that Maia was nning something major. The moreposed Maia seemed, the more certain Pattie was that something was about to hit the fan.

    ¡°Take your time,¡± Maia said in a calm tone. ¡°Let Rosanna savor her happiness for now.¡±

    But in truth, Rosanna¡¯s happiness wouldn¡¯tst long.

    Maia¡¯s eyes drifted to the window, where sparrows chirped on the tree branches.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 270

    ?Chapter 270:

    The real action was just around the corner.

    After getting the dress from Mariana, Rosanna wasted no time showing it off on Twitter, her words oozing with pride. ¡°I finally got my hands on the MCN high-end custom dress I¡¯ve always wanted. I¡¯m in love with it! I can¡¯t wait to wear it at my engagement party. I¡¯ll be the most stunning bride. Huge thanks to Mariana for making my dreame true with this gift. @NeverTipsyMa1iana.¡±

    Mariana quickly responded to the post, ¡°Rosanna, only MCN¡¯s high-end custom pieces can match your beauty. Congrats on your engagement ¡ª wishing you all the happiness in the world!¡±

    The post sparked an instant frenzy among fans.

    Thements section quickly filled withpliments and admiration.

    ¡°Wow, MCN high-end custom! That¡¯s the ultimate mark of elite status!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t even imagine owning one. Rosanna is going to look absolutely stunning and so elegant in it!¡±

    ¡°Mariana? The woman from the Cooper family in Wront? Oh my gosh, she¡¯s treating Rosanna like she¡¯s part of the family ¡ª how close must they be?¡±

    ¡°This is what separates the social circles. Rosanna is about to be a wealthy socialite, rubbing elbows with a whole different ss of people. Unlike some, no matter how good she is at writing songs, who cares? She¡¯s still just another person in the entertainment business ¡ª someone the real elites would never even give a second nce.¡±

    ¡°Vince has such great taste. Rosanna was born to be a wealthy socialite! Some people might envy her, but it¡¯s pointless. Remember that scandal from before? I think someone was deliberately clinging to Vince, trying to ruin his rtionship with Rosanna. Too bad, it didn¡¯t work.¡±

    ¡°I wonder if that person will show up at Rosanna¡¯s engagement party. Probably skulking in some corner, drowning in misery. Just imagining it is hrious!¡±

    Thements were filled with subtle digs at Maia, tearing her down while boosting Rosanna.

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    #RosannaMCNEngagementDress shot up the trending charts in no time. The post quickly grabbed the attention of many high-society figures. Some were impressed, while others seethed with envy.

    Even onlookers could see that Rosanna wasn¡¯t just marrying into money; she was also getting support from Mariana, a member of Wront¡¯s top family ¡ª the Coopers. It was as if Rosanna was making the leap from ordinary to extraordinary.

    From that moment, Rosanna became part of the elite crowd. Maia couldn¡¯t hold a candle to her anymore.

    At the Ward Group headquarters, inside the CEO¡¯s office, Vince rubbed his temples, looking frustrated.

    The pullback of investments from Sundara had pushed him to take out loans from the bank.

    But today, the bank had also lowered the credit limit for Ward Group.

    In other words, the funding issue was still hanging over his head. To make matters worse, his secretary still hadn¡¯t found any useful information, leaving Vincepletely stumped.

    The image of that man¡¯s cold, murderous stare shed in Vince¡¯s mind once again.

    Vince knew that he couldn¡¯t just sit around anymore. Even if he was wrong about his suspicions, he had to look into it himself.

    He tried reaching Maia, but it seemed like she had blocked his number ¡ª his call wouldn¡¯t go through.

    With no other options, Vince borrowed a phone to call her. ¡°Maia, it¡¯s me. Please don¡¯t hang up! I have something really important to talk about. Can we meet? This is someone else¡¯s phone, and it¡¯s not ideal to talk like this.¡±

    The line went silent, leaving Vince on edge. After a few moments, Maia¡¯s calm voice finally came through. ¡°An hour from now, at Nova Caf¨¦.¡±

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 Chapter 271

    ?Chapter 271:

    At Nova Caf¨¦.

    The caf¨¦ was full of people, just as Maia had hoped. It was lively enough to prevent any trouble, unlike thest time. When Vince showed up, Maia had already taken her seat, absentmindedly stirring her coffee with a spoon.

    Vince made his way over and sat down across from her, his eyes filled with anger.

    Maia took a slow sip of her coffee, her tone steady. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± She nced at him. ¡°If it¡¯s the same old nonsense, I¡¯m not interested.¡±

    Vince¡¯s expression hardened. His tone grew tense as he demanded, ¡°Maia, who was the guy that took you that night? Is¡­ is he keeping you? Are you using him to get back at me? Have you¡­ slept with him already?¡±

    Maia set her cup down with a sharp clink against the saucer. She could barely restrain herself from sshing the coffee into Vince¡¯s face. Her voice was icy as she looked him straight in the eye. ¡°Vince, you¡¯re about to get engaged, and you¡¯re asking me this? Even if I had been with someone else, wouldn¡¯t it be because of you?¡±

    It had been Vince who had slipped something into her drink that night, leaving her consumed with desire. Just thinking about it made Maia¡¯s stomach turn.

    The atmosphere grew heavy at once.

    Vince stood frozen, too shocked to argue, overwhelmed by frustration. So, Maia had actually¡­ been with that man¡­

    Vince balled his fists, his knuckles turning white as the veins on his hands stood out.

    Maia saw his face darken and let out a bitterugh. ¡°Vince, not every man is as vile as you. The one who helped me is a good man, a true gentleman. He neverid a finger on me. And yourpany? He had nothing to do with that either.¡±

    Maia knew that someone like Chris, an ordinary chauffeur, didn¡¯t stand a chance against the Ward Group.

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    Vince paused, slightly shocked, and lifted his eyes to meet Maia¡¯s gaze. Her gaze was sharp and cold, her voice heavy with anger and disappointment.

    ¡°Vince, I used to believe you were a good man. It¡¯s only now that I see what you truly are. I regret ever being fooled and ever falling for someone like you. If I could go back, I¡¯d have cut ties with you long ago.¡±

    Her words hit Vince like a punch to the gut, sending panic coursing through him. His face drained of color, and he scrambled to fix things.

    ¡°Maia, mypany¡¯s been under attack for the past few days, and I still don¡¯t know who¡¯s behind it. I didn¡¯t mean to use you! That night¡­ I was drunk¡­ I lost control. But I swear, if youe back to me, I¡¯ll change! I¡¯ll give you anything you want! I¡¯ll treat you better than anyone else ever could! You liked that Two Tied Hearts bracelet, right? I bought it for you! Doesn¡¯t that show how serious I am about us? I would treat you better than anyone else could!¡±

    Maia looked at Vince¡¯s desperate face and let out a sharp, mockingugh.

    ¡°Vince, do you even hear yourself? You already gave that bracelet to Rosanna, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    Vince was caught off guard. How did Maia know about that?

    He hurried to exin, ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t want it anymore¡­ So I gave it to Rosanna. But if you still want it, I¡¯ll buy you another one right now!¡±

    Maia¡¯s voice was cold and unfeeling as she replied, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in wearing the same jewelry as a woman like her.¡±

    ¡°No problem,¡± Vince said quickly, forcing a ttering smile. ¡°I¡¯ll get you something better, something more expensive! Whatever you want, I can get it for you. That¡¯s how sincere I am!¡±

    ¡°Sincere?¡± Maia raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. She stared at Vince with piercing eyes. ¡°Your engagement party with Rosanna ising up soon. Tell me, Vince, how am I supposed to believe in your sincerity?¡±

    Vince hesitated.

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 Chapter 272

    ?Chapter 272:

    When he didn¡¯t answer, Maia let out onest coldugh, stood up, and walked away without a second look.

    Vince watched her leave, his throat tight, unable to say a word. Her words still echoed in his mind. ¡°How am I supposed to believe in your sincerity?¡±

    The coffee had long since gone cold.

    Vince slowly picked up the cup, drank it all in one gulp, and then stood up to leave.

    Outside the caf¨¦, Brian opened the car door.

    Noticing Vince¡¯s dark mood, Brian hesitated but finally asked, ¡°Sir, where to next?¡±

    Vince leaned back in the seat, closed his eyes, and exhaled deeply. ¡°Back to the office.¡±

    There were still mountains of issues waiting for him at work, and the person behind the attacks on the Ward Group remained a mystery. But after talking to Maia, Vince felt more certain that the man she was with wasn¡¯t the one causing the trouble.

    Logically speaking, even if Maia had ended up with that man, she would have been nothing more than a lover, not a wife. No man would go to such lengths for just a lover.

    Besides, Vince still wasn¡¯t convinced that the man had the power to take on the Ward family. All of it had just been his own theory, which wasn¡¯t necessarily true.

    The car rolled smoothly down the street.

    As night settled over the city, Vince noticed the bright lights of Radiant Jewels up ahead.

    ¡°Stop at Radiant Jewels,¡± Vincemanded suddenly.

    Inside Radiant Jewels Boutique, the lights sparkled brightly, highlighting a selection of exclusive jewelry pieces that radiated elegance and high status.

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    As soon as Vince stepped inside, one of the clerks recognized him instantly. The clerk rushed over with excitement, saying, ¡°Sir, how can I help you today? By the way, we¡¯ve just released a limited edition of the Two Tied Hearts bracelet! We¡¯ve added extra details and embellishments, making it even more luxurious. Your girlfriend will be thrilled with it!¡±

    Vince looked at the bracelet, his expression darkening just a little. If Maia got this, she¡¯d surely forgive him, wouldn¡¯t she?

    ¡°Looks great. Wrap it up,¡± Vince said quietly.

    The clerk smiled brightly and quickly replied, ¡°Of course, sir!¡±

    Brian, who typically managed Vince¡¯s gift shopping, had already heard about the bracelet¡¯s release and had an idea of how pricey it was. With the engagement partying up, Brian couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Mr. Ward, this bracelet costs over two million dors¡­ Is it for Miss Rosanna Morgan¡¯s engagement gift?¡±

    Vince gave him a cold stare, immediately putting an end to the conversation.

    ¡°Stay out of it,¡± Vince snapped.

    Brian quickly went quiet, thinking that Vince was probably preparing some big surprise for Rosanna at the engagement party.

    After paying, Brian asked the clerk to keep the purchase under wraps. The clerk grinned and assured him, ¡°Got it, sir. I won¡¯t breathe a word.¡±

    With that, Brian finally rxed and drove Vince back to the office.

    The day of the engagement party came around quickly. That evening, the live broadcast of the engagement ceremony kicked off, with fans flooding in to offer their best wishes.

    The camera panned over the venue, which was stunningly decorated with sparkling crystal chandeliers and opulent furnishings. A deep red carpet ran from the entrance all the way into the grand banquet hall, with every detail shouting luxury and status.

    Viewers online were in awe. ¡°So this is what an engagement party in a wealthy family looks like!¡± theymented.

    The scene changed.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 273

    ?Chapter 273:

    Rosanna stepped into the crowd.

    Her presence immediately became the focal point of the entire event. She looked breathtaking in a tailor-made MCN gown, its detailed design fitting her like a glove. The soft, flowingyers of fabric and sparkling diamond ents gave her an elegant, statuesque look. She seemed to embody royalty.

    Rosanna truly resembled a princess.

    The livements flooded with praise.

    ¡°This MCN gown is absolutely breathtaking!¡±

    ¡°Wow, Rosanna looks like a fairy talee to life! How could anyone not be enchanted by her?¡±

    Rosanna smiled and waved at the camera, sending a greeting to the viewers.

    The Two Tied Hearts bracelet on her wrist sparkled under the lights, adding to her grace. Guests nearby couldn¡¯t stop showering her withpliments, admiring both her dress and her exquisite jewelry.

    A socialite stepped up and remarked, ¡°Miss Morgan, that bracelet is absolutely stunning! I recognize it. It¡¯s a real treasure and carries such a meaningful story. Mr. Ward must¡¯ve given it to you, right?¡±

    Rosanna nodded, beaming with a hint of modesty. ¡°Yes, Vince gave it to me,¡± she said softly.

    The other socialites looked on, their envy growing.

    ¡°Miss Morgan is truly a sight to behold today. Calling her the crown jewel of Wront would be no stretch. A custom MCN dress from Miss Cooper and an exquisite bracelet from Radiant Jewels. What a match!¡±

    ¡°Exactly! That bracelet is worth a small fortune. Mr. Ward really dotes on Miss Morgan. Showering her with gifts like this even before they¡¯re married¡­ Just think how much more he¡¯ll spoil her once they¡¯re married! I bet Mr. Ward will be the most loving husband ever!¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s smile grew even warmer as thepliments kept pouring in.

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    This was exactly what Rosanna had hoped for ¡ª admiration, envy, and total adoration.

    Soon enough, she would be fully epted into the upper echelons of society.

    The live chat was filled with a mix of jealousy, well-wishes, and a few bitterments.

    Though the engagement party hadn¡¯t officially started, the energy in the air was already palpable. Guestsughed and mingled, while Rosanna¡¯s family radiated a sense of sess.

    Sandra soaked in the attention, chatting away with influential figures from Wront¡¯s top families, her pride shining through. Richard stood tall, relishing the respect he had always longed for. After tonight, the Morgans would no longer be seen as lesser. A few people who had once brushed Richard off now approached him with smiles, discussing potential future partnerships.

    Jarrod, on the other hand, stayed mostly quiet, his eyes asionally drifting toward the entrance of the banquet hall.

    In the midst of the crowd, a socialite suddenly asked, ¡°Do you think Maia will make an appearance?¡±

    Laughter erupted at once, full of ridicule.

    Stacy sneered, her words oozing with sarcasm, ¡°Would she even have the guts to show up? Watching Rosanna so happy would probably crush her!¡±

    Another voice added, ¡°Exactly! In the end, Rosanna is the true victor.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Rosanna¡¯s engaged to the heir of a powerful family. And Maia? She¡¯s nowhere near that level.¡±

    ¡°If Maia had any brains, she¡¯d stay away and save herself from the embarrassment of being here.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 274

    ?Chapter 274:

    The room burst into more mockingughter.

    To everyone in the room, Maia had already beenpletely outshone by Rosanna.

    Rosanna tilted her head slightly, coolly taking in all the mocking conversation around her. She lifted her ss, a calm smile on her face, as if none of it bothered her.

    After today, Rosanna told herself, Maia would never get under her skin again. After all, only losers had a reason to be upset.

    The atmosphere was lively, full ofughter and excitement, as everyone eagerly awaited the official start of the party.

    Then, out of nowhere, a ripple of movement at the entrance caught everyone¡¯s attention, and all eyes turned toward it.

    The livestream camera adjusted to follow the action. The crowd gradually moved aside, allowing Vince to step into view. He wore a perfectly tailored, all-white suit that highlighted his tall, upright figure, giving off an air of grace. His chiseled features and good looks added to his refined aura. Every move he made was the picture of a true gentleman. Beneath the bright lights, he appeared even more striking. His steps were measured and confident, his eyes calm, and a courteous smile yed on his lips.

    A quiet murmur of appreciation spread through the crowd.

    ¡°Mr. Ward looks as handsome as always!¡±

    ¡°They make such a great couple. The connection between the Ward family and the Morgan family is truly a match made in heaven!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Ward is so dependable and mature. Miss Morgan, you¡¯re lucky to have him.¡±

    Guests hurried over to congratte them, filling the air with excitement and cheer.

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    Rosanna stood among the crowd, her gaze locked on Vince, her heart full of anticipation and satisfaction. It was the day she had dreamed of.

    Vince walked over to Rosanna, his gaze softening as he saw her. Rosanna slipped her arm through his, her face beaming with joy.

    Sandra, witnessing the moment, could hardly contain her delight, her smile stretching from ear to ear. ¡°Richard, look at them! Vince and our daughter are a perfect match! This is exactly the kind of life Rosanna deserves!¡±

    Richard nodded in satisfaction. He truly felt that he was basking in his daughter¡¯s glory today and replied, ¡°The Ward family is one of the most powerful in Wront. Our Morgan family joining forces with them will surely make everyone here envious. And Vince ¡ª he¡¯s truly an exceptional young man!¡±

    Jarrod wore a satisfied grin. His younger sister¡¯s good luck made him look good too, and he hadpletely forgotten about Maia. Joining his parents in the praise, he said, ¡°Rosanna isn¡¯t just stunning today ¡ª she radiates grace and dignity!¡±

    Meanwhile, thement section of the livestream exploded.

    ¡°Mr. Ward is so good-looking, and Miss Morgan is so kind. I can¡¯t get enough of this couple!¡±

    ¡°Oh my gosh, this is amazing! Miss Morgan is definitely destined to be a high-society star!¡±

    ¡°I bet someone¡¯s hiding somewhere, crying their eyes out. She used to be crazy about Vince, but now all she can do is watch him get engaged to Rosanna.¡±

    ¡°Maia wouldn¡¯t dare show up, would she? She¡¯d probably be green with envy seeing Miss Morgan¡¯s custom designer gown.¡±

    The hashtag ¡°Rosanna¡¯s MCN custom designer gown¡± even shot up to the top ten trending topics on Twitter. Hundreds of users flooded thements, tagging Maia.

    ¡°You¡¯re so full of yourself before? Now that Rosanna¡¯s engaged, are you too jealous to say anything, or did you delete your ount? It¡¯s been days since we¡¯ve heard from you!¡±

    ¡°Poor thing¡­ Vince loves Rosanna, not you. Stop fooling yourself. Spreading rumors won¡¯t do you any good! You¡¯re nothing but a maniptive woman!¡±

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 Chapter 275

    ?Chapter 275:

    Stacy, scrolling through her phone, grew more and more thrilled as she read the onlinements. She couldn¡¯t wait to pass on the news to Rosanna as soon as she could.

    Thinking back on her past run-ins with Maia, Stacy couldn¡¯t hold back her frustration and decided to vent online, posting a stream of harsh remarks. She went all out, saying the nastiest things she could to tear Maia apart. She stoked the mes of drama, fully aware that Maia wouldn¡¯t say a word in return.

    For once, Stacy felt victorious and at peace. Maia was nothing important!

    On one side of the spacious hall, Gavin, Vince¡¯s father, sat at the table reserved for the guest of honor. He wore a dark, formal suit, exuding both calm and authority. His sharp eyes scanned the room, taking in the lively scene.

    The Ward family was one of the top four families in Wront. Vince, being the heir, was expected to take charge one day. As a result, his engagement party drew a lot of attention, with top executives from the family present.

    The Ward family had also invited several media outlets to cover the event. The celebration marked Vince¡¯s engagement, and it also aimed to help improve their image after some recent scandals.

    The public had always been fascinated by the Ward family¡¯s heir. Not long ago, rumors about Vince and Maia had sent thepany¡¯s stock prices into a nosedive. But once the engagement news hit, the prices started to bounce back quickly.

    Gavin put his cup down with a satisfied look. ¡°This engagement is definitely a positive turn. It¡¯s about time Vince put down roots.¡±

    Sitting next to him, Charles slowly raised his eyes. His gaze was steady, and despite his voice being rough with age, it carried a sense of authority. ¡°The Ward family values lifelongmitment. Divorce is never an option, only widowhood. Loyalty and dedication are the pirs of our sess. Rosanna is a good fit for Vince. With this engagement, Vince should now turn his attention to his duties.¡±

    Charles looked at Vince and Rosanna, a small smile tugging at his lips. ¡°I never get people wrong. Rosanna¡¯s eyes are full of Vince. She¡¯ll undoubtedly be a supportive partner for him and stand by his side through storm and stress in the future.¡±

    Charles opened his pocket watch and nced at the time. He then turned to the person beside him and said, ¡°It¡¯s time. Let the host kick things off.¡±

    Full chapter updat3z at g??lnovels.??????

    However, just as the host was preparing to take the stage and announce the start of the ceremony, Rosanna hesitated, refusing to step forward.

    The host stood, drenched in sweat, his eyes fixed on Vince, silently begging for help.

    Rosanna grasped Vince¡¯s arm, gently shaking her head. In a low voice, she asked, ¡°Vince, could we hold off for a bit longer before we begin?¡±

    The others nearby assumed that Rosanna was just anxious and needed a brief pause to collect herself.

    Vince turned his head, his gaze locking on Rosanna. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± he asked.

    Rosanna¡¯s eyes revealed a soft, fragile vulnerability that made anyone who saw her feel the urge to shield her.

    Rosanna spoke in a quiet but firm voice. ¡°Maia said she¡¯lle. I¡¯ll wait for her.¡±

    The moment Rosanna finished, the guests whispered in disbelief.

    ¡°Maia? Is she reallying? Did I hear that right?¡±

    ¡°Why is she evening? To spoil the party?¡±

    ¡°There was no reason to invite Maia. She doesn¡¯t fit in here.¡±

    Rosanna kept her tone calm but gentle as she continued, ¡°No matter what, she¡¯s still my sister. I really hope to get her good wishes.¡±

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 Chapter 276

    ?Chapter 276:

    The livestream went wild, flooding withments.

    ¡°Miss Morgan is just too generous!¡±

    ¡°After everything she¡¯s been through, she still calls Maia her sister? I¡¯m honestly in tears!¡±

    ¡°Maia doesn¡¯t even deserve to be rted to Rosanna!¡±

    ¡°Forget it. Maia¡¯s not showing up. She¡¯s probably too envious toe!¡±

    Rosanna blinked, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

    The moment stirred emotions in everyone, both at the event and online.

    Rosanna¡¯s voice wavered with a touch of vulnerability. ¡°There¡¯s been a lot of mimunication between my sister and me. I want to use this moment to make things right. If she doesn¡¯t show up, I¡¯ll keep waiting. In my heart, she¡¯s still important, and my engagement party will be iplete if she¡¯s absent.¡±

    The guests were clearly touched, showering Rosanna with praise for her kindness and generosity.

    Sandra, on the other hand, had no ns to let Maia show up. She quickly signaled for Jarrod to step in and convince Rosanna to stop waiting.

    Jarrod approached Rosanna and spoke gently. ¡°Rosanna, let¡¯s stop waiting now, alright? You still see her as your sister, but she doesn¡¯t. She¡¯s no longer a part of our family. You look stunning today, and you¡¯re about to marry the man Maia once loved. If Maia shows up, it¡¯ll just make things awkward for her.¡±

    Sandra added, her tone thick with sarcasm, ¡°Even if Maia were cheeky enough, she wouldn¡¯t dare show up today. What could she possibly do? Make aplete fool of herself?¡±

    Richard, now more calm, stepped closer and gave Rosanna¡¯s hand a reassuring pat. ¡°Rosanna, don¡¯t stress. Whether Maia shows up or not doesn¡¯t matter. Tonight is all about you. Everyone¡¯s here for you.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no reason to wait,¡± Vince said, his voice gentle as he looked at Rosanna. ¡°No matter what happens, it won¡¯t change our happiness. Rosanna, let¡¯s not keep everyone hanging too long, okay?¡±

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    Rosanna looked down, but inside, she couldn¡¯t help but smirk coldly.

    What a shame if Maia didn¡¯t show up. She had been looking forward to humiliating Maia in front of everyone. Everyone urged Rosanna to act, and after a moment of hesitation, she finally gave a reluctant nod.

    Rosanna raised her head, took a long breath, and swapped her uncertainty for a broad, generous smile. ¡°Okay, enough waiting. Let¡¯s get started,¡± she said.

    With that, she wrapped her arm around Vince¡¯s and they made their way to the stage.

    Suddenly, a clear, cold voice rang out across the banquet hall.

    ¡°Rosanna, were you waiting for me?¡±

    Everyone in the room turned in stunned unison toward the entrance.

    It was Maia.

    She had shown up.

    Maia wore a gown that sparkled like stars, so magical it felt like she was walking straight out of a dream.

    The sleek cut of her dress, the shimmering fabric that caught the light, made her shine brighter than any star in the sky. She was breathtaking.

    A hush fell over the entire room. Maia had actuallye. The livestream audience sat up, their attention fixed on Maia.

    Her gown was beyond belief.

    Up until then, everyone had believed Rosanna¡¯s custom MCN couture was the highlight of the evening. But now, standing next to Maia, Rosanna¡¯s dress seemed dull inparison.

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 Chapter 277

    ?Chapter 277:

    The sting of thatparison hit hard.

    The crowd gasped in awe, followed by a rush of excited chatter among the guests.

    ¡°This gown has Eileen¡¯s touch, doesn¡¯t it? It looks like something she¡¯d make!¡±

    ¡°I thought the same! It¡¯s hard to miss! The impact and skill¡­ thest time I saw anything like this was Blue Sea!¡±

    ¡°No way! Eileen¡¯s been keeping to herself since she did Blue Sea. She hasn¡¯t dropped anything new for a while.¡±

    ¡°But look at the details ¡ª the stitching, the rich fabric? This isn¡¯t something any designer could pull off!¡±

    ¡°If this dress really is Eileen¡¯s, it might even outshine Rosanna¡¯s custom couture!¡±

    The livestream chat blew up again, flooded with thrilled messages.

    ¡°Wow! This gown is unreal!¡±

    ¡°This is top-tier design!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m so envious! I want it too!¡±

    At the event, every guest¡¯s eyes were fixed on Maia. She was just too radiant. Anyone who glimpsed her couldn¡¯t look away.

    The Morgan family stood frozen, their throats tight as if someone had cut off their air.

    This was a clear disy of unting. Evidently, Maia was here to cause trouble, to ruin this engagement party!

    Charles, the head of the Ward family, mmed his ss down, the sound sharp and heavy. His expression was stormy with anger.

    Gavin leaned toward Brian and whispered, ¡°This is a live stream. There are too many reporters here. Keep things in check and watch our image. Keep a close eye on Maia and find a way to get her out of here.¡±

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    ¡°Understood, sir.¡±

    The moment Maia stepped onto the stage, Rosanna¡¯s expression shifted in the blink of an eye.

    She had not anticipated this. Never, in her wildest thoughts, had she imagined that Maia would outshine her tonight ¡ª especially at her own engagement party.

    Rosanna had spent weeks orchestrating every detail, pulling every string, even calling in favors to secure a custom-made MCN gown. She had envisioned herself as the unrivaled center of attention. Yet now, Maia¡¯s casually chosen dress ¡ª if it could even be called casual ¡ª radiated an effortless allure that eclipsed Rosanna¡¯s painstaking preparations.

    Rosanna¡¯s fingertips curled against the smooth fabric of her gown. Jealousy wed at her, rising like a tidal wave, threatening to sweep away the smile she forced to remain on her face. Drawing a slow, measured breath, she summoned a honeyed tone. ¡°Maia, you look absolutely stunning tonight.¡±

    Every word tasted bitter on her tongue, but she pressed on, a glimmer of malice flickering behind her smile. ¡°Tell me, who bought this dress for you?¡±

    Before Maia could answer, Sandra leaned closer to Jarrod, her eyes narrowing with poisonous glee. ¡°It must be that old man keeping her,¡± she whispered, loud enough for nearby ears to catch. ¡°Maia would stoop to anything just to wreck Rosanna¡¯s big night. Shameless.¡±

    The venom seeped into Jarrod¡¯s veins in an instant. His face darkened to an angry crimson as he surged to his feet, his voice slicing through the hum of conversation. ¡°Was it the man who¡¯s keeping you that bought this dress? You truly have no shame, Maia!¡±

    Gasps rippled through the crowd. A wave of lowughter and murmured whispers spread like wildfire.

    Maia stood perfectly still, the storm around her barely brushing the edges of herposure.

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 Chapter 278

    ?Chapter 278:

    A faint smile curved her lips ¡ª a smile too calm, too knowing. Her gaze slidzily toward Rosanna, and she tilted her head slightly, her voice light, almost amused. ¡°This dress? I designed it myself. Is there a problem?¡±

    For a heartbeat, the entire venue froze. Thenughter exploded across the hall like a sudden crack of thunder.

    ¡°She designed it herself?¡± someone cackled in disbelief.

    ¡°Is she serious? Aposer designing haute couture? What a joke!¡±

    ¡°She is obviously lying to get Vince¡¯s attention.¡±

    ¡°Delusional. Absolutely delusional.¡±

    ¡°Next, she will im to be the CEO of MCN too!¡±

    The live-stream chat erupted into a frenzy of taunts and mocking emojis. Maia¡¯s name trended, but not for reasons anyone would envy.

    Rosanna watched with a gleam of triumph in her eyes, her lips curling into a smirk. She sauntered a step forward, lifting her chin arrogantly. ¡°Maia, there is really no need for such ridiculous lies,¡± Rosanna said, her voiceced with condescension. ¡°Everyone knows you still carry a torch for Vince. You could have just said you wanted attention. I know you¡¯ve never erased him from your heart, and I won¡¯t mind it.¡± She let out a theatrical sigh, shaking her head in mock sympathy. ¡°Still, lying is pitiful. You are aposer, not a designer. You have no training, no background in fashion. It is absurd to even suggest that dress came from your hand.¡±

    As the crowd murmured in agreement, a sharp,manding voice rang out from the rear of the hall.

    ¡°Why could it not be her?¡± The words sliced through the noise, turning every head toward the entrance.

    A woman strode forward, framed by an entourage of bodyguards. She moved with the unhurried grace of someone who owned every room she entered.

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    As she neared, she peeled off her sunsses with deliberate ir, revealing a face immediately recognized by the fashionable elite.

    A gasp of recognition swept the hall.

    ¡°Pattie! It¡¯s Pattie Miller ¡ª the owner of MCN!¡±

    ¡°Is she here?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know? The MCN gown Rosanna is wearing today was gifted by Miss Cooper. Maybe Miss Cooper invited Ms. Miller to congratte Rosanna!¡±

    Excitement buzzed through the guests like static electricity. After all, Pattie rarely graced private events with her presence.

    Rosanna¡¯s heart leapt. She craned her neck, eager to catch a better look. Could it be true?

    Had Mariana arranged not only the MCN gown but also this dazzling appearance? Her mind raced, painting pictures of tomorrow¡¯s headlines.

    This way, her engagement party would definitely be more impressive than those of many other high-societydies. It would cement her ce atop Wront¡¯s social hierarchy.

    On the Ward family¡¯s side, Gavin frowned, suspicion flickering across his face. He had only seen Pattie in glossy magazines before. Something about her sudden appearance felt strange.

    Charles remained expressionless. Even though he had witnessed countless grand asions, he couldn¡¯t quite discern Pattie¡¯s purpose for being here. If the Cooper family had orchestrated this, surely there would have been a whisper beforehand. Yet there had been none. Something was not adding up.

    Online viewers quickly recognized Pattie, and a wave of excitement rippled through the livestream. Comments poured in, buzzing with energy as they gushed over thevish spectacle of Rosanna and Vince¡¯s engagement party. Catching a glimpse of the legendary MCN executive only added to the thrill, leaving the audience in awe of the event¡¯s sheer grandeur.

    Pattie stopped beside Maia, a faint smile curling her lips ¡ª calm, assured, untouchable. Her gazended on Maia. She had gone all out for this moment, hiring professional bodyguards to ensure that if chaos erupted, no one would darey a finger on Maia.

    If anyone dared cause trouble for Maia, they would regret it dearly.

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 Chapter 279

    ?Chapter 279:

    Pattie crossed the room with unhurried steps,ing to stand silently beside Maia. At that moment, Rosanna caught a full glimpse of the neer ¡ª and her expression shifted in a heartbeat.

    Rosanna was not alone in her astonishment. The entire Morgan family shared her expression of disbelief. They all vividly recalled the past. During the singingpetition, they had noticed this woman consistently by Maia¡¯s side, clearly indicating a strong bond between them.

    It was unimaginable to them that she could be the proprietor of MCN. Despite their efforts, the Morgan family was baffled. How had Maia, after four years behind bars, reemerged as if she were entirely transformed? Not only had she be the renownedposer K, but she also appeared to have ties with someone so famous and influential as Pattie.

    Jarrod¡¯s expression was one of bewilderment as he watched Maia, his hands balling into fists. The sister who used to shadow him seemedpletely unrecognizable now. He couldn¡¯t contain his confusion, eximing, ¡°Isn¡¯t that the same woman who apanied Maia during thepetition? How is she now Ms. Miller from MCN?¡±

    Vince¡¯s expression grew more somber. He finally understood why Pattie had looked familiar; he had seen her in a business magazine before. Yet, her constant presence beside Maia had obscured her identity from him.

    The banquet hall buzzed with murmurs and assumptions.

    One person boldly asked, ¡°Ms. Miller, could you rify your earlier statement? Are you affirming that Maia herself designed this dress?¡± Skeptics expressed their doubts as well.

    ¡°Maia mightpose a few tunes, but topare her to Eileen?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s absurd. Maia doesn¡¯t possess such capabilities.¡±

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    The room was filled with a mix of voices and opinions.

    Pattie looked around, then raised her voice and asked, ¡°And why not?¡± Her question brought an immediate silence over the crowd.

    Confused nces were exchanged. What was Pattie implying?

    With all eyes fixed on her, Pattie¡¯s lips slowly formed a slight smile. ¡°The reason is simple: Maia is Eileen, MCN¡¯s chief designer.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    The revtion reverberated through the hall like a shockwave, silencing the murmurs. Everyone turned to stare at Maia, their faces registering awe and surprise.

    ¡°This¡­ This can¡¯t be real.¡±

    ¡°Eileen is a world-famous designer! How can Maia, known asposer K, also be Eileen?¡±

    ¡°But Ms. Miller is the owner of MCN. She¡¯s the only one who knows Eileen¡¯s true identity. If she says so, how could it be false?¡±

    The perception of Maia quickly transformed once more, now colored with a mix of fear and admiration.

    Vince¡¯s eyes narrowed suddenly, and he stood frozen. Maia was not only K, but also Eileen! This revtion hit Vince like a thunderp, leaving him momentarily stunned. What other secrets was Maia concealing?

    The Morgan family was in total disbelief.

    Sandra approached Pattie quickly, her voice shaky. ¡°Ms. Miller, surely there¡¯s been some error? We raised Maia for 17 years and never saw any sign that she could design. And with four years in prison, how could she possibly lead MCN¡¯s design team? There has to be some misunderstanding. Either she lied to you or you mistook her for someone else.¡±

    Pattie looked at Sandra with disdain. ¡°You might have provided for Maia for 17 years, but did you truly care about her? Did you really know her at all?¡±

    Sandra found herself without words. Indeed, she and Richard had often neglected Maia while focusing on their careers. After Maia began causing problems at school and embarrassing them, they became even more distant.

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 Chapter 280

    ?Chapter 280:

    Sandra¡¯s expression darkened, her disgust evident as her fingers tightened around her dress.

    Richard gazed at Maia, who looked back impassively, and he realized he no longer recognized the girl they had once fostered.

    ¡°Impossible! How could Maia be both K and Eileen? She¡¯s always been nothing but a disgrace to our family, a constant annoyance.¡± Jarrod staggered slightly as he spoke, his anger evident.

    Pattie spoke, herugh sounding forced and empty. She looked at Jarrod with scorn, chuckling coldly. ¡°And yet, Maia thought of you as her beloved older brother¡­¡±

    She moved closer to Jarrod. ¡°It looks like you know nothing about her! Did you know? Back in school, when a group of bullies insulted you in public, Maia rushed in to defend you. She grabbed the leader and refused to back down, even as the others hit her. In the end, she forced him to apologize. And you likely don¡¯t know that she stayed up nights to make your birthday present by hand. She was so tired that she fell asleep in ss and got punished, having to stand outside in the cold for hours. There¡¯s more to tell¡­¡±

    Pattie was ready to continue, but Maia stopped her, grabbing her arm.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Maia told Pattie, giving a firm shake of her head.

    Pattie pressed her lips together, pained. Since high school, she had been Maia¡¯s confidante and knew how deeply Maia had cared for the Morgan family. Yet, those Maia cherished had let her down time and again.

    Feeling Maia¡¯s pain, Pattie couldn¡¯t suppress her indignation. She sped Maia¡¯s hand tightly, lifting her arm. As the sleeve fell back, the onlookers gasped upon seeing the prominent scar that marred Maia¡¯s otherwise wless skin.

    Pattie, her voice sharp as a whip, shouted at Jarrod, whose face had drained of all color. ¡°And you! What about you? What have you done? Look at that scar on her arm! Don¡¯t you remember? It¡¯s from four years ago ¡ª when you hurt her while trying to shield Rosanna, the long-lost sister you had only just weed back into your life.¡±

    Jarrod stumbled back a few paces, swaying like a tree battered by a sudden gust. His eyes fell upon the ring scar, and it felt as though an invisible hand was tightening around his heart, squeezing the breath from his lungs.

    ?????????????????? ???????? ???? ???????? g???????¦Í??????????????

    ¡°No¡­ that¡¯s not how it happened,¡± he stammered, the floor seeming to tilt beneath his feet. ¡°That time¡­ Maia came home injured because she got into a fight at school. She stirred up trouble, and that¡¯s why she got hurt¡­¡±

    That day yed vividly in his mind, as if time had folded back on itself. He had berated Maia mercilessly for it.

    ¡°And¡­ and that birthday present you mentioned¡­ Wasn¡¯t it just some cheap, thoughtless thing she threw together?¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s voice cracked as the memory cut deeper. He remembered ¡ª the only gift Maia had ever given him was for his sixteenth birthday. A scarf, its stitches clumsy and uneven.

    The snow had been falling heavily that day. Without hesitation, he had flung the scarf into the drifts and sneered at her, ¡°How could you even think of giving me something so shabby?¡±

    Maia had stood there, silent and unmoving, as the snow piled onto her slender shoulders, turning her into a living statue swallowed by the cold.

    From that day on, no birthday ever came from Maia¡¯s hands again. Jarrod often grumbled about how indifferent she was, especially when hepared her to Rosanna, who, year after year, always presented him with some polished, store-bought gift.

    Though Rosanna¡¯s presents were nothing more than ordinary trinkets anyone could have picked up, they still seemed grander than the poor, hand-knit scarf Maia once offered.

    What Jarrod never knew ¡ª and never cared enough to ask ¡ª was that Maia had been just a child back then. Sandra and Richard, who showered Rosanna with everything she could wish for, barely spared Maia a penny. Determined, Maia had¡­

    She borrowed money from Pattie, bought the finest cashmere yarn she could afford, and spent countless nights weaving that scarf stitch by stitch, pouring her heart into every loop.

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 Chapter 281

    ?Chapter 281:

    Seeing Jarrod still clinging stubbornly to his beliefs, Pattie let out augh ¡ª augh bitter enough to curdle milk. The corners of her mouth twitched in disbelief. Maia had been right all along. The Morgans were a family with hearts as cold and hard as marble. Speaking to them was like throwing words down a bottomless well.

    Pattie¡¯s sharp words stirred up a storm of painful memories inside Maia. She pulled her arm free from Pattie¡¯s grasp, letting her sleeve fall back down, as if drawing a curtain over an old wound. Lowering her gaze, she spoke, her voice as soft and final as falling ash. ¡°The Maia Morgan you once knew is no more. There¡¯s no need to dig up old ghosts. I have nothing to do with the Morgan family now.¡±

    The murmurs among the onlookers grew louder, a restless sea of whispers.

    ¡°People used to say Maia was ungrateful, but how could the Morgans not even know the true identity of the daughter they raised for seventeen years? Did they ever truly care?¡±

    ¡°And just look at Rosanna! Wearing a custom MCN gown¡­ Isn¡¯t that the height of irony?¡±

    ¡°Her own sister is MCN¡¯s lead designer, and yet she ran to cozy up to Mariana, parading herself like a peacock. She¡¯s so desperate to climb the socialdder.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m starting to believe Rosanna¡¯s more calcting than she lets on¡­¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s smile stiffened into a brittle mask as the whispers reached her ears. This wasn¡¯t how the story was supposed to unfold. Maia wasn¡¯t just K ¡ª she was also Eileen, MCN¡¯s lead designer.

    The Blue Sea, the design Rosanna had coveted the most, had been created by Maia!

    So it was true. Maia really was an MCN Supreme VIP. That was why Maia had the authority to cklist her from MCN entirely.

    Rosanna¡¯s eyes dropped to the custom MCN gown she wore, once a symbol of pride, now a shackle of shame. Humiliation washed over her, sweeping away every ounce of pretense. Her face turned ashen, her heart stumbled in its rhythm, and her legs shook under the weight of realization.

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    But today was her engagement party. She couldn¡¯t afford to crumble now. No matter how fierce the storm, she had to ster on a brave face.

    Balling her trembling fists, Rosanna forced herself to stand tall. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Pattie¡¯s sharp gaze sliced through her, and her mocking smile twisted like a dagger.

    ¡°Miss Morgan,¡± Pattie said, her voice cold enough to freeze rivers, ¡°MCN has officially cklisted you. You no longer have the right to wear any of their designs.¡±

    A steely glint shed in Pattie¡¯s eyes as she added, her words hammering the final nail, ¡°Now, I must ask you to remove that dress.¡±

    The air inside the grand hall seemed to freeze solid, as if someone had snuffed out its warmth with a single breath, and a collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Whispers surged like waves across the room.

    ¡°Did MCN just cklist Rosanna? This news is like a bolt from the blue!¡±

    ¡°Everyone knows MCN doesn¡¯t cklist a client without grave cause. Only those with truly appalling behavior or rotten character ever face that fate.¡±

    ¡°So what could Rosanna have done? How bad must it be to get cklisted? Even though Ms. Miller is a friend of Maia¡¯s, I doubt she would act impulsively and cklist Rosanna just to avenge Maia. As MCN¡¯s owner, she surely has reasonable motivation for everything she does and won¡¯t risk its reputation.¡±

    ¡°Rosanna always seemed so polished and graceful. Was it all just smoke and mirrors?¡±

    Every word was a needle piercing Rosanna¡¯s ears. Her face burned red with rage and shame, turning an angry shade of purple.

    She scanned the hall, catching sight of guests whose once-friendly eyes now brimmed with suspicion and contempt. It was unthinkable. Her carefully staged engagement party was crumbling around her, wrecked within minutes ¡ª all thanks to Maia and Pattie¡¯s schemes.

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 Chapter 282

    ?Chapter 282:

    Rosanna¡¯s chest rose and fell like a ship caught in a violent squall, her breathing ragged as she fought to hold herself together, her eyes shimmering dangerously with unshed tears.

    But she couldn¡¯t cry. No¡ª she wouldn¡¯t hand them her humiliation on a silver tter.

    By now, Charles could no longer sit idle. He quickly ordered Gavin to dispatch someone to shut down the livestream. Rosanna¡¯s disgrace was staining the Ward family¡¯s reputation, dragging it through the mud for all to see.

    Surely there had to be some misunderstanding. It had to be the work of that venomous Maia, conspiring with Pattie from MCN to set Rosanna up.

    They needed to get to the bottom of it fast ¡ª before the livestream spread the scandal even further.

    But chaos had already consumed the banquet hall. Guests stood frozen, unable to tear themselves away from the unfolding disaster.

    The crowd hadpletely blocked the way, making it impossible for Gavin¡¯s people to reach the stage, let alone stop the cameraman. Worse still, many guests had already whipped out their phones, broadcasting the scene live, making the idea of stopping the stream a lost cause.

    This was supposed to be Rosanna and Gavin¡¯s big day ¡ª their engagement party ¡ª but now, every camera, every gaze, every whispered conversation, was focused on Maia instead.

    It seemed like fate itself had a twisted sense of humor: every time Rosanna tried to trip Maia up, she ended up slipping t on her face. The emcee stood at the front, sweat pouring down his face like rain in a summer storm, the situation spiraling hopelessly out of control. In all his years hosting events, he had never faced a debacle like this.

    Taking a shaky breath, he forced himself to speak into the microphone, his voice cracking awkwardly. ¡°Um¡­ the auspicious time has passed. Shall we proceed with the engagement ceremony?¡±

    All eyes shifted toward the Morgan and Ward families.

    Stay connected g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s

    Sandra¡¯s face burned crimson with fury and humiliation, but she refused to let the banquet copse in front of everyone. Raising her voice, she cried out, ¡°Of course!¡±

    She yanked Rosanna¡¯s arm urgently, hissing, ¡°Rosanna, no matter what happens, you must get engaged today.¡±

    Turning to Pattie, Sandra mustered a smile so false that it nearly cracked her face. ¡°Ms. Miller, this dress was purchased by Miss Cooper as a gift for Rosanna. MCN never said you couldn¡¯t buy a dress for a cklisted client, correct?¡±

    There was some twisted logic in her argument, and a few people nodded thoughtfully.

    Pattie lifted an eyebrow slightly; her aim had been achieved. The whole room now knew that Rosanna had been cklisted by MCN, and doubt clung to her like a shadow.

    Seeing no need to push further, Pattie said nothing more.

    Rosanna¡¯s body trembled with pent-up rage and humiliation. She was teetering at the edge of copse but forced herself to breathe deeply, clutching Vince¡¯s arm for support.

    Her nails dug into her palm until they broke the skin, blood welling up ¡ª but she barely felt the pain. She carved today¡¯s shame deep into her heart, vowing that she would never forget the humiliation Maia had caused her.

    Vince, still dazed by the chaos, was about to step forward with Rosanna when a cool,posed voice called from behind them, slicing through the noise like a de.

    ¡°Wait.¡±

    Vince turned and saw Maia standing calmly among the crowd, her eyes steady on him.

    .

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 Chapter 283

    ?Chapter 283:

    In a tone as even as ake at dawn, she said, ¡°Vince,e with me for a moment. I have something important to tell you ¡ª in private.¡±

    Vince hesitated, confusion flickering across his features. The guests exchanged nces, their expressions thick with unspoken spection.

    ¡°Maia¡¯s daring enough to call him away now? Is she nning to crash the engagement?¡±

    ¡°Rosanna is the cherished daughter of the Morgan family. But Maia ¡ª Maia was his first love, and now she¡¯s MCN¡¯s chief designer. How can he possibly choose?¡±

    ¡°If he actually goes with her, Rosanna¡¯s going to lose all dignity.¡±

    Meanwhile, the livestream exploded with a flood ofments.

    ¡°What the heck! What¡¯s happening?! Does Maia still have feelings for Mr. Ward?¡±

    ¡°This feels like watching a melodramatic soap opera! A woman is about to get engaged, and her boyfriend¡¯s ex suddenly shows up to crash it?¡±

    ¡°Whatever the case, Rosanna¡¯s the one officially getting engaged. Maia¡¯s behavior seems way out of line.¡±

    Vince¡¯s gaze locked onto Maia¡¯s poised figure, and for a moment, hesitation gnawed at him.

    But from the corner of his eye, he caught Charles shooting him a fierce re ¡ª oneden with unmistakable warning.

    Vince¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He swallowed hard, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. Atst, he leaned toward Maia and whispered, ¡°Whatever it is, let¡¯s talk after the engagement ceremony.¡±

    But Maia only chuckled softly, her voice light but firm. ¡°Vince, what I have to say is crucial. If you don¡¯te now¡­ you may never hear it at all.¡±

    With that, she turned away without waiting for his answer, walking into the crowd with the poise of someone who had already made peace with the oue.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c¨®m is your escape

    Vince stood frozen, stunned by the certainty burning in Maia¡¯s eyes. Before he knew it, his feet moved of their own ord, carrying him after her.

    Rosanna suddenly seized Vince¡¯s arm with a firm grip. Her eyes were swollen, her voice thick with suppressed sorrow.

    ¡°Vince, don¡¯t leave¡­ please stay¡­ Today marks a milestone for us, our engagement celebration. I¡¯m begging you, whatever the issue is, can¡¯t it wait until after tonight?¡±

    She appeared delicate, frail even, stirring overwhelming sympathy. Seeing his usually obedient and understanding younger sister pleading so desperately, Jarrod felt deeply sorry for her and couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. In a sh, he rushed to Vince¡¯s side, his gaze dark and threatening as he warned him, ¡°Vince, today is your engagement party with Rosanna. If you dare leave her alone, I won¡¯t let you off easily.¡±

    Sandra, in a panic, rushed to intervene. ¡°Vince, pay no attention to Maia! She¡¯s only here to stir trouble. She¡¯ll have her way if you really go with her.¡±

    Richard¡¯s face turned frighteningly grim, but before he could utter a word, an enraged shout came from the guest of honor¡¯s table.

    ¡°Vince!¡± Gavin rose sharply, fury zing in his eyes as he jabbed a finger toward Vince. ¡°If you so much as leave with that Maia woman today, I¡¯ll break your legs.¡±

    The banquet hall froze, the air turning colder, and the audience collectively held its breath.

    Charles banged his cane against the floor violently and roared, ¡°Don¡¯t act recklessly, Vince!¡±

    Vince¡¯s fingers clenched slightly. Logic urged him to stick to the Morgan and Ward families¡¯ n andplete the engagement rites without incident. Yet, watching Maia¡¯s graceful figure retreating from sight tore at his heart.

    An unshakable certainty filled him ¡ª if he didn¡¯t chase after her now, he would lose her forever. He couldn¡¯t bear to let that happen again.

    .

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 Chapter 284

    ?Chapter 284:

    He turned around, his eyes filled with turbulent emotions as he nced at Rosanna, who clung to him desperately. Gently, he brushed her hand away. ¡°I¡¯ll return after settling things with Maia.¡±

    With that, he left quickly under the watchful eyes of everyone in the hall. The silence was deafening. The only sound that remained was Rosanna¡¯s broken sobs echoing through the vast room.

    Her body trembled before she copsed to her knees with a dull thud. Guests widened their eyes in astonishment, barely able to process what had just happened. Vince had abandoned Rosanna for Maia ¡ª during the engagement party!

    Rosanna, once the darling of the evening, now found herself the object of ridicule.

    Simultaneously, the livestreamment section exploded with outrage.

    ¡°Maia, where¡¯s your dignity? Snatching the groom at his engagement party, how shameless can you get?¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s tears are heartbreaking, and Maia lured Vince away on purpose. Is she trying to ruin everything?¡±

    ¡°Vince is absolute trash! Rosanna poured her heart into organizing this ceremony, and he just vanishes without a second thought. His morals are disgusting!¡±

    ¡°Maia shouldn¡¯t have shown up at the engagement party. That wicked woman should disappear from the entertainment business forever.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s supporters found it impossible to ept such betrayal. They flooded Facebook with usations against Maia, exposing her wrongdoings.

    Within minutes, hashtags like ¡°Maia Sabotages Engagement¡±, ¡°Vince Backstabs Rosanna¡±, and ¡°The Ultimate Homewrecker, Maia¡± rocketed to the top of search trends, as furious posts filled the inte.

    At the reception, conversations buzzed intensely. The Morgans¡¯ expressions were dark and tight. The Wards quickly dispatched staff to track Vince down, promising attendees that he would return shortly. The atmosphere spiraled into disorder.

    Explore more now on g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls

    Elsewhere, Vince bolted from the event hall, scanning for Maia but failing to locate her. He immediately punched in her number.

    ¡°Where are you, Maia?¡±

    ¡°Room 508, hotel side.¡±

    Momentster, Vince reached the designated suite. Knock. Knock¡­

    He lifted his hand and rapped on the door.

    Secondster, it swung open.

    Maia appeared, her face expressionless.

    Without hesitation, Vince barged in, kicking the door shut behind him. Back in the ballroom, the giant LED disy suddenly glitched, then lit up.

    A live feed of Maia¡¯s hotel suite filled the giant screen. Gasps erupted as all heads swiveled toward the broadcast. Online viewers were stunned as the stream shifted from the reception to the hotel suite.

    The visuals were crystal clear, capturing Vince¡¯s frantic energy and even picking up his heavy breaths.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening? What is this?¡±

    ¡°Hold on¡­ isn¡¯t that Vince?¡±

    ¡°Wait, that looks like a hotel room! How is this being filmed? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    The Morgans gawked at the footage, utterly frozen. Rosanna¡¯s eyes widened, her lips parting slightly in a tremble.

    On screen, Vince inched closer to Maia in the hotel room. The Ward family continued their desperate attempts to reach him, but Vince ignored every call, even switching off his device in in view of the livestream.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 285

    ?Chapter 285:

    ¡°Well, no interruptions now,¡± he muttered.

    Vince¡¯s gaze locked onto Maia, dark and burning. He didn¡¯t know that from the moment he entered the hotel room, his every move was being watched by countless viewers.

    The live chat exploded in chaos, the screen overwhelmed by a flood of franticments.

    ¡°What on earth is happening? Are we really getting a live follow-up?! This is insane!¡±

    ¡°Oh my God! Vince and Maia are now staying in a hotel room alone¡­ Are they about to¡­¡±

    ¡°Wait, are you sure we can watch what will happen next for free? Is the homewrecker and the cheating jerk about to have a passionate reunion?¡±

    ¡°Jeez, Rosanna is bawling her eyes out while Vince sneaks off to meet Maia at a hotel? The audacity!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t even! This plot is beyond belief¡­ but I can¡¯t look away!¡±

    The guests at the engagement party gaped at the screen, their faces frozen in shock.

    Charles gripped his cane with such force that his knuckles turned ghostly white, his face twisted into an expression of fury so dark that it seemed as though his rage could tear through the very air.

    Gavin scrambled, trying every possible method to kill the feed, but every attempt was futile. Desperation clouded his mind as he thought about cutting the power, but the bodyguards hired by Pattie were no mere decoration. They were like iron-d sentinels, ensuring that nothing ¡ª no one ¡ª could interrupt the broadcast.

    Inside the hotel room, Vince took a long, forceful stride toward Maia, his hand grabbing her arm, his voice a low, urgent whisper. ¡°Maia, what do you want to tell me?¡±

    Maia remained eerily silent, her gaze unflinching and cool as it met his.

    ?????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ¡ª ?????????? g???????¦Í??????©o??????

    Vince¡¯s eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope as he studied Maia¡¯s serene, beautiful face. ¡°You¡¯ve changed your mind, haven¡¯t you? You want to be with me now?¡±

    Back at the engagement party, the room seemed to freeze in time. Guests exchanged nervous nces, their mouths agape in shock, and a low, hushed murmur began to build, like the buzz of an impending storm.

    The Morgan family¡¯s faces went from pale to ghostly, a slow, creeping horror spreading across their features.

    Sandra¡¯s fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white, her face contorted with rage as she hissed, ¡°That shameless Maia! How dare she try to seduce Vince again and again!¡±

    ¡°This is an outrage!¡± Richard roared, veins bulging on his forehead, his face flushed crimson with fury.

    Jarrod stood like a stone statue, his fists clenched with such force that his arms trembled, his eyes burning daggers into Vince¡¯s very soul. Meanwhile, Rosanna¡¯s face had gone deathly pale, her eyes wide in shock and disbelief.

    All Rosanna could think of was one desperate wish: she wanted to sink into the earth and disappear, swallowed by the very floor beneath her, anything to escape the suffocating humiliation pressing in on her. Meanwhile, the live chat was erupting in a frenzy, eachment faster than thest.

    ¡°Oh my God! Vince actually said that?!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s still obsessed with Maia?! Are you kidding me?!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna is crying her eyes out, and Vince is off chasing Maia? What a despicable jerk!¡±

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 Chapter 286

    ?Chapter 286:

    ¡°Vince¡¯s whole ¡®devoted lover¡¯ act is officially dead! The Ward family is an international embarrassment!¡±

    ¡°I just need to see Rosanna¡¯s face right now. If it were me, I¡¯d be sobbing on the floor!¡±

    ¡°What will Maia say? Come on, just tell us already!¡±

    Social media tforms burst into mes.

    ¡°Vince Leaves Rosanna¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s Engagement Is Shattered¡±

    ¡°Maia¡¯s Hotel Live Stream In Progress¡±

    Within moments, the entire inte was aze with this shocking spectacle. Every trending topic was consumed by this explosive drama. The number of viewers in the live stream skyrocketed to record-breaking heights, as everyone held their collective breath, waiting for Maia¡¯s answer.

    Inside the banquet hall, the emotions swirling in the air were almost unbearable. Shock, disbelief, curiosity, anticipation ¡ª every emotion seemed to tangle together, creating a heavy, suffocating cloud of tension.

    Charles trembled with fury, his fists clenched tightly around his cane, while Gavin¡¯s face darkened like a storm cloud as he frantically dialed on his phone, only to be met with failure after failure.

    Only Pattie looked calm and unbothered, one leg casually crossed over the other as she sat there, watching the chaos unfold.

    Inside the hotel room, Maia coldly brushed Vince¡¯s hand away and let out a soft, almost mockingugh. ¡°Of course¡­ not.¡±

    ¡°Not?¡± Vince¡¯s face twisted with confusion and frustration. ¡°Then what do you want to tell me?¡±

    ????t??st ch¦Ápt?rs in g??lnovels.c????

    Maia¡¯s voice was steady, measured, each word falling from her lips like ice. ¡°I want to tell you, Vince¡­ I could never be your lover. Because I¡¯m already married. Please, stop bothering me!¡±

    The wordsnded like a thunderp in the silence, leaving the entire banquet hall in stunned, breathless disbelief. The Morgan family, the Ward family, the guests, and the viewers online all froze in shock.

    It was as though the world had stopped turning for just a moment.

    Even Pattie, who had been enjoying every second of the chaos, sprang from her seat, her eyes wide with shock. ¡°What? Maia is married? How did I not know about this?!¡± she eximed, her voice a blend of confusion and genuine surprise.

    The faces of the Morgan family shifted dramatically.

    Rosanna¡¯s tears stopped instantly, her eyes widening as the shock washed over her like a cold wave. ¡°Wha¡­ what?¡±

    Sandra and Jarrod exchanged bewildered nces, their eyes wide with shock, their minds struggling to process the words Maia had just spoken. ¡°What did she just say?¡±

    Meanwhile, the live chat became a battlefield of confusion and shock.

    ¡°What? Maia is married? When did this happen?!¡±

    ¡°Oh my gosh, who is Maia¡¯s husband?¡±

    ¡°This is crazy! Rosanna is crying her heart out, and Maia just coldly refuses Vince and casually drops the bomb that she¡¯s married?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m dead! So, who¡¯s the real loser now? Vince and Rosanna are a perfect match of disaster!¡±

    The news of geniusposer Maia¡¯s marriage rocketed to the top of the trending topics.

    Vince¡¯s breath caught in his throat, his chest constricting as if the wind had been knocked out of him. His pupils shrank with disbelief, his mind reeling as if someone had dealt him a fatal blow.

    .

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 Chapter 287

    ?Chapter 287:

    He stumbled back a step, his eyes wide in shock as he stared at Maia. ¡°You¡­ What did you say?¡± he rasped, his voice cracking with disbelief.

    Maia calmly repeated her words, her voice unwavering, as though she had just stated the weather. ¡°I said, I¡¯m already married. I have a husband, and we¡¯re very happy together. Please, leave me alone.¡±

    Vince lunged forward, grabbing Maia¡¯s wrist with a frantic grip, his voice raw with panic. ¡°No! This is impossible! I don¡¯t believe you! You¡¯re lying, aren¡¯t you? You¡¯re just saying this to get back at me, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    His eyes were bloodshot, his face contorted with desperation, his voice rushing out like a torrent of emotion.

    ¡°Don¡¯t joke like this, Maia! I¡¯m serious about you! Look!¡±

    Vince¡¯s fingers fumbled in his pocket, pulling out a bracelet with trembling hands, as if it were a lifeline ¡ª a desperate gesture to keep his crumbling world together.

    It was a limited-edition Two Tied Hearts bracelet, the same style he had once given to Rosanna.

    Vince thrust it into Maia¡¯s hand, his bloodshot eyes burning with feverish desperation, his voice now a frantic plea. ¡°You were angry that I gave the bracelet meant for you to Rosanna, so I bought you an even better one! This one¡¯s a limited edition, worth over two million. You¡¯ll love it, won¡¯t you?¡±

    Inside the grand banquet hall, the atmosphere shifted the moment Vince unveiled the limited-edition bracelet. All at once, every gaze snapped to Rosanna¡¯s wrist.

    The bracelet she had paraded so proudly, unting it like a badge of honor, now clung to her skin like a brand of humiliation.

    Rosanna felt the weight of their stares ¡ª curious, pitying, some even glinting with cruel amusement. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and though no one spoke openly, their nces screamed louder than words.

    On the livestream, the floodgates of mockery burst open.

    ???????????? §ã?¦Á?????????? ??????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Wow! Vince gave Rosanna a bracelet worth barely over four hundred thousand, but he handed Maia one valued at more than two million! If love is measured in carats, we all know who wins.¡±

    ¡°Turns out Maia is Vince¡¯s true love. Rosanna? Nothing more than a pawn in a marriage alliance ¡ª a clown in designer heels.¡±

    ¡°If I were Rosanna, I would dig a hole and nevere out. She treasured that bracelet like it was gold, only to discover it was someone else¡¯s discarded trinket.¡±

    Thousands of ruthlessments piled in by the second.

    Rosanna fought to keep herposure, but her carefully built fa?ade cracked. A sharp pain twisted through her chest, as if her heart itself were splintering. Without thinking, she clutched her wrist, desperate to shield the bracelet from view.

    That glittering band, once a source of boundless vanity, now felt like a dagger slicing her open, each shimmer a fresh wound.

    Hatred boiled up inside her ¡ª swift and merciless. Somewhere deep within, a dark, simmering wish took root ¡ª she would make Maia pay dearly for this humiliation.

    Meanwhile, in the hotel suite upstairs, Maia regarded the diamond-encrusted bracelet resting in her palm. Her fingers curled around it once before she pushed it back toward Vince, her movements calm and detached.

    ¡°I do not like it,¡± Maia said coolly, her voice slicing through the tension like a de. ¡°No matter how expensive your gifts are, Vince, I will never ept them. Because I do not like you anymore. You and everything from you only make me sick.¡±

    Vince stiffened, as if her words had struck him with physical force.

    For a heartbeat, he stood there, stunned, silence hanging heavy between them. Then, without warning, heughed ¡ª a hollow, disbelieving sound.

    ¡°You¡­ do not like me anymore?¡± His voice wavered between anger and desperation. ¡°Then who do you like? That so-called husband of yours?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 288

    ?Chapter 288:

    Maia met his gaze without flinching. ¡°That is right,¡± she answered simply. ¡°I have a husband now. Even if he gives me the cheapest, most insignificant trinket, I would cherish it more than anything you could ever offer.¡±

    Vince¡¯s pupils constricted sharply. He swayed slightly, as if the floor had shifted beneath him. His mind, once sharp and focused, splintered apart. Rationality deserted him in an instant. ¡°Impossible!¡± he hissed. ¡°When did you get married? You just got out of prison!¡±

    His fingers curled into fists at his sides, and something unhinged flickered in his eyes. ¡°You are lying to me, Maia. Tell me you are lying!¡±

    The atmosphere in the room grew suffocating. Vince was no longer the suave,posed heir ¡ª he had be a cornered beast, frantic and wild, wing for something already lost.

    Maia tilted her head slightly, a ghost of a mocking smile ying at her lips. ¡°You still do not believe me?¡±

    Then, in front of the entire online audience, she pulled a marriage certificate from her bag and held it up to Vince¡¯s face.

    ¡°Now,¡± she said softly, ¡°do you believe me?¡±

    A figurative explosion rippled through the air.

    In the banquet hall, mouths fell open in shock. Silence nketed the crowd, heavy and suffocating.

    Sandra¡¯s hands trembled uncontrobly. The wine ss slipped from her fingers, shattering against the marble floor. Red wine sprayed across her gown like spilled blood.

    Richard¡¯s jaw clenched so tightly that the muscles in his cheeks twitched. His brow furrowed into deep ridges, and his face darkened with fury. He stared at Maia¡¯s figure on the screen, veins throbbing visibly along his temple.

    Across the room, Jarrod stumbled back a step, his face pale. His voice, when he finally found it, cracked. ¡°She¡­ she really got married?¡±

    0ff1c1al r3l34s3s 0NL£¤ 0n g4ln0v3ls.c0m

    Rosanna stood frozen, her mind refusing to process the scene unraveling before her.

    Married? Maia had gotten married? When? To whom?

    Her thoughts spiraled wildly, but one cruel truth pierced through the chaos ¡ª even after everything, Vince still could not forget Maia. So, what did that make Rosanna? A stand-in? A joke?

    The livestream chat erupted into chaos, thements scrolling too fast to read.

    ¡°Vince looks pathetic. Two million can¡¯t buy love, huh?¡±

    ¡°Maia is loyal to her man. Meanwhile, Vince and Rosanna look like clowns on national TV. Rosanna¡¯s whole world just copsed in front of millions.¡±

    At that moment, Vince¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, his gaze fixed on Maia with desperate fury. His voice cracked as he demanded, ¡°Who is that man?¡±

    Before she could step away, he lunged, reaching to snatch the marriage certificate from her hand.

    But Maia moved swiftly, slipping the document out of his grasp with practiced ease.

    She tucked it securely back into her bag, her expression unshaken. ¡°I¡¯ve said everything I needed to say,¡± Maia told him, her tone clipped and resolute. ¡°Vince, this is the end of the road for us.¡± She turned on her heel, ready to walk away.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Vince cried out, grabbing her wrist again. His entire body trembled with a mixture of disbelief and unwillingness.

    He clung to a shred of hope, his voice thick with emotion. ¡°Maia, is there really no chance left for us?¡±

    Maia snorted, not turning back, and replied calmly, ¡°The moment you chose to side with Rosanna four years ago, it was over for us.¡± Without another nce, she yanked her wrist free from his grip and strode away, her steps purposeful, her heart unshaken.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 289

    ?Chapter 289:

    Back in the banquet hall, chaos had reached its breaking point.

    Rosanna stood frozen amidst the wreckage of her once-perfect day. The mask of mour she had worn all evening crumbled in an instant. Her heart shattered so violently that it seemed to echo through the grand hall.

    This day¡ªthe one she had dreamed of, nned for, built her pride upon¡ªhad turned into a public mockery, a cruel joke unfolding under a thousand watchful eyes.

    The world tilted beneath Rosanna¡¯s feet. A wave of dizziness overtook her, and with a muffled cry, she copsed onto the marble floor with a heavy thud.

    ¡°Rosanna!¡± Sandra shrieked, rushing to her side. Her voice cracked with rage as she spat, ¡°Maia Watson, you wretched woman! You will never meet a good end!¡±

    Jarrod stood nearby, his mind nk, unable toprehend the disaster unraveling before him.

    Richard¡¯s hands curled into fists. His voice was low, yet seething with venom. ¡°She did this on purpose. Maia ruined everything. The Morgan family¡¯s name is in ruins.¡±

    ¡°This is outrageous!¡± At the head table, Charles¡¯s fury exploded. He mmed his cane against the marble floor with a deafening crack. His voice roared across the hall, ¡°Gavin! Is this the son you have raised?¡±

    On his knees, Gavin trembled under his father¡¯s wrath. The sharp imprint of a hand reddened his cheek, but he did not dare to lift his head or utter a single word.

    Meanwhile, the livestream fed the scandal to an audience hungry for drama.

    Thement section flooded withughter and sharp-tongued jabs. ¡°I am dying ofughter! What do you do when you catch your fianc¨¦ emotionally cheating on engagement day? Need urgent tips!¡±

    ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk. So much for the glorious union of two elite families. What a disaster.¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s fairytale engagement turned into a circus act. I am living for this.¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s is your update hub

    ¡°Best live broadcast ever. This kind of entertainment does note twice.¡±

    ¡°This plot twist just ended me. I am going tough myself awake tonight.¡±

    Amid the madness, Pattie slipped away quietly, her departure unnoticed. She faded into the shadows, her missionplete, her triumph hidden behind a cool mask of indifference.

    She couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of admiration. Maia Watson¡ªwhat a move.

    The woman had orchestrated a masterpiece of revenge and spectacle, making Rosannapletely crack under the pressure.

    Today, Maia had given the world a show that it would never forget.

    Yet even as she smiled to herself, one thought gnawed at Pattie¡¯s mind. When exactly had Maia gotten married? Who was the man standing beside her now?

    Curiosity burned hotter with each passing second. Pattie made a silent vow¡ªshe would find Maia, and she would uncover every secret hidden deep within her.

    Far across the ocean, in Drakmire, a man stood before a floor-to-ceiling window, his tall figure unmoving against the backdrop of the night skyline. On the sleek table beside him, the screen of his tablet continued to rey the chaos from the engagement party.

    His grip on the wine ss tightened. With a sharp, sudden crack, the crystal shattered in his hand, blood and red wine mingling as they dripped onto the polished floor.

    Rosanna and Vince¡¯s engagement celebration crumbled into ruins without warning.

    The catastrophic livestream ignited a firestorm online, transforming the couple into objects of ridicule¡ª all because of Maia.

    Some viewers gleefullymented, ¡°This is the most entertaining engagement party I¡¯ve ever witnessed. The memory alone could fuel myughter for a whole year.¡±

    Seizing the moment, Rosanna¡¯s loyal followersunched a digital crusade against Maia, flooding Twitter with venomous posts. A torrent of usations painted Maia as a shameless woman who had deliberately ruined Rosanna¡¯s special day. Amid the chaos, Zenith Legal suddenly appeared on Twitter with a bold announcement:

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 Chapter 290

    ?Chapter 290:

    ¡°We have officially initiated legal proceedings against individuals spreading falsehoods and engaging in cyberbullying against Maia. Legal notices have been dispatched to all parties involved. The court has acknowledged our petition, and proceedings are set to begin next Monday!¡±

    These words rippled through the inte like a shockwave. ¡°What? I dismissed Maia¡¯s threats as empty intimidation, never imagining she would actually sue. How wrong I was!¡±

    ¡°The case must have been brewing quietly in the background, preparing for this moment. With Zenith Legal involved, Rosanna¡¯s fans who insulted Maia are bound to lose!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s reputation may be in ruins, but her followers face an even greater peril. Thank heavens I stayed silent!¡±

    ¡°I wonder how those keyboard warriors who just savaged Maia¡¯s character are feeling now. Do they still have the nerve to write nderous posts about her?¡±

    The targeted fans found legal notices waiting in their inboxes. Their hands trembled as they opened the messages, each one containing their full names and personal details.

    One by one, they appeared online, sharing screenshots of their notices, names hastily cked out, their pleas growing more desperate by the minute.

    ¡°Maia, please spare us!¡±

    ¡°Maia, is it toote to apologize now?¡±

    ¡°Help! I only joined the pile-on for entertainment ¡ª how could I possibly be facing litigation?¡±

    Thements section erupted with unrelenting reactions.

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s devotees now have to endure not only their idol¡¯s public humiliation but also their own legal nightmares. What a spectacr downfall!¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m is packed with great reads

    ¡°I can¡¯t help but admire Maia¡¯s strategy. She weathered the storm of insults in silence, methodically gathering evidence before striking with legal precision!¡±

    As tensions escted, bystanders quickly retreated into the shadows, eager to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

    The more cautious among Rosanna¡¯s followers scrambled to publicly dere their neutrality, unfollowing her one after another.

    Meanwhile, spection about Maia¡¯s enigmatic husband spread like wildfire across social tforms.

    Netizens, fueled by wild curiosity, emerged from every corner, piecing together theories with fevered determination.

    Whispers flew that Maia¡¯s husband was everything from a reclusive billionaire to an A-list celebrity, while others insisted he must be a shadowy figure with underworld connections, someone familiar with the authorities¡­

    Suddenly, the inte was aze with theories ¡ª each more oundish than thest!

    Everyone marveled at how Rosanna¡¯s defeat seemed inevitable in retrospect. How could she possibly triumph against someone with such a powerful husband?

    Curiosity consumed the masses as more users tagged Maia directly, desperate for confirmation of their wild conjectures.

    Finally, Maia broke her silence with a Twitter post: ¡°My husband is merely an ordinary man living a quiet life,¡± Maia wrote. ¡°Please cease this endless spection and respect our privacy.¡±

    Her plea, instead of quelling curiosity, ignited an even greater firestorm of debate.

    ¡°Maia ims her husband is ¡®ordinary¡¯? Impossible! Has she redefined the meaning of the word?¡±

    ¡°An ¡®ordinary¡¯ person capturing the heart of someone like Maia? What a joke!¡±

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 Chapter 291

    ?Chapter 291:

    ¡°The more secretive he is, the more extraordinary he must be! He¡¯s definitely a top-tier figure who doesn¡¯t want to reveal his identity.¡±

    ¡°Precisely! True greatness cloaks itself in humility. Maia¡¯s subtle deflection deserves apuse!¡±

    Meanwhile, Pattie stormed through the crowd, her face flushed with indignation as she intercepted Maia and nted herself directly in her path.

    With arms firmly crossed and her lower lip jutting out, Pattie confronted her, ¡°Maia, you got married ¡ª actually married ¡ª and didn¡¯t breathe a word of it to me? Do you even consider me a friend?¡±

    Maia met Pattie¡¯s usatory gaze with gentle eyes. ¡°Pattie, it¡¯s not what you think. The situation is¡­plicated. I can exin everything.¡±

    ¡°Spare me the stories. Complicated? Whatplexity could possibly exist? Marriage is simply two people reaching an agreement and signing a certificate. Never mind your excuses. Just arrange for me to meet this mystery husband today, and we¡¯ll consider the te wiped clean,¡± Pattie dered, her tone leaving no room for argument.

    Maia hadn¡¯t intended to keep her closest friend in the dark forever. Since she¡¯d already decided to acknowledge the marriage publicly, she was prepared for this conversation.

    Besides, she needed Pattie¡¯s support to install Chris as Cooper Group¡¯s head, so she nodded in acquiescence. ¡°It¡¯s toote this evening. He¡¯s likely already retired for the night. I promise to arrange a meeting soon.¡±

    ¡°Now that¡¯s more reasonable!¡± Pattie¡¯s expression transformed instantly, a ray of sunshine breaking through storm clouds.

    Later that evening, Maia stepped into the warmth of her living room and found Chris lounging on the sofa, dressed in a light gray casual suit that entuated his rxed confidence.

    Hezily swirled a crystal wine ss between his fingers, satisfaction emanating from his posture.

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    An unopened bottle of champagne waited ceremoniously on the coffee table.

    Maia drifted closer, her voiceced with curiosity. ¡°Mr. Cooper, what has you looking so thoroughly pleased with yourself?¡±

    Chris let out a wry smirk. ¡°Because¡­ someone mentioned she only values gifts from her husband.¡±

    Earlier that night, Chris had also tuned into the live stream of the engagement party. He hadn¡¯t anticipated that Maia would publicly dere her marital status. This meant she had finally epted the fact that he was her husband.

    Taken aback for a moment, Maia realized Chris had watched the stream too. A blush of embarrassment warmed her cheeks, leaving her momentarily speechless.

    Chris rose, smoothly poured a ss of champagne for Maia, and filled another for himself before offering it to her. He was well aware of Maia¡¯s elevated status and knew she was no stranger to sophistication.

    He had considered presenting her with luxurious jewelry, but he knew that could inadvertently expose his own background ¡ª something he wasn¡¯t yet ready to reveal.

    Chris silently vowed that when the time came to reveal his true identity, he would shower Maia with the most exquisite treasures.

    He released a soft sigh, his voice tinged with humility and regret. ¡°Regrettably, I¡¯m just an ordinary man, unable to bestow thevish gifts that Vince might. However, I hope this vintage champagne, gathered over the years, reflects my genuine intentions and that you¡¯ll appreciate it.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Maia responded as she epted the champagne and tasted it delicately. The champagne surprised her with its subtle, refined vor, its aromatic bouquet, and its sweet aftertaste. It rivaled the high-end champagne she once enjoyed with Zoey behind bars.

    Maia turned to Chris, curiosity sparking in her eyes. ¡°This champagne is remarkable, Mr. Cooper. Where did you acquire it?¡±

    With a knowing smile and a contemtive look, Chris replied with a light chuckle, ¡°I stumbled upon it quite by chance many years ago. It seems I found a hidden treasure.¡±

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 Chapter 292

    ?Chapter 292:

    Maia simply nodded, choosing not to delve further.

    Today, Maia had thoroughly embarrassed Vince, exposing his hypocrisy and bringing disgrace to the Morgan family. The wave of triumph she felt made this moment perfect for a celebratory drink.

    Maia lifted her ss, her gesture inviting a toast. ¡°Here¡¯s to your serendipitous discovery, Mr. Cooper, and to our triumph today.¡± The champagne in their sses danced lightly, the gentle clinking sound enhancing the room¡¯s quiet ambiance.

    As they sipped more champagne, the mood in the room softened, and it felt as if they were drawing nearer to each other. Buoyed by the champagne, their conversation drifted from current events to the past.

    When Chris asked about what happened to Maia four years ago, she recounted how Rosanna had framed her maliciously, leading to her imprisonment at the hands of the Morgan family. Chris absorbed her words in silence, his fingers tightening around the ss, his eyes deepening with intensity.

    Although he was familiar with Maia¡¯s past troubles from his own investigations, hearing the details directly from her intensified his empathy.

    Chris had been searching for Maia for many years. Locating her had be his driving obsession. When he finally discovered her whereabouts, Maia was alreadymitted to another, deeply in love with her fianc¨¦, Vince.

    Chris had indulged in heavy drinking that day. The following morning, he made the silent decision to leave Wront. He ventured overseas, spending six years living a bold and unrestrained life abroad.

    In his moments of solitude, time seemed to stretch endlessly, and Chris¡¯ yearning for Maia intensified to an almost unbearable degree. Upon his return, he was shocked to learn that Maia had spent thest four years in prison.

    Overwhelmed by regret and fury, Chris found himself tormented by sleepless nights and nagging anxiety. He had believed that distancing himself from Maia was an act of love, a necessary sacrifice for her well-being. However, he hadn¡¯t anticipated that in his absence, she would endure such profound injustices.

    Chris med himself for failing to protect her.

    F0r full ch@pters, g0 to g??lnovels.??????

    He carried this regret for a long time, until his aunt Zoey reached out. She had encountered a young woman in prison who, despite being wrongfully incarcerated, remained both beautiful and virtuous, proving herself to be remarkably capable.

    Zoey also chided Chris for his carefree lifestyle abroad, suggesting that it was no way to meet a worthy partner. Having stepped into a maternal role after Chris¡¯s mother passed away early, Zoey felt a strong parental responsibility toward him. She proposed that he consider marrying this young woman.

    The moment Chris realized that the woman Zoey mentioned was Maia, he epted the proposal without hesitation. He had made up his mind ¡ª he would never allow Maia to fall into someone else¡¯s hands again. This time, he would be her shield. His deepest wish was to make Maia the happiest woman alive.

    Pulled back into the moment, Chris shifted his attention to the woman sitting before him.

    Maia, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue, felt his gaze and lifted her head. When their eyes met, she noticed a tenderness in Chris¡¯s expression, a depth and warmth that she had never glimpsed before. Something about him today felt different ¡ª unfamiliar yetforting. A soft smile yed on Maia¡¯s lips.

    Without thinking, Chris reached out, wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, and drew Maia into his embrace, holding her as if he would never let her go.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper¡­¡± Maia¡¯s voice faltered, her expression filled with surprise. Chris tightened his embrace, holding her as though she was something he could not afford to lose.

    With his forehead nearly brushing hers, he stared into her clear eyes and said, his tone heavy with seriousness, ¡°Maia.¡± The sound of her name caught her off guard.

    Never before had Chris spoken to her in such a solemn way. She blinked and softly asked, ¡°Is something wrong, Mr. Cooper?¡±

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 Chapter 293

    ?Chapter 293:

    There was a shift in his gaze, and tenderness flooded his features. ¡°As long as I¡¯m around,¡± Chris said, his voice low and steady, ¡°I won¡¯t let anyone hurt you again.¡±

    Aforting stillness settled between them, thick enough to make the whole world outside feel as if it had slipped away.

    Back when Maia was trapped behind prison walls, she had survived endless hardships alone. The people she had loved most ¡ª her family, her fianc¨¦ ¡ª never once checked if she was okay or asked if she had been wronged.

    Now, here was Chris, a man who, after hearing just a small piece of her story, looked devastated and swore to protect her.

    Emotion welled up inside Maia, swelling so fast that it nearly took her breath away.

    She lifted her head, pulling back just enough to search his face. After a long, lingering look, she asked, ¡°Have we met before?¡±

    For a brief second, something unreadable passed through Chris¡¯s eyes. ¡°Why would you think that?¡± he asked, tilting his head slightly.

    ¡°I mean it,¡± Maia said, her voice firm but gentle. ¡°If we didn¡¯t know each other, why would you treat me so well?¡±

    This wasn¡¯t the first time Maia had voiced the doubt gnawing at her. She wasn¡¯t the naive girl she used to be, the one who threw her trust around like confetti. Now, she knew better than to trust luck or handouts without understanding the price.

    Chris let his gaze linger on Maia¡¯s rosy cheeks before a slow smile curved across his lips. ¡°Because¡­ the moment I saw you, I knew I had a crush on you.¡±

    He had fallen for her at first sight, a feeling rooted in him since that day eleven years ago.

    With a soft breath, he looked at Maia as though she was the only thing that had ever mattered.

    She looked exceptionally beautiful today.

    ????????????????: g??????????¦Í?????????????

    Drawn in by the sight of her, Chris dipped his head, inching closer to her lips. His gaze darkened with a pull he couldn¡¯t fight.

    She had epted him as her husband now. To him, that meant there was no reason to hold back anymore. He wanted her ¡ª fully,pletely.

    Their faces inched closer until he could feel her shaky breath on his skin, and his heart thundered in his chest.

    For a split second, she nearly let herself fall into the moment. But just before their lips could meet, Maia turned her face away, breaking the fragile tension. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Cooper. I¡¯m just¡­ not ready yet.¡± Maia¡¯s voice cracked slightly, and the tips of her ears flushed a deep, telling red.

    Chris stopped mid-motion. The light in his eyes flickered, and something heavy settled over him. His voice turned raw, almost pleading. ¡°Do you feel nothing for me?¡± Maia froze where she sat.

    The truth was, she wasn¡¯t sure.

    Everything between them felt like a river rushing too fast for her to catch her footing.

    ¡°I just¡­ I need more time,¡± Maia murmured, her gaze fixed on the floor.

    The hurt on Chris¡¯s face was impossible to miss. His arms dropped to his sides, and he took a step back. ¡°I get it,¡± he said quietly. ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you.¡±

    Without looking at her again, Chris straightened up, tugged at the tight cor of his shirt, and said, ¡°It¡¯s too warm in here. I¡¯m going to cool off with a shower.¡±

    Chris disappeared into the bathroom and pulled the door shut behind him.

    Left alone, Maia sat stiffly on the couch, her thoughts racing in every direction. His gaze from just moments ago still clung to her, filled with such intense affection that it had nearly broken through the walls she had built around her heart.

    She hadn¡¯t expected Chris to catch her off bnce like this. Was he serious when he said that he had fallen for her the moment they met? Yet, Maia could not bring herself to dive blindly into trust again. She needed time ¡ª time to figure him out, time to protect herself.

    .

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 Chapter 294

    ?Chapter 294:

    A sudden ringtone jolted her from her thoughts.

    Startled, Maia sat up straighter, only to realize that the sound was noting from her phone.

    Chris had left his phone behind, careless in his rush to shower. From the other side of the door, the steady rush of water filled the silence.

    For a moment, Maia wondered whether she should bring it to him. But after a brief hesitation, she decided against it. It would be better to let him notice the missed call himself when he finished.

    But the phone rang again and again.

    The persistent ringing filled the room, wing at her nerves.

    A small voice in her head whispered, ¡°What if it¡¯s urgent? What if it¡¯s something that can¡¯t wait?¡±

    Compelled by the thought, Maia picked up the phone and made her way cautiously to the bathroom door.

    Just as she raised her hand to knock, the screen lit up with a new message. The sender was the same number that had been calling. The content of the message froze her. ¡°Chris, it¡¯s been forever since you visited. I¡¯ve been waiting all night. Will youe over?¡±

    Maia¡¯s hand stopped midair, the words burning themselves into her mind.

    Maia¡¯s fingers clenched around the phone, as if it were a lifeline.

    The words on the screen cut into her vision like shards of ss, burning her eyes with their cruel rity. Each sentence felt like a wound, one that festered deep within her.

    The message carried an unsettling familiarity, far too intimate. This wasn¡¯t the tone of casual friends ¡ª it was something more, something deeply personal.

    A troubling thought crept into her mind: Was Chris hiding a secret life? Perhaps entangled in a web of other women when she wasn¡¯t looking? Or maybe he had spun a tale of ¡°love at first sight,¡± all the while not asmitted as she had foolishly believed?

    Discover new chapters at ????????¦Ï¦Í????s.?????

    Could he simply be a man who lived by his whims, ying games with hearts as if they were toys?

    Her chest constricted, as if someone had tightened a vice around her heart. The storm that had torn through her life four years ago had left scars, scars that made her wary of surrendering her heart too quickly.

    She couldn¡¯t bear the thought of being betrayed again, of finding herself cast into the abyss of despair once more.

    Yet here she was, on the verge of believing the lies of a man she had only recently met, teetering on the edge of opening herself up to someone who might tear her apart.

    The more she reflected, the colder her heart became, as though a cier had slowly settled within her chest. She felt as if she were standing on the edge of a cliff, foolishly gazing into the abyss below.

    A chill ran through her body as she tried to calm her breathing and regainposure.

    Turning away, she ced Chris¡¯s phone back on the table and retreated to her room, shutting the door behind her.

    Some time passed before the sound of running water from the bathroom ceased.

    Chris emerged from his shower, wrapped in a towel, his damp hair tousled as he dried it with another towel. Without a second thought, he picked up his phone from the table.

    Noticing that Maia was no longer in the living room, he assumed she had gone to bed, worn out from the day¡¯s events.

    He unlocked his phone, and as the message from the woman appeared on the screen, his brow furrowed in surprise.

    .

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 Chapter 295

    ?Chapter 295:

    He almost reached for the red button to delete and block her, but something halted his hand mid-motion. After a brief pause, he simply deleted the message, his decision made with cold resolve.

    In the quiet suburbs of Wront, at the Cooper family¡¯s vast estate, a man stood like a statue in a study bathed in the warm glow of amber light. His silhouette was etched against the backdrop of the encroaching night.

    Tall and imposing, he wore a suit so perfectly tailored that it seemed to have been cut from the fabric of royalty itself. His movements were measured, each gesture exuding the silent power of a king ¡ª graceful, controlled, and cold.

    He exuded an intimidating presence, making anyone approaching him feel as if coldness seeped from his very bones.

    The phone on his desk flickered to life, its screen glowing in the dim light of the room.

    As the call connected, a woman¡¯s voice ¡ª a mix of flirtation and frustration ¡ª slithered into his ear. ¡°Chris hasn¡¯te to see metely. He won¡¯t even answer my calls. Do you think he¡¯s starting to suspect me?¡±

    His expression remained stone-cold, betraying no emotion.

    His fingers absentmindedly traced the ring he held, his gaze fixed on the endless night beyond the window.

    After a long silence, he spoke, his voice as unyielding as ice. ¡°I understand.¡±

    With that, he ended the call and immediately dialed another number. His voice, low andmanding, left no room for uncertainty. ¡°Keep a close watch on Chris. Report anything unusual immediately.¡±

    He ended the call with a quiet scoff, before switching off the deskmp. His hands sped together, his face now obscured in shadow, a picture of quiet menace.

    Back at the Ward family home, Vince returned with his spirit shattered. His steps were heavy, as though the weight of the world was dragging him down. His eyes were vacant, as if the very essence of life had been drained from him.

    L?t?st ?h??pt?rs ¦Én g??lnov§Ö???.??????

    The door hadn¡¯t even fully closed before Gavin¡¯s furious pnded across his face.

    ¡°You fool!¡± Gavin¡¯s voice roared, filled with anger.

    Fists clenched in rage, Gavin didn¡¯t stop there. He pointed a trembling finger at Vince¡¯s chest and shouted, ¡°How could I ever have a son like you? Do you see what you¡¯ve done? You¡¯ve turned the Ward name into a punchline in Wront! People areughing at us! Do you have any idea of the shame you¡¯ve brought upon this family?¡±

    Vince¡¯s cheek stung from the blow, blood slowly trickling from the corner of his mouth, yet his face remained unreadable. He didn¡¯t flinch, didn¡¯t even blink.

    He knew the truth all too well. Maia had set him up, and the events in the hotel room had been broadcast across the world like a viral storm. The video was everywhere, an enduring symbol of his humiliation. It was her revenge¡ªa calcted strike designed to strip him of all dignity, to turn him into a spectacle for the world to mock.

    Was it hate that drove her? Or was it something more tangled, born from love¡¯s cruel jealousy?

    Vince wasn¡¯t sure, but his thoughts were consumed by her¡ªher every expression, every word she had spoken.

    ¡°Vince, I could never be your lover.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m already married. Please stop bothering me!¡±

    Vince closed his eyes, a twisted smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Married? A husband?

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    .

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 Chapter 296

    ?Chapter 296:

    A cold, wild fury burned inside him. Maia was meant to be his. If he couldn¡¯t have her, no one would. And if he couldn¡¯t possess her, he would destroy her.

    Seeing Vince¡¯s silent defiance, Gavin¡¯s anger boiled over.

    ¡°Your grandfather nearly died from shock! He fainted and hasn¡¯t woken up since! You better pray he doesn¡¯t suffer any further consequences, or you¡¯ll pay the price!¡±

    He paused, his voice now stern and final. ¡°We¡¯ll clean up your mess online, but from now on, you¡¯re confined to this house. Reflect on what you¡¯ve done.¡±

    The next morning, Rosanna opened her eyes to a world that felt as cold and sterile as the hospital room surrounding her.

    Under the harsh re of the hospital lights, she found herself lying in a sterile bed, the air thick with the smell of disinfectant. Her gaze drifted aimlessly toward the ceiling, unfocused, as if she were searching for meaning in the void, desperately trying to find something that simply wasn¡¯t there.

    The blow from the previous night had drained all the life from her, leaving her feeling empty. She couldn¡¯t bear to look at her phone, afraid of what it might hold ¡ª news of the ruined engagement party that would undoubtedly break her already fragile heart.

    Sandra sat quietly by her side, her hand gently holding Rosanna¡¯s, her eyes filled with concern.

    ¡°Rosanna,¡± Sandra¡¯s voice was soft, soothing, like a balm to a wound. ¡°Your health is the most important thing right now. You need to focus on taking care of yourself first.¡±

    Tears welled up in Rosanna¡¯s eyes, silently spilling down her cheeks. She turned toward Sandra, her voice barely a whisper as she asked, ¡°Mom¡­ is our family finished?¡±

    The events of the previous night had shattered Rosanna¡¯s dreams of a fairy-tale wedding into an alliance with an influential family. Now, her only support was the Morgan family. If the Morgans were to copse, Rosanna¡¯s situation would be dire.

    Your next chapter awaits g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m

    Seeing her daughter¡¯s ongoing concern for their family¡¯s stability, Sandra felt a deeper stab of sympathy. She reassured Rosanna, shaking her head as she said, ¡°This time, Vince is the one who let you down. To fix this, the Ward family will invest in ours to help us weather the storm. We won¡¯t be finished, my dear. Don¡¯t worry.¡±

    Hearing this, Rosanna let out a small sigh of relief. Tearing up, she bit her lower lip and asked, ¡°So, is everything really over between Vince and me?¡±

    ¡°Our families arranged your engagement with Vince a long time ago,¡± Sandra responded gently but firmly. ¡°Despite his current behavior, he¡¯lle to realize your value and return to you.¡±

    Hope flickered in Rosanna¡¯s eyes as she gripped the bed sheets tighter, a quiet optimism beginning to grow within her. ¡°Really?¡±

    Sandra stroked her hand and said softly, ¡°Absolutely, it¡¯s true. Try not to worry too much. Things will get better.¡±

    After finishing her words, she nced at the lunchbox by the hospital bed and said, ¡°The food¡¯s gone cold. I¡¯ll heat it up for you. You¡¯ve been unconscious for so long, you should eat something now that you¡¯re awake.¡±

    Rosanna nodded, her face showing signs of recovery.

    Sandra then left, quietly closing the hospital room door behind her. Still, the sound of voices from outside trickled in.

    Three intern nurses were just outside, chatting about the events they had witnessed.

    ¡°Did you hear about Rosanna? She was dumped by her fianc¨¦ at their engagement party and ended up here.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I saw the whole thing livest night. Her fans went after Maia harshly, and now Maia¡¯s suing them with the trial set to begin soon.¡±

    ¡°The fans really lost it, spreading lies and attacking Maia online. Zenith Legal has already filed thewsuits.¡±

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 Chapter 297

    ?Chapter 297:

    ¡°Rosanna seems too wrapped up in her own issues to even notice what¡¯s happening with her fans.¡±

    ¡°She probably just doesn¡¯t want to face it. She¡¯s hiding to shield herself, letting her fans bear the brunt in silence. Being her fan is so unlucky.¡±

    ¡°Keep it down. If she overhears us and wakes up, be prepared for a fan bacsh!¡±

    In her hospital bed, Rosanna clutched the sheets, her eyes filled with bitterness. The slight flush of health that had returned to her cheeks faded, leaving her even more ghostly pale. Could it be true that Maia had actually sued her fans, with the trial fast approaching?

    Rosanna¡¯s hands trembled as she picked up her phone, took a steadying breath, and cautiously opened Twitter. A flood of notifications hit her all at once. She had received over a thousand messages. Included were personal insults and unsettling images, with numerous former supporters now expressing their newfound disdain.

    Several of the sued fans also reached out for her support.

    ¡°Rosanna, we defended you, and now we facewsuits. You¡¯ve remained silent. Don¡¯t you feel any remorse?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m facing legal issues for supporting you. I¡¯m just a student and can¡¯t afford a criminal record. Can you please help?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s over. I regret ever being a fan. Defending you was a mistake. I¡¯ll own up to my actions, unlike you. What kind of role model fails to even influence? I refuse to be associated with you anymore.¡±

    ¡°Rosanna, stop pretending nothing¡¯s ever happened! You owe all your fans an exnation. Do something!¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s emotions surged, leaving her unable to speak. identally, her finger hit the screen, bringing up the trending topics, which all cast her in a negative light: #RosannaEngagementPartyDisaster, #RosannaFansSuedByZenithLegal, #BeingARosannaFanIsMiserable, and the list went on.

    Overwhelmed, Rosanna¡¯s vision blurred, and darkness began to edge her sight. She was the true victim here. She was the one who had been wronged the most.

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    The loyal fanbase she had meticulously nurtured was now falling apart. Why was public opinion turning in Maia¡¯s favor? Even her own supporters were beginning to doubt her. Never before had Rosanna felt so cornered.

    Anger surged within her, nearly overwhelming her. The barrage of insults and doubts served as a brutal reminder of the public¡¯s condemnation. The very people who had once stood by her were now abandoning her.

    As Rosanna tightened her grip on her phone, her knuckles turned white. No! She couldn¡¯t just sit back and do nothing. She had to win back her fans¡¯ support.

    Rosanna took a moment to steady her nerves, drawing in a deep breath to calm her rising anxiety. She scanned the hospital room for the best lighting, then grabbed her phone to capture a photo that highlighted her pale, fragile appearance,plete with an IV drip. After perfecting the angle and taking the photo, she sent it to Stacy with instructions to post it on Twitter.

    Stacyplied, crafting a post that read, ¡°Rosanna has just woken up in the hospital and is still very weak, but she insists on hiring the bestwyers for the fans who have been sued! Even though the opponent is Zenith Legal, she won¡¯t turn her back on her fans!¡±

    The photo attached showed Rosanna in a vulnerable state, lying in her hospital bed.

    The post quickly went viral, sparking a significant uproar. Fans who had begun to doubt Rosanna¡¯s intentions were suddenly moved by the image and her apparent dedication. Social media was abuzz with their reactions.

    ¡°We misunderstood her. It turns out Rosanna wasn¡¯t silent; she was just sick.¡±

    ¡°Rosanna endured such a blowst night. Anyone else would have copsed, but the first thing she did when she woke up was think of us! I¡¯ll stand by her forever!¡±

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 Chapter 298

    ?Chapter 298:

    ¡°She¡¯s showing incredible strength. Despite her fianc¨¦ leaving and her fans facingwsuits, she hasn¡¯t given up!¡±

    ¡°Haters need to stop stirring up trouble. Rosanna is clearly struggling, yet still prioritizes her fans. How could we not stand by her?¡±

    The outpouring of support wasn¡¯t limited to her fanbase. Even those who hadn¡¯t been following the drama began to express their sympathy for Rosanna.

    ¡°I¡¯m not usually one to take sides, but it¡¯s clear that Rosanna is really going through a lot¡­¡±

    ¡°Seeing her continue to defend her fans like this, even I can¡¯t help but feel sorry for her.¡±

    ¡°It looks like Rosanna has really drawn the short straw in life. With all she¡¯s endured, it¡¯s amazing she¡¯s still holding it together.¡±

    In just half an hour, Rosanna¡¯s strategic post had managed to sway a segment of public opinion in her favor. Yet, the scale of the bacsh and the challenges she faced were overwhelming. The support of her fans alone wasn¡¯t enough to counter the mounting pressures.

    After a brief moment of hesitation, Rosanna scrolled through her contacts, found Vince¡¯s number, and steadied herself. With a deep breath, she pressed the call button.

    When the call connected, Rosanna released a wave of pent-up emotions, sobbing, ¡°Vince¡­¡±

    Hearing her voice quiver through the phone, Vince felt his heart tighten, a storm of emotions swirling within him. ¡°Rosanna¡­ are you okay? I¡¯m sorry aboutst night.¡±

    Through her sobs, Rosanna replied, ¡°Vince, you don¡¯t need to apologize. It¡¯s not your fault. I¡¯m the one to me for not seeing that you¡¯ve always loved my sister. It¡¯s my fault for returning to the Morgan family and meddling in your rtionship. If only you had told me from the beginning that you still had feelings for her, I would have persuaded our parents to support your union¡­ Now, everything¡¯s a mess, Vince. You must despise me, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Her words weighed heavily on Vince, stirring a deep sense of guilt. It was indeed his fault. He had disrupted the engagement party, pursued Maia, and left Rosanna to face public humiliation, making her the subject of ridicule online. Despite all she had endured, Rosanna bore him no ill will; her thoughts were still with him.

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    Vince¡¯s remorse deepened. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rosanna¡­ It was all my faultst night. I trusted Maia wrongly and let you down. I will make it up to you in the future.¡±

    Hearing this, Rosanna felt a surge of joy inside, but her tone remained sorrowful. ¡°Maia spoiled my engagement party, then turned around and sued my fans. She¡¯s cornered me, Vince. Vince, you said you would stand by me before. If even you don¡¯t care about me now, I really don¡¯t know what I could do¡­¡±

    Her intive words drove Vince¡¯s guilt to new heights.

    Clutching his phone, he said to her in a firm tone, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Rosanna. I¡¯ve taken care of everything.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± she asked tentatively, anxietycing her voice. ¡°But Maia has Zenith Legal on her side. I¡¯m scared¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Maia won¡¯te out on top this time,¡± Vince replied, a cold resolve settling into his voice as his gaze hardened.

    This time, he was determined not to let Maia walk away unscathed.

    Rosanna felt a wave of relief wash over her after Vince spoke.

    When Sandra returned with the heated meal, Rosanna¡¯splexion had improved significantly, and her appetite had returned.

    ¡°Take your time eating,¡± Sandra said gently. ¡°Don¡¯t rush and make yourself worse.¡±

    Rosanna nodded in response, continuing to eat at a steady pace. She needed to regain her strength quickly¡ªshe couldn¡¯t let Maia enjoy her victory for long!

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 Chapter 299

    ?Chapter 299:

    Sunlight poured through the curtains, casting a warm glow on Maia¡¯s delicateshes. Slowly, she opened her eyes, propping herself up with a groan. A dull throb pulsed in her head, and her face looked drained of color. She hadn¡¯t slept wellst night, gued by nightmares.

    In her dreams, she was pushed off a cliff by someone she trusted most, her body falling swiftly through icy air¡­

    Her fingers were cold as she looked down at them, the memory of the messages on Chris¡¯ phone from the night before still fresh in her mind. She clenched her fist, silently swearing to herself¡ªnever again would she fall for false pretenses.

    Once she fulfilled Zoey¡¯s request, she would leave Chris for good!

    Taking a deep breath, Maia reached for her phone, her fingers brushing over its surface. A new message had arrived in the middle of the night: ¡°Boss, didn¡¯t I do an amazing job tonight? So many people tried to disrupt the live stream, but I kept it running smoothly. Don¡¯t I deserve some kind of reward?¡±

    Maia¡¯s fingers moved swiftly over the screen. ¡°Get me the most thorough andplete information on Cooper Group today.¡±

    The response came quickly, ¡°Boss, you can¡¯t treat your subordinates like this!¡±

    Maia shot back, ¡°Not willing? Are you certain?¡±

    The other side quickly responded, ¡°Just kidding! I¡¯ll handle it right away.¡±

    After that, Maia gazed out the window, her eyes unwavering. It was time to get down to business!

    The trial day arrived with surprising speed.

    By Monday morning, at the courthouse entrance¡­

    Maia stepped out of the car and immediately spotted Pattie waiting for her. With her arms crossed and a confident stance, Pattie made her presence known.

    Find your imagination at galn  ovels ; con

    ¡°You go ahead and do your thing. I won¡¯t be needing your help today,¡± Maia said teasingly as she approached.

    Pattie arched an eyebrow, a yful smirk tugging at her lips. ¡°Oh, so you call me when you need me, but push me away when you don¡¯t?¡±

    Maia let out a soft chuckle.

    However, Pattie¡¯s tone shifted, bing serious. ¡°Thest trial you had, I was still in school and missed it. This time, I¡¯m here. I¡¯m not letting you go through this alone.¡±

    Four years ago, that trial had altered Maia¡¯s life forever. Pattie had long regretted not being able to stand by her friend then, and now, with unwavering determination, she was ready to make sure Maia wouldn¡¯t face injustice again.

    Seeing the resolve in Pattie¡¯s eyes, Maia said nothing more, allowing her to walk beside her into the courthouse.

    Inside, the scene buzzed with activity¡ªreporters, spectators, and even Rosanna¡¯s fans gathered in anticipation. Given the high profile of the case, which involved online harassment, the court had opted to live-stream the trial.

    Once inside the courtroom, Maia and Pattie separated, with Maia taking her ce at the intiff¡¯s table. Pattie found a spot in the audience, but her attention quickly shifted when she spotted someone familiar from the corner of her eye.

    It was Rosanna, making her way into the trial as well. Reporters, spotting her arrival, instantly raised their cameras, eager to capture the moment.

    Rosanna appeared extremely worn out, as if she had been through a great ordeal. A reporter moved swiftly toward her, microphone in hand.

    ¡°Miss Morgan, are you here to support your fans?¡±

    A smile yed at Rosanna¡¯s lips as she nodded. ¡°This issue involves my fans, so I had to be here.¡±

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 Chapter 300

    ?Chapter 300:

    Her words resonated deeply with the fans present, many of whom wore expressions of admiration.

    The reporters quickly took note of the sharply dressed man standing beside Rosanna.

    ¡°Miss Morgan, who is this gentleman?¡± one of them asked.

    Rosanna¡¯s smile widened as she responded, ¡°This is Mr. Carl Kelly, a renownedwyer from Drakmire¡¯s Veritas Law Practice.¡±

    A reporter¡¯s eyes widened in recognition. ¡°Carl Kelly, the esteemed chiefwyer from Veritas Law Practice? His sess rate rivals that of Zenith Legal!¡±

    The crowd gasped in astonishment.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard his fees are calcted by the minute ¡ª over one thousand dors a minute!¡± one reporter whispered.

    ¡°Miss Morgan, you hired such a prestigiouswyer from Drakmire for your fans?¡± another reporter asked, disbelief evident in their voice.

    Rosanna¡¯s expression shifted to one of thoughtful concern, perfectly timed for the moment. ¡°Many of my fans are still in school. They simply wanted to defend the idol they adore, not realizing their onlinements could cross the line. They don¡¯t fully understand the legal implications, so I believe they should be considered innocent. Since my fans have supported me so much, I can¡¯t let them face this alone. That¡¯s why I hired the bestwyer avable.¡±

    Her statement not only swayed her fans but also garnered admiration from many bystanders.

    Excited shouts erupted from some of Rosanna¡¯s fans. ¡°Rosanna, we¡¯ll support you forever!¡±

    However, some level-headedizens began to raise questions. ¡°Wait¡­ can ignorance really excuse breaking thew? Isn¡¯t she openly defending online harassment? What kind of logic is that? Can you really justify illegal behavior with ¡®I didn¡¯t know¡¯?¡±

    Every story starts at galn   ovels ;

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s sense of right and wrong is seriously warped! How can she say such things?¡±

    As expected, opinions online became sharply divided.

    Rosanna nced at Maia across the room, a slight smirk curling on her lips.

    Was Zenith Legal really so impressive?

    To her, it didn¡¯t seem all that remarkable.

    Seconds ticked away relentlessly, each moment heavier than thest. The air in the courtroom thickened with tension as the trial drew near, every breath held in anticipation.

    ¡°Why isn¡¯t Maia¡¯s attorney here yet?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t Zenith Legal renowned for their punctuality? What could possibly be dying them today?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps Zenith Legal is having second thoughts about championing such a controversial case.¡±

    All eyes fixed on the intiff¡¯s seat, expectant and judgmental.

    Maia leaned back in her chair, her gaze calm and indifferent. She retrieved her phone to contact her attorney, only to find the line unreachable.

    The consequences were clear: if herwyer failed to show up without a legitimate reason, the case could be dismissed.

    Maia looked up and spotted Rosanna among the spectators, her chin raised, watching her with a smug expression.

    Rosanna arched an eyebrow at Maia, her entire demeanor radiating contempt.

    Today, Rosanna had abandoned her adoring fans for a more satisfying form of entertainment¡ªwitnessing Maia¡¯s public downfall.

    .

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 Chapter 301

    ?Chapter 301:

    After Maia¡¯s constant boasts about Zenith Legal¡¯s prowess, their absence at this crucial moment, surrounded by hungry reporters, threatened to turn her reputation into a spectacle of ridicule.

    Maia was about to be theughingstock!

    On social media, Rosanna¡¯s followers eagerly pounced on the unfolding drama, their excitement palpable.

    ¡°I¡¯m absolutely howling withughter! The trial¡¯s starting, and the intiff¡¯swyer has vanished into thin air!¡±

    ¡°When will Maia finally admit defeat and spare herself the embarrassment of this public humiliation?¡±

    Across social media, vengefulizens tagged Zenith Legal directly in their posts, their mockery sharp and relentless.

    ¡°What happened to that wless record you¡¯ve unted for years? Why aren¡¯t you showing up this time?¡±

    ¡°Word has it that Rosanna¡¯s powerhouse attorney sent you scrambling for cover at thest moment!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible, right? You¡¯re Zenith Legal!¡±

    Yet, Zenith Legal remained silent.

    The merciless clock ticked, showing just sixty seconds remaining before the trial was officially set to begin!

    Was this the day that Zenith Legal¡¯s untarnished legacy of victories would finally face its first blemish?

    The growing spection drove Pattie to strike the floor with her heel. What unimaginable crisis could have prevented Zenith Legal from fulfilling their professional obligation? How could they miss such an important trial?

    The atmosphere in the gallery shifted from eager anticipation to restlessness. The judge sighed deeply, his weathered hands beginning to organize the scattered documents on his bench.

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    Reporters directed their frustration toward Maia, murmuring, ¡°Is this entire proceeding just a waste of everyone¡¯s time? I have deadlines breathing down my neck!¡±

    Several observers quietly rose and slipped out of the courtroom doors.

    Rosanna¡¯s fans¡ªthe defendants themselves¡ªvisibly rxed. Their initial anxiety dissolved into smug satisfaction as they crossed their arms, reiming their boldness online.

    ¡°All this dramatic buildup for nothing? I almost believed she was a genuine threat. ssic bluff! She¡¯ll probably concoct some excuse to withdraw and save face¡ªno, to mention her wallet.¡±

    Across the inte, Rosanna¡¯s supporters began their premature victory dance.

    ¡°We¡¯ve won before it even started! Maia stands exposed as the fraud she is, dragging Zenith Legal¡¯s reputation through the mud with her!¡±

    ¡°So, this is what all the fuss was about? How predictable¡ª the louder they boast, the harder they fall!¡±

    ¡°So what was I ever afraid of? Maia, weren¡¯t you nning to sue me into oblivion? Come on!¡±

    Rosanna perched in her seat, a barely contained smile ying at the corners of her lips.

    Today¡¯s live stream would immortalize Maia¡¯splete public humiliation!

    Rising slowly, Rosanna cast a withering nce at Maia before turning toward the exit.

    At that precise moment, the courtroom doors burst open with unexpected force.

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 Chapter 302

    ?Chapter 302:

    Rosanna froze mid-stride, her body suddenly rigid.

    The abrupt disturbance drew every eye in the room toward the entrance.

    Through the doorway strode a man ofmanding presence.

    His ck, tailored suit fit perfectly against his tall, lean frame, the precision of its cut emphasizing his imposing stature. Dark eyes scanned the room with prating intelligence.

    His features seemed sculpted from marble¡ªa defined jawline and sharp cheekbones, contributing to an aura of cold, unshakeable authority.

    Who was this man?

    Amidst the confused nces, the man walked straight to the judge¡¯s bench, ignoring the astonished looks from those around him. Pattie watched him pass, her gaze following his every movement with undisguised appreciation. ¡°He¡¯s absolutely gorgeous,¡± she whispered.

    This man embodied everything she found irresistible!

    The stranger came to a halt before the judge.

    In a deep voice, he said, ¡°Your Honor, Maia¡¯s attorney was involved in a car ident en route and is currently receiving medical attention at the hospital. Therefore, I will be representing Maia for the duration of today¡¯s proceedings.¡±

    The judge, his expression stern, turned to Maia and asked, ¡°As the representative of the intiff, are you willing to change your legal representation?¡±

    Maia¡¯s gaze fixed on the new attorney, her eyes widening in shock.

    How could it be him?

    Suddenly, the courtroom was filled with a collective gasp of surprise. ¡°Unbelievable! Rnd Cullen, the topwyer from Zenith Legal in Drakmire?¡±

    See more chapters at g??l no vels.??????

    The atmosphere in the courtroom grew electric.

    Journalists began whispering excitedly among themselves. ¡°Rnd here? The famous attorney who has never failed since he started in this industry? And he¡¯s in Wront of all ces?¡±

    ¡°People say Rnd only takes on exceptionally challenging cases, never the ordinary ones. What brings him to such a straightforward case?¡±

    ¡°Gettingments from Rnd has always been a challenge; we¡¯ve been turned away every time. To think we¡¯d see him here today!¡±

    ¡°Rnd isn¡¯t just remarkably talented; he¡¯s strikingly handsome as well. Truly, he¡¯s everyone¡¯s ideal man!¡±

    Suddenly, every camera in the room turned to focus on Rnd, capturing every possible angle in a flurry of shes.

    The judge peered over his sses, giving the famous attorney a thorough look. Yes, it was indeed Rnd, a renowned figure in the legalmunity from Drakmire!

    He hadn¡¯t anticipated Rnd¡¯s involvement in this case.

    Rosanna¡¯s brow furrowed as she heard the whispers around her. Although unfamiliar with Rnd, the news of his reputation as a leading Drakmire attorney made her uneasy.

    Why had he suddenly appeared here? Was it just a coincidence?

    On the other side, Carl, the defense attorney, was overwhelmed with dread.

    Hisplexion turned pale, his mouth dry, and his limbs shook as beads of sweat formed a glisteningyer across his brow.

    What was happening? How had he ended up facing Rnd here?

    Rnd typically took on only the most daunting,plex, and headline-worthy cases. Why would he bother with something so trivial?

    Within the legal realm of Drakmire, Rnd¡¯s formidable reputation was well-known. He was often likened to a stealthy assassin, though his methods involved no violence. He could silence his opponents with the gentlest of voices and close every loophole with impable logic, leaving no room for counterargument.

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 Chapter 303

    ?Chapter 303:

    The truly chilling fact was Rnd¡¯s spotless record¡ªhe had never lost in court. Facing him in trial, any attorney might as well concede defeat from the start.

    Why had Rnd, the renowned legal tactician,e to this city? That was the question that hung in the air.

    Noticing Maia¡¯s dy in response, the judge repeated his question.

    ¡°intiff, are you willing to change your legal representation?¡±

    Shaken from her thoughts, Maia quickly nodded. ¡°Yes, I am.¡±

    Once Rnd presented the necessary documents, the judge dered the trial open.

    With precise references to legal statutes and relevant case precedents, Rnd systematically dismantled every possible counterargument. Spectators in the courtroom, especially thewyers, visibly perspired under the weight of the fierce debate. There was no room left for rebuttal.

    Rnd¡¯s strategic citations of legal statutes and his mention of prior cases were impable, each step effectively closing off any escape routes for the opposition.

    Within just thirty minutes, Carl was visibly defeated, sinking into his chair, speechless.

    Without dy, the judge announced, ¡°This court finds in favor of the intiff, Maia Watson!¡±

    As for Rosanna¡¯s eager fans, those who had been sued faced penalties ranging from two years in prison for the harshest offenders, to a minimum of three months for the more lenient cases.

    An uproar filled the courtroom. Reporters and the audience alike were left in disbelief.

    Without Rnd¡¯s formidable influence, the sentencing might have been more lenient. But they had faced the terrifying figure known as the legal demon¡ªRnd.

    Read exclusive updates g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls

    Upon hearing their sentences, Rosanna¡¯s fans turned pale, some nearly copsing in despair.

    ¡°I can¡¯t bear the thought of going to jail! I admit my mistakes, truly! Maia, please show some mercy!¡±

    ¡°I only followed along and made a fewments. I never meant any harm. What will happen to my education? I¡¯m on the verge of not graduating, my girlfriend might leave me, and I¡¯ll have a criminal record. My future is ruined!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna, I did everything for you! Please, save me!¡±

    But Rosanna was too consumed with her own thoughts to consider their pleas. Clutching her lips tightly, herplexion turned ashen.

    She had been defeated once again.

    Just when victory seemed within reach, someone appeared out of nowhere, plunging her back into despair. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to ept the loss.

    The trial came to a close.

    The defense attorney, Carl, quickly gathered his documents, clearly eager to make his exit.

    Fueled by anger, Rosanna grabbed him by the arm, her teeth clenched in fury. ¡°Wait! You charged a fortune, and this is the result? You¡¯re not leaving until you return my money!¡±

    Carl immediately lost theposure he had so carefully maintained, his face contorting into a sneer as he pointed an using finger at Rosanna. His voice dripped with disdain. ¡°If you¡¯d told me the opposingwyer was Rnd, I wouldn¡¯t have touched this case with a ten-foot pole, even if you¡¯d begged me! Now, my chances of winning are shattered, and I¡¯ve be theughingstock of the industry, with this trial streaming live for the entire world to see. It¡¯s a miracle I¡¯m not demandingpensation for emotional trauma!¡±

    With those biting words, Carl shook off Rosanna¡¯s hand and stormed away without sparing her another nce.

    Rosanna¡¯s blood boiled with indignation.

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 Chapter 304

    ?Chapter 304:

    Vince had reassured her that Maia would lose ¡ª he¡¯d bragged about the expert he¡¯d hired. But now, it seemed that the so-called ¡°expert¡± was nothing but a failure.

    In an instant, she thought of Mariana. The Ward family could neverpete with the power and influence of the mighty Cooper family. Perhaps it was time to reconsider her alliances.

    After the trial, Maia and Rnd stepped out of the courthouse, immediately swarmed by a sea of reporters.

    shes from cameras stung their eyes, and microphones jostled for position in front of them.

    Maia felt the familiar throb of a headache creeping in. This scene ¡ª bothforting and maddening ¡ª had be her reality.

    Such were the burdens of public life.

    Yet, Rnd extended an arm with quiet chivalry, shielding Maia from the throng of reporters.

    His gaze was cold, calcting, as he surveyed the crowd of journalists, his voice cutting through the noise. ¡°Apologies, but we do not ept interviews.¡±

    One reporter, unwilling to be outdone, shoved a microphone forward, pressing for an answer. ¡°Mr. Cullen, what made you take on this case? Ms. Watson, did you contact Mr. Cullen beforehand?¡±

    Rnd¡¯s expression remained as frosty as ever, and his words carried an unspoken weight. ¡°Sorry, we have nothing to disclose.¡±

    Just then, Rosanna emerged from the courthouse, her eyes immediately locking onto Maia, who was now the center of media attention.

    A mixture of disbelief and anger churned in Rosanna¡¯s stomach. Why was this woman always so fortunate? Maia¡¯swyer had faced a mishap, yet a celebrated legal expert hade to her aid, stepping in like a knight in shining armor.

    Rosanna red at Maia with such intensity it could have burned holes in stone, silently wishing for some form of disaster ¡ª perhaps a runaway truck ¡ª to rid the world of Maia¡¯s presence.

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    Sensing the malice directed at her, Maia slowly turned around, meeting Rosanna¡¯s venomous re.

    Before anyone could react, Maia stepped toward Rosanna, Rnd following in her wake. A reporter, quick to react, cleared the way.

    Seeing Maia approach, Rosanna instinctively attempted to retreat, but it was toote. Maia blocked her path, her voice cool yet cutting. ¡°It was you, wasn¡¯t it?¡±

    The camera shes erupted in rapid session behind Maia, and reporters¡¯ microphones extended toward Rosanna like an encircling trap, effectively turning the moment into an impromptu interrogation.

    Rosanna¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Embarrassed time and again in front of the public, she felt a familiar anxiety creeping up her spine. Her face betrayed her as she stammered, ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes narrowed, her voice icy as she spoke with quiet precision. ¡°To get me to drop thewsuit, you orchestrated a car ident to keep mywyer from reaching the scene. Rosanna, you have a truly malicious heart.¡±

    The reporters fell into stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief. Countless cameras focused their lenses on Rosanna. The atmosphere shifted, bing charged with tension.

    Cornered by the probing gaze of the media, Rosanna panicked, her defenses crumbling. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? How¡­ How could it be me? Maia, don¡¯t nder me!¡±

    Before Maia could respond, Rnd stepped forward, his eyes locking onto Rosanna with an intensity that seemed to freeze the air. His tone was like ice cutting through the heat of the moment. ¡°It¡¯s fine if you deny it, but this involves a¡­¡±

    Rnd, thewyer from Zenith Legal, stepped forward. ¡°We will investigate this thoroughly. If we find anyone pulling strings behind the scenes, I will ensure they face the harshest penalties.¡±

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 Chapter 305

    ?Chapter 305:

    Rosanna froze, her face attempting to maintainposure, but the subtle tremble in her eyes betrayed her.

    Just then, Pattie arrived, nked by a group of imposing bodyguards.

    ¡°Make way!¡± The bodyguards,rge and formidable, cleared a path through the reporters, escorting Maia and Rnd away.

    The reporters, left without any interview subjects, turned their attention back to Rosanna. She was trapped, surrounded with no escape.

    A barrage of sharp questions came at her from all directions.

    ¡°Miss Morgan, did you have any involvement in orchestrating the car ident?¡±

    ¡°Miss Morgan, how do you feel about your fans losing the case?¡±

    ¡°Miss Morgan, you imed earlier that they didn¡¯t know this, so they must be innocent. But now the court has ruled them guilty¡ªdo you think the verdict is fair?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s hands shot up to shield her face as she scrambled to escape.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know! I know nothing¡­ Move, let me through!¡±

    She fled in panic, her dignity shattered, humiliated beyond measure. Her frantic flight from the scene became an unforgettable spectacle.

    The reporters were quick to capture it, and Rosanna¡¯s distressed and humiliated expression was immortalized by high-definition cameras.

    When the news broke, the video spread like wildfire, shared tens of thousands of times within hours.

    Rosanna¡¯s panicked face shot to the top of trending topics! Her name was on everyone¡¯s lips again ¡ª but for all the wrong reasons.

    The inte exploded with mockingments, insults, and demands for Rosanna to turn herself in and cover the medical bills for the injuredwyer.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s hosts captivating tales

    This time, however, Rosanna¡¯s fanbase remained eerily silent. Normally, they¡¯d be the first to rise to her defense, crafting excuses even for her most outrageous actions. But this time, the silence was deafening.

    Perhaps, just perhaps, they had grown disillusioned.

    Meanwhile, a sleek luxury car glided smoothly along the highway.

    Inside the car, an uneasy silence lingered.

    Pattie sat in the front seat, unusually quiet, though her eyes flickered between Rnd and Maia in the backseat, betraying the whirlwind of questions spinning in her mind. Her curiosity was evident on her face, impossible to miss. Rnd had undeniably captured her attention, especially with his poised and decisive demeanor in court. The way he handled himself sparked admiration in her.

    She had dated her fair share of boyfriends, yet none had exuded the same aura that Rnd did. Her heart, usually difficult to stir, now beat with an unfamiliar rhythm.

    In contrast, Maia kept her head bowed low, her fingers swiftly tapping out a message to Elvira. ¡°Why did your brother show up?¡± Elvira¡¯s reply was brief and clueless. ¡°Hmm? I have no idea!¡± Maia stared at the screen, speechless. Could she be any more oblivious?

    Seeing that she wouldn¡¯t get an answer from Elvira, Maia tucked her phone away and tilted her head slightly to nce at the man beside her. His face was carved with tension. Drawing a steadying breath, she asked, ¡°Why did youe today?¡±

    Rnd kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead, answering coolly, ¡°I happened to have a case here.¡±

    As if sensing her disbelief, he added a momentter, ¡°I had just gotten off the ne when I heard about yourwyer¡¯s ident. So, I rushed over.¡±

    Maia arched an eyebrow in quiet skepticism. ¡°Have a case here? What kind of major case in Wront would demand your personal attention?¡± Rnd, utterly unbothered, continued scrolling through his phone with a nonchnt air.

    ¡°The case involves confidential matters,¡± he replied, his voice asposed as ever. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t reveal any details.¡±

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 Chapter 306

    ?Chapter 306:

    Pattie, who had been quietly observing, sensed something was off. The two seemed familiar yet distant. What exactly was their rtionship?

    Her curiosity bubbled over, and she couldn¡¯t resist any longer. She nced at them through the rearview mirror and, unable to contain herself, asked, ¡°Do you two know each other?¡±

    Both Rnd and Maia fell silent at the same time, an awkward tension thickening the air between them. Sensing the shift, Pattie tilted her head and asked, ¡°How did you two meet?¡±

    Maia opened her mouth, hesitating. ¡°You know Elvira? He¡¯s Elvira¡¯s¡ª¡±

    Before she could finish, Rnd smoothly interjected, ¡°A friend of Elvira¡¯s.¡±

    Maia shot him a fleeting nce but said nothing to correct him. The brief look, however, spoke volumes.

    Pattie hesitated, her eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Huh¡­¡±

    The atmosphere between them felt oddly strained, as if an invisible wall had risen in the space they shared. If they were not close, why would Rnd have traveled so far to handle such a minor case? Zenith Legal had a wealth of brilliantwyers stationed right here in Wront. Yet, if they were close, why did they sit apart, as though they were strangers, cloaked in this heavy silence?

    To break the tension, Pattie cleared her throat and forced a bright smile. ¡°Anyway, Maia, it¡¯s a good thing Mr. Cullen came today. Otherwise, you would have been in real trouble.¡±

    She turned her gaze between the two of them, her voice lightening with enthusiasm. ¡°Since Mr. Cullen traveled all the way from Drakmire, we should really give him a proper wee. How about dinner tonight? My treat.¡±

    Maia responded almost too quickly. ¡°Mr. Cullen is incredibly busy. He doesn¡¯t have time to¡ª¡±

    Her words stumbled to a halt as her phone vibrated sharply in her hand. Startled, she nced down. A new message from Chris blinked on the screen: ¡°I am free to cook tonight. Want toe home for dinner?¡±

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    For a heartbeat, Maia froze. Her fingers instinctively tightened around the device, her nails pressing into the ss.

    Before she could gather herself, Rnd¡¯s voice cut in, unhurried and steady. ¡°I happen to be free tonight. I would be d to ept your invitation.¡±

    Maia turned toward him, her surprise masked only by the flicker of emotion that shed across her eyes. Without a second thought, she typed a cold, clipped reply to Chris: ¡°Noting.¡±

    She turned off her phone and gazed out the window, her expression distant and indifferent.

    Rnd, meanwhile, studied her quietly. The side of her face, framed by the window¡¯s pale light, was a portrait of aloof elegance ¡ª that same unapproachable air she always carried with her.

    How could someone like her have ever married?

    He remembered the message shing across her screen just moments earlier. His jaw tensed almost imperceptibly.

    Was the sender¡­ her husband? The thought lingered, dark and unsettling.

    At nine o¡¯clock sharp, Pattie and Maia hosted a small dinner for Rnd. The meal had barely ended when Pattie pped her hands together with glee and dered, ¡°We cannot let the night end here! Wront¡¯s nightlife is the best in the country. You would be missing out if you didn¡¯t experience it firsthand!¡±

    Maia inwardly doubted that someone like Rnd would agree to such a frivolous suggestion. To her astonishment, he simply smiled, neither stiff nor reluctant, and nodded his assent.

    Thus, the three of them soon found themselves stepping into Wront¡¯s crown jewel of nightlife ¡ª the Nightingale Ballroom.

    As the velvet-red doors swung open, a wave of pulsating music and shing lights swallowed them whole. The outside world vanished behind them.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 307

    ?Chapter 307:

    In the cavernous hall, bodies moved to the pounding bass, a swirling sea of energy. Bartenders twirled shakers behind the glowing bar, pouring rivers of gold and amber into gleaming sses.

    Pattie led them deftly upstairs to a VIP booth perched on the second floor. From there, they had an unobstructed view of the chaos unfolding below.

    Just as they slid into the plush velvet seats, Pattie suddenly excused herself. ¡°Be right back!¡± she called, disappearing into the crowd, leaving Maia and Rnd¡­ alone.

    They sat side by side, the space between them thick with unspoken tension.

    The pounding music reverberated around them. Maia nced at Rnd, half-expecting to find him stiff and ufortable in this riotous ce.

    Instead, he lounged back easily against the sofa, the dim lights catching the sharp lines of his face. With a casual tug, he loosened his tie and unfastened the top button of his shirt. A small, almostzy gesture ¡ª but it somehow shifted the entire atmosphere between them.

    The air around him felt different, and for the first time, Maia saw a side of Rnd Cullen she hadn¡¯t noticed before. Yet, the fragile peace between them crumbled just as quickly. The awkwardness crept back in, gnawing at the edges of the moment.

    It was always like this. Maia vividly remembered the stiff dinners at the Cullen residence. If not for Elvira¡¯s endless chatter bridging the silence, she and Rnd could have frozen the entire dining room solid. Despite that, Elvira had constantly tried to set them up, which was a terrifying thought for Maia.

    Maia shifted ufortably in her seat, the suffocating silence wing at her. She needed to say something¡ªanything. She blurted out the first thing that came to mind. ¡°How is Elvira doingtely?¡±

    Even as she spoke, Maia winced inwardly. Could she have picked a duller topic?

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    Truthfully, her knowledge of Rnd was limited. Their interactions had been few, and always brief. Every shared meal had revolved around Elvira¡¯s relentless monologues. Rnd, as Maia recalled, barely spoke at all. It was as if Elvira¡¯s chatter had devoured whatever words he might have had.

    The Cullen siblings could not have been more different.

    Rnd turned his head slightly, but the music pounding around them made it impossible to catch her words. Frowning, he leaned closer, so close that Maia could smell the faint, clean scent of his cologne. ¡°What?¡± he asked, his voice low, almost against her ear.

    Feeling strangely breathless, Maia repeated her question. And atst, a conversation¡ªawkward, halting, but a conversation nheless¡ªbloomed between them amid the chaos.

    Unseen by them, across the dance floor, tucked in the shadows of another VIP booth, a pair of sharp, watchful eyes tracked Maia¡¯s every move.

    Chris¡¯ expression grew stern, his features hardening into a cold, emotionless mask as he observed the scene unfolding across the room. Initially, he thought his eyes were deceiving him. In the plush corner booth, he saw Maia, her head tilted toward another man as they shared augh, seemingly engrossed in an intimate conversation.

    Maia was making small talk with Rnd, her tone light and detached. But when she nced up, her eyes locked onto Chris¡¯.

    At that moment, Chris was not alone. A woman in a daring outfit was draped over his arm, pulling him closer with a familiarity that spoke volumes about their closeness. The atmosphere between them was thick with unmistakable intimacy.

    The sight sent a sharp pang through Maia¡¯s heart, a pain that echoed deep within her.

    She recalled their earlier conversation, when Chris had casually asked if she would be home for dinner¡ªa question she now realized was just a cover for his secretive ns. The memory of the intimate text message he had sent her weighed heavily on her chest, pressing down like a stone, making it hard to breathe.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 308

    ?Chapter 308:

    Seeing that Chris made no attempt to conceal hispanion, Maia responded with a slight, sardonic smile. She raised her chin defiantly and locked eyes with him, a silent challenge passing between them.

    Noticing Maia¡¯s distracted gaze, Rnd turned to see what had caught her attention.

    Rnd was taken aback by the sight of the man in the corner¡ªa yboy, exuding an aura of reckless charm. It seemed odd to him. Maia didn¡¯t strike him as someone who would mingle with such a character.

    Leaning closer, Rnd whispered into her ear, ¡°What are you looking at? Is that someone you know?¡±

    Maia averted her eyes and murmured quietly, ¡°No.¡±

    They sat so close that their shoulders brushed against each other.

    At that moment, across the room, Chris¡¯ frustration became palpable as he mmed his wine ss down on the table. The sharp sound echoed through the space, drawing attention.

    Just then, Pattie reappeared, breaking the heavy tension. With her usual cheerfulness, she asked Maia and Rnd if they were ready to head downstairs and dance.

    Rnd, still processing the scene, nced at Maia, unsure whether she would ept such a spontaneous invitation.

    To his surprise, Maia gave him a bright smile. ¡°Sure, let¡¯s celebrate today¡¯s victory!¡± she eximed.

    Before Rnd could react, Maia was already on her way to the dance floor with Pattie. After a brief hesitation, Rnd rose and followed them.

    Chris, watching the unfolding scene, tightened his expression into a slight frown.

    Your imagination thrives at  punt

    Without a word, he stood abruptly, announcing that he was heading to the dance floor alone.

    The woman next to him chuckled yfully, her voiceced with teasing. ¡°Oh? Is there someone down there who caught your eye?¡±

    Chris responded with a mischievous smirk. ¡°Take a guess.¡±

    With a determined grin, he made his way directly toward the dance floor. The woman, realizing that her earlier concerns were unnecessary, allowed herself a sly smile. This was the Chris she recognized¡ªa man who posed no real threat and could easily be dismissed as harmless. With that realization, she seized the opportunity to contact her informant and share her observations.

    Across the dance floor, neon lights¡ªa hallmark of the vibrant nightlife¡ªshed in a kaleidoscope of colors, casting an electric glow over the crowd. Beneath the pulsating lights, countless young bodies moved in sync, lost in the rhythm of the thumping music.

    While Rnd lingered at the edge of the crowd, clearly ufortable and out of ce, Pattie thrived in the environment. She confidently took Rnd¡¯s hand and pulled him into the mass of dancers.

    Amidst the shifting bodies, Rnd kept his gaze fixed on Maia. But every time he tried to focus on her, Pattie would inadvertently move into his line of sight, blocking his view.

    Meanwhile, Maia seemed to channel her frustration through her dance. Her movements were bold and free, unrestrained by anything or anyone. As she let go of the tension inside her, she found herself unknowingly drifting to the far end of the dance floor.

    In a surprising move, a strong hand suddenly gripped her arm. Maia spun around, her heart racing, and found Chris standing there, his features shadowed and intense under the flickering neon lights.

    ¡°What brings you here?¡± he asked, his tone sharp, tinged with a hint of reproach.

    Maia yanked her arm free and snapped, ¡°And why wouldn¡¯t I be here?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 309

    ?Chapter 309:

    ¡°Are you even aware of what kind of ce this is?¡± Chris stepped closer, the heat between them barely softened by the thin fabric of their clothes.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, are we operating on a double standard tonight?¡± she asked lightly. ¡°You¡¯re free to be here, but I¡¯m not? You get to enjoy yourself, and I¡¯m supposed to stand aside? Seems unfair, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Chris hadn¡¯t expected her sharp retort, and for a moment, he found himself speechless.

    Before he could gather a response, the woman in the skimpy outfit sauntered over, grabbing hold of Chris¡¯ hand.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, we had an agreement. No flirting allowed! Were you about to slip away with someone else if I hadn¡¯t walked over? Weren¡¯t we nning to go to Boss Barter? I even called a few of my female friends to join us!¡±

    Chris gave a lightheartedugh. ¡°So why not add one more? The more, the merrier.¡±

    Giggling, the woman gave his chest a light smack. ¡°Naughty! Aren¡¯t we already enough for you? Come on, the other women are waiting.¡±

    Standing a short distance away, Maia heard every word with painful rity.

    Was one woman not enough for him? Did he really need more? A rush of emotion flooded her chest. Just as Chris was about to walk away, Maia lunged forward and yanked him back.

    The suddenness of it left both Chris and the woman momentarily stunned.

    Frowning deeply, the woman stepped up andtched onto Chris¡¯ arm. Her voice rang out sharply as she barked at Maia, ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? He belongs to me! Let him go!¡±

    By then, the dance music had faded out, and the whole floor fell into an uneasy hush.

    Pattie and Rnd had just made it to the scene, their eyes widening as they watched Maia raise a ck card in front of Chris.

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    Turning smoothly toward the woman, Maia announced, ¡°This man belongs to me now!¡±

    In an instant, the crowd erupted into a roar ofughter and cheers, soaking up the drama as if it were part of the night¡¯s entertainment. Scenes like this were nothing new, but they never failed to draw a crowd, sparkling with curious stares and yful jealousy.

    The dim lighting made it hard to catch every detail of the faces around, but even a quick nce revealed enough. The woman clinging to Chris had striking beauty, and Chris himself, towering and handsome, was impossible to miss.

    Fury twisted the woman¡¯s features. Chris¡¯ looks had always stirred trouble, and more than a few wealthy women had tried to im him before. Yet, he had turned them all down.

    She was sure that this time would be no different.

    Clutching the sleeve of his jacket, the woman said, ¡°Chris, don¡¯t listen to this crazy woman. Come with me.¡±

    Watching her grow more desperate, Maia let out a slow, taunting smile. She waved the ck card in front of them and then pressed it firmly against Chris¡¯ chest. ¡°There¡¯s a million on this card. Take your time. Think hard.¡±

    Chris¡¯ mouth twitched as if holding back augh. Pretending to weigh his options, he threw a half-hearted nce at the woman in her skimpy dress. ¡°Sorry, but this offer is just too good to pass up. From now on, I belong to her.¡±

    Everyone knew that Chris lived a carefree life, drifting without any real obligations. At least, that¡¯s the story the women around here believed. And this exnation? Perfectly believable.

    The woman¡¯s face twisted with anger, but there was nothing she could do. ¡°Chris, how could you lower yourself to being a kept man?¡±

    Without a word, Chris gave a small shrug and allowed Maia to tug him away.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 310

    ?Chapter 310:

    Out of the corner of her eye, Maia thought she saw something genuine flicker across his face. His lips curled into a brief, amused smile as they moved.

    They had barely taken a few steps when they ran straight into Pattie, who stood frozen, her mouth hanging open in shock, and Rnd, who, as usual, wore the same unreadable expression.

    ¡°Rx. Just having a little fun,¡± Maia said, shing a yful grin.

    ¡°Wait¡­ you¡­ you¡­¡± Pattie stammered, tripping over her words before finally bursting out, ¡°Aren¡¯t you married?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Maia nced at Chris beside her.

    She caught him arching an eyebrow, his expression dancing with amusement as he observed her difort.

    A lump formed in Maia¡¯s throat. She hadn¡¯t intended to hide anything from Pattie, but seated nearby was Rnd, Elvira¡¯s older brother. Just recently, she and Chris had put on quite the performance in front of Elvira.

    If Elvira discovered Chris¡¯ phndering ways, and if Rnd had witnessed Chris entangled with another woman, Elvira would undoubtedly storm into Wront before nightfall. The mere possibility sent a chill through Maia¡¯s core.

    Clearing her throat, she addressed the two people facing her. ¡°Who says marriage precludes enjoying a little adventure on the side?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Pattie¡¯s lips parted in surprise, but after a moment of stunned silence, she suddenly pped Maia¡¯s shoulder and shed a thumbs-up. ¡°Now that¡¯s the boldness we women need. Bravo!¡±

    Leaning into Maia¡¯s personal space, she whispered, ¡°I always pegged you for a hopeless romantic, but these four years away have truly hardened your spirit. This is living!¡±

    Maia gave an awkward smile but didn¡¯t respond.

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    Rnd, perched nearby, fixed his gaze on Maia¡¯s fingers intertwined with Chris¡¯. His expression visibly darkened.

    Emotions flickered across his features as he studied her intently. His deeply furrowed brows twitched subtly, and after struggling to contain himself, Rnd finally murmured, ¡°Really? I never imagined you were actually this kind of person.¡±

    Only then did Pattie register Rnd¡¯s continued presence. She hastily attempted damage control. ¡°Ahem. Well, I didn¡¯t mean to imply I¡¯m one of those brazen women. Actually, I¡¯m extraordinarily faithful in rtionships¡­¡±

    Before she could finish, Rnd lunged forward and seized Maia¡¯s wrist.

    Rnd remained oblivious to Pattie¡¯s desperate rambling, leaving Pattie faltering mid-sentence, her throat tightening.

    ¡°Come with me,¡± Rndmanded, tugging at Maia¡¯s wrist as he pivoted toward the exit.

    In that instant, another powerful hand grabbed Maia¡¯s opposite wrist, yanking her backward with startling force. Rnd froze mid-stride, whirling around to find the devastatingly charming yet reckless figure behind Maia, fixing him with an icy, prating stare.

    The two men held onto Maia¡¯s wrists in a silent standoff, neither showing any sign of giving in.

    However, Maia twisted free from Rnd¡¯s grasp. Turning to the bewildered Pattie, she whispered, ¡°Pattie, please entertain Mr. Cullen on my behalf.¡±

    With those words hanging in the air, she pulled Chris alongside her and swiftly disappeared from the ballroom.

    ¡°Maia!¡± Rnd¡¯s expression darkened instantly. He lunged forward to pursue her, but Pattie skillfully intercepted his path.

    ¡°Mr. Cullen, Maia has maintained such rigidposure for so long. Couldn¡¯t you allow her just one evening of freedom?¡± she interjected smoothly, threading her arm through his. ¡°Come now, let¡¯s continue enjoying ourselves. I promise to make sure you have a memorable evening.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 311

    ?Chapter 311:

    Outside the Nightingale Ballroom, Maia halted abruptly and released Chris¡¯ hand as though it had burned her. Her once-warm demeanor transformed into cold contempt.

    She turned toward the handsome figure before her, her lips curving into a sardonic smile. ¡°My instincts rarely fail me. Mr. Cooper, your reputation as a calcting libertine proves remarkably urate.¡±

    Chris¡¯ dark gaze deepened as he lowered his eyes to meet hers. His voice drifted through the cool night air. ¡°What if everything you perceive is merely an illusion?¡±

    ¡°Then illuminate the truth for me,¡± Maia replied with a hollowugh. She had witnessed his deceit firsthand, yet he dared to feign innocence. With biting derision, she continued, ¡°Don¡¯t resort to that tired script¡ªiming those women meant nothing while I alone hold your heart.¡±

    Chris found himself momentarily speechless. The situation left no room for exnations Maia would ept in her current state.

    His carefully orchestrated n couldn¡¯t afford any mistakes. The circle of confidants needed to remain minimal¡ªnot just for Maia¡¯s protection, but for the n¡¯s sess.

    For now, he had no choice but to try to calm her down and figure things outter.

    Noticing his telling silence, Maia released a brittle, self-mockingugh. With deliberate nonchnce, each syble dripping with sarcasm, she inquired, ¡°Had our paths not crossed tonight, how many women would have awaited your charming attentions? Remarkable, Mr. Cooper. Your stamina truly deserves admiration.¡±

    The final word had barely escaped her lips when Chris lunged forward, grabbing her slender wrist and pulling her sharply toward him.

    Maia¡¯s body crashed against his unyielding chest. She stiffened momentarily but then defiantly raised her chin to meet his gaze, refusing to show even the slightest sign of vulnerability.

    G3t th3 l3g1t v3rs10n 0n g4ln0v3ls.c0m

    Confronted with his tant deception, she would neither yield nor disy difort.

    Beneath her piercing re, Chris¡¯ lips curled into a dangerous smirk. Leaning in close, his breath brushed against her ear as he whispered with seductive audacity, ¡°You¡¯ve already imed me entirely. From this moment on, I exist solely for you.¡±

    The soft warmth of his breath brushed against her face, and for a moment, Maia¡¯s sharp, frosty demeanor seemed to melt into something softer, like a downy pillow.

    Without a second thought, she shoved Chris away and stepped back several paces.

    Chris, still wearing thatzy, faint smile, tilted his head slightly, quietly savoring the fleeting glimpse of panic that danced across Maia¡¯s usuallyposed face.

    Yet that crack in her armor vanished in the blink of an eye. Like a fortress mming its gates shut, Maia quickly gathered herself, restoring her usual cold and distant poise, which warned others to keep their distance.

    ¡°That was just a spur-of-the-moment thing. Don¡¯t read too much into it,¡± Maia said coolly, her gaze as cutting as frost.

    Chris simply raised an eyebrow, pulling out the ck card she had handed him earlier, and gave it a yful wave. ¡°But I¡¯ve already taken the money. It¡¯s toote for second thoughts now. From now on, I am all yours.¡±

    Maia was struck speechless.

    Had she known things would spiral like this, she would have chained her impulsive instincts before they could break loose.

    At that moment, it had been more of an instinctive reaction. Although she and Chris were just a nominal couple, as his wife, seeing another woman drag him away made her feel deeply ufortable. For Chris, however, Maia¡¯s impulsive im to ¡°keep¡± him had been nothing short of a godsend.

    He had been wracking his brain, desperate to find a clean break from that clingy woman¡¯s constant shadow. In fact, he knew she had been sent by someone to keep him under surveince. Thanks to Maia¡¯s bold move, he now had the perfect shield to sever ties without raising any suspicion. Better yet, he finally had a valid excuse to end his charade of chasing other women.

    His heart had long ago anchored itself to Maia alone.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 312

    ?Chapter 312:

    So, with a grin, Chris decided totch onto Maia ¡ª the so-called ¡°sugar mama¡± ¡ª and never let go.

    Maia drew in a long, steadying breath. No use crying over spilled milk, she told herself. Besides, it wasn¡¯t as if she intended to bind herself to Chris forever.

    Choosing not to stir the pot further, Maia simply tossed out, ¡°Do as you please,¡± before turning on her heel and walking away.

    Chris, happily slipping into his role as the ¡°kept man,¡± stepped forward without hesitation. He casually lifted Maia¡¯s bag from her shoulder and tossed it onto his own.

    Maia shot him a look that was a mix of annoyance and disbelief. She opened her mouth to protest, but Chris shed a dazzling smile and said, ¡°At your service. Just call, and I¡¯lle running.¡±

    ¡°Yes-man,¡± Maia muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes so dramatically it almost seemed as if they could circle the moon. Without sparing him another nce, she marched off.

    Meanwhile, the woman who had apanied Chris to the dance hall stormed off the floor, her heels clicking sharply as she sought out a quiet corner to make a phone call.

    Breathless with fury, she recounted the night¡¯s events to the person on the other end of the line.

    A deep,manding voice responded,ced with an authority that brooked no argument. ¡°You¡¯re saying Chris has been¡­ kept? By whom?¡±

    Although Chris had always moved through various romantic circles, he had never been kept by anyone. The man¡¯s sharp instincts immediately sensed that something was off. The woman hesitated, trying to recall the details. The lighting in the dance hall had been dim, with colorful spotlights constantly shifting, making it hard for her to get a clear look at the face of the woman who had taken Chris away.

    But one thing clung to her memory: someone had called the woman ¡°Maia.¡±

    Read new content at g¦Áln¦Ò¦Íe?s

    ¡°I think her name¡¯s Maia¡­¡± she said, her voice uncertain.

    ¡°Maia¡­¡± The man repeated the name, his voice sinking into a low, thoughtful growl.

    A vague memory stirred in the woman¡¯s mind. Hadn¡¯t there recently been someone by that name making the rounds in the news? But she couldn¡¯t say for sure.

    The man didn¡¯t press for more. He simply said, ¡°Got it.¡±

    After ending the call, he snapped his fingers to summon his assistant.

    The assistant, sensing the tension in the air, stood stiffly, awaiting orders.

    The man faced the neon-soaked streets beyond the window, his thin lips curving into a smile as cold and sharp as a knife¡¯s edge. ¡°Find out who the woman keeping Chris is.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± the assistant replied, bowing slightly before turning to leave. But before he could take a full step, the man¡¯s voice sliced through the room again, dark and merciless. ¡°Once you find her, make her disappear. Quietly. Leave no trace.¡±

    The assistant froze for a heartbeat before bowing his head lower. ¡°Understood.¡±

    The next morning, Maia had barely shaken off sleep when her phone buzzed. It was Pattie.

    ¡°Maia, how didst night go? Did you two battle it out for hundreds of rounds? Should I book you a spa for that aching back?¡± Pattie¡¯s voice bubbled with mischief. Maia was struck speechless.

    Pressing her fingers against her temples, she exhaled slowly and replied, ¡°It¡¯s not what you think. Nothing happened between us.¡±

    Pattie gasped, her voice brimming with disbelief. ¡°Nothing? Come on! Don¡¯t tell me he¡¯s¡­ dysfunctional? But with that build of his? No way.¡±

    ¡°Pattie,¡± Maia cut her off sharply. ¡°Are you free for lunch? Let¡¯s meet. I need to talk to you about something.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 313

    ?Chapter 313:

    ¡°With the mystery? You¡¯re making my skin crawl,¡± Pattie said, a shiver of unease slipping into her tone.

    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± Maia answered cryptically, then ended the call without another word. She rose, brushed off thest traces of sleep, and headed toward the living room.

    Her gaze lingered briefly on Chris¡¯ closed door. Since returningst night, neither of them had exchanged a word.

    Shaking off the lingering tension, Maia steadied her breath, turned the doorknob, and stepped out.

    The fusion restaurant at Harmony za buzzed with life, but in a private room tucked away from the crowd, the atmosphere was more intimate. Soft lights cast a golden hue across the table where Maia sat, casually scrolling through the menu. She ordered a mix of familiar dishes she had shared with Pattie thest time they came, plus a few new ones she knew would hit all of Pattie¡¯s favorites.

    Just as the waitstaff began to set the tes down, the door swung open. ¡°Ha! You really get me, Maia. I¡¯ve been craving this ce all day,¡± Pattie said, wasting no time snatching up her fork. She speared a piece of crispy shrimp and popped it into her mouth, savoring it with a blissful hum. ¡°But seriously, what is with all the mystery? You made it sound like some formal announcement. I am freaking out here! Spill it already!¡±

    Maia leaned back, her lips curling into a teasing grin. ¡°If you are the timid one, then there is not a soul on this earth with courage.¡± She leaned in, lowering her voice with mischievous intent. ¡°So, tell me ¡ª how did things go with Rndst night? Any progress?¡±

    Pattie¡¯s hand jerked mid-air, the fork ttering against her te. A juicy piece of meat slipped off and plopped onto the tablecloth. Rolling her eyes, Pattie flicked her hand dismissively.

    ¡°Ugh, do not even start. I was fine until you reminded me.¡± She stabbed another morsel with exasperation. ¡°How does a grown man get drunk after two lousy drinks? I had to drag him home. I was so wiped out I almost copsed on his doorstep.¡± She shoveled a few more bites into her mouth, clearly on a mission to replenish her depleted energy reserves.

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    Maia chuckled, reaching over to ce another tender cut of beef onto Pattie¡¯s te. ¡°So¡­ nothing happened between you two? You did not sleep with him?¡±

    Pattie nearly choked. Coughing into her napkin, she shot Maia a horrified look. ¡°Maia! What are you even imagining?¡±

    Laughing, Maia leaned her elbow on the table, looking far too entertained. ¡°Come on, I¡¯ve seen this kind of thing a hundred times in TV dramas.¡±

    Pattie scoffed, waving her fork in the air. ¡°Dramas are lies! Even if I wanted to, which I did not, Rnd was so drunk he could not even stand, let alone ¡ª well, you know.¡±

    She stabbed at her pasta dramatically. ¡°He passed out like a dead pig.¡± A sigh escaped her lips, tinged with something suspiciously close to regret.

    Just as Pattie was sinking deeper into her pasta, she snapped her head up, narrowing her eyes at Maia. ¡°Hold on a second. You dragged me here under the pretense of serious news, and somehow I am the one getting grilled?¡±

    Maia offered an innocent smile, twirling her fork between her fingers. ¡°Just warming up the conversation.¡±

    ¡°Do not even try that with me!¡± Pattie retorted, pointing usingly. ¡°Spill. Now. What happened with that manst night? You have some news, by the way. Not worried your husband will divorce you if he learns what happened?¡±

    ¡°Not in the slightest,¡± Maia replied smoothly.

    Pattie mmed her fork down, half-amused, half-exasperated. ¡°Wow. Seriously, you are something else.¡±

    But Maia¡¯s next words stopped her cold. ¡°Because he is my husband.¡± The room seemed to freeze.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 314

    ?Chapter 314:

    Pattie stared nkly, her mind fumbling to catch up. ¡°What did you just say?¡± she croaked. ¡°Maia, you are joking. You caught your own husband¡­ cheating?¡±

    Maia shook her head, her tone deadly serious. She leaned forward, cing a finger to her lips. ¡°Shh. Keep your voice down. What I am about to tell you does not leave this room.¡±

    Pattie nodded dumbly, still trying to piece together what on earth was happening.

    Taking a deep breath, Maiaunched into the story she had kept bottled up for far too long. She spoke of the years when darkness had consumed her, of the benefactor who had pulled her from despair in prison. It was because of that person¡¯s unwavering support that she had been able to walk out of prison without losing herself.

    To repay the kindness, Maia had agreed ¡ª no, chosen ¡ª to marry Chris after her release, standing by his side to help him ascend to the head of the Cooper Group.

    She kept one crucial detail to herself: the true identity of her benefactor ¡ª Chris¡¯ formidable aunt.

    ¡°I never meant to keep it from you,¡± Maia said, her voice dropping with genuine regret. ¡°But it wasplicated. There never seemed to be a right time to exin.¡±

    Across the table, Pattie sat frozen, her food forgotten. Shock and disbelief rippled across her face. She had heard whispers before ¡ª rumors of the Cooper family¡¯s illegitimate son ¡ª but she had never connected them to Chris, and certainly not to Maia.

    And now Maia was nning to help him seize the Cooper throne? It sounded like something out of a movie script. Pattie¡¯s mind churned, trying to process the storm Maia had unleashed with so few words.

    After a long beat of stunned silence, she finally blurted out, ¡°Could it be that your benefactor was saved by Chris in the past? Otherwise, why would she go through so much just to help him? We are talking about the Cooper Group, after all! Both you and that benefactor know the difficulty.¡±

    Maia lifted the teacup with steady hands, sipping slowly to tame the storm inside her.

    Across the table, Pattie was losing herposure fast. ¡°Maia,¡± Pattie burst out, her voice tight with disbelief, ¡°I understand you are doing this to repay a debt, but have you truly thought about how impossible this task is? The Cooper Group is the most prestigious corporation in the entire country!¡± She leaned in, almost pleading. ¡°The man at the helm is Kolton Cooper himself! Surely you¡¯ve heard his name before, and you know how renowned and formidable he is. The stories say he crushed the side branches of his own family, forced everyst one of them to kneel. He alone propelled the Cooper Group to the top of the world!¡±

    Pattie¡¯s face had grown pale, and a fine sheen of sweat gathered at her brow. She pressed a trembling hand to her forehead. ¡°They say he is dangerously capable, ruthlessly cunning. Only a handful in the country would dare even breathe against him. And now you¡¯re telling me you want to help Chris, that carefree yboy ¡ª challenge Kolton for the head seat of the Cooper Group?¡±

    She exhaled sharply, wiping her forehead again as if the very thought made the room hotter. ¡°Maia, have you lost your mind? You might as well dig Chris¡¯ grave right now!¡±

    Maia¡¯s expression remained unshaken, almost serene as she watched Pattie unravel. Her voice cut through the tension like a de, calm and resolute. ¡°So, do you dare join me in overthrowing the Cooper Group? If you are afraid, I will not me you.¡±

    She meant every word.

    Pattie was the person Maia trusted the most, which was why she had shared this secret. But trust did not mean forcing her into a battle she hadn¡¯t chosen.

    The Cooper Group, after all, was a mountain that few even dared to climb, let alone move. And the man Maia had pinned her hopes on ¡ª an illegitimate son without a proper foothold ¡ª seemed like a desperate gamble.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 315

    ?Chapter 315:

    Pattie lowered her gaze, brows knitted tightly as she battled the fear rising in her chest. Seconds dragged on like minutes.

    Then, with a sudden burst of energy, Pattie mmed her fork onto the te, the sharp ng slicing through the air. She clenched her fists and met Maia¡¯s eyes with a fire Maia hadn¡¯t seen in years.

    ¡°What is there to be afraid of if we are in this together?¡± Pattie said fiercely. ¡°Let¡¯s go for it! If we fail, so be it. I¡¯ve never known the meaning of fear! And your problems are my problems, Maia. If I do not stand with you, who will?¡±

    Something stirred deep inside Maia ¡ª a rare warmth. It was no small blessing, she thought, to have someone like Pattie in her corner. Someone who would leap into the fire without hesitation, simply because she was asked.

    Wordlessly, Maia reached into her bag and pulled out a thick dossier, the fruits of months of secret work. She slid it across the table to Pattie. The two women resumed eating, their conversation hushed and intense, as they leaned over the dossier together.

    ¡°The Cooper Group¡¯s reach is too vast to challenge all at once,¡± Maia said, her finger gliding over the densely packed pages. ¡°We must dismantle it piece by piece. Here ¡ª this division. This is where we strike first.¡±

    Pattie leaned closer, following Maia¡¯s finger. As she read, a glimmer of excitement reced the worry in her eyes.

    Her lips curled into a reckless smile. ¡°Alright,¡± she said, nodding firmly. ¡°I will follow your lead. We¡¯ll start with this.¡±

    Pattie was the person Maia trusted the most, which was why she had shared this secret. But trust did not mean forcing her into a battle she hadn¡¯t chosen.

    The Cooper Group, after all, was a mountain that few even dared to climb, let alone move. And the man Maia had pinned her hopes on ¡ª an illegitimate son without a proper foothold ¡ª seemed like a desperate gamble.

    Pattie lowered her gaze, brows knitted tightly as she battled the fear rising in her chest. Seconds dragged on like minutes.

    ?????? ?????? ?????????????????? ??????????: g???????¦Í??????????????

    Then, with a sudden burst of energy, Pattie mmed her fork onto the te, the sharp ng slicing through the air. She clenched her fists and met Maia¡¯s eyes with a fire Maia hadn¡¯t seen in years.

    ¡°What is there to be afraid of if we are in this together?¡± Pattie said fiercely. ¡°Let¡¯s go for it! If we fail, so be it. I¡¯ve never known the meaning of fear! And your problems are my problems, Maia. If I do not stand with you, who will?¡±

    Something stirred deep inside Maia ¡ª a rare warmth. It was no small blessing, she thought, to have someone like Pattie in her corner. Someone who would leap into the fire without hesitation, simply because she was asked.

    Wordlessly, Maia reached into her bag and pulled out a thick dossier, the fruits of months of secret work. She slid it across the table to Pattie. The two women resumed eating, their conversation hushed and intense, as they leaned over the dossier together.

    ¡°The Cooper Group¡¯s reach is too vast to challenge all at once,¡± Maia said, her finger gliding over the densely packed pages. ¡°We must dismantle it piece by piece. Here ¡ª this division. This is where we strike first.¡±

    Pattie leaned closer, following Maia¡¯s finger. As she read, a glimmer of excitement reced the worry in her eyes.

    Her lips curled into a reckless smile. ¡°Alright,¡± she said, nodding firmly. ¡°I will follow your lead. We¡¯ll start with this.¡±

    By the time Maia and Pattie had finalized their ns, the clock had already drifted past 3 P.M.

    After savoring her meal, Maia decided it was time to visit Marvelous Garden to check in on Kathie and Ethan. She also wanted to prepare a hearty, nourishing dinner for them.

    As she stepped through the door, the familiar scent of cooking filled the air, and there was Kathie, bustling energetically in the kitchen.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 316

    ?Chapter 316:

    ¡°Maia, you¡¯ve arrived! Come in quickly! Ethan¡¯s in the study,¡± Kathie called out, her voice warm with the embrace of family.

    Maia offered a nod in response, exchanged a few words with Kathie, and then made her way toward the study door.

    Inside, Ethan sat in quiet concentration, his eyes locked on a dense mathematics book.

    Maia¡¯s lips lifted into a soft, contented smile. The sight of her brother, engrossed in his studies, brought a wave of relief. It was as if a weight had lifted from her heart.

    She made no sound, choosing to remain by the door and quietly watch him. She didn¡¯t want to interrupt his focus.

    Yet, as if guided by an invisible thread of sibling connection, Ethan suddenly lifted his eyes from his book and locked gazes with Maia.

    ¡°You came!¡± Ethan¡¯s furrowed brow, once tense from hours of calctions, softened instantly. He jumped to his feet and made a beeline for the door. ¡°You weren¡¯t standing there for long, were you?¡±

    ¡°Not long at all. Just a minute before you noticed,¡± Maia replied, ruffling his hair affectionately. ¡°I¡¯ve got good news for you, though.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s eyes gleamed with curiosity. ¡°Good news? Does this mean I can go back to school?¡±

    ¡°Sharp as always, Ethan. Yes, that¡¯s exactly it. I¡¯ve worked everything out for you to return to school,¡± Maia said, her tone soothing and filled with warmth.

    Her eyes lifted to meet his, now taller than her, and she gazed into his eager eyes. ¡°But first, you¡¯ll need to attend the preparatory program for special admissions at Wront University. If you pass the entrance exam in September, you¡¯ll officially be a student there.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s incredible! Maia, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll work as hard as I can, pass the exam, and get into Wront University!¡± Ethan said, his excitement bubbling over, his joy almost palpable.

    For Ethan, it was a dream realized. Wront University was one of the most prestigious institutions in the nation. Its graduates quickly became outstanding in every field, and its mathematics department was considered the finest in the country. The thought that he could one day walk those hallowed halls seemed as far-fetched as a dream. Yet here it was, unfolding before him.

    ?????????? ???????????? ??????? g???????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Wront University?¡± Kathie, who had overheard from the kitchen, dropped the knife she was holding and rushed over. Her expression was a mixture of astonishment and disbelief. She turned to Maia, her voice filled with wonder. ¡°Is this really true? Maia, how on earth did you manage to get Ethan into such an incredible ce?¡±

    Maia smiled softly. ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to Ethan¡¯s talent. The university president saw the math problems he solved and immediately agreed to admit him into the preparatory program.¡±

    ¡°Just like that?¡± Kathie¡¯s eyes widened further as she turned to Ethan, her gaze now filled with admiration and tears. ¡°This is such a gift. Ethan¡¯s always been so bright. If not for the hardships we¡¯ve faced, he would¡¯ve had the chance to pursue his education long ago¡­ Maia, I can¡¯t find words to thank you enough for this.¡±

    ¡°Kathie, we¡¯re family,¡± Maia said, her voice tender as her eyes lingered on Ethan. ¡°He¡¯s my brother, and that¡¯s what family does.¡±

    She knew well the scars of their family¡¯s past ¡ª the struggles, the poverty, and how they had shaped Ethan into someone who was quiet, withdrawn, and wary of the world.

    This was precisely why Maia had pushed for the preparatory program ¡ª to help him adjust to a new chapter of life.

    ¡°Ethan, when you begin the preparatory program, try to make some friends, get used to being part of a group. I know it won¡¯t be easy at first, but remember, I¡¯m always here for you. If anything ever feels too much, don¡¯t hesitate to call me,¡± Maia said, gently patting his shoulder. ¡°A new chapter of your life begins now. Are you ready for it?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡± Ethan nodded resolutely, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 317

    ?Chapter 317:

    At that moment, he couldn¡¯t help but feel that having Maia as his sister was the greatest gift he could ever ask for.

    From now on, he promised himself, he would work tirelessly to live up to the hopes she had for him and be someone who shone just as brightly as she did.

    After a few more encouraging words, Maia made her way to the kitchen to start preparing a nourishing meal.

    Just as she was settling into the rhythm of cooking, her phone rang.

    Seeing the caller ID, Maia quickly answered. A respectful voice came through the line. ¡°Miss Watson, your brother¡¯s enrollment has been confirmed, and his student records have been processed. He can start attending sses at any time. I¡¯ve ced him in the best ss avable. If you encounter any issues, please don¡¯t hesitate to reach out to me. I¡¯ll handle everything.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much,¡± Maia replied, her voice warm with gratitude. ¡°I truly appreciate everything you¡¯ve done.¡±

    ¡°Miss Watson, please, don¡¯t mention it,¡± came the earnest reply. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you saving my life back then, I wouldn¡¯t even be here. I owe you everything. If there¡¯s anything you need, just say the word. I¡¯ll do what I can, or find someone who can.¡±

    The university president¡¯s words were heartfelt. He had long wanted to repay Maia for the favor of saving his life, and this opportunity felt like the perfect chance to do so. But the truth was, Ethan¡¯s talent alone had earned him a ce at Wront University.

    The institution was built on the belief that talent should be recognized and nurtured, regardless of background. The preparatory program and special admissions were designed specifically for students like Ethan.

    In the end, the university president felt that he had merely gone along with what was already destined to happen, not truly doing Maia any favors.

    Maia hadn¡¯t expected that a small act of kindness years ago would one daye back to benefit her brother. She always did what she could to help others, never expecting any rewards. A quiet smile yed on her lips as she thought of it.

    Exclusive updates: galno¦Íe??s.co??

    Meanwhile, at the Ward family¡¯s vi, Vince threw a ss to the floor with a force that sent shards scattering in all directions.

    The court¡¯s verdict had sent him spiraling into a frenzy of rage. The entire day had been consumed by a haze of fury and madness.

    He¡¯d tried to drown his frustrations with alcohol, but the more he drank, the clearer his thoughts became. The n had failed. Maia had won. The humiliation stung, and now he was left to figure out how to exin it to Rosanna.

    Adding to his anger was the fact that his father, Gavin, had confined him to house arrest. Now, powerless, Vince sat at home, feeling helpless as the world seemed to move on without him.

    ¡°Maia, just you wait. I¡¯ll destroy you. I¡¯ll ruin everything you¡¯ve built!¡± Vince muttered under his breath, his fury intensifying.

    Meanwhile, at the Morgan residence, Rosanna was sneaking out, her face concealed by oversized sunsses.

    With Vince incapacitated and unable to execute her ns, she had no choice but to take matters into her own hands.

    She hailed a taxi and handed the driver an address. ¡°Take me here, please,¡± she instructed, her voice steady and determined.

    In Wront, Sky Pavilion stood as the most exclusive private coffee shop. Inside one of its most opulent private rooms, the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air.

    Mariana lounged on the sofa,zily holding a cup of ck coffee, gently swirling the amber liquid inside. Across from her sat Mnie Cooper, the youngest daughter of Hurst Cooper, the formidable head of one of the most influential branch families.

    Mnie was a vision of perfection, impably dressed in high-end fashion, and her makeup wless as if crafted by a master. Every movement, every word she spoke, exuded an air of unshakable superiority.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 318

    ?Chapter 318:

    ¡°Mariana, how have you been?¡± Mnie spoke in a casual, indifferent tone.

    A sly smile touched Mariana¡¯s lips. She took a slow sip before answering, her voice silky smooth. ¡°In a few days, I¡¯ll be showcasing at a world-ss art exhibition.¡±

    Mnie¡¯s eyes sharpened like a cat spotting prey. Her lips curled into a dazzling smile. ¡°Of course you are. Mariana Morgan, the shining star of the Cooper bloodline. You¡¯re about to set the world on fire.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s hope the mes are bright enough,¡± Mariana replied, her cool confidence shimmering just beneath the calm surface.

    ¡°And how¡¯s the elite preparatory program at Wront University treating you? I¡¯ve heard your ss is filled with exceptional students.¡± At the mention of it, Mnie¡¯s tone thickened with arrogance. She let out a soft, condescending scoff before speaking. ¡°Of course. Our elite preparatory program is reserved for those who truly matter. Not just anyone can get in.¡±

    She set her coffee mug down with a quiet clink, her voiceced with cold disdain. ¡°After all, the program is nothing more than a shortcut for heirs like us. We¡¯re the ones destined to control society¡¯s wealth and power. Naturally, we¡¯re not meant to grind away like ordinary people.¡±

    A smirk yed at her lips as she leaned back, eyes gleaming with contempt. ¡°Do those students from poor families really believe talent alone can change their fate? Please. Even the brightest genius is nothing without the right resources. Without a powerful background, no matter how brilliant they are, they¡¯ll be crushed into obscurity¡ªforgotten before they even begin.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile, but she offered no rebuttal. Instead, she met Mnie¡¯s gaze with a knowing look, silently affirming her words.

    ¡°Indeed,¡± she murmured, ¡°one¡¯s circumstances set the boundaries. For most, breaking through the walls of social ss is as impossible as reaching the heavens.¡±

    Their conversation flowed easily, charged with an undercurrent of arrogance, when suddenly Mnie¡¯s phone buzzed sharply against the table.

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????, ???????????? ????????

    She picked it up and nced at the screen. ¡°Dad,¡± the caller ID shed. Mnie frowned but answered, pressing the phonezily to her ear.

    The deep,manding voice of Hurst immediately filled the line. ¡°I¡¯m leaving for an overseas business trip tomorrow. You¡¯d better behave at school while I¡¯m gone. If I hear of any trouble when I return, you¡¯ll regret it.¡±

    Mnie pouted, her voice dripping with sweetness as she said, ¡°Got it, Dad. I won¡¯t cause any trouble. I¡¯m always such a good girl.¡±

    ¡°It better be. Anyway, don¡¯t let mee back to a mess,¡± Hurst barked.

    ¡°Of course not, Dad,¡± she cooed, repeating her reassurances until the call ended.

    The moment the line went dead, her entire demeanor shifted. Her smile twisted into a sneer as she carelessly tossed the phone onto the table. ¡°Hmph! He¡¯s getting old and paranoid,¡± she muttered in contempt. ¡°Nagging me like some old nanny every time he leaves. It¡¯s annoying.¡±

    Mariana chuckled, her gaze glinting with amusement, as if she were watching an entertaining show. ¡°You¡¯d better not stir up trouble, Mnie. If you do, your father won¡¯t let you go easily.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Mnie said with a dismissive wave, clearly unconcerned, already pushing the warning out of her mind.

    At that moment, a server entered and announced respectfully, ¡°Miss Cooper, Miss Morgan is here.¡±

    Mnie raised an eyebrow, ncing toward the door. Rosanna stepped in, dressed in a simple yet refined gown, her every movement exuding grace andposure.

    ¡°Mariana, Miss Mnie Cooper, it¡¯s lovely to see you both,¡± Rosanna greeted warmly.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 319

    ?Chapter 319:

    Her voice was soft, her smile perfectly controlled, her presence so polished that it was hard to associate her with the disheveled figure from the engagement party.

    Mnie shot her a disdainful look. ¡°And who might this be?¡±

    ¡°The legitimate daughter of the Morgan family, Rosanna,¡± Mariana said casually, lifting her coffee cup to her lips.

    Recognition shed across Mnie¡¯s face, quickly giving way to a smirk.

    ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t she the one whose fianc¨¦ abandoned her at their engagement party? Quite the scandal.¡±

    For a fleeting second, Rosanna¡¯s expression tightened, but she recovered almost instantly. She approached with quiet dignity, picked up the coffee pot, and poured coffee for the two women as if she hadn¡¯t heard the insult.

    Her tone remainedposed. ¡°I apologize for the scene at the engagement party. My older sister Maia has always been difficult. After serving time for theft, she became even more vtile. I¡¯ve tried to maintain peace between us, but she¡¯s never been willing. She resents our parents for favoring me andpetes with me over everything, even seducing my fianc¨¦ just to ruin my engagement and embarrass our family. I only wish for a quiet life, but she keeps making it impossible.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s voice carried a hint of grievance, painting herself as the innocent victim.

    ¡°Enough. That¡¯s all in the past now.¡± Mariana waved her hand, signaling Rosanna to sit. She turned to Mnie and added lightly, ¡°Rosanna is a close friend of mine. Please don¡¯t mock her anymore. She¡¯s suffered enough.¡±

    Mnie shrugged indifferently but chose to drop the matter out of respect for Mariana. She smiled at Rosanna and said, ¡°My mistake. I didn¡¯t realize your elder sister was so malicious. What a schemer! A criminal causing trouble even after prison, trying to steal her own sister¡¯s fianc¨¦. That¡¯s truly despicable.¡±

    Rosanna bit her lip delicately and dabbed at her slightly reddened eyes. ¡°Maybe I just didn¡¯t treat her well enough.¡±

    ???????????? ???????? ??????????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°She even tried to steal her own younger sister¡¯s fianc¨¦. What kind of sister would do something like that?¡± Mariana couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. She ced her coffee mug down, letting out a soft scoff. Her eyes lingered on Rosanna, who looked fragile yetposed. With a faint, protective smile, she said, ¡°From now on, think of me as your elder sister. If anyone dares toy a finger on you, juste to me. I¡¯ll make sure they pay for it.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much, Mariana. You¡¯re so kind to me.¡± Rosanna¡¯s voice brimmed with gratitude, yet instead of sitting down, she leaned in, her attention even more focused than before.

    Mariana seemed to relish the attention, a faint smile ying on her lips as a shadow flickered in her eyes. ¡°As for Maia¡­ I¡¯ll make sure she¡¯s properly dealt with.¡±

    Once dinner wrapped up, Maia waved goodbye to Kathie and Ethan, her mind already set on returning to her apartment for some much-needed rest. A faint, yellowish haze clung to the road under the tired streetlights, while a chilly breeze stirred the air, carrying whispers of theing night.

    Tilting her head, she scanned the sky, but the moon was absent, hidden behind thickening clouds that warned of rain. She stepped closer to the curb, lifting her arm to g down a taxi.

    Right then, her phone buzzed in her pocket. A new alert popped up: ¡°You have received a new friend request.¡± Curious, she retrieved her phone and slid her thumb across the screen to unlock it. The message included a brief note: Hurst Cooper. The name made her eyebrows knit together as she traced it back to a memory from the underground ck market.

    That evening, she had caught sight of a fake wine bottle just in time and had saved Hurst from falling for an expensive scam. Grateful, he had handed her his business card and offered his help whenever she might need it. Since that night, there had beenplete silence between them. Now, out of nowhere, he was sending her a friend request? And at this odd hour, what could he possibly want?

    Her thumb hovered in hesitation before she finally tapped to ept it. As soon as she epted, his profile picture filled the screen, and almost immediately after, a video call request lit up her phone. Maia arched an eyebrow, taken aback, but decided to answer the call anyway.

    Hurst¡¯s voice, low and slightly slurred, filled the speakers. ¡°Miss Watson, I¡¯m in desperate need of your expertise!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 320

    ?Chapter 320:

    The video revealed Hurst sprawledzily across a sleek leather couch. In the background, a parade of well-dressed guests moved about under the moody lights of avish banquet hall.

    Before Maia could even get a word out, Hurst pressed on, ¡°I¡¯m at an underground wine auction overseas right now. They have some rare bottles up for bidding, but honestly, it¡¯s nearly impossible to tell the genuine ones from the fakes. If you hadn¡¯t saved me back at the ck market, I would have lost a fortune.¡±

    He swiveled the camera around, giving her a clear view of a table packed with high-end wine bottles.

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I called,¡± he said. ¡°I need your eye to help me pick the right ones. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll pay you for your time!¡±

    The urgency in Hurst¡¯s voice made it clear he was worried she might turn him down.

    What puzzled him more, though, was the memory that surfaced. He had handed Maia his business card back at the ck market, yet she had never reached out, not even once.

    That was something new for him.

    In the past, plenty of people would have jumped at the chance to cozy up to anyone from the Cooper family. One look at his business card and a few clicks online were usually enough to get the full picture of who he was. But not Maia¡ªshe had kept her distance.

    Tonight, however, luck had steered him back to her¡ªand now he was the one asking for help.

    Maia saw no reason to dwell on it. Sometimes, paths crossed simply because they were meant to. Besides, her cab had not arrived yet, and lending a hand wouldn¡¯t cost her much.

    Her attention snapped to the bottles disyed on the screen, her gaze sharpening with keen precision.

    ???????????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????[?]??????

    ¡°Bring the camera closer,¡± she said calmly.

    Right then, a taxi rolled to a stop beside her. Sliding into the back seat, Maia gave the driver her address and leaned back, keeping her eyes fixed on her phone.

    Meanwhile, Hurst, always quick to pick up on details, quietly noted the address she had spoken.

    At her guidance, he carefully moved the camera across the lineup of bottles, giving her a clear view of each one. As the lens hovered over a particr bottle filled with a rich, dark crimson liquid that gleamed faintly under the lights, Maia¡¯s eyes lit up with interest.

    ¡°That¡¯s the one,¡± she said.

    ¡°You mean this one?¡± Hurst hesitated, unsure if the phone¡¯s camera quality might affect her judgment.

    A small, knowing smile tugged at Maia¡¯s lips. ¡°Yes, that one. Go ahead and buy it.¡±

    The bottle carried a surprisingly modest price tag, and no one else in the room seemed to pay it any attention.

    Though he wavered for a brief second, Hurst ultimately gave the signal to make the purchase.

    Low murmurs stirred across the hall. A few voices in the crowd broke out inughter, mocking Hurst for eyeing a bottle that seemed so questionable.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, are you serious about this one? Everyone knows the real version of that wine hasn¡¯t been produced in years. Most folks stay away from it because they¡¯re scared of buying a fake.¡±

    ¡°Way too risky. You¡¯d be smarter to pick one of those two over there. At least with those, you know you¡¯re getting the real deal.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Even though the price isn¡¯t cheap, Mr. Cooper, with your status, you can¡¯t have a bottle of wine with questionable authenticity in your private collection.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 321

    ?Chapter 321:

    At first, Hurst had felt sure of himself, but the buzzing voices around him started to gnaw at his confidence. He turned the camera back toward the bottle, silently asking Maia for a second opinion.

    Even with the background noise, Maia stayedposed, her tone steady. ¡°Mr. Cooper, you have nothing to worry about. Notice the shade of the wine. It¡¯s darker than most vintages, a sign that it¡¯s been aging properly and probablyes from one of the earliest batches.¡±

    She leaned closer to the screen, her voice even and clear. ¡°Now, give the bottle a gentle swirl. See how the liquid moves? The viscosity matches what you¡¯d expect from a wine that¡¯s oxidized just the right amount over time. Only an authentic bottle, kept under ideal conditions, would behave like that.¡±

    After a moment, she added thoughtfully, ¡°Flip the bottle over. Check the bottom. The earliest batches were marked with the initials of the original winemaker.¡± Immediately, the room grew quiet.

    Hurst turned the bottle upside down, and there they were ¡ª the tiny etched letters ¡°SJ,¡± exactly as Maia had pointed out.

    ¡°Production for this wine stopped years ago,¡± Maia exined with an easy air. ¡°Finding a genuine bottle these days is almost impossible. Even seasoned collectors rarely get their hands on one. Right now, its real value is at least a hundred times what the listing shows. You¡¯re not losing anything here,¡± Maia said with a rxed tone, though every word she spokended with undeniable force.

    For a split second, Hurst stood motionless, then broke into a heartyugh.

    It wasn¡¯t just that he didn¡¯t lose anything; it was a massive windfall!

    Silence abruptly enveloped the room as the murmurs ceased. Gradually, each spectator¡¯s voice hushed, their faces clouded with remorse.

    Hadn¡¯t they just ridiculed Hurst for hisck of wine knowledge? It was obvious now that he was backed by a seasoned expert!

    Your next journey starts at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s???o??

    Twenty minutes passed before the taxi reached the gates of Elysium Apartments. When she exited the vehicle, her phone vibrated with a new notification.

    She had just received a bank transfer ¡ª for two hundred thousand dors!

    Right after, a message from Hurst popped up. ¡°Thank you, Miss Watson. Consider this your fee.¡±

    Looking at the generous transfer, Maia promptly sent the money back, texting, ¡°Really, it was just a small help on my part. I don¡¯t need payment for that.¡±

    Hurst found himself taken aback by her gesture once again.

    He wasted no time and reached out to her through a voice call. ¡°Miss Watson, you¡¯vee to my aid twice now. That makes two debts I owe you. Should you ever require anything, please let me know. I¡¯ll do whatever I can to assist,¡± he dered, his voice bearing a tone of deep sincerity.

    Maia, however, didn¡¯t take his pledge too seriously. She responded with a light, ¡°Thanks, Mr. Cooper.¡± After a brief goodbye, she hung up.

    Upon entering her apartment, Maia found it enveloped in silence. She flicked on the living room light.

    Chris was nowhere to be seen.

    She slumped down on the couch, ready to unwind for a while.

    No sooner had she shut her eyes than her phone vibrated once more. It was an rming text message this time. ¡°Boss, someone¡¯s digging into your background!¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes narrowed as she scanned the message.

    Her fingertips moved deftly over the screen while she typed a quick response. ¡°Who is it?¡±

    Within moments, a new message appeared. ¡°The person¡¯s extremely cautious. Tracking them is nearly impossible, but the tech skills are first-rate. Definitely no ordinary figure.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 322

    ?Chapter 322:

    A flicker of suspicion crossed Maia¡¯s mind as she narrowed her gaze further. ¡°Send me the IP.¡±

    The reply came at once. ¡°Got it.¡±

    Meanwhile, inside a secluded room at the Velvet Nocturne, the atmosphere hung heavy under dim, brooding lights.

    Chris lounged on the sofa, a ss of whiskey resting loosely in his hand.

    Maxwell sat nearby, absently thumbing through his phone.

    Without warning, Maxwell lifted his head and said, ¡°Chris, news just came in ¡ª the Cooper family¡¯s digging into you. You might want to tread carefully.¡±

    Chris swirled the whiskey, watching the liquid catch the light, his face unreadable. He askedzily, ¡°Did you find out the IP of those who are tracing?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s already in Hawk¡¯s hands,¡± Maxwell answered without missing a beat.

    With Hawk involved, it was only a matter of time before the mystery unraveled.

    Just then, Maxwell¡¯s phone vibrated sharply.

    A message from Hawk.

    Already?

    Maxwell tapped the screen, his forehead creasing as he read, then shot Chris a stunned look. ¡°Chris, are you getting outside help?¡±

    Chris set his ss down with a soft clink, lifting an eyebrow. ¡°Why?¡±

    Maxwell quickly turned the screen toward him, disbelief coloring his voice. ¡°Hawk hasn¡¯t even started yet, but the other side¡¯s IP just spectacrly crashed!¡±

    Chris¡¯ surprise flickered only briefly before he brushed it off with a shake of his head.

    Maxwell, however, grinned wickedly as he studied Chris. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me one of those women you¡¯ve been flirting with is secretly a tech prodigy?¡±

    F??ll ?????????? ??????i?????????? ???? g??l??ov?ls.??????

    Chris answered with a sharp re, clearly not amused.

    Maxwell paused, realizing his mistake, and scrambled to amend it. ¡°Wait, no ¡ª wrong choice of words. I meant the women who are flirting with you!¡±

    Chris looked thoroughly exasperated. ¡°Quit talking nonsense. I¡¯m married. If my wife catches wind of this, she¡¯ll be jealous.¡±

    Maxwell nearly choked, overwhelmed by the unexpected sweetness of it all.

    After a moment, a thought pulled his face into a serious frown. ¡°Chris, what do you think that woman from the Cooper family will do once she finds out you¡¯re married?¡±

    Chris¡¯ brows knit slightly, though he stayed silent.

    Lowering his voice, Maxwell continued, ¡°If this were before, it wouldn¡¯t have been a big deal. Back then, Maia was just the fake daughter of the Morgan family who got kicked out. But now¡­ she¡¯s K, the famousposer. And MCN¡¯s chief designer. With credentials like that, they¡¯ll definitely do something to get rid of her.¡±

    Chris gave a soft tap against the rim of his ss, his tone steady. ¡°Keep it quiet for now.¡±

    Maxwell nodded, though unease gnawed at him, the weight of what could happen if secrets slipped free settling in his gut.

    Maxwell¡¯s tone shifted once more as he said, ¡°Oh, by the way, Chris, how¡¯s your¡­ condition these days?¡±

    Chris replied coolly, ¡°It¡¯s manageable.¡±

    ¡°If you need a doctor, just say the word,¡± Maxwell said sincerely. ¡°I¡¯ll turn the world upside down to find the best one to cure you.¡±

    Chris lifted his ss in a small salute, offering a faint smile. ¡°Thanks.¡± Their sses met with a crisp clink, and they knocked back a few more drinks.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 323

    ?Chapter 323:

    Loosened by the alcohol, Maxwell let out a loose chuckle and jabbed yfully, ¡°I heard a rumor¡­ that you¡¯ve been¡­ kept?¡±

    Chris lifted an eyebrow in mild amusement. ¡°Word gets around fast.¡±

    With a groan, Maxwell dragged a hand across his forehead. ¡°How could it not? Wront¡¯s tight-knit circles are practically buzzing with it!¡± He tipped back another sip, then leaned closer, his voice dropping to a mock whisper. ¡°Seriously though, Chris, what¡¯s going on? You say you¡¯re married, but now people are saying some wealthy¡­¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s the woman backing you? You¡¯re hardly short on money, so what gives? Not into Maia?¡± Maxwell kept rambling, half speaking to Chris, half to himself, trying to piece it all together. ¡°Then again, it makes sense. Maia¡¯s nothing like the women you used to chase. She¡¯s young, yeah, but there¡¯s this bold, defiant streak in her. No polish, no delicate charm. But I¡¯m curious¡ªso many women have thrown money at you over the years, trying to win you over, but you didn¡¯t even consider any of them. So, who¡¯s this woman who managed to make you cave willingly?¡±

    Chriszily swirled his whiskey in the ss, his voice cool and unbothered. ¡°The wealthy woman keeping me? That would be my wife.¡±

    Maxwell¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He almost choked on his drink, coughing as he stared at Chris as if he¡¯d grown a second head. ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    Chris¡¯ tone stayed even, almost bored. ¡°My wife¡¯s the one supporting me. Is there a problem?¡±

    Maxwell fumbled, his words tripping over each other. ¡°Well¡­ no, no problem at all.¡± So this whole thing was just some yful back-and-forth between a couple? And he was actually seriously analyzing it?

    For a moment, Maxwell sat stunned, realizing how foolish he had been. Chris could be sly, sure¡ªbut Maia? She yed on another level entirely. This pair was something else. Truly, they were perfectly matched in their entricity.

    Maxwell slumped back with a helpless sigh, feeling utterly outssed.

    Stay tuned for more g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í??s.c¡ðm

    At Elysium Apartments, inside the room, Maia stayed perfectlyposed as she dismantled the other party¡¯s IP defenses. With quick, sharp movements, sheunched another program, her fingers a blur across the keyboard. Her gaze remained focused, her demeanor unshaken.

    After what felt like hours, she bundled the data neatly and sent it off with a single, decisive click.

    Maia powered down herputer and exhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over her. She copsed onto her bed, her body sagging in exhaustion.

    Lately, she had felt perpetually drained, as if time had no mercy, leaving her no room to rest. She had pushed her mind to its limits once again, and all she craved now was to throw in the towel and escape for a while.

    Her eyelids grew heavy, and within moments, the pull of sleep imed her.

    But her rest was far from peaceful. Her scattered thoughts spiraled into nightmares.

    She found herself face-to-face with Vince, Sandra, and Richard, their faces twisted with monstrous fangs. In an instant, the scene shifted, and she was back in Wront Prison, surrounded by the people who had tormented her.

    In the dream, she regressed to the helpless little girl she had once been. She clenched her teeth, swallowing any cries for mercy, even as she endured their cruelty.

    Sweat beaded on Maia¡¯s forehead, and suddenly, her eyes snapped open, wide with shock.

    The calm ceiling above her slowly brought her back to reality, and she realized, with a deep sigh, that it had all been just a nightmare. She sat up in bed and nced at the clock¡ªit was barely three in the morning.

    A thirst tugged at her, so she slipped out of bed and made her way to the living room for a ss of water.

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 Chapter 324

    ?Chapter 324:

    Just as her hand touched the door handle, a noise interrupted her¡ªa sound like something had collided with an object!

    Her heart skipped a beat. Grabbing the feather duster that hung behind the door, she clutched it tightly as if it were a sword, instinctively assuming a defensive position.

    Could it be a burr?

    Carefully, she cracked the door open quietly, peering into the dark living room. Her eyes locked on a shadowy figure slumped beside the sofa.

    Still gripping the feather duster with both hands, Maia swiftly moved behind the figure, pressing the handle to the back of his head. Her voice was sharp, yet steady. ¡°Who are you?¡±

    The figure froze, then slowly turned toward her. In the pale moonlight, his face came into focus.

    Her breath hitched in her chest. It was Chris!

    For a moment, she simply stood there, taken aback, before setting the feather duster on the coffee table. She knelt beside him, grabbing his arm and helping him onto the sofa.

    She then walked over to the wall and switched on the light.

    The soft glow immediately filled the room, and Maia turned back to face Chris.

    His face was pale, his head tilted to one side, supported by his hand, brows knitted as if he were battling some unseen pain.

    Maia hesitated, then took a seat next to him, her voice soft but full of concern. ¡°Mr. Cooper, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?¡±

    Chris rubbed his head, sitting up straighter, offering her a small, apologetic smile. ¡°Did I scare you?¡±

    Updates loaded at g¦Ál¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe??s

    Maia pressed her lips together, her expression serious. ¡°That¡¯s not the point. What¡¯s going on with you? Are you feeling alright?¡±

    At her words, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Chris¡¯ mouth, but it seemed fragile, as if it could break at any moment.

    ¡°You¡¯re worried about me?¡± His voice was gentler now as he took her hand, his touch surprisingly soft. ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious, just a sudden headache. I¡¯m used to it.¡±

    ¡°Used to it?¡± Maia frowned, puzzled. She had never known Chris to suffer from headaches before.

    In her mind, he was always the picture ofposure ¡ª confident and healthy.

    How could this be?

    Maia slowly withdrew her hand, then gently turned his body, making sure that hey on the couch in afortable position and checked his condition.

    Her gaze narrowed slightly as she looked at him. ¡°A chronic condition?¡±

    Chris froze for a moment, then pulled his hand back, shing azy smile. ¡°Do you happen to be a medical expert too?¡±

    Maia¡¯s tone was matter-of-fact. ¡°When you¡¯ve spent enough time in prison with nothing but your own thoughts, you learn a thing or two.¡±

    Chris raised an eyebrow.

    So, a bit of solitary study had given her the ability to diagnose his condition?

    ¡°Right,¡± Chris said, his voice casual. ¡°It¡¯s an old issue, nothing serious. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± He lowered his gaze, casually twisting his wrist as if to dismiss the topic.

    Maia¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°If you get these headaches often, you should really see a doctor.¡±

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 Chapter 325

    ?Chapter 325:

    ¡°Hmm,¡± Chris responded lightly.

    ¡°Well, if you¡¯re alright, then you should try to get some rest,¡± she said, noticing the color returning to his face.

    He seemed less weak now, so she decided to let the matter rest.

    She stood up to leave, but suddenly, Chris grabbed her wrist. Startled, Maia turned back to look at him. He gazed up at her with those almond-shaped eyes of his, pleading, almost like a lost puppy. ¡°My head hurts so badly, I can barely move ¡ª please, help me!¡± he implored, his voiceced with a hint of vulnerability.

    Maia opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, her body had already reacted. She bent down and helped him rise from the couch, supporting his arm.

    Fine. If she was going to help, she might as well see it through. Chris leaned against her small frame, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he shed her a sly smile.

    Maia shot him an exasperated look. ¡°You¡¯re faking it, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Chris immediately clutched his head and groaned dramatically. ¡°No, really. I¡¯m in pain.¡±

    And so, Maia helped Chris into his bedroom. It was the first time she had ever stepped into his room.

    It was impably tidy, decorated in a sleek ck-and-white scheme that conveyed both order and a certain invisible pressure.

    A desk stood at one side, spotless and polished, with only one object resting on it ¡ª a picture frame.

    But instead of a photograph, the frame held a painting.

    An elegantly poised woman was d in a light blue dress in the artwork. Despite her graceful stance, her facelessness lent an eerie air to the portrait. To be precise, the area where her facial features should have been waspletely nk. The effect was undeniably unsettling.

    Your favorite tales live at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s£®??????

    ¡°My mother is the woman in that portrait,¡± Chris muttered, catching Maia¡¯s fixed stare at the artwork.

    A hint of surprise flickered across Maia¡¯s face. ¡°Howe she¡­?¡± Before she could finish, Chris said, ¡°Her face, I can¡¯t seem to remember it, no matter how hard I try.¡±

    As he shared this, he briefly looked at Maia, sadness momentarily crossing his features. His memory had been failing him ever since that head injury, erasing many faces from his mind. However, he still retained the memory of her face.

    Maia assisted Chris to the bed, then stood towering over him as he sank into a pensive silence. Such depths of sorrow were rare in his expression.

    Curiosity about his earlier life sparked within her, but she hesitated, unsure of how to initiate such a conversation. The questions she yearned to ask remained unspoken, caught in her throat.

    Finally, she found the words, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s schedule a day for us to visit the hospital together.¡±

    Chris¡¯ eyes widened in surprise, but soon, his face softened, his look bing asforting as a serene, starlit evening. ¡°Sure, you decide.¡± Pausing briefly, Maia added, ¡°I¡¯m suggesting this because it¡¯s part of my duty as your wife.¡±

    ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll follow your lead,¡± Chris responded, his voice retaining its gentle warmth.

    A tender feeling stirred unexpectedly in Maia¡¯s heart. She was momentarily overwhelmed by Chris¡¯ gaze, which seemed to see no one but her.

    Worried that staying any longer might weaken her resolve or lead her to misinterpret his intentions again, Maia turned sharply.

    ¡°I need to rest. I¡¯m heading to bed,¡± she said shortly. Without awaiting his reaction, she hurried out of Chris¡¯ room and closed the door firmly behind her.

    Left alone, Chris sank back against the headboard, his eyes wandering to the luminous moon outside. A wry smile yed on his lips. He had once visited numerous esteemed physicians to address his persistent condition. However, the real remedy would involve risky brain surgery to extract the tiny bullet shards that had been embedded in his brain for years.

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 Chapter 326

    ?Chapter 326:

    The prospects of surgery were daunting, carrying a sess rate as slim as one in a thousand. Not even the finest surgeons worldwide dared to undertake such a precarious procedure. Although the bullet shard was no bigger than half of a fingernail, it had gued him relentlessly, stealing his nights of tranquility. To manage the persistent agony, he had turned to meditation and rigorous self-discipline.

    The migraines typically haunted him in the quiet of the night and had subsided for a while, but tonight they reemerged suddenly, with Maia there to witness it. Chris had earlier reassured Maia, hoping to keep her fears at bay. However, he was acutely aware of the harsh reality: his condition was beyond healing.

    At the Cooper Estate, a resounding crash disrupted the quiet as the fragments of an antique vase scattered across the floor, the noise reverberating through the halls. The household staff lingered silently outside the room, heads bowed, not daring to utter a sound. This was Mariana¡¯s private sanctuary.

    Adorned in the opulent style of a pce, the room showcased the vast wealth and prestige of the Cooper lineage. But at this moment, its owner was in a state ofplete emotional copse, her expression contorted with rage. Her fingers tensely wed at the hem of her dress, eyes zing with madness and envy, a far cry from her usual public demeanor as a gentlewoman.

    The disparity was striking. The public Mariana and the private Mariana seemed as if they were two distinct individuals. Should someone see her in this state, they could easily mistake her for someone out of her mind.

    ¡°Repeat that! Chris is being supported by someone else?¡±

    As Mariana held her phone, her voice shook with rising anger.

    In the past, Chris had been the center of attention for many women, but Mariana had always dismissed them as trivial. She was confident that they were merely temporary diversions; Chris would never genuinely care for such superficial, ordinary individuals. However, the notion that he could be kept by someone else shattered her previous perceptions of him.

    How could this be true?

    Read more at g??lnovel s.??????

    Still, the voice responding to her was unwavering. ¡°Mariana, just rx. I heard about this at the bar tonight. Chris, ever the infamous yboy, seems to have changed dramatically. He¡¯s now exclusively involved with just one woman. It¡¯s quite surprising. Perhaps she¡¯spensating him generously?¡±

    Mariana had no desire to listen any further. She ended the call swiftly, overwhelmed by her emotions.

    ¡°Ha¡­ haha¡­¡± A deep, eerie chuckle broke from her, its undertone tinged with a disturbing madness. Her hands clenched, nails pressing into her dress.

    If Chris was to be dedicated to one person alone, Mariana was sure that it should be her. However, she was rted to Chris as his cousin. A formidable moral boundary stood between them due to their family ties.

    Despite this, Mariana had felt an intense, illicit love for Chris since her youth ¡ª a love that she could neither dere nor deny. Though she was keenly aware of Chris¡¯ carefree, impulsive nature, Mariana¡¯s feelings remained unshakable.

    This love was a truth that she had to conceal within herself, never to voice out loud. Contemting this reality pushed her to the edge of despair.

    Ovee with fury, Mariana seized a collection of cosmetics from her table and flung them violently at her vanity mirror. The ss shattered, each crack casting twisted reflections of her enraged, vengeful face.

    Mariana had onceforted herself with the notion that if Chris could not be hers alone, then he should not bepletely anyone else¡¯s either. While his wandering affections were bearable, his loyalty to another was something she simply could not understand.

    A scowl crossed her face as she pondered. Who was this woman audacious enough to keep Chris?

    She resolved that no one would ever steal Chris from her grasp. A chilling, vengeful glint flickered in Mariana¡¯s eyes, like a tempest waiting to erupt.

    In the morning, as Maia stepped out of the residentialplex, she immediately noticed a tall figure standing like a sentinel at the entrance.

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 Chapter 327

    ?Chapter 327:

    The man was draped in a perfectly tailored suit, the kind that whispered wealth and power. His face, handsome yet sharp as a knife, exuded a cold, deliberate air. His posture was straight, radiating theposed confidence of someone who ruled their domain.

    It was Rnd.

    In that moment, his hands were casually tucked into his pockets, and he stood there quietly, as if waiting for something¡ªor perhaps someone. He had obtained Maia¡¯s address from Pattie and had arrived early in the morning, like a man on a mission.

    Maia raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity crossing her face. ¡°What brings you here?¡±

    Rnd¡¯s brow furrowed, but instead of offering an exnation, he chose to ask a question of his own. His tone wasced with a mix of tension and uncertainty. ¡°Maia, why did you¡­ keep a male escort?¡±

    For a split second, Maia was caught off guard. Was this why he had shown up on her doorstep at the crack of dawn? Just to ask this?

    She chuckled lightly, her voice casual, almost flippant. ¡°Because I wanted to. What, Mr. Cullen¡ªare you so invested in my personal life?¡± The subtext was clear¡ªit was none of his business.

    Rnd¡¯s brows drew closer, his irritation simmering. Maia¡¯s indifference felt like a wall he couldn¡¯t scale, suffocating him, leaving him gasping for rity.

    Yet beneath the surface, a storm was brewing. He was trying to piece together this jarring shift in Maia¡¯s behavior. This wasn¡¯t the woman he believed her to be. There had to be a reason¡ªa hidden thread somewhere, pulling at her actions. Yes, that was it. He could see it now, like a sh of light cutting through fog. A theory that made everything fall into ce.

    ¡°Is it because your husband¡­¡± Rnd hesitated, then blurted, ¡°¡­is impotent?¡±

    He winced slightly at his words but pressed on. ¡°Or perhaps you had no choice but to marry him?¡±

    See full story at g???????¦Í???????co??

    For a brief moment, Maia stood frozen, her expression unchanged. Rnd, with hiswyer¡¯s precision, had always been adept at reading between the lines. His sharp intellect was his greatest tool ¡ª he was trained to uncover truths hidden in shadows.

    Maia knew that Rnd wouldn¡¯t be easily swayed or brushed aside like his sister Elvira. He was probing. She could feel it.

    After a beat of silence, she answered, her voice steady and calm. ¡°Rnd, this is my business, not yours. Don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Her gaze flickered ever so slightly, but her tone was nonchnt, as though she were dodging an inconvenient bullet without breaking a sweat.

    But Rnd, in an unexpected break from his usual self-restraint, reached out and seized her wrist. His eyes darkened, and for the first time in ages, a spark of raw sincerity flickered in his gaze. ¡°Maia, if you¡¯re in trouble, tell me. I¡¯ll help you. Whatever it is, we¡¯ll fix it together.¡±

    His voice became increasingly insistent, almost desperate, as he added, ¡°If this marriage was forced upon you, you can get a divorce. I¡¯ll handle everything¡ªthe legal stuff, the paperwork. I¡¯ll take care of it all.¡±

    Maia, momentarily stunned by his outburst, processed his words. Then, as if to disarm him, sheughed softly. ¡°I¡¯m not in trouble, Rnd. I wasn¡¯t forced into anything. It was all my decision.¡±

    Her words cut through the air like a ssh of cold water, extinguishing the fire he had so fervently kindled.

    Rnd froze, her statement a thunderp, the shockwave reverberating through him. The world seemed to pause in that moment.

    Then, Maia¡¯s voice rang out again, this time with a hint of teasing, as she said slowly, ¡°I¡¯m just someone with a troubled past. I should count myself lucky that someone¡¯s willing to marry me. If I get divorced, what if no one wants me anymore? Would you take responsibility for me?¡±

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 Chapter 328

    ?Chapter 328:

    She raised an eyebrow and looked at Rnd, her expression challenging, as if daring him to drop the subject.

    But to her surprise, Rnd didn¡¯t flinch. His expression darkened, and he answered with an unwavering seriousness that surprised even Maia. ¡°I¡¯ll be responsible for you.¡±

    The air thickened, freezing in an instant. Maia was momentarily speechless, as though the ground beneath her had shifted.

    ¡°I can marry you,¡± Rnd continued, his voice calm yet resolute, leaving no room for doubt. Maia was stunned into silence.

    Before she could gather her thoughts, the roar of an engine interrupted the charged atmosphere. A sleek silver Maserati appeared around the corner and stopped near them.

    A tall figure emerged from the driver¡¯s seat, his presencemanding attention.

    Chris!?

    Maia¡¯s instinct was to pull her wrist free, but Rnd¡¯s grip tightened, holding her in ce.

    Chris¡¯s eyes flicked to Maia¡¯s wrist, still encircled by Rnd¡¯s hand. A cold expression spread across his face, his gaze narrowing into icy hostility as he locked eyes with Rnd.

    The tension between the three of them was palpable, each person silently sizing up the others, the air thick with unspoken challenges. Rnd¡¯s mind raced. What was this man doing here? Wasn¡¯t this Maia¡¯s home? And that car¡ªwhere had he gotten the money for that? It hit him like a lightning bolt. Since this man had been kept by Maia, that car was probably hers¡ªor maybe she bought it for him.

    Frustration surged within Rnd. He tugged at his tie, his irritation mounting. ¡°Maia, you brought him home? Where¡¯s your husband?¡± His voice dripped with annoyance.

    In that brief moment of distraction, Maia wrenched her wrist free, her heart racing with the sudden surge of anxiety. She felt as if she had been caught red-handed, a deer in headlights.

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    Before she could speak, Chris let out a humorlessugh, the sound sharp and biting. ¡°So you do know she has a husband? Yet here you are, hanging around. What is it, Rnd? You want to be the other man knowingly?¡±

    Chris¡¯s words were brief but packed a punch, dripping with sarcasm.

    Rnd lost his cool, his face falling into a scowl. He locked eyes with Chris, his anger ring as he shot back, ¡°You, of all people, a man living off someone else, dare to criticize me?!¡±

    Chris let out a quietugh, his voice yful and a bit mischievous. ¡°I¡¯m Maia¡¯s¡ª¡±

    Before Chris could finish, Maia gave his arm a quick pinch. Chris, always quick on the uptake, immediately mped his mouth shut. Even so, he wasn¡¯t exactly pleased about it.

    Rnd, remembering how Chris had carried himself the night before, tightened his grip on Maia¡¯s wrist.

    He jabbed a finger at Chris, then faced Maia, his voice full of disbelief. ¡°Maia, what could you possibly see in him?¡±

    Maia kept her face neutral as she answered, ¡°He¡¯s handsome.¡± Chris immediately rxed, a proud smile spreading across his face.

    Rnd, on the other hand, froze, his expression stiffening. His eyebrow twitched slightly. ¡°Aren¡¯t you concerned he¡¯s been intimate with many women?¡±

    Maia shrugged casually. ¡°As long as he can please me.¡± Rnd was left utterly speechless.

    Chris almost burst outughing, the irritation he¡¯d felt moments agopletely gone. He took Maia¡¯s hand, led her to the car, and helped her into the passenger seat.

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 Chapter 329

    ?Chapter 329:

    Afterward, he made his way around to the driver¡¯s side, moving with purpose, his eyes shing a mocking look at the stunned Rnd. With a sly grin, Chris climbed into the car, mmed the door, and sped off without a second thought.

    Rnd¡¯s hands balled into fists, Maia¡¯s words ringing in his head.

    ¡°Handsome¡­ please me¡­¡±

    Was he not attractive enough? Was he unable to please her?

    A surge of anger bubbled up in Rnd¡¯s chest.

    He spun around, but the car had already disappeared into the distance.

    Inside the car, an uneasy silence hung between them.

    Chris¡¯s arm rested casually on the wheel as he drove. Every now and then, a small smile tugged at his lips, hinting at his good mood.

    Maia felt the silence stretching on too long. Looking at the unfamiliar car, she asked, ¡°Why the change? What happened to your boss¡¯s car?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t change cars. I bought this one,¡± Chris answered with ease.

    Maia blinked, surprised. ¡°How did you afford it?¡±

    Chris steered the wheel smoothly, his voice casual. ¡°You gave me a million dors. I spent it on this car.¡±

    Maia frowned, clearly confused. ¡°A million dors can buy this car?¡± Did he really think she was clueless about cars? The price of this car clearly far exceeded one million.

    Chris¡¯s face didn¡¯t change as he answered quietly, ¡°It¡¯s used. Not too pricey.¡±

    But the car¡¯s condition¡­ it hardly looked used at all.

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    Maia chose not to push it. After a brief pause, she asked, ¡°So what about your job as a driver?¡±

    ¡°Well, since you¡¯ve decided to be my sugar mama, I don¡¯t see why I¡¯d need a job,¡± he said with a grin. ¡°From now on, I¡¯m your personal chauffeur!¡±

    Maia was left speechless.

    She had only joked about him being a ¡°kept man,¡± but he had actually taken it seriously! And now he was acting like it made perfect sense, as if it waspletely justified? He¡¯d just walked away from a solid job as a driver like it was nothing? Chris was asid-back and reckless as theye. If she had known, she never would¡¯ve given him that much money!

    Seeing Maia stay silent, Chris shot her a sideways nce. Then, he asked, ¡°Why did you hide our rtionship from him earlier? Still keeping him around as your backup?¡±

    Maia was left even more speechless.

    Rnd was Drakrnire¡¯s bestwyer, while Chris was just a smooth-talking yboy. At least Chris had a job once. Now, he did nothing.

    Maia sighed deeply and said, ¡°Do you even know who he is? If he finds out about us and sees how you¡¯re acting, we¡¯ll be divorced in no time.¡± If Rnd ever dug up dirt on Chris, he could easily lock him up, not to mention get them divorced.

    Chris nodded, unfazed. ¡°Understood.¡±

    Of course, he knew exactly who Rnd was. But that wasn¡¯t the issue. The issue was Maia worrying that their marriage might be at risk. The thought made Chris¡¯s lips curl into a small smile. In a carefree voice, he asked, ¡°Where are we headed?¡±

    ¡°The MCN building.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    Chris drove smoothly toward the MCN building, right in the city center. ¡°When will you be finished? I¡¯lle grab you,¡± Chris asked as he backed into a parking spot.

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 Chapter 330

    ?Chapter 330:

    The sunlight highlighted his sharp features, his white shirt looking crisp and spotless. His movements, as he turned the wheel, were smooth and confident, making him appear both handsome and capable.

    It was hard to believe this was the same guy who had been sprawled out on the couch just the night before.

    Maia looked away, focusing straight ahead. She frowned slightly and said, ¡°You really should get a job and keep busy. You don¡¯t have to pick me up every day.¡±

    She thought Chris would argue, but to her surprise, he nodded without hesitation. His voice was light. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll do as you say, my wife.¡±

    After parking, he got out of the car and walked around to Maia¡¯s side, opening the door for her with a gentleman¡¯s touch.

    He certainly knew how to y the part.

    Had he done this for other wealthy, morous women before? Maia pressed her lips together. Just as she was about to step out, Chris grabbed her hand and slipped something into it.

    Her eyes widened as she recognized what it was ¡ª the key to the Maserati!

    ¡°You¡­¡± Maia stared at him, bewildered.

    Chris¡¯s smile remained as he asked, ¡°Ever driven one before?¡± She nodded in affirmation.

    ¡°Then, consider this Maserati yours,¡± Chris dered, his eyes meeting hers. ¡°It¡¯ll simplify your life quite a bit. Just park it in spot number 20 in our underground garage when you¡¯re home. It¡¯s right by the elevator ¡ª the biggest spot we have, makes parking a breeze.¡±

    Seeing that Maia still looked a bit dazed, Chris reached out and lightly touched her nose yfully, chuckling softly. ¡°Since you don¡¯t need me to drive you around, I don¡¯t need this car. You know, shy cars just attract too much attention, and that might make you ufortable, right? Besides, this was purchased with your funds, so it¡¯s rightfully yours. Don¡¯t feel obliged to use it. I¡¯m going back to driving for my boss anyway. You were light about me needing to do something worthwhile.¡±

    Chris¡¯s sudden gesture took Maia by surprise.

    L?t??¦Ó ch¨»¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?????.??????

    It wasn¡¯t that shecked the skills or the means for a car; she simply never bothered to deal with the hassle of purchasing or driving one herself. Especially with recent events, the thought of buying a car had drifted to the far corners of her mind.

    Yet, Chris had a point ¡ª a car would indeed add convenience to her life.

    But the idea that he had just handed over the keys to a newly purchased car was beyond her expectations. Why did Chris always manage to surprise her? Why did he continually defy the image she had crafted of him in her mind?

    Maia felt her usual poise faltering. She was typically unshakeable, masterfully in control of any situation ¡ª except when it involved him. In his presence, her usual calm, her confidence, even her sharp judgment seemed to fray at the edges.

    Chris¡­ Who was he, truly?

    Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him, trying to decipher the thoughts behind those enigmatic smiles.

    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Chris was deliberately drawing her into his unpredictable orbit¡­ Was this all a game to him, or¡­

    Catching her intense scrutiny, Chris cocked his head and offered azy smile. ¡°Miss Watson, if looks could drill, I¡¯d be full of holes by now.¡±

    Their awkward first encounter at City Hall came to mind. Shaken from her thoughts, Maia quickly averted her eyes, hoping to conceal her inner turmoil.

    But when she lifted her gaze again, she found Chris¡¯s striking features rmingly close.

    He leaned in, his almond eyes shimmering with a mischievous glint, his lips curving into a teasing smile. ¡°You mentioned that I could please you, didn¡¯t you? Yet, you haven¡¯t really experienced mine. How do you know whether I can please you or not? Shall we have a try?¡±

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 Chapter 331

    ?Chapter 331:

    Maia¡¯s cheeks flushed a deep red in an instant.

    Pushing Chris back, her voice quivered with a mix of embarrassment and a rare, youthful shyness. ¡°I¡¯m not like you! You¡¯re a flirt.¡± With that, she spun around and didn¡¯t look back.

    More urately, she fled.

    Chris was left in stunned silence.

    A flirt? In fact, he hadn¡¯t been intimate with anyone. Yet, there was something undeniably sweet about Maia¡¯s flustered reaction just now.

    A chuckle escaped Chris uncontrobly.

    Just as he was about to step out, his phone erupted with a ring.

    Chris answered ¡ª it was Maxwell, sounding dramatically upset. ¡°Chris, you actually took that limited-edition Maserati and turned it into just another car? You¡¯ve spoiled a work of art!¡±

    Chris cocked his head, pulling the phone away as Maxwell¡¯sints continued. Once the diatribe subsided, Chris brought the phone back, responding with unruffled calm, ¡°It was my choice. Stay out of it.¡±

    He ended the call abruptly. From his pocket, he retrieved the exclusive ck card she had given him, a symbol of immense wealth and status, casually flipping it through his fingers.

    He hadn¡¯t used any of the money from it. He nned to return it to her at the right moment.

    As for the limited-edition Maserati¡­

    If it was to be a gift for his wife, naturally, it had to be nothing short of spectacr.

    G a lno v els  is packed with thrilling adventures

    Chris ceased his yful handling of the ck card, slid it securely back into his pocket, and walked off with a rxed gait.

    Before they knew it, the day for Ethan to start school had dawned.

    Before dawn had fully broken, Maia was already up, steering the Maserati Chris had gifted her toward the Marvelous Garden.

    Today marked Ethan¡¯s first day at school, and she was determined to take him there herself.

    Kathie had prepared a hearty breakfast and insisted that Maia eat before they left. After several reminders to Ethan, the pair was finally ready to depart.

    Ethan climbed into Maia¡¯s car, his eyes wide with awe.

    ¡°Wow, Maia, this car is incredible!¡±

    Maia took a moment to appreciate the car¡¯s interior ¡ª its elegance and luxury, punctuated by a refined aesthetic.

    She had to concede that Chris had impable taste.

    ¡°Strap in. Off to school we go!¡±

    Maia ignited the engine, and they set off for Wront University.

    Wront University.

    A shiny Maserati smoothly passed through the gates, immediately catching the attention of those nearby.

    Even though the elite preparatory program had begun, the official start of the school year was still a few days away, so the campus entrance remained peaceful and calm.

    Maia pulled the car up near the academic building, where a number of expensive cars were already parked.

    As she got out of the car, she looked at Ethan, who stood beside her, clearly uneasy. She spoke softly, ¡°Ethan, if anything goes wrong at school, or if anyone bothers you, promise me you¡¯ll tell me, okay?¡±

    She found that Ethan seemed more upbeat when he was with her, but she couldn¡¯t shake the worry that he might be picked on or left out at school.

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 Chapter 332

    ?Chapter 332:

    ¡°Got it,¡± Ethan answered, gripping the straps of his backpack and giving a small nod.

    Maia gave him a faint smile and patted his shoulder, trying to offer somefort.

    She stood there, watching him walk toward the teaching building. With every step, he seemed to grow more at ease until he was out of sight.

    The elite preparatory program was split into three sses, each with its own unique mix of students.

    ss One was the top tier, made up mostly of heirs from powerful families. These students had been carefully prepared from an early age with the finest education, set to rise to the top of every profession in Wront and beyond, joining the country¡¯s elite.

    ss Two was the average group, made up of bright students from regr families. They had earned their spots through hard work and toughpetition, relying on their own efforts to join the ranks of the privileged.

    ss Three, on the other hand, was called the ¡°Privileged Reform ss.¡± Most of its members were rebellious heirs from wealthy families, sent there by their parents in hopes that the school¡¯s strict discipline would straighten them out.

    Normally, Ethan,ing from a regr family, would have been ced in ss Two. But thanks to Maia¡¯s influence with the principal, Ethan had been given a special spot in ss One ¡ª the group for Wront¡¯s most influential heirs.

    The ssroom was on the third floor, and Ethan took the stairs two at a time. At the top, a teacher stood waiting for him.

    Loraine Harvey, the homeroom teacher for ss One, had never liked students who made it in through connections. But since this student had been personally ced by the principal, she had no choice but to keep up appearances and act professional. Earlier, she had watched Ethan step out of a shiny Maserati, a clear sign of wealth and status. It only confirmed what she had suspected ¡ª he was just another privileged student who had used his connections to get in.

    His academic record was probably padded, and his real skills likely fell short.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s©qc??m has it all

    ss One was full of talented students, and she had no ns to give Ethan any special treatment. As long as he could stay on top of the lessons and pass the tests, that would be enough.

    ¡°You must be Ethan Watson. I¡¯m Loraine Harvey, the homeroom teacher for ss One. Follow me,¡± she said, her tone sharp.

    ¡°Yes, Ms. Harvey,¡± Ethan responded with politeness.

    Inside the ss One ssroom, Mnie sat at her desk, surrounded by a group of women. They were showering her withpliments, their faces all fake smiles.

    ¡°Mnie, those earrings are stunning! Are they a limited edition?¡±

    ¡°Of course! These are one of just thirty pairs in the world from a luxury brand,¡± Mnie answered nonchntly, tossing her hair with a touch of pride.

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s typical of a Cooper! Even your essories are out of our league!¡±

    Although these young women came from wealthy families too, their status was nothingpared to the Coopers. And on top of that, Mnie wasn¡¯t just any Cooper ¡ª she was tight with Mariana, the daughter of Kolton, head of the Cooper family.

    They thought that anyone who could get on Mnie¡¯s good side might also catch Mariana¡¯s attention ¡ª and through her, connect with the powerful Cooper Group.

    Because of this, Mnie was the star of ss One, treated like royalty by the others. Mnie basked in their adtion, a satisfied smile ying on her lips. She was just about to continue her show of superiority when the ssroom door suddenly swung open.

    Loraine walked in, with a young man following her. He was dressed neatly but seemed a little nervous. Ethan walked behind her, his backpack hanging from his shoulders.

    Loraine quickly surveyed the room before pointing to Ethan. ¡°This is our new ssmate. His name is Ethan Watson. From now on, you¡¯ll all be together, so I hope you get along.¡±

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 Chapter 333

    ?Chapter 333:

    She then turned to Ethan and said, ¡°Go ahead and introduce yourself.¡±

    Ethan bowed his head slightly, his voice shaky as he spoke. ¡°Hello, everyone. I¡¯m Ethan Watson. I hope we can all get along.¡±

    His voice was quiet, and his tone stiff, clearly showing that he felt ufortable speaking in front of so many people.

    Loraine gave a nod and pointed to an empty seat at the back near the window. ¡°Sit there for now. Get used to the surroundings. ss will start soon.¡±

    Ethan gave a formal nod and quickly made his way to the seat. He unpacked his books carefully, lining them up neatly on the desk before diving into one of them.

    Loraine had a teaching seminar to attendter, so after giving a few quick instructions, she left the room.

    As soon as Loraine left, whispers spread through the room.

    ¡°Is there suddenly a new student? Wasn¡¯t our ss already full?¡±

    ¡°Who knows? But¡­ doesn¡¯t he look a little in?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, his clothes aren¡¯t designer, and his watch is so ordinary. Could he be¡­ amoner?¡±

    ¡°No way! This ss is for Wront¡¯s elite. How could someone like him¡ª¡±

    At that moment, a young man stood up and swaggered over to Ethan¡¯s desk, looking down at him with a smug grin. ¡°Hey, kid, where do youe from?¡±

    Ethan blinked, puzzled. He came from home, of course ¡ª what kind of question was that? He stayed quiet, but hisck of response was quickly noticed by the others.

    They thought he was in but acting overly proud.

    ¡°Too good to answer, huh?¡± the young man sneered. ¡°Alright, let me ask again. Which family do youe from? What business does your family run?¡±

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????? ????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    Ethan¡¯s confusion grew, and he just shook his head.

    The man frowned, clearly frustrated by the answer. ¡°What? Then how did you even get in? Our ss spots are limited. Who did you know to get in here?¡±

    The man¡¯s curiosity was piqued, though a hint of doubt remained ¡ª after all, the ss list had been closed for a while.

    Ethan shook his head again.

    A young woman nearby gave Ethan a scornful look and sneered, ¡°He¡¯s probably just some poor schrship student who found a way in.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! This ss is for people like us. What gives him the right to take a spot here?¡±

    ¡°Just look at him, he has no style, no presence. He doesn¡¯t belong here!¡±

    The whispers grew louder, and the ridicule spread like wildfire throughout the room.

    Ethan balled his fists. He didn¡¯t know how to respond, nor could he figure out why they were making fun of him. What was so funny? Unable to make sense of it, Ethan decided to stay silent. If he had nothing to say, he wouldn¡¯t say anything at all.

    He buried his face in his book. He was here to study, not to get into arguments. He couldn¡¯t afford to disappoint Maia.

    ¡°Huh, so now he¡¯s acting all mysterious and silent?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, right. Maybe he¡¯s some kind of genius, born with all the brains. Just wait ¡ª he¡¯ll breeze through the exams and show us all how smart he is. I¡¯m already quaking in my boots!¡±

    ¡°Come on, you¡¯re the top student here. No one¡¯s buying that. If he ever beats you, I¡¯ll eat my hat!¡±

    The mockingughter went on, but Ethan shut it out, his attention fixed on his book.

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 Chapter 334

    ?Chapter 334:

    The doubt and skepticism hung in the air around him.

    It was rare for someone from a humble background to make it big. Everyone here had been raised with top-tier education, with private tutors at their disposal since they were kids.

    Mnie snorted softly. Pulling out her phone, she quickly snapped a picture of Ethan and sent it to Mariana. She texted, ¡°Check out the new guy in our ss. Total country bumpkin. No clue how he even got in!¡±

    At that very moment, Mariana sat across from Rosanna in an upscale caf¨¦, delicately savoring exquisite desserts that looked almost too beautiful to eat.

    Their phonesy idle on the table between them, like silent sentinels waiting to be summoned.

    Without the slightest regard for Rosanna¡¯s presence, Mariana tapped the photo that Mnie had just sent.

    The image revealed a teenager ¡ª his clothes unremarkable, but his face bore a quiet handsomeness that drew the eye.

    Rosanna caught a glimpse and recoiled slightly, eyes wide in recognition. ¡°Wait¡­ him? Why is he in that photo?¡±

    ¡°Who?¡± Mariana asked, her brows knitting into a frown.

    ¡°He¡¯s from the slums ¡ª down in the old quarter,¡± Rosanna replied, her tone caught between disbelief and concern.

    ¡°The slums?¡± Mariana echoed, skepticism creeping into her voice. ¡°Are you sure? This boy is Mnie¡¯s new ssmate. She¡¯s in the special admissions ss at Wront University ¡ª only the cr¨¨me de cr¨¨me make it in. Kids from powerful families, top achievers. Someone from the slums doesn¡¯t just stroll into that world.¡±

    Rosanna stared again at the photo, her certainty deepening like roots burrowing into soil. She couldn¡¯t be wrong. After all, she had shared years of hardship with Ethan in those very slums.

    ¡°I¡¯m certain,¡± Rosanna said firmly. ¡°His name is Ethan Watson. But how on earth did hend in Wront¡¯s elite ss? And in the same room as Mnie?¡±

    Feel the magic on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    Mariana¡¯s face turned cial, like a pond icing over in a sudden frost. A slum dweller, rubbing shoulders with Mnie? The very idea wasughable.

    Without a second thought, she typed a message to Mnie. ¡°Is his name Ethan Watson?¡±

    Mnie¡¯s reply came almost instantly. ¡°Yes. How did you know, Mariana?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s from the slums,¡± Mariana answered. ¡°Did your teacher put him in the wrong ss by mistake?¡±

    The words struck Mnie like a p. From the slums? Sharing a ss with her? The idea was not just offensive ¡ª it was a personal affront.

    Proud as she was, there was no way Mnie would tolerate sharing a ss with someone from the slums. To her, it was an insult.

    She lifted her gaze toward the back of the ssroom, where Ethan sat, and her jaw tightened with fury. She was going to drive this lowlife out of her ss.

    Mnie rose to her feet, striding toward Ethan like a storm rolling in. ¡°Hey,¡± she barked. ¡°Why are you pretending to be mute? Didn¡¯t you hear your ssmates asking questions?¡±

    Ethan nced up, his brows knitting, lips parting as if searching for the right words in a foreign tongue. He had never been good at dealing with strangers, and now their eyes burned holes through his skin.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say,¡± he mumbled, almost too softly to hear.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know, or just too scared to talk?¡± Mnie pressed, her brow arched in mocking inquiry. She studied his averted gaze with cold amusement. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Cat got your tongue? Or are you really that dim? They asked you where you¡¯re from. That¡¯s not quantum physics.¡±

    A hush fell over the ss.

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 Chapter 335

    ?Chapter 335:

    Everyone could sense it ¡ª the calm before the storm. Mariana¡¯s distaste had reached its newest target: Ethan. And drama, thick as smoke, was about to fill the air.

    Remembering Maia¡¯s warm encouragement and the homeroom teacher Loraine¡¯s words that everyone should get along with others, Ethan let out a slow breath and said, ¡°I¡¯m from home. We don¡¯t have apany or anything. I answered, so may I read now?¡±

    Mnie let out a snort ¡ª sharp, high, and contemptuous.

    She turned to her ssmates, voice rising. ¡°Did you all hear that? Our ss has been infiltrated by amoner. And not just anymoner ¡ª he¡¯s someone from the slums!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± The moment those words slipped from Mnie¡¯s lips, they rippled through the ssroom like a stone tossed into still water ¡ª sending shockwaves in every direction.

    ¡°How can someone from the slums even dream of being in our ss?¡± someone shouted, disbeliefced with contempt.

    Another student curled their lips into a sneer. ¡°Maybe your mom was a prostitute who slept with a school official to get you in? A little ckmail behind closed doors, perhaps?¡±

    ¡°Ha! Bet he¡¯s the secret love child of some school leader!¡±

    The barbs came faster, each sharper than thest, like des honed on cruelty.

    Ethan sat frozen, trying to let the insults wash over him like cold rain ¡ª but the storm only grew fiercer. The moment they dragged his mother¡¯s memory through the mud, something inside him cracked.

    His hands balled into fists, knuckles white, every muscle in his body tight as a drawn bow. Fury surged within him like fire licking at the edges of his restraint. But he held it down ¡ª for Maia. She had bent heaven and earth just to get him here. He couldn¡¯t let her efforts go up in smoke because of his anger and impulse.

    So he stayed still.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í?????????????

    His jaw tightened like a vice as he said nothing, letting his silence serve as both shield and surrender. Eyes down, he turned back to his book, desperate to find sce in the printed page.

    ¡°You dare ignore me?¡± Mnie¡¯s voice sliced through the silence like a whip.

    To her, silence was defiance. And Ethan, by not reacting, had made it clear ¡ª he didn¡¯t see her as someone worth answering.

    Fury ring, she snatched the book from his hands and flung it to the floor, then crushed it beneath her heel as though stomping out a pest. ¡°This ce isn¡¯t for the likes of you. Get out!¡±

    The sight of the book, scuffed and dirtied, shattered Ethan¡¯s restraint.

    That book had been a gift from Maia. One of the few things he truly cherished. He hadn¡¯t even finished reading it.

    ¡°Why did you step on my book?¡± His voice trembled, but this time, it wasn¡¯t fear ¡ª it was rage, barely held in check.

    He rose to his full height, a shadow towering over Mnie. The contrast between them was stark: he, tall and trembling with emotion; she, small but burning with righteous cruelty.

    ¡°So what if I did?¡± she snapped, lifting her chin in open challenge. ¡°What are you going to do? Hit me?¡± Her voice was steeped in mockery, daring him to cross a line she knew he wouldn¡¯t. She grabbed another book from his desk. This time, she didn¡¯t drop it.

    She opened it deliberately, her fingers curling around the page. With a vicious rip, the paper split in two. And she kept tearing. Page after page, as if shredding the very future he hoped for.

    ¡°You¡¯re not worthy of reading this. People like you belong in the gutter. You¡¯re not even fit to serve us, let alone study beside us!¡±

    Several girls ¡ª loyal shadows who orbited Mnie in hopes of approval ¡ª jumped at the opportunity. They darted forward like scavengers to carrion, grabbing Ethan¡¯s books and tearing them with zeal.

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 Chapter 336

    ?Chapter 336:

    In moments, the floor was buried in a snowfall of torn pages ¡ª memories, dreams, words ¡ª all reduced to waste.

    Ethan¡¯s mind rang with Maia¡¯s voice. ¡°I¡¯m always here for you. If anything ever feels too much, don¡¯t hesitate to call me.¡±

    But this was his first day. How could he already bring her trouble?

    ¡°Stop! Stop it!¡± The words burst out of him atst. His voice cracked under the weight of desperation. He lunged for his books, arms outstretched, but the students yed keep-away, tossing them like toys.

    One student caught a book and sneered, ripping it with a smug grin.

    ¡°Come on,e get it!¡±

    The bell rang ¡ª like a gavel dropping to end the madness.

    Only then did the crowd disperse, slipping back to their seats, faces painted with feigned innocence.

    The teacher entered, pausing as he took in the chaos. Torn pages littered the floor like autumn leaves after a storm. His eyes darkened. He bent to pick up the pieces, then stood and scanned the room with a steely gaze.

    ¡°Who did this? Tearing books? If you¡¯re not here to learn, you¡¯re free to leave!¡±

    Without missing a beat, Mnie pointed at Ethan. Her voice was icy and certain. ¡°It was him. He did it.¡±

    ¡°Yeah! He¡¯s the one!¡± another chimed in eagerly. ¡°We can all confirm.¡±

    Like a flood bursting through a dam, lies poured in from every direction.

    ¡°He just went wild ¡ª ripped the books up himself!¡±

    ¡°Someone like him shouldn¡¯t be in our ss, anyway.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not even learning. Just distracting the rest of us. Please get rid of him!¡±

    Ethan¡¯s eyes burned. His throat tightened, and he barely managed to whisper, ¡°No¡­ it wasn¡¯t me¡­¡±

    But how could he prove it? His words were outnumbered and overpowered.

    The teacher, looking at Ethan ¡ª the unfamiliar face at the heart of a ssroom storm ¡ª felt frustration surge in his chest. He scowled.

    ¡°You¡¯re disrupting the ss. Out. Stand in the hallway until further notice.¡±

    A lump formed in Ethan¡¯s throat. His vision blurred as he rose slowly, head bowed, and stepped out of the room in silence.

    Mnie, triumphant, whipped out her phone and snapped a few photos of his back as he left. She sent them to Mariana.

    ¡°Mariana, look! He looks so pathetic!¡±

    Mariana, while hardly shocked ¡ª she knew that Mnie wouldn¡¯t tolerate a slum-born ssmate ¡ª hadn¡¯t expected her to drive him out this quickly. Still, it suited her just fine.

    She replied, ¡°Just don¡¯t let your father find out.¡±

    ¡°Oh, rx! Why bring him up now? What¡¯s he going to do ¡ª bite my head off?¡± Mnie typed back with a shrug.

    Though the name Hurst made her heart skip a beat, Mnie brushed it off with the arrogance of someone who believed that she could get away with anything.

    After all, why would a man like Hurst waste even a passing thought on someone from the slums?

    Sunlight streamed through the branches, casting patchy shadows on the ground. As the light moved, the air grew warmer.

    Ethan had been standing outside the ssroom for half an hour as punishment. Sweat began to form on his forehead, slowly dripping down.

    He couldn¡¯t figure out why the teacher trusted the other students without checking the facts. What puzzled him more was the cold reception from his peers. He had just arrived, yet it felt like they all already had something against him.

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 Chapter 337

    ?Chapter 337:

    Ethan¡¯s experience at Wront University was nothing like he had pictured. This wasn¡¯t the kind of school he had imagined!

    At that moment, he heard a voice nearby. ¡°Hmm?¡±

    Ethan nced over and spotted a girl strolling down the stairs. She was in uniform, though the bottom of her shirt was tucked into her waistband, and a lollipop hung from her mouth. Her hands were buried in her pockets, and her stance screamed boredom.

    Two other girls with dyed hair trailed behind her, obviously herckeys.

    The girl looked at Ethan, intrigued. She pulled the lollipop from her mouth and teased, ¡°Wow, what¡¯s the asion today? I can¡¯t believe someone¡¯s being punished to stand outside ss One! That¡¯s a first!¡±

    She slipped the lollipop back in, raising an eyebrow at her friends. ¡°Who¡¯s this guy?¡±

    The three young women were from ss Three. While they ranked at the bottom academically, they were experts at gathering gossip. One of them quickly spoke up. ¡°I heard he¡¯s a new transfer. He got put in ss One.¡±

    The second one added, ¡°I¡¯ve heard he caught Mnie¡¯s eye on his first day. Now everyone¡¯s shutting him out. And they say he¡¯s from the slums.¡±

    ¡°Slums?¡± The young woman smirked, immediately putting the pieces together. Twirling her lollipop, she said, ¡°Well, that exins everything. This guy clearly doesn¡¯t know his ce. A slum kid in ss One? He¡¯s basically asking for trouble.¡± Her twockeys quickly jumped on board.

    ¡°Exactly! I¡¯m sure he won¡¯tst a week!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll bet ¡ª he won¡¯t even make it two days before he quits.¡±

    ???????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í????????©q??????

    The young woman grinned around her lollipop, her eyes gleaming with mischief. ¡°Five hundred bucks says he doesn¡¯tst half a day.¡± With that, she flicked her hair and strolled off without a care.

    Her followers hurried after her, whispering between themselves.

    ¡°Marisa, you really think he won¡¯t make it? He¡¯s a guy. He can¡¯t be that delicate, right?¡±

    ¡°Damn, I feel like I¡¯m about to lose another five hundred to you. Can I back out of the bet?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± the girl snapped, her voice icy.

    She bit down on her lollipop, crushing it, and pulled out her phone to make a call.

    ¡°Hey, Maxwell, I need you to send me some cash.¡±

    On the other end, Maxwell paused before responding, ¡°Marisa! Didn¡¯t I just give you money yesterday? How are you already out? Do you think money grows on trees?¡± Marisa didn¡¯t bother listening.

    She ended the call before Maxwell could finish his words.

    A few secondster, her phone vibrated with a new alert.

    She got ten thousand dors from her brother Maxwell.

    ¡°How cheap,¡± Marisa Payne grumbled, her lip curling in disdain. Nevertheless, she decided that a little was better than none.

    The sound of the bell marked the end of the lesson.

    The teacher stepped out, and Ethan¡¯s time in trouble came to an end.

    He walked back in and was just about to take his seat.

    Without warning, he fell hard to the floor.

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 Chapter 338

    ?Chapter 338:

    Someone had yanked his chair away as he was sitting down. Mnie was standing nearby, a smug grin on her face as she watched him struggle.

    Laughter broke out across the room.

    A group of boys quickly gathered around Ethan, mocking him as they tossed his books and bag onto the floor.

    ¡°Who gave you permission to sit here? You really think you¡¯re good enough for ss One? Get out!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that stink? Oh, I get it ¡ª it¡¯s the smell of being broke.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with the staring? Want a lesson in manners? Grab your stuff and get lost!¡±

    One of them stomped on Ethan¡¯s backpack, the one Maia had bought for him. ¡°This is a knockoff, right? You from the slums using this brand? You must¡¯ve gotten a fake. Not that it matters ¡ª you shouldn¡¯t be showing this off and making a fool of yourself.¡± Ethan¡¯s beloved backpacky ruined, trampled underfoot.

    He couldn¡¯t take it any longer. Standing up, he shoved the young man aside and grabbed his backpack, carefully wiping off the shoe prints.

    ¡°Oh, so he thinks he can fight back!¡± The young man stumbled but quickly steadied himself, shouting angrily, ¡°Everyone saw that, right? This guy just pushed me!¡±

    The rest of the students quickly jumped in, ¡°Yeah, we saw it! Ethan pushed you!¡±

    Mnie, lounging by the window with her legs crossed, raised an eyebrow at the scene. A sly smile yed on her lips as she looked over at Ethan.

    One of the students quickly realized what was happening and yelled, ¡°Hurry, go tell Ms. Harvey!¡±

    Ten minutester, Loraine showed up.

    Had Ethan already shed with the other students on his first day? How could this happen in ss One?

    Step into fiction with g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s???o??

    At the same time, Maia was in a meeting at MCN, going over next season¡¯s clothing designs with the team. Her first move to bring down the Cooper Group was to go after their fashion brand, Aurora Apparel Company.

    Out of nowhere, her phone buzzed.

    She looked at the number, her brow furrowing slightly.

    ¡°Keep fine-tuning the details,¡± she said, walking out of the conference room to take the call. ¡°Hello? Who¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°Miss Watson, this is Loraine, the ss One teacher. Ethan got into a fight with his ssmates and ended up using violence. Could youe to the school right away?¡±

    Maia froze, wondering if she had misheard. No. There was no mistake. The words rang too clear, too sharp to ignore.

    Without a second thought, she shoved aside what she had been working on and bolted toward the school. Twenty minutester, she arrived.

    The teacher¡¯s office smelled faintly of chalk dust and old paper. Maia stepped through the door, her eyes immediately finding her younger brother, Ethan, standing stiffly by the window.

    He looked heart-wrenchingly small, his head bowed, the rims of his eyes raw and red. Silent, brittle, and cornered. A pulse of protectiveness surged through her.

    A few students huddled nearby, throwing cautious nces her way. Some of them frowned, squinting as if trying to ce her face. Although Maia had been a trending topic online several times before, the inte¡¯s attention span was fleeting. Once the buzz died down, few people would remember or bring it up again. Attention shifted like the wind, and the Ward family¡¯s PR team had been quick to bury every trace of the engagement party scandal.

    Maia crossed the room in a few quick strides.

    Before she could open her mouth, a sharp voice cut through the air. ¡°Ms. Watson,¡± said the homeroom teacher, Loraine, her tone frosty, ¡°I will be blunt. Your brother stirred up trouble with his ssmates on his very first day. He even resorted to violence. Our ss can¡¯t ept a student like that.¡±

    The words were not merely an usation ¡ª they were a thinly veiled ultimatum.

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 Chapter 339

    ?Chapter 339:

    Maia turned slowly to face the teacher, studying her with an unreadable expression. She did not believe a word of it. Not for a second.

    Ethan was many things, but he was never cruel, never the kind of boy who would throw the first punch.

    Before Maia could respond, Loraine continued, ¡°Our ss is full of outstanding students. Given your brother¡¯s behavior, I suggest moving him to ss Two, which is more suitable for someone like him. I mean, the family background and academic record of the students there are simr to Ethan¡¯s, so maybe they have something inmon to talk about and can get along well.¡±

    The meaning behind her words could not have been clearer. ss Two was a polite way of saying second-rate.

    The best teachers, the rare resources, the prestigious connections ¡ª those belonged to ss One. ss Two students were left to fend for themselves, with little more than the scraps.

    Maia¡¯s smile barely touched her lips. ¡°Ms. Harvey,¡± she said coolly, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in knowing the difference between ss One and ss Two, because I won¡¯t let you shift Ethan to another ss. First, please tell me ¡ª are you absolutely certain Ethan started the fight?¡±

    ¡°Of course I am! The other students witnessed everything,¡± Loraine snapped. ¡°And Ethan confessed!¡±

    Maia barely acknowledged her. Instead, she walked to the window, standing in front of Ethan and tilting her head to meet his downcast eyes.

    ¡°Ethan,¡± she said softly, ¡°tell me what happened. Was it really like they say?¡±

    The boy¡¯s lower lip quivered. His hands twisted the hem of his shirt, fingers white at the knuckles.

    ¡°Do you believe me, Maia?¡± he whispered hoarsely, so low that she barely heard.

    Her chest ached at the sight of him. She reached up, smoothing his messy hair with a tenderness that seemed to steady him a little.

    ¡°I will always believe you,¡± she said. No hesitation. No conditions.

    Ethan¡¯s shoulders trembled. Tears welled again, clinging stubbornly to hisshes. Bit by bit, he stammered out the pieces of the story, the words clumsy and broken from shame and fear.

    As Maia listened, a storm brewed inside her. Her hand, resting lightly on his back, clenched into a fist. Fury uncoiled in her chest, cold and sharp, until it carved a scowl onto her face.

    Before she could speak, Loraine barged back in, her voice dripping with irritation. ¡°Ms. Watson, it is hardly fair to listen to only one side. The other students have already written statements. They all confirm Ethan lost his temper, pushed his ssmates, and struck them without cause! As a family member, you should exercise better judgment and avoid tant favoritism.¡±

    Loraine¡¯s gaze darted toward the cluster of students, a silent cue. Like marites on strings, they rushed to echo her usations.

    ¡°Yeah! We all saw it happen!¡±

    ¡°He just could not fit in, and now he is trying to me us. It is disgusting!¡±

    ¡°First, he got scolded for not paying attention. Then he tripped over his own feet andshed out at us. And now he wants to y the victim? Pathetic.¡±

    One by one, the students twisted Ethan¡¯s words, each ount painting him as the aggressor, as if rehearsed.

    Maia¡¯s cold gaze swept across the room, lingering briefly on each face before returning to Loraine. Her eyes drifted deliberately toward the openptop resting on the desk, and she spoke with quiet certainty. ¡°Since you im that one-sided ounts are unreliable, then surely these students¡¯ words alone cannot be taken as gospel either. Hearing is one thing, but seeing ¡ª seeing is believing.¡±

    Without rush, she crossed the room, her steps measured, her cool gaze fixed on Loraine. Stopping by the desk, Maia asked, her voice as calm as still water, ¡°May I borrow theptop for a moment?¡±

    Loraine stiffened, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face. ¡°What do you need theptop for?¡± she asked, her tone tight.

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 Chapter 340

    ?Chapter 340:

    A faint smile tugged at the corners of Maia¡¯s lips. ¡°To uncover the truth, of course,¡± she replied, her voice smooth, yet with an edge beneath. ¡°Or, Ms. Harvey, are you protecting these students and afraid of what I might find?¡±

    For a moment, Loraine¡¯s face soured, an ugly twist settling in her features. She furrowed her brows and wrestled with her irritation. Inside, a cynical thought coiled through her mind. There was nothing on thatptop. Even if she let this woman use it, what could be found? With so many students backing the same story, this matter was already sealed. Nothing could overturn it!

    With a stiff hand, Loraine nudged theptop forward, her voice steeped in condescension. ¡°You may use it, Ms. Watson. However, do not waste everyone¡¯s time. If you insist on defending your brother without evidence, I will have no choice but to escte this to the principal. And then, whether Ethan remains in this ss will be¡­ uncertain.¡±

    Hardly had she finished speaking when the surrounding students broke intoint.

    ¡°Exactly, Ms. Harvey! We still have ss to attend! Who is going to make up for this wasted time?¡±

    ¡°What is her problem anyway? She is just dragging this out to stall for her brother.¡±

    ¡°Come on, it¡¯s obvious Ethan is guilty. Why are we even entertaining this? She is just trying to waste our time. Aren¡¯t our testimonies enough evidence?¡±

    The chorus of grumbles thickened, buzzing like mosquitoes, but Maia stood untouched. Her focus remained unshaken, fingers flying over the keyboard with the precision of a dancer.

    In a few swift strokes, she pressed the Enter key with a final, decisive tap. Then she said in an even voice, ¡°Alright. Let us take a look at this.¡±

    A ripple of annoyance passed through the students.

    Stay tuned galnov??????.co??

    ¡°What now?¡±

    ¡°She is so irritating.¡±

    Yet in the next heartbeat, their faces drained of color.

    A video shed to life on theptop screen, crisp and unmistakably clear. It captured the events of the morning ¡ª the exact moment the homeroom teacher, Loraine, had stepped out of the ssroom. The camera angle was impable, cutting no corners. Every smirk, every jeer, every malicious nce ¡ª captured down to the second. There it was, undeniable: Ethan, sitting quietly at his desk, enduring the sneers and jabs of his ssmates.

    The bullies¡¯ faces twisted into ugly masks ¡ª mocking, disdainful, venomous, and triumphant.

    They did not look like students; they looked like predators circling prey. As the video showed Ethan enduring the bullying in silence, only for it to escte further, Maia¡¯s expression grew colder and colder.

    The office plunged into an eerie silence, heavy and immediate.

    Several teachers, who had been quietly preparing their lessons moments ago, abandoned their work and gathered around, drawn by sheer curiosity. These were not ordinary educators ¡ª they were distinguished professionals, handpicked to instruct the elite students of ss One. Yet now, as they watched the footage shing across therge screen, their faces darkened, disbelief etched deeply into their expressions.

    ¡°These are supposed to be the top students of ss One?¡± one of them muttered under his breath.

    ¡°In any other school, this would have legal consequences,¡± another said grimly.

    ¡°Bullying in broad daylight ¡ª these students arepletely out of control,¡± a third added, shaking his head in disgust.

    Across the room, Loraine stood frozen, her face drained of color. It felt as if someone had pped her, the sting burning hot across her cheeks. The students who had been lingering nearby gaped at the footage, panic flickering in their eyes. Where had this videoe from? How had Maia gotten her hands on it? She had not even stepped foot into the school¡¯s surveince room!

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 Chapter 341

    ?Chapter 341:

    Seated calmly in her chair, Maia crossed her legs leisurely, her expression as still as a quietke. She swept a cool, assessing gaze over the cluster of students who had earlier tried so desperately to twist the truth. Finally, her eyes locked onto Loraine.

    ¡°Ms. Harvey,¡± Maia said, her voice low and cutting, ¡°you have seen the footage. You know exactly what happened, do you not?¡±

    Loraine¡¯s throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. In all her years of presiding over ss One, never had she tasted such public humiliation. Her pride twisted painfully inside her chest. She could not ¡ª would not admit to her failures, especially in front of so many professionals.

    Clenching her fists at her sides, she forced out a shaky defense. ¡°Even¡­ even if Ethan was being bullied,¡± she stammered, ¡°he should havee to a teacher for help.¡±

    Feigning a shred of authority she no longer possessed, she met Maia¡¯s unblinking stare. ¡°Regardless of the others¡¯ behavior, Ethan pushing someone first is also a problem! Both sides are at fault. As his guardian, you should have taught him¡ª¡±

    ¡°Better. Now that everything is clear, there is no need to escte this further.¡± Both sides were at fault?

    A bitterugh slipped past Maia¡¯s lips, cold enough to cut ss. The audacity of it ¡ª the sheer nerve. How could Wront University entrust a homeroom ss to someone like this?

    Her brother hadn¡¯t done anything wrong and was targeted simply because he was amoner. At first, he chose to endure it, but these students pushed their luck. Ethan only fought back when he could no longer take it. And here Loraine was, trying to sweep it under the rug with a single breath?

    Not a chance.

    Maia straightened in her seat, her eyes gleaming with quiet fury. ¡°My brother defended himself. He was protecting his dignity ¡ª nothing more, nothing less.¡±

    ?????? ???????? ????????????????: g??????¦Í?????????????

    Her voice rose, sharp andmanding, slicing through the air. Her gaze swept across the office like a de, daring anyone to challenge her. ¡°Tell me,¡± she said, each word loaded with disdain, ¡°is it so difficult to recognize right from wrong? Or have you all decided that ming the victim is easier?¡±

    Loraine shrank beneath Maia¡¯s re, her shoulders curling inward. The students standing nearby shifted ufortably, their heads bowed in silent shame.

    A beat of silence stretched across the room before the other teachers, their faces taut with guilt, began to murmur in agreement.

    ¡°I see no fault in Ethan¡¯s actions,¡± one teacher said firmly. ¡°The students who bullied him should be the ones answering for this.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! He was only trying to protect his backpack. How does that escte to him being used of violence? And why is the homeroom teacher glossing over the other students¡¯ far worse behavior?¡±

    ¡°Such disgraceful behavior in ss One? This is a matter for disciplinary action, no question about it.¡±

    Maia shifted her piercing gaze back to Loraine, her voice steady as a hammer striking steel. ¡°Not one of the students who bullied Ethan will walk away without consequences. If this is not handled properly, I will ensure that it is.¡±

    Cold sweat trickled down Loraine¡¯s forehead. She opened her mouth, desperate for a retort, but no words came ¡ª only a brittle silence. Maia had thrown a heavy usation at her, even dragging the other professors into the matter.

    At that moment, they red at Loraine with dissatisfaction. Some even pointed fingers at her and madements directly.

    It was the first time Loraine had been cornered so thoroughly. Her jaw clenched tight as she narrowed her eyes at Maia, her voice dropping to a low hiss. ¡°What do you want, then?¡±

    Maia, unfazed, crossed her arms with slow deliberation and leaned back into her chair. An air of quiet authority clung to her like a second skin.

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 Chapter 342

    ?Chapter 342:

    Her gaze swept coolly across the gathered students, each one shrinking beneath the weight of her stare. Her tone remained calm, yet there was an edge of steel beneath it. ¡°Since they are still students and cannot be held legally ountable, summon their parents to the school. Let us see how they intend to take responsibility. And if they refuse toe?¡± A faint smile touched the corner of her mouth. ¡°Then they can expect a legal notice.¡±

    Having said her piece, Maia reclined further, the picture of patience, but every line of her body radiated unwavering resolve.

    Across the room, the students nched. Their fragile masks ofposure cracked, panic leaking through in their darting eyes and trembling hands.

    Loraine¡¯s expression froze for a heartbeat. Then, deep in her chest, a cold sneer unfurled like a viper stirring from its coil.

    ¡°Summon their parents?¡±

    She nearlyughed aloud at the thought. Did Maia even realize whose children she was threatening? These were not ordinary students ¡ª they were the privileged offspring of Wront¡¯s most influential families, people who had built their lives around power ys and untouchable reputations. Provoking them could spell disaster. If this spiraled out of control, Ethan would not merely be expelled from ss One ¡ª he could be thrown out of the university altogether.

    The idea simmered deliciously in Loraine¡¯s mind. Watching Maia walk straight into her own ruin would be a satisfaction she would savor.

    stering a mask of reluctantpliance over her glee, Loraine nodded with professional grace. ¡°Miss Watson, since you insist, I will follow the proper procedures and notify the parents. I will ask them toe to the school as soon as possible.¡±

    Meanwhile, on the far side of the city, Hurst had just returned from his trip abroad. Stepping off the ne, he loosened the knot of his tie and drew his phone from his jacket pocket, dialing his daughter Mnie¡¯s number without hesitation.

    His mood was buoyant. Thanks to Maia¡¯s help, he had managed to purchase several fine wines at an enviable price.

    1@?€$? ¡é#4??€?$ 1? g??novels.c?m

    The call connected after two rings, and Mnie¡¯s bright voice crackled through the line. ¡°Dad! How was your flight?¡±

    Hurst smiled. ¡°Smooth. I justnded,¡± he said warmly. ¡°How have you been these past few days? Are you keeping up with your sses? Getting along well with everyone?¡±

    ¡°I have! I¡¯ve been doing really well,¡± Mnie said, her face lighting up with a smile. ¡°You¡¯ve always told me to pay attention in ss, so how could I possibly ignore that?¡±

    ¡°Good girl,¡± Hurst replied, hearing the sweetness in her voice, and he felt himself finally ease up. ¡°Make sure you¡¯re well-behaved at school. Once I¡¯m done with work, I¡¯lle grab you, and we¡¯ll treat ourselves to a nice, fancy dinner!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything¡¯s fine,¡± Mnie replied with a smile. ¡°Ms. Harvey even praised me for how much I¡¯ve improved. I¡¯m sure the exams will be a breeze.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s my clever girl!¡± Hurst beamed with pride, offering a few morepliments before ending the call.

    Meanwhile, his driver had been waiting outside for quite a while.

    As Hurst got into the car, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He quickly checked the caller ID. It was Loraine, Mnie¡¯s homeroom teacher.

    A small smile crept onto Hurst¡¯s face. It seemed his daughter was doing so well that her teacher was calling him personally to praise her. ¡°Hello, Ms. Harvey. How can I help you?¡± he asked with a polite tone. But the next moment, Hurst¡¯s expression changed. His smile vanished, and his forehead creased with concern.

    Loraine¡¯s voice came through, quiet but urgent. ¡°Mr. Cooper, could youe to the school right away?¡± Hurst¡¯s heart dropped.

    Loraine had never called him out of the blue like this. Why was she doing it now? Mnie had just reassured him that everything was fine. What could possibly be wrong?

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 Chapter 343

    ?Chapter 343:

    Though he felt uneasy, Hurst had always been careful when it came to his daughter. He didn¡¯t waste any time.

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be there soon,¡± he said.

    He ended the call, his fingers gripping the phone tighter.

    In the teacher¡¯s office, only a handful of parents had shown up. Most parents, hearing that the issue involved a child from the slums, simply shrugged it off. They made excuses about being swamped with work and didn¡¯t bother showing up.

    The few who did walk in oozed confidence, decked out in designer clothes from head to toe, looking down on everyone.

    ¡°My kid¡¯s always polite and well-mannered. There¡¯s no way they¡¯d start any trouble. It must¡¯ve been that young man, Ethan, right? He¡¯s the one who threw the first punch.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, this is nothing. Kids get into scraps all the time. You really want to blow this up? What, looking for hush money? I¡¯m busy, okay? Just tell me your price. I¡¯ll write you a check and be done with it.¡±

    ¡°Just spit it out. How much do you want?¡±

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t go running to the police over this. What, you think we¡¯re scared of that?¡±

    The group clucked like hens, pointing at Maia, smirking as if they owned the ce. They acted as if money and a few condescending words could solve any problem. Some even started taking jabs at Maia, sneering that her brother Ethan didn¡¯t belong in the elite ss. ¡°People like him only get in to cheat the decent ones out of their money.¡±

    Maia rubbed her temples, fed up with the noise.

    Without saying a word, Maia hit y on the surveince video. The screen flickered to life, clearly showing the footage to everyone in the room.

    Her voice was steady, but it held undeniable authority. ¡°I want them to publicly apologize to my brother, Ethan, in front of the whole school. They also need to swear this will never happen again. I¡¯m giving them a chance to make things right.¡±

    The parents paused, then erupted intoughter.

    ¡°Apologize to amoner? And in front of everyone at school, no less?! What aughable notion!¡±

    Seeing the mockery on their faces, Maia wasn¡¯t too surprised. Her lips twisted into a cold smile. ¡°If you refuse, I¡¯ll upload this video online. Let everyone see what Wront University¡¯s elite ss is really like.¡±

    Immediately, the parents¡¯ faces darkened. Did this woman have any idea who they were?

    Families like theirs always had skeletons in the closet, but bad news was easily buried with the right connections and a big payout. Deleting a post? Taking something off the trending list? It was all about money.

    One parent even chuckled and said, ¡°Go ahead, post it. For every video you upload, I¡¯ll have it taken down. Let¡¯s see who wins this race.¡±

    Another chimed in smugly, ¡°Seriously, you think you can cause a storm online? Don¡¯t be so foolish.¡±

    Maia¡¯s icyugh filled the room.

    She felt no need to move a muscle. If she wanted, her men could easily take down the entire tform¡¯s backend, ensuring that not a single video vanished, no matter how much money was thrown at it.

    She didn¡¯t argue with them over this; she simply lifted her cold eyes and looked at the smug parents. ¡°If you think your kids¡¯ reputations are worthless, go ahead and try me. But don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you. There¡¯s always an exception. Sometimes, being too confident in your connections might backfire.¡±

    The parents had brushed her off at first, but now a sense of difort began to settle in.

    How could she remain soposed? Did she possibly have some powerful support? Was that why she felt bold enough to speak up? The parents found themselves somewhat unsure.

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 Chapter 344

    ?Chapter 344:

    If no one powerful was backing her, then how on earth did Ethan, with no connections, manage to get into their ss?

    Atst, the room fell silent.

    The parents frowned, clearly starting to doubt their earlier thoughts.

    Disregarding their murmurs, Maia pointed at a young woman with a self-satisfied expression in the surveince footage. She turned to Loraine and inquired, ¡°Has her parent shown up yet?¡±

    The video made it clear that this young woman had been the main instigator behind the bullying of Ethan.

    However, the instant Maia began to speak, the parents surrounding her exchanged knowing nces, as if they were witnessing aplete novice heading for trouble.

    One parent couldn¡¯t hold back augh as he said, ¡°Do you even have a clue whose child you¡¯re up against? And you really think you can demand her parentse here?¡±

    Another chimed in sarcastically, ¡°If you manage to anger her family, you won¡¯t have a moment to regret it.¡±

    Loraine observed from the sidelines, feeling utterly delighted. She believed that Maia clearly had no inkling of the mess she was stepping into.

    The girl Maia had pointed out? She was the very daughter of Hurst, a figure in Wront that even the mightiest families avoided crossing unless they were asking for trouble.

    ¡°Just perfect. Let this woman realize how foolish she is! She needs to know her ce, and then, she and her brother could be kicked out of this ss,¡± Loraine sneered in her heart.

    ¡°Her father is already en route. He¡¯ll arrive shortly,¡± Loraine spoke with an air of confidence, as if already enjoying the spectacle.

    Loraine envisioned Maia, down on her knees, pleading and begging Hurst not to destroy her brother¡¯s chances at the school.

    ?????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????? ¡ª ????????????: ????????????????©q??????

    The parents in the room gasped sharply upon hearing Loraine¡¯s remarks. They certainly hadn¡¯t anticipated that Hurst himself would make an appearance. He was a man whose time was incredibly valuable, someone they usually saw only from a distance.

    With Hurst now in the picture, their contempt was out in the open. Any connections Maia believed she had were worthless next to him. They felt that once Hurst showed up, Maia was finished for sure.

    ¡°Let me shed some light on this for you.¡± One of the parents crossed her arms, ring down at Maia with utter contempt. ¡°Mnie¡¯s father is Hurst Cooper, the leader of the Cooper family¡¯s division. Do you even grasp what that implies? His sway around here is second only to Kolton¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°Every single minute of his time is incredibly valuable. You¡¯ll neverprehend that!¡±

    ¡°Exactly. If you waste even a moment of his time today, don¡¯t be shocked if you find yourself facing awsuit for damages. You¡¯ll have to pay it all out of your own pocket.¡±

    They all anticipated that Maia would finally crack, turning pale and losing herposure. But Maia merely raised her chin a notch, her face disying calmness, almost a hint of amusement. She arched an eyebrow, her gaze icy and unwavering.

    So the mastermind behind Ethan¡¯s bullying turned out to be Hurst¡¯s precious daughter.

    The circle of parents, mistaking Maia¡¯s silence for fear, grew bolder in their jeers, their words dripping with disdain like venom from a snake¡¯s fangs.

    ¡°So, now you see the ho¡¯s nest you¡¯ve kicked, don¡¯t you? Frightened, are we?¡±

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 Chapter 345

    ?Chapter 345:

    ¡°When he shows up, you¡¯d better bow your head, confess your fault, and kneel if you must. Perhaps then Mr. Cooper might toss you a lifeline.¡±

    ¡°My advice? Spare yourself the embarrassment ¡ª pull your brother out of ss One before things get ugly!¡±

    ¡°Exactly! People like you, born without a silver spoon, trying to crash through the gates of high society ¡ª you¡¯re just setting yourself up for a fall!¡±

    ¡°Do you actually believe enrolling your brother in ss One puts him on par with our children? As if rubbing shoulders with the elite will magically make you one of them? Such pipe dreams ¡ª time to snap out of it!¡±

    Maia¡¯s thoughts simmered beneath the surface. Arrogant to the core, she mused. Most of these parents were merely coasting on ancestral wealth, their elegance as superficial as paint on rotting wood. Behind their luxurious and expensive clothing, there was an unbearably dirty soul.

    She saw no point in trading words with peacocks so proud of their borrowed feathers. With quiet resolve, she swept her bangs aside, reclined in her chair, and closed her eyes slightly ¡ª her posture calm, almost regal. To her, this gathering of overzealous parents resembled nothing more than a circus of squawking jesters. Herposed detachment only poured oil on the fire.

    ¡°She¡¯s quite the actress, isn¡¯t she?¡±

    ¡°Let her keep pretending. I¡¯m curious to see how long she can hold that mask.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s probably paralyzed with fear, just faking calm!¡±

    Meanwhile, outside the school gates, a stir swept through the crowd like a gust of wind before a storm. A procession of sleek, jet-ck Maybachs glided to a halt, their polished surfaces shing in the sunlight like drawn swords. Every eye turned as if maized.

    No sooner had the cars stopped than bodyguards sprang into motion, swinging open doors with precision and urgency. Murmurs spread among the students like wildfire.

    ¡°Wow! Who¡¯s that? So impressive!¡±

    ???????????????????? ?????????????????? ???? g??????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°How many bodyguards does one person need?¡±

    ¡°Wait, isn¡¯t that Mnie¡¯s dad?¡±

    ¡°Seriously? What¡¯s going on? What¡¯s so serious that Mr. Cooper himself came down to the school?¡±

    Inside the ssroom of ss One, Mnie was nestledfortably among her clique, chatting idly. Suddenly, the door burst open with urgency.

    ¡°Mnie! Mnie! Your dad¡¯s here!¡±

    She froze. What? Wasn¡¯t he supposed to bending just now? Her heart skipped a beat. Why would he be here?

    ¡°Really?¡± she asked, hesitant. ¡°How do you know?¡±

    Several students stood straight, confirming in excited whispers. ¡°It¡¯s true! He just arrived ¡ª rolled up in luxury cars with a full security team!¡±

    ¡°I heard it¡¯s because the sister of the new guy, Ethan, stirred up trouble and called in the parents!¡±

    ¡°Your dad must be here to protect you! Who does that woman think she is, challenging the Cooper family? That¡¯s just wishful thinking!¡±

    Mnie¡¯s face drained of color. This was bad. She had just fed Hurst a lie ¡ª that all was calm and she had kept her nose clean. And now he was here? If he discovered that she had been the instigator, she¡¯d be in for more than a stern word. She had to get ahead of this mess ¡ª fast.

    In the schoolyard, Hurst was just preparing to head upstairs when Mnie dashed toward him like a leaf caught in a gale.

    ¡°Dad!¡± she called sweetly, her voice trembling with well-rehearsed sorrow. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to trouble you, but I didn¡¯t expect the teacher to involve you.¡±

    Hurst¡¯s brow furrowed immediately. ¡°What happened?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 346

    ?Chapter 346:

    ¡°I was bullied today¡­¡± Mnie¡¯s voice wavered like a candle in the wind, her eyes glistening with feigned tears.

    Hurst¡¯s expression turned cold as iron. Someone daredy a hand on his daughter? Whoever it was had just signed their own trouble.

    ¡°Who?¡± His voice was sharp and loaded.

    ¡°A new transfer student¡­ Ethan Watson,¡± she replied, her voice barely a whisper.

    Right on cue, one of her cronies jumped in. ¡°That¡¯s right, Mr. Cooper! That kid harassed Mnie first¡ªthen flipped the script and tattled to the teacher! Please, you must stand up for her!¡±

    ¡°Exactly! Mnie was kind, ready to let things slide, but then Ethan¡¯s sister stormed the school and raised a ruckus! She wouldn¡¯t back off!¡±

    Hurst¡¯s gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing like storm clouds gathering before a downpour. Someone had the gall to bully his daughter¡ªand worse, make her bite her tongue in silence? That was unheard of.

    When had Mnie ever endured such disgrace?

    His blood boiled.

    Yes, he was well aware that Mnie carried a me in her¡ªspirited, impulsive, often too quick to spark. He¡¯d lectured her more than once about the virtues of humility and restraint.

    But that didn¡¯t mean he would stand by while someone else trampled on her dignity. If she had truly been wronged, he wouldn¡¯t just sit on his hands.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said, his voice like flint. ¡°Take me to Ms. Harvey.¡±

    He intended to see for himself who in Wront had the spine to go toe-to-toe with the Cooper family.

    Every story starts at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s,

    Down the corridor, Marisa Payne leanedzily against the window frame, a lollipop tucked between her lips, hands buried in her pockets like she hadn¡¯t a care in the world.

    As Mnie spun her tale like a master weaver twisting lies intoce before Hurst¡¯s eyes, Marisa gave a wry smirk. ¡°Tsk,¡± she muttered. ¡°This is about to get good.¡±

    Meanwhile, in the teacher¡¯s office, the tension clung to the air like fog. The crowd continued flinging usations at Maia, their voices sharp, their fingers pointed like daggers.

    With a loud bang, the door suddenly swung open, and amanding male voice filled the room, making the air tense.

    ¡°Who dares to bully my daughter?¡±

    The room snapped into silence like a me snuffed out. Whispers died on the students¡¯ lips, smug parents stiffened mid-sneer, and Loraine, the indifferent homeroom teacher, snapped her gaze toward the doorway.

    Framed in the entrance stood a tall, middle-aged man in a charcoal-gray suit, hismanding presence pressing down on the room. The sharp angles of his face and the authority in his furrowed brows made it impossible to look away.

    It was Hurst, Mnie¡¯s father ¡ª an elite member of the Cooper family and one of the most formidable figures in both Wront¡¯s political and business scenes.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper is here!¡±

    ¡°This is about to get interesting. Let¡¯s see how that woman talks her way out of this.¡±

    ¡°She probably has no clue what kind of trouble she¡¯s in now!¡± Several parents scrambled forward, faces stretched into eager smiles, desperate to curry favor. They jabbed their fingers toward the woman seated with her back to the door and cried, ¡°Mr. Cooper! It¡¯s her!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, her brother caused chaos on his very first day here, and now she¡¯s insisting our kids apologize to him. You have to set things straight for us!¡±

    Ethan, standing behind Maia, shrank back at the sight of Hurst nked by a squad of bodyguards. Without thinking, he edged closer to Maia, his hand clenching the armrest of her chair.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 347

    ?Chapter 347:

    Maia patted his hand softly, a silent promise of protection, before calmly swiveling her chair to face the doorway. Her hands rested lightly on her knees, her cool gaze sweeping toward the entrance.

    Hurst, catching a glimpse of her silhouette, felt a jolt of recognition. But when Maia turned fully to face him, his mind nked.

    For a split second, his face locked in a rigid expression, and the frigid air around him seemed to melt. Under his breath, he muttered in disbelief, ¡°Ms. Watson?¡±

    Mnie, oblivious to the change in her father¡¯s demeanor, stormed forward, jabbing a finger at Maia as she shouted, ¡°Dad, it¡¯s her! Her brother, Ethan, bullied me! They¡¯re nobodies from the slums! I have no idea what strings they pulled to¡ª¡±

    ¡°Sneak Ethan into our ss! You have to help me show them they don¡¯t belong here!¡±

    The room erupted in outrage the moment her wordsnded. They had initially assumed that Ethan was from an ordinary family, but they never expected him to be actually a lowly person from the slums. That was an offense they couldn¡¯t ept.

    ¡°A slum kid in the special ss? Is this a joke?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, we can¡¯t let our kids share the same ss with such a guy.¡±

    ¡°And she wants us to apologize? She should realize both her brother and she don¡¯t even deserve to be here!¡±

    ¡°We need to bring this straight to the principal! If that young man isn¡¯t expelled, we¡¯re not letting this go!¡±

    Loraine, the homeroom teacher, felt just as blindsided. She had spotted Ethan stepping out of a Maserati that morning and naturally assumed that he came from money ¡ª but slums?

    Looking at Maia, she immediately assumed that the woman must havetched onto some rich man as a mistress to afford such luxury. Clearly, she had manipted her way in, fooling even the principal into epting Ethan into the special ss.

    If the principal discovered the truth, Ethan would definitely be removed from ss One ¡ª and possibly expelled. The thought twisted Loraine¡¯s face into a sneer as she stared down her nose at Maia and Ethan.

    Her students were supposed to be the elite ¡ª the pride of the city! To be forced to teach someone from the slums was a p to her own reputation.

    But with Hurst now on the scene, she was sure Maia¡¯s bravado would copse. Trouble? Not a chance.

    Yet, just as the crowd sharpened their tongues against Maia and Ethan, Hurst roared, ¡°Shut up, all of you!¡± The outcry died at once.

    All eyes turned toward Hurst, stunned.

    Without a nce at the others, he strode to Maia, bowed slightly in respect, and offered her a warm smile. His voice was polite, even deferential, as he said, ¡°Miss Watson, I didn¡¯t realize your brother and my daughter were ssmates. Perhaps there¡¯s been some misunderstanding? Could you exin what happened?¡±

    A wave of confusion swept through the room, leaving everyone in a daze. What was happening? Hurst was being respectful toward Maia?

    Outside the window, Marisa snapped her lollipop in half with a sharp crunch and let out a low, amused sigh. ¡°Now, that¡¯s a plot twist.¡± She tilted her head, studying Maia carefully, her curiosity deepening. This wasn¡¯t an ordinary woman. Very few people could make Hurst lower his head.

    Mnie stood frozen, as if drenched in ice water, the chill jolting her out of her arrogance. She tugged at Hurst¡¯s sleeve, her face full of disbelief. ¡°Dad, what are you doing?¡±

    Hurst answered with a single icy re that instantly silenced her. Mnie shrank back, clenching her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

    Meanwhile, Maia offered Hurst a faint, almost mocking smile, her eyes sparkling with quiet amusement. ¡°Mr. Cooper, take a look at this. You¡¯ll understand everything.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 348

    ?Chapter 348:

    With a flick of her finger, theptop screen came alive, and a surveince video started to y. The footage captured everything: Ethan¡¯s books being snatched and torn by Mnie, his humiliation escting until he was mmed to the floor, his bag and books scattered while several young men pushed and taunted him. Mnie sat above it all, a smug smile ying across her face, unbothered and triumphant.

    Not only that, she actively encouraged the others, her arrogance on full disy.

    As each second passed, Hurst¡¯s face darkened further.

    Mnie¡¯s heart seized with panic when she realized Maia actually had proof. But she forced herself to stay calm. So what if the footage showed her bullying Ethan?

    At worst, her father would scold her. He¡¯d never truly punish her over a nobody from the slums.

    If it got bad, she could just throw some money at Maia and Ethan. Wasn¡¯t that all people like them wanted anyway? What could they possibly do?

    However, to everyone¡¯s surprise, as the video ended, Hurst turned and, without warning, pped Mnie across the face.

    A sharp p rang out in the room, abrupt and unforgiving. Everyone, except for Maia, gasped in disbelief.

    Mnie was utterly taken aback, staring vacantly at her father.

    ¡°Apologize to Ms. Watson¡¯s brother!¡± Hurst¡¯s tone was icy, and every word sliced through the air.

    ¡°Dad¡­¡± Tears welled up in Mnie¡¯s eyes, and her face reddened immediately.

    Hurst, filled with rage, scolded her severely. ¡°Do you even understand what you¡¯ve done today? When did our family teach you to misuse power and pick on your ssmates? Not only did you bully someone, but you also twisted the truth and lied to me, pretending to be the victim. How could I have raised a daughter like you?¡±

    Mnie¡¯s tears flowed uncontrobly. Hurst had always treated her like a princess since she was a child. When had she ever experienced such shame? Her father had never yelled at her like this in front of so many people, let alone hit her. Why was this happening to her? Refusing to ept the reality, she yelled, ¡°Dad, they¡¯re just pathetic low-ss nobodies! Why should her brother even be considered for ss One? I only wanted to teach him a small lesson and show him where he stood! Did you really have to hit me for that?¡±

    ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???? g????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Low-ss nobodies? Ms. Watson is someone who has been a huge help to me! I¡¯ve always taught you that a person¡¯s worth lies in their character and skills, not their social standing. Ms. Watson¡¯s brother deserves to be in this ss, and that¡¯s all that counts! If you can¡¯t apologize today, then I can¡¯t consider you my daughter anymore!¡± Hurst was absolutely furious. He never thought his daughter would not only lie so easily but also behave like a bully at school.

    In that moment, he felt overwhelmed by helplessness and guilt. How had he raised her to be so arrogant and domineering? And to target Maia¡¯s brother of all people ¡ª wasn¡¯t that the ultimate betrayal of decency? Even striking Mnie felt like too light a punishment!

    The phrase ¡°someone who has been a huge help to me¡± struck like a thunderp, shocking everyone to their core. The crowd buzzed with whispers once more. Maia was Hurst¡¯s benefactor? Had they really just insulted her like that? Would Maia hold it against them? If they made her angry, they would be in big trouble!

    The parents¡¯ faces turned pale, cold sweat dripping from their foreheads as they wished the floor would swallow them up.

    Even Loraine was fidgeting ufortably in her seat, her face drained of color. How had Ethan¡¯s sister be Hurst¡¯s benefactor? And now Hurst was even scolding Mnie!

    At that moment, Mnie shook uncontrobly, tears welling up in her eyes.

    Hurst inhaled deeply to steady himself and faced Maia, saying, ¡°Ms. Watson, my daughter is at fault here. Whatever solution you suggest, I will do my best to make it happen.¡±

    .

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    .

 Chapter 349

    ?Chapter 349:

    Hurst¡¯s respectful tone toward Maia caused the other parents to gasp in shock. He was allowing her to set the conditions ¡ª she must have an incredibly high standing in his eyes.

    The parents felt overwhelmed with regret. They shouldn¡¯t have been so disrespectful to Hurst¡¯s benefactor earlier. Now, they were consumed by regret, wishing they could rewind the clock.

    Maia rose slowly from her seat and spoke calmly. ¡°Mr. Cooper, it¡¯s quite straightforward. I want the students who picked on my brother to apologize to him publicly, in front of all the students and faculty, and swear never to repeat their actions. That shouldn¡¯t be too hard, right?¡±

    Hurst paused briefly, then quickly replied, ¡°Certainly, that seems just!¡±

    ¡°Dad!¡± Mnie was taken aback. Her father had given in so readily. Making a public apology before all the students and teachers to someone from the slums felt like a death sentence to her!

    For Hurst, though, Maia hade to his aid twice, and he had always appreciated it, hoping to return the favor one day. But before he could act, his daughter had openly bullied Maia¡¯s brother.

    It was his shorings as a father that had brought about this predicament, and he felt a deep sense of shame. Whatever Maia requested, he was willing to agree, as long as it was within his power. Yet, her demand was simply for the bullies to apologize openly for their behavior.

    Maia¡¯s kindness left him feeling both humbled and genuinely impressed.

    Hurst nced at Mnie, his face a mix of emotions, his tone heavy with regret. ¡°You made this mistake, and now you have to take responsibility. Follow Ms. Watson¡¯s advice ¡ª apologize publicly!¡±

    Hurst shot a stern look at the other parents and students, then added, ¡°And the rest of you, too!¡±

    The other parents felt his authority instantly. They hurried forward, bowing and shing uneasy smiles, eager to demonstrate their willingness toply. Their previous arrogance hadpletely vanished.

    ???????? ???????????????? ????????  g???????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Ms. Watson, we were foolish and careless before¡­ This was all my son¡¯s doing. We agree to have them apologize publicly to your brother!¡±

    ¡°Yes, yes, it was just a misunderstanding. We will apologize at once¡­¡±

    ¡°Ms. Watson, my son behaved badly. This is my fault as a parent. We will ept whatever punishment you think is appropriate without arguing.¡±

    Once they expressed their readiness to apologize, the parents started to consider how to actually do it in public. Would they need to assemble the whole school? That felt like a huge overkill.

    At that moment, Maia pulled out her phone, made a few swift motions, and began a live stream. Her tone was steady and clear as she spoke to the crowd.

    ¡°No need to worry. This live stream will go out to every ssroom and anyputer linked to the schoolwork. That way, everyone will see your apologies.¡±

    The parents shared wary looks. Was that really possible? Even Hurst showed a touch of skepticism.

    In an instant, all the screens in the teachers¡¯ lounge flickered on, and Maia¡¯s live stream popped up on every single one.

    Once again, the audience was left utterly stunned. Quiet murmurs spread as individuals pondered the ease with which Maia had flipped the script.

    Even Hurst¡¯s eyes narrowed, his pupils contracting in shock. Despite years of navigating the cutthroat world of business, he had never witnessed someone handle a crisis quite like this. Astonishment etched itself onto his features as he observed Maia. She appeared much more daunting than he had ever anticipated. What was the true identity of this remarkable woman?

    Then, the live stream initiated.

    Swiftly masking his astonishment, Hurst seized Mnie, positioning her squarely before the camera to deliver an apology to Ethan.

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 Chapter 350

    ?Chapter 350:

    ¡°Good evening to all,¡± Hurst began with polished ease. ¡°I am Hurst Cooper, father to Mnie Cooper. Today, she acted inappropriately, causing harm to Ethan Watson at Wront University. We are here to extend a heartfelt apology to Ethan and assure everyone that such incidents will not recur. We request your forgiveness and ask that you continue to watch over us. Thank you.¡±

    Concluding his address, Hurst gave Mnie a sharp look. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to hold back her emotions, managing to say, ¡°Ethan, I¡¯m sorry. I assure you, it will not happen again.¡±

    The school was buzzing with excitement and disbelief. As students congregated around the big screens in each ssroom, their eyes were glued to the unfolding scene. Mnie, of all people, was apologizing to amoner, and her father was right there with her. Was this some sort of bizarre twist in a plot?

    Following Hurst¡¯s lead in the apology, a flurry of parents rushed to ensure that they weren¡¯t outdone. One by one, they brought their children forward, making them apologize earnestly to Ethan and swearing that such errors would never be repeated.

    Those students without their parents present were so shaken that they hardly dared to move. With heads hung, they each took their turn to express their regret on camera.

    Behind Maia, Ethan was overwhelmed. Everything had shifted so rapidly that he hardly had time to adjust. He found Maia nothing short of astonishing. Ethan waspletely spellbound.

    As she witnessed the scene, Marisa erupted inughter, eager to ry theical turn of events to Maxwellter that evening. Her brother, always out of the loop, would relish this new piece of gossip, and she nned to encourage him to delve into this woman¡¯s past as well.

    Marisa was deeply intrigued. What kind of woman had the power tomand such respect from Hurst and instill fear in other affluent families?

    ¡°How fascinating,¡± she said.

    Your next favorite is on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s£®??o??

    Back in the office, after the series of apologies, Maia concluded the livestream.

    Loraine, who had been quite haughty just a short while ago, quickly changed her demeanor. She approached Maia with a ttering grin, bowing slightly as she said, ¡°Ms. Watson, with all the apologies made as you requested, perhaps we might now consider the incident resolved?¡±

    ¡°This matter isn¡¯t settled yet!¡± These words echoed through the office in a stern, authoritative tone. A distinguished older man, his grey hair perfectly groomed, entered the room.

    Gagher Richmond, the esteemed president of Wront University, had made an unexpected appearance.

    Upon noticing Gagher, Loraine immediately corrected her posture. Respectful looks from everyone else in the room followed. What could have brought the president to this ce?

    As Gagher surveyed the room with a piercing gaze, his voice, though soft,manded undeniable authority. ¡°The events of today have reached my ears, and I am nothing short of appalled. Coming from families of such high standing, how is it that you falter at the very basics of decency and respect?¡±

    His words bore such weight that several students bowed their heads in embarrassment, and the parents present silenced themselves, too intimidated to speak.

    With a dismissive scoff, Gagher pointed decisively at Ethan. ¡°Are there doubts about Ethan¡¯s ce in the elite program? Let me rify ¡ª he is here because I chose him personally!¡±

    Shock registered on Loraine¡¯s face. The president had never before personally selected a student. Throughout his tenure as president of the university, Gagher had never once personally chosen a student for admission.

    Gagher¡¯s stern tone did not waver. ¡°This young man deciphered a mathematical puzzle that stumped every other student in the elite program. Ethan is the most brilliant math talent I have evere across. It was I who insisted on his cement here, to guarantee he receives nothing but the finest educational opportunities.¡±

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 Chapter 351

    ?Chapter 351:

    Gagher¡¯s gaze swept across the students with sharp intensity. ¡°And you? You boast of being the elite heirs, yet what I see are nothing but conceited, small-minded tormentors! Such individuals have no ce at Wront University.¡±

    Wront University was on par with Drakmire University as one of the nation¡¯s most esteemed institutions. Countless students would go to great lengths just for the opportunity to enroll. Gagher was not just any president; he was a colossus in the educational field, renowned for his upromising integrity and immunity to external pressures.

    The gravity of the situation sent the parents into a fresh panic.

    Hurst, however,pletely agreed with Gagher¡¯s stance. He stepped forward and said sincerely, ¡°Mr. Richmond, you are absolutely right. A truly excellent student must first learn to be a good person before bing sessful in anything. I will strictly discipline Mnie once we get home. There will not be a next time.¡±

    The other parents hurried to support Hurst¡¯s statement. They didn¡¯t dare utter a single word ofint. All they could think about was making sure that their children weren¡¯t expelled from Wront University.

    Turning to Maia, Gagher received a subtle nod from her, signaling him to proceed. ¡°Mr. Cooper, your initiative in apologizing first to Ethan, along with Miss Watson¡¯s decision not to escte this, grants everyone a second opportunity.¡±

    ¡°However, be forewarned ¡ª if such an incident recurs, I will expel those involved without hesitation and inform their parents directly.¡±

    The parents trembled at his ultimatum, quickly pledging to instill better values in their children and ensuring that such an incident would not happen again.

    Gagher¡¯s gaze then settled on the homeroom teacher tucked away in the corner. With a chilling tone, he announced, ¡°Loraine, you are hereby dismissed!¡±

    Loraine was caught off guard, her face draining of color.

    Exclusive updates avable at g?ln¦Ò¦Íe?s?c?m

    ¡°What?¡± Gagher¡¯s voice cut through the air like a de of ice. ¡°You call yourself a teacher? You judge students without knowing the full story, fawn over the powerful, and treat people by their status. You are a stain on this institution. Wront University has no ce for the likes of you.¡±

    Panic gripped Loraine like a vice. All pretense of dignity crumbled as she stumbled forward, clutching at the hem of Gagher¡¯s trousers. She fell to her knees, pleading desperately, ¡°I was wrong, Mr. Richmond! I never meant it! I didn¡¯t understand what was truly happening! Please, just grant me another chance!¡±

    Tears streamed down her face as she broke into uncontroble sobs.

    Gagher did not so much as flinch. With a swift motion, he shook her off, casting a look of utter disdain her way. His voice remained as cold as stone. ¡°Oh, and by the way, there¡¯s been a report against you for epting bribes from parents. I¡¯ve already shown enough mercy by not suing you! You¡¯ve broken school rules in ways that can¡¯t be overlooked. Get out.¡±

    Loraine copsed onto the floor, crushed and defeated.

    Without sparing her another nce, Gagher turned and made his way toward Maia. Bowing deeply, he said, ¡°Miss Watson, we have gravely failed you. On behalf of Wront University, I offer our sincerest apologies to you and to Ethan. We sincerely hope Ethan will remain with us. He deserves every opportunity we can offer.¡±

    Maia raised her eyes, her lips curving into a faint, almost yful smile. ¡°Whether Ethan stays or not¡­ that depends.¡±

    A ripple of shock swept through the crowd. Had they heard correctly?

    This was Wront University ¡ª the ce where students would crawl through fire just to set foot in. Yet here was Maia, speaking as if the cards were all in her hand.

    Parents nearby looked as if the ground had shifted beneath them.

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 Chapter 352

    ?Chapter 352:

    Someone leaned in and whispered, ¡°Who on earth is she? Mr. Cooper bowed to her, and now Gagher¡¯s firing a teacher and practically begging her brother to stay? Am I dreaming?¡±

    ¡°And she didn¡¯t even ept yet! She said she¡¯d think about it?¡±

    ¡°My goodness, what am I on?¡±

    Once the uproar had settled, Maia gently led Ethan back to his ssroom.

    The moment they crossed the threshold, a heavy silence fell over the room. Every student froze like statues, scarcely daring to breathe. Those already seated snapped their backs straight, their faces stiff with fear.

    Ethan still felt awkward, but Maia¡¯s steady grip on his hand gave him a warmth he hadn¡¯t known in a long time. He looked up at her and whispered, ¡°Maia¡­ thank you.¡±

    He wanted to thank her for believing in him, for standing by him when no one else would.

    Maia tousled Ethan¡¯s hair with a gentle smile. ¡°I made them apologize in front of everyone today for a reason. So that the whole school knows that no oneys a finger on my brother. If anyone dares, I¡¯ll make sure they live to regret it.¡±

    Though spoken softly, her words sliced through the room like a cold wind. Every student lowered their head, not even daring to meet Ethan¡¯s eyes. From that moment on, no one would dare mess with him.

    Maia gave Ethan¡¯s shoulder a light pat. ¡°Go on, focus on your studies. Tonight, I¡¯ll cook something delicious for you.¡± With that, she turned and walked away.

    Ethan stood there, watching her retreating figure, a tight knot forming in his chest. No one had ever stood before him like a shield. No one had fought for him when he was under fire.

    ¡°I never knew that being protected could feel this good,¡± Ethan muttered to himself.

    Finish reading at ?????????¦Í????????????

    He felt incredibly fortunate ¡ª as if he had stumbled upon a rare treasure in a barrennd. He was deeply, irrevocably grateful that Maia was his real sister. He was d that she hade back into his life.

    With Maia by his side, all the wounds he had once carried seemed to fade like shadows chased away by the dawn. For at longst, the sun had broken through.

    Ethan clenched his fists by his sides, making a silent vow to himself: He would study hard, rise to greatness, and one day, protect Maia just as fiercely as she had protected him.

    The ssroom remained steeped in an eerie silence. Maia¡¯s tall, confident figure disappeared down the sun-drenched hallway, her silhouette glowing as if the sunlight itself bowed to her strength. Bathed in that golden light, she seemed to ze with a quiet, unshakable certainty.

    Suddenly, a gasp broke the stillness. ¡°Wait¡­ isn¡¯t she that mysteriousposer, K?!¡±

    ¡°I just realized! She¡¯s my favoriteposer! Oh my goodness, it¡¯s really her! How did I not recognize her sooner?¡±

    ¡°And she¡¯s also Eileen, the lead designer at MCN!¡±

    ¡°What in the world?! Who said Ethan was some poor kid from the slums? His sister¡¯s a living legend!¡±

    All the students swung around to stare at Ethan, their gazes filled with awe ¡ª and no small measure of regret. Those who had once mocked him now looked as though they wished the ground would open up and swallow them whole.

    One timid student edged closer to Ethan, nervously holding out a notebook, and stammered, ¡°C-could you maybe ask your sister for an autograph?¡±

    At the ssroom door, Marisa leanedzily against the frame, her grin wide and knowing. She twirled her lollipop between her fingers, pulled a few crumpled bills from her pocket, and handed them to herckey casually. ¡°Here. Take it.¡±

    Theckey stared at her, wide-eyed. ¡°You¡¯re really paying up?¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 353

    ?Chapter 353:

    Marisa bit down on her lollipop and smirked. ¡°A bet¡¯s a bet.¡±

    Meanwhile, Maia had only just left the teaching building when she caught the sound of Hurst¡¯s voice behind her.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, could I ask you to wait a moment?¡± he called out.

    Maia spun around.

    The hot sun hammered down, and sweat dotted Hurst¡¯s forehead. Standing behind him was his assistant, Lionel.

    Maia stepped into the shade. Her voice was t and detached as she asked, ¡°Mr. Cooper, what more do you want?¡±

    Hurst followed her into the shade. He took a tissue from Lionel, wiped his forehead, exhaled a hot breath, and finally spoke.

    ¡°Miss Watson, you¡¯ve already helped me twice. I didn¡¯t expect my daughter to pull a stunt like that today and hurt your brother. I feel awful about it.¡±

    He paused, then continued, ¡°I own a winery, and it could really use someone with your expertise. I want to put it in your name as a way to thank you for what you¡¯ve done and to apologize for today.¡±

    Maia raised an eyebrow at his words, clearly taken aback. She hadn¡¯t seen thising ¡ª Hurst was offering her an entire winery?

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, I really appreciate your kindness,¡± Maia said with a soft chuckle. ¡°But I can¡¯t ept it. I¡¯m far too tied up to run a winery.¡±

    Hurst stood still, clearly shocked by her blunt refusal.

    Thinking Maia didn¡¯t understand the worth of the offer, Lionel jumped in. ¡°Miss Watson, Mr. Cooper¡¯s winery brings in over fifty million dors a year. Are you really sure you want to pass up on this opportunity?¡±

    Maia didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡±

    F0r more, visit g??l??ovels.??o??

    Lionel was taken aback by how resolute she was.

    Her cool demeanor only strengthened Hurst¡¯s belief that Maia was no ordinary woman. She must be someone who had experienced real power, someone who wouldn¡¯t think twice about turning down a fifty-million-dor winery.

    For Hurst, that winery was just a side project. Sure, it was one of thergest in Wront, but when stacked against his real businesses, it barely made a dent.

    With that thought in mind, Hurst¡¯s tone turned more serious. ¡°Ms. Watson, I know this small gesture doesn¡¯t evene close to showing how much I appreciate your help or how sorry I am about today. If you don¡¯t have time to run the winery, that¡¯s¡ª¡±

    ¡°Fine. You can just have your name on it, pop in now and then. I¡¯ll make sure the profits go straight into your ount every year.¡±

    Maia took her time to respond. Honestly, she had never encountered anyone so keen to give their business to others.

    Before she could utter a word, Hurst, anxious that she might decline again, hurriedly pulled out a ck-gilded invitation from his pocket and handed it to her.

    ¡°Also, in two days, the Cooper family is hosting their annual private g. I would be thrilled if you coulde. Are you free?¡±

    The Cooper family¡¯s g?

    Maia looked at the sleek ck invitation in Hurst¡¯s grasp. She had heard of it before. The Cooper family¡¯s private g was a high-profile event, strictly by invitation, filled with the most prominent figures in business from across the nation.

    Though called a g, it resembled more of a high-stakesworking battleground. It revolved around investment opportunities, exchanging information, forming partnerships, and merging resources. Every year, numerous people plotted and nned just to get their hands on that coveted ck invitation. Yet, only a handful ever gained entry.

    Now, Hurst, who organized the g, was extending a personal invitation to Maia. Such a gesture carried a lot of weight.

    Maia took a moment to consider it, then epted the invitation without turning it down this time. She quickly checked the time and venue printed on the card. This could be her golden opportunity to uncover the Cooper family¡¯s real influence.

    .

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 Chapter 354

    ?Chapter 354:

    Hurst visibly rxed. He was about to suggest giving her a ride when he noticed Maia casually approach a silver Maserati, open the door, and slip inside.

    The Maserati sparkled in the sunlight, and its engine roared to life with a deep, powerful growl.

    Hurst, a true car lover, stood frozen in amazement. That engine sound¡­ Was Maia driving one of the fifty limited-edition Maseratis in existence?

    Those cars were currently valued at over eight million dors!

    Had she really changed it to look like a regr model?

    Hurst felt a jolt in his chest. This woman¡¯s real identity must have been something extraordinary. He stood there, lost in contemtion, suddenly realizing that the winery he wanted to give her was far too small a gesture for someone like Maia. It was no wonder she had brushed it off so easily.

    Next to him, Lionel couldn¡¯t help but voice his confusion. ¡°Sir, why do you treat Ms. Watson with such honor?¡±

    It was more than just respect. Hurst had attempted to offer her a whole winery and was nearly pleading with her to attend the g.

    Lionel had been around Hurst long enough to realize what it meant. Very few people in Wront could make Hurst bow down like this.

    They found themselves in the dappled shade beneath the trees. Hurst spoke softly. ¡°I got her all wrong at the start. I thought she was someone I could manipte. But now¡­ I see I might not even be worth her time. If she ever turned against us, she¡¯d be a real nightmare. That¡¯s why we need her on our side.¡±

    ¡°Need her on our side?¡± Lionel was stunned.

    In all of Wront, hardly anyone could make Hurst show such humility. Yet, this Maia had done exactly that.

    Latest stories on

    Who was she, really?

    Lionel gasped, staring in awe at the spot where Maia had disappeared.

    By the time nightfall came, Mnie made her way back to her family¡¯s vi, where Hurst immediately gave her a sharp scolding. But that wasn¡¯t the end of it. Punishment was inevitable. She had to stand with her nose to the wall to think about what she had done and scratch out a long, heartfelt letter of apology.

    Growing up, Mnie had always been the pampered, untouchable one, slipping out of trouble more often than she could remember. Yet nothing had ever backfired on her quite as badly as it did today.

    Tears ran down Mnie¡¯s face while she stood rigid beside the study wall, her fury bubbling hotter the more she dwelled on the whole thing. If Mnie had found out sooner that her father actually knew Ethan¡¯s sister and spoke about her with so much admiration, she never would have bought into that nonsense about Ethan being some kid from the slums.

    But it had been Mariana who fed her that story. And Mariana had no reason to make things up. On top of that, Mariana didn¡¯t even know Ethan personally¡­ Mnie figured that someone else must have been pulling the strings from behind the curtain.

    Just thinking about it made Mnie feel like she couldn¡¯t catch her breath.

    As soon as her punishment ended, she snatched up her phone without wasting a second and dialed Mariana¡¯s number.

    ¡°Mariana¡­¡± she said.

    On the other side of the line, Mariana had been flipping through a magazine without much interest. The moment she caught the sound of Mnie crying, she tossed the magazine aside in a hurry and asked, ¡°Mnie, what happened?¡±

    Through broken sobs, Mnie spilled the whole story of her awful day, throwing in her growing suspicions too.

    Mariana stayed silent, listening carefully, her forehead slowly creasing with worry. She found out that Hurst had actually bowed his head to someone. Worse yet, he had pped Mnie because of it.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 355

    ?Chapter 355:

    ¡°Who on earth could have that kind of pull?¡± Mariana wondered aloud.

    ¡°Mariana,¡± Mnie said between sniffles. ¡°Did anyone tell you that Ethan was from the slums?¡±

    Mariana replied right away, ¡°Yes, it was Rosanna. She told me straight to my face. She swore up and down that Ethan lived in some rundown part of the Old District.¡±

    When Mnie heard that, she clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned pale. It was exactly what she had suspected all along. Just thinking about how two-faced Rosanna had beentely made Mnie¡¯s blood boil. Her voice cracked as she spoke.

    ¡°Rosanna totally set me up! Ethan¡¯s sister is someone even my father bows to! There¡¯s no way Ethan¡¯s some nobody from the slums! I don¡¯t know why she lied, but she must have some hidden agenda. Besides, Rosanna¡¯s already got a rotten reputation all over the inte! Mariana, I think she¡¯s sticking close to you for a reason. You¡¯ve got to watch your back. Don¡¯t let her fool you!¡±

    Mariana sank into deep thought after hearing Mnie¡¯s words. It was true that Rosanna had been acting way too friendly with hertely. And everyone knew that when someone was too nice without any proper reason, there was usually a catch.

    Fixing her eyes on the setting sun outside the window, Mariana said in a cool voice, ¡°Got it. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll find out the truth.¡±

    Once she hung up the call, Mariana absentmindedly stirred her coffee and took a slow, thoughtful sip. Her eyes grew cold and impossible to read.

    Meanwhile, Maia had just had dinner with Ethan and Kathie and was making her way back to Elysium Apartments. She chuckled to herself, remembering how Ethan had practically bounced off the walls during the meal. He had gone on and on, bragging about how she had stuck up for him at school. He had been so thrilled that he polished off three big tes of pasta without missing a beat.

    After kicking off her heels and sliding into a pair of slippers, Maia strolled into the living room and immediately caught sight of Chris in the kitchen. He had an apron tied around his waist and was busy cooking. She had already told him she was eating out tonight.

    Just as Maia opened her mouth to say something, Chris turned around with a steaming dish in his hands. His eyes lit up and crinkled with a warm smile when he saw her.

    ?????????????? ???????? ????: ?????????¦Í????????©q?????

    ¡°You¡¯re back! Just in time to be my taste tester!¡± Chris said brightly.

    He set the te down with pride on the dining table just outside the kitchen. Maia gave the dish a quick nce, then looked up at Chris, the corners of her mouth twitching.

    ¡°Are you¡­ sure this is safe to eat?¡± she asked.

    The te was a wild mess of ck, green, and red, looking like it had stumbled straight out of a horror movie.

    Chris shed her a grin and said, ¡°It¡¯s not much to look at, but it might blow your mind! Come on, Chef Watson, give it a try and tell me what you think,¡± he said, grinning.

    With clear reluctance, Maia walked over, grabbed a fork, and jabbed at a chunk of the strange-looking food. She popped it into her mouth with great caution.

    ¡°Weird¡­ but not half bad. Better than it looks, at least,¡± shemented in her mind. Feeling curious, Maia leaned closer and said, ¡°What did you even put in this?¡±

    Chris beamed like he¡¯d just won a trophy. ¡°ckberries, peas, and sausage slices,¡± he announced.

    Maia could hardly believe her ears. Those things could even cook together? Her eyebrows shot up in disbelief.

    But then¡­ Maia scratched her chin and stared at the dish, deep in thought. Maybe this strange mix was a sign of something new and exciting.

    ¡°So, how¡¯s it taste?¡± Chris asked, buzzing with excitement, bending over the table like a big goofy golden retriever.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 356

    ?Chapter 356:

    Maia set the fork down and gave a small, amused grin. ¡°Not bad. You might actually be some kind of cooking genius,¡± she said.

    Chris¡¯ whole face brightened like a kid on Christmas morning. He lifted an eyebrow and joked, ¡°Making my wife happy is what I live for.¡±

    Maia didn¡¯t waste her breath answering his cheesy flirting. She got to her feet, ready to head back to her room. But when she was halfway there, a thought popped into her mind. She stopped, turned around, and asked, ¡°Have you been to the hospital for a check-uptely?¡±

    Chris froze for just a moment. Then he leaned back casually against the table, tilting his head to the side, azy grin tugging at his mouth.

    ¡°Are you worried about me?¡± he asked.

    Maia shot back without missing a beat, ¡°No.¡±

    She didn¡¯t even pause. A single moment of doubt would have spilled her true feelings.

    All she cared about was making sure that nothing bad happened to Chris. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t be able to carry out Zoey¡¯s orders. That was it.

    Chris clutched at his chest like he¡¯d been stabbed.

    ¡°I thought you¡¯d at least stop and think for a second. Didn¡¯t expect you to shut me down so fast,¡± he said with a mock pout. He let out a loud, theatrical sigh. ¡°Well, orders are orders. Guess that¡¯s what life¡¯s like for a guy who¡¯s officially a kept man now.¡±

    He chuckled under his breath, full of mischief.

    But Maia¡¯s mood flipped in a heartbeat. Her eyes turned cold and sharp as knives as she locked her gaze on him.

    ¡°Is living off a woman really that much fun? You seem like you¡¯ve had plenty of practice. Or have you had lots of employers before?¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is where magic happens

    Chris looked into Maia¡¯s cool, sharp eyes and raised a browzily.

    ¡°I¡¯ve only ever been employed by one woman. And you know what? I¡¯m not her secret lover, but a legal husband.¡±

    Maia found herself at a loss for words. It dawned on her that Chris was, without a doubt, talking about her. Flirting seemed second nature to Chris; he always knew how to charm women effortlessly!

    As she recalled the texts on his phone and the woman he had flirted with at the dance hall, a wave of anger bubbled up inside her. Throwing Chris a sharp look, she snapped, ¡°If you keep flirting with women like this, your headache will only grow worse!¡±

    Chris let out an easyugh and teased, ¡°No need to worry. You¡¯re the only woman I¡¯ll flirt with because I¡¯m all yours. And I do believe you¡¯ll treat my headache.¡±

    Maia¡¯s irritation spiked. His shamelessness truly knew no bounds, leaving herpletely speechless.

    But she had given Zoey, her mentor and the one she respected most, her word. She had promised to help Chris rise to the top of the Cooper family. Until that mission wasplete, Chris¡¯ health couldn¡¯t be neglected, no matter how much he tested her patience.

    Once her responsibility ended, Chris¡¯ fate would no longer matter to her. Whether he thrived or fell would be his own problem.

    Clinging to that thought, Maia forced herself to smile and faced Chris calmly. ¡°Since you¡¯re living under my roof now, I guess that means I get to call the shots, right?¡±

    Chris gave an agreeable nod. ¡°Yeah, sure.¡±

    ¡°Good. Then you¡¯re going to the hospital for a full check-up, no excuses,¡± Maia ordered.

    .

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 Chapter 357

    ?Chapter 357:

    Chris hesitated briefly before answering reluctantly, ¡°Alright.¡±

    Not quite finished, Maia narrowed her eyes and warned, ¡°And another thing, cut the smooth-talking when you¡¯re around me!¡±

    Chris blinked, genuinely confused. ¡°When exactly have I ever been smooth-talking?¡±

    Every word he said to Maia, he meant from the heart ¡ª though, of course, his im about living off her wasn¡¯t exactly one of them. Grinding her teeth, Maia shot back.

    ¡°You¡¯re doing it right now!¡± Without another word, she turned around, stormed into her room, and mmed the door with a loud thud.

    Chris stood there, staring at the closed door, scratching his head in confusion.

    Over in the dimly lit gaming room, Marisa lounged on a gaming chair, sitting cross-legged with a lollipop tucked between her teeth. Her fingers danced rapidly across the keyboard, fully locked into the game on the screen.

    As soon as she got home from school, she was dying to tell Maxwell all about her day, but of course, her brother was nowhere to be found. She didn¡¯t even need to guess; he was probably out somewhere having fun. Honestly, keeping track of him was like babysitting a wild animal. Not long after Marisa texted him, Maxwell rushed back to the house.

    Heading straight for the gaming room, he pushed open the door and found Marisa deeply focused on a game he¡¯d never seen before. The game looked quite interesting too.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m back! Weren¡¯t you dying to tell me something?¡± Maxwell asked as he stood behind Marisa. ¡°Let me guess, you spent all your money again, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m in the middle of something? I¡¯ll tell you after I finish this round!¡± Marisa said, keeping her focus on the screen, sucking on her lollipop, without even ncing at Maxwell.

    Maxwell gave a helpless shrug, wondering how Marisa had ended up so spoiled under his watch. His sister, who wasn¡¯t a typical good girl, really never let him catch a break!

    More c0nt3nt at g??l??ovels.??o??

    The Payne family held a strong reputation in Drakmire, standing tall among the city¡¯s most influential families. Even though their main roots weren¡¯t nted in Wront, they still had a few businesses that needed looking after there.

    Hating the constant bickering back home, Maxwell had been the first to step up and volunteer to relocate to Wront. Naturally, Marisa, who had been glued to his side since they were kids, refused to be left behind and followed him to Wront.

    Life back in Drakmire had been chaotic with her around. Despite being a woman, Marisa was a full-fledged troublemaker, forever getting into fights and stirring up drama. Caught up in his own duties, Maxwell hadn¡¯t been able to give her the discipline she needed. So, he enrolled her in ss Three of the elite preparatory program.

    Wront University, hoping that the tough atmosphere would either straighten her out or, at the very least, keep her out of trouble.

    The match ended with Marisa¡¯s defeat shing across the screen. Maxwell couldn¡¯t stop himself from chuckling. ¡°Maybe if you practiced instead of showing off, you wouldn¡¯t lose so badly!¡±

    Tugging off her headphones, Marisa spun her chair around and raised an eyebrow. ¡°You act like you¡¯re some kind of gaming god. This one¡¯s a brand-new indie game from my favorite game designer. It¡¯s crazy fun and tough. Plus, it¡¯s two-yer. Wanna jump in?¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Maxwell didn¡¯t hesitate. He had been itching to get his hands on the controller the whole time. Honestly, the game looked pretty awesome.

    Marisa slid the second console toward him, making room for him to sit down. No sooner had Maxwell taken control than his character stepped right into a hidden trap.

    A big, mocking red message popped up across the screen that read, ¡°Game over, loser!¡±

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 Chapter 358

    ?Chapter 358:

    ring at Marisa, who was barely containing herughter, Maxwell scoffed, ¡°Did you set me up or what?¡±

    ¡°Well, if you practiced instead of showing off, you wouldn¡¯t lose so badly!¡±

    ¡°Quit copying me! Let¡¯s go another round!¡± Maxwell snapped back, hispetitive side kicking in.

    Whoever designed this game was definitely a genius. Maxwell barely noticed how quickly time was slipping away.

    Finally, Maxwell surrendered. ¡°I give up! My pride can¡¯t handle another blow. So, what was the important thing you wanted to tell me?¡±

    Marisa set her headphones aside, tossed the empty lollipop stick into the trash, and blinked as if preparing for a grand announcement.

    ¡°Listen up, something huge went down at school today!¡±

    Maxwell immediately straightened up. Marisa almost never brought up school, especially anything exciting! Always a sucker for gossip, he leaned in eagerly.

    ¡°Seriously? What happened?¡±

    Then, narrowing his eyes, he added suspiciously, ¡°Wait, don¡¯t tell me you got into another fight with some spoiled rich guy?¡±

    Marisa almost groaned out loud. When was Maxwell going to stop assuming the worst? Could he at least try to be a little more sensible?

    Rolling her eyes, Marisa let hisment slide.

    ¡°No fights this time,¡± she said coolly. ¡°I actually saw a guy being punished outside ss One. Turns out Mnie had been bullying him, but then his sister showed up. And guess what happened next?¡± She arched a brow, deliberately leaving him hanging.

    Maxwell, unimpressed, waved a hand. ¡°It¡¯s Wront¡¯s Cooper family we¡¯re talking about. Bet they just expelled the guy to avoid rumors.¡±

    ¡°Wrong, genius!¡± Marisa said, grinning as she ripped open another lollipop wrapper.

    ?????????????? ????????????: g??????¦Í??????????????

    Before she could enjoy it, Maxwell swooped in and snatched the candy right from her hand.

    ¡°Kids shouldn¡¯t drown themselves in sugar. Now, quit stalling and spill the story!¡± Maxwell said, pretending to get up and walk away while crunching the lollipop triumphantly.

    ¡°Tsk, unbelievable. Stealing my lollipop? Fine, send me ten thousand and I¡¯ll spill everything,¡± Marisa replied, pretending to be offended.

    Maxwell stared at her,pletely lost for words.

    It didn¡¯t take long before Marisa¡¯s phone buzzed with a notification. Maxwell had actually transferred ten thousand without blinking. She let out a smallugh, knowing full well that when it came to juicy gossip, her brother had zero self-control.

    Grinning, Marisa finally gave in. ¡°So, the guy¡¯s sister showed up, and Mnie¡¯s dad immediately folded. He couldn¡¯t stop apologizing, practically bowing at their feet. Then, right in front of the whole school, every parent and student who bullied the guy had to stand up and apologize publicly. Can you believe it? These are parents from the elite circles too! Especially Hurst, everyone says he practically owns this town. Isn¡¯t that crazy?¡±

    Maxwell¡¯s interest piqued even further. ¡°Wait, seriously? Who¡¯s that guy¡¯s sister? She sounds like a really impressive person. You¡¯re not making this up, are you?¡±

    In truth, even Maxwell knew that Hurst¡¯s position within the Cooper Group was only second to Kolton himself, and that made Hurst someone even he wouldn¡¯t dare cross easily.

    Marisa narrowed her eyes mischievously, wiggling her phone at him. ¡°Another ten grand and I¡¯ll show you the proof. I took photos!¡±

    .

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 Chapter 359

    ?Chapter 359:

    ¡°You little rascal!¡± Maxwell eximed, wondering how he kept falling for her tricks every single time.

    A few minutester, another notification popped up on Marisa¡¯s phone, and she beamed triumphantly. Wasting no time, she forwarded the photos to Maxwell.

    The moment he opened them, Maxwell¡¯s jaw practically dropped to the floor.

    Was it really Maia? Maxwell rubbed his eyes, questioning if he was seeing things.

    When did Maia get a younger brother? And why hadn¡¯t Chris mentioned this?

    From Marisa¡¯s ount, it seemed Hurst was quite familiar with Maia, even holding her in high regard. His mind was swirling with this sudden influx of details.

    Marisa crossed her arms, her smirk evident. ¡°Why the shocked expression? Overwhelmed? Or perhaps she¡¯s just your type? She¡¯s the mysteriousposer K, who dazzled at the singing contest with ¡®One More Day.¡¯ Plus, she¡¯s the acimed designer Eileen at MCN. I bet she has a long line of admirers. Maybe take a good look in the mirror before you even think about pursuing her!¡±

    Before she could finish, Maxwell tapped her head gently with his fist. ¡°Stop with the nonsense. I have no interest in her!¡± he said firmly. After all, Maia was Chris¡¯ wife.

    Marisa dered that Maxwell wouldn¡¯t dare entertain such thoughts. Rubbing her head with a pout, sheined, ¡°You hit me and scold me. Great. Now you owe me twenty grand!¡±

    Maxwell, left speechless once again, reminded himself internally to remain calm for Marisa. After all, she was his sister.

    With a defiant blink, Marisa pressed on. ¡°Maxwell, I¡¯m telling you, that woman is no simple case. She¡¯s definitely hiding something. Surely you have some way to check into her background, right?¡±

    Maxwell gave her a stern look and responded bluntly, ¡°Focus on your studies and stop prying into things you shouldn¡¯t.¡±

    Then he got up and left the gaming room without another word.

    Your hub for updates: g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    Marisa reclined in her chair, popped a lollipop into her mouth, and narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. ¡°Well, this just got a whole lot more interesting.¡±

    After leaving the lounge, Maxwell immediately phoned Chris and ryed everything Marisa had shared.

    Finishing his recount, Maxwell couldn¡¯t resist asking, ¡°Chris, when did Maia be involved with the Cooper family?¡±

    There was a brief silence before Chris answered, ¡°Just make sure your sister keeps an eye on Maia¡¯s brother at school.¡±

    Maxwell let out a snort. ¡°Already handled. Didn¡¯t need you to spell it out.¡±

    ¡°Appreciate it.¡± With that brief reply, Chris ended the call.

    Maxwell nced at his phone, frowning in confusion. Why was Chris acting soposed? Almost tooposed. It left an unsettling feeling in the air.

    Meanwhile, across the city, Chris stood by the window, his eyes locked on the neon-drenched skyline. His gaze was darker than the night outside.

    The following morning at the Morgan family¡¯s vi, Rosanna rose early and took her time preparing herself. Mariana had messaged her the night before, inviting her to an art exhibitionter that day.

    Rosanna knew she couldn¡¯t afford to miss any chance to leave a good impression on Mariana.

    The exhibition was being held at thergest private art gallery in Wront. Rumor had it that the gallery¡¯s new owner was a young figure from Drakmire.

    Rosanna had heard whispers about the ce before, but without an invitation, stepping inside was nothing more than a distant dream for ordinary people.

    Rosanna set out early, determined not to keep Mariana waiting. She was focused on making the best possible impression.

    .

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 Chapter 360

    ?Chapter 360:

    When she reached the gallery¡¯s grand entrance, her eyes were drawn to a massive decorative word etched boldly onto the front wall. It was a recent touch, courtesy of the gallery¡¯s elusive new owner.

    Two security guards in sharp suits and dark sunsses stood like statues by the door.

    As Mariana pulled up, she immediately caught sight of Rosanna standing at the entrance.

    Mariana gave a faint smile yet stayed silent as she gracefully made her way into the building.

    Today, Mariana wore an elegant designer dress, her makeup impable, her entire presence radiating effortless sophistication. The guards, recognizing her instantly, bowed low and swung the doors open without hesitation.

    Mariana had once hosted her own personal art exhibition here. Her status as a VIP was unquestionable.

    Seeing her go inside, Rosanna rushed to follow.

    Just as she reached the door, a thick arm shot out and blocked her path. ¡°Membership card or invitation, please,¡± said the guard in a t tone.

    He was used to people trying to slip in behind VIPs. The drill was simple ¡ª ask politely first. If they didn¡¯t back off, they¡¯d get tossed.

    Rosanna stiffened in ce, mortified as her face turned crimson. She called out in a small voice, ¡°Mariana!¡±

    Without sparing a nce back, Mariana replied coolly, ¡°She¡¯s with me.¡±

    At once, the guards straightened up, dropping their arms like sentinels stepping aside for royalty.

    ¡°Try to keep up,¡± Mariana said sharply as she continued walking without missing a beat.

    Stay connected at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    Rosanna exhaled the breath she had been holding and hurried after her.

    Although Rosanna had left the slums and be the true daughter of the Morgan family, this was her first time attending such an event. She quietly followed Mariana, maintaining aposed demeanor while her gaze swept across the extravagant venue, rumored to have cost billions to construct.

    The venue boasted soaring, luminous windows that reached from floor to ceiling. Sunlight poured through the ss, casting a brilliant glow on the immacte white tiles that seemed to repel even dust. Adorning each wall were numerous invaluable paintings.

    ¡°Today, a friend of mine is unveiling an art exhibit here,¡± Mariana exined, giving Rosanna a gentle smile. ¡°It¡¯s quite a unique style. I think you¡¯ll enjoy it. Is this your first time at an exhibit? Just rx, there¡¯s no need to feel nervous.¡±

    ¡°Yes, thank you for this opportunity, Mariana,¡± Rosanna responded graciously, slightly nodding. Everything here was unfamiliar to her. Before rejoining the Morgan family, Rosanna had not experienced the world of acimed art, vintage wines, or other rarities. Even as a Morgan, she seldom experienced the true indulgences of the elite. Vince had never introduced her to such an environment either.

    This was precisely what she wanted to learn and understand. Only by doing so could she truly integrate into the upper-ss circles in the future.

    They advanced slowly along the red carpet that cut through the gallery¡¯s heart, their heels clicking rhythmically on the hard floor. Soon, Mariana paused before a certain artwork, and Rosanna stopped too.

    Rosanna looked up to see a striking painting of a queen with aurel crown, authoritatively holding a scepter in front of her throne. Her stern gaze surveyed her kneeling subjects, who disyed total domination.

    Mariana studied the painting with aplex look. Then she turned to Rosanna and asked, ¡°If this painting represented your life, would you prefer to be the figure standing or kneeling?¡±

    Caught off guard, Rosanna hesitated, then lowered her gaze, contemting Mariana¡¯s question. After a moment of reflection, she met Mariana¡¯s eyes decisively. ¡°I am ready to assume any role you think best, Mariana,¡± Rosanna dered firmly.

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 Chapter 361

    ?Chapter 361:

    Mariana¡¯s lips curved slightly, but she said nothing more. Instead, she reached into her purse.

    Just then, a ck card with a golden sheen slipped from her bag and ttered onto the marble floor.

    ¡°Mariana, you dropped something.¡± Rosanna quickly stooped to retrieve it.

    Just as Rosanna reached for the card, a shoe forcefully pressed down on her hand. The heel belonged to Mariana, whose sleek high heels now pinned Rosanna¡¯s hand to the ground.

    The agony in Rosanna¡¯s knuckles intensified, rendering her fingers numb.

    Mariana appeared unfazed, her attention unwavering from the artwork as she pressed down even harder.

    Pain seared through Rosanna¡¯s hand, threatening to break her bones. She almost screamed, but Mariana¡¯s prior remarks resonated within her,pelling her to stifle her pain.

    Mariana then looked down with an indifferent nce, lifting her foot off Rosanna¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Oh, Rosanna, my apologies ¡ª I didn¡¯t see you there. Did that hurt much?¡± she asked with feigned indifference. Her apology sounded insincere, echoing the detachment of the queen depicted in the artwork.

    Rosanna, visibly shaken, managed a weak smile and responded, ¡°No fault of yours, Mariana. It was my own carelessness that ced my hand under your foot.¡±

    She proceeded to brush off the dust from Mariana¡¯s high heels with her sleeve, disying a demeanor of servitude and respect.

    ¡°Your shoes got dirty. Let me clean them for you,¡± Rosanna said quietly.

    Mariana¡¯s eyes flickered briefly, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she watched the woman before her, head lowered in submission. This was exactly what she had desired ¡ª to make Rosanna understand her position. She was implying that, in her presence, Rosanna would always be nothing more than a willing servant.

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    Mariana then stooped slightly, feigning concern. ¡°Are you still in pain?¡±

    Despite the visible swelling and redness in her hand, Rosanna took a deep breath and replied with a subdued smile, ¡°No, the pain has subsided.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear,¡± Mariana responded, her smile thin and barely visible. The step was meant as a reprimand as much as a test ¡ª a punitive measure for Mnie¡¯s sake.

    Regardless of Rosanna¡¯s intentions, whether she meant to challenge the Cooper family or not, she needed to be disciplined. However, Mariana was willing to overlook further transgressions as long as Rosanna remained obedient.

    As they continued walking, Mariana broached another topic casually. ¡°By the way, how did youe to know that Ethan Watson came from the slums? What connections do you have with Ethan?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s heart raced. Before she could answer, Mariana¡¯s tone hardened. ¡°I expect yourplete honesty.¡±

    Rosanna faltered, torn between speaking and staying silent. Then, lifting her head, her eyes rimmed with red, she whispered, ¡°Actually¡­ Ethan used to be my brother. Before the Morgans brought me home, we lived side by side in the slums. Later, I found out we weren¡¯t rted at all. His real sister is Maia.¡±

    Mariana, mid-step, halted and pivoted to face her.

    A wild thrum of panic hammered in Rosanna¡¯s chest. Someone like Mariana would have no trouble digging into her past ¡ª and today¡¯s subtle prodding had already made that clear. Rosanna had no room left for lies.

    Lowering her gaze, she fought to steady her voice. ¡°I¡¯ve always felt so ashamed. I worried you¡¯d look down on me if you knew the truth. I swear, I never meant to hide anything!¡±

    The words trembled out of her as tears spilled freely.

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 Chapter 362

    ?Chapter 362:

    ¡°Mariana, I was the one born into the Morgan family. It was Maia who stole the life that should have been mine!¡±

    Roughly brushing away the tears with the back of her hand, Rosanna continued, her voice breaking with emotion. ¡°She didn¡¯t just steal my identity. She took my parents¡¯ love. Now she¡¯sing after my fianc¨¦, trying to destroy everything I have! I¡¯m falling apart. Why is she doing this? What did I ever do to deserve it?¡±

    She looked as fragile as a flower caught in the teeth of a storm. Mariana merely arched an eyebrow, her expression unreadable and cool.

    She had already pieced together the truth behind Rosanna¡¯s past and knew that this girl wasn¡¯t lying.

    Atst, a slow, approving smile yed at the corners of Mariana¡¯s mouth.

    Reaching out, Mariana gently took Rosanna¡¯s injured hand, softening her voice. ¡°I decided to make friends with you myself. Why would I ever look down on you? Just stay loyal, no second thoughts ¡ª and I¡¯ll have your back.¡±

    Her gaze briefly fell to Rosanna¡¯s swollen, battered hand, her tone growing even gentler. ¡°That looks bad. You should have a doctor check itter. Don¡¯t let it get worse.¡±

    Relief washed over Rosanna the moment she realized that Mariana believed her. She nodded quickly, obediently.

    ¡°Thank you, Mariana.¡± Mariana answered with another faint smile and turned, striding deeper into the gallery.

    The instant Mariana¡¯s back was turned, Rosanna swiped at her wet cheeks, her expression hardening into something cold and sharp. She had weathered Mariana¡¯s tests and won her trust. She swore that someday, she would grind Maia beneath her heel.

    Rosanna sneered inwardly, ¡°Just you wait, Maia. You stole seventeen years of the life that should have been mine. I¡¯ll make sure you pay. I¡¯ll make you know what it¡¯s like to be crushed, to be humiliated the way I was.¡±

    They wandered through the gallery a little longer, the space gradually filling with new visitors. A crowd gathering around a centerpiece painting soon caught Mariana¡¯s eye, and curiosity tugged her forward.

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    The artwork, somber and weighty, captured a dying bird twitching weakly on the earth. All around them, murmurs floated through the air ¡ª this was whispered to be the gallery¡¯s crowning jewel.

    Rosanna, squinting at the painting without much understanding, leaned close to Mariana and asked under her breath, ¡°Mariana, is this really that incredible?¡±

    Mariana¡¯s eyes flicked to the signature scrawled in the lower corner. She frowned, puzzled ¡ª she didn¡¯t recognize the name at all.

    Tilting her head toward Rosanna, Mariana let a smirk curl across her crimson lips. ¡°The painting¡¯s decent. But calling it the gallery¡¯s treasure? That¡¯s a stretch.¡±

    Rosanna nodded, awkward and unsure. ¡°I don¡¯t really get these things¡­ Mariana, could you teach me sometime?¡±

    ¡°Of course. I¡¯m headed to a world-ss exhibition soon. Even their rejects would outshine this. If you¡¯re free, I¡¯ll take you along. You¡¯ll see what real art looks like.¡± With that, Mariana spared the so-called masterpiece onest dismissive nce.

    A faint, mocking hum slipped from her lips as she turned away. She gave a soft, disdainful hum and turned away.

    Moments after they left, several gallery staff hurried over, carefully rotating the painting 180 degrees.

    The moment the back of the painting came into view, a collective gasp of astonishment swept through the crowd.

    ¡°There¡¯s another painting on the back!¡±

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 Chapter 363

    ?Chapter 363:

    The reverse side revealed a phoenix, wings stretched wide, soaring into the heavens with a triumphant scream. The canvas zed with color and life, fierce and unstoppable.

    ¡°The brushwork¡­ the colors¡­ the force behind it ¡ª it¡¯s on another level. I¡¯ve never encountered anything this breathtaking at any exhibition.¡±

    ¡°Buried under all that despair was a fierce hope¡­ a drive to rise from ruin. It¡¯s overwhelming!¡±

    ¡°This¡­ This is the gallery¡¯s true masterpiece!¡± The crowd stood stunned, awestruck.

    Atst, the real gem of the gallery hade to light ¡ª something far greater than anyone had dared to expect.

    No one noticed that when the painting turned, the signature tucked into the corner changed too.

    Meanwhile, the Ward family was plunged into a crisis unlike anything they had faced before, both financially and socially. Thanks to Chris¡¯ quiet maniption behind the scenes, several of Vince¡¯s biggest projects crumbled one after another.

    Desperate to stop the escting financial losses, the Ward family poured their money into the problem, only to watch their savings vanish.

    Before long, a swarm of suppliers began demanding payments, and the media pounced, casting an unrelenting spotlight on the Ward family¡¯s unraveling reputation.

    Panicked by the threat of total loss, early investors began to withdraw, and as the market¡¯s confidence in Ward Group crumbled, thepany¡¯s stock price took a nosedive, crashing for several days in a row.

    Overnight, Ward Group had be a disgrace in Wront¡¯s capital market, shunned by nearly everyone.

    Adding salt to the wound, news broke that the Cooper Group¡¯s grand banquet had pointedly excluded the Ward family, a clear sign that they were about to lose their status among Wront city¡¯s elite families.

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    Blinded by rage, Gavin smashed several valuable teacups in a single outburst, and every time his eyesnded on Vince, his fury reignited. Looking utterly wrecked with an unkempt beard and rumpled clothes, Vince had been drowning in chaos for days.

    He simply couldn¡¯t figure out who had set this nightmare into motion. Ever since that night at Nexus Collective, when that man took Maia away, Vince felt like he had been marked as a target.

    Vince couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Maia and that man had something to do with his downfall. Did she truly want to see him ruined? Had shepletely thrown away everything they once shared without any mercy? Was that man truly her husband?

    Deep down, Vince refused to believe it. A part of him stubbornly clung to the idea that Maia being married was just a lie spread by herself. Maybe she was only trying to provoke him? Or perhaps she had no other choice but to say so?

    Being locked up under house arrest for days was enough to drive Vince to the edge of madness.

    One moment, he burned with a desire to crush Maiapletely. The next, an overwhelming longing to im her once more flooded his thoughts.

    Back when Maia had shown him genuine warmth and devotion, he hadn¡¯t even bothered to nce her way. Now that she had truly walked away, he found himself trapped, unable to move on.

    Just a few words of concern from Maia, just a sliver of the affection she once gave, would have been enough to make him feel like he ruled the world. Yet now, Maia wouldn¡¯t even spare him a second thought.

    Vince¡¯s eyes burned red with frustration as he clenched his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white. He couldn¡¯t ept it. He wouldn¡¯t. As the sole heir to Ward Group, he had never been denied anything he wanted, and Maia was supposed to be no exception!

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 Chapter 364

    ?Chapter 364:

    Even if Maia was married, it didn¡¯t matter. He didn¡¯t care about titles or vows. He only cared that her heart belonged to him. And if he couldn¡¯t have that, if she dared give it to someone else, then he would rather see herpletely destroyed!

    Later that evening, Rosanna returned to the Morgan Vi. Settling onto the sofa, shezily scrolled through thetest financial headlines on her phone, a faint smirk ying across her lips. The Ward family¡¯s downfall was all but official now, and she found a twisted sense of satisfaction watching it unfold. This was karma, payback for the way Vince had humiliated her, ditching her in front of everyone at the engagement party just to chase after Maia.

    Did Vince honestly think she would crumble without him? Howughable! A cold smirk tugged at Rosanna¡¯s lips; marrying Vince had always been nothing more than a stepping stone into high society.

    Now that the Ward family was crumbling, she saw no point in clinging to a ship destined to sink. Luckily, she had been smart enough to forge strong ties with Mariana, whose influence was far greater and far more stable. She had no intention of going down with Vince.

    Lost in her moment of rity, her phone buzzed unexpectedly. It was Mariana calling.

    ¡°Rosanna, the Cooper Group is hosting its annual private banquet tomorrow,¡± Mariana said warmly. ¡°I¡¯d love for you to attend. You won¡¯t turn me down, will you?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s heart skipped a beat. The Cooper Group¡¯s private banquet? That was a dream invite, one even the Ward family had never managed to get into!

    Without hesitation, she answered brightly, ¡°Of course! It would be an honor to attend. Thank you so much, Mariana!¡±

    As she spoke, Jarrod happened to being downstairs. Hearing the excitement in Rosanna¡¯s voice, he caught a few key words and immediately froze. Cooper Group? Private banquet? Jarrod¡¯s eyes widened in shock as realization hit him.

    After ending the call, Rosanna sat, clutching her phone, still glowing with excitement.

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    A voice broke through her daydream. Lifting her gaze, Rosanna found Jarrod standing nearby.

    The moment Jarrod heard that Rosanna had been invited to the Cooper Group¡¯s banquet, excitement sparked in his eyes.

    ¡°You¡¯re serious? You¡¯re really invited to the Cooper Group¡¯s banquet?¡± he said, unable to hide his amazement. ¡°That¡¯s the most exclusive event in the entire country! Even the Ward family never got close. How in the world did you pull that off?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. Why did Jarrod have to show up now? She suppressed her irritation and replied gently with a smile, ¡°Not too long ago, Vince took me to a private party hosted by Mariana Cooper, the youngest daughter of the Cooper family¡¯s head. She took a liking to me, and this time, Mariana invited me.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s eyes grew even wider with amazement. Mariana wasn¡¯t just anyone; she was adored by nearly everyone in Wront¡¯s elite circle and rarely ever let outsiders get close. His sister really had a way of charming people!

    Breaking into a broad grin, Jarrod said eagerly, ¡°Rosanna, I never thought you¡¯d have such strong ties to someone like Mariana. This is huge! Can you bring me along? I¡¯d love to see how the real upper ss lives, and who knows, maybe I can find a few investors for our Morgan family.¡±

    He, too, had seen the financial news today. With the Ward family on the brink, the Morgan family needed a new path. But more than anything, Jarrod simply wanted a taste of high society life.

    Rosanna¡¯s smile faltered for a split second. Thest thing she wanted was for her clueless brother to tag along and risk humiliating her.

    Still¡­ After a brief pause, Rosanna softened her tone and said, ¡°I could bring you, but you have to promise me something first.¡±

    Jarrod wasted no time, sitting down next to Rosanna with a burst of energy. ¡°You name it! I swear, anything!¡±

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 Chapter 365

    ?Chapter 365:

    If Rosanna could get him through those doors, he would agree to ten conditions, no questions asked.

    Lowering her voice to a whisper, Rosanna exined, ¡°Mariana values her privacy. She doesn¡¯t like people talking about her connections behind her back. If word gets out that I¡¯m close to her, people might start gossiping, using me of trying to gain favor with the Cooper family. If Mariana hears that, it could ruin everything.¡± She gave Jarrod a soft, almost pitiful smile. ¡°So please, promise me you won¡¯t breathe a word about my rtionship with her. Keep it between us, and I¡¯ll take you with me.¡±

    Jarrod didn¡¯t hesitate. Raising five fingers like he was swearing an oath, he promised, ¡°Don¡¯t worry! My lips are sealed!¡±

    Late at night inside the Starlight Bar, the dim lighting of a secluded booth cast dancing shadows over Rnd, who leaned forward, resting his forehead against his hand as he repeatedly emptied his ss. His suit jacket was carelessly draped over the back of the couch, his cor undone, presenting a stark contrast to his usually impable appearance.

    Pattie was sprawledzily beside him, idly swirling her ss filled with light whiskey. She watched as Rnd continued to drown his sorrows, her expression a mix of amusement and concern.

    She grabbed the ss from Rnd¡¯s grip, chiding him, ¡°Hey, Rnd boy! If you can¡¯t handle your drinks, why push yourself? You¡¯re awful at this drinking game. Don¡¯t think I¡¯m dragging you home if you pass out again!¡±

    Tonight, Rnd was noticeably out of sorts. He had unexpectedly invited Pattie for drinks, an invitation she feltpelled to ept. But thest time they went out, Pattie had ended up carrying him home, and she was determined not to let that happen again.

    Rnd, cheeks flushed and voice raspy, struggled with his words. ¡°Tell me¡­ How did Maia end up like this?¡±

    ¡°Maia? What did she go through?¡± Pattie¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. A mix of anger and hurt shed in Rnd¡¯s bloodshot eyes as he clenched his jaw. ¡°She got married out of the blue¡­ and now she¡¯s parading around with some pretty boy¡­ Is she still the Maia I once knew?¡±

    ?????????¦Í??????.??????, ???????? ???????????????? ????

    In Rnd¡¯s eyes, Maia had always been a figure of cold, aloof distinction. Other than her close rtionship with his sister Elvira, Maia maintained a polite yet distant demeanor that kept others at bay. To him, she seemed elevated above the trivialities of daily life, her eyes harboring a deep-seated mncholy. She appeared as a treasure he could only admire from a distance, but never possess. She had never shown interest in any man, not even Rnd.

    Rnd had always believed that a woman like Maia would not easily marry, let alone keep a man by her side. She was meant to be like a rare, untouched flower.

    Yet, the current reality of Maia shattered all his previous beliefs.

    Pattie almost spit out her drink upon hearing hisment.

    It was clear to her that Rnd was oblivious to the fact that the so-called man Maia kept was actually her husband.

    Pattie figured that Maia had her reasons for keeping certain truths hidden from everyone. Thus, Pattie found herselfpelled to assist Maia in safeguarding these secrets.

    Pattie managed a casual smile, trying to lighten the mood. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t overthink it. Maybe Maia has her reasons.¡±

    ¡°Reasons?¡± Rnd scoffed, his voiceden with emotion. ¡°Even if she had reasons, it¡¯s not like her to do this. I just can¡¯t ept it!¡±

    Pattie was growing frustrated. Rnd was clearly intoxicated, his words slurring slightly.

    ¡°Alright, alright,¡± she said, patting him on the shoulder reassuringly. ¡°You can¡¯t ept it, that¡¯s fine. But it¡¯s her life, her choices. Even if we don¡¯t understand, as her friends, we ought to respect them, right? Let¡¯s not dwell on it. We¡¯re here to have a good time.¡±

    ¡°Her choice?¡± Rnd snapped bitterly. ¡°That handsome guy?¡± He threw his head back and downed the remainder of his drink in one gulp.

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 Chapter 366

    ?Chapter 366:

    Pattie watched, her gaze inadvertently drawn to the movement of his Adam¡¯s apple and the open cor of his shirt. His unkempt, disheveled appearance tonight had an undeniably appealing edge. Pattie took a deep breath, trying to calm the unexpected stirrings in her heart, and took a small sip of her drink.

    As Rnd set his ss down heavily on the table, he turned sharply, his intense eyes fixing on Pattie.

    Before she could even respond, Rnd reached out and grasped her wrist firmly.

    With a look of confusion clouding his features, Rnd pressed on, ¡°Does that handsome guy have something that made her take notice? Tell me. Between me and him, who¡¯s more handsome?¡±

    Pattie was taken aback. ¡°What?¡±

    Rnd leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°I need to know. Between me and him, who do you think is better looking?¡±

    Caught in a dilemma, Pattie weighed Chris¡¯ looks against Rnd¡¯s. Finally, she responded, ¡°Well¡­ that guy is certainly attractive, but you¡¯re on another level. You¡¯re the topwyer at Zenith Legal in Drakmire! How could some kept man measure up to you?¡±

    This was Pattie¡¯s honest thought. Sure, when it came to pure looks, Rnd might not outshine Chris, but in her eyes, a man¡¯s status and power were the real charm.

    And Pattie had always had a soft spot for the high IQ and elite aura that came with being awyer.

    Rnd¡¯s expression brightened slightly at her words, a subtle smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He tightened his grip on her wrist and leaned closer, probing further, ¡°Then who has the better physique? Who do you think can please women better?¡±

    Pattie was at a loss for words. She had never seen either man without a shirt, much less in any state of undress.

    Staring at Rnd with a mix of concern and exasperation, she finally said, ¡°Rnd, you¡¯re drunk.¡±

    ???????? ?????? ???????? ???? g???????¦Í??????©o?????

    But Rnd¡¯s gaze was intense and unyielding as he pulled her even closer. His breath was warm against her ear as he whispered pleadingly, ¡°Pattie, please. Just tell me.¡±

    His vulnerable plea, so far from his usual reserved andposed demeanor, set Pattie¡¯s heart racing.

    Overwhelmed by the unusual sight of such aposed man disying vulnerability, Pattie found herself unnerved.

    Stammering, she replied, ¡°I¡­ I haven¡¯t touched him. I haven¡¯t touched you either. How would I know?¡±

    Rnd paused, considering her words, then seemed to ept her logic.

    Suddenly, without any warning, he took Pattie¡¯s hand and ced it under his shirt, a mischievous smile ying on his lips.

    Pattie¡¯s cheeks burned with color. For someone who navigated theplexities of dating with ease, this was the first time she found herself genuinely caught off guard by a man¡¯s flirtation.

    Pattie took a deep breath. It wasn¡¯t as if she had instigated this. He had made the first move¡­ So Pattie decided to go along with the unexpected and enjoy the moment. Her fingers brushed lightly against his skin.

    Internally, she marveled, ¡°Wow¡­ eight-pack abs, a tight waist, all toned and lean. He¡¯s sheer perfection.¡±

    Pattie¡¯s hand wandered upward, exploring the contours of his hard muscles, tracing the lines of his physique.

    This was a new experience for Rnd. As her touch lingered, his body temperature rose, his breathing quickened, and he fixed his gaze on Pattie with a smoldering intensity.

    For Pattie, the moment was surreal. How was it possible for him to fit her ideal so perfectly?

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 Chapter 367

    ?Chapter 367:

    With such an opportunity presented, how could she resist?

    Her hand continued its exploration, drifting down over Rnd¡¯s defined abs to his sleek, ck, and gold belt. Leaning closer, her breath warm against his ear, her voice low and teasing, ¡°As for who¡¯s better at pleasing women¡­ I don¡¯t know that guy¡¯s ability, but you can show me yours if we give it a try. What about tonight?¡±

    But just as she spoke, Rnd¡¯s eyes fluttered shut, and he slumped sideways.

    With a heavy thud, he copsed onto the table,pletely unconscious.

    Pattie¡¯s face twisted in annoyance.

    ¡°Are you messing with me right now? You fall asleep at a time like this?¡± she grumbled silently.

    Burying her face in her hands, she let out a long, frustrated sigh. After gathering herself, she pulled out her phone and dialed her bodyguards, her voice dripping with defeat. ¡°Bring a stretcher. Looks like I¡¯m dragging someone home again.¡±

    Golden sunlight pierced through the gaps in the hotel curtains, bathing Rnd¡¯s face in a gentle warmth. A low groan escaped his lips as he pried his eyes open, his skull threatening to split in two with each pulse of pain.

    An unfamiliar ceiling greeted him, the air delicately perfumed with the essence of roses. Where the hell was he?

    His temples throbbed mercilessly as Rnd pinched the bridge of his nose, struggling to piece together the fragmented memories of the previous night. Hazy images flickered of drinking himself into oblivion alongside Pattie¡­

    The sudden hiss of running water from the bathroom jolted his senses ¡ª someone was showering mere feet away! Wait a minute!

    Rnd froze, momentarily paralyzed before bolting upright and yanking away the covers in one frantic motion.

    He looked down, and his face turned pale instantly ¡ª he was now only wearing a pair of ck briefs! Who in heaven¡¯s name had undressed him?! Pattie?!

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    His typicallyposed facade crumbled in an instant. Had he actually gotten drunk and crossed boundaries with Pattie of all people?!

    Frantically, he cocooned himself in the nket, wrapping it tightly around his exposed skin like a defensive shell. Never before had alcohol imed his senses sopletely. That devastating night when he discovered Maia keeping a male escort had marked the first time he¡¯d ever lost control. Yesterday apparently marked the second¡­ Rnd¡¯splexion turned ashen as his mind raced through terrifying possibilities.

    Just then, the bathroom door swung open with a soft click as the rushing water fell silent.

    Pattie emerged from the bathroom, her lithe form wrapped in a towel, feet nestled in slippers.

    Droplets cascaded from her damp hair as she toweled it dry, casting an appraising nce his way. ¡°You¡¯re awake. Do you want to take a shower?¡±

    Rnd, resembling nothing so much as a startled cat, clutched the nket tighter around his vulnerable frame!

    A slight frown creased Pattie¡¯s brow. To an uninformed observer, one might easily assume that she¡¯d taken liberties with him during the night.

    She glided a few steps into the room and offered, ¡°Your clothes got dirtyst night. I arranged for the hotel to clean them. They should return them shortly.¡±

    Rnd¡¯s mind emptied of all rational thought, immediately conjuring scandalous scenarios. Just how wild had their evening be for his clothing to require professional cleaning?!

    The tips of his ears zed crimson with mortification as he rose from the bed, still cocooned in the nket, and hastily retreated toward the bathroom.

    Pattie observed his peculiar behavior with bewilderment, then winced at the thunderous bang as the door mmed shut and the lock clicked decisively into ce.

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 Chapter 368

    ?Chapter 368:

    Witnessing the typically unppable Rnd in such a flustered state, Pattie couldn¡¯t suppress a delightedugh. She discovered, to her surprise, that he possessed something adorable.

    Never beforest night would the word ¡°adorable¡± have entered Pattie¡¯s mind when thinking of Rnd.

    Inside the bathroom, Rnd sagged against the door, his mind a whirlpool of confusion.

    How could this have happened?! His reputation for calctedposure nowy in tatters. What madness had possessed him to act so foolishly? As self-recrimination consumed him, a gentle knock interrupted his spiral of shame.

    Pattie¡¯s voice filtered through the wooden barrier, ¡°Rnd, your phone is ringing.¡±

    Reluctantly, Rnd cracked the door open just enough to reveal half his face, his body concealed protectively behind the wooden shield as he extended a single hesitant hand.

    With a bemused expression, Pattie ced the device in his waiting palm.

    He snatched it hastily and sealed his sanctuary with a decisive snap, the lock clicking into ce once more.

    Outside, Pattie rolled her eyes skyward in unmistakable frustration. Was he seriously treating her like some predatory thief? Had he conveniently forgotten how, yesterday, he¡¯d boldly guided her hand to his abdomen, inviting her to appreciate his physique?

    Behind the door, Rnd nced down as the screen illuminated with an iing call. Elvira¡¯s name shed across the disy.

    He drew a deep breath to steady himself before answering with feignedposure, ¡°Hello?¡±

    ¡°Rnd!¡± Elvira¡¯s voice burst through the speaker with startling enthusiasm. ¡°How did it go? Did you manage to meet Maia¡¯s husband yesterday? Have you hatched a n to win Maia back from him?¡±

    R?????? ???????????????? ???????? g??l????¦Í??????.??o??

    Since Rnd¡¯s arrival in Wront, Elvira had existed in a perpetual state of anxiety. While Rnd excelled in most areas of life, he remained hopelessly inept when it came to matters of the heart.

    Words evaporated on Rnd¡¯s tongue as he groped for an appropriate response. The chaotic events of the previous night defied any simple exnation he might offer Elvira.

    As he floundered in ufortable silence, another soft knock echoed against the door, followed by Pattie¡¯s melodious voice filtering through the door. ¡°I need to head to the office, so I¡¯m leaving now.¡±

    The line went deadly silent for a heartbeat, then erupted with Elvira¡¯s piercing shriek. ¡°Was that a woman¡¯s voice I just heard? Were you with Maiast night? Did you two actually sleep together? Oh my god, Rnd, you absolute legend! I knew you had it in you!¡±

    Rnd stood rooted by the sink, staring at the faint silhouette lingering just beyond the bathroom door. A heavy silence stretched between them, awkward and uncertain. On the other end of the line, Elvira practically buzzed with excitement.

    In her mind, silence was as good as a confession. Finally, she thought, triumph curling in her chest, she had seeded in making Maia her sister-inw.

    ¡°You are incredible, Rnd! Only you could pull this off. You are the person I admire most! There is nothing in this world you cannot handle!¡± Elvira gushed, her voice bright with misced enthusiasm.

    Rnd pressed two fingers against his temple, a headache pounding at the edges of his patience. ¡°Let us not talk about this right now. I am hanging up.¡±

    ¡°Wait, Rnd! Tell me the details¡ª¡±

    He hung up without mercy.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 369

    ?Chapter 369:

    Dropping the phone onto the counter, Rnd took a deep breath, willing himself to calm down. He sshed another handful of cold water onto his face, the icy sting grounding him.

    After a quick rinse, he reached for the door, hesitated for a heartbeat, then pulled it open. Pattie stood there, waiting.

    Fully dressed, she leaned casually against the doorframe, one slender hand resting lightly on the knob as if she had all the time in the world. Rnd flinched, quickly ducking half-behind the door like a startled teenager. ¡°Why are you still here?¡±

    ¡°I was talking to you earlier, but you did not answer,¡± Pattie said with a calm shrug. ¡°You drank too muchst night, and I was worried you might faint in the bathroom. I had to make sure you were okay before I left.¡±

    Rnd opened his mouth, searching for the right words, but nothing came out.

    After an ufortable pause, he finally managed, ¡°Last night¡­ even if something happened, it was just because I was drunk¡ª¡±

    ¡°Rx,¡± Pattie interrupted smoothly, arms folding over her chest as a yful smirk tugged at her lips. ¡°Nothing happened.¡±

    Her gaze danced with mischief as she watched Rnd struggle. Seeing the famouslyposedwyer stutter like a schoolboy was a rare kind of entertainment.

    ¡°You puked all over yourself after drinking too much,¡± she added, nodding toward the sofa, where a nkety neatly folded. ¡°I had someone help clean you up. I slept over there, just to make sure you didn¡¯t choke on your own vomit.¡±

    Rnd blinked, caught between embarrassment and gratitude. ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°I would never take advantage of someone vulnerable,¡± Pattie said, her voice rich with mock sincerity.

    Then she paused, a teasing glint lighting up her face as she added, ¡°Of course, if you regret missing the opportunity, I wouldn¡¯t mind giving you a second chance.¡±

    Before Rnd could summon aeback, Pattie spun on her heel and strolled out, the door clicking shut behind her with maddening grace. For a moment, Rnd stood frozen, then finally let out a slow breath.

    His mind reyed her words like a stubborn echo.

    She had stayed the whole night to look after him?

    An hourter, Rnd had returned to form. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, his rose gold Rolex gleaming subtly against his wrist, he looked every inch the polished elite. His expression was calm, collected ¡ª the man who thrived on pressure.

    After checking his watch, he stepped out into the afternoon sun. This visit to Wront was not personal. There was important business waiting.

    At two in the afternoon, inside Wront Prison.

    In the visitors¡¯ room, Rnd sat alone at the worn table, his fingers scrolling absently through case documents on his phone.

    The heavy door creaked open, dragging his attention up. Sliding the phone into his pocket, Rnd rose to his feet as a woman stepped in. She was not what he expected.

    Poised and elegant, she crossed the room with the effortless grace of someone who owned the space rather than someone confined by it. A cigarette dangledzily between her fingers, smoke curling in the air.

    ¡°So, you are his only prot¨¦g¨¦?¡± she asked, settling into the chair with the ease of a queen surveying her court.

    Rnd hesitated.

    It was supposed to be a prison meeting room, yet the woman before him acted as if she were hosting a private lounge gathering.

    He had expected someone worn down by prison life ¡ª faded, bitter, hardened by time.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 370

    ?Chapter 370:

    But Zoey defied every expectation.

    Zoey had taken great care of herself. Her thick, glossy hair, wless skin, and confident posture made her look like a stunning woman in her early thirties, not someone in her forties.

    And surprisingly, Zoey wasn¡¯t wearing a prison jumpsuit. Instead, she wore a designer outfit, the fabric and stitching hinting at a hefty price tag.

    For a second, Rnd wondered if he had walked into the wrong room. Was she really a prisoner?

    Before he could untangle his thoughts, Zoey¡¯s voice sliced through the air, tinged with impatience. ¡°What is the matter, Rnd? Cat got your tongue?¡±

    Snapping back to the moment, Rnd inclined his head in apology. ¡°Forgive me, Ms. Cooper. That was out of line. Yes, my mentor sent me. He is critically ill¡­ and he does not have much time left. Even now, he cannot stop thinking about your case. He specifically asked me to take over. It is his final wish.¡±

    Years ago, the bitter inheritance battle within the Cooper Group had shaken the entire city to its core. What began as a family feud had spiraled into scandal, ending in the grim tragedy of Kyle Cooper¡¯s death and the imprisonment of Zoey.

    Back then, the one who had stepped up to defend her was none other than Neville Thompson ¡ª the legendarywyer and founder of Zenith Legal, a man who had built an empire on his unbroken string of victories.

    Neville had been a giant in the legal world, a force to be reckoned with, his name whispered with awe in every courtroom. That was, until he took on Zoey¡¯s case. It had be the one blemish on an otherwise spotless legacy ¡ª the sole defeat that cast a shadow over his towering career.

    Across the room, Zoey sat motionless, a faint gleam of curiosity in her eyes. When Rnd spoke, his voice was low, weighted with the burden he carried. Zoey¡¯s brow lifted in a quiet challenge. ¡°His final wish?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Rnd dropped his gaze, gathering the right words before meeting her stare again, unwavering. ¡°He wanted me to clear your name.¡±

    ?????????? ???? ???????? ??????????: g???????¦Í????????©q?????

    For a moment, silence hung between them like a fragile thread. Then a soft, bitterugh slipped from Zoey¡¯s lips, slicing through the stillness.

    ¡°After all these years, he still refuses to let it go,¡± she said, her toneced with a sardonic edge. ¡°Even on his deathbed, he sends his favorite student chasing after a lost cause.¡±

    Rnd¡¯s jaw tightened, though he kept hisposure. ¡°The case back then,¡± he began, his voice steady, ¡°was riddled with inconsistencies. The reason why my mentor lost wasn¡¯t that hecked skill or conviction.¡± He paused, letting the weight of his next words settle between them. ¡°He lost,¡± Rnd said, each word deliberate, ¡°because you changed your testimony in court.¡±

    Years ago, during the trial, Zoey¡¯s sudden change of testimony to confess her guilt led to a devastating defeat for Neville.

    ¡°If you¡¯re amenable, I could help you file another appeal¡ª¡± Zoey rose from her seat, cutting Rnd¡¯s words short.

    The cigarette between her fingers had dwindled to nothing but a fragile stub and a dying ember.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need it.¡± Zoey crushed the cigarette against the table¡¯s surface. Her eyes met Rnd¡¯s one final time as she rasped, ¡°I made it clear to him long ago ¡ª don¡¯t squander time on my behalf.¡± Her voice trailed into silence as she pivoted to depart.

    Rnd surged to his feet, his voice rumbling with intensity. ¡°But Neville insisted this is the only path to your freedom. He¡¯ll find no peace, even beyond the grave if I can¡¯t help you get released! He remains absolutely convinced you couldn¡¯t have murdered your own brother!¡±

    Zoey¡¯s footsteps faltered. After a weighted pause, she released a bitterugh without turning. ¡°Still stubborn to the core. Does he truly believe the walls of Wront Prison could ever contain someone like me?¡± She cast a sidelong nce over her shoulder. Her eyes ¡ª narrow and prating ¡ª gleamed with an arctic darkness that belonged to the underworld. Despite his years interviewing countless suspects, Rnd felt an involuntary chill race down his spine.

    A sardonic smile twisted Zoey¡¯s lips while loneliness threaded through her words. ¡°The only chains that have ever truly bound me were¡ª¡± She recoiled as if struck, the words dying on her tongue. Her brow creased as she drew a measured breath.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 371

    ?Chapter 371:

    ¡°Neville swore to me he would bury this case forever, which is why his heart still beats. Should he break that vow, I¡¯ll collect his life myself. As his most trusted prot¨¦g¨¦ and the heir to his teachings, I¡¯ll overlook your interference this once, but my meaning should be crystal clear.¡± With that deration hanging in the air, Zoey strode away without a backward nce.

    Rnd remained rooted to the spot, the weight of Zoey¡¯s warning pressing upon him like a physical thing.

    Years ago, the Cooper Group had ruthlessly buried the case, leaving those involved either dead or vanished without a trace. Neville alone clung to life, though permanently crippled and forever banished from public view.

    The case had haunted Neville like a specter throughout his years. Even now, as death approached, peace eluded him, his final wish still unfulfilled.

    Rnd had sworn to Neville that he would see this wish realized, vowing not to return until he seeded.

    The memory tightened Rnd¡¯s fists until his knuckles gleamed white.

    Champagne flowed freely at the Cooper Group¡¯s annual cocktail party, held at one of their sprawling estates on the outskirts of the city.

    Though media outlets barely mentioned the gathering, every significant yer in the business world understood the weight this private party carried.

    Chris had always avoided these celebrated parties that others fought to attend. In truth, he found the entire spectacle rather suffocating. Never once in previous years had he bothered to make an appearance at any Cooper Group gathering.

    But today, Mariana¡¯s call changed everything.

    ¡°Chris, Grandpa had another episode. He keeps calling your name over and over. Pleasee ¡ª I¡¯m afraid¡­ I¡¯m afraid he might not make it through the night!¡±

    ?????????????? ????????: g???????????????????????

    ¡°I¡¯m leaving right now!¡±

    When Mariana told him that his grandfather was at the estate hosting tonight¡¯s cocktail party, Chris dropped everything and rushed to the ce he¡¯d sworn never to set foot in.

    He surveyed the ssical estate nestled at the mountain¡¯s base. Light spilled from every window, casting the grand structure in a brilliant, almost ethereal glow. His prating gaze narrowed as he crossed the threshold.

    Inside the main hall, Mariana glided through the crowd in her custom-made gown, champagne flute bnced delicately between her manicured fingers as sheughed with a cluster of socialites. Rosanna stood at her side, equally resplendent in her carefully selected attire.

    For this party, Rosanna had spared no expense or effort. This was her chance to carve out her own reputation among the elite ¡ª perhaps even ensnare the attention of some wealthy man and finally extricate herself from Vince¡¯s grip forever.

    Only one concern clouded her ambitions: her brother, Jarrod.

    Across the crowded hall, Rosanna¡¯s eyes found her brother. Jarrod stood like an alien among humans, his desperate attempts to infiltrate conversations failing miserably. He could only thrust his hands deep into his pockets and drift aimlessly through the glittering throng.

    His casual indifference struck a discordant note amid the carefully orchestrated elegance of the assembled elite. The sight was nothing short of humiliating.

    Rosanna turned her gaze away in disdain and offered a timely smile to the women surrounding her.

    Just then, Mariana¡¯s phone trilled. ncing at the screen, her expression brightened instantly. She excused herself and answered, moving swiftly toward the entrance while speaking in hushed tones.

    When her eyes fell upon themanding figure standing in the doorway, Mariana¡¯s face transformed with genuine delight as she hurried toward him.

    ¡°Chris!¡± she called out, affection warming her voice.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 372

    ?Chapter 372:

    Chris tucked away his phone and looked up, his stern features softening as he spotted her. ¡°Hey, kiddo,¡± he replied, raising his hand in greeting.

    As an illegitimate son of the Cooper dynasty, Chriscked the standing to attend the Cooper Group¡¯s exclusive gathering on his own merit. He had no choice but to summon Mariana to secure his entrance.

    Mariana was the treasure of the Cooper family, born into privilege. After she had a quiet word with the security staff scrutinizing guest credentials, they immediately stepped aside respectfully to let Chris through.

    Rosanna stood waiting, her attention caught by Mariana¡¯s radiant approach alongside a striking figure whose height and bearingmanded notice even from a distance.

    Only when they halted before her did Rosanna fully absorb the man¡¯s features in the glow of the crystal chandeliers.

    He wore a simple ck shirt, one hand casually tucked into the pocket of his dark trousers. Though his physique ¡ª broad-shouldered with a tapered waist and long, powerful limbs ¡ª would turn heads anywhere, it paledpared to his face.

    His countenance seemed carved by a divine sculptor¡¯s hand, each angle and ne existing in perfect harmony.

    When he smiled, his eyes sparked with yful intelligence, drawing her in like a moth to a me.

    Before Rosanna could marshal herposure, her heartbeat had already quickened to a frantic rhythm.

    Chris dipped his head slightly, a faint smile ying at the corners of his mouth.

    The light caught him just right, wrapping his figure in a soft golden glow. His narrowed eyes gave him an air of quiet mystery.

    Your imagination starts at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s?conn

    Rosanna couldn¡¯t tear her gaze away; not even when she had first met Vince had she felt this kind of breathless excitement.

    Somehow, Chris managed to stir her emotions with nothing more than a look.

    While Rosanna stood frozen in her thoughts, Chris¡¯ deep, maic voice cut through the haze.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Grandfather?¡± he asked, his attention shifting to Mariana.

    Mariana answered without hesitation, ¡°He¡¯s with Dad right now. When the party kicks off, Dad will bring him over.¡±

    Chris¡¯ brow furrowed. His rtionship with Kolton, Mariana¡¯s father, had always been strained, and he had no intention of going to him directly.

    ¡°Chris, sometimes it feels like Grandfather is the only one you care about,¡± Mariana teased gently, catching his mood. Her lips curving into a yful pout.

    Chris let out a quietugh. ¡°It¡¯s not just him. There are plenty of people in my heart.¡±

    Though Chris spoke softly, his words carried clearly enough for the nearby society women who had been secretly observing him. Their hearts quickened, and admiration flushed across their faces.

    Rosanna felt her own heart skip a beat. Seeing how close Mariana stood to him, she wondered if Chris was tied to the Cooper family. That thought made her straighten her back and work even harder to present herself with elegance.

    However, Chris¡¯ gaze never once drifted toward her. It was as if Rosanna did not exist at all, leaving her biting her lip in frustration.

    Just then, one of the braver society women leaned closer to Mariana and asked curiously, ¡°Mariana, may I ask who this gentleman is?¡±

    Keeping her smile poised, Mariana responded, ¡°He¡¯s my cousin, Chris Cooper.¡±

    The moment the words were spoken, the expressions of the society women shifted subtly, and a flurry of whispers quickly followed.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 373

    ?Chapter 373:

    ¡°So, he¡¯s the Cooper family¡¯s illegitimate son? He¡¯s incredibly handsome.¡±

    ¡°Such a waste, though. He¡¯s just a good-looking flirt with no real ambition.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard he has a string of admirers, and he never turns any of them down. His reputation as a heartbreaker is well known!¡±

    ¡°Exactly! Word is his private life is a mess, andtely, there¡¯s even talk that he¡¯s being kept by someone¡­¡±

    Rosanna caught every whispered word, and the shock hit her hard. An illegitimate son? And being kept by someone? Her heart, which had been racing moments ago, abruptly settled down.

    She wanted to climb the socialdder by marrying a true nobleman, not someone like Chris, who was an illegitimate son with no prospects. ¡°What a waste,¡± she muttered silently.

    Even though disappointment weighed heavily on her, Rosanna still found herself sneaking another nce at Chris.

    He was far too captivating, effortlessly pulling her gaze back to him.

    Mariana¡¯s smile faded the instant she heard the gossip swirling around them. Her voice turned sharp and chilly as she said, ¡°Chris is my cousin and a rightful member of the Cooper family. If anyone here keeps spreading rumors about him, don¡¯t me me for cutting you off.¡±

    The circle of society women immediately hushed, the lively chatter dying out into uneasy silence.

    Chris dropped his gaze to Mariana, a faint glimmer of warmth passing through his otherwise indifferent expression. He had never cared about society¡¯s opinion, but in the Cooper family, only his grandfather and Mariana had epted him without prejudice.

    Though she was Kolton¡¯s daughter, Chris had always treated her with a quiet tenderness, regarding her as the closest thing he had to a younger sister.

    Mariana leaned lightly against his arm, breathing in the crisp scent of cedar that clung to him. The familiar smell made her heart flutter uncontrobly.

    Discover what¡¯s next on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s???o??

    Ever since she firstid eyes on Chris, no other man had ever entered her heart.

    Back then, Mariana had no idea Chris was her cousin and had secretly fallen for him.

    When she finally mustered the courage to confess her feelings, the truth hit her like a blow. The rumored illegitimate son of the Cooper family¡ªher own cousin¡ªwas Chris.

    The heartbreak lingered for a long time, but in the end, she had no choice but to ept it. Even if they could not be lovers, she wished that this ¡°cousin¡± would always stay by her side, belonging to her in some way.

    Sadly, the rest of the Cooper family held nothing but disdain for Chris, and her father led the charge.

    The growing tension between their families only made it harder for Mariana and Chris to even cross paths.

    Chris rarely reached out to her. When he did, it was always about their grandfather¡ªnothing more. Despite all the reasons Mariana invented just to see him, Chris rejected her invitations time and again. That was why, today, she had used their grandfather¡¯s presence at the party as an excuse to call him over.

    Yet the rumors swirling around Chris, about him being supported by some other woman, gnawed at her heart. She had tried to dig for information, but every lead turned up empty.

    Mariana clenched her fists in frustration.

    Across the banquet hall, Jarrod, restless and looking for any distraction, drifted through the crowd. Out of nowhere, a familiar figure caught his eye, making him halt in surprise.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 374

    ?Chapter 374:

    Narrowing his eyes to get a better look, Jarrod¡¯s face shifted into an expression of shock. It was Maia. What in the world was she doing here? At an event like this, someone of her standing should not have even been allowed through the doors. Suspicion red in his mind as he quickly made his way over, stepping directly into Maia¡¯s path to block her.

    After Vince and Rosanna¡¯s engagement party, Jarrod carried a faint weight of guilt for Maia, though in his heart, he believed he had done no wrong. To him, Maia had always been like a younger sister under his wing. If anything had been troubling her, she should havee to him without hesitation.

    Seventeen years under the same roof, yet in that moment, Jarrod realized that Maia was as much a stranger to him as the moon is to the tide ¡ª always close, yet unknowable. The thought left a sour taste in his mouth.

    ¡°Has Maia never truly seen me as her brother?¡± Jarrod mused bitterly.

    To Jarrod, family meant a certain pecking order that should never be disturbed. As the younger one, Maia ought to have shown some measure of respect instead of acting high and mighty, treating him as though he were dust beneath her feet. Every glimpse of her haughty demeanor stirred an urge in Jarrod to cut her down to size.

    ¡°Maia, what are you doing here? Do you even know what kind of ce this is?¡± Jarrod said, nting himself firmly before her, his voice dripping disdain. ¡°You don¡¯t belong here. How did you even worm your way in? Go home before you make a fool of yourself!¡±

    Maia lifted her eyeszily, casting him a fleeting, indifferent nce. Seeing Jarrod at the Cooper Group¡¯s private g surprised her. With his clueless air, could he truly have any standing with the Cooper family?

    A memory stirred ¡ª Rosanna¡¯s engagement party with Vince, where Rosanna had proudly worn a dress gifted by none other than Mariana, the cherished daughter of the Cooper family.

    In a sh, Maia pieced it together. It was Rosanna who had managed to wrap herself around the Cooper family¡¯s little finger.

    L¨»t??¦Ó c§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?ls.??????

    Maia had to hand it to her; Rosanna had a few tricks tucked up her sleeve. Not only had she cozied up to Mariana, but she had even wrangled an invitation to this rare gathering of the elite. A soft, mockingugh slipped from Maia¡¯s lips. Some foes, it seemed, were destined to meet again under the cruel gaze of fate.

    Without wasting another breath, Maia reached into her purse and drew out a ck invitation card. Its golden trimming and silver-embossed design shimmered under the chandeliers like a secret whispered in light. She held it aloft with a faint smirk. ¡°I have an invitation. Why shouldn¡¯t I be here?¡± she said coolly.

    An invitation?

    Jarrod¡¯s mind stumbled over itself. How had Maiae into possession of an invitation to the Cooper Group¡¯s most private affair? What was more, her card wasn¡¯t the same as Rosanna¡¯s.

    A seed of suspicion sprouted quickly ¡ª could it be a forgery?

    Just as Jarrod¡¯s lips curled in preparation to mock her, gasps rippled through the nearby crowd.

    ¡°Look! A ck gold invitation?!¡±

    ¡°Who on earth is she to have a ck gold invitation?¡±

    In the very next moment, a socialite mingling near Rosanna and Mariana spotted Maia from afar and cried out, ¡°Isn¡¯t that Eileen, MCN¡¯s chief designer?¡±

    In the glittering circles of Wront¡¯s elite, MCN had its fair share of diehard followers. When news had broken online that Maia was Eileen, many had been drawn into the whirlwind of gossip.

    Yet, once word leaked that Maia was not a cherished daughter of the Morgan family but a fallen sparrow who had spent time behind bars, admiration curdled into disdain. Some even began whispering that maybe she wasn¡¯t Eileen at all.

    As soon as she heard themotion, Rosanna¡¯s heart nearly leapt out of her chest. She whipped around, her face stiffening the moment her eyesnded on the woman everyone was talking about.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 375

    ?Chapter 375:

    Maia? It really was her!

    How could she possibly be here? What right did she have to set foot in this ce?

    Mariana noticed Rosanna¡¯s frozen face and followed her gaze, spotting Maia standing coolly before Jarrod.

    ¡°Who is she?¡± Mariana asked, her brow furrowed.

    Her gaze took in the figure before her ¡ª a woman in a dark blue gown, the wless cut of the dress entuating her graceful form. Beneath the dazzling light of the crystal chandeliers, Maia seemed almost to glow,manding attention without lifting a finger.

    Chris, too, caught sight of Maia. His brows lifted ever so slightly, a flicker of surprise passing through his usually imprable eyes.

    Rosanna¡¯s fists curled tightly, bitterness ring in her chest. But her voice, when she spoke, was as sweet as syrup hiding a drop of venom. ¡°That¡¯s my sister, Maia,¡± she said.

    Mariana blinked, clearly taken aback. ¡°She¡¯s Maia? How did she even get in here?¡±

    Without missing a beat, Rosanna rushed to answer, ¡°I have no idea how she slipped in. And her invitation doesn¡¯t even look like the ones everyone else has.¡±

    Mariana frowned, her suspicion deepening. ¡°That¡¯s the Cooper family¡¯s VIP invitation. Only a handful of the most distinguished guests are given those. They¡¯re rarer than hen¡¯s teeth.¡±

    Her eyes sharpened as she turned back toward Maia. ¡°Given Maia¡¯s background, there¡¯s no way she should have one.¡±

    Seizing her chance, Rosanna let out a soft, derisive snort. ¡°Maybe she stole it. Wouldn¡¯t be the first time. After all, Maia¡­ served four years in prison for theft and only got out recently.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s voice dropped to a soft murmur, but it was loud enough for the nearby crowd to catch every word, as though she were feigning restraint, all the while ensuring that her whispers slithered into the ears of everyone around.

    F??nd n?w ??h??????????s ??t g??l??ov?ls.?????

    The effect was instantaneous. Disgust rippled through the crowd like a stone dropped into still water.

    The cluster of socialites, who had been quietly observing, now burst into low, eager whispers.

    ¡°Fresh out of prison after four years, and she¡¯s already stirring up trouble again?¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a repeat offender to me. Makes sense now. I bet she stole someone important¡¯s invitation to sneak in!¡±

    ¡°How could MCN¡¯s top designer be a criminal? I can¡¯t wrap my head around it!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s probably just pretending to be Eileen, trying to snatch up whatever she can. Pathetic!¡±

    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s just a part of her purposes. More like trying to snag a rich guy. I¡¯ve seen plenty like her before!¡±

    The murmurs snowballed into a deafening buzz, the air crackling with judgment. Guests began to cluster, drawn like moths to the me, pointing at Maia and whispering behind cupped hands.

    Rosanna, watching Maia caught in the crossfire, couldn¡¯t hide the wicked curve of a smile tugging at her lips ¡ª a cat savoring the cornered mouse.

    Chris, standing silently nearby, remained unmoved at first. But a sharp glint of cold displeasure shed in his eyes as he turned to Rosanna and, without warning, opened his mouth to speak.

    ¡°Are you using that youngdy of stealing the invitation? Do you have any proof?¡± Chris asked, his voice cutting through the air with a cold edge.

    Rosanna flinched, her gaze locking with his. That chilling stare made something coil tight in her gut, an inexplicable sense of guilt gnawing at her.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 376

    ?Chapter 376:

    Chris sounded almost casual, but there was an unmistakable sharpness in his tone. ¡°If you have no evidence,¡± he said deliberately, ¡°then it is nder. And nder, Miss, is a crime.¡±

    Was he¡­ defending Maia? The thought rattled Rosanna, sending a fresh jolt of panic through her chest. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.

    Chris shifted his gazezily toward Mariana, who still clung to his arm as if it were her lifeline. A crooked smile tugged at his lips, but his eyes gleamed with a sh of frost. ¡°Is she your friend?¡± he asked, voice dripping with mockery. ¡°Starting trouble at a Cooper g? You certainly know how to pick them.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s expression hardened, a flush of embarrassment creeping up her neck.

    Chris was not wrong. In a ce like this, if Maia had truly stolen an invitation, the scandal should have been buried quietly ¡ª not paraded before the high-society vultures. Stirring up public humiliation would not only tarnish the Cooper family¡¯s reputation, but if a prestigious guest were involved, it could explode into a full-blown crisis.

    Scowling, Mariana shot Rosanna a warning look, sharp enough to slice. Rosanna shrank back instinctively, retreating behind Mariana, her expression a mask of frustration and shame.

    Why was he standing up for Maia? The question gnawed at Rosanna as she peeked uncertainly toward Chris, confusion wrapping around her like a tightening vine.

    Jarrod, catching the whispers around them, turned to Maia in disbelief. ¡°Maia, you stole this invitation? Are you out of your mind? After spending four years rotting in prison for stealing from Radiant Jewels, you are pulling this stunt at the Cooper Group g? Do you have any idea who you are dealing with? These people could crush you without even blinking!¡±

    Before anyone could react, Jarrod lunged forward, trying to rip the invitation from Maia¡¯s hand ¡ª as if snatching it back might somehow undo the disaster unfolding.

    But Maia moved effortlessly, her body slipping aside with a dancer¡¯s grace. Jarrod stumbled past her, nearly sprawling onto the marble floor. A crimson flush climbed¡­

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    A crimson flush climbed up Jarrod¡¯s face. Guests turned to gawk as he caught himself, ring daggers at Maia, who stood poised and unbothered.

    ¡°You made a fool out of me!¡± he hissed, humiliation and rage twisting his features. He jabbed a finger at her usingly. ¡°Four years in prison and you still have not learned your lesson? Tell me! Where did you steal that invitation from?¡±

    His shouting drew even more attention. Guests who hadn¡¯t noticed before now turned, casting sharp, suspicious nces their way. Stealing at a Cooper Group event? And not just any invitation ¡ª a ck gold VIP invitation? Had she lost her mind?

    Murmurs erupted. Some guests questioned how Cooper security could have failed so badly. Others spected on what punishment would follow.

    In this world, disrupting a Cooper event could lead to being cklisted ¡ª or worse.

    The stares that rained down on Maia were heavy with judgment, suspicion, and disdain.

    Yet she remained unfazed. Her eyes, cool and distant, swept over the hostile crowd. She knew better than to escte the scene further. Her voice, when it came, was calm, almost indifferent.

    ¡°This invitation was given to me by Hurst Cooper,¡± Maia said, her tone steady. ¡°If you do not believe me, feel free to ask him yourself.¡±

    Her words, instead of dousing the fire, poured gasoline onto it.

    The scoffs were immediate, sharp enough to sting.

    ¡°Hurst Cooper? Do not make meugh. Why would Mr. Cooper associate with a criminal?¡±

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 Chapter 377

    ?Chapter 377:

    ¡°She lies as easily as she breathes! Even if she really is Eileen, it is impossible she would have Mr. Hurst¡¯s favor!¡±

    ¡°Ridiculous! She must be faking it. MCN would never taint their name with a thief. She is just hiding behind Eileen¡¯s identity to clean up her own mess!¡±

    Although Pattie had publicly acknowledged Maia as Eileen at Rosanna¡¯s engagement party, the Ward family¡¯s influence had scrubbed the inte clean ¡ª no photos, no videos, only whispers and rumors twisting the truth. The gossip sites had fanned the mes relentlessly, and the world that once revered Eileen now openly doubted her.

    And for these self-proimed elitedies, it was even harder to ept that the designer they idolized might have once been in prison for theft.

    They had waited for a moment like this ¡ª and now they pounced.

    ¡°Why has the Cooper family not kicked her out yet?¡±

    ¡°She stole Eileen¡¯s name, and now a Cooper Group invitation! Despicable!¡±

    ¡°Call the police! If she is lying, she should rot behind bars again!¡±

    The crowd¡¯s fury boiled over. The security guards shifted uncertainly, eyes flicking toward Mariana for orders. With the event yet to officially begin, and no Cooper executives present, Mariana¡¯s word was final. To avoid arger scene, the simplest solution was clear: remove Maia immediately.

    Mariana gave a slight nod, a silent signal to the waiting guards. Several towering bodyguards stepped forward, their expressions grim, closing in with purpose.

    Maia¡¯s gaze flickered, her body tense but still. And just as the guards reached out, a tall figure stepped smoothly between them and Maia, shielding her with his body.

    Maia froze in ce, her heart skipping a beat when she recognized the man stepping into view. Chris? What was he doing here?

    She had never once imagined she would see him at the Cooper Group¡¯s private cocktail party. Someone like Chris¡ªcast aside and disowned by the Coopers¡ªshould have been thest person allowed into an event like this. Yet here he was, standing before her as real as the tension hanging in the air.

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    Across the room, Mariana stood equally stunned. A moment ago, Chris had yanked his arm free from her hold without a word, striding over to Maia with a purpose she could not decipher. Her mind raced. Why? Why would he protect Maia? What was between them?

    Rosanna blinked in disbelief, staring nkly at the scene unfolding like a bad soap opera.

    Around them, the crowd buzzed in confusion, exchanging puzzled nces. Who was this man? Why was he causing such a stir?

    Chris swept a cold gaze over the room, his mouth curling into a mocking smile. ¡°This Cooper Group party sure is a spectacle,¡± he said, his voice sharp as broken ss. ¡°All of you, titans of industry, yet you use ady without a shred of evidence. Should word get out, you would all be aughingstock among the truly informed.¡±

    A heavy silence nketed the room. No one dared respond.

    Just then, a society woman, freshly updated on Chris¡¯s identity, broke the stillness. She narrowed her eyes at him and asked, ¡°Why is the Cooper family¡¯s unacknowledged son protecting Maia?¡±

    Her words sent a ripple through the crowd. Recognition dawned.

    So this was him¡ªthe infamous illegitimate Cooper, the wild son who had been left to run unchecked outside the family fold. Whispers spread like wildfire.

    ¡°I heard he is a notorious yboy,¡± someone murmured. ¡°Maybe he has taken a fancy to her? She is attractive, after all, even if her reputation is questionable.¡±

    Thement sliced through the air, making Mariana¡¯s face tighten with anger. Her gaze snapped to Maia, cold and cutting.

    .

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 Chapter 378

    ?Chapter 378:

    A sharp-tongued guest chuckled, voice dripping with mockery. ¡°An unacknowledged son paired with the fake Morgan daughter¡­ what a perfect match.¡±

    Among the elite, illegitimacy was a stain that could never be scrubbed clean ¡ª and Chris, unwanted by the Coopers, was the ultimate disgrace.

    ¡°How did he even get in here?¡± someone scoffed.

    ¡°I have never seen him at a Cooper event before. He must have slipped in somehow.¡±

    ¡°If I were running things, I would throw both of them out before they embarrass the entire Cooper Group!¡±

    The low murmurs swelled into a tide of disdain. Upon hearing Chris¡¯s tarnished identity, the security team exchanged nods and advanced toward him, eager to restore order.

    Chris shifted slightly, stepping in front of Maia with a casual grace that belied the growing tension. He slung one arm around her protectively, leaning down just enough for only her to hear. ¡°Rx, I¡¯ve got this.¡±

    Maia lifted her chin, a smirk tugging at her lips. Truthfully, she did not need him to shield her ¡ª she could have handled the guards herself with ease ¡ª but watching Chris y hero amused her. If he wanted to stand in the spotlight for her, who was she to deny him?

    ¡°Go on then,¡± she said, shing him a yful grin. ¡°Show me what you¡¯ve got.¡±

    Watching Chris and Maia interact, Mariana gritted her teeth. Yet she hurriedly tried to speak up for Chris, afraid that the guards might actually take action against him and cause him harm.

    But before she could act, a deep,manding voice cut across the room like a de.

    ¡°The invitation was from me to Ms. Watson. Is there a problem?¡±

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    Every head turned toward the entrance.

    A tall man in a sharp gray suit strode in, his presence turning the murmuring crowd into statues. Authority clung to him like a second skin.

    It was Hurst Cooper ¡ª head of a powerful branch of the Cooper family, and one of the most formidable figures in Wront¡¯s business world.

    The atmosphere shifted instantly. The mocking smiles vanished.

    Hurst approached Maia with calm precision, offering a slight bow. ¡°Ms. Watson, I apologize for the trouble you have endured,¡± he said smoothly, his voiceced with genuine regret.

    Then he turned, casting a cold re across the room. ¡°Let me be clear,¡± Hurst announced. ¡°Thisdy is my honored guest. I personally delivered a highly exclusive invitation to Ms. Watson. If anyone doubts that, I invite them to step forward.¡±

    No one moved. No one dared. Whispers dried up in their throats. Those highly exclusive invitations from the Cooper Group were rarer than diamonds ¡ª and Hurst had given one to Maia? The revtion stunned them. Jealousy burned in a few eyes, but none dared speak.

    This was Hurst¡¯s party. His word wasw tonight.

    Anyone foolish enough to keep gossiping risked more than just a scolding.

    Mariana swallowed hard, her mind racing. Since when did Maia warrant such favor from Hurst?

    Her gaze sharpened, studying Maia with growing unease.

    Meanwhile, Hurst¡¯s sharp eyesnded on Jarrod, brimming with disdain. ¡°And you,¡± he said icily, ¡°how dare you nder Ms. Watson without evidence? I do not care who invited you. Now, leave.¡± He flicked his wrist at the nearest guards. ¡°Escort him out.¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 379

    ?Chapter 379:

    Jarrod, still in shock, stumbled backward as the guards closed in. Panic wed at him.

    The guards did not bother with exnations. They grabbed him roughly by the arms.

    ¡°Ouch¡­ it hurts!¡± Jarrod yelped, thrashing helplessly. His eyes darted around wildly until theynded on Rosanna. ¡°Rosanna! Help me! Say something!¡±

    Hurst shot a nce at Rosanna, who stood nervously nearby, before fixing his sharp gaze on Jarrod. ¡°Do you know this youngdy?¡± he asked, his tone cool and clipped.

    Jarrod¡¯s bloodshot eyes red with indignation. He squared his shoulders, his voice rising with barely checked fury. ¡°Yes, I came here with her. We have an invitation!¡± he snapped. ¡°Is this how the Cooper Group wees its guests ¡ª by throwing them out?¡±

    A slow, mocking smile curled at Hurst¡¯s lips. His next words sliced through the air like a whip. ¡°Very well,¡± he said coldly. ¡°Both of you, get out.¡±

    Rosanna nched. Her hands, trembling at her sides, curled into tight fists. A storm of emotions churned within her ¡ª humiliation, anger, and a bitter stab of regret.

    ¡°How could Jarrod be so reckless?¡± she grumbled inwardly. Had he lost all sense of propriety? Now he had not only disgraced himself but dragged her down with him.

    Biting back her rising panic, Rosanna threw a desperate nce toward Mariana. Her voice came out in a strained whisper, thick with pleading. ¡°Mariana, I did not expect this¡­ My brother just spoke impulsively. He did not mean any harm. Please, could you not kick us out? I promise you, on his behalf, that it will not happen again.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, her patience wearing thinner by the second.

    What kind of fool did Rosanna bring along? Mariana was furious, trying hard to bite back the urge tosh out.

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    Yet, as much as Mariana wanted to rid herself of this headache, she knew that having Rosanna publicly humiliated would reflect poorly on herself.

    Letting out a reluctant sigh, she glided toward Hurst with practiced grace. ¡°Hurst,¡± she said smoothly, ¡°Miss Morgan is my friend. Would you please, for my sake, give them another chance?¡±

    The chill in Hurst¡¯s face thawed a fraction. He regarded Mariana for a moment before offering a faint, measured smile. ¡°Since she is your guest, I will let it go this time,¡± he said. But then his tone darkened. ¡°If it happens again, there will be no second chances.¡±

    ¡°I understand,¡± Mariana replied quickly, her head nodding in agreement. ¡°If anything else happens, I will personally see them out.¡±

    Satisfied, Hurst lifted his¡­

    Hurst lifted his hand with a subtle wave. The nearby security guards immediately released their grip.

    Jarrod stumbled back, rubbing his aching arms, his face burning with humiliation. Lowering his gaze, he slipped behind Rosanna like a scolded child, unwilling to utter another word.

    Meanwhile, Hurst turned toward Maia, the icy edge of his demeanor softening into something far more weing. ¡°Ms. Watson,¡± he said with a polite nod, ¡°please,e with me.¡±

    The crowd parted like a sea before them, a silent wave of deference. Maia¡¯s gaze flickered briefly to Chris, who merely gave a casual shrug, stepping aside with a knowing smile tugging at his lips.

    Their eyes locked for a fleeting second ¡ª a silent exchange ¡ª before Maia turned away without a word and followed Hurst deeper into the grand hall.

    As they walked side by side, Hurst gestured with subtle elegance, pointing out the hall¡¯syout and naming the distinguished guests in murmured tones.

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 Chapter 380

    ?Chapter 380:

    The guests, sensing the weight of the moment, grew restless. Was this woman truly MCN¡¯s chief designer? Even so, how could she deserve such respect from someone like Hurst? And what about her supposed dirty record?

    A nervous energy rippled through the room. Some guests shifted ufortably, wondering if their earlier snide remarks might somehow reach Hurst¡¯s ears ¡ª and what consequences that might bring.

    Rosanna stood frozen in ce, forcing a smile so tight that her cheeks ached.

    Maia had somehow gotten close to Hurst.

    She thought bitterly, her stomach twisting with jealousy. How could that nobody suddenly stand so high above her?

    At the far end of the hall, a procession emerged. Bodyguards in sharp ck suits nked a middle-aged man exuding an air of authority, his hands firmly gripping the handles of a wheelchair.

    The entire atmosphere shifted ¡ª bing thick with reverence.

    Kolton Cooper, the current head of the Cooper family, had arrived.

    And seated in the wheelchair was none other than Laurence Cooper, the former patriarch himself.

    Gasps and murmurs broke out across the room. ¡°Even Mr. Laurence Cooper is here!¡±

    ¡°I thought he had not shown himself in public for years!¡±

    ¡°This proves how important tonight¡¯s event really is ¡ª both generations of the Cooper family present!¡±

    Yet as the crowd got a closer look at the frail old man in the wheelchair, the initial excitement dulled into sorrow.

    Laurence¡¯s hair was snowy white, his once-proud face hollow and ck, his eyes nk and distant. He seemed little more than a ghost of the titan he had once been.

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    The man who had once ruled the business world with an iron will was now a frail shadow, a fragile shell trapped between life and death.

    It was truly heartbreaking to witness.

    Soft sighs whispered through the crowd like a mournful breeze.

    ¡°It looks like Mr. Laurence Cooper¡¯s health has not improved at all,¡± someone murmured. ¡°What a tragedy. He used to be such a legend.¡±

    Chris, standing stiffly among the throng, felt a hollow pang in his chest. Without hesitation, he pushed forward, cutting through the crowd until he reached the wheelchair.

    Dropping to one knee, Chris took his grandfather¡¯s frail, weathered hand into his own. His voice, low and thick with emotion, trembled slightly. ¡°Grandpa, I am here,¡± he said.

    Chris¡¯s brow knit tightly. Laurence¡¯s condition was worse ¡ª far worse ¡ª than thest time he had visited. His grandfather, once so formidable, now seemed barely tethered to this world. At the sound of Chris¡¯s voice, Laurence shivered faintly.

    A flicker of light stirred in his dull eyes ¡ª small, but unmistakable.

    Slowly, with a herculean effort, Laurence¡¯s trembling hand closed around Chris¡¯s fingers. His mouth opened, desperate to form words, but only broken, incoherent sounds spilled out.

    Chris¡¯s heart clenched painfully. How could it have gotten this bad? Last time, Grandpa could still speak, even if only in broken sentences.

    Tightening his grip on the frail hand, Chris rose to his feet, his dark eyes burning with barely contained fury. Without a word, his gaze cut sharply upward, locking onto Kolton.

    Kolton¡¯s face remained an imprable mask, his gaze steady as an unyielding storm. His voice was like the chill of winter, detached and unfeeling. ¡°Chris, your grandfather is already aware that you are speaking to him.¡±

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 Chapter 381

    ?Chapter 381:

    Their eyes met, a silent war of wills passing between them, like two mas of opposite poles struggling for dominance.

    Chris could easily hear the hidden meaning behind Kolton¡¯s words. Kolton meant why he was here and how he had even managed to slip past the security of the g.

    A fleeting smile flickered on Chris¡¯s lips, though it failed to reach his eyes. ¡°I came to see Grandpa. What, Uncle Kolton? Am I not wee?¡±

    Kolton answered smoothly, without missing a beat, ¡°Why would that be? Of course, I¡¯m d you coulde, but¡­¡±

    A faint smile yed at the corner of his lips, its depth hiding something unspoken. ¡°I just worry you might find the atmosphere a bit¡­ ufortable.¡±

    Chris¡¯s eyes narrowed, his smile deepening into something more lethal. ¡°You¡¯re right. It feels¡­ a bit off. There¡¯s a certain scent in the air ¡ª almost like¡­ conspiracy.¡±

    With a nonchnt shrug, Chris added, the half-smirk on his lips making his words all the more biting, ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, Uncle Kolton. I just never had much of a taste for the dirty tricks yed in business.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s eyes darkened, but his lips remained sealed, the silence speaking volumes.

    Chris rose, his movements graceful yet filled with purpose. The elderly man¡¯s frail grip on his hand lingered, and in Laurence¡¯s hollow, sunken eyes, Chris glimpsed something fleeting ¡ª an emotion, desperate and hidden.

    It was as though the old man¡¯s soul was crying out in silent anguish.

    Suppressing the simmering anger bubbling within him, Chris nced back at Kolton and asked, ¡°How¡¯s Grandpa been doingtely?¡±

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    Kolton shook his head slightly. ¡°The same as before. No real improvement. A while ago, he suddenly lost the ability to speak. But don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve hired the best doctors avable.¡±

    Chris couldn¡¯t suppress the sneer that threatened to twist his lips. Not for a second did he believe Kolton¡¯s words.

    A few steps away, Mariana¡¯s heart raced with a nervous flutter. She knew that her father, Kolton, harbored a deep disdain for Chris. The thought of him humiliating Chris in front of everyone filled her with dread.

    Fortunately, her worst fears did note to pass.

    As Chris and Kolton exchanged words, the guests nearby seized the opportunity to whisper among themselves.

    ¡°I heard that after Mr. Laurence Cooper¡¯s eldest son died unexpectedly, and his youngest daughter Zoey was sent to prison, the old man was struck a terrible blow. He¡¯s never truly recovered since.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, the Cooper Group has had its dark days. But in the end, only Kolton remained. Lucky for them, he stepped up when it counted and kept the family afloat.¡±

    ¡°Kolton¡¯s not one to be underestimated. In just three years, he expanded the Cooper Group massively, and he didn¡¯t stop until he had crushed everypeting branch of the family.¡±

    ¡°Even though Kolton¡¯s spared no expense hiring the best doctors, Laurence¡¯s condition hasn¡¯t improved in the slightest.¡±

    Maia, standing in the midst of the murmurs, couldn¡¯t help but focus on Laurence, the man she¡¯d only heard of in stories. A frown creased her brow, a sense of unease settling deep within her. There was something about Laurence that felt¡­ off.

    It didn¡¯t feel as if he were merely a victim of grief. No, it felt far moreplex, like¡­

    Maia¡¯s fingers curled into a fist, her eyes shifting toward Kolton.

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 Chapter 382

    ?Chapter 382:

    Kolton surveyed the room, his eyes sweeping over the crowd before nodding to his aide. ¡°It looks like everyone¡¯s almost here. Let¡¯s begin.¡±

    Without sparing Chris another nce, he maneuvered the wheelchair to the center of the hall, his every step deliberate, as though the entire room existed at his whim.

    The emcee, who had been waiting for the signal, raised his microphone and spoke with enthusiasm. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, wee to this year¡¯s g! Let¡¯s give a warm round of apuse as we invite Mr. Kolton Cooper, the head of the Cooper family, to deliver the opening speech.¡±

    Polite apuse filled the room.

    Kolton rose with effortless grace, his posture impable as he addressed the crowd, his smile a mask of poised confidence. ¡°First, thank you all for being here tonight and for gracing this g with your presence. Secondly¡­¡±

    His voice carried through the hall, smooth andmanding. ¡°Finally, I want to say, the continued sess of my family over the years is a result of the unwavering support from all of you here tonight.¡± As he spoke, Kolton made a subtle gesture toward the crowd. ¡°This g was organized by my cousin, Hurst, who¡¯s generously brought some exceptional wine from his private collection. Among them, there is a rare vintage recently acquired at an auction. I hope you all have a wonderful evening.¡±

    Hurst, standing nearby, maintained a polite smile, but inside, a storm was brewing. He had never agreed to bring the wine. He sneered inwardly, ¡°What a move, Kolton.¡±

    However, given the asion and the Cooper family¡¯s reputation, Hurst had little choice but to go along with it.

    Kolton had always known how to seize every opportunity to undermine the other branches of the family. Outwardly, he treated Hurst with polite respect, but behind closed doors, he employed his fair share of dirty tricks.

    ¡°At least I¡¯ve met Maia,¡± Hurst murmured to himself. ¡°I¡¯ve got a trump card now.¡±

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    In the next auction, he nned to ask Maia for her advice again. That way, he might be able to offset tonight¡¯s loss.

    With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Hurst turned toward the audience, his forced smile never faltering as he faced their expectant gazes. ¡°Kolton is indeed well-informed. Nothing escapes him. The wines prepared for tonight¡¯s banquet are among the finest. The bottle I acquired at the recent auction was originally intended as the grand finale, but since it¡¯s already been mentioned, let¡¯s bring it out now!¡±

    His words immediately sparked enthusiastic chatter from the crowd.

    ¡°I heard Mr. Hurst Cooper snagged a bottle of Blood Iris at the auction ¡ª the one with the SJ mark! That¡¯s a vintage that¡¯s impossible to find these days!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about that too. They say it¡¯s worth millions! Offering such a wine tonight? No wonder the Cooper family is leading the pack among Wront¡¯s four major families!¡±

    ¡°That wine¡¯s legendary! I¡¯ve dreamed of tasting it.¡±

    ¡°Rumor has it a lot of big names were at the auction but missed it. Now, the winemunity¡¯s buzzing. Everyone¡¯s saying Mr. Hurst Cooper has some secret expert helping him!¡±

    Hurst¡¯s frustration grew as he listened to their excited chatter. The thought of that rare bottle being wasted on these people gnawed at him.

    Just as the room buzzed with anticipation, the doors to the banquet hall suddenly flew open.

    A rush of hot air swept in as several men in ck suits entered swiftly, one after another.

    The man leading the group moved with a calm, unhurried grace, every step measured and firm. His dark gray suit fit as if stitched by the hands of a master, and he wore it with the effortless elegance of someone born into power. His eyes, deep and distant, seemed to see straight through the room, while his thin lips pressed together in a line that left no room for warmth. He carried authority like a second skin.

    The moment he entered, the crowd¡¯s attention snapped toward him as if drawn by an invisible force.

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 Chapter 383

    ?Chapter 383:

    ¡°That is udius Cooper, the pride of the Cooper family!¡±

    ¡°Like father, like son. His bearing is exactly like Kolton¡¯s in his younger days. udius has the entire mining empire in the southwest under his thumb, raking in billions every year!¡±

    ¡°I heard they recently unearthed a sapphire the size of a man¡¯s fist. udius called it Angel¡¯s Tear. They say it is worth no less than a billion dors!¡±

    The room buzzed with excitement, voices rising like a tide.

    In no time at all, guests from every corner of the hall surged forward, eager to bask in udius¡¯s presence, offer fawning greetings, and nt themselves firmly in his good graces.

    Compliments came pouring in, shameless and endless.

    Each word piled atop the next, thickening the air with ttery.

    The female guests, draped in silk and diamonds, could not sit still. They shifted and preened, striking their most ttering poses, hoping for a single nce from udius that might change the course of their lives.

    Whispers flitted through the crowd like birds.

    ¡°He looks even better in person than in the photos!¡±

    ¡°If he ever looked my way, I swear I would do anything he asked.¡±

    Near the edge of the gathering, a woman d in haute couture, sparkling with jewelry, spoke in a voice rich with longing. ¡°Good looks, real power, true ability¡­ This is what it means to be a Cooper. After seeing him, how could I ever look at another man again? What am I supposed to do now?¡±

    One of the socialites nearby, barely hiding her irritation, let out a dryugh and snapped, ¡°Did you not just say earlier that you were head over heels for Chris? Girl, you sure change your tune fast.¡±

    The woman dripping in gemstones gave a haughty snort, tossing her hair back. ¡°I was blinded by his looks, alright? How was I supposed to know he was that illegitimate son with a trash reputation?¡±

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    Her words ignited a fresh storm of gossip about Chris, carried eagerly from mouth to mouth.

    Chris and udius were close in age, but their reputations could not have been more different.

    ¡°Chris may be the only son of Laurence¡¯s eldest, but he is nothing but trouble. Now look at udius ¡ª standing tall like a king. You would never believe they came from the same bloodline!¡±

    ¡°Chris just drifts through life, never doing anything serious. Womene and go like changing clothes for him. There is simply nopanion.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! Did you hear? He even let himself be kept by a woman, ying the role of a boy toy. No real high-society man would ever sink that low. That is the curse of being an illegitimate child!¡±

    The mocking voices were relentless, showing no regard for Chris, who was right there.

    Moreover, these words were clearly heard by Maia, Mariana, and Rosanna.

    Beside him, Maia clenched her fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms.

    She nced at Chris out of the corner of her eye, half dreading what she would find.

    But he only wore that same careless, easygoing look, as if the words were little more than a breeze brushing past.

    Maybe he had grown numb to it all, Maia thought. Maybe when he stopped caring, he stopped hurting, too.

    In truth, these so-called members of high society were just as petty and crude as anyone else behind their polished masks ¡ª just like Rosanna, all smiles on the surface, rot underneath.

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 Chapter 384

    ?Chapter 384:

    While Chris kept hisposure, Mariana bristled with anger. Her gaze sharpened, and she longed to snap back at the ones insulting her cousin. But with her father, Kolton, and her elder brother udius both present, she knew that she had to hold¡­

    Herself in check, Mariana ground her teeth and settled for lowering her voice to a sharp whisper, her words slicing through the air. ¡°You dare insult Chris right in front of me? Are you ignoring my presence or looking down on the entire Cooper family?¡±

    At once, a hush fell over the group. Eyes dropped, faces paled.

    Nobody wanted to risk the wrath of Kolton¡¯s favorite daughter. Still, resentment clung to the air, thick and heavy, and their gazes shifted to Chris with even more open disdain.

    He was the blemish they could not erase ¡ª the illegitimate child who lived in the shadow of the great name but could never truly belong.

    Across the room, Rosanna stared at udius, who stood at the center of the crowd like a star around which all others revolved.

    She bit down on her lower lip, hard enough to sting.

    If she could catch Kolton¡¯s attention, if she could marry into the Cooper family, everything would change.

    She would not just be Rosanna Morgan, a marginalized member of high society, anymore. She would be a queen among them. Even Mariana would have to bow her head.

    The thought bloomed like a dark flower in her mind, curling her lips into a smile she could not hide.

    udius¡¯s entrance immediately energized the celebration.

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    He moved toward Kolton, grasping the wheelchair firmly. ¡°Dad, allow me to handle Grandpa. With so many visitors here tonight, countless people will likely want to honor you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re as considerate as ever.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s grin widened. udius¡¯s presence always filled him with satisfaction. This was the heir he had entrusted all his dreams to ¡ª the future leader of the Cooper empire.

    Kolton had assigned udius to the mining sector to forge resilience, and udius had excelled. Winning the favor of the entire family had paved a strong path for his eventual session.

    While reflecting on this, Kolton¡¯s eyes flickered toward Chris.

    Chris, the son of Kolton¡¯s elder brother Kyle, could have legitimately vied for leadership ¡ª if not for the circumstances of his birth. Because Chris was born out of wedlock, his mother was never admitted by the Cooper family, even after her passing. That omission sealed Chris¡¯s status as an outsider.

    Despite this, Chris disyed remarkable aptitude and brilliance in his youth, which had kept Kolton on edge for a long time.

    Now, watching Chris squander his gifts, leading a reckless and unsteady life, Kolton finally felt a sense of relief.

    Without parental support, no matter how talented he once appeared, Chris¡¯s future was bleak.

    Kolton gave a soft, dismissiveugh and looked away.

    The dazzling chandelier lit the room with radiant brilliance. Crystal flutes shed melodiously as celebrations continued.

    Small clusters of people conversed animatedly, theirughter filling the hall.

    Delicate, graceful melodies floated through the air, adding sophistication to the environment.

    Hurst was speaking casually with Maia. He had previously only suspected Maia¡¯s influential background, but tonight, he nearly confirmed it.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 385

    ?Chapter 385:

    Maia carried herself with effortless sophistication, maneuvering the intricacies of high society as if she were born for it. Whether debating fine wines or offering¡­

    Sharp insights on financial matters impressed without seeming to try. Her self-assurance was rare for someone so young.

    Curiosity about Maia¡¯s origins grew among the attendees, though under Hurst¡¯s watchful presence, few dared let it show.

    It was evident that Hurst held Maia in the same high regard others reserved for udius. Yet, whether intentionally or subconsciously, Maia¡¯s eyes kept finding Chris across the room.

    Chris knelt by Laurence¡¯s side, gently massaging his legs. Under the warm lighting, his hair gleamed softly, smoothing the sharp angles of his profile.

    Chris wore a tranquil, detached smile, his posture serene, as though the lively festivities around him were happening in another world. For reasons Maia couldn¡¯t quite name, her heart softened unexpectedly. She knew better than to approach him at this moment. Given tonight¡¯s circumstances, it was smarter to maintain her distance.

    Everything else could wait until they returned home.

    Meanwhile, the mood within the hall grew increasingly spirited.

    Exhausted by constant conversation, Maia excused herself from Hurst and wandered toward the orchestra. Finding a cushioned seat nearby, she sank into it, shut her eyes, and let the gentle music ease her fatigue.

    However, the brief tranquility didn¡¯tst. A crisp female voice suddenly rang out. ¡°Rosanna, I heard you¡¯re brilliant at the piano. Why not entertain us tonight?¡±

    Maia¡¯s brows twitched slightly. She opened her eyes and nced toward themotion. Not far off, Mariana and Rosanna stood amidst a crowd of socialites, all ncing at the grand piano.

    Rosanna yed the piano? That was unexpected.

    g???????¦Í??????.k???? ¨C ?????????? ??????????

    Still, Maia had no intention of involving herself. She reclined again, determined to rest.

    At that moment, Mariana threw a sharp nce at Maia, lounging with closed eyes.

    ¡°How dare she brazenly flirt with Chris in front of me?¡± Mariana seethed inwardly.

    Around them, excited chatter broke out among the socialites.

    ¡°I remember Rosanna being hailed online as a true prodigy! Singing, ying instruments ¡ª she was phenomenal. Yeah, she used to be really popr, with a ton of fans. It¡¯s just unfortunate¡­¡±

    The speaker let her sentence hang suggestively. Others exchanged smirks, the mockery clear in their expressions.

    Rosanna¡¯s previous humiliations at Maia¡¯s hands ¡ª and at Rosanna¡¯s banquet with Vince, him abandoning her to chase after Maia ¡ª were juicy gossip among the elite.

    To thosedies, Rosanna was little more than amusement.

    Yet, due to her newfound bond with Mariana, they refrained from ridiculing her openly, choosing instead to veil their taunts in sly smiles and murmuredughter.

    Rosanna, perceptive and keen, picked up every flicker of mockery.

    She pressed her mouth shut and lowered her gaze to her wrapped hand, her tone unsteady as she murmured, ¡°Mariana, my injury from the gallery event still hasn¡¯t mended¡­ I¡¯m worried it might hinder my ying.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°I¡¯m offering you an opening. Are you turning it down?¡±

    Rosanna stiffened.

    Mariana spoke the truth. This evening was a rare window of opportunity. If Rosanna hoped to showcase her abilities before the city¡¯s aristocrats ¡ª and perhaps capture udius¡¯s notice ¡ª she had to act.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 386

    ?Chapter 386:

    Even if it meant damaging her hand further, securing a future among the wealthy was a price she was willing to pay.

    Determined, Rosanna quickly reconsidered. ¡°It would be a privilege to attempt it. Please forgive any shorings.¡±

    With those words, Rosanna walked confidently toward the piano. The orchestra members politely stepped aside to make room for her. Settling herself at the majestic instrument, Rosanna inhaled deeply and readied her fingers to begin.

    Rosanna¡¯s slender fingers brushed the piano keys, and a soft, flowing ssical melody unfurled through the room like a river in spring. Though Rosanna had once sprouted from the cracks of some rough slums, her adoptive parents had pinched every penny they could send her for piano lessons ¡ª holding tightly to the belief that this little girl deserved a shot at chasing dreams most could only imagine.

    For a girl born into such hardship, learning the piano was a far-off dream, a castle in the clouds. Back then, the townsfolk scoffed at Maia¡¯s biological parents, branding them fools for pouring money into something so extravagant.

    From childhood, Rosanna had been tethered to the piano. Even now, with her hand throbbing from injury, she coaxed from it a breathtaking melody that held every listener spellbound.

    One by one, the guests, caught in the music¡¯s gentle current, edged closer, gathering into a loose semicircle around her.

    Clenching her teeth against the sharp pangs in her hand, Rosanna vowed silently: no matter the cost, she must y wlessly tonight. ¡°This is what all those years were for,¡± she told herself, fierce with determination.

    As the final note faded into silence, Rosanna¡¯s fingers quivered, yet she exhaled a slow, steady breath.

    Her performance hadn¡¯t merely matched her old self ¡ª it soared even higher, heavy with the emotions and battles she¡¯d weathered.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??????? brings great stories

    Soon, the room swelled with waves of praise, rising louder and louder.

    ¡°She yed that beautifully, injury and all!¡±

    ¡°I wonder who she is. Absolutely remarkable!¡±

    ¡°I heard she¡¯s the true daughter of the Morgan family. Miss Cooper brought her tonight.¡±

    ¡°Oh! I remember now ¡ª she returned to the Morgans just a few years ago, didn¡¯t she? Who would¡¯ve thought she had such brilliance in her?¡±

    Rosanna rose from the bench, poised and graceful, offering a modest smile. Across the room, she caught udius¡¯s gaze. Though his expression remained unreadable, his eyes lingered on her a second longer than custom allowed.

    And in that brief second, Rosanna¡¯s heart lifted.

    Just as she was basking in the glow of admiration, Mariana sauntered casually over to Maia. shing a polished, calcting smile, she spoke just loud enough for every nearby ear to catch. ¡°Rosanna spent more than a decade struggling before she found her way back to the Morgans, yet her piano skills are masterful. Ms. Watson, since you were raised by the Morgans from the very beginning, surely your ying must be just as refined?¡±

    The room froze into silence.

    Every eye swung toward Maia.

    Most of the guests ¡ª the elite of Wront¡¯s business world ¡ª knew little of family squabbles. But their wives andpanions had feasted on every juicy detail of the drama between Rosanna and Maia online. One guest leaned in, whispering, ¡°You know, Maia used to go by Maia Morgan. For seventeen years, everyone thought she was the Morgans¡¯ daughter. Then, four years ago, the truth cracked open ¡ª Rosanna was their real daughter, and she¡¯d lived all those years in hardship. And here¡¯s the kicker. The Morgans swore they¡¯d still treat Maia as family, but Maia panicked, afraid Rosanna would steal her spot. She tried to frame Rosanna for stealing jewelry from Radiant Jewels to send her to jail! Only, the n backfired. Maia got herself thrown behind bars for four years!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding!¡± gasped another neer, ring openly at Maia. ¡°She lived seventeen golden years she didn¡¯t even earn ¡ª all she ever wanted was more?¡±

    ¡°Some people have a bottomless appetite. Why would Mr. Hurst Cooper even invite her?¡±

    ¡°Can she even y the piano?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 387

    ?Chapter 387:

    ¡°I heard she ims to be aposer. Shouldn¡¯t she know her way around at least one instrument?¡±

    Meanwhile, Jarrod, who had melted into the crowd earlier to watch Rosanna¡¯s performance, swelled with pride at her brilliance.

    But hearing the murmurs about Maia¡¯s supposed musical prowess, he couldn¡¯t bite his tongue any longer.

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t know a damn thing about piano!¡± Jarrod blurted out.

    The nearby aristocrats frowned at his bluntness. Realizing that he had overstepped, Jarrod awkwardly cleared his throat and forced a sheepish smile. ¡°I¡¯m Rosanna and Maia¡¯s brother. I can swear on my life ¡ª Maia can¡¯t y a single note.¡±

    Just then, Rosanna floated off the stage and glided over to Maia. With a gentle, courteous smile, she said, ¡°If Maia doesn¡¯t know how to y, let¡¯s not make things hard for her.¡±

    But the guests were like sharks that had smelled blood. They weren¡¯t about to let go.

    ¡°Even if she doesn¡¯t know piano,¡± someone insisted, ¡°surely she picked up something? After all, she grew up in the Morgan household!¡±

    Jarrod, emboldened by the rising tide, sneered, ¡°She doesn¡¯t know any instruments! She was a cker at home, a troublemaker at school, and if you really want to know what she excels at¡­ well, it¡¯s stealing, fighting, and stirring up storms.¡±

    The hall burst into low, contemptuousughter.

    The socialites, their disdain deepening by the second, dismissed the very idea that Maia could be the famous designer Eileen.

    Feel the thrill at g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    How could a person like her possibly have caught Hurst¡¯s eye? The answer whispered itself among them: she must have used her body to w her way up thedder.

    Hurst¡¯s wife had passed away years ago, leaving him to raise his daughter alone. As nces were traded like secret notes, a new thought took root in everyone¡¯s mind.

    Could it be that Maia was about to be Mnie¡¯s stepmother?

    Hurst slipped out of the hall to answer a phone call, leaving the guests to murmur secrets as soon as he disappeared.

    ¡°One reason Hurst Cooper¡¯s so taken with Maia could be¡­ Isn¡¯t she married though?¡±

    ¡°Married or not, she might just be keeping her husband around until someone betteres along, then she¡¯ll probably divorce him.¡±

    ¡°Think about it, what does Hurst find so appealing in Maia? She¡¯s reasonably attractive and well-shaped, but she hardly stands out among the prettier, younger women after him.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯sughable, really. Hurst falling for a woman who has a murky past, dubious ethics, no formal education, and is already married? It¡¯s downright sad.¡±

    Disapproval was evident as the guests shook their heads, feeling sorry for Hurst and his family.

    In the shadows, Rosanna caught every word, her shock evident. She had always assumed that Hurst was the influential man behind Maia. No wonder Rosanna always felt there was someone powerful backing Maia. Now, everything made perfect sense.

    From the inte controversies and her participation in the singing contest to her abrupt promotion as MCN¡¯s chief designer, it was evident that Hurst had orchestrated everything. He might have even gone as far as to reinvent Maia¡¯s persona to rehabilitate her public image.

    Such feats were only within the grasp of the Cooper Group, given its formidable clout in Wront.

    As one of Wront¡¯s most prestigious families, the Cooper family attached great importance to its reputation. If people learned that Maia, a woman with a criminal record and a ruined reputation, married into the Cooper family, it would definitely incite public scandal against Hurst.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 388

    ?Chapter 388:

    The repercussions for Hurst¡¯s business ventures were unfathomable. Rosanna dug her nails into her palms, overwhelmed by a surge of jealousy.

    She finally understood everything.

    Maia was seemingly slipping into the life Rosanna had coveted for so long.

    The esteemed role of a wealthy wife that Rosanna had long desired was being effortlessly granted to Maia.

    What secrets did Maia possess that allowed her to ensnare so many suitors?

    Rosanna felt a burning indignation; she couldn¡¯t stand by and watch. She resolved that Maia would not outshine her. She was determined to tear down what Maia had not rightfully earned.

    With a glint of dark resolve, Rosanna clenched her jaw. She was determined to strip Maia of her facade, disgrace her publicly, and unveil her true character to Hurst.

    Taking a moment, Rosanna drew in a deep breath, managed to craft a smile tinged with irony on her lips, and assumed a look of one grievously wronged before all the attendees.

    ¡°Maia had it all from the start ¡ª born into privilege, never needing to strive for anything. In contrast, I emerged from poverty, scrabbling for every scrap to merely survive. Fate dealt us a harsh hand when everything shifted. I understand why Maia feared myeback. It would threaten thefortable existence she never appreciated. That¡¯s why she set me up four years ago. Even now, she contests me at every turn. It¡¯s just human nature, I guess.¡±

    As Rosanna¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears, she discreetly dabbed them away, eliciting a wave of empathy from the onlookers.

    ¡°Human nature? That sounds more like sheer envy and poor character!¡±

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    ¡°Miss Morgan, you¡¯re too gracious! Despite all she¡¯s done, you still defend her? I¡¯d have severed ties long ago if I were in your shoes.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t Maia wreck Rosanna¡¯s engagement party? To brazenly snatch another¡¯s betrothed¡­ What sort of person acts that way?¡±

    ¡°Marrying such a scheming, malicious individual might justpel us to reconsider our partnerships with Hurst.¡±

    The murmurs escted in volume, drawing the attention of udius, who was mingling not far off. He furrowed his brow and cast a look toward Maia, lounging nonchntly on a sofa, seemingly oblivious to the gossip weaving around her.

    Maia remained impervious to the whispers that buzzed around her like bothersome flies.

    udius, observing from a distance, noted Maia¡¯s aloof manner, which oddly reminded him of his cousin, Chris.

    Initially, Maia had no intention of engaging with Rosanna or the crowd; their opinions meant little to her. However, realizing the potential repercussions these rumors might have on Hurst, her demeanor subtly changed.

    Hurst had extended this invitation in good faith, and Maia couldn¡¯t bear the thought of her presence causing him any harm.

    With a resigned sigh, she massaged her temples, stretched with feigned nonchnce, and rose to her feet. Facing Rosanna, she showed a deliberate, mocking smile. ¡°Rosanna, if you wanted to be embarrassed, you should have just asked. Who is this charade really for?¡±

    Caught off guard, Rosanna stammered, her cheeks reddening. ¡°I was just speaking truthfully! Did I strike a nerve? Or are you actually suggesting you can y the piano?¡±

    ¡°Ridiculous.¡±

    Without sparing Rosanna another nce, Maia scanned the curious, gossipy faces in the crowd. She didn¡¯t bother exining anything. Instead, she casually turned and walked toward the stage.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 389

    ?Chapter 389:

    Chris¡¯s eyebrow arched as he watched Maia approach the grand piano. What new talent was his wife going to reveal this time?

    All eyes were on Maia as she opened the piano lid and took her seat at the instrument.

    This took everyone by surprise.

    ¡°Is she really going to y?¡±

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t she supposed to know nothing about the piano?¡±

    ¡°Trying to pretend, I see. Well, let¡¯s watch how shepares to Miss Morgan!¡±

    ¡°It would be quite embarrassing if she made a spectacle of herself here.¡±

    Rosanna watched, her disbelief palpable, hands clenched into fists. Deep down, she was convinced that Maia had no idea how to y. After all, when Rosanna had rejoined the Morgan family, they hadn¡¯t even owned a piano; they had bought one specifically for Rosanna¡¯s use.

    Jarrod, unable to contain his anger, erupted. ¡°Maia, stop this farce! Get down from there before you humiliate yourself and disgrace us all!¡±

    Maia seemed unfazed by Jarrod¡¯s outburst, casually positioning her left hand on the piano keys, foregoing any warm-up.

    Then, with a stroke that resonated through the silence, she struck a note that reverberated around the room, stunning everyone.

    Maia¡¯s soft fingers glided effortlessly over the piano keys, like waves rolling in or stars tumbling from the heavens.

    The rich, clear melody immediately hushed the noise in the hall, as if the entire room¡¯s light focused solely on her.

    She yed with only one hand, but her performance far surpassed Rosanna¡¯s earlier,borious attempt.

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    Rosanna was utterly defeated.

    Hurst, watching from the crowd, listened to the beautiful music and watched Maia, his eyes filled with a touch of admiration.

    The crowd fell silent as a tall, impressive figure made their way through the people, stepped onto the stage, grabbed a violin, and headed straight for Maia.

    When the crowd finally got a good look at the person¡¯s face, their jaws dropped in surprise.

    It was Chris.

    Maia nced up and saw Chris beside her, holding a violin under his chin. With smooth, fluid motions, he began to y.

    She couldn¡¯t help but raise an eyebrow. That was when she seemed to snap into focus, lifting her other hand to rest on the piano keys. Immediately, a lively yet elegant melody filled the air.

    The pure, graceful sound of the violin, together with the piano, sent chills down everyone¡¯s spine.

    The performance was nothing short of breathtaking.

    No matter how many fancy concerts they had been to, none of them had ever heard a duet so perfect.

    ¡°I once heard something like this at a royal concert in Galote. Maia¡¯s style is so simr to the lead pianist from that night! Could it be¡­?¡±

    ¡°To y as the lead pianist at a royal concert in Galote, you¡¯d have to be one of the best in the world! How could she be¡­ a phony heir who¡¯s been locked up for four years?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s expression shifted from dark to pale, then finally to a furious red.

    Her eyes were locked on Maia¡¯s hands.

    .

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 Chapter 390

    ?Chapter 390:

    No, this couldn¡¯t be. Maia didn¡¯t even know how to y the piano ¡ª Jarrod had said so himself. How could she possibly y like this?

    Jarrod stood there, stunned. His mouth hung open as he whispered, ¡°How could she¡­?¡±

    Soon, the music came to an end.

    Maia gently pulled her hands away, stood up, and turned to face Chris, holding his intense, mesmerizing gaze.

    A discarded illegitimate son and a shamed, phony heiress stood facing each other on stage, as if bathed in a thousand blinding spotlights, so dazzling that no one could bear to look directly at them.

    In that instant, one thought crossed everyone¡¯s mind: the two seemed made for each other.

    Not in a mocking way ¡ª there was something genuine about how perfectly they matched.

    The sight struck Mariana to her core. She clenched her fists and red at Maia with intense, venomous hatred.

    Maia nced at Chris, raising an eyebrow with a knowing look. ¡°Mr. Cooper, your violin skills are impressive.¡±

    Chris squinted his charming eyes andughed softly. ¡°I could say the same to you, Miss Watson. Your piano skills are perfect.¡±

    It felt like they were two souls in sync, rare and special, a true meeting of minds.

    She hadn¡¯t imagined that the person who could y so wlessly alongside her had been right there the whole time.

    Maia looked at the violin in Chris¡¯s hand, a touch of warmth stirring inside her. She said, ¡°Today was a bit rushed. If we get another chance¡­¡±

    Additional chapters at g ??ln ov els .???? ??

    Chris¡¯s smile turned even more yful. He leaned in close to Maia¡¯s ear and spoke softly. ¡°Sure. If we get the chance, we can have a¡­ more in-depth exchange.¡±

    Maia¡¯s face turned red in an instant.

    For a brief moment, she had thought of Chris as a kindred spirit, nearly forgetting that he was still a charming yboy!

    Maia took a step back, avoiding his gaze, and walked off the stage toward Rosanna.

    With a faint smile, Maia¡¯s tone waszy, but her words cut like a knife. ¡°Miss Morgan, your piano technique was a little stiff just now. Maybe you should avoid pieces that are too challenging.¡±

    ¡°And one more thing¡ª¡± Maia narrowed her eyes, her toneid-back, ¡°knowing your limits matters. If you¡¯re not good at it, just practice more before showing off.¡±

    Rosanna stood there, frozen, her face drained of color.

    Chris remained on the stage, a small smile in his eyes, as he pped lightly for Maia.

    His apuse seemed to snap the guests out of their stunned silence, and in the next instant, the hall erupted with thunderous pping.

    ¡°Those two from the Morgan family were just saying Maia couldn¡¯t y the piano, but she justpletely outperformed Rosanna in every way!¡±

    ¡°Maia¡¯s skill was something only possible with pure talent and countless hours of practice!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna tried to make it seem like Maia was envious of her, but in reality, it was obvious that Rosanna was the one jealous of Maia¡¯s abilities!¡±

    The mockery that was once directed at Maia was nowpletely aimed at Rosanna.

    Rosanna was about to break down in tears.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 391

    ?Chapter 391:

    She was eager to get away fast. As she started to leave, she caught sight of udius not far behind, holding a champagne ss and giving Maia a small nod, his gaze full of admiration.

    Rosanna turned around and saw Maia offer udius a slight smile. A sharp pang squeezed her chest, making her heart race and her breath falter.

    No, she couldn¡¯t just walk away.

    Since Maia had attached herself to Hurst, Rosanna had to win udius over. Hurst was merely the head of a branch of the Cooper family, while udius would one day be the real head of the Cooper Group. In front of udius, Hurst could do nothing but yield to his authority.

    Rosanna gritted her teeth, resolved to follow through.

    Meanwhile, Mariana was about to lose it from sheer rage. She had hoped that Rosanna would be her ace in the hole, but Maia had quietly flipped the situation in an instant.

    Mariana took a few deep breaths and, after a moment, managed to force a smile.

    It didn¡¯t matter. She had more than enough ways to destroy Maia¡¯s reputation.

    The mockery of the pianopetition finally wrapped up, and the audience gradually trickled out.

    Maia nonchntly grabbed a ss of champagne and stayed stretched out on the sofa, savoring the music without a care in the world.

    Chris plopped down next to her, a small coffee table separating them. He let his hand rest on the armrest, his eyes shing a warm, charming smile, and propped his chin on his hand as he gazed at Maia.

    Feeling his bold and lingering gaze, Maia blinked awkwardly and faced him. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡±

    Chris spoke slowly. ¡°Do you get along with Hurst?¡±

    M?????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    ¡°Not really,¡± Maia answered.

    ¡°Not really?¡± Chris squinted, tilting his head. ¡°Then why did I hear people saying you¡¯re divorcing me and nning to be Mnie¡¯s stepmom?¡±

    Maia felt a surge of frustration. How had the gossip gotten so out of hand?

    Sitting next to her was her husband, Chris, and his tone had an unmistakable edge of disappointment.

    Maia was momentarily lost for words, then quickly tried to exin, ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. I¡¯ve only helped Hurst a couple of times. That¡¯s why he invited me here. That¡¯s all there is to it.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve helped Hurst?¡± Chris raised an eyebrow. Hurst practically ran Wront, so what could he possibly need from Maia?

    Could it be that¡­ Maia had some hidden connection that he didn¡¯t know about?

    Just then, a loud noise erupted from the front of the room.

    Earlier, Kolton, too, had noticed the stir by the performance stage, but since he was busy talking with several key business partners, he hadn¡¯t paid it much attention.

    Once the business talk wrapped up and the mood in the ce lightened, Kolton faced the guests and brought his hands together in a p.

    With the sound of sses clinking, all eyes gradually shifted in his direction. Before long, the room became utterly quiet.

    Kolton spoke up and told the crowd, ¡°Everyone, I have something important to share at today¡¯s party.¡±

    The guests moved closer, creating a circle around Kolton, who stood at the center. Kolton waved at his youngest daughter, Mariana, who lifted the hem of her dress¡­

    and gracefully walked to his side. She turned to face the crowd, wearing a poised smile that befitted a youngdy of high society.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 392

    ?Chapter 392:

    Kolton put his arm around Mariana¡¯s shoulders and announced to the guests, ¡°Mariana graduated this year from Wegus University¡¯s School of Business and also received a degree from the School of Design. In the future, she will take charge of the fashion brand Aurora Apparel Company, part of the Cooper Group, and guide it to even greater heights!¡±

    The audience was taken aback.

    At just twenty-three, Mariana had already earned two degrees from Wegus University, famed as one of the finest in the world. Alumni from its business school had risen to prominence, transforming the businessndscape, while graduates from the School of Design were regarded as the best in the industry, leading the charge in luxury brand creation.

    The heirs of the Cooper family were genuinely unique.

    It wasn¡¯t surprising that the Cooper family had stayed at the pinnacle of Wront for so long.

    ¡°Miss Cooper running Aurora Apparel Company? It¡¯s destined to be one of the leading fashion brands worldwide!¡±

    ¡°Miss Cooper was not just skilled in business; she also shone in design. She was an ideal candidate for Aurora Apparel Company. I felt certain that soon, Aurora Apparel Company would snag the top honors in international design contests!¡±

    ¡°Miss Cooper, I¡¯d love to know if you¡¯d be open to teaming up with us at Finesse Entertainment. I couldn¡¯t wait to see our biggest stars sporting thetest designs from Aurora Apparel Company!¡±

    ¡°Our Hammersun Group was eager to partner with Aurora Apparel Company too!¡±

    As invitations to coborate came flooding in, Kolton couldn¡¯t help but smile with delight.

    Aurora Apparel Company had once reigned as the top luxury fashion brand in the nation. However, two years prior, it faced a significant challenge from the up-anding luxury brand, MCN, and had slowly been going downhill ever since.

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    MCN had turned into the preferred brand for the modern it-girls, who viewed it as a leader in fashion trends. Meanwhile, Aurora¡¯s designs seemed old-fashioned and could not adapt to contemporary preferences, causing it to lose appeal among younger shoppers. Even though the brand¡¯s reputation held strong, its sales¡­

    nosedived, and thepany continued to exist only due to the financial support from the Cooper Group.

    Kolton, however, remained unfazed by the situation. He recognized Mariana¡¯s exceptional talent in painting from an early age, so he started guiding her toward a career in fashion design, hoping that she would one day take over Aurora Apparel Company.

    Mariana lived up to his lofty expectations. During her college years, her designs received many des, and this year, she secured several gold medals in design contests. Her creations were daring and innovative, aligning perfectly with contemporary taste.

    With Mariana leading the way, Kolton felt certain that Aurora Apparel Company would soon regain its status as the premier brand in the country.

    Amidst the crowd¡¯s praise, Mariana advanced with a grin, her eyes scanning the room until they stopped on Maia, who was rxing on a sofa in the back.

    She also spotted Chris sitting next to Maia.

    Mariana¡¯s gaze hardened.

    She stifled her annoyance and managed to twist her lips into a smile.

    Then she spoke up, saying, ¡°Ms. Vaughn, I heard that you, as the head designer from MCN, are joining the party tonight. I really admire your work, and I was curious if I might get the opportunity to see you show your design skills here? And I will show mine, too. Maybe it¡¯s a good chance to learn from you.¡±

    Everyone instinctively trailed after Mariana¡¯s line of sight, their focus converging once more on Maia.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 393

    ?Chapter 393:

    Whispers from online chatter floated back to them, rumors suggesting that Maia was none other than MCN¡¯s elusive chief designer, Eileen. Was it a baseless im or reality? Had she truly possessed remarkable talent, or was she simply the product of strategic maniption by powerful allies working behind the scenes? The answers would soon surface.

    The socialites, especially those who had once ced Eileen on a pedestal, buzzed with growing anticipation, eager to watch the truth unfold.

    They were certain that in front of Mariana, a graduate of the prestigious Wegus University, Maia would surely be exposed for who she really was.

    For the social butterflies, this moment presented a golden opportunity to strip Maia of her mask. The mere thought sent thrilling shivers down their spines.

    Even udius regarded Maia with a spark of intrigue.

    Yet Maia, lounging on the couch, simply massaged her temples and exhaled heavily in resignation.

    Earlier, Rosanna had thrown down a piano challenge; now Mariana sought a duel in design. Would the provocations ever end?

    Maia had intended to enjoy a festive gathering, not engage in endless contests.

    Had she known how aggravating it would be, she would have stayed far away.

    Noticing Maia¡¯s silence, the affluentdies sneered openly, their words dripping with derision, ¡°Maia, aren¡¯t you supposed to be Eileen? Why the sudden muteness?¡±

    ¡°I bet she¡¯s too frightened to battle Miss Cooper. She¡¯s scared of the truthing out!¡±

    ¡°Exactly! Maia never once appeared at designpetitions. When Blue Sea won all those awards, she didn¡¯t even show up! MCN¡¯s Pattie epted the honors instead!¡±

    ¡°Now that you mention it, who can say those designs were hers to begin with? Maybe she just stole someone else¡¯s creativity!¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s£®?§àm takes you away

    ¡°Could it be that the famous Eileen is nothing but a fraud?¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s true, then MCN has been lying to its customers! I¡¯ll definitely take legal action!¡±

    As their usations began tarnishing MCN¡¯s name, Maia finally rose to her feet.

    One harmless invitation had once been enough to spark rumors of her bing Mnie¡¯s future stepmother. If she rejected Mariana¡¯s provocation today, who knew what wild headlines would explode tomorrow?

    Besides, Aurora Apparel Company had long been one of Maia¡¯s intended conquests. Originally, she had nned a slow, calcted approach, but with Mariana boldly stepping forward as Aurora¡¯s head, retreat was no longer an option.

    With steady steps, Maia moved into the center of the crowd, her eyes locking onto the haughty young woman basking in attention. Mariana¡¯s chin was lifted high, radiating supreme arrogance. A subtle smirk tugged at Maia¡¯s mouth.

    This confrontation could dismantle Aurora Apparel Company once and for all.

    ¡°Fine. What¡¯s your preferred method of showing our design skills?¡± Maia asked, her voice unshaken.

    Mariana confidently crossed the short distance between them, her lips curving into a smug smile. ¡°Ms. Vaughn, have you encountered the ¡®Three-Part Design Challenge¡¯ before?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m familiar with it,¡± Maia answered coolly.

    The Three-Part Design Challenge was a staple in academic exams and professional contests, pushing designers to create three distinct concepts under intense time pressure. It tested not only technical prowess but also creative resilience.

    In fashion, as in art, inspiration was crucial ¡ª often arriving in fleeting, unpredictable moments.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 394

    ?Chapter 394:

    Even the most brilliant creators couldn¡¯t always summon it on demand.

    ¡°Since you know, there¡¯s no need to exin further,¡± Mariana dered, turning to address the audience. ¡°Our duel will involve creating threepletely different gown designs within fifteen minutes. Each design must feature a unique style, original aesthetic, and colors not seen on today¡¯s runways!¡±

    Gasps rippled through the hall.

    ¡°Within fifteen minutes? Even sketching one idea would be pushing it, let alone three!¡±

    ¡°And they have to be entirely new? That¡¯s ridiculously tough!¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t just apetition ¡ª this is pure creative warfare!¡±

    ¡°This is way more thrilling than anything I¡¯ve seen at an international fashion event!¡±

    Mariana kept her eyes glued to Maia, hoping to catch even a trace of panic or hesitation, savoring the moment. Yet Maia¡¯s expression remained serene and unaffected, not the slightest hint of unease clouding her gaze.

    After hearing Mariana¡¯s challenge, Maia merely replied, ¡°Okay.¡±

    That simple eptance struck Mariana with an unexpected jolt. As the pampered Cooper heiress and a genius in her own right, Mariana had never been eclipsed by any woman ¡ª except her elder sister overseas. In every social circle, Mariana had outshone her peers effortlessly.

    But Maia¡¯s dispassionate, almost dismissive look made Mariana feel not just challenged but dismissed ¡ª as if she wasn¡¯t even worth serious regard.

    The sensation rattled Mariana more deeply than she cared to admit.

    Truthfully, Mariana had meticulously studied Eileen¡¯s past collections in preparation for today. Since inheriting control of Aurora Apparel Company, she had been plotting to undermine MCN. Although Blue Sea had dazzled the world two years ago, the fashion industry was fickle, with trends shifting overnight. By now, Eileen¡¯s old masterpieces seemed outdated.

    Your source of stories: galn¦Òv??ls.??????

    Moreover, following Blue Sea¡¯s triumph, Eileen had produced no notable new work. It was likely she had exhausted her well of inspiration and stalled in her creative evolution.

    Every era of brilliance eventually sows the seeds of its downfall.

    Two years prior, Blue Sea had clinched every prestigious design award and skyrocketed MCN¡¯s valuation into the stratosphere, cementing its position among the elite luxury brands.

    But that spectacr sess might have drained Maia dry.

    Therefore, Mariana was certain that in a high-stakes, innovation-driven showdown like today¡¯s, Maia stood little chance of surviving unscathed. It seemed inevitable that Maia would be facing resounding defeat.

    Mariana¡¯s lips twisted into a mischievous grin. She could barely contain her excitement to see Maia¡¯s inevitable copse.

    At the rear of the crowd, Jarrod quietly approached Rosanna. He lightly tapped her arm and, with a concerned expression, asked, ¡°Rosanna, are you really nning to see Maia take on Mariana?¡±

    Rosanna turned to look at him. ¡°What else would I do?¡±

    ¡°How could Maia stand a chance against Mariana? Mariana graduated with flying colors from Wegus University! Has Maia even attended college? She didn¡¯t evenplete high school! Sure, she may have had a bit of talent and luck, winning an award for her Blue Sea gown, but that doesn¡¯t mean she canpete with Mariana!¡± Jarrod eximed nervously.

    Rosanna frowned and gave him a dubious nce. ¡°Are you concerned about Maia?¡±

    Jarrod faltered, then quickly straightened his posture and said, ¡°Why should I be concerned about her? I¡¯m just worried she might bring shame to our family!¡±

    Rosanna fixed him with a cold, measured stare. ¡°She¡¯s representing MCN now. Even if she doesn¡¯t win, it¡¯s MCN¡¯s reputation on the line. Plus, she¡¯s no longer a Morgan. She said it herself.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 395

    ?Chapter 395:

    Jarrod¡¯s face went nk.

    Was that so? Had everyone in the Morgan family epted that Maia wasn¡¯t a part of them?

    His hand, which had been hanging limply at his side, gradually turned into a fist.

    How could this even be possible?

    Maia had spent seventeen years living with the Morgans. For all that time, she had followed Jarrod around like a shadow. How could she possibly not be considered part of the family anymore?

    Jarrod refused to ept that reality. Even if Maia had imed it herself, without his approval, it didn¡¯t count.

    He remained Maia¡¯s brother, and that bond would never change.

    Rosanna watched him, confused by his sudden, lost expression. She couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that something wasn¡¯t quite right with him recently.

    Whenever Maia¡¯s name came up, Jarrod seemed to be in turmoil, as if he both loathed Maia and cared deeply for her simultaneously. Rosanna couldn¡¯t figure out what Jarrod was thinking, and she didn¡¯t care enough to dig any deeper.

    She refocused on the throng of people and let out a quiet, scornful snort.

    Thispetition was bound to lead Maia nowhere.

    If she ended up losing, it would tarnish her reputation.

    If she managed to win, the situation would be even worse.

    She wouldpletely insult Mariana, which would mean crossing the Cooper family.

    Even with Hurst in her corner, could he genuinely shield her from Kolton, the family¡¯s leader? And would Hurst even want to stand up for Maia?

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    Rosanna was suddenly hit by a surge of satisfaction. It appeared that Maia wouldn¡¯t be able to maintain her smugness for much longer, and Rosanna didn¡¯t even need to do anything.

    In the meantime, attendants hurriedly set up two tables that were just the right height. Each table had paper and pens arranged for the design contest.

    There was nothing more to it.

    Mariana and Maia took their ces at their tables, each spreading out their design papers.

    ¡°Ms. Vaughn, are you ready?¡± Mariana nced at Maia, her voice full of confidence. ¡°If you¡¯re set, we can get started.¡±

    Maia looked over at her, lifting her head slowly to lock eyes with Mariana. A small smile yed at the corners of her mouth. ¡°Miss Cooper, since thispetition is already so exciting, why don¡¯t we turn up the heat?¡±

    Mariana¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Turn up the heat?¡±

    Maia shifted her attention to the crowd that was buzzing with anticipation. ¡°I¡¯d like to make a wager with Miss Cooper.¡±

    ¡°A wager?¡±

    The spectators exchanged bewildered looks, unsure of what Maia was nning.

    Mariana raised an interested eyebrow. ¡°What are you proposing to wager?¡±

    Maia met her gaze, her eyes shining with a steely light. She shed a confident smile and spoke in a soft yet firm tone that echoed in the room. ¡°I suggest a bet between MCN and Aurora Apparel Company. Only one of us can survive.¡±

    As soon as Maia wrapped up her words, the ce exploded into turmoil.

    Only one among MCN and Aurora Apparel Company could survive?

    What was that supposed to imply?

    .

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 Chapter 396

    ?Chapter 396:

    Even Kolton, the patriarch of the Cooper n standing behind Mariana, frowned in bewilderment.

    Mariana herself waspletely perplexed and turned to Maia for some rity. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Maia¡¯s gaze remained calm and detached as she exined, ¡°It means in today¡¯spetition, Miss Cooper, if you win, Aurora Apparel Company will take over MCN. But if I win¡­ MCN will take over Aurora Apparel Company.¡±

    The crowd went wild!

    From his spot on the sofa at the rear of the room, Chris lifted an eyebrow, fascinated.

    At the same time, udius¡¯ earlier lively demeanor shifted to one of shock. His eyes on Maia became more and more curious.

    The entire crowd was taken aback. After all, Maia had just transformed a routine design contest into a high-stakes gamble for two toppanies.

    Both MCN and Aurora Apparel Company were prominent luxury fashion brands in the nation, fierce rivals in the field. A merger between them would lead to onepany reigning supreme while the other would vanish. This was incredibly bold!

    MCN¡¯s sales were holding steady and increasing little by little. Maia¡¯s idea looked like a recipe for disaster ¡ª she was practically offering MCN up on a silver tter.

    On the flip side, despite the Cooper Group¡¯s wide range of businesses, it seemed unlikely they would easily part ways with one of their well-known brands. If Aurora Apparel Company were really taken over, it would deal a serious hit to the Cooper Group¡¯s image.

    There was no guarantee of a sure win inpetition.

    Even though Mariana was overflowing with confidence, it was difficult to picture her epting Maia¡¯s wild proposal.

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    Jarrod, caught in the midst of the crowd, waspletely taken aback. He whispered to himself, ¡°Is Maia losing her grip? How could she possibly take this risk?¡±

    Next to him, Rosanna let out a scornfulugh. ¡°She¡¯s doing this on purpose.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Jarrod¡¯s confusion deepened. On purpose? What did that imply? Was Maia really out of touch, or was everyone else losing it? He waspletely lost!

    Seeing that Mariana seemed unsure, Maia tilted her head with a cheeky grin and asked, ¡°Miss Cooper, are you too scared?¡± Her voice carried a hint of a challenge. ¡°If you¡¯re too scared, we can just end thepetition right here.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s expression turned sour. ¡°It¡¯s just a straightforward design contest. Why do you have to make things soplicated?¡±

    Maia responded casually, ¡°A top designer doesn¡¯t share their creative ideas without a lot of thought. If we don¡¯t raise the stakes, how can we truly give it our all? And if we can¡¯t give it our all, what¡¯s even the point? We might as well just pack it in.¡±

    Herments made the crowd nod in agreement.

    Maia had a point. The ideas from top designers were extremely valuable. These concepts were never shown before their officialunch. If someone stole them, it could lead to huge losses for both the designer and theirpany.

    Years before, Maia¡¯s famous gown design, Blue Sea, had shot MCN to the forefront of luxury fashion. It showed just how powerful a breathtaking design could be for a brand.

    Additionally, the guests at the cocktail party were the cream of the crop in Wront¡¯s business scene, including rivals. A publicpetition that highlighted creativity and inspiration was a prime target for copycats, amon problem in the design field.

    Mariana found herself at a loss for words against Maia¡¯s logic. After all, she was the one who had thrown down the gauntlet. Now that Maia had upped the ante, if Mariana stepped back, it would look like she was scared of Maia.

    Mariana squinted her eyes. What a clever strategy to flip the script! By doing this, Maia had already ced herself as the unacknowledged winner.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 397

    ?Chapter 397:

    Mariana suddenly understood that Maia¡¯s actual n was to push her into dropping out of thepetition entirely.

    This tactic would allow Maia to avoid showcasing her true skills to the audience.

    Mariana let out a sharp, sarcasticugh. Maia wanted to outmaneuver her? Not a chance.

    She lifted her gaze to fix it on Maia, raised her chin with defiance, and dered clearly, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take the bet!¡±

    Her statement made the crowd gasp in unison.

    Rosanna couldn¡¯t help but smirk. ¡°Looks like Maia misjudged the situation.¡±

    Jarrod felt overwhelmed. He decided to keep quiet and just listen.

    If Maia lost, it would be ideal. MCN would fall into others¡¯ hands, her reputation would take a hit, and maybe, in her desperation, she¡¯d feelpelled to go back to the Morgan family.

    Jarrod found himself wishing for Maia¡¯s downfall at that moment.

    Up front, just after Mariana spoke, a low voice called out from behind her. ¡°Mariana!¡±

    She turned to see Kolton stepping closer, his voice serious and his expression grave.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t something to take lightly. Don¡¯t be rash!¡±

    Mariana responded with determination, ¡°Dad, just trust me. I won¡¯t fail. Once we take over MCN, Aurora Apparel Company will rise to be the top luxury fashion brand in the nation!¡±

    Kolton¡¯s brow furrowed deeply, creating a pronounced crease. He nced at Maia, who stood nearby with a calm and detached demeanor.

    Kolton felt uneasy about the whole situation. After all, who would risk the futures of twopanies on just a designpetition? Was Maia not worried about losing? Or did she really believe that she was going to win? But how could that be? In the world of elite designers, victory was never a sure thing.

    Fresh content avable now g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s

    Though Mariana¡¯s skills weren¡¯t the very best, they were certainly high caliber. He certainly wouldn¡¯t have put Aurora Apparel Company in her hands otherwise.

    Even if Maia was Eileen, the renowned designer in MCN, who had once amazed everyone, the oue had to be uncertain when pitted against Mariana now.

    Kolton couldn¡¯t grasp what Maia was plotting.

    Noticing Kolton¡¯s anxious expression, Mariana felt a wave of nervousness.

    ¡°Dad, if I back down from her challenge, it¡¯s like throwing in the towel. What will people think of me then? How can I earn respect as head of Aurora Apparel Company? You¡¯ve always worried that the senior executives might go after me since I became the general manager right after graduation. This challenge is the perfect chance to prove myself!¡±

    Kolton studied Mariana¡¯s face for a heartbeat, then spoke with grave intensity. ¡°If you¡¯re truly determined, then know this: in thispetition, there exists only one eptable oue. Victory is your sole option!¡±

    A confident smile bloomed across Mariana¡¯s lips. ¡°I will triumph! I¡¯ll orchestrate Maia¡¯s defeat so thoroughly, so humiliatingly, she¡¯ll pay dearly for every ounce of her arrogance. If not¡­¡± her voice dropped to a fierce whisper, ¡°I swear I¡¯ll vanish from the design world forever!¡±

    Witnessing Mariana¡¯s unwavering resolve, Kolton exhaled deeply, as though releasing the weight of mountains from his shoulders.

    He retreated a step in silence.

    Despite the conviction zing in Mariana¡¯s deration, Kolton refused to leave even the slimmest margin for failure in this high-stakespetition.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 398

    ?Chapter 398:

    With a subtle tilt of his head, he murmured instructions to the butler hovering behind him.

    The man nodded once and slipped away without a sound.

    Nearby, Chris¡¯ expression froze, his gaze suddenly sharpening.

    Mariana lifted her chin defiantly, locking eyes with her rival. ¡°Maia, I ept your bet. But you¡¯re merely a designer at MCN. Do you truly possess the authority to make such monumental decisions for yourpany?¡±

    After all, Pattie was MCN¡¯s rightful owner. If Maia lost, would this acquisition hold any legal weight?

    What if Maia had craftily built herself an escape hatch, a convenient loophole to deceive Mariana when the moment came?

    The longer Mariana contemted, the more calcting Maia¡¯s strategy appeared.

    Should Maia emerge victorious, acquiring Aurora Apparel Company would catapult MCN to unprecedented heights in the country¡¯s luxury fashion market.

    Yet if defeated, she could effortlessly evade the agreement without suffering consequences.

    Mariana quickly unraveled this potential deception, praising herself inwardly for having a sharp mind.

    Maia, however, merely offered a whisper of a smile. With unhurried grace, she retrieved her phone, dialed Pattie¡¯s number, and activated the speaker function.

    ¡°What? The loser must surrender theirpany to the winner? Maia, are you serious?¡± Pattie¡¯s voice ricocheted across the room,den with disbelief.

    Unflinching, Maia maintained herposure, her tone cool as polished marble. ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡±

    And indeed, Maia harbored a deadly determination to witness Aurora Apparel Company crumble into dust.

    Your story hub g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s

    After a chasm of stunned silence stretched between them, Pattie finally broke the tension. ¡°Alright, I agree.¡±

    The crowd froze in collective astonishment.

    Pattie agreed just like that?

    Such casual agreement seemed preposterous! The question hung in the air ¡ª who truly held the reins of power at MCN?

    Witnessing Pattie¡¯s boundless faith in Maia, the socialites exchanged nces steeped in suspicion. Could this woman truly be the enigmatic designer Eileen behind Blue Sea¡¯s brilliance?

    Doubt still lingered in their minds. More evidence was necessary. Unless Maia could actually defeat Mariana with her design skills, they wouldn¡¯t fully believe it.

    ¡°Is this arrangement satisfactory now?¡± Maia inquired, pivoting toward Mariana.

    Cornered, Mariana could only offer a reluctant nod. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s begin.¡±

    ¡°Wait a moment.¡±

    Just as anticipation crested like a wave about to break, Maia¡¯s unexpected interjection sliced through the silence.

    ¡°What now?¡± Mariana snapped, irritation crackling through her voice.

    A serene smile yed across Maia¡¯s lips. ¡°Let¡¯s draft the acquisition contract first. We wouldn¡¯t want anyone fabricating excuses or slipping awayter, would we?¡±

    As the words left her mouth, her fingers danced across her phone screen. ¡°Since I initiated this wager, I¡¯ll prepare the acquisition agreement myself.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s lips curled into a contemptuous sneer. At this point, she simply allowed Maia to indulge in her little performance.

    None of it mattered ¡ª victory was already hers, crystallized in her mind as an inevitability.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 399

    ?Chapter 399:

    Once Maiapleted drafting the contract, she summoned a nearby waiter, requesting him to print the document.

    It didn¡¯t take long before the waiter returned with two printed copies, which Maia quickly nced over.

    Satisfied with what she saw, Maia glided forward and extended one copy toward her opponent.

    ¡°Miss Cooper, please examine this thoroughly.¡±

    Mariana snatched the agreement without sparing it a nce, flinging it aside with theatrical carelessness. She fixed Maia with a gaze dripping with mockery. ¡°Ms. Watson, you¡¯re turning this into quite the production. Anyone watching this might suspect you¡¯re trembling with nerves behind thatposed facade.¡±

    Maia¡¯s subtle smile never wavered. ¡°I strongly suggest you review the contract first. Once you¡¯ve confirmed everything meets your approval, we can proceed. I prefer not to squander precious time on pointless disputes.¡±

    Her measured response caught Mariana off-bnce, disrupting her confidence. With a venomous re, she reluctantly retrieved the contract and began leafing through its pages.

    But as her eyesnded on a particr figure buried in the legal text, Mariana¡¯s expression transformed, her eyes widening into undisguised shock.

    Mariana gawked at Maia, her face frozen in sheer shock. ¡°Are you telling me this figure for the merger and acquisition is right?¡± she asked, her voice sharp.

    Maia gave a small, almost shy smile. ¡°I forgot to add,¡± she said, ¡°this isn¡¯t your run-of-the-mill merger and acquisition. It¡¯s a budget one. What¡¯s written in the contract is spot-on.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s mouth twitched, almost as if she couldn¡¯t decide whether tough or cry. ¡°One dor? Maia, have you lost your mindpletely?¡±

    The moment the words left her mouth, a wave of gasps rippled through the room.

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    What? One dor? Was Maia serious? Snapping up a top national brand for just a single dor? It sounded so absurd that it bordered on madness!

    Mergers and acquisitions, in simple terms, were all aboutpanies joining forces or one swallowing the other, which naturally meant that someone had to cough up cash to seal the deal. Normally, the price tag for big-name brands ran into the tens of billions, and even then, snapping one up through a merger took at least a few billion. Yet, the figure Maia had scribbled down was¡­ just one dor?

    She had clearly gone off the deep end. It was like handing thepany away for peanuts!

    ¡°Are you sure Ms. Miller is really on board with this price?¡± Mariana asked, her tone full of doubt.

    Maia tapped a few times on her phone, pulled up a file, and slid it across the table to Mariana. ¡°I already sent her the contract,¡± she said. ¡°She¡¯s signed it. If anything goes wrong, she¡¯ll have someone bring the signed paperwork over in no time.¡±

    The crowd stood there, so stunned that they couldn¡¯t even think straight. It was one thing for Maia to throw caution to the wind, but why on earth was Pattie ying along with this madness?

    Even the old hands in the business world were scratching their heads, unable to figure out what Maia was thinking.

    At best, her odds ofing out on top were fifty-fifty. If she ended up losing, the Aurora Apparel Company would acquire MCN at the price of just one dor.

    Was she really willing to roll the dice on odds that slim ¡ª barely a fifty percent chance? It was all or nothing.

    But did she really need to push it this far? If she had set a higher price for the deal, then even if things went south, she could still walk away with a fat paycheck, enough to live easy for the rest of her days.

    She was backing herself into a corner with no escape.

    .

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 Chapter 400

    ?Chapter 400:

    Why push things this far? The crowd waspletely baffled ¡ª was Maia holding a grudge against Aurora Apparel Company or maybe against MCN? Or was she actually targeting Pattie, setting a trap for her on purpose?

    No matter the reason, the excitement in the room was now boiling over.

    A flicker of nervousness crossed Mariana¡¯s face, but she quickly pulled herself together.

    She couldn¡¯t afford to let Maia shake her nerves ¡ª that would be falling right into her trap.

    Maybe Maia was ying mind games, trying to throw her off and mess up her performance.

    Mariana took a deep breath and steadied her thoughts. She had full confidence in her skills ¡ª she was certain that she could crush Maia without a problem.

    Wearing a self-assured grin, she replied, ¡°Fine. A gambler¡¯s way of thinking is all about putting up little for the chance to score big. If you want to dance this close to the fire, I¡¯ll join you.¡±

    ¡°Mariana!¡± udius¡¯s voice cut sharply through the air behind her. ¡°This is way too dangerous. You need to slow down and think twice!¡±

    Mariana clenched her jaw and faced udius. ¡°udius, if she isn¡¯t shaking in her boots, why should I be? Aurora Apparel Company is on the line, and I¡¯m the one in charge now. What I say, sticks. Stay out of my way.¡±

    Mariana was being unbearably proud and reckless! udius was fuming and felt utterly powerless, but seeing that his father, Kolton, kept his mouth shut, he had no choice but to swallow his words.

    After giving udius a piece of her mind, Mariana spun back toward Maia with a frosty, mocking smile. ¡°Just be sure you don¡¯t bawl too much when you lose.¡±

    A faint smile tugged at Maia¡¯s lips, but her eyes flicked over to Kolton, who stood silently behind Mariana. She spoke in an unhurried tone. ¡°I have nothing else to add. But I¡¯ll need you to vouch for your daughter, Mr. Cooper.¡±

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    Kolton arched an eyebrow. ¡°What kind of promise are we talking about?¡±

    Maia answered calmly, ¡°You have to guarantee that if Miss Cooper ends up losing,

    ¡°Aurora Apparel Company will be absorbed by MCN just like the agreement says. Also, the Cooper Group must never strike back at anyone from MCN, not now, not ever ¡ª that includes Pattie and me.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s eyes grew cold and sharp, narrowing at her words.

    The people standing around, catching on to Maia¡¯s true motives, instantly understood why she had asked for such an assurance. Aurora Apparel Company was just a branch under the big umbre of the Cooper Group, and Kolton was the one who truly pulled the strings. Without his go-ahead, there was no way this deal could move forward.

    On top of that, even if Mariana ended up losing and MCN managed to swallow up Aurora Apparel Company, there was still a real risk. The Cooper Group could always find a sneaky way to w it back.

    Maia had already made the Cooper Group bleed heavily. Given Kolton¡¯s grudge-holding nature, it was hard to believe that he would just let her walk away untouched, even if he had to work behind the scenes.

    By forcing Kolton to make a publicmitment in front of all these high-profile business figures, Maia was locking him in. If anything shady happened to MCN or anyone tied to it, everybody would immediately point fingers at the Cooper Group.

    The blow to the Cooper Group¡¯s image would be devastating, and the way the business world looked at them would change for good.

    ¡°A powerhouse like the Cooper Group would surely keep their word and swallow their loss with dignity. If they stooped to holding grudges and scheming in the shadows, it would wreck their good name. Surely, you wouldn¡¯t want it to happen, right, Mr. Cooper?¡± Maia said coolly.

    Hearing this, Rosanna, who was mingling in the crowd, bit her lip hard in annoyance. She hadn¡¯t seen iting that Maia would drag such a sensitive matter into the open. Even if Maia stepped on the Cooper Group¡¯s toes, they¡¯d have to tread carefully before making any move against her.

    .

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 Chapter 401

    ?Chapter 401:

    After a short pause, Kolton gave a low, amused chuckle and fixed Maia with a look full of fresh curiosity. ¡°Miss Watson, I must say, you¡¯ve got guts. Fine, I give you my word.¡±

    He turned toward the gathered crowd and dered, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you all to be witnesses today. If Mariana loses this contest, Cooper Group will stick to the deal and hand over Aurora Apparel Company to MCN. Also, Cooper Group will not lift a finger against MCN or any of its people. Should we go back on our word, may we lose the trust of everyone and fall out of fortune¡¯s favor!¡±

    Kolton sounded as though he were making a solemn vow, but deep down, he didn¡¯t take it seriously at all.

    Truth be told, he thought there was no chance Maia could pull off a win.

    The higher she climbed now, the harder she would fallter, and he was waiting to see it.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, what a noble spirit you have!¡± someone in the crowd cried, and soon the whole room burst into pping and cheers, praising Kolton to the skies.

    Watching this unfold, Maia¡¯s lips lifted into a cool, satisfied smile. She turned smartly toward the table and said in a calm voice, ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s get started.¡±

    Maia and Mariana stood shoulder to shoulder, each apanied by three attendants. Whenever onepleted a sketch, they passed it to an attendant to present before the audience.

    The clock began ticking.

    Mariana sprang into action immediately, seizing a pen and attacking the paper with swift, intense strokes.

    Maia, by contrast, stood motionless, her lids shut as if lost in contemtion.

    ¡°Why isn¡¯t she moving yet? Can she even finish?¡±

    Find what you love at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°Looks like she was bluffing the whole time. I expected much more from her!¡±

    ¡°MCN¡¯s doomed, thanks to Maia!¡±

    The whispers swirling through the gathering didn¡¯t rattle Maia in the slightest.

    Mariana¡¯s first piece nearedpletion, drawing admiring nces from the spectators. In contrast, Maia¡¯s sheet remained pristine, prompting disappointed shakes of the head.

    Even udius exhaled, realizing that his earlier concerns might have been unfounded.

    Chriszily surveyed the crowd, swirling his wine, his gaze sharpening as he observed.

    Five minutester, Mariana wrapped up her first creation, handed it off, and darted a nce at Maia.

    Seeing Maia¡¯s paper still untouched, Mariana snorted with derision. ¡°That¡¯s what happens when you aim too high ¡ª you fall even harder,¡± she sneered inwardly.

    She was counting down the moments to Maia¡¯s copse, eagerly anticipating MCN¡¯s takeover and Aurora Apparel¡¯s climb to fashion dominance.

    As Mariana¡¯s blueprint unfurled before the attendees, gasps of praise filled the air.

    ¡°I¡¯ve neverid eyes on something so original. Miss Cooper is incredible!¡±

    ¡°This contest is already decided. Miss Cooper wins!¡±

    ¡°With that level of ipetence, Maia dared to brag about overtaking Aurora Apparel? She¡¯s embarrassing herself and wasting our time! Wonder how bitter she¡¯ll beter.¡±

    ¡°I said it before ¡ª she¡¯s no Eileen! Misleading the public like that ¡ª both she and Pattie deserve what¡¯sing to them!¡±

    Amidst the jeering, Maia finally opened her eyes.

    Only eight minutes remained.

    .

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 Chapter 402

    ?Chapter 402:

    Calmly, she ttened two sheets onto the desk and selected a colored pencil.

    Faces in the crowd twisted in scorn.

    ¡°She¡¯s just starting now? Hopeless.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s probably given up. If her drawings are hideous, it¡¯ll just be worse!¡±

    Seeing Maia on the verge of losing, Rosanna couldn¡¯t suppress her triumphant smirk. Just as she had anticipated, Maia had been pretending all along.

    MCN slipping into Mariana¡¯s hands would be the talk of the town by tomorrow morning. Rosanna could already picture Maia being ripped apart online.

    ¡°With less than eight minutes left, how can she possibly finish anything?¡±

    ¡°Come on, why are you so surprised at her behavior? I¡¯ve already expected this. She¡¯s an ex-convict. What real skills could she possibly have?¡±

    Suddenly, the mockery ceased.

    The crowd¡¯s expressions froze.

    Every eye locked onto Maia as she grabbed a second pencil with her left hand.

    Using a tool to anchor the paper, she bent closer.

    In the next moment, both hands began to move ¡ª simultaneously.

    The venue dropped into stunned quiet.

    ¡°Wait¡­ Using both hands to draw? Has she lost her mind? I¡¯ve never seen anyone draw two design drafts at the same time!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s obviously desperate for notice! She must have figured out she¡¯s running out of chances and is scrambling toplete both pieces together. Creations like that are bound to be hollow. There¡¯s no possibility they¡¯ll turn out well!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to witness the catastrophe she¡¯s about to unleash!¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s has the stories you love

    Catching the uproar, Mariana nced at Maia and nearly burst intoughter.

    Everyone understood that sketching with two hands simultaneously bordered on the impossible.

    Producing twin artworks at once using both hands demanded exceptional skill, especially in fashion, where precision, structure, and ir were crucial.

    Crafting something remarkable through such a method required countless years of honing skill and discipline.

    Nobody was buying Maia¡¯s act. Ultimately, however, what truly counted in the fashion world was the end result.

    Three minutester, Maia dropped her pencils and passed her finished pieces to the staff waiting beside her.

    ¡°Miss Cooper needed five minutes toplete one piece, yet Maia finished a pair in only three. How could anything decent emerge from such a rush?¡±

    The audience scoffed and ridiculed her without restraint.

    But when the attendants raised Maia¡¯s sketches for all to see, an immediate hush fell over the entire hall. Not even the faintest murmur echoed.

    The front-row watchers instinctively recoiled, their facial features twitching uncontrobly. Gradually, more eyes shifted toward the twin blueprints, faces frozen in amazement as if struck by an invisible force.

    In just three minutes, Maia produced a pair of concept pieces that matched ¡ª or even surpassed ¡ª Mariana¡¯s craftsmanship. Each sketch bore a unique aesthetic, distinct designs, and contrasting palettes. Maia¡¯s brushwork was sharp, her artistry unmistakable, and her color choices daring. The artwork flowed seamlessly.

    Had they not witnessed it firsthand, no one would have believed such a feat possible. Even world-renowned fashion studios might falter attempting work of this scale. Maia¡¯s gown illustrations transcended rough drafts ¡ª they resembledpleted, runway-ready masterpieces awaiting the catwalk. Models parading under the spotlights of Fashion Week were already etched into the imagery.

    Meanwhile, Mariana, nearing the end of her piece, felt the palpable tension crackling through the hall. She jerked her head up and caught sight of the attendant presenting Maia¡¯s two finished artworks. Stunned, Mariana¡¯s pupils dted; her mind went nk. Color drained from her cheeks.

    What? Maia drew both? At the same time? Absurd!

    .

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 Chapter 403

    ?Chapter 403:

    Her hand hovered stiffly above her tablet, the gap between her half-finished attempt and Maia¡¯s polished brilliance painfully clear. A chill of dread slithered up her spine.

    Was she going to lose? No, she wouldn¡¯t let it happen! She would never lose ¡ª not to someone like Maia.

    Fingers clenched tightly around her stylus, Mariana battled rising panic, determined to finish despite the fear gnawing at herposure.

    Not far away, udius stood frozen¡­

    Wide-eyed, fixated on Maia, Kolton¡¯s expression hardened into a deep scowl as soon as he saw the designs. He realized ¡ª toote ¡ª just how badly he had misjudged Maia. At that very moment, Maia and Mariana simultaneouslypleted their final renderings.

    Discreetly, Kolton gestured toward hidden agents dispersed within the crowd.

    Maia had barely set down her tools when the lights abruptly went out.

    ¡°A ckout? What¡¯s happening?¡±

    A heavy, ominous darkness smothered the entire estate. For the average attendee, vision waspletely stolen. But Kolton¡¯s top-tier covert agents, trained for secretive missions, adjusted seamlessly to the gloom and sprang into action immediately.

    Amid the disarray, muffled impacts echoed faintly.

    In under sixty seconds, the mansion was illuminated again, casting vivid light across the hall.

    Yet the sight awaiting them made every onlooker stiffen in disbelief. Several figures writhed on the floor beside Maia¡¯s table, grimacing in agony ¡ª some clutching shattered limbs.

    What¡­ in the world just happened?

    L¨»t?st ch¦Ápt?rs ??n g??l??ov????.§ã??m

    The attendees stood frozen, thoroughly mystified.

    Maia arched an eyebrow ever so slightly at the spectacle.

    Kolton, in contrast, simmered with rage. His elite team was supposed to be invincible ¡ª how had they been overwhelmed in mere moments?

    His shaking pupils darted across the assembly, scrutinizing every individual present.

    ¡°Who¡¯s responsible for this?¡± Kolton muttered inwardly.

    His focus ultimately drifted to Chris, loungingzily on a nearby couch.

    Could it be Chris¡­?

    Kolton¡¯s scowl deepened.

    No way. That cker couldn¡¯t possibly be behind this.

    Just then, the butler hurried in, bowing and stammering his apologies. ¡°We sincerely regret the earlier ckout. The technical fault has been corrected and won¡¯t trouble us again. Please forgive the inconvenience¡­¡±

    Before he could finish, the charged atmosphere froze him mid-sentence. His gaze fell on the injured operatives sprawled across the floor, his face paling with panic. Overwhelmed, he turned pleadingly to Kolton.

    Seeing no other option, Kolton swallowed his fury and barked curtly, ¡°Clear these fools out! No one is allowed to disturb thepetition!¡±

    Guards quickly moved in to haul the wounded away.

    Drawing in a steadying breath, Kolton turned to the crowd, forcing a strained grin. ¡°It appears some insignificant foes of the Cooper family slipped in and caused trouble. We appreciate your understanding.¡±

    The guests exchanged subtle, knowing nces.

    .

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 Chapter 404

    ?Chapter 404:

    Battles for dominance within powerful dynasties weremon, especially among families like the Coopers, constantly beset by rivals from within and outside.

    Although the disruption briefly rattled the room, the Coopers¡¯ swift reaction and control reassured everyone why they held their esteemed ce atop Wront¡¯s elite.

    The gathering silently acknowledged this, their admiration unspoken.

    With the brief turmoil behind them, attention shifted once again to the duel between the two designers.

    Maia and Mariana submitted theirpleted designs to the waiting attendant.

    Both artworks were unveiled side by side for the audience to behold.

    Everyone surged forward, their eyes riveted on the unfolding scene. Mariana¡¯s final design sketch appeared somewhat chaotic, yet in terms of creativity, it undeniably eclipsed her previous two attempts.

    Across the room, Maia¡¯s designs remained breathtakingly impressive.

    Although Maia possessed superior technical skillpared to Mariana, and had even demonstrated the remarkable talent of drawing with both hands simultaneously, the final results did not show the vast disparity one might expect. Out of deference to the Cooper Group¡¯s reputation, the crowd diplomatically sided with Mariana.

    Scattered among the guests were several influential figures from the design industry. Eager to maintain Kolton¡¯s favor, they stepped forward with calcted poise to champion Mariana¡¯s work.

    ¡°Maia¡¯s designs are truly exceptional, but Miss Cooper¡¯s work exudes boldness and innovation. It¡¯s genuinely difficult to dere a winner.¡±

    ¡°Both women represent the pinnacle of design talent. Why not dere a tie and foster a coborative rtionship?¡±

    ¡°Indeed! This approach avoids unnecessary tension, creating a beneficial oue for everyone involved.¡±

    For updates, visit ?¦Ál?ov??s.co?

    The socialites huddled together, exchanging hushed observations. ¡°I never imagined Maia possessed such remarkable skill. I¡¯m beginning to suspect she really might be Eileen.¡±

    ¡°Between us, I still find myself drawn to Maia¡¯s designs¡­ Will those three stunning gowns Maia created be avable? I simply must have them.¡±

    Kolton exhaled softly in relief.

    Earlier, his attempt to substitute Maia¡¯s designs had failed, leaving him anxious that Mariana might actually forfeit Aurora Apparel Company. Thankfully, the guests possessed enough social awareness to avoid slighting the Cooper Group, strategically aligning with Mariana. Under these circumstances, apromise would ensure no party suffered significant losses.

    Clearing his throat deliberately, Kolton announced in resonant tones, ¡°Since the consensus appears to be a tie between these talented designers, then thispetition¡ª¡±

    ¡°Wait!¡± Maia¡¯s voice cut through Kolton¡¯s promation with unexpected authority. She pivoted deliberately, her piercing gaze locking onto Kolton¡¯s face while a ghost of a smile yed on her lips.

    A tie? Impossible!

    Countless times she had dered her unwaveringmitment to defeating Aurora Apparel Company.

    ¡°Who said this is all I¡¯ve got?¡± Though barely above a whisper, Maia¡¯s voice carried a chilling authority that sent a shiver down spines.

    Bewildered nces ricocheted among everyone present.

    What cryptic message lurked behind Maia¡¯s words? Had she not submitted merely three design sketches? Could she possibly conjure another masterpiece from thin air?

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 Chapter 405

    ?Chapter 405:

    ¡°Miss Watson, I fail to grasp your meaning,¡± Kolton remarked, maintaining a polite smile that never reached his cold eyes.

    Maia offered no response. Instead, she glided toward the server, collected her three design sketches, and aligned them with precision. Beneath the hall¡¯s brightest spotlight, she hoisted the stacked sketches triumphantly overhead.

    Her lips curved into a knowing smile as she proimed, ¡°Behold! This is my final design!¡±

    Every eye widened in astonishment at the revtion in Maia¡¯s hands. A collective gasp rippled through the hall, followed by an explosion of stunned exmations.

    ¡°Impossible! I cannot trust what I¡¯m seeing! Whenyered together, the three gown designs transform into an entirely new creation!¡±

    ¡°The elements from all three sketches intece with breathtaking harmony! This transcends mere design ¡ª it¡¯s visual alchemy!¡±

    ¡°Surely to call her the world¡¯s preeminent designer would be nothing but stating the obvious!¡±

    ¡°Beside this masterpiece, Miss Cooper¡¯s offering withers into insignificance¡­¡±

    ¡°Insignificance? Let¡¯s be candid ¡ª Maia¡¯s final revtion has rendered Mariana¡¯s work practically invisible.¡±

    The winner was clear!

    Not a soul with functioning vision could dispute the brilliant truth unfolding before them. They stood transfixed, suspended in a collective trance of wonder.

    Even the seasoned design experts among the crowd were thoroughly impressed by Maia¡¯s work. They did not hold back their praise, marveling at her audacious creativity.

    Silently, they reflected on Mariana¡¯s hubris ¡ª how had she dared challenge such an unparalleled master?

    ??¦Á???????? §ã????¦Ñ???????? ??¦Á??????¦Í??????©q?????

    Against the tapestry of Maia¡¯s multyered masterpiece, Mariana¡¯s once-impressive sketches now appeared childishly rudimentary byparison.

    Mariana, who moments earlier had bristled at the notion of sharing victory, now stood frozen in stunned silence, herplexion ashen as the blood drained from her face.

    How could reality shift so dramatically? How had Maia done it?

    Mariana just could not believe her eyes. She had never seen any design like this before.

    Maia gracefully lowered the sketches and pivoted toward Kolton, her expression radiating serene confidence. ¡°Mr. Cooper, surely the verdict of thispetition stands beyond question now, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    Indeed, within a mere quarter hour, Maia had not only exhibited extraordinary technical mastery but had established an entirely superior design philosophypared to her opponent. Most importantly, within the same time frame, she had conjured an additional design beyond Mariana¡¯s output ¡ª a final creation that utterly eclipsed all of Mariana¡¯s efforts with breathtaking superiority.

    ¡°Miss Cooper possesses undeniable talent, yet in this arena, Maia wins.¡±

    ¡°Forgive me, but as a design professional, I cannot betray the truth my eyes perceive.¡±

    ¡°Maia has transcended global benchmarks. Miss Cooper, though gifted, remains on her journey toward such mastery¡­¡±

    Throughout the hall, the relentless chorus of voices hammered a painful reality into Kolton¡¯s consciousness.

    Maia had won.

    Not merely won ¡ª she had conquered with devastating brilliance.

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 Chapter 406

    ?Chapter 406:

    Tremors coursed through Mariana¡¯s body as her eyes burned with tears she refused to release.

    Forever the adored prodigy, bathed in universal admiration and envy, Mariana found herself utterly unprepared for this spectacr downfall. Her once imprable pride and confidence nowy in ruins around her.

    What truly struck terror into Mariana¡¯s heart, however, was the crushing realization that Aurora Apparel Company ¡ª the crown jewel among the Cooper Group¡¯s prestigious brands ¡ª was slipping through her fingers.

    ¡°Father¡­¡± The word escaped Mariana¡¯s quivering lips as a fragile whisper, barely audible in the tense silence.

    Kolton¡¯s posture transformed instantly, his body going rigid as his expression darkened to a stormy intensity that sent Mariana¡¯s heart racing with primal fear.

    Only the presence of countless witnesses prevented her tears from flowing freely in torrential surrender.

    After what seemed an eternity of suffocating silence, Kolton¡¯s fingers twitched almost imperceptibly as he slowly lifted his gaze to meet Maia¡¯s.

    Kolton¡¯s fists were clenched tight, a visible vein pulsing on his forehead as he battled his frustration. He remained silent, the struggle evident as he searched for words. ¡°Miss Watson has prevailed. I will fulfill our agreement.¡±

    The preparations Maia had made prior to thepetition had cornered Kolton into a situation he couldn¡¯t escape. He had vowed publicly, with the elite families of Wront as witnesses, and retracting his word would devastate both his and hispany¡¯s reputation.

    In the realm of business, trust was paramount. Kolton couldn¡¯t jeopardize the Cooper Group¡¯s integrity for the sake of Aurora Apparel Company. Reluctantly, he acknowledged his defeat.

    ¡°Dad!¡± Mariana, nearly overwhelmed, raced to Kolton. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she pleaded hoarsely, ¡°This was all a scheme by Maia! We can¡¯t just let her win and take Aurora Apparel Company like this!¡±

    Stay tuned for more g??lno¦Íe??s.c?m

    Her emotional outcry didn¡¯t go unnoticed; the guests around them began murmuring.

    ¡°What scheme? Wasn¡¯t it she who challenged Ms. Watson to thispetition?¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Ms. Watson was upfront about the terms before thepetition, and Mariana epted them.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re outyed, you just have to ept it!¡±

    ¡°I get why Miss Cooper is upset, but if she took the bet, she should have been ready to face the consequences. If the Cooper Group starts reneging on their word, who would trust them in the future?¡±

    The whispers andments from the crowd only exacerbated Kolton¡¯s irritation. He spun around to face Mariana and snapped, ¡°That¡¯s enough! Keep it down!¡±

    Mariana recoiled at his sharpmand, her body shaking. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clutched her brother udius¡¯ sleeve, weeping, ¡°udius, please, talk to Dad on my behalf! I didn¡¯t mean for this to happen. I didn¡¯t want any of this.¡±

    udius regarded his sister with a mixture of frustration and pity, exhaling a weary sigh. ¡°You¡¯ve really stirred up trouble. It¡¯s best if you stay quiet for now.¡±

    When she realized that neither her father nor her brother would advocate for her, despair settled in Mariana¡¯s heart. Was she really about to lose Aurora Apparel Company to Maia?

    Mariana had yet to take the helm at Aurora Apparel, to leave her imprint on the fashion industry, or to rise as the nation¡¯s premier designer.

    Her legs buckled beneath her, and she almost fell to the floor.

    Quickly, udius caught her and shouted for assistance, his tone authoritative. ¡°Take Mariana to her room to rest immediately.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 407

    ?Chapter 407:

    Mariana, seemingly lost in her thoughts, allowed the attendants to guide her out of the hall.

    Rosanna and Jarrod watched the unfolding drama, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.

    Even Mariana, with all her resources and cunning, hadn¡¯t managed to outmaneuver Maia. What transformations had Maia undergone during her four years behind bars? She was no longer the person they once knew.

    Maia had changed profoundly; she had be a figure of both fear and respect.

    Rosanna¡¯s hands tightened into fists. She had believed that sending Maia to prison would neutralize her as a threat. Yet now, a sense of unease washed over her.

    The time Maia spent in prison must have been transformative.

    Jarrod, who had dismissed Maia¡¯s earlier sesses as mere flukes, was forced to confront a new reality. Maia had proven him wrong time and again. Now, he had to ept a harsh truth.

    The Maia standing before them now was so formidable that the Morgan family found her too intense to face directly.

    She had clearly moved beyond the Morgans.

    But how had she done it? She had only recently been released from prison!

    Jarrod was perplexed. How had Maia, once a clumsy troublemaker shadowing him, evolved into such an impressive figure?

    As Mariana was escorted away, Maia calmly approached Kolton. Her expression remained calm andposed, just as it had been throughout thepetition, revealing no signs of excitement despite her recent victory.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, since you have agreed to honor the bet, please sign this contract.¡±

    She presented Kolton with the acquisition contract she had prepared in advance.

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    Kolton epted the contract, his expression serious. As he scanned the document, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

    ¡°Miss Watson, your audacity is quite remarkable. Have you considered a future coboration with the Cooper Group?¡±

    Maia returned a courteous smile. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it, but I have no immediate ns.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s smile vanished. Silently, he signed the contract and handed it back to Maia. As he did so, he rxed his grip, allowing the papers to drop to the floor.

    The documentsnded with a distinct thud.

    Maia¡¯s frown was subtle yet noticeable as her eyes met Kolton¡¯s. Kolton, undeterred, met her gaze with an intense look of his own, his eyes sharp. He shrugged slightly and walked away, his actions leaving a silent but clear warning. The message was unmistakable.

    He had pledged not to retaliate against her, yet Kolton knew the threat a woman as influential as Maia could pose. If she couldn¡¯t be a true ally of the Cooper Group, he was convinced that eventually, he would see her, like that contract, toppled into the dirt.

    Maia quickly discerned the underlying message in Kolton¡¯s actions. She gazed at the contract on the floor for an extended moment before stooping to pick it up.

    Brushing it off, she released a cold, mockingugh.

    Kolton believed he was sending her a warning, but what he didn¡¯t realize was that Maia had already been through the worst. She had nothing left to fear now.

    Maia turned around, clutching the signed agreement. Around her, business moguls who had been eager to strike up conversations and explore potential deals paused, respecting the Cooper Group¡¯s presence. Instead, they signaled their teams to initiate formal discussions with MCN.

    One after another, influential figures approached Maia with smiles, toasting to her sess, each aiming to make a memorable impression. Meanwhile, the socialites who had previously sneered at Maia now exchanged nervous nces. Gathering their courage, they approached her, one clutching a hastily found notebook.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 408

    ?Chapter 408:

    ¡°Ms. Vaughn, I really admire the dresses you designed. Could you¡­ could you sign this for me?¡±

    Maia was well aware of the disparaging remarks they had made behind her back, but she showed no sign of irritation. Instead, she smiled lightly, took the notebook, and elegantly signed ¡°Eileen¡± on the page.

    The socialites were both excited and touched. They finally realized that Eileen wasn¡¯t just an amazing designer ¡ª she was down-to-earth and approachable too.

    So what if she had been to prison? That was all in the past. Maybe without those experiences, she wouldn¡¯t be where she was today. If anyone dared to badmouth Eileen again, these women wouldn¡¯t let them go easily!

    By the way, when would the four dresses Maia had designed tonight be avable? They just couldn¡¯t wait! No matter the cost, these socialites needed to have thest one.

    Their views on Maia hadpletely transformed, now filled with genuine respect and admiration.

    After the gruelingpetition, Maia felt the toll of exhaustion, and hunger was quickly setting in.

    For her, the best antidote to fatigue was either a good sleep or a satisfying meal.

    Tonight, the Cooper Group¡¯s private banquet offered avish spread, featuring an impressive array of gourmet dishes that beckoned invitingly.

    After politely declining further toasts from other guests, Maia began to explore the banquet table, searching for something delicious to eat.

    Suddenly, a tall figure appeared, blocking her view.

    Looking up, she saw Chris standing before her, offering a te with a delicate strawberry cake.

    Explore g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s for fresh content

    ¡°This is the top cake at the Cooper Group¡¯s banquet. Want a bite?¡±

    With a yful narrowing of her eyes and a slight raise of her eyebrow, Maia epted the cake, her curiosity piqued.

    ¡°Do you frequent the Cooper Group¡¯s banquets often?¡±

    Chris responded with a light chuckle, ¡°I used to attend as a child. This strawberry cake was always my favorite. It¡¯s surprising they still serve it. Just like good food, it remains consistently delicious.¡±

    Hearing this, Maia¡¯s curiosity about the cake¡¯s taste grew. It appeared unassuming ¡ª could it really be as exceptional as Chris had suggested?

    Maia delicately scooped a small piece and tasted it. As the silky cream dissolved on her tongue, the lush sweetness of strawberries enveloped her senses.

    Her eyes widened in sheer amazement.

    She gazed at the modest strawberry cake in astonishment ¡ª it surpassed any she had ever tried.

    ¡°This is incredible!¡± Maia couldn¡¯t help but exim, her fatigue dissipating as a lively, genuine smile brightened her face. The stern demeanor she had maintained through thepetition softened, revealing the youthful warmth usually hidden by her formidable presence.

    With her eyebrows raised in surprise, she turned to Chris, her voice bubbling with excitement. ¡°Who made this strawberry cake?¡±

    Chris paused momentarily before replying, ¡°My mom.¡±

    Maia¡¯s expression briefly flickered with uncertainty.

    Chris continued, ¡°She used to work for the Cooper Group. This cake was my grandfather¡¯s favorite. Before she retired, she taught the kitchen staff how to make it, and they¡¯ve kept the tradition alive ever since.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 409

    ?Chapter 409:

    So that was the way it was.

    Maia nodded, absorbing the backstory of the cake, though a question lingered in her mind.

    Chris¡¯s fond memories hinted at a warm bond between his grandfather and his mother, suggesting that his grandfather had a favorable view of her. This made Maia wonder why Chris¡¯s mother hadn¡¯t be part of the Cooper family. Why was Chris considered an illegitimate child?

    She knew it wasn¡¯t her ce to dig into such personal details. They weren¡¯t truly a couple; there was no need to probe so deeply into personal histories.

    Before she could stop herself, Maia said, ¡°Do you love this strawberry cake too?¡±

    Chris responded with a gentle smile, ¡°It¡¯s been my favorite since childhood.¡±

    With a soft sigh, he added, ¡°Sadly, I haven¡¯t enjoyed these banquets much, so it¡¯s been quite some time since Ist tasted this cake.¡±

    Maia considered this for a moment, her expression thoughtful. Her extensive culinary adventures had equipped her with a rare ability ¡ª to dissect and replicate any dish she sampled. She felt confident about recreating the strawberry cake.

    While looking at Chris, a new thought struck her. Leaning forward, her expression one of intrigued amusement, she whispered, ¡°Mr. Cooper, were you the one handling the troublemakers during the earlier ckout?¡±

    Maia had honed her night vision skills under Zoey¡¯s rigorous training. Thus, when the lights went out, she adjusted to the darkness as seamlessly as Kolton¡¯s covert operatives.

    She clearly observed what those people were trying to do, and how they ultimately ended up on the floor, unable to get up.

    Kolton had secretly nned an operation to swap out her design ns. Maia was poised to step in, but unexpectedly, Chris emerged, swiftly incapacitating the operatives with such efficiency that they couldn¡¯t fight back.

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    His actions were crisp and precise, reminiscent of an ancientbat technique she had only heard about in legends.

    How was Chris familiar with such a skill?

    Maia realized that there were depths to Chris she hadn¡¯t yet explored.

    With a casual smile and a slight squint that added to his charm, Chris leaned in, locking eyes with Maia. ¡°How could I stand by and do nothing if my wife is in danger?¡±

    Maia responded quietly, concerned that others might overhear them. She stayed close to Chris as he leaned in, his face nearly touching hers, close enough to almost brush against her nose.

    The subtle scent of cedar emanating from him made Maia¡¯s cheeks warm with a blush.

    She quickly stepped back and whispered, ¡°Be careful not to let anyone hear us.¡±

    Chris closed the gap once more, his voice carrying a probing tone. ¡°Are you really that concerned about people finding out I¡¯m your husband?¡±

    Chris had deliberately kept his marriage to such a formidable woman a secret from his family to avoidplications. Yet, Maia¡¯s words unexpectedly irked him.

    Maia paused, weighing her words. It wasn¡¯t fear that motivated her caution; she simply wanted to avoid any unnecessaryplications. To overthrow Kolton and help Chris ascend as the head of the Cooper Group, she knew their strategies needed to be discreet and calcted. The fewer people aware of their marriage before they achieved their goal, the better ¡ª particrly those within the Cooper Group.

    With this in mind, Maia looked up to meet Chris¡¯s eyes squarely. ¡°Mr. Cooper, haven¡¯t you also chosen to keep our marriage hidden from others?¡±

    She had observed that none of the Cooper Group employees, nor anyone else present, seemed aware of their marital status.

    Chris¡¯s expression tightened as his dark eyes narrowed.

    .

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 Chapter 410

    ?Chapter 410:

    Seeing his silence, Maia leaned in closer, her whisper tickling his ear. ¡°Are you worried that those flirtatious women will keep their distance once they learn you¡¯re taken, Mr. yboy? Don¡¯t fret, our marriage is in name only. Even after you marry me, you¡¯re still free.¡±

    Chris¡¯s eyes darkened further, a visible shadow of displeasure crossing his features.

    As Chris¡¯s hand reached toward Maia¡¯s waist, a sudden voice interrupted the moment. ¡°Chris, Miss Watson, are you two familiar with each other?¡±

    Chris turned to see udius standing behind him, holding two sses of champagne and looking puzzled.

    Simultaneously, Maia and Chris blurted out, ¡°No, we aren¡¯t!¡±

    The moment the words left their mouths, both felt a twinge of irritation at the other for the instant denial.

    Chris¡¯s frustration was evident as he squeezed the bridge of his nose tightly. ¡°udius, why are you here? Don¡¯t you see I¡¯m engaged in conversation with Miss Watson?¡±

    udius grasped the situation at once.

    It was clear that Chris had taken a liking to Maia.

    Even at the Cooper Group¡¯s cocktail party, Chris couldn¡¯t stop flirting.

    udius snorted coldly and deliberately bumped into Chris as he walked past him.

    As he approached Maia, udius offered her a ss of champagne and whispered earnestly, ¡°Believe me, Chris is merely a superficial charmer with no depth. His charm is skin deep, and he¡¯s been involved with more women than he can remember.¡±

    ¡°Appreciate the heads-up,¡± Maia responded, stepping back slightly to keep the conversation formal, her demeanor unruffled.

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    udius raised his ss toward Maia. ¡°Miss Watson, would you do me the honor of having a drink together?¡±

    Maia responded calmly, ¡°My pleasure.¡±

    At that moment, Rosanna, who had been looking for udius, caught sight of him with Maia. Why was he with Maia?

    A wave of difort washed over Rosanna.

    Grasping her champagne firmly, Rosanna strode toward udius, each click of her heels on the floor echoing her resolve.

    udius belonged to her, and she was not about to let Maia take him away.

    Meanwhile, as Maia and udius raised their sses, Maia felt a sudden tug on her wrist. Before she couldprehend what was happening, Chris had pulled her to his side.

    Positioning himself protectively in front of Maia, Chris maintained a facade of calm. However, his eyes betrayed a cial sternness.

    Rosanna arrived just in time to hear Chris¡¯s icy scoff. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing, udius? Are you going to take my woman from¡ª¡±

    ¡°Your woman?¡± udius shot a sharp nce toward Maia, who stood slightly behind Chris, and issued a disdainful scoff. ¡°Since when did Ms. Watson be your woman?¡±

    Chris pivoted smoothly on his heel and, without hesitation, reached back to seize Maia¡¯s hand in a firm, almost possessive grip. His expression softened into azy, flirtatious grin as he replied, ¡°The woman I set my eyes on first is destined to be mine ¡ª no exceptions.¡±

    Even as he spoke, Chris¡¯s gaze locked onto Maia¡¯s, intense and unwavering, as if every word he uttered was a vow meant just for her. The air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken promises. Maia felt her heart give an involuntary lurch, thrown into a confusing whirl of emotions that she couldn¡¯t untangle.

    Across the room, Rosanna stood frozen for a moment, jealousy shing hot and sharp through her chest as she watched the two stunning men silently battle over Maia.

    .

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 Chapter 411

    ?Chapter 411:

    Her fingers tightened around her wine ss, her knuckles whitening as she inhaled sharply, stepping closer to the fray.

    Chris¡¯s brows knitted into a slight frown. He parted his lips, clearly about to say something, but before he could, Rosanna had already closed the distance and positioned herself beside him.

    Her voice was gentle butced with a challenging undertone as she interjected, ¡°Mr. Cooper, you might not be aware, but Maia is already married.¡±

    udius turned sharply, his gaze drilling into Rosanna¡¯s. ¡°And you are?¡±

    He rifled through his memories, a recognition flickering across his face as he tly replied, ¡°Ah, yes. Now I recall. You¡¯re the one who was bested by Maia at the pianopetition, weren¡¯t you?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s expression froze instantly, a slight twitch betraying her lips before she steadied into a practiced smile. ¡°My sister had the luxury of growing up with the Morgans, blessed with top-notch education. If it weren¡¯t for that unfortunate theft incident, she wouldn¡¯t have been disowned. Without that mess, backed by the Morgans, she could have been gracing the world¡¯s grandest stages as a pianist by now. What a tragic waste,¡± shemented.

    udius, upon hearing her words, shot Rosanna a prating look.

    The whispers that Rosanna was the legitimate Morgan heir, while Maia had been the one mistakenly embraced as their child for over a decade, echoed in his mind.

    Maia stayed cool and collected, her gaze steady as it locked onto Rosanna. ¡°Didn¡¯t you brag so confidently before, saying I couldn¡¯t even touch a piano properly? Funny how fast you¡¯ve switched sides now. And now you¡¯re telling everyone I¡¯ve been ying since I was a kid?

    Strange, though¡­ if I remember right, you only came back to the Morgan family about four years ago. So tell me ¡ª how could you possibly know what I was doing as a child? Not to mention, the Morgan family didn¡¯t even own a piano until after you returned.¡±

    Maia¡¯s lips curled into a soft, mocking smile as she narrowed her eyes. ¡°Still, I¡¯ll give you credit ¡ª having grown up in the slums, you actually can y a few notes on a piano.¡±

    .c¨®m is the source

    Rosanna¡¯s face drained of color, as if she¡¯d been pped across the cheek.

    The thing Rosanna despised most ¡ª her lowly origins ¡ª had just been dragged out into the open by Maia, right in front of udius, with ruthless precision.

    Rosanna¡¯s hands stiffened, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the hem of her dress, barely restraining the fierce urge to lunge at Maia right then and there.

    At Maia¡¯s cutting words, udius turned his head slightly, casting a cold, evaluating stare at Rosanna, a flicker of scorn rising in his usually indifferent gaze.

    Although Maia was mistakenly believed to be a member of the prestigious Morgan family, her actual upbringing in an equally distinguished household had endowed her with a poise and adeptness that starkly contrasted with Rosanna¡¯s more humble origins.

    udius found himself also captivated by the swirling rumors of Maia¡¯s supposed theft. It baffled him that a woman of Maia¡¯s caliber, so evidently refined and capable, could be used of such a petty crime.

    Having spent years navigating the treacherous waters of the elite, Chris understood better than most how cruel and deceitful the rich could be. Deep down, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder ¡ª was Maia truly guilty, or had she simply been another casualty of their ruthless games?

    When it came to Rosanna ¡ª the so-called rightful daughter of the Morgan family ¡ª her soft and graceful appearance was nothing more than a mask. Time and again, she deliberately brought up Maia¡¯s imprisonment in front of others, each mention sharper than thest.

    While others might have brushed off her sly little tricks, udius caught on instantly, his sharp gaze slicing right through her act.

    Having dealt with countless cunning women throughout his years in the ruthless world of business, udius recognized Rosanna¡¯s kind right away ¡ª a

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 Chapter 412

    ?Chapter 412:

    Maniptor who wore a fragile smile like armor. There was truth to the old saying that hardship bred cruelty. And with Rosanna, udius couldn¡¯t help but wonder just what kind of darkness she kept hidden beneath that tender facade.

    With these thoughts, udius¡¯s expression toward Rosanna grew colder. However, her earlier revtion still surprised him. He turned to Maia and asked, ¡°Ms. Watson, is it true that you¡¯re married?¡±

    Maia simply nodded, her affirmation calm yet firm.

    udius¡¯s eyes then darted to Maia¡¯s hand, which lingered in Chris¡¯s gentle grasp.

    In a swift, almost reflexive movement, Maia withdrew her hand, severing the intimate connection.

    Rosanna, ever observant, watched this unfold with a thinly veiled sneer. ¡°Maia, your charm truly knows no bounds. Even the bond of marriage can¡¯t keep the admirers at bay, can it?¡±

    udius brushed off Rosanna¡¯s snide remark, his expression tinged with both regret and genuine curiosity. Leaning in slightly, he asked, his tone warm yet edged with a hint of wistfulness, ¡°Ms. Watson, may I ask which fortunate man had the honor of marrying such a stunning and remarkable woman like you?¡±

    At this, Chris¡¯s eyebrow quirked up, a smug sparkle lighting his gaze. At the same time, Rosanna¡¯s hands curled into fists at her sides as she gritted her teeth in silent fury.

    How could udius speak so casually, so unaffected? Didn¡¯t he care the slightest bit?

    Maia¡¯s eyes momentarily darted to Chris before she offered udius a soft, polite smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Cooper,¡± she said with a gentleugh. ¡°But my husband is just an ordinary man. He prefers a quiet life away from the spotlight and has no interest in bing a topic for gossip.¡±

    An ordinary man?

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    udius blinked in disbelief, the smugness quickly fading from his face. How could an ordinary man possibly offer the kind of life, the kind of brilliance, that someone like Maia deserved?

    A slow, dangerous thought crept into his mind ¡ª did this mean that he still had a shot at winning her heart after all?

    udius¡¯s spirits, previously dampened, soared with newfound excitement. For the first time, he found himself deeply intrigued by a woman.

    A thought flickered through his mind.

    Despite Mariana¡¯s mishandling of Aurora Apparel Company, which had inflicted significant losses on the Cooper Group, a recent conversation hinted that Maia wielded considerable influence at MCN. She was likely the major shareholder.

    Should he seed in bringing Maia into the Cooper fold through marriage, MCN¡ªand consequently Aurora Apparel, acquired by MCN¡ªwould effectively revert to Cooper control.

    Besides, Maia¡¯s talents as a designer would truly flourish under the guidance of the Cooper Group.

    His eyes fixed on Maia with increasing intensity.

    Rosanna, observing the focus of udius¡¯s attention on Maia, felt a surge of envy. Her thoughts quickly turned to plotting.

    She moved closer, and with a calcted stumble, found herself in udius¡¯s embrace.

    Tears brimming in her eyes, she looked up at him pitifully. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Cooper. I¡­ I seem to have sprained my ankle, and it¡¯s difficult to walk. Could you assist me to stand?¡±

    udius¡¯s expression instantly turned sour. He had already extended a courtesy by catching her before she hit the floor, and now she was asking for more?

    As a distinguished heir of the Cooper family, was it fitting for him to offer further assistance?

    .

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 Chapter 413

    ?Chapter 413:

    Without hesitation, udius raised his voice, calling out, ¡°Someone!¡±

    An attendant quickly approached, bowing respectfully. ¡°Yes, Mr. Cooper, how may I assist?¡±

    With a brisk motion, udius handed Rosanna over to the attendant and said, ¡°Thisdy has injured her ankle. Please take her to one of the guest rooms to rest.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯splexion paled. She had envisioned udius apanying her, providing an opportunity for them to be alone. Instead, he dismissed her abruptly.

    Her strategy of ying the frail and vulnerable woman had always worked with other men; even Vince had been easily swayed. However, udius appeared indifferent.

    Was it possible that she held less allure for udius than Maia, a woman who had experienced prison and had already been married?

    Rosanna was not ready to give up. Holding her ankle, she wobbled and cast a pleading gaze at udius. ¡°Mr. Cooper, my ankle is in severe pain. I can¡¯t walk any further. Could you please carry me?¡±

    udius responded with a cold look and said to the attendant, ¡°She¡¯s unable to walk. Fetch a chair so Miss Morgan can sit here.¡±

    A gentle chuckle slipped from Maia, unable to contain her amusement. Next to her, Chris folded his arms and looked at udius with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. ¡°udius, you¡¯re quite oblivious to women¡¯s tactics. Don¡¯t you see her n? She¡¯s aiming for you to carry her to a guest room for some private time. She¡¯s hoping that in a moment of weakness, you¡¯ll fall for her and stay the night. Her ultimate goal is to secure a ce as ady of the Cooper family.¡±

    Chris¡¯s remark, though light-hearted, cut through Rosanna¡¯s act with unyielding rity.

    Upon hearing this, udius turned a cold gaze upon Rosanna and said, ¡°A woman of your stature aspiring to join my family? You¡¯re living in a fantasy.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s tears flowed freely as she was engulfed by humiliation and rage. Shaking, she covered her face and hurried away from the gathering, deeply embarrassed.

    As Rosanna retreated, Maia fought backughter, turning to Chris. ¡°You really say exactly what you think, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Chris lifted his eyebrows and shrugged dismissively. ¡°Seems her ankle¡¯s all better now, huh? I was only lending a hand.¡±

    The gentle light from the chandelier highlighted his striking features, captivating Maia for a brief moment.

    Then, as if the earlier disturbance had vanished, udius reappeared before Maia, toasting her with an uplifted ss. ¡°Miss Watson, care for another drink?¡±

    Before Maia could respond, Chris grabbed the ss and drew her close, his gaze fixed on udius with clear hostility. ¡°Miss Watson doesn¡¯t drink well, so I¡¯ll take her to rest awhile. And just as a reminder, she is a married woman, udius. Perhaps it¡¯s time to abandon any inappropriate ideas.¡±

    Chris then firmly ced his arm around Maia, guiding her away from the scene.

    From behind them, udius called out, his toneced with tension, ¡°Miss Watson! Are you really going to leave with him?¡±

    Maia, eager to distance herself from udius, nodded. ¡°I apologize, Mr. udius Cooper, but I¡¯m feeling quite tipsy.¡±

    udius¡¯s tone became urgent. ¡°Chris is merely a yboy who maniptes women. Doesn¡¯t it concern you that he might take advantage of you while you¡¯re drunk?¡±

    Maia turned her gaze to Chris, noticing his clenched jaw. A wave of difort briefly passed through her, but she quickly reassured him, saying, ¡°I appreciate your concern, Mr. udius Cooper. However, Mr. Chris Cooper is merely showing kindness, and I have no reason to reject his generosity.¡±

    With these words, she discreetly signaled Chris by pulling at his sleeve. Grasping her intent, Chris no longer hesitated and snugly wrapped his arm around her as they departed.

    As he witnessed this, udius¡¯splexion paled, a surge of fury tempting him to shatter the wine ss he held.

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 Chapter 414

    ?Chapter 414:

    As a prominent heir within the Wront social circle, udius was habitually the center of attention, constantly courted by women whovished him with praise.

    However, when he finally expressed interest in a woman, she chose to leave with another man right in front of him.

    And that man was none other than his cousin Chris, the one udius despised most!

    How could Chris, a notorious yboy, speak so righteously? Chris¡¯s true intentions for Maia were clear for all to see ¡ª surely udius didn¡¯t believe he was oblivious to them?

    udius promptly instructed his subordinates, saying, ¡°Keep an eye on Chris and Maia. I want to be informed of their every move!¡±

    As Maia and Chris stepped out of the grand hall where the banquet had been held, the evening air wrapped around them like a quiet luby ¡ª the soft hum of insects and the melodic calls of birds stitched the silence with life. It was the kind of stillness that seemed to breathe peace.

    Maia gently brushed off Chris¡¯s arm, which had been casually draped over her shoulders. Her voice dropped to a near whisper. ¡°Mr. Cooper, there¡¯s no one watching. You don¡¯t need to keep up the performance.¡±

    Chris pressed his thin lips into a straight line before replying in a low tone, ¡°Did you drive yourself here?¡±

    Maia gave a small nod. ¡°Yes.¡±

    Chris extended his hand without hesitation. ¡°Give me your keys. You¡¯ve been drinking. I¡¯ll take the wheel.¡±

    ¡°But so have you,¡± Maia countered, her brow furrowing.

    Chris let out a quiet sigh. ¡°I only had juice.¡±

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    From the moment he¡¯d spotted Maia at the banquet, he¡¯d avoided alcohol altogether. He needed a clear head ¡ª and he wanted to make sure she got home safely. That was the only way he¡¯d find peace tonight.

    Maia paused, uncertain. Narrowing her eyes, she leaned in slightly, tilting her head to sniff near the slightly parted cor of his shirt. True enough ¡ª there wasn¡¯t the faintest whiff of alcohol.

    Chris¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed as he swallowed. His gaze dropped to the face just inches from his chest, and his voice dipped lower, gravelly.

    ¡°If youe any closer, I can¡¯t promise I¡¯ll behave myself.¡±

    Maia recoiled at once, putting a safe distance between them.

    But as she looked up, she caught a sh of something fierce and smoldering in Chris¡¯s eyes ¡ª a restrained fire, wild and maic, that burned beneath hisposed surface.

    Quickly averting her gaze, Maia rummaged through her bag, pulled out her keys, and handed them over without a word.

    Chris epted them wordlessly, and the two walked together toward the parking lot, their footsteps soft against the quiet night.

    Unbeknownst to them, Rosanna ¡ª who had fled the banquet earlier in tears ¡ª had been crouching in a shadowed corner, willing herself to calm down. Just as she began to regainposure and lifted her gaze, her breath caught. There they were: Maia and Chris, climbing into a car together.

    Rosanna¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. Maia¡­ was seeing the Cooper family¡¯s illegitimate son?

    If udius ever found out just how flighty Maia truly was, he¡¯d surely abandon all interest in her.

    With that thought nging in her mind, Rosanna jumped into her own car and began tailing them, her headlights dimmed to avoid suspicion.

    Meanwhile, Maia and Chris pulled away from the Cooper estate, swallowed by the velvet hush of night.

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 Chapter 415

    ?Chapter 415:

    Inside the car, however, silence settled thickly between them,ced with tension.

    Maia cast a few sidelong nces at Chris. He gripped the steering wheel with one hand, his jaw clenched, his mouth drawn in a cold, hard line.

    Was he¡­ angry?

    She frowned. What could she have done to upset him? She hadn¡¯t said anything out of ce.

    Sinking into her seat, Maia leaned her head against the window and closed her eyes, feigning sleep.

    Some time passed before Maia opened her eyes again and peered outside, trying to gauge how far they had left to go.

    But something didn¡¯t sit right. The streets were unfamiliar. The turns didn¡¯t match her usual route. The car wasn¡¯t headed toward Elysium Apartments.

    She immediately straightened up and asked, ¡°Where are you going?¡±

    ¡°Hotel,¡± Chris replied, his voice devoid of emotion.

    The word struck her like a cold ssh of water. Instinctively, she crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°A hotel? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re actually thinking of¡­¡±

    Chris cast her a sidelong nce, clearly exasperated. ¡°We¡¯re being followed. I think it¡¯s one of udius¡¯ men. It¡¯s safer if we don¡¯t head home.¡±

    Maia blinked, stunned. She focused on the mirror ¡ª and sure enough, a sleek ck car loomed behind them like a shadow.

    ¡°But¡­ surely there¡¯s somewhere else we can go,¡± Maia murmured, her voice trailing off.

    Chris¡¯s lips curled into a faint, mischievous smirk. ¡°If we¡¯re going to put on a show, we might as well give them something to talk about.¡±

    A show?

    ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ???? ??????????¦Í??????[.]??????

    Maia narrowed her eyes at the teasing curve of his mouth. There it was ¡ª the glint of amusement he didn¡¯t bother to hide.

    In that moment, she understood.

    She rolled her eyes, feeling speechless. Men¡¯s possessiveness andpetitive streaks were truly terrifying.

    Still, she couldn¡¯t help herself. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it make more sense to just take me home? If udius sees you bringing me back, wouldn¡¯t that make him upset? After all, it¡¯s not like you haven¡¯t brought women home before.¡±

    Chris nced at her, his tone calm and unshaken. ¡°I¡¯ve never brought a woman home.¡±

    Maia faltered, caught off guard by the gravity of his words. But she recovered quickly, eyebrows raised. ¡°And you expect me to take your word for that?¡±

    Chris turned the wheel smoothly, keeping his eyes on the road. ¡°Whether you believe it or not, it¡¯s just the truth. If they see me taking you home, it¡¯ll reach Kolton¡¯s ears by morning. And with how wary he is of me, he won¡¯t let it rest. He¡¯ll dig deep.¡±

    Maia¡¯s sharp instincts zeroed in on thatst part. Her brows drew together. ¡°Wait¡­ you¡¯re saying Kolton is wary of you? Do you mean he sees you as a threat? Why?¡±

    Chris, after all, was the Cooper family¡¯s ck sheep ¡ª idle, aimless, and written off. What could possibly make Kolton see him as a threat?

    ¡°Buckle up. We¡¯ll talk about thister.¡± Chris pressed his lips together and mmed the elerator.

    The car surged forward like a released bowstring, slicing through the night and skidding around a bend toward a nearby five-star hotel. Rosanna could barely keep up. She hadn¡¯t anticipated Chris acting so recklessly ¡ª bolting to a hotel with Maia the moment they left the party.

    It puzzled her endlessly. How could a woman with a criminal record charm not just one but two men from the Cooper family?

    Yet to Rosanna, this chaos was a blessing in disguise ¡ª a golden opportunity to drag Maia through the mud.

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 Chapter 416

    ?Chapter 416:

    A scandalous affair between a married woman and the Cooper family¡¯s ck sheep? That would be the talk of the town!

    The Maserati glided to a stop at the hotel entrance.

    Chris deftly found an open spot and parked with practiced ease. Above them, night stretched its velvet canopy, while the city¡¯s lights kissed the windows in shimmering reflections.

    Maia¡¯s heart thudded like a drum. Chris¡¯s driving was dazzling ¡ª a thrilling dance with danger.

    In prison, she had picked up driving tricks from Zoey, but nothing had prepared her for Chris¡¯s high-speed showmanship. His drifting and wless parking had left her breathless.

    Chris stepped out and made his way to her side, opening the door and bracing his hand above the frame to shield her head as she exited.

    It was the picture of gantry.

    As she alighted, she murmured, ¡°Did we really lose them? Do we still have to go inside?¡±

    Chris¡¯s lips curled into a sly grin. ¡°We¡¯re already here. Are you afraid I¡¯ll take advantage of you?¡±

    But even as he teased, his eyes turned hawkish, scanning the distance. ¡°Two cars are closing in. Let¡¯s go. No matter what, let¡¯s drive them mad first.¡±

    Maia hesitated. ¡°You¡¯re not joking?¡±

    She turned, searching his face for signs of a joke, but before she could react, he pulled her into his arms. Her palm instinctivelynded on his chest.

    She froze. Solid muscle. Tense and warm beneath her fingers.

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    ¡°Well,¡± Chris leaned in, his voice low and amused, ¡°if you¡¯re that curious¡­ you can explore more once we¡¯re in the room.¡±

    Still holding her close, he guided her through the hotel¡¯s revolving doors.

    Rosanna, watching from behind, clenched her fists until her knuckles nched. She jerked her car to a stop at the curb and quietly followed. A few dozen yards back, a ck MPV also drew to a silent stop.

    Inside sat udius¡¯s personal chauffeur.

    He wasted no time and called udius to report what he had witnessed.

    ¡°I see. Stay close and confirm whether Chris actually books a room,¡± udius ordered, his expression turning stormy.

    He was livid.

    At tonight¡¯s party, he¡¯d tasted the bitterness of rejection ¡ª for the first time. And to add salt to the wound, Chris had swooped in and carried Maia off.

    What did Chris have that he didn¡¯t? Was it just his looks?

    udius was the Cooper family¡¯s heir apparent! Chris couldn¡¯t hold a candle to him.

    Maia had simply made a mistake ¡ª one any woman might make.

    Eventually, she¡¯d open her eyes and see Chris for what he truly was ¡ª an illusion dressed as a prize.

    Or maybe, udius mused, she already had.

    Was she ying a deeper game, pretending to lean toward Chris, when her true aim was him all along?

    The more he dwelled on it, the more it made sense. Maia was merely ying her cards ¡ª using Chris as a stepping stone.

    A clever woman always knows where to ce her bets. And Maia didn¡¯t seem like the kind who would settle for a shadow like Chris.

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 Chapter 417

    ?Chapter 417:

    Just then, udius¡¯s phone buzzed. It was an unfamiliar number. He picked up, only to hear a sharine voice on the line. ¡°Mr. Cooper, it¡¯s Rosanna.¡±

    His brows drew together in distaste. Rosanna? How had she gotten his number?

    Rosanna had coaxed it out of Mariana.

    She knew that Mariana was in no mood for interruptions, so instead of calling, she had sent a carefully worded message: udius seemed to be interested in Maia, and she wanted to expose Maia¡¯s true nature. Only then did Mariana reluctantly share his number.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper,¡± Rosanna began, her voice softening with a hint of nervousness, ¡°I just saw Maia and Chris enter the hotel together. They were practically glued to each other at the door ¡ª and now they¡¯ve gone upstairs. Would you like toe see for yourself? It¡¯s the Starlight Hotel. Not far from where you are.¡±

    udius¡¯s gaze darkened like a thundercloud, but he stayed silent. He had just managed to push down his fury ¡ª and now Rosanna¡¯s call stirred the coals again, reigniting his disdain for her.

    What did she mean by ¡°glued to each other¡±? Were they really that shameless?

    What kind of magic did Chris wield that women kept throwing themselves at him?

    udius¡¯s jaw clenched, frustration smoldering just beneath the surface.

    He would never admit it, but in that moment, jealousy flickered through his veins like a me he couldn¡¯t snuff out.

    Rosanna, sensing his silence, pressed on. ¡°Mr. Cooper, are you really noting? Maia is still married and shamelessly seducing Chris. If her husband gets wind of this and exposes the scandal, it won¡¯t just stain the Morgan family¡¯s name ¡ª it¡¯ll drag the Cooper family through the mud too!¡±

    She had far more poison ready ¡ª she wanted to paint Maia as a criminal who had learned all the wrong lessons from her time behind bars.

    But before she could sink another barb into the conversation, a furious, razor-sharp voice shed through the receiver!

    ???????? ???? ???????????????? ???????? ?g???????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Enough.¡± udius¡¯s voice came out low, gravelly ¡ª taut with tension that barely concealed the rage simmering underneath.

    Rosanna stiffened, phone still pressed to her ear. Her mind reeled. Had she just been¡­ scolded? For what ¡ª telling him the truth? She had done him a favor, yet he dared to snap?

    ¡°Mind your own business,¡± he growled, voice clipped, almost biting. ¡°Stop stirring up trouble.¡±

    Then ¡ª silence. The call ended. And just like that, her number was blocked.

    udius stared nkly at the screen before tossing the phone onto the couch. He could not even remember thest time he had lost his cool like that.

    He reached for the ss of red wine in front of him and drained it in a single, sharp gulp. Then, without another nce at the room, he turned and strode out.

    Back at the elevator, Rosanna stood rooted to the spot, her phone still in hand. Her face had gone pale, lips parted slightly in disbelief.

    Her heart pounded as she tried to make sense of it. udius had just heard that Maia and Chris were in a hotel room together ¡ª and he simply did not care?

    But then¡­ maybe that was the answer. Maybe udius never truly liked Maia at all.

    The realization hit her like a lightning strike ¡ª sharp and electrifying. A wicked sliver of hope began to bloom in her chest.

    She slowly lifted her gaze toward the elevator, and her expression shifted. The sting of humiliation from earlier ¡ª the whispers at the banquet, the eyes that watched her fall ¡ª all of it fueled a newfound resolve. Maia had to pay.

    If not for that woman, Rosanna would not have been humiliated tonight.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 418

    ?Chapter 418:

    People only remembered winners ¡ª not those who got outyed and outshone. She had to change how everyone saw her. There was no way she was going to be remembered as the one who got beaten by Maia in that pianopetition!

    Her fingers curled around her phone. Her nails dug into her palm. She had made up her mind ¡ª she would catch Maia in the act and ruin her. From then on, whenever people mentioned Maia, all they would talk about was how shameless she was!

    Meanwhile, back in his suite, udius sat alone at his desk, the quiet ticking of the clock echoing through the room. His long fingers tapped rhythmically against the polished wood, lost in thought.

    After some contemtion, he realized that he couldn¡¯t let Maia¡¯s reputation be tarnished.

    Maia would eventually be his woman, and tonight¡¯s incident would leave a stain on her name ¡ª and even on the Cooper Group and family. udius might not care about this, but his father, Kolton, certainly would.

    His eyes darkened as he came to a decision.

    At the Starlight Hotel, the floor disy ticked steadily downward. A soft chime rang out as the elevator reached the ground floor, and the doors began to slide open.

    Rosanna stepped forward ¡ª but froze at the sound of footsteps rushing up behind her.

    She turned, startled. A group of men in sleek ck suits were storming down the hall, their movements swift and purposeful.

    At the front, a man in sunsses moved with brutal precision. Without hesitation, he lunged and tackled her to the floor.

    Moments earlier, their boss, udius, had given the order ¡ª throwing this crazy woman out.

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    ¡°Ahh!¡± Rosanna shrieked as her body mmed hard onto the marble floor. Pain exploded in her hip, sharp and immediate. ¡°What are you doing? Let me go! Help!¡±

    But no one came. The hotel manager, just a few feet away, watched for a brief moment ¡ª then calmly turned his head, pretending not to see a thing.

    He knew better. These men were from the Cooper Group.

    After all, the Starlight Hotel was, in fact, one of the Cooper Group¡¯s properties.

    ¡°Apologies,¡± one of the men said, his tone clipped and cold. ¡°You need to leave. Now.¡±

    Before Rosanna could protest again, two of them seized her by the arms and began dragging her toward the entrance.

    ¡°Let go of me! What gives you the right to¡ª¡± Before she could finish her words, Rosanna was tossed out onto the pavement like a sack of clothes. Rosanna scrambled up, brushing dust from her dress, her fury mounting. ¡°What right do you have to throw me out? This is a public hotel! I have every right to be here!¡±

    The man in sunsses simply folded his arms, his expression unreadable. The other bodyguards stood shoulder to shoulder, forming a wall between her and the entrance.

    Rosanna¡¯s chest rose and fell rapidly. Her eyes gleamed with resentment as she backed away. ¡°You got lucky this time, Maia,¡± she muttered through gritted teeth. ¡°But this night¡­ this entire disaster of a night¡­ I swear, I will make you pay.¡±

    In thevish presidential suite on the top floor, the atmosphere was vastly different. Chris moved about the room with casual ease, as though it were his private residence. He sauntered over to the bar, pulled out a bottle of red wine, and poured two sses.

    He handed one to Maia, the stem between his fingers as he smiled.

    ¡°Try this,¡± he said. ¡°It has a smooth blend, slightly tart, slightly sweet. Not as refined as the bottle Hurst brought tonight, but it holds its own.¡±

    Maia epted the ss but set it on the table without taking a sip. She looked at him squarely, her eyes clear and expectant. ¡°You still have not answered my question from earlier.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 419

    ?Chapter 419:

    Chris gave a small chuckle as he swirled the wine in his ss, letting the deep red liquid catch the light.

    He took a long, slow sip. Then, casually, he reached for the untouched ss in front of Maia and handed it back to her.

    ¡°Alright,¡± he said, his voice low, his smile faint. ¡°I will try to keep it simple.¡±

    Chris said, ¡°My father is the eldest among his siblings ¡ª the older brother of Kolton, who currently holds the reins of the Cooper Group. So, strictly speaking, even though I was born out of wedlock and never exactly weed with open arms, I¡¯ve technically been first in line to inherit it since the day I drew my first breath, especially since our grandfather has always had a soft spot for me. He¡¯s said more than once that he wants me to take over the Cooper Group someday.¡±

    Chris suddenly let out a bitterugh,ced with irony. ¡°You know something? Sometimes, even when you haven¡¯t lifted a finger, people still see you as a threat. They grow wary of you¡­ or worse, start nursing grudges.¡±

    Maia nodded slowly. That was a truth she understood all too well.

    Both Jarrod and Rosanna had treated her in much the same way. Despite all she had given to the Morgan family, all she got in return was cold suspicion and betrayal sharp enough to cut bone.

    Chris¡¯s situation was even more twisted. Maia wasn¡¯t a Morgan by blood, but Chris ¡ª Chris was the genuine article. Illegitimate or not, he carried Cooper blood in his veins.

    Yet the very family tied to him by that blood had never once treated him as one of their own.

    Chris refilled his ss and took another slow sip. ¡°From the time I could walk and talk, Kolton¡¯s had me under his thumb. He¡¯s suppressed me, spied on me, and tried to box me in. The moment I be too much of a threat to him or his son, he won¡¯t hesitate. He¡¯ll strike first and eliminate me.¡±

    Chris¡¯s eyes locked with Maia¡¯s, his gaze burning with the raw boldness that only wine could summon. Then, like someone peeling off a mask, he revealed something he had never dared tell anyone. ¡°Maia, just to survive, I had no choice but to be the man you see today.¡± He leaned in slightly, the corner of his mouth quirking upward. ¡°So¡­ do you hate the person I¡¯ve be?¡±

    ?????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? g???????¦Í??????????????

    His luminous eyes shimmered with intoxication, half a dream, half a confession, as they held Maia¡¯s flushed face in their depth. Maia met that heated gaze and slowly shook her head.

    She couldn¡¯t say that she hated Chris ¡ª not by a long shot.

    Though there had certainly been moments where his actions had infuriated her, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to loathe him. But something about his words hinted at a deeper truth.

    Was this wild, carefree persona nothing but a mask? Was Chris performing for Kolton and the rest, hiding his true self behind a curtain of mischief?

    Maia frowned slightly, studying his face once more.

    She couldn¡¯t tell if Chris was genuinely intoxicated, spilling truths, or if this was all part of his carefully constructed performance.

    On one hand, he was the Casanova ¡ª flirting, reckless, tangled up with countless women. On the other, he was a man swallowed by humiliation and hardship, clinging to survival, almost worthy of pity.

    The contrast was jarring, like fire and ice living in the same me.

    It was too early to draw conclusions.

    After all, people could lie with their lips. But their actions ¡ª those rarely lied.

    And Chris did seem to have a revolving door of women around him.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 420

    ?Chapter 420:

    That night at the bar, if she hadn¡¯t boldly imed him as her own in front of that woman, who knew where he would¡¯ve gone or whom he would¡¯ve gone with?

    Maia had drunk quite a bit herself that evening. As her thoughts wandered, she downed her ss in a single swallow. A strange anger rose within her, bubbling for reasons that she couldn¡¯t name.

    Without a word, Chris refilled her ss.

    By now, Chris was slightly tipsy, his handsome face flushed, a subtle hint of vulnerability creeping into his features.

    ¡°Maia,¡± he said, his voice softer now, ¡°do you know what I¡¯ve always wanted? Just a normal life. That¡¯s all. I never asked to be tangled up in all these family feuds. To me, being an heir to some wealthy empire is nothing more than being a puppet ¡ª strings pulled by greed and ambition.¡±

    Then, as if carried by impulse, Chris took Maia¡¯s hand, his lips curling into a smile that held both warmth and weight. ¡°That¡¯s why I agreed to marry you. I never thought I¡¯d end up with such an incredible wife! Composer K, MCN¡¯s famous designer Eileen, and a master pianist too.¡± He chuckled lightly, like a man discovering treasure where he least expected it.

    ¡°But here¡¯s the thing. If Kolton finds out about us, what do you think he¡¯ll do?¡± The smile on Chris¡¯s face faltered as a shadow crossed his eyes, his drunken demeanor giving way to a rare, unmistakable fear.

    Maia understood in a heartbeat. If Kolton ever learned that Chris had such a capable partner at his side, his suspicion and hostility would only grow. Kolton¡­

    Wouldn¡¯t juste after Chris. He¡¯de after both of them, with all the fury of a threatened king.

    She hadn¡¯t expected that her revealed identity would stir up even more trouble for Chris.

    Maia raised her gaze and asked with sudden sharpness, ¡°Have you truly never brought a woman home before?¡±

    Step into fiction with  .

    Chris crouched slightly, took her hand, and pressed it gently against his chest.

    His voice dropped into something solemn. ¡°Maia, I¡¯ve never brought any woman home. In fact¡­ I¡¯ve never even touched a woman.¡±

    ¡°Never touched?¡± Maia¡¯s fingers stilled as she felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Her cheeks red with heat. ¡°Are you sure about that?¡±

    Chris seemed to recall something and added, ¡°That woman at the dance hall the other day ¡ª she was one of Kolton¡¯s spies. I was simply ying along to avoid suspicion. I never crossed the line.¡±

    Maia¡¯s pupils contracted.

    If Chris was telling the truth, then his act had been masterful ¡ª so convincing that even Zoey had believed it.

    ¡°So, when you allowed me to im you as my kept man in front of her, it was a tactic to get rid of her as a spy?¡± Maia asked, her tone even butced with intrigue.

    Chris¡¯s expression softened as he looked at Maia with something akin to admiration. ¡°Exactly. And besides, it gave me a legitimate excuse to be close to you.¡±

    A smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned closer, his voice lowering in a yful tease. ¡°And with how you acted back then, I couldn¡¯t resist ying along.¡±

    Maia couldn¡¯t quite tell if Chris was still ying a part or if the alcohol had loosened his tongue.

    Her thoughts swirled like leaves caught in a sudden wind. Her gaze deepened, tangled in uncertainty. ¡°Everything you¡¯ve said makes a lot of sense, but still¡­ why should I believe you?¡±

    Chris didn¡¯t rush to argue with Maia. Instead, he lowered himself slowly, crouching as if he were contemting the weight of her words. He understood that trust wasn¡¯t something to be handed over on a silver tter ¡ª it had to be earned, inch by inch, heartbeat by heartbeat.

    ¡°Maia,¡± he began, his voice calm but resolute, ¡°I know it¡¯s hard for you to take me at my word right now. But I didn¡¯t marry you on a whim. I see you as my wife ¡ª truly. I would never betray your faith in me or break what we¡¯re slowly building.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 421

    ?Chapter 421:

    Chris paused, allowing his words to settle between them before continuing, ¡°You don¡¯t have to believe me today. Just give me time. One day, you¡¯ll see for yourself ¡ª I wasn¡¯t lying.¡±

    ¡°I will never be with any woman other than you,¡± he dered suddenly, with a conviction that left no room for doubt. ¡°My heart, my body ¡ª they¡¯re all yours, Maia. Even my first kiss.¡±

    Maia blinked, momentarily stunned. ¡°What? First kiss?¡±

    Chris was definitely drunk. She nced at the empty bottle beside him. When had he polished that off? And what was this nonsense about a ¡®first kiss¡¯?

    As though hearing her silent disbelief, Chris said, ¡°Did you forget the day you kissed me out of the blue?¡±

    Maia¡¯s thoughts screeched to a halt.

    Suddenly, fragments of the night came flooding back, and the hazy curtain over her mind was lifted.

    Everything became clear.

    It was the night Vince had drugged her. In her foggy, altered state¡­ she had kissed Chris?

    Maia faltered. ¡°That night¡­ I¡­ I wasn¡¯t in my right mind. Don¡¯t read too much into it. I didn¡¯t mean¡­¡±

    But then a thought interrupted her rambling. She looked up, eyes wide. ¡°Wait. Are you saying that was really your first kiss?¡±

    Chris narrowed his eyes, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his lips. ¡°You doubt me? Want me to prove it to you?¡±

    That yful glint on his perfectly chiseled face was nothing short of unfair warfare.

    C?ntent ?riginally fr?m g?l????¦Í?????????????

    Maia¡¯s palms began to sweat, betraying her calm facade.

    Before she could retreat, Chris leaned in, his breath brushing her ear, sending shivers dancing down her spine. ¡°It was your first time too, wasn¡¯t it?¡± he whispered.

    Maia¡¯s breath hitched. Her petite earlobes flushed a brilliant crimson, as though her body betrayed the secrets that her mouth refused to speak.

    How could he possibly know that?

    A realization dawned with humiliating rity.

    Was he¡­ questioning her kissing skills?

    Sure, it had been her first kiss, but she had beenpletely out of it at the time. How could that even count?

    An inexplicable spark ofpetitive fire was ignited within her chest. She lifted her chin, meeting Chris¡¯s gaze head-on, her eyes gleaming with challenge.

    The air between them thickened, growing almost heavy enough to cut with a knife. The wine might not have intoxicated her ¡ª but the moment surely did.

    Chris had always been the one toying with her, but not this time. This time, she wasn¡¯t backing down.

    After all, this wasn¡¯t their first kiss anymore. What was there to fear? And to be honest ¡ª kissing a good-looking man like Chris? Hardly a tragedy.

    With her heart hammering against her ribs, Maia boldly wrapped her arms around his strong neck and smirked. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s settle this. I¡¯m willing to bet I¡¯m a better kisser than you.¡±

    Before Chris could breathe a word, her lips were against his ¡ª soft, warm, and bold. Maia took the lead.

    Chris froze, the surprise flickering in his eyes as his pupils shrank. Her sudden confidence was like a hidden treasure that he hadn¡¯t expected to find, stirring something deep within him.

    Just as he was about to pull her close and return the favor with fervor, Maia pushed him away, a sly glint dancing in her eyes.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 422

    ?Chapter 422:

    Tilting her head, her luscious lips curled into a devilish grin. ¡°Mr. Cooper, your kissing skills aren¡¯t all that impressive.¡±

    With that cheeky jab, she made to end the encounter, clean and quick. Chris¡¯s gaze darkened, his voice lowering into a gravelly whisper. ¡°That doesn¡¯t count. Let¡¯s go again.¡±

    Before Maia could so much as blink, he drew her into his arms, lowered his head, and imed her lips once more.

    One hand cradled the back of her head with possessive tenderness; the other anchored firmly at her slender waist, holding her to him as if the world might tear her away. His kiss was no gentle caress. It was a im, a wildfire, a storm breaking after a long drought.

    What began as a fleeting brush deepened into something primal, something that made time forget to tick.

    Maia trembled. Her hands instinctively pushed against his chest, trying to create distance. But Chris held her fast, refusing to let go. His dominance left her with no space to retreat, no excuse to resist.

    Her earlobes zed crimson, the heat from his touch setting her nerves ame. Waves of sensation crashed over her, each stronger than thest, sweeping away all reason.

    Her mind nked out. Her thoughts dissolved. Her hand slipped to his shoulder, then slid behind his back, drawing him closer ¡ª responding to him without thought, only instinct.

    A soft, involuntary moan escaped her lips. Her eyes turned ssy, the desire too thick to fight as she leaned into him.

    Just when she surrendered fully to the moment, Chris abruptly broke the kiss. He looked at her flushed face and chuckled low, like thunder rolling in the distance. ¡°So¡­ how was my kissing?¡±

    The sudden end left Maia breathless, as if something vital had been yanked away. A strange emptiness echoed in her chest. She was breathing hard, her face flushed bright red. She bit her lip and muttered, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ okay.¡±

    Discover more on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??¦Ï?? (uso de ¡°?¡± y ¡°¦Ï¡± griega)

    ¡°Just okay?¡± Chris let out a deepugh. He leaned in close to her ear, brushing his lips near the edge. Almost nibbling her earlobe, he whispered with a satisfied hum, ¡°Yours, though¡­ Yours was incredible. You¡¯ve left me hungry for more.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, he scooped her up and kissed her again, this time pouring in every drop of passion he¡¯d been holding back.

    Meanwhile, back at the Ward family estate, Vince was loungingzily on the sofa, eyes shut, as if trying to nap away the evening.

    Then, the phone rang, shattering the stillness.

    ¡°Vince, such a shame you didn¡¯t show up tonight! Do you have any idea how wild and thrilling the Cooper Group¡¯s cocktail party was?¡±

    On the opposite end of the call was Terry Glyn, the fourth-born son of the Glyn household.

    Terry¡¯s voice gave away the fact that he had been drinking.

    The Glyn family was regarded as one of the four most influential families in Wront. Terry and Vince shared a good rtionship and were considered friends.

    Vince, suppressing the irritation rising inside him, furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t believe what I witnessed today. It was absolutely unbelievable! My dad was invited to a g tonight, and I had to plead with him to let me tag along. And guess what? I ran into someone there you¡¯d never expect to see!¡± Terry eximed, hupping again.

    It was apparent that Terry waspletely drunk.

    ¡°Just get straight to the point,¡± Vince said, his patience wearing dangerously thin. He wasn¡¯t in any mood for idle chatter.

    ¡°I saw Maia!¡± Terry shouted with excitement, his words rushing out in a tumble. He paused briefly before continuing, ¡°Oh man, you wouldn¡¯t believe how breathtaking she looked tonight. She was the undeniable star of the whole g!¡±

    .

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 Chapter 423

    ?Chapter 423:

    Vince¡¯s expression hardened sharply as he straightened his posture. ¡°Who did you say?¡±

    ¡°Maia Watson! Vince, she was absolutely radiant tonight! Not only did she mesmerize everyone with her piano performance, but she also went head-to-head with Miss Cooper andpletely outshined her. And guess what? She even bought Aurora Apparel Company for just a single dor right in front of everybody! Can you imagine that? If I hadn¡¯t seen it myself, I¡¯d swear I was hallucinating!¡±

    Terry grew even more animated as he recounted the events. ¡°If this were a movie, she¡¯d be the ultimate heroine of a ssic rags-to-riches story!¡±

    Vince¡¯s eyes darkened ominously. ¡°Tell me exactly what happened.¡±

    But Terry, utterly drunk, rambled on without answering properly. ¡°Hey, wasn¡¯t Maia once your fianc¨¦e? No offense, but she¡¯s way out of Rosanna¡¯s league now. If I were in your shoes, I¡¯d choose Maia without a second thought! But, well¡­ too bad. Maia¡¯s already married now. You totally missed your shot!¡±

    Hearing that Maia was married triggered a burning surge of rage inside Vince.

    His fists clenched involuntarily, and he had no desire to listen to Terry any further.

    Just as Vince was about to hang up the phone, Terry blurted out another piece of information.

    ¡°Oh, wait! One more thing. That illegitimate son from the Cooper family turned up tonight too. I heard he¡¯s got his sights set on Maia! And you know how the saying goes ¡ª no woman he targets ever manages to get away.¡±

    ¡°The illegitimate son of the Cooper family?¡± Vince¡¯s voice turned frigid as he frowned deeply. ¡°You mean Chris?¡±

    Though Vince had never personally met Chris, he had heard more than enough about him ¡ª and none of it was good.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s the one. Rumor has it he¡¯s a major heartbreaker because of his handsome face,¡± Terry slurred.

    More chapters on g????????¦Í??????.?????

    Then, as if struck by a sudden memory of Chris and Maia¡¯s duet, Terry added, ¡°But honestly, they looked incredible together. Especially when Maia yed the piano and Chris yed the violin side by side. The chemistry between them was something else!¡±

    Vince¡¯s anger erupted like a storm. ¡°Chris isn¡¯t even worthy of thinking about Maia.¡±

    Without another word, Vince ended the call abruptly, his chest heaving with poorly contained fury.

    No longer able to restrain himself, Vince immediately grabbed his phone and dialed one of his subordinates. ¡°Start tracking Chris Cooper¡¯s movements right now.¡±

    Internally, Vince cursed coldly, ¡°How dare he even think about Maia? He must be tired of living.¡±

    Dawn broke, and yet another night slipped away.

    Golden sunlight filtered through the windows of the luxurious suite.

    Maia slowly woke up, stretchingnguidly.

    The vast bed was empty except for her.

    As memories ofst night¡¯s kiss with Chris resurfaced, a soft blush colored her cheeks.

    She lightly tapped her forehead, trying to banish the memory. She hadn¡¯t been drunk, so why had she lost control?

    Luckily, she hade to her senses just in time before things spiraled out of control. Otherwise¡­

    She shuddered at the thought. It had been a dangerously close call.

    Leaving the bedroom, Maia spotted Chris fast asleep on the couch.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 424

    ?Chapter 424:

    Sensing her gaze, Chris stirred and sat up, promptly sneezing. Yet, Chris still managed azy, casual smile and greeted Maia as if nothing had happened.

    Maia frowned subtly. ¡°Did you catch a cold?¡±

    Chris hesitated for a beat, his expression a little awkward. ¡°Maybe. I had to take a few cold showersst night just to get some sleep.¡±

    Maia fell silent. It almost felt like it was somehow her fault he had gotten sick.

    Chris rose to his feet, amusement flickering in his charming eyes as he looked at Maia. ¡°Who taught you to tease a guy and then leave him hanging?¡±

    Maia replied helplessly in her heart, ¡°I wasn¡¯t teasing! I didn¡¯t mean it like that!¡±

    Watching Maia bite her lip in silence, Chris chuckled and naturally reached out to take her hand with a warm smile. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s grab some breakfast.¡±

    Maia stood there momentarily stunned. Strangely enough, she didn¡¯t resist and simply let Chris lead her outside.

    Chris walked ahead confidently, while Maia trailed behind, quietly observing his back.

    As her eyes lingered on Chris¡¯s broad shoulders, Maia felt a strange and unfamiliar sense of peace settle inside her.

    Golden sunlight stretched across the floor like a gentle pathway. Walking side by side down that glowing trail, they looked remarkably like a real couple.

    Her heart skipped a beat unexpectedly.

    Ever sincest night, after hearing those words from Chris, Maia had felt something that she hadn¡¯t dared to feel in a very long time. It was a fragile, beautiful thing called hope.

    Over breakfast, Maia found herself sneaking nces at Chris.

    Chris¡¯s messy hair made him look soft and unthreatening, aplete contrast to the intense man who had kissed her so passionately the night before.

    L??€$? ???t??§ñ? I¦Ç ?a?n?¦Í¦Ål?.c?m

    She pressed her lips together, feeling her throat dry as vivid memories of that kiss shed across her mind.

    Chris caught her staring and lifted his head to meet her gaze.

    ¡°By the way, there¡¯s something I should let you know ahead of time,¡± he said, his tone turning serious. ¡°I¡¯ll be going out of town soon on a business trip with my boss. I¡¯m not sure when I¡¯ll be back yet.¡±

    Maia was momentarily stunned but then nodded slightly.

    For some inexplicable reason, his words left her feeling hollow, a gnawing emptiness she couldn¡¯t fully understand.

    After finishing their breakfast, they didn¡¯t leave the hotel together. Chris was cautious. So was Maia.

    Without exchanging a word about it, they instinctively staggered their exits, quietly slipping away from the hotel one after the other.

    Maia pulled up outside the MCN office building.

    She knocked gently on the CEO¡¯s door, and the moment Pattie saw her, she leapt to her feet as though jolted by electricity and rushed over, eyes wide with barely contained excitement.

    ¡°My goodness, what kind of miracle did you pull offst night?¡±

    Maia let out a softugh. She hadn¡¯t anticipated that her very first meeting with Mariana would end with Mariana ¡°insisting¡± on handing her a ¡°gift¡± ¡ª and not just any gift, but one of immense weight.

    She reached into her bag and drew out the acquisition agreement, holding it out like a trump card. ¡°Vo. The spoils of war. Have a look.¡±

    Her tone was casual, but Pattie¡¯s hands trembled slightly as she flipped through the document. Her eyes widened with each page she turned.

    .

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 Chapter 425

    ?Chapter 425:

    Though she had every faith in Maia¡¯s talent ¡ª her design skills had never failed her ¡ª seeing her return not only victorious but with the official acquisition agreement for Aurora Apparel Company, and all for the symbolic price of one dor, went beyond anything that she could have imagined.

    ¡°This is something I wouldn¡¯t have dared dream, even in my wildest fantasies. Maia, you never fail to amaze!¡± Pattie eximed, practically bursting with excitement over the windfall.

    As for the potential bacsh from the Cooper Group? Pattie couldn¡¯t care less.

    She had already vowed to stand against them ¡ª sooner orter, the sh was inevitable.

    Maia raised her index finger and said with a glint in her eye, ¡°First target, aplished.¡±

    Pattie gave her a thumbs up. ¡°You¡¯re unbelievably fast! Maia, I always knew you were brilliant ¡ª self-taught, winning national designpetitions in high school ¡ª but somehow, it feels like prison forged you into something even more extraordinary. Four years behind bars¡­ how did youe out stronger than before?¡±

    Pattie knew that someone had supported Maia while she was in prison, but the specifics of those years remained shrouded in mystery. Leaning in with curiosity, she asked, ¡°Come on, be honest ¡ª did you gain superpowers in there, like in thoseic book tales?¡±

    Maia offered a faint smile, one that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. The truth of those four years was far more harrowing than any fantasy. Her transformation had been the product of Zoey¡¯s relentless training ¡ª discipline carved into her with sweat and sheer grit. It wasn¡¯t just a matter of pushing limits; it was a matter of survival.

    That description, though still softened, barely scratched the surface. To put it inly, what she endured was harsh ¡ª bordering on the inhuman.

    She had been thrown into a nightmare ¡ª an abyss with no bottom, hurled there by the very family that was supposed to protect her.

    Feel inspired on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s£®c§à??

    In those four long years, she had lived a life of perpetual motion ¡ª studying and training with Zoey without pause, rarely getting more than four hours of sleep a night. She had copsed from exhaustion more times than she could count, even lost consciousness.

    Maia had wed her way through each day, barely hanging on, dancing on the edge between life and oblivion.

    But she had kept all this from Pattie. There was no need to burden her with pain from which nofort could be drawn.

    ¡°Pattie,¡± Maia said, lifting her gaze, her voice firm yet gentle, ¡°over these past four years, I¡¯ve learned one vital truth: if I don¡¯t be strong enough to protect myself, then I¡¯ll always be at the mercy of others. So I worked harder than most ¡ª because I never want to be betrayed or discarded again.¡±

    Tears welled up in Pattie¡¯s eyes almost instantly.

    She stepped forward and wrapped Maia in a heartfelt embrace, the sorrow in her chest spilling over. ¡°You¡¯ve suffered more than anyone ever should. If anyone dares hurt you again ¡ª I don¡¯t care who it is, even if it¡¯s your husband ¡ª I¡¯ll make sure they regret it and pay the price!¡±

    Maia chuckled softly. ¡°I know, Pattie. You¡¯ve always been the one who cares the most. But for now, let¡¯s focus on the real priority ¡ª finalizing the acquisition of Aurora Apparel Company and managing everything thates after. You¡¯re far better at that side of things than I am.¡±

    Pattie gave her a light punch on the shoulder, halfughing through her tears. ¡°You just had to ruin the mood, didn¡¯t you? Had me on the verge of crying, and now you¡¯re already giving me orders. Fine, fine! You¡¯re the queen of delegation. Consider it done, boss!¡±

    Maia grinned. ¡°You¡¯re the one who truly runs MCN. Don¡¯t kid yourself. Now get to it!¡±

    ¡°Right, there¡¯s something I¡¯ve been meaning to bring up,¡± Pattie said, her tone shifting back to business. ¡°We¡¯ve clearly ruffled Cooper Group¡¯s feathers this time. I have no idea what move they¡¯ll make next, and I¡¯m racking my brain trying to figure out how to get ahead of them.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 426

    ?Chapter 426:

    Maia paused, her brows knitting in thought. ¡°Rx. If Cooper Group decides to hit back, they won¡¯t charge in guns zing. They¡¯ll act from the shadows, quietly. But that¡¯s exactly why we shouldy a trap ¡ª give them a tempting opening, and let them reveal themselves.¡±

    Pattie blinked in confusion. ¡°Huh?¡±

    A sly smile curved Maia¡¯s lips. She recounted Kolton¡¯s carefully chosen words at the party ¡ª his polished reassurances and charm, served up like a peace offering.

    ¡°But let¡¯s not kid ourselves,¡± Maia said, her voice steady. ¡°That was damage control, not a promise. Counting on a handshake deal with Kolton? That¡¯s like trying to hold water in your hands. Cooper Group will strike back. So why not bait them with a weakness ¡ª one we¡¯ve crafted, one we can predict and control?¡±

    The n was risky, yes. But then again, high rewards often walk hand in hand with high stakes.

    The stormier the sea, the richer the treasure.

    The acquisition of Aurora Apparel Company, a venerable brand under the Cooper Group¡¯s umbre, by MCN in this manner was bound to deal a severe blow to Kolton. And if they yed their next cards right, they could go further: dig up leverage, cast Kolton in the unforgiving light of scandal, and expose the cracks in his carefully curated persona. And once Kolton¡¯s pedestal crumbled, the path would be clear for Chris to rise in his ce.

    Pattie¡¯s eyes lit up in realization. She pped her hands together, energized. ¡°I see it now! Draw them out, aim for their weak spot, and then let public opinion do the rest ¡ª bring Kolton crashing down!¡±

    The takeover of Aurora Apparel by MCN dominated the news cycle, capturing widespread attention by midday.

    The entire sector was rattled. Business circles throughout Wront were left reeling.

    ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???????????????? ???? g????????¦Í??????£®??????

    Later that day, Cooper Group hosted a media briefing, stating that the acquisition was part of a broader alliance between themselves and MCN.

    Still, they conveniently omitted any reference to the ¡°one-dor purchase¡± story.

    The events that unfolded during that evening¡¯s cocktail gathering were thoroughly suppressed by Cooper Group. Only those privy to the inside story understood the magnitude of the situation.

    Neither Maia nor Kolton were individuals to be underestimated.

    Ultimately, profit reigned supreme.

    Before long, MCN¡¯s prestige soared. An endless stream of partners flocked to their door, eager to work together, with deals pouring in continuously.

    After Maia handed Pattie the sketches she produced during the cocktail event, she exited with quiet elegance. Her strategy was to mask her skill and fame. She had no intention of lingering at thepany for public rtions duties. Her mind was already on her next ambition.

    As Maia settled into her car, a call from Zoey came through. ¡°Maia, I don¡¯t care what method you use ¡ª just make Rnd leave for Drakmire immediately!¡±

    Maia blinked in confusion. It had been ages since Zoey had sounded so unsettled. What had Rnd done to spark her anger?

    Regardless, an order from Zoey was not something that Maia should ask about.

    ¡°Got it,¡± she replied smoothly.

    Zoey¡¯s voice grew gentler. ¡°Also, how are things going with Chris?¡±

    Maia stiffened slightly, memories of their previous night¡¯s kisses surfacing, but she yed dumb. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Zoey shot back, ¡°Stop pretending! Hasn¡¯t he already swept you off your feet? Or have you fallen for him first?¡±

    Maia was left speechless. Did it even matter who sumbed first? Was there a difference?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 427

    ?Chapter 427:

    With a sigh, she massaged her temples and said, ¡°The reception¡¯s bad here. Gotta go.¡±

    With that, she ended the call abruptly.

    Zoey stared at her screen, frowning in annoyance. Was Chris really capable of winning Maia over?

    After departing the hotel, Chris hailed a cab back to Elysium Apartments.

    As soon as he stepped inside, he sneezed three times in a row.

    He wasn¡¯t certain whether he wasing down with something.

    Inside his bedroom, he pulled out his phone and dialed Maxwell.

    Maxwell, barely awake, scrambled upright when he saw Chris calling. It was unusual. Chris never called at such an early hour. Was something wrong?

    Maxwell answered hurriedly.

    Chris¡¯ low, slightly raspy voice came through. ¡°We need to talk.¡±

    The early call made Maxwell instantly nervous. ¡°W-what¡¯s happening?¡±

    Chris continued, ¡°Cooper Group has a shipment that must reach Geshuania. I¡¯ll manage it once it clears customs. Until then, you¡¯ll oversee things here in Wront.¡±

    Chris¡¯ voice sounded a bit congested, as though he had caught a chill.

    Maxwell¡¯s eyes widened, sitting bolt upright. ¡°You¡¯re moving against Cooper Group already? Have you really thought this through? I thought we agreed to proceed carefully and embed ourselves gradually. Why the sudden eleration? And what about everything left behind here?¡±

    ¡°Handle it however you see fit,¡± Chris answered calmly. ¡°I have faith in you.¡±

    Maxwell froze for a moment. What was up with Chris today? Since when did he start expressing trust so openly? Could he be feverish and out of his mind?

    ?????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Are you serious? Fine. Leave it to me! I¡¯ll make sure everything is handled perfectly!¡± Maxwell assured him.

    Since Chris had said so, Maxwell couldn¡¯t refuse.

    However, he still wanted to know why Chris had changed the previously set n and was in such a hurry to act.

    Shaking his head, Chris said, ¡°I can¡¯t afford to wait anymore. My grandfather¡¯s condition has worsened ¡ª he¡¯s lost the ability to speak.¡±

    But he didn¡¯t reveal the entire reason.

    ¡°What? Your grandfather can¡¯t even speak anymore?¡± Maxwell¡¯s hand clenched, his knuckles whitening. ¡°Kolton¡¯s unbelievable! That¡¯s his own father ¡ª how has he been ¡®caring¡¯ for him?¡±

    Chris replied, ¡°Kolton won¡¯t get away with this forever. Sooner orter, karma will catch up. You know it¡¯s not really him pulling the strings in the Cooper Group ¡ª it¡¯s the ghost behind the curtain. That same person built a firewall so tight, even ¡®Hawk¡¯ couldn¡¯t breach it. If not for that, I could¡¯ve rescued my grandfather a hundred different ways.¡±

    Maxwell didn¡¯t need reminding ¡ª he knew that Laurence was the one chink in Chris¡¯ armor. He¡¯d kept his hands off Kolton this whole time, not out of mercy, but because any move risked Laurence being used as leverage.

    Chris heard the unspoken warning in Maxwell¡¯s tone. But with Laurence deteriorating by the day, waiting any longer wasn¡¯t an option ¡ª he could already feel the clock running out.

    He forced his mind away from the thought.

    After years of ruling Zephyria¡¯s underworld and secretly leading the formidable hacking organization ST, Chris had few rivals when it came to intel gathering.

    Long ago, he¡¯d uncovered the real reason why Kolton had elevated the Cooper Group to its empire status in Wront ¡ª it wasn¡¯t Kolton¡¯s own doing. That shadowy figure had been backing him all along and tracking Chris, even sending elite operatives Kolton¡¯s way.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 428

    ?Chapter 428:

    Still, Chris had no clue what Kolton had traded in return for that world-ss tech.

    It left him with no choice but to mask his abilities, to live as a shadow of himself just to keep from tipping his hand.

    ST wasn¡¯t built to take on Kolton. It was built for whoever was behind him.

    The image of Laurence¡¯s pleading eyes surged into Chris¡¯ thoughts, and with it came a wave of fury so fierce that it nearly drowned him. He¡¯d only escaped Kolton¡¯s grasp as a child because Laurence had intervened.

    Laurence had sacrificed his position as Cooper Group¡¯s patriarch to buy Chris one slim chance at survival.

    ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind, Maxwell. This time, I¡¯m all in.¡±

    Snapping back from the tide of memory, Chris looked at Maxwell and said, ¡°Even if I can¡¯t bring down the whole Cooper Group, I¡¯ll make Kolton bleed. And if I can draw out the person shielding him, even better. Besides, this is also for Maia.¡±

    ¡°For Maia?¡± Maxwell blinked, thinking that he¡¯d misheard. ¡°What¡¯s going on with her? She¡¯s already a powerhouse. Does she still need backup?¡±

    Every year, per Chris¡¯ orders, Maxwell nted people at the Cooper Group¡¯s annual cocktail event to sniff out business trends and strategic shifts. Sost night¡¯s news had traveled fast ¡ª Maia had dominated the scene and even won over the Aurora Apparel Company from the Cooper Group.

    Maxwell hadn¡¯t expected Chris to show up at all. He usually stayed far from events like that. So, was his presence tied to Maia?

    It struck Maxwell then that he¡¯d never seen Chris so invested in any woman.

    At first, Chris¡¯ decision to marry someone with a prison record had baffled him. But once he uncovered Maia¡¯s capabilities ¡ª her sharp mind, her hidden roles ¡ª he¡¯d figured that maybe Chris had seen her potential from the start. Maybe it was all part of a grander n to use her as a weapon against Kolton.

    A powerful alliance, maybe? But now, hearing the shift in Chris¡¯ tone, Maxwell sensed that there might be real emotion behind his words for Maia. Could it be real?

    ???????????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í????????????

    Chris had always worn the image of a womanizer like armor, but most of those flings were shallow ¡ª mutual arrangements, nothing more. Plenty had tried to blur the lines between pretend and real, but Chris had perfected the skill of staying detached. Whether faced with a sultry temptress or a wide-eyed ingenue, no matter their tactics ¡ª or how far they pushed ¡ª he never wavered. He was like a fortress that no one could breach.

    Maxwell had always respected that.

    But with Maia, Chris had changed.

    They hadn¡¯t even known each other that long. Maxwell couldn¡¯t quite wrap his head around how someone as hardened as Chris was suddenly beginning to shift.

    Chris said, ¡°Last night, Maia humiliated Kolton in front of Wront¡¯s top business yers. She cornered him into making a public pledge that the Cooper Group wouldn¡¯t retaliate ¡ª but I know Kolton. He¡¯s crafty, the kind who ys ten moves ahead. I¡¯m afraid he¡¯ll send those covert operatives ¡ª the ones he borrowed from the person secretly supporting him ¡ª to go after Maia. If anything happens, the trail will be invisible. No ties to him. No ties to the Cooper Group.¡±

    Maxwell¡¯s face hardened as realization dawned. Yeah, that sounded like Kolton.

    Those operatives worked like ghosts under hismand. Even with an investigation, there¡¯d be no way to link those operatives back to the Cooper Group.

    ¡°So, your n is to stir things up for Kolton, force him to focus on us instead, and keep him too busy to go after Maia. Basically, we¡¯re the bait ¡ª pulling the spotlight away from her,¡± Maxwell said, catching on quickly.

    Lately, all that gaming with Marisa had sharpened his strategic thinking.

    Chris let out a low chuckle. ¡°Getting smarter, are you?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 429

    ?Chapter 429:

    Maxwell scowled. What was that supposed to mean? Hadn¡¯t he always been smart?

    ¡°Please. Look who I¡¯ve been working with. You think I haven¡¯t picked up a few tricks? Besides, I¡¯ve been hooked on this new game ¡ª it¡¯s not just about reflexes. You¡¯ve got to think, solve stuff. Sometimes, one brain doesn¡¯t cut it.¡±

    Chris blinked. ¡°You? Into games now?¡±

    Maxwell answered, ¡°It¡¯s all Marisa¡¯s fault. She kept insisting we y together, and when I lost, she made fun of how bad I was. I couldn¡¯t handle it, so I made up my mind to practice until I could beat her! I never expected this game to be so addictive. The person who made it is a mystery, though. No one online can find anything about her.¡±

    Chris shook his head, thinking about how Marisa and Maxwell were always at odds.

    Still, Maxwell¡¯s excitement got him interested in the game. ¡°What game are you talking about? Send me the link.¡±

    Maxwell¡¯s eyes lit up, and he quickly said, ¡°No problem! If you give it a go, Chris, you¡¯ll surely make it to the top of the leaderboard! The game tracks yourpletion times and tries. You wouldn¡¯t believe how crazy the current top yer is¡ª¡±

    Chris cut him off, saying, ¡°Okay, enough about that. I¡¯ve got other things to deal with. Let¡¯s wrap it up.¡±

    Maxwell snapped out of it. He realized that he had been talking nonstop about the gametely. Now wasn¡¯t the time for that. He needed to focus on more important things with Chris.

    Maxwell steered the conversation back to Maia. ¡°Chris, helping Maia like this won¡¯tst forever. What happens next? We can¡¯t always keep hiding in the shadows and helping her secretly, can we?¡±

    Chris answered seriously, ¡°This war will only end when the Cooper Group ispletely wiped out.¡±

    ?????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í??????©o?????

    Maxwell was stunned. ¡°Completely wiped out!?¡± He had assumed that Chris just wanted to save his grandfather. He never imagined that Chris had ns to take down the whole Cooper Group. How long had Chris been secretly plotting this?

    Maxwell had no idea, but from the moment he met Chris, he had a feeling that Chris wasn¡¯t as he appeared. Chris was sharp, always aware of the situation, and a master at ying his cards, as though he had everything figured out. That was the real reason Maxwell had chosen to follow him.

    It seemed like things were about to get real. A shiver ran down Maxwell¡¯s back. A storm wasing, and the air was thick with tension.

    After the call ended, Chris turned his gaze toward Maia¡¯s room. His emotions were all over the ce, but his eyes shone with hope for what the future might bring.

    He knew that only by bringing down the Cooper Group for good could he stop worrying about Maia¡¯s safety. Only then could he proudly dere Maia as his wife, the one and only love of his life.

    He dreamed of giving Maia a grand wedding, making her the happiest woman alive.

    Meanwhile, after hanging up with Zoey, Maia nned to call Rnd, hoping to convince him to leave.

    After thinking it over, she decided to call Elvira instead.

    The phone was answered almost immediately, and Elvira¡¯s voice rang through, full of energy. ¡°Maia, you finally called! What¡¯s going on? I¡¯m all ears. Ha-ha, I¡¯ve been waiting for this day forever, and I didn¡¯t expect it to go so smoothly!¡±

    Maia was confused. She had no clue what Elvira meant, but she didn¡¯t bother to dig deeper. She was used to Elvira¡¯s way of talking.

    She got straight to the point. ¡°Elvira, I need to ask you something. Tell me the truth ¡ª why did Rnde to Wront?¡±

    ¡°What!?¡± Elvira was caught off guard. That was a strange question. When she called Rnd the morning before, wasn¡¯t Maia and Rnd at the hotel? Didn¡¯t Maia know that Rnd came to Wront for her? Why was Maia asking this now? Had something happened at the hotel?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 430

    ?Chapter 430:

    Elvira couldn¡¯t help but wonder if she had misunderstood something.

    The thought hit her like a ton of bricks.

    Rnd hade to Wront to stir up trouble for Maia¡¯s family¡­ No, that wasn¡¯t it! He came for Maia¡¯s happiness, for her future!

    But could she just tell Maia that? No way!

    But now Maia seemed to care about Rnd. Was there something else going on between them?

    Elvira blinked. She couldn¡¯t let Rnd get into trouble; she had to have his back, no matter what!

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Elvira shed a sly grin. ¡°Rnd¡­ Of course, he came to Wront just for you!¡±

    Maia frowned and repeated, ¡°For me?¡±

    Maia often sensed that she and Elvira just couldn¡¯t connect when it came to talking.

    Elvira sat up straighter, her grin disappearing as she became serious. ¡°Maia, I¡¯ve told you before ¡ª Rnd, my brother, likes you! He¡¯s had a thing for you for ages. If you don¡¯t believe me¡ª¡±

    ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Maia cut her off. ¡°Elvira, stop messing around! If you keep talking like that, forget about getting that herbal remedy recipe you¡¯ve been begging me for!¡±

    ¡°Alright, alright, I¡¯ll stop!¡± Elvira quickly backed off.

    That recipe was something only Maia could make.

    Although Elvira was known as Drakmire¡¯s famous healer, there were still plenty of tough illnesses she couldn¡¯t fix.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c???? brings imagination alive

    On the other hand, Maia¡¯s healing recipes were nearly miraculous. They didn¡¯t just help keep sickness at bay but also tackled stubborn conditions that modern medicine couldn¡¯t seem to touch.

    Elvira¡¯s grandmother had been battling dementia for years. They had tried every treatment avable, but nothing worked.

    It was pure luck that she had run into Maia. When Maia heard about Elvira¡¯s grandmother¡¯s condition, she gave Elvira a healing recipe. To everyone¡¯s shock, after three months of using it, her grandmother¡¯s health started to improve.

    As time went on, Maia kept perfecting the recipe. Now, Elvira¡¯s grandmother not only recognized all her family members but was also in great spirits.

    Even so, Elvira understood that a full recovery was still a long road to travel.

    Maia¡¯s healing recipes couldn¡¯t be stopped, but they always needed tweaking.

    ¡°Please, stop joking!¡± Elvira begged. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll tell you! But¡­ I don¡¯t really know much. All I know is that Rnd left for Wront the moment he heard about your wedding. So, naturally, I thought he went there because of you!¡±

    Maia went quiet, deep in thought. After a moment, she asked, ¡°Has he taken on any new cases recently?¡±

    Elvira let out an exasperated sigh. What was going on with Maia? Why was she so focused on Rnd? If she was so eager to know more about him, why didn¡¯t she just ask him herself?

    ¡°You know how he is,¡± Elvira said with a shrug. ¡°He never discusses work with the family, not even with me. He¡¯s always so tight-lipped. If you didn¡¯t know him, you¡¯d swear he was part of some undercover mission.¡±

    She let out a long sigh and added, ¡°Sometimes, it feels like he¡¯s not even awyer, but more like a member of some secret group!¡±

    Maia didn¡¯t know how to respond. It was clear that the conversation had gonepletely off-course. She massaged her temples, irritation creeping into her expression.

    ¡°Enough! Have you been watching too many spy thrillers?¡± she snapped.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 431

    ?Chapter 431:

    Elvira gave a careless shrug. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m just being honest. Rnd left for Wront as soon as he heard about your wedding. If you think he doesn¡¯t care about you, no one would believe that.¡±

    And there it was again, back to the same subject.

    But then Maia recalled the day Rnd had shown up at her door, demanding answers and even proposing marriage. A thought struck her. Could Rnd actually have feelings for her? But that seemed impossible!

    Rnd had always kept a cool, distant demeanor, making it clear that he wasn¡¯t easy to approach. He¡¯d treated her the same way. In fact, over all these years, the total number of words he¡¯d spoken to her likely didn¡¯t even reach fifty.

    ¡°Elvira, there¡¯s no chance anything will happen between Rnd and me,¡± Maia said with conviction. Her head felt like it was pounding harder, but she remembered Zoey¡¯s instructions and quickly added, ¡°And can you figure out a way to get him back to Drakmire as soon as possible?¡±

    Elvira was taken aback. This was going nothing like she had expected. Still, for Maia¡¯s sake, she decided to y the role of matchmaker. ¡°Maia, don¡¯t be so quick to shut the door on this. What¡¯s so great about your so-called husband? Are you really that attached to him? What does he have that Rnd doesn¡¯t?¡±

    Maia paused for a moment, her voice taking on a sharp edge. ¡°So? The recipe¡­¡±

    ¡°Okay, okay, I get it,¡± Elvira said, rubbing her forehead and quickly conceding. ¡°I¡¯ll call him.¡±

    Once she hung up with Elvira, Maia let out a deep breath, feeling the tension lift.

    She didn¡¯t care about Rnd¡¯s feelings toward her. As long as he did as she asked and returned to Drakmire, staying out of Wront, they could go their separate ways without crossing paths.

    With that, the task Zoey had assigned her would be consideredplete.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??§àm opens doors to fiction

    At the Cooper Mansion, chaos reigned. Antique itemsy shattered, and expensive jewelry was scattered everywhere. The servants moved quietly, absorbed in their task of cleaning up the mess.

    The day before, Mariana hade home, furious beyond belief. She had been yelling someone¡¯s name repeatedly. While it wasn¡¯t umon for her to lose her temper, this time she had gone too far. She had nearly destroyed everything in her room.

    At first, the servants hesitated, unsure whether to intervene. But Kolton had instructed them to wait, telling them to clean up once Mariana had calmed down.

    Mariana awoke close to noon, her stomach growling. The night before, after returning from the Cooper Group¡¯s cocktail party, she had been in a state of utter distress. Consumed by shame, she hadn¡¯t been able to sleep a wink. The realization that she had lost the prestigious Aurora Apparel Company to Maia kept reying in her mind. Now, she was certain that everyone would turn against her, looking down on her.

    Her emotions had spiraled out of control. She had thrown objects around the room, as though aiming them at Maia, and raged for what seemed like hours, destroying everything in her path before finally copsing into an uneasy sleep.

    Still groggy, Mariana forced herself to change and drag herself downstairs. As she reached the dining room door, the smell of food hit her. Inside, she found udius eating.

    Sunlight streamed through the decorative ss windows, casting a soft glow on him as he ate with calm elegance. A servant swiftly served him steak and wine, and the entire scene felt as though it had been painted.

    Sensing Mariana¡¯s gaze, udius paused, nced at her briefly, then continued eating without acknowledging her further.

    The message from Rosanna the night before shed in Mariana¡¯s mind, reigniting her fury. She marched over to udius and grabbed the hand holding the fork. ¡°udius, have you fallen for Maia?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 432

    ?Chapter 432:

    udius set his utensils down and shot Mariana a cold look, clearly unimpressed by her outburst. He had heard the chaos from upstairs when he returned the night before and was shocked that she hadn¡¯t moved past it yet.

    At the party, Mariana had seemed to be getting along just fine with Rosanna. udius¡¯s gaze hardened.

    ¡°Was it that troublemaker Rosanna who filled your head with this?¡± His voice was steady, emotionless. ¡°It¡¯s one thing to act out at home, but can¡¯t you keep up appearances outside? You¡¯re the cherished daughter of the Cooper family! Everything you do or say represents the whole Cooper family. Please, stay away from women like Rosanna; they¡¯re beneath you!¡±

    To Mariana, his words wereced with sarcasm. udius didn¡¯t deny it, which meant he had really fallen for Maia? She couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing¡ªit felt like the most absurd joke ever!

    ¡°Me, insane?¡± She banged her fist on the table, making the silverware rattle. ¡°Who¡¯s the real insane one here? Do you have any idea how badly Maia embarrassed mest night? She even stole Aurora Apparel from me. Instead of standing by me, you actually fell for her, and here you are, criticizing me?¡±

    Mariana clenched her jaw and yelled, ¡°Are you still my brother?¡±

    udius raised an eyebrow. Who he was attracted to was his own business, and Mariana had no say in it. His face turned stone-cold as he snapped back, ¡°You¡¯ve got the nerve to say that? This whole mess is your fault! You¡¯re the reason Cooper Group lost Aurora Apparel, and instead of owning up to your screw-up, you have the audacity to point fingers at me? You¡¯ve been spoiled rotten your entire life!¡±

    With that, udius dabbed his mouth with a napkin, his appetitepletely gone. Without even acknowledging Mariana, he got up and walked away, not sparing her a second nce.

    Mariana shook with fury, wondering what kind of spell Maia had cast on her brother. She screamed at his disappearing figure, ¡°If you so much as get involved with that woman, don¡¯t even think of calling me your sister!¡±

    ?????????????????? ???????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    udius didn¡¯t slow down as he walked out of Mariana¡¯s view.

    For as long as she could remember, udius had always spoiled her, the caring elder brother who never once scolded her. But now, he was speaking to her like that, all because of that cursed Maia!

    Mariana¡¯s fury almost pushed her to the brink of insanity, and her hatred for Maia grew stronger with each passing second.

    ¡°Miss Cooper, would you like to eat?¡± a servant asked, his voice careful.

    Mariana shot him a quick nce, her fists tightly clenched. The servant, clearly intimidated by her angry gaze, took a step back, fear in his eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m so mad, I can¡¯t even eat!¡± Mariana snapped, throwing him a cold re before turning and heading back to her room. She plopped down on the edge of her bed and called Rosanna.

    Meanwhile, Rosanna was at home, sitting down to a meal with her parents and Jarrod. Out of nowhere, her phone rang.

    When Rosanna saw that it was Mariana calling, her curiosity was piqued, and her eyes lit up.

    She quickly made an excuse, saying, ¡°I have to take this call,¡± and rushed out of the dining room.

    As soon as she picked up, Mariana¡¯s voice came through, dark and threatening. ¡°You told me Maia went to a hotel with some guy from the partyst night. Who was he?¡±

    Rosanna thought back to the message she had sent to Mariana the previous evening, primarily to request udius¡¯ contact details, casually bringing it up during their conversation. She was surprised and a bit puzzled that Mariana only remembered to ask her about it after an entire night had passed.

    After a brief hesitation, Rosanna muttered, ¡°It¡¯s regarding the Cooper family¡¯s outcast, Chris.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s thoughts scattered, a suffocating weight pressing down on her as though something vital had shattered inside her. Her fingers trembled, barely able to hold her mobile. ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 433

    ?Chapter 433:

    ¡°The man who went to the hotel with Maia is Chris,¡± Rosanna dered hotly. ¡°I witnessed it myself. No doubt about it. Maia has absolutely no shame!¡±

    With a sharp tter, Mariana¡¯s trembling hand dropped the phone, sending it crashing to the floor.

    Hearing only dead air from the other side, Rosanna quickly asked, ¡°Mariana, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Meanwhile, Mariana remained frozen where she sat, stunned beyond words. How could this nightmare possibly be real?

    Her nails dug into her palms, and her lips pressed into a bloodless line. Fury surged through her like wildfire, making her want to destroy something, yet there was nothing nearby she could hurl. Besides, appearances still mattered¡ªshe couldn¡¯t lose control in public.

    But Maia had gone too far this time. Maia had mocked her at the event and now was targeting Chris. Mariana couldn¡¯t endure the thought of that woman wrecking her future.

    Rosanna¡¯s voice filtered faintly through the speaker.

    Snatching up the fallen device, Mariana ground out through gritted teeth, ¡°Find a way to lure her out. I want to ruin her reputation!¡±

    Rosanna faltered, resignation shing through her voice. ¡°Maia practically sees me as an enemy. If I approach her directly, she¡¯ll definitely refuse.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s patience snapped.

    ¡°Are you useless or what?¡± she snapped icily. ¡°I don¡¯t care how you manage it. Get Maia to show up ¡ª lie to her if you must. Fail, and don¡¯t bother contacting me again.¡±

    Without waiting for an answer, Mariana ended the call.

    At the Morgan estate¡¯s dining hall, Rosanna had stepped out to answer her phone and had yet to return.

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    Richard grew visibly annoyed. ¡°What¡¯s taking Rosanna so long? Who¡¯s she chatting with that she needs privacy?¡±

    Sandra gave him a look and said mildly, ¡°She¡¯s no longer a child. It¡¯s normal for her to have secrets.¡±

    Richard¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Rosanna¡¯s too trusting. I worry some shady character might trick her.¡± He put down his fork and directed a stern nce at Jarrod. ¡°As her brother, you ought to keep an eye on her!¡±

    Across the table, Jarrod, who had been distant and distracted sinceing home, poked absently at his meal. Richard¡¯s sharp rebuke jolted him. ¡°Huh? What? What happened?¡±

    Richard¡¯s face darkened further. He pointed a finger at him. ¡°You waste your time day after day. What exactly is filling that head of yours?¡±

    Sensing that something was off, Sandra intervened gently. ¡°Jarrod, you¡¯ve been out of sortstely. Is there something you¡¯re not telling us?¡±

    Jarrod hesitated. Should he reveal how Maia, once dismissed as insignificant, had humiliated Mariana, the Cooper Group¡¯s precious jewel? But confessing that would mean admitting how badly he¡¯d embarrassed himself too.

    After considerable hesitation, he finally murmured, ¡°Father, Mother¡­ Maia spent over a decade under our roof. Things have spiraled out of control now, which none of us ever intended. Isn¡¯t it time we tried to repair what¡¯s broken between us?¡±

    The dining hallpsed into a short, heavy hush following his appeal.

    Then, without warning, Richard smashed his palm against the tabletop, his face contorting with rage. ¡°Repair things with her? We provided for her for seventeen years, and this is how she shows her gratitude!¡±

    Sandra hurriedly stepped in to diffuse the situation.

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 Chapter 434

    ?Chapter 434:

    Sandra tried to soothe him. ¡°Please, don¡¯t get worked up, love. Jarrod only wants harmony for the family. However¡­¡± She turned toward Jarrod, softening her voice. ¡°Listen, Jarrod, your father isn¡¯t wrong. The Morgans never gave Maia reason to feel slighted. Shecked for nothing. Everyfort she enjoys is thanks to us. Without our support, she would have struggled to survive. Could she have built this life without our help?¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s fingers curled tightly around his fork before he asked suddenly, ¡°Were either of you aware that Maia can y the piano?¡±

    Richard and Sandra exchanged startled looks.

    ¡°The piano?¡± Sandra¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°That¡¯s unlikely. She never showed any interest, and we certainly never enrolled her in music sses. I¡¯ve never seen her near an instrument.¡±

    Richard let out a derisive snort. ¡°Her academics were abysmal, and she constantly caused problems. We counted ourselves fortunate the school didn¡¯t expel her. Mastering the piano demands discipline and perseverance, and she had neither.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s thoughts churned with a chaotic mix of doubt and frustration. How could they im to be Maia¡¯s guardians for so long and still know so little about her?

    The thought was beyond ridiculous.

    He gave a low, bitter chuckle. ¡°You keep insisting you treated Maia well¡­ yet you don¡¯t even know who she truly is.¡±

    ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Richard¡¯s brows furrowed, forming a tight knot of suspicion.

    Sandra hesitated, her voice uncertain as she finally spoke. ¡°Honestly, Maia¡¯s been acting like a strangertely¡­ At times, I wonder if I ever really knew her. When did she pick upposition and fashion design? She never breathed a word of it to us.¡±

    She sighed softly, then turned toward Jarrod. ¡°All these years, your father and I poured ourselves into our work. I¡¯ll admit, we didn¡¯t devote much time to her. But everything we¡¯ve done¡ªeveryte night, every sacrifice¡ªwas for this family. How else do you think you¡¯ve all enjoyed suchfort and luxury? She¡¯s had the finest food, the best clothes, every possible advantage. She ought to be grateful. And yet she keeps everything close to the vest, like we¡¯re strangers¡ªor worse, enemies.¡±

    Discover what¡¯s new on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls

    The more Sandra spoke, the more firmly she believed her own argument. In her eyes, Maia had be little more than a thankless thorn in the family¡¯s side.

    ¡°And we¡¯re still her family. If she has a bone to pick with us, couldn¡¯t she just say so? Why keep it all bottled up and make everyone miserable?¡±

    Jarrod remained silent for a moment, struck by the irony of her words.

    He let out a quiet, bitter chuckle. ¡°Family? Wasn¡¯t it you who insisted she belonged to the Watsons, not the Morgans? Who forced her to sign that disownment agreement?¡±

    A sharp bang rang out as Richard mmed his palm on the table, his face turning a shade redder. ¡°Jarrod! What¡¯s that supposed to mean? Are you taking her side now? Do you actually see that ungrateful jerk as one of us?¡±

    Sandra, visibly confused, narrowed her eyes at Jarrod. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you? You never cared about Maia before, and now suddenly you¡¯re jumping to her defense. Has she been in touch with you? Is she trying to sow discord in this family?¡±

    ¡°Hmph! I knew that ungrateful brat was up to no good!¡± Richard growled, teeth clenched. ¡°She¡¯s trying to tear this family apart¡ªpiece by piece!¡±

    Jarrod stared at the two self-satisfied figures across the table, and in that moment, the entire scene struck him as grotesquely absurd¡ªa tragicedy dressed as dinner.

    He opened his mouth, then closed it again. There was nothing left worth saying.

    Just then, Rosanna walked in.

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 Chapter 435

    ?Chapter 435:

    Hearing the tension from the dining room, she approached with concern. ¡°Mom? Dad? Are you arguing with Jarrod?¡±

    ¡°Ask him yourself!¡± Richard snapped, tossing his fork aside like it had betrayed him.

    Rosanna turned her puzzled gaze on Jarrod, who sat silently, head bowed. ¡°Jarrod?¡± she asked softly.

    He lifted his eyes, meeting hers briefly. In that fleeting nce, a quiet truth dawned upon him¡ªthese people had been consumed by fury and wouldn¡¯t want to listen to his words calmly. So, what was the point in speaking?

    He set down his fork, stood, and straightened his posture. A cold, restrained intensity now cloaked his expression.

    Sandra stepped in, her voice tinged with irritation. ¡°What are you doing now? Sit down and eat. Don¡¯t spoil Rosanna¡¯s dinner.¡±

    Jarrod stood frozen for a moment, as if seeing things clearly for the first time. Since Rosanna had returned to the Morgan family, their parents had showered her with warmth and attention, leaving both Maia and himself in the shadows.

    He shook his head slowly. ¡°I¡¯ve lost my appetite. I¡¯m going to rest.¡± And with that, Jarrod walked away, not sparing a single nce behind him.

    Richard¡¯s voice followed, steeped in exasperation. ¡°See? That¡¯s the son you raised!¡±

    Sandra fired back, just as annoyed. ¡°What do you mean, the son I raised? Isn¡¯t he your son too? Or are you washing your hands of him now?¡±

    Rosanna looked on, bewildered, her voice a whisper. ¡°Mom, Dad, please stop. What¡¯s wrong with Jarrod?¡±

    Richard gave a disdainful snort. ¡°Who knows what nonsense your brother¡¯s caught up in. Just leave him be!¡±

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    But when he turned to Rosanna, his harshness melted away like ice under the sun. A gentle smile lit his face, and his tone softened. ¡°Jarrod¡¯s been coddled his whole life. If only he had half your maturity.¡±

    Sandra nodded in full agreement. Though both children were hers, the contrast between them couldn¡¯t have been starker. Compared to Rosanna¡¯sposed demeanor, Jarrod¡ªdespite being the elder¡ªseemed caught in a state of arrested development.

    She sighed. ¡°Your brother¡¯s been acting strange all day, like something¡¯s weighing on him. He and your father just had a small disagreement, nothing serious.¡±

    Rosanna sat quietly, thinking that he was probably still rattled from the drama at the party the day before. She decided not to press the matter.

    With her parents seeming more at ease, she lowered her gaze and said carefully, ¡°Mom, Dad¡­ there¡¯s something I¡¯m not sure whether I should say¡­¡±

    Sandra smiled gently. ¡°Darling, what could you possibly not tell your own parents?¡±

    Richard, too, turned toward her with unexpected gentleness, his usually stern face now open and kind. ¡°Of course you can speak. Whatever¡¯s on your mind, we¡¯re listening.¡±

    Their tone had transformedpletely¡ªso unlike the sharp words they had flung at Jarrod just moments before.

    Rosanna hesitated, pressing her lips together, before finally speaking slowly.

    ¡°I remembered that Maia¡¯s birthday falls on the same day as mine. It¡¯s approaching quickly, and during thest four years while she was incarcerated, we never had the chance to celebrate her special day,¡± Rosanna remarked, watching her parents closely. Noticing that they seemed attentive, she continued, ¡°Now that she¡¯s out, I thought ¡ª why not celebrate together this year? We could host her an extravagant birthday feast to show that the Morgan family never truly meant to sever ties. There are several benefits to this idea. First, it might help ease any lingering tensions between us. Secondly, it would send a clear message to everyone that the Morgans still consider her family, despite all the rumors. Lastly, given her current situation, we could potentially secure partnerships that might be advantageous for the Morgan family in the future.¡±

    Rosanna had carefully thought through these points.

    The dining room fell silent for a moment, then Sandra looked at her with a confused expression. ¡°Are you suggesting¡­ you want to throw a joint birthday party for Maia?¡±

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 Chapter 436

    ?Chapter 436:

    ¡°Yes,¡± Rosanna answered, smiling and nodding. ¡°She is my sister, after all. We can¡¯t stay at odds forever.¡±

    Richard frowned and asked, ¡°Your brother just mentioned wanting to make amends with Maia, and now you¡¯re saying the same. Have you both seen Maia recently? What is she up to these days?¡±

    Rosanna paused. Jarrod wanted to make amends with Maia? Wasn¡¯t he the one who had the strongest aversion to her? Was it because Maia had outperformed her on the piano the night before, making Jarrod think she was superior?

    That thought sent a wave of difort through Rosanna.

    She suppressed her feelings of resentment and said, ¡°It seems like Jarrod is also considering what¡¯s best for our family. Mom, Dad, think about it ¡ª we can¡¯t rely on the Ward family anymore. They¡¯re going through financial troubles, and who knows if they¡¯ll be able to help us in the future.¡±

    Rosanna clenched her fists, pushing aside her dislike, and began to praise Maia. ¡°But Maia¡­ she¡¯s something else. Her current situation is extraordinary. Not only is she the famousposer K, but she¡¯s also the head designer at MCN. I heard MCN recently took over the Aurora Apparel Company, a design business affiliated with the Cooper Group. Maia has limitless opportunities ahead of her! If she chooses¡­¡±

    ¡°To lend us her support, the Morgan family wouldn¡¯t need anyone else¡¯s help anymore.¡±

    Rosanna finished her thoughts. It was the first time she had examined Maia so thoroughly. But as she spoke, a flicker of anger burned in her eyes. Her resentment toward Maia had reached its peak.

    Why did Maia seem to have everything while still trying to outshine her at every opportunity? It felt so unjust!

    Rosanna¡¯s words made Richard and Sandra pause. As much as they hated to admit it, Maia was undeniably exceptional¡ªalmost unbelievable.

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    With her earnings fromposing and designing, Maia likely made a small fortune each year. If they could repair their rtionship with her, her position as the chief designer at MCN could open doors for a valuable partnership. That would be a significant advantage for the family.

    And let¡¯s not forget, MCN¡¯s recent acquisition of Aurora Apparel Company had made them even more powerful, positioning them to dominate the luxury fashion market in Wront. It was a goldmine, and if the Morgan family could im a piece, they wouldn¡¯t need to worry about their future.

    Richard and Sandra had discussed Maia more than once. At their core, they both longed for her return to the family, but their pride often stood in the way.

    Rosanna¡¯s idea made sense. It would protect the Morgan family¡¯s dignity, elevate their status in themunity, and give Maia a chance toe back home. If she was willing to apologize and acknowledge her mistakes, the Morgans would embrace her without hesitation.

    After a moment, Richard nodded. ¡°Rosanna, you are so thoughtful. You¡¯re not just generous; you¡¯re exceptionally kind. You truly embody the Morgan spirit.¡±

    But Sandra¡¯s thoughts were elsewhere.

    It was certainly an odd twist of fate that Maia and Rosanna shared the same birthday. That was the reason they had been switched at birth. What troubled her, however, was that she had given birth at Maple Hospital, the top-tier private facility in Wront.

    The hospital charges had been exorbitant, far beyond the reach of regr families.

    On the other hand, Maia¡¯s biological parents hade from a life of hardship. Typically, people like them gave birth in affordable clinics, not in a high-end ce like Maple Hospital.

    Sadly, Maia¡¯s biological parents had passed away years ago, leaving no opportunity for a deeper investigation. However, Richard and Sandra were just relieved to have finally discovered their true daughter, Rosanna.

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 Chapter 437

    ?Chapter 437:

    As for Maia, she had been raised in their care and, in many ways, had continued to be a member of the family. If Maia chose to return, it would undoubtedly benefit the Morgans.

    With a mix of relief and pride, Sandra gently took Rosanna¡¯s hand. ¡°Rosanna, let¡¯s go ahead with your idea. Sharing your birthday celebration with Maia may feel like a sacrifice, but don¡¯t worry. Your father, your brother, and I will make it up to you with another celebrationter.¡±

    With a calm smile that concealed her deeper thoughts, Rosanna nodded. ¡°Mom, Dad, you don¡¯t need to worry. I¡¯ve always hoped that Maia and I could get along.¡±

    She then shifted her gaze to Richard. ¡°If you were the one to speak to her, she might take it more seriously.¡±

    In truth, Rosanna was concerned that Maia would simply ignore her if she went to invite her. But if Richard made the approach, it might push Maia into going along with it.

    A brief silence passed before Richard finally nodded. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll bring it up with her.¡±

    What went unnoticed was the way Rosanna¡¯s fingers curled tightly into fists, or the glint in her eyes¡ªsomething far from gentle.

    In her mind, Maia¡¯s fate was already sealed. That birthday party would be the perfect stage. With Mariana¡¯s help, she¡¯d make sure Maia¡¯s image came crashing down.

    Meanwhile, Jarrod slipped into his room and closed the door behind him. He leaned against the door for a moment, thoughts shing in his mind.

    After a few moments, he crossed the room and opened the lowest drawer of the wardrobe.

    Inside was an old red scarf, its edges worn and tattered.

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    He pulled it out slowly, letting it rest in his hand. The fabric still held the warmth of memory.

    Maia had knitted it herself.

    That winter, she had quietly slipped it into his backpack, calling it his birthday present.

    Maia had handed it to him with a soft reminder. ¡°It¡¯s cold outside. Wear this so you don¡¯t get sick.¡±

    Instead of appreciating the gesture, he¡¯d brushed her offpletely. Irritated by her concern, he¡¯d tossed the scarf straight into the snow. To him, needing a scarf was a sign of weakness. Boys didn¡¯t shiver from a bit of cold¡ªand they definitely didn¡¯t need girls worrying about them. The thought of his ssmates finding out? Humiliating. They¡¯d never let him live it down.

    Had Tricia not felt pity for Maia and quietly retrieved the scarf, washed it, and tucked it away for safekeeping, it would have been lost forever. Without that small act of kindness, Maia¡¯s silent gesture would have vanished without a trace.

    Moisture welled in Jarrod¡¯s eyes, blurring his vision.

    He drew the scarf close, pressing it to his chest as though holding on to a piece of her.

    The texture surprised him. He hadn¡¯t expected something so soft, soforting.

    That scarf was the first birthday gift Maia had ever given him¡ªand thest.

    If only he had known she had made it by hand.

    How could he have thrown it away?

    With a deep breath, he buried his face in the fabric, as if he could still feel the warmth of her fingers in every thread.

    And just like that, he remembered¡ªMaia¡¯s birthday wasing soon. Not once had he ever given her anything¡ªnot even a small token. As he stared at the scarf now resting in his hands, like a fragile memory, an idea began to form in his mind.

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 Chapter 438

    ?Chapter 438:

    This time, he would be the one to prepare something meaningful for Maia¡¯s birthday.

    She deserved to know that he had never forgotten the warmth of that one simple gift she had made just for him.

    That evening, the house felt unusually quiet when Maia stepped inside. Chris wasn¡¯t home.

    It took her a moment to remember¡ªhe had mentioned something about a business trip earlier that morning.

    Even knowing that, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of strange tension in her chest.

    Maybe it was the silence. Or maybe she had gotten too used to sharing her space with him.

    After sitting on the couch for a few moments, she reached for her phone and opened WhatsApp, scrolling through her chats until she found his name. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, typing and backspacing more than once, before she finally sent the message: ¡°Are you on a business trip?¡±

    His reply came almost instantly. ¡°Yeah, early flight tomorrow. I¡¯m staying at a hotel near the airport. Won¡¯t be home tonight.¡±

    Reading that, Maia gripped her phone a little tighter. She typed again, this time without hesitation: ¡°Is your headache any better? Did you go to the hospital?¡±

    The response came before she even had the chance to set the phone down. Chris replied, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d go with me? Just wait till I¡¯m back.¡±

    Maia¡¯s fingers moved quickly across the screen,posing a message to tell him to be careful and take care of himself. But just before hitting send, she erased every word and settled on a simple, ¡°Okay.¡±

    Somewhere else, Chris saw that single-word reply and couldn¡¯t help but smile faintly, though he didn¡¯t realize it. He slipped his phone back into his pocket and kept walking.

    His steps carried him into a narrow alley, but a sudden shift in the air made his instincts stir.

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    That was when he stopped cold, his expression hardening in an instant.

    A chorus of footsteps echoed through the narrow alleyway as more than a dozen thugs poured in from both ends, each gripping a baseball bat as if they were born with it in hand.

    Leading the pack was a shaven-headed man, his swagger exuding arrogance. He strutted forward, shoulders swaying like he owned the night.

    With a casual flick, he tapped his bat against the cobblestones. The dull thud cracked a stone beneath his feet, and the sound rolled down the alley like a warning.

    This was usually the part where people lost their nerve ¡ª where bravado drained from their faces and panic rushed in to take its ce. But this time, it didn¡¯t work. The man they hade for stood there with his arms folded, calm as ever, as though he were waiting for a bus instead of a beating. He didn¡¯t flinch or speak. He just stared.

    The shaven-headed thug narrowed his eyes. Was this guy stupid¡­ or dangerous?

    His crew was no ragtag bunch; these were hardened men, some fresh out of prison, each seasoned in violence and brutality.

    ¡°Hey,¡± he called out, double-checking the photo glowing on his phone. ¡°You must be Chris Cooper?¡±

    Word had it that Chris frequented a bar tucked into this alley. The n had been simple: wait, corner him, send a message. And just like that, Chris had walked right into their trap.

    Chris raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. His tone dripped with quiet scorn. ¡°You don¡¯t even know me, yet you think it¡¯s smart toe here causing trouble?¡±

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 Chapter 439

    ?Chapter 439:

    The shaven-headed man blinked, momentarily thrown off by the calmness. Then heughed ¡ª a sharp, barking sound that bounced off the alley walls.

    ¡°Know you?¡± he sneered, stepping closer. ¡°Who do you think you are?¡±

    He spat near Chris¡¯ shoes, then pointed at the wet mark. ¡°Get on your knees and lick that clean. Do it, and maybe I¡¯ll let you crawl out of here alive.¡±

    Chris chuckled, low and cold. ¡°Whoever sent you forgot to warn you. I suggest you lick it before I feed it to you.¡±

    A wave ofughter broke out among the thugs.

    ¡°Is this guy an idiot?¡±

    ¡°I heard he¡¯s just a pretty boy being kept by some woman!¡±

    ¡°Enough talk. Let¡¯s beat him until he forgets his name.¡±

    ¡°Everyone knows he¡¯s useless. Just a good-for-nothing!¡±

    The shaven-headed man raised a hand, silencing the chatter around him. His grin twisted into something more sinister. ¡°I gave you a chance. Don¡¯t me us for what happens next. You offended the Ward family¡¯s son. In your next life, try being less of a clown.¡±

    The Ward family¡¯s son? Vince?

    Chris¡¯s eyes darkened. He¡¯d initially assumed these men were sent by Kolton, which would have made things much moreplicated. But now he realized they were Vince¡¯s men.

    Annoyance surged through him. Why had Vince suddenly targeted him? It was probably something to do with Maia again. How petty could that guy be? Chris nced up, and the icy chill in his gaze made the air feel ten degrees colder. ¡°What terrible timing for you. I¡¯m not in the mood today.¡± With a snap of his fingers, his aura shifted.

    The shaven-headed man paused, sneering. ¡°Who do you think you are? Get him, guys!¡±

    But before a single boot moved forward, the alley exploded into chaos. Figures leaped from the shadows, scaling walls like wraiths¡ªsilent, swift, and deadly. Masked men descended on the thugs, moving too fast to track. Several of the thugs were already face down on the ground, their limbs twisted and pinned beneath expert holds.

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    What the hell was happening?

    The shaven-headed man stood there, speechless, as his crew stumbled, staggered, and tried to regroup. They had been blindsided,pletely caught off guard.

    Within seconds, the alley was cleared.

    His meny groaning, immobilized, dragged roughly to the sides like discarded trash.

    Chris closed his eyes briefly, inhaling deeply as though to center himself. When he opened them again, the alley stretched clear ahead, as if the space had bowed to his presence.

    This was his street. Everyone in Wront knew who ruled this part of the city. No one dared cross that line. At least, no one had¡ªuntil tonight. The shaven-headed man had no idea what he had walked into. He hade to rough Chris up, maybe bruise his ego, send a message. But he had no clue Chris had this kind of backup.

    Vince had told him that Chris was just a joke¡ªa discarded son with no real power.

    Now, he wanted to exin that it was all a misunderstanding, hoping Chris would let him go.

    But as soon as he opened his mouth, he was punched hard, and he felt his teeth shatter. The pain made him writhe, tears streaming down his face.

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 Chapter 440

    Chapter 440:

    Looking at Chris again, the shaven-headed man realized he was staring at apletely different person. Chris exuded a chilling, powerful aura that was terrifying.

    Without sparing him a single nce, Chris issued a quiet, lethal order. ¡°Clean this up. No traces.¡± His voice was as cold as ice.

    Chris turned on his heel and walked toward the far end of the alley, where a violet glow spilled from the sign of the Neon Dreams Bar. Behind him, muffled pleas and the sickening sounds of fists meeting flesh echoed through the night air.

    ¡°Sir, I was wrong! Please, have mercy!¡±

    ¡°Stop, stop hitting me! Vince sent us! I was just doing my job!¡±

    But Chris remained indifferent, walking away without a second look.

    He entered through the bar¡¯s side entrance, pulling the door shut behind him, sealing the chaos behind cold steel and silence. Inside, he moved quickly through the lounge and vanished down a back corridor.

    At the end of the hallway, he stopped at a narrow panel, pressing his palm against it. A mechanical click sounded, and the wall shifted, revealing a hidden door.

    Chris slipped through, and the passage was tight, dimly lit, and suffocatingly silent. The cavernous room that unfolded was a high-tech undergroundmand hub, pulsing with quiet intensity. Over a hundred people worked inside, monitors blinking and equipment humming. This was Chris¡¯s secret base in Wront¡ªone of many.

    As he stepped inside, someone hurried over, offering a cigarette with both hands. Chris took it without a word. The lighter clicked, and smoke curled from his lips, his expression shifting as his eyes narrowed with focus.

    ¡°When does the shipment clear customs?¡± he asked, his voice sharp and low.

    ¡°Tomorrow morning. Four A.M.,¡± the man answered promptly, his toneced with deference.

    Every journey starts at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c????

    The man motioned toward the far wall. ¡°This way, Mr. Cooper.¡±

    Chris followed, his eyes locking onto the massive screen now filling the far end of the room.

    Surveince feeds, blinking signals, and satellite maps illuminated the disy, resembling an electric constetion. The man pointed at a pulsing red dot moving steadily across one of the screens. ¡°This is our primary target. We¡¯ve embedded multiple trackers, so even if one ispromised, the others will remain active.¡±

    Chris exhaled slowly, his breath controlled. ¡°Good. Gather the team,¡± he ordered. ¡°We¡¯re moving out. Now.¡±

    Inside the Cooper Mansion, Kolton massaged his temples, feeling the weight of the many concerns that had umted over the past few days.

    Finally, he managed to carve out some time to visit his dear daughter, Mariana. Despite all the trouble she had caused, she remained his favorite child.

    He made his way to her bedroom door and knocked. The broken items had already been reced, and as long as Mariana could settle down, he was willing to rece a few more.

    After waiting for a moment, he received no reply.

    At that moment, a servant happened to walk by. Kolton asked, ¡°Where is Mariana?¡±

    ¡°Miss Cooper is in the studio,¡± the servant replied politely.

    ¡°Understood, you may leave,¡± Kolton said, his brow furrowing slightly as he made his way to the studio.

    When he entered, he found Mariana deeply immersed in her painting. The canvas was alive with vibrant colors and wild strokes, chaotic yet somehowing together beautifully. Red and ck sshes cut through the painting, resembling des slicing through a dreamlike, tumultuous world.

    ¡°Well done,¡± Koltonplimented, always generous with praise for Mariana.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Sorry for beingte, double chapters to make up for it dear ones. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?

    .

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 441

    ?Chapter 441:

    Mariana paused, gently setting down her brush. She turned to him, a subtle smile curling on her lips.

    If Kolton looked closely at her work, he would notice Maia¡¯s name scattered throughout the painting. The world depicted was filled with countless versions of Maia, yet Mariana believed that this world didn¡¯t require Maia at all.

    Kolton stepped closer and gently asked, ¡°Are you feeling more calm now?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Dad, I¡¯ve calmed down,¡± Mariana replied, moving closer to take his hand.

    Gone was her earlier frantic energy; now, she appearedposed, an elegant youngdy from an esteemed family.

    ¡°I regret the damage my briefpetitiveness caused to Cooper Group,¡± Mariana said, her eyes beginning to glisten. ¡°I apologize for my rash behavior that night. Dad, I am truly sorry.¡±

    Kolton felt his anger subside as he watched Mariana take responsibility for her actions. Still, he replied firmly, ¡°Consider this a tough lesson and remember it. You must know both yourself and your opponent to seed.¡± He hoped this moment would serve as a teaching opportunity, encouraging his daughter to learn and grow from it.

    ¡°Dad, I get it,¡± Mariana said with a nod, though a part of her hesitated. She questioned, ¡°But Dad, are we really going to overlook what Maia did?¡±

    After all, Aurora Apparel Company was an important part of the Cooper family¡¯s business. It wasn¡¯t the most vital asset, but it was too significant to just discard. Kolton¡¯s gaze narrowed when he heard that.

    He had no intention of letting it slide without a fight. What did Maia think she was? Despite her talent and fame, to the elite families, she was nothing more than a bug that could be squashed at any moment. Yet, Maia was suddenly in the spotlight. Particrly his cousin Hurst, who seemed to be getting too close to her, with whispers circting about an affair between them.

    Although they acted friendly on the surface, Kolton and Hurst had never really clicked. To deal with Maia, Kolton knew he had to be indirect and avoid leaving a trace.

    Fresh chapters live g?ln¦Ò¦Íe?s?c?m

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to stress over this,¡± Kolton said, ncing once more at Mariana¡¯s painting. ¡°Just focus on your art and prepare for the uing international exhibition. Stick to what you do best and aim for the sess you deserve.¡±

    Mariana pressed her lips together and nodded.

    Her true gifty in painting, with fashion designing in a close second. It wouldn¡¯t be the end of the world if she lost to Maia.

    What Mariana couldn¡¯t ept was Maia having the audacity to flirt with Chris.

    As this thought crossed her mind, she bit her lip in frustration.

    ¡°If you can shine at the exhibition, it will make the Cooper family proud too!¡± Kolton said, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat. ¡°Mariana, I believe in you, got it?¡±

    Although Mariana had studied design in college, her talent for painting had been evident since she was a child. Over the years, she had received more des for her painting than her design work.

    Mariana knew Kolton was right; she needed to focus on her strengths to achieve the sess she deserved. That would be her true triumph.

    As she considered this, her face softened. She nodded with determination and said, ¡°I¡¯ll put in my best effort and won¡¯t let you down, Dad.¡±

    ¡°Good, very good,¡± Kolton chuckled heartily. ¡°Then I won¡¯t interrupt your painting any further.¡±

    Once Kolton had left, Mariana turned her attention to the unfinished painting. She grabbed her brush, dipped it into the paint, and began applying it generously.

    The earlier chaos faded into the background as a new scene started to emerge.

    Before her, a stormy ocean unfolded, with a fragile boat tossed violently by the furious waves. In the distance, a massive whirlpool began to form, its churning waters towering over the scene. The sky above was dark, filled with ominous clouds, signaling an approaching storm.

    .

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 Chapter 442

    ?Chapter 442:

    Marianapleted the final brushstroke, a sense of aplishment settling over her. She smirked to herself and whispered, ¡°Maia, I¡¯ll make sure your birthday gift is unforgettable ¡ª for all the wrong reasons!¡±

    Kolton exited the art studio and made his way directly to the study. He often read to help himself think, and this asion was no different. As he delved into a book about economics, a sudden thought struck him.

    He promptly called his assistant and asked, ¡°Have you found anything about the woman financially backing Chris?¡±

    His assistant answered cautiously, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Cooper. I¡¯ve tried my hardest, but she keeps everything close to the vest¡­¡±

    ¡°Idiot!¡± Kolton shouted in fury. ¡°How could you mess up something so simple?¡±

    ¡°I know I messed up, Mr. Cooper, but the other party is very private and keeps things hush-hush.¡± The assistant felt the weight of failure pressing on him. He had searched for days and found nothing. The silence on the other end of the line only made him more anxious. Was Kolton going to fire him?

    Kolton fell silent as he mulled over the situation. This woman had deliberately concealed her identity, likely because she was already married and didn¡¯t want her husband finding out about her involvement with a man like Chris. But if she was truly married, maybe it was just a fleeting affair with Chris that wouldn¡¯tst.

    After a long pause, Kolton pressed again, ¡°What¡¯s going on with Chris?¡±

    The assistant wiped the sweat from his brow anxiously. ¡°He hasn¡¯t changed. It¡¯s the same old story.¡±

    ¡°As expected, just a deadbeat,¡± Kolton scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ve wasted too many resources trying to keep tabs on him all these years. I really overestimated him. Withdraw everyone from watching him and focus on Maia Watson instead.¡±

    ¡°Got it, Mr. Cooper.¡±

    Feel the thrill at g aln  ov el s .

    Kolton narrowed his eyes, his expression sharp and calcting, like a hawk preparing to strike. Chris¡¯ actions at the recent banquet had led Kolton to believe that Laurence had seriously misjudged him in the past. Someone as aimless andcking in ambition as Chris posed no threat to him or to udius.

    Maia, however, was a different story. She filled Kolton with a sense of unease, especially after she had snatched Aurora Apparel Company from the Cooper Group. His anxiety had only grown since then. Maia was young, and¡­

    Smart, talented, and able to stay calm under pressure, Maia handled situations with remarkable poise. If Kolton couldn¡¯t win someone like her over to his side, he¡¯d have no choice but to eliminate her before she became a threat.

    The assistant hesitated before speaking up again. ¡°Mr. Cooper, are you nning to go after Maia?¡±

    ¡°She had the nerve to go against Cooper Group,¡± Kolton sneered with disdain. ¡°And I¡¯ll make sure she pays for it. But I¡¯ve already made a public promise not to touch her, so this can¡¯t involve anyone from Cooper Group, at least not directly.¡±

    Kolton clenched his fists, his tone cold and resolute. ¡°Just wait until the merger dust settles, and then we¡¯ll make our move.¡±

    That night, Kolton slept deeply. In his dreams, he saw Maia meet her end.

    Suddenly, a violent shaking jolted him awake. His phone was ringing incessantly beside him. Irritated, he grabbed it and barked, ¡°What¡¯s going on? It¡¯s five in the morning.¡±

    His assistant¡¯s voice came through, panicked and hesitant. ¡°Mr. Cooper, something major has gone down! Our delivery bound for Geshuania was intercepted on the open water. A few ships took it right after it set sail.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Kolton gasped in disbelief. The shipment wasn¡¯t just valuable; it was critical to Cooper Group. It contained theirtest research prototypes, along with a significant stash of smuggled goods.

    If things went south, the impact on Cooper Group wouldn¡¯t just be financial¡ªit could spiral into much bigger trouble.

    .

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 Chapter 443

    ?Chapter 443:

    ¡°The weapons on the ship are inadequate, and it won¡¯tst long. We might lose the cargo,¡± the assistant continued urgently. ¡°The ship has sent out several distress calls. What should we do next?¡±

    Kolton¡¯s eye twitched in frustration. ¡°Do I need to spell this out for you? Send all the covert teams, the ones you pulled from watching Chris, out to the high seas immediately for backup!¡±

    ¡°What about Maia?¡± the assistant asked.

    ¡°Are you kidding me? Who cares about Maia right now? The priority is the shipment. Make sure that¡¯s secure!¡±

    As the morning light broke, Maia stirred awake, stretched her limbs, and climbed out of bed. The house was empty.

    For some reason, Maia felt an emptiness inside her.

    Whenever Chris was around, he always made breakfast. Maia¡¯s gaze instinctively drifted toward the kitchen. When she noticed the vacant dining table, a deep sense of loss washed over her. She felt a slight pang of hunger, but her appetite seemed to have vanished.

    In a sh, Maia recalled the strawberry cake from the party.

    It had been sweet and tart, with a delightful fragrance. The perfect dessert¡ªnot overly sweet, just the right bnce. Thinking about it made her mouth water, and she felt a sudden, sharp hunger.

    Maia made up her mind to try and recreate the strawberry cake from the party. She was about to head to the supermarket for the ingredients when her phone buzzed. It was Pattie.

    ¡°Maia! You need toe to the office right away; your dad is here to see you.¡±

    Maia blinked, momentarily thrown off. ¡°My dad?¡± she asked, confused.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s©q??o?? is where stories live

    Pattie quickly rified, ¡°No, no¡ªnot your real father. I mean the foster father, from the Morgans! Get over here fast. I can¡¯t deal with this man on my own.¡±

    Maia let out a disinterested ¡°Oh¡± and replied tly, ¡°I¡¯ve already broken all contact with him.¡±

    She couldn¡¯t understand why Richard would be at MCN, looking for her.

    Pattie groaned, rubbing her temples. ¡°He ims he has something urgent to say to you. He¡¯s nted himself in the lobby and refuses to leave until you show up! Now the whole office is talking, and even our clients are catching wind of the drama. I can¡¯t just have security throw him out¡ªit¡¯ll reflect badly on you and thepany.¡±

    Pattie sighed heavily again. ¡°Maia, why don¡¯t you juste over and see what this is about?¡±

    With a resigned tone, Maia replied, ¡°Fine, I¡¯m on my way now.¡±

    A short whileter, a sleek silver Maserati rolled up in front of MCN¡¯s headquarters, catching the attention of everyone nearby.

    Maia stepped out of the vehicle, casually tossing her bag over her shoulder, and made her way toward the entrance without hesitation.

    A few people loitering outside, eager to pitch something, rushed toward her in a flurry.

    ¡°Ms. Vaughn! I¡¯m the general manager over at Eagle Empire Mall. Please, take my card!¡± one man called, holding it out eagerly.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, I¡¯m representing cier Corp¡­¡± another chimed in.

    The crowd quickly gathered around Maia, each one speaking at once, full of energy, dropping names of malls andpanies, all vying for a chance to work with her.

    Maia kept her expression pleasant. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said kindly, ¡°but if this is about business, you¡¯ll need to go through Ms. Miller.¡±

    She offered a brief, professional smile, then continued inside without slowing her pace.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 444

    ?Chapter 444:

    Upstairs, Richard happened to be watching the scene unfold through a window.

    His face shifted, emotions flickering across it. It was clear that Maia had changed. She was no longer the same person. Now, people were falling over themselves to get a moment with her¡ªoffering deals and practically pleading for a chance to work with her. That only¡­

    It confirmed what Rosanna had told him¡ªRosanna had truly been thoughtful. And really, Maia had leaned on the Morgan family for more than ten years. Wasn¡¯t it only fair that she give something back?

    As Maia stepped through thepany doors, Pattie quickly walked over. ¡°There you are atst! He¡¯s waiting in the small conference room. Just get it over with.¡±

    Maia gave a small nod. ¡°Alright. But what¡¯s with the crowd outside?¡± she asked, her brows drawing together.

    The entrance had been so swamped that she had almost had to elbow her way in.

    Pattie nced out at the throng gathered near the entrance and remarked, ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? They¡¯re all itching to partner with us. I¡¯ve barely gotten a couple of hours of sleeptely¡ªcan you believe that? You¡¯ve really stirred things up this time. The whole fashion scene in Varninski is buzzing because of you. And it¡¯s not just the locals¡ªpeople from out of town are flocking here too, just to get in on the action. Honestly, I¡¯m tempted to start selling snacks outside.¡±

    Maia let out a quiet sigh. Pattie never missed a chance to make a quick buck.

    She chuckled softly, then turned toward the small conference room.

    Inside, sunlight spilled through the towering windows, filling the space with a warm golden glow.

    Richard lounged in a chair, one leg slung over the other, looking as if he owned the ce.

    When Maia entered, he made no effort to rise. Instead, he tapped the tabletop near him, signaling for her to take a seat beside him. Maia stayed rooted to the spot, keeping her distance. ¡°What do you want? I cut ties with the Morgan family a long time ago.¡±

    g¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s is your story hub

    She got straight to the point, making it clear where she stood to avoid any unreasonable demands.

    A faint flicker passed over Richard¡¯s face¡ªalmost too quick to notice. Maia acted as though he were just a random man off the street! She didn¡¯t even call him ¡°Dad¡± and immediately distanced herself from the family.

    What an ungrateful little thing she¡¯d turned out to be! All the Morgan family¡¯s generosity seemed to have slipped her mind.

    Still, scolding her wasn¡¯t the reason he¡¯de today.

    Pushing down his irritation, Richard said, ¡°Maia, your birthday¡¯sing up. Rosanna¡¯s is on the same day, so we¡¯re nning a joint celebration for both of you. We¡¯d really like you toe.¡±

    He kept his voice soft, as though none of their bitter history had ever urred. ¡°I understand that you¡¯re hurt, and things between you and Rosanna haven¡¯t been smooth. But don¡¯t forget¡ªyou spent more than ten years with us. I treated you as if you were my real daughter. Maybe this party could help clear the air. In the end, we¡¯re still family.¡±

    Maia stood still, caught off guard. Richard¡¯s words were thest thing she thought she¡¯d hear.

    After all these years, the Morgans had never bothered to celebrate her birthday¡ªnot once. There were years when Richard and Sandra didn¡¯t even remember it at all¡ªnot even a quick ¡°Happy Birthday.¡±

    For more than ten years, it was only Vicki who had made her feel special. She was the only person in that household who had ever shown any real affection.

    Maia furrowed her brow. Strange gestures often came with strings attached. She needed to stay sharp.

    .

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 Chapter 445

    ?Chapter 445:

    ¡°Why bother with a birthday party now when I never got one in the first ce?¡± Maia said tly. ¡°We¡¯ve already gone our separate ways, haven¡¯t we? Rosanna is your real daughter, so just throw a party for her.¡±

    Richard¡¯s fingers curled slightly, and a flicker of difort crossed his face. ¡°It was all a big mix-up back then. Rosanna still sees you as her sister. She feels guilty that you¡¯ve spent all these years locked up without ever having a real birthday celebration with us. She¡¯s the one who suggested celebrating together. I¡¯ve already sat down with your mother and sister to clear the air. So why are you still holding on to the past?¡±

    He paused, then spoke more gently, his voice steady. ¡°Maia, I showed up today because I want you to leave the past behind. It¡¯s time we all moved forward. If you¡¯re ready, the Morgans are more than ready to take you back.¡±

    Maia met Richard¡¯s gaze with icyposure, her expression unreadable. Beneath that calm exterior, she had already unraveled everyyer of his carefully constructed scheme.

    The birthday party was Rosanna¡¯s idea, and it carried an unmistakable air of maniption. Richard¡¯s shrewdness as a businessman was evident in every move he made.

    Maia was well aware of the dire situation the Morgan family was in. She had known that they¡¯de crawling the moment her true identity was exposed. The Morgans would eventually approach her, attempting to pressure her into a rtionship to benefit from her.

    Unfortunately for them, they weren¡¯t very clever.

    Richard likely believed that his words would sway her, but Maia was no longer the naive girl she¡¯d been four years ago. She had long since stopped caring about the Morgan family.

    But Maia knew that if she refused today, they would surely create a scene, spreading rumors and ying the victims. They¡¯d im that they¡¯d tried everything, only for Maia to be ungrateful and hostile, using the public to elevate the Morgans while dragging her name through the mud.

    Explore captivating tales on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    It was a strategy that gave them the option to strike or pull back, leaving her no way to refuse.

    Maia nced up at Richard. She had to admit that he was a bit smarter than Sandra and Rosanna, but not by much.

    Richard swallowed, his nerves showing. ¡°Maia, I¡¯m personally inviting you. Why hesitate? Wouldn¡¯t it be better for our family to be united? I¡¯ve been focused on business and neglected you, but I¡¯m here now to make it up to you.¡±

    Seeing Maia still silent, Richard grew uneasy. Truly, she was ungrateful!

    Just as he was about to speak again, Maia cut him off. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll attend.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s better. I¡¯ll leave now. Look forward to the party; this time, we¡¯ll celebrate as a family.¡± Richard loosened his clenched fists and walked out.

    He was d their conversation had been private. If there had been anyone else in the conference room, he wouldn¡¯t have been so humble.

    Regardless, Maia¡¯s agreement was all that mattered. The future of the Morgan family rested on her shoulders. Maia was their key to prosperity, an endless reservoir of wealth.

    As Richard¡¯s figure disappeared, Maia felt a flicker of disappointment. No, in fact, she had stopped expecting anything from them long ago¡ªso how could she be disappointed?

    She knew that the Morgan family had never truly cared for her. Their so-called birthday celebration was nothing more than a facade to exploit her.

    Maia¡¯s gaze lingered on the bustling traffic below through the floor-to-ceiling window, a wicked smile creeping onto her lips.

    It seemed the Morgans hadn¡¯t been humiliated enough, daring to approach her again.

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 Chapter 446

    ?Chapter 446:

    Maia wasn¡¯t about to let them off easily¡ªthis time, they¡¯d learn a lesson they wouldn¡¯t forget.

    That was the real reason she¡¯d agreed to Richard¡¯s request.

    Four years in prison had taught Maia a hard lesson¡ªstrike with ruthless force to make them fear you and silence their meddling.

    As Richard exited the building, he looked back at the towering MCN headquarters, his anticipation growing. The prospect of leveraging Maia for endless coborations filled him with excitement, certain that it would lead the Morgan family to renewed sess.

    A surge of joy and satisfaction washed over him, convinced that his investment in Maia had been well worth it.

    Richard grinned broadly, unable to contain his excitement. The sun shone brightly, and the clouds drifted leisurely overhead.

    At Wront University, during a break, Marisa strutted arrogantly into ss One once again, a lollipop dangling from her mouth. Without a word, she slid into the chair next to Ethan and settled in.

    ¡°Oh no, why is the big devil back?¡±

    ¡°Who knows? She¡¯s been showing up like clockwork, same time every day since the day before yesterday, as if she¡¯s just punching in for her shift.¡±

    ¡°But she¡¯s from ss Three! Isn¡¯t anyone going to stop her?¡±

    ¡°Stop her? Look! The owner of the seat isn¡¯t saying a word, and it¡¯s break time ¡ª teachers can¡¯t do anything about it.¡±

    The owner of the seat stood at the back of the room, too intimidated to speak up. After all, this was Marisa, and provoking her was a risk he couldn¡¯t afford. So, he silently yielded. He even gave up his seat willingly during breaks, feelingpletely helpless.

    Ethan shot a nce at Marisa, just as surprised as the others by her audacity.

    M¦Òr¦Å ¦Ôpd¦Á§äes ¦Én G¦Áln¦Ò¦Íels.c¦Òm

    Marisa had first appeared the day after Maia¡¯s visit, walked right up to him, and asked, ¡°Ethan Watson?¡± Ethan, a little uneasy, nodded. To his relief, she didn¡¯t cause any trouble. Instead, she casually pulled out a chair, sat beside him, and began ying games on her phone.

    After three days of curiosity, Ethan couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. ¡°Um. What game are you ying?¡± he asked.

    Marisa met his gaze with a smirk, her almond-shaped eyes gleaming. ¡°Interested?¡± she teased, raising an eyebrow. ¡°And by the way, I¡¯m Marisa Payne.¡±

    Ethan flushed, pressing his lips together. He hadn¡¯t even known her name before.

    ¡°Okay¡­ Hello, Marisa.¡±

    ¡°Hand over your phone!¡± Marisa uncrossed her legs, straightened up, and held out her slender hand. ¡°Stop wasting time. Hurry.¡± The break was almost over, leaving them with little time to spare.

    Ethan rummaged through his bag in a hurry and fished out the phone Maia had passed to him earlier, then held it out.

    Marisa grabbed it, gave the screen a few quick taps, and without missing a beat, began downloading a game.

    ¡°I¡¯ll download it for you. You can¡¯t keep burying yourself in textbooks all the time. Life¡¯s for living, not just getting by. Games help you unwind!¡±

    She handed the phone back to Ethan, the lollipop now switching sides in her mouth. ¡°I added my number too. If you ever get stuck in a game, shoot me a message!¡±

    Ethan paused for a brief moment. He hadn¡¯t really thought it through when he asked, and things had taken a turn he hadn¡¯t seening. When Ethan saw Marisa¡¯s name pop up on his contacts, he felt the need to exin himself.

    ¡°I¡¯m probably not going to y. I was just curious, that¡¯s all. My sister worked so hard to get me into this school¡­ I can¡¯t disappoint her.¡±

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 Chapter 447

    ?Chapter 447:

    Marisa lifted one foot onto the beam beneath Ethan¡¯s desk, leaning in toward him with a mischievous spark in her eyes.

    Ethan, caught off guard, quickly pulled back a bit. ¡°W-What¡¯s happening?¡±

    Marisa grinned. She wasn¡¯t the type to pick on others for fun. She wasn¡¯t like Mnie, one of those rich girls who used their status to boss people around.

    ¡°Do you really take everything your sister says so seriously? Has she ever told you not to y games?¡± Before Ethan could respond, Marisa¡¯s eyes sparkled with mischief. ¡°Since you¡¯re so dedicated to her, why don¡¯t you tell me more about her? Is she a total control freak, like one of those hovering parents? And how did she even manage to get you into ss One?¡± She lowered her voice on thest question, making sure only Ethan could hear.

    In that moment, the air around Ethan and Marisa feltpletely still. The other students had scattered as soon as they saw Marisa heading their way.

    Ethan gazed into Marisa¡¯s bright, inquisitive eyes, feelingpletely out of his depth.

    Marisa leaned in, lollipop in hand, and teased, ¡°What, you¡¯re not allowed to talk about it? Alright, new question. What¡¯s going on between your sister and Mnie¡¯s dad? I heard Mnie¡¯s getting a stepmother. It¡¯s your sister, right?¡±

    For days, Marisa had been burning with curiosity. As a member of Drakmire¡¯s elite Payne family, she was surrounded by people from the city¡¯s wealthiest families. Some of them had even attended the Cooper Group¡¯s g. Naturally, Marisa was always in the loop when it came to thetest gossip.

    Even though the drama where Maia had embarrassed Mariana had been swept under the rug, Marisa¡¯s group chats exploded with rumors as soon as anything scandalous surfaced.

    When Marisa first saw her friends chatting about Maia and Hurst, her jaw nearly hit the floor. It waspletely out of the blue.

    Something about it made sense, but there was still something that felt off, something Marisa couldn¡¯t quite put her finger on.

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    That day, Marisa had seen for herself that Hurst¡¯s behavior toward Maia was strange. It wasn¡¯t exactly romantic, but it wasn¡¯t not, either. It could have just been well-hidden.

    Meanwhile, Ethan¡¯s pupils widened, then shrank, as Marisa¡¯s words repeated in his head over and over.

    What on earth was Marisa talking about? Was his sister really going to be Mnie¡¯s stepmother?

    He found it hard toprehend what Marisa was implying.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Ethan asked, his eyes wide, his heart racing.

    ¡°What else could I mean? I¡¯m saying your sister and Mnie¡¯s dad are definitely seeing each other!¡± Marisa said, popping the lollipop back in her mouth, staring at Ethan as if he were the most fascinating thing around.

    A mix of shock, confusion, and now, anger was clearly visible on his face.

    Marisa figured that Ethan had no clue what was really going on.

    ¡°No way!¡± Ethan yelled, his hands shaking with fury. ¡°You¡¯re lying! My sister¡¯s not like that!¡±

    Ethan¡¯s shout sliced through the room like a whip cracking in still air, pulling every student¡¯s attention toward him ¡ª including Mnie, who sat only a few desks away, frozen mid-turn.

    ¡°What are you staring at?¡± Marisa snapped, crushing her lollipop as though it were thest shred of her patience. With a dismissive flick, she sent the candy stick soaring into the trash behind her.

    ¡°Need me to teach you some manners?¡± she challenged, arching a brow in icy confidence, her eyes scanning the room like a hawk circling its prey.

    Mnie¡¯s expression stiffened. She turned her head, letting silence serve as her shield.

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 Chapter 448

    ?Chapter 448:

    Around them, students felt the shift in the air ¡ª like the stillness before a storm ¡ª and quickly turned their attention elsewhere, unwilling to be coteral damage.

    In these three sses of the elite preparatory program, no one dared cross Marisa. Not because of her impressive family background. In fact, none of them knew she was from the wealthy and influential Payne family in Drakmire. They feared her simply because she fought ¡ª and she fought like a thunderstorm: sudden, loud, and devastating.

    None of the students across the three sses could hold a candle to her.

    At the start of the school year, Marisa had made a move that still echoed in whispered stories and wide-eyed recollections. When a bold student tried to harass her, she not only stopped him cold, she dismantled his defense entirely. When his parents and a teacher stepped in, thinking her the viin, she left them humbled and silenced.

    Those who were present hadn¡¯t just watched the spectacle unfold ¡ª they were marked by it. The memory clung to them like smoke after a fire.

    Though the school had initially nned to discipline her, the entire incident was swept under the rug behind closed doors ¡ª as if it had never happened.

    And so, Marisa¡¯s name spread from mouth to mouth in low tones, like folklore whispered after dark. Her rise was like wildfire ¡ª fast, fierce, and consuming. Soon, she was nked by loyal followers, the kind who came from wealthy and powerful families too, making her even more formidable.

    When Marisa decided she didn¡¯t like someone, there were no polite warnings. Parents didn¡¯t get the chance toin. The verdict came first ¡ª swift and painful.

    It didn¡¯t take long for students in the three sses of the elite preparatory program to adopt a silent rule: steer clear of Marisa at all costs.

    Yet, behind all that power stood a mystery that sparked more curiosity than even her fights ¡ª why had she suddenly grown so attached to Ethan?

    ???????? ???????? g?????????¦Í???????????????

    After witnessing Ethan¡¯s formidable sister, no one in the ss dared bully him anymore. With Marisa constantly at his side during breaks, the unspoken message was clear: cross Ethan, and you might answer to her. And no one wanted that kind of trouble knocking on their door.

    Marisa now turned to Ethan, her voice shifting like the wind breaking through storm clouds. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t lose your cool. I never said that,¡± she teased, steering the moment toward lighter waters. ¡°Forget it. Just open the game ¡ª I¡¯ll show you how a real pro does it.¡±

    Ethan realized his earlier reaction had been a bit over the top, especially after Marisa rified that she hadn¡¯t said those words. But then who had? Who kept tossing whispers like pebbles into his calm? A new fire caught in his chest, anger blooming quietly, like smoke rising from a spark.

    Was it because Maia, due to her influential status, had made Hurst, Mnie¡¯s father, back down, that people started spreading such rumors?

    ¡°Come on, hurry!¡± Marisa¡¯s voice sliced through his thoughts. ¡°ss starts soon.¡±

    Ethan inhaled deeply, steadying his racing thoughts. Maia¡¯s advice echoed in his mind like a riddle. ¡°Don¡¯t just listen to what they say ¡ª watch what they do.¡±

    Clearly, Marisa¡¯s sudden detour in the conversation wasn¡¯t just a whim. She was redirecting the moment, shielding him from lurking ears and wandering eyes.

    Though no one dared meet their gaze, every ear in the room stood like antennae, tuned to the slightest drop of gossip.

    With hindsight tugging at him, Ethan regretted his earlier outburst. He had let emotion carry him into open waters without checking for sharks.

    He stole a nce at Marisa, a quiet wave of gratitude rising within him. Turning back to his phone, he tapped open the game.

    The soft, inviting hum of the loading screen filled the space around them, a gentle veil over the tension still hanging in the air.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 449

    ?Chapter 449:

    Then, as if the universe couldn¡¯t let things rest, Mnie¡¯s voice sliced through the hush, dripping contempt like venom from a fang. ¡°He really is a reflection of his¡­¡±

    ¡°Surroundings,¡± she said coolly. ¡°Stick with ss Three, and you¡¯ll pick up their worst habits.¡±

    She looked directly at Ethan and continued without hesitation, ¡°Someone acts like a model student, but in the end, he just wastes his time on games.¡±

    She hadn¡¯t raised her voice, but somehow, her words carried. A few of herpanions added fuel to the fire, like crows circling a wounded animal.

    ¡°Exactly! A person¡¯s true nature only shows when you¡¯re close enough to see it,¡± one chimed in.

    ¡°Right,¡± added another. ¡°Our ss is about ambition, not distractions. Who¡¯s got time for silly games?¡±

    To Ethan, every word felt like a stone skipping across raw nerves. One by one, they chipped away at hisposure.

    His face drained of color. Hastily, he closed the login screen, his fingers fumbling as he shoved the phone into his pocket.

    Marisa¡¯s eyes hardened to ice. Her gaze scanned the culprits, freezing them where they stood. Rage simmered just beneath her skin, cold and sharp.

    The girls shrank back, retreating behind Mnie as if her shadow could shield them.

    Mnie, however, stood her ground. She met Marisa¡¯s gaze with equal force, her defiance unwavering.

    The tension between them sparked like flint on steel ¡ª silent, dangerous, inevitable.

    Without flinching, Marisa moved toward Mnie¡¯s desk, each step measured and deliberate. Mnie squared her shoulders, standing tall as though daring the storm to strike.

    First appeared in g??lnov els.??o??

    Everyone knew that after that incident, Mnie and Ethan simply didn¡¯t mix. Yet, Marisa showed up almost every day, standing guard during every break like a bouncer. She was clearly challenging Mnie, treating her so-called queen bee status as if it were a joke.

    For a long time, Mnie had thought that Marisa was an eyesore.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got some guts,¡± Marisa said, tilting her head with a cold smirk before walking off.

    Mnie sneered inwardly. ¡°So, this is the damn Marisa everyone¡¯s scared of? What a disappointment.¡±

    Just as Mnie was about to take a seat, she heard a loud crash. Marisa had kicked the chair behind her. If Mnie hadn¡¯t reacted quickly enough, she would have crashed to the floor in front of everyone.

    ¡°Marisa, what the heck are you doing?!¡± Mnie snapped, spinning around to re at her.

    Marisa shrugged, barely bothered. ¡°Nothing. It¡¯s just a bad habit. I enjoy kicking chairs.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Mnie¡¯s face turned bright red with anger. She hadn¡¯t expected Marisa to be not just arrogant, butpletely out of her mind. While everyone else might¡¯ve been intimidated by Marisa, Mnie wasn¡¯t. After all, her father was Hurst.

    ¡°What? Did I say something wrong?¡± Mnie scoffed. ¡°If you want to waste your life ying games, go hang out with the losers. Some people just don¡¯t belong here! This is ss One!¡± The final remark was clearly directed at Ethan.

    Ethan¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment. He bowed his head, wishing he could vanish into thin air.

    Marisa gave Ethan a quick nce before locking eyes with Mnie, her gaze cold as ice.

    ¡°You really think gaming is that pointless?¡± Marisa smirked, a wicked grin spreading across her face. ¡°I get it now. You call gaming a waste because you¡¯re terrible at it, right?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 450

    ?Chapter 450:

    With a mocking gesture, she lifted her pinky finger and tilted her head, continuing, ¡°Why are you making such a big deal? Guess you¡¯re just a newbie.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a newbie?¡± Mnie¡¯s anger shifted toughter. ¡°You, from ss Three, have the nerve to question me?¡±

    ¡°And why can¡¯t I?¡± Marisa took a step forward, her voice steady. ¡°Only the weak make excuses. The strong prove themselves.¡±

    Mnie lost her temper. Her entire life, people had worshipped her. No one had ever dared speak to her like this. She took a step forward, gritting her teeth. ¡°I don¡¯t waste my time like you. Anyone from this ss could wipe the floor with you, ss Three trash, at gaming!¡±

    ¡°Anyone can talk tough,¡± Marisa sneered, crossing her arms. ¡°Are you really worried about wasting time, or is it that you¡¯re afraid that when you face realpetition, without your fancyst name, everyone will see what a joke you are?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Mnie was at a loss for words, her chest rising and falling with fury.

    Marisa had really gotten under Mnie¡¯s skin. No one had ever insulted her like this, let alone twice.

    Mnie had always been the top student. How could she possibly lose to someone like Marisa in anything, especially gaming?

    ¡°I¡¯m not a newbie!¡± Mnie snapped. ¡°Even when ites to games, I¡¯m way better than you!¡±

    Marisa¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Oh really? Fine, let¡¯s settle this. But I don¡¯t waste time with weaklings. I¡¯ll give you a week to practice. It only took me that long to crack the top ten on the leaderboard.¡±

    Mnie¡¯s face grew even darker. ¡°Quit pretending! Fine, what game? I¡¯m going to beat you!¡±

    The students around them stared in shock, not believing that Mnie had fallen for it so easily.

    Read exclusive stories at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    But it looked like they were in for quite a show.

    Marisa seemed at ease. ¡°Right on time. There¡¯s a tournament for this game next week. If you make it to the finals, we can finally have our showdown.¡±

    She then added casually after a brief pause, ¡°Oh, and the first prize is a hundred thousand dors. Thepetition¡¯s fierce.¡±

    Ethan felt a jolt in his chest.

    A hundred thousand dors!?

    If he won that, it might be enough to ease some of the load on his sister.

    And Maia¡¯s birthday was just around the corner.

    Ethan recalled Kathie mentioning that Maia and Rosanna had been born on the same day. That was how the baby swap had happened. With that money, he could get Maia the perfect birthday gift. Ethan quietly balled his fists.

    Mnie, however, dismissed the idea of prize money with augh. ¡°A hundred grand? Who cares about that? I just want to defeat you!¡±

    Earlier, apologizing to Ethan hadpletely shattered Mnie¡¯s reputation in ss. Mnie had been struggling to rebuild her image, and now Marisa had given her a chance to do just that. If she could beat Marisa, Mnie wouldn¡¯t just fix her reputation; she¡¯d be back on top of the socialdder.

    Mnie tilted her head with confidence. ¡°If we¡¯re going topete, let¡¯s make it interesting. If I win, you¡¯ll have to call me boss whenever you see me.¡±

    ¡°Fine!¡± Marisa responded with a carefreeugh. ¡°But if you lose¡­¡± Marisa paused, thinking it over. Having Mnie call her boss seemed too dull. Marisa didn¡¯t even care about her enough for that.

    Then, Marisa spotted Ethan, and a devilish idea popped into her head. She grinned sweetly and said, ¡°If you lose, you¡¯ll have to apologize to Ethan and his sister Maia again ¡ª right in front of everyone ¡ª and promise that you won¡¯t cross them again. How¡¯s that?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 451

    ?Chapter 451:

    Marisa didn¡¯t really care whether the rumors were true or not. All she wanted was to see the look on Mnie¡¯s face when she apologized to Maia and Ethan again ¡ª in public. Just imagining it made Marisa want tough out loud!

    For a split second, everything came to a standstill. Ethan¡¯s gaze shot up, utterly stunned, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. He opened his mouth slightly, but the words just wouldn¡¯te. He couldn¡¯t even begin to figure out what Marisa was nning.

    Right then, the ssroom exploded into a chaotic buzz.

    ¡°Wait, what¡¯s Marisa doing?¡±

    ¡°Is Marisa standing up for Ethan because of what happenedst time?¡±

    ¡°Seriously! Why is she being so nice to Ethan? Don¡¯t tell me she actually likes him?¡±

    ¡°Look at Ethan¡¯s face! It¡¯s bright red!¡±

    Marisa casually nced over her shoulder, and sure enough, Ethan¡¯s face was ming red, even the tips of his ears were burning.

    Marisa, who remained perfectlyposed, couldn¡¯tprehend why he was blushing so quickly. Still, she had to admit, seeing him get all flustered like that was unexpectedly adorable.

    The moment their eyes met, Ethan instinctively turned his gaze aside.

    Off to the side, Mnie stood frozen like a statue. A few secondster, she snapped out of it and shouted angrily, ¡°Marisa, are you insane?¡±

    Marisa answered casually, ¡°You¡¯re the one who wanted to make a bet. If you¡¯re scared now, just say so. No need to be so dramatic.¡± With a careless shrug, she turned and walked off,pletely unbothered.

    ¡°Hold it right there! Do you think I¡¯m scared?¡± Mnie snapped, her teeth grinding together as she shot Marisa a murderous re. ¡°Fine! Watch and see. I¡¯ll beat you and make you ept your punishment with a smile!¡±

    Dive into fiction with g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    Marisa didn¡¯t even bother turning around. She simply threw up an ¡°OK¡± sign over her shoulder and kept walking.

    As she passed Ethan¡¯s desk, she tapped it lightly with her knuckles. ¡°See you around,¡± she said with a wink.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Ethan mumbled under his breath, his face somehow managing to turn an even deeper shade of red.

    Without a care in the world, Marisa popped a lollipop into her mouth and left ss One, still chuckling over Ethan¡¯s adorable reaction.

    Once the bet was officially on, it was like gasoline had been poured on a fire. The news spread like wildfire across the sses, and soon enough, almost everyone in the three sses had heard about it. A few girls from ss Three even made a trip to ss One, all just to steal glimpses of Ethan.

    Meanwhile, Ethan remainedpletely baffled by the sudden attention. As expected, Marisa came over every break, eager to hang out and y the mobile game.

    Not one to admit defeat, Mnie threw herself into the same mobile game every single break.

    Watching the two of them go at it, Ethan couldn¡¯t make sense of it at first, but before long, he found himself drawn in too. It didn¡¯t take long before the entire ss One was hooked, turning break times into lively gaming tournaments.

    Things around Wront had been unusually quiettely. The acquisition of Aurora Apparel Company by MCN, along with a few other business coborations, went along smoothly. It actually left Maia a little surprised. She had fully expected Kolton to stir up trouble behind the scenes, but so far, he had stayed oddly silent.

    Meanwhile, Maia had been working hard in the kitchen, determined to replicate Chris¡¯ mother¡¯s famous strawberry cake. After several frustrating failures, she had finally perfected it. Yet, as Maia gazed down at the freshly baked cake, a heavy sadness pressed against her chest.

    This was Chris¡¯ favorite cake, yet he still hadn¡¯te back or even bothered to send a message.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 452

    ?Chapter 452:

    Oh well. Looks like he wasn¡¯t getting a taste after all.

    Maia took a small bite herself, but her mind couldn¡¯t stop wandering to Chris¡¯ current situation. He had been gone for several days now, and she couldn¡¯t help but wonder if everything was alright.

    Without thinking, she grabbed her phone and opened the chat window with Chris. Thest thing on the screen was still her own short reply: ¡°Okay.¡± They had promised that once he returned, he would go for a full hospital check-up.

    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Chris was still dealing with those sudden headaches while he was gone.

    Hold on¡­ Why was she unconsciously worrying about him?

    Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, ready to type a message asking how he was doing, but the thought made her freeze. If she reached out now, wouldn¡¯t it seem like she genuinely cared for him?

    Back then, she had poured her strength into caring for Vince, only to be met with nothing but silence and distance. Maia¡¯s chest tightened at the thought.

    It was true: when you had too much time on your hands, you started thinking about things you shouldn¡¯t.

    With a quiet sigh, Maia put away her phone, drew in a steadying breath, and began packing up the extra strawberry cakes. She decided to head over to Marvelous Garden and let Ethan and Kathie have a taste of the cake instead.

    Meanwhile, Ethan had just arrived home. After calling out a quick greeting to Kathie, he made his way to the study. But instead of diving into his books like usual, he pulled out his phone, tapping into his newest mobile game with eager fingers.

    Not long after, Maia showed up at Marvelous Garden, carrying the sweet treats she had carefully prepared.

    Kathie was hard at work making dinner in the kitchen. When she noticed Maia step inside, she quickly wiped her hands on her apron, opened the ss door, and weed her with warmth. ¡°Maia, you made it! Just what I needed. Stick around for dinner. I just have a few more egg rolls to finish up.¡±

    ???????? ???????????????? ???? ????????????????????????

    Kathie looked much healthierpared to when Maiast visited.

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Maia replied with a grin, concealing the strawberry cake behind her back. ¡°Where¡¯s Ethan?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s tucked away in the study, probably buried under homework. These days, he shuts himself in there as soon as he gets home. Other than meal times, he hardly makes an appearance,¡± Kathie said, her face lighting up with satisfaction. ¡°I guess school is getting more challenging for him.¡±

    Maia nodded in agreement. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll go see how he¡¯s doing.¡±

    As far as Maia was concerned, the elite preparatory program was serious business. Since Ethan had never been to a traditional school, it was clear he would struggle to catch up in all his sses and would need to work extra hard.

    She took out the strawberry cake, saved a slice for Kathie on the dining table, and brought another slice to the study.

    Just as Maia was about to knock, she noticed that the door wasn¡¯t locked. It was only slightly ajar.

    With a yful smile, Maia made up her mind to catch Ethan off guard and carefully eased the door open.

    However, instead of spotting Ethan deep in his studies, she found him fixated on his phone. He was engrossed in a game.

    Maia couldn¡¯t believe her eyes.

    Ethan, entirely focused, was excelling in the game and quickly climbing the leaderboard. He wore headphones and didn¡¯t notice Maia at all.

    Positioned behind him, Maia peered at the game on his screen, feeling her mood shift.

    .

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 Chapter 453

    ?Chapter 453:

    Of all the games, why this one?

    Maia quickly calmed herself and decided to observe Ethan¡¯s game skills.

    Maia couldn¡¯t deny that Ethan picked things up quickly. Each time he stumbled on a level, he figured out how to conquer it the next time around.

    Maia took a few moments to observe. When Ethan finally triumphed over the boss, she quietly set a slice of cake on the desk.

    As soon as the cake hit the table, Ethan jumped, startled. He quickly nced up and sprang to his feet.

    ¡°Maia, what are you doing here?¡± Ethan¡¯splexion whitened immediately, like a child caught red-handed by the teacher. He swiftly shut off his phone screen and concealed it behind his back, acting as if nothing was amiss.

    Unbeknownst to Ethan, Maia had been there for some time, witnessing everything unfold. However, Maia chose not to reprimand him. Her smile remained genuine, though a yful sparkle flickered in her eyes.

    ¡°I baked this strawberry cake. Do you want to give it a try?¡± she asked, sliding the te closer to Ethan.

    She closely observed his reaction.

    Ethan appeared to be overwhelmed with panic, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Nevertheless, when he spotted the cake, his tension seemed to melt away. He slid his phone into his pocket, grabbed the cake, and took arge bite.

    In that instant, Ethan¡¯s eyes grew wide with surprise. Without hesitation, he bit into it again. It tasted absolutely amazing.

    The mix of sweet strawberries and rich frosting was simply delightful. ¡°This¡­ this is out of this world!¡± Ethan eximed, his mouth full. ¡°Maia, I¡¯ve never tasted cake this fantastic! You¡¯re amazing. You¡¯re like a magician of baking!¡±

    Maia chuckled at Ethan¡¯s exaggeratedpliments and yfully tapped his head. ¡°A few days apart, and you¡¯ve really upped your charm game.¡±

    New chapters now on g@?¦Ç¦Òv???s.c§àm

    Ethan devoured the cake in record speed and wiped his lips clean. ¡°I mean it!¡±

    It was true; he had never tasted anything this incredible. Growing up in the slums, just having enough food felt like hitting the jackpot.

    Birthday cakes were nothing but a fantasy for him. On special asions, he might have received an extra egg.

    ¡°If you enjoy it, I¡¯ll bring you more next time,¡± Maia said with a warm smile. Then, with casual curiosity, she asked, ¡°How about that game you were ying? Did you have fun?¡±

    Ethan stood still, taken aback. He had believed that he had escaped trouble. He never thought that Maia had witnessed the whole thing.

    His cheeks turned bright red, and even his ears appeared flushed. Ethan looked down, biting his lip. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I should be hitting the books instead of ying games.¡±

    Maia took her time before answering. Instead, she reached over and tousled Ethan¡¯s hair. ¡°I¡¯m not upset.¡±

    Ethan blinked, gazing up at Maia. He was trying to understand if she was sincere.

    Maia grinned, choosing not to frighten him. ¡°Really, I¡¯m not upset. It¡¯s perfectly normal for someone your age to enjoy games. Honestly, gaming can be a good way to unwind when school gets hectic, as long as you don¡¯t go overboard. Plus, the right games can actually help you learn and rx!¡±

    Maia gave Ethan a reassuring pat on the shoulder and continued, ¡°Just keep in mind to y only after you¡¯ve finished your homework. Bnce is key. If you can manage that, I won¡¯t just support your gaming; I might even¡­ join you!¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Ethan could hardly believe what he was hearing. ¡°You¡¯ll actually y with me?¡±

    ¡°Definitely!¡± Maia replied, nodding and smiling. ¡°But only once you¡¯vepleted your homework.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 454

    ?Chapter 454:

    ¡°You¡¯re amazing!¡± Ethan felt a wave of joy, nearly moved to tears. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not going to let this interfere with my studies! I did today¡¯s homework already at school.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s great,¡± Maia responded. ¡°So, what game were you ying? Is it any good?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s incredible!¡± Ethan eximed, quickly retrieving his phone. ¡°You have to think strategically and coborate with your teammates. You can even turn your enemies against one another. Those boss battles really challenge your skills!¡±

    To be honest, Ethan had never really yed video games before. It was only when Marisa pulled him into it that he discovered how fantastic it could actually be.

    In Ethan¡¯s mind, the person who created this game was nothing short of a genius.

    At that moment, the game finished loading, and the login screen appeared.

    Ethan excitedly passed the phone to Maia. ¡°You have to give it a shot. It¡¯s honestly a st!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re really selling it hard,¡± Maia joked with a yful grin. She signed into the game and, with quick actions, breezed through a level.

    She nearly beat the record.

    An SSS rank shed on the screen.

    Ethan stared at the score, then turned to Maia. He waspletely awestruck once more.

    Ethan was still reeling from the shock. It turns out his sister wasn¡¯t just a whiz in the kitchen ¡ª she was a gaming powerhouse too. Snapping back to reality, Ethan blurted, ¡°Could you teach me? How do you pull it off?¡±

    Maia handed the phone back to Ethan with a casual smile. ¡°It¡¯s really not that hard. You¡¯ll get there too.¡±

    Not that hard? Ethan thought. However, he just couldn¡¯t even pass stages half as fast, much less pull off an SSS rating.

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í????????©q?????

    ¡°Maia, um, this game¡¯s holding a tournament soon. I want to sign up,¡± he confessed.

    He kept the real motive to himself. Afraid she¡¯d shut him down, he quickly added, ¡°I¡¯ve been sneaking in extra sessionstely. But don¡¯t worry ¡ª I¡¯ll never let it mess with my studies.¡±

    Maia arched an eyebrow. The game Genius was hosting an offlinepetition? This was news to her.

    ¡°When exactly is it happening?¡± Maia inquired.

    ¡°In seven days,¡± Ethan answered, his voice unsteady. He gave Maia a pleading look. ¡°Please, don¡¯t mention this to Kathie. She¡¯ll freak out¡­¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t say a word.¡± Maia chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s good for a boy to have something he¡¯s passionate about. Since you¡¯re taking this seriously and want my help, here¡¯s the deal: I¡¯ll swing by daily this week to practice with you.¡±

    ¡°For real?¡± Ethan¡¯s face lit up like fireworks. ¡°That¡¯s amazing!¡±

    Maiaughed softly. ¡°Only after you finish your schoolwork first. Agreed?¡±

    Right then, Kathie¡¯s voice echoed through the hallway. ¡°Dinner¡¯s ready, you two!¡±

    At the table, Kathie couldn¡¯t stop praising Maia¡¯s homemade strawberry cake.

    ¡°Maia, your desserts even beat what your mom used to make!¡± Kathie said warmly, her eyes growing misty at the memory.

    Maia had no recollection of her birth parents. Hearing that stirred a deeper curiosity inside her.

    After eating, Ethan dashed off to the study, eager to dive back into his game. Meanwhile, Maia browsed through Ethan¡¯s recent assignments.

    Everything waspleted neatly, without a hint ofziness.

    She nced at her own screen ¡ª the game had finished downloading. Opening the app, Maia leaned toward Ethan, smirking. ¡°Ready for round one?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 455

    ?Chapter 455:

    ¡°Absolutely!¡± Ethan grinned, rushing to bolt the study door.

    In the kitchen, Kathie had just arranged fresh fruit on a tter. She intended to bring it to Maia and Ethan but found the door locked and couldn¡¯t push it open.

    ¡°What are those two scheming in there?¡± she muttered under her breath.

    Kathie considered knocking but decided against it, assuming that Ethan was studying hard. Quietly, she returned to the living room.

    An hour ticked by.

    Ethan had been failing for the umpteenth time. Frustrated, he flung the phone onto the desk.

    Maia, on the other hand, remained calm and steady. Whether it was races, brain teasers, or fighting rounds, Ethan was trounced every time. He hadn¡¯t managed a single victory.

    Groaning, Ethan clutched his head. ¡°Maia, I¡¯m awful! Seriously, is this really your first try? Compared to you, I¡¯m a total amateur!¡± He let out a heavy sigh. ¡°You¡¯re not just good. You¡¯re phenomenal.¡±

    Ethan had always looked up to Maia, dreaming of bing as awesome as she was. But now, the gap felt enormous.

    Running a hand through his hair, Ethan muttered, ¡°How long will it take before I can match you? At this rate, I wouldn¡¯t even survive the first round of the tournament.¡±

    What Ethan didn¡¯t know was that Maia was actually the top yer on the leaderboard. Nor could he ever have imagined that Maia was the mastermind behind the entire game.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be gloomy!¡± Maia eximed, giving him a yful smack on the shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re gonnapete, right? No quitting just because it¡¯s tough! There¡¯s an entire week left. Don¡¯t judge yourself too soon. I¡¯ll support you all the way!¡±

    Her words reignited Ethan¡¯s spirit. He gave a determined nod, picked up his device, and shed a wide grin. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right! Let¡¯s dive back in!¡±

    ???????? ???????????????? ????????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    Before they realized it, midnight was fast approaching.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough for now,¡± Maia said, setting her device aside. ¡°You¡¯ve got sses tomorrow. Lights out!¡±

    Ethan, still buzzing with excitement, whined a bit. ¡°It¡¯s not thatte¡­ just one more round?¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡± Maia shut him down, swiftly taking his device. She didn¡¯t want him sneaking in more ytime, which would ruin his sleep schedule.

    She gently steered Ethan towards his room, watching him crawl under the covers. Just like a caring big sister, she tucked him in neatly and brushed a few strands from his forehead.

    Under the dim glow, Ethan¡¯s eyes sparkled. He murmured, ¡°I really want to clinch first ce.¡±

    The generous cash award motivated him deeply.

    Maia chuckled warmly. ¡°As long as you give it your all, the oue doesn¡¯t really matter. But if it¡¯s your goal, I¡¯ll guide you. For now, get some rest. Tomorrow, we train hard.¡±

    Ethan scrunched his nose. ¡°When will I finally be the one helping you instead of always leaning on you?¡±

    Maia paused briefly, her chest tightening. She smoothed his hair with tender fingers. ¡°You¡¯re already doing great. I believe the day wille. Someday, you¡¯ll be strong enough to shield the people who mean the world to you. I¡¯ll be here, cheering you on.¡± Her voice carried a gentleness that she rarely showed. ¡°Now, sleep well, little warrior.¡±

    Ethan clutched his nket with extra force. He almost blurted out a question about Maia and Hurst but swallowed it down. He chose to trust her instead.

    Regardless of whatever truthy hidden, if Maia loved Hurst, Ethan would respect her choice as her sibling.

    So instead, he quietly asked, ¡°Maia, is there anything you wish for?¡±

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 Chapter 456

    ?Chapter 456:

    Without hesitation, Maia replied, ¡°I just want us to stay safe and joyful.¡±

    She squeezed his shoulder. ¡°Quit worrying. Get some shut-eye.¡±

    Ethan obediently shut his eyes.

    Truthfully, he was already fighting to stay awake. Momentster, he drifted into a deep slumber.

    Maia lingered at his bedside for a moment, her smile tender. He had pushed himself so hard, refusing to give up.

    Just as she turned to leave, she heard him mumble in his sleep. ¡°If only Mom and Dad were still around¡­¡± Maia froze.

    Then came the steady rhythm of his breathing ¡ª he was fast asleep.

    Was that just a dream mutter?

    Silently, Maia tiptoed out and made her way onto the balcony. The crisp night wind teased the loose tendrils of her hair.

    Maia lifted her gaze to the glowing moon overhead, lost in thought. For a while, her mind floated like drifting seeds on the breeze.

    Her parents¡­ She had never even glimpsed their faces ¡ª not even once in old photographs.

    ¡°What kind of people had Mom and Dad been?¡± she wondered quietly.

    Maia politely declined Kathie¡¯s invitation to stay over and made her way back to Elysium Apartments by herself.

    As the clock chimed midnight, she entered her apartment, which felt unusually chilly. She paused outside Chris¡¯ closed bedroom door, taking a moment to gather her thoughts.

    Pulling out her phone, Maia unlocked it and checked for messages. There were still no messages from Chris.

    Maia¡¯s brow furrowed. Chris had been on a business trip for several days. Didn¡¯t he think to contact her at all?

    Surely, if he saw her as his wife, a simple message wouldn¡¯t have been too much to expect? At the very least, he could have let her know that he was alright. With a shake of her head, Maia softlyughed at her own foolish expectations.

    After all, her marriage to Chris was in name only. There had been no romantic pursuit, no genuine affection.

    The kind words Chris had spoken previously? She should have dismissed them as mere formalities. Why had she taken them to heart? With this realization, Maia¡¯s mind became much clearer. She set aside her brief sentimental thoughts and settled into bed.

    That night, Maia¡¯s sleep was filled with disjointed dreams. She dreamt of the incident four years prior when she had been wrongly used, and Rosanna, standing behind Sandra, chuckled softly. She dreamt of a man and a woman she didn¡¯t recognize, the woman caressing her face, but both were faceless, devoid of any features.

    Even more bizarre, she dreamt of a young boy, slightly taller than her, who took her hand and ran. He appeared to be five or six years old. Yet, when he looked back, his face was missing as well.

    Who were these faceless figures?

    When Maia awoke, daylight streamed through the windows. She checked the time. It was already eight in the morning.

    Her stomach rumbled, a clear reminder that it was time to eat. However, Maia¡¯s restless night resulted in her walking with a slight stagger.

    As she shuffled out of her bedroom, the smell of cooking food hit her. Surprised, her eyes darted toward the kitchen.

    A familiar tall figure came into view¡­ It looked incredibly like Chris.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 457

    ?Chapter 457:

    Could this still be a dream?

    The man, adorned in an apron, was carrying two tes towards the dining table, where he gently set down the steaming dishes.

    Chris turned, his eyes sparkling with warmth as he smiled. ¡°You¡¯re up? I¡¯ve made breakfast. Come and join me.¡±

    Momentarily dazed, Maia rubbed her eyes sleepily before taking another look. Once she was sure it really was Chris, she walked over slowly.

    Chris chuckled, yfully waving his hand in front of Maia¡¯s eyes. ¡°What¡¯s with that look? Were you sleepwalking?¡±

    His ability to joke with such ease was unchanged.

    Mixed emotions surged through Maia ¡ª surprise and annoyance intertwined. She was relieved to see Chris actually back and not a figment of her dreams. Yet, her frustration was palpable over his long absence without anymunication, not even a message to signal his return!

    With a touch of irritation, Maia questioned, ¡°When did you get backst night?¡±

    Chris propped his chin on his hand, his expression pensive. ¡°I think it was around three in the morning. I didn¡¯t want to wake you since I figured you¡¯d be asleep.¡±

    Around three in the morning?

    Reflecting on it, Maia realized that she had been deeply asleep at that time,pletely unaware of Chris¡¯ arrival.

    She began to sit down, but Chris leaned closer, cing his hand beside her on the table. He bent closer, his breath brushing her ear as he whispered, ¡°Did you miss me?¡±

    Maia¡¯s ears burned with sudden heat, her heart unexpectedly skipping a beat. No calls, no messages, and yet he dared to ask her that?

    With a dry throat, she managed to reply, ¡°No!¡±

    ???????????? ???????????? ???? ??????????????????£®??????

    Chris merely smiled, his voice gentle as a breeze. ¡°But I¡¯ve missed you.¡±

    Maia¡¯s heart gave an uncertain flutter as she stared up at him, bewildered. If he truly missed her, why had he gone silent for days? There wasn¡¯t even one call to let her know that he was alive. It was like he had disappearedpletely.

    She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say a word, Chris cupped the back of her head and pressed his lips to hers.

    For a few stunned seconds, Maia stood frozen. When she finally regained her senses, she shoved Chris¡¯ shoulder with all her strength, pushing him away. It was bad enough that he disappeared without a word, but kissing her the moment he showed up ¡ª what did he think she was?

    A low grunt escaped Chris. He clutched his shoulder where Maia had shoved him, his brows drawing tight, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

    Maia¡¯s surprise deepened. This time, he wasn¡¯t pretending.

    She opened her mouth to question him but froze when she spotted the blood seeping through his white shirt, spreading wider by the second.

    Maia leapt to her feet like a spring uncoiled, rushing to steady Chris as concern poured from her voice. ¡°Are you hurt? What happened? How did this happen to you?¡±

    Chris offered a faint, almost offhand smile, as if brushing dust off his coat. ¡°We were on a work trip. Got caught in a trap. Took a bullet meant for my boss. I didn¡¯t want to give you cause to worry, so I thought I¡¯d wait until I was mostly patched up before showing my face. But I missed you too much. I couldn¡¯t keep away.¡±

    ¡°Took a bullet?¡± Maia echoed, the word sticking in her throat like a thorn.

    Her heart skipped a beat, as though startled by its own rhythm. Just what had Chris entangled himself in during those silent days apart? So, he hadn¡¯t vanished by choice. He had been nursing wounds all this time.

    And even with pain shadowing his every move, he had continued life as if nothing had changed. He¡¯d even made her breakfast ¡ª to shield her from the storm raging beneath the surface.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 458

    ?Chapter 458:

    The thought knotted Maia¡¯s heart, wrapping it in quiet anguish. She tugged him toward a chair and guided him down with gentle insistence.

    Without a second thought, she reached for the buttons on his shirt.

    Chris caught her hand with a mischievous curve to his lips. ¡°You told me you didn¡¯t miss me, and now here you are, hands all over me the moment we meet again.¡±

    Maia¡¯s lips pressed into a tight line, the memory of their earlier kiss still lingering like thest warmth of sunset.

    Seriously? It was evident that he was taking advantage of her! She batted his hand away and unbuttoned his shirt with decisive fingers, tugging the cor aside in one swift motion.

    A wide swath of his torso was mummified in bloodstained gauze. The wrappings stretched from his left rib cage across to his right shoulder, a grim sash of suffering.

    The sight of fresh crimson blooming against the white cloth made Maia¡¯s stomach churn, twisting like a vine around her ribs.

    She stared, her heart a battlefield of emotions ¡ª shock, sorrow, anger, and fear.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that,¡± Chris said, tilting his head with a crooked grin. ¡°You¡¯re going to make me believe you actually care.¡±

    For reasons she couldn¡¯t name, Maia felt a weight pressing down on her chest. Seeing him so gravely wounded, yet still grinning through the agony, felt like watching someone smile while they drowned.

    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± shemanded, her voice sharp as a snapped branch. She whirled away and vanished into her room, pulling a first-aid kit from under her bed ¡ª a quiet soldier she¡¯d kept ready for just such moments.

    Returning swiftly, she didn¡¯t waste a heartbeat. Her hands flew to the soaked bandages.

    Chris caught her wrist again, his voice a murmur. ¡°Don¡¯t look. It¡¯ll frighten you.¡±

    Your source: g??ln??v??ls.??????

    Though no physician by trade, Maia had earned her doctorate from Norwyn Medical School ¡ª no stranger to broken bodies or blood. She shot him a look, cold as a winter gust. ¡°I told you not to move. Are you going to defy me now?¡±

    Her tone wasn¡¯t loud, but it rang with authority ¡ª a spell that stilled his hands. Inside, Chris was torn. How could he not obey his wife¡¯s words? He always listened to Maia.

    After a beat of hesitation, he let go.

    As she peeled away the sodden wrappings, a savage wound came into view ¡ª angry and raw. Judging by its breadth and depth, the shot hade from a high-caliber sniper rifle ¡ª no street weapon, this. Such sniper rifles were rare even on the ck market, and those who could obtain one were no ordinary people.

    Who had Chris¡¯ boss crossed to earn the wrath of such an enemy? What kind of predator would go to such lengths to kill? Maia¡¯s thoughts whirled as her hands trembled ever so slightly.

    She kept her emotions shackled, moving with calm precision as she tossed the bloodied bandages aside and began cleaning and dressing the wound anew.

    Chris remained silent, his gaze fixed on Maia¡¯s face. Her expression was focused, tender, yet clouded with unspoken worry.

    He wanted nothing more than to gather her close and hold her until the world faded away.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were this good at treating wounds,¡± Chris said quietly, almost to himself.

    Maia didn¡¯t look up. Her hands stayed busy.

    After a long pause, she spoke ¡ª her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Maybe you should think about changing jobs. Or¡­ taking some time off. I can¡­¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 459

    ?Chapter 459:

    The words stumbled. She couldn¡¯t quite bring herself to say that she could support him. Biting her lower lip, she regretted saying anything at all.

    She had never imagined that his work came with shadows this deep. A wound just a few inches in the wrong direction could have stopped his heart or copsed a lung. It could have snatched his life away in an instant.

    Chris stared at her, startled by her words. Her tense face and hesitant tone caught him off guard. Then, heughed ¡ª a quiet, surprisedugh. ¡°So¡­ you do care after all?¡±

    Chris tilted his head ever so slightly, his tone casual. ¡°Rx. It was just an ident. Besides, my boss already handled that assassin. And thanks to all that chaos, I got promoted.¡±

    He said it lightly, but his words carried weight ¡ª meant not only to ease Maia¡¯s nerves but to chip away at the image she had always held of him.

    Without warning, Chris reached for her hand, his grip warm and steady. ¡°I can¡¯t let you carry everything alone anymore. We are married now, Maia. It¡¯s time I stepped up. I will find a way to make money. I will take care of us. Wasn¡¯t it you who said I needed to do something worthwhile?¡±

    Maia stared at him, stunned by the conviction in his voice. Where had thezy, carefree Chris gone? This man sitting before her ¡ª sincere, grounded, almost dependable ¡ª felt like someone else entirely. And that shift unsettled her more than she cared to admit. A promotion should have been good news. Yet, it came tethered to danger. He had risked his life, and for what? Recognition?

    If that was the case, Maia would rather he remained as he was before. At least that way, he was safe.

    But now was not the time to crush his spirit. Not right after his triumph. So instead, she let out a breath and softened her voice. ¡°You need rest more than anything. Put work on hold for a while. Just take a few days to heal.¡±

    Chris offered a smile, small and gentle. ¡°Alright. I will listen to you.¡±

    ??????????? §ã???¦Ñ???????? ??????????????????©q?????

    ¡°When your injuries have healed enough, I¡¯ll apany you to the hospital to check on your headaches.¡± She paused. ¡°Did you have one while you were out this time?¡±

    Chris¡¯s smile widened, a quiet warmth flickering behind his eyes.

    ¡°No. I am fine. Do not worry.¡±

    He looked genuinely happy saying it.

    Maia felt her cheeks grow hot. She realized, a second toote, what her question had revealed. She had worried about him ¡ª all the time. Flustered, she bit her lip and turned away. ¡°Do not get the wrong idea. I am not concerned about you. I just¡­ I would not know how to face Zoey if anything happened to you.¡±

    The excuse was flimsy. She knew it. He knew it.

    Chris chuckled, his eyes narrowing with amusement. ¡°I understand.¡± That smile ¡ªzy, knowing ¡ª only made the heat rise in her cheeks.

    She spun on her heel and hurried into the kitchen.

    She flung open the refrigerator door, feigning distraction. Her gazended on a slice of strawberry cake, the one she had inexplicably saved from the night before. Her fingers hesitated over it as her eyes flicked back toward the living room.

    She grabbed the te and walked back, cing it in front of him. ¡°You are in luck. I made thisst night and forgot to eat it.¡±

    Chris blinked at the cake. It looked exactly like his mother¡¯s ¡ª down to the swirls of whipped cream and halved strawberries.

    He picked up the spoon with quiet reverence, scooped a bite, and brought it to his lips. The moment it hit his tongue, something inside him sparked ¡ª taste and memory colliding in a flood of sensation.

    A wave of surprise shed across his eyes, and when he looked up at Maia again, there was an indescribable emotion in his gaze.

    .

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 Chapter 460

    Chapter 460:

    ¡°You made this?¡± he asked, his voice low and rough.

    Maia folded her arms. ¡°Who else could have? It¡¯s not perfect, not like your mom¡¯s¡­ but I think it turned out alright.¡±

    Chris didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he stared at the cake, his thoughts spiraling into the past. He could almost see himself again ¡ª just a boy at the kitchen door, clumsy fingers clutching a fork, waiting impatiently as the smell of strawberry cake drifted through the house.

    His mother had always seemed to glow ¡ª eyes kind, voice soft, movements graceful. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not picture her face. It was as if someone had scrubbed the details from his mind ¡ª erased her expression, wiped the image clean.

    His fingers tightened around the spoon. And then the pain struck ¡ª sharp, sudden, like a hot de slicing through his skull. He jerked, one hand flying up to clutch the side of his head.

    Maia¡¯s voice snapped through the haze. ¡°Chris? What¡¯s wrong? Is it your head again?¡±

    Her voice was panicked now, cutting through the fog. He blinked, forcing himself to breathe.

    He had been trying to recall his mother¡¯s face but found himself trapped in a maze of memories, almost unable to escape.

    Breathing heavily, Chris shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just remembering some past things.¡±

    He looked at Maia, pale but steady. A tired smile tugged at his lips. ¡°This cake¡­ it¡¯s better than the ones they serve at the Cooper Group¡¯s banquets. Just like hers. You only had it once, and somehow recreated it. How did I end up marrying someone this amazing?¡±

    Maia rolled her eyes, but a smile slipped onto her face anyway.

    L¦¡¦Ó??¦Ó ch¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??????

    Chris reached for her hand again, pulling her toward him. ¡°Come on. Tell me how you made it. Will you teach me?¡±

    Maia met his gaze ¡ª intense, burning, full of questions he had not spoken aloud.

    Her heart skipped a beat. ¡°We¡¯ll see if I¡¯m in the mood.¡±

    Before she could pull away, his arms looped around her waist and drew her down onto hisp, firmly but gently.

    She gasped, squirming instinctively, but his grip held ¡ª gentle yet unrelenting.

    Worried about causing further injury to him, Maia dared not move.

    ¡°Maia¡­¡± Chris¡¯s gaze was tender and unwavering, filled with deep emotion. He said, ¡°I¡¯ve really missed you these days.¡±

    The sincerity in his voice sank deep, brushing against something tender inside her. His eyes dropped to her lips ¡ª pink, full, slightly parted.

    When he looked up again, his eyes glowed with silent longing. His voice was barely above a breath. ¡°Can I kiss you?¡±

    If the earlier kiss had burst forth from the raw heat of reunion, wild and unchecked, this time, Chris craved one earned through Maia¡¯s consent. His restraint was unraveling by the second.

    Maia, caught in the intensity of his gaze, gave a faint nod ¡ª not out of clear resolve, but as if something invisible pulled her toward him. A shadow flickered in Chris¡¯s eyes before he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

    The force of his kiss made Maia instinctively tilt backward, her bnce slipping. Chris slid a steady hand to the small of her back, anchoring her as he drew her closer.

    Maia¡¯s arm circled his waist with hesitation, while her other hand hovered uncertainly, afraid of brushing the spot where he¡¯d been injured.

    Chris found her hand and slowly threaded his fingers between hers, their hands locking tight.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Hope you have a great day dear readers. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. ??(£Þ?£Þ)??

    .

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 461

    ?Chapter 461:

    At the Ward family vi, Vince stood in his room with a phone pressed to his ear. ¡°Still no word on those men?¡±

    A strained voice replied, ¡°Nothing. I¡¯ve searched the city ¡ª no sign of them.¡±

    That made no sense.

    Vince rubbed his temples. The men he had sent to teach Chris a lesson vanished without a trace after that night. After a pause, he asked, ¡°And Chris?¡±

    The voice on the other end replied, ¡°No news on him either.¡±

    Vince¡¯s frown deepened, suspicion rising like smoke. Could they all have died together?

    But something about that didn¡¯t add up.

    If they were alive, they¡¯d have surfaced. If dead, their bodies should have been found by now.

    How could a dozen men disappear without leaving a single trace?

    It defied logic.

    Just then, a knock echoed from the door.

    Vince ended the call in a rush, stashing the phone into a drawer before going to open the door. His father, Gavin, stood outside. In the span of just a few days, Gavin¡¯s temples had grown streaked with white, the strands brushed neatly back.

    ¡°Dad, what brings you here?¡± Vince asked, stepping aside with measured respect.

    Gavin entered without a word, lowering himself onto the bed before lifting his gaze to meet his son¡¯s. ¡°Have you done any real reflectingtely?¡±

    Though his voice was even, every syble pressed heavily on Vince¡¯s shoulders.

    Gavin had kept his distance these past few days, cool and silent. Vince bent at the waist, speaking low and firm. ¡°Yes, Dad. I¡¯ve given it a lot of thought. I know I was wrong.¡±

    Discover the rest on ??????o¦Í?????????????

    Gavin raised an eyebrow, studying his son¡¯s expression. ¡°Then you should go to the Morgans in person ¡ª apologize to Rosanna and her parents. This time, it¡¯s your fault. Whatever terms they set, you¡¯ll meet them.¡±

    When Vince didn¡¯t protest, Gavin continued, ¡°And from now on, stay away from Maia.¡±

    Vince straightened slowly, eyes locking with Gavin¡¯s. A sh of defiance broke through as he gave a cold, sudden sneer.

    ¡°I was wrong, Dad. Wrong not for hurting Rosanna ¡ª but for realizing toote that Maia¡¯s the one I really want.¡± One hand gripped his chest, as if he were holding back something sharp and relentless.

    The statement hit Gavin like a p ¡ª his face flushed red, fury surging. He stared at Vince, stunned speechless.

    ¡°You little punk!¡± Gavin exploded, jabbing a finger toward Vince¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re impossibly stubborn! What did I raise ¡ª a shameless fool who can¡¯t see the bigger picture? You want to kill me and your grandfather with this nonsense?¡±

    Vince didn¡¯t flinch. His voice was calm, his demeanor unshaken. ¡°Maia was raised by the Morgans. Whether she¡¯s their real daughter or not, she¡¯s still theirs. She was the one I was engaged to from the start.¡±

    ¡°You jerk!¡± Gavin¡¯s veins bulged as he pointed at Vince¡¯s nose, scolding, ¡°The one engaged to you is the Morgan family¡¯s biological daughter! Whoever is in that position should be your wife! How can you still not grasp something so simple?¡±

    Vince held his father¡¯s bloodshot gaze and let out a dryugh. ¡°No, Dad. The one who doesn¡¯t grasp the truth is you. The Ward family is in such a mess, even getting kicked out of the four most influential families in Wront. Now, with a marriage to Rosanna and an alliance to the Morgan family, what good would it really do for the Ward family? You think a fragile alliance will pull us back from the edge?¡±

    His words cut sharp, each one striking like a de. Gavin had no response.

    ¡°But Maia¡¯s different.¡± A glint sparked in Vince¡¯s eyes, burning with ambition. ¡°You¡¯ve heard the rumors, haven¡¯t you? She¡¯s MCN¡¯s chief designer. Even Pattie, thepany¡¯s owner, treads carefully around her! MCN just acquired Aurora Apparel, and soon they¡¯ll be the biggest luxury brand in the country. Their future value? Beyond imagination!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 462

    ?Chapter 462:

    Pride settled on Vince¡¯s face like a crown he hadn¡¯t earned. ¡°If I marry Maia, MCN could be part of the Ward family. That¡¯s our way back.¡±

    Gavin fell into silence. He¡¯d heard pieces of Maia¡¯s rise, though never so clearlyid out. From a practical standpoint, she did seem like the better fit for the family¡¯s future.

    And yet¡­ His lips pressed into a thin line as he frowned. ¡°But isn¡¯t she already married?¡±

    Vince¡¯s eyes were cold and calcting as he replied, ¡°Marriage isn¡¯t permanent; divorce is always an option. Her husband is just a minor figure; offer him some money, and he¡¯ll ept it. If that doesn¡¯t work, we can arrange things to make them divorce.¡±

    Gavin hesitated, considering the idea. Vince¡¯s n wasn¡¯t without merit. The potential rewards were significant, and the future held great possibilities.

    Still, the idea of the heir to the Ward family marrying a woman with a criminal record bothered him. It would tarnish their family¡¯s reputation.

    After thinking for a moment, Gavin said, ¡°The marriage was arranged by your grandfather. His concept is conservative. Given that Maia has been behind bars for four years and isn¡¯t a Morgan, he will never agree to it!¡±

    ¡°Then we¡¯ll have to convince Grandpa. If we can¡¯t change his mind¡­¡± Vince narrowed his eyes, speaking firmly, ¡°Dad, Grandpa is getting older, and it¡¯s time you and I did something for our family andpany. We can¡¯t let his emotions cloud our judgment when ites to the Ward family¡¯s future.¡±

    Gavin fell silent for a moment before giving a small nod. ¡°If Maia can return to the Morgan family, things will go much smoother. Once she¡¯s officially recognized as their daughter, the marriage contract will be valid. That will make it easier to win over your grandfather.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure Maia returns to the Morgan family!¡± Vince¡¯s excitement bubbled up as he saw Gavin starting toe around.

    He tightened his fists, trying to control his emotions, and turned to Gavin. ¡°Dad, I need you to back me on this.¡±

    Gavin paused, thinking for a moment before sighing, as if conceding. ¡°You¡¯ve been doing welltely. From now on, your house arrest is lifted.¡± With that, Gavin turned and walked away, leaving Vince grinning with triumph.

    He was finally free.

    Elysium Apartments.

    Chris finally pulled away, breaking the heated kiss, his breath still heavy as he looked into Maia¡¯s eyes. His gaze sparkled with an intense satisfaction, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips as he admired the deep blush spreading across her face.

    Her blushing face was irresistible, a perfect blend of charm and innocence that made it nearly impossible for him to resist the urge to press a tender kiss to her cheek.

    Just as he was about to close the distance, Maia abruptly slipped out of his embrace, her movement swift and unexpected. She hurriedly fixed her hair, her eyes darting nervously around the room, avoiding his gaze.

    Chris couldn¡¯t suppress a low chuckle, his amusement growing as he watched her flustered reaction.

    Maia steadied her breathing, trying to regainposure, her voice a little shaky. ¡°You¡¯re injured¡­ I¡¯ll handle the cooking for now. I¡­ I¡¯ll clean up and go buy some ingredients.¡±

    Chris¡¯ injuries were serious, and it would take time for him to fully recover. Maia nned to gather medicinal herbs and fresh ingredients to cook meals that would aid in his healing.

    Without a word, she turned and rushed toward the bathroom, mming the door shut behind her with a thud.

    Chris stayed still for a moment, his heart racing as the memory of their kiss consumed him. His mind was aze with thoughts of her soft lips, the heat between them¡­ It left him yearning for more, his body screaming for her presence.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 463

    ?Chapter 463:

    Maia leaned against the locked bathroom door, her chest rising and falling in erratic breaths. How had she let him kiss her like that?

    She pressed her fingers to her lips, still warm from his touch.

    When he kissed her, everything had fallen away. Her thoughts, her doubts ¡ª they were gone. The world had disappeared, leaving only the intensity of his lips on hers. He had caught her off guard, and now she couldn¡¯t shake the overwhelming desire pulsing through her veins.

    She swallowed hard, shaking her head, trying to regain control. After all, it wasn¡¯t their first kiss, and they were married, with a marriage certificate. It was just a kiss; it wasn¡¯t like it was against thew. Yes, it was no big deal.

    After a few moments of self-reassurance, Maia quickly turned on the sink, sshing cold water on her face to wash away the heat that lingered from their kiss.

    Meanwhile, in a private room at the Wront Grant Hotel, udius made ate entrance, his presencemanding attention as he took his ce at the head of the table.

    As he settled in, the group of individuals around him followed suit, all taking their seats with a mix of respect and familiarity. These were the general managers of various subsidiaries under the Cooper Group ¡ª udius¡¯ trusted prot¨¦g¨¦s.

    They gathered regrly to discusspany progress, share insights, and strategize.

    After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere lightened, and the room buzzed with animated conversations. The managers began speaking more freely, their voices mingling withughter and banter.

    Suddenly, one of them brought up thetest sensation, the game Genius. A few others immediately joined in, admitting that they had been ying it as well.

    ¡°I know that game; it¡¯s incredibly addictive. My son can¡¯t put it down!¡±

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    ¡°You¡¯d think they were running ads everywhere, but it¡¯s all word of mouth. Everyone¡¯s talking about it.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, this is a golden opportunity. We can¡¯t afford to miss it. The game studio is still small, and we could¡­¡±

    udius hade across mentions of the game in recent days and, curious, decided to try it himself. It was, without a doubt, impressive.

    He¡¯d been nning to bring it up in today¡¯s meeting, and with the conversation heading in that direction, he seized the chance.

    ¡°L,¡± udius said, his voice steady, ¡°you handle the gaming division. Look into this. If we can acquire them, great. If not, at least secure its exclusive rights.¡±

    L Watts, who had been waiting for an opportunity like this, immediately stood up, raising his ss in a gesture ofmitment. ¡°I¡¯ll get it done, Mr. Cooper. You have my word.¡±

    But instead of sitting back down, L reported another piece of information. ¡°By the way, I heard the game is hosting apetition soon, right here in Wront.¡±

    udius raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°Oh? This is a rare opportunity. Get in touch with them immediately. We¡¯ll support them with both the venue and funding.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± L replied, feeling a sense of relief. He had already made such an arrangement, but in front of udius, he didn¡¯t want to risk jumping the gun.

    Now that Vince was no longer stuck at home, he wasted no time and made a beeline for the Morgan estate. He was eager to see Maia ¡ª he could hardly sit still.

    When Sandra saw Vince at the door, she was momentarily stunned before quickly calling out to Rosanna toe downstairs. After all, Vince and Rosanna were engaged. It had to be something to do with her.

    With a bright smile, Sandra waved Vince toward the couch. ¡°Do sit down. Rosanna will be here in just a bit.¡±

    Vince waited patiently, but the minutes dragged on and there was still no sign of her. Eventually, Sandra climbed the stairs to investigate and soon realized that Rosanna had slipped out earlier.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 464

    ?Chapter 464:

    ¡°Oh goodness, my mind¡¯s like a sieve. She actually left earlier this morning. I¡¯m terribly sorry you waited all this time for nothing.¡±

    ¡°No worries at all. It¡¯s always nice dropping by to see you and your husband too. About that mess the other day ¡ª I take full responsibility. I really hope you¡¯ll let it go.¡±

    Vince carefully ced the expensive presents he¡¯d picked out on the table. Sandra gave them a quick once-over, instantly recognizing their worth. A warm smile spread across her face.

    Not too long after Vince had gone, Rosanna returned home. The moment she stepped inside, her eyesnded on a stack of fancy packages near the entrance ¡ª some were limited-edition sets from brands she adored.

    ¡°Mom, what¡¯s all this stuff?¡± she asked, clearly confused.

    Sandra, looking rather pleased with herself, said, ¡°Who else would it be? Vince dropped them off ¡ª for you!¡±

    Rosanna blinked in surprise. Vince? He¡¯de all the way here just to see her? And brought all these gifts, too. It sure seemed like he was trying to make amends.

    The idea slowly curled her lips into a satisfied smile, and a wave of calm washed over her.

    It seemed that Vince still couldn¡¯t let her go and had finally realized her worth.

    Maia didn¡¯t hold a candle to her. Even though she had her eyes set on someone new, if things didn¡¯t work out with udius, she could always fall back on the Wards. That meant she had to keep Vince hooked until everything was sorted out.

    She fired off a quick message, saying that she loved the gifts and thought it was sweet of him.

    After mulling it over for a bit, she decided to invite Vince to her birthday celebration as well.

    ?????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????? ??????????¦Í??????©q??????

    The following morning, udius walked into the office with a spring in his step. He had officially taken the reins of the Cooper Group¡¯s main business sectors. Now, he had his sights set on even bigger ventures and loftier achievements. The gaming world looked like the ideal direction. That market was on the brink of a massive boom.

    Lately, just about everyone he knew had been hooked on a new game that had popped up out of nowhere. In under two weeks since its release, the game had shot straight to the top of the download rankings.

    udius had spotted its potential right off the bat. The arrival of the game ¡ª Genius ¡ª had the potential to shake up the entire gaming scene. Down the line, it was sure to be a goldmine.

    udius summoned his assistant and asked, ¡°Did we lock in the deal to host the offline tournament in Wront?¡±

    ¡°The gaming firm just submitted their progress update. Everything¡¯s confirmed, and the paperwork will be signed today,¡± the assistant replied politely. ¡°Mr. n Lopez wants to know ¡ª should we use the sports center or the tech museum as the venue?¡±

    ¡°Excellent. We¡¯ll go with the tech museum,¡± udius said,cing his fingers together with a thoughtful look. ¡°Tell Mr. Lopez this event needs to be big ¡ª eye-catching. We want the developers and producers to know we¡¯re serious. It¡¯s also the perfect chance to boost our brand in the gaming world.¡±

    The assistant gave a quick nod. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll get in touch with Mr. Lopez right away.¡±

    udius suddenly stopped him. ¡°Hold on. Since our gaming branch is running this event, I ought to show some backing myself. Spread the news ¡ª the Cooper Group¡¯s tossing in a bonus cash prize!¡±

    ¡°Understood, sir.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 465

    ?Chapter 465:

    Once the assistant stepped out, udius turned toward the massive window that stretched from floor to ceiling, his eyes scanning the endless cityscape. He extended his hand slightly, as if he could grab the whole world and pull it into his grasp.

    For a long time now, the Cooper Group¡¯s mining empire hadn¡¯t been enough to satisfy him. People often sang his praises and showered him with admiration, but deep down, udius had always believed that sess in mining was a given ¡ª it was never the real challenge. This opportunity had onlye about thanks to Maia, who had backed Mariana into a corner at the g, giving udius the perfect opening to pitch his new business idea and win over Kolton¡¯s support for a major change in direction.

    udius had his sights set onunching an esports tform ¡ª somethingpletely new, something no one had done before.

    His vision wasn¡¯t small. He believed that the Cooper Group shouldn¡¯t just dominate Wront. It needed to break borders and rise as a global powerhouse.

    ying it safe and sticking to tradition had already proven to be a losing game. This time, it was MCN that took away Aurora Apparel Company. Who knew whichpany would show up next to steal more of the Cooper Group¡¯s business?

    He nced down at his phone, staring at the Genius game app, and murmured, ¡°I really should thank whoever created this. It¡¯s exactly the breakthrough I needed to chase my dream.¡±

    With that, he grabbed his phone and rang his assistant. ¡°Get in touch with the game studio for me. I want to find out who designed Genius. Let them know I¡¯d like to take them out to dinner as a thank-you for such a strong partnership.¡±

    Regrettably¡­

    After a thorough investigation that felt like chasing shadows in a fog, the assistant reported to udius that the designer behind Genius had chosen to remain anonymous, refusing to reveal their true identity. Even the inner circle of the game studio was kept in the dark. They referred to this elusive figure only as ¡°Mr. G.¡±

    Verified and published at g ??ln ovels.??????

    The alias Griffin ¡ª drawn from the legends of Greek mythology ¡ª was a symbol wrapped in paradox: both beast and bird, strength and intellect united.

    udius paused, contemting the name. It was a well-chosen mask for the mind behind Genius, a game that demanded not just raw power but sharp wit ¡ª a true battle of brawn and brains.

    ¡°Mr. G?¡± udius murmured, his curiosity deepening like a well with no bottom.

    Ever since he was a child, udius had been drawn to the unknown; mystery was both his poison and his cure. It was the same pull that made Maia unforgettable. She, too, was a puzzle with no key.

    Even now, the identity of Maia¡¯s so-called husband remained a nk page in his book of truths. At times, he questioned whether such a man even existed.

    Perhaps this insatiable desire to possess her had twisted udius¡¯ thinking into a peculiar knot ¡ª he had begun to believe that Maia¡¯s im of marriage was nothing but a smoke screen. Maybe she¡¯d built that wall just to keep others at bay.

    One thing was certain: Maia wasn¡¯t like any woman he¡¯d ever encountered. She was dazzling in every sense ¡ª a musical virtuoso known as K, a visionary designer at MCN, and a pianist whose fingers danced with fire and grace.

    She wasn¡¯t just talented ¡ª she was fearless. She had dared to stand toe-to-toe with the towering Cooper family, undaunted.

    Winning her over had be udius¡¯ greatest obsession ¡ª his north star and his undoing.

    As the golden afternoon light nted through the window and slowly receded behind a steel beam, half of udius¡¯ face slipped into shadow.

    He pinched the bridge of his nose, a glint of frost in his eyes.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 466

    ?Chapter 466:

    No one was allowed to steal what he had marked as his prey.

    The afternoon sun beat down like a hammer, and the city simmered under its relentless gaze.

    Just moments earlier, the entire gaming world had erupted in a frenzy over a bombshell announcement. Ark Technology, a gaming branch under the Cooper Group, had officially dered that it would be hosting the offline tournament for Genius at Wront¡¯s tech museum. To sweeten the pot, they had raised the prize money from a modest hundred thousand dors to a jaw-dropping one million.

    A million dors ¡ª ten times the original bounty!

    The news ignited gamers from every corner of the country. Downloads of the game skyrocketed, as if touched by lightning. Everyone and their neighbor rushed to register for thepetition. Game forums exploded with posts, and the game¡¯s poprity surged like a river after the storm.

    The wave of interest grew so fast that organizers had to scramble and revise the tournament structure on the fly. An online preliminary round was added, narrowing the flood of participants. Only the top ten yers in each region would make it to the grand offline showdown.

    The buzz made its way even into the three sses of the elite preparatory program. Students who had never touched a game controller in their lives now found themselves feverishly downloading Genius.

    Ethan stood frozen, dumbfounded by the announcement. A million-dor prize? From gaming?

    He had never imagined that chasing pixels could fill a bank ount.

    If he could just win¡­ he could finally give Maia a proper gift ¡ª and more than that, he could help lift the weight off her shoulders, maybe even ease the burden she quietly carried for their family.

    With this thought burning bright in his heart, Ethan vowed silently ¡ª he would win this championship, no matter what.

    M??r? ??ont?nt ??????: g??l??ov?ls.??¡ð??

    Elsewhere, Marisa had already caught wind of the news. With deliberate steps, she strolled up to Mnie andmented casually, ¡°Well, who would¡¯ve thought the Cooper Group had such deep pockets? A million dors. Might be worth giving it a try.¡±

    Mnie¡¯s temper red like a match to dry leaves. She could see right through Marisa¡¯s sweetened sarcasm.

    Grinding her teeth, Mnie hissed beneath her breath, ¡°Delusional. As if you could actually win.¡±

    Thepetition was shaping up to be a battlefield, with elite yers pouring in from every direction. It wasn¡¯t going to be a walk in the park.

    But for Mnie, money wasn¡¯t the goal.

    All she wanted was to crush Marisa beneath her heel.

    Marisa gave a slow blink, pulled a lollipop from her mouth, and grinned. ¡°I heard that, Mnie. Losing your nerve already? A true gamer doesn¡¯t y just to y ¡ª they y to win. Better make sure you survive the preliminaries.¡±

    She turned on her heel, tossing a final remark over her shoulder like a dart. ¡°Don¡¯t disappoint me.¡±

    Mnie stood frozen, seething, her face twisted in silent fury. Marisa¡¯s words cut like a knife, as they always did ¡ª sharp, smug, and impossible to ignore.

    Mnie had never hated anyone with such intensity.

    Now, there were two names etched into her wrath ¡ª Ethan and Marisa. Her fists clenched, and she made a silent vow. ¡°Just wait. I¡¯ll make you both regret ever crossing me.¡±

    The offline finals for Genius were just one day away. Both Marisa and Mnie had clinched their spots in the tournament.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 467

    ?Chapter 467:

    Their wager ¡ª once a private challenge ¡ª had spread like wildfire. It was all anyone could talk about, from ss One to ss Three. Now, the entire grade buzzed with anticipation, waiting to see how it would all unfold.

    As soon as the final bell rang, Ethan wasted no time. He bolted home and tore through his homework with single-minded urgency.

    Maia showed up at Marvelous Garden like clockwork. Today wasn¡¯t just another training session ¡ª it was their final prep before the showdown.

    Ethan had sharpened noticeably over the past week. Strategies that once puzzled him now fell into ce, and he had begun to y with the kind of intuition that made Maia, stoic and hard to impress, give the asional nod of approval.

    Just as they wrapped up an intense match, Ethan leaned back to catch his breath. But then his eyes widened, catching something on his phone screen. He pped the table with a loud smack. ¡°Maia! Look at this!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Maia blinked, nearly choking on her water at his sudden shout. She wiped her mouth and leaned toward his phone.

    Ethan pointed at the glowing screen, barely able to contain his excitement. ¡°Look at the leaderboard! The yer in second ce now ¡ª it¡¯s someone named Justiceze!¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes followed his finger.

    The second-ranked yer had previously trailed far behind the top spot ¡ª more than ten points, a chasm few could ever hope to bridge. But now? Justiceze had surged forward, closing the gap to less than two points. It was shocking.

    At this pace, it was only a matter of time before this yer caught up ¡ª or even overtook ¡ª the reigning number one.

    Maia arched an eyebrow.

    ga??????¦Í??????.k??n ¨C ???????? ???????????????? ????

    As one of the game¡¯s original developers, she had never seen anyone reach a tier this close to her own. The realization was both startling and ¡ª if she admitted it ¡ª strangely thrilling.

    Genius was no casual pastime. It was a brutal, strategy-heavy battleground where every point was a war.

    Especially after entering the top ten, even a one-point difference could signify a huge gap in skill, requiring at least two to three extremely challenging levels with an SSS rating to catch up. Yet, Justiceze had managed to achieve this level.

    ¡°Maia,¡± Ethan asked, his eyes shining with curiosity, ¡°could this be the same person who spoke up for you on Twitter that time?¡± The name triggered a flicker of recognition in Maia¡¯s mind.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she said slowly, staring harder at the ID.

    It tugged at her memory with a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. She had seen it before, somewhere that mattered.

    Ethan sat still, uncertain. But deep down, he doubted anyone else would choose that exact name. Something told him that it had to be the same person.

    After training, once Maia had left, Ethan couldn¡¯t resist. He unlocked his phone and opened Twitter, firing off a message to Justiceze along with a screenshot of the leaderboard. ¡°Is this you?¡±

    The reply came quickly. ¡°Of course. Impressive, right?¡±

    Ethan practically bounced in his seat. ¡°So it really is you! Amazing! Are you joining the offline tournament tomorrow?¡±

    Silence followed.

    A few minutester, a new message appeared. ¡°Are youpeting?¡±

    Ethan¡¯s fingers moved fast. ¡°Yes! I¡¯m aiming for first ce. But if you show up, then that top spot might be yours instead.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 468

    ?Chapter 468:

    He was sure that Justiceze would take the trophy unless the mysterious first-ranked yer returned ¡ª which, ording to online chatter, was unlikely. Their score had not changed in months. Most assumed that they had quit.

    Then came the reply. ¡°Good luck. I will be there to watch. If you take first ce, I will give you a gift.¡±

    Ethan blinked at the message. ¡°Really? That would be too kind.¡± Another message popped up. ¡°Consider it a thank-you ¡ª for your advice. It helped me make up with my wife.¡±

    Ethan paused, surprised. Then it clicked. He remembered when Justiceze had posted a desperate plea online, asking how to apologize to an angry spouse.

    Ethan had replied on a whim, offering heartfelt advice ¡ª mainly because Justiceze had once helped Maia. He had not expected his words to actually work.

    Grinning, Ethan stared at the screen, feeling a wave of satisfaction wash over him.

    Tomorrow¡¯s tournament had just be even more meaningful.

    By the next afternoon, the Wront Technology Museum was swarming with life. Influencers jostled for position, tripods and gimbals in hand, ready to livestream the event. Journalists from gaming media arrived in clusters, while developers from rivalpanies lingered around the sidelines, observing thepetition.

    The national finals for Genius, hosted by Ark Technology ¡ª a subsidiary of the Cooper Group ¡ª had turned into a spectacle worthy of the industry¡¯s full attention.

    Maia moved through the crowd like a ghost, wrapped in a beige trench coat. A baseball cap hid her hair, and a mask obscured most of her face. With her rising online presence and her connections to the game, she had be something of a low-key celebrity. She had no intention of drawing any unnecessary attention now.

    Ethan had already headed off to the registration booth.

    Maia spotted a seat near the front and settled in, nning to cheer him on when the time came.

    But just as she adjusted her coat, a voice, low and unmistakably familiar, brushed her ear. ¡°Trying that hard not to be recognized?¡±

    Maia stiffened. Her heart skipped a beat. She turned her head sharply. And there he was ¡ª Chris. His eyes were bright with amusement, his grin unbothered. Somehow, even with her disguise, he had picked her out of the crowd.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Maia asked under her breath, her voice tight with surprise.

    ¡°Naturally, I came to see the tournament unfold,¡± Chris said with azy grin, as if attending were as obvious as breathing. ¡°Had I known you woulde here too, I would¡¯ve dly caught a lift with you.¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes settled on his shoulder, brow furrowing. ¡°You¡¯re hurt ¡ª shouldn¡¯t you be resting at home, not gallivanting around?¡±

    Chris gave a low chuckle,ced with mischief. ¡°Are you worried about me? Don¡¯t lose sleep over it ¡ª I know where to draw the line.¡±

    Maia fell silent, momentarily out of words, and shifted her gaze toward the arena, scanning the crowd in search of Ethan.

    Just then, the host¡¯s animated voice rang out, setting the wheels of the tournament in motion with a ceremonious opening speech.

    As the participants began filing in, the stands erupted into a storm of cheers and apuse. From every region, teams roared in unison, lifting their top ten like champions before the battle.

    As the host city, Wront had the honor of presenting its contestantsst, holding their aces up their sleeve.

    With barely contained excitement, the host introduced the hometown yers ¡ª Mnie and Marisa ¡ª who stood side by side in the team, their res sharp enough to slice through steel.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 469

    ?Chapter 469:

    ¡°Andst but not least, Ethan Watson,¡± the host called out, only to find an empty space where the contestant should have stood. He nced about, puzzled. ¡°Where is he?¡±

    Ethan, nerves creeping in like shadows before dusk, had been lurking in a corner.

    ¡°Over here!¡± he shouted, jogging toward center stage.

    ¡°Ethan?!¡± Mnie and Marisa eximed together, their surprise unmistakable.

    Mnie had half-suspected a coincidence ¡ª just someone with the same name. But the moment sheid eyes on him, her doubts were dashed. Her face twisted. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me! You, the eternal bookworm, made it into the offline tournament?¡±

    Marisa sauntered over,zily biting into her lollipop, and gave Ethan a friendly smack on the shoulder. ¡°Sneaky move, huh? Well done!¡±

    Ethan scratched his head, his cheeks blooming red. ¡°I just figured I¡¯d give it a shot.¡±

    At that, Mnie couldn¡¯t resist twisting the knife. ¡°You? You¡¯ve barely yed a handful of games, and you think you¡¯re tournament material? Do you even meet the bar?¡±

    Before the moment could sour further, Marisa stepped in, arms folded, her tone sharp. ¡°Why are you so agitated? Anyone who qualifies for the offline tournament is among the top ten in their region. How does he not qualify?¡±

    Mnie rolled her eyes dramatically. ¡°He¡¯s probably just filling a slot. Don¡¯t act like he¡¯s about to snatch the trophy.¡±

    Then, narrowing her gaze with a wolfish smile, she added, ¡°Just don¡¯t forget our little wager if you lose, Marisa.¡±

    Mnie was set on winning ¡ª of that, there was no doubt. She¡¯d hired professional yers to sharpen her gaming skills, and the effect was significant.

    Marisa snorted. ¡°You¡¯re already celebrating when the fight hasn¡¯t even begun? Dream on. And watch your manners ¡ª I hope your voice can be as loud as it is now when you apologize to Ethan!¡±

    ???? ?????????? ???? ???????????? ¡ª ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°You!¡± Mnie sputtered, caught between anger and disbelief. ¡°Forget it. I won¡¯t waste breath arguing. I¡¯ll see you fall ¡ª fair and square.¡±

    Unaware of the undercurrent between them, the host assumed they were trading strategies and jumped in. ¡°Contestants, please proceed to your stations! I will now exin the rules of the tournament.¡±

    Meanwhile, in the stands, the students from ss One of the elite preparatory program, who hade to spectate, sat in stunned silence.

    ¡°Are my eyes ying tricks on me? I¡¯ve been grinding non-stop and didn¡¯t make it, but Ethan, of all people ¡ª who¡¯s never yed any game ¡ª did?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s always buried in textbooks. When would he even have time to train?¡±

    ¡°Look, he¡¯s thest to walk onstage. Probably the weakest link in the chain. If he makes it past the first three rounds, I¡¯ll eat my shoe!¡±

    Mnie¡¯s loyal crew took turns ridiculing Ethan, their wordsced with derision and mockery.

    ¡°Now, let the tournament officially begin!¡± the host dered, and therge screen lit up with the random match pairings.

    Each contestant was paired with another, names shuffled like a deck of fate. Losers were cast out, while winners marched onward ¡ª round after round, until only one stood tall.

    Marisa and Mnie exchanged a fleeting nce, both disappointed. They had hoped to face each other immediately, to settle scores from the get-go.

    With the tournament now in full swing, every contestant began their match simultaneously. The massive screen fractured into dozens of smaller windows, each broadcasting a battle in real time.

    Game streamers from every corner of the map focused intently on their regional stars. The organizers, thoughtful to a fault, had even provided equipment tailored to their needs.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 470

    ?Chapter 470:

    But before the dust could even settle, within three minutes of kickoff, Marisa had already delivered a crushing blow to her opponent and imed her victory.

    Her moves were a masterss in precision ¡ª each decision clean, calcted, and lethal. Like a sword unsheathed, she struck once and left no room for resistance. The crowd gasped, a wave of awe sweeping over them.

    ¡°This one¡¯s a beast! Could she be ranked top ten on the national leaderboard?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t even catch what she did ¡ª the match ended before I could blink!¡±

    Even the host was swept up in admiration, singing praises for her wless execution.

    Her defeated opponent, unable to swallow the loss, yanked off his headset and stormed off in a huff.

    From the audience, students from ss Three burst into cheers. ¡°Marisa, you¡¯re the best!¡±

    A few momentster, Mnie wrapped up her match as well, her victory equally effortless.

    A local game streamer, unable to contain his excitement, jumped to his feet and shouted, marveling that Wront had given rise to not one, but two prodigies of the digital arena.

    Although the other contestants showed impressive skills, none coulde close to the electrifying impact left by Marisa and Mnie¡¯s earlier performances!

    The massive screen at the venue lit up, reying the highlights of their intense match, sending the crowd into a frenzy of cheers and deafening screams.

    The camera smoothly swept over to the row ofpetitors¡¯ seats, zooming in on the tense atmosphere among them.

    Mnie lounged back in her seat, a smug grin tugging at her lips as she watched the rey unfold.

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??; ???????????? ??????????

    The moment the screen shed Marisa¡¯s swift five-minute victory, Mnie¡¯s lips twisted into a faint, disdainful sneer.

    In Mnie¡¯s mind, Marisa had simply lucked out by going up against an inexperienced rookie. If she had been the one facing that beginner, she would¡¯ve crushed the match just as easily.

    Mnie shot a sideways nce at Marisa, her lips curling into a mocking smile. ¡°You¡¯re nothing special ¡ª just a little luckier than the rest of us,¡± she said, tossing her hair back with an air of superiority.

    Marisa, halfway through peeling the wrapper off her lollipop, paused and lifted an eyebrow at the jab. Letting out a soft chuckle, she twirled the candy between her fingers and said, ¡°Luck¡¯s just another kind of talent, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Mnie let out an exaggerated snort, her whole posture dripping with bratty, princess-like arrogance. ¡°You¡¯re lucky we didn¡¯t meet before the finals,¡± she huffed proudly. ¡°I would¡¯ve sent you packing without a second thought!¡±

    Marisa shed a slow, mischievous grin, slipping the lollipop into her mouth with azy flick. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m eager to go head-to-head with you. Just try not to cry when Ie out on top!¡± she teased, her voiceced with yful bravado.

    Choosing to ignore Mnie¡¯s sour expression, Marisa redirected her attention toward the screen showing Ethan¡¯s match.

    She tuned in just in time to witness the final, decisive moments of his gamey.

    Ethan hade out on top.

    His win wasn¡¯t exactly shy ¡ª he kept a steady rhythm throughout, never pushing for any big, dramatic moves.

    In the end, it was his opponent¡¯s sloppy mistake that practically handed Ethan his first win on a silver tter.

    ¡°Not bad,¡± Marisa remarked, her tone light but approving. She quirked an eyebrow and added with a teasing smirk, ¡°You did better than Mnie, that¡¯s for sure!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 471

    ?Chapter 471:

    In the stands, Maia let out a quiet, relieved exhale.

    Despite her confidence in Ethan¡¯s abilities ¡ª his prowess in the game was undeniable ¡ª her anxiety had quietly gnawed at her throughout the match.

    Competitive gaming demanded every ounce of a yer¡¯s skill, strategic acumen, and psychological resilience, rivaling the intensity of traditional sports.

    Her primary concern was Ethan¡¯s psychological well-being.

    His harsh childhood in the slums had shaped him into a profound introvert, and today marked his debut in apetition of such magnitude. Could he truly adapt, mentally and emotionally, to the pressure of performing before an expansive audience?

    A wave of hesitation rippled through Maia¡¯s chest, tightening her heart with unease.

    Maia¡¯s brow was furrowed with worry, a detail that Chris didn¡¯t miss.

    With a raised eyebrow, he inquired, ¡°Do you know that yer named Ethan Watson?¡±

    Snapping out of her daze, Maia wavered for a moment before murmuring a soft, nomittal, ¡°Yeah¡­¡±

    Chris rubbed his chin and pretended to ponder carefully. ¡°You two share ast name¡­ and you look like you¡¯re ready to run onto the stage for him. Are you family?¡±

    Maia was taken aback, her heart skipping a beat.

    She had deliberately kept the truth about Ethan and Kathie from Chris, aiming to dodge any unnecessaryplications, particrly with their marriage destined toe to an end when her task waspleted. Thest thing she needed was their sham marriage bing the talk of the town, tangled in endless exnations that she¡¯d rather avoid.

    Yet, Chris¡¯ astuteness had caught her off guard. His intuition had pieced together the puzzle she hadn¡¯t intended toy out so soon. Cornered, with her secrets peeling away, Maia resigned herself to transparency.

    The rest on g???????¦Í?????????????

    With a steadying breath, she confirmed in a level voice, ¡°Yes, he¡¯s my younger brother.¡±

    Chris¡¯ eyes widened slightly, a flicker of realization crossing his features. ¡°So you do have a brother! That exins your enthusiasm today!¡± His tone mixed surprise with a yful usation.

    He had, in fact, been privy to this information before. Maxwell had once offhandedly mentioned that Maia¡¯s brother, Ethan, was part of the elite preparatory program at Wront University. However, since Maia had never brought it up, Chris had filed it away without further inquiry.

    Now, seeing Ethan in person for the first time ¡ª a young man whose striking resemnce to Maia was unmistakable ¡ª Chris couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit unprepared.

    ¡°I wish I¡¯d known earlier; I would have brought a banner or something to cheer him on!¡± he joked, his smile faltering into a concerned frown. ¡°Meeting him for the first time and Ie empty-handed. What should I do?¡±

    Maia quickly waved off his worry. ¡°Really, it¡¯s fine¡­¡±

    She was about to delve into the messy details ¡ª that Ethan was still unaware of their marriage ¡ª but the words tangled in her throat. It just seemed tooplex to unpack right then.

    Chris narrowed his piercing gaze at Maia, a mix of concern and determination flickering across his face. ¡°That¡¯s not right, Maia. He¡¯s your brother, after all. It¡¯s crucial that I make a good impression.¡±

    Maia remained silent, her fingers tensing ever so slightly, an unspoken storm brewing behind her calm exterior.

    Meanwhile, on the other side, Mnie¡¯s expression morphed into one of sheer astonishment as she watched Ethan unexpectedly progress to the next round. ¡°He actually won?¡± she murmured, disbelief tinging her voice.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 472

    ?Chapter 472:

    But as she reyed Ethan¡¯s match on her phone, her initial surprise turned to disdain. ¡°Really? He was just filling a spot. Winning that? Pure luck.¡± Her tone dripped with scorn.

    The match had beenughably easy, yet Ethan still dragged it out like an amateur. If anything, he had stumbled into victory by ident, not skill.

    Catching that mocking tone, Marisa shot her a sidelong nce, one brow arched in yful challenge. ¡°Mnie,¡± she drawled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°How about a little bet? Next round, let¡¯s see who finishes faster.¡±

    Mnie scoffed and crossed her arms, shing a cocky smirk. ¡°Hah! Bring it on. I¡¯m not scared.¡±

    From that moment on, the elimination rounds felt less like serious matches and more like a full-blown sprint between the two girls.

    Marisa moved through her battles with ruthless grace, her every click and move sharp as a de, cutting straight through her opponents¡¯ defenses without hesitation. Meanwhile, Mnie unleashed her own storm, chaining her moves together so smoothly that it looked like she had choreographed the entire sequence beforehand.

    One by one, they tore through their rivals, leaving a trail of chaos and defeated yers behind them.

    Their rivalry ignited the stands, where Marisa¡¯s ardent supporters and Mnie¡¯s enthusiastic admirers shed vocally.

    ¡°Mnie¡¯s got this in the bag! Just wait ¡ª Marisa¡¯s gonna be the one getting humiliated!¡±

    ¡°What nonsense! Marisa¡¯s clearly dominating the game. It¡¯s Mnie who should start preparing for her punishment!¡±

    ¡°Honestly, just picturing that already has meughing! Such an arrogant woman like Mnie apologizing to Ethan and Maia again in public. I guess she¡¯d rather die than do that!¡±

    Check exclusive content g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°Right? It¡¯s going to be absolutely hrious!¡±

    ¡°The match isn¡¯t even finished yet! What¡¯s ss Three getting so excited about? Just wait ¡ª you¡¯ll be eating your words soon enough!¡±

    The buzz about Marisa and Mnie crackled through the livestream and echoed all over the stadium, the atmosphere growing more electric by the second.

    ¡°There¡¯s no doubt about it ¡ª today¡¯s champion will definitely be either Marisa or Mnie!¡±

    ¡°One¡¯s got killer instincts, the other¡¯s a technical genius! Wront City really raised some fierce talents ¡ª and they¡¯re both women!¡±

    ¡°So, who¡¯s your pick for the champion? Any bets?¡±

    ¡°My money¡¯s on Mnie! Marisa might be good, but she can¡¯t possibly outguess every move Mnie throws at her!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m backing Marisa! Sure, Mnie¡¯s sharp, but Marisa¡¯s grasp of the game runs way deeper. That¡¯s gonna make all the difference!¡±

    As the debate heated up, the live stream added a fun twist byunching a poll to predict the winner. The votes for Mnie and Marisa were neck and neck, demonstrating the split opinion.

    Among the viewers, poor Ethan barely made a ripple in the poll, receiving only two votes ¡ª one from Maia and the other from Chris. After casting his vote, Chris looked up at thepetition arena¡­

    Which one of them could the social media user ¡°Winters¡± be?

    The host on stage, brimming with energy, unveiled thetest phase of thepetition.

    As contenders were steadily knocked out, the contest reached a fever pitch, drawing everyone deeper into the suspense.

    .

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 Chapter 473

    ?Chapter 473:

    Marisa and Mnie continued to dominate the arena, leaving others secretly hoping fate would spare them from squaring off against either powerhouse.

    On the flip side, Ethan¡¯s performance remained underwhelming ¡ª though technically still in the running, his progress was riddled with baffling errors and narrow survivals, barely scraping through each bout on endurance alone.

    ¡°Victory¡¯s within reach!¡± echoed the frustrated cry of those who fell to him.

    This birthed a shared belief: anyone bested by Ethan had simply been unlucky. The rest were convinced they¡¯d breeze past him if given the chance.

    So while contestants prayed not to be paired with Marisa or Mnie, they secretly crossed their fingers for a matchup against the so-called weakest link.

    The event had be a runaway hit, far exceeding the expectations of both organizers and backers. Viewer numbers eclipsed allpeting broadcasts.

    L, representing Ark Tech, was swamped ¡ª juggling endless updates as he tried to inform udius of the unfolding triumph.

    ¡°Sir, it¡¯s madness! My inbox is flooded with ad requests, brand deals, and partnership pitches! You really saw thising ¡ª the stock price hit its upper cap today!¡±

    udius¡¯ lips curled into a knowing grin. ¡°No need to rush. This is only the warm-up. Once the final whistle blows, I¡¯ll personally hand the trophy to the victor.¡±

    L¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You¡¯ll present the award yourself? That¡¯ll skyrocket the buzz even further!¡±

    udius arched an eyebrow ¡ª exactly the oue he had orchestrated.

    When hemitted to something, he pursued nothing short of excellence.

    This was his unwavering ethos.

    ????????????????: g????????????????.??????

    In romance, too, he held high standards ¡ª settling for mediocrity wasn¡¯t in his nature.

    A vision of Maia, lean and regal, flickered in his thoughts.

    After ending the call, he immediately rang his aide with amand.¡°Bring the car around. We¡¯re visiting the technology museum. Now.¡±

    Back at the tournament venue, thepetition had thinned dramatically¡ªonly ten hopefuls remained. Marisa, Mnie, and Ethan were among them.

    Those who advanced had clearly unlocked the deeper mechanics of the experience. A few had even discovered how to harness the foundational algorithms¡ªcrafted by Maia herself¡ªto reverse hopeless scenarios and im unexpected wins.

    Maia had deliberately left space for innovation, ensuring the system allowed for fluid, tactical creativity. Mastering the rules, bending them to their advantage, and even inventing new strategies allowed yers to fully showcase their abilities. That freedom was part of her original concept, sketched out during her incarceration¡ªand now, it had finally materialized, four years in the making.

    Industry execs in the crowd were visibly agitated, desperate to unmask the game¡¯s mysterious architect. All they managed to learn mirrored what udius had found: the elusive designer went by¡°Griffin,¡±or simply¡°Mr. G.¡±

    The host returned, standing tall beside the finalists, and dered,¡°Apuse to our top ten contenders! The next segment will determine their final cements as they face off against each other. The top scorer earns the grand prize¡ªone million dors!¡±The audience erupted, their shouts shaking the arena.

    The host raised a hand, signaling for quiet, and continued once the noise subsided,¡°Additionally, the top three participants will be offered contracts by Ark Tech,unching them into professional gaming stardom in the esports world!¡±

    Pandemonium followed¡ªeyes widened, mouths dropped. Until now, everyone had assumed that Marisa and Mnie would dominate without resistance, draining much of thepetitive fire. But the prospect of joining Ark Tech reignited the participants¡¯ ambition like a jolt of caffeine. Suddenly, every one of the contestants, wanting a piece of the spotlight, was brimming with energy.

    After all, bing a professional yer under Ark Technology promised an annual sry in the seven-figure range.

    .

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 Chapter 474

    ?Chapter 474:

    For the average contender, this was a rare shot at rewriting their future. If the top spot was out of reach, second or third ce suddenly became just as desirable.

    ¡°All eyes on the screen now ¡ª new matchups are being generated!¡± the host announced.

    Names flickered rapidly across the digital disy, spinning like a slot machine before settling.

    When the results appeared, a collective gasp escaped from the students of the elite preparatory program.

    Marisa and Mnie had once again avoided shing.

    However, Ethan drew the short straw ¡ª his next challenger was none other than Mario Valdez, Varninski¡¯s top seed, infamous for his masterful control and intricate tactics.

    Marisa¡¯s camp groaned, clearly disappointed. ¡°That¡¯s it for him. Mario¡¯s going to crush him.¡±

    Mnie¡¯s supporters, on the other hand, snickered with smug satisfaction. ¡°He should¡¯ve been knocked out long ago. He skated by on luck and easy opponents. A nerd dreaming of pro gaming? Ridiculous. Now reality¡¯s about to hit him hard.¡±

    In the crowd, Chris leaned closer to Maia and asked quietly, ¡°Do you think Ethan stands a chance?¡±

    Maia¡¯s fingers curled slightly, betraying her nerves.

    If this had been just a normal practice, Ethan would have shone for sure, but she feared that his head wasn¡¯t in the game, and that might cause him to stumble. After all, hisst few bouts hadn¡¯t truly showcased his skill.

    Maia drew in a steady breath and spoke with quiet confidence. ¡°Win or lose, if he puts his heart into it, that counts as a win to me.¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Chris moved closer, his voice near her ear. ¡°I really admire how you see things. I trust Ethan; he won¡¯t disappoint you.¡±

    Read exclusive content at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    His closeness and the warmth of his breath sent a small thrill through Maia¡¯s chest. Yet, inexplicably, she felt a sense of calm.

    Just then, Chris¡¯ phone buzzed. He pulled it out and saw a Twitter message from ¡°Winters.¡± It read, ¡°I¡¯ve made it into the top ten!¡± Chris nced around the arena; it was a short break, and plenty ofpetitors were glued to their phones.

    He typed back, ¡°Congrats! Do you think you¡¯ve got what it takes to win it all?¡±

    ¡°Winters¡± fired back quickly, ¡°For sure! I checked out the others, and they aren¡¯t nearly as tough as I expected!¡±

    Chris grinned slyly and wrote, ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll go ahead and congratte you ahead of time. Looks like I¡¯ll be handing over that gift after all.¡±

    Just then, the host called out that the contest was back on, and ¡°Winters¡± stopped texting Chris.

    Chris turned his eyes to the arena, locking onto Ethan as he prepared for his fight. He wondered who this mysterious ¡°Winters¡± really was.

    The fight for a spot in the top ten kicked off in earnest!

    The giant screen showed five matches running side by side.

    From the opposite side, Mario, Varninski¡¯s defending champ, sneered at Ethan, his expression full of scorn. ¡°Hey, kid, quit wasting your time. Just throw in the towel early, or you¡¯ll end up crying and making a fool of yourself!¡±

    Ethan said nothing and calmly slipped on his headphones.

    Before long, every yer was deep into their matches. Marisa and Mnie continued to dominate the field with their top-notch skills.

    However, this round brought together the best yers from all regions, unlike the earlier knockouts. A clear win was almost out of reach. As expected, the screens showed that nearly every match was a tough, close fight.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 475

    ?Chapter 475:

    In the bottom left corner, Ethan¡¯s match barely drew attention.

    Everyone figured the oue was already decided.

    No one gave Ethan much chance; he was seen as the underdog.

    The crowd kept their eyes glued to the screens showing Marisa and Mnie, where the intense battles earned cheers from the audience. Only Maia and Chris remained focused on Ethan¡¯s match.

    Right then, Marisa and Mnie pulled ahead, both hungry to im the first victory.

    Out of nowhere, the game screen shed with a surprising turn.

    Everyone¡¯s focus snapped to it, and when they saw what was happening, gasps and shocked cries filled the air!

    Even with her headphones on, Mnie caught the crowd¡¯s astonished reactions. What was happening? She nced up at the big screen overhead, and her eyes widened in surprise!

    At the same time, Marisa peeked over, almost dropping her lollipop from sheer disbelief!

    Down in the bottom left corner, the most overlooked match had finally wrapped up.

    ¡°Winner: Ethan Watson!¡±

    Hardly anyone had anticipated such an oue.

    Everyone in the venue waspletely shocked. What?! It had only been three minutes, and Ethan had already beaten Varninski¡¯s top yer! How could that happen? How did he pull off the win? Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be the weakest of the top ten yers?

    They stood there, stunned, their mouths agape.

    The live stream chat exploded immediately!

    L??t??st ch??pt??rs in g¦Ál??ovels.c?m

    ¡°No way! Did you see Ethan¡¯s move just now?¡±

    ¡°Was he faking it all along? Looks like he wasn¡¯t messing around ¡ª he came to dominate!¡±

    ¡°His skills and game sense are incredible ¡ª he knows the game inside and out!¡±

    The students from the elite preparatory program were caught off guard. What was going on? How did Ethan pull off that win?

    Even Mario, who had been so confident, was left scratching his head. He hadn¡¯t even figured out Ethan¡¯s strategy before getting knocked out cold.

    Was Ethan cheating?

    The thought made Mario see red. He ripped off his headset and mmed it on the table, yelling, ¡°Ethan must¡¯ve been hacking! I want a rematch right now!¡±

    The organizers frowned. They had already double-checked all the gear and yer ounts before the match ¡ª cheating was out of the question. The contest was still ongoing, and with other yers still in the game, Mario making such a scene would only disrupt the flow and harm the tournament.

    Ethan took off his headphones without a fuss, stood up, and gave Mario a look as if he were watching a clown. Then, he said, cool as ice, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say not to waste my time? I just gave you exactly what you asked for.¡±

    Mario¡¯s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

    He stormed over to the organizers¡¯ table, shouting, ¡°This tournament¡¯s rigged! Give me a rematch or kick Ethan out for cheating ¡ª or I¡¯ll blow the whole thing up online!¡±

    The organizers were speechless. They had never dealt with someone so bitter. Losing wasn¡¯t the problem; refusing to ept it was.

    With a quick nod from the head organizer, a group of tall security guards moved in and forcibly dragged Mario off the stage. Mario thrashed around wildly, cursing like a madman, lookingpletely unhinged, as though the loss had sent his mind spiraling out of control.

    Meanwhile, Marisa, still reeling from Ethan¡¯s win, snapped back to her own game. She bit down hard on her lollipop, realizing she had almost let her opponent slip past her due to the shock. Now, she had to dig deep and fight tooth and nail to win. Losing in front of Ethan? That would be beyond embarrassing.

    .

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 Chapter 476

    ?Chapter 476:

    Mnie was in the same boat. Distracted by Ethan¡¯s unexpected upset, she nearly threw her match away. Clenching her jaw, she vowed to pour every ounce of energy into finishing quickly. She wasn¡¯t about to lose to Ethan, the bookish kid.

    At that moment, even though Marisa and Mnie were facing different rivals, it felt as though they were up against the same opponent.

    One after another, the five matches wrapped up, with Marisa and Mnie advancing.

    The host then announced that Ethan, having finished his match the quickest, imed the top spot among all the advancing contestants. That meant Ethan would skip straight to the finals!

    The other four would battle it out one-on-one, and whoever came out on top would face Ethan for the championship.

    The crowd erupted in wild cheers!

    The quiet kid everyone had written off had pulled off an unbelievable upset. Not only had he defeated Varninski¡¯s number one yer, but he¡¯d also secured a direct spot in the finals. So what had he been pretending for earlier?

    From the stands, Maia watched everything with a pleased smile.

    ¡°My little brother-inw¡¯s something else,¡± Chris said, folding his arms and looking at Ethan with new respect. ¡°That was a slick move, acting weak just to throw off his opponents. Even you and I fell for it.¡±

    Maia beamed quietly. So, Ethan hadn¡¯t beencking confidence before. He had yed the role of the underdog on purpose, making others drop their guard. Then, when it counted, he struck hard and won decisively! Not only was he skilled at the game, but he also knew how to y the psychological game too. She had seriously underestimated him.

    Meanwhile, Chris remembered the private message from ¡°Winters¡± he had received earlier. Suddenly, a thought struck him. Could Ethan actually be ¡°Winters¡±?

    After winning her match, Marisa quickly yanked off her headphones and dashed over to Ethan, grinning as she yfully patted his shoulder. ¡°You sneaky thing, hiding all those skills! When did you get so good?¡±

    ???????????? ????????: ???????????????¦Í??????????©q?????????

    Ethan flinched from the sudden tap, rubbing his shoulder before looking up at Marisa with a grin. ¡°I¡¯m not that strong; my sister taught me well.¡±

    ¡°Your sister?¡± Marisa bit off thest piece of her lollipop, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You mean Maia taught you those moves?¡±

    Ethan gave a small nod. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve barely begun to tap into what I can do. My sister¡¯s got way more talent than me.¡±

    Marisa was stunned into silence for a few seconds. The massive disy had just shown Ethan¡¯s jaw-dropping gamey all over again. Did he even realize how insane his skills looked? And now he was saying that his sister was even better? Unless she was ranked number one, who would believe that?

    On the sidelines, Mnie had also made it through her own match, but her face was tight with anger. She threw a sharp look toward Ethan, grinding her teeth in pure annoyance. Since when had this quiet, book-loving guy turned into such a powerhouse? It was totally out of the blue. He had made it to the finals like it was nothing! Mnie felt like someone had hit her square in the face ¡ª her cheeks were zing hot. After what Ethan had just pulled off, she no longer felt sure that she could beat him. And if she ended up losing, how could she face everyone back in ss One without feeling ashamed?

    Mnie felt a heavy weight settle in her chest.

    Still, she told herself that as long as she came out on top against Marisa, the day wouldn¡¯t be a total loss. After all, the person she bet against was Marisa.

    Clinging to that small bit of hope, she inhaled slowly and fixed her eyes on Marisa, who stood next to Ethan. Beating Ethan might be out of reach, but she had no intention of letting Marisa walk away with a victory. Otherwise, apologizing to Maia and Ethan again in public would be beyond humiliating ¡ª she¡¯d never live it down!

    .

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 Chapter 477

    ?Chapter 477:

    Before long, the second round of the tournament kicked off.

    Both Mnie and Marisa managed to take down their challengers. Atst, the two of them stood face to face in the semifinals ¡ª their long-awaited sh finally about to unfold.

    ¡°Check it out ¡ª it¡¯s the sh of two gaming prodigies! Who¡¯s going to reach the final?¡±

    ¡°I figured one of them would be the winner, but Ethan really came out of nowhere!¡±

    Noticing the excitement, the event staff chose to broadcast the match on the giant screen.

    The inte chat exploded. Messages came in so fast that they nearly drowned out the stream. Fans had been itching to see Mnie and Marisa go head-to-head for what felt like forever.

    Backstage, Mnie turned to Marisa with a bold grin and said, ¡°Don¡¯t go running off when you lose. I want you to own it and admit defeat in front of the crowd! And from then on, I¡¯ll be your boss. Without my permission, you¡¯re banned from entering ss One!¡±

    Marisa arched a brow. ¡°Whoever chickens out after losing is nothing but a cowardly bitch!¡±

    Meanwhile, Ethan stood quietly in the rest zone just off the field, rooting for Marisa in his heart.

    With only two minutes left on the clock before the semifinals kicked off, a loud sports car engine suddenly roared from the side of the stadium, turning every head in the ce.

    Sunlight poured through the tall ss windows of the technology museum, and a sh of red swerved into view, catching the light like fire.

    A sleek red Lamborghini came to a dramatic stop, its tires screeching as it halted barely two feet from the ss.

    ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Right as the crowd leaned in, curious about who might emerge, the car¡¯s trunk popped open on its own with a soft mechanical hiss.

    With a sharp crack, fireworks exploded into the air.

    Right after that, a bunch of helium balloons soared skyward. Each one dangled a banner with words like ¡°Marisa, go for the win!¡± ¡°The crown belongs to Marisa!¡± and ¡°Marisa, trust yourself¡ªmake magic happen!¡± The crowd stood frozen, wide-eyed in disbelief.

    Just then, the Lamborghini¡¯s engine let out another deep growl and rolled toward the main revolving door.

    Once the car came to a full stop, the door finally swung open ¡ª and out stepped a strong, well-toned leg.

    The spectators stretched their necks, trying to get a better look as a man hopped out of the car wearing bright beach shorts and a loud, floral-print shirt ¡ªpletely shing with the intense, serious vibe of the tournament. He pushed up his dark sunsses and lifted his gaze toward thepetition stage.

    Marisa, busy with her final warm-ups, caught sight of him ¡ª and her slim figure gave a slight jolt. She locked eyes on him and let out a frustrated breath. ¡°Oh no, not him!¡± Why on earth had her brother shown up?

    She had made sure not to tell Maxwell about the tournament, certain that he¡¯d pull some ridiculous stunt.

    Maxwell climbed out of the car without a care and walked into the building like he owned the ce. The guards stationed at the door looked like they¡¯d been paid off. Not only did they avoid stopping Maxwell, but they even made way for him, helping him slip right into the crowd without a fuss.

    Someone shifted aside, giving Maxwell room to stand right at the edge of the stage. Facing Marisa head-on, he dramatically opened a banner with three huge golden words ¡ª Marisa, The Champion!

    At the same time, someone nearby passed him a megaphone. He wasted no time yelling into it, ¡°Marisa! You better grab that first ce! If you even think about losing to Mnie, kiss your allowance goodbye!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 478

    ?Chapter 478:

    Marisa wanted the ground to swallow her whole. It felt like she¡¯d just been publicly executed by embarrassment. People nearby stared at Maxwell, caught between secondhand embarrassment and genuine pity for Marisa.

    The students of the elite preparatory program were left speechless, jaws practically on the floor.

    ¡°Who is this guy? He¡¯s acting so over-the-top ¡ª it¡¯s making me feel awkward for Marisa!¡±

    ¡°No clue. I¡¯ve never heard Marisa talk about him before. But didn¡¯t he say something about her allowance? Maybe he¡¯s her dad?¡±

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t look old enough for that. Honestly, he¡¯s kind of good-looking. Maybe he¡¯s her older brother?¡±

    Meanwhile, Maxwell remainedpletely unaware of the ufortable nces being thrown his way. He was all in ¡ª cheering for his sister with full force, heart and soul!

    Maxwell¡¯s loud antics made the host wince, who could only manage an uneasy smile as he said, ¡°We kindly remind friends and family to keep the noise down during matches.¡±

    But Maxwell didn¡¯t seem to care one bit. He was dead set on making sure that his sister stood out today. He¡¯d pulled some serious strings to get his shy sports car right inside the event area.

    In the crowd, Chris frowned at first, but then a reluctant chuckle slipped past his lips. Beside him, Maia had a thoughtful expression, watching Maxwell from behind with narrowed eyes. She felt like she had seen him somewhere before.

    Mnie couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter as she watched the scene unfold.

    ¡°Was that really necessary?¡± Mnie mocked Marisa outright. ¡°Making such a big deal over a tiny contest? This is over the top. Imagine how humiliating it would be if the person on the banner ended up losing. Don¡¯t you agree, Marisa?¡±

    ?????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???? g????????¦Í?????????????

    Marisa looked over at her brother, who kept jumping and shouting for her, then sighed deeply and rolled her eyes. Well, she decided to let it go. As long as Maxwell could have fun, she didn¡¯t want to care too much.

    In the next instant, Marisa pulled the lollipop out of her mouth, wrapped it up in paper, and pushed it to the side. Her face suddenly grew very serious.

    Her whole vibe changed in a sh. Her eyes turned icy as she said, ¡°Only weaklings keepining. The strong just let their skills speak.¡±

    With that, Marisa slipped on her headphones, gave Mnie a daring look, and lifted an eyebrow.

    Mnie snorted. ¡°Keep on pretending. I¡¯ll make sure you taste real defeat soon!¡±

    Marisa tapped her headphones and mouthed, ¡°What? Sorry, can¡¯t hear a thing!¡±

    That really got under Mnie¡¯s skin. She clenched her fists hard, making sure not to nce in Marisa¡¯s direction. She slipped on her own headphones, forcing her mind to focus.

    The announcer¡¯s voice thundered across the arena. ¡°The semifinals are officially underway!¡±

    The students from the elite preparatory program sprang up, shouting until their voices were raw, cheering for their champion.

    Maxwell gave it his all, yelling at full volume, his energy sparking a huge roar from the crowd.

    On the giant screen above the stage, Marisa quickly pulled far ahead. Her deep game knowledge and tricky moves pressed Mnie like never before.

    In person, Marisa was already known for being blunt and fierce. Inside the game, her clever strategies and nonstop pressure nearly drove Mnie over the edge.

    ¡°Marisa, you¡¯re the worst!¡± Mnie cried out, breathless, as sweat ran down her face.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 479

    ?Chapter 479:

    Still, she couldn¡¯t deny it ¡ª Marisa had gotten a lot better.

    Had she been pretending to be weaker earlier? Was her brother¡¯s support really giving her that much of a boost?

    What Mnie didn¡¯t realize was that it actually had.

    Marisa had always taken her image seriously, especially when her brother was watching. At first, Marisa had only joined the contest for a bit of fun. But now? She meant business.

    There was no chance she¡¯d let her next month¡¯s spending money slip through her fingers. And what happened next?

    In under five minutes, Mnie took a headshot and was knocked out of the game.

    Marisa imed the win with ease, while Maxwell went wild, swinging his g and yelling at the top of his lungs, ¡°That¡¯s my sister!¡±

    Mnie sat motionless at herputer, like someone had hit pause on her. She kept her eyes glued to the bright red letters shing on the screen, her face stuck in a look of pure disbelief.

    She had lost.

    She had been utterly destroyed.

    Marisa didn¡¯t just win ¡ª she ended the match without taking a single hit. And it all happened in under five minutes.

    The crowd fell silent, stunned. Everyone hade hoping for an intense, edge-of-your-seat sh between two gaming stars. Instead, they got a ruthless, one-way beatdown.

    Marisa¡¯s full power was something to behold.

    Until now, she had never even yed at her limit. She was clearly a natural talent when it came to games.

    L?t?st ?h??¦Ñt?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?ls.??0??

    But the big question still hung in the air ¡ª who would win in the end: Marisa or Ethan?

    After that performance, Ethan might actually be in trouble.

    Marisa took off her headphones, ced the lollipop back in her mouth, and strolled over to Mnie, who still lookedpletely stunned. She leaned one arm on the desk, tilted forward with a sly smile, and said, ¡°What¡¯s with the face? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re going to cry just because I wiped the floor with you?¡±

    Marisa moved in close to Mnie and murmured, ¡°It¡¯s okay. Let it out if you feel like crying. It¡¯s not embarrassing!¡±

    Mnie pressed her teeth into her lower lip, her eyes rimmed with red as she tried her best not to cry. She had worked so hard!

    She had trained tirelessly the entire week, but even after all that effort, she still couldn¡¯t manage to beat Marisa.

    Was it truly, just like Marisa had said, that without the Cooper Group¡¯s influence, she was nothing special?

    Watching Mnie, normally so proud and overbearing, lookpletely crushed and defeated for once, Marisa felt a wave of smug satisfaction wash over her.

    ¡°We made a deal earlier, didn¡¯t we? Now that you¡¯ve lost, don¡¯t pretend you forgot our bet!¡±

    Mnie¡¯s cheeks turned bright red with shame.

    Everyone in ss One of the elite preparatory program had heard about her challenge to Marisa. With so many students watching today, she couldn¡¯t wiggle her way out of this.

    But if she really apologized to Maia and Ethan in public, it would be no different from being humiliated in front of everyone.

    She balled her hands into fists, desperate for a hole in the floor to crawl into.

    .

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 Chapter 480

    Chapter 480:

    Just then, the host walked back onto the stage and cut their exchange short.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, we¡¯ve just seen an intense showdown between two crowd favorites. Let¡¯s give a big hand to Mnie Cooper for grabbing third ce!¡± the host announced, throwing a quick nce at Mnie. He had no clue whether he¡¯d said something wrong, but her expression turned sour and she looked away.

    Trying to brush off the tension, the host pushed on. ¡°Now it¡¯s time for the final round of the tournament! Who¡¯lle out on top ¡ª Marisa Payne or Ethan Watson? Let¡¯s stay tuned and find out!¡±

    Ethan Watson? The moment Maxwell heard the name, his thoughts went into overdrive.

    Wasn¡¯t this the brother Maia had brought out from the slums? Not only was he into gaming, but he had even made it to the final round?

    Maxwell couldn¡¯t believe his ears. He was genuinely taken aback.

    He¡¯d only found out about Marisa entering this gaming contest after catching an article online. Without watching the live broadcast, he had rushed straight to the venue.

    Because of that, he had no clue how Ethan had managed tond himself in the finals.

    Still, he was well aware of Marisa¡¯s incredible gaming skills. Even if Ethan had stumbled into the finals by sheer luck, going up against Marisa was no walk in the park.

    But then again, Ethan was Chris¡¯ treasured brother-inw. If Marisa ended up making the guy cry, wouldn¡¯t Chrise knocking on his door about it?

    With that thought nagging at him, Maxwell let out a long sigh. He hurried over to stand as close to Marisa as he could and whispered, ¡°Marisa! Go easy on him, okay?¡±

    Marisa shot him a look, clearly fed up with his fussing. Then she faced Maxwell, raised a finger to her lips, and gave him a clear sign to keep quiet.

    ???????? ???????? ????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°I¡¯m talking to you¡­¡± Maxwell snapped, clearly losing his temper, but Marisa didn¡¯t even nce his way.

    Without saying a word, she turned on her heel and walked off.

    Maxwell stood there, stunned,pletely at a loss.

    His sister was about to drag him down with her, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

    At least Chris hadn¡¯t made it back to Wront yet ¡ª maybe he¡¯d stay out of this mess?

    Marisa didn¡¯t spare Maxwell a second thought. She strode right up to Ethan, leaned her head slightly, and looked him in the eye. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you¡¯d be the one I¡¯d face at the end.¡±

    Ethan gave her a gentle smile. ¡°I figured it would be you. You¡¯re that good.¡±

    Marisa blinked, a little surprised by his words.

    Something about Ethan felt different today ¡ª he actually looked kind of appealing to her.

    Naturally, Ethan understood that going up against Marisa meant he couldn¡¯t count on an easy win.

    He had watched how she yed earlier. He had to admit she was solid in every area, without a single weak point. But still, he couldn¡¯t just throw in the towel ¡ª not after all the hard work he and Maia had poured in thesest few days!

    His sister was sitting somewhere in the crowd, and there was a chance his hero, Justiceze, might be tuning in too. Above all, Ethan truly wanted to win. He had his eyes on that champion title ¡ª and the million-dor prize that could make one of his small dreamse true.

    Maia¡¯s birthday was just around the corner. He wasn¡¯t about to quit now.

    Ethan¡¯s eyes narrowed with determination. No matter how tough the match got, he was set on beating Marisa.

    .

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Enjoy the weekend dear ones. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (=?=) /

    .

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 481

    ?Chapter 481:

    Marisa looked closely at Ethan¡¯s slightly refined features, her thoughts drifting for a brief moment. Then, out of the blue, she asked, ¡°Do you really care that much about winning the championship?¡±

    Ethan gave a firm nod.

    Marisa raised an eyebrow and went on, ¡°Is it about the million-dor prize? Or do you want to get picked up by Ark Technology and go pro in esports?¡±

    Ethan stayed silent. He pressed his lips into a tight line and kept his eyes locked on the keyboard in front of him.

    Marisa observed him for a few quiet seconds, then a faint smile tugged at her lips. ¡°Whatever your reason is, I won¡¯t go easy on you. I hope you won¡¯t go soft on me either. The beauty of esports lies in its fairness!¡± Her gaze grew intense as she looked him straight in the eye. ¡°If you really want that title, then beat me and show the world you¡¯re worthy of being the champion!¡±

    Ethan¡¯s eyes lit up with fierce resolve. He looked straight at Marisa and gave a firm nod. ¡°You may have helped me before, but I won¡¯t hold back. I¡¯m going to beat you. I promise ¡ª I¡¯ll give it everything I¡¯ve got!¡±

    Marisa grinned and gave his shoulder a quick pat. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit! Be bold ¡ª fight like a man!¡±

    With those words, she turned and headed back to her station, crunching down on the lollipop in her mouth. Her fingersnded on the keyboard, and in an instant, her yful look vanished ¡ª she was all business now.

    The moment both yers were set, the host¡¯s voice rang out, loud and clear. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, the final round is officially underway!¡±

    The countdown on the massive screen struck zero, and like clockwork, Ethan and Marisa sprang into motion!

    Their silhouettes zipped across the battlefield, locked in a fast-paced game of wits and instinct ¡ª each move sharper than thest, like des shing in a silent duel.

    Latest chapters g@ln¦Òv??ls?c©–m

    To Marisa¡¯s surprise, Ethan kept pace with her, neither yielding ground nor faltering. Meeting such a formidable adversary sent a jolt of exhration through her veins.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Ethan! Prove them all wrong. Show them what you¡¯re made of!¡± Marisa urged silently, relishing the electric thrill of the confrontation.

    The sh was fierce, a tug-of-war with no rope ¡ª no clear victor, only momentum swinging like a pendulum. Yet, the crowd¡¯s excitement reached a fever pitch, erupting into thunderous cheers and apuse that shook the room like a storm breaking loose.

    Maxwell, caught up in the frenzy, leaped onto his chair in a burst of enthusiasm, entirely forgetting that Ethan was, after all, Chris¡¯ brother-inw.

    Meanwhile, thementators were practically tripping over their own words, trying to keep pace with the whirlwind of tactical brilliance unfolding before them.

    In the live chat, the energy was no less explosive.

    ¡°Oh my God, what kind of celestial showdown is this? My mind¡¯s blown ¡ª this match is off the charts!¡±

    ¡°This is pure madness. The level of skill makes every previous match look like child¡¯s y!¡±

    ¡°Ethan¡¯s a total knockout ¡ª I¡¯m falling head over heels for him!¡±

    ¡°Marisa is beyond cool! I love them both to bits!¡±

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I¡¯m shipping them. They¡¯re rivals with chemistry ¡ª like fire and ice learning to dance.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not the only one! I¡¯ve fallen for thempletely! What a perfect match!¡±

    Back in the audience, Maxwell sat frozen in disbelief. This wasn¡¯t the narrative he¡¯d written in his head, where his sister would breeze past Ethan with ease. Could she actually¡­ lose?

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 Chapter 482

    ?Chapter 482:

    He shook his head violently, as if trying to dislodge the thought. Impossible! That simply couldn¡¯t be. He vividly remembered how badly he had been defeated by Marisa at home. The timer crept into the fifteenth minute.

    Sweat shimmered on both yers¡¯ foreheads, the tension now as thick as fog before dawn. Ethan¡¯s breaths quickened; his palms burned from the relentless tempo of the game.

    With the match teetering toward its final countdown, the system would soon transition into the damage weight scoring phase. If no victor emerged by thest tick of the clock, the game would crown the yer with the highest total damage dealt.

    And right now, Ethan was slightly behind. If this pace held, the loss was his to im.

    Ethan¡¯s fingers tightened around his mouse. Then, like a candle catching a sudden gust of inspiration, he remembered Maia¡¯s words: ¡°Ethan, ying a game is like solving a puzzle. When the front door won¡¯t budge, look for the side entrance.¡±

    His gaze sharpened instantly, like a hunter spotting a break in the trees.

    In the blink of an eye, Ethan changed tactics. He abandoned frontal assaults and began weaving along the edge of the map ¡ª what looked like stalling was a calcted dance along the fringe.

    Marisa blinked, caught off guard. ¡°What¡¯s he doing?¡± Running away? No!

    ¡°He¡¯s luring me!¡± The realization struck her like lightning. Her eyes widened ¡ª but the trap had already sprung.

    Ethan pounced on an overlooked vantage point, a subtle high ground hidden in in sight, and slipped into her blind spot.

    One precise shot¡ª clean, sharp, and lethal.

    Feel inspired by g¦Á ?¦Ç ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s,

    ¡°Final Kill!¡±

    The entire venue held its breath for a heartbeat, and then ¡ª it exploded.

    ¡°Ethan takes the victory!¡±

    The host¡¯s voice shattered through the noise, raw with disbelief and joy.

    Maxwell stood rooted to the spot, as if fate itself had struck him down with a bolt from the blue. His brain emptied of thought.

    The banner in his hand slipped to the ground, forgotten. His expression twitched in disbelief. Ethan¡­ actually won? Was this real? His sister ¡ª his invincible sister Marisa ¡ª had been defeated? And Ethan¡¯s strategy? It defied logic and expectation. How could someone who had hardly known any video game before hone skills like that in such a short time? Was this what people called a gaming prodigy? He had thought Maia was already one in a million ¡ª but her brother had just rewritten the odds. What kind of family was this?

    Maxwell stood there, dazed, as if the earth had shifted beneath his feet. It was bing clear: the woman Chris had taken an interest in was far from ordinary. And apparently, neither was her family.

    Meanwhile, backstage, Mnie sat rigid in her chair, herplexion drained of color. She stared at the final score, unable to digest the result. This oue was harder to swallow than her own defeat at Marisa¡¯s hands. The champion was none other than Ethan ¡ª the very person she had dismissed as irrelevant.

    Marisa¡¯s words echoed in her mind: ¡°When you face realpetition, without your fancyst name, everyone will see what a joke you are.¡±

    She couldn¡¯t beat Marisa, and now¡­ not even Ethan.

    At that moment, Mnie¡¯s carefully built pride cracked. Her confidence ¡ª the armor she¡¯d always worn ¡ª fell apart, piece by piece.

    Back on the stage, Marisa slowly removed her headphones, her gaze frozen on the damning words ¡ª ¡°Defeat¡± ¡ª shing across the screen. Her mind refused to catch up with reality.

    After what felt like an eternity, she looked up at Ethan, drew in a long breath, and exhaled slowly.

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 Chapter 483

    ?Chapter 483:

    Her heart still pounded like a war drum. That final shot ¡ª sharp as lightning ¡ª hade out of nowhere. Ethan had turned her ambition into a trap and flipped the battle on its head. She never imagined someone could see through the game even deeper than she could.

    Considering she had only installed the game for Ethan just over a week ago, his godlike skills and extraordinary understanding of the game were astonishing. How on earth had he done it?

    Marisa¡¯s gaze toward Ethan had changed.

    He was not the timid, soft-spoken kid she had imagined. Beneath that quiet exterior was an undeniable fire, a defiance. Like a young wolf standing tall for the first time, determined to show his teeth to the world.

    A small smile tugged at her lips. It surprised her ¡ª this flicker of admiration she felt for him.

    Across from her, Ethan removed his headphones too, meeting Marisa¡¯s bright eyes with a radiant smile, like the warm sun. ¡°Thanks for the game,¡± he said.

    Marisa¡¯s cheeks heated before she could stop it. She couldn¡¯t figure out why she would react like this.

    She drew a quiet breath, willing her heartbeat to settle, then got up and walked over to him. Without meeting his eyes, she fished a lollipop from her jacket pocket and held it out. ¡°Here. Consider it your prize for taking the championship.¡±

    Ethan epted it instantly, almost too quickly, and watched as she turned her back with practiced indifference and sauntered back to her seat ¡ª like nothing had happened.

    But her clique? They were losing their minds.

    ¡°Hold up. Did she just give him one of her lollipops? She guards those things like treasure ¡ª no one gets one! No one!¡±

    Stories live now on galn¦Ò??????????o??

    ¡°Yo, is Marisa actually falling for this dude?¡±

    ¡°Chill. Maybe she¡¯s just inviting him to join us, bing one of her followers.¡±

    Just then, the host strode onto the stage, his voice brimming with excitement. ¡°And now, the champion of the first national Genius tournament ¡ª Ethan Watson!¡±

    Thunderous apuse and cheers erupted from every corner of the hall.

    Meanwhile, Chris¡¯ phone buzzed. A new message lit up the screen.

    It was from Winters.

    Chris nced down, opened the app, and there it was. ¡°I did it! I¡¯m the champion!¡±

    Chris was slightly surprised, then a gentle smile spread across his face. He looked up at the stage where the young man, shy under the spotlight, was being celebrated by thousands.

    He was also surprised that his online friend ¡°Winters¡± turned out to be his brother-inw.

    All those chats, the clever banter, the shared frustrations over training. It made sense now.

    So that sister Winters always talked about¡­ that was Maia.

    Chris turned his head. Maia sat a few rows ahead, barely containing her joy. Her eyes sparkled with pride. Chris chuckled softly. No wonder they had hit it off so easily; good taste must run in the family. Without missing a beat, he sent a message to his assistant. ¡°Have someone deliver the gift to the tournament site ¡ª for Ethan Watson.¡±

    On stage, the spotlight swept over the top three finalists. The crowd roared with renewed apuse, a tidal wave of energy washing across the hall.

    The host¡¯s voice rose over the noise, trembling with excitement. ¡°Let¡¯s give it up one more time for our top three yers!¡± Ethan stood center-stage, nked by Marisa and Mnie. Photographers jostled for angles as shbulbs red like strobe lights. The historic moment was immortalized, frame by frame.

    Ethan stood stiffly, trying to appearposed as he bowed to the audience. Beside him, Marisa looked unfazed ¡ª hands in her pockets, the lollipop already between her lips.

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 Chapter 484

    ?Chapter 484:

    Mnie, on the other hand, was struggling to keep it together. Her smile was stiff, her grip on her clothes too tight. She threw a sideways re at Marisa, lips twitching with unspoken resentment. Why the hell did she look so rxed? She had lost to Marisa, but Marisa had lost to Ethan, too. So what gave Marisa the right to act like she owned the stage?

    Mnie gritted her teeth and leaned toward her. ¡°Thought you were some kind of prodigy,¡± she hissed. ¡°And yet you couldn¡¯t even beat a nerd like Ethan.¡±

    Marisa blinkedzily and turned her head, slow and deliberate. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re still here?¡± she drawled. ¡°Wow. Points for persistence. Just don¡¯t forget our little better.¡±

    She stretched thest word like a ribbon ¡ª taunting, yful, dangerous.

    Mnie¡¯s face turned crimson. ¡°You!¡±

    Ethan caught the tension and instantly felt uneasy. Had he just made things worse for her? He whispered apologetically to her, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±

    Marisa¡¯s expression shifted ¡ª she turned to him with a faint scowl. ¡°What are you apologizing for? You didn¡¯t do anything.¡±

    ¡°Think I¡¯m fragile or something?¡± After a brief pause, she added, ¡°I¡¯m not like some people who burst into tears when they lose.¡±

    Ethan opened his mouth, ready to exin, only to freeze mid-thought as Mnie suddenly erupted beside him.

    Mnie snapped, her voice trembling, ¡°Who are you talking about?!¡±

    Marisa did not even bother to look back. ¡°Whoever takes it personally,¡± she said with a smirk, ¡°that¡¯s who.¡±

    The host let out a nervous chuckle, beads of sweat forming at his temple. Great. Live broadcast, and they were still at each other¡¯s throats. He stepped in quickly, his voice rising to recapture control. ¡°Ah ¡ª yes! Our finalists are clearly passionate and driven! Now, let us proceed to the award ceremony!¡±

    The tension began to ease as event staff stepped up with polished trophies. First, the bronze for Mnie, and the silver for Marisa.

    ????????????¡¯?? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Representatives from the sponsors and organizingmittee handed over the gleaming awards under the dazzling stage lights, while the crowd pped and cheered again.

    But on stage, the reactions could not have been more different ¡ª Mnie¡¯s face stayed tight as stone, while Marisa stood casually, the lollipop still in her mouth, as if this were just another Tuesday.

    ¡°And now¡­¡± The host¡¯s voice swelled with anticipation. ¡°We present the champion award!¡± He extended an arm toward the side of the stage. ¡°The guest of honor presenting our grand prize: the esteemed CEO of Cooper Mining Co., Mr. udius Cooper!¡±

    As soon as the announcement rang out, the room held its breath for a single heartbeat ¡ª then erupted into a frenzy.

    ¡°udius? The heir to the Cooper Group?!¡±

    ¡°No way, he actually showed up in person?!¡±

    ¡°Oh my God, I never thought I¡¯d see him at a ce like this!¡±

    udius had arrived long before the noise. He had been backstage, arms crossed and posture rxed, quietly watching Ethan¡¯s wless performance in the finals. A glint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes. His uing e-sports tform required a frontman, someone capable of captivating both screens and stadiums. Ethan fit the bill like a custom-made glove.

    By stepping out to award the champion himself, udius was sending a clear message: this project mattered. And today, he was here for more than a ceremony. He was here to sign Ethan.

    The atmosphere in the venue buzzed with anticipation as he strode onto the stage.

    Towering andposed, udius cut a striking figure in a sleek ck suit. The fabric clung to his frame just enough to suggest power, and the crisp tailoring highlighted the sharp lines of his jaw.

    .

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 Chapter 485

    ?Chapter 485:

    ¡°Oh my God, he¡¯s even more gorgeous in person! Photos don¡¯t do him justice!¡±

    ¡°Tall, rich, insanely talented ¡ª and he looks like that? Somebody save me!¡±

    ¡°Get real! Not a single socialite in Wront¡¯s elite circle has ever caught his eye. He¡¯s been single for years!¡±

    ¡°Then what kind of woman could win him over? Just imagining being loved by a man like that makes my knees weak¡­¡±

    The women in the audience screamed in waves, unable to contain themselves. Meanwhile, the men craned their necks, squinting through the lights for a closer look at Wront¡¯s most talked-about figure ¡ª the infamous pride of the Cooper family.

    In the crowd, Chris sat unmoved. His eyes narrowed, his jaw tight. A cold scoff slipped from his lips.

    So even he hade. udius Cooper ¡ª the untouchable heir making an appearance at a gaming tournament? That was no casual detour.

    From what Chris knew of the man, everything udius did was calcted. His gaze shifted toward Maia, suspicion darkening his brow. There had to be more to this.

    Beside him, Maia remained unusually quiet. Her arms were crossed, eyes locked on udius with a contemtive stillness.

    Ark Technology, the gaming subsidiary under Cooper Group, had organized this entire event. udius, as heir, had every reason to be involved ¡ª but showing up in person to present the trophy? No, this was not just for publicity. This was a strategy. What was he ying at?

    Up on stage, the host bowed with respectful deference, cing the championship trophy carefully in udius¡¯ hands. The spotlight found him instantly. In the crowd, Mnie¡¯s heart plummeted into her stomach. udius? Here? Her blood ran cold. This was a disaster. If news spread within Cooper Group that she only managed to get third ce in the gaming tournament, she would surely be mocked by those annoying people. If her father found out ¡ª she would be humiliated,ughed at, scolded, and torn apart.

    She ducked her head instinctively, heart racing. ¡°Please don¡¯t see me. Please, please don¡¯t see me!¡±

    ?????????? ???? ?????? ????????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    udius¡¯ eyes swept the finalists. They lingered ¡ª briefly on Mnie.

    His brows arched slightly, and a quiet smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. She was trying to disappear. That only made her more obvious.

    udius stifled augh, choosing not to acknowledge her. Without missing a beat, he turned to Ethan and stepped forward, holding the trophy with effortless grace.

    Standing close now, udius offered the award with aposed expression, but his voice held that undeniable air ofmand. ¡°Ethan, congrattions,¡± he said evenly. ¡°Your reflexes, strategy, and grasp of the game ¡ª impable work.¡±

    A faint smile touched his lips. ¡°Ark Technology would like to sign you. We¡¯ll give you every tool to be a future e-sports star. Are you interested?¡±

    This was it ¡ª the golden ticket every gamer dreamed of. Ark Technology stood at the top of the national e-sportsdder. A contract meant a million-dor sry, international exposure, and a future most could only imagine.

    Backstage, udius had already reviewed Ethan¡¯s file. No rich family, no famous lineage. Just raw ability, determination, and a clean reputation. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. udius knew it. He was confident that Ethan would say yes without any hesitation.

    But¡­

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    The words dropped like a stone in a still pond. Ethan¡¯s voice was quiet but steady. He bit his lower lip, then met udius¡¯ gaze without flinching. ¡°I can¡¯t decide this on my own,¡± he said inly. ¡°I need my sister¡¯s approval first.¡±

    .

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    .

 Chapter 486

    ?Chapter 486:

    udius blinked, momentarily surprised. Of all the responses, that was not the one he had prepared for.

    Then he chuckled softly, the corners of his mouth curving in genuine amusement. No resistance, no bravado ¡ª just honesty.

    Ethan was still a student, after all. It was only natural for him to consult his family. But his sister? Not his parents? It seemed Ethan¡¯s sister held a significant ce in his heart.

    udius couldn¡¯t help but feel a growing curiosity about Ethan¡¯s sister.

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait for your response.¡±

    With that simple deration, udius pivoted gracefully and descended from the stage, his steps sure and fluid ¡ª like a man who carried both certainty and wind in his stride.

    As the apuse faded and the final curtain fell on the Genius national finals, the grand event drew to a close. The sh of intellects had raged from the heat of the afternoon to the cool hush of evening, and by now, the world outside the venue was glowing with streemps and city light. Though the audience slowly began to trickle out, the air inside the hall still crackled with electricity ¡ª a storm of energy that refused to dissipate.

    Then, with a bright smile, the host turned toward the trio of victors. ¡°The Cooper Group is throwing a banquet in honor of our top three finalists. Mr. Cooper himself will preside. Please meet backstage shortly ¡ª private cars are waiting to escort you.¡±

    He gave the winners a respectful nod before making his exit, stage right.

    At that very moment, like a bolt out of the blue, Maxwell stormed onto the stage. His eyes locked on Marisa, and without hesitation, he seized her wrist. ¡°You came topete and didn¡¯t even give me a heads-up?¡± he demanded, his voice equal parts hurt and disbelief. ¡°Do I even count as your brother anymore? If I hadn¡¯t found out by chance, I¡¯d have missed the whole thing! I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of not cheering you on!¡±

    But Maxwell¡¯s idea of ¡°cheering¡± was precisely what made Marisa¡¯s temples throb.

    I?t€$? ¡é§ß?¦Ñ?¦Å?? ?§Ú g??l??ov?l??.??om

    Under her breath and full of exasperation, she muttered, ¡°And that¡¯s exactly why I didn¡¯t tell you.¡±

    ¡°What was that?¡± Maxwell frowned, his ears missing the whisper. Marisa rolled her eyes skyward, refusing to dignify him with an answer.

    Turning away from the pest that was her brother, she looked to Ethan and asked, ¡°Where¡¯s your sister? She came to watch youpete, didn¡¯t she?¡±

    Still basking in the afterglow of his victory, Ethan blinked and scanned the stands, the reality of his win only now beginning to settle in.

    And then, like a lighthouse cutting through fog, he spotted her.

    A soft smile pulled at the corners of his lips. ¡°There she is.¡±

    But that smile froze halfway. For beside Maia walked a man.

    Tall, effortlessly charismatic, the figure was dressed in a simple ck shirt ¡ª but there was nothing in about him. His silhouette under the arena lights was like a de honed by silence and shadows. His exposed forearm was a study in lean strength, and his features sharp and arresting ¡ª outshone even udius¡¯s.

    Ethan¡¯s eyes narrowed.

    ¡°Who¡¯s that guy?¡± he wondered aloud, the question like a stone dropped into still water.

    Maxwell, ever the casual observer, nced in the same direction ¡ª and immediately stopped cold.

    His eyes widened. His breath hitched. His mind reeled.

    It was Chris.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 487

    ?Chapter 487:

    ¡°What the¡ªChris is back? And he didn¡¯t even tell me?¡± Maxwell was dumbfounded.

    Before caution could catch him, he bolted forward, blurting, ¡°Hey, why didn¡¯t you¡ª¡±

    But the greeting died on his lips as Chris turned and cast a single nce his way, sharp enough to cut ss. Maxwell felt the words catch in his throat as though he¡¯d been doused in ice water.

    And then, he noticed the woman beside Chris. She was willowy, graceful, almost ethereal. Her face was veiled beneath a wide-brimmed hat, dark sses, and a mask ¡ª like a silver screen actress dodging the sh of paparazzi.

    Could it be that Chris had a new girlfriend?

    And then it hit him like a sucker punch to the gut.

    So, did that mean Chris and his mysteriouspanion had witnessed him cheering for Mansa earlier?

    And just like that, Maxwell was plunged into an existential crisis. His soul shriveled inside him, praying for the floor to kindly swallow him whole.

    The moment Maxwell spoke, Maia¡¯s attention snapped to him. For a second, she hesitated ¡ª was he calling out to Chris?

    Meanwhile, Maia¡¯s gaze hadnded on Maxwell the moment he spoke. The floral shirt. The sandals. Something about him tickled her memory. She squinted slightly, trying to ce the familiar absurdity. And then it clicked. Like a puzzle piece.

    Snapping into ce. Maxwell Payne ¡ª the once-dreaded name in the ck market underworld, a figure cloaked in myth and menace.

    But the man in flip-flops before her? He looked like someone¡¯s uncle at a beach BBQ.

    Still, she hesitated before speaking. ¡°Are you¡­ Mr. Maxwell Payne, the one running the ck market?¡±

    ?????????????? ??????????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    As the words left her lips, the air around them seemed to freeze. Even sound dared not move.

    Behind Maxwell, Marisa folded her arms, her expression tinged with disbelief. ¡°Running the market?¡± she said, brows arching. ¡°What does that mean? And you know this woman?¡±

    Maxwell hadn¡¯t seen this ambushing. To be called out ¡ª not only by a stranger but in front of Marisa ¡ª sent a jolt through him. His mouth twitched, searching desperately for an escape route. ¡°She mistakes me for someone else,¡± he mumbled awkwardly, waving a hand vaguely. ¡°I don¡¯t know her, and I have never been to the ck market at all. How could I have anything to do with it?¡±

    Marisa¡¯s scoff was loud,ced with scorn.

    Maia, however, wasn¡¯t fooled. Her eyes stayed locked on Maxwell, a glimmer of understanding in their depths.

    It seemed clear to her now ¡ª Maxwell had been hiding his true identity, even from his own kin.

    But that wasn¡¯t so hard toprehend. Everyone carried secrets like hidden scars. Sometimes, the kindest thing to do was to keep them buried, for the sake of those we love.

    Still, as Maia recalled the way Maxwell had reacted earlier, her gaze slowly shifted to Chris, her tone colored with quiet suspicion. ¡°You two¡­ know each other?¡±

    Chris maintained aposed demeanor, his words measured and deliberate. ¡°He¡¯s a client of my boss. I¡¯ve encountered him several times while apanying my superior.¡±

    Lifting his gaze to meet Maxwell¡¯s, he asked, his voice descending into a subtle challenge. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, Mr. Payne?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 488

    ?Chapter 488:

    Maxwell¡¯s posture stiffened, momentarily paralyzed. Suddenly, he pped his hands together, feigning sudden recognition. Forcing an ufortableugh, he stammered, ¡°Yes, yes, we¡¯ve crossed paths before. That¡¯s entirely correct.¡±

    The corner of Chris¡¯ mouth curled into the ghost of a smile. ¡°What an unexpected pleasure to encounter you here today, Mr. Payne. Quite the coincidence.¡±

    Maxwell released a nervous chuckle, tension evident in his voice. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s¡­ certainly unforeseen. Ha-ha.¡±

    Though their exchange appeared innocuous on the surface, Maia couldn¡¯t dispel the whisper of suspicion lingering in her mind. Nevertheless, she chose to set aside her doubts.

    With a gentle nod, she gravitated toward Ethan. Warmth flooded her expression as she extended her hand to tousle his hair affectionately. ¡°Ethan, congrattions on capturing the championship. Your performance today was brilliant. As your sister, I couldn¡¯t be prouder!¡±

    Seeing their interaction, Maxwell blinked in surprise. Sister? Revtion dawned across his features as pieces aligned in his mind. So, the woman apanying Chris was Maia? So that was why Chris rushed home as soon as he returned ¡ª to be with his wife? And now the two of them were leisurely watching Ethan¡¯s tournament together,pletely forgetting that he, Maxwell, was working tirelessly back in Wront? It was remarkable how Chris prioritized romance over friendship!

    A flush of color crept across Ethan¡¯s cheeks at Maia¡¯smendation. He attributed much of his achievement to her dedicatedte-night training sessions. Her approval enveloped his heart with pride, yet peripherally, his attention drifted to the figure stationed behind Maia ¡ª Chris. Brow furrowing slightly, Ethan hushed his voice to an inquisitive murmur. ¡°Maia, who is he?¡±

    Maia¡¯s response lingered on her lips, tangled in hesitation.

    The crowded venue made revealing her true connection to Chris impossible, particrly with Mnie among the onlookers. The Cooper family ties demanded discretion.

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    Awkwardness shadowed her features as she answered, ¡°Well¡­ just a friend.¡±

    A friend? Skepticism clouded Ethan¡¯s thoughts. Though positioned at a distance moments ago, his observations had been crystal clear ¡ª this striking man had stood intimately close to Maia, their proximity defying the boundaries of casual friendship. Moreover, the visual harmony between them suggested something far more significant, almost as if they were¡­

    ¡°Your boyfriend?¡± The question tumbled from Ethan¡¯s lips before he could contain it.

    Maia¡¯s pulse faltered, prompting an instinctive denial. ¡°No!¡±

    Meanwhile, amusement danced in Chris¡¯ eyes as his lips curved into a knowing smile directed at Ethan. His brother-inw¡¯s perception impressed him. He was astute.

    Meeting Ethan¡¯s gaze directly, Chris offered softly, ¡°Congrattions, champion.¡±

    Ethan wavered briefly before responding, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    An inexplicable certainty gripped Ethan ¡ª the connection between Maia and Chris transcended mere friendship, of which he felt convinced.

    The gentle pressure of slender fingers against his shoulder interrupted his thoughts. Turning, he discovered Marisa¡¯s inquisitive gaze darting between him and Maia.

    With narrowed eyes, she ventured, ¡°Is this your sister?¡±

    Ethan confirmed with a simple nod.

    By now, the stage had emptied ofpetitors and staff, leaving only their small group lingering in the awards area.

    .

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 Chapter 489

    ?Chapter 489:

    Maia seized the moment to remove her disguise. With deliberate grace, she lifted the hat from her head and slowly peeled away her mask, unveiling features that radiated refined elegance.

    Marisa froze momentarily before arching an eyebrow in recognition. ¡°Well, well, it truly is her.¡±

    Her gaze immediately darted across the stage, seeking Mnie, who hovered indecisively in a shadowed corner, caught in the limbo between escape and confrontation. Without warning, fingers mped around Mnie¡¯s wrist, eliciting a startled gasp. Despite her instinct to pull away, she found herself firmly guided toward Maia by a determined Marisa.

    ¡°Time to honor your bet,¡± Marisa dered with a triumphant smile, folding her arms across her chest in anticipation.

    The students of the elite preparatory program had gravitated toward themotion, forming a curious circle. Several recognized Maia from previous school visits and gasped in astonishment.

    ¡°Look, everyone ¡ª it¡¯s Ethan¡¯s sister, Maia!¡±

    A ripple of excitement coursed through the gathered students. ¡°Isn¡¯t she the mysteriousposer K? Her melodies are absolute treasures in our household!¡±

    ¡°Seeing her in person today ¡ª such poise and beauty!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s definitely her! And there¡¯s more to the story¡­ She¡¯s also MCN¡¯s principal designer! MCN has been making headlines since acquiring Aurora Apparel Company. They¡¯re destined to dominate the national fashion industry!¡±

    ¡°Never imagined Ethan¡¯s sister would possess such striking beauty and remarkable talent! Truly heaven-blessed! I¡¯d give anything for a photograph with her¡­¡±

    The chorus of student voices swelled, their excitement drawing inquisitive looks from venue staff across the hall.

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    Trapped at the center of this unexpectedmotion,prehension finally dawned on Mnie¡¯s face as she grasped Marisa¡¯s intentions. Color fled then flooded herplexion in rapid session, her skin cycling through rming shades of crimson and ghostly white.

    She also heard the students¡¯ments. Inwardly, bitter realization crystallized into seething thoughts. Ethan¡¯s sistermanded that level of respect and admiration? That damn Rosanna! How could she tell her lies about Ethan¡¯s supposed slum origins?

    Now, Mnie was going to face a public humiliation. She swore that she would definitely not let this go!

    Noticing Mnie¡¯s vacant expression, Marisa delivered a pointed tap to her shoulder. ¡°Earth to Mnie ¡ª what¡¯s upying that mind of yours? Hurry up and honor the bet!¡±

    Mnie snapped back to reality, her teeth sinking into her lower lip as she stared at Maia ¡ª who stood there like she had just stepped off a red carpet. She looked every bit the star people whispered about. Maybe they weren¡¯t exaggerating. Maybe admitting her mistakes and offering an apology to Maia wouldn¡¯t be as unbearable as she had imagined.

    But still, apologizing in public was something she couldn¡¯t bring herself to do. No, she couldn¡¯t.

    Up on stage, the air thickened, tension stretching like a wire about to snap.

    Mnie¡¯s fists curled at her sides, fingers digging into her palms. Her eyes burned ¡ª not from tears, but from everything else boiling inside her.

    The conflicting feelings of swallowing her pride while struggling to maintain her dignity churned violently within her, leaving her scalp tingling and her pride in tatters.

    She had never felt so humiliated in her life.

    Still, she stayed silent, lips pressed together, face pale and defiant. That only gave Marisa more fuel. Grinning, Marisa tilted her head and teased, ¡°Mnie, everyone¡¯s watching. You¡¯re not seriously trying to bail on this, are you?¡±

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 Chapter 490

    ?Chapter 490:

    The crowd from ss Three was quick to jump in, their voices rising like a pack sensing blood. ¡°Mnie, daughter of Hurst Cooper, leader of ss One ¡ª what¡¯s the matter? Got stage fright?¡±

    ¡°Knew she wouldn¡¯t go through with it. Typical ss One cowardice!¡±

    ¡°Guess breaking promises is just what they do!¡±

    Laughter and jeers crashed down around her like waves. One after another ¡ª relentless, ruthless.

    The girls from ss One, who had walked up so confidently with her, now stood awkwardly to the side, their faces flushed. They opened their mouths to speak but the words just wouldn¡¯te.

    Mnie did not move. She stood like a statue carved from shame and fury. Her nails bit into her skin, shoulders locked in ce, as though even the smallest movement would shatter her.

    Inside, she was spiraling.

    Then, slowly, Mnie lifted her head. Her eyes were rimmed with red, her shoulders trembling as though the weight of the moment had finally be too much to bear.

    She clenched her jaw, forced her gaze to meet Maia¡¯s, and barely managed to part her lips. ¡°¡­I am sorry.¡± The words barely left her mouth. They scraped out like broken ss.

    Maia, Chris, and Maxwell were caught off guard by Mnie¡¯s action.

    Did someone as arrogant as Mnie actually offer an apology in public?

    Meanwhile, Marisa¡¯s grin widened like a knife sh. But she was not finished.

    ¡°Not so fast,¡± she said sweetly. ¡°There¡¯s still one more.¡± She turned, grabbed Ethan ¡ª who had been zoning out near the edge of the stage ¡ª and shoved him forward.

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    Every eye snapped to them again.

    Mnie¡¯s face drained of all color. Her body tensed like a spring wound too tight.

    And still, somehow, she spoke. ¡°I am sorry, Ethan¡­ I shouldn¡¯t have treated you so badly¡­¡±

    Ethan scratched the back of his neck, clearly not sure how to react. He opened his mouth, blinked, then looked toward Marisa for help. Marisa nudged him with her elbow and snorted. ¡°She¡¯s saying sorry to you, Ethan. Say something!¡±

    Ethan snapped out of his daze and blurted, ¡°Oh ¡ª well, it¡¯s okay. Action speaks louder than words. I can ept your apology as long as you never look down on others and bully them. But I highly doubt you¡¯ll correct yourself.¡±

    Humiliated, Mnie turned, face contorted, and bolted. She shoved through the students crowding the stage, one arm shielding her face.

    The crowd parted, and she vanished.

    Marisa burst intoughter, doubling over with delight.

    Maia, still a few steps behind, turned to her with a frown. ¡°Why did Miss Cooper suddenly apologize to us? And why did she look so reluctant?¡±

    Marisa shrugged, shing a smirk. ¡°Who knows? Maybe she realized her mistakes and wanted to offer her apology sincerely. The reluctance? Maybe it was just that she was too shy to do something in front of so many people.¡±

    Before Maia could ask more, a sudden sound cut through the air ¡ª footsteps. Crisp and in sync.

    Everyone turned. From the back of the auditorium, a line of people in dark suits marched forward, moving as one.

    Leading the group was a man in his early thirties, standing with the kind of posture that only came from years of discipline ¡ª tall, squared shoulders, his movements crisp with military precision.

    He stepped forward and bowed politely to Ethan. ¡°Mr. Watson. Good afternoon.¡±

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 Chapter 491

    ?Chapter 491:

    Ethan blinked, thrown off by the man¡¯s formality. His brows pinched together as he looked him over, confusion flickering in his eyes.

    The man¡¯s tone remained calm and measured. ¡°I bring a congrattory gift on behalf of a certain gentleman. He wishes to congratte you on your victory in thepetition.¡±

    Ethan stared at him, stunned. A gift? A certain gentleman? Then it clicked. His jaw ckened. Justiceze. It had to be.

    With a curt motion, the man gestured to his entourage. Without a word, they stepped aside and pulled back a thick velvet curtain.

    There it stood ¡ª a high-performance mainframe, sheathed in a sleek titanium-silver casing that caught the light like liquid metal. A soft, icy shimmer rolled across its surface, elegant and menacing all at once. Near the bottom corner, a 24K gold emblem gleamed, etched so finely. A matching setup stood beside it ¡ª an ultra-wide curved monitor, state-of-the-art refresh rate, nked by a mechanical keyboard, precision mouse, and noise-canceling headset ¡ª each one top-tier, wless.

    Ethan took half a step back. His breath caught in his throat. ¡°This¡­ this is¡­¡±

    Near the front of the crowd, a student from the elite preparatory program cried out, practically choking on excitement. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the world¡¯s top electronic sports system? They had it on disy at the Wront Tech Museumst month!¡±

    Another voice jumped in. ¡°Yeah! It¡¯s got AI dynamic input sensing and real-time physiological tracking! The price tag was over a million dors!¡±

    ¡°No way ¡ª only three of those exist in the world! One for show, two for private sale! And even with money, you couldn¡¯t just buy one!¡±

    ¡°Exactly! People fought tooth and nail trying to get one, and failed! And now someone just gave it to Ethan?!¡±

    Every student from the three sses of the elite preparatory program snapped toward Ethan. The noise died down, reced by a thick silence. The looks on their faces ¡ª shock, disbelief, even a little fear ¡ª spoke louder than words.

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    Sure, everyone knew that his sister was formidable. That alone had been enough to put him on the map. But now this?

    Who the hell was Ethan Watson, really?

    Mnie¡¯s usual entourage, huddled off to the side, looked shaken. Their expressions shifted rapidly, then slid into dread. They began rewriting everything they thought they knew about him.

    Even Mnie, who had once smirked her way through every conversation, had bowed her head and apologized to Ethan in public. Who would be foolish enough to cross him now?

    And it wasn¡¯t just his own strength anymore. Between Maia ¡ª his powerhouse of a sister ¡ª and now this mysterious backer, he had a wall of untouchables behind him.

    Some of them began to sweat, remembering the things they had said to him. The insults. The mockery. Would Ethane after them now? Would he hold a grudge?

    Ethan heard the whispers, the rising panic cloaked in hushed voices. But he barely registered them ¡ª his own heart was hammering like a jackhammer in his chest. Over a million dors? Just for a gift?

    That was equal to the prize money of the entirepetition! His fingers twitched at his side. He could barely breathe. Who did something like this?

    He swallowed hard. Justiceze was no ordinary person. Ethan had known that. But this?

    A grin tried to sneak onto his face.

    Thinking back, he found that it made sense. Justiceze had helped Maia take down those bastards before like it was child¡¯s y. He had stood up for her, protected her, and now this¡­

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 Chapter 492

    ?Chapter 492:

    A thought came uninvited, and Ethan¡¯s eyes narrowed.

    Wait. Could this mystery figure be¡­ into Maia? That would exin a lot.

    Excitement coursed through Ethan¡¯s veins, his face lighting up with the sudden brilliance of revtion.

    Justiceze, he mused, would make the perfect brother-inw!

    Yet doubt crept in ¡ª hadn¡¯t Justiceze already mentioned having a wife? Fragments of past conversations crystallized in Ethan¡¯s mind, forming a pattern he¡¯d somehow missed.

    Marisa had once probed, ¡°What¡¯s really going on between your sister and Mnie¡¯s father? I¡¯ve heard that he even criticized Mnie harshly and forced her to apologize to you for your sister?¡±

    Before him sat a constetion of high-end gaming equipment ¡ª the kind professional esports yers coveted, gleaming with untold expense.

    In Wront, such extravagant gear stood as a testament to wealth, a luxury only the privileged few could unt. And Mnie¡¯s father, Hurst, undeniably belonged to that exclusive circle.

    A chilling realization gripped Ethan, sending ice through his veins ¡ª could Justiceze¡¯s true identity be none other than Hurst himself?! Each past encounter, reexamined, only cemented his growing suspicion. Whispers among ssmates surfaced in his memory ¡ª tales of Mnie¡¯s mother passing away years ago.

    If Justiceze truly was Hurst, iming to have a wife, could that wife possibly be Maia, his own sister?! Had Hurst already married her, or decided to do so?

    The thought sent an involuntary shiver down Ethan¡¯s spine, his pupils constricting to pinpoints.

    No wonder Mnie apologized to his sister and him¡­ She must have known that they would be a family and wanted to be at peace with them.

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    Ethan¡¯s gaze snapped up to Maia, his expression frozen in shocked realization.

    Hurst was considerably older than Maia ¡ª did she genuinely have feelings for him?

    Though not one to cling to social conventions, Ethan pondered the age difference. If Hurst treated his sister with sincere affection, perhaps he could ept their rtionship.

    Besides, he always admired Justiceze, grateful that he spoke up for Maia several times online.

    If his sister was indeed with Hurst, Ethan thought that it was inevitable that he would need to get along with Mnie. Perhaps he should show more kindness toward her, despite their history. After all, if Maia really married Hurst, Ethan realized that he would be Mnie¡¯s uncle-inw¡­ He needed to be broad-minded and shouldn¡¯t hold grudges against her.

    Noticing Ethan frozen in thought, Maia waved her hand in front of his vacant eyes. ¡°Ethan, what¡¯s going on in that head of yours?¡±

    ¡°Nothing, nothing,¡± Ethan stammered, snapping back to reality.

    Maia¡¯s brows knitted together as she gestured toward the equipment. ¡°Who gave you such an expensive gift?¡±

    Ethan nced around before leaning closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°It was Justiceze, the one who helped you online before. He promised me a gift if I won the championship! I never imagined he¡¯d give me something this expensive¡­¡±

    Justiceze? Maia¡¯s forehead creased with deepening confusion. This mysterious person had aided her and nowvished such a luxurious present on Ethan¡­ Who exactly was he? Could this be yet another of Zoey¡¯s secret identities?

    While Maia lost herself in spection, Chris spoke up beside her. ¡°Since it¡¯s a congrattory gift for Ethan¡¯s championship win, you should ept it. Don¡¯t let his kindness go unappreciated.¡±

    Ethan shifted his focus to the man standing beside Maia, his gaze sharpening with scrutiny. Who allowed him to offer suggestions in family matters?

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 Chapter 493

    ?Chapter 493:

    A frown of displeasure etched across Ethan¡¯s features as he measured Chris with a calcting look.

    Meanwhile, Mnie¡¯s entourage stood frozen in stunned silence, the atmosphere thickening with each passing second. Recognizing that their lingering presence would only amplify the awkwardness, they finally retreated, bowing respectfully to Maia and Ethan before slipping away.

    Witnessing this exodus, Marisa¡¯s followers exchanged uncertain nces before turning to her. ¡°Marisa, should we¡­¡±

    Marisa cast a meaningful look toward Maxwell beside her and replied with casual authority, ¡°You all should head out too. My brother¡¯s here to take me home.¡±

    Understanding dawned on their faces ¡ª the man who had been enthusiastically cheering for Marisa earlier was indeed her brother! Once the crowd dispersed, Marisa found herself suddenly pulled aside by Maxwell.

    ¡°Tell me the truth,¡± he demanded, brow furrowed with suspicion. ¡°What exactly transpired back there?! Why is Mnie suddenly showing such respect to Ethan and Maia? Could there actually be something between Maia and Hurst?¡±

    Marisa arched a single eyebrow, regarding him with cool detachment. ¡°Does it truly concern you?¡±

    Anxiety flickered across Maxwell¡¯s features as he leaned closer. ¡°How could it not concern me? If Maia is genuinely involved with Hurst¡­ this is far from trivial!¡±

    A mischievous glint sparked in Marisa¡¯s narrowing eyes. ¡°Is that so?¡± she murmured, nodding slowly as her gaze swept over Maxwell with newfound understanding, as though pieces of a puzzle were finally clicking into ce.

    Under her prating scrutiny, Maxwell shifted ufortably, a strange unease crawling beneath his skin.

    ¡°What are you doing? Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Maxwell¡¯s brow furrowed with unease.

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    Wordlessly, Marisa seized Maxwell¡¯s arm and pulled him toward Maia, her grip firm and determined.

    Meanwhile, udius emerged from backstage, nked by gamingpany executives. As they escorted him through the crowd, his gaze caught a familiar silhouette that made him falter.

    He froze mid-step, squinting through the venue¡¯s dim lighting. There was no mistaking it ¡ª Maia stood on the stage, the spotlight highlighting her presence. And beside her was Chris ¡ª a sight that caused udius¡¯ expression to darken involuntarily.

    With a curt instruction to the executives to continue without him, udius pivoted toward Maia, his assistant and bodyguard trailing in his wake.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, fancy running into you here!¡±

    At the sound, Maia turned to find udius standing behind her, one hand casually tucked into his tailored trousers, his lips curved into a calcted smile.

    Nearby, Ethan¡¯s eyes widened with surprise. His sister somehow knew the CEO who had just presented him with the award?

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, nice to meet you,¡± Maia replied, her tone maintaining perfect professionalism.

    udius shifted his prating gaze to Ethan. ¡°And you and Ethan are¡­?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s my younger brother,¡± Maia answered truthfully.

    An eyebrow arched gracefully across udius¡¯ forehead, genuine surprise flickering across his features. The family resemnce in talent had clearly caught him off guard.

    ¡°I see,¡± he murmured, his smile returning with renewed interest.

    Only then did udius pretend to notice Chris standing protectively behind Maia. With theatrical surprise, he eximed, ¡°Chris, I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here too!¡±

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 Chapter 494

    ?Chapter 494:

    Turning back to Maia, udius tilted his head and asked with calcted innocence, ¡°You two wouldn¡¯t happen to¡­ already be together, would you?¡±

    The moment those words left udius¡¯ mouth, Ethan¡¯s eyes widened with shock, hisposure fracturing like thin ice.

    Maia met udius¡¯ probing question with unruffled poise, her voice steady as still water. ¡°Chris is merely a friend. Our paths simply crossed by chance today.¡±

    A subtle smirk yed across udius¡¯ sculpted features, his amusement barely contained. ¡°Well, that¡¯s¡­ quite the fortuitous encounter.¡±

    His smile evaporated slowly, eyes narrowing to calcting slits as he returned his attention to Maia. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s indeed unlikely for a girl as extraordinary as you to fall for someone like my cousin ¡ª a man who treats life as nothing but his personal yground, flitting from one diversion to the next without an ounce of sincerity.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s expression transformed in an instant, warmth crystallizing into frigid contempt. So Chris was just an idle yboy? How could Maia get close to such a man?

    udius¡¯ revtion sparked a fierce protectiveness in Ethan as he stepped forward, pulling Maia closer while fixing Chris with an icy re.

    His initial wariness had transformed into something stronger ¡ª pure disdain. Good looks meant nothing if Chris was just ying games with his sister¡¯s feelings. Maia wouldn¡¯t fall for someone like that!

    Ethan made a silent promise to himself that he wouldn¡¯t let Maia fall for such a yer. If there was anything between them, he would find a way to end it. Compared to Chris, ¡°Justiceze¡± was far more reliable.

    Chris¡¯ eyes narrowed dangerously, his voice cooling as he addressed udius. ¡°Whether Ms. Watson falls for someone or not is her choice alone. udius, aren¡¯t you speaking out of turn here as an outsider?¡±

    Chris¡¯ words struck a nerve, causing the veins on udius¡¯ forehead to visibly pulse beneath his skin. An outsider? Seriously? Why was Chris talking as if he and Maia were so close? How cheeky!

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    udius fixed Chris with a prating re, barely containing the fury simmering beneath hisposed exterior. The air between them crackled with tension, invisible currents of hostility flowing back and forth.

    Maia sensed herself caught in the crossfire of their silent battle, a feeling of helplessness washing over her as she prepared to intervene and defuse the situation.

    Before she could speak, Marisa¡¯s voice cut through the tension like a thunderp. ¡°Maia!¡±

    All heads turned simultaneously.

    Marisa approached, dragging a thoroughly bewildered Maxwell behind her. She halted dramatically before the group and announced with startling rity, ¡°Maxwell is into you! Give him a chance!¡±

    Her deration was followed by a silence so absolute that it seemed to swallow all sound.

    It was so profound that you could hear a pin drop on the floor.

    Marisa¡¯s bold deration struck the room like lightning, leaving Maia, Chris, udius, Ethan, and even Maxwell frozen in stunned silence.

    Chris¡¯s gaze settled on Maxwell with cial intensity, his brows drawn together in a severe line, eyes sharp enough to carve through stone. The weight of that stare bore down, sharp as a de¡¯s edge.

    Breaking into a cold sweat, Maxwell felt the walls closing in. He scrambled to defend himself, his voice cracking as he protested, ¡°Come on, Marisa, what ridiculous nonsense are you spouting?¡±

    His throat constricted as he swallowed, darting a nervous nce toward Chris before raising two trembling fingers skyward in a desperate oath. ¡°I swear to the heavens, I harbor absolutely no improper thoughts about Maia!¡±

    Desperate to save his skin, he doubled down with renewed fervor. ¡°Absolutely none!¡±

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 Chapter 495

    ?Chapter 495:

    Maia stood speechless, words abandoning her entirely. This Maxwell ¡ª a man whose shadow loomedrge across the ck market ¡ª what absurd performance was he staging before her now? Chris maintained his stone-carved expression, though the lethal edge in his gaze softened almost imperceptibly.

    Drawing a shaky breath of relief as he saw the shift in Chris¡¯ expression, Maxwell turned to Marisa, his whispered rebuke carrying a sharp edge. ¡°If you dare spout such nonsense again, you can forget about your allowance!¡±

    Marisa¡¯s lips curved into a defiant pout as she challenged, ¡°If you don¡¯t like Maia, then why such desperate panic?¡±

    Maxwell fell silent, words momentarily deserting him. Casting a furtive nce toward Chris, he inwardly cursed while muttering through barely moving lips, ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ concerned for someone else.¡±

    Marisa¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Nothing, nothing!¡± Maxwell hastily interjected. ¡°Please, just stop talking.¡±

    With another petnt pout, Marisa relented, unwilling to jeopardize her financial support.

    Besides, seeing Maxwell reduced to pleading stirred a flicker of mercy ¡ª enough to grant him this small shred of dignity.

    In the tense silence that followed, udius¡¯ calcting gaze drifted to Maxwell, his voice cutting through the air with cool precision. ¡°And who might this be?¡±

    Maxwell scratched his head, a sheepish smile surfacing as he adopted an air of exaggerated humility. ¡°I¡¯m just a small fry, not worth mentioning,¡± he murmured, voice dripping with false modesty.

    Dismissing Maxwell with a fleeting nce, udius returned his attention to Chris, a calcted thought forming behind hisposed facade. His rivals in love were so numerous! Yet fortune smiled upon him ¡ª they were merely insignificant yers in his grand game. Eachpetitor proved more negligible than thest, none possessing the stature to challenge him in any meaningful way.

    This realization softened the hard edges of udius¡¯ expression, melting away the frost of his earlier demeanor. Drawing back his prating gaze, he reimed his cultivated charm, lips curving into a smile as he addressed Maia directly. ¡°Miss Watson, Ethan¡¯s championship victory was truly eye-opening. I¡¯ve rarely witnessed such raw talent and natural genius in someone so young. His potential is extraordinary. I¡¯d like to personally invite him to join Ark Technology. We¡¯re prepared to invest every resource at our disposal into developing his abilities andunching him as the next breakout star in esports.¡±

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    As he finished speaking, an unmistakable fire burned behind udius¡¯ words, his ambition and determination inly visible beneath his polished exterior.

    Marisa bit back a snort, pressing her lips together as she thought privately that this man outdid even her smooth-talking brother when it came to spinning borate promises.

    Around them, onlookers exchanged stunned nces, some blinking in disbelief at what they were hearing. This wasn¡¯t just any offer¡ªthis was Ark Technology, with the Cooper heir himself extending the invitation. Such opportunities simply didn¡¯te along every day, let alone get refused.

    epting would mean more than just sess; it would open doors to a future where financial worries became distant memories.

    Maia turned to look at Ethan, her eyes softening, and asked gently, ¡°Ethan, what do you think? Would you want to set aside your studies to pursue bing a professional yer, an esports star, or¡­?¡±

    Ethan clenched his fists, his head bowed as he wrestled with the decision. After a moment of genuine contemtion, he looked up and spoke with quiet conviction. ¡°I still want to¡­ continue my studies.¡±

    A subtle smile touched Maia¡¯s lips as a flicker of relief crossed her face. She turned to udius, her tone gracious yet unyielding. ¡°Thank you for your generous offer, Mr. Cooper,¡± she said. ¡°But Ethan is still young. His education needs toe first, and he¡¯s made it clear he prefers school.¡±

    The polite refusal caused udius¡¯ smile to freeze in ce, the warmth draining from his expression. His interests were divided¡ªgenuinely impressed by Ethan¡¯s remarkable talent, yet equally drawn to the opportunity it presented to weave himself into Maia¡¯s life. The rejection threatened both aims.

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 Chapter 496

    ?Chapter 496:

    ¡°Ms. Watson,¡± he persisted, unwilling to concede, ¡°please reconsider. The esports industry holds limitless potential, and Ethan¡¯s gift is truly exceptional. I¡¯d hate to see such rare talent go untapped.¡±

    His voice grew more persuasive as he continued, ¡°I can personally guarantee that Ark Technology will propel him to the very summit of esports excellence. And, of course, we¡¯re prepared to offer a substantialpensation package. If there¡¯s anything you find inadequate, please name your terms.¡±

    Maia smiled but remained silent.

    The thought formed in her mind¡ªthat genuine talent would inevitably shine through, regardless of circumstance.

    But before she could voice it, Chris stepped into the conversation. ¡°udius, why are you so keen on forcing others?¡±

    Chris broke the moment, his voice carrying azy edge that barely concealed his annoyance. ¡°What works in your world doesn¡¯t automatically work for everyone else.¡± His gaze settled on udius with casual precision. ¡°Kind of like attraction, isn¡¯t it?¡± he added, each word unhurried yet deliberate. ¡°You might be interested in someone who simply doesn¡¯t feel the same way about you.¡±

    Though delivered almost conversationally, the observationnded with perfect aim, finding its mark in udius¡¯ heart.

    Chris arched an eyebrow at udius, his voice low and measured. ¡°udius, not everything in this world bends to the will of money.¡±

    The practiced smile slipped from udius¡¯ face, giving way to eyes that hardened like winter ice as he fixed Chris with a prating stare. Chris¡¯ words struck udius like a p¡ªsharp, unexpected, and painfully public.

    As heir to the Cooper Group empire, when had anyone dared to challenge him so boldly to his face? And from Chris, no less ¡ª a bastard child he considered beneath contempt!

    Yet, with Maia watching, udius forced himself to maintain the veneer of sophistication his position demanded.

    udius took a deep breath, suppressing the anger boiling in his chest, and turned to Maia with a forced smile. ¡°I understandpletely. Your decision ¡ª yours and Ethan¡¯s ¡ª deserves my full respect. But Ms. Watson, might you consider joining us for the celebration dinnerter? I¡¯ve arranged something truly exceptional.¡±

    Maia¡¯s smile was polite frost ¡ª courteous yet imprable as she declined once more. ¡°I appreciate the invitation, but Ethan and I must decline. He has schoolwork requiring his attention.¡±

    udius was left speechless. That Maia would refuse him twice in session had never crossed his mind, leaving his pride somewhat bruised.

    Mustering what dignity remained, he forced his features into a wooden smile and turned desperately toward Marisa, grasping for any semnce of control. But before a single syble could escape his lips, Maxwell swooped in with effortless charm, casually draping an arm across Marisa¡¯s shoulders as he addressed udius with devastating cheerfulness.

    ¡°Don¡¯t waste your breath. Marisa has no interest in your contract either.¡±

    Ignoring the thundercloud darkening udius¡¯ features, Maxwell twisted the knife with casual precision. ¡°And as for that dinner invitation ¡ª we¡¯ll have to give it a miss as well. Marisa needs to study too!¡±

    Marisa froze, Maxwell¡¯s deration hitting her like a ssh of cold water. She whipped her head toward him, eyes wide with disbelief, and hissed under her breath, ¡°Study? Are you kidding me?¡±

    Maxwell leaned in close, employing his time-tested strategy for managing Marisa ¡ª gentle ckmail delivered with a smile. ¡°If you value your monthly allowance, y along and say nothing.¡±

    With a dramatic roll of her eyes, Marisa surrendered to the inevitable. To hell with it all ¡ª neither contracts nor stuffy corporate dinners held any real allure for her anyway.

    In her world, gaming existed purely for the thrill and escape it provided, nothing more.

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 Chapter 497

    ?Chapter 497:

    udius was utterly at a loss. In his lifelong reign as the Cooper Group¡¯s golden heir, never had he weathered such a barrage of rejection in a single afternoon!

    And for what? A contract that industry professionals would have crawled through broken ss to secure! Yet here they stood ¡ª unmoved, unimpressed, and utterly indifferent to the opportunity he dangled before them.

    Rooted to the spot, udius felt the first genuine flicker of self-doubt creep into his consciousness. What on earth went wrong?

    He nced at Maia, unwilling to give up, but before he could say anything, his gaze drifted desperately toward her. His mind scrambled for another approach, but before he could gather his thoughts, Chris¡¯ voice sliced through the tension.

    ¡°Everyone clearly hasmitments elsewhere. Perhaps we should conclude this meeting.¡±

    udius¡¯ fingers curled into white-knuckled fists as he shot daggers at Chris with his eyes.

    Chris, unfazed, met udius¡¯ re with a smile that dripped with false helpfulness. ¡°udius, that scowl doesn¡¯t suit you. Remember, there¡¯s still the third-cepetitor waiting in the wings. Why not direct your generous offer her way?¡±

    A palpable silence descended upon the room.

    udius¡¯ features twisted with barely contained fury.

    Sign Mnie? Impossible!

    If he dared bring Mnie under Ark Technology¡¯s umbre ¡ª much less cultivate her talent ¡ª Hurst would likely storm his corporate headquarters in a blind rage.

    The mere thought of Hurst¡¯s perpetual scowl andbative personality sent an unpleasant shiver crawling across udius¡¯ scalp. And what of thevish¡­

    The celebration dinner he¡¯d arranged? With both the champion and runner-up conspicuously absent, the event would be nothing but a hollow charade.

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    Tension crackled through the air on stage like static electricity.

    Maia broke the ufortable silence with a smile that was politeness personified, her voice a study in gracious finality. ¡°Thank you for your kind offer today, Mr. Cooper. If our business here is concluded, Ethan and I must be on our way.¡±

    With these words, she gently sped Ethan¡¯s hand in hers.

    Ethan cast one final, lingering nce at udius before yielding to his sister¡¯s gentle guidance.

    udius stood frozen in disbelief, his hand rising instinctively to halt their departure. Yet before his gesture could fully form, Maia had already steered Ethan away with purposeful strides, her movements fluid and decisive, betraying not a moment¡¯s hesitation or regret.

    Witnessing their exit, Chris slipped his hands into his pockets with casual indifference and sauntered after them.

    Marisa had settled in, eager to witness the unfolding spectacle, but Maxwell seized her elbow and steered her toward the exit. ¡°Time to make ourselves scarce! If we¡¯ve declined his invitation, lingering here sends mixed signals ¡ª he might think you¡¯re reconsidering.¡±

    Thus, Maxwell and Marisa made their hasty departure as well. udius stood on the empty stage, somewhat lost.

    When in his charmed existence had he ever encountered such aprehensive rejection?

    But¡­ it didn¡¯t matter.

    After all, the sweetest victories were those hard-won against formidable odds. The same principle applied to people.

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 Chapter 498

    ?Chapter 498:

    udius tracked Maia¡¯s retreating silhouette, a calcting smile slowly blooming across his face.

    Beneath the velvet canopy of night, streetlights cast elongated shadows across the gathered figures.

    Maia froze mid-step, her gaze darting between Ethan¡¯s vice-like grip on her arm and Chris¡¯ solitary figure nearby.

    A gentle clearing of her throat broke the silence.

    Since earlier, Ethan had been anchored to her arm, his fingers tense as though Chris might steal her away with a mere nce.

    Ethan maneuvered himself into a human barrier between them, his posture unyielding.

    Chris noticed Maia¡¯s awkwardness and said with a calm expression, ¡°I¡¯ll find my own cab.¡±

    Maia wavered briefly before surrendering with a nod.

    Maxwell, ever attentive, pounced on Chris¡¯ words. ¡°Join me instead! I¡¯m happy to drive you,¡± he dered with enthusiasm.

    Chris tilted his head toward Maxwell, his mesmerizing eyes crinkling at the corners. ¡°I appreciate that, Mr. Payne,¡± he replied with quiet dignity.

    With fluid grace, he strode toward Maxwell¡¯s waiting vehicle. In Chris¡¯ wake, Maia and Ethan navigated toward the distant parking area.

    Unlike Maxwell, with his privileges, Maia¡¯s modest sports carnguished far from the Technology Museum¡¯s grandiose entrance. The journey to the parking lot stretched in weighted silence.

    As the car door clicked shut, sealing them in privacy, Ethan pivoted toward Maia, words visibly forming then dissolving on his lips.

    Sliding the key into the ignition, Maia flicked her eyes to him and abandoned pretense. ¡°Ethan, what exactly is your issue with Chris? You don¡¯t like him, do you?¡± she asked, cutting through the tension.

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    Startled by her directness, Ethan¡¯s teeth worried his bottom lip before he shook his head.

    Curiosity furrowed Maia¡¯s brow. ¡°Why?¡±

    Ethan gathered his scattered thoughts before whispering, ¡°Everyone says he¡¯s nothing but a charming yboy.¡± Maia paused.

    The usation hung between them before Maia found herself rising instinctively to Chris¡¯ defense. ¡°Ethan, listen to yourself ¡ª you¡¯re condemning a man based on what others are saying. Do you truly know Chris beneath the surface?¡±

    Ethan remained silent.

    ¡°We build prisons from appearances and hearsay,¡± she continued, her voice softening like evening light. ¡°But people deserve more than judgments built on rumors.¡±

    The car¡¯s pace ckened as Maia¡¯s thoughts crystallized. ¡°Understanding someone requires proximity ¡ª walking alongside them through their reality rather than viewing them through a distorted lens. Remember in school, when you were falsely used despite being innocent? That feeling of being misjudged ¡ª it cuts deep. Maybe we shouldn¡¯t be so quick tobel others.¡±

    After saying this, Maia felt a sudden rity, as if her words were meant as much for herself as for Ethan.

    Her reminder transported Ethan back to his difficult early days in ss One.

    He lowered his head, ears flushing with recognition. Maia was right. No one understood the pain of misunderstanding better than he did. He pursed his lips and murmured softly, ¡°Maia¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I understand now.¡±

    Maia reached out to tousle his soft hair, her smile warming. ¡°Good, as long as you understand.¡±

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 Chapter 499

    ?Chapter 499:

    The night settled peacefully around them.

    Neither spoke another word.

    Streetlights cast golden halos through the car windows as they drove. Ethan gazed out at the passing world, then caught his own reflection, thoughts turning inward with newfound perspective.

    The car drove on for a while longer until the illuminated entrance of Marvelous Garden appeared before them.

    As Maia brought the vehicle to rest, a question surfaced unexpectedly. ¡°By the way¡­ what was behind Mnie¡¯s sudden apology today?¡± The memory of being apologized to by Mnie in public still confused her.

    Ethan studied Maia¡¯s softened expression, relieved to see her irritation had ebbed, and offered, ¡°Mnie lost a bet with Marisa, forcing her hand to¡­¡±

    He recounted the whole story.

    Maia listened, eyebrows arched in a blend of amusement and exasperation.

    ¡°That exins it,¡± she sighed.

    The pieces clicked ¡ª no wonder Mnie had worn that look of mortified desperation.

    Ethan¡¯s thoughts drifted to Hurst, his lips pressing together in contemtion.

    Silence stretched between them before he mustered his courage from some hidden reserve. ¡°Maia!¡±

    She pivoted toward him, her response a gentle, ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Whoever ims your heart ¡ª if he cherishes you genuinely and honors who you are¡­ I¡¯ll always have your back.¡±

    Though softly spoken, Ethan¡¯s deration reached Maia with perfect rity.

    Her fingers tensed against the steering wheel as she turned toward Ethan, surprise flickering across her features.

    Maia¡¯s heartbeat faltered, Chris¡¯ image materializing unbidden in her thoughts. Could it be¡­ Ethan had sensed something?

    After a thoughtful pause, she curved her lips into a smile. ¡°What prompted this deration?¡±

    Ethan blinked at the directness of her question, his hand rising self-consciously to his head while crimson bloomed across his ears. Gaze sliding sideways, he stammered, ¡°Nothing significant¡­ just thinking aloud.¡±

    epting his exnation, Maia navigated toward the concrete descent of the underground garage.

    Meanwhile, after dropping Marisa at her home, Maxwell used the pretense of taking Chris to his boss as cover for bringing him to the ck market¡¯s hidden base.

    A concealed door slid open, allowing Chris and Maxwell to step inside together.

    Maxwell sealed the entrance behind them before turning with a hushed question. ¡°So¡­ did everything proceed ording to n this time?¡±

    Chris¡¯ voice carried a deceptive stillness. ¡°It went rtively smoothly.¡± As he spoke, he sank into the sofa, his eyes narrowing to calcting slits while fragments of the day¡¯s operation flickered through his mind. The n had been architected with precision, crafted to ensure a wless escape, but at the final moment, a formidable team had materialized from nowhere.

    They moved with military discipline ¡ª well-equipped, expertly trained, and wielding devastating power.

    The truth was undeniable: Kolton had reached out to that person, and these reinforcements were nothing short of elite.

    Though Chris had salvaged most of the goods, their casualties were significant. Even Chris himself hadn¡¯t escaped unscathed. An enemy sniper¡¯s bullet had found him, though ast-second twist of his body had spared him from fatal damage.

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 Chapter 500

    ?Chapter 500:

    After Chris briefly recounted the encounter, Maxwell¡¯s eyes widened with horror. Never had he imagined Chris¡¯ assignment would teeter so close to catastrophe.

    ¡°How¡¯s your injury?¡± Maxwell asked with concern.

    Chris lifted his arm with casual indifference. ¡°It¡¯s not serious.¡±

    Although his shoulder had been hit by the sniper and the injury was severe at the time, something peculiar had been happeningtely ¡ª his injuries were vanishing at an inexplicable rate.

    This phenomenon left Chris deeply perplexed.

    Logically, a wound in that location should have sidelined him for at least a month or two, even with vital areas miraculously spared. Yet somehow, Chris had regained full mobility in under a week.

    The injury had already formed a healthy scab and was closing at an uncanny pace. At this rate,plete healing seemed just days away rather than months.

    Maxwell¡¯s face darkened with concern as the implications settled over him. Despite Chris¡¯ casual attitude, the true danger of the situation hung in the air between them, almost tangible if one paused to consider it.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper,¡± Maxwell ventured, ¡°why would that person extend such significant help to Kolton?¡±

    Chris¡¯ eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, cold calction glinting beneath hisshes. ¡°It¡¯s simply one predator stalking behind another¡­¡± His lips curled into a contemptuous smile. ¡°He¡¯s likely hoping to seize control of Cooper Group and dominate Zephyria¡¯s entire businessndscape.¡±

    Maxwell¡¯s fists tightened involuntarily. ¡°That¡¯s despicable!¡±

    ¡°We need to stay sharp for now,¡± Chris said, his voice deepening with gravity. ¡°This blow may have hurt Kolton, but he won¡¯t back down easily. He¡¯ll likely use that person¡¯s connections to hunt for our tracks through the dark web.¡±

    Read the newest chapters g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    Maxwell nodded, worry creeping into his voice. ¡°I just wonder if Hawk can handle the pressure¡­ That person doesn¡¯t have many hackers, but each one is world-ss.¡±

    He paused, then added, ¡°Plus, who knows what other hidden resources that person might still have tucked away.¡±

    Meanwhile, at the Cooper Group headquarters, the chairman¡¯s office was eerily silent.

    With a crack, a crystal ashtray sailed across the room and exploded against the wall, fracturing into a constetion of glittering shards. Kolton¡¯s chest rose and fell in rapid session, his face ckened by a storm of rage.

    ¡°Worthless!¡± The word tore from between his clenched teeth, his eyes zing with murderous intent.

    That shipment had been the linchpin of Cooper Group¡¯s operations ¡ª the essential raw materials for their international venture that would have cemented their global position. He had leveraged precious connections and poured vast financial resources into securing those goods.

    Now, not only had he lost countless men, but a substantial portion of the materials had vanished into enemy hands.

    The consequences were immediate and devastating: Cooper Group faced cripplingpensation ims while their stock value hemorrhaged by the hour.

    Only days before, Aurora Apparel Company had slipped through his fingers into MCN¡¯s waiting hands, leaving a critical gap in Cooper Group¡¯s fashion portfolio.

    Now this loss of essential materials made the pattern painfully clear. Someone was deliberately targeting Cooper Group.

    Kolton¡¯s teeth ground together as his eyes darkened to something predatory.

    He drew a steadying breath,pressing his rage into something cold and focused. ¡°Whoever is behind this¡­ I¡¯ll find him and destroy himpletely!¡±

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 Chapter 501

    ?Chapter 501:

    After thepetition ended, Mnie dragged herself home, each step heavier than thest. She pushed open the door and made a beeline for her bedroom, only to freeze at the unexpected sight of her father ¡ª who typically workedte ¡ª already upying the living room.

    Hurst sat perched on the sofa in his crisp business suit, one leg crossed elegantly over the other, a financial newspaper held loosely in his hands. A slight furrow marked his otherwiseposed features. His eyes flicked to the clock before settling on her with cial disapproval. ¡°So you¡¯ve finally decided toe home? Do you even know what time it is?¡±

    Hurst had reached his limit. First came the incident with Maia¡¯s younger brother at school, and now this pattern of locking herself away the moment she crossed the threshold. He felt increasingly certain that his daughter needed firmer boundaries ¡ª the days of indulgence were over.

    Mnie¡¯s pulse quickened as her mind raced for a usible excuse. She¡¯d kept the gamingpetition aplete secret from her father. In Hurst¡¯s old-fashioned worldview, video games were nothing but a wasteful distraction. Luckily, his packed schedule usually kept him too busy to track school activities or notice esports tournaments.

    Armed with this reassurance, Mnie softened her tone as she replied, ¡°Today, the evening study session rante.¡±

    Hurst lowered the newspaper, studying Mnie¡¯s face intently. Finding nothing suspicious in her expression, he gave a brief nod. ¡°Get some rest and try to maintain a proper schedule.¡± He lifted the financial pages back to eye level, considering the matter closed.

    Mnie lingered uncertainly, then drifted toward her father¡¯s seat,ing to a stop directly before him. Sensing her presence, Hurst looked up. ¡°What is it? Something you need to tell me?¡± He set the newspaper aside again, eyes narrowing slightly as he examined her. ¡°You haven¡¯t stirred up more trouble at school today, have you?¡±

    Mnie parted her lips to speak, then faltered.

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    Unbidden, the image of Maia¡¯sposed yet kind face materialized in her thoughts, alongside the echoes of ssmates singing Maia¡¯s praises¡­ A strange feeling bubbled up within her chest.

    ¡°Dad,¡± she suddenly blurted, ¡°have you ever thought about finding me a new mom?¡±

    Silence fell over the living room.

    Startled by the question, Hurst raised his head. ¡°What did you just say?¡± Across the room, Mnie looked just as confused as he did.

    She had no idea why those words had slipped out of her mouth. Maybe, after learning more about Maia, she suddenly realized it wouldn¡¯t be so bad to have a stepmother like Maia?

    That was absolutely ridiculous.

    With a quick shake of her head, Mnie threw up her hands. ¡°Forget it. It was just a dumb question. I¡¯m heading back to my room now.¡± Without giving anyone a chance to stop her, she spun on her heel and disappeared down the hallway.

    A sharp m followed as her bedroom door shut tightly, slicing through the tension still lingering in the air.

    Hurst remained on the couch, his eyes darkening beneath a growing furrow in his brow.

    Quietly, he removed his sses and set them down on the edge of the coffee table.

    A long breath escaped him, slow and tired.

    Could it be that his daughter was finally craving something she had never had¡ªa mother figure in her life?

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 Chapter 502

    ?Chapter 502:

    In all these years, he had never once considered marrying again. Part of that was due to his position, which attracted too many women with motives he couldn¡¯t trust.

    Still, the deeper truth pointed back to Mnie.

    At his wife¡¯s grave, Hurst had once made a silent promise¡ªto pour every drop of love and protection into their daughter¡¯s life. Since then, he had chosen solitude, channeling everything into his work and his role as a father.

    For the longest time, he believed that would be enough.

    But now, after hearing Mnie¡¯s unexpected words, a sliver of doubt began to carve into that certainty.

    It became painfully clear that his daughter needed more than a stable home and financial security.

    What she truly longed for was something warmer ¡ª a mother¡¯s presence, her voice, her arms, her steadiness.

    Hurst pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, trying to ease the sudden heaviness in his chest.

    Maybe it was finally time to think about someone who could stand beside him ¡ª not for himself, but for Mnie¡¯s sake.

    Darkness had settled fully, and a soft breeze driftedzily through the quiet air.

    By the time Chris reached the foot of the stairs, a nce at his watch confirmed that it was already well past ten-thirty. The neighborhood, at this hour, had fallen into thatte-night hush where every sound seemed to echo.

    Assuming that she was already home, Chris figured that she would be asleep by now.

    He climbed the stairs, slid the key into the lock, and eased the door open.

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    To his surprise, he caught a faint aroma wafting from the kitchen as soon as he entered.

    Chris stopped in his tracks and nced over. The kitchen light was still glowing. Maia stood at the stove, quietly focused.

    She wore afy set of loungewear. The soft glow traced the outline of her figure, casting a warm, peaceful scene that felt almost like a painting.

    Something flickered in Chris¡¯ eyes ¡ª curiosity and a sh of surprise. What was keeping her up thiste?

    Before he could say anything, Maia turned from the stove and carried a bowl of steaming soup straight to the table.

    Her gaze lifted mid-step, catching sight of him just as he stood in the entryway. She blinked, surprised by the timing. He had shown up at the exact moment she¡¯d finished.

    After taking Ethan home, she¡¯de back earlier than usual, slipping into the kitchen the moment she returned.

    Two full hours had gone into preparing the soup ¡ª measured, stirred, and simmered with care.

    She didn¡¯t overthink it. ¡°I made you something to eat before bed,¡± she said simply, her words soft in thete-night quiet.

    Chris¡¯ expression shifted, a quiet flicker behind his eyes. From the arena to the dark corners of the ck market with Maxwell, he hadn¡¯t stopped long enough to notice his own needs.

    Until now, food hadn¡¯t even crossed his mind. But the scent wed at him, and his stomach twisted with sudden urgency.

    He cleared his throat, walked to the table, and pulled out a chair with quiet intention. As he sat down, his gaze lifted to hers, holding steady, warm, and unexpectedly tender.

    Noticing the way his eyes lingered, Maia narrowed hers. ¡°What¡¯s with that look you¡¯re giving me?¡±

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 Chapter 503

    ?Chapter 503:

    Leaning on one elbow, Chris tilted his head and squinted slightly.

    ¡°Why¡¯ve you been treating me so welltely?¡±

    A flick of her brow lifted as she asked, ¡°You don¡¯t like it?¡±

    Chris¡¯ response came without pause, his head bobbing quickly. ¡°Yes, I love it. I really do.¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes dropped to the bowl on the table, a yful smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Then prove it ¡ª empty that bowl. Not a single drop left behind.¡±

    With a grin and the confidence of a man on a mission, Chris grabbed the spoon.

    ¡°This¡¯ll be easy.¡±

    He scooped a generous mouthful, gave it a soft blow to cool it down, then slowly brought it to his lips.

    But the next second, his expression froze, and he almost spat out the soup.

    His gaze dropped to the broth, eyes wide in disbelief, as if the bowl had betrayed him.

    For something that smelled so incredible, the taste waspletely off the rails.

    Maia usually nailed every dish, but this¡­ this was something else entirely.

    He stirred the liquid cautiously, frowning as unfamiliar chunks floated to the surface ¡ª roots, herbs, maybe even twigs? What were these mystery ingredients?

    Just recalling the vor made his stomach twist. Getting it done might be harder than he thought.

    A twitch yed at the corner of Chris¡¯ mouth, somewhere between amusement and despair.

    From across the table, Maia picked up on his hesitation. ¡°Why did you stop after just one bite?¡±

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    He hesitated, searching for the right words. ¡°Might¡¯ve gotten a little too cocky a minute ago.¡±

    Her brow lifted in a skeptical arch. ¡°What?¡±

    Drawing in a breath like he was preparing for battle, Chris said, ¡°Since my lovely wife poured her heart into this, I¡¯m honor-bound to finish everyst drop.¡±

    That finally earned a nod of approval from Maia. ¡°Good answer.¡±

    With exaggerated resolve, Chris mped his fingers over his nose and leaned in like a soldier marching to his doom. Each spoonful felt like a personal trial, stretching his taste tolerance to its breaking point.

    As he swallowed, he kept encouraging himself inwardly, ¡°She made this for me. It tastes like boiled socks, but this is love. This is devotion. I will survive.¡±

    Atst, after Chris had downed the entire bowl of herbal broth in a single gulp, his hands trembled as he slowly set the bowl aside. Hisplexion turned a shade paler, and tiny beads of sweat glistened across his forehead like morning dew on a winter leaf.

    He looked utterly spent, as though that single bowl had wrung every drop of strength from his body.

    Across the room, Maia watched him closely. His cheeks had turned a deep crimson from the strain of enduring the unpleasant taste, and despite herself, she let out a softugh.

    Chris tried to return her smile, though it looked more like a grimace, and made an effort to rise and tidy up the kitchen. But Maia stopped him with a firm grip.

    ¡°You¡¯ve taken the medicine. That¡¯s enough for tonight ¡ª go and get some rest,¡± she said, her tone leaving no room for debate. ¡°I¡¯ll clean up here. As for the leftover herbs, toss them out next time. You wouldn¡¯t know what to keep anyway.¡±

    Chris froze for a moment, caught off guard. Was there going to be a next time? Was he expected to drink that dreadful concoction again? Maia, unconcerned with his reaction, simply carried on. After speaking, she picked up the dishes and headed into the kitchen.

    Today¡¯s broth had carried a potent twist ¡ª she¡¯d added a particrly powerful herb to speed up his recovery.

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 Chapter 504

    ?Chapter 504:

    The taste had been nearly impossible to disguise, and she had gone to great lengths, trying every trick she knew to make it even remotely tolerable.

    She hoped that in just a few days, his injuries would be nothing but a bad memory.

    The next morning, the online world awoke to a sudden storm on Twitter. A trending headline broke like a wave crashing against the shore ¡ª the Morgan family had just announced that in three days¡¯ time, there would be a joint birthday celebration for Maia and Rosanna.

    The post, made by Sandra, was dressed to impress: it featured a photograph of the grand entrance of the Morgan Mansion. A luxurious red carpet rolled out like a royal wee, and ornate decorations sparkled in the early light. Everything was being arranged with painstaking attention, dripping with extravagance.

    Rosanna had shared the post herself and tagged Maia explicitly, making it impossible to ignore.

    Within thirty minutes, thement section had erupted into chaos.

    ¡°Wait a minute! Didn¡¯t Maia cut ties with the Morgans?¡±

    ¡°They were at each other¡¯s throats not long ago, and now they¡¯re throwing a joint party? What¡¯s the catch?¡±

    ¡°Look closer ¡ª ¡®for two daughters¡¯? That sounds like they¡¯re trying to bring Maia back into the family fold.¡±

    ¡°This is nonsense. Maia wouldn¡¯t forgive them. Not after everything.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s be real ¡ª Maia¡¯s a powerhouse now. The Morgans are clearly trying to cash in on her fame by spinning this narrative.¡±

    Elsewhere, Richard sat at his office desk, practically glowing with delight.

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Make sure you attend the party in three days,¡± he said into the phone, his voice animated. ¡°No worries ¡ª we¡¯ll go over the project details then.¡±

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    Heughed heartily before ending the call ¡ª only to pick up another one immediately.

    His assistant walked in with coffee, pausing briefly at the sight of Richard¡¯s beaming face. For a moment, he wondered if he¡¯d stepped into the wrong office. Was this really the same temperamental chairman known for thunderous meetings and icy stares?

    The man before him now looked transformed.

    Richard, for his part, was immensely satisfied.

    He hadn¡¯t imagined that a simple Twitter post ¡ª suggesting a thaw in their rtionship with Maia ¡ª would open the floodgates of business interest.

    The phones at Morgan Group hadn¡¯t stopped ringing since the announcement. The response was nothing short of overwhelming. There was no denying it ¡ª Maia¡¯s influence had be a rising tide, lifting the Morgan name with it.

    If they could use the uing birthday celebration to fully reintegrate Maia into the family, then their prospects would be golden. The sky, it seemed, was no longer the limit ¡ª it was just the beginning.

    In the face of such lucrative returns, old grudges faded like ink in the rain.

    Sure, Maia had once been the headstrong girl who unknowingly usurped Rosanna¡¯s ce for seventeen years. But now, if she could bring fortune and recognition to the Morgan name, they could certainly find it in their hearts to be ¡°forgiving.¡±

    After all, wasn¡¯t this her way of giving back to the family that raised her?

    Still, a shadow of regret lingered in Richard¡¯s heart.

    If his biological daughter, Rosanna, had even half of Maia¡¯s current reputation, why would the Morgan family need to rely on Maia, an outsider in his heart?

    But then again, Rosanna had suffered through a difficult childhood ¡ª much harsher than Maia¡¯s. Perhaps it wasn¡¯t fair to expect the world from her.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 505

    ?Chapter 505:

    Letting out a long, silent sigh, Richard leaned forward and began dialing again, chasing new partnerships like a man who had finally caught sight of treasure on the horizon.

    Elysium Apartments

    Chris lounged on the couch, absentmindedly scrolling through his phone. But when his thumb stopped on the trending topics ¡ª Maia and the Morgan family ¡ª his rxed expression vanished. A sharp intensity settled over his face, his gaze darkening as he read on.

    Without a word, he got up and pushed open the door.

    In the living room, Maia sat cross-legged on the opposite sofa,zily flipping through a fashion magazine. A bowl of fruit sat by her side, and she nibbled from it like someone with all the time in the world.

    Lately, she had put a pause on nearly everything else. Her focus had shifted entirely to preparing health-focused meals for Chris ¡ª recipes, routines, the whole shebang. She barely left the apartment these days, subtly ensuring that Chris stayed where she could see him.

    And it had worked. He had not stepped outside in days.

    Otherwise, given his personality, he would have already thrown himself into his usual whirlwind of activities. For now, he had no choice but to delegate tasks to Maxwell remotely. He walked over, stopping just behind her.

    Maia,pletely absorbed, had not even noticed.

    Chris nced down. Her attention was fixed on a particr page. The headline caught his eye: Angel¡¯s Tear ¡ª A Legendary Sapphire to Be Auctioned Soon.

    The image beside it showed a sapphire the size of a clenched fist, glowing with brilliance.

    Chris leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper near her ear. ¡°Do you like it?¡±

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    Maia jolted, nearly spilling the bowl of fruit. She twisted to look at him, startled. ¡°Are you a ninja now? When did you even walk in?¡±

    He chuckled, slipping his hands into his pockets. ¡°You were too lost in that magazine to notice anything else.¡±

    Maia narrowed her eyes but had noeback. Instead, she scooted a little to the side and pointed at the image. ¡°I mean¡­ look at it. I have never seen a sapphire that huge in real life. It would be incredible to see it up close.¡±

    Chris raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a thoughtful smile. Something unreadable flickered in his eyes.

    Cooper Mining Co., Ltd. ¡ª CEO¡¯s Office

    udius reclined in his office chair, phone in hand, scrolling through the same trending topics. His thumb paused as he caught sight of Maia¡¯s birthday among the headlines. His gaze sharpened slightly.

    Just then, his phone buzzed with a message.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, this is Rosanna Morgan. My family is hosting a birthday banquet for me in three days, and I would love to invite you. Will you be able to attend?¡±

    udius¡¯ face darkened a shade. Rosanna Morgan? He remembered clearly that he had already blocked her. Did the block not go through? Or had she found a way around it?

    With an exasperated sigh, he flicked open the chat, his thumb hovering over the block button again. But then¡­ he paused.

    A slow, cold smile spread across his face. Instead of deleting her message, he typed back a single word.

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    On the other side of the city, Rosanna let out a gleeful squeal the moment she saw his reply. She leapt from her seat, hands clutched to her chest.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 506

    ?Chapter 506:

    He wasing! She told herself that it meant something ¡ª it had to mean something. She was certain now: udius still had feelings for her.

    Her n was working like clockwork. That little tip-off about Maia and Chris checking into a hotel had been a game changer. Now that udius believed Maia was being unfaithful, he would not spare her a second thought.

    Rosanna¡¯s smile turned smug. This birthday banquet would be her grandeback. With Maia by her side, she would not only redeem her reputation but make sure Maia¡¯s crumbledpletely.

    At longst, the gloom that had shadowed her for weeks began to lift.

    Back at Elysium Apartments, Maia let out a sudden sneeze. She blinked and rubbed her nose, wondering if she had caught a chill from her early-morning kitchen marathon. She had been slicing fruit and prepping soup for hours in that barely warm apron.

    Shaking off the thought, she reached for a jacket, nced at the clock, and pulled out her phone. She dialed Ethan¡¯s number.

    They had agreed yesterday to head to the bank today¡ªbetter to deposit that million-dor check than let it sit around gathering dust. And besides, it was high time Ethan had a bank ount of his own.

    Maia recalled Kathie¡¯s expression the other day¡ªan emotional cocktail of pride, excitement, and sheer relief. Ethan was growing up. He was not the little boy who needed protecting anymore.

    So, when Kathie had suggested that Maia keep the prize money, Maia had shaken her head without hesitation. This was Ethan¡¯s win. His reward. He should decide what to do with it.

    The call connected, and before Maia could speak, Ethan¡¯s voice came through, brisk and confident. ¡°Maia, I¡¯m already at the bank. This is notplicated¡ªI can handle it on my own. Kathie is with me. You have enough on your te already. You don¡¯t need toe.¡±

    Maia blinked, caught off guard for a second¡ªthen a small smile curved her lips. Her brother really was growing up. ¡°Alright,¡± she said. ¡°Let me know once you¡¯re finished.¡±

    I??€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? ?¦Ç ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.c??

    As the call ended with a soft click, Ethan released a long breath. His eyes dropped to the check in his hand¡ªone million dors. The glossy paper felt impossibly light, yet it weighed down his entire arm. His fingers trembled slightly, as though his body could hardly believe what his eyes were seeing.

    A million dors.

    He could barely wrap his head around it. Back in the slums, even ten thousand in cash had been a fantasy. The most his family had ever scraped together was maybe two grand, and even that had been rare.

    Originally, Ethan had thought to exchange the check, keep ten thousand aside to buy some gifts, and hand the rest over to Maia. When Kathie suggested that Maia keep the million yesterday, Ethan remained silent, considering that he would prepare a surprise for Maia. He wanted to do something meaningful for her, something that she would never expect. That was why he had insisted that Maia stay behind.

    Last night, after Maia left, Ethan had sat with Kathie andid out his n. Kathie, who had immediately caught on, had grinned, tousled his hair with sisterly affection, and promised to go with him to the bank in the morning.

    And she had kept her word. Now, with the transaction done and the sun casting a sharp gleam off the pavement, Ethan stepped out of the bank beside her.

    Out of nowhere, Kathie nudged him with her elbow and shed a teasing smile. ¡°So,¡± she asked, ¡°have you figured out what kind of gift you¡¯re getting Maia?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t made up my mind yet,¡± Ethan said, his voice steady with sincerity. ¡°But I¡¯m nning to give her the gift ¡ª and the bank card ¡ª on her birthday. I mean, I¡¯m just a student. I don¡¯t need that kind of money. Besides, Maia pulled every string she could and poured a fortune just to help me get into school. Even the house we live in? She bought it with her own savings.¡±

    Kathie, watching Ethan speak with a calm maturity that hadn¡¯t been there before, felt a wave of approval. Though a million hadnded in hisp, it hadn¡¯t gone to his head. Instead, he seemed to have grown up overnight. She nodded with quiet satisfaction. ¡°Then think it through ¡ª and give her a proper surprise!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 507

    ?Chapter 507:

    ¡°Alright.¡± Ethan gave a solemn nod, as though sealing a promise with himself.

    Later that evening, back at home, Ethany in bed, tossing and turning like a ship caught in indecisive winds. No matter how he turned it over in his mind, he couldn¡¯t settle on what kind of gift would truly express his gratitude to Maia.

    Just then, his phone buzzed. A message popped up from Marisa. ¡°Hey, champ! Got any grand ns for that million yet?¡±

    Ethan stared at the screen, and a thought sparked. Maybe Marisa could help. She had a brother, after all, and being a girl herself, she might have a better sense of what kind of gift would really touch a woman¡¯s heart. Taking a deep breath, he tapped her number and hit ¡°call.¡± She picked up almost immediately.

    ¡°Well, well, calling me out of the blue ¡ª what¡¯s this? nning to blow that million on a fancy dinner for me?¡±

    Ethan paused, caught off guard by her teasing tone.

    But then he thought it over ¡ª had it not been for Marisa dragging him into the game, he wouldn¡¯t even be in this position. Besides, a dinner would be a good excuse to pick her brain about gift ideas. So he replied, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m inviting you to dinner. Are you free now?¡±

    Marisa blinked in surprise. She¡¯d only been joking, never expecting him to take it seriously. A bold move? He usually acted a bit clueless, but this move? It was surprisingly thoughtful.

    Without missing a beat, she answered, ¡°Of course! If you¡¯re buying, how could I say no?¡±

    They quickly agreed on a ce to meet ¡ª the lobster restaurant right outside the school gate. Marisa had been craving spicy crawfish, and the ce wasn¡¯t too pricey.

    Though Ethan now had a million in his pocket, she had no intention of milking it for all it was worth. Still, her heart gave a little flutter as she recalled Ethan¡¯s dazzling moment during thepetition. Now that they were going out ¡ª just the two of them ¡ª was this a date? No way¡­ Right? What was she thinking? At best, it was a friendly meal. A small victory feast, maybe. But she was absolutely making sure the guy who stole her championship paid for every dish.

    ?????????? ?????????????? ???????? ????????: ??????????¦Í??????.??????

    With that in mind, Marisa jumped to her feet and headed for the closet to choose an outfit.

    It was nearing noon when Maxwell finally dragged himself out of bed. He¡¯d stumbled home well past midnight and was still groggy, his head foggy fromck of sleep. If his stomach hadn¡¯t growled loud enough to wake the dead, he might¡¯ve slept straight into the afternoon.

    But the moment he opened his bedroom door, all trace of drowsiness vanished like mist under the morning sun.

    Standing before him was his sister, Marisa ¡ª almost unrecognizable. She had light makeup on, and she was wearing that rare, graceful dress she¡¯d all but sworn that she¡¯d never touch.

    Maxwell¡¯s eyes widened. He knew that dress ¡ª it was the one he¡¯d given herst year for her birthday, hoping that it would coax her into acting a little less like one of the boys.

    She¡¯d nearly thrown it out then and there. It had taken endless persuading for her to ept it, and even then, she¡¯d just stuffed it away in the closet, untouched and forgotten.

    So what was happening now? Had pigs started flying?

    ¡°Whoa, did I wake up too fast, or am I dreaming?¡± Maxwell muttered as he pinched his arm, half-expecting to wake up.

    Marisa, hoping to sneak past unnoticed, winced as she came face-to-face with her brother. Rolling her eyes with a groan, she snapped, ¡°If you¡¯re dreaming, go back to bed!¡±

    ¡°Wait ¡ª what¡¯s with the getup? Where are you off to?¡± Maxwell gawked at her, scanning her from head to toe like she was some rare species.

    .

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 Chapter 508

    ?Chapter 508:

    ¡°Why do you care? Can¡¯t I go out for lunch and a little shopping?¡± Marisa shot back, already halfway to the door.

    The door mmed behind her before Maxwell could say another word. He stood there in stunned silence for a few heartbeats. ¡°That¡¯s how you talk to your brother?¡± he muttered. ¡°I¡¯m family, you know!¡±

    Then a thought struck him ¡ª could she be going out with someone? But the idea was so absurd that Maxwell chuckled and shook his head. Knowing Marisa and her rough-around-the-edges attitude, what guy in his right mind could possibly handle her?

    At the restaurant, Ethan arrived ahead of schedule, the ticking clock barely keeping up with his steps, and began leafing through the menu with idle fingers.

    Just then, out of the corner of his eye, a graceful silhouette drifted into view, like a ripple across still water,pelling him to lift his gaze. Seated across from him was a young woman, her makeup tastefully bright, and her demeanor as soft as morning light. A warm smile yed on her lips.

    Ethan froze, as if caught in a moment suspended between time and thought. Today, Marisa lookedpletely different from her usual self at school.

    Her hair, which normally clung to the back of her head in a tidy tie, now flowed freely over her shoulders like a waterfall at dusk. Gone was the familiar denim jacket, reced by a breezy, beige dress that gave her an air of effortless charm and gentle sweetness.

    Ethan almost questioned whether it was really her. He stared for several long moments, his face flushing with sudden warmth.

    ¡°Hey, why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?¡± Marisa asked, tilting her head slightly, a yful lilt in her voice.

    Ethan blinked and snapped back to the present. Yes ¡ª it was Marisa, without a shadow of doubt.

    ???€?? ¡é?¦Át?¦Å§ñs 1n ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.???

    ¡°N-No, it¡¯s nothing¡­¡± he fumbled, tripping over his words and avoiding her gaze.

    Marisa raised a brow, sensing something amiss. She had taken extra care with her appearance today, hoping for at least a smallpliment. But from Ethan? Not a word. Honestly, he was as dense as fog on a winter morning.

    As they ate, Ethan remained mostly quiet, letting Marisa carry the conversation like a one-woman show.

    ¡°You know what? Mnie¡¯s face that day was priceless! I nearly burst outughing.¡±

    Ethan, lost in thought, suddenly cut into her story with a softer tone. ¡°Actually, there¡¯s something I was hoping to get your advice on today. I want to give a gift to someone really important to me¡­ but I¡¯m at aplete loss.¡±

    Marisa paused mid-breath, momentarily startled. Someone important? Her mind immediately darted to the buzz floating around Twitter ¡ª the Morgan family was¡­

    Making headlines for throwing avish birthday party for Rosanna and Maia, Marisa couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°You¡¯re talking about a birthday gift for your sister, right?¡±

    Ethan¡¯s eyes widened, and his face turned the color of ripe tomatoes. He nodded quickly. ¡°How did you guess?¡±

    Marisa chuckled, a knowing gleam in her eyes. ¡°Have you not seen Twitter? The Morgan family¡¯s birthday bash is all over the ce.¡± She pretended to ponder seriously for a few seconds before saying slowly, ¡°You know, gifts aren¡¯t about the price, but the sentiment behind them. That¡¯s what you need to figure out first.¡±

    Ethan leaned in slightly, the weight of her words sinking in. He was beginning to feel thating to Marisa was the smartest move he¡¯d made all week.

    ¡°I get that, but¡­¡± He scratched the back of his head, frustration seeping into his voice. His bond with Maia ran deep ¡ª pure and unshakable. She was his anchor in the world, yet he had no clue what gift could encapste all that she meant to him.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell me more about your sister?¡± Marisa offered with a bright grin, clearly hooked by the unfolding mystery. She¡¯d always been curious about the whispers surrounding Maia ¡ª and now was her golden opportunity.

    .

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 Chapter 509

    ?Chapter 509:

    But Ethan didn¡¯t quite respond the way she expected. Caught in hesitation, he simply said, ¡°Maia¡­ she¡¯s great.¡± Marisa was left at a loss for words.

    Was Ethan being tight-lipped on purpose, or did he just not know how to open up?

    Setting her utensils aside, Marisa crossed her arms and leaned in slightly. ¡°If you don¡¯t talk, I can¡¯t help you. Or¡­ do you not trust me enough to share?¡±

    Ethan sat up straighter, flustered and hurried. ¡°No, that¡¯s not it¡­ I just don¡¯t know how to exin.¡±

    Marisa leaned back in her chair, her expression easing into a gentle smile. ¡°You know, there¡¯s already plenty of gossip about Maia online. Why don¡¯t you start with how you two found each other again?¡±

    Ethan paused, the wheels turning in his mind. Then, pressing his lips together in thought, he began recounting the story. He told her about their unexpected meeting at the ck market and the series of twists and turns that followed. He conveniently skipped over the details about living in the slums ¡ª some truths felt too raw to reveal.

    Marisa hung on every word, especially the part about Maia being cornered by mysterious men in ck and Ethan¡¯s clever tactics to outwit them. Her eyes gleamed with admiration. In that moment, Maia seemed like a heroine torn from the reels of a blockbuster film. Marisa,pletely engrossed, rested her chin in her hand, eyes wide with fascination.

    ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s about it,¡± Ethan finished, sipping his water as if it could wash down the guilt of half-told truths.

    Marisa, however, was already deep in thought, lightly tapping her chin with one finger. ¡°Given Maia¡¯s current standing, she probably isn¡¯t in need of anything material. You should think about what her heart truly yearns for ¡ª something she¡¯s missed, or always wanted but never had. Maybe even a regret she¡¯s quietly carried.¡± She paused for effect, then added with quiet conviction, ¡°If you could grant one of her deepest wishes ¡ª or undo one lingering regret ¡ª now that would be the perfect gift.¡±

    Her words struck Ethan like a sh of lightning cutting through a foggy sky.

    He dropped his gaze, piecing together fragments of Maia¡¯s past, each memory forming a clearer picture. Suddenly, rity burst in his eyes. He looked up, voice brimming with excitement. ¡°Thank you, Marisa!¡±

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    He jumped up from his seat, the chair scraping back abruptly. ¡°I know exactly what Maia needs now. I¡¯m sorry ¡ª but I have to go. I¡¯lle back and thank you properly next time!¡±

    With that, Ethan dashed to the counter, paid the bill in a rush, and disappeared out the door like a man chasing the wind.

    Marisa sat frozen, puzzled and slightly amused. ¡°Wait ¡ª doesn¡¯t he at least owe me a hint about what he¡¯s nning to give her?¡± she muttered, both entertained and slightly annoyed.

    After catching fire online, the Morgan family¡¯s grand birthday banquet ¡ª thrown in honor of both Rosanna and Maia ¡ª had be the hottest subject among Wront¡¯s elite circles. Those on the guest list scrambled to outdo each other with extravagant gifts, desperate to impress. Meanwhile, the uninvited were busy tugging at connections, hoping for a seat at the table and a chance to present their offerings to the Morgan daughters.

    For a family that had once blended into the background, the Morgans had suddenly be the center of attention.

    Maia, however, could not have cared less. She stood by the stove, stirring a gently simmering medicinal broth she had prepared for Chris. The warm scent of herbs hung in the air when her phone rang unexpectedly ¡ª udius.

    Turning the me down to low, Maia stepped out of the kitchen and answered, ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Watson, are you free this evening?¡± udius asked, his voiceced with polite charm. ¡°Would I be fortunate enough to invite you to¡­¡±

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 Chapter 510

    Chapter 510:

    Maia cast a nce back at the pot still bubbling softly on the stove. ¡°If this is about Ethan, then I believe I have made myself clear. There is no need to¡ª¡±

    ¡°It is not about that,¡± udius cut in, his tone smooth but insistent. ¡°I would like to discuss a coboration.¡±

    She raised an eyebrow, now slightly intrigued. ¡°A coboration? Between the two of us?¡±

    ¡°Exactly. And I believe some matters are best discussed in person,¡± he replied, lips curling into a faint smile that she could almost hear through the phone.

    Maia¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°What kind of coboration? I am not sure what business yourpany and I could possibly have inmon.¡±

    ¡°I would like tomission a song,¡± udius said, straightforward and clear.

    So that was it. Maia¡¯s interest dimmed instantly. ¡°I am afraid I do not have time at the moment.¡±

    But udius was not ready to ept no for an answer. ¡°This song holds personal significance for me. If you agree, you may name your own terms.¡±

    That caught her attention. Her mind flicked to a magazine feature she had skimmed recently ¡ª a piece about a rare gemstone shaped like a goose egg, called Angel¡¯s Tear. The jewel had been mined by none other than udius¡¯pany.

    Money did not move Maia, but a one-of-a-kind sapphire she had never seen before? That was a different story.

    ¡°Send me the time and location,¡± she said finally.

    It took udius less than a minute to text her the details.

    By 3 PM that afternoon, Maia arrived at one of Wront¡¯s most prestigious dining restaurants, tucked away in a private room reserved for the city¡¯s elite.

    Latest chapters ?¦Áln¦Ò¦Íe??s

    udius was already waiting. ¡°Punctual as ever,¡± he remarked with a smile. ¡°Shall we eat first, or get straight to business?¡±

    ¡°Let us skip the pleasantries,¡± Maia replied, her tone cool andposed.

    ¡°As expected ¡ª efficient and direct.¡± udius gave a short nod. ¡°Very well. I will get to the point. A close friend of mine has a birthdaying up, and I want you topose a song. Something that captures what I feel for her.¡± His fingersced together on the table, his expression suddenly serious.

    Today, Maia was dressed in a flowing, pale blue gown. The gentle sway of her silhouette and theposed focus in her eyes lent her an air of quiet grace and untouchable charm.

    She tilted her head slightly. ¡°And what exactly are these feelings you would like to convey?¡± Her tone was professional, but there was a sharpness to her question. She neverposed blindly ¡ª every emotion had to be specific, precise.

    udius hesitated, then smiled faintly. ¡°Admiration.¡±

    Her gaze narrowed slightly. ¡°Is this friend of yours aware of how you¡­¡±

    His lips twitched at the corners. ¡°Unfortunately, no. It is an unrequited affection.¡±

    Maia nodded slowly, absorbing the weight behind the words. She pulled out her phone, thumbed in a quick note, and looked up. ¡°When do you need the song?¡±

    udius blinked, briefly thrown. Sitting across from her in such close quarters, he found himself distracted by everything ¡ª the soft floral fragrance that clung to her, the way her fingers moved with intent, the calm confidence in her presence. This was the first time he had been alone with her, and it felt¡­ disarming.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper?¡± Maia prompted, her voice slicing through his thoughts. ¡°The deadline?¡±

    He cleared his throat, adjusting his cuffs as if it might steady him.

    ¡°Tomorrow, if possible.¡±

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Hi dear readers, I hope you enjoyed the chapters! From now on, new chapters will be released every Tuesday and Friday. Also, four new novels will beunched each week. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?

    .

 Chapter 511

    ?Chapter 511:

    His steady gaze fixed on Rosie. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you agree, Rosie?¡±

    Rosie¡¯s breath hitched in her throat. Ethan was talking to her in a very gentle tone. He had never talked to her with such tenderness before.

    ¡°Ethan is right,¡± Rosie said, her eyes lowered. ¡°I have always been treated with nothing but kindness in the Harper family.¡±

    Amy, having spent decades navigating the treacherous currents of high society, immediately recognized Ethan¡¯s protective stance toward Brenna. Though inwardly irritated, she was astute enough to avoid offending the Mitchell family. Her barbs directed at Brenna would have to wait for a more opportune moment. Her gaze then settled on the grand piano.

    ¡°Ah, how I adored the arts in my younger years, symphony halls, theater boxes¡­ What a pity no one thought to arrange performances for my eightieth birthday,¡± she sighed dramatically.

    Fay, ever alert to social advantage, seized the chance, quickly walking over from Jayceon¡¯s side.

    ¡°I will y something for you, Mrs. Russell.¡±

    Amy¡¯s smile did not extend to her eyes as she assessed her. ¡°Thank you. How thoughtful of you.¡±

    Fay sat down and yed the piano.

    Amy listened, her eyes closed, while Rosie massaged her shoulders with care.

    The final chord had barely faded into silence when Tina spoke up. ¡°So, Brenna, you¡¯re a renowned engineer?¡± Her tone dripped with thinly veiled malice. ¡°Tell me, amidst all that tightening of bolts and loosening of screws, did you ever manage to acquire any art? Perhaps, ying the piano?¡±

    Isabe eagerly joined in the taunting. ¡°Brenna doesn¡¯t know how to y the piano.¡±

    Her contemptuous gaze swept over Brenna. ¡°I really don¡¯t understand what Mr. Mitchell sees in her.¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s is your fiction sanctuary

    Rosie, Jade, and Tina exchanged knowing nces, smirks ying on their lips. For the past two weeks, Tina had been poisoning Amy¡¯s perception of Brenna with carefully crafted lies. She portrayed Brenna as a heartless, selfish individual who took pleasure in tormenting Rosie, orchestrating her banishment from the Harper family, and even turning her brothers against her.

    Amy¡¯s disdain for Brenna had deepened when, thanks to Rosie¡¯s subtle maniption, she had ¡°identally¡±e across hotel photographs showing Brenna checking in with a man.

    Now, witnessing Brenna¡¯s striking beauty firsthand, especially the possessive way she clung to Ethan¡¯s arm, Amy felt her suspicions were confirmed. She believed Brenna had clearly stolen Ethan from Rosie.

    Having seen Tina and Rosie grow up together, Amy had always treated Rosie with familial affection. In her eyes, Brenna naturally warranted contempt.

    Jade looked at Brenna with smug superiority. ¡°I heard you were someone of consequence, giving public lectures at Shirie University. But now, it appears you are merely amonborer. Since when dodies from respectable families engage in such manual work? Our kind curates art collections, perhaps manages businesses for amusement. Turning screws? That¡¯s the domain of the working ss, meant for men of lower standing.¡±

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 Chapter 512

    ?Chapter 512:

    A wave of hushed whispers rippled through the crowd. Dozens of pairs of eyes scrutinized Brenna.

    Brenna cleared her throat and offered a calm correction. ¡°I am not amonborer. I am a mechanical engineer. My work involves designing ships, helicopters, advanced robotic arms, and even intelligent robots.¡±

    A burst ofughter erupted from Jade, Tina, and their clique.

    ¡°Oh, please, spare us the tall tales. I only heard you knew a thing or two about car design. I¡¯ve certainly never heard that you can design anything you just mentioned,¡± Jade mocked, her tone dripping with scorn.

    Brenna rolled her eyes, frustrated that her rare attempt at an exnation had been met with such ridicule. ¡°Why would I fabricate something like that?¡±

    A surge of anger coursed through her. She regretteding here, regretted considering Ethan¡¯s reputation, and the perceived need to be acknowledged as Ethan¡¯s girlfriend.

    Ethan spoke in a calm tone, ¡°It is your ignorance and narrow-mindedness that prevent you from believing Brenna. You clearly have noprehension of the capabilities of someone with a degree in mechanical design. Brenna is not like you all, who seem to only be upied with endless beauty treatments and trivial social media. She is someone who achieves significant aplishments¡ª a highly skilled mechanical engineer.¡±

    Rosie felt a pang of displeasure at hearing Ethan¡¯s open defense of Brenna. However, she knew she couldn¡¯t reveal her true feelings. She hadn¡¯t evenughed at Brenna with Tina and the others earlier, fearing Brenna would see through her carefully constructed facade of reconciliation.

    Despite her reluctance, Rosie spoke up in Brenna¡¯s defense. ¡°Tina, Brenna is indeed an excellent mechanical engineer. I¡¯ve seen the cars she¡¯s designed; they¡¯re truly remarkable. I think she is telling the truth about designing ships and helicopters.¡±

    Tina scoffed dismissively. ¡°Oh, please. I strongly suspect she¡¯s simply lying to show off. If not, perhaps she could provide us with some examples of her work?¡± She snorted derisively and turned to Amy. ¡°Grandma, she¡¯s only just returned to the Harper family and is clearly trying to impress everyone. A little embellishment is understandable.¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??, ?????????? ?????????? ????

    Amy¡¯s expression grew stern. ¡°Do not boast in my presence. The Russell family has no wee for such individuals. If you truly wish to impress me, perform something for me. Can you do that?¡± All eyes turned to Brenna.

    Rosie quickly interjected, her toneced with nervous concern. ¡°Brenna doesn¡¯t possess any artistic talents. She¡¯spletely devoted to her work. Please don¡¯t put her in a difficult position. How about I y a piano piece for you, Mrs. Russell?¡±

    Brenna immediately recognized Rosie¡¯s ploy; she was clearly cooperating with the others to humiliate her.

    Brenna said, ¡°Mrs. Russell, if you desire performers for your birthday celebration, that¡¯s easily arranged. I can readily invite professionals.¡± Seething, Brenna was now determined to make asting impression on these condescending individuals.

    She swiftly dialed Braeden¡¯s number. ¡°I¡¯m at Mrs. Russell¡¯s birthday party. They are mocking my profession, belittling me, and dismissing my helicopter design skills as lies. I want to show them something they won¡¯t forget.¡± At the other end of the line, Braeden¡¯s eyebrows furrowed.

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 Chapter 513

    ?Chapter 513:

    ¡°Alright, just wait for a while,¡± he said.

    His most valued engineer was being subjected to such disrespect?

    He would not stand for this!

    He immediately dialed another number. ¡°Connect me to the military performance troupe.¡±

    Brenna ended the call, a flicker of satisfaction dancing in her eyes.

    Tina sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Who could you possibly summon? Some street performer? Let me remind you¡ªmy grandmother possesses refined tastes, and the Russell name carries significant weight. Our gates will not simply open formon entertainers. If, by some extraordinary miracle, you do manage to produce someone noteworthy, then I¡¯ll¡­¡±

    Tina¡¯s voice trailed off as she realized she hadn¡¯t really considered what she would do if that happened.

    Brenna¡¯s lips curved into a confident smile. ¡°You¡¯ll what? How about we make a bet?¡±

    Tina straightened with an arrogant air, her chest puffed out slightly as a derisive chuckle escaped her. Her gaze swept over Brenna with clear disdain. ¡°Interesting. Who exactly do you think you are? You¡¯re not even worthy of making a bet with me.¡±

    The insult came easily to her, but then her eyes identally met Ethan¡¯s. The murderous re there sent chills down her spine.

    The Russell and Mitchell families shared a long history. Her brother, Jayceon, had been Ethan¡¯s childhood friend. Like Jayceon, she had always addressed Ethan in a familiar way. Ethan had always treated her with a gentle patience¡ªuntil this moment.

    That icy, lethal stare waspletely new to her. She could no longer hold Ethan¡¯s gaze. She knew Brenna was Ethan¡¯s girlfriend, but her pride kept her chin up. So what if she had insulted Brenna? She wouldn¡¯t apologize to her!

    Ethan¡¯s sweeping gaze took in the silent crowd; no one stepped forward to defend Brenna until little Patrick, his face red, stood in front of Brenna in a protective posture. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare insult my godmother!¡± The boy threw a piece of cake at Tina with surprising uracy.

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    The cake hit Tina¡¯s face directly. Cream sttered and then plopped onto her expensive dress.

    ¡°You little bastard, how dare you do that to me?¡± Tina shrieked. ¡°I¡¯ll beat you for this!¡±

    Ethan¡¯srge hand rested on Patrick¡¯s head, a sharp smirk on his face. ¡°Good throw, I¡¯ve got you. Let¡¯s see who dares to punish you for it.¡±

    His voice was calm and steady, without any anger, yet it held an undeniable authority that silenced everyone present.

    Tina had already stood up, raising her hand angrily to grab Patrick. But when her furious eyes met Ethan¡¯s cold stare, she was instantly shocked by the murderous intent in his eyes.

    She sank back onto the sofa, bursting into tears. ¡°Grandma! They¡¯re bullying me in my own home!¡±

    Brenna finally spoke, her tone indifferent. ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware that the Russell family bullied guests who came with good wishes. Even if I¡¯m not the Harper family¡¯s¡­¡±

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 Chapter 514

    ?Chapter 514:

    ¡°Just an ordinary personing with good intentions, you shouldn¡¯t treat me like this, right? Mrs. Russell, what do you think?¡±

    Amy¡¯s face turned pale, and she snorted heavily. While Brenna was right about basic hospitality, she believed Brenna didn¡¯t deserve an apology.

    In her opinion, Rosie was the true daughter of the Harper family, while Brenna was hardly better than a servant. She didn¡¯t deserve to be in her house, let alone at her birthday.

    Amy snatched the TV remote and threw it. ¡°Didn¡¯t your upbringing teach you any manners? Or is this how Shepard taught you to speak to an elder?¡±

    ¡°My father taught me to give respect where it¡¯s due,¡± Brenna replied smoothly. ¡°Some people just don¡¯t deserve respect.¡±

    The entire Russell family grew visibly angry.

    Davin Russell pointed a finger at Brenna. ¡°Say that again!¡±

    Ethan¡¯s gaze sharpened instantly, the air growing tense. ¡°If the Russell family members continue to show disrespect to Brenna, I won¡¯t hold back. I happen to have some free timetely. I could help clear the bad things in Shirie.¡±

    The Russell family members¡¯ faces paled. Ethan had the power to bring down the Russell family, and it was clear he wasn¡¯t bluffing.

    Davin¡¯s wife pulled his sleeve. ¡°Apologize! Now!¡±

    Davin swallowed hard. ¡°Miss Harper, Mr. Mitchell, this is a misunderstanding! We didn¡¯t mean to disrespect you. Please don¡¯t get mad. My grandmother¡¯s celebration should be peaceful.¡±

    With a reprimand, he turned to Tina and said sharply, ¡°What were you thinking? Talking to Miss Harper like that? If Miss Harper wants to make a bet with you, you should agree.¡±

    Tina had wiped most of the cream off her face, fighting the urge to strangle Brenna.

    Faced with the Russell family¡¯s angry looks, Tina didn¡¯t dare to make things difficult for Brenna anymore. ¡°Fine,¡± she said through gritted teeth. ¡°What bet are you talking about?¡±

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    Brenna¡¯s smile twisted slightly. ¡°Since you took such pleasure in trying to humiliate me, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s only fair that you pay for that? Did you think I¡¯d just take those insults?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­¡± She tapped her chin thoughtfully.

    The sweeter Brenna¡¯s smile became, the more Tina¡¯s stomach churned. Brenna said, ¡°Ah! If I can get powerful figures toe here to celebrate Amy¡¯s birthdayter, you¡¯ll crawl through the living room and bark three times. If I can¡¯t, I will do that.¡±

    Inside the office of a military districtmander, Elsa entered with purpose and gave a sharp salute. ¡°Reporting as ordered, sir.¡±

    Themander, a broad-shouldered man, rose from his chair at once. ¡°Our lead aircraft designer is being publicly embarrassed at a social gathering. You are to provide support to her. Go and perform at the Russell family¡¯s matriarch¡¯s birthday celebration.¡±

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 Chapter 515

    ?Chapter 515:

    Elsa looked younger than her age. Though in her fifties, her smooth skin and upright posture made her appear to be in her thirties.

    ¡°Understood. When should I go?¡± she said without hesitation.

    ¡°Immediate deployment. The performance troupe is already mobilized. You¡¯ll get the briefing in the helicopter,¡± he replied, his voice firm and final.

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Elsa was about to step out but paused at the door. ¡°What¡¯s the designer¡¯s name, sir?¡±

    ¡°Brenna Harper,¡± themander answered.

    Elsa stiffened. The woman Ethan had brought home was the country¡¯s top aerospace engineer? That was impressive.

    But performing for her future daughter-inw? That didn¡¯t sit right with Elsa. Her face darkened. The order felt ridiculous. Had Brenna asked for her by name, or had thise down from seniormand?

    If Brenna had requested her presence, it was nothing short of insolent¡ªdirectly challenging the hierarchy. Such disrespect had no ce in her home. Her son would not be allowed to marry someone so ill-mannered.

    ¡°Sir,¡± Elsa said, trying to keep her voice steady, ¡°could we assign someone else? Brenna is my son¡¯s girlfriend. It would be inappropriate for me to go.¡±

    Themander¡¯s razor-sharp gaze cut through her protest. ¡°You have your orders already.¡±

    Elsa clenched her jaw, gave a final salute, and turned on her heel to leave.

    In the Russell family¡¯s living room, the younger generation gathered around Amy while Jayceon¡¯s father led the celebration, carefully slicing the cake for her.

    Just then, a roar outside interrupted the chatter. Heads turned at once. The sound of a helicopter approaching was unmistakable.

    The butler rushed in, panting. ¡°A military helicopter justnded in our yard!¡± Guests spilled outside in a wave of curiosity and excitement. At the front were Brenna and Ethan, their eyes fixed on the aircraft.

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    The door swung open, and the first to step down was none other than Elsa Mitchell, the legendary performer herself. She was followed by seven individuals, each carrying a musical instrument. Clearly, they were a performance troupe.

    ¡°Wait, is that Elsa? She¡¯s in the military?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s wearing insignia. Looks like a colonel¡¯s rank.¡±

    ¡°I thought she retired from public shows.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s in her fifties? How does she still look younger than me?¡±

    Gasps rippled through the crowd as their eyesnded on the high-ranking insignias. This wasn¡¯t just any band. They were looking at a high-ranking unit.

    Everyone was shocked. Jayceon¡¯s father turned to his sons, grinning from ear to ear. ¡°Did you arrange this for Grandma?¡± He stood a little taller, his chest swelling with pride. This was a grand show of respect¡ªone that honored the entire family. ¡°You¡¯ve really outdone yourselves. I am proud of you.¡±

    But Jayceon and his brother Davin exchanged confused nces and shook their heads. ¡°Dad, it wasn¡¯t us. We wouldn¡¯t even know how to contact the military. Only Ethan could pull something like this off.¡±

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 Chapter 516

    ?Chapter 516:

    Jayceon turned to Ethan, gratitude in his eyes. ¡°You did this? After what happened earlier, I thought you¡¯d sabotage the celebration.¡±

    Ethan didn¡¯t answer right away. His eyes flicked between Elsa and Brenna, and his jaw clenched. Was Brenna the one behind this? This could be a problem.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t me,¡± Ethan said through gritted teeth. He was already thinking ahead, considering how to prevent Elsa from confronting Brennater.

    Jayceon blinked in confusion. ¡°It wasn¡¯t you?¡±

    Brenna¡¯s face darkened. She hadn¡¯t expected Braeden to call in her future mother-inw. While Elsa more than met the standard, this also brought her trouble.

    Murmurs swept through the crowd as Elsa strode up to Brenna and gave a sharp, formal salute. ¡°Ms. Harper. Orders received to attend Mrs. Russell¡¯s birthday. Please advise us on performance details.¡±

    Ethan opened his mouth to respond, but the word ¡°Mom¡± caught in his throat. Elsa¡¯s re silenced him before he could say anything.

    The Mitchells, despite their immense wealth, had always maintained a low profile. Elsa¡¯s military career had ced her far outside Shirie¡¯s social scene. Hardly anyone knew she was Ethan¡¯s mother.

    The family¡¯s privacy was so closely guarded that most people didn¡¯t even know the Mitchell family members, let alone the fact that Ethan had a twin brother.

    Ethan and Brenna both tensed, sensing the cold, dangerous aura emanating from Elsa like a wave.

    In an instant, they straightened up, suddenly on their best behavior.

    Brenna stood frozen for a moment. Elsa still wore that calm, polite smile, but the fact that she acted like she didn¡¯t know Brenna? That hit like a p. How could Brenna possibly tell her what to perform? She didn¡¯t dare.

    ¡°Anything is fine,¡± Brenna mumbled.

    Elsa¡¯s piercing gaze locked onto Ethan, causing him to fidget ufortably. Brenna, shedding any trace of arrogance, watched humbly as Elsa took the stage, no longer concerned with impressing Tina.

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    Elsa¡¯s vocal performance, though not destined for the charts, showcased her masterful training, deserving of a celebrated national artist.

    The military band wrapped up the performance in just fifteen minutes, and Elsa even took a moment to offer Amy warm birthday wishes.

    As the helicopter whisked the band away, Brenna leaned toward Ethan, murmuring, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry; I had no idea your mom would show up.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s face remained grim, unable to muster even a forced smile. He knew his mother would scold him soon. Earlier, he had recognized the pilot, Kenny, who shot him a sharp, disapproving nce.

    Back inside, Brenna stopped Tina before she could slip away. ¡°So, what did you think of the performance? Happy with the lineup?¡±

    Tina¡¯s eyes zed with fury. ¡°You, pulling strings with the military elite? Don¡¯t kid yourself; that was all Ethan¡¯s doing!¡±

    She refused to grovel or y along with any degrading stunts.

    Ethan¡¯s tone turned icy. ¡°Fine. No groveling, no theatrics. But I hear the Russells have several billion-dor deals on the table, and mypanies could use the contracts¡­¡±

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 Chapter 517

    ?Chapter 517:

    Barton Russell, Jayceon¡¯s father, quickly assessed the situation. While Brenna might be negotiable, crossing Ethan and the Harper family was a losing game.

    Swiftly, Elsa reprimanded Tina with a sharp p. ¡°A bet is a bet. The Russells won¡¯t risk Mr. Mitchell¡¯s wrath over your ego!¡±

    Tina¡¯s eyes welled with tears, and even Amy could only relent seeing her son¡¯s fury, nudging Tina forward.

    The crowd parted, creating a space for Tina¡¯s humiliating crawl.

    Tina had no choice but toply. She crawled and barked like a dog three times. A stifled chuckle from the crowd was quickly silenced by the Russells¡¯ collective re.

    Jayceon¡¯s expression darkened. Ethan, his lifelong friend, had publicly shredded the Russell family¡¯s pride. How could he face his family now? Grasping for a diversion, he announced stiffly, ¡°Lunch is ready. Let¡¯s go eat.¡± The guests eagerly dispersed to the garden, avoiding any mention of the spectacle.

    Tina, devastated, fled upstairs, crying.

    In a quiet corner, Isabe and Jade discussed the drama in hushed whispers. Jayceon pulled Ethan aside for a conversation.

    Rosie seized the moment to confront Brenna, who stood alone now. ¡°Do you even realize who that was earlier?¡±

    Her face was grave. While most guests might not have recognized Ethan¡¯s mother, Rosie had deeper connections to the Mitchell family and had recognized Elsa.

    Brenna met her gaze coolly. ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Rosie blinked, startled. She had assumed Ethan hadn¡¯t introduced Brenna to his parents. ¡°You¡¯re in deep trouble,¡± she said.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need you to tell me that,¡± Brenna shot back, casting a sidelong nce before leading Patrick to eat.

    During the meal, Brenna noticed Zoe Russell, Davin¡¯s young daughter, stealing curious nces their way with wide, innocent eyes.

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    Patrick, too, kept looking at Zoe.

    After lunch, Zoe yed in the yard, clutching a stunning crystal ball. Patrick approached her. ¡°Hi, can I y with you?¡± he asked.

    Zoe, roughly Patrick¡¯s age, smiled. ¡°Sure! I¡¯m Zoe Russell. What¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Patrick Moore. You can call me Patrick. Your crystal ball is really pretty. Can I take a look?¡± Patrick said.

    Zoe passed the shimmering crystal ball to Patrick. At that moment, a servant carrying a tray of drinks brushed by, inadvertently knocking Patrick¡¯s arm. The ball slipped from his grasp, rolling wildly across the ground. The spot was near the basement entrance, where the floor nted slightly downward.

    The crystal ball sped toward the open door and bounced down the basement stairs with a series of clinks.

    Without hesitation, Zoe and Patrick dashed after it, determined to retrieve it.

    After finishing her meal, Brenna scanned the yard for Patrick, but he was nowhere in sight.

    ¡°Patrick? Where did you go?¡± she called, rising from her seat to search for him. Isabe had just settled back into her chair, a subtle, self-satisfied glint in her eyes.

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 Chapter 518

    ?Chapter 518:

    Brenna approached her. ¡°Have you seen Patrick anywhere?¡±

    Isabe gave a casual shake of her head. ¡°No, haven¡¯t seen him.¡±

    ¡°Godmother!¡±

    ¡°Mom! Dad!¡±

    Children¡¯s cries pierced the air from the basement. Brenna¡¯s head whipped toward the sound, her heart lurching as the shouts rang out again.

    Isabe narrowed her eyes, dissatisfied. She wanted to gauge Brenna¡¯s concern for Patrick. If she panicked, he could be used as leverage again. Pointing toward the basement, Isabe widened her eyes in mock surprise. ¡°That little boy? I saw him chasing a shiny crystal ball with a girl there. They must have wandered into the basement.¡±

    Her innocent gaze noted Brenna¡¯s genuine worry for Patrick.

    Brenna couldn¡¯t quite read Isabe¡¯s intent. She believed Isabe wouldn¡¯t harm a child from the Russell family. Maybe she hadn¡¯t recognized Patrick earlier, but she remembered Isabe seeing Patrick following her. Was Isabe pretending not to know him?

    However, now was not the time to think about this. Brenna bolted to the basement door.

    The weight of the industrial fire door exined everything. It was simply too heavy for children to open.

    Brenna yanked it open. Inside, two frightened children huddled together. Patrick held Zoe¡¯s trembling hand and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. My godmother wille rescue us.¡±

    Zoe¡¯s face was streaked with tears, her face ghostly pale. She was even more frightened than Patrick.

    As the door swung open, light spilled in from outside. Patrick squeezed Zoe¡¯s hand and said, ¡°See? I told you she woulde. Don¡¯t cry anymore.¡±

    Jade and Isabe watched from the corridor as Brenna knelt andforted Patrick. A wordless exchange passed between them before they returned to the meal.

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    Brenna examined the door. There were no signs of tampering. It was just too heavy for children.

    In the courtyard, Jayceon ushered Patrick into the spotlight, where Barton proudly dered him a member of the Russell family before the gathered crowd.

    Brenna¡¯s jaw clenched. Ellie had firmly rejected marriage and made it clear that she had no intention of changing Patrick¡¯s surname. Yet Jayceon had taken it upon himself to im Patrick as a member of the Russell family, entirely without Ellie¡¯s consent. Now, he even dared to change the boy¡¯sst name.

    Under the weight of so many eyes, Patrick squirmed. Ellie had told him he would carry the Moore family name, but his grandmother insisted he take the Russell family name. He didn¡¯t know whom to listen to.

    His uncertain gaze flickered to Jayceon as the echoes of Ellie¡¯s and Tori¡¯s words shed in his mind. Ellie had rejected his return to the Russell family but still supported his right to their legacy.

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 Chapter 519

    ?Chapter 519:

    As the guests left, Jayceon kept a firm grip on Patrick¡¯s hand. ¡°He will stay with us for a few days,¡± he said to Brenna.

    Brenna didn¡¯t protest. She simply turned and left, Ethan by her side.

    On the way home, Brenna forwarded Ellie the video of Patrick¡¯s formal recognition.

    ¡°Jayceon has gone too far!¡± Ellie¡¯s voice burst through the phone, crackling with fury. ¡°I already shut down that ridiculous surname change idea days ago! All members of the Russell family are vipers. They will swallow my son whole without blinking!¡±

    ¡°What are you nning to do?¡± Brenna asked, her voiceced with concern. ¡°I just left the Russell family estate. Should I turn around and bring Patrick back with me?¡±

    She heard the sound of a door closing on Ellie¡¯s end.

    ¡°There is no need. I¡¯ll go myself,¡± Ellie replied. ¡°You are just his godmother and don¡¯t have legal guardianship. It wouldn¡¯t be appropriate¡ªlet¡¯s face it, the Russell family won¡¯t just hand him over. I¡¯ll deal with them myself.¡±

    Brenna nodded. ¡°Just be careful. The Russell family members are all shrewd.¡±

    After the call ended, Ethan tentatively reached for Brenna¡¯s hand and said, ¡°The Russell family is a den of vipers, full ofpeting siblings. The internal strife is fierce. Patrick is not ready to step into that snake pit.¡±

    Brenna¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Is Jayceon using Patrick as a pawn for the inheritance?¡±

    Ethan shook his head without hesitation. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±

    Just then, Ethan¡¯s phone rang. He nced at the screen, and his expression immediately shifted, bracing himself for a scolding.

    Brenna nced at his phone and could almost feel Elsa¡¯s fury radiating from the screen.

    Ethan answered the call with forced calm. ¡°Hey, Mom.¡±

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    ¡°Don¡¯t call me Mom,¡± Elsa snapped, her voiceced with rage. ¡°I suppose I should address you and your girlfriend respectfully now.¡±

    The volume of her voice stung Ethan¡¯s ears, and he instinctively pulled the phone a few inches away. ¡°I¡¯lle back and exin everything. Today¡¯s situation was just an ident. Brenna had no idea it would be you¡­¡±

    ¡°Save your breath. I don¡¯t want to hear your exnations.¡± Elsa was genuinely furious. She had attended countless state functions, but never as the entertainment at a socialite¡¯s party.

    Following orders in the military was normal for her, but when she learned that Brenna had been the one to ask her to go there, she felt she had been yed.

    ¡°I won¡¯t allow you two to be together,¡± she dered.

    After dropping Brenna off at the Harper residence, Ethan headed straight back to the militarypound, the weight of what awaited him pressing heavily on his shoulders. Inside, his father, Emmett Mitchell, and his mother sat stiffly on the living room sofa, their expressions dark¡ªEmmett¡¯s in particr, brimming with unmistakable displeasure.

    The air was thick with tension, a heavy silence enveloping the room like a dense fog. Ethan¡¯s gaze flitted around, only to confirm that Kenny, usually his staunch ally in such familial disputes, was absent. Ethan greeted his parents with a cautious tone, his steps hesitant as he sank into an armchair across from them. The stark military decorations on their uniforms added an extrayer of authority and sternness to their already imposing demeanors.

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 Chapter 520

    ?Chapter 520:

    ¡°Well, Mr. Mitchell,¡± Emmett said, his voice thick with sarcasm. ¡°So you¡¯ve got the guts to parade your mother around like a stage act for that little girlfriend of yours? Feeling high and mighty now that you¡¯ve made something of yourself, huh? Think that gives you the right to disrespect your parents?¡±

    Elsa¡¯s eyes narrowed like a de as she locked her gaze on Ethan. Her lips were drawn into a taut line, her silence sharper than any words. Desperate to defuse the situation, Ethan said, ¡°Please, let me exin.¡± But Emmett, a man who prided himself on discipline and results, bristled at Ethan¡¯s defensive tone. His face contorted with anger as he snapped, ¡°Exin what? The deed is done, Ethan! It¡¯s a fact. No amount of talking will change what you¡¯ve already done!¡±

    His re intensified, a silent testament to his disappointment in Ethan¡¯s decision to prioritize Brenna over him and Elsa. With a finality that chilled the room even further, he dered, ¡°Let me be clear¡ªI do not, and will not, approve of your marriage to that Harper girl!¡±

    His voice boomed, brooking no argument.

    Ethan whirled around to face Elsa, his voiceden with frustration. ¡°Mom, can¡¯t you at least hear me out?¡±

    Elsa let out a sharp, humorlessugh, her expression twisted with scorn. ¡°Hear you out? And what exactly are you going to say? I only know that because of your little girlfriend, I had to stand up there and perform for the Russell family.¡±

    She folded her arms, eyes narrowing. ¡°Those high-and-mighty folks from Shirie stared at me like I was a trained monkey dragged in for their amusement. And my coworkers? They¡¯ve been talking about me nonstop, saying I bowed and scraped for your girlfriend like she was some kind of queen.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not what you think,¡± Ethan said firmly. The weight of the misunderstanding pressed heavily on his chest.

    He nced between his parents, then continued, ¡°Mom, Dad, it was Mrs. Russell¡¯s 80th birthday today, and¡­¡± Heunched into the full story, recounting every detail in the hope it would clear the air.

    But his parents¡¯ faces remained dark. Elsa¡¯s lips were still set in a tight line, and Emmett¡¯s scowl only deepened, his disappointment carving deep lines into his stern features.

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    His voice dropped into a cold, cutting tone. ¡°All just to win a pointless argument and protect her pride, Brenna used military assets like they were her personal toys. Does she even understand what the military stands for? A woman like that has no ce in our family. I¡¯ve made myself clear; I won¡¯t allow you two to get married.¡±

    Elsa nodded vigorously, her agreement evident. ¡°Exactly. If the Harper family is so keen on upholding the marriage agreement, then so be it. It was Ableson Harper who saved your father, hence it¡¯s his daughter Audrey you should marry. Audrey, I must admit,es across as far more sensible and considerate than Brenna. Brenna grew up outside of the Harper family and didn¡¯t even get a proper education. She may have some skills, but when ites to values and character? She falls short. I won¡¯t let you and her get married.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s face stiffened, the warmth draining as he faced his parents¡¯ demands. Patience had abandoned him; their insistent, backward views were more than he could tolerate.

    He was a grown man now, and his life was no one else¡¯s to control. ¡°Now, if this is just about settling some old debt, surely you can let my brother do that. I won¡¯t be part of this. I am not marrying Audrey. You can let Kenny marry her. My marriage is not something you can use to repay your debt,¡± he said.

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 Chapter 521

    ?Chapter 521:

    ¡°Utter nonsense! You ungrateful brat!¡± Emmett exploded, hurling a shoe at Ethan, his anger manifesting physically. ¡°Look at you, all grown and defiant. You don¡¯t respect us anymore, do you?¡±

    Elsa¡¯s voice pitched higher with frustration. ¡°Just look at him! Once so courteous and obedient. He has changed since Brenna came into his life¡­¡±

    Ethan, with a swift move, caught the flying shoe and set it calmly at Emmett¡¯s feet.

    Cutting through Elsa¡¯sment, Ethan countered, ¡°That¡¯s not fair, Mom. I¡¯ve always made my own decisions. No one¡¯s ever had a leash on me. You remember the military? You and Dad tried to get me to join the military, but I said no, didn¡¯t I? And what happened after that? Dad beat the hell out of me and locked me up for three days without food. But I still didn¡¯t relent. Did you forget that?¡±

    Emmett¡¯s whole body trembled with fury. His eyes darted around until they locked onto several coat racks in the corner. With a snarl, he grabbed one and swung it violently at Ethan.

    Ethan bolted toward the hallway, with Emmett right on his heels. For a man his age, Emmett moved with surprising speed, leaping over the sofa with ease.

    Thoughcking any military training, Ethan was nimble for his age. He easily dodged Emmett¡¯s frenzied swings.

    ¡°Who I marry is entirely my decision. I¡¯m an adult now. You can¡¯t control me anymore!¡± Ethan yelled over his shoulder as he dashed toward the door.

    In a burst of rage, Emmett hurled the coat rack at Ethan, aiming for the back of his head.

    Yet, Ethan seemed to sense the iing danger. He spun around, snatched the flying coat rack, and hung it neatly on the door¡¯s hook. Without missing a beat, he yanked open his car door, slid into the driver¡¯s seat, fired up the engine, and tore out of the driveway.

    ¡°Look at him, so defiant and unyielding. It¡¯s unbelievable; we¡¯vepletely lost our grip on him!¡± Emmett eximed, his hands nted firmly on his hips as he seethed, his face contorted with rage.

    Elsa sighed. ¡°And here I am, about to retire next month, and now this scandal surfaces, turning me into a joke among my colleagues. I absolutely refuse to ept that woman as my daughter-inw! If she sets foot in our house, she¡¯ll have me running errands like a servant soon!¡±

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    On Sunday morning, Brenna was deep in sleep when a sudden, forceful knocking echoed through the door.

    ¡°Get up, Brenna!¡± Rosie¡¯s enraged shout pierced the stillness, apanied by relentless thumps on the door.

    Irritated, Brenna dragged herself out of bed to unlock the door, only to face Rosie, her face wlessly made-up but twisted with fury. ¡°You¡¯reing with me to apologize to Tina right now!¡± Rosie eximed.

    ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± Brenna snapped, attempting to close the door.

    Rosie, anticipating the move, wedged her foot in the gap, preventing the door from closing. ¡°Tina tried to take her lifest night, Brenna. She nearly died because of what you did¡ªhumiliating her, making her crawl and bark like a dog in front of everyone. Don¡¯t you think you went too far? Degrading someone in their own home like that¡­ You¡¯ve really crossed a line!¡±

    Brenna¡¯s face remained cold, unaffected by the guilt or regret Rosie hoped to provoke. ¡°Didn¡¯t Tina shame me first? You heard her words. And I don¡¯t remember you defending me then. Honestly, Rosie, I sometimes wonder if we¡¯re even rted.¡±

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 Chapter 522

    ?Chapter 522:

    Brenna gave a slight eye-roll, clearly dismissive of Rosie¡¯s selective moral outrage and performativepassion.

    As expected, Rosie was briefly at a loss for words but soon grew even more incensed. ¡°I know you; you¡¯ll never let anyone walk all over you. And Ethan was there, wasn¡¯t he? He had your back. You didn¡¯t need me. Besides, you humiliated Tina sessfully. Now Tina just woke up and is already talking about killing herself again. You need to apologize to her. Now.¡±

    Brenna showed no sign of moving. Leaning casually against the doorframe, she arched an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m not going.¡±

    ¡°She lost so much blood from shing her wrist, Brenna. The doctors said if she had been found half an hourter, she would have died. How can you be so heartless? Not everyone is as resilient as you. Do you really think she could handle the kind of humiliation you dished out? If you don¡¯t apologize, she¡¯ll try to kill herself again. Don¡¯t be so cruel!¡± Rosie¡¯s anger boiled over as she began pushing Brenna, urging her to change and go.

    Brenna shoved her back. ¡°I¡¯m heartless? She brought this on herself. She insulted me first. So, I¡¯m supposed to just swallow it, and when I finally hit back, I be the viin? Now I¡¯m expected to grovel so she can humiliate me again to feel better about herself?¡±

    ¡°Better? That¡¯s not fair at all. She¡¯s an adult. Doesn¡¯t she know that actions have consequences?¡± With that, Brenna firmly closed the door, ignoring Rosie¡¯s persistent banging afterward.

    Rosie lingered outside for over ten minutes before finally giving up.

    Thirty minutester, Brenna descended the stairs in rxed attire and found Rosie sitting on the living room sofa, still seething.

    ¡°Are you going or not? If you don¡¯t, the Russells won¡¯t let this slide. They¡¯re not like Jay and his crew; they¡¯re not pushovers,¡± Rosie cautioned, her tone softening slightly. ¡°Can¡¯t you think of our family for once? Do you know why your parents skipped Mrs. Russell¡¯s birthday party? Our families don¡¯t get along, but you made it worse by humiliating Tina in their own house. I¡¯m asking you to apologize for your own sake and safety. If you don¡¯t, the Russells mighte after you.¡±

    Despite Rosie¡¯s lengthy plea, Brenna¡¯s expression remained impassive. She replied, ¡°You¡¯re this worried about the rtionship between our family and the Russell family? Amy seemed awfully fond of you. Why don¡¯t you go say sorry for me?¡±

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    The household staff quietly watched the sh between Brenna and Rosie, soaking up the drama. Julia even stood boldly in the pantry doorway, observing the spectacle. Brenna then turned and walked away.

    Rosie, exasperated, redirected her frustration at the eavesdropping servants. ¡°What are you staring at? Get back to work, or you¡¯ll be fired!¡±

    Julia hurried after Brenna with a lunch bag packed with sealed containers. ¡°Miss Harper, here¡¯s the food you requested¡ªegg tarts, cookies, cake, and yogurt.¡±

    Brenna nodded, took the bag, and headed to the garage to drive her car. She had ns to take Ellie and Patrick to Disnend today.

    When she pulled up to Ellie¡¯s ce, Ellie and Patrick were already waiting for her at the entrance.

    As Patrick climbed into the car, he immediately noticed the snacks Brenna had brought. ¡°Thanks, Brenna!¡±

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 Chapter 523

    ?Chapter 523:

    Ellie opened the containers and started eating with Patrick. ¡°You know me too well, bringing food because you know I always skip breakfast,¡± she said to Brenna.

    Brenna casually brought up the previous day¡¯s events. ¡°The Russell family let you take Patrick home yesterday?¡±

    Ellie¡¯s expression darkened with anger. ¡°I thought they cared about Patrick, but when I arrived, Jayceon¡¯s dad and grandma were berating him. The maids were holding him down, forcing him to kneel. Jayceon wasn¡¯t even there; who knows where he was at that time? It made me so mad.¡±

    Patrick, still chewing his food, looked up at Brenna with wide, pitiful eyes. ¡°Brenna, I never want to go back there. They were all mean. That olddy with gray hair yanked my hair and kept talking about doing some kind of DNA test. She even said I only came back for the Russell family¡¯s money and called Mommy a bad woman too! They¡¯re bad! Every single one of them. I¡¯m never going to Daddy¡¯s house again.¡±

    Brenna caught his troubled little face in the rearview mirror. If she had known how cruel the Russells could be, especially to a child, she would have taken him with her when she left.

    ¡°You¡¯re not going back there,¡± she assured him. The Russell family had crossed a line.

    Ellie spoke up, her voice tight with frustration. ¡°By the time I got to the Russell estate, Patrick was already on his knees. Their whole family was surrounding him, asking him how I made a living in Norview and whether there was a man in our home. You wouldn¡¯t believe the kind of filth they were spewing. And you know what made it worse? Jayceon wasn¡¯t even there. Only God knows where he ran off to. I tried calling him, but his phone was off.¡±

    Brenna felt her chest tighten with anger. ¡°No wonder you never wanted to get back together with him, even though he¡¯s rich and Patrick¡¯s father.¡±

    ¡°Even if every man on the disappeared, I still wouldn¡¯t get back together with him,¡± said Ellie. ¡°Don¡¯t let the fact that he¡¯s friends with your brother and Mr. Mitchell fool you. He¡¯s nothing like them. Your brother and Mr. Mitchell, especially Mr. Mitchell, are decent. They don¡¯t mess around with women. Jayceon, on the other hand, is pure trash. He says I¡¯m the only woman he has ever loved, and at the same time, he¡¯s sleeping around with another woman. Fay sent me pictures of her and Jayceon in hotel rooms three times this month. Just looking at them makes my stomach churn.¡±

    After a pause, she continued, ¡°And get this, justst night, past midnight, he called me all panicked. He tried to exin what happened. He said it was some urgent crisis at work and that if he didn¡¯t deal with it, he¡¯d lose three hundred million. He begged me to understand him. Can you believe that? In his eyes, Patrick and I don¡¯t evene close to that amount of money. And he still thinks I will believe whatever he says. Please. I¡¯m done falling for his crap.¡±

    Find the magic on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s???????

    When Brenna, Ellie, and Patrick stepped into the amusement park, Patrick¡¯s eyes lit up. Everything around him felt magical and new. Even Brenna and Ellie, despite being adults, couldn¡¯t help but feel happy. The park was lively. The three of them went on more than a dozen rides back-to-back,ughing the whole way through.

    The park was packed with weekend visitors, none of whom noticed that they were being followed. Lines stretched long at every attraction. As night approached and the fireworks show drew near, Ellie and Patrick, tired from all the walking, found a perfect spot to rest and wait for the disy. Brenna offered to get some food and left.

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 Chapter 524

    ?Chapter 524:

    The bodyguards assigned to Brenna by the military sensed something was off. Their eyes stayed sharp, their movements tight. They kept close, suspecting that this time, Brenna might be the target.

    Brenna returned with arms full: burgers, fried chicken, desserts, and drinks. Her face looked a little tired, but her smile remained. However, when she returned to the spot, she stopped in her tracks. Ellie and Patrick were not there.

    ¡°Where did they go?¡± she muttered while searching the crowd, but there was no sign of them.

    One of the bodyguards, Morton Sugden, spoke up. ¡°Maybe they just went to the restroom.¡±

    Brenna nodded and dialed Ellie¡¯s number.

    It turned out that Patrick had needed to use the restroom, so Ellie had taken him there. But since it was the men¡¯s room, she couldn¡¯t go in with him and had to wait outside.

    Now, ten minutes had passed, and Patrick still hadn¡¯te out. Ellie stood near the door, visibly anxious. She stopped a maning out of the restroom and held up her phone with Patrick¡¯s photo. ¡°Excuse me, have you seen this little boy? He went in about ten minutes ago.¡± The man nced at the photo and shook his head. ¡°Sorry, I haven¡¯t seen him.¡±

    Ellie¡¯s worry deepened. Patrick was a smart kid. A quick restroom visit shouldn¡¯t have taken this long. He had said he just needed a minute. Even if there had been a line inside, he should have been out by now.

    Brenna, along with the two bodyguards, headed straight to the restroom area. Sensing something wasn¡¯t right, the bodyguards didn¡¯t want to leave her side. Morton headed into the restroom to search for Patrick, leaving the other bodyguard with Brenna.

    About five minutester, Morton returned. With his face tight with concern, he shook his head and grimly replied, ¡°No sign of him. I checked every stall. There¡¯s no other exit. Ms. Moore, did you happen to notice anyone suspicious earlier?¡±

    Ellie tried to think back. There hadn¡¯t been any obvious suspects. No one was hauling around a suitcase big enough to hide a child. But she did remember seeing several people carryingrge backpacks. Given the number of out-of-town tourists visiting the amusement park, it wasn¡¯t unusual to carry a backpack.

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    ¡°There were a few with really big backpacks. Three or four of them at least¡­¡± Ellie replied, her voice trailing off as a sickening realization hit her. Panic surged through her chest. ¡°It has to be the Russell family. They¡¯d do anything to fight over the inheritance. They must¡¯ve taken Patrick to pressure Jayceon into giving up his shares.¡±

    With trembling hands, she pulled out her phone and dialed Jayceon, her fury rising with each passing second.

    Morton and Jaxson, though d in civilian attire, were military personnel. They shed their identification to the staff at the park and secured permission to dive into the park¡¯s surveince archives.

    The results were disheartening. Countless cameras positioned near the fireworks disy had been broken since the day before and remained untouched by repair crews.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t your run-of-the-mill kidnapping case,¡± Morton said, exchanging a knowing nce with Jaxson Carrillo. They were still piecing together whether this abduction was specifically aimed at Brenna, but the air was thick with the scent of conspiracy.

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 Chapter 525

    ?Chapter 525:

    Without wasting a moment, Morton ryed the grim situation to his superiors, anxiously awaiting their next move.

    Ellie was still on the line, unleashing a torrent of fury at Jayceon.

    Jayceon, about to wrap up his day at work, sat in his office chair, his expression a storm of rage. He dialed Davin directly after the call with Ellie, his voice a low growl. ¡°Was it you? Did you orchestrate Patrick¡¯s kidnapping? Keep our feud between us; don¡¯t drag a child into this mess. I don¡¯t care what underhanded schemes you conjure up over the Russell Corporation. But mark my words¡ªif you so much asy a finger on my son, I¡¯ll bring your entire world crashing down!¡±

    Davin was taken aback. He hadn¡¯t even set foot in the office today; he was enjoying a family vacation at a mountain resort, currently harvesting strawberries at a nearby farm. Standing tall, he dered, ¡°Even if Dad hasn¡¯t acknowledged Patrick as family, I can¡¯t fathom you iming some random kid as your own. So I know Patrick is your child. No matter the depths of my hatred for you, I wouldn¡¯t stoop so low as to use a child as a pawn. It wasn¡¯t me.¡±

    He ended the call, frustration simmering within him as he muttered, ¡°Who in their right mind would dare kidnap someone from the Russell family?¡±

    Yet, the next second, a sly, malicious grin soon crept across his face. Someone was stepping in to handle Jayceon, and that suited him just fine. He hoped the kidnappers would seed, even trading Jayceon for Patrick. That way, he could avoid dirtying his own hands dealing with Jayceon.

    ¡°Cancel all my appointments,¡± Jayceon barked at his secretary as he stormed out of the office, his expression dark.

    As he walked, he called Tina, probing for her involvement, but she tly denied it and chastised him instead.

    Meanwhile, in the surveince room, Morton and Jaxson werebing through a sea of video feeds, hunting for anything out of ce, but their efforts yielded nothing. With tens of thousands of visitors daily and abyrinth of cameras, pinpointing a suspect among the throng felt like searching for a needle in a haystack.

    Brenna and Ellie, both sharp-eyed and determined, joined the search, adding their keen observations to the mix. However, Ellie was drowning in a sea of emotions. Her mind was flooded with harrowing images of Patrick being tortured, or worse, leaving her paralyzed with fear. She sat in a chair, panic gripping her as she clutched her phone with white-knuckled intensity, waiting for the kidnappers to make their move.

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    If they weren¡¯t from the Russell family, they could be the Russell family¡¯s rivals, or perhaps her own enemies. Over the years, she, Brenna, and Thiago had ruffled quite a few feathers, even among some shady figures in the underworld.

    So, Ellie and Brenna were left in the dark about who had taken Patrick. Just as despair settled over the group, Brenna¡¯s phone rang. An unknown number shed on the screen. Morton and Jaxson sprang into action, prepping their equipment to trace the call before letting Brenna answer.

    On the other end of the line was a man, his voice distorted by a voice changer. ¡°If you want the boy alive, don¡¯t call the cops. Don¡¯t tell anyone.¡±

    ¡°Where is he?¡± Brenna asked, her voice steady. She was far moreposed than Ellie.

    ¡°Wait for further instructions.¡± The caller seemed all too aware of the potential for being tracked and hung up instantly.

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 Chapter 526

    ?Chapter 526:

    Brenna turned to Morton and Jaxson, who shook their heads in frustration.

    Jaxson said, ¡°The call was too brief; we couldn¡¯t get a trace.¡±

    Brenna braced herself for a long wait before hearing from the kidnappers again, but to her astonishment, only half a minuteter, her phone buzzed with a new message containing a location.

    ¡°Come to this ce alone at 12:30 tonight. We¡¯re keeping an eye on you. Try anything, and the boy dies.¡±

    Morton and Jaxson exchanged knowing nces; it was bing clear that this kidnapping wasn¡¯t aimed at Ellie or the Russell family. No, it was aimed at Brenna. After all, why hadn¡¯t the kidnappers reached out to Patrick¡¯s mother?

    Everyone¡¯s eyes were glued to the screen, thick tension in the air. Morton was the first to break the silence. ¡°No. Absolutely not. You¡¯re not going.¡±

    Brenna felt an unsettling chill creeping in. She rifled through her memories, recalling those she had crossed over the years¡ªthe Ward family in Norview, the Murrays in Orwall, and the military in Valport. She had stepped on quite a few toes, and the list of potential vendettas was overwhelming.

    As she shared her roster of enemies with Morton and Jaxson, they scrutinized each name but ultimately dismissed them all.

    Yet the most usible threat emerged from her position as the lead designer of the next-generation fighter jet. If that sensitive information had leaked, the kidnapping could easily be the work of a foreign adversary.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± Ellie dered suddenly, her eyes fixed on the message.

    ¡°No,¡± Brenna said immediately. ¡°They specifically asked for me. If I don¡¯t show up, they might kill Patrick.¡±

    Morton rose, his demeanor authoritative. ¡°We¡¯ll wait for orders from higher-ups before taking any action. Miss Harper, you¡¯re far too valuable to the military. This is just a kidnapping; we can manage this without putting you in harm¡¯s way.¡±

    When Jayceon hurried into the surveince room, he found it empty of the familiar faces he had expected. Brenna and the others had vacated the space, which was now swarming with military personnel. Dozens of uniformed officers poured over the screens, their faces set in grim lines of determination, none willing to divulge any details to Jayceon. Memories of Brenna effortlessly orchestrating a military band for Amy¡¯s birthday celebration shed through Jayceon¡¯s mind. The connection dawned on him; this ordeal was steeped in secrecy. With a wary nce around the room, he decided against probing further and made his way to Thiago¡¯s ce.

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    After understanding the full scope of what had happened, Thiago quickly advised Ellie and Brenna not to return to Ellie¡¯s home. He was deeply concerned that Ellie¡¯s elderly parents might not be able to handle the news, so he told Ellie to call and gently inform them that she and Brenna would be staying at Brenna¡¯s ce for the night.

    Jayceon showed up not long after, stepping into Thiago¡¯s residence, just a few hundred square feet tucked inside a sleek, high-endplex. The small group sat in tense silence on the couch, their expressions tight, each of them waiting for the military¡¯s next orders.

    The military was convinced this wasn¡¯t some random kidnapping; it was a deliberate strike aimed at the chief designer behind their next-generation fighter jet. The weight of that realization had them treating the situation with absolute gravity. In less than thirty minutes, a dedicated task force was assembled, and any offer of police assistance was swiftly turned down; the military intended to handle this on their own terms.

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 Chapter 527

    ?Chapter 527:

    The address the kidnappers sent to Brenna pointed to an old, abandoned chemical nt on the outskirts of northwest Shirie, a ce long left to rust and rot. Military scouts had already swept through the site. It was deserted, just as expected. They moved fast, setting up surveince in and around the area, ready to spring into action the second the kidnappers showed up with the hostage.

    Meanwhile, at a private port in Shirie, a man clutching a ck backpack broke into a brisk stride and scrambled onto a sleek luxury yacht. The yacht, modest yet elegant with its three decks and 140-foot length, began to drift away from the dock the moment he boarded. He carelessly flung his ck backpack onto the deck and unzipped it to reveal Patrick, who was still engulfed in a deep slumber.

    Jade emerged from the cabin, her expression cold. Spotting Patrick, she delivered a sharp kick to his side without a moment¡¯s hesitation. ¡°As soon as we hit international waters, dump him into the sea,¡± she said.

    With a dutiful nod, the man yanked Patrick from the backpack, quickly bound him with ropes, and anchored him to the yacht¡¯s railing. He then stuffed the empty backpack with stones, zipped it, and tossed it aside with a dismissive gesture.

    Turning to Jade, he said cautiously, ¡°Miss Hewitt, there¡¯s a chance Brenna might have military connections. Just yesterday, she managed to summon a military band to the Russell estate with a single phone call. We need to tread carefully; if the military gets on our trail¡­¡±

    Jade scoffed, her gaze fixed on the frothy wake the yacht left behind. ¡°Unlikely. We neutralized all surveince within a 700-foot radius around the restroom. Besides, we orchestrated a parade of distractions; twenty people exited that restroom consecutively, each carrying identical backpacks. Not even the military could discern which person kidnapped the kid.¡±

    Acknowledging her confidence with a silent nod, the man retreated into his thoughts.

    As darkness enveloped the sea, the yacht became a solitary beacon on the boundless waters.

    Jade waited until the clock struck ten. Then, she made a call. ¡°Proceed. And if Brenna dares to show her face, don¡¯t hesitate¡ªshoot to kill.¡± Within moments, Jade slid a freshly bought SIM card into her phone and braced herself to make a call to Brenna.

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    Beside her, the man lifted his pistol, pressing the cold barrel against Patrick¡¯s temple without hesitation.

    Jade crouched down, took a quick shot of the unconscious Patrick with her phone, and forwarded it to Brenna. Activating the voice distorter, she masked her tone beneath that same harsh, mechanical rasp. Jade was well aware that Brenna wasn¡¯t alone; she had the military watching her back. That was why every second counted; she couldn¡¯t afford to stay on the line longer than sixty seconds.

    She had anticipated every angle, every surveince tactic the military might throw at her. The route, the timing, even the signal bounce-back. She dialed the number. It rang, but Brenna didn¡¯t pick up.

    Time seemed to stretch, and just as the automated disconnection loomed close, Brenna answered the call.

    Jade¡¯s distorted voice shed through the silence. ¡°Listen carefully¡ªshow up alone, or I will put a bullet in the kid¡¯s head.¡±

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 Chapter 528

    ?Chapter 528:

    Brenna deliberately spoke with a panicked tone. ¡°What do you want? Money? Information? Name your price. Just don¡¯ty a finger on Patrick, please!¡±

    Jade¡¯sugh sliced through the tense air, icy and mocking. She realized that even Brenna, usually the epitome of calm, wasn¡¯t immune to bouts of sheer panic. This realization sparked a wicked thrill in her, making her deviate from her initial ns. The thought of witnessing Brenna¡¯s downfall firsthand, of seeing her grovel and plead, was too enticing to resist.

    She said, ¡°That depends entirely on my mood. Prepare a hundred million and get to that ce before midnight. A minutete, and the kid¡¯s fate is sealed.¡±

    If only she had known sooner how deeply Brenna cared about Patrick, she wouldn¡¯t have dyed her actions after Ethan had fallen for Brenna.

    Desperation seeped into Brenna¡¯s tone. ¡°Fine, I¡¯llply with your demands. But first, I need proof. Show me Patrick is still alive.¡±

    Beside Jade, the bodyguard subtly shook his head in disapproval. Ignoring his silent warning, Jade confidently said to Brenna, ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll send you a video.¡±

    She ended the call briskly, filmed a brief ten-second clip of the boy, and sent it to Brenna with a few taps on her phone.

    The bodyguard shared his concern in a hushed voice, saying, ¡°Miss Hewitt, Brenna has military support. That call might have lingered too long. They could have tracked us already.¡±

    Jade cast a dismissive nce his way, her confidence unshaken. ¡°Impossible. Pinpointing a moving target requires at least two minutes. Trust me, I know what I¡¯m doing.¡±

    At Thiago¡¯s home, a group of military personnel d in uniforms assembled. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the kind that hangs in the air before a storm, as the professionals sat on the couch, their brows furrowed in concentration, determined to lock onto the elusive signal.

    Braeden stood off to the side, a silent sentinel, observing the scene unfold. The room was a still pond, every eye riveted on the two technicians, hearts pulsing with anxiety and hope.

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    Before long, one of them lifted his headphones from his ears, a wave of relief washing over his features. ¡°Mr. Foster,¡± he announced, his voice steady but charged with excitement, ¡°we¡¯ve locked onto the target¡¯s location. It¡¯s out at sea, moving fast.¡±

    He then passed over a slip of paper with the coordinates.

    Without missing a beat, Braeden snatched up his inte, his voice firm as he ryed the order for the waiting team outside to make their way to the designated spot.

    Brenna sprang to her feet, determination etched on her face. ¡°They asked for me specifically, which means I need to be there, just in case something goes awry.¡±

    Ethan stood up beside her, urgency in his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s too risky. I¡¯m going with you.¡±

    He sped Brenna¡¯s hand tightly, his resolve strengthening. His team was on standby, ready to leap into action at hismand. This was his moment to step up as her protector.

    Thiago interjected, his expression grave, ¡°No. I¡¯ll go with Ellie. Brenna, you¡¯re staying put.¡±

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 Chapter 529

    ?Chapter 529:

    He understood the weight of Brenna¡¯s role within the military. He didn¡¯t want toplicate things for the military or expose Brenna to unnecessary danger.

    Ellie nodded, her agreement clear. ¡°Exactly. I can disguise myself as you and go.¡±

    But Brenna dismissed the suggestion without a moment¡¯s pause, saying, ¡°No. If the kidnappers managed to snatch Patrick while evading all those surveince cameras, they¡¯re no amateurs. They won¡¯t be easily tricked.¡±

    Braeden watched them talk, concern etched on his brow. He, too, didn¡¯t want Brenna to put herself in harm¡¯s way. He said, ¡°None of you needs to go. Our team is already en route. This is an operation the military can handle.¡±

    Jayceon rose abruptly, heading toward the door, but Ellie stopped him. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±

    Frustration boiled over in Jayceon. He silently med Brenna for this, but out of consideration for Ethan, he had kept his mouth shut. Yet it was painfully clear that this entire situation was aimed at Brenna, so why had his son gotten dragged into it?

    He unleashed his anger on Brenna. ¡°Patrick is my son. I should be the one to save him! Miss Harper, it¡¯s because of you that he¡¯s in danger. But you¡¯re important to the military, so you can¡¯t risk your safety for him. If I, as Patrick¡¯s father, don¡¯t go either, what kind of man would I be?¡±

    Brenna felt displeased by Jayceon¡¯s fury. She had watched Patrick grow up, and she wouldn¡¯t let anything happen to him. She made a resolute decision. ¡°I¡¯m going. I can¡¯t just stand by while Patrick is in danger.¡±

    With that, she stood up and strode out. Ethan followed her without hesitation, and Thiago, along with Ellie, trailed behind. Together, they boarded the military helicopter.

    On the northwestern edge of Shirie, cloaked by the cover of night, a dozen camouged figures moved stealthily toward an abandoned chemical nt. Each man was armed and alert. Their leader, a tall, bearded man in his thirties, spoke in a rough, eager tone. ¡°I¡¯ve heard the Harper family¡¯s daughter is a real knockout. She is beautiful and has a great figure.¡±

    He pulled out his phone, showcasing a photo of Brenna delivering a lecture at Shirie University.

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    Two men beside him leaned in to look at the photo, chuckling. ¡°When that girl shows up, you can go first, Mr. Curtis. After you¡¯ve had your fun with her, the rest of us will take our turns.¡±

    Barr Curtisughed with smug satisfaction, envisioning himself with Brenna. He nodded, pleased with his subordinate¡¯s words. ¡°Make sure to record it. The boss wants a video. The more brutal, the better, and keep it long.¡±

    Eagerly, one of his people replied, ¡°We will ensure that everything is captured on camera.¡±

    Their crude words echoed through the night as they approached the entrance of the abandoned facility. But just as they crossed the threshold, a streak of light shot through the sky like a falling star, heading straight for them.

    Only when it was nearly upon them did they realize what the light was¡ªa missile.

    Their eyes widened in disbelief. They barely had time to scream ¡°run¡± before the explosion erupted, scattering them into a storm of bloody fragments.

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 Chapter 530

    ?Chapter 530:

    Out at sea, Jade was trying to reach the team stationed at the chemical nt, desperate to confirm whether Brenna had taken the bait and brought the ransom. Minutes ticked by, and that fool Barr was still not picking up her call.

    The bodyguard beside Jade frowned, his concern evident. ¡°Could something have gone wrong? Brenna has military connections. The army might have gotten involved.¡±

    Jade¡¯s confidence began to wane. She cast a grave look at the motionless Patrick. ¡°Throw him to the sea. We¡¯re leaving now.¡± Panic gnawed at her. If they didn¡¯t leave soon, it could be toote. If something had happened to Barr, it meant the military had seen through her scheme. Brenna could arrive at any moment.

    Jade had always believed that Brenna wouldn¡¯t dare endanger Patrick to hunt them down. But Brenna was anything but predictable. What if she did gamble everything? What if she was willing to sacrifice Patrick to eliminate them? After all, the military didn¡¯t operate like the police.

    The bodyguard moved, seized Patrick by the cor, and tossed him straight into the sea. As he watched the waves engulf Patrick¡¯s small figure, he walked away. Bound as he was, Patrick wouldn¡¯tst more than a few minutes in the water.

    The luxury yacht elerated, cutting through the waves as it ventured deeper into international waters.

    Momentster, the military team arrived. Five helicopters sliced through the sky, sweeping across the ocean, meticulously scanning every vessel within a hundred-mile radius.

    Onboard the helicopter, Brenna and the others kept their eyes fixed on the screen. Red dots flickered across the disy, but none of them were moving fast.

    ¡°This is peak fishing season,¡± the pilot exined. ¡°Most of those are fishing boats. They¡¯ll be out at sea for days, just drifting like that.¡±

    Everyone wore grave expressions. The weight of their fear hung heavily in the cabin. Each passing second made Patrick¡¯s situation more dire. Ellie was the most distressed. She couldn¡¯t look away from the screen. She clutched Thiago¡¯s hand, her fingers cold and mmy.

    Outside, the night pressed in like a wall. The wind howled, and waves crashed below. There was nothing but darkness in every direction. Ellie rested her head on Thiago¡¯s shoulder and anxiously asked, ¡°Will Patrick be okay?¡±

    Full chapters on g???????¦Í?????c????

    Thiago gently patted her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Patrick has been with us since he was little. He¡¯s learned a lot of survival skills. He can swim, and he knows better than to provoke dangerous people. He¡¯ll be okay.¡± Though his voice was calm, the worry behind it ran deep. Patrick was more capable, more mature, and tougher than most kids his age. Still, he was only six. Out here, with the sea raging like this, even an adult might not survive long.

    Ethan nced at Brenna. She hadn¡¯t said much, but her stiff posture and somber expression spoke volumes. Her silence didn¡¯t mean she was any less worried.

    He reached for her hand and reassured her, ¡°We¡¯ll find him. He¡¯s going to be fine.¡±

    ¡°Suspicious target spotted.¡± A sharp voice crackled through the radio from another helicopter, followed by a string of coordinates.

    The pilot changed course at once and headed straight for the location. Momentster, a sleek, high-end yacht came into view. It was slicing through the waves, racing toward international waters.

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 Chapter 531

    ?Chapter 531:

    The helicopter¡¯s searchlight cut through the darkness and lit up the deck. More than 20 armed men were scattered across it, rifles in hand. The instant they spotted the military chopper, a wave of panic swept through their ranks.

    They knew that if the helicopter opened fire, they wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.

    Brenna snatched the mic wired to the chopper¡¯s loudspeaker and, in a sharp andmanding voice, said, ¡°This is Brenna! Where¡¯s Patrick? Hand him over right now!¡±

    For a moment, the men on the yacht hesitated. The helicopter hadn¡¯t fired, and that gave them a flicker of hope. Their fear dulled, reced by a creeping regret. Maybe they shouldn¡¯t have let the boy go. Without a hostage, they had nothing to bargain with now.

    But Jade had prepared them for this. She had given them clear instructions. They needed to kill Brenna, no matter what.

    Jade had already left. Before departing, she had promisedrge payouts to their families if they died. If they made it out alive, there would be an even bigger reward. They were mercenaries. They hadn¡¯t signed up expecting to survive. The presence of the military had shaken them, but not enough to make them back down.

    Their leader stepped forward with a megaphone in one hand and arge backpack slung over his shoulder. Then, he bellowed, ¡°Over here, Brenna! Bring the ransom down. Alone. The rest of you stay back! If anyone gets within 50 miles, the hostage dies!¡±

    Jayceon¡¯s gaze locked on the backpack. It wasrge; Patrick could be inside. ¡°No one make a move. Do exactly what they say,¡± he said. The chopper¡¯s side door was already open. Thedder dropped, swaying in the wind.

    Brenna didn¡¯t hesitate. Without a word, she stepped toward it.

    Ethan reached for her arm to stop her. ¡°I¡¯ll go instead.¡±

    Brenna met his eyes. ¡°If you go, they¡¯ll kill him. These men have no conscience. They don¡¯t care who they hurt. I can¡¯t risk Patrick¡¯s life.¡±

    Jayceon gave a firm nod. For all the chaos, he was pleased with Brenna¡¯s decision. She never wavered, not even with danger waiting below. She had a deep sense of duty and refused to leave Patrick behind.

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    He said to Ethan, ¡°Just listen to her.¡±

    Ethan shot him a cold look, displeased with his decision. ¡°You won¡¯t risk your son, and I won¡¯t risk my woman.¡±

    Then, he turned to Brenna. ¡°I¡¯m going down with you. That¡¯s final.¡±

    From below, another shout rose up from the mercenaries. ¡°No weapons! If we see even one, the kid dies!¡±

    A single gunshot rang out and cracked beside the backpack. It was a warning that they weren¡¯t bluffing.

    The military was not fazed. ¡°Hurt the hostage, and we¡¯ll blow you to hell!¡±

    With that, the military fired into the water, a thunderous burst meant to rattle nerves.

    Ethan grabbed the mic and called out, ¡°This is Ethan, Brenna¡¯s fianc¨¦. I¡¯m going down with her!¡±

    On the yacht, the mercenary leader cracked a sly grin. So this was the man Jade had her eye on. And now, he wanted to walk straight into their hands? Interesting.

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 Chapter 532

    ?Chapter 532:

    The leader turned to his men. After a short exchange, he stepped forward and yelled back, ¡°Fine. Come down.¡±

    Two hostages were better than one. And Ethan might just be their golden ticket to freedom.

    As soon as theynded, Brenna and Ethan were surrounded. A ring of mercenaries closed in, rifles aimed straight at their heads.

    The leader stepped forward, raised a megaphone, and barked at the chopper, ¡°Drop the money and get out of here!¡±

    His voice dripped with arrogance. Then, heughed and looked Brenna up and down in front of Ethan. ¡°Now this one is a real beauty. I hit the jackpot!¡±

    A few thick-armed men moved toward Brenna. Clearly, they didn¡¯t see her or Ethan as a threat. One of them even stretched out a hand toward Brenna¡¯s face.

    Before the person couldy a finger on her, there was a sharp crack.

    Ethan had grabbed his wrist and snapped it.

    The helicopter¡¯s roar swallowed the man¡¯s scream.

    Above them, the aircraft hovered low over the gleaming deck of the yacht. A single shot rang out. The mercenary who had reached for Brenna dropped to the ground, a bullet lodged in his skull.

    ¡°No signs of life detected inside the backpack,¡± came the report through Brenna¡¯s earpiece from the military.

    Tears welled up in Brenna¡¯s eyes, and her heart felt like it had been cracked open. Was Patrick really dead?

    She stared at the ck backpack, her thoughts spiraling. She pictured his final moments and felt a surge of fury rise inside her. Every part of her wanted revenge.

    ¡°Where is he?¡± she asked, her voice low and tight with emotion. Her hands curled into fists until her knuckles turned white. ¡°I want to see Patrick.¡±

    If these people had killed him, she would make sure they would drown in their own blood.

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    But even in her rage, she refused to believe Patrick was gone, not until she saw his dead body with her own eyes.

    The military rarely made mistakes. She knew that. Still, her thoughts shed with what she wanted to believe. She locked her eyes on the backpack, refusing to look away. Patrick had to be alive.

    Ethan, on the other hand, remained calm. He observed the backpack. It looked heavy, but the way the fabric bulged, sharp and uneven, was odd. If Patrick were inside, the shape should¡¯ve been softer.

    A thought tugged at him, but he couldn¡¯t be sure.

    He locked his gaze onto the leader. ¡°Cut the crap. The hundred million is right here. Let me see the boy. Try anything, and you¡¯ll be shot.¡±

    Right on cue, gunfire thundered down from the chopper above. Bullets riddled the empty stretch of deck. The message was clear. Ethan was not bluffing.

    Brenna flinched at the sound, her heart hammering against her chest. She couldn¡¯t shake the fear that the backpack held nothing but a lifeless body.

    ¡°Hurry up!¡± she snapped, her voice cracking with desperation.

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 Chapter 533

    ?Chapter 533:

    The mercenaries were not stupid. They weren¡¯t nning on walking away alive. Their job was to stall for time. Every second they stood there was one more second for Jade to get farther away.

    The leader jabbed his gun toward the backpack and threatened, ¡°One more word, and I¡¯ll shoot the kid!¡±

    Brenna¡¯s earpiece crackled with another update from the military. ¡°No signs of life detected in the bag. No signs of life detected. Prepare for extraction.¡±

    ¡°Open it!¡± Brenna said. In her mind, Patrick was already gone. Tears poured down her face, blurring her vision. She lunged forward, kicked the nearest mercenary to the ground, and with one swift motion, snapped his neck.

    The others froze, stunned. None of them had expected her to be that lethal. Her movements were clean. That kind of precision only came from real training.

    Gunfire split the air again. From above, sniper rounds tore through the deck, and mercenaries dropped one after another.

    The rest panicked and turned their guns on Brenna. But Ethan had prepared for that. He caught Brenna by the wrist and yanked her with him. They then dashed to the edge of the deck and dove into the sea. From the air, the military held control. The mercenaries wanted to kill Brenna, but she wasn¡¯t alone. There was no chance the military would let anything happen to her.

    Every remaining mercenary had a sniper¡¯s crosshair locked on them. One wrong move, and they were dead.

    With a loud ssh, Brenna and Ethan hit the water. Secondster, the sound of automatic fire erupted from above. The rest of the mercenaries didn¡¯t stand a chance. One by one, they fell, gunned down without mercy.

    When Brenna and Ethan hauled themselves back onto the yacht, the military had already unzipped the backpack. It was filled with nothing but stones.

    Brenna¡¯s knees buckled, and she nearly fell. Her chest rose and fell unevenly, and she clutched at the railing for support.

    ¡°If Patrick isn¡¯t here, where could he be?¡± The backpack did not contain Patrick¡¯s dead body, but that didn¡¯t ease Brennapletely. The unknown wed at her. Dread settled deep in her gut.

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??¡ä ?????????? ???????? ????????

    Her mind raced with fear. Was Patrick hurt? Was he alone? Was he still alive?

    ¡°Check for survivors!¡± Braeden¡¯s voice rang out across the deck, snapping the team into motion.

    Several soldiers sprang into action and swept the deck. A momentter, they found two mercenaries who were still alive.

    Ellie, Jayceon, Thiago, and a few others closed in around one of them. Jayceon demanded, ¡°Where¡¯s the boy?¡±

    The man didn¡¯t speak at first. His chest heaved with the effort to stay conscious. Then, with what little strength he had left, he raised a shaking hand and pointed toward the sea. ¡°We threw him into the sea¡­¡±

    The sliver of hope everyone had been clinging to disappeared. Silence gripped the deck.

    Out there, in the cold, endless sea, even the strongest adult would struggle to survive. And Patrick¡­ He was just a child.

    Jayceon rallied every contact he could, dispatching a fleet of luxury yachts to scour the dark, endless sea for the missing child. The entire Russell Corporation staff was mobilized overnight, transforming the ocean into a frantic search grid.

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 Chapter 534

    ?Chapter 534:

    Ethan, too, pulled every string at his disposal. He sent out his personal yacht and recruited nearby fishing vessels,bing the waters in a near-impossible hunt.

    By dawn, sunlight danced across the waves, scattering shimmering reflections. But no one paused to admire the beauty; they were consumed by despair.

    A bright, kind, precious child¡ªvanished without a trace? Not even a body to mourn?

    Brenna refused to ept it, as did everyone else.

    Around midday, Ellie¡¯s phone rang. She hadn¡¯t had a sip of water since the ordeal, her face pale, lips chapped, her mind haunted by visions of Patrick¡¯s small frame being imed by the sea.

    An unknown number shed on her screen.

    After a brief pause, she picked up.

    ¡°Mommy¡­¡±

    The soft, unmistakable voice on the other end brought tears streaming down Ellie¡¯s face. Patrick¡¯s voice was faint but clear. ¡°It¡¯s Patrick!¡± Ellie eximed.

    Her voice drew the attention of everyone nearby.

    ¡°Patrick, thank God you¡¯re okay! Where are you?¡± Ellie asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m in the hospital,¡± Patrick answered, his voice weak but steady.

    A momentter, a man¡¯s voice, weathered and middle-aged, echoed.

    ¡°Hi, I¡¯m a fisherman from Plomond. Last night, I was out at sea and found the boy floating, unconscious. I rushed him to the hospital, and he only woke up a short while ago. I knew his family must be worried, so I asked him to give his family a call. He¡¯s weak now, with some fluid in his lungs, but he¡¯s going to be fine¡­¡±

    When the family reached the hospital, Patrick was still in bed, receiving an IV drip.

    Jayceon, overwhelmed with gratitude, handed the fisherman a check for a hundred thousand as a heartfelt thank-you.

    Discover where it all happens: g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    After bidding farewell to the fisherman in the hospital corridor, Jayceon turned and saw Brenna standing nearby. Her face was softened by relief, but Jayceon¡¯s expression hardened as he approached her. His eyes were cold, brimming with usation. ¡°What happened to Patrick is entirely your fault.¡±

    Patrick, just six years old, had been lost at sea for hours. If he hadn¡¯t been trained in survival skills, if he hadn¡¯t been sharp enough to stay calm and free himself from the ropes in secret after waking on the boat, he would likely be dead now.

    Jayceon¡¯s chest tightened at the thought of Patrick¡¯s small wrists, marked by rope burns. No child should endure such trauma.

    He said to Brenna, ¡°If you hadn¡¯t made enemies, they wouldn¡¯t have gone after Patrick. From now on, you should stay away from my son and Ellie. I won¡¯t let your enemiese for my son again.¡±

    Brenna felt a wave of guilt, knowing she had endangered Patrick. Unable to refute Jayceon¡¯s words, she stayed silent, absorbing his me.

    Jayceon¡¯s harsh words continued, each one cutting deeper. Brenna held back her frustration, epting his criticism without protest.

    Just then, Ethan walked over and cut through Jayceon¡¯s tirade. ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. This isn¡¯t Brenna¡¯s fault. You were the one who didn¡¯t protect your son well. How dare you pin this on Brenna?¡±

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 Chapter 535

    ?Chapter 535:

    Though Ethan and Jayceon were close friends, they had shed before, even physically, in their younger days. As adults, they had grown more level-headed, avoiding fights for years.

    Jayceon stood his ground. ¡°Those kidnappers were after Brenna. They knew Patrick mattered to her. Brenna is so well-protected, with military-grade security. They couldn¡¯t touch her, so they targeted Patrick to get to her. Can you honestly say this has nothing to do with her?¡±

    Ethan scoffed, visibly irritated. ¡°Jayceon, you¡¯re Patrick¡¯s father. You¡¯re always too caught up in your business deals. When have you ever truly looked after your son? At your grandmother¡¯s birthday, you left him there alone, letting your family bully him. And you call yourself a responsible father? You¡¯ve got wealth and influence. Couldn¡¯t you have at least hired a bodyguard for him? But you didn¡¯t. And now, when something goes wrong, you¡¯re quick to me others? Where¡¯s your ountability?¡±

    Brenna nced at Ethan, who was defending her with such conviction, and a subtle, appreciative smile crossed her lips. Every point he made echoed what she had been thinking.

    ¡°Exactly. And I¡¯m the one who taught Patrick how to survive at sea,¡± she said.

    Displeased with Jayceon¡¯s attempt to dodge responsibility, Ethan shook his head. ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s no surprise Ellie wants nothing to do with you. And now that I think about it, I¡¯m done with you, too.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not the same person I used to know.¡± Jayceon¡¯s eyes zed with frustration as he swung his fist at the wall. He pointed at Ethan, his voice sharp and using. ¡°Have youpletely lost your sense of what¡¯s right and wrong? Tell me¡ªam I wrong to say that Patrick got dragged into this mess because of her?¡±

    The air thickened with Jayceon¡¯s disappointment, his eyes reflecting a storm of betrayal. It seemed to him that ever since Ethan had fallen head over heels for Brenna, he had been blinded, unable to see the truth right in front of him. He believed Ethan was blindly defending Brenna.

    As Jayceon seethed, a cold realization dawned on Ethan. He finally saw Jayceon for what he truly was¡ªa man who dodged ountability and found it easier to pin the me on a woman than face his own faults.

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    After two decades of friendship, Ethan and Jayceon now stood on opposite sides of a rift.

    Ethan¡¯s response was frosty, his words slicing through the tension. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely wrong, Jayceon. If Patrick had been with Brenna at the time, then sure, she¡¯d share the me. But he was in the restroom alone at that time. No one was watching over him. We¡¯re all shaken over what happened; no one wanted this, least of all Brenna. So why are you so dead set on ming her? Do you honestly think she wanted Patrick to get hurt?¡±

    He took a breath, disappointment tightening his jaw. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this is who you are now. I don¡¯t even recognize you. Come on, Brenna. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Without looking back, Ethan stepped out of the hospital with Brenna, and together, they found a cozy spot down the street to grab a quick meal.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Jayceon,¡± Ethan said, his voice tinged with finality. ¡°He has shown his true colors. I won¡¯t associate with someone like him anymore.¡±

    He had already made up his mind; the paths he and Jayceon were on had diverged irreparably. It was time for them to part ways.

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 Chapter 536

    ?Chapter 536:

    Brenna responded with a knowing nod, her voice tinged with disdain. ¡°I¡¯ve never been fond of him.¡±

    Her gaze dropped, a pensive shadow falling over her face. The recent chaos had been a wake-up call; she believed it was time to get Patrick some kind of tracker. He also needed something that could help him defend himself if needed.

    At the Harper family estate, Rosie had made an impromptu return from the office to retrieve a forgotten document. As she stepped off the elevator, she noticed a team of technicians busily upgrading the household¡¯s surveince system.

    ¡°Is there an issue with the security?¡± she inquired casually, eyeing the flurry of activity.

    One of the technicians replied, ¡°No. We¡¯re just installing the newest models, equipped with AI that automatically recognizes any non-family members. It¡¯s pretty advanced; it sends an immediate alert if it detects any unauthorized person attempting theft or harm.¡±

    Rosie nodded. She turned on her heel and walked away without another nce. With the third-floor hallway deserted¡ªno servants in sight and the surveince system temporarily disabled¡ªan idea took root in her mind. Her steps quickened with purpose as she headed straight for Brenna¡¯s room.

    As she rifled through Brenna¡¯s desk, her fingers stumbled upon an invitation to a business conference, nestled within the confines of a drawer.

    Rosie scooped up the invitation with a flick of her wrist, her eyes shing with disdain as she scanned the elegant script. With a scoff, she muttered under her breath, her voice dripping with contempt, ¡°Brenna is invited to speak at a prestigious business conference? Does she truly believe she¡¯s some titan of finance?¡±

    A wave of indignation washed over her. She was no novice in the business realm, having steered severalpanies through stormy times with her seasoned expertise in finance and management. Why wasn¡¯t she the one being invited?

    In her mind, anyone from the venerable Harper lineage¡ªbe it Shepard, Ernst, or even Dalton, the newly appointed CEO of the Harper Group¡ªfar surpassed Brenna in credentials and rightful im to such an honor.

    Unforgettable stories on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s??o??

    Yet, it was Brenna, who merely ran a modest financial studio, who had gotten invited. The urge to shred the invitation gnawed at Rosie. After several begrudging nces, she restrained herself and ced the invitation back down.

    She snapped a photo of the invitation with her phone. After that, she scoured the rest of the contents but found nothing more of consequence. With a sigh, she ced the invitation back in its ce and retreated to her room.

    She then sent the photo to Jade, her lips curling into a sneer.

    Just yesterday, Jade had told her about attending this very conference, a grand assembly of global economic titans. How could Brenna be on the same level as those important figures?

    The thought alone made Rosie¡¯s stomach churn with envy. Her fists clenched beneath the table as resentment for Brenna simmered inside her.

    Later that evening, Brenna arrived home earlier than usual and joined the family for dinner. Unaware of the recent incident involving Patrick, the Harper family chatted cheerfully over their meal, the atmosphere light.

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 Chapter 537

    ?Chapter 537:

    Between bites of food, Giselle nced at Brenna and asked, ¡°What¡¯s your impression of the grad students at Shirie University?¡±

    Brenna set her fork down gently and leaned forward, her tone thoughtful. ¡°They¡¯re better than I expected. I worried the material might be tooplex for them, but they werepletely engaged. Even after ss, they¡¯ve been flooding the group chat with questions.¡± She smiled slightly. ¡°There are a few standouts. I¡¯m considering inviting them to intern at my studio, maybe even grooming one or two for long-term roles.¡±

    Shepard gave a nod of approval, setting his wine ss down with a soft clink. ¡°Your team is solid. I¡¯ve met Tommy and Joe. With their skillsets, they¡¯d easily qualify as department heads at the Harper Group.¡±

    Then, with a contemtive nce toward Brenna, he added, ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m thinking of having your brother delegate some of our core R&D projects to your studio.¡±

    Brenna seemed to be in a good mood, her smile not wavering. ¡°It¡¯ll have to wait. I¡¯ve got a project with the military on my te right now. Once that¡¯s out of the way, we¡¯ll talk.¡±

    Shepard acknowledged her point with a knowing nod. Aware that matters involving the military were often confidential, he didn¡¯t ask further about the matter.

    However, Rosie saw things through a different lens. While she couldn¡¯t deny Brenna¡¯s talent, she still found it hard to believe that Brenna had made waves big enough to attract the military¡¯s attention. In her mind, military partnerships weren¡¯t handed out lightly; they worked with geniuses, people who were constantly pushing the boundaries of science and technology. And Brenna? What could she possibly contribute to the military?

    With a raised eyebrow and a curious tilt of her head, she said, ¡°So, Brenna¡­ What kind of project are you doing for the military?¡±

    Before Brenna could respond, Dalton interjected with a scornful chuckle, his gaze dripping with sarcasm as he looked at Rosie.

    ¡°Do you really believe you, a mere civilian, can get information about a military project?¡±

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    Rosie shifted ufortably in her seat. She stole a furtive nce at the rest of the Harper family. Shepard, ever the stoic, kept his expression unreadable, though she suspected he silently agreed with Dalton. He probably thought she was out of her league discussing Brenna¡¯s endeavors. She was certain he was privy to whatever covert operations Brenna was involved in.

    The notion that her entire family was in on Brenna¡¯s secretive military project yet chose to keep her in the dark gnawed at her.

    She also noticed Giselle shing a faint smile that seemed to ridicule her curiosity.

    Just then, Ernst said, ¡°Don¡¯t pry. If we were meant to know, Brenna would have told us a long time ago.¡±

    Having been marginalized before, Rosie had learned to conform to the Harper family¡¯s dynamics, seldom challenging them. Masking her disappointment with a strained smile, she murmured, ¡°Right, I shouldn¡¯t have asked.¡±

    Nheless, she couldn¡¯t help but sneak peeks at Brenna, hoping against hope that she might share details of her current project. Minutes dragged by, and Brenna continued to dine with her usualposed and elegant demeanor, not saying a word.

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 Chapter 538

    ?Chapter 538:

    The family¡¯s overt concern for Brenna¡¯s ventures was evident. Shepard even proposed reallocating the Harper Group¡¯s assets to support her. Amidst this, Rosie¡¯s growing displeasure went unnoticed, leaving her feeling deeply frustrated.

    At the military residentialplex, Ethan steered his opulent Rolls-Royce to a stop at the gate, his expression one of resignation.

    With a practiced hand, he adjusted his silk tie in the reflection of the rearview mirror, meticulously checking his appearance. Carefully, he gathered a bouquet of delicate blue lisianthus and several neatly wrapped paper bags from the passenger seat before stepping out.

    The Rolls-Royce, with its imposing presence and gleaming finish, was a rare sight at theplex. Ethan¡¯s family generally shunned such ostentatious disys of wealth,pelling him to reserve the car for special asions only. Yet today¡­

    At Elsa¡¯s insistent request, he had driven the luxury vehicle over, puzzled by her unusual demands for both the car and an assortment of gifts.

    A few days ago, he had upset Elsa during Amy¡¯s birthday celebration, and upon returning home, he had further angered her. He had been contemting how to make amends.

    Now, with a chance to mend fences handed to him, he was eager to seize it, despite finding the situation bewildering.

    His parents, typically indifferent to such gestures, had expressed a specific desire for flowers and sweets today. To ensure he chose appropriately, Ethan had personally visited a local florist, engaging closely with the staff to select the perfect lisianthus.

    The desserts posed a greater challenge. Uncertain of his parents¡¯ preferences, he had relied on the rmendations of the dessert shop staff, choosing an array of treats that leaned toward the less sugary¡ªmindful of what might appeal to an older pte. His selections werevish: a hundred-dor assortment of gourmet cookies, slices of rich cake, decadent chocte cookies, and a variety of desserts designed to tantalize the taste buds with unfamiliar vors.

    With everything in hand, Ethan approached the house. He paused momentarily at the doorway, gathering his thoughts before calling out loudly, ¡°Mom, Dad, I¡¯m back.¡±

    L¦Á¦Ó??¦Ó ?§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??om

    Usually, his parents wouldn¡¯te out to greet him, but today, Elsa appeared at the door, her face beaming with a smile¡ªso unlike her usual exasperated expression when she saw him.

    Elsa was adorned in a dress that draped elegantly around her.

    ¡°Mom, what¡¯s the asion today? And that dress! You look absolutely stunning; takes ten years off, easily,¡± Ethan said, his words dripping with genuine admiration and a hint of yful charm.

    When Ethan stepped inside, his gaze fell upon a young woman sitting by the living room sofa. She wore a modest beige dress, her appearance enhanced by subtle makeup and a touch of lipstick, exuding a quiet beauty.

    She offered Ethan a polite smile, her voice soft yet clear. ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Mitchell.¡±

    Ethan noticed the admiration and surprise in her eyes.

    His instinctual smile faded into a more guarded, cool expression. ¡°Hi,¡± he responded, his tone clipped.

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 Chapter 539

    ?Chapter 539:

    With a nce at the bouquet of flowers and the shopping bags he carried, he moved toward the coffee table to unload his burdens. He then handed the flowers to Elsa.

    ¡°These are for you, Mom.¡±

    He was clear in dering the flowers were meant for Elsa, anxious to prevent any potential misunderstanding by the young woman who might assume the flowers were intended for her.

    The young woman¡¯s smile waned as realization dawned, and with a subtle shift in her demeanor, she awkwardly withdrew her outstretched hand.

    Elsa, well-versed in navigating Ethan¡¯s often brusque temperament, chuckled lightly to dissipate the growing tension.

    ¡°Allow me to make introductions. Minna, this is Ethan, my son. He tends to keep his distance with most people, so try not to feel offended by it.¡±

    She then grabbed Ethan¡¯s wrist to stop him from leaving and continued,

    ¡°And this is Minna Davies, Ivy Davies¡¯ daughter from the performance troupe.¡±

    Elsa offered no further details, quickly guiding both to their seats. She passed the bouquet to Minna. She knew that if Ethan had even the slightest inkling he was being set up for a blind date, he would have bolted.

    Ethan maintained a frosty fa?ade, his gaze never meeting Minna¡¯s. The indignation of being deceived by his mother simmered within him; had he been aware of her true intentions, he would have outright refused toe.

    He believed he needed to leave immediately. Thest thing he needed was for Brenna to discover he had been coerced into a blind date. How would he ever be able to exin the situation to her?

    Ethan¡¯s displeasure with Elsa¡¯s arrangements was palpable, yet he maintained a stoic silence, his eyes darting around for an opportunity to leave.

    Minna, perceptive as ever, couldn¡¯t help but notice Ethan¡¯s icy demeanor. The atmosphere grew tense, hanging heavy between them. However, her gaze drifted to the opulent Rolls-Royce parked at the gate, then back to Ethan¡¯s striking figure, sparking a flutter of excitement in her heart.

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    Her initial apprehension melted away, reced by a growing curiosity and a hint of admiration. It seemed logical to her that their first encounter would be marked by a certain coolness; after all, overeagerness among strangers was more rming than appealing.

    Minna¡¯s smile became a permanent fixture, her eyes alight with intrigue as she watched Ethan, feeling a surge of affection for him. Ethan, on the other hand, was practically praying for an interruption, desperate for any excuse to leave.

    Luckily, he was busy as a CEO, and his phone soon rang. Concealing his inner delight, he retrieved his phone from his jacket pocket and stood up. ¡°Mom, I need to take this call.¡±

    Elsa, caught in the delicate position of both the hostess and matchmaker, gave a reluctant nod, unable to refuse Ethan outright. Her eyes followed him as he strode into the yard for more privacy.

    The moment the call connected, Ernst¡¯s voice rumbled through the line. ¡°Got time for a drink? Jayceon¡¯s in a hell of a mood. Ellie tore into him and then kicked him out.¡±

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 Chapter 540

    ?Chapter 540:

    Ethan stiffened slightly, reluctant to spend an evening babysitting Jayceon¡¯s wounded pride, but the idea of enduring the blind date was even worse. Without missing a beat, he replied, ¡°Yeah, sure. I¡¯ll head over now. We can¡¯t afford to let this deal slip through our fingers.¡± He made sure his voice carried, ensuring Elsa and Minna overheard him, proving to them that he wasn¡¯t trying to escape but had work matters to attend to.

    As he ended the call, a weight seemed to lift off his shoulders. Finally, he had the perfect excuse to leave, one that wouldn¡¯t make Elsa furious or make Minna feel rejected.

    Across the room, Elsa caught hisst few words, her face tightening in disapproval. She crossed her arms and said pointedly, ¡°There¡¯s always another deal waiting. But¡­¡±

    ¡°You only get one chance to spend time with family. It¡¯s Minna¡¯s first visit here. Isn¡¯t it rude to just leave now?¡±

    Ethan, feigning ignorance of the underlying meaning of her words, responded, ¡°Mom, this deal has been in the pipeline for months. There are heavyweights in the running, undercutting our bids. Yet, the partner acknowledges our superior quality and is open to another discussion. If I skip out tonight, the deal might as well be gone. Go ahead and have dinner without me; I really need to handle this.¡± Without waiting for Elsa¡¯s approval, Ethan excused himself and hurried out the door.

    Minna watched Ethan get into the luxury car and leave, her heart fluttering. What could Elsa possibly say now?

    Elsa silently berated Ethan, convinced of his indifference towards Minna. She knew his hearty elsewhere, with Brenna. If not, he wouldn¡¯t have scrambled so eagerly for an excuse to leave.

    Despite the storm of anger brewing within her, Elsa masked it expertly, offering Minna an apologetic smile. ¡°Hispany demands so much of his time. Please, don¡¯t take it to heart. I¡¯ll set up another meeting soon. Next time, I will let him treat you to a meal.¡±

    Minna responded with a reassuring grace, a smile softening her features as she gently dismissed Elsa¡¯s concerns, saying, ¡°Oh, please don¡¯t worry about it. Let him focus on his work. He¡¯s not like me, idly passing time at the office by scrolling through my phone. He¡¯s the type who probably wishes there were forty-eight hours in a day.¡±

    ?????????????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ??????????¦Í????????????

    Observing Minna¡¯s demeanor, Elsa noted her satisfaction with Ethan. It was expected; after all, no woman would easily pass up an opportunity to be with someone like Ethan. With his blend of wealth, striking looks, and a reputable family, Ethan was a highly eligible bachelor.

    The more Elsa observed Minna, the more she liked her. Minna exuded a serene and promising aura, starkly contrasting with Brenna¡¯s ostentatious ir.

    Elsa mused to herself that a woman needed a touch of reserve; being too capable wasn¡¯t good for a woman. The Harper family didn¡¯t require a daughter-inw who was overlypetent.

    At the Imperial Bar, Ethan walked into the private room, flinging his suit jacket onto the sofa. He copsed into the plush cushions with a sigh of relief and promptly seized a ss of wine.

    The coffee table before Jayceon was a chaotic sea of empty sses, and he sat slumped behind it, visibly intoxicated. His expression was etched with torment, his eyes bloodshot, hinting at tears shed or stifled. Ethan, sitting across from him, seemed oblivious to Jayceon¡¯s distress, his disdain for him barely concealed. In his eyes, Jayceon had crossed a line by unfairly pinning Patrick¡¯s ident on Brenna, and he deserved no sympathy.

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 Chapter 541

    ?Chapter 541:

    Ernst, catching the undercurrents of tension between Ethan and Jayceon, chose not to say anything about it. Peacemaking was not on his agenda tonight, especially not with more pressing issues at hand. His gaze hardened as he turned to Ethan, a hint of anger in his voice.

    ¡°I need to talk to you about something, Ethan. Why did your mom call my Uncle Ableson out of the blue, inquiring if Audrey would consider marrying you?¡±

    Ethan¡¯s world seemed to halt, the question mming into him with the force of a revtion. ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    His mind raced, piecing together the implications of Elsa¡¯s behind-the-scenes maneuvers. Not only had she sprung a blind date on him, but she had also asked if Audrey would marry him?

    What on earth was she trying to do? Was she holding a grudge against Brenna because of the incident at Amy¡¯s birthday party?

    ¡°I honestly have no clue,¡± Ethan responded, the weight of the revtion sinking in. He knew he had to confront Elsa about this, to draw clear boundaries about her interference in his personal decisions. He was going to hold his ground on matters of the heart no matter what, and he couldn¡¯t ignore the potential fallout from Elsa¡¯s unwarranted interventions.

    Ernst knew Ethan well. From their shared childhood escapades to navigating the trials of adulthood, he had consistently observed Ethan¡¯s steadfast responsibility and his usual indifference to romantic entanglements. Thus, Ethan¡¯s deep, evident feelings for Brenna struck him as nothing but sincere.

    He believed Ethan was not the sort to juggle two hearts at once. Moreover, Ethan¡¯s reaction suggested he had been unaware of the matter.

    ¡°What do you n to do now?¡± Ernst inquired, his voice a low hum of concern.

    Ethan felt resigned. Not only had he secretly met another woman behind Brenna¡¯s back, but Elsa had also reached out to the Harper family to ask if Audrey wanted to marry him. This was clearly bad.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I really didn¡¯t know any of this was happening. Please, don¡¯t tell Brenna yet; I will handle this soon.¡±

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    He chose his words carefully, omitting any mention of Elsa¡¯s independent moves to preserve her reputation.

    Ernst nodded, understanding the delicate bnce of the situation. ¡°Brenna¡¯s in the dark for now, but our parents are in the loop, and let¡¯s just say they¡¯re less than thrilled about this. I can¡¯t guarantee what they¡¯ll do.¡±

    The seriousness of his predicament was not lost on Ethan. Elsa¡¯s covert actions threatened to unravel everything he held dear. What if Brenna found out about the matter and wanted to break up with him? He was worried. Even when faced with billion-dor deals, he had never been this anxious.

    Was Elsa waiting for Brenna to apologize to her?

    Would Brenna, with her personality, ever bow her head and apologize? Besides, Brenna hadn¡¯t actually done anything wrong. When she had reached out to the military, she hadn¡¯t even mentioned Elsa by name. The whole thing was a mess born out of coincidence and misunderstanding.

    Ethan had patiently exined the truth to Elsa more times than he could count, but she refused to budge. In her mind, Brenna had disrespected her, and now, she was dead set against Brenna and him being together, so much so that she had even started setting him up with someone else without his permission.

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 Chapter 542

    ?Chapter 542:

    Ethan, burdened by the weight of his thoughts, sighed. ¡°This is gettingplicated.¡±

    Throughout his career, Ethan had faced countless adversaries in the cutthroat world of business with ease, yet navigating the treacherous waters of family dynamics was a challenge to him.

    Ernst wasn¡¯t good at dealing with family issues either. He took a sip of his drink and suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you arrange a meal with Brenna and your mom?¡±

    Ethan nodded, finding some merit in the idea. He was just worried that Brenna might not be so easy to convince. ¡°Can you gauge Brenna¡¯s attitude for me? See if she¡¯s willing to say something nice to my mom?¡± He wasn¡¯t worried about Brenna and Elsa refusing to dine together. If Elsa could trick him into returning to the militarypound, he could certainly trick Elsa out for a meal.

    Feeling slightly better, he took out his phone and sent a message to Brenna.

    ¡°Dinner together tomorrow night?¡±

    Brenna had just finished dinner and was heading upstairs, chatting casually with Giselle at the elevator. Giselle seemed to have something to say but couldn¡¯t find the right words, eventually mumbling something about tomorrow¡¯s afternoon lecture.

    Brenna didn¡¯t suspect anything and shared her ns.

    When her phone vibrated with a new message, Brenna nced down to see Ethan¡¯s name light up her screen. Given Ethan¡¯s deft handling of the recent debacle with Patrick, she felt somewhatpelled to ept his dinner invitation.

    ¡°Sure, where do you have in mind?¡± she replied.

    ¡°How about Starlight Splendor?¡± Ethan texted back.

    That ce was an upscale gem Ethan had frequented a few times. Not only was the cuisine top-notch, but the atmosphere was also exceptionally cozy,plete with private dining rooms.

    ¡°Sounds perfect. Let¡¯s meet at the south gate of Shirie University at six tomorrow evening,¡± Brenna replied.

    Every tale finds a home at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Ethan wasted no time and promptly phoned Elsa to ask her to have dinner with him tomorrow. To his surprise, Elsa took the news of his earlier departure in stride and agreed to the arrangements without a hint of displeasure.

    A wave of relief washed over Ethan. It felt as if he had untangled aplex knot at work, and his spirits soared.

    He remained blissfully unaware of the intricate ns Elsa was crafting behind the scenes.

    The following afternoon, Brenna wrapped up her lunch early and had Tommy take her to Shirie University. With Tommy carrying a meticulously crafted car model in a box and Brenna slinging a backpack over her shoulder, they blended seamlessly into the campus crowd. As they meandered along the tree-dotted pathways, they exchanged casual nods with the friendly faces of numerous undergraduates.

    As Brenna rounded a familiar bend in the path, her eyes instantly found a familiar figure¡ªElsa. The memory of theirst unfortunate meeting shed through her mind, a reminder that she still owed Elsa an apology. Eager to make amends, Brenna walked over, her face breaking into a warm, tentative smile. ¡°Good afternoon, Mrs. Mitchell,¡± she said.

    Elsa, having noticed Brenna from afar just now, kept her expression cool. ¡°We need to talk.¡±

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 Chapter 543

    ?Chapter 543:

    They stepped aside, under the sprawling branches of an old ne tree, and Tommy waited for Brenna a few steps away.

    Drawing a deep breath, Brenna began, her voice tinged with genuine remorse. ¡°Mrs. Mitchell, about the misunderstanding at the Russell family¡¯s party, I¡¯m truly sorry. I didn¡¯t know you would be there that day. I only reached out to Braeden for help; I never meant for you to get caught up in it. It was careless of me, and I¡¯m genuinely sorry.¡±

    Elsa let out a coldugh, her eyes sweeping over Brenna with a critical gaze. Brenna, standing there with her delicate features and calm poise, was undeniably beautiful. She had already achieved so much, earning the qualifications to lecture at the prestigious Shirie University, a level few could even dream of reaching at her age. Elsa had to admit, Brenna was outstanding. Even Braeden, along with several high-ranking military officials, seemed to regard her with respect.

    Yet, precisely because of that excellence, Elsa didn¡¯t want her to be Ethan¡¯s wife.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Elsa responded, her tone polished and polite, hiding her true feelings beneath a practiced smile. Here at Shirie University, with so many watching, she wouldn¡¯t openly make things difficult for Brenna. But the words she spoke were harsh. ¡°I just don¡¯t believe you and Ethan are a good match. I¡¯ve introduced him to someone else recently. They¡¯ve already met, and they seem quite taken with each other. I expect Ethan will end things with you soon.¡±

    Brenna waspletely taken aback, her heart skipping a beat at such unexpected words. Justst night, Ethan had invited her to dinner today. This abrupt turn of events couldn¡¯t possibly be his idea. It had to be Elsa, acting on her own. She was clearly still upset about what had happened at Amy¡¯s birthday party.

    Brenna had never aimed to tter Ethan¡¯s entire family; her goal was merely to keep things amicable. She had never wanted everyone in the Mitchell family to like her. It didn¡¯t take long for her to sense that Elsa didn¡¯t just dislike her; she probably loathed her. Elsa spoke with a smile, but her words were cutting, prompting Brenna to withdraw her friendly demeanor and revert to her usual aloofness.

    ¡°Mrs. Mitchell,¡± Brenna said, her voice calm but firm. ¡°I really don¡¯t think it¡¯s your ce to interfere in my rtionship with Ethan. Yes, I may have unknowingly offended you previously, but for that, I have sincerely apologized. It was never my intention.¡±

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    Her gaze locked with Elsa¡¯s, unwavering and resolute. ¡°To hold such a grudge over that, to use it as ammunition against Ethan and me, seems rather petty, don¡¯t you think?¡± Brenna stared at Elsa, standing her ground. She wasn¡¯t about to curry favor with someone who didn¡¯t even like her. If Elsa didn¡¯t approve of her rtionship with Ethan, then so be it. Winning over her boyfriend¡¯s family wasn¡¯t her mission. After all, she was going to marry Ethan, not his family.

    Elsa, maintaining her poise, leveled a smile at Brenna. ¡°You¡¯ve got spirit, I¡¯ll give you that. And I do admire it, in a way. But you¡¯re not the right woman for Ethan. It¡¯d be better if you took the initiative to end things with Ethan.¡±

    Her suggestion, wrapped in the tone of a well-meaning advisor, was anything but benign. She knew all too well that Ethan would cling to Brenna unless she pushed him away first.

    Brenna¡¯s response was swift and unwavering. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I genuinely believe Ethan is a wonderful person, and I have no intention of breaking up with him¡ªnot anytime soon, anyway. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I need to get to ss.¡±

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 Chapter 544

    ?Chapter 544:

    With those words, she turned and strode away, not waiting for Elsa¡¯s response.

    Elsa¡¯s expression clouded over with indignation. Brenna¡¯s defiant stance irked her deeply. Much like Ethan, Brenna was headstrong and disyed little regard for her.

    It was no surprise now that Ethan had shown little interest in anyone else until Brenna came into his life. Elsa believed she had approached Brenna with a semnce of respect, yet it was met with nothing but disrespect. Brenna wasn¡¯t even married to Ethan yet, and already, she showed such disregard toward her. What would happen if Brenna really married Ethan?

    This could not stand. Elsa couldn¡¯t entertain the thought of someone like Brenna as her daughter-inw.

    With a flurry of her coat, Elsa made her way to her car. Her visit to Shirie University wasn¡¯t solely for Brenna; she also had to finalize arrangements for her new role in the Art Department there. Having just retired from the performance troupe in the military, she had epted a prestigious offer from the university, a full professorship with all the apanying perks.

    Brenna couldn¡¯t shake the thought of Ethan¡¯s blind date. She was determined to ask him about it at dinner.

    If Ethan really had gone out with another woman, she was willing to break up with him.

    Before Ethan came into the picture, she had sworn off dating entirely, nning to stay single until she hit thirty. After watching Ellie¡¯s heart get torn apart by a man she trusted, she had not wanted any romance in her life.

    As the clock struck six, Brenna, apanied by Tommy, walked to the exit of the school and spotted Ethan¡¯s car. Leaning casually against the vehicle, a cigarette loosely held between his fingers, Ethan exuded a nonchnt coolness as he crafted perfect smoke rings into the evening air. His undeniable charm didn¡¯t go unnoticed, drawing admiring nces and even covert snapshots from many passersby.

    A group of bold young women from Shirie University didn¡¯t hesitate to approach him, asking for his number.

    Endless adventures await on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    The moment Brenna slid into Ethan¡¯s car, she wasted no time, cutting straight to the chase. ¡°Ethan, did you go on a blind date recently?¡±

    Caught off guard while navigating the gears, Ethan stiffened for a moment, his mind racing to the possibility that Brenna¡¯s parents had told her about the matter and disapproved of their rtionship now.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± he denied quickly, his voice firm yet tinged with frustration as he added, ¡°My mom set it up behind my back, without my consent.¡±

    Brenna looked at him, recounting the events of the afternoon, her expression cool and indifferent.

    Ethan¡¯s unease simmered beneath his calm exterior, irritation pricking at him like a thorn. He believed that Elsa, with her interference, had crossed a line this time.

    ¡°Brenna, don¡¯t listen to what others say. If I make any decisions about our rtionship, I¡¯ll tell you myself.¡± As he pulled the car over, Ethan fixed Brenna with a resolute gaze, his eyes tinged with sincerity. ¡°Just believe me.¡±

    Brenna nodded, believing him.

    Ethan massaged his temples, feeling the onset of a headache. He hadn¡¯t expected Brenna and Elsa to run into each other today. This dinner might not go as smoothly as he¡¯d hoped. Before long, Ethan and Brenna reached the restaurant.

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 Chapter 545

    ?Chapter 545:

    The atmosphere changed the instant Ethan and Brenna entered the private room. They spotted Elsa already inside, seated across from a beautiful young woman in a beige dress. The two were chatting andughing as if they were old friends.

    ¡°Minna?¡± Ethan froze in ce, caught between stepping forward and leaving with Brenna.

    Brenna¡¯s intuition was razor-sharp as she caught the tension in the air. ¡°Who is she?¡± she inquired, her gaze turning cold.

    Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened in frustration. He turned to Elsa, his voice low but clearly tinged with anger. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you mention you invited someone, Mom?¡±

    Ethan locked eyes with Elsa¡¯s self-assured smirk, and for a fleeting moment, the overbearing figure from his childhood merged with the woman now seated across from him.

    Growing up, his sole ambition had been to dive into finance and carve out a career in business. Yet, his parents, steadfast in their conviction, had insisted he pursue a military path through an academy.

    This sh of visions defined his school years, marked by relentless punishments from his parents. In his mind, his parents loomed as strict enforcers, their iron grip fueling his defiance, which often led to grueling punishments¡ªstanding at attention, endless push-ups, and squats. He still remembered these moments clearly.

    After graduating from high school, Ethan covertly altered the military application his parents had prepared, securing a spot at one of the nation¡¯s top universities to study finance.

    His parents had erupted in fury. His father had meted out punishment and warned him he would have to take the exam for a military track the next year. He had even vowed to cut off all financial support if he studied finance.

    Fueled by sheer resolve, Ethan had clutched his eptance letter, enrolled independently, and gotten his four-year degree without a cent from his family. He hadn¡¯t even returned home for the holidays. Only in his graduation year did a tentative reconciliation begin to take root.

    Now, that old spark of rebellion surged again. Ethan instinctively fortified his heart, his gaze toward Elsa turning icy as if he were looking at an enemy.

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    Elsa, with a subtle, knowing smile, held his stare in a quiet challenge. She hadn¡¯t anticipated Ethan arriving with Brenna.

    Standing confidently by the circr table, she sped Minna¡¯s hand, subtly signaling her intentions to Ethan.

    His clear difort only deepened her sense of triumph.

    ¡°Come join us. Minna made time to be here, so be sure to make her feel wee.¡± Ignoring Brenna entirely, Elsa pushed to pair Ethan with Minna.

    Minna, however, caught the intimate way Brenna¡¯s hand rested on Ethan¡¯s arm and realized that Ethan already had a girlfriend. Moreover, his girlfriend was stunningly beautiful, a hundred times prettier than her.

    Minna forced a smile, longing to escape the awkward situation.

    Ethan¡¯s expression grew frostier. Without acknowledging Elsa¡¯s words, he guided Brenna back a few steps and shut the door. ¡°Brenna, I¡¯m so sorry. I had no idea my mom would invite someone else. Let¡¯s eat somewhere else.¡±

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 Chapter 546

    ?Chapter 546:

    Elsa was free to invite anyone she chose to the dinner, and Ethan knew he had no power to prevent it. However, he could sidestep the situation entirely by leaving with Brenna and dining somewhere else. His cold presence radiated a clear warning to others to keep their distance.

    Noticing his sour mood, Brenna hesitated but feltpelled to ask, ¡°Was that the girl from your blind date yesterday?¡±

    Ethan nodded, his eyes heavy with guilt. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Brenna. I went home yesterday and had no clue about my mom¡¯s ns. I didn¡¯t meet that girl intentionally, and I would never betray you. Please don¡¯t get the wrong idea. I won¡¯t visit my parents to ensure this doesn¡¯t happen again.¡±

    Brenna, though frustrated by the situation and unsure if Ethan¡¯s promise was sincere or just to calm her, responded evenly, ¡°You should sort this out soon.¡±

    Ethan then led Brenna to another private dining room. After ordering, Brenna excused herself to the restroom, bag in hand.

    In the secluded dining room, Elsa seethed inwardly, but Minna¡¯s presence forced her to maintainposure and avoid any outburst. She worried that any misstep might lead Minna to misinterpret the situation and abandon her interest in Ethan.

    With careful words, Elsa said to Minna, ¡°Just a moment, please. I¡¯ll go fetch him.¡±

    But when she stepped outside, Ethan and Brenna had vanished. Left with no other option, she dialed Ethan¡¯s number, only to find that Ethan refused to answer her call.

    Brenna emerged from the restroom stall and was washing her hands when she encountered Minna. Both paused, caught off guard by the encounter.

    Minna, struck by Brenna¡¯s poised and striking presence, observed her briefly before offering a handshake.

    Brenna dried her hands before lightly shaking Minna¡¯s.

    Minna said to Brenna, ¡°You¡¯re undeniably gorgeous, but that¡¯s where it ends. I suspect you¡¯re drawn to Mr. Mitchell¡¯s wealth, and he¡¯s captivated by your appearance. You both have your reasons, but such shallow connections fade quickly. Only someone like me is truly right for Mr. Mitchell for the long haul.¡±

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    Minna¡¯s self-assurance radiated from her prestigious role in the military district¡¯s performance troupe, which imbued her with an air of distinction. Though shecked Brenna¡¯s beauty, she believed her status far outweighed mere looks.

    Despite Brenna¡¯s striking appearance, Minna dismissed her as mere eye candy, convinced that Ethan would tire of her allure in time.

    Brenna, with a steely gaze, retorted sharply, ¡°You¡¯re wrong about me. Do you even know who I am? Have you heard of the Harper family, one of the four most powerful families? I¡¯m the Harper family¡¯s daughter. So, if you think I like Ethan because of his wealth, you are wrong.¡±

    She washed her hands once more, dried them with purpose, and walked away.

    Minna stood stunned. Brenna wasn¡¯t just youthful and beautiful; she also belonged to a prestigious family. A wave of anxiety washed over Minna, her sense of superiority crumbling.

    Just before her scheduled trip to Pileca for the uing economic forum, Brenna wrapped up the fighter jet design and submitted it to the military. The design passed their evaluation without a hitch. The special forces unit assigned to guard Brenna was quietly pulled back, their mission evidently deemedplete.

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 Chapter 547

    ?Chapter 547:

    That evening at dinner, Ernst took the seat beside Brenna and leaned in slightly, speaking in a low tone. ¡°You¡¯ve been caught up with worktely, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    Brenna blinked, a bit puzzled by the question, but shrugged it off and responded with a light smile. ¡°Yeah, things have been a little hectic. I just wrapped up somest details with the military, but it¡¯s all settled now. Why? Something wrong?¡±

    Ernst arched a brow, his expression a mix of curiosity and teasing concern. ¡°Hmm. Not really. Just thought it was funny¡ªwe live under the same roof, yet I haven¡¯t run into you in over two weeks. I¡¯m a CEO, and you¡¯re an engineer. How is it that you¡¯re somehow busier than me?¡±

    With a serene smile, Brenna exined, ¡°The military was rushing my studio for results. They wanted everything handed over before October, so I had to put in some extra hours.¡±

    Dalton, overhearing their quiet exchange, leaned in with a grin. ¡°Don¡¯t let his probing bother you. He¡¯s trying to get info for Ethan. You two haven¡¯t been spending much time together, right?¡±

    Catching Dalton¡¯s cheeky grin, Brenna responded with a lightugh. ¡°This project really hogged all my calendar slots recently. No room left for dates, unfortunately.¡±

    She believed there was no rift between her and Ethan; it was simply a matter of professional priorities shing with personal time. Despite Ethan¡¯s repeated attempts to whisk her away for evenings out, hermitment to meeting the project¡¯s deadline meant she had to regretfully decline each invitation.

    Ernst was visibly annoyed, his eyes narrowing at Dalton as he regretted divulging Ethan¡¯s grievances to him. Ethan had tasked him with finding out what was preupying Brenna and subtly assessing her mood, particrly if she was still irked by the incident.

    Now that the cat was out of the bag, Ernst found himself scrambling for a way to continue the conversation with Brenna without raising suspicions.

    ¡°Brenna, you look like you could use a break. How about I take you out for a bit of downtime? What do you say?¡± he suggested, trying to sound casual.

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    Brenna shot him a skeptical nce. They had almost nothing inmon. Why would he want to spend time with her?

    ¡°Where to?¡± she asked, her voiceced with a hint of disinterest.

    ¡°Fishing. Want to join?¡± Ernst blurted out, the idea popping into his head without much thought.

    ¡°Nope. That¡¯s really more of a guy thing. I don¡¯t get any fun out of it,¡± Brenna responded directly, shutting down the suggestion without a second thought. After enduring two grueling weeks of overtime, her only desire was to copse into bed for some much-needed rest. Undeterred, Ernst floated a few more activity ideas, typically favored by women, but each one was met with t rejection.

    Dalton couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at Ernst¡¯s bumbling efforts, shaking his head in amusement.

    Because of the fighter jet project¡¯s urgent deadlines, Brenna had been drowning in work, pushing all othermitments to the back burner. She hadn¡¯t met Ethan in days.

    Ethan had made several attempts to visit her workshop, only to find her engulfed in tasks, barely acknowledging his presence as she had been busy with work.

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 Chapter 548

    ?Chapter 548:

    Ethan¡¯s heart sank with every silent moment that passed. He could feel the weight of his recent mistakes pressing down on him, almost certain that Brenna¡¯s cold detachment was a sign of deeper troubles brewing between them. As he watched her, lost in her work, he felt a pang of anxiety. Maybe she was already thinking about breaking up with him.

    ¡°Brenna, I swear, I haven¡¯t seen Minna since that night. There¡¯s absolutely nothing going on between me and her,¡± Ethan said, his voiceden with sincerity.

    However, Brenna seemed utterly absorbed in her task, her attention tethered to the glowing screen before her. She pointed out a feature on the mechanical arm design,pletely engrossed in her technical discussion with a young engineer beside her. ¡°If we add another joint here, it could really enhance the mobility for amputees, offering them finer control and better dexterity,¡± she said with a focused intensity. The engineer nodded, clearly impressed by Brenna¡¯s insight. ¡°You¡¯ve thought of everything, Brenna. I¡¯ll get on that revision right away.¡±

    Meanwhile, Greta had been observing the interaction from across the room. She thought it was a bit cold for Brenna to leave Ethan hanging like that, but considering how swamped Brenna had beentely, she understood her.

    ¡°Mr. Mitchell, why don¡¯t you join me over here for now? It¡¯s already 11:30. Maybe try catching Brenna during lunch? She might be more avable then,¡± Greta suggested, her voice soft. She knew a man like Ethan was far out of her league, but even the tiniest chance to talk to him was better than none.

    Ethan¡¯s eyes lingered on Brenna¡¯s face. He had been standing there for nearly ten minutes, yet she had only spared him a single nce before diving right back into her work.

    She wasn¡¯t being rude; she was genuinely busy.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Ethan replied with a quiet sigh, conceding.

    As he stepped out of Brenna¡¯s office, he scanned the bustling workspace. Every desk was upied, every seat taken¡ªthere wasn¡¯t even a spare chair in sight.

    ¡°This way,¡± Greta said quickly, stepping in to guide him.

    She led Ethan toward a meeting room at the end of the hallway.

    Unfamiliar with theyout, Ethan followed her without question, ncing curiously at the surroundings. The room was small but cozy, furnished with soft yellow leather couches arranged in a circle around a pale square coffee table. The minimalist design gave it a simple charm.

    Sinkingfortably into one of the sofas, Ethan nced at Greta and asked, ¡°Have you guys been busytely?¡±

    Seeing Ethan initiate a conversation, Greta felt her heart flutter. A mix of excitement and anxiety surged through her, and she subtly wiped her damp palms against her skirt. Trying to keep her voice steady, she answered, ¡°Yes, we have been very busy recently. We¡¯ve been pullingte nights, working until eleven or even past midnight. We even eat lunch and dinner at our desks. We¡¯re drowning in orders.¡±

    She felt a quiet thrill at being able to fill Ethan in, secretly hoping he would keep the conversation going. And to her delight, he did.

    ¡°What do you usually eat for lunch?¡± Ethan asked, his voice easy butced with curiosity.

    Greta paused for a beat, then chuckled softly. ¡°Honestly? Whatever¡¯s fast and delivers. Usually takeout¡ªpizza, spaghetti, tacos, etc.¡±

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 Chapter 549

    ?Chapter 549:

    At that, Ethan¡¯s brows knitted into a slight frown. Just hearing about that kind of diet made his chest tighten with worry a little. Unhealthy junk food every day? That wasn¡¯t good for Brenna, who was already burning herself out with overwork. He was concerned for her.

    Ethan¡¯s brows knitted together as he pulled out his phone, thumbing across the screen with a frown. He muttered under his breath,

    ¡°Brenna can¡¯t keep living off takeout. It¡¯s greasy and unhealthy, and half the time, it tastes bad¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah, the takeout doesn¡¯t evene close to the restaurants downstairs. But we order from that ce quite often, and the food is alright,¡± Greta hurriedly replied, catching sight of Ethan already tapping in an order.

    Without lifting his eyes from the screen, Ethan inquired,

    ¡°How many people work here?¡±

    ¡°Twenty-five,¡± Greta answered, bending down to retrieve a disposable cup from thepact cab nestled beneath the coffee table. She then made her way outside to prepare a cup of coffee for Ethan.

    Returning, she presented the coffee to him with both hands, her voice earnest.

    ¡°Mr. Mitchell, there¡¯s still over half an hour until lunch. Have some coffee first. Don¡¯t worry; the coffee is good¡ªBrenna¡¯s friend sent the coffee beans from Heteron.¡±

    Ethan gave a subtle nod and cautiously took a sip from the paper cup. To his surprise, the coffee was excellent¡ªrich, smooth, and aromatic. It even outshined some of the premium brands he kept stocked in his office.

    With a quick nce at the coffee, he said,

    ¡°Pack some of the coffee beans for me.¡±

    Greta¡¯s eyes sparkled with delight as she was happy to serve Ethan. She hurried to the small pantry outside, retrieved a tin can wrapped in in brown packaging from the cab, and ced it carefully into Ethan¡¯s hands.

    Ethan examined the can, his brow knitting in confusion. The script on the packaging was unfamiliar to him, its characters dancing beyond hisprehension, and the brand was foreign.

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    ¡°Don¡¯t bother with takeout today. I already ordered food for everyone,¡± he said, his tone casual but firm.

    Seizing the rare chance to stay close to Ethan, Gretatched onto the conversation, her words spilling out naturally as she stuck to the topic she knew Ethan cared most about¡ªBrenna. She kept chatting animatedly, peppering in little details, her voice enthusiastic, until the delivery finally arrived, right on cue with Brenna finishing her work and walking over.

    Greta, unwilling to let the moment slip away, continued cheerfully,

    ¡°Brenna¡¯s honestly so down-to-earth. You¡¯d never guess shees from a rich family.¡±

    She eats the same food we do, shares everything without a second thought. Even the coffee beans? They were a gift from her friend, but she just tossed them in the pantry for everyone to enjoy.

    Just then, Brenna walked in. She furrowed her brows at that.

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 Chapter 550

    ?Chapter 550:

    ¡°You¡¯ve been pushing yourself too hard,¡± Ethan said to Brenna as he walked over, his voice dropping to a gentle murmur. Without hesitation, he reached out and took Brenna¡¯s hand in his, his touch light but protective.

    ¡°I ordered food already. Sit down and eat, okay?¡±

    Standing a short distance away, Greta silently observed Ethan¡¯s gentle gesture, a sharp pang of envy twisting in her chest. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder when her hand might ever be held so warmly by him. With a practiced smile, Greta greeted Brenna before excusing herself with a graceful nod, leaving the couple to their moment.

    Outside, as Greta passed the rows of workstations, she could feel her colleagues¡¯ curious stares drilling into her back. Their expressions were odd, filled with thinly veiled judgment, yet no one directly said anything.

    Tommy approached Greta, a boxed meal in hand, and paused next to her. In a hushed tone tinged with caution, he advised,

    ¡°Next time Mr. Mitchell drops by, don¡¯t make it so obvious you¡¯re trying to get close to him. Tread lightly, or Brenna won¡¯t hesitate to fire you.¡±

    Greta¡¯s face drained of color. She immediately understood the hidden meaning behind his words, yet pride wouldn¡¯t let her back down. Forcing a sneer onto her face, she snapped back stiffly,

    ¡°What kind of nonsense are you spouting? I am not trying to get close to Mr. Mitchell.¡±

    Nearby, a few colleagues paused mid-bite, throwing quick, sidelong nces her way. Some of their eyes gleamed with gossip, others narrowed in silent disdain.

    Tommy leaned a little closer, his expression serious.

    ¡°Don¡¯t y us for fools,¡± he said bluntly. ¡°The way you look at Mr. Mitchell¡­ anyone can tell what you¡¯re thinking.¡±

    Greta¡¯s cheeks burned with embarrassment. Flustered and irritated, she shot back,

    ¡°You¡¯ve got no right to poke your nose into my personal matters.¡±

    The colleagues nearby murmured among themselves, talking with raised eyebrows about Greta¡¯s audacity in vying for attention, potentially even shing with Brenna for the affections of a man.

    Tommy¡¯s gaze shifted back to the room where Brenna and Ethan shared a cozy lunch, their closeness speaking volumes. Brenna¡¯sughter rang clear, her face alight with joy at something Ethan had said.

    Tommy turned back to Greta, his voice a warning whisper.

    ¡°Brenna may seem easygoing, but she¡¯s no pushover. She has fired people here before¡­¡±

    His eyes narrowed slightly as he continued,

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure your intentions for joining us were ever solely professional.¡±

    Greta¡¯s eyes shed with anger as she retorted,

    ¡°How about you mind your own business?¡±

    Tommy, on the verge of cautioning Greta to temper her wild fantasies and be more restrained, was interrupted when Joe walked over, clutching a ck folder.

    Joe¡¯s eyes scanned the room quickly before he asked casually,

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 Chapter 551

    ?Chapter 551:

    ¡°Where¡¯s Brenna?¡±

    Tommy tipped his head toward the reception room, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

    ¡°Sharing lunch with Mr. Mitchell.¡±

    He waved his meal box slightly, the aroma wafting through the air tantalizingly.

    ¡°Mr. Mitchell really went all out¡ªgourmet meals from a chef plucked right from a five-star kitchen. Want a taste?¡±

    Joe¡¯sughter rang out, light and genuine.

    ¡°Lucky me. I¡¯m not passing this up.¡±

    Tommy grinned as he dug into the stic crate nearby and retrieved thest portion, offering it to Joe.

    ¡°They sent an extra; you can have it.¡±

    Joe epted it with a grin, then nced toward the ss walls of the reception room. Brenna and Ethan were still deep in conversation,ughter lighting up their faces. He wisely decided not to disturb them and instead followed Tommy to an empty corner to settle in for a meal.

    Meanwhile, Ethan¡¯s spirits were noticeably lifted. Seeing Brenna talk to and smile at him like old times melted away the concern that had been weighing on him for days. She wasn¡¯t cold toward him. She wasn¡¯t avoiding him. Relief loosened the knot in his chest.

    Brenna, noticing the easy grin on his face, couldn¡¯t resist teasing him,

    ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought a high-and-mighty CEO like you would actually have the patience to sit around and wait for me? I¡¯m truly ttered.¡±

    Ethan noticed that Brenna hadn¡¯t brought up the blind date. She seemed at ease, and that alone made his chest feel lighter. The tension he had been carrying slowly melted away.

    After they finished their meal, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a small red velvet box. His hands were steady, but his eyes carried a hopeful glint as he opened it in front of her. Inside the box was a stunning ne. Its design was intricate, speckled with gemstones that caught the sunlight and shimmered like stars.

    Th3 l4t3st upd4t3s 4v41l4bl3 0n g4ln0v3ls.c0m

    Without a word, Brenna turned and brushed her hair aside so Ethan could fasten it around her neck. She was already wearing an expensive ne, a gift from Giselle.

    But she had never measured love by price tags or brands. What touched her most was the gesture itself.

    The ne Ethan chose was worth a lot. She couldn¡¯t say if it was a one-of-a-kind piece or part of an exclusive line, and she didn¡¯t care to find out. She liked how it looked. And more than that, she liked the thought behind it.

    Ethan beamed.

    ¡°I¡¯m d you like it. Let me help you put it on.¡±

    Ever so carefully, he unfastened the ne Brenna had on and ced it gently in the velvet box. Then, he lifted the one he had brought and moved to sp it around her neck. His fingers worked slowly, steadying the sp, but his breath hitched when they brushed against her skin. Her skin was soft and warm, and for a second, his heart skipped a beat.

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 Chapter 552

    ?Chapter 552:

    Outside, a few engineers enjoying their meal couldn¡¯t help but watch the scene. Their heads tilted toward the window, curious about the expensive ne.

    Greta gripped the hem of her dress so tightly that her knuckles turned white as she watched. Jealousy red in her chest. Ethan, the most powerful CEO in the world, had bought Brenna jewelry. And now, he was putting it on her himself, as if Brenna were the only woman in the world. How could the world¡¯s richest man go out of his way to please a woman like this?

    Greta narrowed her eyes and studied the ne closely. Then, she quickly took a photo of it with her phone, nning to search for its price and model. But no matter how many searches she ran, nothing came up.

    Given Ethan¡¯s immense wealth, the ne had to be custom-made.

    A dull ache settled in Greta¡¯s chest. No matter how she looked at it, she believed she couldn¡¯tpare to Brenna. Brenna was younger, prettier, and more capable than her. Even her family background was better. And Ethan had eyes only for her.

    Greta swallowed hard. Aside from the time she had spoken to Ethan to give him an update about Brenna, he hadn¡¯t spared her so much as a nce.

    She nced at her reflection in her phone screen, studying her own features. The longer she stared, the more ordinary she felt. Maybe Ethan liked Brenna simply because she was beautiful. For a brief moment, the idea of cosmetic surgery even crossed Greta¡¯s mind.

    Eventually, Ethan left. Brenna didn¡¯t follow him or say goodbye. She just rose from her seat and returned to her office.

    Greta¡¯s eyes stayed on Ethan as he passed. He didn¡¯t acknowledge her or even look her way. Her heart sank.

    But then, Ethan greeted Joe and Tommy, and that made the sting even sharper.

    Still, she clung to a sliver of hope. Maybe Ethan was only keeping his distance from her to avoid upsetting Brenna.

    Joe tossed the empty lunch box into the trash, picked up a folder, and headed toward Brenna¡¯s office. They had to go over the speech for the uing economic forum.

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    At two in the afternoon, Thiago arrived, also to help finalize the speech. By the end of the workday, Brenna, Joe, and Thiago had everything polished and ready.

    On October 7th, Brenna, Thiago, Joe, and Tommy boarded a flight bound for Plieca to attend the global trade forum.

    Plieca, as a country, was small innd area but carried enormous influence. It was home to the world¡¯s busiest port and stood as thergest financial center.

    Each year, the global trade forum brought financial giants and top entrepreneurs from across the world to Plieca.

    There were many young, talented people with achievements like Brennaing to the forum.

    The Financial Building, where the forum would be held, sat on a gleaming street lined with towers that touched the clouds. There were many luxury hotels, all outrageously priced. But for people in this circle, price tags meant nothing.

    The moment Brenna stepped off the ne, a chill crept up her spine. Something felt off. It was as though she was being watched. She paused to scan the surroundings, but everything appeared normal. Yet the feeling lingered, unsettling her.

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 Chapter 553

    ?Chapter 553:

    She turned to Thiago, who walked just a step behind her, and asked, ¡°Did anyone else know which hotel you booked?¡±

    Thiago, ustomed to Brenna¡¯s intuition, responded, ¡°No. Only I knew. Even Joe and Tommy didn¡¯t find out where we were staying until just before we left.¡±

    Brenna nodded, her expression unreadable. ¡°I have a feeling some of our rivals are here. Look into it. Find out who¡¯s in town and where they¡¯re staying.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t that she was worried or afraid of her enemies¡ªit was more that she hated being caught off guard. She had learned the hard way never to let her guard down. If she had, her enemies would have taken her out a long time ago.

    Without hesitation, Thiago pulled out his phone and reached out to a few trusted contacts in Plieca.

    A short distance behind Brenna and the others, a tall man wearing a baseball cap and dark sunsses weaved through the crowd. He moved with ease, dragging a ck suitcase behind him. Earphones sat in his ears, and every now and then, he muttered something under his breath.

    He blended in with the crowd¡ªjust another traveler in a rush. He didn¡¯t raise any suspicion.

    Brenna and the others climbed into a taxi. The vehicle pulled away and disappeared into the stream of cars. The man in the baseball cap slipped into a nearby van with local tes. Without even ncing at the driver, he said in a low voice, ¡°Follow that taxi.¡±

    When Brenna and her team arrived at the hotel, they each checked into luxurious suites.

    Brenna never cut corners when it came to her team. Whether it was a business trip across the country or halfway around the world, whether for herself, senior managers, or even junior staff, she always made sure they had the best. She believed that providingfort meant offering them the space to focus without unnecessary distractions.

    Once Thiago, Joe, and Tommy had dropped their luggage in their rooms, they regrouped in Brenna¡¯s suite to run a security check.

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    The three men moved with practiced efficiency. They had done this countless times before and took Brenna¡¯s safety seriously. Thiago, especially, double-checked everything after Joe and Tommypleted their sweep. He carefullybed through the room, checking for hidden devices, irregr wiring, or anything that seemed out of ce. When the inspection was done, Thiago straightened and nodded. There was nothing amiss.

    ¡°No issues here. It¡¯s 4:15 now. Let¡¯s head down for dinner around 6:30, then get a good night¡¯s sleep. The opening ceremony is tomorrow.¡± Thiago nced over at Joe and Tommy. ¡°Since our visit is public, somepanies might try to set up business talks. You two need to stay sharp.¡±

    Joe and Tommy grinned from ear to ear. They knew that business deals meantmissions, and neither of them was about to miss out on that.

    ¡°Got it!¡± Joe said with a nod.

    Tommy also nodded.

    Brenna had been invited as an academic in the field of economics. Her speech was part of a roundtable discussion with global financial leaders. She nned to treat it with the seriousness it deserved. This was her chance to share her ideas and make an impact.

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 Chapter 554

    ?Chapter 554:

    After the men left, Brenna sat down at the desk in her suite. She pulled out her notes and refined her speech, checking for anyst-minute improvements. Once satisfied, she logged into the forum¡¯s internalwork to browse the list of notable attendees.

    Later that evening, after Brenna and her team returned from dinner, Thiago spotted a small convenience store across the street. He nodded toward it and said, ¡°Let¡¯s grab some essentials.¡±

    The store beneath the hotel was built with a specific crowd in mind. It catered to the wealthy guests who stayed in the surrounding luxury hotels and was packed with premium goods.

    ¡°Sure,¡± said Brenna with a nod. The four of them stepped inside together. A handful of other customers milled around the aisles, most of them foreigners. They had the look of travelers in town for the forum.

    As Brenna¡¯s group entered, the two clerks behind the counter greeted them warmly in the localnguage.

    Brenna¡¯s eyes swept over the space. The store was spacious, maybe a hundred square meters, with neat rows of bottled water, imported snacks, travel-sized toiletries, and everything else a traveler might forget to pack. Security cameras sat tucked in each corner, their tiny lenses gleaming under the lights.

    Who was watching those feeds? At the thought of this, Brenna tugged the brim of her cap lower, shielding more of her face from the cameras. Brenna and her team moved through the aisles, each grabbing what they needed. Thiago loaded tworge packs of bottled water into his arms, then tossed in a bag of whole grain bread and some instant meals for good measure.

    Joe and Tommy wandered through the aisles too, each picking up a few packs of instant meals and a case of mineral water. Brenna kept it light and grabbed just a few boxes of wafers, cookies, and chocte. The four of them exchanged smiles, amused by their simr choices.

    Brenna eyed the haul in their arms and shook her head with a chuckle. ¡°Why so many instant meals? You do realize I can afford to treat you to meals, right?¡±

    Explore more chapters on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s?c?m

    She even suspected they hadn¡¯t eaten enough at dinner.

    Joe raised an eyebrow. ¡°I brought pickles.¡±

    Tommy chimed in, ¡°I brought some sauce.¡±

    ¡°The food here is awful. I¡¯m curious if the instant stuff tastes any better,¡± Thiago said.

    It dawned on Brenna. No wonder they had pushed their tes away so quickly at dinner. They weren¡¯t full. They just couldn¡¯t stomach the local cuisine.

    Back at the hotel, Thiago dropped a pack of bottled water just outside Brenna¡¯s room.

    He then ced a bottle neatly beside her desk. ¡°I¡¯ve already checked the water. It¡¯s safe.¡±

    Brenna twisted the cap open without thinking. She took a sip and immediately stopped. She then spat the water out into the wastebasket nearby.

    Something was wrong. This tasted off.

    ¡°Has the person who delivered the bags left?¡± Brenna asked warily. When they hade back from the store, a hotel staff member had approached them in the lobby and offered to help carry the bags.

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 Chapter 555

    ?Chapter 555:

    Thiago¡¯s expression shifted slightly. ¡°I checked. None of the bottles were opened, and I picked one at random. I don¡¯t see how anyone could¡¯ve tampered with them.¡±

    But a thought flickered across his mind. The hotel staff member had stood right behind them in the elevator, just outside their direct line of sight. It was possible that the water had been tampered with.

    Still, Thiago had been careful. After the person left, he had inspected every bottle himself before handing one over to Brenna.

    ¡°Are you sure there¡¯s something wrong with the water?¡± he asked.

    Brenna nodded firmly. ¡°I studied medicine and am hypersensitive to taste. Whatever was added to this water was in a very precise dose, small enough that most people wouldn¡¯t even notice.¡±

    Thiago¡¯s brows pulled together in a tight line. He hesitated, then said, ¡°But I already drank half a bottle¡­ And I feel fine.¡±

    Brenna¡¯s brow furrowed as she pivoted on her heel and strode over to her suitcase. She rummaged through thepact first-aid kit tucked inside, pulling out a small brown bottle with faded letters etched across itsbel. She extended the bottle toward Thiago, her voice firm as she said, ¡°Take one of these pills; they¡¯re designed to neutralize mostmon drugs.¡±

    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Thiago took the pill, his trust in Brenna unshakeable. He could already feel a telltale drowsiness clouding his senses, a clear indicator that the drug was kicking in.

    Wearing a frown, Thiago quickly called Joe and Tommy over.

    With a meticulousness born of necessity, Brenna unscrewed the bottle¡¯s cap, using it to collect a small sample of water. She dipped a finger into the liquid and tasted it, her suspicions immediately confirmed. The drug in the water was rmingly potent. Joe and Tommy both let out heavy yawns when they arrived.

    Joe rubbed his eyes, his voice tinged with confusion. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. I¡¯ve pulled countless all-nighters in the studio without ever feeling this exhausted.¡±

    Tommy nodded, his agreement punctuated by another yawn. ¡°Me, too. Brenna, did you need us for something? Because if not, I really need to get some sleep.¡±

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    Without a word, Thiago retrieved the small bottle and pressed a pill into each of their palms. His voice was low and grim. ¡°Take this. Someone tampered with the bottled water we bought.¡±

    His face was stone-cold. Whoever set them up hadn¡¯t left a trace, and that scared him more than he let on.

    Joe¡¯s eyes zed with fury as he grasped the unsettling truth behind his exhaustion. With scarcely a moment¡¯s hesitation, he swallowed the pill. ¡°What the hell? Who would do something like this? If I find out who it was, I¡¯ll teach them a hard lesson!¡±

    Tommy paled, his hands trembling slightly as he followed suit, swallowing the pill. ¡°Thank God Brenna¡¯s got a medical background and crazy good instincts. If she hadn¡¯t caught it, we¡¯d probably be lying dead somewhere without a clue what hit us.¡±

    Brenna¡¯s antidote kicked in fast. Within minutes, the heavy fog clouding their minds began to lift. They blinked the sleepiness from their eyes, feeling sharper.

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 Chapter 556

    ?Chapter 556:

    With every passing second, each of them gripped a bottle of water, inspecting it with growing suspicion.

    The stic bottles looked perfectly normal¡ªno cracks, no leaks. If someone had jabbed a needle through them, there would¡¯ve been at least some sign of tampering. But the bottles were intact, and even the caps looked factory-sealed.

    Joe furrowed his brows, tapping the side of his bottle thoughtfully. ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem like it was that staff member in the elevator who tampered with the water,¡± he said slowly.

    Tommy agreed, his thoughts drifting to another possibility. ¡°Could there be an issue with that convenience store we stopped at?¡± he asked. His gaze then shifted to Thiago, probing for more clues. ¡°Thiago, could someone have found out you booked this hotel?¡±

    Thiago crossed his arms, his brows knitted tightly. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s possible. When one books a room, one has to use their real name. Even if no outsiders knew about my reservation, the hotel staff definitely did. Someone could¡¯ve leaked it.¡±

    Joe¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Makes sense. These days, everything¡¯s connected to the inte¡ªbooking apps, hotel databases. Too many potential leaks.¡±

    Brenna nodded, her expression tense. ¡°Right. We can¡¯t trust any of the bottled water here.¡±

    She straightened up and then added firmly, ¡°Also, don¡¯t sleep too soundly tonight. Stay alert. I¡¯ll hand each of you a bottle of the antidote. It¡¯spletely harmless to your body, so take it if anything feels off.¡±

    Thiago swept his gaze over the others, his voice low and steady. ¡°If my guess is right, someone could try something tonight. Brenna and I can take care of ourselves. But what about you two?¡±

    Joe and Tommy exchanged a helpless nce. They were just ordinary people, not exactly trained for a fight.

    ¡°Thiago, why don¡¯t we just crash in your room?¡± Tommy suggested with a yful grin. ¡°We¡¯ll sleep on the floor.¡±

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    Joe, however, shook his head, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. ¡°I doubt we¡¯re the main targets here. It¡¯s you two they¡¯re after. It¡¯s unlikely they¡¯ll waste effort on us.¡±

    Brenna let out a soft chuckle. ¡°You might be right, but still, stay vignt. If you are really worried, all three of you can bunk together for safety.¡±

    Joe continued to rub his chin, lost in thought. ¡°If I were behind this, I wouldn¡¯t just stop with one n. Anyone daring enough to drug us surely won¡¯t ignore Brenna¡¯s medical expertise. They probably prepared something more as well.¡±

    His words cast a heavy cloud over the room, pulling everyone into contemtion.

    Thiago finally spoke, his voice low and grim. ¡°Joe¡¯s right. If I were the one orchestrating this, I¡¯d prepare something more. There¡¯s a strong chance someone¡¯s already keeping tabs on us.¡±

    A sudden knock at the door cut through the tension. Thiago rose, his movements deliberate, and made his way to the entrance. Waiting outside was a towering figure cloaked in ck, wearing a mask and sunsses. He clutched two hefty ck duffels in his grip.

    ¡°Thiago!¡± the figure called out, his voice muffled slightly by the mask. Thiago swung the door wider, ushering him inside. ¡°Everyone, meet David Scott, a good friend of mine.¡±

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 Chapter 557

    ?Chapter 557:

    He proceeded to introduce Brenna and the others to David.

    David set the bags down with a thud and unzipped them, revealing what was inside¡ªseveral handguns, boxes of ammunition, and an assortment of ded weapons.

    As he handed out the firearms and bullets, he said, ¡°Here, private gun ownership is on the books. Keep these close for your safety. The crime rate here has spiked recently. Never wander out alone. Thiago, it might be wise to think about hiring some professional bodyguards.¡±

    Tommy scratched his chin, a cheeky grin spreading across his face. ¡°Brenna, I have an idea¡­¡±

    When Brenna caught the glint in his eyes, she knew they were thinking the exact same thing.

    A little past midnight, Brennay curled up under the nket, eyes fixed on her phone screen. She had connected her phone to aptop stationed outside the bedroom. Its webcam was pointed directly at the door.

    To make sure nothing was missed, she had left the hallway light on.

    The door soon creaked open. Then, two tall figures slipped into the room, moving like shadows. Judging from their broad figures, they were unmistakably men. ck hoods covered their faces, and each carried a gun, the barrels fitted with silencers.

    From her hidden view on the screen, Brenna saw everything. If they wanted to kill her, they would be able to do it without a sound. It was chilling to think how ruthless the people behind this were. The man leading the way moved with eerie caution. Even though he assumed everyone inside was drugged, he kept his guard up.

    As the two men stepped into the room, they caught sight of theptop, its webcam aimed squarely at the door. That alone set off rms in their heads.

    A dull thud sounded, and the screen went ck.

    Under the nket, Brenna rolled her eyes. Unfortunately, these two weren¡¯t as stupid as she thought.

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    She set her phone down, and her other hand slid beneath her pillow until her fingers wrapped around a pistol. A soft, deliberate click filled the silence as she chambered a round.

    The two intruders exchanged a look. The one in front spoke in a low, rough whisper. ¡°Have we been exposed?¡±

    The other man, presumably younger, answered, ¡°We shouldn¡¯t have been. We¡¯ve been watching them. Nothing seemed off.¡±

    They moved closer to the bedroom door, sticking tight to the walls. The older man gripped the doorknob and gave it a twist. ¡°It¡¯s locked. We¡¯ve definitely been exposed.¡±

    Without missing a beat, the younger man lifted his gun and fired at the lock. The shot was muffled.

    ¡°Still,¡± he said calmly, ¡°someone like Brenna is bound to be very cautious. Doesn¡¯t mean we are exposed. Who¡¯d ever guess we switched the water caps? They looked factory sealed. No one could tell the bottles were tampered with.¡±

    The lock was shattered. The door sat loose in its frame, ready to swing open at a touch. But the men didn¡¯t charge in. They pressed their ears against the door, straining to catch any sound from the other side. A minute passed. Silence. The younger one chuckled. ¡°See? You are just too anxious, Liam.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 558

    ?Chapter 558:

    Liam Chapman snorted in response and nudged the door open. It creaked just a little. The faint hallway light spilled into the room, falling over the bed. A figurey under the nket, curled on its side.

    ¡°I heard Brenna¡¯s a real beauty. What do you say we have a little fun before¡­¡± Liam said.

    The two men exchanged augh, clearly thinking the same thing.

    The younger man chuckled with a sleazy grin. ¡°My thoughts exactly.¡± Brenna caught every word. She stayed low, crawling forward under the window inch by inch. From her angle, she caught a glimpse of one man¡¯s polished dress shoes. He aimed his gun at the bed.

    The other moved closer to the bed. Slowly, he reached out and lifted the nket. Beneath it, there was no one. Just a pile of pillows, towels, and the hotel¡¯s soft white cushions.

    ¡°We¡¯ve been tricked!¡± the younger man shouted.

    Panic broke across the men¡¯s faces.

    They spun around to flee, only to feel the cold muzzle of guns pressed firmly against their skulls.

    Shock froze them in ce.

    Before they could react, more figures stepped inside from the hallway. In seconds, their weapons were stripped away.

    The intruders turned to see the wardrobe door swinging open. It hit them then. The person who had them at gunpoint had been hiding inside the wardrobe all along, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Brenna stood up and walked over to them.

    ¡°Tell me, who sent you?¡± she demanded.

    Without wasting time, Joe and Tommy pulled out zip ties and bound the two men.

    The intruders looked stunned. The older man, the one with the rough voice, asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t you drink the bottled water? How are you fine?¡± Thiago¡¯s face darkened. Without a word, he drove his fist into the man¡¯s face, making his nose bleed. He had heard what they had intended to do to Brenna.

    ???????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????? @ ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    He didn¡¯t stop there. He quickly delivered a brutal kick straight to the man¡¯s groin. A sickening crunch filled the room.

    ¡°Ah!¡± The hoarse-voiced man let out a strangled scream before copsing on the floor.

    The younger one tried to avoid Thiago¡¯s attacks.

    But Joe and Tommy were quicker. Even though they thought Thiago had gone a little too far, neither had any sympathy for the two men. They caught the younger man and quickly subdued him.

    Thiago didn¡¯t hesitate. He swung his leg hard andnded a brutal kick into the younger man¡¯s groin. The man crumpled to the floor, writhing in agony.

    ¡°Who sent you?¡± Joe barked and leveled his gun at the two men. Tommy did the same.

    Then, Joe yanked Liam up by the cor and drove his knee into his side, making him grunt in pain. ¡°Talk, or I¡¯ll send you straight to hell.¡± To prove he meant it, he squeezed the trigger and fired into the bedding as a warning.

    Liam flinched. He realized these people weren¡¯t here to y games.

    .

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 Chapter 559

    ?Chapter 559:

    But he had been doing this kind of thing long enough to understand how this worked. If he talked, he would be useless to them and would be killed right away.

    ¡°Not talking, huh?¡± Thiago muttered, his voice dangerously low.

    Without giving Liam another warning, Thiago snatched the silenced pistol from Joe¡¯s hand and shot Liam¡¯s leg.

    In a high-end residential area of Plieca, Edward sat heavily on a leather sofa and leaned hard on his cane. The metal tip tapped against the floor. With his expression twisted in disapproval, he nced at Jade, who stood stiffly to his right, and checked the time on his wristwatch.

    ¡°It¡¯s already half past two, and still no news. Jade, those two you rmended don¡¯t seem very reliable,¡± he said, his voice cutting through the silence.

    Jade nced at her phone. By now, everything should have been finished an hour ago. What in the world were those two idiots doing?

    Still, a sly thought crossed her mind, one that made her lips curl into a small smile. She stepped closer to Edward, whose hair had long since turned silver, and rested a hand lightly on his shoulder.

    ¡°Dad, Brenna¡¯s beauty is unmatched. I asked Liam to take somepromising photos of her, ideally with a man. Once Ethan sees those, he¡¯ll be done with her for good.¡±

    There wasn¡¯t a hint of shame in her voice. If anything, she sounded proud, despite talking about something so inappropriate in front of her father.

    ¡°Maybe they found Brenna too attractive and decided to have a little extra fun before finishing the task,¡± Jade said with a smirk. She trusted Liam and Cary Boyd. They were her best subordinates in Plieca, and they had never failed her before.

    After a pause, she continued,

    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m sure that¡¯s all it is. Liam is careful. Just to handle Brenna, he even went as far as buying the convenience store downstairs at the Hulk Hotel. He looked into every detail about Brenna and her team. That Thiago guy always picks up a pack of bottled water on his trips. Knowing that, Liam ordered a special batch, filled the bottles himself, and personally mixed in the drug. The store employees are also trained. They won¡¯t make any mistakes.¡±

    She let out a chuckle.

    ¡°Before setting off, Liam even reported that Brenna and her team all drank the water. They should be fast asleep by now. So Liam couldn¡¯t possibly fail to do the mission. He is probably just taking his time.¡±

    Jade turned her gaze back to Edward¡¯s wrinkled face and gray hair. She added,

    ¡°Dad, if you want, I¡¯ll have Liam and Cary bring Brenna backter. Let you enjoy her too. You¡¯ve seen her. She¡¯s not just beautiful. She¡¯s got a figure that would drive anyone crazy.¡±

    Edward, now seventy-eight, had lived a life filled with excess. Over the years, he had fathered around seventy children, some of whom he had never met or¡­

    Acknowledged. Still, once a paternity test confirmed the connection, he always sent generous child support.

    For the first time that night, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

    ¡°Liam has worked under you for years and never once failed. Call him. Urge him to finish the task quickly.¡±

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 Chapter 560

    ?Chapter 560:

    Jade nodded obediently and pulled out her phone to call Liam.

    Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Brenna sat calmly, a small sewing needle in her hand¡ªthe kind the hotel provided in their emergency kits. A few drops of blood clung to the tip.

    It was just a thin sliver of steel, but to Liam and Cary, it was more terrifying than any weapon they had ever faced.

    Moments earlier, Brenna had driven that tiny needle into their bodies with frightening precision. Neither could exin what she had hit, but the effect was immediate and excruciating. It felt as if a thousand knives were slicing through every inch of their flesh. Their muscles twisted in agony. Their bones felt like they were being smashed apart with heavy sledgehammers. The pain was unbearable.

    But when Brenna removed the needle, Liam and Cary realized there was nearly no damage left in their bodies. To them, Brenna was a demon in human skin.

    By then, Liam had already broken. He had betrayed Jade and Edward without a second thought.

    Brenna had just finished her interrogation when Liam¡¯s phone rang.

    The sharp sound made Liam jolt, a shiver running through his entire body. He had worked for Jade for years and had tortured more people than he could count, but nothing had everpared to what he had just endured. For the first time in his life, he wished he had never been born.

    Thiago retrieved Liam¡¯s phone and eyed him emotionlessly. Instead of answering the call, he leaned in close and said,

    ¡°You know exactly what you can and can¡¯t say. If you screw up even one word, you¡¯ll go through all of it again.¡±

    Liam bobbed his head frantically.

    ¡°Yes, I know! I know! I¡¯ll y along, I swear! I¡¯ll find out where they are.¡±

    Only then did Thiago press the answer button.

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    The next second, Jade¡¯s voice echoed through the line, sharp and arrogant as ever.

    ¡°Liam, what the hell are you doing? Do you know what time it is? Don¡¯t tell me you¡­¡±

    ¡°Were you so busy screwing a woman that you forgot what you were supposed to be doing?¡±

    Liam let out a forced chuckle and squeezed out augh.

    ¡°No, no, nothing like that. Just ran into a little trouble, but it¡¯s taken care of now. What do you need, Jade?¡±

    Hearing his answer, Jade hummed in satisfaction. She trusted Liam¡¯s skills too much to doubt him.

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re capable of. I trust you. Is Brenna dead yet?¡±

    Liam darted a nce at Brenna, who was calmly twirling the steel needle between her fingers. Fear gripped him again, making him shrink back, unable to meet her steady gaze.

    ¡°Not yet. I was just about to do it.¡±

    ¡°Make sure you get some nudes of her first. And send me some of her in bed with a man, too. I need them. That woman¡¯s got a body to die for. Lucky you,¡± Jade said.

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 Chapter 561

    ?Chapter 561:

    She was convinced Liam was telling the truth. She had even put the call on speakerphone so Edward could listen in.

    Liam bit down hard on his fear. Pretending everything was going ording to n, he said,

    ¡°Of course!¡±

    ¡°Jade, are you still at the usual spot?¡± Liam carefully asked.

    ¡°Yeah. After you finish, bring Brenna to my father. He will enjoy her body. Make sure you give her more drugs first. Her resilience is no joke. You¡¯ll need a stronger dose to keep her unconscious,¡± Jade said without a shred of doubt.

    ¡°Consider it done,¡± Liam replied.

    Thiago shifted uneasily. The situation was dangerous. Charging into trouble overseas was like poking a snake¡¯s nest. Without a word, he thumbed out a quick message on his phone and showed it to Liam. Catching on fast, Liam said,

    ¡°Ms. Hewitt, would you minding over? We just found out they hired local bodyguards. There are eight of them. If we try to leave with Brenna now, we might not make it.¡±

    ¡°I told you to move faster!¡± Jade snapped. ¡°If you screw this up, you will pay for it. Stay put. I¡¯ll bring backup.¡±

    Thiago typed again, faster this time. Liam nced at the message and seemed caught in a dilemma.

    Brenna caught a glimpse of the words. With a flick of her hand, she drove a needle into one of Liam¡¯s acupuncture points.

    Liam cried out in pain, his body tensing, his eyes pleading for mercy.

    He quickly said into the phone,

    ¡°Ms. Hewitt, is Mr. Ward still there? Brenna is really tempting. Mr. Ward would definitely appreciate her. Consider it a gesture of goodwill. Could you ask him toe here with you?¡±

    Jade narrowed her eyes. Doubt began to creep in. She nced at Edward, who was also beginning to look suspicious.

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    ¡°What do you want my father to do? Is there something wrong on your end? Send me a photo right now so I can see it for myself!¡± Jade demanded.

    Brenna had no intention of ying along with their little game of charades. She wasn¡¯t worried about Jade not taking the bait. After all, Jade had tried and failed to get rid of her back in the country. She believed Jade would do anything this time to kill her.

    Smirking, Brenna twirled the needle between her fingers.

    Thiago tapped another message on his phone and nudged it toward Liam.

    Liam had no choice but to keep pushing.

    ¡°How could that be, Ms. Hewitt? The hotel has tight security. Besides, I checked Brenna¡¯s phone. It shows she has been¡­¡±

    Chatting a lot with someone named Ethan, who happens to be staying at this hotel, too. If we try to take her out openly, I¡¯m afraid this Ethan guy will catch on. It would be better if you came and handled it yourself. It would also be best if you and Mr. Ward came alone. With fewer people, it will be easier to avoid attention.¡±

    ¡°You fool!¡± Jade exploded in anger. ¡°Ethan¡¯s there, and you didn¡¯t report it sooner? What the hell were you thinking?¡±

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 Chapter 562

    ?Chapter 562:

    Liam flinched. He had no idea about Jade¡¯s feelings toward Ethan or anything about their rtionship. He was only repeating what Thiago had instructed him to say.

    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he said,

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect it either, Ms. Hewitt. Please hurry. We¡¯re running out of time.¡±

    Jade was furious.

    ¡°Come back. Forget it for today. Ethan¡¯s not someone we can afford to mess with.¡±

    Without waiting for his response, she ended the call and turned to Edward to discuss the next steps.

    Thiago nced at Brenna.

    ¡°What now? They¡¯re noting.¡±

    Brenna pulled out a small ck bottle from her medicine kit. Without a word, she poured two pills into her palm, grabbed Liam¡¯s jaw roughly, and forced him to take one.

    She moved on to Cary with the same ruthless efficiency. A sharp punch to the gut left him no choice but to swallow.

    Liam¡¯s face turned ashen with terror.

    ¡°What did you just give me? Is it poison?¡±

    Brenna dusted off her hands and looked down at him coldly.

    ¡°I studied medicine. This is a poison I developed myself. If you don¡¯t take the antidote within 24 hours, you will die a slow, painful death. So think carefully before you say anything stupid when you get back. Otherwise, there will be no antidote waiting for you.¡±

    Liam and Cary stared at Brenna in horror. They hadn¡¯t expected her to be carrying poison.

    ¡°H-How do we get the antidote?¡± Liam asked.

    L?¦Ó??¦Ó ch?¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?ls.????

    Brenna rose to her feet.

    ¡°Come see me every night before midnight. I will give you the antidote then. It will keep the poison from taking hold for another 24 hours.¡±

    The two men slumped to the floor. They exchanged helpless nces, their faces pale with despair.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you just give us a permanent antidote?¡± Liam asked.

    Thiago kicked him without warning.

    ¡°In your dreams.¡±

    He pulled out a knife and sliced through the ties on their wrists.

    ¡°Get lost.¡±

    Grateful just to be alive, Liam dragged Cary to his feet. The two limped away without looking back.

    Joe and Tom scrubbed the bloodstains off the floor.

    Thiago leaned closer to Brenna and said,

    ¡°This ce isn¡¯t safe anymore. We should change hotels.¡±

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 Chapter 563

    ?Chapter 563:

    Brenna nodded.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯ll ask Ethan and find out where he¡¯s staying. We can go to him. Edward has a lot of pull around here. It won¡¯t take long before he realizes we tricked them. Pack up. We need to leave immediately.¡±

    Thiago called toward the bedroom.

    ¡°Joe, Tom, you can stop what you¡¯re doing. We¡¯re leaving now.¡±

    When Liam and Cary returned to Jade¡¯s ce, they were pped the moment they walked in.

    ¡°Idiots!¡± Jade yelled.

    In less than an hour, Jade and Edward had already pieced everything together¡ªLiam and Cary had failed to carry out the mission.

    Liam and Cary painted a grim picture of the bizarre and heartless ways Brenna had toyed with them to Jade.

    Liam, a fully grown man, unable to hold back his tears, murmured shakily,

    ¡°She imed to have poisoned us and insisted we return to her every twenty-four hours for an antidote.¡±

    Visibly annoyed, Jade pped him across the face.

    ¡°You idiot! That so-called poison was likely just vitamin C! What were you thinking? Who carries actual poison around? Did you feel any real symptoms after taking it?¡±

    After pausing to think, Liam admitted, his voice wavering,

    ¡°No.¡±

    The only real pain he felt stemmed from the gunshot wound on his thigh. It dawned on him that Brenna¡¯s ploy had tricked himpletely. However, her tormenting methods were beyond what anyone could imagine. Just thinking about that gave him chills.

    Edward, who had been quietly observing the exchange, gave a discreet nod to the bodyguard dressed in ck by the door. Without hesitation, the bodyguard pulled out his gun and executed Liam and Cary with precise shots to their heads.

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    Turning to Jade with a dismissive flick of his hand, Edward said,

    ¡°These two were dispensable. Jade, head over to that hotel and kill Brenna. And bring backup with you.¡±

    With a faint trace of interest, he cast a skeptical nce toward Jade. His expression betrayed his growing doubts about herpetence.

    Jade could feel the weight of his expectations pressing down on her. Failure to eliminate Brenna this time would not only diminish her standing in Edward¡¯s eyes but might also jeopardize her im to her future inheritance.

    With resolve steeling her voice, she dered,

    ¡°I will kill Brenna, no matter the cost.¡±

    In that decisive moment, she resolved to sacrifice even Ethan if it meant ensuring Brenna¡¯s downfall.

    She quickly rallied more than twenty of her most skilled subordinates and led them to Brenna¡¯sst known location at the hotel. But upon arrival, they discovered that Brenna had already checked out.

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 Chapter 564

    ?Chapter 564:

    ¡°Move out! To the Empire Hotel!¡± Jademanded with authority.

    The Empire Hotel, a property belonging to Ethan in Plieca, was likely Brenna¡¯s new refuge¡ªespecially since Ethan was probably also there.

    The group hurried downstairs, and as Jade burst through the hotel lobby doors, she caught a glimpse of someone slipping away from her car, unaware of what they had done.

    She approached the car without a second thought, only to be greeted by the ominous ticking of a countdown. It dawned on her toote that she was hearing a bomb.

    Before she could retreat, a thunderous explosion erupted, unleashing a searing wave of heat. The car was engulfed in mes, and the st flipped it violently, tearing it apart. Amidst the chaos, shards of the car¡ªand tragically, pieces of Jade herself¡ªwere hurled skyward.

    Meanwhile, a safe distance down the road, Brenna coolly drove away, her eyes fixed ahead, leaving the scene behind her.

    The bomb had been provided by Thiago¡¯s friend.

    Inside the car, Ethan said to Brenna,

    ¡°I was unaware you were participating in the trade forum as well. I didn¡¯t protect you well.¡±

    Brenna rested her head gently on Ethan¡¯s shoulder, replying,

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for apologies. I should be thanking you for rescuing me.¡±

    Ethan offered a slight smile, admitting,

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been fond of Jade. It¡¯s problematic to take action within our own borders, but overseas, it¡¯s easier to do that.¡±

    A hint of concern colored Brenna¡¯s tone.

    ¡°What about the person helping us? Could he face difficulties fleeing?¡±

    ???????? ???????????? ?????????? ????: g???????¦Í????????????

    Ethanforted her with a gentle pat on the hand, saying,

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. All arrangements are in ce. He¡¯s set to depart on an early flight at dawn. Moreover, I¡¯ve neutralized the nearby surveince. The authorities won¡¯t discover he did it for at least three days. By then, he¡¯ll already be gone.¡±

    Upon their arrival at the Empire Hotel, Brenna¡¯s eyes caught a familiar sight beside the hotel¡¯s doorman.

    ¡°Brenna, what brings you here as well?¡± Rosie inquired with curiosity, her attire refined,plemented by the presence of a strikingly handsome mixed-race man.

    Brenna was unfamiliar with the man at Rosie¡¯s side.

    Rosie clung to the man¡¯s arm, her every move dripping with affection. Brenna shot the mixed-race man a cool, questioning gaze before turning her attention to Rosie.

    ¡°And who might this be?¡±

    Rosie offered a polite smile, her voice tinged with secrecy.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t say; his identity is a bit sensitive.¡±

    Just then, Ethan approached from the other side of the car, and the mixed-race man extended his hand to greet him.

    ¡°Hello, Mr. Mitchell.¡±

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 Chapter 565

    ?Chapter 565:

    With a teasing glint in his eyes, Ethan spared Rosie a fleeting look but said nothing, pretending he didn¡¯t know her. He then turned smoothly to greet the man.

    ¡°Hello, Prince Maxley. It¡¯s an honor.¡±

    Prince Maxley, a distinguished figure in his thirties, was a known member of Plieca¡¯s royal lineage and the sessor to the crown. A flicker of recognition crossed Brenna¡¯s face. She might not have known Maxley personally, but his reputation certainly preceded him. She shared a nce with Rosie.

    Rosie, slightly red-faced, had failed in her attempt to unt her connections. Originally, she had hoped to make Brenna feel outssed for not knowing a member of royalty. However, the tables had turned when Maxley acknowledged Ethan first. Rosie was taken aback¡ªhow had she not known of Ethan¡¯s rapport with Maxley?

    With a soft touch, Brenna rested her hand on Ethan¡¯s arm.

    Ethan responded with a tender smile, his gaze warm, as he introduced her to Maxley.

    ¡°This is my girlfriend, Brenna.¡±

    Unfazed by her earlier difort, Rosie attempted to undermine Brenna in front of Maxley.

    ¡°This is my parents¡¯ biological daughter, who was only recently discovered after being lost for over twenty years. She has endured quite a bit.¡±

    Maxley, initially reaching out to shake Brenna¡¯s hand, paused midgesture and withdrew his hand, his actions speaking volumes. Clearly, he deemed Brenna unworthy of a simple handshake with him.

    Maxley¡¯s attitude shifted to one of arrogance, his gaze toward Brenna cold and dismissive.

    Brenna kept her silence, knowing she couldn¡¯t control how others saw her. A brief exchange of nces with Rosie revealed more than intended¡ªRosie¡¯s carefully chosen words had inadvertently reopened Brenna¡¯s old scars.

    Given Rosie¡¯s adeptness in social circles, Brenna couldn¡¯t shake the nagging suspicion that Rosie had said those things on purpose earlier.

    ???????? ???? ???????? ???????? ¡ú ??a???????¦Í???????????????

    Ethan¡¯s demeanor cooled significantly as he caught Maxley¡¯s tant disrespect toward Brenna. The friendly smile that had been ying on his lips vanished.

    Maxley, however, seemed indifferent to Ethan¡¯s stiffening expression. In Brenna¡¯s presence, he boldly stated, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, honestly, she doesn¡¯t quite match up to someone of your stature. With your prominence, you should aspire to marry someone as esteemed as a Fortune 500 executive¡¯s daughter. Her modest upbringing andck of noble heritage hardly align with someone of your elevated rank.¡±

    Assuming Brenna didn¡¯t understand thenguage he was speaking, Maxley continued to belittle her, his wordsced with condescension and sarcasm.

    He then shifted his haughty look to a more neutral expression as he faced Ethan, suggesting earnestly, ¡°Consider my sister¡ªroyalty by birth and a sessful businesswoman. She would undoubtedlyplement your distinguished status far better. In three days, the royal family of Plieca will host a grand business gathering. Mr. Mitchell, it would be my honor to have you join us. I am eager for you to meet my sister, whose striking beauty and sharp intellect are sure to enchant you.¡±

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 Chapter 566

    ?Chapter 566:

    Brenna kept her face carefully nk, pretending not to understand what he said. Given Maxley¡¯s status as a prince and the probable future king, she preferred to avoid any unnecessary disputes.

    His remarks were biting, yet since they bore no direct consequence for her, she chose to disregard them.

    Behind her, Thiago, Joe, and Tommy bristled with anger. If not for Brenna¡¯s restraint, they would have confronted Maxley without a second thought.

    Ethan absorbed Maxley¡¯s words with patience, then firmly took Brenna¡¯s hand, showing his resolve. ¡°I am thoroughly content with my girlfriend. I appreciate your invitation, but my heart is alreadymitted.¡±

    With that deration, he guided Brenna towards the hotel.

    Maxley responded with a resigned shrug and a shake of his head, baffled by Ethan¡¯s unwavering dedication to Brenna.

    Rosie said to him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Mr. Mitchell will give what you said some thought. No one turns down an invite from Plieca¡¯s royals. Princess Leia is the world¡¯s gem, ten times more charming than Brenna. Once Mr. Mitchell sees her, he¡¯s bound to fall for her.¡±

    Maxley responded with a nod, ¡°Indeed, once he meets her, he¡¯ll understand who truly deserves to be by his side for life. Moreover, the advantages of allying with Plieca¡¯s royalty are not to be underestimated.¡±

    Stepping into the elevator, Brenna broke her silence. ¡°Do you reckon Rosie and Maxley emerging from the hotel together means they slept togetherst night?¡±

    Ethanughed lightly, his eyes twinkling with amusement at Brenna¡¯s inquisitive gaze. ¡°Since when did you start delving into such gossip? I thought you steered clear of discussing such things.¡±

    She shot Ethan a cool look. ¡°No, it¡¯s not that. Remember how set Rosie was on marrying you? What could¡¯ve made her change her heart like that?¡±

    The amusement on Ethan¡¯s face dimmed as he dialed the hotel staff to probe the reason behind Rosie and Maxley¡¯s presence here and whether they had spent the night together.

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    Momentster, as Brenna and Ethan arrived at their room, Ethan¡¯s phone buzzed with a response. Rosie had indeed reserved a suite but had left at midnight to visit the presidential suite at the pinnacle of the hotel, departing just fifteen minutes ago with Maxley.

    Ethan had activated the speakerphone when he answered the call, and after disconnecting, he turned to Brenna. ¡°Satisfied now?¡±

    Brenna responded with a nod. ¡°Your team is impressively quick. I honestly didn¡¯t expect Rosie to sleep with someone else in your hotel. It looks like she has lost all hope of winning your heart, not even bothering to hide her actions.¡±

    As they stepped into the room, Ethan shared more news. ¡°The royal family of Plieca is conducting a global search to find a wife for Maxley. It seems Rosie is setting her sights on that.¡±

    Caught off guard, Brenna, who had been preupied with other matters, hadn¡¯t kept up with the royal affairs.

    ¡°Rosie doesn¡¯t actually believe that sleeping with Maxley will secure her the status, does she?¡± Brenna doubted Rosie was naive enough to believe that. She must have other ns.

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 Chapter 567

    ?Chapter 567:

    Ethan shook his head, showing disinterest in Rosie¡¯s intentions. He was only concerned about Brenna¡¯s well-being.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you rest for a bit? I¡¯ll wake you at seven,¡± he suggested gently. ¡°And don¡¯t worry about dinner; you can have anything you like. After all, this is my hotel.¡±

    Brenna paused to think for a moment. ¡°Anything¡¯s fine, really. I¡¯m not picky.¡±

    Brenna thought Rosie and Maxley had left, but as she made her way to the trade forum after breakfast, she spotted Rosie again, lingering casually in the restaurant downstairs.

    ¡°Congrattions. You are about to be Maxley¡¯s wife soon,¡± Brenna said, her toneced with irony.

    Rosie¡¯sughter was tinged with triumph. ¡°Ah, you¡¯re sharper than I gave you credit for. Once I be his wife, rest assured, you¡¯ll be well looked after. We are family, after all.¡±

    Rosie extracted a stunningly designed invitation from her purse, its deep blue surface catching the morning sunlight and reflecting golden hues so intense that they were almost blinding.

    ¡°Look what¡¯se from the royal family of Plieca¡ªan invitation to a grand business g happening in three days. Prince Maxley mentioned that many high society women are invited. The g, it seems, is a guise for selecting potential candidates for Maxley¡¯s wife,¡± she said.

    Her face alight with pride, Rosie exuded an air of superiority, seeing Brenna as a nobody. It wasn¡¯t that long ago that Rosie had been living under the Harper family¡¯s roof because of their kindness. But now, with the prospect of bing Prince Maxley¡¯s wife, she envisioned a future where the Harper family would seek her favor.

    With a wicked spark in her eyes, Rosie contemted the downfall she would orchestrate for Brenna. The moment she ascended as the prince¡¯s wife, she would ensure the Harper family regretted their dismissive treatment of her.

    If the Harper family groveled for her favor, perhaps she would consider tossing a few profitable ventures their way¡ªher idea of mercy. The thought alone washed away years of indignities she had suffered at their hands, recing bitterness with sweet anticipation. Looking at Brenna now, she felt Brenna was not so hard to deal with.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    With no need to pretend anymore, she shed her polite mask right in front of Brenna.

    Brenna remained stoic, her face betraying no emotion. Unimpressed by Rosie¡¯s scheming, she was certain Rosie¡¯s n would ultimately fail. Although not closely connected to the royal family of Plieca, she had enough encounters with them to understand their stringent focus on the status and background of the people entering their family.

    Rosie might bear the Harper name¡ªa family among the top twenty of Vand¡¯s elite¡ªbut with her parents gone and her having only a modest inheritance, her chances of bing the prince¡¯s wife seemed slim.

    Was she actually pinning her hopes on that one-night encounter with Prince Maxley?

    That wasughable.

    Raising her ss with a sardonic smile, Brenna toasted. ¡°To your triumph. Should you actually ascend to royalty, don¡¯t forget about me.¡± Her voice was thick with irony.

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 Chapter 568

    ?Chapter 568:

    Rosie mistakenly assumed Brenna was just jealous and speaking out of bitterness. She smirked, lifting her chin high. ¡°Your future depends on your behavior, and that is currently unsatisfactory. Show me the deference I deserve, and perhaps I¡¯ll consider helping you in the future. Consider this a piece of friendly advice¡ªcross me during this delicate time, and I won¡¯t be forgiving.¡±

    At that moment, Ethan¡¯s car glided to a halt beside Brenna. He rolled down the window with a smooth gesture, his face breaking into a warm smile as he invited her to join him in the car.

    Rosie¡¯s spirits plummeted at the sight, though her interest in Ethan had long since faded. Poised to join Plieca¡¯s royal family, she viewed Ethan as little more than a future servant, worthy of her notice only when she deemed fit.

    Brenna, observing Rosie¡¯s reaction, could only shake her head in disbelief at the depth of Rosie¡¯s delusions.

    ¡°Well, you¡¯d best ensure you¡¯re Prince Maxley¡¯s unrivaled choice. Best of luck with that,¡± Brenna said before she slid into the car.

    Rosie advanced a few steps, her confidence undiminished, her voice carrying an air of certainty. ¡°Prince Maxley has already told me I would be his wife. Just you wait, Brenna, Ethan. Soon, you¡¯ll both be kneeling, desperately begging at my feet, pleading for my grace.¡±

    Ethan couldn¡¯t suppress his derision. ¡°You¡¯ve really lost your mind.¡± With a shake of his head, he pressed the elerator, and the car surged forward, leaving Rosie in its wake.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let her get to you; she¡¯s lost touch with reality,¡± Ethan said to Brenna, attempting to console her. From a distance, he had witnessed Rosie¡¯s haughty behavior earlier and knew she hadn¡¯t said anything good to Brenna.

    Brenna responded with a wry smile. ¡°She believes that one night with Prince Maxley has secured her a royal title. She¡¯s blind to the fact that it¡¯s a contest of lineage and influence. How utterly naive. Without the backing of the Harper family, her dreams of bing his wife are absolutely ridiculous.¡±

    Ethan nodded, his agreement evident. ¡°Right. She used to have some sense, but now, she¡¯s just delusional. I bet Prince Maxley whispered a bunch of sweet lies to her while they were in bed. No wonder she fell for him so hard. Did you see? She even talked to me with that arrogant attitude just now!¡±

    L??t§Öst ch¦Ápt?rs in g??l??ov???s.??????

    Brenna quipped, a mischievous glint in her eye, ¡°Feeling a bit forlorn about that? Disappointed, perhaps?¡±

    Ethan chuckled, shaking his head dismissively. ¡°Not in the slightest. Just you wait¡ªthree days from now, when the royal family of Plieca picks the prince¡¯s wife, she¡¯s bound to make a spectacle of herself. The higher she holds her head now, the steeper her fall will be then. I¡¯ve snagged an invite to the event. You shoulde along and enjoy the debacle.¡±

    A smile flickered across Brenna¡¯s face, her spirits buoyed by the prospect of that. ¡°That sounds delightful. But tell me, should I extend a helping hand when her moment of disgrace arrives? If I stand back, she might tarnish the Harper family¡¯s name. Yet, I find myself quite reluctant to assist her.¡±

    Ethan briefly removed one hand from the steering wheel to sp hers, relishing the proximity and warmth.

    He said, ¡°Your brothers and father will be in attendance, too. No matter what you choose, whether to lend her a hand or not, there¡¯s no reason for you to worry about the matter. Just lean back and enjoy the drama. Meanwhile, you could spend the next few days ttering her, making her think she¡¯s on her way to bing the prince¡¯s wife.¡±

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 Chapter 569

    ?Chapter 569:

    With a mischievous grin, Brenna squeezed Ethan¡¯s hand. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely merciless, you know? After all these years she has treated you like family, here you are, so indifferent to her, just watching her walk into a catastrophe.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Well, she¡¯s dug her own grave. After the way she treated you in front of everyone, what did she expect?¡±

    The news of Jade¡¯s death barely sent a ripple through the waters of Plieca. All morning, Brenna had been glued to her phone, anxiously awaiting updates. In fact, she had gone so far as to download the most popr local news app, hoping for some word on the incident. Yet, as she stepped into the bustling venue for the economic and trade forum, her phone remained silent, with no news about Jade¡¯s death. It was as if Jade¡¯s tragedy had slipped through the cracks of public consciousness. Instead, the air buzzed with excitement over the presence of various business tycoons, the real stars of the day.

    Brenna, a shadow in the international financial scene, had always preferred to operate under the radar. She often used a pseudonym for her significant endeavors, seldom revealing her true identity. This cloak of anonymity had kept her name from circting widely, resulting in few people recognizing her. As she gracefully entered the venue and took her seat, shemanded attention solely through her striking beauty and young age.

    Among the sea of seasoned industry leaders, who had toiled for years to reach their current heights, Brenna stood out as an exception. In her early twenties, she had already earned her ce at the table, a testament to her remarkable talent. Ethan settled into the seat next to hers.

    People kepting over to greet Brenna, and they were all men. Ethan wore a dark expression throughout, deliberately resting his hand on the back of Brenna¡¯s chair, a silent deration of possession. With that simple gesture, the throng of admirers vying for Brenna¡¯s attention sharply dwindled.

    Brenna was surprised to discover that Ethan was one of the keynote speakers at the opening ceremony.

    On stage, Ethan spoke with unwavering confidence, delivering his entire address without a single note, infused with passion. He dissected the current economdscape, unraveling theplexities of market trends, and illuminated the innovative economic models set to redefine the future. His thought-provoking speech, which spanned a full ten minutes, culminated in a resounding wave of apuse that echoed through the auditorium.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ??????????¦Í??????©q??????

    As he returned to his seat, a hint of pride crept into his voice. ¡°So, how did I do? Wasn¡¯t I fantastic just now?¡±

    Brenna said, ¡°Come on, don¡¯t let that ego swell too much. But I can¡¯t deny that you were incredible!¡±

    She shed him a thumbs-up and quickly pecked him on the cheek.

    Ethan was momentarily taken aback. Brenna had kissed him!

    He gently brushed his fingers over the spot where her lips had met his skin, a rush of joy coursing through him as he felt like the luckiest man alive.

    Recently, both Brenna and Ethan had been caught in a whirlwind of activity. They were either locked in meetings or hammering out project negotiations, often returning to the hotel well past one in the morning.

    To secure more deals, Brenna deftly navigated the business world using both her real name and her alias, quickly capturing the interest of several financial titans.

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    .

 Chapter 570

    ?Chapter 570:

    Thiago, Joe, and Tommy were also swamped with work. Brenna decided that the three of them would take the lead on following up with the uing projects.

    Even at the stroke of midnight, the four of them remained engrossed in a meeting.

    Thiago said,

    ¡°After sifting through these projects, we need to expand our team. Our current staffing can¡¯t possibly handle the workload.¡±

    Tommy nodded in agreement, saying,

    ¡°I believe Shirie University is home to a wealth of talented graduate students. Bringing them on board would certainly be a smart move. In fact, I¡¯ve already received several r¨¦sum¨¦s and shortlisted some promising candidates. I¡¯ll reach out to them for interviews once we¡¯re back.¡±

    The four of them discussed the matter until the early hours, finally calling it a night around two in the morning.

    Brenna awoke before the sun rose, ready for another roundtable meeting.

    By six that evening, she had slipped into a stunning silver-gray, form-fitting gown and headed to the business banquet with Ethan.

    The event was a star-studded affair, drawing an array of guests from business magnates to political figures and even royalty from various nations. As soon as Brenna entered the venue, her eyesnded on the Princess of Orwall.

    Rosie, eager to impress, stood next to the princess, but her attempts to curry favor fell t as the princess¡¯s attention drifted toward Brenna and Ethan.

    Realizing the princess was more interested in Brenna and Ethan than in her, Rosie felt a pang of embarrassment.

    She quickly said,

    ¡°Princess Anna, you may not know her. That is Brenna Harper. She is my parents¡¯ biological daughter, just recently acknowledged by them. She spent her early years in the countryside and isn¡¯t quite familiar with high society¡¯s ways. Events like this can make her a bit anxious, so I hope you won¡¯t hold it¡­¡±

    ¡°Against her if she acts out. Honestly, it¡¯s my fault for not keeping a closer eye on her and letting here to an event like this.¡±

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????????©q?????

    With a sharine smile, she added,

    ¡°She probably doesn¡¯t even have an invitation. I¡¯ll have her leave right away.¡±

    Without waiting for Princess Anna to respond, Rosie marched over to Brenna and scolded her loudly,

    ¡°What are you doing here? Do you even know what this event is? You¡¯re embarrassing the Harper family bying here! You can¡¯t just waltz in without an invitation. Even if you¡¯re with the world¡¯s richest man, that doesn¡¯t give you the right to attend a top-tier event uninvited.¡±

    People around them turned to look.

    Realizing she had seeded in her scheme, Rosie eagerly anticipated the moment when Brenna would stumble over herck of an invitation. Not only would Brenna face humiliation and bebeled a gatecrasher, but Ethan would also find himself in a difficult situation for having brought her along.

    Feeling a surge of triumph, Rosie waited for Brenna to be humiliated.

    However, with a calm demeanor, Brenna replied,

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 Chapter 571

    ?Chapter 571:

    ¡°What are you talking about? I was invited here.¡±

    Rosie scoffed,

    ¡°Invited? Seriously? Do you honestly believe you¡¯re on the guest list just because you own a couple of small studios? Take a good look at the crowd here today. You don¡¯t belong here. Or do you really think you can be here because you are a Harper? Wake up! You have always been and will always be a nobody. Honestly, you should leave before they toss you out.¡±

    Rosie was itching to unload all the grievances she had bottled up regarding the Harper family onto Brenna. Originally, Shepard and Ernst were ted to return today, but as the hours ticked by, their absence seemed more certain.

    Their no-show only bolstered Rosie¡¯s confidence, igniting a spark of belief that she could publicly humiliate Brenna in front of a crowd.

    She relished the moment as disdainful nces rained down on Brenna, with even those who once stood close to her beginning to move away.

    Brenna remainedposed. She pulled a prestigious gold ticket from her bag, holding it delicately between her index and middle fingers before presenting it to Rosie.

    ¡°Take a look. I was invited.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not possible!¡± Rosie shouted, her voice a storm.

    She knew there were two kinds of royal invitations from Plieca. One was blue, themoner¡¯s ticket, while the other was a coveted VIP ticket, rumored to be crafted from two grams of pure gold each.

    Among the throng of over three hundred guests, only a handful held VIP tickets. Even Ethan, the wealthiest man in the world, only had the blue one. It was unfathomable that Brenna could possess a gold one.

    Rosie scoffed with a mockingugh, casting a disdainful nce at the card without bothering to take it.

    ¡°It¡¯s a fake, isn¡¯t it? Someone like you couldn¡¯t possibly have a supreme VIP ticket. If I¡¯m not mistaken, those tickets are crafted from pure gold. Did you whip one up yourself?¡±

    ???????? ???????????? ????????: ??????????¦Í?????????????

    She turned to the nearby security guard.

    ¡°Verify this ticket now.¡±

    The guard¡¯s expression darkened at her tant disrespect for the VIP guests. Rosie¡¯s demand to inspect Brenna¡¯s invitation was a double-edged insult, cutting both at Brenna¡¯s status and at the guards¡¯ hard-earned professionalism.

    How could they not tell the difference between a genuine ticket and a counterfeit? That would be an unforgivable blunder.

    Every guest¡¯s invitation was meticulously cross-checked against the VIP database.

    There was no room for error.

    ¡°This ticket is genuine,¡± the security guard said, his tone firm.

    Rosie¡¯s fury red, and she turned her ire on him.

    ¡°Did you even bother to inspect her invitation? I don¡¯t think she has shown it since she walked in. If that invitation is fake, you could find yourself out of a job for such negligence.¡±

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 Chapter 572

    ?Chapter 572:

    At that moment, Maxley walked over. He was elegantly attired in a pristine white suit that radiated sophistication. A royal-exclusive pin from Plieca adorned hispel, catching the light with a subtle glimmer. With an undeniable air of authority, he surveyed the gathering.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡±

    Maxley had caught wind that someone had slipped in with a counterfeit VIP ticket, never suspecting it would be Brenna. He wore a look of disdain as he nced at her.

    ¡°Miss Harper, we meet again. Are you the one with the fake invitation?¡±

    Brenna extended her invitation toward Maxley, but like Rosie, he refused to take it.

    ¡°My invitation is real,¡± Brenna said. ¡°It has the King¡¯s signature.¡±

    Though puzzled, as she had no ties or dealings with the Plieca royal family, she knew the King had personally invited her.

    Maxley nced at the invitation. While others might struggle to discern its authenticity, he could immediately spot the royal anti-counterfeit mark, a feature known only to insiders and impossible for outsiders to replicate.

    He clenched his fists, acutely aware of the delicate nature of offending a guest personally invited by his father.

    His father had many sons, and while he was a candidate for the throne, he wasn¡¯t the only one.

    The King could easily choose someone else.

    To the outside world, he appeared to be the likely heir, but that was merely a carefully crafted image by him.

    ¡°Darling, her invitation must be a forgery. Have security escort her out,¡± Rosie urged,pletely disregarding the Harper family¡¯s reputation. She was eager to leverage her connection with Maxley to humiliate Brenna in front of the crowd.

    Ethan looked at Rosie with a dark, brooding gaze. In fact, he was also surprised that Brenna was a VIP guest.

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    He stepped protectively in front of Brenna, ready to whisk her away if anyone overstepped and prepared to sever all business ties with the Plieca royal family.

    With a smug smile, Rosie said to Maxley,

    ¡°What are you waiting for, darling? Just toss this uninvited person out and have her arrested! Replicating a royal invitation is a serious offense, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Maxley snapped at Rosie, his voice sharp.

    ¡°This invitation is genuine, penned by my father himself. It is not fake.¡±

    Rosie¡¯s smile faltered, disbelief shing in her eyes as she stared at Maxley.

    ¡°It can¡¯t be. As far as I know, she¡ª¡±

    ¡°What about her?¡±

    Amanding, aged voice interrupted. Everyone turned to see the King of Plieca, Ann Gibran, walk over in a white suit, surrounded by royal members.

    Upon seeing the old man, Brenna understood why she was a VIP guest.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while!¡± she eximed, memories flooding back of the injured old man she had unexpectedly saved in Nolview years ago, who had turned out to be none other than the King of Plieca.

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 Chapter 573

    ?Chapter 573:

    Adam scrutinized Brenna from head to toe.

    ¡°You have certainly changed your style since ourst encounter.¡±

    He chose not to delve into the specifics of that day, wary of stirring unwanted curiosity about Brenna. It sufficed for others to recognize her as his honored guest.

    Years ago in Orwall, he had found himself in a relentless chase. Vicious des had left their marks on him, and he had been cornered in a deste alley with nowhere to escape. It was there that fate intervened, bringing him face to face with Brenna. d in sleek ck leather and wielding a weapon with confidence, she was a sight to behold. She radiated raw power. With swift and precise movements, she killed several attackers.

    Having witnessed Brenna¡¯s fierce and decisive maneuvers, he had been certain she would end his life to keep him quiet. However, Brenna not only spared him but also took the time to tend to his wounds with remarkable care and gave him a life-saving pill.

    Concerned about potential further attacks, Brenna had guided him to a safehouse and helped him reconnect with his people before taking her leave.

    Had he not crossed paths with Brenna that fateful day, he would surely have met his end. Later, he had learned that it was his eldest son who had plotted the assassination.

    Brenna chuckled softly. At that time, she had been pursued by the Ward family, and saving him had merely been a fortuitous decision. She hadn¡¯t given a thought to his status back then.

    The guests gathered today were all affluent and influential figures. Curiosity buzzed around Brenna, with many discreetly snapping photos of her and scouring the inte for information. They soon discovered that she was a young entrepreneur in finance and an engineer.

    After exchanging pleasantries with Brenna, Adam turned his gaze to Ethan, whom he recognized. Everyone in the room knew Ethan as the world¡¯s richest man.

    ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you are really lucky to be Miss Harper¡¯s boyfriend,¡± Adam said.

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    Ethan still couldn¡¯t grasp why the King of Plieca held Brenna in such high esteem. But this wasn¡¯t the time to ask too many questions.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. I am lucky to be her boyfriend,¡± Ethan replied with a lightheartedugh.

    Rosie seethed with discontent.

    What made Brenna so fortunate as to be honored as a distinguished guest in Plieca?

    She rushed forward to voice her thoughts.

    ¡°Your Majesty¡ª¡±

    But before she could borate, Maxley pulled her back. Turning to him, she met his stern gaze, filled with reproach and displeasure.

    Rosie dared not defy Maxley and reluctantly fell silent, her eyes fixed on Brenna as she spoke to the King as if he were her friend.

    It was infuriating. Rosie had arrived early, poised to be the future wife of Maxley, yet she hadn¡¯t even met the King before today.

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 Chapter 574

    ?Chapter 574:

    The more Rosie thought about this, the more resentment she harbored toward Brenna.

    Adam had a multitude of guests to engage with, so after a brief exchange with Brenna, he walked away.

    Maxley smiled as he bid Adam farewell. Once the King was out of sight, he turned his attention back to Brenna. A twinge of unease gnawed at him; he recognized that his earlier arrogance and rudeness toward her had been a grave misstep. Yet, given his status, he didn¡¯t want to apologize to Brenna.

    Frustrated, he directed his anger at Rosie and pped her.

    Rosie covered her face after the p, holding back any protest. She even apologized,

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I truly had no idea Brenna was close to the King.¡±

    Brenna and Ethan strolled past Rosie, exchanging knowing smilesced with disdain. They soon moved toward the banquet hall.

    Maxley let out a derisive snort at Rosie. He quickened his pace, hurrying after Brenna and Ethan, a sense of urgency driving him to seek a moment to rify his earlier boorish behavior toward Brenna.

    Rosie stood frozen, acutely aware of the nces from those around her, a surge of anger rising within her. She snapped at the onlookers,

    ¡°Mind your own business!¡±

    The crowd around her quickly dispersed.

    Rosie was determined not to be misunderstood or abandoned by Maxley. She watched as he chatted amiably with Brenna and Ethan on the steps, clearly trying to win their favor.

    If she could just apologize to Brenna and exin her actions, perhaps Maxley would forgive her and still marry her. After all, she and Brenna were family.

    Suppressing her anger and resentment, she walked over with purpose. Her expression was warm, her movements smooth as she reached the top and took Brenna¡¯s arm, regardless of Brenna¡¯s willingness.

    ???????????????? ??????????????: ??????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Brenna, Ethan, I¡¯m sorry for the misunderstanding.¡±

    Brenna couldn¡¯t help but let out a coldugh, gently pulling her arm away.

    ¡°So I¡¯m not a nobody to you anymore?¡±

    Rosie leaned in, whispering in Vand¡¯snguage,

    ¡°We¡¯re family. When I be Maxley¡¯s wife, you¡¯ll benefit too. Don¡¯t be so mean to me. Just ept my apology.¡±

    Her tone was less of a request and more of amand.

    ¡°Your tone doesn¡¯t sound like an apology,¡± Brenna replied coolly.

    Rosie, still smiling, took hold of Brenna¡¯s arm again, this time gripping it tightly, not letting her pull away.

    Maxley didn¡¯t understand theirnguage, but seeing their interaction, he assumed Brenna had epted Rosie¡¯s apology. Given the King¡¯s respect for Brenna, he realized he also needed to ingratiate himself with her, which meant he couldn¡¯t cast Rosie aside just yet. So, his attitude toward Rosie softened a bit.

    Despite Brenna¡¯s evident reluctance, Rosie yanked her closer, wearing a veneer of friendliness. Rosie didn¡¯t harbor even a shred of remorse over her earlier public humiliation of Brenna. She simply clung to the belief that, as members of the Harper family, they should stick together in public.

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 Chapter 575

    ?Chapter 575:

    Moreover, since Brenna wasn¡¯t resisting her gesture, Rosie confidently assumed she wouldn¡¯t dare retaliate. After all, she couldn¡¯t risk stirring up trouble or making a bad impression on the King.

    Just as Rosie basked in her apparent triumph, convinced she had everything under control, Brenna abruptly withdrew her hand.

    Rosie¡¯s annoyance flickered sharply as she hissed, her voice heavy with reproach,

    ¡°What do you think you are doing? People might think there are serious internal conflicts within the Harper family.¡±

    Without warning, Brenna delivered a light but unmistakable p to Rosie¡¯s cheek. Loudly and defiantly, she fired back in fluent Pliecan,

    ¡°Are you serious? You just humiliated me in front of all these guests as I walked in, calling me a worthless nobody, someone who shouldn¡¯t even breathe the same air as these people. It¡¯s barely been a few minutes. Have you already forgotten what you did to me? And now you think we are family? Did I suddenly be good enough for this ce in your eyes?¡±

    Rosie¡¯s cheeks flushed with humiliation. She felt a rare sting¡ªunfamiliar to someone used to dishing out cutting remarks without consequence. As a member of the Harper family, she was ustomed to others biting their tongues, too intimidated by her status to p back. Never had she been so publicly humiliated.

    ¡°We are family, Brenna! What the hell are you doing? Have you lost your mind?¡± Rosie hissed in Vand¡¯snguage. She leaned closer, urgently whispering,

    ¡°Apologize to me right now. Say you were wrong before this mess spirals out of control!¡±

    However, Brenna just raised her chin and loudly said,

    ¡°You insulted me first. Why should I apologize to you? It¡¯s you who owes me an apology.¡±

    Her voice was pitched deliberately loud enough for everyone to hear. Moreover, she spoke clearly in Pliecan to make sure everyone understood her.

    Stay connected through g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    Rosie¡¯s blood boiled with rage. Turning abruptly, she shook Maxley¡¯s arm and pleaded with him desperately in Pliecan,

    ¡°She insulted me! She is nothing but some country bumpkin who shouldn¡¯t even breathe the same air as these global¡ª¡±

    Titans of business and politics. Aren¡¯t you going to step in and do something? She is trampling all over my dignity now. Help me out!¡±

    She couldn¡¯t care less about what Maxley thought. She was certain that after everything, he was satisfied with her in bed and intended to make her his wife. Therefore, she was sure he would jump to her defense without hesitation.

    Maxley¡¯s anger red hotter than Rosie¡¯s. He realized she had been lying to him the whole time. If it hadn¡¯t been for her lies about Brenna, he never would have offended her. And by doing so, he had also offended the richest man in the world, Ethan. It was all Rosie¡¯s fault. Maxley was beyond furious.

    Without thinking, he raised his hand and pped Rosie hard. Unlike Brenna¡¯s light p, this one came down with full force.

    Blood trickled from Rosie¡¯s mouth, and half her face swelled up immediately.

    ¡°Get the hell out of here!¡± Maxley growled, struggling to keep his rage under control. Without hesitation, he kicked Rosie, sending her stumbling back. Then, with an icy flick of his wrist, he signaled for the security personnel to remove her.

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 Chapter 576

    ?Chapter 576:

    Two guards moved quickly, grabbing Rosie and dragging her out without a hint of respect.

    Rosie¡¯s first thought was that she couldn¡¯t lose her chance to be Maxley¡¯s wife.

    ¡°Your Highness, you promised me you would make me your wife!¡± she eximed.

    The people around her only shook their heads when they heard her words. Some stared at her coldly, making sure to remember her face so they could avoid her in any future business dealings.

    Still seething after being thrown out, Rosie cursed in Brenna¡¯s direction for what felt like an eternity before her fury finally subsided.

    After thinking carefully, she realized Brenna had ruined her carefully crafted n. And she couldn¡¯t let Brenna get away with it.

    Grabbing her phone, she quickly dialed Jade¡¯s number.

    But the call went unanswered.

    Rosie¡¯s frustration boiled over.

    ¡°What the hell is going on? Disappearing at the worst possible moment? Answer the damn phone!¡±

    She finally gave up after trying several times with the same frustrating result. She knew where Jade lived in Plieca and decided to go and see her.

    Now that she had thoroughly offended Brenna, the situation had spiraled out of control. If Brenna made it back to Vand, Rosie knew without a doubt she would no longer be able to remain in the Harper family.

    Therefore, she believed she had to kill Brenna here.

    If she had managed to be Maxley¡¯s wife, she could have proudly paraded around the Harper family for some time. But now, Maxley had abandoned her, and she had also made an enemy of Brenna, leaving her with no option but to live a pitiable life.

    She refused to ept such a fate.

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    Determined, she hailed a taxi and headed straight for Jade¡¯s residence. To Rosie¡¯s surprise, there were more bodyguards than usual stationed outside. All of them wore stern expressions, their postures tense as if something serious had happened.

    Rosie tried to speak to the stone-faced guards, but they ignored her. When she attempted to force her way in, the bodyguards blocked her path and pushed her back.

    ¡°Miss Hewitt, it¡¯s me, Rosie. I have information about Brenna!¡± Rosie shouted, hoping to get Jade¡¯s attention.

    Right now, Jade was her only hope of dealing with Brenna.

    She shouted for what felt like ages, but Jade never appeared. Refusing to back down, she continued yelling.

    At longst, a middle-aged man stepped out of the house.

    ¡°Miss Hewitt is already dead. You should leave.¡±

    Rosie froze.

    ¡°What?¡±

    The thought of losing her only ally sent a wave of disbelief crashing over her.

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 Chapter 577

    ?Chapter 577:

    ¡°How? When did she die?¡± She was genuinely shocked by the news.

    The middle-aged man¡¯s expression hardened even further. He was clearly displeased by Rosie¡¯s questions.

    ¡°She died this morning. She was blown up at the entrance of the Empire Hotel.¡±

    Rosie stood there in shock, unable to process the sudden and tragic news of Jade¡¯s death. She stayed frozen for a long moment before finally managing to collect herself.

    Jade had been the only person capable of handling Brenna, and now, she was gone.

    ¡°Who could have done this?¡± Rosie muttered. She had always suspected the Hewitt family was involved in the criminal underworld, and it wasn¡¯t hard to imagine they had made plenty of enemies. Maybe someone hade back for revenge.

    It never crossed her mind that Brenna might have set the explosion herself. She just didn¡¯t believe Brenna had the nerve to kill someone. Still, she wasn¡¯t willing to just leave like this. She grabbed the middle-aged man to stop him. ¡°I need to¡­¡±

    The middle-aged man was already in a bad mood. He had just received a sharp reprimand from Edward and was itching to unload his frustration on someone.

    ¡°What do you want? If you don¡¯t have business here, you better scram. This ce isn¡¯t for the likes of you. And if you stick around too long, Mr. Ward might decide to kill you,¡± he said.

    Rosie¡¯s eyes lit up with an idea. Jade was dead. If Edward believed Brenna was behind it, he would go after her, wouldn¡¯t he?

    Of course, he would. Moreover, he would make Brenna suffer for it.

    Rosie quickly said, ¡°Sir! I know the person responsible for Miss Hewitt¡¯s death. And I know exactly where she is.¡±

    The middle-aged man paused, but his expression didn¡¯t change. They had already deduced that Brenna was the likely culprit, and they knew her whereabouts.

    ???????? ???????? ???????????? at galn??v??????£®?????

    Still, he was curious to hear what Rosie had to say. ¡°Speak!¡±

    Rosie nced toward the building¡¯s entrance. It wasn¡¯t safe to speak out here since someone could easily overhear. ¡°Can we talk inside?¡± she asked carefully.

    The man thought for a second, then turned and led her inside.

    Brenna was in a good mood. She had a delightful conversation with the Princess of Orwall earlier that day. To her surprise, the Princess had refused to be Maxley¡¯s wife.

    The reason was simple enough. For a kingdom like Orwall, Plieca¡¯s economic standing couldn¡¯t hold a candle to theirs. And since royal marriages were closely tied to political alliances, such an arrangement wouldn¡¯t serve Orwall¡¯s best interests.

    By the time Brenna and Ethan made it back to the Empire Hotel, it was well past midnight.

    The hotel was eerily quiet. As they walked down the carpeted hallway, their footsteps barely made a sound.

    Aside from the two receptionists downstairs, the ce seemed deserted. Ethan couldn¡¯t help but notice that even the security guards were nowhere to be found.

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 Chapter 578

    ?Chapter 578:

    Yet, since it was the middle of the night and it was standard practice for the guards to rest after their rounds, Ethan didn¡¯t think much of it.

    ¡°Goodnight,¡± he said to Brenna.

    ¡°Goodnight.¡±

    Brenna and Ethan then disappeared into their rooms.

    The faint scent of air freshener lingered in Brenna¡¯s room. She sniffed the air a couple of times and, finding nothing out of the ordinary, assumed that housekeeping hade in to tidy up while she had been out.

    After a quick shower, she soon drifted into a deep sleep, probably exhausted from the busy day and evening banquet.

    Sometime during the night, every light in her suite flickered out, including the small nightlight she had left by the door.

    A fire had started in the utility room on the first floor of the Empire Hotel, and it spread through the venttion ducts faster than anyone could have imagined. In less than ten minutes, the mes consumed the entire building. Sparks shot through the ducts,nding in rooms and along the hallway carpets.

    The tiny sparks were relentless, quickly setting fire to everything they touched¡ªcarpets, curtains, nkets, and more.

    Wherever the fire spread, it roared into a full-blown ze, but Brenna stayed deep asleep,pletely unaware of it.

    Ethan was also deep in sleep.

    Not only were the two of them in a deep sleep, but even the choking smoke didn¡¯t wake them. The entire building¡¯s guests were all in a deep slumber, except for the two receptionists.

    Inside Brenna¡¯s room, the smoke grew thicker by the minute, so dense that it was impossible to see anything two meters ahead.

    In her sleep, Brenna felt the air grow thick and suffocating. She dreamt she was trapped inside a smoke-filled room, frantically searching for a way out, only to find every door and window bolted shut.

    ???????????? ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    She choked and coughed violently, the smoke wing at her lungs, making every breath painful. The heat of the mes seemed to lick at her skin, the temperature rising with each passing second.

    With a desperate push, she forced herself awake, only to find the nightmare was all too real. Smoke surrounded her, and her nket was already halfway consumed by mes. She could even feel the heat of the fire.

    Without hesitation, she flung the burning nket aside, mped a hand over her nose, and sprinted into the bathroom. Luckily, there was still water in the pipes. She soaked a towel, pressed it firmly over her mouth and nose, and headed out.

    The hallway was already aze, the carpetpletely scorched and burned away. Fortunately, during the hotel¡¯sst renovation, Ethan had insisted on using non-mmable materials. If not for that decision, Brenna would have been trapped inside a roaring inferno with no hope of escape.

    Chaos ruled the corridor as guests spilled out of their rooms, all stampeding toward the stairwell. Brenna¡¯s heart jumped into her throat when she spotted Ethan¡¯s room¡¯s door still tightly shut. She was just about to pound on his door when it swung open. Ethan stood there, still in his pajamas, a wet towel pressed firmly over his mouth and nose. He grabbed Brenna¡¯s arm and pulled her toward the emergency exit.

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 Chapter 579

    ?Chapter 579:

    Ethan silently thanked his foresight. He had insisted on installing fire exit doors on every floor, a decision that now proved invaluable, keeping the fire from spreading up the stairs and devouring the entire building.

    Brenna wrenched herself away from Ethan¡¯s grasp, her lungs burning from the thick, acrid smoke that enveloped them. The carpet still smoldered in patches, and mes hungrily reached for them, casting wild shadows on the walls. Above, the ceiling spat down a rain of fiery debris, each piece a reminder of the peril that surrounded them. The urgency was palpable; staying even a moment longer could be life-threatening.

    Ethan pulled the damp towel away from his face to speak, his eyes wide with confusion.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Brenna¡¯s voice was hoarse, desperation threading through her words.

    ¡°Thiago and the others¡ªthey¡¯re still in their rooms!¡±

    Ethan tried to reason with her, his voice urgent.

    ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous, Brenna! We don¡¯t have time to save them!¡±

    He reached out to pull her away, his grip firm.

    ¡°The fire¡¯s growing! If we don¡¯t leave now, even the fire doors will seal shut.¡±

    But Brenna wrestled out of his hold once more, turning back to face the inferno without a second thought. She pounded on the door that separated them from Thiago, while in the nearby rooms, Joe and Tommy were trapped inside.

    Panic shed across Ethan¡¯s face. He knew that, to thepany, dead employees meant only a fewpensation checks. With the right sry, recements would line up at the door. Desperate to sway Brenna, he hurriedly blurted out his thoughts.

    His face twisted with worry as he tried to pull Brenna away from the looming disaster.

    ¡°We need to go, now!¡±

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    ¡°No!¡± Brenna shouted back, shaking her head fiercely.

    If she left now, she¡¯d never forgive herself. Thiago wasn¡¯t just a colleague¡ªhe was a loyal friend who had fought beside her through thick and thin. And more than that, he was the man Ellie, her best friend, had given her heart to. If something happened to him here¡­ Ellie would never forgive her.

    Brenna hammered furiously on the door, throwing her entire body against it in desperation, but it remained resolutely closed.

    Ethan, unable to sway her frantic efforts, grasped her shoulder and pulled her back.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t going to work,¡± he said urgently. ¡°The doors here at the Empire¡ª¡±

    The Empire Hotel is reinforced, designed to keep intruders out. We need a room card to get inside.¡±

    As he spoke, Ethan swiftly retrieved his own card from his pocket and slid it through the scanner.

    A soft beep signaled sess, and the door swung open.

    Brenna stared, momentarily stunned, as the door yielded to Ethan¡¯s card. She was surprised that his card could open someone else¡¯s room, but now wasn¡¯t the time to ask questions. She quickly regained herposure and pointed toward another door down the hall.

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 Chapter 580

    ?Chapter 580:

    ¡°Over there, quickly!¡±

    Understanding her urgency, Ethan hustled to the next door, his card at the ready. As the door opened, he was met with a ghastly sight: the room was engulfed in mes. Fire danced violently across the furniture, and the pillows smoldered ominously. In the midst of the chaos, Joey asleep.

    Ethan didn¡¯t hesitate. He grabbed a nearby bottle of water and sshed it onto Joe¡¯s face, jolting him awake.

    Joe erupted into a fit of coughs, his eyes widening in horror as he took in the fiery nightmare around him.

    He searched for his clothes, only to see the small sofa where he had left thempletely consumed by mes.

    The grim realization struck him¡ªif not for Ethan¡¯s timely intervention, he might have died in the ze.

    With the fire spreading fast, urgency overtook gratitude. Joe rushed to the wardrobe, which the mes hadn¡¯t reached yet, grabbed some clothes, and hurried out with Ethan.

    Ethan quickly moved on to the next room, using the same method to wake Tommy from his deep sleep.

    By the time they returned to the hallway, Brenna and Thiago were already waiting, anxiety written across their faces.

    Ethan lifted his gaze to the ceiling, frowning as he stared at the fire system, which remained eerily dormant. His instincts kicked in¡ªsomeone had tampered with it.

    When the Empire Hotel was constructed, its architects had paid meticulous attention to fire safety, installing an advanced detection system in the ceilings. In theory, the moment mes were detected, the system was supposed to activate and shower the area with water to suppress the fire.

    But now, even with mes licking the walls and the carpet long since reduced to ashes, the system remained eerily silent.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í????????????

    Something was seriously wrong.

    Ethan¡¯s sharp eyes darted toward the wall-mounted rm panel. He knew every inch of his hotel like the back of his hand. With a fire this intense, the rms should have been ring. The fact that they weren¡¯t only confirmed his worst fear¡ªthis wasn¡¯t an ident. Someone had deliberately sabotaged the system.

    Turning back to Brenna, he grabbed her hand tightly, urgency burning in his voice.

    ¡°Brenna, you were right all along. We can¡¯t just think about getting ourselves out of here. This is my hotel, my responsibility. I can¡¯t leave everyone behind. You go first. Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯m going to manually trigger the rm and the fire control system.¡±

    Brenna shook her head.

    ¡°No! I¡¯m going with you!¡±

    Without hesitation, Ethan shoved Brenna toward Thiago, who stumbled a step as he caught her. Ethan¡¯s voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

    ¡°Take care of her.¡±

    In that moment, Brenna¡¯s perception of Ethan shifted. Moments ago, she had believed he only cared about himself. Now, she knew that wasn¡¯t true.

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 Chapter 581

    ?Chapter 581:

    ¡°No, it¡¯s too dangerous! We¡¯ll go with you,¡± Brenna insisted.

    A gentle warmth bloomed in Ethan¡¯s chest at her words. She cared about him¡ªher feelings simmered just beneath the surface. Though it brought him joy, he knew the danger they faced was far too great. He needed Brenna to get out now.

    He gestured urgently toward a ss door embedded in the nearby wall.

    ¡°It¡¯s just over there. It was designed for quick ess¡ªhousing the main controls for the rm and fire system. Don¡¯t worry about me. Just go.¡±

    Ducking low to stay beneath the creeping smoke, Ethan navigated swiftly to the fire control panel. His fingers flew over the controls, flipping all the necessary switches.

    Within seconds, water began to pour from the ceiling sprinklers, soaking the corridor. The system inside the rooms activated too, drenching everything in its path.

    Ethan then yanked open the ss panel beside him that housed the manual rm system. With one decisive press of a red button, the entire hotel was filled with the ring wail of emergency rms, urging everyone to evacuate.

    He assumed Brenna had already left. But when he turned around, his heart lurched¡ªBrenna was still there, her expression etched with worry. Thiago, along with Joe and Tommy, had managed to pry open the fire exit.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

    The Empire Hotel, a towering giant with thirty-three floors, buzzed with the frantic energy of high-profile guests, drawn by a recent economic and trade forum reminiscent of a major international business summit. Every room was upied by the wealthy or influential.

    Ethan, well-acquainted with the hotel¡¯splexyout, led the group carefully down each floor. As they descended, they encountered startled guests roused from their sleep¡ªsome hastily dressed, others scrambling out in nothing but their underwear, a mix of absurdity and tension in the air.

    With each level they passed, more people joined their descent.

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    As Ethan observed the growing crowd of lives saved, a wave of relief washed over him. Had these powerful and affluent guests perished in the ze, he would have faced a merciless media storm, his name dragged through scandal and outrage.

    He felt a pang of guilt for initially thinking only of escaping with Brenna. If not for her fearless determination, countless lives might have been lost in the fire. Her hair was singed by the mes, yet she paid it no mind, driven solely by the mission to rescue her friends. Watching her, Ethan was struck by her courage andpassion.

    By the time they reached the ground floor, the lobby fire had mostly been extinguished by the sprinkler system. A wave of collective relief swept through the crowd. The charred walls and smoky air told a grim tale, but it seemed, miraculously, that no lives had been lost. Ethan exhaled deeply, thankful for the decisions he had made.

    Yet once outside, neither Ethan nor Brenna could celebrate.

    Their thoughts immediately turned to Neville, who had been with them but was now missing¡ªalong with the bodyguards. Whether Neville had perished in the fire or had turned against them remained unknown.

    Ethan¡¯s heart was heavy with worry. He couldn¡¯t believe Neville or the guards would betray him; more likely, he feared, they had fallen victim to the inferno. Knowing Neville¡¯s loyal nature, Ethan couldn¡¯t ept the idea that he would abandon them in such a perilous moment.

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 Chapter 582

    ?Chapter 582:

    Brenna shared the same concern and turned to Thiago, asking,

    ¡°Do you think the bodyguards your friend arranged for us can be trusted? None of them has shown up yet.¡±

    Thiago¡¯s face was tense.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Something must have happened. Many of those bodyguards are from Vand. It¡¯s possible that one or two might betray us, but all of them? That¡¯s hard to believe.¡±

    Brenna nodded, her expression firm.

    ¡°If they perished in the fire, we must make sure their families are generouslypensated.¡±

    Before they could fully process the shock of their narrow escape, a new threat emerged.

    In the open space outside the hotel, a group of men in ck aimed rifles at the crowd.

    Instinctively, everyone recoiled. Screams rang out behind Brenna, mostly from terrified women, plunging the scene into chaos.

    Ethan stepped in front of Brenna, shielding her.

    ¡°It was arson, just as I suspected.¡±

    Brenna¡¯s eyes darkened.

    ¡°It¡¯s the Ward family. They must have discovered the truth about Jade¡¯s death.¡±

    Near the hotel entrance, an elderly man sat quietly, his presencemanding. Edward leaned on a metal cane, his expression cold as he locked eyes with Ethan and Brenna.

    ¡°No wonder you¡¯re the world¡¯s richest man. I¡¯ll admit, you do have some skills,¡± he said.

    With a subtle wave of his hand, the men in ck surrounded Ethan and Brenna, frisking them without hesitation.

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    With so many lives at risk, neither Ethan nor Brenna resisted. As expected, Ethan¡¯s handgun was confiscated¡ªalong with Brenna¡¯s. But it didn¡¯t stop there. ck hoods were pulled over their heads, and their hands were cuffed tightly behind them.

    Thiago shouted in outrage,

    ¡°What are you doing? Don¡¯t touch her!¡±

    A man in ck responded with a swift punch, cutting Thiago off.

    ¡°Behave, or we¡¯ll kill you,¡± he growled in Pliecan, his tone ice-cold.

    ¡°Brenna!¡± Thiago¡¯s voice broke with fear. He knew too well what these people were capable of. If Ethan and Brenna fell into their hands, the consequences would be dire.

    The repercussions would be catastrophic. Joe and Tommy echoed Thiago¡¯s concern, shouting,

    ¡°Boss!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry!¡± Brenna called out calmly, her voice steady and unwavering.

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 Chapter 583

    ?Chapter 583:

    Ethan, seething with anger, turned to Edward.

    ¡°You shoulde for me, not Brenna. I orchestrated Jade¡¯s death. Let her go; this has nothing to do with her.¡±

    Edward¡¯s face remained expressionless, showing no trace of grief. Though Jade was his daughter, to him, she was merely one among many¡ªher death insignificant.

    Yet, her failure had tarnished his reputation. She had represented him in dealings with Ethan and Brenna, only to be defeated and killed by them. That humiliation was intolerable.

    ¡°Take them away,¡± Edwardmanded as he rose slowly, preparing to leave.

    The men in ck raised their rifles and fired into the air, sending the crowd into a screaming panic.

    Fortunately, these men¡ªhardened but calcting¡ªaimed only to intimidate. Murdering anyone in public would bring unwanted heat from the authorities and rival factions.

    Ethan and Brenna were roughly forced into a waiting vehicle. The moment they were inside, both were struck unconscious.

    When they eventually awoke, the hoods still covered their heads, and an eerie silence enveloped them. They could feel a gentle but distinct swaying.

    Ethan¡¯s instincts kicked in. They were likely aboard a ship.

    ¡°Brenna, Brenna!¡± he called out, gently sweeping his leg around the space to locate her.

    Brenna stirred, wincing as a sharp ache pulsed through her neck.

    ¡°I¡¯m here. I¡¯m okay,¡± she said softly.

    The soft whisper of waves caressing the ship¡¯s hull echoed in Brenna¡¯s ears, a melodic reminder that she was indeed aboard a vessel. She tuned into the stillness, acutely aware of the silence that wrapped around her. Was she truly alone here?

    Her fingers grazed the bracelet on her wrist, a custom creation she had designed for emergencies. Half of it was a slender metal tube, cleverly concealing an eight-centimeter steel needle. The other half formed a chain, artfully designed to unfurl into a sharp wire with a gentle tug.

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    It was her lifeline¡ªa hidden weapon for moments just like this. With resolve hardening within her, she prepared to use the needle to unlock her handcuffs. Just then, approaching footsteps echoed nearby. She froze instantly, halting all movement to avoid being detected.

    In a sh, the ck hood was yanked from her head. Harsh sunlight streamed through a tall ss window, forcing her to squint until her eyes gradually adjusted to the brightness.

    Edward sat leisurely on a sofa, the light casting his face in shadow. He silently observed Brenna and Ethan with a cold, unreadable gaze.

    Standing beside him was a young woman with a striking figure. Brenna¡¯s gaze drifted upward and her heart skipped a beat when she recognized her.

    Rosie.

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 Chapter 584

    ?Chapter 584:

    She leaned casually against the sofa, her arm draped over the back behind Edward in a pose that felt oddly forced.

    ¡°Finally awake, Brenna?¡± Rosie¡¯s voice cut through the air,ced with venom. ¡°Since we¡¯re family, I¡¯ll give you the courtesy of saying yourst words.¡±

    Brenna stared at her, puzzled. Why would Rosie align herself with Edward? Was it desperation? Survival?

    With quiet defiance, Brenna replied,

    ¡°Perhaps you should start thinking about your ownst words.¡±

    Rosie¡¯s temper red instantly. She stormed over and delivered a swift kick to Brenna¡¯s stomach.

    ¡°You don¡¯t get to talk back now!¡± she snapped.

    Consumed by rage, Rosie grabbed Brenna¡¯s hair and raised her hand to strike her.

    Ethan¡¯s eyes zed with fury as he delivered a powerful kick, sending Rosie crashing to the floor.

    She hadn¡¯t expected him to strike with such force, especially while shackled. A sharp cry escaped her lips as her head collided with the ss window, leaving visible cracks across its surface. A searing pain shot through her skull. When she instinctively reached up, her fingers came away stained with blood.

    ¡°Ethan!¡± she screamed, her voiceced with fury. Then, with a venomous promise, she added, ¡°If you abandon Brenna and choose to marry me, I won¡¯t let you die.¡±

    Even in the chaos, she couldn¡¯t resist making onest desperate attempt to win his affection.

    Ethan scoffed. ¡°My life isn¡¯t yours to worry about. You should focus on saving your own.¡±

    Brenna felt a surge of emotion. Even bound and in danger, Ethan had stood up to protect her. His selflessness struck a deep chord within her. She hadn¡¯t minded taking a few blows herself¡ªbut knowing he intervened for her meant more than words could express.

    ¡°Mr. Ward, he¡¯s just so arrogant,¡± Rosie whined as she limped over to Edward, feigning injury as she clung to his side.

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    Edward tapped his metal cane against the floor¡ªonce, twice. Each strike echoed ominously through the room, a silentmand that needed no words.

    The ck-d bodyguards closed in on Ethan, raining down punches and kicks without restraint. Soon, hey sprawled on the floor, battered and barely able to move. But even through the pain, his eyes searched for Brenna. Seeing her unharmed gave him strength. As long as she remained safe, he could endure anything.

    Their eyes met. In that brief moment, no words were needed¡ªa silent exchange of understanding passed between them. Ethan¡¯s gaze drifted to the ne he had given her, still gleaming around her neck. If Neville hadn¡¯t run into trouble, he¡¯d be tracking them through it. Help wasing. All Ethan needed to do now was buy time.

    Rosie stood watching, her heart a tangle of frustration and longing. She had expected Ethan to beg for mercy¡ªperhaps not from her, but at least from Edward. She had even prepared herself to speak on his behalf.

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 Chapter 585

    ?Chapter 585:

    But Ethan remained silent, gritting his teeth and refusing to plead. Not a word escaped his lips.

    Rosie trembled with rage. How could he choose to endure this pain rather than ask her for help? Her emotions twisted within her¡ªtorn between wanting the guards to punish him more and wishing they would finally stop.

    Finally, when Ethany battered and bruised, unable to move, Edward raised his hand, signaling the guards to stop.

    Rosie, clutching her bleeding wound, shot Brenna a venomous re. Once Edward finished his questioning, she silently vowed to end Brenna¡¯s life with her own hands.

    With sheer determination, Ethan pushed himself up from the floor, and Brenna rose beside him, her movements fluid and controlled.

    Ethan dismissed Rosie in his mind¡ªa petty nuisance, irrelevant to the real danger. He knew this situation had grown far beyond her capabilities. Rosie simply didn¡¯t have the influence to orchestrate such an borate scheme, especially not in Plieca.

    ¡°Edward, what is it that you truly want?¡± Ethan asked, his voice firm despite the pain coursing through his body. He understood that if Edward intended to kill him, he wouldn¡¯t still be breathing.

    ¡°I wish to propose a deal,¡± Edward replied calmly, the rhythmic tapping of his metal cane echoing across the room.

    Momentster, a stainless steel medical tray was wheeled in. On it sat a small ss vial filled with a clear liquid, beside a gleaming syringe.

    A guard in ck stepped forward and grabbed Brenna by the hair, yanking her toward the tray.

    Ethan¡¯s heart sank. He could only imagine what was in that vial. His voice turned cold and sharp. ¡°Let her go. If you¡¯re nning to use her to threaten me, I won¡¯t y along.¡±

    Edward remained unfazed, his expression unreadable. With a flick of his fingers, he signaled for the procedure to continue.

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    ¡°This is not a negotiation,¡± he said tly.

    Outside the ss-paneled window behind Edward, two ck-d bodyguards stood guard, spaced two meters apart, weapons at the ready. On the opposite side of the ship, more armed men were stationed¡ªa detail not lost on either Brenna or Ethan. Inside the cabin, four additional guards gripped their firearms, alert and ready to act.

    Brenna and Ethan understood that even with exceptional skill, even if they could neutralize all four guards in an instant, Edward would remain the most immediate and dangerous threat.

    His right arm was no ordinary limb. It was a marvel of engineering¡ªa mechanical arm Brenna herself had designed. Incredibly flexible and dangerously weaponized, it concealed poison darts and a built-in firearm. A mere tap could trigger theunch of the darts or fire the weapon automatically.

    And the metal cane in Edward¡¯s hand was not just for show. Forged from a nearly unbreakable alloy and also crafted by Brenna, the cane housed a hidden de. With a light press at the top, a razor-sharp edge would spring from the bottom, capable of slicing through steel. It wasn¡¯t as efficient as a gun, but it was no less lethal.

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 Chapter 586

    ?Chapter 586:

    Edward was no stranger to violence. In his youth, he had carved his name into the criminal underworld, ruthless and unyielding. He would not hesitate to crush anyone who stood in his way, and Brenna knew that one wrong move could mean instant death.

    A bodyguard now held Brenna tightly by the hair, his grip unforgiving. Yet beneath the pain was opportunity. With her hands bound behind her back, she skillfully used the guard¡¯s body to shield her movements as she reached for the steel needle hidden inside her bracelet.

    Thanks to her background in mechanical design, Brenna knew the structure of the handcuffs was rudimentary. It took her only seconds to pick the lock on one of them.

    But a sharp tug on her scalp reminded her time was running out. If she waited any longer, she might lose a chunk of her hair¡ªor worse.

    Acting without hesitation, she grabbed the guard¡¯s arm, dropped her weight, and in one fluid, powerful motion, snapped his arm like a twig.

    The entire sequence unfolded in less than a heartbeat¡ªso swift that the nearby bodyguards didn¡¯t have time to react.

    Without hesitation, Brenna broke the neck of the first guard before the remaining three could even register what was happening. She then hurled the lifeless body toward Edward.

    Instinctively, Edward raised his mechanical arm to shield himself from the oing body. But from the moment Brenna snapped the guard¡¯s arm to the moment sheunched the body, only three seconds had passed. As the body collided with Edward, Brenna surged forward like a striking viper.

    Before Edward could push the body aside, she was already at his side¡ªand with lethal precision, she snapped his neck.

    Ethan acted with equal skill. Having seen Brenna manipte her bracelet, he had already freed his own hands. As she engaged the others, he coiled his legs around the neck of the guard looming over him and snapped it effortlessly.

    With two guards down in seconds, the remaining pair froze, momentarily stunned by the speed and savagery of the attack. By the time they processed what had happened, Edward was already dead.

    Discover tales at g ? ln ¦Ò¦Í?? ?? s,

    Ethan, moving with deadly grace, rolled forward, snatched a firearm from one of the fallen guards, and fired at the two remaining men with lethal uracy.

    Then he turned the weapon on Rosie.

    Rosie stood frozen, unable toprehend the reversal of fortune. How had two handcuffed prisoners overturned everything in the blink of an eye?

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t kill me!¡± she cried, her voice trembling as all traces of arrogance drained from her face. Her knees buckled, and she copsed, pleading. ¡°Brenna, Ethan, please. I wasn¡¯t thinking straight¡ªI made a mistake¡­¡±

    Without a word, Brenna kicked her aside, retrieved a steel needle, and unlocked her remaining cuff. She stood tall, the steel glinting in her hand as she looked down at Rosie with icy contempt.

    ¡°Of course you were.¡±

    Rosie stared up at her in disbelief. ¡°How did you unlock the handcuffs?¡±

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 Chapter 587

    ?Chapter 587:

    The question hung in the air, her mind still reeling. Lock picking¡­

    Lock picking was a skill typically reserved for burrs¡ªhow on earth did Brenna know how to do it?

    Brenna scoffed. ¡°Have you forgotten what I studied in school? I majored in mechanical design. The structure of those handcuffs is basic. Unlocking them was child¡¯s y. I could crack a safe just as easily.¡±

    She shook her head in mild exasperation. ¡°With your level of foolishness, you should never have crossed me. Stop overestimating yourself.¡±

    Ethan stepped forward, his expression cold as he aimed the gun at Rosie. Given her history of maniption, he knew better than to trust her.

    Brenna, twirling the steel needle effortlessly between her fingers, moved to Ethan and unlocked his cuffs in one smooth motion.

    Ethan looked at her with genuine admiration. ¡°You really can do it all. It seems there¡¯s nothing in this world that can stop you. Can you unlock electronic locks too?¡±

    Brenna gave a casual nod. ¡°I can, though it takes a bit more effort.¡±

    Ethan turned his gaze back to Rosie, his disgust now fully evident. ¡°Should we kill her?¡±

    Brenna answered withposed certainty. ¡°No. She¡¯s my uncle¡¯s only daughter.¡±

    Beyond the window, a colossal warship loomed, cutting through the waves with menacing precision. Several speedboats, swift as arrows loosed from a bow, surged toward the vessel carrying Ethan and Brenna. Soldiers d in camouge stood aboard, rifles raised, firing at the ship without the slightest hesitation.

    Ethan and Brenna had not yet discerned which country¡¯s g the speedboats bore when a grim and sudden spectacle unfolded before them: the stern-faced bodyguards stationed outside were gunned down one by one, blood and brain matter sttering grotesquely against the ss. The scene was chilling.

    This shoot-first-ask-questionster approach bore the mark of ruthless military efficiency.

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    The sudden barrage jolted Ethan and Brenna into diving to the floor, hearts hammering. It dawned on them just how narrowly they had escaped death¡ªhad they hesitated even a second longer, they would have been riddled with bullets. Fortunately, the cabin walls held firm; though the soldiers had seemed reckless at first nce, their precision was anything but random.

    Only after the soldiers led Thiago and Neville into the cabin did Ethan and Brenna dare to rise from the floor.

    Neville¡¯s face was etched with guilt. His hair was singed, and visible burns marred his skin. Ignoring the pain, he rushed to Ethan with urgency radiating from every movement.

    ¡°Boss, I¡¯m sorry. The security team and I were drugged. By the time we realized you were in danger, it was already toote.¡±

    Ethan, seeing the burns on Neville¡¯s face, felt his anger dissolve. He could no longer me Neville for the dy; instead, a pang of guilt struck him. If Brenna hadn¡¯t insisted on saving everyone, he might never have had the chance to rescue Neville and the others.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Ethan said quietly. ¡°You should get your injuries treated.¡±

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 Chapter 588

    ?Chapter 588:

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious, Mr. Mitchell. I¡¯m fine,¡± Neville replied, though the worry in his eyes deepened as he took in the bruises forming on Ethan¡¯s face.

    Thiago, spotting Brenna safe and unharmed, finally exhaled in relief.

    Meanwhile, Rosie, shrinking into a corner and trying to slip away unnoticed, had already been spotted. The soldiers had their eyes on her and had no intention of letting her escape.

    Two armed officers approached. Without a trace of sympathy, they seized Rosie roughly, treating her no differently than any other captured criminal.

    Outraged, Rosie screamed,

    ¡°I¡¯m Prince Maxley¡¯s woman! You can¡¯t treat me like this! I demand to see Prince Maxley! You barbarians¡ª¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡± one of the soldiers barked, clearly out of patience.

    Thiago quickly pulled a long coat from his bag and draped it over Brenna, shielding her nightgown from view. Without a word, Neville handed a suit to Ethan.

    Brenna slipped into the coat and finally had a moment to ask Thiago,

    ¡°You guys got here so fast. How did you even manage to bring the military?¡±

    Thiago had been tense the entire time, fully aware of just how brutal and cold-blooded Edward could be. Considering the past they shared with Edward¡ªespecially Brenna and Ellie¡ªhe had feared the worst. Edward wouldn¡¯t have hesitated to kill Brenna.

    ¡°The fire at the Empire Hotel set off rms with the royal family,¡± Thiago exined in a low voice. ¡°As soon as they learned you two were kidnapped, they deployed the military without hesitation.¡±

    His eyes, cold and sharp,nded on Edward¡¯s lifeless body sprawled across the floor. A crime lord who had ruled Norview with an iron grip for over thirty years nowy dead. Considering the countless lives Edward had taken, his end felt almost too easy¡ªtoo merciful.

    Two dayster, Brenna, Thiago, and the others returned home, while Ethan stayed behind to handle unfinished business.

    New chapters now on g¦Áln¦Òv??ls?c?m

    What Brenna hadn¡¯t expected was that Rosie had somehow made it back before her.

    The atmosphere at home was calm¡ªalmost unnervingly so. From everyone¡¯s behavior, it was clear that no one had the slightest clue about the fire or the kidnapping in Plieca.

    Rosie had slipped seamlessly back into her routine, showing up at work each day as if nothing had happened.

    When she saw Brenna, she greeted her with fake warmth, making Brenna momentarily question whether everything in Plieca had been real or just a terrible dream.

    ¡°Prince Maxley personally vouched for me and even escorted me back. He¡¯s in Shirie now, nning a coboration with the Harper Group. Surprised?¡± Rosie said smugly, her voice dripping with provocation.

    She acted as if the Pliecan royal family had already taken her under their wing.

    She had simply turned a blind eye to everything, even after what she had done to Brenna.

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 Chapter 589

    ?Chapter 589:

    Brenna couldn¡¯tprehend what Rosie had said or done to avoid punishment. After all, Brenna had saved the King of Plieca; by all rights, Rosie should have been executed for her malice. So how had she returned unscathed?

    Could it be that Rosie had provided the Plieca royal family with some crucial information?

    Fixing Rosie with a cold stare, Brenna asked, ¡°Did you strike a deal with the royal family in Plieca?¡±

    Rosie couldn¡¯t help but apud. ¡°Bingo. You caught on faster than I thought. I used to underestimate you, Brenna. But don¡¯t think you¡¯ll always be so lucky. Let¡¯s wait and see.¡±

    She could never forget the night Edward had almost tortured her to death in bed. The memory made her stomach churn, leaving a bitter taste she couldn¡¯t shake.

    Yet it hadn¡¯t been entirely in vain. After Edward had passed out from sheer exhaustion, she had scrambled to search the room and stumbled upon a mysterious sh drive.

    When the Plieca military captured her, she used that sh drive as a bargaining chip for her freedom.

    She had no idea what secrets it contained, but whatever was on it had clearly shaken both the military and the royal family. After reviewing its contents, they had epted her conditions. Not only did they set her free, but they also allowed her to be a member of the royal family. Even though she was granted only a minor title, it was still a significant rise in status.

    Now, Rosie began to peel back theyers of Brenna¡¯s nature, gaining a clearer understanding of her character. Brenna was like a closed book, her reserved demeanor steering her away from engaging in conversation or revealing her innermost thoughts. She often kept her feelings tucked away, rarely voicingints to her family.

    Rosie felt a quiet confidence that Brenna would treat the incident in Plieca like a secret, not wanting to mention it to the Harpers. As long as she didn¡¯t bring it up, Brenna would never take the initiative to speak of it.

    Next part is at g????????¦Í??????.co??

    Rosie couldn¡¯t help but feel triumphant because Brenna¡¯s personality was working to her advantage. Brenna would never have guessed that she had told the King of Plieca that she had saved Brenna and Ethan by pretending to bargain with Edward.

    With that USB drive in her hand, the royal family of Plieca had believed her.

    ording to her fabricated ount, when she had approached Edward, she had sensed something sinister brewing within his family and had gone to him to gather vital intelligence. Through this clever ruse, she had transformed herself into a hero.

    Rosie brimmed with pride over her masterful strategy.

    Though the journey had been fraught with twists and turns, and she had endured a measure of humiliation, she had finally wed her way to a higher social standing.

    ¡°You¡¯d best be on your guard from now on. As for the embarrassment you heaped onto me in Plieca, Brenna, mark my words¡ªyou will pay for it. Luck won¡¯t always be on your side. The moment I find my chance, I¡¯ll make sure to settle the score with you,¡± Rosie said.

    She no longer felt the need to hide her true intentions.

    Observing Rosie¡¯s smug demeanor, Brenna couldn¡¯t shake a bold suspicion. ¡°Are you going to be Maxley¡¯s wife?¡± she asked.

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 Chapter 590

    ?Chapter 590:

    Though Brenna couldn¡¯t quite grasp why the royal family of Plieca would suddenly choose Rosie to be Maxley¡¯s wife, the smugness on Rosie¡¯s face and her air of superiority hinted that it might actually be true.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Rosie admitted. ¡°Now I¡¯m someone you can¡¯t afford to cross.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d do well to mind your behavior around me.¡±

    Instead of responding, Brenna simply offered a cool, faint smile.

    ¡°What¡¯s so amusing?¡± Rosie asked, irritation creeping into her voice. Here she was, elevated to royal status, yet Brenna still dared to mock her.

    Brenna said, ¡°You will just be the Prince¡¯s wife, and from a minor kingdom at that. Do you really believe a status like that can cause any waves here in Vand? Or do you imagine you¡¯re somehow better than all the people of Vand now?¡±

    She chuckled softly and shrugged. ¡°I doubt it. Your title might hold weight in Plieca, but here in Vand, it carries no power.¡±

    With that, she turned and went into her room with the suitcase.

    Rosie mmed her foot down in frustration and stormed back to her room, dialing Maxley on her phone to discuss the details for their meeting in three days.

    After their conversation had wrapped up, the more Rosie reyed what Brenna had said in her mind, the more her annoyance simmered. Alone, she muttered under her breath, ¡°How dare she say that to me? I will be Maxley¡¯s wife! A distinguished guest of Vand, respected by all. I am superior!¡±

    Fuming, she couldn¡¯t resist sharing the news with Vivian.

    Vivian, bored and eager for gossip, immediately congratted her upon hearing the news. Rosie¡¯s spirits soared with her friend¡¯s enthusiastic support.

    ¡°I¡¯m nning to throw a party to celebrate,¡± Rosie said.

    With that idea in mind, she quickly set about booking a restaurant and sending out invitations. She envisioned the elites of Shirie attending, hoping they would see her in a new light.

    Not long after Brenna had retreated to her own room, Julia entered to help her tidy up.

    After a refreshing shower, Brenna scrolled through her phone and stumbled upon Rosie¡¯stest post, showcasing photos with Prince Maxley, images of the royal pce in Plieca, and a dazzling royal badge.

    With a casual flick, she liked the post, then tossed her phone aside to focus on preparing for her lecture at Shirie University the following day. During dinner, the household buzzed with chatter as everyone gathered back together.

    The Harper family gathered around the dinner table, but the atmosphere felt heavy. Giselle sat with a frown, her te untouched.

    ¡°Mom, is something wrong?¡± Brenna asked, concern knitting her brow. Giselle¡¯s irritation was palpable. ¡°I got a call.¡±

    From Elsa after work. She imed your marriage to Ethan was a terrible idea. Just days before, the Mitchell family wanted Ethan to be engaged to Audrey, but Ableson shot that down. I thought we had moved past the matter, but Elsa brought it up again today. It¡¯s obvious she looks down on you. How dare she think that?¡±

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 Chapter 591

    ?Chapter 591:

    Shepard¡¯s face mirrored Giselle¡¯s grim expression, his appetite having vanished. The couple had briefly discussed the matter; they had agreed not to push if there was any disagreement.

    However, Ethan had publicly proposed to Brenna, and backing out now would not only hurt Brenna¡¯s dignity but also tarnish the Harper family¡¯s reputation.

    ¡°This is outrageous!¡± Shepard eximed, grabbing his phone. ¡°I will call Emmett and demand a direct response from him!¡±

    Giselle ced a hand on his to stop him. ¡°Don¡¯t bother. He likely already discussed this with Elsa before Elsa brought it to us. Brenna has other options. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll introduce her to a few young men and start setting up dates!¡±

    Ernst, his face set in determination, said, ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯ll speak to Ethan myself. This isn¡¯t as simple as it seems; it might just be Elsa¡¯s own idea.¡±

    Looking at the concerned faces of her family, Brenna remained unruffled. ¡°Ethan and his mother see eye to eye on very little. Elsa does not hold the reins for him. Let¡¯s take a deep breath first. I believe we should give Ethan the space to navigate this situation on his own.¡±

    Ernst nodded in agreement with Brenna¡¯s viewpoint. ¡°Exactly, Mom, Dad. Ethan is a man of integrity. His parents can be quite overbearing, and he has been at odds with them for as long as I can remember. Let¡¯s allow him some time to sort through this mess.¡±

    Shepard, however, shook his head dismissively. ¡°You all are too idealistic. Marriage is never just a union of two hearts; it involves two families. If Ethan¡¯s parents are not on board with this marriage, it simply won¡¯t happen. I think we should cut our losses here. Brenna has plenty of better options.¡±

    Ernst cast a hopeful nce at Brenna, silently urging her to speak up, but she remained tight-lipped, seemingly agreeing with her parents¡¯ sentiments.

    ¡°Brenna, say something,¡± Ernst said. ¡°You don¡¯t really want to give up on Ethan, do you?¡±

    Brenna¡¯s demeanor was as tranquil as a stillke, impervious to the tension around her. ¡°Let¡¯s take a breath and see how things unfold. We should make our position clear andmunicate our intentions to Ethan¡¯s parents. I¡¯m not in a rush to marry their son. I am still young and n to tie the knot after thirty. There¡¯s plenty of time before that.¡± Giselle exchanged a knowing look with Shepard, appearing to resonate with Brenna¡¯s perspective.

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    ¡°Marrying too early isn¡¯t the best path,¡± Giselle said. ¡°Brenna, I¡¯m behind you on this. Shepard, I¡¯ll have a word with Elsa first. Let¡¯s keep our noses out of the kids¡¯ affairs for now. And as for any talk of marriage between our families, Ethan and Brenna haven¡¯t even gotten engaged yet, so there¡¯s no need to discuss breaking anything off. What do you think?¡±

    Shepard nodded in agreement. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll go with your n. Elsa seems to be pushing for a breakup¡ªprobably because she can¡¯t handle Ethan herself, and this is her way of getting us to make Brenna break up with Ethan. Brenna and Ethan were just dating now; as parents, we shouldn¡¯t meddle in their private affairs.¡±

    Rosie, who had been quietly listening, found the whole situation amusing. Shepard and Giselle likely had no idea about how Brenna had offended Elsa.

    She said, ¡°Mom, Dad, do you even know why Elsa suddenly took a stand against Ethan¡¯s marriage to Brenna?¡±

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 Chapter 592

    ?Chapter 592:

    Brenna shot Rosie a warning nce, but Rosie brushed it off, determined to share the story of the incident where Elsa had performed for Amy¡¯s birthday.

    Brenna felt resigned by Rosie¡¯s action. Giselle and Shepard remainedrgely unmoved, not as angry as Rosie had expected.

    ¡°This is not Elsa¡¯s fault,¡± Rosie continued. ¡°Brenna really crossed a line. How could she demand that her future mother-inw perform? Even if Elsa is in the performance business, being ordered around by her future daughter-inw must have stung. I think that¡¯s what set her off. And I haven¡¯t heard of Brenna apologizing to her. Honestly, she didn¡¯t handle this situation well.¡±

    Brenna pressed her lips together, showing no intention of defending herself. Shepard¡¯s expression darkened, feeling embarrassed by the turn of the conversation. He genuinely sensed Rosie was bing an outsider, her words aimed more at making them ufortable than at addressing the issue.

    Giselle shot a nce at Rosie, picking up on the subtle satisfaction in her expression. ¡°I was aware of this long before,¡± Giselle said. ¡°I spoke with Elsa about the matter, but she didn¡¯t change her mind. She looks down on our family, thinking we¡¯re just a bunch of money-driven businesspeople. She wants a daughter-inw with a stable government job. This isn¡¯t Brenna¡¯s fault.¡±

    Rosie was shocked by how protective Giselle and Shepard were toward Brenna. Even when Brenna was in the wrong, they wouldn¡¯t utter a word of criticism.

    Rosie said, ¡°Mom, Dad, if Brenna wants to marry Ethan, our family needs to show some sincerity. We should go visit the Mitchell family with gifts and apologize. Otherwise, it¡¯ll be nearly impossible for Brenna to secure that marriage.¡±

    Brenna felt a wave of irritation wash over her. Turning to Rosie, she said sharply, ¡°Do you really think I have to marry Ethan? I already apologized to Elsa face-to-face. She wouldn¡¯t ept it and even told me she had arranged a match for her son with a girl who has a steady government job, someone from a performance troupe linked to the military.¡±

    It dawned on her that Rosie couldn¡¯t stand to see her seed. The more dire her situation became, the more delight Rosie seemed to take in it.

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    Sure enough, a fleeting smile flickered across Rosie¡¯s face before she feigned surprise. ¡°You apologized already? With your pride, you actually managed that? Even if you did, it must have been insincere. That¡¯s why Elsa keeps rejecting you. We should still go as a family and formally apologize to her. Brenna, Ethan is a remarkable man. You shouldn¡¯t let him slip through your fingers. Winning him over is the best choice for you, and deep down, you know it.¡±

    Rosie felt she needed to sway both Shepard and Giselle. ¡°Mom, Dad, what are your thoughts? Financially, we¡¯re nowhere near the Mitchell family. If we forge an alliance through marriage, it could bolster our business prospects as well.¡±

    Yet, her true aim stretched beyond mere finances; it was about elevating her reputation within the Plieca royal family. After all, she could unt the fact that her brother-inw was the wealthiest man in the world.

    Deep down, she also craved to see Elsa drive the Harper family into the ground, to humiliate them thoroughly, to tear at their pride until they were stripped of their dignity. She wanted the Harpers to swallow their pride and plead with the Mitchells, begging for the marriage to take ce. Even if Brenna did manage to marry Ethan, she would be haunted by Elsa¡¯s relentless torment for the rest of her days.

    Meanwhile, she believed she would be calling the shots in the royal family in Plieca and living in luxury, while the Harpers would have to tiptoe around her. Just thinking about it made her feel triumphant.

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 Chapter 593

    ?Chapter 593:

    Ernst genuinely believed Rosie had evolved for the better and was sincerely considering Brenna¡¯s well-being. Turning to Brenna, he said, ¡°Brenna, are you willing to fight for this? If you are, I can apany you to speak with the Mitchells. After all, what transpired at Amy¡¯s birthday party was indeed a mess. An apology is essential for mending your rtionship with Ethan¡¯s parents.¡±

    Brenna paused, weighing her options before responding, ¡°No need for that now. I think Ethan can handle it on his own.¡±

    Rosie couldn¡¯t hold back her scorn. ¡°Why do you insist on being so stubborn, Brenna? You made a mistake, so what harm is there in apologizing a few more times? Elsa is your future mother-inw, for goodness¡¯ sake. Shouldn¡¯t you, as the younger one, show some respect to her? Or do you expect her to bow down to you? Ethan backing you doesn¡¯t give you the right to act however you like.¡±

    Brenna, feeling the weight of frustration, snapped back, ¡°And what does any of this have to do with you? Just because you¡¯ll be one of Prince Maxley¡¯s concubines doesn¡¯t give you the authority to meddle in everyone¡¯s affairs.¡±

    Rosie raised her voice, indignation bubbling over. ¡°I¡¯m only trying to help you! You should be grateful!¡±

    Everyone in the Harper family turned their gazes toward Rosie, confusion etched on their faces. They had no idea about her rtionship with Prince Maxley of Plieca.

    Shepard spoke up, his voiceced with sternness. ¡°Rosie, what¡¯s going on? Haven¡¯t you had feelings for Ethan for years? How did you end up involved with the royal family in Plieca?¡±

    A faint, almost imperceptible smile danced on Brenna¡¯s lips. She had sessfully redirected everyone¡¯s attention to Rosie.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. I¡¯m going to be Prince Maxley¡¯s wife soon. Feel free to congratte me,¡± Rosie dered.

    She scanned the room, noticing that not a single member of the Harper family looked happy for her. Instead, their expressions were a mix of shock and disapproval. Here she was, marrying into nobility and aligning herself with a man of high status, yet no one seemed pleased.

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    ¡°You¡¯re not happy for me?¡± Rosie asked, her frustration bubbling to the surface. ¡°I was supposed to marry Ethan, but Brenna took him from me. Now that I¡¯ve found someone even better, shouldn¡¯t it be a cause for celebration?¡±

    She couldn¡¯t help but voice something she had held back for far too long. ¡°I can still secure a good marriage without any of your help.¡±

    Shepard fixed her with a prating gaze. ¡°Rosie, do you understand that the royal family in Plieca operates on a system where there is one wife but multiple concubines?¡±

    A sh of panic flickered across Rosie¡¯s face. ¡°I know. I¡¯ll still be the Prince¡¯s wife. My status is all that matters to me. I don¡¯t care how many concubines Prince Maxley has. With your support, I¡¯ll have an incredible future.¡±

    Brenna shot her a cool nce, choosing not to expose the truth. Rosie wasn¡¯t the official consort¡ªjust a concubine¡ªbut if embellishing her position made her feel better, so be it.

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 Chapter 594

    ?Chapter 594:

    ¡°I object,¡± Shepard said bluntly. He knew Rosie didn¡¯t possess anything particrly remarkable in terms of looks, and the Harper family was far from being among the elite. They simplycked the influence to elevate Rosie to the pinnacle of honor in Plieca.

    ¡°Dad, I¡¯ve already made up my mind,¡± Rosie responded with unwavering determination. ¡°I¡¯m informing you, not seeking your approval.¡±

    Giselle kept her head down, quietly eating as if the entire conversation had nothing to do with her.

    Both Ernst and Dalton exchanged knowing nces, shaking their heads. As men, they understood all too well that someone like Prince Maxley was unlikely to remain faithful to just one woman.

    Moreover, whether it was the Plieca royal family, Orwall¡¯s, or any royal lineage across the globe, such marriages were primarily driven by political interests. Rosie¡¯sck of a political background made it hard to fathom how she could hold onto the title of consort.

    Ernst, who had always been protective of Rosie, feltpelled to speak up. ¡°Rosie, once you marry into the royal family in Plieca, you¡¯remitted for life. You do realize that divorce is not an option for you, right? If Maxley grows weary of you, you¡¯ll face a lifetime of unhappiness.¡±

    Rosie¡¯s anger red. ¡°You just can¡¯t stand to see me happy, can you? Since I have the ability to be a member of the royal family in Plieca, then I absolutely can be the most esteemed woman there!¡±

    Rosie was seething. She believed Shepard and Giselle simply couldn¡¯t bear to see her happy. She sprang to her feet, her voice firm and unwavering. ¡°My life, my choice!¡±

    Shepard¡¯s demeanor shifted, a storm brewing in his eyes. Over the years, he had kept his temper in check with Rosie, mindful that he wasn¡¯t her biological father. He had always feared that a heavy hand would make her feel like she was mistreated.

    With a steady voice, he said, ¡°Rosie, marrying into royalty may sound like a good idea, but the truth is there¡¯s a minefield of rules involved. Trust me, most people can¡¯t stand them. I might not be your father, but as your uncle, everything I sayes from a ce of love and concern. I would never wish you harm or anything less than a bright future. This marriage will ruin your future, and I absolutely won¡¯t support it!¡±

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    Ernst observed the exchange, worry etched on his face. He attempted to mediate. ¡°Dad¡¯s right, Rosie. He means you no harm. Let me dig into the royal rules of Plieca. You can make your decision after learning them.¡±

    Rosie shot daggers at everyone in the room. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. I¡¯m an adult; I¡¯ll face all the consequences of my choices on my own. Whether marrying into Plieca¡¯s royal family is a blessing or a curse, I¡¯ll own it.¡±

    With that deration, she stormed out, her mind resolute. She intended to visit Luther that afternoon and seek his counsel.

    Once Rosie had left, Shepard finally turned to Brenna. ¡°You visited Plieca too, didn¡¯t you, Brenna? Do you know what happened?¡± Faced with Shepard¡¯s inquiry, Brenna maintained herposure. After a moment of serious reflection, she decided to share everything that had unfolded in Plieca.

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 Chapter 595

    ?Chapter 595:

    She recounted the events with calm precision. The Harper family listened in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief.

    No one was more incensed than Giselle upon hearing what had happened. Without hesitation, Giselle reached for Brenna, checking her for injuries. It wasn¡¯t until shepleted a thorough inspection that she noticed Brenna¡¯s hair was a few inches shorter, with a singed lock at the end. Only then did she truly believe what had happened.

    With her heart heavy, Giselle pulled Brenna into a fierce embrace, her voice quivering on the edge of tears. ¡°Oh, my dear, you¡¯ve endured so much. You were even on the brink of death out there. Why didn¡¯t you say a word about it before? If something had happened to you, how could I ever forgive myself?¡±

    Brenna felt a stir of emotion. Giselle¡¯s concern for her was palpable; the tears in her eyes and the anger on her face were undeniably real.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I know how to look after myself,¡± Brenna replied.

    Giselle shot back, ¡°You can¡¯t be sure of that! If something truly happened, you wouldn¡¯t get the chance to say it! Next time you go abroad, I¡¯m going with you!¡±

    As anger bubbled in Giselle¡¯s heart, she turned to her sons and Shepard. ¡°Rosie¡¯s even more cruel than I imagined! If she¡¯s so eager to get married, let her! She¡¯s no longer part of our lives! Liquidate her shares and transfer every single penny to her. From this moment on, she should have no ties to the Harper Group whatsoever! After everything we¡¯ve done for her, she has the audacity to harm Brenna. This is absolutely unforgivable!¡±

    Ernst¡¯s expression darkened as he looked at Brenna for confirmation. ¡°Brenna, did Rosie really do that?¡±

    He could hardly believe that Rosie would stoop so low.

    Dalton mmed his palm down on the table. ¡°I stand with Mom. Dad, if Rosie wants to self-destruct, let her. Why should we even care?¡±

    Shepard, the calmest among them, stared at Brenna for a long moment. The more he reflected on the matter, the clearer it became to him that Rosie had truly crossed a line this time. ¡°That¡¯s right. Rosie needs to face the consequences of her own actions,¡± Shepard said, his voice low and steady.

    galn¦Ò¦Íels.c¡ðm hosts fresh updates

    Giselle was still furious. ¡°Even if Luther tries to shield her this time, I won¡¯t back down.¡±

    Rachael, busy in the kitchen, caught a whiff of the family¡¯s escting tensions. She wrung her hands in worry, fearing that Rosie remained unaware of the storm brewing around her and that she might end up getting hurt.

    Seizing the moment while everyone was distracted, Rachael quietly slipped upstairs, determined to share everything she had just overheard with Rosie.

    Brenna caught a glimpse of Rachael from the corner of her eye but chose not to do anything. She believed she had no obligation to keep Rosie¡¯s secrets, after all.

    Giselle continued to pour out her heart to the family, expressing how she had nurtured Rosie over the years, treating her like her own flesh and blood. She had never expected that the moment Rosie felt discontent, she wouldsh out at Brenna.

    ¡°We¡¯ll need to keep a close eye on her from now on,¡± Giselle said, her frustration boiling over. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Luther stepping in, I¡¯d have shown her the door before! After all these years, all I¡¯ve received is her bitterness. It proves one thing¡ªone can¡¯t force a connection that isn¡¯t rooted in blood. Shepard, you must see her true colors!¡±

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 Chapter 596

    ?Chapter 596:

    Dalton shook his head, disappointment etched on his face. ¡°If she¡¯s so eager to leave our family, then let her go; let¡¯s cut ties with her once and for all.¡±

    Ernst was also angry but remained silent.

    Meanwhile, upstairs, Rosie¡¯s expression darkened as she absorbed Rachael¡¯s words. After a while, she muttered, ¡°Brenna really is something else; she even let that slip. Of all people, she¡¯s the one who¡¯s most eager to see me gone. If I¡¯m leaving, I¡¯ll take everyst cent from Harper Group with me. Since I mean nothing to them, they can brace themselves for a reckoning.¡±

    The thought of Brenna marrying Ethan ignited a fire of resentment within her. She quickly said, ¡°Rachael, I need you to do something for me. Before I go, I will ruin Brenna¡¯s reputation and ensure the Harper family faces financial ruin!¡±

    On Tuesday afternoon, just after six, Brenna and Tommy stepped out of the engineering building and immediately spotted Giselle.

    Giselle looked pristine, d in a sharp pantsuit that exudedpetence and confidence. As a finance professor primarily supervising graduate students, she wasn¡¯t a familiar face among the engineering students.

    She stood on the steps, engaged in a light-hearted conversation with a male professor from the engineering department. The man, of average build and surprisingly youthful for his age, offered a warm smile. ¡°Congrattions, Professor Harper,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ve heard whispers that you¡¯re on the brink of being promoted to vice president.¡±

    Giselle responded with a polite smile, neither confirming nor denying the rumor. ¡°That¡¯s what they say,¡± she said with a hint of modesty.

    This professor, Sean McCoy, supervised graduate students and asionally coborated with the Harper Group, so he was familiar with Brenna¡¯s aplishments. He chuckled. ¡°Look at Brenna. She¡¯s even younger than my grad students, yet she has achieved so much more than they have. You must be very proud of her.¡±

    ¡°Very proud,¡± Giselle replied, exchanging a few more pleasantries before Sean took his leave.

    Stay updated with galn¦Ò¦Í??????.c?m

    As Brenna approached Giselle, she said, ¡°Mom, what brings you here?¡± Giselle usually drove home on her own, but today she was waiting for Brenna, which was umon.

    Giselle let her practiced smile slip away, her expression darkening with frustration. ¡°Elsa retired early from the military¡¯s performance troupe, and now our university has brought her in to teach in the arts department. She came to see me at noon today, invited me to dinner tonight to discuss something, and insisted I bring you along.¡±

    Just recalling the encounter ignited Giselle¡¯s anger. Elsa had addressed her as if she were her superior, using amanding tone.

    Giselle had been furious and had argued with Elsa, their voices raised enough to attract the attention of colleagues from nearby offices. Giselle continued, ¡°Elsa is so used to barking orders in her old military troupe that she treats me like I¡¯m beneath her. That is outrageous!¡± Brenna slipped her arm through Giselle¡¯s, trying to offerfort.

    ¡°That¡¯s just Elsa; she treats everyone like they¡¯re beneath her. So what if her son is the richest man in the world? Does she think everyone¡¯s desperate to win her favor? That¡¯s absurd. Thest time I met her, she tried to boss me around too, but I stood my ground.¡±

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 Chapter 597

    ?Chapter 597:

    Giselle couldn¡¯t help butugh, her frustration fading. ¡°You¡¯re right; not everyone deserves our kindness.¡±

    Tommy, who had been standing quietly to the side, greeted Giselle with a polite nod.

    Giselle had always appreciated Tommy, knowing that everyone who worked with Brenna was highly educated and capable. ¡°You shoulde by for a meal sometime.¡±

    Tommy nodded graciously. ¡°It will be my pleasure. I¡¯ll take my leave now. Brenna, I¡¯ll drop this off in your office tomorrow.¡±

    Brenna gave a quick nod, ncing at the car model he held in his hand.

    Later, Brenna and Giselle went to one of the most esteemed restaurants in the city. The venue was upscale, boasting top-notch facilities and an air of sophistication.

    After providing Elsa¡¯s name at the reception, a server guided them to a private dining room on the third floor.

    As soon as Brenna opened the door, she spotted Elsa, ¡°Ethan,¡± and Minna already seated inside.

    ¡°Ethan, this is Mrs. Harper,¡± Elsa said, subtly nudging him.

    Despite Elsa¡¯s words, Brenna saw through the ruse immediately. The man before her bore a striking resemnce to Ethan, yet his demeanor was entirely different. She realized he was Kenny, Ethan¡¯s twin brother.

    The giveaway was Ethan¡¯s recent injuries. Brenna knew he had been severely beaten by Edward¡¯s men on a ship in Plieca, and the bruises still marked his face¡ªreminders that would take at least six days to fade.

    Ethan didn¡¯t want his family to see his injuries, so he nned to stay away until they healed.

    Unaware that Brenna knew this, Elsa was trying to use Kenny to deceive her.

    Kenny¡¯s handsome face was unmarked, and his features carried the unmistakable air of a soldier, though a flicker of unease danced in his eyes.

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    He wore an identical ck suit to Ethan¡¯s; to anyone unfamiliar with them, he would easily pass for his brother.

    But Brenna knew that Elsa wanted Kenny to impersonate Ethan, hoping she would mistakenly believe Ethan and Minna were now an item.

    ¡°Good evening, Mrs. Harper,¡± Kenny said to Giselle with a polite smile.

    Giselle¡¯s expression darkened as she walked in and took a seat directly across from Elsa. The atmosphere was so tense it felt almost suffocating.

    The moment Giselle spotted ¡°Ethan¡± with a pretty young woman, her mind immediately jumped to conclusions. She assumed the girl was someone he was being set up with, and her impression of Ethan worsened.

    Determined, she resolved that starting tomorrow, she would begin introducing Brenna to eligible bachelors to show Elsa that Brenna was just as sought after.

    ¡°Ethan, who is this youngdy?¡± Giselle demanded sharply, her tone cutting through the tension. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±

    Kenny shifted ufortably in his seat. As a soldier, he despised being part of this charade, and if Elsa hadn¡¯t threatened him with his life, he would never have agreed toe.

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 Chapter 598

    ?Chapter 598:

    Seeing the anger radiating from Giselle made him feel guilty for what he was doing. But when Elsa kicked his foot under the table, he knew better than to speak the truth.

    He nced anxiously at Brenna, silently hoping she would see through the deception and recognize that he wasn¡¯t Ethan.

    Minna felt more embarrassed than Kenny. Before arriving, she had no idea Ethan had a twin brother. When she first saw Kenny, she mistook him for Ethan and greeted him with a bright smile. While Elsa stepped away to the restroom, Minna even let her guard down, sharing her feelings for Ethan with Kenny. She mentioned that she had already submitted her retirement application to the military and that Elsa had arranged her new role as Ethan¡¯s secretary. Her goal was to learn more about his habits to care for him better. To her astonishment, Kenny revealed that he was actually Ethan¡¯s older brother, a fighter pilot.

    Both of them had turned crimson with embarrassment at that moment. Kenny felt that Elsa was meddling far too much in Ethan¡¯s personal affairs.

    Minna¡¯s face burned with humiliation, her cheeks a vivid shade of red. Kenny, equally flustered, quickly offered an earnest apology.

    In her heart, Minna vowed never to confess her feelings to Ethan again. At the same time, a knot of anxiety twisted in her stomach at the thought that Kenny might tell Ethan what had happened. She asked Kenny to keep it a secret, and he nodded in agreement.

    Now, as Kenny observed Brenna¡¯sposed demeanor, he noticed that when she entered and sat down, she gave him a single nce beforepletely ignoring him. He couldn¡¯t tell if she was upset or not.

    From the look on her face, he suspected she had already figured out he wasn¡¯t Ethan, and oddly, that realizationforted him. Unsure how Ethan usually interacted with Brenna, Kenny decided to y it safe. He pressed his lips into a thin line and sat up straight, remaining silent.

    Elsa, however, was far from pleased with Kenny¡¯s behavior. She subtly patted his leg and whispered, ¡°Loosen up a bit. Ethan always carries himself like he has everything under control.¡±

    ???????????? ???????? ¡ú ?????????¦Í??????©q??????

    Kenny nced at Elsa, then discreetly looked at Brenna and Giselle. Brenna¡¯s expression remained impassive, far from someone in love; she appeared more like a detached observer. As for Giselle, she seemed ready to erupt in anger.

    Kenny felt as if he were crossing a moral line; breaking up with Ethan¡¯s girlfriend on his behalf simply didn¡¯t feel right. If Brenna and Giselle could see through the charade, that would be a relief.

    ¡°Mom, I can¡¯t sit like that,¡± Kenny whispered to Elsa.

    Giselle believed Elsa and ¡°Ethan¡± were whispering because they were mocking her. She bristled, convinced the Mitchells were looking down on her due to their military background.

    Noticing Elsa and Kenny¡¯s whispering, Brenna decided to have a little fun. She leaned toward Giselle and murmured, ¡°That¡¯s Kenny, not Ethan. Ethan is injured and can¡¯t be here; he¡¯s still in Plieca.¡±

    Giselle¡¯s reaction was somewhat theatrical, her movements exaggerated though her voice remained low. Still, she couldn¡¯t conceal her shock. ¡°Really?¡±

    Brenna¡¯s cool gaze locked onto Kenny. She could see that his demeanor was worlds apart from Ethan¡¯s.

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 Chapter 599

    ?Chapter 599:

    She replied to Giselle, ¡°Yes. Ethan would never treat me like this, not uttering a word to me.¡±

    Giselle¡¯s anger began to wane, and she started to view Elsa as rather foolish. She had always believed those in the military, like Elsa, were sharp, but now it seemed that wasn¡¯t the case.

    Elsa caught the disdainful look Giselle shot her and promptly ceased her whispering with Kenny.

    Clearing her throat, Elsa announced, ¡°This is Minna Davies, the woman I¡¯ve chosen as a suitable match for Ethan. And Ethan is quite happy to be in Minna¡¯spany. I¡¯ve brought you all here today to inform you that Ethan has found his true love, and he¡¯s here to break things off with you, Brenna.¡±

    What Elsa didn¡¯t realize was that beneath the table, Brenna had already dialed Ethan, allowing him to overhear Elsa¡¯s words.

    Listening in from the other end of the line, Ethan felt resigned. Elsa was being utterly absurd; how could she pull a stunt like this?

    Thankfully, Brenna had seen through the charade right away. Otherwise, Ethan knew he¡¯d be unable to exin himself to her. Elsa was unaware that Brenna and Giselle had already seen through her act; she continued to y her part with unwavering seriousness.

    ¡°Ethan, tell them that you like Minna,¡± she said.

    Kenny¡¯s expression was taut. He disliked the current tense atmosphere, his lips pressed firmly together in silent protest.

    Elsa jabbed him sharply under the table, prompting him to say, ¡°Yes, and I¡¯m dating Minna.¡±

    He avoided the scrutinizing gazes of Brenna and Giselle, feeling the weight of their judgment.

    Giselle smirked. ¡°Kenny, you¡¯re a soldier. Soldiers are trained to uphold integrity. How could you lie?¡±

    ???????????? ???? ??????????: ??????????????????©q?????

    At that, Kenny blurted out, ¡°When did you figure it out?¡±

    Elsa¡¯s fury bubbled over. She pinched Kenny¡¯s thigh, hissing under her breath, ¡°She¡¯s just tricking you! How could she possibly know?¡±

    Kenny could no longer maintain the facade. Raising his voice, he dered, ¡°Mom, I told you this n was doomed from the start. Giselle saw right through it. Besides, Brenna and Ethan are close; how could she not notice that I was pretending to be Ethan?¡±

    With that, he stood up abruptly and stormed out of the room. Minna bit her lip, feeling embarrassed, wishing she could vanish into thin air.

    Elsa was seething but refused to back down.

    ¡°Giselle, Brenna, you know where I stand clearly now. I¡¯m firmly against Ethan marrying Brenna,¡± she said.

    ¡°Mrs. Harper, since you¡¯ve already graced us with your presence, why don¡¯t we all sit down and have a meal together?¡± Elsa¡¯s voice dripped with a veneer of cordiality that barely masked her underlying sarcasm.

    Rising to her feet, Giselle pulled Brenna up with her. ¡°No need. There¡¯s no point in pretending here. We won¡¯t waste another second of your precious time with your future daughter-inw.¡±

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 Chapter 600

    ?Chapter 600:

    Brenna didn¡¯t bother to put on a polite facade either. Her gaze was sharp andced with disdain. She had never been one to curry favor with those who disliked her, no matter their status. Even if Elsa one day became her mother-inw, she had no intention of lowering herself to earn her approval.

    ¡°Take a look at this,¡± Brenna said, lifting her phone for Elsa to see. The screen showed an ongoing call to Ethan. ¡°Every word you said today¡ªyour son heard it all loud and clear.¡±

    She didn¡¯t care if this sparked a war between Ethan and Elsa. She had no intention of swallowing her grievances or suffering in silence. As expected, Elsa¡¯s expression soured instantly. ¡°You!¡±

    ¡°Goodbye, Mrs. Mitchell,¡± Brenna said, steering Giselle swiftly toward the exit.

    They left the tension-filled dining room behind and emerged into the hallway, where they noticed Kenny. He was casually leaning against a wall, his eyes fixated on a nearby promotional poster.

    The instant Kenny caught sight of Brenna stepping out, he could tell everything had gone south. If things had gone smoothly, Giselle and Brenna would have stayed for dinner instead of walking out before even ordering. Their dark expressions made it painfully clear¡ªthey were both thoroughly fed up with Elsa.

    To be fair, the me fell squarely on Elsa¡¯s shoulders. Kenny had lived under Elsa¡¯s suffocating need for control all his life and had grown numb to it, but he knew full well that Giselle and Brenna weren¡¯t nearly as tolerant.

    He had no intention of meddling in Ethan¡¯s love life, but pretending to be Ethan today had been a terrible idea. If it caused Brenna any misunderstandings, that was on him.

    Kenny strode toward Brenna and Giselle, his expression somber. ¡°Mrs. Harper, Miss Harper, I am truly sorry about what happened today.¡±

    He gave a small, rueful shake of his head, his eyes tinged with remorse. ¡°I¡¯m deeply sorry. Please, don¡¯t hold this against my mother. She truly isn¡¯t a bad person, I assure you¡ª¡±

    Giselle, who had been simmering down, reignited with a fierce re. ¡°Not a bad person? Really? What are you even trying to say? Did you not hear the words she said just moments ago? Is this how a parent should behave? If she disapproves of Brenna, she could simply be upfront about it. But all these deceptions, these maniptions¡­ it¡¯s absurd! Brenna doesn¡¯t have to be with Ethan. The world is full of decent men.¡±

    ???????????????? ????????: g????????¦Í?????????????

    Kenny felt the weight of a burgeoning headache. He looked over at Brenna, who watched the confrontation with a cool, almost amused detachment. She remained silent, choosing not to defend him.

    Scrambling for words, Kenny tried once more to pacify Giselle. ¡°Mrs. Harper, I implore you, please don¡¯t get angry. I acknowledge my mother crossed a line, and I am here to apologize on her behalf. I want to tell you that Ethan is not the conformist that I am. He didn¡¯t know anything about what happened today. Honestly, I think Ethan and Brenna are perfect together.¡±

    Giselle unleashed her pent-up frustration on Kenny with fiery intensity. ¡°My family is evidently not esteemed enough for your family! Moreover, it¡¯s not as though our families had any formal ties or engagements. This entire dinner was a farce, a stage set by your mother to belittle us. Your apologies won¡¯t cut it. If anyone owes an apology, it¡¯s your mother.¡±

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 Chapter 601

    ?Chapter 601:

    With a sharp tug, she led Brenna away. Brenna¡¯s face was a mask of frost, her gaze cutting through Kenny as if he were a stranger.

    They had barely made a few steps when Kenny¡¯s phone rang. He answered, only to be met with Ethan¡¯s icy rebuke. ¡°Who gave you the right to interfere in my affairs?¡±

    Kenny¡¯s patience snappedpletely. He couldn¡¯tsh out at outsiders, but he could snap at his own brother.

    ¡°You think I wanted to get dragged into your damn mess?¡± he barked, his voice sharp with anger. ¡°Mom forced me to do this. I¡¯m done. I already swallowed my pride and apologized to Miss Harper. Whether she wants to forgive me or not, that¡¯s her call.¡±

    His chest heaved with frustration as he added, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare scold me like I owe you anything! If you¡¯ve got the guts, go pick a fight with Mom! You¡¯ve been butting heads with her since we were kids. Go ahead; do it again!¡±

    With that, Kenny ended the call. Through gritted teeth, he muttered bitterly, ¡°Goddamn it! Now I¡¯m the viin to both sides. Screw this.¡±

    In Plieca, Ethan¡¯s face¡­

    Ethan¡¯s face darkened. His voice was low with disbelief as he stared at his phone. ¡°He actually hung up on me? He¡¯s been thepliant one his entire life, and now he chooses to follow such an absurd order? To impersonate me just because Mommanded it? What the hell was he thinking? Thank God Brenna caught on instantly. If she hadn¡¯t, I swear, I would¡¯ve made him regret it for the rest of his life.¡±

    Nearby, Neville struggled to maintain hisposure, his shoulders shaking slightly with suppressedughter.

    He couldn¡¯t help but admire Brenna¡¯s resolve. Unlike others, Brenna didn¡¯t try to smooth things over or show any concern about losing Ethan¡¯s favor. Instead, she cleverly tossed the entire predicament back to Ethan, forcing him to untangle the mess himself.

    Her tact was nothing short of masterful.

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    With Brenna¡¯s sharp wit, she was undoubtedly well-equipped to deal with Elsa.

    Ethan stood silhouetted against the hotel window, his gaze locked on the bustling street below as he dialed Elsa¡¯s number.

    The moment he pressed the phone to his ear, Elsa¡¯s voice burst forth like a thunderp. ¡°You brat, you dare call me after all this?¡±

    Ethan¡¯s voice was a calm counter to her fury. ¡°I hope you¡¯ll stay out of my affairs from now on,¡± he said, his tone firm.

    Elsa scoffed, ¡°Oh? And what will you do if I don¡¯t? Are you going to cut ties with me?¡±

    ¡°I might really do that,¡± Ethan replied.

    A chill settled in Ethan¡¯s heart as shadows from the past began to stir. From the earliest days he could recall, Elsa and Emmett had instilled in him the notion that his destinyy in the military. As a child, he was often made to stand at attention and march in lockstep, held to the same rigid standards as a soldier. Even his nkets had to be folded in military style.

    He was harshly disciplined as a child, sometimes even physically, for not meeting his parents¡¯ requirements.

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 Chapter 602

    ?Chapter 602:

    Once he started his own business, he moved out before even finishing college, carving out a space between himself and his parents.

    He was utterly exhausted by that life. He longed for freedom from his parents¡¯ meddling and their relentless dictates on how he should navigate his life.

    Kenny was a different story. He had thrived in that same environment, embracing the military lifestyle with open arms. Obedient, he was the golden child in their parents¡¯ eyes¡ªsmart, ambitious, and entirely different from Ethan.

    Ethan seethed at Kenny¡¯s unwaveringpliance.

    He couldn¡¯t wrap his mind around it. How could anyone blindly follow everymand of their parents like a puppet on strings?

    Ethan gripped his phone, and his dissatisfaction with Kenny only grew. The more he pondered it, the more he wanted tosh out at him. He wanted to call Kenny to do just that.

    Despite Kenny being his elder by a mere ten minutes, he was determined to make it clear that he had no right to meddle in his affairs.

    Fortunately, Brenna was sharp and insightful. She had managed to see through the trap and understand him. If not, he knew he would never be able to forgive Kenny easily for this.

    Brenna had just finished four back-to-back sses and felt parched. She downed half a bottle of water in the car while discussing ns with Giselle about visiting Luther over the weekend. Brenna wanted to address theplications surrounding Rosie¡¯s marriage, hoping Luther could step in and help set things straight.

    They drove home, parking in the yard for Darrell to take the car to the garage.

    In a low voice, Darrell said to them, ¡°Mr. Luther Harper and Mrs. Tessa Harper are here. Rosie brought them, and they don¡¯t seem happy.¡± Brenna and Giselle exchanged a knowing look. Clearly, Rosie had once again twisted the truth to her advantage in advance.

    ¡°Thanks for the heads-up, Darrell. Please go ahead and park the car,¡± Brenna replied.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    Giselle was seething. It was one thing for Rosie to live with them, but now she was trying to take control of the household, insisting everything be done her way. That was crossing the line.

    Since Giselle married Shepard, Luther and Tessa had never warmed to her. After the ident that imed their third son, they had coerced her into raising Rosie, and she had disliked the idea from the start.

    Now, Luther and Tessa were again trying to pressure her to do something she didn¡¯t want to do. But she was no longer the naive young woman she had been before.

    ¡°Mom, Rosie has crossed a line, dragging Grandpa and Grandma into this chaos,¡± Brenna said, frustration etched across her face.

    Giselle was ready to confront the situation head-on. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯re not the ones losing here. At worst, we¡¯ll give Rosie a proper wedding gift for her ridiculous royal wedding. But if she thinks she can drag the entire Harper Group into her mess, she¡¯s dreaming!¡±

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 Chapter 603

    ?Chapter 603:

    As they stepped into the house, Luther and Tessa were conspicuously absent from the living room, likely resting in their room upstairs. Giselle headed to the kitchen to instruct the staff to prepare easy-to-eat dishes for the elders.

    Afterward, she called Shepard, Emmett, and Dalton, insisting they cancel their ns and return home for a family meeting. She mentioned that Luther had already arrived, giving them a heads-up about the storm brewing.

    After dinner, the entire family gathered in the living room, the air thick with tension.

    Rosie sat between Luther and Tessa, her eyes puffy and red, looking like she had been crying.

    ¡°Grandpa, Grandma,¡± Rosie said, putting on a pitiful, frightened act. She clung tightly to Tessa¡¯s arm, ncing around the room. When her gaze met Tessa¡¯s, tears began to stream down her cheeks.

    Tessa was visibly upset. ¡°As long as I¡¯m here, no one can stop you from getting what you deserve! It seems not a single member of this family can stand to see you happy. How could they be like that? You have been an orphan, alone since¡­

    childhood. And now, Shepard¡¯s entire family has banded together to mistreat you. How could they be so cruel?¡±

    Luther shot a re at Shepard and Ableson, his displeasure unmistakable, especially toward Shepard.

    Meanwhile, Brenna was discreetly messaging Ethan under the table. She learned he would be back in three days, and they agreed she would pick him up at the airport.

    Shepard and Ableson exchanged serious nces. Neither objected to Rosie bing Maxley¡¯s concubine; their real concern was her intention to bring Harper Group shares into the marriage.

    Having spent decades navigating the business world, Shepard could sense Rosie¡¯s true motives, even if she hadn¡¯t voiced them outright. That was why he stood firmly against what she wanted to do. He had discussed the matter with Ableson over the past few days, and Ableson agreed with him.

    ¡°Dad,¡± Ableson said, feeling it was his duty to speak up on the matter. If Shepard spoke up, it might appear he was targeting Rosie. ¡°I haven¡¯t treated Rosie unfairly, nor has Shepard. You know us well enough to understand we would never do such a thing. She¡¯s still young and impulsive. We¡¯re only looking out for her best interests.¡±

    ???????????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????????: ?????????¦Í???????????????

    ¡°That¡¯s a load of nonsense! Looking out for her? Spare me your excuses! You just don¡¯t want her to have a good life!¡± Luther snapped, his anger reaching a boiling point.

    Luther¡¯s piercing gaze locked onto Ableson and Shepard, and with a voice like thunder, he unleashed a scathing rebuke. ¡°You¡¯re all blinded by greed, plotting to snatch Rosie¡¯s inheritance right from under her nose! The shares left by Rosie¡¯s father were never meant to be yours!¡±

    He saw through their veiled ambitions, particrly Shepard¡¯s. For years, Shepard had managed the Harper Group, treating it like his own possession. The president¡¯s seat and the vice president position were both held by Shepard¡¯s family members. The board was also filled with people Shepard had chosen.

    Power, once held too long, became impossible to relinquish.

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 Chapter 604

    ?Chapter 604:

    Each word from Luther fell like a hammer on an anvil. ¡°Never forget¡ªI built the Harper Group. The shares will go where I deem fit. I am still at the helm!¡±

    His voice echoed through the room, a stark reminder that despite their ambitions, the final say rested squarely with him.

    Shepard¡¯s face was dark. He knew all too well Luther¡¯s temper¡ªonce ignited, it scorched everyone in its path, regardless of who was watching.

    Luther¡¯s outburst was a rare storm; years of tranquility had dulled the family¡¯s memory of his fury.

    Frustration boiled within Shepard, yet the fear of Luther¡¯s hypertension kept him mute. His lips parted, but no retort escaped.

    Brenna, still a neer to the Harper family, felt no such restraint. Unlike Shepard, Giselle, and Ableson, she was not close to Luther and dared to speak up.

    ¡°Grandpa,¡± she said, ¡°No one is against Rosie¡¯s marriage. But the royal family of Plieca has a different marriage system¡ªthere¡¯s one main wife and several concubines. If Rosie marries Prince Maxley, she may face a life of suffering. We are concerned for her. This isn¡¯t about shares. My dad and Uncle Ableson would never harm her.¡±

    Shepard felt concern for Brenna. He knew that Luther didn¡¯t tolerate retorts like this, especially from a younger family member.

    Brenna had only recently returned to the family, still unfamiliar with the tempest that was Luther and the authority he wielded within the family. Speaking to him in such a way was a surefire recipe for disaster.

    Veins bulged on Luther¡¯s forehead, a telltale sign that his blood pressure was spiking.

    Shepard quickly said, ¡°Brenna, stop talking.¡±

    But before Shepard could attempt to soothe the storm, Luther roared at Brenna, ¡°Who asked you to speak?¡± His voice thundered through the room. ¡°You have no right to speak here without my permission!¡±

    At over eighty years old, Luther had long since ceased to care about the world outside his own walls or the state of the family business. Rosie had deliberately concealed the truth about the royal family of Plieca from him, so he had assumed their marriage customs mirrored those of Vand¡ªone husband, one wife. He had thought Rosie would be happy after marrying Prince Maxley.

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    But he would never admit he hadn¡¯t understood the situation before scolding others. The mistake could only be others¡¯, never his.

    ¡°I already know this! Rosie will be the wife of Maxley. This benefits the Harper Group, in and simple! I think you¡¯re just jealous that Rosie is making such a splendid match! I think this is a tremendous honor!¡± he eximed.

    Ableson and Shepard exchanged helpless nces, both acutely aware of Luther¡¯s vtile temper. They believed they needed to give Luther time to reconsider.

    Ableson took a deep breath, striving to keep his tone calm. ¡°Dad, Rosie wouldn¡¯t be Maxley¡¯s wife; she¡¯d be just a concubine. We can¡¯t allow a Harper member to be someone¡¯s concubine.¡±

    Luther froze for a moment. Then, he snapped his gaze toward Rosie.

    Rosie looked awkward and slightly panicked, but she quickly regained herposure. ¡°Grandpa, they don¡¯t understand. I¡¯m marrying Prince Maxley as his wife, not as a concubine.¡±

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 Chapter 605

    ?Chapter 605:

    The revtion that she might be a concubine was something Brenna had disclosed.

    Everyone turned their eyes to Brenna, uncertainty hanging in the air as they questioned the uracy of her information.

    Brenna spoke up immediately, her tone resolute, ¡°She¡¯s lying. They only want her as a concubine. Originally, the royalty of Plieca sought the Princess of Orwall to be Prince Maxley¡¯s wife, but she refused. For a political marriage, how could they ever allow someone without political connections to be Prince Maxley¡¯s wife?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not true!¡± Rosie eximed, her voice trembling with indignation. Tears threatened to spill as she defended herself. ¡°Who knows my situation better¡ªme or you? Where did you get that information? You¡¯re just jealous because I¡¯m marrying someone a lot better than your boyfriend.¡±

    Brenna scoffed. ¡°Not jealous. And didn¡¯t we already agree to your marrying Maxley as his wife? Whether you have a good life in Plieca or not has nothing to do with us.¡±

    Rosie fell silent, momentarily at a loss for words.

    After a moment¡¯s thought, Rosie finally spoke. ¡°You just don¡¯t want to return my dad¡¯s shares to me! I don¡¯t want you managing my shares anymore. I want to take back my father¡¯s shares and marry Prince Maxley. From now on, the Harper Group¡­¡±

    Luther¡¯s expression darkened like a brewing storm.

    He had invested his heart and soul into the Harper Group over a lifetime. While he could ept the idea of splitting the assets equally among his three sons and even consider giving a few shares to his grandchildren, he refused to see his hard-earned legacy torn apart. Right now, the Harper Group was valued at one hundred billion. The Harper family was barely scraping into the ranks of Shirie¡¯s four most powerful families and stood among the top twenty enterprises in the nation of Vand.

    If a third of the Harper Group were carved out, thepany would lose its standing among Shirie¡¯s elite, and nationwide, it might not even remain within the top hundred.

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    ¡°Not a chance!¡± Luther eximed.

    At those words, Rosie shattered into tears, feeling deeply aggrieved. ¡°Grandpa!¡± she cried, her eyes overflowing as she looked at Luther. ¡°I just want to take my father¡¯s shares¡­¡±

    The veins in Luther¡¯s temples throbbed even more, his eyes wide with disappointment as he fixed his gaze on Rosie. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it. I dedicated my entire life to building the Harper Group into what it is today. This is my legacy, and I won¡¯t let anyone rip it apart! If you keep pushing me, you¡¯ll be cut off from the Harper Group for good; you won¡¯t see a single cent of it ever again!¡±

    ¡°Oh, Luther, don¡¯t get so worked up. Watch your blood pressure!¡± Tessa, seated beside him, urged anxiously.

    Shepard and Ableson exchanged worried nces. The Harper Group meant everything to Luther; splitting it up felt like tearing out a piece of his soul.

    Ableson and Shepard stepped forward, their voices harmonizing to soothe him. ¡°Dad, please, don¡¯t get upset. Your health is the priority.¡±

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 Chapter 606

    ?Chapter 606:

    But Luther shot up suddenly, ring furiously at Rosie. He raised his cane, poised to strike. ¡°You little brat!¡±

    Just then, a wave of dizziness washed over him. The room swirled, and with a heavy thud, he copsed onto the sofa.

    His eyes fluttered half-closed, his spirit seemingly evaporated. No matter how the family called out to him, Luther didn¡¯t respond. Tessa was beside herself with worry, gripping Luther¡¯s hand tightly, refusing to let go.

    Her own legs felt like jelly, and she too was swept away by a wave of dizziness.

    The Harper household erupted into chaos.

    The entire Harper family waited anxiously outside the emergency room. Luther had been diagnosed with a cerebral hemorrhage and rushed in for emergency treatment, while Tessa was also being treated by doctors.

    Rosie felt a flicker of guilt, but it was overshadowed by resentment. The one person who had always shielded her¡ªLuther¡ªwas now opposing her over the division of family assets.

    In a dark corner of her mind, she thought that things might be simpler if Luther were gone. If he were no longer around, splitting the Harper family¡¯s assets would be easier.

    An hourter, the light above the emergency room flickered off. The doctor emerged, his face grave, shaking his head at the family. ¡°Luther suffered a brainstem hemorrhage. We did everything we could, but we were unable to save him. He passed away at 10:59 p.m. I¡¯m very sorry.¡±

    Shepard and Ableson watched as Luther, covered by a white sheet, was wheeled out. Tears streamed down their faces, guilt gnawing at them. They had known about his hypertension; they should never have let him get that angry.

    Luther had literally been angered to death.

    Even Rosie couldn¡¯t hold back her tears. Though she had schemed against him, Luther had always doted on her since she was a child. She had been close to him.

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    Because of the funeral, Rosie had to cancel the grand reception celebrating her engagement to Prince Maxley.

    In keeping with tradition, Luther wasid to rest just three days after his passing.

    ¡°I still want to take my father¡¯s shares,¡± Rosie said solemnly to Shepard and Ableson.

    This was the third time Rosie had made her desires clear.

    Ableson and Shepard had talked about the matter the previous evening. Shepard cleared his throat, his voice thick with emotion. ¡°Rosie, you can¡¯t take the shares out of thepany. We can¡¯t go against your grandfather¡¯s wishes. Here¡¯s what we¡¯ll do: your Uncle Ableson and I will convert your father¡¯s shares into cash and transfer it to your ount. The Harper Group is valued at one hundred and twenty billion. Your grandfather always said the shares should be split equally among us three brothers. You¡¯ll inherit your father¡¯s portion, whiches to about forty billion.¡±

    Ableson nodded and said, ¡°Your Uncle Shepard and I will transfer the forty billion to your ount in installments over the next month. Does that work for you?¡±

    Giselle, Lenora, and the Harper children, who were listening nearby, were all taken aback. While the Harper Group¡¯s market value stood at one hundred and twenty billion, paying out such a sum at once would cripple thepany¡¯s finances; there was no way they coulde up with that much cash in such a short span.

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 Chapter 607

    ?Chapter 607:

    Ernst was the first to voice his concern. ¡°Uncle Ableson, Dad, this would drain the Harper Group¡¯s cash flow. Thepany wouldn¡¯t be able to operate, and we¡¯d face a crisis.¡±

    Dalton, still finding his feet in the world of business, also understood the gravity of the situation. ¡°Ernst is right. This is way too risky.¡±

    But Rosie was all for it. She wanted the Harper Group to crumble. If she couldn¡¯t have it, then no one else should either.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s a great idea,¡± she said.

    Giselle, a professor of finance, spoke up. ¡°We can¡¯t do this. This is far too dangerous. One misstep, and the Harper Group could go bankrupt.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t do this,¡± Brenna echoed. ¡°To keep the business stable, we should spread out the payments over ten years if Rosie insists on cash. It is not possible to provide it all in a month!¡±

    This approach would allow the Harper Group to weather the storm.

    ¡°This doesn¡¯t concern you, Brenna,¡± Rosie said sharply.

    At first, Rosie didn¡¯t think much of this. After all, everyone in the Harper family knew that she and Brenna didn¡¯t get along. They had shed more than once, and neither had evere out on top. This time, Rosie was gearing up to take a significant slice of the Harper family¡¯s fortune with her, so it was only natural for Brenna to throw a wrench in her ns. After all, it would put a dent in Brenna¡¯s own interests, too. Rosie wasn¡¯t caught off guard by Brenna¡¯s resistance; it was predictable.

    As for the rest of the Harper family, Rosie figured they wouldn¡¯t say anything about this. They always listened to Luther, and no one ever dared go against his wishes. Rosie was convinced she would ultimately seed in reiming what was rightfully hers.

    Brenna fixed Rosie with a cold, unwavering stare. She hadn¡¯t discussed this with the rest of the family, but she believed that none of them wanted to witness the Harper family spiral into chaos, let alone be torn asunder.

    Determined to gather their support and present a united front against Rosie, she said, ¡°Of course this concerns me. You pushed Grandfather to his death. Now you have the audacity to squabble over the inheritance?¡±

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    Rosie was momentarily struck dumb, the instinct to retort bubbling up within her. But deep down, she knew that Luther¡¯s death had indeed been a consequence of her actions. Still, that didn¡¯t mean she was willing to abandon what was rightfully hers.

    She remembered the funeral vividly, where she had kept a vigil by Luther¡¯s side, her heart heavy with grief, her eyes puffy and red from crying.

    As she scanned the faces of the Harper family¡ªAbleson, Shepard, Ernst, Dalton, Lennon, and even Audrey¡ªeach one bore a look of reproach. Not a single person came to her defense.

    She locked eyes with Ernst, the family member who had always showered her with affection. But now, even he remained silent, leaving her with a piercing sense of disappointment.

    Her heart twisted in agony, and resentment toward Ernst surged within her.

    ¡°I know I am partly responsible for Grandpa¡¯s death, but¡ª¡± she began, desperate to justify herself.

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 Chapter 608

    ?Chapter 608:

    Brenna cut her off, her tone blunt and unyielding. ¡°But what? Thest thing Grandpa said before he passed was that the Harper Group must never be divided. If you insist on tearing it apart, you¡¯re defying his wishes.¡±

    Rosie was taken aback. She had never anticipated that Brenna, who typically kept to herself and always seemed indifferent to this kind of thing, would be the first to challenge her. Since when did someone who had only returned to the family a few months ago have the gall to interfere in this?

    ¡°This is the Harper family¡¯s business. Who do you think you are to meddle?¡± Rosie shot back, her anger igniting. ¡°You¡¯re just worried I¡¯ll slice into the inheritance and shrink your own share, aren¡¯t you? Stop pretending you are doing this for the family; you are selfish!¡±

    Brenna had braced herself for that very response. Everyone in the Harper family was currently burdened with guilt over Luther¡¯s death. Even Tessa remained in the hospital, unaware that Luther had passed. Aside from Brenna, no one in the family would stand up to Rosie. If Rosie insisted on iming her shares, they might actually let her take them.

    That was why Brenna had to take a stand.

    Her greatest concern was Shepard. For the past two decades, ever since Luther had stepped down as president of the Harper Group, Shepard had poured his heart and soul into running thepany. To him, the Harper Group was as precious as his own child.

    If Rosie took away that much money, it could spell disaster for thepany.

    Despite its impressive market valuation, the Harper Group¡¯s cash flow was far from plentiful. Losing forty billion would deal a devastating blow.

    Shepard hoped that Brenna could persuade Rosie.

    Now, as he watched Brenna¡¯s determined stance, a flicker of hope ignited within him. Perhaps Brenna, who had only recently returned to the family, truly understood the stakes and possessed the courage to act.

    ¡°Anyone who is part of this family has the right to interfere. You and I are both Grandpa¡¯s granddaughters. Why do you get to do whatever you want, even if it means pushing Grandpa to death? Why can¡¯t I stand up against you?¡± Brenna said.

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    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to cause Grandpa¡¯s death! Why do you keep mentioning that? What do you want from me? Should I die to atone for it? How can you be so cruel?¡± Rosie shot back, realizing how piercing Brenna¡¯s words were.

    Why hadn¡¯t she noticed this side of Brenna before? What had ignited this fire in her?

    Honestly, if Brenna had simply remained silent, Rosie was confident she could have swayed the others, even if she had to wield guilt like a weapon to pressure the family intopliance.

    ¡°Grandpa promised me I¡¯d get my father¡¯s shares. Are you all really going to defy his wishes?¡± Rosie said, attempting to bypass Brenna and rally the rest of the family.

    She turned to Shepard. ¡°Uncle Shepard, didn¡¯t Grandpa promise me I¡¯d inherit my father¡¯s shares?¡±

    Shepard nodded slowly. ¡°He always said he would give you your father¡¯s shares eventually. He was simply holding onto them for you.¡±

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 Chapter 609

    ?Chapter 609:

    Feeling a flicker of hope, Rosie sensed victory was within reach. She shot a triumphant nce at Brenna and turned to Ableson. ¡°Uncle Ableson, what are your thoughts about this?¡±

    Ableson said, ¡°Your grandfather intended for you to have the shares. But he never said you could cash them out.¡±

    Rosie replied, her voice brimming with conviction, ¡°If those shares belong to me, I should be free to do with them as I please.¡±

    ¡°Is that the case?¡± Brenna said tly.

    The men of the Harper family looked at Brenna, secretly hoping she could persuade Rosie to relinquish her im to the shares.

    It wasn¡¯t that they shied away from confrontation; rather, they understood that stepping in might appear as if they were ganging up on Rosie, potentially tarnishing the family¡¯s reputation.

    Family feuds over money and power were asmon as rain in spring, and while some resorted to underhanded tactics, Shepard and Ableson had been raised by Luther to stand united and avoid internal strife.

    In the two days since Luther¡¯s passing, both had discreetly checked the will he left behind, knowing it did not favor Rosie. Yet, they hesitated to bring it up themselves, hoping Brenna would be the one to spill the beans.

    Neither of them wanted Rosie to think they were mistreating her.

    ¡°I remember Grandpa saying the Harper Group must never be split apart,¡± Brenna said.

    Rosie shot back defiantly, her tone sharp as a knife, ¡°You think you can deny me my father¡¯s shares? nning to keep them for yourselves? Uncles, say something!¡±

    She boldly demanded that her uncles respond.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to pressure them to speak; I can answer you,¡± Brenna said, casting a nce at the Harper men.

    They all kept their mouths shut, none eager to y the viin. Brenna believed she had to be the one to address this.

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    ¡°Maybe you haven¡¯t considered that Grandpa, being the astute man he was, foresaw this daying. Given his character, he surely left behind a will. Why don¡¯t we honor his wishes and distribute the inheritance ording to the will?¡± Brenna said.

    Brenna¡¯s lips twisted into a faint, enigmatic smile, and a steely glint sparkled in her eyes. She, too, had read the will and knew it was not in Rosie¡¯s favor.

    Rosie caught the expression on Brenna¡¯s face and felt a knot of unease tighten in her stomach. ¡°What are you on about? Uncle Ableson and Uncle Shepard imed their shares long ago. All the shares Grandpa left are mine. How could you divide them?¡±

    Standing her ground, Rosie dered, ¡°Back then¡­¡±

    But as Rosie tried to sift through her childhood memories, she realized she had no recollection of Luther ever dividing the Harper Group¡¯s shares between Ableson and Shepard.

    A wave of dread washed over her. What she did remember was Luther allocating five percent to Ernst and five percent each to Dalton and Lennon, totaling fifteen percent. She also recalled Audrey receiving two percent, and herself the same. Just recently, Brenna had been granted an additional two percent.

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 Chapter 610

    ?Chapter 610:

    That added up to twenty-one percent.

    Could it be that these twenty-one percent of shares were originally her father¡¯s?

    Her heart raced as everything clicked into ce. No wonder Brenna was speaking of dividing her grandfather¡¯s shares.

    No wonder her uncles and cousins were silent; they had been the ones taking advantage of the situation!

    Brenna noticed the shift in Rosie¡¯s expression. She knew Rosie wasn¡¯t stupid; she had pieced it together. Luther hadn¡¯t left many shares behind at all.

    Over the years, Luther had distributed shares to various family members, even ensuring support for his three brothers and several nephews. Otherwise, how else would the shareholders¡¯ meetings always have such a crowd?

    ¡°You!¡± Rosie trembled with anger, her pulse racing. If she weren¡¯t young and healthy, she might have copsed from her emotions, just like Luther.

    ¡°Mr. Goodman, pleasee in,¡± Brenna said, dialing a number.

    A few momentster, a man in his sixties entered¡ªMatt Goodman, Luther¡¯s most trustedwyer during his presidency at the Harper Group. He had overseen all the share transfers during Luther¡¯s tenure. Rosie¡¯s heart sank deeper. Suddenly, she recalled Luther¡¯s words to his granddaughters.

    ¡°When you all get married, your shares won¡¯t be reimed. But they can¡¯t be transferred outside the Harper family. Upon your passing, your shares will return to the family.¡±

    Rosie¡¯s heart plummeted as she grasped the implication. Luther believed only men should inherit. The Harper Group shares could only be passed down to sons and grandsons.

    An overwhelming urge to cry surged within Rosie, and she quickly snatched the file from Matt¡¯s hands. A quick nce shattered her world further: Luther had only seven percent of the shares left.

    The document clearly stated that after Luther¡¯s passing, his shares would be divided evenly among the men of the Harper family. There was nothing left for her.

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    The document slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor as Rosie copsed, her knees buckling. ¡°No¡­ This can¡¯t be true! My parents died when I was just a child. Grandpa loved me the most. How could he give away my father¡¯s shares to others? Why?¡± she yelled at the people around her.

    Shepard, knowing the will¡¯s contents, calmly retrieved the document and spoke softly to her. ¡°Rosie, don¡¯t be upset. You¡¯re marrying Prince Maxley. Ableson and I will give you a proper wedding gift. If you encounter any challenges in the royal family, you can always turn to us.¡±

    ¡°Why is this happening?¡± Rosie cried out, her voice raw with desperation. ¡°This isn¡¯t fair! I won¡¯t ept it! I¡¯m suing all of you! I will reim what belongs to my father!¡±

    Brenna raised an eyebrow, looking down at her. ¡°Sue all you want. But this is Grandpa¡¯s property. He could give it to whoever he chose.¡±

    Rosie burned with fury toward every man in the Harper family. Now, she understood why none of them had spoken up earlier. They had already pocketed all the benefits for themselves.

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 Chapter 611

    ?Chapter 611:

    She saw it clearly now. Every one of them wore a mask of fake concern in front of her. Ableson and Shepard even had the nerve to say they were preparing her wedding gift and that she coulde to them if she faced trouble. The hypocrisy made her stomach turn.

    Disappointment washed over her. These people were nothing but leeches, feeding off her without a shred of shame.

    Even Luther, who had spent years professing how much he adored her, had taken her father¡¯s shares to win favors from others. They were all liars. Everyst one of them!

    Rosie could not hold it back anymore. She let loose and hurled every bitter thought she had been holding inside.

    The Harper men stayed silent. Brenna did not say a word either. She had already stirred enough anger in Rosie and decided to just watch her explode.

    It was Giselle and Lenora who finally couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. They could not take the usations and started arguing back.

    That night, Rosie packed her things and moved out of the Harper mansion. She settled into her own 200-square-meter luxury apartment. Rachael went there with her, refusing to leave her side.

    Rosie¡¯s heart ached with betrayal. She hated every member of the Harper family, especially Luther, the man who had imed for years that he cherished her.

    The next morning, every male shareholder of the Harper Group received a summons from the Shirie City court.

    In her rage, Rosie had sued all the men in the Harper family.

    Word of the Harper family¡¯s troubles spread like wildfire through Shirie¡¯s high society. But that didn¡¯t affect the Harper Group at all.

    Meanwhile, Brenna was busy hunting for a new office.

    Tommy and Joe had brought in a flood of new employees. Their current space was bursting at the seams.

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    On Tuesday evening, Ethan took Brenna out to dinner.

    Wanting the night to be special, Ethan had turned to Neville for advice. Neville, with a grin, suggested they visit a couples¡¯ restaurant and even rmended a few of the best ones in the city. Following Neville¡¯s advice, Ethan finally chose a spot.

    ¡°Do you like it here?¡± Ethan asked Brenna. He was not used to ces like this. Most of his meals were at high-end restaurants, the kind reserved for business deals and formal banquets.

    This restaurant was different. It catered to mid-to-low-ie diners, with affordable prices and a simple, cozy atmosphere.

    It was not the kind of ce Ethan usually went to.

    Brenna took her time looking around. Each booth was separated by curtains or partitions, giving the couples a sense of privacy. Candles flickered softly on the tables, bathing everything in a warm, golden glow. The setting eased the tension in her shoulders. She wasn¡¯t used to it either. She had never been in a rtionship before, and ces like this felt almost foreign to her.

    ncing to the side, she caught sight of a couple in the next booth, kissing. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she whipped her head back toward Ethan, trying to hide her embarrassment.

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 Chapter 612

    ?Chapter 612:

    ¡°It¡¯s nice,¡± she said.

    Ethan pulled out a rose from behind his back and handed it to her.

    Brenna¡¯s eyes lit up. She had not expected someone like Ethan, who always seemed so serious and business-minded, to think of giving her flowers. Lately, he had given her plenty of gifts, so she wasn¡¯t entirely surprised. Still, the gesture warmed her heart.

    She lifted the rose to her nose and breathed in its soft scent. As she did, she caught sight of a gold ne with a sapphire pendant nestled among the petals.

    ¡°Another surprise?¡± she said, her voice bubbling with delight.

    Ovee with emotion and still thinking of the couple she had seen earlier, she stood up. Then, she leaned across the table and pulled Ethan in for a kiss.

    It was just a light peck.

    By the time Ethan registered what had happened, Brenna was already back in her seat, grinning.

    ¡°Thank you. I love it,¡± she said.

    Brenna felt she owed him that much. He had not only showered her with gifts but had also risked everything to save her in Plieca. Ethan, however, was still caught up in the feeling of that kiss and reyed the softness of Brenna¡¯s lips in his mind.

    If only it hadsted a little longer, that would have been perfect. He wondered when Brenna might kiss him again.

    So lost was he in his thoughts that he did not even catch what Brenna was saying.

    A foolish smile tugged at his mouth before he could stop it.

    ¡°Ethan, I never expected to see you in a ce like this.¡± A mocking voice sliced through the moment.

    At once, Ethan¡¯s expression turned cold. He turned and saw Rosie and Maxley approaching.

    They were arm in arm, looking every bit the close couple. Maxley wore a ttering smile as he extended his hand toward Ethan.

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    Neither of them spared Brenna a nce.

    Maxley, though unfamiliar with Vand¡¯snguage, had enough sense to tell that Ethan was in a good mood now.

    Ethan rose from his seat, shook hands with Maxley, and offered a nd greeting. ¡°Hello.¡±

    Maxley pulled an invitation from his inside pocket and handed it over with both hands.

    Speaking in Plieca¡¯snguage, he said, ¡°I¡¯m hosting my first businessworking event here in Vand. Several prominent entrepreneurs from Plieca will attend. I hope we can discuss potential coborations, Mr. Mitchell.¡±

    Ethan gave the invitation a cursory nce before epting it and setting it on the table. ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll be there.¡±

    Rosie looked at him, her expression torn between hope and grievance.

    She was painfully aware that herwsuit against the Harper family was shaky at best. She hoped Ethan could help her. ¡°Ethan, have you heard about what¡¯s happening with the Harper family?¡±

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 Chapter 613

    ?Chapter 613:

    Brenna shot Rosie a sharp look. Was Rosie really this stupid or just putting on an act? After her attempt to have Ethan killed in Plieca, did she truly have the gall to ask for his help? Had she lost her mind?

    Yet, as Brenna reconsidered, perhaps Rosie was throwing a test balloon into the air. Though their wedding hadn¡¯t yet taken ce, news of Rosie¡¯s impending marriage to Maxley had already swept through Shirie like wildfire. She had even unted the official royal endorsement from Plieca on her social media, making it clear why she was so arrogant.

    Rosie scrutinized Ethan, searching for clues to determine whether he valued the potential alliance with Plieca¡¯s royal family more than he resented her past treachery.

    She had made up her mind. If Ethan held no grudges, she would join forces with him against the Harper family.

    But given his close bond with Brenna, she needed to test the waters first.

    Winning Ethan over would take more than just a few words; she had a meticulous strategy in mind.

    With a swift tug, she pulled Maxley down into the seats beside Brenna and Ethan without waiting for permission, forcing Brenna to sit next to her while Maxley encroached on Ethan¡¯s space, a move that made Ethan and Brenna displeased.

    Maxley even offered Ethan a smile.

    Brenna instinctively shifted away, creating a little more distance between Rosie and her. That was when Rosie noticed the rose resting on the table. The sight stung her.

    Having grown up with Ethan, she was acutely aware that he rarely gifted anything to anyone outside his family, especially not to women.

    So why was it Brenna who received his gift now?

    This meant something significant.

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    The impulse to tear the rose into pieces red within Rosie. Ethan replied with an air of indifference, ¡°Yeah, I heard.¡±

    Rosie said, ¡°So, Ethan, what¡¯s your take on this?¡±

    She believed Ethan was likely on Brenna¡¯s side. Hoping to sway him, she added, ¡°If you¡¯re willing to support me, the royal family of Plieca will significantly bolster its cooperation with you. Isn¡¯t that something worth considering?¡± She was testing his attitude.

    After all, what was love when weighed against self-interest?

    Ethan nced at Brenna. Her expression remained unchanged, as if the entire situation were irrelevant to her and the Harper Group.

    ¡°I¡¯m on Brenna¡¯s side,¡± Ethan said.

    Rosie¡¯s disappointment was palpable, but she had anticipated this oue. What she said today was merely the first step in her strategy.

    ¡°All right, I understand.¡± Rosie rose gracefully with Maxley. ¡°I won¡¯t disturb you further.¡±

    As soon as Rosie and Maxley left, Brenna scoffed, ¡°What does Maxley see in her?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 614

    ?Chapter 614:

    She wrinkled her nose. ¡°They were both revolting.¡±

    For some reason, she just couldn¡¯t stand Maxley. She also didn¡¯t like his overpowering cologne.

    Ethan let out a low hum of agreement. ¡°I don¡¯t like him either. He is ambitious butcks the skills to back it up. All talk, no substance. He only knows how to y dirty behind the scenes. The hotel fire¡ªthat was part of his doing.¡±

    Brenna¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You looked into it?¡±

    Ethan smiled softly, and Brenna realized just how charming he was when he smiled.

    ¡°The hotel fire was orchestrated by Rosie, Edward, and Maxley. The three of them joined forces, with Rosie connecting the two.¡± Ethan¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Rosie has more influence in Plieca than just through Maxley and Edward. I¡¯ve checked¡ªshe owns twopanies there and has awork of people working for her. Otherwise, how could she feel so at home in Plieca?¡±

    A thought struck Brenna. ¡°If four billion were invested in Plieca, what would Rosie gain from it?¡±

    Ethan replied, ¡°She¡¯d be able to control about a tenth of the capital flow in Plieca.¡±

    That aligned perfectly with Brenna¡¯s thoughts. ¡°She¡¯s definitely ambitious. I bet she and Maxley are entangled by mutual interests; otherwise, why would he value her so highly?¡±

    Ethan nodded in agreement. ¡°I heard that Maxley fought tooth and nail in front of the King to have Rosie as his wife. Rosie¡¯s been bragging everywhere back home.¡±

    ¡°About bing Maxley¡¯s wife; it¡¯s not just big talk. She could very well be Maxley¡¯s wife. If, as you mentioned, the Harper Group¡¯s four billion flows into Plieca, then with Maxley¡¯s status as a prince, Rosie could effectively call the shots in Plieca.¡±

    Brenna¡¯s mind raced with possibilities. ¡°So it seems Rosie is dead set on grabbing hold of the Harper Group¡¯s shares. Send me what you¡¯ve discovered so I can alert my brothers and father about this. I can¡¯t let them fall into Rosie¡¯s trap.¡±

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    When Brenna arrived home, she found Ernst engrossed in a heated conversation on his phone, lounging in the living room. He motioned for her to take a seat on the couch as he spoke into the receiver. ¡°It¡¯s about Rosie. She¡¯s contesting Grandpa¡¯s will and has taken legal action against all Harper Group shareholders. Uncle Carsen, let¡¯s have a meeting tomorrow to discuss this.¡±

    The response crackled with indignation from the other end. ¡°What¡¯s there even to discuss? When Luther allocated those shares, everything was by the book,plete with contracts and official seals. She won¡¯t win this in court. Does she expect us to just return them? There¡¯s no reason we should surrender anything. And I¡¯m not wasting a day in court over this.¡±

    Ernst¡¯s expression tightened with concern as he said, ¡°I understand, Uncle Carsen. Returning the shares isn¡¯t on the table. But thiswsuit is dragging down the Harper Group¡¯s stock value. It seems someone has leaked the dispute, twisting the narrative to depict us as bullies targeting an orphan. Our shares have already dropped two points, wiping out two to three billion in value.¡±

    Brenna remained silent, absorbing the conversation until Ernst ended the call. No sooner had he turned to talk to her than his phone rang again.

    He was trapped in a relentless wave of calls from other rtives.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 615

    ?Chapter 615:

    After half an hour of nonstop discussions, he finally put down the phone. ¡°Brenna, there¡¯s an emergency board meeting tomorrow. You should be there.¡±

    Brenna could see he was tired but couldn¡¯t do anything to help him. ¡°Have you taken the reins at the Harper Group again?¡±

    Ernst exhaled deeply. ¡°Yes, after Grandpa died, Dad¡¯s been faltering¡ªhis blood pressure is high, and this chaos is only making it worse. Dalton, who just assumed control, can¡¯t manage it and has passed the buck to me.¡±

    Brenna managed a smile. ¡°You¡¯re handling it well. Just say the word, and I¡¯ll pitch in. I have a bit of a background in finance. Perhaps I can help.¡±

    While Ernst knew of Brenna¡¯s prowess in mechanical design and her finance studio, he had yet to witness her financial acumen firsthand. Yet, her assurance stirred something in him. He said, ¡°The Harper Group is floundering. Rosie is relentless in her pursuit of those shares, and she¡¯s rallying support. If you¡¯re up for it, help us keep an eye on the stock market. I¡¯ll grant you backend ess. I¡¯m swamped managing PR and internal chaos. I just don¡¯t have the strength to handle it right now.¡±

    Brenna agreed without hesitation, her decision firm. After all, the Harper Group wasn¡¯t just a business to her; it was the legacy of her family. She couldn¡¯t simply sit on the sidelines when thepany was in trouble.

    ¡°Tonight, I¡¯ll put together an emergency strategy for tomorrow¡¯s meeting,¡± she said, her tone resolute. ¡°We can discuss it then.¡±

    Ernst sank back into his seat, visibly relieved. Managing the conglomerate¡¯s burdens alone had been overwhelming, and Brenna¡¯s support was a lifeline he desperately needed.

    Brenna actually admired Ernst. He had always been a man of honor, gracefully epting defeat months earlier. Now, faced with thepany¡¯s turmoil, he was stepping up without a second thought.

    Brenna said, ¡°We need to brace ourselves. Some shareholders are bound to panic. If thepany¡¯s shares take a dive, they might rush to sell off their stakes. There¡¯s already chatter that our family is nning to liquidate forty billion in cash; that could spell disaster.¡±

    Explore fantastic tales on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s; ?¦Ïm

    Her heart twisted at the sight of Ernst¡¯s newly sprouted gray hairs. She continued, ¡°Let the rtives be my concern. Pass me their contact details; I¡¯ll speak to them. We¡¯re in this together.¡±

    Ernst felt a rush of gratitude. Most of the Harper family only made things harder for him; even Shepard and Ableson seemed helpless. But Brenna offered him help.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said, feeling the weight on his shoulders lighten.

    Brenna spent the entire night tirelessly working. She formted strategic ns,bated malicious rumors online, and even coborated with Ethan¡¯s PR team to halt the spread of detrimental stories about the Harper family.

    In addition, she prepared press releases for the Harper Group¡¯s PR department, ready to be distributed.

    The following morning, she meticulously applied her makeup and met up with Shepard, Ernst, and Dalton at the bustling headquarters of the Harper Group.

    The building buzzed with activity¡ªshareholders had arrived early, and reporters swarmed the entrance.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 616

    ?Chapter 616:

    As soon as Shepard and his children stepped out of the car, a swarm of reporters surrounded them.

    Cameras and microphones were thrust aggressively towards Shepard and Ernst, the reporters bombarding them with a barrage of questions. ¡°Is it true that the Harper Group ns to grant Rosie Harper forty billion as a wedding gift?¡±

    ¡°Could thepany be on the verge of bankruptcy because of this?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve heard whispers of executives seeking new employment. Any thoughts on that?¡±

    The security detail of the Harper Group strained every muscle to hold the reporters at bay. However, the journalists threw decorum out the window and surged forward with a relentless barrage of questions. After a grueling struggle, Shepard and the others finally pushed their way into the Harper Group building.

    Inside the elevator, Shepard, his mood as dark as a storm cloud, turned to Ernst and asked sharply, ¡°Wasn¡¯t this board meeting supposed to be confidential? How the hell did the media find out about it?¡±

    Ernst, who had worked until 3 a.m. and barely caught two hours of sleep, felt drained mentally, though youth still lent him some physical stamina.

    He said, ¡°Dad, there are thirty-seven executives in the Harper Group. I emphasized the importance of confidentiality when I made the calls yesterday, but I can¡¯t promise every one of them kept their lips sealed.¡±

    ncing at her father, Brenna saw how much more gray hair he had now. The recent events had taken their toll on him, making him look older than he was.

    She said, ¡°Dad, don¡¯t stress. We¡¯ve got this. The three of us will handle it. I stayed up all night preparing solutions and will convince the board. Rosie was probably the one who tipped off those reporters.¡±

    Ernst immediately countered, ¡°But I never informed Rosie about this meeting. How could she possibly know?¡±

    Dalton gave a derisive snort. ¡°I knew it! She has obviously decided that if she can¡¯t get her hands on the money, nobody else should, either. She is aiming for mutual destruction, in and simple.¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s is where your journey begins

    Brenna nodded seriously. ¡°Exactly. Since she can¡¯t get the shares, she¡¯d rather drag the whole Harper Group down with her. A normal board change wouldn¡¯t cause this kind of panic. But today, as soon as the market opened, our stock price plummeted to its daily limit.¡±

    She showed her phone, and the sharp drop in stock price made everyone¡¯s faces tighten, especially Shepard¡¯s.

    The Harper Group was his life¡¯s work. Seeing it hurt like this made his eyes well up with tears.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Dad,¡± Brenna said gently. ¡°I have dealt with crises like this before. I stayed up all night working with Ethan. He helped mee up with a n. We can still fix this.¡±

    Shepard asked, ¡°What are you nning to do?¡±

    Brenna had never been involved in managing the Harper Group before; she only ran two studios of her own. Yet, she carried herself with the poise of a seasoned executive.

    Brenna quickly showed some documents from her folder and began exining the n she and Ethan had worked on through the night. ¡°The real problem isn¡¯t from within. It¡¯s from outside. Only one person in the family is colluding with Rosie.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 617

    ?Chapter 617:

    ¡°Someone in the family is working with Rosie?¡± Shepard frowned, finding it hard to believe. Why would anyone from the Harper family risk their interests just to help Rosie?

    Just then, Brenna¡¯s phone buzzed with two iing messages.

    Brenna had asked Ethan and Thiago to investigate Rosie. By morning, they had discovered that Jacob Harper, Luther¡¯s younger brother¡¯s underachieving grandson, was the mole. Repeatedly turned down for executive roles at the Harper Group by Shepard, Ernst, and Lennon because of his ipetence, Jacob had nurtured a bitter grudge that had grown into a desire to see thepany crumble.

    Always on the hunt for anyone within the Harper family who harbored ill will toward Shepard¡¯s family, Rosie had quickly found Jacob.

    ¡°It¡¯s Jacob,¡± Brenna said, her eyes glued to her phone.

    As the elevator doors slid open, the group made their way to the CEO¡¯s office. Brenna didn¡¯t waste any time and continued to share what she had learned.

    Shepard¡¯s face darkened into a deep scowl after hearing her words. ¡°That good-for-nothing barely graduated from a third-rate college. He spent his college years messing around with women and got two of them pregnant. After graduation, Luther had to mop up his messes more times than I could count. Even the 0.2% of shares Luther handed him¡ªenough for him to livefortably for life¡ªwasn¡¯t enough to satisfy him. He wanted more and demanded management positions. When Luther firmly refused him, he came to me. But I also refused him.¡±

    Ernst nodded in confirmation. ¡°He has pestered me about the matter more than once. He will probably show up today, Brenna. How do we deal with him?¡±

    Brenna was calm. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Once we take Jacob out of the equation, most of the problems will be solved.¡±

    Before she could exin further about her n, a knock sounded at the door. The secretary announced, ¡°Ms. Rosie Harper is here.¡±

    Everyone in the room frowned. So, Rosie had the nerve to show up here.

    Ernst replied, ¡°I see.¡±

    Shepard pulled a small bottle of blood pressure pills from his pocket and swallowed one. ¡°Let¡¯s calm down and stay on task now that we know the root of the problem. Ernst, make arrangements for a press conferenceter.¡±

    Brenna said, ¡°Regarding the stock situation, I have secured thirty billion from my contacts to help stabilize the price. During the board meeting, all we need to do is¡­¡±

    Shepard, Ernst, and Dalton stared at Brenna in disbelief, their curiosity sparked by the extent of her connections.

    ¡°Brenna, which friend of yours could get thirty billion to rescue the Harper Group like this?¡± Shepard asked, his tone a mix of surprise and skepticism. It seemed hard to believe she had such a wealthy acquaintance.

    Ernst leaned in, equally curious. ¡°Even Ethan wouldn¡¯t be able to free up that kind of capital for a market rescue. Who is this friend of yours?¡±

    Brenna hesitated, weighing her words carefully. Calling in this favor had note without a price; she owed a considerable debt to make it happen.

    ¡°An entrepreneur friend from Norview,¡± she answered cryptically, leaving out the details.

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    .

 Chapter 618

    ?Chapter 618:

    In reality, this person was a rival of Edward¡ªa powerful underworld figure who had long been suppressed by Edward. During their recent mission in Plieca, Brenna and Ethan had taken down Edward, paving the way for this rival to seize his assets. That was why Brenna had asked for his help.

    While he believed Brenna¡¯s actions had aided him, he was convinced that his own swift moves and abilities were the true reasons for his newfound wealth. He saw Brenna¡¯s involvement as merely speeding up the process. Convincing him had required further negotiations, and she had promised to help him in return.

    Seeing the skepticism on Shepard¡¯s and the others¡¯ faces, Brenna decided against borating further. Instead, she shifted the conversation, sending them a series of messages and documents. ¡°Look¡ªEthan and Thiago just found out that not only did Jacob sell his shares, but so did Atley Harper and Kylo Harper, my uncle.¡±

    The color drained from Shepard¡¯s, Ernst¡¯s, and Dalton¡¯s faces as they scanned the documents.

    Dalton said angrily, ¡°The Harper Group hasn¡¯t even crumbled yet, and they¡¯re tossing their shares at the first whisper? Ridiculous! Once this storm passes, they¡¯re going to regret this move!¡±

    The documents revealed even more troubling news: the shares had been sold to a slew of buyers, flooding the board with new directors, including Denis and even unsavory characters like Isabe.

    Ernst¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Rosie¡¯s crossed a line. She doesn¡¯t have the funds to buy up the Harper Group¡¯s shares herself, so she drags in all these outsiders just to spite us. She¡¯s tarnishing Grandpa¡¯s name! His will explicitly forbade selling shares outside the family. She¡¯s trampling on his legacy!¡±

    Shepard, feeling the weight of devastation, grew dizzy as his blood pressure surged. He reached for his medication but hesitated; he had already hit the limit for the day.

    Brenna reached into her bag and handed him a red bottle of pills. ¡°Dad, this is a form I developed for cardiovascr protection. It¡¯ll help.¡±

    Without hesitation, Shepard took one of the three pills inside¡ªa rare mixture derived from Woodham that Brenna had gotten from the auction. These pills were crafted to prevent and treat cardiovascr diseases, showing remarkable effects on high blood pressure.

    ?????????????????? ?????????? at g????????¦Í????.??0m

    Just days ago, Brenna had turned down Amy, who had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and was willing to pay ten million for just one pill. To Brenna, Amy¡¯sck of integrity rendered her unworthy of such a precious remedy.

    Within five minutes, Shepard felt the dizziness lift. He was impressed, recalling whispers of Brenna studying under a renowned doctor. He hadn¡¯t expected her skills to be so advanced, nor that she could create medicine on her own. Still, he assumed the Pierce family¡¯s longstanding tradition of pharmaceutical excellence had yed a role in her expertise.

    The four of them settled into a circle to devise their next steps. At 9:15 a.m., fifteen minutes behind schedule, they finally stepped into the boardroom.

    The oval table was bustling with attendees, filling every seat.

    Brenna¡¯s eyes scanned the room,nding on Isabe, Denis, and Ethan, who offered a discreet wave before texting her that he had secured 1.1% of the Harper Group¡¯s shares.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 619

    ?Chapter 619:

    Rosie upied a prominent position next to her attorney, the esteemed Saul Jones.

    Saul appeared to be in his forties, sporting a receding hairline and a straight posture. He met the gaze of the four Harper family members seated across the table.

    He said, ¡°Hello, I represent Ms. Rosie Harper. We have filed with the Shirie City court, demanding that all shareholders return the shares that rightfully belong to my client.¡±

    Shepard and Ableson, the two people who held the most shares of the Harper Group, took their ces on either side of Ernst. Ernst, though not thergest shareholder,manded the center as the presiding CEO, his posture straight, eyes scanning the room with an icy veneer of authority.

    Twenty-seven new shareholders¡ªall influential figures in Shirie¡ªwatched in rapt silence, lips pressed tight, their faces a canvas of mixed amusement and eager anticipation.

    Could Ernst take control in front of these vipers?

    Ernst remained unshaken. Most of the new shareholders held only the tiniest fractions of ownership, their voting power insignificant.

    The silence was broken by Saul, his tone resolute. ¡°Mr. Harper, as the family representative, it was inappropriate for you to target an orphaned girl. I urge you to instruct your shareholders to return what rightfully belongs to Ms. Harper.¡±

    Ernst scoffed, contempt dripping from his words. ¡°And what evidence do you possess that those shares are hers?¡±

    Saul had no evidence. ¡°By tradition, Mr. Luther Harper¡¯s estate should have been divided equally among his three sons. As the daughter of Carsen Harper, the third son of Luther, Ms. Rosie Harper is entitled to her father¡¯s share.¡±

    Ernst regarded him with disdain, as if Saul werepletely out of touch. ¡°Mr. Jones, you¡¯re mistaken. Carsen did have the right to a share of Luther¡¯s estate alongside my father and uncle. However, he passed away before Luther could distribute his assets, which means Carsen forfeited both the right and the chance to inherit.¡±

    Rosie¡¯s fury ignited. The Harper family had never spoken with such coldness about the matter, and she could hardly believe that her once-gentle brother could deliver such a heartless blow.

    Full cont3nt h3re: g??lnovels.??????

    With a fierce m of her hand on the table, Rosie eximed, ¡°How dare you say that? Just because my dad is gone, I can¡¯t inherit Grandpa¡¯s assets? That¡¯s outrageous! Grandpa promised my dad¡¯s shares would go to me!¡±

    At that moment, Brenna smirked, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. Across the room, she locked eyes with Ethan, who watched the unfolding drama with amused detachment.

    They had front-row seats to a family drama that could rival any soap opera.

    The rest of the Harper family remained silent, leaving Ernst to face Rosie alone. They believed Ernst was more than capable of dealing with her.

    Ernst¡¯s gaze was frigid, all remnants of affection for Rosie extinguished, reced by steely indifference. Rosie struggled toprehend this shift; she had hoped Ernst still cared for her, that he wouldn¡¯t simply see her as anotherpetitor in the boardroom. But Ernst was unyielding. Anger surged within Rosie, her eyes burning as resentment bubbled to the surface.

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 Chapter 620

    ?Chapter 620:

    Ernst said sharply, ¡°Uncle Carsen passed before he could inherit anything from Grandpa. Moreover, at that time, Grandpa never outlined how much Carsen would receive. After Grandpa turned sixty-seven, he gradually transferred his shares to his sons and grandchildren, but not to your father. That indicates your father had already been struck from the list of heirs.¡±

    Rosie felt her world tilt. ¡°My father was Grandpa¡¯s son too; he had every right to inherit! All the shares you¡¯re holding came from him! What belonged to my father belongs to me. Give it back to me, now!¡± A murmur rippled through the onlookers.

    Ernst brushed off the whispers. He understood well that none of the Harper family members wanted to relinquish their shares to Rosie. ¡°A dead man can¡¯t inherit,¡± he stated coldly, fixing Rosie with a firm gaze.

    In a discreet corner of the second row, Isabe sat quietly, a smirk of smug satisfaction gracing her face. She remained silent; it wasn¡¯t her time to speak just yet.

    Joy surged within her. Denis had bestowed upon her a meager 0.001% of shares¡ªpaltry, yes, but enough for her.

    She watched the Harper Group shares on her phone, the numbers fluctuating. She was gloating.

    With Brenna barely back at the Harper Group, it was already teetering on the edge of copse. She really was a jinx.

    Even though the Harper Group wouldn¡¯t go bankrupt overnight, the sight of Brenna struggling financially was enough to bring a smile to Isabe¡¯s face.

    Ernst maintained his relentless pressure on Rosie. ¡°No one will give you what they already took. Your quest is futile.¡±

    Overwhelmed, Rosie burst into tears, but Saul remainedposed and professional. He gently guided her to sit down, whispering, ¡°Miss Harper, don¡¯t panic. The more flustered you be, the more pleased they will be. If you lose yourposure, you¡¯ll end up with nothing.¡±

    Rosie wiped her tears and shot daggers at the others. ¡°You¡¯re all ganging up on me, but I won¡¯t let you win. Even if I¡ª

    A???????????? ????????: ga l no v els .co m

    ¡°Even if I can¡¯t reim the shares, I¡¯ll do everything in my power to make you pay for this. Just look at the Harper Group¡¯s stock; it plummeted the moment the market opened. The more you own, the more you lose! If I suffer, I will also make you suffer!¡±

    Saul allowed her to finish her outburst before stepping in. He said to Ernst, ¡°Mr. Harper, I urge you to cooperate and return Ms. Rosie Harper¡¯s shares without dy. We¡¯ve already filed awsuit with the Shirie City Court, and I believe you¡¯ve received the court summons by now. If you refuse to return the shares, we¡¯ll see you in court. We¡¯re not backing down.¡±

    The Harper family shot Rosie disdainful looks, their expressions cold and unwavering in the face of her hollow threats.

    Their true worryy elsewhere: the Harper Group¡¯s stock had been in freefall, plummeting for three consecutive days and erasing tens of billions in market value. Panic had already set in among some, causing them to hastily sell off their shares.

    Now, all eyes shifted expectantly to Shepard and Ernst for solutions. How would they pull the Harper Group out of this nosedive before it crashedpletely?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 621

    ?Chapter 621:

    Rosie, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, remained defiantly in ce, eager to see how they would counter the crisis.

    She rapidly tapped out messages to Isabe and Denis, signaling them to get ready for their n.

    If victory was out of her reach, she would dly pull everyone into the downfall with her.

    Her tactics only served to deepen the Harper family¡¯s animosity toward her.

    Before Rosie could even blink away the sting from Ernst¡¯s scathing rebuke, Lennon interjected sharply, ¡°We didn¡¯t steal those shares. They were transferred to us legally by Grandpa. Why on earth should we just hand them over to you?¡±

    Standing at his side, Ma Harper was a member of a side branch of the family, a mid-level sales manager clutching a modest 0.5% of shares. He shot a sharp, disdainful re at Rosie. He had carved out a cushy role for himself in the sales department, his steady performance and polished reputation earning him quiet respect among his peers.

    Life under the Harper Group¡¯s banner had been nothing short of golden for him; between his hefty sry, generous bonuses, and plump dividends, he raked in about sixty million dors annually¡ªmore than enough to pamper his stunning wife and support his bright, high-achieving children.

    Now, Rosie was adamant about reiming what she insisted were her rightful shares. If he were forced to relinquish his shares, his annual earnings would plummet to barely a million dors. The very thought was untenable for him.

    His quality of life would take a nosedive.

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly my point. Every share we hold was acquired through legitimate means. How could you prove that they belong to you?¡± Malcolm said, his voiceced with defiance.

    Seated beside Malcolm was an elderly man with thinning, silver-streaked hair¡ªthe youngest of Luther¡¯s brothers, now well into his seventies but still carrying himself with surprising vigor that defied his age. The moment he caught wind that Luther had passed and left behind a bundle of shares, he immediately felt entitled to a cut.

    Even if it was merely a sliver of a percent, with the Harper family¡¯s staggering wealth, it would still trante into tens of millions in yearly dividends¡ªmore than enough to cushion his entire family in luxury. With a disdainful scoff, he pinned Rosie with a piercing look and said, ¡°Carsen has been gone for over two decades. The moment he passed, he forfeited any rights to inherit. He died before Luther; do you honestly believe he had any im to Luther¡¯s assets? What do you expect? That he would miraculously return from the grave to stake his im?¡±

    Full updat3z h3r3: g??lno¦Íels.??????

    The room exploded into a cacophony of derisiveughter.

    This only made Rosie angrier.

    She leaped to her feet, her voice quivering with rage as she jabbed a finger at the people who had just spoken. ¡°You heartless thieves! Where¡¯s your conscience? Is there no justice left in this world anymore? Do you people even know what decency means?¡±

    Malcolm shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm, ¡°We are thieves? Oh, please. Grandpa handed over those shares to us fair and square. What we own is perfectly legal. You really think you can just march in here, toss around a few usations, and we¡¯ll hand everything to you? Keep dreaming.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 622

    ?Chapter 622:

    The truth hit Rosie like a p¡ªshe had no evidence, nothing but Luther¡¯s verbal assurances. Now that he was gone, the painful realization dawned on her: she had been yed by Luther. Enraged and heartbroken by the betrayal, she decided to im what she believed was rightfully hers.

    Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she wept openly before the assembly, her sobs a silent plea for the outsiders to witness how the Harper family was ruthlessly targeting her.

    She had given Isabe a secret mission: to discreetly record everything. Even if her attempt failed, the harsh reality of the Harper family¡¯s merciless tactics would be exposed to the world.

    Around her, mockingughter reverberated. This only fueled her determination to bring down the Harper Group.

    Shepard, Ernst, and Brenna exchanged knowing looks. They were keenly aware that despite the undercurrent of dissent, a significant majority still staunchly backed the Harper Group. Those wishing for its copse were a stark minority.

    As the room finally settled into a tense silence, Ernst took control of the meeting again. ¡°We¡¯re all shareholders here,¡± he began, his voice steady andmanding. ¡°None of us wants to see the Harper Group¡¯s stock continue to plummet. How can we reverse this trend? Any thoughts?¡±

    The room erupted into a cacophony of voices, each person throwing in their two cents, while Rosie, tears streaming down her face, was tantly ignored.

    It was only after the tears had dried on her cheeks that Rosie texted Isabe, urging her to execute their n swiftly.

    However, faced with the imposing presence of the affluent attendees, Isabe hesitated.

    Her hands, slick with sweat, clutched her phone tightly as she checked thetest stock updates. To her disbelief, the Harper Group¡¯s shares were climbing.

    She was dumbfounded. Wasn¡¯t Rosie supposed to have unleashed a wave of bad press to throw the investors into chaos? So why, in the world, was the stock price soaring instead of crashing?

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    Seething with frustration at Isabe¡¯s uselessness during such a critical moment, Rosie decided to take matters into her own hands. She stepped forward and eximed, ¡°Sweet words won¡¯t save the Harper Group! Two straight days of limit-down freefalls, tens of billions wiped out like smoke! Sell your shares now if you don¡¯t want to walk away penniless!¡±

    As expected, a ripple of fear swept through the gathering. The older shareholders, still fumbling with their outdated phones, didn¡¯t know how to check the stock prices. They believed Rosie.

    The room was filled with family¡ªfathers and sons, siblings gathered close. The elders hovered over the younger ones, squinting at stock charts they barely understood, watching jagged lines spike and dip.

    Those who understood the graphs wore somber faces, though a faint glimmer of optimism remained; today¡¯s fluctuations were a slight improvement over yesterday¡¯s brutal freefall.

    Rosie stood with her arms crossed, her smug gaze sweeping the room. The fear etched on every face fueled her confidence.

    At the market¡¯s opening, the Harper Group¡¯s stocks had nosedived, wiping out billions in moments. Who wouldn¡¯t be rattled?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 623

    ?Chapter 623:

    She was convinced that she could make all the shareholders panic enough to sell their shares.

    She had already carefully stoked this panic for two days, pushing shareholders like Jacob to sell off their shares at bargain prices.

    Now, she sneered at Shepard and Ernst, the supposed leaders. Even ten billion couldn¡¯t save the Harper Group. Bankruptcy by week¡¯s end seemed possible.

    ¡°Facing this disaster,¡± Rosie said, raising an eyebrow at Ernst, ¡°how do you n to save the Harper Group? Or are you just going to sell it off?¡±

    Ernst¡¯s face reddened with fury and betrayal. ¡°After everything the Harper family did for you, this is your repayment? Our care for you over the years meant nothing?¡±

    Dalton, less restrained, mmed his fist on the table. ¡°She has lost it! If she can¡¯t have it, she¡¯ll torch everything. She¡¯s a twisted lunatic, reveling in our struggle.¡±

    Their outrage only lifted Rosie¡¯s spirits. The sting of earlier humiliations faded; now, she silently hoped the stocks would keep plummeting, craving the moment shareholders would break. And if no one bought the shares, maybe some shareholders would be pushed to the edge. That would be great for her.

    ¡°Admit it¡ªyou¡¯re out of solutions,¡± Rosie taunted. ¡°If you had given me back my shares, you wouldn¡¯t be in this mess now.¡±

    Dalton erupted in anger, saying, ¡°Was it you spreading those lies that undermined the Harper Group?¡±

    The Harper family in the room turned on Rosie, their res sharp.

    An elder hissed, ¡°How dare you do something like that? Who the hell do you think you are? These are our shares! We will never hand them over! We would rather lose everything than give it all to you!¡±

    Another elder trembled with rage. ¡°Do you even understand our losses? No dividends this year¡ªwe¡¯ll even be digging into our own pockets to make up for the losses!¡±

    When Rosie brushed them off, Dalton stepped closer, shaking with anger. ¡°Answer me! Was it you who did that? Our PR team hasn¡¯t slept in three days fighting this. Does ruining the Harper Group make you happy?¡±

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    Rosie dropped her pretense, her venom bared. ¡°Yes. If I can¡¯t win, I will bring you all down with me!¡±

    She smirked, savoring their desperation. They were like this because they couldn¡¯t save the Harper Group.

    She was happy to see it.

    A sudden thought made her turn to Brenna, her toneced with scorn. ¡°Oh, Brenna, with all your connections, why don¡¯t you save the Harper Group? What? You can¡¯t do anything to help now?¡±

    A mockingugh spilled out as she pictured the Harpers begging on the streets after bankruptcy. Especially Brenna¡ªshe would be stripped of her privilege as the daughter of the Harper family; Ethan would surely abandon her.

    Rosie admitted, ¡°I spread every rumor about the Harper Group¡¯s copse. Your PR teams kept scrubbing my posts, but I sted them everywhere. Now, the inte is flooded with news of the Harper Group¡¯s downfall. No one will believe your exnation anymore!¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 624

    ?Chapter 624:

    She was thoroughly pleased with her handiwork. ¡°It¡¯s over. Face your defeat.¡±

    Brenna, cool as ice, waited for Rosie to stop talking before striking.

    ¡°Maybe you should check the stock market first.¡±

    Rosie scoffed, ¡°Your stock price is plummeting, obviously.¡±

    She leisurely pulled out her phone and checked the stock market. To her shock, the Harper Group¡¯s stock price was rising.

    ¡°This is impossible!¡± Her voice broke. ¡°Saving the Harper Group would take at least thirty billion in liquid capital. Even Ethan couldn¡¯t pull that off.¡±

    Her eyes darted to Ethan, who had stayed quiet until now. He adjusted his cuffs, his demeanor calm. ¡°I indeed helped a little. Ernst and I are old friends. And Brenna and I are together. Of course, I wouldn¡¯t just stand by and do nothing.¡±

    Rosie¡¯s heart twisted into a knot of bitterness. Once upon a time, she had revolved around Ethan like a faithful satellite clinging to its orbit, yet he hadn¡¯t spared her even a flicker of attention. Now, here he was, flinging tens of billions at another woman without hesitation.

    How could she possibly stomach this?

    Ethan was even staring at her with cold indifference, openly challenging her without holding back. Her throat tightened, and her confidence faltered.

    Still, she tried hard topose herself when her eyes met Ethan¡¯s cold, almost mocking stare.

    ¡°So what?¡± she scoffed. ¡°Don¡¯t think your few billion can magically bring the Harper Group back to life. Keep dreaming! This rebound won¡¯tst!¡±

    Rosie was utterly convinced of that. As a seasoned finance graduate, she understood better than anyone the merciless grip external forces could have on stock prices.

    Even if Ethan had thrown cash at the issue now, she could always find another way to drag the shares back down.

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    There was absolutely no way he had hundreds of billions in spare capital sitting around. Even though he was the richest man in the world, he wouldn¡¯t have that.

    Rosie eased back into her seat, casting a bold, challenging nce at the gathered shareholders, then spoke her mind without filter. ¡°Here is the deal. Give me back my shares, and maybe I¡¯ll step aside. If not, no one will walk out of this unscathed.¡±

    It was only then that Brenna broke her silence, her voice calm. ¡°Feeling that confident, are you? Do you really think a handful of baseless rumors is enough to bring down the Harper Group? Do you think people are fools, or are you just overestimating your own brilliance?¡± She gave Rosie a faint, cutting smirk and continued, ¡°Judging by your long history of disastrous choices, I would say you are not very smart.¡±

    Brenna¡¯s unshakable calm gnawed at Rosie. Deep down, she knew people weren¡¯t foolish. Given a few days, they would realize that an empire like the Harper Group wouldn¡¯t topple overnight. Her fabricated rumors wouldn¡¯t hold.

    Rosie said, ¡°I can bring down the Harper Group. Don¡¯t think you are so capable, Brenna. Let¡¯s see how you can w the Harper Group out of this mess.¡±

    Seeing no point in wasting more breath, she flung her bag over her shoulder and stood up. ¡°You have three days to hand over what¡¯s mine. After that, don¡¯t me me for what will happen next.¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 625

    ?Chapter 625:

    As soon as Rosie left, the boardroom exploded into a flurry of murmurs. Eyes turned to Ethan and Ernst, desperate for answers on how they nned to save the Harper Group. No one seemed to take Rosie¡¯s threat seriously.

    Once the chatter simmered down, Ernst calmly addressed the room, saying, ¡°Rx, everyone. These rumors have no substance. Our PR team is already handling damage control, and we will hold a press conference shortly. The lies will crumble on their own, and the Harper Group¡¯s stocks will bounce back. Hold tight to your shares. Don¡¯t let fear push you into panic-selling.¡±

    Although a trace of doubt still hung in the air, the tension in the room noticeably eased. Malcolm broke the silence. ¡°Ernst, please give us some details. What¡¯s your n to save the Harper Group?¡±

    Ernst looked at his phone and saw a message from Ethan confirming that the Mitchell Group had just pumped twenty billion into stabilizing the Harper Group¡¯s stocks.

    A spark of renewed confidence flickered across Ernst¡¯s features. ¡°Mr. Mitchell and I go way back. With his help, the Harper Group will surely pull through.¡±

    He carefully bit back any mention of Brenna¡¯s mysterious supporter. Since she insisted on keeping it a secret, he had no choice but to disclose nothing about it.

    To the shareholders, Ethan¡¯s involvement was a golden guarantee. After all, as the richest man on the, Ethan could easily toss around billions to save the Harper Group.

    Grateful nces shot in Ethan¡¯s direction, though a few eyes gleamed with ns of offloading their shares directly to him.

    The meeting dragged on well past noon. Shepard and Ernst made their way out to prepare for the press conference after the meeting, leaving Brenna and Dalton to handle everything else.

    At lunch, the Harper family invited Ethan to join them, but he politely declined and offered to treat Brenna to a meal alone.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you ask me for help? Why turn to someone else?¡± Ethan asked, clearly upset as he and Brenna sat in the elegant restaurant, his expression tinged with hurt.

    Brenna hesitated. She had considered turning to him first, but the thought of stretching his liquidity thin or disrupting his ongoing projects made her reconsider.

    More than that, she didn¡¯t want to owe him any more favors. She still hadn¡¯t properly thanked him for saving her in Plieca.

    Brenna struggled to find the right words. After a long, heavy pause, she finally said, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to depend on you all the time. It makes me look¡­ ipetent.¡±

    Ethan looked at her, then let out a soft, resigned sigh. ¡°If not me, then you would just end up owing someone else. You still owe someone a favor. Favors alwayse with a price. I would rather you trouble me than anyone else. Now tell me¡ªwho helped you? I will repay them for you.¡±

    Brenna shook her head firmly. ¡°There is no need for that. I have already promised them something in return.¡±

    In a private dining room of a luxury restaurant, Rosie shot daggers across the table at the man and woman before her, her patience frayed to a thread. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely useless! Couldn¡¯t even find your voice when it mattered. What good are you?¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 626

    ?Chapter 626:

    Isabe huffed, her eyes sparking with defiance. ¡°I¡¯ve never had to speak before a crowd like that! Do you have to be so harsh to me? You¡¯ve berated me for hours¡ªenough already!¡±

    She clung tightly to Denis¡¯s arm, who cleared his throat like a seasoned diplomat and said, ¡°Rosie, take it down a notch. Isabe was trying to help, but with the Harper Group¡¯s stocks already bouncing back, she didn¡¯t want to risk looking like a fool.¡±

    He gave Isabe¡¯s hand a reassuring pat. ¡°Next time, she¡¯ll step up.¡±

    Rosie let out a sharp snort. ¡°Denis, I don¡¯t understand what you see in her. She is utterly useless.¡±

    Isabe gave a soft hum, leaning into Denis like a cat curling up in a sunbeam. The stocks she held? A gift from Denis. Ever since Jade¡¯s death, Denis had taken the reins of the Ward family¡¯s ventures in Vand. With Edward gone too, there was no one left to check his books, so Denis funneled all the profits straight into his own pockets.

    Flush with cash, he had tossed Isabe some stocks as a little thank-you for keeping himpanytely. More than that, he swore she was his lucky charm; business had been smooth as silk since she had been by his side. He wanted to spoil her.

    As for the small benefits of working with Rosie, he no longer cared about that. Especially since Rosie seemed to be on a losing streaktely, he figured it was best to keep his distance from her.

    ¡°Watch your mouth,¡± he snapped. ¡°Isabe¡¯s not your punching bag.¡± He slung an arm around Isabe¡¯s shoulders and guided her out. ¡°Let¡¯s leave.¡±

    Rosie called after him, ¡°What about those Harper Group shares? You don¡¯t want to buy them anymore?¡±

    Denis didn¡¯t even nce back. ¡°If I want them, I¡¯ll find sellers myself. I don¡¯t need you to help me.¡±

    Rosie, fuming, flipped the table with a crash. Everyone was brushing her off like she was nothing.

    Inside the room next door, five Harper men were hunched over their phones, eyes locked on the stock market¡¯s pulse. The eldest was Luther¡¯s cousin. The others were his sons and nephews.

    The four younger men were glued to their screens, tracking every twitch of the Harper Group¡¯s stock price.

    ¡°It¡¯s not tanking anymore. Maybe we shouldn¡¯t sell our shares.¡±

    ¡°And risk losing even more? We should sell now before the price dips again!¡±

    Just then, Rosie entered the room, holding up two fingers. ¡°My final offer.¡±

    The younger Harpers exchanged looks. With the stocks creeping up, they were holding better cards now. They could afford to wait.

    Aldin Harper shed a cocky smirk. ¡°Ten times that, and we¡¯ll talk.¡±

    Juan Harper, cool as ice, understood the situation and said to Rosie, ¡°Stock¡¯s bouncing back. Yesterday¡¯s price is not gonna cut it.¡±

    Rosie shrugged. ¡°Take it or leave it. You can watch your shares turn to pocket lint.¡±

    She spun to leave, but the younger Harpers started to sweat. Their elder spoke up, his voice calm. ¡°Let her leave. With everyone dumping shares, we¡¯ll find buyers who¡¯ll pay better.¡± His eyes glinted with a sly edge. ¡°Bet Mr. Mitchell would cough up triple her offer.¡±

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 Chapter 627

    ?Chapter 627:

    That afternoon, Ethan went back into the office, where his secretary, Rex Dury, was waiting with big news. As deputy director of the secretariat, Rex ranked just below Neville and usually managed the department rather than tagging along on Ethan¡¯s business trips.

    Rex kept his distance, afraid Ethan would get angry at him for the news he was about to deliver.

    He said, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, your mother sent a woman over this morning. She pushed hard to get her hired in the secretarial department to ¡®look after¡¯ you.¡±

    Ethan froze for a moment, his face darkening. He knew exactly who the girl was. Fury bubbled under the surface. ¡°If she didn¡¯t get into thepany through interviews, she¡¯s got no business here. Send her packing.¡±

    He sat down, muttering under his breath, ¡°Unbelievable. Now she¡¯s sticking her nose in mypany?¡±

    Rex hesitated before speaking. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, the girl actually got into thepany through interviews. It¡¯s just that your mother pressured us to make her your new secretary.¡±

    ¡°Crafty move,¡± Ethan growled, his jaw clenched tight. ¡°Then put her back where she belongs. I don¡¯t want her anywhere near me.¡±

    Rex massaged his temples, looking like he was in a dilemma. ¡°Her name¡¯s Minna Davies. She applied for a sales position.¡±

    ¡°Then send her to the sales department,¡± Ethan snapped. ¡°Let her start from the bottom and w her way up like everybody else. I don¡¯t want her setting foot in my office.¡±

    He retrieved his phone, itching to confront his mother, but he was so angry that he didn¡¯t even want to speak to her.

    ¡°Got it, Mr. Mitchell. I¡¯ll handle it pronto,¡± Rex said.

    Rex shot a cautious nce at Ethan, whose expression was cold¡ªicier than his usual distant demeanor¡ªa clear sign he was seething over the decision to let Minna join the secretarial department without his explicit approval.

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    Ethan typically maintained a cool reserve, steering clear of outright animosity. Yet today, an almost palpable wrath emanated from him.

    What piqued Rex¡¯s curiosity was Elsa¡¯s unusual involvement. It was rare to see her stride into the corporate arena, ushering Minna into the fold and boldly inserting herself into hiring matters.

    This marked Elsa¡¯s first visit to thepany.

    Rex found himself musing over the enigma that was Minna. What extraordinary qualities did she have thatpelled Elsa to escort her personally? Moreover, what about Minna elicited such a visceral aversion from Ethan?

    Rex felt like he had identally unearthed some tantalizing gossip.

    With a subtle shake of his head to dismiss his burgeoning curiosity, Rex gently shut Ethan¡¯s office door behind him and strode towards the bustling secretarial department. Minna had already imed the prime desk by the entrance, relegating the former upant to a cramped stic stool wedged between colleagues.

    The office was a hive of activity, buzzing with the escted workload Ethan had imposed over thest couple of days. This hinted at yet another evening marred by overtime.

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 Chapter 628

    ?Chapter 628:

    Approaching the doorway, Rex tapped lightly on the frame and called out in a measured tone, ¡°Minna.¡±

    Minna wasn¡¯t the kind of woman who turned heads. She wasn¡¯t unattractive, but next to the impably dressed women bustling around the office, she didn¡¯t stand out.

    Her smile was tinged with courtesy as she sat isted, thumbing through her phone since the early hours of the morning. Assigned no specific tasks, Minna had attempted to spark some small talk, but her efforts were in vain before the busy colleagues. It was only during a brief respite at lunch that a few coworkers engaged in conversation with her, learning that she used to be in the military¡¯s performance troupe.

    A whisper of curiosity began to weave through the department, people pondering if Minna could be Ethan¡¯s cousin. Yet, Minna held the true narrative close to her chest, wary that unveiling she was actually Ethan¡¯s date, meticulously selected by Elsa, could jeopardize her position here.

    She didn¡¯t want to be reckless.

    When Rex finally walked over, signaling the start of some actual work, Minna¡¯s demeanor shifted. Her eyes sparkled with eagerness as she replied, ¡°Mr. Dury, I¡¯m ready for any task you have. Although my background is in dance, I adapt swiftly and am eager to learn the ropes of office work.¡±

    She truly believed in herself. As a former star dancer, she had honed her craft to perfection; the intricacies of office tasks seemed a lesser challenge byparison.

    She had left the performance troupe to pursue Ethan. Deep down, she was convinced that Ethan, too, woulde to see her value and fall for her.

    Rex maintained hisposure, exuding an air of professionalism as he faced Minna. After all, she had been personally rmended by Ethan¡¯s mother. Any negative report from Minna could easily jeopardize his job, one that gave him a handsome six-figure sry annually.

    ¡°Mr. Mitchell¡¯s directive was quite clear. You¡¯re to join the department for which you initially applied. The secretarial department is not looking for new hires at this time,¡± he said, his tone apologetic.

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    Minna¡¯s polite smile froze awkwardly on her lips. She instinctively reached out and clutched the sleeve of Rex¡¯s suit jacket. ¡°Mr. Dury, did you¡­ Did you mention to Mr. Mitchell that it was Elsa who brought me here?¡±

    She couldn¡¯t believe Ethan would deny his own mother such a small favor.

    A whirlpool of unease stirred inside her. She had originally applied for a spot in the sales department, but she knew it wasn¡¯t easy to be a salesperson.

    There was a harsh three-month probation period, and if she failed to meet the business targets, she would have to leave.

    By contrast, the secretarial department was a much safer harbor. As long as she kept her head down and worked hard, she could keep her job without too much risk.

    She stared anxiously at Rex, waiting for him to change his mind.

    Rex, however, remained resolute, his voice unwavering. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve already discussed your situation with Mr. Mitchell. His instructions were explicit¡ªyou are to report to the sales department.¡±

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 Chapter 629

    ?Chapter 629:

    Edging closer to Rex, Minna cast a nce at the other secretaries who, though outwardly immersed in their work, were eavesdropping.

    In a hushed, urgent tone, she whispered, ¡°I¡¯m Mr. Mitchell¡¯s date. His mother introduced us. I might just be the future Mrs. Mitchell. Please, take me to meet Mr. Mitchell; I¡¯m certain I can persuade him to change his mind.¡±

    Rex paused, his eyes widening as he processed her words. Instinctively, he assessed Minna,paring her to Brenna. Minna¡¯s lithe dancer¡¯s physique was undeniable, but in terms of looks, she was far less striking.

    And professionally? Rex believed she couldn¡¯tpare to Brenna, either, though that was hardly the point. The pointy in Ethan¡¯s recent, very public deration of affection for Brenna. Everyone knew about Ethan¡¯s rtionship with Brenna, yet now, Minna boldly said she would be Ethan¡¯s future wife.

    Rex felt cornered.

    He knew Ethan was no fool; the man was surely aware of Minna¡¯s identity and intentions. And still, Ethan had directed her towards the sales department, a clear sign he had no interest in fulfilling Elsa¡¯s matchmaking aspirations.

    Rex wrestled with his thoughts. Could leading Minna to see Ethan now jeopardize his own position?

    With a firm resolution, he responded, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Mr. Mitchell has explicitly instructed that you are to be assigned to the sales department.¡±

    Rex had learned something crucial from his years of working under Ethan. Once Ethan made his decision, no one could change his mind.

    Minna¡¯s expression turned serious, her voice taking on a chilling firmness. ¡°Did you not hear what I just told you? Take me to him. Now.¡±

    Minna was visibly displeased with Rex¡¯s frosty, all-business attitude. He wasn¡¯t treating her like the soon-to-be Mrs. Mitchell at all. She believed she needed to remind him of that.

    She squared her shoulders and met Rex¡¯s gaze head-on, silently dering that she wasn¡¯t leaving unless he took her to see Ethan. Rex hesitated. He had no desire to get caught up in Ethan¡¯s personal matters or family drama. Yet here he was, sucked into the mess. Right now, it felt like he had two choices: either upset Ethan or risk offending Minna and Ethan¡¯s mother.

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    After carefully weighing his options, he decided it was better to risk offending Minna.

    ¡°Apologies, but I can¡¯t take you to see Mr. Mitchell. Please head to the sales department immediately. If you fail to report within forty-eight hours, we will take it as your formal decision to abandon the position,¡± Rex said firmly, then walked away to handle other tasks.

    Minna stood there, unwilling to back down. After thinking for about thirty seconds, she spun around and marched straight to Ethan¡¯s office. Without so much as a knock, she burst through the door.

    Inside, Ethan was on the phone with Elsa, his voice sharp with barely contained fury. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m an adult now. Could you stop meddling in my life? Marriage is a lifelongmitment. Who I choose to be with is my decision, not yours. You have no right to dictate who I marry.¡±

    He had just finished venting when he saw Minna barging into his office. He didn¡¯t even bother to hang up the phone before shouting, his toneced with authority, ¡°Who let you in? Get out! Neville! Rex! Come here and get her out!¡±

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 Chapter 630

    ?Chapter 630:

    Minna paid no mind to his shouting and marched straight up to his desk, indignation zing in her eyes. ¡°Your mother sent me here! How can you treat me like this?¡±

    To her, Ethan wasn¡¯t the powerful CEO of a corporation. He was simply her future boyfriend.

    Lifting her chin, she squared her shoulders and dered, ¡°You think I¡¯m not good enough for the secretary department? Sure, maybe the others have fancy degrees from top universities, and my academic background doesn¡¯t shine the same way. But when ites to actual work, I¡¯m second to none! I know I have what it takes to excel at this job.¡±

    Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, Elsa heard every word loud and clear. Realizing there was no hope of convincing Ethan over the phone, she ended the call and drove straight to his office.

    Elsa was resolved to see Minna stay in the secretarial department.

    Ethan¡¯s expression grew colder by the second, his dislike for Minna hardening into something almost tangible. He said coldly, ¡°If you want a spot in the secretarial department, then apply for the job like everyone else. If you pass the interview, you can stay. Otherwise, you don¡¯t have any right to be here. Now, get the hell out of my office.¡±

    Just then, Rex and Neville burst in, both looking like they were dealing with a full-blown crisis. Without wasting a second, they each grabbed Minna and began trying to haul her out.

    Rex was fuming. He dropped his voice to a low growl and scolded sharply, ¡°Who permitted you to waltz in here? Do you really think you can just barge into the CEO¡¯s office without permission?¡±

    The moment they dragged her outside, Minna jerked herself free with a violent tug and snapped, ¡°Keep your hands off me!¡±

    Rex felt like he had justnded himself in serious trouble and knew he was bound to get an earful from Ethanter for this.

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    Seething with frustration, he directed all his anger at Minna. ¡°At the Mitchell Group, promotions are earned through ability, not connections. You should know your ce. Unless Mr. Mitchell personally acknowledges you, you will be treated like any other employee. Now, get yourself out of the secretarial department immediately.¡±

    Minna let out a frosty snort and stormed off. As she walked away, she called Elsa in a fury, telling her what had just happened.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ming over right now. If Ethan dares refuse you a spot in the secretarial department, I¡¯ll cause a scene he will never forget!¡± Elsa said.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Minna replied, finally feeling a bit better.

    Inside the CEO¡¯s office, Ethan was still poring over the Harper Group¡¯s stock reports while simultaneously holding a video call with Ernst.

    Neville stood silently off to the side, quietly taking everything in.

    When the call finally ended, Ethan nced at Neville and said, ¡°Tell the finance department to prepare an additional twenty billion to help the Harper Group.¡±

    Neville didn¡¯t leave right away to carry out the order. Instead, he cleared his throat and said, ¡°Several Harper Group shareholders looking to sell their stakes have just arrived. Would you like to meet with them?¡±

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 Chapter 631

    ?Chapter 631:

    After a brief moment of thought, Ethan replied coolly, ¡°No. Let Milton handle it. Whatever shares they are offering, we will buy them all.¡±

    Just then, Rex stepped into the office carrying a set of documents in hand. He was expecting to be scolded over Minna¡¯s earlier intrusion. He said, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, these documents are ready for your signature.¡±

    Ethan took the documents, gave them a quick once-over, signed them without saying a word, and didn¡¯t bring up Minna at all. In his view, while Rex carried a bit of the me, the matter was something that had been beyond his control.

    Rex secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

    Suddenly, a voice Ethan knew all too well echoed from the door. ¡°Ethan.¡±

    Ethan nced up from his papers and saw Elsa striding in, pulling Minna along with her.

    A flicker of irritation shed in Ethan¡¯s eyes. He was far from pleased with Elsa¡¯s meddling, but she was his mother. He couldn¡¯t throw her out, no matter how much he wanted to. Swallowing his frustration, he rose from his seat and said, ¡°Mom, what brings you here?¡±

    Elsa responded with a sharp snort and made a beeline for the sofa. She sat down and said, her voice full of usation, ¡°Why on earth won¡¯t you let Minna join the secretarial department?¡±

    Observing from the side, Rex felt a surge of sympathy for Ethan and an increasing sense of dislike toward Minna. Since she couldn¡¯t get her way, she had shamelessly dragged Elsa into the matter.

    Silently, Rex left the office. He then instructed one of the secretaries to bring coffee for Elsa.

    Elsa¡¯s anger only deepened when she caught the frustration flickering across Ethan¡¯s face. She no longer cared how many secretaries might be eavesdropping outside the office door.

    She said, ¡°You¡¯ve been so stubborn since you were a child. Why do you think I¡¯m doing this? It¡¯s for your own good! Brenna¡¯s too headstrong. She¡¯s not right for you. You¡¯re sessful now. You don¡¯t need a woman chasing her own ambitions. You need someone who¡¯ll stay home, support you, and take care of you and your children. Not someone like Brenna, who only cares about her career. Do you understand?¡±

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    Ethan clenched his fists at his sides, forcing down the anger boiling inside him. Then, he said, ¡°Dad¡¯s a Commander, isn¡¯t he? Did he ever force you to stay home? Didn¡¯t he always stand by you, no matter what you wanted to do?¡±

    Ethan had had enough of Elsa¡¯s meddling and raised his voice at her. ¡°You¡¯re not doing this for me. You¡¯re doing this for yourself!¡± He then pointed at Minna, his tone unyielding. ¡°Unless she joins the secretarial department through interviews, I will never let her work here.¡± He believed there was no point wasting any more breath on Elsa. He knew her too well. Without missing a beat, he added, ¡°Since she was hired by the sales department, let her report there.¡±

    Elsa ignored his stance and stood her ground. ¡°I¡¯ll ask you onest time. Will you agree to this or not?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Ethan answered without a second thought.

    Furious, Elsa shot to her feet and jabbed a finger at him. ¡°Fine! If you won¡¯t agree, then I¡¯m not leaving! I¡¯ll camp out in your office if I have to! I¡¯ll live here until you change your mind!¡±

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 Chapter 632

    ?Chapter 632:

    She plopped herself back onto the sofa and grabbed Minna¡¯s hand. ¡°I really don¡¯t get it. Minna¡¯s a college graduate. She¡¯s pretty, gentle, and good-natured. How is she not good enough for you? I bet Brenna has been badmouthing her to you!¡±

    She snorted and continued, ¡°Tell Brenna toe here. I¡¯ll say it to her face. I will never ept her as my daughter-inw! She needs to stay away from you!¡±

    Brenna, who had just arrived at the door, caught every word. A small crowd of secretaries had gathered behind her, whispering and peeking into the office with barely concealed curiosity.

    She cleared her throat lightly and knocked on the open door. ¡°Is this a bad time?¡±

    Ethan turned, caught off guard at the sight of her. The irritation that had darkened his features melted away at once. He walked over and said apologetically, ¡°You got here faster than I expected.¡±

    He had instructed Milton Green, the vice president, to meet the Harper Group¡¯s shareholders about acquiring their shares. He had nned to transfer the shares he obtained directly into Brenna¡¯s name and discuss the matter with her. Thus, he had asked her toe over. He hadn¡¯t expected that Elsa would show up first, or that Brenna would overhear everything.

    Elsa turned toward Brenna with a sharp, disdainful nce and arrogantly said, ¡°Just in time. I have something to say to you.¡±

    Standing calmly beside Ethan, Brenna nodded and greeted Elsa out of respect. Then she said, ¡°Of course. If you have something to say, please go ahead.¡±

    Elsa snorted coldly and said, ¡°Drop the act. I know you hate me for opposing your rtionship with Ethan. Go ahead. Vent your anger on me all you want.¡±

    She was provoking Brenna on purpose. If Brenna didsh out at her, she believed Ethan might finally agree to break up with Brenna. But Brenna¡¯s expression remained cool and detached. ¡°I have no intention of doing anything like that.¡±

    Out of the corner of her eye, Elsa caught sight of the secretaries lingering by the doorway, eavesdropping. Suddenly, an idea came to mind. She abruptly stood up, dragged Minna up with her, and faced the crowd. ¡°Since you¡¯re all here, let me make something perfectly clear. Minna is my chosen daughter-inw. As for Brenna, she¡¯s nothing but a mistress!¡±

    Exasperated, Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose. To avoid the gossip from spiraling further, he straightened up and spoke with a voice that everyone could hear. ¡°That¡¯s nonsense. I¡¯m not even married. Brenna is my girlfriend. Minna means absolutely nothing to me.¡±

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    His gaze swept over the group of secretaries like a sharp de. They gasped in unison, then quickly left the scene.

    They were caught gossiping by the CEO himself. They knew they were in serious trouble!

    Ethan could hardly believe Elsa would stoop so low and resort to cheap tricks just to force him into epting Minna.

    ¡°The secretaries aren¡¯t idiots, Mom,¡± Ethan said coldly. ¡°They¡¯re all top university graduates. Tricks like that won¡¯t work. If you have nothing else to say, you should leave. I have work to do.¡±

    But Elsa showed no sign of concern over the secretaries fleeing the scene. In her mind, she had already won. She believed that after today, the wholepany would know about Minna¡¯s special status. People would start currying favor with her.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 633

    ?Chapter 633:

    ¡°You make Minna your secretary, and I¡¯ll leave.¡± Elsa settled back onto the sofa triumphantly, thinking she had already won.

    ¡°Not a chance,¡± Ethan said without the slightest hesitation.

    Across the room, Brenna took a seat in front of Ethan¡¯s desk. She crossed her legs and leaned back with an amused expression, watching the scene unfold.

    Even Elsa, in her stubbornness, had to grudgingly admire Brenna¡¯s mental fortitude. Most women would have panicked if their future mother-inw barged in with another woman in tow. But Brenna remained perfectlyposed.

    Unfortunately for Brenna, Elsa didn¡¯t like someone like her.

    Just then, Elsa clutched her head dramatically and let out a pitiful cry. ¡°Oh dear! I¡¯m dizzy! I feel like the world¡¯s spinning!¡±

    With a theatrical groan, she copsed onto the sofa. Her face even contorted in exaggerated agony, as if she were suffering a stroke.

    Everyone looked shaken, but none more so than Ethan. His face turned pale as guilt crashed into him like a wave. He hurried over and dropped to his knees beside the sofa. ¡°Mom! Mom!¡±

    Even Minna began to panic. ¡°See what you¡¯ve done? Would it have killed you to just let me work here? Why couldn¡¯t you just listen to your mom?¡±

    Both of them pulled out their phones at the same time and prepared to call an ambnce.

    Brenna, who had remained silent until now, finally stepped forward and studied Elsa¡¯s face. She was a doctor and could see that Elsa was actually fine.

    She said, ¡°Wait. Don¡¯t call an ambnce yet. Let me examine her first.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Ethan snapped out of his panic. He almost forgot that Brenna had medical training. She wasn¡¯t just knowledgeable; she was skilled. With this thought, he quickly stepped aside to make room for her.

    Elsa kept moaning in pain from the couch, one hand pressed dramatically to her head. She suddenly remembered something. Brenna had once treated Ethan¡¯s grandfather and saved his life. But she had already started putting on an act of pain, and there was no turning back now.

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    Determined to carry it through, she wailed louder.

    Brenna calmly took a seat at the coffee table and reached out to check on Elsa. Afraid of being found faking illness, Elsa avoided her touch and eximed, ¡°She¡¯s trying to kill me! I won¡¯t let her touch me! Make her leave, Ethan! Do you want me dead? Is that it?¡±

    As Elsa refused to cooperate, Brenna had no choice but to give up. She straightened and looked over at Ethan. ¡°Call the ambnce. But honestly, I think she is fine.¡±

    That remark only infuriated Elsa further. Her cries grew louder, and her voice shook with exaggerated emotion. Neither Ethan nor Minna understood medicine, so panic started to creep in.

    Worried that his mother might actually be sick, Ethan grabbed his phone and dialed for an ambnce.

    Just as Ethan finished dialing, Elsa suddenly seemed much better. She had never intended to go to the hospital. This was all just to pressure Ethan intopliance.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 634

    ?Chapter 634:

    She sat up straighter and said to Ethan, ¡°There¡¯s no need for an ambnce anymore. I feel much better. All you have to do is let Minna work in the secretarial department, and I¡¯ll be perfectly fine.¡±

    At that moment, everything clicked for Ethan. Elsa had been faking it the whole time. It had all been an act to force his hand.

    ¡°Mom,e on,¡± Ethan said with a dark expression. ¡°This is mypany, not our home. This ce runs on rules. The secretarial department is high-pressure andplicated. Minna can¡¯t handle it.¡±

    There was nothing harsh in his tone, but the frustration was unmistakable. He couldn¡¯t believe his mother would go so far as to pretend she was ill to force him to change his mind.

    ¡°Oh, my head¡­ It hurts¡­¡± Elsa cried again. She let her head drop back against the cushions, eyes squeezed shut, her brows furrowed in feigned pain.

    As long as Ethan kept refusing her, she had no ns to stop.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll agree to what you want,¡± Ethan said, his voice filled with frustration. Despite everything, a part of him still worried that his mother might actually be unwell.

    Minna¡¯s eyes lit up the instant she heard that. ¡°Really?¡±

    This was all she needed. If she could stay in the secretarial department, she would work close to him. With enough time, charm, and effort, she was certain she could make him fall for her.

    Ethan nodded reluctantly and did not even bother to spare her another nce. Even if she got the position, it didn¡¯t mean she could see him at will. Only Neville and Rex had the right to ess his office. The rest of the staff handled general tasks and had no direct contact with him. She really thought she could get closer to him just by being his secretary? That was absurd.

    Minna had already pieced it together: Elsa had been faking all along. What Elsa had done moved her. She had gone to such lengths for her sake. How could she not repay her for it? How could she not try even harder to win Ethan over?

    Buoyed by her triumph, Minna lifted her chin with pride. Her eyesnded on Brenna. ¡°I¡¯m staying here to work, Miss Harper. Try not to get too jealous. I¡¯ll be seeing Mr. Mitchell every day, probably more often than you do.¡±

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    ¡°Then I wish you the best of luck.¡± Brenna turned away and returned to her seat, her movement graceful. She remainedposed and not the slightest bit ruffled.

    Seeing Brenna soposed, Minna felt defeated.

    She shifted her gaze to Ethan, and her heart pounded wildly in her chest. He really was something. He was the kind of man who left her breathless just by existing. She felt herself falling even harder for him now.

    Ethan felt resigned. He cast a nce at Brenna, silently hoping she wasn¡¯t upset. When she met his gaze and even offered a faint smile, he finally felt relieved.

    ¡°Mom, already agreed. Are you feeling better now?¡± he said to Elsa.

    Atst, Elsa dropped the act. She sat up straighter, looking perfectly fine. ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s more like it.¡±

    She tugged Ethan to sit down beside her and continued, ¡°Ethan, as your mother, everything I do is for your own good. Minna¡¯s a wonderful girl. She¡¯s the daughter of an old friend of mine, Edna. You met Minna when you were kids. Trust me, she¡¯s perfect for you.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 635

    ?Chapter 635:

    Though Minna had secured her spot in the secretary department through questionable tactics, she was in high spirits. But watching everyone else leave while Ethan lingered alone with Brenna¡ªdoor closed¡ªsoured her mood.

    Rex approached, his expression tight with irritation. He was still simmering over his earlier sh with Minna, anxious about whether she would cause trouble for himter.

    Minna¡¯s identity gave him a headache. He doubted Ethan would ever take her seriously or bend to his mother¡¯s pressure. Ten years from now, Minna would likely still be nowhere near bing Ethan¡¯s wife. Still, he worried she might leverage her connection to Elsa to assert dominance in the secretary department and use Elsa to get closer to Ethan. Even if unlikely, the possibility darkened his mood further.

    Rex stopped at Minna¡¯s new desk, his voice curt and formal. ¡°You don¡¯t have a specific role in the secretary department yet. Your tasks are to prepare coffee for the CEO¡¯s office and clean the office twice daily¡ªmorning and evening. Mr. Mitchell takes one coffee in the morning, three sses of water before noon, and three more in the afternoon. For guests, you will also cater to their needs. You need to memorize the preferences of clients who visit for meetings. Any slipup will cost you part of your sry.¡±

    His clipped tone and rigid professionalism made Minna feel displeased. Still, she wasn¡¯t the type to throw her weight around. Deep down, she sensed Rex was targeting her on purpose.

    Was this really a secretary¡¯s job? It felt like glorified maid work. Still, these tasks would keep her near Ethan. Though annoyed, she didn¡¯t voice her displeasure.

    ¡°Fine. Coffee and cleaning. I¡¯ll handle it perfectly,¡± she said.

    Rex sneered inwardly. He believed she was in for a rude awakening. The job seemed simple, but Ethan¡¯s standards were strict. Even brewing coffee came with a maze of unspoken rules.

    ¡°Before you, ni Boyd managed these duties. If you¡¯re unsure, ask her,¡± Rex said.

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    Minna brushed it off. ¡°Got it,¡± she replied curtly.

    ¡°There are guests in the CEO¡¯s office now. Prepare two cups of coffee and deliver them.¡±

    Rex walked off without another word. Minna didn¡¯t bother consulting ni, heading straight to the pantry.

    Minna was using ni¡¯s workstation, forcing ni to share a cramped corner with another colleague. Yet ni was oddly cheerful. Serving coffee and tea had always been a minefield¡ªone misstep could earn a harsh rebuke from Ethan. Being free of the task was a relief.

    Leaning toward her desk neighbor, Zaylee Natt, ni whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s steer clear of her. We don¡¯t want to offend her.¡±

    Zaylee, a seasoned secretary in her early thirties, recently married and known for her ster work, scoffed, ¡°She thinks she¡¯s royalty just because Mrs. Mitchell sent her here. Did you see her strutting earlier? Like she owns the ce.¡±

    Nearby colleagues couldn¡¯t help but join in the conversation.

    ¡°She¡¯s bad news. We¡¯d better watch our backs. Even the CEO has to put up with her. We can¡¯t afford to offend her.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 636

    ?Chapter 636:

    In the pantry, Minna froze, awestruck by the Mitchell Group¡¯s extravagance.

    Rows of coffee beans, multiple coffee machines, and different brands of milk lined the space.

    Minna, who disliked coffee¡¯s bitterness and favored sweet instant mixes, felt a bit overwhelmed.

    Standing before the array of beans and equipment, she realized this task wasn¡¯t as simple as she had assumed.

    ¡°It¡¯s just coffee. How hard can it be?¡± she muttered under her breath to boost her confidence.

    She grabbed a random bag of beans, dumped them into a machine, and jabbed at buttons she barely understood. After a while, she finally figured out how the machine worked.

    She used hot water directly to make the coffee and added two spoonfuls of sugar. Pleased with her effort, she arranged two cups of coffee on a tray and strode confidently to Ethan¡¯s office.

    Inside the office, Ethan and Brenna sat close, quietly discussing the Harper Group share transfers.

    Brenna had moved her chair near Ethan¡¯s, their shoulders nearly touching.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to transfer the shares to me. I¡¯m not in need of money. If you want to give them to me, save them for a wedding gift,¡± Brenna said lightly.

    Her casual mention of marriage warmed Ethan¡¯s chest. Her trust in him, unshaken by the day¡¯s chaos, filled him with quiet joy.

    ¡°All right. As you wish,¡± he replied softly.

    Minna entered with the tray, and the atmosphere shifted. Ethan¡¯s and Brenna¡¯s expressions changed, their smiles vanishing. Ethan looked especially cold. Minna¡¯s heart sank. She knew Ethan¡¯s attitude toward her, but she couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit hurt by it.

    Swallowing her frustration, she set the cups of coffee down and said stiffly, ¡°Please enjoy.¡±

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    At that moment, she felt like a lowly servant.

    Ethan nced at the coffee, his eyes narrowing. ¡°What is this?¡± His voice was frigid. ¡°Do you even know what coffee I drink? This isn¡¯t it. I only take Heteron roast. Take this away.¡±

    Minna¡¯s temper red, convinced that Ethan was messing with her on purpose. She couldn¡¯t contain her frustration and blurted out, ¡°It¡¯s only coffee! Why fuss over something so trivial? It all tastes the same anyway. Even if I make another cup, it¡¯ll still be just coffee.¡±

    Her eyes shot daggers at Brenna, convinced she was putting on an act. She believed Brenna feared her prolonged presence in the secretarial department, worried that her continuous proximity to Ethan might ignite a romantic spark, ultimately leading him to abandon her. Minna interpreted Ethan¡¯s criticism as a thinly veiled attempt to appease Brenna¡¯s jealousy.

    Her gaze hardened with defiance as she met Ethan¡¯s eyes, her stance unyielding.

    Ethan¡¯s reply was icy, his detachment palpable. ¡°If you find it so challenging to meet this standard, perhaps you should consider returning to the sales department.¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 637

    ?Chapter 637:

    Brenna¡¯s voice was calm. ¡°If you can¡¯t even manage a simple coffee, what else are you good for?¡±

    Minna¡¯s pride felt attacked. With both Ethan and Brenna seemingly aligned against her, her resolve hardened. ¡°Fine. You win. I¡¯ll remake the coffee.¡±

    Brenna¡¯s face was a mask of indifference, but her words carried a subtle nudge. ¡°Remember, Ethan has refined tastes. You might want to consult the person who prepared coffee for him before, for some pointers. Make sure you¡¯ve mastered the task before you attempt another.¡±

    Feeling belittled and seething with anger, Minna retorted, ¡°Why are you making such a big deal out of this? It¡¯s just coffee!¡±

    Unruffled, Brenna responded lightly, ¡°It seems you¡¯re not much of a coffee drinker yourself. Perhaps you¡¯ve never been exposed to theplexities it involves. You really need to prepare more thoroughly. It¡¯s one thing to stumble in private, but failing in front of a high-profile client isn¡¯t just a personal mistake; it will reflect poorly on the entire Mitchell Group.¡±

    Ethan nodded in agreement, a hint of respect flickering in his eyes for Brenna¡¯s tactful yet sharp words.

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he said. ¡°Our clients are distinguished figures. If basic responsibilities are beyond your reach, then this isn¡¯t the ce for you. You can go back to the sales department. I have no room for ipetence here.¡±

    Minna¡¯s heart sank as their words pierced her like a barrage of arrows. It was clear¡ªthey were siding against her, shaming her in unison.

    Against all expectations, Ethan had chosen to overlook his mother¡¯s wishes for Brenna. Fury boiling within her, Minna clenched her jaw tight and stormed off, silently vowing to make Brenna and Ethan regret their actions.

    Brenna¡¯s chuckle was light, almost teasing. ¡°You really do set high standards, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Ethan¡¯s smile held a certain warmth as he replied, ¡°When you¡¯re grinding as hard as I am, isn¡¯t a touch of luxury justified? I sign off on their sries; it¡¯s only fair they meet my expectations. If they can¡¯t, I¡¯ll rece them.¡±

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    Brenna chuckled again, her amusement clear. ¡°You¡¯ve got a point,¡± she said, her gaze following Minna¡¯s hasty retreat. Elsa probably assumed the secretary role was a breeze; she clearly hadn¡¯t expected this job to be so demanding for Minna.

    Storming back to the secretarial department, Minna was visibly furious. Her first attempt at fulfilling a simple request had fallen t; she couldn¡¯t even make a decent cup of coffee.

    ¡°Such fuss over coffee,¡± she muttered to herself, vexed. ¡°What¡¯s so special about it anyway? It¡¯s hardly a matter of importance.¡± The other secretaries overheard her words and shared ncesced with amusement. None chose to speak to her.

    Particrly ni, who had always prepared coffee for Ethan before, simply chuckled softly to herself and returned to her tasks.

    Bristling with irritation, Minna whipped out her phone and furiously texted an old friend from her performance troupe days, seeking counsel. Bolstered by the advice, she approached ni with a trace of defiance still evident in her stance.

    Minna had scoffed at the notion that ni¡¯s primary duty had been merely managing coffee, a task she deemed trivial and beneath her. In her eyes, ni represented the epitome of redundancy in their department.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 638

    ?Chapter 638:

    However, after her own trials, Minna began to recognize that the job might holdplexities she had initially dismissed.

    With rigid posture, Minna inquired, ¡°ni, which coffee blend does Mr. Mitchell prefer?¡±

    ni maintained herposure, unaffected by Minna¡¯s arrogant demeanor. She replied, ¡°He prefers the Heteron blend.¡±

    Her response was concise, sticking strictly to the query posed, nothing more.

    After receiving her sinct answer, Minna offered a terse ¡°Thanks¡± before turning away.

    From the side, Zaylee leaned in close, shing ni a covert thumbs-up. ¡°Keep it to yourself about the precise number of beans, the exact grind time, and the fact that Mr. Mitchell usually goes for atte. Oh, and definitely skip mentioning how sweet he takes it,¡± she whispered.

    ni¡¯s smile was subtle yet knowing. ¡°Of course.¡±

    As Minna walked away, Zaylee barely contained her amusement. ¡°Earlier, she served Mr. Mitchell¡¯s and Miss Harper¡¯s drinks in paper cups. Does she think the Mitchell Group is on the verge of bankruptcy or something?¡±

    The secretarial staff shared a quiet chuckle among themselves. Meanwhile, Minna, clearly frustrated, spent an inordinate amount of time in the pantry before triumphantly presenting two freshly brewed cups of coffee in Ethan¡¯s office. Her posture was stiff, and her expression aloof as she set the cups down before Ethan and Brenna.

    Ethan barely nced at his cup before a frown marred his features. ¡°I only drinkttes,¡± he stated icily. ¡°You should be aware of that.¡±

    Minna¡¯s patience snapped. ¡°What does it matter? Coffee is coffee! And what on earth is atte supposed to be?¡±

    ¡°Take these away,¡± Ethanmanded, his tone slicing through the air. He was visibly annoyed now. Brenna had been seated here for nearly an hour yet hadn¡¯t been served anything resembling a decent beverage. His reputation for hospitality was at stake.

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    Catching Brenna¡¯s gaze, Minna noticed her slight head shake and the dismissive shrug of her shoulders, signaling her disdain.

    ¡°You really should acquaint yourself with how the affluent live,¡± Brenna said, a hint of mockery in her tone. ¡°It might just elevate your service skills.¡±

    ¡°Keep your advice to yourself!¡± Minna retorted, her anger ring against Brenna¡¯s smug demeanor.

    Brenna left the Mitchell Group without even having a drop of coffee. Ethan, too, decided to wrap up his day; he and Brenna left to enjoy dinner.

    Just before leaving thepany, Ethan called Rex over. ¡°Rex, how did you manage things today? Brenna was here for a full two hours and didn¡¯t even get a ss of decent coffee. Your performance is declining. If you¡¯re not up to the task, I¡¯ll find someone who is.¡±

    Ethan chose not to confront Minna directly, cing the me squarely on Rex for allowing her to dampen his spirits.

    Rex, disheartened yet unable to retort, ran his fingers through his hair and promptly acknowledged his oversight. ¡°Understood, Mr. Mitchell. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±

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 Chapter 639

    ?Chapter 639:

    Rex was at a loss regarding how to handle Minna.

    There was no way she could manage significant tasks like overseeing project proposals¡ªnot without causing a catastrophe.

    As Ethan left, a cloud of displeasure in his wake, Rex quietly pulled Neville to one side.

    ¡°What¡¯s the n for Minna? She¡¯s not cutting it in any role,¡± Rex said, frustration etching his voice.

    Neville, who had also grown increasingly exasperated because of Minna, responded, ¡°The Mitchell Group isn¡¯t going broke. We can afford an idler in thepany. Maybe just let her do the cleaning or something.¡±

    Rex paused, wrestling with the dilemma. ¡°But Minna was a direct rmendation from Mr. Mitchell¡¯s mother. Doesn¡¯t it seem a bit inappropriate to relegate her to cleaning duties?¡±

    Neville was blunt. ¡°If your goal is to have her offend more clients and botchrger projects, then by all means, let her continue serving coffee.¡±

    Rex¡¯s heart sank; it was like he was holding a ticking bomb now.

    Neville added dryly, ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious that Mr. Mitchell dislikes Minna?¡±

    Rex gave a quick nod; he¡¯d seen it too, no question about it.

    The realization hit him squarely.

    After dismissing Neville, Rex marched determinedly back into the bustling secretarial department. Standing before everyone, he sharply reprimanded Minna, stripping her of her coffee duties.

    ¡°What should I be doing now?¡± Minna¡¯s voice cracked slightly, caught off guard by the public chastisement on her first day here. She felt deeply embarrassed, believing Rex was disregarding Elsa¡¯s influence, to whom she had already voiced her grievances earlier that day. But she couldn¡¯tin to Elsa again. If she did, she¡¯d only confirm her ownck ofpetence.

    Rex barely acknowledged herint. He quickly delegated the coffee duties back to ni and departed to address his own tasks. Beneath her breath, Minna grumbled at Rex¡¯s departing back, ¡°At least assign me some work!¡±

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    Not long after Ethan and Brenna had exited the Mitchell Group premises, Brenna¡¯s phone rang. Shepard was on the line, urgently requesting her presence at home for a crucial discussion.

    Upon her arrival, Brenna noticed that Ableson and his family were also there. Everyone gathered around a dinner tablevishly set with a variety of sumptuous dishes.

    Ernst weed Ethan with open arms. ¡°Perfect timing. Join us. We were just about to delve into the matter of the Harper Group¡¯s shares.¡± Ethan greeted each member of the Harper family before sitting down. The dining table, typically upied by just a few, was bustling with guests today.

    Ernst took the initiative to fill everyone¡¯s sses with red wine. He lifted his ss, eyes sparkling with gratitude, and said, ¡°The rebound in the Harper Group¡¯s stock today is solely due to Brenna and Ethan¡¯s efforts. Justst night, I was scrambling to secure emergency funds from my banking contacts. They warned me the amount I sought was astronomical; approval, if granted, would take at least two weeks. By then, it would¡¯ve been far toote.¡± As his words hung in the air, all eyes shifted to Brenna and Ethan, who were met with a round of appreciative toasts.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 640

    ?Chapter 640:

    Ernst continued, ¡°Brenna helps us because she is family. So I particrly want to acknowledge Mr. Mitchell. Without his intervention, the Harper Group¡¯s stocks wouldn¡¯t have bounced back so swiftly. Just another day like today, and we¡¯ll see thepany fully stabilize. Ethan, this toast is for you.¡±

    Ethan offered a mild smile. ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formality. We¡¯re practically family. I couldn¡¯t possibly sit back and watch the Harper Group struggle.¡±

    One by one, the Harper family members stood, sses in hand, to toast Ethan, their faces alight with genuine appreciation.

    In merely a week, not only had the Harper Group¡¯s stock prices recovered to their pre-crisis levels, but they had also nudged slightly higher.

    Over recent weeks, Rosie had engaged an army of online saboteurs to tarnish the reputation of the Harper Group. However, thepany¡¯s decisive press conference had cleared the air, rendering her malicious attempts fruitless.

    As another week psed, Rosie¡¯s legal battle against the Harper Group, using them of uwfully seizing her shares, finallymenced.

    Regrettably for her, shecked credible evidence and stood no real chance of triumphing. Predictably, she lost thewsuit. Not only did she fail to recover any shares, but she also incurred significant financial losses from her schemes to hire trolls and stir up dissent among minor shareholders.

    ¡°Mom,¡± Brenna called out as she wheeled her suitcase towards Giselle¡¯s bedroom. She rapped on the door gently before entering. ¡°I¡¯m heading out on a business trip for a few days. Could you cover my Tuesday lecture at Shirie University?¡±

    Giselle, still nestled under her covers, responded warmly, ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll handle it. But isn¡¯t it quite early for you to leave now? It¡¯s only six in the morning.¡±

    ¡°My ne takes off at eight,¡± Brenna said, her voice tinged with urgency. ¡°I was supposed to fly outst week, but Rosie¡¯s legal antics forced a dy. The client is none too pleased about the holdup.¡±

    ¡°Understood, just stay safe. I won¡¯t be able to see you off,¡± Giselle responded, rising from the bed, a hint of worry etching her features.

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    ¡°Who¡¯s apanying you on this trip?¡±

    ¡°Thiago is apanying me. Don¡¯t worry.¡±

    Descending the stairs, Brenna found the driver poised beside the car, while Thiago was already inside.

    Brenna slid into the car, catching the buoyant air around Thiago. ¡°So, have Leif and Tori finally moved out of Ellie¡¯s ce?¡± she inquired, a yful smirk ying on her lips.

    Thiago¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Yes, they¡¯ve moved out. I purchased two houses¡ªone for them and another in preparation for Hank¡¯s future marriage. Ellie and I have moved in together. After this business, we will get married. You shoulde to our wedding.¡±

    Brenna¡¯s venture to Norview unfolded with surprising smoothness. Spencer Kurt, the man behind the invitation, weed her with a warm smile and wasted no time bringing up a possible coboration. He urged her to unwind during her stay and asked for her help in cracking the encrypted files Edward had left behind.

    Spencer had nearly devoured the Ward family¡¯s entire operation. He had reaped a fortune from this coup.

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    .

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 Chapter 641

    ?Chapter 641:

    Brenna, however, didn¡¯t care about that. She only knew that Edward¡¯s empire had been rooted in the drug trade, built on shattered homes and lost lives. But Spencer had his limits. Getting involved with drugs? That was a line he never even considered crossing.

    That bit of conscience was precisely why Brenna had decided to coborate with him.

    A weekter, after her return to Shirie, Brenna noticed a pleasant surprise¡ªher bank ount had grown considerably fatter, a quiet reward for her recent dealings. At the same time, the Harper family found themselves the recipients of an invitation to Rosie¡¯s engagement ceremony.

    The moment Brenna stepped into the living room, dragging her suitcase behind her, her eyesnded on a light purple envelope resting conspicuously on the coffee table. Her gaze was instantly drawn to the unmistakable royal crest of Plieca embossed neatly in the bottom right corner. She picked it up with azy flick of her fingers, inspecting it with mild curiosity.

    ¡°So it¡¯s official then,¡± Brenna murmured, a smirk curling at the corner of her lips. ¡°Rosie is really going to be Prince Maxley¡¯s wife. I guess I gave her too little credit before.¡±

    Her words dripped with cool sarcasm as she flicked the invitation back onto the table.

    Julia approached, reaching out to take Brenna¡¯s suitcase from her grip as she spoke. ¡°That invitation came about five days ago, while you were still out of town. It¡¯s been sitting there untouched ever since. Oh, and in case you¡¯re wondering¡ªtoday¡¯s the big day. The engagement ceremony is happening right now. Neither of your parents attended. Your father made it clear¡ªthe Harper family refuses to acknowledge someone they see as a traitor.¡±

    Brenna merely nodded, her expression tinged with indifference. She had no intention of attending either.

    Upstairs in Brenna¡¯s bedroom, Julia busied herself with the suitcase, her movements meticulous as she set gifts Brenna brought back on the polished surface of the table and sorted clothes for theundry. As she worked, she said to Brenna, ¡°Your father hasn¡¯t stopped talking about the pills you gave him. He has been taking one each day for the past week and ims he hasn¡¯t felt this vigorous in years. He¡¯s even broached the topic with your mother about possibly mass producing the medicine.¡±

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    Brenna stared elsewhere as she absorbed the trivial updates with a distant air.

    As she was finalizing her ns for relocating the studio with Joe and Tommy, the tranquility was abruptly shattered. Patrick burst through the door, his face flushed with irritation. ¡°Brenna!¡± he eximed.

    He slumped onto the sofa in Brenna¡¯s room, his bodynguage screaming defeat as he tossed his phone onto herp with dramatic ir. ¡°Mommy and Thiago¡­ They went on their honeymoon and just ditched me!¡±

    Brenna gently tapped the y button on a voice message on Patrick¡¯s phone. Ellie¡¯s voice rang out, ¡°Hey Patrick, it¡¯s Mommy. Thiago and I are off on a honeymoon trip. It¡¯s a bit of a hassle to bring you along this time, so you¡¯re going to stay with your godmother for the week. Don¡¯t worry; I¡¯ve already prepared all your favorite outfits for you. Have a st, okay?¡±

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 Chapter 642

    ?Chapter 642:

    With a tender stroke through Patrick¡¯s hair, Brenna sighed, her voice tinged with sympathy. ¡°Oh, poor kiddo, seems like you¡¯ve been left behind. Ellie¡¯s really living it up, huh? She¡¯s having fun without you.¡±

    Patrick puffed out his cheeks and copsed into Brenna¡¯s embrace, his voice muffled. ¡°They must think I¡¯m just in the way. I am so pitiful. You¡¯ve got to make it up to me!¡±

    Brenna chuckled, her eyes twinkling. ¡°You bet! After a week in Norview, surviving on nothing but steaks, burgers, and greasy chicken, I¡¯m really fed up with that. I¡¯m craving some authentic Vand dishes. How about we hit up that new spot downtown? What do you say?¡±

    Patrick¡¯s face lit up as he lifted his head, his previous dismay forgotten.

    ¡°Yes! Let¡¯s go now!¡±

    ¡°Give me just a minute to change,¡± Brenna replied.

    She swiftly changed intofortable cargo pants and a simple T-shirt, slung her trusty backpack over her shoulder, and ushered Patrick out the door.

    They were barely settled in the car when Brenna¡¯s phone rang; it was Ethan calling.

    Brenna answered, and Ethan¡¯s deep, smooth voice flowed through the speaker. She realized she really missed him.

    Ethan¡¯s voice crackled through the phone,ced with palpable excitement. ¡°You¡¯re back?¡±

    Brenna responded with a soft hum, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation. ¡°Yeah, but Ellie and Thiago have gone away on their honeymoon. Can you believe it? They¡¯ve left Patrick in my care. Looks like they won¡¯t be back for a whole month.¡±

    Ethan, sitting in his car, immediately frowned. The thought of having a third wheel on their dates didn¡¯t sit well with him. ¡°Doesn¡¯t the kid have grandparents? Why do you have to be the one taking care of him?¡±

    Brenna cast a nce at Patrick before she replied, ¡°Well, you know how tricky it can be for the elderly to keep up with kids these days¡­¡±

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    Before Brenna could borate further, Patrick, having overheard the conversation, interjected, ¡°Grandma and Grandpa are too busy with my uncle¡¯s wedding stuff. They don¡¯t have time for me.¡±

    The truth was, Patrick had no intention of staying with Leif and Tori. Their house was a fun-free zone¡ªno ice cream, no gadgets, no games, and definitely no fun trips.

    He preferred living with Brenna.

    Ethan¡¯s frustration simmered. ¡°And what about his dad? I think Jayceon needs to take care of his own kid.¡±

    He let out a huff, rubbing his temple. ¡°I¡¯m going to make sure Jayceon takes his son away. I¡¯m not about to let his kid cling to you for a month and ruin our dates.¡±

    Ethan wasn¡¯t in a rush to drive off. Instead, irritation bubbling, he called Jayceon, but Jayceon didn¡¯t pick up.

    He could only give up.

    ¡°What¡¯s got him so tied up that he can¡¯t even pick up my calls?¡± Ethan grumbled under his breath. Digging up another number for Jayceon, he gave it another shot. But Jayceon still didn¡¯t pick up.

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 Chapter 643

    ?Chapter 643:

    Out of options, he left Jayceon a message to pick up his kid.

    Upon arrival, Ethan saw Brenna and Patrick already at a table. They¡¯d picked a seafood grill and stew joint.

    Fresh off a whirlwind business trip abroad, Ethan had onlye back a couple of days ago. He had been scouring the city for the perfect spot to wine and dine Brenna recently. But now, with Patrick being the third wheel, he felt displeased.

    Still, there was no word from Jayceon. Ethan, equal parts ticked off and defeated, slid into the seat across from Brenna and Patrick, his expression somber.

    Seeing Patrick so close to Brenna, practically glued to her side, sent a jab of irritation through Ethan.

    Patrick, sharp as a tack despite his age, leaned in and whispered to Brenna, ¡°He¡¯s not a fan of me. Look at his grumpy face.¡±

    Brenna stifled augh. ¡°He doesn¡¯t dislike you. He must have just had a bad time. Why not ask him yourself?¡±

    Patrick swiveled to Ethan. ¡°Is that true?¡±

    Ethan let out a heavy sigh, feeling cornered. ¡°Yeah, I tried ringing your dad toe pick you up, but he¡¯s not answering my calls.¡±

    Patrick turned to Brenna with a displeased expression. ¡°See? He thinks I¡¯m a third wheel, just like Mom and Dad. Whenever Dad shows up, he shoves some cash at me, tells me to buy snacks or toys, and then banishes me to my room.¡±

    Brenna burst outughing. This kid didn¡¯t miss a thing.

    She ruffled his hair affectionately. ¡°You are adorable.¡±

    Patrick ced his Rubik¡¯s Cube on the table. ¡°Is the food here any good?¡±

    Ethan¡¯s eyesnded on the cube¡ªa beastly 6¡Á6, perfectly solved. His eyebrows shot up, impressed.

    ¡°You cracked this yourself?¡± Ethan asked, half-doubting. This kind of brainpower was on par with his own as a kid. Suddenly, Patrick wasn¡¯t just some tagalong; he was starting to like him.

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    ¡°Yup,¡± Patrick said, like it was no big deal. ¡°It¡¯s boring to y with this. The custom model cars Brenna got me are way more fun.¡±

    Right then, a waitress swung by with a steaming pot of seafood stew. She nestled it into the table¡¯s built-in burner, flicked on the me, and said, ¡°Dig in! Toppings and sauces are at the self-serve bar.¡±

    Patrick¡¯s eyes sparkled at the simmering pot. He tugged Brenna¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Brenna, let¡¯s go and check out the bar.¡± Brenna and Ethan headed there with Patrick.

    Ethan muttered to Brenna, ¡°Kid¡¯s got some serious smarts. No wonder he wasn¡¯t keen on living with his grandparents.¡±

    Brenna¡¯sugh was soft, her eyes warm with fondness. ¡°He¡¯s sharp as a whip and way more mature than most kids his age. You shouldn¡¯t treat him like a little kid. Just treat him like an adult.¡±

    Ethan wasn¡¯t totally sold. ¡°Mature or not, he¡¯s still a kid.¡±

    Patrick wedged himself between them, stretching on his tiptoes to scope out the counter. ¡°Brenna, I want shrimp! Oh, and bacon strips! And those meatballs!¡±

    Brenna shot him a gentle nudge. ¡°You gotta eat some vegetables, too.¡±

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 Chapter 644

    ?Chapter 644:

    Patrick pulled a face like he had bitten a lemon. ¡°I don¡¯t like vegetables. Wow, there is also yogurt and fruit!¡± He yanked Brenna toward the dessert bar, his excitement evident.

    When the trio strolled back to their table, they caught a little girl from the next table ying with Patrick¡¯s Rubik¡¯s Cube, her curiosity in as day. She looked a smidge older than Patrick, maybe about eight, decked out in a cute outfit.

    ¡°Why¡¯s your cube got so many squares?¡± she asked, eyes wide. ¡°The ones I¡¯ve seen only have nine per side.¡±

    Patrick, charmed by her cuteness, replied, ¡°This one¡¯s apetition-grade 6¡Á6. Those nine-square ones? They¡¯re for people to y with.¡±

    The girl¡¯s face lit up, pure awe. She had yed with a cube before but never got past nailing one side.

    ¡°I see! You solved this all by yourself?¡±

    Patrick replied nonchntly, ¡°Yeah.¡±

    The girl puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms. ¡°No way! I don¡¯t believe you. I¡¯m gonna jumble it up, and you gotta solve it right in front of me!¡±

    Patrick gave aid-back shrug. ¡°Knock yourself out. I¡¯m gonna eat something first.¡±

    The little girl, buzzing with excitement, scampered back to her mom¡¯s side at the next table, diligently twisting and turning the cube into a chaotic mess.

    Ethan, impressed by Patrick¡¯s wit, started peeling shrimp for him, piling a whole te without a word.

    Patrick¡¯s face lit up at that. ¡°Since you are peeling the shrimp for me, I¡¯m gonna let you in on a little secret!¡±

    He leaned in and whispered into Ethan¡¯s ear, ¡°Thiago used to have a thing for Brenna.¡±

    Ethan froze for a moment, caught off guard. He had once thought Thiago¡¯s nces at Brenna seemed a bit special, but when Thiago and Ellie paired up, he thought he had been overthinking things.

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    ¡°Is that true?¡± Ethan murmured, keeping his voice low. ¡°Did they ever, like, hold hands or kiss or anything?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Patrick said, his face serious.

    Ethan squinted at him, trying to figure out if he was telling the truth. Most kids didn¡¯t have the ability to lie so smoothly, but Patrick? His brain was a cut above; he was sharp enough to fib without flinching. He kept his eyes locked on Patrick, thinking this little genius wasn¡¯t just book-smart; he was slick as a whistle. The kid knew exactly how to push his buttons.

    Meanwhile, Patrick had already bounced back to Brenna¡¯s side, munching on shrimp, clearly loving every bite.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got the 97th and 98th floors all cleared out for your studios,¡± Ethan said. ¡°So, when are you moving your studios there?¡±

    Brenna replied, ¡°Ernst has been pushing for me to move my studios into the Harper Group offices instead.¡±

    Ethan leaned back, keeping his tone steady. ¡°Why move there? My building¡¯s got all the space you¡¯d ever need. Plus, once we get married, you don¡¯t have to move again.¡±

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 Chapter 645

    ?Chapter 645:

    Brenna said, ¡°Isn¡¯t that a little premature? What if we break up in the future?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not going to happen,¡± Ethan quickly said.

    Brenna raised an eyebrow. ¡°Your mother is not exactly my biggest fan, you know. And I¡¯m pretty sure your father doesn¡¯t like me, either.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re marrying me, not them,¡± Ethan said, his tone firm. ¡°Their opinions don¡¯t call the shots. They wanted me to enlist, fly jets, and I said no way. Built my ownpany instead. They were furious, but I didn¡¯t budge. Who I choose to spend my life with? That¡¯s my decision. They won¡¯t be able to interfere in the matter.¡±

    Watching Brenna closely, he felt a wave of relief¡ªshe didn¡¯t seem upset at all. She didn¡¯t bring up that whole Minna fiasco, either. That was what he loved about her. No petty grudges.

    Ethan now felt a little embarrassed. That earlier pang of jealousy due to Thiago having a thing for Brenna before felt downright childish now.

    Brenna studied Ethan¡¯s chiseled face and gave a small nod. ¡°Word is you aren¡¯t exactly the obedient son, unlike Kenny.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Ethan said with a grin. ¡°So, you will move your studios to my building, right? We can have meals together every day after the move.¡±

    He fished a few plump shrimp from the pot and ced them onto Brenna¡¯s te. Then, he tossed a couple of lettuce leaves onto Patrick¡¯s. Patrick let out a grumpy huff, pushing the lettuce to the edge of his te. ¡°I don¡¯t eat veggies!¡±

    He shot Ethan a re. ¡°Howe Brenna gets shrimp, and I¡¯m stuck with lettuce?¡±

    Ethan didn¡¯t miss a beat, his tone mock-serious. ¡°Because kids need a bnced diet to grow up strong. Meanwhile, Brenna just got back from a business trip. She must be tired and needs the protein boost.¡±

    Brenna let out a softugh, reaching over to snatch the lettuce off Patrick¡¯s te. She swapped it with a couple of shrimp from her own te. ¡°There you go.¡±

    Patrick¡¯s grumpy pout disappeared.

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    Ethan frowned, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re spoiling him too much, you know.¡±

    With a yful smirk, Brenna fished a ky piece of fish from the pot and slid it onto Ethan¡¯s te, topping it with two meatballs.

    Ethan instantly perked up. Food offered by Brenna just tasted better.

    ¡°Hey!¡± The little girl from the next table spoke up. She had turned Patrick¡¯s Rubik¡¯s Cube into a colorful mess and now set it in front of him with a mischievous grin. ¡°I want to watch you solve it.¡±

    Patrick set down his fork, grabbed the cube, and got to work. In under three minutes, every side was back to a perfect single color.

    The girl¡¯s eyes lit up like stars. ¡°You¡¯re incredible! What¡¯s your name? Can I get your number?¡±

    Ethan leaned in, whispering to Brenna, ¡°Look at him, already charming girls at his age.¡±

    After the meal, Ethan and Brenna took Patrick for a leisurely walk through the nearby park. It was well past nine in the evening by the time they went back home.

    Shepard and Giselle had already wrapped up their dinner and evening stroll. Ernst and Dalton were in their rooms, buried in their own projects.

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 Chapter 646

    ?Chapter 646:

    Brenna handed out the goodies she¡¯d brought from Norview¡ªa rare perfume for Giselle, a couple of cigars for Shepard, and sleek bottles of high-end cologne for Ernst and Dalton.

    They all gathered in the cozy third-floor lounge, chatting. Brenna said, ¡°Ethan¡¯s pushing for me to move.¡±

    Shepard and Giselle shared a quick look, both caught off guard. Displeasure flickered across their faces, especially Giselle¡¯s. She was against Brenna moving in with Ethan before marrying him.

    Shepard thought the same. He believed Brenna and Ethan at least needed to have a wedding ceremony before they could move in together.

    Giselle spoke up, her tone gentle but steady. ¡°Brenna, honey, I¡¯m not so sure about this. You two aren¡¯t married yet. And Elsa¡¯s still not on board with you and Ethan being together. I think we need to get both families together and hash this out properly.¡±

    Shepard nodded. ¡°She¡¯s right. You¡¯re still young, Brenna. No need to dive headfirst into marriage.¡±

    Brenna blinked, genuinely thrown. ¡°Whoa, hold up. I didn¡¯t mean moving in with Ethan. I was talking about moving my studios to the Mitchell Group building instead of the Harper Group building.¡±

    Giselle let out a warmugh and swooped in to wrap Brenna in a quick, cozy hug. ¡°I mistakenly believed you¡¯d already packed your bags for Ethan¡¯s ce! I thought that was too fast. He¡¯s supposed to be your life partner. Our family needs a good couple of years to evaluate him for you. Of course, you can¡¯t move in with him just after being in a rtionship for a few months.¡±

    Ernst couldn¡¯t help but defend Ethan. ¡°Mom, honestly, Ethan¡¯s a great man. When the Harper Group ran into trouble, he stepped in without a second thought. He threw hundreds of millions into the market to stabilize our stocks, asking for nothing in return. You won¡¯t find a better son-inw than him.¡±

    The five of them shared a heartyugh, their chatter filling the room with warmth. Just then, Patrick toddled over, clutching Brenna¡¯s car model, the one she used for her lectures. He mbered onto the couch beside her, his big eyes pleading. ¡°Brenna, can I y with this for a while?¡±

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    Brenna¡¯s smile was instant, and she gave a quick nod. But then, a thought struck her, and she tilted her head, ¡°Yes, you can. But how about you sleep in your own room tonight?¡±

    Patrick¡¯s eyes sparkled like he had just won the lottery. ¡°I don¡¯t have to bunk with Dalton tonight? That¡¯s wonderful!¡±

    Dalton shot a fake scowl and leaned over to give Patrick¡¯s nose a yful pinch. ¡°What¡¯s that? Did I not treat you well? Ungrateful little squirt, after all the times I¡¯ve taken care of you, how can you be like this?¡±

    Patrick puffed out his chest, ring at Dalton with all the seriousness a kid could muster. ¡°I¡¯m a big man now, okay? I don¡¯t need you to take care of me!¡±

    The whole family burst intoughter.

    Giselle chimed in, her voice dripping with affection. ¡°How about you stay in the room next to Brenna¡¯s, huh?¡±

    Since Rosie had moved out and clearly wasn¡¯ting back, her room was now empty and could be used by Patrick.

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 Chapter 647

    ?Chapter 647:

    Patrick, eager to prove he was mature, spoke like an adult. ¡°That¡¯s good. I can sleep on my own. Brenna, I am going to bed now.¡±

    Brenna chuckled and gently tugged him back to the couch. ¡°Whoa, slow your roll. That room needs a quick spruce-up first. Someone used to live there. I will ask the¡ª

    ¡°Servants will prepare the room for you, alright?¡± Brenna said.

    Patrick gave a nod and snuggled up next to her, ying with the car model.

    Giselle¡¯s eyes flicked to the model, a hint of worry creeping in. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the one you use for your lectures? You sure he won¡¯t break it? Wouldn¡¯t it be a problem if a piece went missing or something?¡±

    Patrick¡¯s head shot up, his voice brimming with confidence. ¡°I¡¯m not gonna break it, I swear. I know what I¡¯m doing. No pieces are going missing.¡±

    Giselle grinned, charmed by his earnestness.

    Brenna waved off the concern with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s all good, Mom. Patrick¡¯s a sharp one. This model¡¯s tricky, but he can take it apart and put it back together on his own. He¡¯s a wiz with mechanical stuff, and he has incredible coding skills, too.¡±

    Ernst nodded. ¡°Indeed. Thest time Brenna was giving a talk at the Harper Group, some people tried to sabotage the projector. Guess who sniffed out the glitch and fixed it? This little genius. Kid¡¯s got a bright future.¡±

    Giselle was thoroughly impressed. She called for Julia to get Rosie¡¯s old room ready for Patrick.

    The next morning, Brenna roused Patrick early. She had a jam-packed day ahead, moving her two studios into the Mitchell Group building.

    When they trotted downstairs, Patrick¡¯s jaw practically hit the floor. ¡°Whoa! This is next-level!¡± he gasped, eyes bugging out at the breakfast before him.

    The dining table was a feast for the senses, loaded with delicious food: golden croissants, buttery biscuits, crumbly scones, a muffin medley, whole-grain toast, bagels thered with cream cheese, fluffy scrambled eggs, sizzling bacon, juicy sausages¡­ There were also different kinds of pies.

    Patrick gawked at the spread, practically drooling. ¡°The food smells so good!¡±

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    He then turned to Brenna. ¡°Can I eat anything I want here?¡±

    Brenna mussed his hair with a grin. ¡°Of course.¡±

    Julia strolled over, her smile warm as she gestured to the spread. ¡°We¡¯ve got all sorts of breads and pies. Which ones would you like?¡±

    Patrick parked himself in front of the pies, marveling at their picture-perfect crusts. Each one looked so great, better than anything he had seen in bakeries.

    ¡°I want all of them,¡± he dered, ticking off his order on his fingers. ¡°Plus a bowl of chicken soup, one egg, a ss of milk¡­¡±

    Brennaughed. ¡°That¡¯s a lot. Are you sure you can finish all that? You¡¯re staying here for a few days; no need to eat everything you like in a day.¡±

    Patrick plopped down across from her, letting out a theatrical sigh. ¡°Brenna, you don¡¯t get it. My mom sleeps till noon and never makes breakfast. Grandma tries, but it¡¯s just boring soup with pickles. The eggs? in boiled, every time. Here, the breakfast is fantastic. Can I stay here forever? I¡¯m worried that when my grandparents move out, Mom won¡¯t prepare breakfast for me, leaving me to cook for myself.¡±

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 Chapter 648

    ?Chapter 648:

    Julia, who was about to serve up his te, overheard his words and grinned in surprise. ¡°You are so little yet already know how to cook?¡±

    Patrick puffed out his chest, looking proud. ¡°I can make spaghetti, and I¡¯m a pro at ordering takeout!¡±

    Julia chuckled. ¡°What a champ. Ellie¡¯s lucky to have you as her son.¡±

    One by one, the Harper family trickled downstairs to have breakfast, filling the dining room with chatter and the clink of tes. Brenna was still digging into her breakfast when a familiar voice piped up behind her. ¡°Wow, this looks incredible.¡±

    It was Ethan, looking like he had just stepped out of a magazine in a sleek ck bespoke suit. He quickly greeted Shepard and Giselle. Giselle, who was fond of Ethan, lit up with a warm smile. ¡°Ethan, have you eaten yet? If not, you can join us.¡±

    Ethan shot a quick nce at Dalton and Ernst, then shed a grin as he slid into the seat next to Brenna.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind if I do. Haven¡¯t had a bite yet, so I¡¯m diving in.¡±

    Julia hustled over with a fresh set of utensils, setting them neatly in front of Ethan.

    Ethan¡¯s eyes roamed the spread.

    Living solo in his sprawling house, he had a housekeeper, sure, but breakfast was always simple: one boiled egg, two slices of whole-grain toast, and a ss of milk.

    Even back when he had lived with his parents, he had never had such avish breakfast.

    Brenna, curious, tilted her head and said to Ethan, ¡°You live halfway across town. How¡¯d you get here so early?¡±

    Ethan and Ernst both let out a chuckle, leaving Brenna confused.

    Ernst jumped in, grinning. ¡°Oh, he¡¯s closer than you think. Bought a ce right here in the neighborhood. Moved in yesterday. Says he wants to apany you to work every day.¡±

    Brenna¡¯s jaw dropped as she turned to Ethan. ¡°Is that true?¡±

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    Ethan grinned. ¡°Yeah. We are living in the same neighborhood now. Any chance I could swing by for breakfast and dinner every day?¡±

    Shepard and Giselle shared a quick knowing look.

    Shepard let out a hearty chuckle. ¡°Of course you can. We¡¯d love to have you join our meals. I just hope your parents won¡¯t think we¡¯re stealing you away.¡±

    Brenna couldn¡¯t resist a yful jab. ¡°If your mom catches wind of this, she might faint from anger again.¡±

    Ethan shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. I¡¯ve been stirring up trouble since I was a child. My mother is already used to being angry with me; she¡¯s not gonna faint easily.¡±

    After a pause, he added, ¡°Besides, didn¡¯t I often have meals at your house when I was young?¡±

    Ernst said, ¡°That was a whole different matter. You should talk this over with your family first. Your mom¡¯s already against you dating Brenna. You sure she won¡¯t storm over here and scold you if she learns of this?¡±

    Brenna nodded, agreeing with Ernst.

    Ethan just waved it off, unfazed. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ve done far worse things than this before.¡±

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 Chapter 649

    ?Chapter 649:

    Shepard and Giselle knew Ethan and his brother Kenny were night and day¡ªone a rule-follower, the other a born troublemaker¡ªbut they hadn¡¯t realized how much chaos Ethan used to stir up. They exchanged a nce, sensing this might not be appropriate, but didn¡¯t say anything about it. It was just meals, after all; the Harper household could handle one more mouth.

    Besides, with so many housekeepers and security guards at home, every meal was already prepared for arge group. Adding Ethan to the equation wouldn¡¯t make much of a difference.

    After breakfast, Brenna grabbed her bag and hopped into Ethan¡¯s car with Patrick. They headed straight for the Mitchell Group headquarters.

    Ethan led Brenna up to the 57th floor, and Brenna¡¯s eyes widened. The whole ce was freshly renovated, with shiny office gear from wall to wall. The entire floor was hers, big enough for hundreds of employees.

    ¡°When did you start remodeling this floor?¡± Brenna asked, floored. A makeover like this didn¡¯t happen overnight. Ethan had to have been nning it for ages.

    Ethan shed a soft smile. ¡°It looks good, right? Kicked it off two months ago. Heard you were growing your team, so I figured I¡¯d let you move your team here. Now we can head to work and go home together every day.¡±

    ¡°Ethan, this is beyond generous,¡± Brenna said, her voice thick with gratitude. ¡°You¡¯ve got a whole empire of employees, and you still carved out an entire floor for me? Thiago, Tommy, and Joe will have their own offices now.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s face lit up, his smile practically glowing. ¡°No need to thank me. Oh, and by the way, I didn¡¯t just save one floor¡ªI reserved two. When your team grows, you¡ª

    ¡°¡­won¡¯t need to move again.¡±

    Brenna was so grateful that words failed her. She threw her arms around Ethan and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

    But Ethan wasn¡¯t about to let it end there. His arms slid around her waist, pulling her close as he leaned in, kissing her on the lips.

    Her lips were so soft.

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??? ????????  novels

    Just then, Minna stepped out of the elevator, clutching a stic spray bottle and a stack of cleaning cloths. When she caught sight of Brenna and Ethan locked in a kiss, her face darkened.

    Trailing behind Minna were ni and a few other Mitchell Group cleaning staff. They held their breath, tiptoeing out of the elevator, thrilled to catch a glimpse of their boss and his future wife kissing.

    Minna cleared her throat to disrupt the moment, her foot stomping the floor like she was trying to scare off a stray cat. She wanted Ethan and Brenna to stop kissing.

    Ethan calmly ended the kiss. ¡°I called them here to clean the ce,¡± he said to Brenna.

    Minna¡¯s mind churned with a tempest of emotions. What she had just seen shocked her.

    She had believed her ce in the Mitchell family was cemented, given that Elsa already treated her as her future daughter-inw. Even if Ethan wasn¡¯t fond of her, she had assumed he would at least show her basic courtesy.

    At the very least, she thought he wouldn¡¯t dare defy Elsa by openly being close to Brenna.

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 Chapter 650

    ?Chapter 650:

    But reality struck her like a cold de¡ªEthan¡¯s rift with Elsa was deeper than she had realized. Not only did he flout his mother¡¯s wishes, but he was also very close to Brenna in public, even kissing her.

    Upon arriving at thepany today, she set down her designer handbag, a splurge she had justified because everyone in the office unted luxury brands. She was also wearing an outfit she had just bought yesterday, equally expensive.

    This was a lifestyle she had never imagined affording before. Her mother worked with Elsa, and she herself had once been Elsa¡¯s subordinate.

    Though her family¡¯s status mirrored Elsa¡¯s in some ways, it paled inparison to the Mitchells¡¯ wealth.

    In order to make herself worthy of Ethan, she had spentvishly to polish her image. Yet, on her debut in the expensive outfit, Rex saddled her with cleaning duties.

    She had argued with him, but Rex had ample justification for that. ¡°You¡¯re the only one without a set role here. Who else should do it but you? Besides, this order came straight from Mr. Mitchell.¡±

    Minna felt utterly humiliated. She was certain that Rex was deliberately making things difficult for her.

    Wasn¡¯t cleaning the janitor¡¯s job? Why was she, a secretary, stuck with it?

    She had learned from Rex that the 57th and 58th floors were newly renovated for a new department, needing thorough cleaning and setup. She had never expected Ethan and Brenna to be here.

    Now that Brenna had learned she was here to do the cleaning, Minna knew mockery was inevitable.

    How could she not be furious?

    Yet, amid her fury, her mind raced. She quickly thought of a n to make Brenna upset.

    Thrusting the stic bin she carried into ni¡¯s hands, Minna strode toward Ethan and Brenna. She had spent hours perfecting her makeup that morning and was confident she rivaled, if not surpassed, Brenna¡¯s beauty. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, what brings you here?¡± she asked, deliberately ignoring Brenna.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s brings your imagination alive

    Ethan had no patience for her games. Sensing her intent to stir trouble, he turned to Brenna with a warm smile. ¡°Let me show you around. If anything¡¯s not to your liking, I¡¯ll have it fixed.¡±

    Minna¡¯s pride felt trampled. She could hear ni and the cleaning staff behind her stifling giggles, ridiculing her.

    The shame seared her like a hot iron. Her resentment for Brenna deepened.

    Just then, ni greeted Ethan and Brenna cheerfully.

    Ethan nodded, introducing her to Brenna, saying, ¡°This is my secretary, ni Boyd. You¡¯ve met her before.¡±

    Minna¡¯s humiliation intensified. Ethan¡¯s polite, easy tone with others, contrasted with his cold dismissal of her, cut like a de.

    Unable to endure it, Minna fled to the restroom.

    Brenna¡¯s calm voice carried across the open space. ¡°Hi, I remember you. You handle refreshments, right? I¡¯ll be working here from now on, so I might need your help sometimes.¡±

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 Chapter 651

    ?Chapter 651:

    ni replied with effortless poise, ¡°It¡¯ll be a pleasure to work with you.¡±

    Ethan led Brenna through the offices, pointing out two managerial ones¡ªonerger, one smaller. ¡°The 58th floor¡¯syout is identical,¡± he said. ¡°Arrange it however you want. Each floor has its own pantry and restrooms. Dedicated housekeeping covers both, so you won¡¯t need to worry about upkeep.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve really thought of everything,¡± Brenna said. She was thoroughly impressed with the offices¡ªthey were expansive, sleek, and elegantly designed. The desks were generously sized, the sofas were crafted from premium leather, and even the nts and decor were meticulously chosen.

    ¡°The cafeteria¡¯s on the second and third floors,¡± Ethan said. ¡°Free meals for all staff, your team included. We¡¯ve got a wide variety of food options.¡±

    The open workspace featured nearly two hundred workstations, neatly organized into sections,plete with printers, shredders, and other vital equipment.

    ¡°This is massivepared to my old office space,¡± Brenna said, taking it all in. She did a quick mental tally. With just over a hundred employees now, she could scale her team tenfold and still have space to spare.

    After a pause, she added, ¡°One floor is already enough for my team.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not giving yourself enough credit,¡± Ethan replied, his tone earnest. ¡°With your talent and reputation, your team will balloon tenfold in no time. I would bet the two floors will be packed with your employees within two years.¡±

    Brenna nodded lightly. ¡°You¡¯re likely right. When I was trapped under the Barrett family, I barely had a moment to grow my business. They drained me dry, and my studio justnguished.¡±

    Just then, a piercing scream suddenly echoed from the restroom. Ethan frowned, instantly suspecting Minna was staging another bid for his attention.

    In the elevator, Brenna nced up at Ethan, her voice icy and edged with irritation. ¡°Miss Davies seems to be in some distress. Aren¡¯t you going to check on her?¡±

    A faint spark of hostility flickered in her eyes, her anger barely masked. Since Elsa had pushed Minna onto Ethan, surely he could reassign her elsewhere. Perhaps send her on an extended business trip?

    Brenna refused to believe he was powerless to remove her.

    Ethan¡¯s expression softened as he met Brenna¡¯s gaze. The tension in his brow eased, reced by a subtle, indulgent smile. He could see it¡ªBrenna was jealous. It was the clearest sign she cared about him.

    A quiet joy surged within him. He pressed the elevator¡¯s close button with a casual flick and said, ¡°Even if she were dying, I wouldn¡¯t spare her a nce.¡±

    Brenna huffed, shooting him a mock re. ¡°What are you smiling at?¡± she snapped, though inwardly, she was pleased with Ethan. No matter what schemes Elsa concocted, Ethan only loved her.

    Outside the restroom, ni and five cleaners were bustling about, gearing up to polish desks and office equipment.

    Martha McGill, an older cleaner with a warm spirit, halted when she heard the sound from the restroom. Worry etched across her features as she spoke up. ¡°ni, did you catch that noise? Should we go see what¡¯s wrong? You all keep working; I¡¯ll go take a look.¡±

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 Chapter 652

    ?Chapter 652:

    ni gave a softugh. She knew Minna¡¯s antics all too well. ¡°Don¡¯t bother; Minna is just stirring up drama,¡± she said.

    But Martha¡¯s worry lingered. That scream had sounded genuinely miserable. As the cleaning team¡¯s leader, she felt a duty to act. She cared about people and was always ready to help when someone was in need.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take a quick look,¡± she said, going inside the restroom. The restroom had multiple stalls, and Martha couldn¡¯t pinpoint the one Minna was in. ¡°Is everything alright in here?¡± she called out.

    In one of the stalls, Minna had been waiting, her n already in motion. She sat theatrically on the toilet, clutching her ankle in a dramatic pose. She was betting on whether Ethan cared about her even a little bit.

    As thepany¡¯s CEO, wouldn¡¯t he at least check on an employee injured on the job?

    In Minna¡¯s mind, if Ethan stormed into the women¡¯s restroom, even out of mere concern for an employee, it would prove he wasn¡¯t entirely indifferent to her.

    Hearing footsteps, Minna¡¯s hopes red. Even if it wasn¡¯t Ethan, the person could fetch him for her.

    ¡°I¡¯m in here,¡± she called out.

    Martha followed the voice and found Minna gripping her ankle, which appeared swollen.

    ¡°Oh, goodness,¡± Martha eximed. ¡°What happened? Is it bad?¡±

    Minna¡¯s eyes darted past Martha, searching for Ethan, but he was nowhere in sight. None of the other secretaries or cleaners were here either.

    Frustration and bitterness churned within her. Hadn¡¯t anyone heard her cry out? How could her coworkers be so cold as to not even check on her? Especially ni¡ªthey shared an office. How could she be so heartless?

    Minna¡¯s resentment toward ni deepened.

    ???l????v??????.c??m brings fresh updates

    She also looked down on Martha. She believed Martha seemed tidy andpetent, yet she was doing such a lowly job, cleaning.

    Minna¡¯s tone turned sharp and impatient. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I just twisted my ankle by ident. Can you go get Mr. Mitchell for me?¡±

    Martha blinked, puzzled. Minna seemed like a smart person, but her request was utterly ridiculous.

    ¡°This is the women¡¯s restroom. It¡¯s not proper for Mr. Mitchell toe in here,¡± Martha said.

    Inwardly, she saw the truth. She could tell Minna was doing this on purpose.

    No wonder ni had told her to ignore Minna earlier.

    Minna, undeterred, exaggerated her pained expression, convinced that the more pitiful she looked, the more others would want to help her. ¡°It¡¯s fine! Mr. Mitchell¡¯s mother already sees me as her future daughter-inw. Just ask Mr. Mitchell toe, and he will do it. Hurry!¡± she said.

    Martha nearly burst outughing at the absurdity. This girl was delusional. She was expecting the CEO to barge into the women¡¯s restroom for her.

    Still, Martha¡¯s kindness held firm. She kept her tone gentle. ¡°Let¡¯s get you out of here first. There¡¯s a first aid station in the building with ointment and bandages. I¡¯ll take you there.¡±

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 Chapter 653

    ?Chapter 653:

    Minna¡¯s frustration spiked. Was this woman ignoring her or just obstinate? Why wasn¡¯t she going to get Ethan here for her?

    ¡°No!¡± Minna snapped, her voice biting. ¡°Just get Mr. Mitchell! Stop dawdling.¡±

    Martha¡¯s patience finally frayed. She prided herself on being a kind person, but she was no one¡¯s servant. ¡°Just wait,¡± she said coolly, stepping out.

    Outside, there was no trace of Ethan or Brenna. Martha nced around, shrugged, and returned to her cleaning without another word.

    Minna waited in the restroom, her anger mounting with each passing minute. Eventually, she hobbled out, only to find everyone else absorbed in their tasks,pletely ignoring her. Ethan was long gone.

    Enraged, Minna dropped her act. She marched up to Martha and barked, ¡°I told you to get Mr. Mitchell! Why are you still standing here?¡±

    Minna was being so outrageously condescending that even Martha, the most easy-going member of the team, had finally had enough.

    The way Minna talked to her¡ªthe snide tone, that air of superiority¡ªgrated on her.

    Sure, Martha didn¡¯t have an impressive title or a six-figure paycheck, but she was still the supervisor of the janitorial department, managing nearly three hundred staff. And just this morning, Rex from the executive secretary¡¯s office had called her directly to request a crew to clean the 57th and 58th floors, making it clear that everything needed to be pristine.

    That alone told Martha everything she needed to know¡ªwhoever was moving in was a big figure. Rex hadn¡¯t just made the call himself; he¡¯d also sent ni and a new secretary to help coordinate.

    So she¡¯d brought her A-game. When the secretary, Minna, got injured, naturally, Martha checked in on her. But what she hadn¡¯t expected was for that same woman to suddenly im she was Ethan¡¯s arranged date. Well, that was pure absurdity. As if someone like Ethan would ever need an arranged date. Who in their right mind would buy that?

    Martha was displeased with Minna. Her great manners didn¡¯t grant others permission to push her around.

    Latest updates from g?? lno  vels.??????

    ¡°You look perfectly fine to me,¡± she said, shooting Minna a sharp nce. ¡°So all that wailing earlier, what was that? Just a performance?¡±

    Minna¡¯s face twisted with rage. A janitor, of all people, dared to speak to her like this? She wasn¡¯t just anyone; she would be Ethan¡¯s wife in the future.

    ¡°How dare you treat me like this?¡± she snapped, her voice sharp with outrage. ¡°Do you have any idea who I am? I could go straight to Mr. Mitchell and have you fired.¡±

    Out of the corner of her eye, she caught ni and a few cleaners stiflingughs.

    Their amusement hit like a p. She was furious.

    But Martha stood firm, arms crossed, gaze unflinching. ¡°And how would you prefer I treat you?¡± she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Should I roll out the red carpet and address you as the future Mrs. Mitchell?¡±

    ni observed the scene, silently admiring Martha for her sharp tongue.

    Minna¡¯s face turned red as she stumbled for words.

    She had spent days unting her supposed status as Ethan¡¯s future wife, but he never admitted that. He was even parading Brenna around in public, rubbing salt into her wounded pride.

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 Chapter 654

    ?Chapter 654:

    She couldn¡¯t even find someone to vent her anger on properly.

    At that moment, the elevator chimed softly, and the doors parted. Ethan, Brenna, and Patrick emerged side by side. Patrick strolled between them, clutching their hands. They looked like a family of three.

    The sight made Minna¡¯s blood boil.

    Ethan turned to Brenna, his voice calm. ¡°So, have you picked a floor yet?¡±

    Brenna¡¯s and Minna¡¯s eyes locked for a split second¡ªMinna¡¯s brimming with malice, Brenna¡¯s calm. With an easy shrug, Brenna answered, ¡°Either works. I¡¯ll choose the 58th floor.¡±

    Ethan shed a warm grin. ¡°Why don¡¯t you move your office up to the 99th floor? We could work side by side.¡±

    Brenna arched an eyebrow, cutting him a sideways nce. ¡°If we¡¯re stuck together 24/7, we¡¯ll be sick of each other in no time. A little space¡¯s probably better.¡±

    The three of them stepped out of the elevator. Brenna swept her gaze over theyout, already rearranging furniture in her head and mapping out her ideal setup.

    Right at that moment, Brenna¡¯s phone rang. She walked toward the window to answer the call.

    Seizing the chance, Minna sprang into action. She hobbled toward Ethan with exaggerated effort, groaning theatrically, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I twisted my ankle. It hurts so much.¡±

    She had been through military training and had pushed through worse injuries without flinching. But this wasn¡¯t about pain; it was about pride and persistence. Men like Ethan didn¡¯te around twice, and she wanted to try her best to win his heart.

    Before Ethan could respond, Patrick tugged at his sleeve and looked at him with wide, innocent eyes. ¡°If she¡¯s really hurt,¡± he said loudly, ¡°shouldn¡¯t she go to the hospital or something? Why¡¯s sheing to you for help?¡±

    His words stabbed through the air with brutal rity. Minna¡¯s cheeks flushed a deep red, humiliation boiling beneath her skin. It was bad enough to be ridiculed by her colleagues, but now, even a little kid had the nerve to mock her?

    ???? ?????? ???????? ???????????? ¡ª ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????©q??????

    She shot Patrick a sharp re. But as she really took him in¡ªhis perfectly styled hair, his expensive little outfit¡ªa bold, ridiculous thought gripped her. Was this kid Ethan¡¯s illegitimate son?

    Thinking that, she held back from scolding Patrick.

    ¡°Mr. Mitchell, please help me,¡± she said, her voice cracking with desperation. ¡°My ankle really hurts.¡±

    Ethan didn¡¯t so much as nce her way. Instead, he replied to Patrick¡¯s earlier question withzy indifference, ¡°She is a secretary who pulled strings to get into thepany. Now she¡¯s trying to throw herself at me.¡±

    He said that so bluntly, not caring that Minna was within earshot.

    He was clearly humiliating her.

    Minna¡¯s cheeks med. She halted just a few steps away from Ethan, stricken by humiliation.

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 Chapter 655

    ?Chapter 655:

    Patrick swept a slow, scornful gaze over Minna. Then, with a snort, he said, ¡°She¡¯s not even good-looking. Howe she dares to throw herself at you?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Minna snapped. Dropping the limp like an act she had forgotten, she spun on her heel and fled toward the stairwell, her cheeks burning with shame.

    Halfway up, she sat down on a step, burying her face in her hands as sobs wracked her shoulders. When she stopped crying, she yanked out her phone and dialed Elsa. Between sniffles, she dramatically told Elsa what had happened.

    At that moment, Elsa was in the middle of teaching a vocal performance ss at the university.

    ¡°Ethan is out of line!¡± she snapped into the receiver, barely lowering her voice. ¡°Don¡¯t worry; I¡¯ll make him apologize to you soon.¡±

    In truth, Elsa thought Minna was a bit stupid. She couldn¡¯t even handle such a small matter.

    Minna perked up after beingforted. ¡°Brenna transferred her entire studio into the Mitchell Group¡¯s building. Now she¡¯s going to be around Mr. Mitchell every day. You¡¯ve got to do something to kick her out!¡±

    Elsa hadn¡¯t heard a word about this before, and the revtion made her angry. ¡°That shameless woman,¡± she spat, her voice thick with emotion. ¡°I will put her in her ce!¡±

    After ending the call, Brenna turned to Ethan and asked, ¡°Ethan, did Jayceon get into a car crash?¡±

    Ethan froze for a moment, caught off guard. ¡°Yeah, how did you hear about it?¡± He rubbed the back of his neck, surprised. ¡°It happened two days ago. Jayceon said his brother caused it. He hit his head hard¡ªhas a brain bleed and needs urgent surgery to ease the pressure. Plus, he broke three ribs and both legs. He¡¯s in rough shape, probably stuck in bed for months.¡±

    Ethan had found out the night of the crash and raced to the hospital. But knowing Brenna and Jayceon weren¡¯t on good terms, he had kept it from her.

    Brenna gave a vague hum, her lips pursed. Good riddance, she thought bitterly. Jayceon had iting.

    M?§Ô? ??????? ?? ??l????l?.???

    She said, ¡°His dad called me, practically begging me to sell some medicine for the Russell family. Said he would pay anything. He kept apologizing and sounded desperate.¡±

    Ethan had heard that Jayceon was still unconscious and in urgent need of thetest cardiovascr medicine avable in the country. Jayceon¡¯s father had also pleaded with him to talk to Brenna about selling some pills, promising to pay any price if she would agree.

    Ethan knew Brenna couldn¡¯t stand the Russell family¡ªnot after they had humiliated her at Amy¡¯s birthday party. That sting wasn¡¯t something she would ever forget.

    As her boyfriend, Ethan didn¡¯t want to push her into anything she didn¡¯t want to do. So, he hadn¡¯t mentioned the matter to Brenna. Ethan had no intention ofplicating things for Brenna. ¡°If selling isn¡¯t an option for you, just let it go. Dealing with the Russells is always a headache. I¡¯ll figure out a way to get the medication from abroad for them if ites to that.¡±

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 Chapter 656

    ?Chapter 656:

    Brenna¡¯s heart warmed at how thoughtful Ethan was; he always took her feelings into ount.

    She said, ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll sell the medicine. It doesn¡¯t matter who buys the medicine from me. But if they want it, they¡¯ll need to pay a lot. I¡¯ll get in touch with Christopher from the Pierce family to arrange delivery.¡±

    Overhearing the conversation, Patrick finally pieced things together and asked with worry, ¡°Was my Dad in a car ident?¡±

    Despite his mother¡¯s dislike for Jayceon, Patrick believed Jayceon had always been kind to him, spending time with him and even purchasing an entire apartment just for his toys.

    ¡°Yes. Do you want to visit him?¡± Brenna said softly, nodding.

    ¡°I do,¡± Patrick answered, wanting to rush to Jayceon¡¯s side immediately. Turning to Ethan, he asked, ¡°Is my dad hurt badly?¡±

    Ethan hesitated, unwilling to burden Patrick with the full truth.

    Jayceon remained unconscious after surgery to relieve brain hemorrhaging, still in critical condition. Otherwise, Jayceon¡¯s father wouldn¡¯t have been so desperate, pleading with Brenna over the phone and offering apologies.

    ¡°Thank you, Brenna,¡± Ethan said earnestly, appreciating her willingness to help, not making things harder for him. ¡°I¡¯ll take Patrick to see him now. The medicine¡¯sing from the Pierce family, correct?¡±

    Brenna realized why Ellie hadn¡¯t been able to contact Jayceon recently. Though she wasn¡¯t fond of Jayceon, he was Patrick¡¯s father and someone Ellie had once loved. Brenna couldn¡¯t just stand by and do nothing.

    She responded calmly, ¡°Yes, Christopher¡¯s at Shirie Hospital. Go ahead; I¡¯ve got things covered here. Joe and Tommy will arrive soon to lend a hand.¡±

    ¡°All right, we¡¯ll leave now,¡± Ethan said, quickly leaving with Patrick.

    Momentster, Minna emerged from the stairwell, scanning the area and feeling a surge of satisfaction at Ethan¡¯s absence. As long as he wasn¡¯t with Brenna, she was content.

    ?????????????? ???????????? ????: g????????¦Í??????©q?????

    She knew Elsa would never permit Brenna to stay at the Mitchell Group building. Within days, Brenna would be kicked out of here.

    ni, fed up, couldn¡¯t tolerate Minna¡¯s behavior any longer. Everyone was busy cleaning, so why was Minna an exception?

    ¡°Minna, get moving!¡± ni called out. ¡°Why are you just standing there?¡±

    Minna snapped back, ¡°Who do you think you are, giving me orders? You¡¯re not my boss. I¡¯m the CEO¡¯s chosen match, and soon, I¡¯ll be his wife. You¡¯ve got no business telling me what to do!¡±

    Minna knew Ethan hadn¡¯t publicly recognized her, but she was certain that with Elsa¡¯s determination to separate him from Brenna, she would be his wife sooner orter.

    ni, enraged, dropped her cleaning cloth and approached her. ¡°Still lost in your fantasies? Open your eyes; this is a workce, not your home! You need to work!¡±

    ¡°Mind your own business,¡± Minna shot back, her arrogance evident.

    ni, though not Minna¡¯s supervisor, knew exactly what to do to put Minna in line. Furious, she stormed off toin about Minna, dialing Rex.

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 Chapter 657

    ?Chapter 657:

    Soon after, Rex appeared downstairs.

    ni murmured something to him near the elevator, and he marched over to Minna, who was engrossed in her phone.

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you told to help clean? The Mitchell Group doesn¡¯t pay people to loaf around. If you¡¯re not going to work, you can pack up your things and leave.¡± Rex had no patience for Minna and didn¡¯t bother hiding his disdain.

    Minna, feeling slightly uneasy, said, ¡°There¡¯s no need to clean here. I¡¯ve already spoken to the CEO¡¯s mother; Brenna will be out of here soon.¡±

    ¡°Bold words for someone like you. You think you can oust the CEO¡¯s girlfriend?¡± Without hesitation, Rex pulled out his phone to inform Ethan of Minna¡¯s behavior.

    Just as Ethan¡¯s car rolled to a halt outside the hospital, his phone buzzed with a message from Rex. He nced at the screen, and his already stormy mood darkened further. He muttered, ¡°Does Elsa really have to poke her nose into everything? Will this ever end?¡±

    His frustration with Elsa¡¯s constant need to control every aspect of his life had reached its peak. Although the situation was annoying, he didn¡¯t consider it a major problem¡ªjust an inconvenience. No matter how hard Elsa pushed, he wasn¡¯t about to give in. If he were that easy to bend, he would have yielded to his mother¡¯s will and joined the military long ago.

    He scowled, staring at the message for a moment before an idea suddenly sparked in his mind. After parking the car, Neville noticed Ethan hadn¡¯t moved and said, ¡°Sir, we have arrived.¡±

    Ethan responded with a quiet hum and locked eyes with Neville. ¡°I need to make a call first.¡±

    He dialed a familiar number, fully aware that his grandmother¡¯s movements had slowed to a crawl these days. It would take time for her to answer the phone. At eighty-seven, it was impressive enough that she managed to take care of herself without troubling her children.

    When no answer came, he ended the call and waited patiently. Two minutester, he tried again, and this time the call was answered. His tone warmed considerably, a genuine smile curling at the corners of his lips. ¡°Grandma, how have you been? I miss you.¡±

    Discover more

    Bel¨¦n Navarro had spent years living with Ethan¡¯s uncle¡¯s family, settling into a peaceful andfortable life. Always consumed by work, Ethan could only manage to visit her once or twice a year. Even so, he made sure to send her gifts and call her frequently.

    When he and Kenny were kids, Bel¨¦n adored them equally. But after they started school, their visits became less frequent, limited mostly to big holidays. As they grew up and got jobs, those visits became even rarer. Yet the bond between them only grew stronger. Their conversations became more natural, and they could understand each other without needing many words.

    As Ethan¡¯s uncle often liked to say, ¡°Bel¨¦n loves her twin grandsons more than her other grandchildren, maybe even more than her own children.¡±

    Elsa used to serve in the military and always had a packed schedule, so she rarely had time to visit her mother. Even after retiring recently, she still hadn¡¯t made the trip.

    But Ethan knew how much Elsa cared about her mother. She always told him that once she retired, she would make up for the time she missed with Bel¨¦n. And now that she finally had the time, wasn¡¯t this the perfect chance?

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 Chapter 658

    ?Chapter 658:

    ¡°How have you beentely?¡± Ethan asked gently.

    Though frail, Bel¨¦n¡¯s voice bubbled with excitement from the other end of the line. ¡°Is that you, Ethan? You little rascal, how long has it been since youst called? Have you forgotten about me?¡±

    ¡°How could I ever forget you, Grandma? I sent you a package justst week. Did you get it?¡± Ethan chuckled, already thinking about how to guide the conversation to his real reason for calling.

    Bel¨¦n let out a heartyugh, clearly in good spirits, her fingers slowly gliding over her cat¡¯s soft fur. ¡°I got it. You know what I like. That cake you sent was delicious. Tell me, when will you finallye visit me?¡±

    ¡°How about this weekend? I have a girlfriend now, and I would really love for you to meet her.¡± Ethan carefully steered the conversation toward his objective, fully aware that his sharp-minded grandmother would instantly detect something was up.

    Bel¨¦n¡¯s spirits lifted even more, but she knew her daughter like the back of her hand. Elsa was strong-willed from an early age and always demanded that the family do things her way. When Ethan was younger, he often shed with her and ended up in trouble for standing his ground. Bel¨¦n knew Ethan would often flee to her house to escape Elsa¡¯s strict rules every summer and winter break.

    While Bel¨¦n didn¡¯t know what Ethan¡¯s girlfriend looked like or what she did for a living, she knew Elsa wouldn¡¯t approve of any woman Ethan picked himself. ¡°Oh, I see. Tell me, Ethan¡ªdid you pick this girl yourself, or is she someone your mom chose for you?¡±

    Ethanughed softly. ¡°Grandma, you are still as sharp as a tack! I chose to be with her myself. When have I ever listened to my mother?¡±

    Bel¨¦n let out a knowing hum. She had always known that Elsa and Ethan never quite saw eye to eye, each trying to control the other. That would never change.

    ¡°I had a feeling. Let me guess¡ªyour mother isn¡¯t too fond of your girlfriend, is she?¡±

    ?????? ?????????? ???? g???????¦Í??????£®?????

    Ethan replied honestly, ¡°You¡¯re right. She is on her way to give my girlfriend a hard time right now. Grandma, I need your help. Please don¡¯t let her scare my girlfriend off.¡±

    ¡°Leave it to me. But you muste to visit me this weekend, and you better bring your girlfriend so I can meet her. To officially wee her, I will give her a gold bracelet.¡±

    They chatted for a little longer before Ethan couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Grandma, please call Mom right away and stop her from bothering my girlfriend. It wasn¡¯t easy for me to find someone I like.¡±

    As Ethan ended the call, Neville nced back at him with an amused grin, shing a thumbs-up. He believed Ethan was very smart for doing this.

    Ethan didn¡¯t rush to get out of the car. Instead, with a cheer in his voice, he said, ¡°My mom might not have spent much time with my grandmother¡ªshe has visited her even less than I have¡ªbut she truly wants to be a good daughter. With Grandma on my side, there¡¯s nothing that can¡¯t be done. I¡¯ll bet my mother won¡¯t get a chance to bother Brenna anytime soon.¡±

    ¡°That was pure genius, sir!¡± Neville remarked.

    .

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 Chapter 659

    ?Chapter 659:

    Stepping out of the car, Elsa clutched her purse and fixed her eyes on the Mitchell Group¡¯s looming front doors. From somewhere inside her bag, a muffled ringtone buzzed to life. With each step toward the building, her thoughts tangled around one central mission¡ªteaching Brenna a lesson. She would kick Brenna out of the building. She didn¡¯t want her anywhere near her son.

    Several tactics shed through her mind, but none felt quite right yet. She had no intention of causing a spectacle. That wasn¡¯t her style. She just wanted her disdain toward Brenna to be clear, sharp, and public. She nned to strip Brenna of dignity in front of everyone at the Mitchell Group.

    She didn¡¯t just want Brenna gone. She wanted Brenna to feel humiliated enough to leave Ethan on her own. She had once been made a fool in front of the Russell family because of Brenna, and that wound still festered. Now, it was Brenna¡¯s turn to feel that same burn. But that wasn¡¯t the end of it. She had every intention of destroying Brenna¡¯s reputation in the industry, too.

    She reached into her bag, pulled out the ringing phone, and paused mid-step to take the call. ¡°Mom?¡±

    Bel¨¦n¡¯s shaky voice crackled on the line, ¡°Oh dear¡­ I¡¯m not feeling well. Your brother¡¯s not at home. Could youe over now?¡±

    A jolt of panic tightened in Elsa¡¯s chest. ¡°Mom, what¡¯s going on? Are you okay? Do I need to get an ambnce for you?¡±

    At eighty-seven, Bel¨¦n had the kind of health most people envied, but age had its risks. Elsa was still worried about her. ¡°Don¡¯t panic. I¡¯m calling for help right now,¡± she said, anxiety rising.

    Bel¨¦n knew how to put on an act better than most actors. Her voice softened, just the right touch of frailty. ¡°I¡¯m just dizzy. And my fingers are tingling. Maybe it¡¯s my blood pressure acting up again. Juste over.¡±

    The Mitchell Group headquarters stood just ahead, its ss panels gleaming in the sun. Elsa stared at the building, her fingers twitching with the urge to storm inside. But then, she thought of Bel¨¦n. If something happened to her mother while she was busy confronting Brenna, she would live with regret forever.

    After thinking for a while, she made a decision. She turned back, slipped behind the wheel, and drove toward Bel¨¦n¡¯s house.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is your escape to fiction

    There would always be another chance to teach Brenna a lesson, and she needed to make sure her mother¡¯s health was fine now.

    At her desk, Brenna kept her eyes on the Harper Group¡¯s stock chart. The numbers had recovered steadily over the past few days, even inching above where they had been before the crisis hit. Still, it wasn¡¯t enough to put her at ease. Spencer had poured in too much capital to settle for moderate gains. For the returns to match his gamble, the price had to rise at least ten percent more.

    Brenna was weighing her next steps when a knock at the door broke her concentration. Joe walked in first, carrying tworge bags. Tommy and Greta followed right behind him, also holding bags.

    A spark of excitement crossed Joe¡¯s face. He had just toured the new workspace, which,pared to their old setup, felt like a different world. Being surrounded by polished interiors and high-end equipment gave him a thrill. On top of that, he now had his own office. He ced the bags down on the table. ¡°Brenna, I picked up all the pastries you wanted.¡±

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 Chapter 660

    ?Chapter 660:

    Brenna raised her head and nodded. ¡°Perfect. Thanks. Just leave them here. Go and get to work. We¡¯ll need everything ready by this afternoon. And we can start working here officially.¡±

    Joe lit up with a grin and exchanged a look with Tommy. ¡°Think we should celebrate the big move a little?¡± he asked.

    Tommy nodded right away, clearly all for it. ¡°Totally, Brenna! We¡¯vee a long way¡ªfrom that cramped studio to a proper office. We¡¯ve got to celebrate.¡±

    After thinking it over for a beat, Brenna gave a small nod. ¡°You¡¯re right. Go ahead and n something. I¡¯ll take care of the cost.¡±

    The idea had already been tossed around between Joe and Tommy on the way here. Both had agreed that this was a moment worth celebrating. Seven years had gone by since the team had firste together, and this move marked a serious upgrade. It wasn¡¯t just a change of address; it felt like a turning point. From now on, they figured the name should reflect that. They would tell everyone they were working for apany instead of a studio.

    ¡°In that case, we¡¯re going all out. None of that budget snack stuff. Let¡¯s get the good things,¡± Joe said.

    Tommy nodded in agreement and said, ¡°The team¡¯s been grinding hardte nights, back-to-back deadlines. Brenna, what do you think about treating everyone to a meal tonight?¡±

    Their enthusiasm was contagious. Brenna hadn¡¯t thought much of the office move earlier. But seeing how much it meant to the team made her reconsider.

    ¡°All right, pick a ce you like. Don¡¯t worry about the cost; I¡¯ll cover everything,¡± she said.

    Joe and Tommy nodded and left, smiles stretching wide as they made their way to their new offices. Their offices weren¡¯t asrge as Brenna¡¯s or Thiago¡¯s¡ªonly about half the size¡ªbut they still felt spacious. At fifty square meters, they matched the kind of offices given to executives at the Mitchell Group.

    Greta arrived a bitte, the smile never leaving her face. She hadn¡¯t even been with the team for two full months, and now thepany had moved to the famous Mitchell Group building. She was delighted by this.

    Your next story starts here: g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    She said, ¡°Brenna, do you think we should invite Mr. Mitchell to dinner tonight? We are using his building, after all. It might be nice to thank him properly. And since he¡¯s your boyfriend, I bet he¡¯s happy for you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if Ethan will be avable. One of his close friends was in an ident, so he is at the hospital now,¡± Brenna said calmly. She didn¡¯t overthink the situation, nor did she see Greta as a potential rival in love. To her, Greta was merely a young woman fresh from graduation, not yet seasoned by life¡¯s real storms.

    Brenna couldn¡¯t help but think that Greta¡¯s suggestion made sense. ¡°I¡¯ll give it a shot and ask him.¡±

    Brenna eyed the pastries and cakes on the table and, noticing Greta was about to head out, asked her to summon the cleaning staff along with ni and Minna.

    Greta nodded and turned around, catching sight of a few cleaners heading toward the elevator.

    ¡°Hold on!¡± Greta rushed over, quickly spotting the head of the cleaning staff and a secretary by their manner. However, Minna was already gone, and only one person from the secretarial department remained. Greta couldn¡¯t tell if the person was ni or Minna.

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 Chapter 661

    ?Chapter 661:

    shing a polite smile, she said gently, ¡°Hello, you are one of the secretaries here, right? Could you please tell me your name?¡±

    ni replied with a smooth, professional smile, ¡°Hello! I¡¯m ni from the CEO¡¯s secretarial office. Is there something I can help you with?¡±

    Greta replied, ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Greta from the Night Studio¡¯s design department. Ms. Harper would like to see you. Oh, and by any chance, do you know where Minna is?¡±

    ni shook her head. ¡°No clue. She hasn¡¯t been working much, and I don¡¯t know where she¡¯s wandered off to.¡±

    Greta didn¡¯t push further and passed on the message. ¡°Martha, ni, Ms. Harper wants you and your team to go to her office. She needs to talk to you about something.¡±

    Greta couldn¡¯t help but like ni. She was effortlessly charming and easy-going. Moreover, she worked in the CEO¡¯s secretarial department. If she could forge a friendship with ni, wouldn¡¯t that get her one step closer to Ethan?

    Meanwhile, Martha, keenly aware of Brenna¡¯s status, assumed there was more work to be done. Without a fuss, she set her cleaning supplies aside and motioned for her team to follow her into Brenna¡¯s office.

    ¡°Hello, Ms. Harper. Is there something we can help with? Did we miss anything that needs another round of cleaning?¡± Martha asked.

    Brenna walked toward Martha, carrying tworge bags. ¡°Thank you again for your help today. I know this wasn¡¯t part of your regr tasks, and I really appreciate you going above and beyond for me. Please, take these and share them with the team. It¡¯s just a small token of my appreciation.¡±

    Martha epted the bags without hesitation, her smile genuine. ¡°Thank you, Ms. Harper. Honestly, we were just doing our job. You¡¯re too generous.¡±

    She noticed the fancy bakerybel and instantly realized the goodies inside the bags must be expensive. It wasn¡¯t every day that someone of Brenna¡¯s stature treated the cleaning crew with such genuine respect. Everyone on the team had a good impression of Brenna because of this.

    Once Martha and her team had exited, ni stepped into the office. Aware of Brenna¡¯s importance to Ethan, ni was especially courteous toward her.

    ???????? ???????????? ???? ?????????????????????????

    Brenna handed her another bag from the table with a warm smile. ¡°Take this. You¡¯ve worked hard today. It¡¯s nothing fancy, just a little something.¡±

    After exchanging a few pleasantries, ni excused herself.

    Meanwhile, Minna had been idling impatiently in the lobby on the ground floor of the Mitchell Group headquarters, waiting for Elsa. More than an hour had passed. She watched as groups of people bustled about, hauling things back and forth into the elevators, yet Elsa was still nowhere in sight.

    Growing impatient, Minna pulled out her phone and called Elsa.

    Elsa was busy taking care of her mother.

    Bel¨¦n was particr about cleanliness. Her home was always spotless. Elsa¡¯s brother had thoughtfully hired a housekeeper to ensure Bel¨¦n¡¯s daily needs were meticulously met.

    Elsa couldn¡¯t help feeling frustrated after being lied to by Bel¨¦n. She understood her mother simply wanted to see her, but she still felt somewhat manipted. She had wanted toin about this. But the moment Bel¨¦n saw her, she unleashed a rant, scolding Elsa for not visiting since retiring.

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 Chapter 662

    ?Chapter 662:

    Elsa didn¡¯t know how to respond. Given that it had been nearly six months since herst visit, she knew she was in the wrong. All she could do was try hard tofort Bel¨¦n and promise to drop by more often.

    After venting her frustrations, Bel¨¦n abruptly changed the subject. She suddenly craved ravioli. Elsa quickly headed out to buy ingredients for the dish.

    She returned a short whileter. ¡°Mom, how about mushrooms and beef ravioli?¡±

    This time, Bel¨¦n didn¡¯t make things difficult for her. She walked over to the bag and took a look inside. ¡°They look fresh enough. Go ahead and wash them first. Then you can make me the ravioli. And don¡¯t forget¡ªmake a big batch and freeze it, just like we always do. That way, I can have homemade ravioli whenever I feel like it. Since you¡¯re so busy and don¡¯te around much, I won¡¯t have to bother you every time I want some.¡±

    Elsa didn¡¯t know how to respond, but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to argue with her mother. She said softly, ¡°Mom, let¡¯s just make enough for today. Frozen ravioli never tastes as good anyway.¡±

    But Bel¨¦n wasn¡¯t having it. ¡°Who says it doesn¡¯t taste as good? I eat frozen ravioli all the time. You¡¯re never around. You were always swamped with work, and now that you¡¯re retired, you still don¡¯t visit me. At least with frozen ravioli, I can pretend you¡¯re here. You¡¯re always chasing your career and can¡¯t even rx after retiring. Instead, you¡¯re off teaching at the university. Forget it. Don¡¯t let someone like me hold you back.¡±

    Brenna was finalizing her analysis of the Harper Group¡¯s stock performance and outlining a reorganization strategy when a knock interrupted her focus. Without lifting her head, she said, ¡°Come in.¡±

    A group of people stepped inside. Leading them was Rex, nked by a sharply dressed man in his forties, exuding polished professionalism. Trailing behind them were Greta and several male employees, each carrying items from the old studio¡ªpotted nts, stacks of documents, books, and assorted boxes.

    Everyone moved with purpose, quietly tending to their tasks without disturbing one another.

    Magic begins at g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    Rex gestured to the man. ¡°Ms. Harper, this is Brock Reed, the Mitchell Group¡¯s chief legal counsel. The CEO instructed us to prepare a lease agreement, offering the 57th and 58th floors of the Mitchell Group building to our studio for an annual rent of one dor, with a hundred-year term. Please review it, and if it¡¯s satisfactory, sign here.¡±

    Brenna nced at Brock, noting the seasoned confidence in his demeanor and a brief flicker of appreciation in his eyes when he looked at her. She motioned to the chairs opposite her. ¡°Please, sit. Your boss really thinks of everything. I was just about to bring this up with him myself.¡±

    Taking the agreement, Brenna scanned its concise pages; the terms were straightforward and clear. She had already mulled over this matter. upying two floors of the Mitchell Group¡¯s building without a formal agreement felt wrong, both legally and morally. That just wasn¡¯t how she operated, and she refused to give anyone grounds to doubt her principles, especially not Elsa, Ethan¡¯s mother.

    Before Brenna could say anything, Rex spoke again. ¡°Ms. Harper, after the incident with Mr. Mitchell¡¯s mother causing a stir at the office, it put you in an awkward spot. Mr. Mitchell suggested this lease to ensure his mother can¡¯t stir up trouble for you again.¡±

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 Chapter 663

    ?Chapter 663:

    Brenna¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile. ¡°Smart move. This is perfect.¡±

    But when her eyesnded on the rent¡ªone dor a year¡ªshe paused. ¡°One dor annually? Isn¡¯t that a bit too low?¡±

    Rex and Brock chuckled. Brock, already briefed by Rex on Brenna¡¯s achievements while drafting the agreement, held Brenna in high regard. He knew she was exceptional; otherwise, Ethan wouldn¡¯t have fallen for her.

    Brock exined, ¡°Mr. Mitchell initially proposed a penny a year. I convinced him to make it a dor. He even said a dor per floor per year was too much. He is really looking out for you.¡±

    Even Brenna, typically stoic and reserved, couldn¡¯t suppress a softugh. ¡°The terms are solid. I¡¯m satisfied with them.¡±

    With quick, confident strokes, she signed her name and stamped the document.

    Brock watched, impressed. Despite her rtionship with Ethan, Brenna had scrutinized the contract thoroughly, unlike others who might blindly sign anything from a wealthy source. Her caution was admirable.

    From this simple, symbolic lease, Brock could see the depth of Ethan¡¯s affection for Brenna. A contract like this could have been pulled from a temte online in minutes, yet Ethan had entrusted him with the task personally.

    He was used to drafting contracts for international deals worth hundreds of millions of dors, and the legal documents he oversaw were often pivotal in determining thepany¡¯s survival. Handling an agreement like this was unprecedented for him.

    After seeing them out, Brenna dove back into her work.

    After a while, Greta knocked on the office door and stepped inside, hesitating before stating her intent.

    ¡°Brenna, Tommy mentioned you¡¯re looking for an assistant. I was wondering if I¡¯d be a good fit.¡±

    Brenna looked up, caught off guard. Greta¡¯s talent for mechanical design was undeniable; she could excel as an engineer. Why did she want to be an assistant?

    G  a lno  ve ls . is where the magic begins

    ¡°You? Why an assistant? The starting pay is only five thousand, with barely any bonuses. Compared to engineering, the sry of an assistant is a fraction of what you could earn. With your talent and qualifications, taking an assistant job would be squandering your potential,¡± Brenna said.

    Her tone remained cool and professional. She did not overthink Greta¡¯s proposal.

    Greta, however, had her own motives. She believed working as Brenna¡¯s assistant would give her more opportunities to cross paths with Ethan. She was willing to trade anything for a chance to get closer to him.

    Brenna, Greta fumbled, unable to muster a convincing reason. She had assumed Brenna would jump at the chance to hire a highly qualified assistant for a modest sry.

    To her surprise, Brenna was genuinely considering what was best for her career.

    Seeing Greta struggle to respond, Brenna said, ¡°Stick to engineering; that is where you shine. Your workst month was impressive. Leading your first project, you delivered results that thrilled the clients and earned a solid bonus. The assistant role just doesn¡¯t match your strengths.¡±

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 Chapter 664

    ?Chapter 664:

    Disheartened, Greta left the office. Outside, her colleagues were still arranging their desks, oblivious to her attempt to secure the assistant position.

    After gathering input from the team, Joe and Tommy finalized the venue for thepany outing, selecting the Imperial Bar, Shirie¡¯s premier entertainment spot. This upscale establishment in the heart of the city blended a sophisticated bar, karaoke lounge, and barbecue area, offering exclusive, costly services that catered to an elite clientele far beyond the reach of most people.

    As Brenna entered the grand lobby of the Imperial Bar, her eyes caught a familiar figure¡ªRosie, whom she hadn¡¯t seen in days. Rosie appeared unchanged, radiating charm as she stood, linking arms with Maxley, encircled by a small group of people trying to tter her. Their faces glowed with smiles, each vying for her favor. Among them, Brenna noticed Vivian.

    Rosie, facing away from Brenna, was unaware of Brenna¡¯s presence until Vivian subtly urged her to look in her direction.

    When Rosie turned and saw Brenna, her expression hardened, her eyes glinting with animosity. Their gazes locked briefly before Rosie averted hers, signaling she had no desire to talk to Brenna.

    On the day Rosie wed Maxley, she had hoped for the Harper family¡¯s presence, despite their ongoing legal disputes. After all, she still considered herself a member of the Harper family and believed her union with Maxley could open doors for the Harper family¡¯s business. Yet, the Harpers remained unforgiving, with none attending her wedding.

    Even the King of Plieca personally questioned Brenna¡¯s absence, urging Rosie to maintain a good rtionship with her.

    This had left Rosie deeply humiliated. Even now, the royal family of Plieca still mocked her over this incident.

    Maxley also noticed Brenna. He knew she was Ethan¡¯s cherished partner and someone he needed to tter for his own ambitions.

    With a subtle gesture, he signaled Rosie, who understood his motives instantly. Maxley¡¯s pursuit of the crown hinged on alliances with influential figures, and Ethan, the world¡¯s wealthiest man, was a prime target.

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    Maxley had married Rosie partly because of her past good rtionship with Ethan.

    Though their union was rooted in mutual gain, Rosie depended heavily on Maxley, while he had many other options.

    Lacking the courage to defy Maxley, Rosie forced a bright smile and approached Brenna with feigned warmth, saying, ¡°Brenna, fancy meeting you here! What has brought you to this ce?¡±

    Her eyes darted past Brenna, searching for Ethan but finding him absent. Curious, she asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Ethan? Why isn¡¯t he with you? This bar belongs to him.¡±

    Her revtion caught Joe, Tommy, and the other colleagues off guard; they hadn¡¯t known Ethan owned the Imperial Bar. Greta, meanwhile, was overjoyed to learn this. She couldn¡¯t pinpoint why, but being in a venue tied to Ethan, the man she had feelings for, gave her a thrilling sense of closeness to him.

    ¡°Miss Harper, it¡¯s wonderful to see you again. Would you care to join us for a drink?¡± Maxley said warmly. Initially, he had dismissed Brenna, having heard she hadn¡¯t been raised by the Harpers. But upon learning of her aplishments and the Harper family¡¯s fondness for her, his opinion shifted, recognizing her as someone worth befriending.

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 Chapter 665

    ?Chapter 665:

    Brenna brushed off Rosie¡¯s insincere greeting, repelled by her pretense. Only days ago, they had been adversaries in court, yet now, Rosie acted as if they were old friends. They were not on good terms at all.

    Patrick, clinging to Brenna¡¯s hand, gazed up at Rosie and Maxley with innocent charm.

    Brenna responded coolly, ¡°We¡¯re here for apany event, so I¡¯ll have to decline. My apologies, Mr. Gibran.¡±

    Maxley, unfazed, smiled and said, ¡°No worries, we¡¯ll catch up another time.¡±

    Feeling ignored, Rosie was angry. ¡°Did you not hear me? Where¡¯s Ethan?¡± She was still eager to repair her rtionship with Ethan and exin the misunderstanding in Plieca. However, her recent calls and messages to Ethan had gone unanswered.

    Brenna replied, ¡°He is upied but will arriveter. Is there something you need?¡± She knew Rosie¡¯s world revolved around calcted alliances, not genuine emotions.

    Rosie, catching Maxley¡¯s subtle nce, deduced he also wanted to meet Ethan. ¡°Which room are you in? I¡¯ll stop byter,¡± she said.

    Since tying the knot with Rosie, Maxley had been eager to forge ties with Shirie¡¯s four prominent families, but a meeting with Ethan had remained elusive.

    Rosie knew that if she could help Maxley meet Ethan, he would surely be pleased.

    After hearing Brenna¡¯s response, Maxley said, ¡°Wonderful, we¡¯ll drop byter to meet Mr. Mitchell.¡±

    Brenna, guiding Patrick by the hand, moved away from the group, opting for the stairs to avoid the crowd. Patrick grumbled to her, ¡°That baddy wille backter. I don¡¯t like her.¡±

    Greta, who had been close to Rosie for years but was snubbed from her wedding due to her family¡¯sck of status, turned to Brenna and asked, ¡°Brenna, did Rosie get married?¡±

    Brenna responded casually, ¡°Yes, she married Prince Maxley. She has quite a high status now.¡±

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    Greta and Rosie had been acquaintances since their early years, though their meetings were too infrequent to forge a deep bond. They were more like acquaintances than true friends.

    Still, Greta viewed Rosie as a friend and had shed a warm smile at her, wanting to talk to her. Yet Rosie hadn¡¯t so much as nced her way, ignoring her entirely.

    Greta couldn¡¯t help but feel that Rosie, now elevated to royal status, looked down on those with less prestigious backgrounds like hers.

    Greta didn¡¯t consider her family insignificant; her mother, a respected scientist, held a prominent mid-level role at the National Research Institute, and their family wasfortably affluent. While they couldn¡¯t rival the Harper family¡¯s stature, they were well above average.

    Surely, Greta thought, she was worthy of at least a brief chat with Rosie. Rosie¡¯s clear disinterest stung, leaving Greta quietly irritated.

    She recalled their childhood encounters when Rosie would dreamily dere her intention to marry Ethan someday. Now, with Ethan choosing Brenna, Greta couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit of satisfaction that Rosie didn¡¯t get what she wanted.

    The recent legal battle between Rosie and the Harper family had sparked widespread gossip, and Greta had caught every detail. She was now certain that Rosie¡¯s story would end in ruin; royal title or not, her downfall was just a matter of time.

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 Chapter 666

    ?Chapter 666:

    Still, Greta kept her dissatisfaction to herself and turned to Brenna. ¡°Brenna, they say the roastedmb here is out of this world. How about we order some?¡±

    Tommy said, ¡°I¡¯ve already ordered some. Roastedmb needs preordering, and it¡¯s probably ready now. Everyone, we can dig in tonight!¡±

    Nearby colleagues joined the chatter, buzzing about the roastedmb¡¯s hefty price tag.

    As they stepped into the reserved private room, a sprawling 200-square-meter space, the group of nearly sixty felt at ease. The room was spacious enough for them.

    Greta hovered near Brenna, saying, ¡°Brenna, I had no clue Mr. Mitchell owned this ce. No wonder everything¡¯s so top-tier.¡±

    Brenna gave a nonchnt nod. ¡°Yeah, I didn¡¯t even know they made roastedmb here, or how many ventures Ethan¡¯s got going.¡±

    Greta¡¯s eyes flicked to the door as a server rolled in a cart piled with beer, followed by others bearing roastedmb and an array of skewers. The scent of delicious food flooded the room, pulling everyone closer. Brenna joined the crowd, saying, ¡°Order anything you want tonight; it¡¯s my treat.¡±

    Greta stayed close, stealing another nce at the door. Ethan hadn¡¯t shown up yet, but she didn¡¯t dare ask Brenna when he would being. Since Brenna, Ethan¡¯s girlfriend, was not concerned about that, she knew she shouldn¡¯t show concern either.

    Knowing Ethan¡¯s demanding schedule, Greta trusted Brenna¡¯s word that he woulde eventually.

    Brenna¡¯s employees were in high spirits, singing, drinking, and chatting. Greta stuck by Brenna, eagerly serving her skewers and slicingmb for her te.

    About an hourter, Ethan arrived and entered the room.

    Brenna greeted him with a subtle smile, asking, ¡°Is he awake?¡± She was talking about Jayceon.

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    Ethan, in a cheerful mood, replied, ¡°He¡¯s awake and stable now. The doctor was blown away by your medicine, calling it revolutionary and wishing it could be mass-produced.¡±

    He scanned the lively, youthful crowd, giving Greta a brief nod before focusing on talking to Brenna.

    Greta quickly carvedmb, grabbed skewers, and fetched beer for Ethan, setting them before him.

    She stayed quiet, cautious not to let Brenna or Ethan sense her intentions, masking her actions as loyalty to Brenna.

    But Tommy and Joe weren¡¯t fooled.

    They knew that many of Brenna¡¯s female employees admired Ethan. After all, who wouldn¡¯t be drawn to such an exceptional man? Yet, most saw him as an unreachable star, never daring to dream of more, fully aware of the chasm between them.

    Ethan had barely settled for ten minutes when Rosie and Maxley entered the room, dressed as before, their faces lit with ttering smiles.

    Their entrance silenced the singing, and the room quieted. The group gathered to share food and drinks.

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 Chapter 667

    ?Chapter 667:

    Ethan nced at Maxley, rising slowly to offer a courteous but reserved handshake.

    Brenna stood too, her smile thin, her demeanor cool.

    ¡°Mr. Mitchell, Miss Harper, good evening,¡± Maxley said, extending his hand to Ethan.

    Rosie followed, reaching out her hand. ¡°Ethan, long time no see.¡±

    Ethan shook Maxley¡¯s hand but ignored Rosie¡¯s, his memory sharp with her past betrayal¡ªshe had tried to have him killed when he and Brenna had been Edward¡¯s captives.

    When he had been useless to her, she had sought his death; now, needing his influence, she yed nice? Did she think he was some gullible fool?

    Rosie¡¯s expression faltered. ¡°Ethan, can¡¯t we move on from the past? I can apologize to you now. We¡¯ve known each other since we were children. Must you be so unforgiving?¡±

    Ethan agreed to meet with Rosie only out of courtesy to Maxley. He had extensive business interests scattered across Plieca¡ªventure capital, high-end hotels, fine dining chains, luxury jewelry, and cutting-edge electronics. His portfolio also included stakes in several of the region¡¯s top-performingpanies.

    Maxley¡¯s influence in Plieca had already surpassed that of other princes, making him the strongest contender for the throne.

    Ethan knew he had to show Maxley the proper respect.

    If not for Maxley, he wouldn¡¯t have even nced Rosie¡¯s way. He believed Rosie was cunning. Despite her asional recklessness, everything she did served her own advancement.

    In just a month, she had carved out a solid presence in Plieca. She liquidated her Harper Group shares, moved the capital, and funneled it into strategic investments across the region. With her sharp financial instincts, she had quickly be a major yer in the local economy.

    Even Maxley had seen what she brought to the table. He had personally returned to Vand with her, hoping to secure support from local businesses.

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    Ethan kept his expression cold. He didn¡¯t answer Rosie.

    But Rosie didn¡¯t back down. She understood Ethan¡¯s ties to Plieca¡¯s royal family. As long as his business relied on that connection, she had room to negotiate. She didn¡¯t believe he would shut her outpletely.

    ¡°Ethan, don¡¯t you think we¡¯ve carried our old grudges long enough? I¡¯m apologizing to you right here for what happened in Plieca. I made a mistake. Let me make it up to you. How about I bring you a project? Consider it my way of saying sorry.¡±

    With that, she turned toward the door, took a folder from a bodyguard dressed in ck, and handed it to Ethan.

    ¡°This is the project for the cross-sea bridge in Plieca. It¡¯s a major infrastructure development. Total investment? Five hundred million dors. Ethan, if you¡¯re willing to ept my apology, the project is yours. We can sign the contract right here. What do you say?¡±

    Brenna kept her expression even as she typed a few quick words into her phone. A momentter, the screen was filled with search results¡ªdozens of Vand constructionpanies were vying for this project.

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 Chapter 668

    ?Chapter 668:

    She turned the phone slightly for Ethan to see.

    Ethan gave it a passing nce before shifting his gaze elsewhere. There was no denying it¡ªhis own construction firm had thrown its hat in the ring. But thepetition this time was fierce, and even his team wasn¡¯t entirely confident they could secure the project. An offer like this, handed to him without a fight, was rare.

    But Ethan wasn¡¯t one to bend his values. ¡°I don¡¯t need you to hand the project to me.¡±

    He believed he could win the project on his own, fair and square. His gaze remained hard. ¡°Rosie, Brenna and I nearly lost our lives on that ship in Plieca. And you think this would just fix everything? Your apology doesn¡¯te off as sincere.¡±

    Maxley didn¡¯t understand the Vandnguage they were speaking. But he picked up on Ethan¡¯s foul mood right away and sensed his disinterest in the proposal. Turning to Rosie, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±

    Rosie felt a bit awkward. Ethan hadn¡¯t changed a bit¡ªstill stubborn, still leaving no room forpromise. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Mr. Mitchell just didn¡¯t find the terms eptable. We¡¯ll keep negotiating,¡± she said to Maxley.

    After wrapping up his exchange with Maxley, Rosie turned her focus back to Ethan. ¡°Ethan, you know this project will bring in massive returns. And I¡¯m well aware yourpany¡¯s already in the running. Since you want the project, just ept my offer. Show a little grace and let the past go. We could have more chances to work together down the line.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s reply came sharp and bitter. ¡°Oh, you mean more chances for you to try and have me killed? No, thanks.¡±

    Rosie¡¯s temper red. Ethan was harsher to her than ever, and it grated on her nerves.

    Rosie caught the look on Brenna¡¯s face¡ªdistant, unreadable, as if nothing around her was worth the time. She didn¡¯t take her seriously at all.

    Just then, an idea popped into Rosie¡¯s mind. Maybe Brenna held the key. If she could get Brenna on her side, maybe Ethan would ept her offer.

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    ¡°Brenna, turning down money like this doesn¡¯t make sense. Persuade Ethan for me, will you? If we partner on this deal, I¡¯ll cut you in on the profits.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not interested. I¡¯ve got my own contracts to deliver. I don¡¯t have time for side deals.¡± Brenna didn¡¯t hesitate to turn Rosie down. She knew Rosie was just trying to use her. Considering Rosie¡¯s habit of nursing grudges, she knew there was no way Rosie would simply overlook everything the Harper family had done to her.

    ¡°You two are unbelievable, turning down that kind of money. Think it through. If someone else takes the deal, you¡¯ll be missing out on billions,¡± Rosie said with a faint smile.

    One look at Ethan was enough¡ªMaxley could tell the deal wasn¡¯t going anywhere.

    ¡°Mr. Mitchell, would you consider the partnership?¡± he asked, raising a ss toward Ethan and Brenna.

    As he lifted the drink toward them, no one noticed the slight movement of his hand. He slipped something into the ss.

    Greta had no ce in Ethan and the Prince¡¯s private conversation. She appeared to be casually snacking alongside her colleagues, but her eyes remained fixed on Ethan. She didn¡¯t have the nerve to stare directly, so she held up her phone, the rotatable camera tilted just enough to catch Ethan in the frame.

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 Chapter 669

    ?Chapter 669:

    To anyone watching, she seemed to be idly munching and ying with her phone. But in truth, she was observing Ethan¡¯s every move through the screen.

    Then, by sheer luck, something caught her eye. Her camera picked up the slight motion of Maxley¡¯s hand as he slipped something into Ethan¡¯s drink. It was a filthy trick, and Greta¡¯s breath caught in her throat.

    She almost gasped aloud. The Prince from Plieca, resorting to such underhanded tactics?

    Thank goodness she had noticed. If not for her watchful eye, Ethan would have walked right into disaster.

    Without hesitation, she sent Brenna a message to warn her about the situation.

    Sure, Greta had feelings for Ethan. She wanted more than anything to steal him from Brenna. But this was something she had no power to stop on her own.

    She couldn¡¯t stand by and watch Ethan walk straight into a trap.

    Brenna¡¯s phone lit up with a soft buzz. She nced down and read the message. Then, she gently nudged Ethan with her elbow, showing him the warning.

    After seeing the message, Ethan remainedposed. He held the ss of wine but didn¡¯t bring it to his lips.

    Maxley was infamous for this kind of thing. He was a master maniptor.

    Having dealt with him long enough, Rosie knew all too well what he was capable of. Drug the drink, wait until the target was unconscious, then snap a few damning photos. It was Maxley¡¯s sick little game to force people into doing his bidding.

    Because of this, Maxley¡¯s reputation was far from good. Sure, his influence had grown over the years, but so had the long list of enemies he had made along the way.

    Ethan had heard rumors about these tactics from a manager back in Plieca. Still, he hadn¡¯t expected Maxley to dare pull such a stunt on him.

    What baffled him even more was that Maxley had shown up to their meeting carrying drugs. It was outrageous.

    I@te$t ¡é#@pter$ In g@!novel$.c0m

    Ethan wondered if Rosie knew about this. If she did, then she was worse than he had believed. Only moments ago, she had talked about how they had grown up together. And yet here she was, helping Maxley scheme against him?

    She should have at least considered where they were. The Imperial Bar was his territory. To think she would try to pull this off here? What was she thinking? She was a fool to believe such a cheap trick would ever work.

    Ethan¡¯s eyes gleamed with coldness. Without a word, he set the wine ss on the table, slipped out his phone, and fired off a few messages.

    Then, he tucked the phone back into his pocket.

    He turned to Maxley and began to speak with him.

    Brenna stayed by his side, listening in silence.

    It only took a handful of exchanges before both Ethan and Maxley rose to their feet.

    Ethan said to Brenna, ¡°You all have fun here. I¡¯m stepping out with Maxley to talk about the project.¡±

    Brenna nodded and saw them off.

    The moment they were gone, Brenna¡¯s phone buzzed with a message from Ethan: ¡°This is my territory. Since he dares to scheme against me, I will teach him a lesson.¡±

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 Chapter 670

    ?Chapter 670:

    A soft smile curved Brenna¡¯s lips. She put away her phone and leaned backfortably against the sofa.

    Tommy strolled over with a smile. ¡°Brenna,e sing a song with us and have a few drinks.¡±

    Greta soon walked over and asked with concern, ¡°Brenna, does Mr. Mitchell know?¡±

    Brenna felt a wave of gratitude toward Greta. She hadn¡¯t expected Maxley to resort to something like that. If not for Greta, she and Ethan wouldn¡¯t have found out about Maxley¡¯s dirty trick.

    ¡°He knows. Thank you,¡± Brenna replied.

    ¡°That¡¯s a relief. I was just worried Mr. Mitchell might end up harmed,¡± Greta said, her eyes flicking toward the door.

    Brenna offered a confident smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. This is his territory. No one would seed in targeting him here.¡±

    Even though she had never asked for details, she could piece it together on her own. Ethan¡¯s rise to be the world¡¯s richest man in only about eight years was no stroke of luck. He must have exceptional skills.

    Still unaware of the situation, Tommy asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on, Brenna? Did something happen?¡±

    ¡°I saw Maxley slip something into Mr. Mitchell¡¯s drink,¡± Greta exined.

    Tommy froze, eyes wide. They hadn¡¯t even settled ounts for what happened back in Plieca. Yet Maxley dared to scheme against Ethan and Brenna again.

    Anger shed across Tommy¡¯s face. ¡°How could a prince stoop that low? That¡¯s disgusting! He needs to be taught a lesson!¡±

    Greta nodded in agreement. ¡°Exactly. Trash like him should be kicked out of Vand.¡±

    As the memory of the incident in Plieca surfaced, Tommy still felt a twinge of fear. If it hadn¡¯t been for Brenna risking herself to save him, Joe, and Thiago, he might not be standing here today.

    Your source of stories: g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í??s.c??m

    ¡°Rosie and Maxley are the same. Both rotten to the core,¡± Tommy muttered. ¡°Brenna, do you think Mr. Mitchell will make sure Maxley pays for this?¡±

    Brenna nodded. ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Tommy¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. ¡°I want to be there when it happens.¡±

    Brenna shook her phone yfully. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll tell you when Ethan makes his move to teach Maxley a lesson.¡±

    After a while, Greta pulled Brenna toward the microphone. The chatter and clinking sses quieted. Everyone¡¯s eyes turned to Brenna.

    They had followed her lead for so long, but this was their first team outing together. Not one of them had ever heard her sing. Now, curiosity sparkled across every face.

    ¡°Brenna, what song do you want to sing?¡± someone asked.

    Brenna¡¯s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She wasn¡¯t familiar with pop songs at all. Between her packed workdays and endless meetings, she barely had time to breathe, let alone keep up with music charts. The only tune stuck in her head was the theme song from Dalton¡¯stest TV series, something she had been forced to hear more times than she cared to count.

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 Chapter 671

    ?Chapter 671:

    Greta leaned in, curiosity buzzing under her skin. Brenna was almost brilliant at everything. Would she also be good at singing?

    If that were the case, then life would be so unfair.

    Across the room, Patrick sat hunched over his phone, having a video call with Ellie and Thiago. ¡°Brenna¡¯s about to sing. Can you do something to stop her?¡± he asked.

    He couldn¡¯t forget the nights Brenna hummed him to sleeppletely off-key, every note a disaster.

    On the screen, Ellie and Thiago lounged in matching linen outfits, sunshine glinting off the waves behind them. Patrick scowled. They had gone on a trip without bringing him along.

    Ellie and Thiago burst outughing. Brenna could do almost anything, but when it came to singing, she was hopeless. Yet she herself didn¡¯t believe she was always off-key when she sang.

    Ellie grinned. ¡°Get her to pick up the call; save yourself while you still can.¡±

    ¡°Brenna!¡± Patrick hurried over, eyes wide. ¡°Mommy and Thiago are on the line; they want to talk to you!¡±

    Joe had just lined up the ylist, eager for Brenna to sing. He shot Patrick a look of displeasure. ¡°Patrick, let Brenna sing first.¡±

    But Patrick shook his head with determination. ¡°No, Mommy said it¡¯s really important. She has to talk to Brenna right now.¡±

    If Brenna started singing, she wouldn¡¯t want to stop at just one song¡ªshe would sing at least ten. That was worse than torture. Patrick believed his ears weren¡¯t ready for that suffering.

    With a desperate look, he yanked the mic from Brenna¡¯s hands, put it elsewhere, and practically dragged her aside to take the call from Ellie.

    Brenna¡¯s employees had no clue how narrowly they had avoided a disaster.

    The party rolled on.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s£®?????? brings magic to life

    Meanwhile, Greta kept sneaking nces toward the door, waiting for Ethan to return. But he never did. Even by the time the party ended around one in the morning, he still hadn¡¯te back.

    The party had left everyone drunk; some were swaying just trying to stand. There was no way Brenna would risk letting them drive, so she quickly arranged for a group of designated drivers.

    She always paid her employees well¡ªsolid sries and hefty bonuses¡ªso they all had their own cars.

    Brenna didn¡¯t make her way to her own car until everyone else had been safely seen off.

    Neville stood off to the side, waiting for her. ¡°Mr. Mitchell asked me to drive you home. He¡¯sying a trap for Maxley and Rosie tonight. Told me not to wait for him.¡±

    That piqued Brenna¡¯s interest. ¡°What exactly is he nning to do to those two?¡±

    Neville still hadn¡¯t forgiven Rosie and Maxley for what had happened in Plieca. He had lost a chunk of his hair because of them.

    He had been assigned to investigate the incident, and he discovered that Rosie and Maxley were the masterminds. But the pair thought they were brilliant, convinced no one would trace it back to them. That misced confidence was exactly why they had the nerve to meet Ethan again, thinking they could trick him.

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 Chapter 672

    ?Chapter 672:

    ¡°Miss Harper, check the trending topics tomorrow. Trust me, it¡¯s going to be one hell of a show,¡± Neville said with a grin. ¡°Last time, those two nearly got us killed. They at least need to be taught a lesson. Mr. Mitchell has been waiting for this opportunity for a while; he won¡¯t let it go to waste.¡±

    Brenna nodded. She also wanted to get back at Rosie and Maxley. Once her current projects wrapped up, she fully intended to hit back¡ªtargeting Rosie and Maxley through the stock market and making them pay.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go home now,¡± she said.

    Neville slid into the driver¡¯s seat of her car and chauffeured her back without another word.

    Brenna didn¡¯t wake until after ten the next morning. Still groggy, she grabbed her phone and checked the trending news.

    ¡°Royal chaos caught live¡ªforeign Prince and his wife involved in midnight altercation, the Prince seen battered and bruised.¡± The news snapped her out of her grogginess. She tapped the article. Dozens of explicit photos were on the screen. She scrolled through them, shaking her head.

    Ethan had gone all in. There was no way Rosie could show her face in Shirie ever again. With so many nude photos of her flooding the feed and the post racking up¡­

    traction by the second, every major yer in the city¡¯s elite circles had probably seen the photos.

    Even though Maxley wasn¡¯t from Vand, the overwhelming virality guaranteed the post would hit the international wire soon. Within a day, the media in Plieca would get the news.

    Brenna believed Ethan had probably already tipped off the media in Plieca. At this point, Maxley could kiss any chance of inheriting the throne goodbye.

    This move was brilliant.

    After skimming the post a second time, Brenna shot Ethan a message. ¡°Impressive work.¡±

    Uncover new worlds at g   alnov els

    Ethan replied quickly, ¡°Are you happy with this? I¡¯m not the kind of man people can y games with; anyone who tries will regret it. And I won¡¯t let anyone hurt you, either.¡±

    Brenna had been smiling as she texted with Ethan. But then, she received a call from Rosie.

    She narrowed her eyes at the screen. She had no ns to pick up the call, knowing Rosie was calling to confront her. She just waited for the call to disconnect on its own.

    Rosie, relentless as ever, tried again and again. When it became obvious Brenna wouldn¡¯t answer, she sent her a message. ¡°You were behind it, weren¡¯t you, Brenna?¡±

    Brenna brushed off Rosie¡¯s message, giving it a quick nce before closing the chat. She opened Instagram and saw that Ellie and Thiago had shared selfies from avish overseas hotel. Without a second thought, she liked their posts.

    After a while, she got up, freshened up, and knocked on Patrick¡¯s door. No answer. Patrick was not inside. So, she headed downstairs to the kitchen to grab something to eat. The chefs were bustling about, prepping lunch. There weren¡¯t many family members at home for lunch, so they prepared the meal mostly for the staff. The head chef quickly whipped up a simple breakfast for Brenna.

    .

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 Chapter 673

    ?Chapter 673:

    Just then, Julia returned, trailed by two maids hauling hefty bags of fresh vegetables.

    ¡°Ms. Harper, you¡¯re awake? Patrick and Mr. Dalton Harper stepped out for the day. Mr. Harper asked me to tell you this. He is nning to get back into acting and has an audition today. They needed a young actor, so he brought Patrick along.¡±

    Brenna nodded, eating her meal slowly. ¡°Doesn¡¯t Patrick dislike Dalton? Why would he tag along?¡±

    Julia looked surprised. ¡°I thought Patrick was fond of Mr. Harper.¡±

    Brenna didn¡¯t press the issue. She finished her food, slung her bag over her shoulder, and left for the office.

    Meanwhile, reporters were pounding on the door of a suite at the Empire Hotel.

    ¡°Open the door! Prince Maxley, would you care to exin the public scene you and your wife pulled on the street? Was it a staged act?¡±

    ¡°Are you representing the Plieca royal family?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the reason behind this?¡±

    Rosie and Maxley were fuming, with Maxley on the verge of losing it over the relentless reporters.

    Earlier that morning, just past five, he had been jolted awake to find himself sprawled in the middle of a busy intersection. The streets were quiet at that hour, but street cleaners were already at work. One of them had shaken him awake.

    The cleaner, a man in his fifties, was snapping photos of him with his phone, having already taken several.

    Maxley woke up dazed, not realizing where he was, aching all over. He felt weak and was shivering.

    ¡°Who let you into my room, you disgusting old man?¡± he barked at the cleaner, furious at being yanked from a dream where he was partying with top celebrities worldwide.

    ¡°Did you toss these tissues? Absolutely revolting!¡± the cleaner shot back.

    ?????????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Maxley¡¯s senses snapped into focus. He realized he was lying naked in the street, clutching a woman covered in what looked like hickeys. Her hair was a tangled mess, hiding her face, but he knew she was Rosie.

    Memories from the night before rushed back. He recalled heading to another room with Ethan, who had suddenly be enthusiastic, signing a contract and drinking heavily with him. Rosie had drunk a lot, too.

    After that, his recollection blurred, probably from too much alcohol. But given his current situation, something awful must have happened, though he couldn¡¯t piece together why he had ended up here.

    He pped Rosie hard to wake her up.

    Rosie groaned, quickly realizing she was naked in the middle of the intersection. Several cars waited at the traffic lights, their headlights spotlighting her.

    Some drivers had even stepped out of their cars, snapping close-up photos of her.

    Within minutes, a crowd of about twenty had gathered, taking pictures and posting them online. Some even recognized them.

    ¡°Wow, is this some kind of performance art? Foreigners are truly wild!¡±

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 Chapter 674

    ?Chapter 674:

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the Harper family¡¯s daughter? Didn¡¯t she marry a prince or something? Why is she doing this?¡±

    ¡°If these photos leak, they¡¯ll blow up the inte.¡±

    Rosie tried to shrink into Maxley¡¯s arms, wishing she could vanish. The cleaner tossed them some tattered clothes from the trash to cover their naked bodies.

    They eventually managed to go back to their hotel room.

    ¡°Maxley, someone must have set us up!¡± Rosie said, convinced Ethan and Brenna were the masterminds.

    In her mind, only Brenna could devise such a vile n.

    She called Brenna repeatedly, but Brenna wouldn¡¯t pick up.

    ¡°We can¡¯t let Brenna get away with this!¡± Rosie spat, seething.

    Maxley, even angrier, red at the door in frustration. ¡°We need to kill Ethan and Brenna. You deal with the reporters; I¡¯lle up with a n. This isn¡¯t just a personal attack; it¡¯s an insult to Plieca and our royal family!¡±

    Maxley insisted Rosie face the reporters on her own. But Rosie was reluctant, knowing she would only be humiliated. Seeing her stall, Maxley¡¯s frustration boiled over. He shot to his feet, barking, ¡°Hurry up!¡±

    Left with no choice, Rosie concealed her identitypletely, desperate to avoid recognition if photographed. She donned a face mask and oversized sunsses. She wrapped a vibrant designer scarf around her head and wore a long trench coat before cautiously opening the hotel room door.

    ¡°Ms. Harper, you have finallye out!¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s Prince Maxley? Is he still inside?¡±

    ¡°Can you get Prince Maxley to step out?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Harper, is what you did with Prince Maxley a form of art or something?¡±

    Rosie was beyond exasperated. She had never despised journalists as much as she did at that moment. Shoving through the throng with all her strength, she called out, ¡°Come with me, and I¡¯ll answer your questions.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???? ???????? ??????????¦Í??????[?]??????

    She hadn¡¯t forgotten Maxley¡¯s orders. After the day¡¯s fiasco, if she couldn¡¯t regain his favor and prove her worth, she might lose her royal title. She wasn¡¯t about to let the status she had fought so hard to achieve vanish.

    As expected, the reporters took the bait, following her out.

    Brenna arrived at the Mitchell Group headquarters and immediately sensed something was amiss. The four receptionists¡ªtwo men and two women¡ªwho had greeted her courteously the day before now eyed her with peculiar looks.

    Mny Olson, a young and attractive female receptionist with over three years of experience at the front desk, knew every executive and mid-level manager by name and could recognize many employees. She had been here a few days earlier when Elsa had caused a stir and had even answered some of Elsa¡¯s questions, learning her identity in the process.

    ¡°Ms. Harper,¡± Mny said to Brenna with a practiced smile, ¡°Mr. Mitchell¡¯s mother is here. She specifically asked if you had arrived. It seems she wants to speak with you.¡±

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 Chapter 675

    ?Chapter 675:

    Brenna nodded, catching the hint. ¡°Understood. Thanks. Has Ethan arrived?¡±

    Had Mny not tipped her off about Elsa¡¯s arrival, she might have walked into her office unprepared for an ambush.

    Mny shook her head. ¡°No.¡±

    Brenna asked, ¡°Do you have any idea which floor Ethan¡¯s mother headed to?¡±

    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not sure. I only saw her take the elevator Mr. Mitchell usually uses.¡±

    Brenna opted for the employee elevator to avoid crossing paths with Elsa.

    The Mitchell Group¡¯s headquarters was a 99-story skyscraper, one of Shirie¡¯s tallest, housing thousands of employees and multiple elevators.

    Brenna figured the odds of running into Elsa were slim.

    Fortunately, her trip was smooth. She soon reached the 58th floor, where employees were engrossed in their work.

    As she neared her office door, the elevator Ethan typically used dinged open. Minna emerged, arm-in-arm with Elsa. The moment Elsa spotted Brenna, her face soured.

    Brenna suspected one of the receptionists must have told Elsa about her arrival.

    She didn¡¯t me the receptionist. After all, she believed a confrontation with Elsa was bound to happen eventually.

    Heads turned toward Brenna. Someone grabbed a phone to dial Tommy.

    Elsa, radiating authority, strode toward Brenna. ¡°You¡¯ve got some gall, chasing my son all the way to thepany headquarters.¡±

    ¡°Good afternoon, Mrs. Mitchell,¡± Brenna said courteously. She wasn¡¯t fond of Elsa but remained polite for Ethan¡¯s sake.

    Elsa said, ¡°I¡¯m here to tell you to leave. If you have any self-respect, leave on your own. Don¡¯t force me to throw you out.¡± Her face was etched with irritation.

    She had been tied up caring for her elderly mother for the past two days. With a rare free morning, she had taken leave from her teaching job toe here. But she still had to return to schoolter and then cook dinner at her mother¡¯s in the evening.

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??, ?????????? ???????? ????

    She had no idea that Ethan was behind her busy schedule.

    All she knew was that Brenna seemed to have uncanny luck, as she hadn¡¯t had the chance to confront her until now.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have the right to make me leave,¡± Brenna replied evenly. She opened her office door, stepped inside, set her bag on the desk, and settled into her chair.

    Minna spoke up, eager to fan the mes. ¡°Mrs. Mitchell, look at her! She¡¯s got no shame. I told her yesterday to stay away from Mr. Mitchell, but she refused to listen. And now she¡¯s iming you don¡¯t have the right to tell her to leave? You¡¯re the CEO¡¯s mother! His assets are your assets. Of course, you have the right to make her leave. Who does she think she is?¡±

    Greta, standing nearest to Minna and Elsa, was angered by their words. After a moment¡¯s reflection, she chose not to act, opting instead to watch how things unfolded. If the situation escted, she could always call Rex to notify Ethan.

    Minna and Elsa barged into Brenna¡¯s office. Minna said sharply to Brenna, ¡°When are you going to pack up your things and leave?¡±

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 Chapter 676

    ?Chapter 676:

    Brenna swipedzily across her phone screen, her attention caught by a fresh message from Ethan. He told her she shouldn¡¯t back down in front of his mother. She could have a fight with his mother. He even promised a reward if she came out on top.

    Apparently, he often argued with his mother, too.

    A quietugh slipped from Brenna¡¯s lips. Ethan had no filter, and that kind of blunt honesty amused her. It was clear someone had already filled him in on what had happened.

    Knowing she had his backing, Brenna felt even more at ease about what she was about to do.

    Elsa and Minna caught her smiling and took it the wrong way. To them, it looked like mockery.

    Minna thought Elsa ought to be left out of this conflict, especially given her position as a professor at Shirie University and her past as one of Vand¡¯s most celebrated singers.

    So Minna took the initiative to confront Brenna, demanding in a harsh tone, ¡°Why are you smiling like that?¡±

    She tried to dominate the moment, hoping her voice alone would rattle Brenna. In her mind, volume meant victory. So even the employees outside heard her.

    Concerned about how things might unfold, Greta slipped out to the break room. She said she¡¯d make coffee for the guests, but it was clear she just needed a reason to go inside and check on the situation. Tommy, who worked next door, beat her to it. He walked inside the office holding a folder, already sensing the tension in the air.

    Tommy wasn¡¯t too worried about Brenna. He knew she could hold her own. What kept him uneasy was the idea of Elsa and Minna getting themselves into trouble. If anything, they were the ones who needed protection here, not the other way around.

    The moment Tommy stepped through the door, Elsa snapped her head toward him. ¡°Who allowed you toe in? Get out!¡±

    Your favorite stories g¦Áln¦Òv???s

    In her eyes, this was her son¡¯spany building, and by extension, her rule held weight. Deciding who stayed and who left? That was her right.

    Tommy didn¡¯t flinch. He crossed the room without saying a word.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a document that needs your signature, Brenna.¡± Heid the folder on the table and stayed where he was, locking eyes with Elsa and Minna without the slightest hint of fear.

    Elsa¡¯s face darkened. ¡°I¡¯m speaking to you! Are you deaf? I said leave!¡±

    Minna stepped forward, determined to remove Tommy herself.

    But Tommy didn¡¯t budge. He had the kind of frame that spoke of long hours at the gym, and his expression stayed calm, though his eyes sharpened. ¡°Ms. Davies, this is the Night Studio, not the Mitchell Group. You¡¯d do well to watch your behavior. If you cross the line, don¡¯t expect me to stay polite.¡±

    Tommy¡¯s stare unsettled Minna more than she cared to admit. She froze in ce, the boldness draining from her posture. ¡°Mrs. Mitchell is Mr. Mitchell¡¯s mother,¡± she said, her voice tight. ¡°What she says holds power. If she tells you to leave, then you should leave. And you should take Brenna with you.¡±

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 Chapter 677

    ?Chapter 677:

    She stepped in front of Elsa without thinking, acting as a shield in case Tommy tried anything reckless.

    But Elsa was not scared. She nudged Minna to the side with a light hand, grateful for the gesture. This only confirmed what she had been feeling for some time¡ªMinna was the one she wanted as her daughter-inw.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to stand in front of me, Minna. They wouldn¡¯t darey a finger on me.¡±

    Tommy stood still, calm as ever. He¡¯d been with Brenna from the start of her studio days, had seen every rise and fall, and had never once stepped back when things got rough. He didn¡¯t see Elsa or Minna as threats. His role here was simple¡ªto remind them that Brenna wasn¡¯t alone, and nobody could walk over her.

    Elsa turned her re on Brenna. ¡°Well? Are you leaving or not? Because if you¡¯re nning to stay, I¡¯ll call security. If you don¡¯t want to be kicked out forcibly, you¡¯d better leave now.¡±

    Without blinking, Brenna pulled open the drawer and slid a folder onto the table. ¡°I¡¯ve rented the 57th and 58th floors of the Mitchell Group¡¯s headquarters. This is the lease. If you want me gone, you¡¯ll have to break the contract and pay the penalty.¡±

    Elsa¡¯s face shifted. ¡°You have a lease?¡±

    She had always assumed Ethan had given Brenna the space for free, no strings attached. As far as she was concerned, anything under the Mitchell Group¡¯s roof was hers. If she said someone had to leave, they needed to listen. Even Ethan needed to listen to her.

    But now, a lease agreement had surfaced, and she was puzzled.

    The lease agreement was barely a few pages long. Elsa skimmed through it, seeing nothing amiss. She then reached the second-tost page. There, in stark print, was a use about breaking the contract. If the Mitchell Group broke the lease and forced Brenna¡¯spany out early, they¡¯d be pped with a ten-billion-dor penalty.

    ¡°Ten billion dors?¡± Elsa shouted. ¡°This is outrageous! This contract can¡¯t be valid.¡±

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    Back when they had first drafted the agreement, Brenna had questioned the use herself. But Ethan had insisted on it. He had told her it mighte in handy, and now, it all made sense.

    Ethan had anticipated his mother¡¯s reaction and made the agreement with her in mind.

    Minna leaned in to read the use for herself. ¡°This isn¡¯t fair at all!¡±

    Brenna didn¡¯t flinch. Her voice stayed steady. ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter to me. Everything¡¯s written down, stamped by bothpanies and signed by Ethan himself. We both agreed to it. If you want me gone, just pay the fee. As soon as that¡¯s settled, I¡¯ll be out the door.¡±

    Elsa¡¯s fury erupted. ¡°You manipted my son into signing this ridiculous contract! I¡¯m telling you now; this won¡¯t hold up in court. You need to leave!¡±

    With that, she tore the contract to pieces.

    Elsa¡¯s re sharpened as she took in Brenna¡¯s calm expression. ¡°You¡¯ve got some audacity. I¡¯ve done everything to throw you out, and yet you keep hanging around.¡±

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 Chapter 678

    ?Chapter 678:

    Her chest rose and fell with fury. She hurled the torn-up contract at Brenna¡¯s face, the paper fluttering like confetti.

    But Brenna had seen iting. She calmly raised the intact contract from the table to shield herself, then met Elsa¡¯s eyes without flinching. ¡°Unless you want the police involved, I suggest you leave. I¡¯ve paid the rent. This is my workspace now, and you don¡¯t get to barge in and make a scene here.¡±

    Seeing that neither Elsa nor Minna intended to leave, Tommy pulled out his phone and dialed 911. He held up the screen to show Elsa and Minna.

    Elsa looked at the screen, gave a sharp huff through her nose, and stormed off.

    She had a reputation to maintain¡ªher fans and the school could never know she was arrested for harassment. It was this consideration that made her leave.

    Greta, who had been lingering by the doorway, stepped in and began gathering the shredded scraps scattered across the table and floor. She looked up and said, ¡°Brenna, maybe it¡¯s time we hired some security guards. What if shees back to stir up trouble again?¡±

    ¡°No need to worry. She¡¯s not likely to return,¡± Brenna said coldly, well aware of how fiercely public figures guarded their image.

    As someone in the public eye, Dalton had offered perspectives that had inspired Brenna.

    As Greta walked out, she also took away the two untouched coffees. Tommy nced at Brenna and asked, ¡°What makes you so sure she¡¯s noting back?¡±

    Brenna replied smoothly, ¡°You¡¯ve heard of Elsa before, right?¡±

    Tommy let out a lowugh. ¡°Are you kidding? I grew up with her songs sting through the house. Of course, I¡¯ve heard of her.¡±

    ¡°Then what do you think of her now?¡± Brenna asked.

    Tommy caught on right away. ¡°She¡¯s got a public image to protect. An arrest would cause way more damage than coughing up some penalty fee.¡±

    Brenna gave a slight nod. ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s why I doubt she¡¯ll show up here again. If it were me, I¡¯d send someone else to stir things up. Someone without a reputation to lose.¡±

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    ¡°She could easily find someone to deal with you since she is the CEO¡¯s mother. Lending her a hand could pay off big time.¡±

    After a short exchange, Tommy left, exining the situation to the team so they could get back to business.

    Once things settled, Brenna messaged Ethan to fill him in on what had happened.

    Ethan replied almost instantly, ¡°So? Did youe out on top?¡±

    ¡°I came out on top.¡±

    ¡°Nice. What did you do to pull it off?¡± Ethan asked.

    Brenna replied, ¡°I threatened to call the police.¡±

    ¡°Bold. If the police had arrested her, she¡¯d be blowing up on every tform by now. You¡¯re amazing. I¡¯m heading to the hospital this afternoon to visit Jayceon, so I can¡¯t have lunch with you. Be sure to eat on time.¡±

    Brenna replied, ¡°No need to report your whereabouts to me.¡±

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 Chapter 679

    ?Chapter 679:

    ¡°I just want to let you know. We will visit my grandmother on Saturday.¡±

    ¡°All right. What kind of gift does she usually like?¡±

    ¡°Money. Nothing thrills her more,¡± Ethan replied.

    Brenna arched a brow. ¡°That¡¯s not surprising at all.¡±

    Just as Brenna was about to close the chat with Ethan, a new message lit up the screen.

    The familiar name jolted her.

    Jordy¡¯s message popped up. ¡°Are you free at noon? Want to grab lunch together?¡±

    A rush of painful memories surged through Brenna¡ªJordy¡¯s betrayal still sharp as ever. If she recalled correctly, this was the same man who had rushed to end their engagement and wasted no time proposing to Isabe once the Barrett family cast her out. He was her ex-fianc¨¦. Without a second thought, Brenna deleted the message and blocked him.

    Meanwhile, on the tennis court, Jordy was mid-match with his ex-girlfriend Isabe and her current boyfriend Denis, all the while waiting for Brenna¡¯s reply. Minutes passed, and still, there was nothing from Brenna.

    Denis flung his racket onto the bench, unscrewed a water bottle, and took a sip. ¡°Still nothing?¡± he asked, casting Jordy a nce.

    Jordy fired off another message, only to discover he had been blocked on WhatsApp.

    ¡°Damn it,¡± he muttered, scowling. ¡°She blocked me.¡±

    He tried calling Brenna, but the call was quickly declined, making Jordy want to throw his phone in frustration.

    ¡°Denis, I¡¯ve tried everything. She won¡¯t answer,¡± he said, frustrated.

    Isabe scoffed, ¡°She is probably scared Mr. Mitchell will find out she¡¯s still chatting with her ex.¡±

    Denis had hit a wall and needed Brenna¡¯s help. After Jade¡¯s passing, he¡¯d inherited a tangled web of businesses across Vand¡ªfar too many, and some well outside his skill set. What he needed now was someone skilled in managing finance like Brenna.

    ¡°Isabe, you call her. I don¡¯t think she¡¯d ever turn down an opportunity to make some serious cash.¡±

    Isabe yanked out her phone and snapped at Jordy, ¡°You seriously can¡¯t handle such a simple matter. So useless.¡±

    Jordy might have talked back to an ex, but arguing with Denis¡¯s girlfriend wasn¡¯t something he could afford to do. So he remained silent.

    Isabe dialed Brenna, but Brenna didn¡¯t pick up the call for a long while.

    Right as the call was seconds from cutting off, Brenna answered it, her voice clipped. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I want to talk to you about something important. Can we talk in person?¡± Isabe said.

    Brenna ended the call and checked the time; it was already eleven in the morning.

    Her face remained impassive as she weighed the possibility that Isabe was luring her into a trap.

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 Chapter 680

    ?Chapter 680:

    She quickly summoned Joe.

    Joe oversaw finance and big data operations. He had a demanding role that kept him swamped. Since his recent trip to Plieca, the workload in April had surged.

    He was starting to see that his team of roughly a dozen was stretched too thin.

    Though his staff were highly skilled, overworking them wasn¡¯t sustainable; expanding the team with new hires was the smarter move.

    Joe soon arrived and settled into the chair across from Brenna, his face betraying a trace of exhaustion. The relentless overtime and mounting tasks were taking their toll on him.

    ¡°Here¡¯s the business report for the past two weeks¡ªtake a look,¡± he said, sliding a hefty stack of documents across the desk. Brenna scanned the detailed analyses and financial data.

    Joe continued, ¡°Since the Plieca trip, our workload has spiked. We just wrapped up a cross-border payment project, and there are multiple blockchain-based payment initiatives in progress, plus market risk assessments for several firms. Brenna, my team is spread too thin. Can we bring on more people?¡±

    Brenna reviewed the performance evaluations, impressed by Joe¡¯s efforts.

    She said, ¡°Of course. We don¡¯t have an HR department yet, so I¡¯ll talk to Ethan tonight about having his HR team recruit for us. How many people do you think we need?¡±

    Joe thought briefly. ¡°Hiring too many people at once won¡¯t work. I would say ten with at least five years of experience and about thirty recent graduates. The veterans can guide the neers, who should pick things up fast.¡±

    Brenna nodded in agreement. ¡°Put together a recruitment n and send it to me. Also, are you keeping tabs on the projects Jade left behind?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Jade left some drug trade projects, but the bigger issue is the venture capital work in finance¡ªthings like microloans and online loans. The Wagner family absorbed half of those projects and funds, but they¡¯re struggling with the other half. Word is, they¡¯ve hit a technical snag, and progress has stalled.¡±

    ¡°That exins it. Denis just invited me to a meal to talk business. You¡¯reing with me.¡±

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    Brenna flipped through the documents, noting the heavy demands on the finance and big data teams. She had been focused on mechanical engineering and design recently and hadn¡¯t paid much attention to Joe¡¯s tasks.

    ¡°You¡¯ve done great work; thanks for holding it down,¡± she said with a small smile, handing the documents back. ¡°Get ready; we¡¯re leaving in fifteen minutes.¡±

    In an exclusive private dining room at a high-end restaurant, Isabe¡¯s impatience was palpable. ¡°I checked with my mom. Brenna has been with the Barrett family for years, and there¡¯s never been a whisper about her knowing financial investments. Denis, you¡¯re probably being deceived. How could she solve what Shirie¡¯s top investment firm can¡¯t?¡±

    Her tone dripped with scorn as she continued, ¡°My mom says Brenna¡¯s only good at mechanical engineering and design, and even then, she¡¯s a third-rate talent. Those guest lectures at universities? Probably just scripted speeches someone else wrote for her to parrot. She¡¯s got no real skill. As for finance, she¡¯s definitely clueless.¡±

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 Chapter 681

    ?Chapter 681:

    Denis had heard from a colleague that Brenna ran an exceptional finance studio, capable of tackling cases that stumped industry veterans.

    Initially doubtful, he was swayed when the colleague shared that theirpany had worked with Brenna and raved about her abilities.

    That was when Denis decided to take a chance on her. Isabe, however, remained unconvinced and had consulted Jordy, a finance expert familiar with the industry¡¯s top yers.

    Jordy knew of a remarkable studio that, just six months ago, had helped a major Norviewpany navigate market risks, averting a fifteen-billion-dor loss.

    He had only recently learned it was Brenna¡¯s studio after a casual chat with colleagues.

    It dawned on him that he had severely underestimated his highly capable ex-girlfriend, and he even toyed with the idea of getting back with her.

    Denis, also skeptical, wasn¡¯t ready to fully trust his colleague¡¯s ims without seeing Brenna¡¯s skills for himself.

    ¡°Let¡¯s test her. When she gets here, we¡¯ll see what she can do,¡± he said.

    Isabe sneered, ¡°She¡¯s just a pretty face, using her looks to fool people. Do you really buy into that? Hand our business to her, and she¡¯ll bankrupt us.¡±

    Jordy disagreed, saying, ¡°You don¡¯t know her, so quit spouting nonsense. I believe in her. When she shows up, don¡¯t say anything to sabotage this deal. If you do, I¡¯ll¡­¡±

    He trailed off, swallowing the rest of his warning in Denis¡¯s presence.

    Brenna stepped into the room in a crisp white shirt, the sleeves neatly rolled up, with a sleek gray vestyered over the shirt. Paired with tailored ck trousers, she carried herself with a professional aura. Her makeup was impable, and her hair flowed in elegant waves.

    Her transformation was striking. Gone was the girl-next-door charm. In its ce stood a woman radiating confidence. When Jordyid eyes on Brenna, he was momentarily stunned. This wasn¡¯t the Brenna he had known six months ago. She was no longer the timid girl who had quietly endured one humiliation after another in the Barrett household. In the past, Brenna¡¯s wardrobe had been all simple white tees, jeans, and worn sneakers. She hadn¡¯t been looking this radiant before.

    Find exclusive updates g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??ls

    Wearing a navy-blue suit, Joe followed Brenna, a ck briefcase in hand. He looked polished and business-ready.

    As he and Brenna entered the private room, neither of them bothered with greetings. Without a word, they sat down.

    Isabe, never one to hide her disdain, seized the moment to throw a jab. ¡°Well, well, well, Ms. Harper. Quite the entrance. No greetings, no pleasantries. Are you really here to discuss a business deal with us? I don¡¯t see even a shred of sincerity in you.¡±

    Jordy chuckled lightly and turned to Brenna. ¡°Brenna, it¡¯s been a while. You¡¯ve grown even more beautiful than I remember.¡±

    Brenna sensed Jordy¡¯s ulterior motives and met his gaze with a cool detachment. ¡°Thank you for thepliment. Now, let¡¯s get to the point. I don¡¯t have time for small talk.¡±

    ¡°Oh, give me a break,¡± Isabe scoffed, her words dripping with venom. ¡°Don¡¯t act like you are from some rich family. We all remember you back then¡ªscrubbing floors, cooking meals, and cleaning up after everyone in the Barrett house. You were practically a maid. So quit the act. The fact that we¡¯re even willing to work with you is a favor.¡±

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 Chapter 682

    ?Chapter 682:

    Brenna¡¯s jaw tightened. Beside her, Joe slightly leaned forward in anger and spoke up. ¡°Who do you think you are? You¡¯ve got a lot of nerve talking to Brenna like that. If you¡¯re not here to discuss the business deal, then we¡¯re done. We¡¯ll leave now.¡±

    Isabe opened her mouth to speak, only to be silenced by a p across her face.

    She whipped around and, with her hand to her cheek, stared at Denis in disbelief. ¡°You¡­ You pped me?¡±

    But Denis barely spared her a nce. He was locked on his phone, eyes scanning the document Brenna had sent just minutes earlier. He had doubted Brenna¡¯s abilities, so she had sent him a case¡ªa detailed case study from Norview, an example of apany that had narrowly avoided a crushing fifteen-billion-dor loss. The case was famous. If Brenna¡¯s team had really handled this case, then she might just have the ability to pull him out of the mess he was in now.

    ¡°Shut up. Do you even hear yourself? She¡¯s not stooping to your level because she knows better. You¡¯re the one making a fool of yourself!¡± Denis snapped at Isabe before turning to Brenna with an apologetic smile. ¡°Ms. Harper, please don¡¯t pay her any mind. I apologize on her behalf.¡±

    Jordy, still having lingering feelings for Brenna, saw his chance to step in. There was a time when he had pursued her with the hope of rekindling what they had once had. But when it became clear she had moved on, he had given up on that, though his interest never truly faded.

    ¡°Exactly, Brenna,¡± Jordy said smoothly. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your energy on her. You know how Isabe is. She¡¯s nothing but a fool.¡±

    Isabe shot Jordy a re. ¡°How dare you call me a fool? You think you are so smart?¡±

    His patience wearing thin, Denis mmed a hand down on the table. ¡°Enough! If you¡¯re going to keep arguing, then get out.¡±

    That was enough to silence Isabe, though the fury in her eyes didn¡¯t fade. She shot Brenna a seething look, waiting for any chance to strike. Frustrated, she began texting Rosie and telling her everything that had happened.

    Denis pulled a stack of documents from his bag. He ced them in front of Brenna and said, ¡°Ms. Harper, please review these documents and tell me if you can help me fix the problem. If you do, I¡¯m willing to pay ten million dors.¡±

    Brenna took half the stack and passed the rest to Joe. The two of them scanned each page with practiced eyes.

    As Brenna had suspected, the root of the issuey in loans that had originated from Jade¡¯s team. Though the money had slowly begun to circle back, the entire system had been locked down withyers of encryption.

    Denis couldn¡¯t ess the funds, nor could he transfer ownership of the loanpanies under his name. Desperate for a way out, he had asked for Brenna¡¯s help.

    Brenna handed the documents in her hand to Joe. ¡°Ten million is too low,¡± she said to Denis.

    Denis chuckled dryly. ¡°Ms. Harper, you¡¯ve got quite the appetite. For you, this should only take a few days. Isn¡¯t ten million enough?¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Isabe interjected. ¡°How much more do you want? Ten million is more than fair. For apany like yours, this has to be the biggest deal you¡¯ve evernded. Take it or leave it. We can easily find someone else.¡±

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 Chapter 683

    ?Chapter 683:

    Joe¡¯s patience wore thin. He tossed the documents aside and abruptly stood up. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Brenna.¡±

    Brenna stood up as well.

    rmed, Denis shot up and stopped them. ¡°Wait! If ten million¡¯s not enough, I¡¯ll raise it. Thirteen million. How about that?¡±

    He had wed his way through sleepless nights and ruthless negotiations. He had also barely dodged gangsters who would have been happy to see him fail. Every dor in his pocket had been earned with grit, and the thought of parting with even a fraction more made his teeth clench.

    Seething at the idea of Brenna walking away with more money, Isabe said, ¡°No way! Can¡¯t you just bump it up by a hundred thousand? Why throw in so much?¡±

    ¡°Stay out of it!¡± Denis barked. He wasn¡¯t about to let her ruin this deal.

    If Brenna solved his problem, he stood to make at least five billion dors.

    Isabe eyed Brenna with tant scorn, sneering as she tilted her head. To her, Brenna would forever be the pathetic doormat of the Barrett family. How dare she act as if she were above her?

    Brenna was obviously putting on an act. What could she possibly know about finance?

    Moving funds from Jade¡¯s corporate ount to Denis¡¯s wasn¡¯t a simple task. Isabe and Denis both knew it demanded advanced hacking skills. Did Brenna possess those skills?

    Likely, she just had a couple of tech wizards on her team.

    Isabe¡¯s gaze on Brenna dripped with contempt; she was convinced Brenna was the world¡¯s biggest fraud.

    She nudged Denis¡¯s arm, muttering, ¡°Don¡¯t buy her act. Thirteen million is plenty.¡±

    Denis thought the same. He had consulted numerous experts¡ªsome from Vand, others overseas, including top-tier hackers¡ªbut none could help him transfer the funds.

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    If Jade¡¯s entire financial team hadn¡¯t perished, and if her ounts weren¡¯t locked behindyers of encryption, he would never have stooped to asking Brenna for help.

    ¡°Thirteen million, not a penny more, Ms. Harper. For you, that¡¯s two days¡¯ work at most. It¡¯s more than enough; don¡¯t get greedy,¡± he said.

    Isabe smirked. ¡°Exactly. Your little studio probably takes half a year to pull in that kind of money.¡±

    Sure, Brenna had once helped apany recover fifty billion, but those kinds of gigs were rare.

    Isabe believed a deal of thirteen million was a major one for Brenna. She continued, ¡°So? Have you made up your mind? This chance won¡¯te twice. Deals like this don¡¯t just fall from the sky. If you pass, we¡¯ll find someone else.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. This is yourst chance.¡±

    Denis nodded, though he knew better than Isabe¡ªBrenna was likely the only one who could pull this off. Still, in his view, Brenna¡¯s help was worth no more than thirteen million.

    Brenna¡¯s icy stare swept over them. She didn¡¯t want to waste any more time on these selfish opportunists.

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 Chapter 684

    ?Chapter 684:

    Joe let out a sharp, mockingugh. ¡°Mr. Wagner, you have really outdone yourself. You¡¯ve been gobbling up Jade¡¯s business and funds like a vulture, pocketing hundreds of billions in just over a month. Your operations have doubled, and now you want us to secure over ten billion in cash for you for a pathetic thirteen million? Do you take us for fools?¡±

    Denis froze, staring at Joe in shock. He had been meticulous, instructing his team to keep things hushed, ensuring no one knew the full extent of what he had funneled from Jade¡¯s holdings.

    He had never imagined a mid-level manager from a small finance studio would be so clued in. Stammering, he asked, ¡°H-How do you know that?¡±

    He even began to suspect a traitor in his team.

    Joe smirked. ¡°You¡¯ve been snatching Jade¡¯s assets in the most tant way possible. Everyone in Shirie knows about it, and you¡¯re asking how I found out about that? There¡¯s no such thing as the perfect secret. If you did something, people will know eventually.¡±

    The words shook Denis. He shot a suspicious nce at Jordy, who had yed a key role in his operations and profited handsomely. Jordy caught the look and quickly shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t pin this on me. I didn¡¯t say a word.¡±

    Denis¡¯s eyes then shifted to Isabe. He had made a fortune recently and spent nearly two hundred million on her.

    Isabe scrambled to defend herself, saying, ¡°It wasn¡¯t me, Denis. I would never sell you out.¡±

    ¡°Everyone in Shirie knows?¡± Denis mumbled, grappling with the idea. But so what? On paper, his moves were backed by airtight legal documents and proper procedures. He wasn¡¯t worried, even if the authorities came knocking.

    ¡°You¡¯re just saying this to squeeze more money out of me, aren¡¯t you? Fine¡ªname your price.¡±

    He braced himself, ready to bleed a little. No matter what, he needed to get the funds.

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    Joe nced at Brenna and then said to Denis coolly, ¡°Half of the money.¡±

    ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± Denis eximed, floored. ¡°You¡¯re both way too greedy for demanding that amount! I don¡¯t think there¡¯s any point continuing this discussion.¡±

    Isabe and Jordy were just as stunned. To them, Brenna and Joe were reaching for the stars. Given Denis¡¯s selfishness, surrendering half was unthinkable. He would never agree.

    Isabe couldn¡¯t hold back her outrage. ¡°Get real! You haven¡¯t done a single thing¡ªjust some typing¡ªand you expect half? Do you evenprehend how much money that is?¡±

    Joe and Brenna had yed these high-stakes games before; that was why they had gotten on the Ward family¡¯s bad side.

    They knew Denis wouldn¡¯t budge. They hadn¡¯t anticipated closing the deal in one meeting anyway. Silently, they turned to leave.

    Denis moved to stop them, but Isabe held him back.

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 Chapter 685

    ?Chapter 685:

    She said, ¡°Let them walk. They¡¯re too greedy. Denis, we¡¯ll find someone else. I refuse to believe that there¡¯s no one else out there who can handle this.¡±

    ¡°Insane. Absolutely insane!¡± Isabe screamed, her voice echoing in the room. She stormed to the doorway and hurled her fury at Brenna¡¯s back. ¡°You¡¯re so obsessed with money that it has made you lose your mind! Who do you even think you are? Just because you¡¯re the Harper family¡¯s daughter, you think you can always get what you want? Asking for half? Are you out of your mind? No sane person would say something that ridiculous.¡±

    Jordy and Denis locked eyes, their faces hardening with anger. Brenna wasn¡¯t just greedy; she was also cunning. She knew the money was dirty, so she had the audacity to demand such a big slice.

    Denis let out a coldugh. ¡°She¡¯s ying with fire. I won¡¯t let her seed.¡±

    Jordy kept his gaze on the elevator, watching as Brenna¡¯s figure disappeared behind the closing doors. ¡°She really walked away?¡± He had thought it was just a bluff to squeeze out a better deal. He hadn¡¯t expected Brenna to actually leave.

    Now he realized that Brenna was far more ambitious than he¡¯d ever imagined.

    ¡°Denis, do we have anyone else we can pull in?¡± Jordy asked.

    Denis shook his head. ¡°We¡¯ve tried everyone. Four of the top five hackers in the world¡­ We brought them in and paid through the nose, but not one pulled it off. The one at the top is a ghost. No one even knows if they are a man or a woman, or how to find them.¡±

    He let out a deep sigh. ¡°Half of the money¡­ That¡¯s insane. But if someone could just talk her down a little, I¡¯m willing to give her one hundred million. That¡¯s as far as I go. Jordy, didn¡¯t you use to date Brenna? You two were even engaged before. Maybe she still has a soft spot for you. Could you talk to her?¡±

    The truth was, Jordy wasn¡¯t sure if he could persuade Brenna. Brenna was with Ethan now. She probably didn¡¯t see him as anyone important anymore. Still, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to try.

    ¡°I¡¯ll give it a shot,¡± he said.

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    If this deal went through, he stood to make at least a billion, maybe even two. Of course, he had to try.

    ¡°I¡¯ll set up a meeting with her.¡± Jordy pulled out his phone and called Brenna. It barely rang twice before she cut the call.

    Isabe saw that and let out a cold snort. ¡°With the way you are now, Brenna wouldn¡¯t nce at you twice. After all, the richest man in this world is her boyfriend.¡±

    Jordy¡¯s fists clenched at his sides. It was bad enough that Brenna had brushed him off, but to also have Isabe throwing jabs at him? That was too much.

    ¡°You¡¯re one to talk. You¡ª¡± he shot back, but Denis¡¯s sharp nce cut him short.

    Isabe might not havee from a prestigious family, but she was Denis¡¯s girlfriend. She wasn¡¯t someone Jordy could afford to cross.

    Isabeughed mockingly. ¡°Who do you think you are? Just a bootlicker for the Wagner family. Don¡¯t act so arrogant in front of me. If you think you are so capable, go convince Brenna!¡±

    Jordy was furious but was smart enough not tosh out at her. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll go. At worst, I¡¯ll throw in more money. I refuse to believe Brenna would walk away from a deal this big.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 686

    ?Chapter 686:

    As soon as Jordy left, Isabe turned to Denis andined, ¡°What now? Brenna wouldn¡¯t even budge for thirteen million. That¡¯s already a generous offer. Sure, she is the daughter of the Harper family and Ethan¡¯s girlfriend. But so what? She thinks she¡¯s too good for thirteen million? How dare she ask for so much more? She is too greedy!¡±

    Denis nced at her, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his face. Isabe was always in his corner, always thinking from his side. That loyalty meant more to him than he liked to admit.

    He said, ¡°Didn¡¯t your mother raise her? Maybe she could talk some sense into Brenna. She might soften if ites from your mother.¡±

    At that, Isabe¡¯s face clouded over. ¡°My mom? Come on, Denis. You really don¡¯t know, do you? She¡¯s the reason my family fell apart. We went bankrupt because of her. When my family had nowhere to turn, we went to Brenna¡¯s ce and begged for help, but she mmed the door in our faces. Brenna is heartless. She would never listen to my mom.¡±

    Denis¡¯s mood soured. The deal was slipping through his fingers, but he refused to lose half the profit to secure it.

    He said, ¡°Just try. What if she softens up? Have your mom y the part. Beg Brenna if she has to. Brenna can¡¯t be that heartless.¡±

    Isabe nodded. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll call my mom and ask her to try.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡±

    Meanwhile, Brenna and Joe had found a table on the first floor of the restaurant and ordered a simple meal.

    Joe leaned back in his chair and nced around with an easy smile. ¡°Nice ce. It seems popr.¡±

    Across the room, Jordy stood near the staircase. He watched Brenna and Joe from a distance. He figured it was better to give Brenna some space; maybe she would change her mind soon.

    And with Joe there, Jordy knew it wasn¡¯t the right time for him to approach Brenna.

    L??€$? ¡é??t?€§ñ? ?¦Ç ?@l§Ú?¦Í¦Ål?.c?m

    If he wanted to bring up the past, it would have to be when they were alone.

    After lunch, Brenna and Joe left the restaurant together and headed back to the office.

    When it was time to get off work, Brenna received a call from Ruby.

    The moment she answered the call, Ruby¡¯s voice came through. It was unexpectedly soft and almost unfamiliar. ¡°Brenna, mommy misses you. Let¡¯s have dinner tonight. Just the two of us.¡±

    Brenna¡¯s fingers tightened around her phone. She didn¡¯t want to waste her time on Ruby at all.

    ¡°I can¡¯t. I have ns tonight. If that¡¯s all, I¡¯m hanging up,¡± she replied tly.

    Ruby panicked. ¡°Don¡¯t hang up! Please, Brenna, I really miss you. I know I treated you badly before. I know you hate me. I¡¯ve been thinking about youtely and feeling so guilty. Please¡­ just give me a chance. There¡¯s so much I want to say to you.¡±

    Ruby disconnected the call, her smile disappearing as her face contorted with spite. ¡°That little brat hasn¡¯t changed¡ªstill so smug and cold. What kind of behavior is that? How did I raise such a thing?¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 687

    ?Chapter 687:

    Isabe, hovering nearby, asked nervously, ¡°Mom, did she say yes?¡±

    Ruby scoffed, ¡°Of course, she agreed. I might not have treated her well, but I raised her for twenty years. If she dares brush me off again, I¡¯ll spill everything online and show the world what a cold-hearted person she is.¡±

    Relieved, Isabe quickly texted Denis.

    Then, she said, ¡°Thanks for helping me, Mom.¡±

    Ruby knew her situation well. She patted Isabe¡¯s hand softly, her face warm. ¡°Our family¡¯s livingfortably now, all because of Denis. He has given us so much, so it¡¯s only right we do a few favors for him. If we just take without giving, he¡¯ll get displeased. I won¡¯t let you be in a bind, dear. And Mack¡ªhe¡¯s a deputy VP at the Wagner Group now, thanks to Denis¡¯s promotion. We owe Denis a lot.¡±

    Isabe smiled and nodded. ¡°You¡¯re right, Mom. I didn¡¯t get to rub it in Brenna¡¯s face today, but tonight, I¡¯ll make sure she knows that we¡¯re thriving without the Harper family¡¯s help. We don¡¯t need her.¡±

    Ruby quickly disagreed, saying, ¡°No, you can¡¯t do that. Tonight, we need to make Brenna think we¡¯re thankful, that we genuinely want to patch things up. I¡¯ll even say sorry for the past. We need to help Denis lock in this deal first.¡±

    Isabe nodded eagerly. ¡°You¡¯re so smart, Mom. We¡¯ll do it your way. Denis said if I can get Brenna to agree to the deal, he¡¯ll pay me this much.¡±

    She shed two fingers, beaming.

    Rubyughed heartily. ¡°Perfect! For that kind of cash, I¡¯ll make Brenna feel all the motherly love in the world. Don¡¯t worry; I¡¯ve got this. Tell me, do you think she¡¯s doing well with the Harpers?¡±

    Isabe shook her head. ¡°Doubt it. If she was livingrge, why would she hustle so hard with that tiny studio of hers? The Harpers probably don¡¯t care for her. Bet they don¡¯t give her a dime, so she has to scrape by on her own.¡±

    Ruby nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Alright. Then all I need to do is show her a bit of kindness, and she¡¯ll be sobbing with gratitude. This will be easy.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???? ???? ????????????????: g????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Exactly. I hung around Rosie for a bit, and she was always trying to sabotage Brenna. Said Brenna was just as cold with the Harpers as she had been with us¡ªhardly¡­

    She responds when people talk to her. With that attitude, no wonder the Harpers don¡¯t like her.¡±

    ¡°That personality of hers is indeed unlikeable. Who would keep being kind to someone who gives them the brush-off? People like her get shunned wherever they go. I bet even Ethan doesn¡¯t really care for her; he¡¯ll probably ditch her soon.¡±

    Ruby had recently started mingling with other rich housewives, ying cards and soaking up gossip about Brenna.

    Isabe agreedpletely, saying, ¡°Totally. Who could put up with her? I heard her future mother-inw despises her and even set Ethan up with someone new. The girl is in the secretary department at the Mitchell Group now and sees Ethan every day. She¡¯s bound to take him away from Brenna. Who knows who will end up as Ethan¡¯s wife in the future?¡±

    Both Ruby and Isabe were convinced Ethan would soon break up with Brenna.

    As they dished out gossip, the doorbell chimed. Isabe went to answer it.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 688

    ?Chapter 688:

    ¡°Dad? What are you doing here?¡± she asked, caught off guard. Ever since Alec had married his mistress L and started a new life, he had stayed away from them. His showing up today was unexpected.

    Isabe blocked the doorway, reluctant to let him in.

    Ruby heard the noise and walked over. Seeing Alec, her fury erupted. ¡°What do you want? Get lost. You¡¯re not wee here.¡±

    Outside, Alec stood in in clothes. Compared to a few months ago, he looked aged, his posture stooped, his hair noticeably grayer.

    ¡°This is my son¡¯s house. My daughter¡¯s house. Why can¡¯t Ie here?¡±

    Alec¡¯s shamelessness had grown. He pushed past the two women and barged inside. ¡°You¡¯re living pretty well, huh? Why should you get to enjoy this? I want to live here, too!¡±

    Ruby was enraged. She grabbed Alec, trying to haul him out. ¡°Get out! When you abandoned us, the three of us were nearly homeless; you didn¡¯t give a damn about us at that time. Now that we¡¯re finally doing well and you¡¯re down on your luck, you think you can juste back? We don¡¯t pity you. You made your bed; lie in it. Leave, or I¡¯m calling the police!¡±

    Alec was consumed by regret. This house surpassed the one he had owned at the height of his sess.

    He had heard whispers that Ruby was thriving, raising their son and daughter infort. Desperate, he had reached out to Mack multiple times, pleading for cash and leaning on his woes, but Mack didn¡¯t budge. Instead, Mack had unleashed a torrent of insults and swore to cut him off for good.

    He was getting old. Despite his extensive background in corporate leadership, employers overlooked him, leaving him with menial tasks like car washing or janitorial work¡ªjobs he deemed unworthy of his stature.

    However, his wife, L, once his mistress, said that he was still shy of sixty and had no justification for idling at home, dependent on her ie. She questioned how he could live so shamelessly off her earnings.

    Initially, when L had weed him into her life, she had doted on him, preparing his meals and caring for his needs with warmth. However, as time passed, even the most patient woman would tire of a man unwilling to contribute financially.

    g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s, your storytelling home

    Tensions between them had red, and Alec and L¡¯s disputes became relentless. It was L who suggested that Alec turn to his children for financial help.

    Her paycheck, she argued, couldn¡¯t sustain their family of three, and Alec needed to find a solution.

    Though he resented the idea of asking his children for money, Alec knew he had no choice.

    Their child¡¯s private tutoring drained nearly twenty thousand monthly, and L¡¯s beauty regimen demanded a simr sum, ranging from thousands to tens of thousands.

    L was unwavering; she refused topromise her lifestyle. If Alec couldn¡¯t secure funds, she threatened divorce, unwilling to continue supporting him financially.

    Desperate, Alec contemted returning to his ex-wife. That was why he hade here today.

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    .

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 Chapter 689

    ?Chapter 689:

    Spotting the plush leather couch, he sank into it, dering, ¡°This is my son¡¯s house, my daughter¡¯s house; why can¡¯t I live here?¡±

    d in rumpled attire with an arrogant demeanor, he bore no resemnce to the polished CEO of the Barrett Group he had once been. Ruby, repulsed, saw him as no better than a beggar. Her disgust was palpable as she tugged at him, shouting, ¡°Get out, Alec! Don¡¯t ruin my furniture!¡±

    Alec, physically stronger, pushed her aside and sprawled defiantly on the couch. ¡°You won¡¯t be able to kick me out! My kids live here; I belong here!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re despicable! I¡¯ve never met anyone so shameless!¡± Ruby eximed, her anger surging. She reached for her phone to call the authorities, but Alec swatted it from her grip. It fell to the floor, and the screen broke.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Ruby shrieked, her voice breaking with fury. Unfazed, Alec turned to Isabe. ¡°Isabe, you¡¯re my daughter. When you first joined the Barrett family, didn¡¯t I treat you kindly? You can¡¯t turn your back on me now. I know you¡¯re a good daughter; you¡¯ll look after me, right?¡±

    Isabe was dumbfounded. Truthfully, when she had first arrived at the Barrett family, Alec had indeed treated her well, even ousting Brenna for her.

    But the Alec she liked was the affluent one, not this insolent freeloader. She said, ¡°Dad, you and Mom are divorced. It¡¯s not right for you to stay here. Please go; don¡¯t make this difficult for me.¡±

    Alec scoffed, ¡°So I raised you for nothing? Do you know how much I spent on you before?¡±

    Isabe was stunned that Alec would dredge up the past now.

    ¡°You did that of your own ord! And now, you want to hold it against her?¡± Ruby, seething, pointed at him. ¡°I can¡¯t believe how shameless you¡¯ve be.¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking to you! Be quiet. You haven¡¯t worked a day in years; I provided for you! You livedfortably because of me. And now that I¡¯m struggling, you want to abandon me? No chance. Repay every penny I spent on you, and I¡¯ll leave. Until then, I¡¯m not leaving.¡±

    Left with no choice, Isabe dialed Mack.

    L??t??¦Ó ch?¨»¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.?§àm

    ¡°Dad hase home and won¡¯t leave. What do I do? Come home soon.¡±

    Mack held a mid-level management position at the Wagner Group. His performance at work was decent.

    The situation infuriated him. ¡°He and L showed no mercy when they tossed us out back then. Now that we¡¯re seeding, he thinks he can just waltz back into our lives? No way!¡±

    ¡°Mom said the same thing, but he¡¯s refusing to budge,¡± Isabe replied.

    ¡°Hold on. I¡¯ll get in touch with neighborhood security to have him removed. I am tied up at work and can¡¯t leave right now,¡± Mack said.

    ¡°All right,¡± Isabe said before hanging up.

    Alec, unbothered by Isabe¡¯s attempt to summon help,id out his terms bluntly. ¡°I provided for your mother, your brother, and you before. I¡¯m not asking for the world; just hand over a hundred million, and I¡¯ll vanish from your lives forever. If not, I won¡¯t leave.¡±

    Within minutes, the neighborhood¡¯s security team showed up. This was a luxury area, known for its top-notch management, and the guards had a reputation for fast, no-nonsense responses.

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 Chapter 690

    ?Chapter 690:

    They knew exactly who lived in the area and acted swiftly on their instructions, showing no regard for Alec¡¯s supposed ties to the owner of the house.

    Without hesitation, the guards forcibly escorted Alec out of the area. Ruby, still furious, cursed Alec out for a while before she finally calmed down.

    Later that evening, she and Isabe made a point to book a table at a refined, upscale restaurant for their meeting with Brenna.

    When Brenna arrived, her eyes briefly caught a figure loitering near the entrance. The lighting made it hard to see clearly, and she figured it was just a homeless person.

    ¡°Brenna, this way!¡± Ruby stood up quickly when she noticed Brenna, waving with exaggerated excitement before hurrying over and linking arms with her.

    The gesture was new to Brenna. During her time in the Barrett household, Alec had been the only one who had shown her anything close to kindness. Ruby and Mack, on the other hand, had never treated her well.

    Brenna pulled her arm away. ¡°I¡¯m really not used to this.¡±

    Ruby came to the dinner with one goal¡ªto win Brenna over. Still, beneath her polished exterior, bitterness simmered. She¡¯d cursed Brenna in her thoughts more times than she could count, but her face wore the picture of grace. That cool, indifferent look Brenna always wore made her want to scream, yet she didn¡¯t let it show.

    With a dazzling smile, sheunched into small talk. ¡°We shared a home for so many years. It¡¯s been months since Ist saw you, and I honestly missed you. You¡¯ve changed; you look more polished and beautiful now. The Harper family clearly knows how to raise someone right.¡±

    Brenna let Ruby lead the way to their table, her face unreadable. She said nothing, just watching Ruby put on an act.

    ¡°Skip the performance. What do you want?¡± Brenna¡¯s tone was sharp.

    Ruby let out a light, awkwardugh. ¡°I only invited you here because I missed you. That¡¯s all. I just thought we could share a meal and talk about the past.¡±

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    A faint smile tugged at Brenna¡¯s lips. She knew Ruby was skilled at pretending. Back when she had lived with the Barrett family, Ruby had been the perfect picture of kindness and care whenever outsiders were around.

    Yet the moment the guests were gone, Ruby¡¯s demeanor would shift. Ruby wouldsh out, calling her ungrateful, a burden, and constantly whining about how she didn¡¯t make enough money for the family. None of it had faded from Brenna¡¯s memory. She didn¡¯t understand why Ruby seemed to have forgotten all about that.

    ¡°The past? You mean when you yelled at me, starved me, and forced me to make money for you?¡± Brenna¡¯s voice was calm as she nced at the dishes on the table. They were all dishes she used to like when she had lived with the Barrett family.

    For just a second, Ruby¡¯s smile cracked, but she quicklyposed herself, even as her insides churned with frustration over Brenna¡¯s bluntness.

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be like that. I¡¯ll admit I wasn¡¯t perfect, but that¡¯s all behind us now. I did raise you, didn¡¯t I? You can¡¯t deny that. The Harper family may treat you well now, but they weren¡¯t there when you were a child. You can¡¯t pretend my family and I didn¡¯t give you a home when you were young. We helped shape you into who you are.¡±

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 Chapter 691

    ?Chapter 691:

    Isabe said, ¡°My mom¡¯s right. What¡¯s done is done. She¡¯s not here to ask you for anything. Can¡¯t we just have a peaceful meal together?¡±

    Brenna gave a low, indifferent hum, her eyes fixed on Isabe with quiet amusement. If acting had been her path, Isabe could¡¯ve gone far¡ªshe was a master at pretending nothing had ever happened. Isabe had tried to humiliate her not long ago, but now, she was acting like that had never happened.

    ¡°You seem to be livingfortably these days.¡± Brenna made a mental note¡ªthis would be the final time she would interact with these two.

    A gleaming gold ne rested around Ruby¡¯s neck, its gemstone pendant catching the light with every movement. Her clothes screamed luxury, and the handbag on the seat beside her was clearly expensive.

    Letting out a strainedugh, Ruby said, ¡°All credit goes to Isabe. If she hadn¡¯t stepped in to help, I¡¯d probably be out on the street by now.¡±

    Even as the words left her lips, her thoughts drifted bitterly to that day at the Harper family¡¯s residence¡ªhow Brenna had looked her in the eye and turned her away without the slightest hesitation.

    Swallowing her pride just to y nice with Brenna now made her feel angry. The humiliation wed at her insides, and every calm word from Brenna only fueled her urge to p her.

    ¡°Oh really? I¡¯ve been hearing whispers that Isabe and Denis are a thing now,¡± Brenna said lightly, turning her attention to Isabe. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, hasn¡¯t it? Any wedding ns on the horizon?¡±

    Brenna wasn¡¯t just making casual conversation. She had heard the rumors about Denis and Isabe, and how he had no intention of marrying her. The Wagner family had already chosen a bride for Denis, a woman from the Russell family.

    The words hit Isabe like a p, and her face darkened immediately. Brenna had struck right at the core of her insecurities. She had raised the topic of marriage with Denis countless times, only to be met with harsh reprimands. She was reminded that she wasn¡¯t good enough to be his wife.

    ¡°We will get married soon,¡± Isabe replied, her teeth clenched, trying to suppress the fury bubbling beneath the surface. Her purpose for this dinner had all but vanished in the wake of her frustration.

    Fresh chapters live g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í????s

    After a pause, she shot back, her voice edged with venom, ¡°What about you and Mr. Mitchell? When are you going to get married? I¡¯ve heard Mr. Mitchell¡¯s mother has set him up with another woman, even arranging for her to work in his office. Is that true?¡±

    Brenna¡¯s eyes met Isabe¡¯s, her stare steady. She was surprised Isabe knew so much, even about this particr issue.

    It appeared Minna¡¯s circumstances had already spread like wildfire among the elite. Brenna wondered if people were merely waiting for her to make a fool of herself.

    Could Elsa be the one fueling the gossip? Brenna couldn¡¯t be sure.

    ¡°Yes, I do have some rivals in love,¡± Brenna admitted.

    Isabe¡¯s smile widened, her spirits noticeably lifting. ¡°Do you really think you cane out on top? I heard Mr. Mitchell¡¯s mother is quite taken with the woman she chose for him.¡±

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 Chapter 692

    ?Chapter 692:

    Brenna sensed Isabe¡¯s eagerness, almost as if she was rooting for her to lose to Minna.

    ¡°It¡¯s true, Ethan¡¯s mother favors Minna. But Ethan doesn¡¯t share her preference,¡± Brenna stated candidly.

    Isabe didn¡¯t believe her. ¡°You seem awfully sure of yourself. How can you be certain Mr. Mitchell isn¡¯t interested in her? Did he tell you himself? What if he follows his mother¡¯s wishes and marries Minna in the future?¡±

    Ruby, mindful of their visit¡¯s true purpose, noticed Isabe¡¯s words veering off track. She discreetly pinched her under the table. ¡°What are you going on about? Brenna is stunning and a Harper by birth. If I were Mr. Mitchell¡¯s mother, I would see Brenna as the far better choice for Ethan.¡±

    Isabe shot back, her tone sharp, ¡°Mom, what do you know about the matter? That woman was personally chosen by Mr. Mitchell¡¯s mother. Mr. Mitchell¡¯s mother has already made it clear she doesn¡¯t want Brenna to be with her son.¡±

    Ruby nced at Brenna, baffled as to why Ethan¡¯s mother would reject such an ideal daughter-inw. After all, Brenna was not only breathtaking but also aplished.

    She quickly thought of a reason and said, ¡°Brenna, hear me out¡ªyou need to change your demeanor. You oftene across as too cold. If you could be warmer, maybe try harder to win over your future mother-inw, she might change her mind and ept you.¡±

    Brenna gave a faint smile, not agreeing with Ruby¡¯s suggestion. Why would she change herself to tter others?

    With her current status and capabilities, she saw no need to curry favor with anyone.

    If Ethan couldn¡¯t ept that, she was willing to break up with him.

    Marriage wasn¡¯t a necessity in her eyes.

    Isabe, annoyed, snapped, ¡°Mom, why do you care about her so much? Do you think you¡¯re her real mother now?¡±

    Gal n o v el s . is your destination for fiction

    Ruby¡¯s eyes narrowed as she red at Isabe. ¡°Quiet! What¡¯s that supposed to mean? I¡¯ve raised Brenna for years; she¡¯s like a daughter to me. Of course, I care about her.¡±

    If Brenna didn¡¯t already know Ruby¡¯s true nature, she might have been moved by her.

    But she was well aware of Ruby¡¯s hypocrisy.

    Ruby continued speaking, urging Brenna to soften her edges and be more amodating.

    ¡°Listen to me, dear. If you want asting rtionship with Mr. Mitchell, you can¡¯t afford to offend his mother. Why not invite her to dinner, visit their home with Ethan, and make peace with her? Cook her a meal and say something kind.¡±

    Brenna, poised and unruffled, kept eating, her expression cool.

    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her, Brenna! She¡¯s trying to harm you!¡± Alec¡¯s voice cut in abruptly as he appeared beside her.

    Brenna turned, recognizing the figure she had glimpsed earlier upon arriving. It was actually Alec.

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 Chapter 693

    ?Chapter 693:

    His worn clothing betrayed his recent struggles.

    ¡°Brenna, I¡¯ve missed you,¡± Alec said, dramatically wiping away imaginary tears before brazenly sitting down next to her.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Ruby demanded, her voice thick with irritation.

    ¡°Did you follow us? How else would you know we¡¯re here?¡±

    Alec¡¯s tone was just as hostile. ¡°Follow you? I¡¯ve got better things to do than that!¡±

    After their bickering subsided, Brenna asked calmly, ¡°What exactly do you want from me, Ruby?¡±

    Ruby had been about to speak, sensing the moment was ripe, but Alec¡¯s sudden arrival had derailed her ns. She couldn¡¯t risk him learning about the billions she and her family were about to gain. ¡°I didn¡¯t want anything from you. I just missed you and wanted to catch up,¡± Ruby said.

    Brenna nodded, stood, and said, ¡°I¡¯m heading to the restroom.¡± She picked up her purse and walked away withposure.

    Ten minutester, Ruby¡¯s frustration grew as she watched Alec greedily eat the food before him. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Brennae back? Did something happen?¡±

    Isabe scoffed, ¡°I doubt it.¡±

    Then it hit them both¡ªhad Brenna left without telling them? Ruby nudged Isabe. ¡°Go to the restroom and look for her.¡±

    Isabe dashed to the restroom, finding no one there.

    ¡°Mom, she¡¯s gone!¡±

    ¡°That wretched girl!¡± Ruby snatched her phone and called Brenna.

    Meanwhile, Alec, fearing Ruby might leave and leave him to pay the bill, seized the chance to slip away.

    Brenna had just reached her car when Ruby¡¯s name lit up her phone. She declined the call without a second thought.

    ??¦Ñ??¦Á?????? ?????? ???? ????????¦Í????????????

    Ruby, steeped in regret, fumed. She said to Isabe, ¡°It took so much to get Brenna to meet us, and now, your father has ruined it all!¡±

    She quickly typed a message to Brenna, urging her to reconsider Denis¡¯s offer and promising to meet her soon.

    After sending it, Ruby waited anxiously for a response. A deal worth hundreds of millions was on the line. She would not let it slip from her fingers.

    On her way home, Brenna swung by a dessert shop, grabbing a few pastries and a carton of milk for Patrick.

    But as she pulled into the driveway, her car was abruptly halted. Ruby and Isabe stood right at the gate, positioning themselves in her path. They had clearly recognized her car and stopped her on purpose.

    Sighing, Brenna stepped out of the car. Ruby offered a strained smile. ¡°Brenna, we¡¯re not here to cause trouble. We invited you to dinner because there¡¯s something important we need to talk about with you.¡±

    ¡°Fine. Come in.¡± Without looking back, Brenna signaled the security guard to take her car to the parking lot, then walked ahead to lead Ruby and Isabe inside.

    The living room was just as grand as always. Julia noticed their arrival and quickly set fresh coffee down in front of the guests.

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 Chapter 694

    ?Chapter 694:

    ¡°Have a seat,¡± Brenna said evenly, settling in herself with a ss of lemon water from Julia. She sipped, waiting in silence for Ruby to speak.

    Ruby had barely nced around thest few times she had been here, content in the belief that her own house, with its glossy finishes and designer furniture, was the best. But now, taking in the Harper estate¡¯s sweeping elegance and luxury, she was shocked.

    Compared to this, her house was nothing.

    The Harper family¡¯s house didn¡¯t just boast wealth; it exuded elegance in every trim and finish.

    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder how Brenna had managed tond in a life like this.

    Ruby had to admit it: Brenna was lucky. Meanwhile, her daughter had just wed her way back into the Barrett family, only for the family to go bankrupt. Now, her daughter was stuck ttering Denis to support the family.

    To say she wasn¡¯t envious of Brenna would be a lie.

    Ruby gave Isabe a slight nod. ¡°You can say it.¡±

    Isabe¡¯s lips twitched as she looked at Brenna¡ªcool,posed, irritatingly superior. The urge tosh out burned behind her eyes, but she bit it back. Pride wouldn¡¯t pay the bills.

    Forcing a smile, she said, ¡°Brenna, about what Denis brought up at lunch, have you made a decision? We really want to partner with you. Just name your price.¡±

    Brenna idly traced her finger along the rim of her porcin cup. ¡°Same as before. I want half of the funds you¡¯ll get.¡±

    Isabe was so angry she could barely hold back. Brenna was asking for too much.

    Ruby, sensing the outbursting, quickly reached over and pressed her hand over Isabe¡¯s to keep her in check.

    Isabe forced herself to calm down. ¡°Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s asking a bit much, Brenna? Please consider our offer earlier seriously. We really do want your help.¡±

    ?????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í???????????????

    She tried to sound sincere. ¡°Who demands fifty percent just for lending a hand? Isn¡¯t that a bit too much for a little favor?¡±

    Brenna took another sip of lemon water, unbothered, then ced the ss down with a soft clink. ¡°You, Denis, and Jordy have been taking a lot from Jade¡¯s business recently. Even if you didn¡¯t hit a trillion, you must¡¯ve pocketed about eighty billion by now. Isn¡¯t that pile of dirty money big enough already?¡±

    Shock locked Isabe¡¯s features in ce. How the hell did Brenna know so much?

    ¡°It¡¯s really not that much¡ªmaybe twenty billion at most. And we didn¡¯t just stumble into it, either. We risked everything to get that money. Doesn¡¯t that count for something?¡± Isabe softened her tone, trying to sound reasonable. ¡°Look, I¡¯ll double what we offered. Twenty-six million. That¡¯s more than fair, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    From Isabe¡¯s perspective, it was an easy win for Brenna¡ªjust a few taps on a keyboard, and she¡¯d walk away with a fortune. What more could she possibly want?

    Undeterred, Brenna held her ground. ¡°I want half of the funds. Not a cent less. Go back and talk to Denis. This isn¡¯t some easy side hustle. There¡¯s real risk involved.¡±

    Isabe understood she couldn¡¯t persuade Brenna.

    In the end, Ruby and Isabe could only leave.

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 Chapter 695

    ?Chapter 695:

    Brenna didn¡¯t even bother walking them out.

    From the stairs, Giselle descended slowly, her face tight with irritation. She had been lurking on thending long enough to hear everything, and her patience had worn thin. If Brenna hadn¡¯t tolerated Ruby and Isabe, she would¡¯ve tossed them out herself.

    ¡°What did they want?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Trying to pitch a project,¡± Brenna replied, taking a slow sip of her lemon water before rising, handbag in hand. She headed upstairs with¡­

    Still seething, Giselle said, ¡°Ruby has the audacity to talk to you like you two are close? Did she forget the way she treated you back then?¡±

    Brenna let out a quiet, amusedugh. ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I turned them down. If they want me on board, they need to y by my rules. I¡¯m not that timid little girl anymore.¡±

    That was when Giselle¡¯s lips finally curved in a smile. ¡°Exactly. How are things between you and Ethan? Is there anyone trying to stir up trouble for you?¡±

    She studied Brenna¡¯s face carefully. Word had already reached her about Elsa choosing a date for Ethan, and she couldn¡¯t help but worry.

    ¡°No,¡± Brenna replied. Her expression stayed calm, untouched by gossip or games. She hadn¡¯t been rattled by Elsa¡¯s maneuver, but since Giselle had asked, she didn¡¯t hold back¡ªshe told her everything, even showing her the chat history between Ethan and her.

    Giselle grinned and gave her a proud thumbs-up. ¡°That¡¯s my girl. Now, I won¡¯t worry that someone will dare push you around.¡±

    She gave a teasing hum. ¡°I was actually thinking of introducing you to a few promising bachelors myself. Just to remind Elsa that you are not exactlycking admirers.¡±

    On Friday morning, as Brenna settled into her office, Greta entered to report something to her.

    ?????????? ?????????? ????: g???????¦Í????????£®??????

    ¡°Brenna, the Mitchell Group¡¯s HR team has scheduled the new financial analysts to start today. Your requested assistant is also on board.¡±

    Greta had been temporarily stepping in as Brenna¡¯s assistant for the past few days.

    Thepany had recruited thirty-seven financial analysts, fourteen of whom had five years of expertise. Brenna had secured them with an attractive package¡ªa base sry of two million dors annually, plusmissions and year-end bonuses, ensuring a minimum ie of five million dors a year.

    These terms were more than twice as generous as otherpanies¡¯, making the offer nearly impossible to refuse.

    The Mitchell Group¡¯s HR manager had even poached a few top talents from rival firms.

    The newly hired graduates also held master¡¯s degrees.

    Brenna made her way to the 57th floor to greet the new employees. After giving a concise yet motivating speech, she handed task assignments over to Tommy.

    The new assistant, Lorna Turner, was a university graduate with striking beauty and natural charisma. She stood tall, exuding confidence. She was skilled at preparing coffee, tea, and various drinks. Her driving skills were good, and she had impressive knowledge of the local dining scene. She knew which spots served the best dishes or provided unique experiences.

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    .

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 Chapter 696

    ?Chapter 696:

    Brenna was impressed by the Mitchell Group¡¯s HR team for finding such an ideal match for the assistant position.

    As the workday wound down, Lorna walked over with a stack of invitations and set them on Brenna¡¯s desk. ¡°Brenna, there¡¯s a robotics expo at the renowned International Convention Center downtown this weekend. Tommy¡¯s been prepping for it for over a month, and it kicks off tomorrow. I¡¯ll swing by your ce at seven to pick you up. Does that suit you?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Brenna replied, pleased with Lorna¡¯s efficiency on her first day. Working with her felt great.

    Brenna tucked a few invitations into her purse, intending to share them with otherster. ¡°For the remaining invitations, please deliver them to these individuals,¡± she said, sending Lorna a pre-prepared list.

    ¡°Okay, I will do it now,¡± Lorna said, reviewing the list of names, all of whom were clients thepany was working with.

    Orders ced at the expo would include discounts.

    Early Saturday morning, Brenna rose and tapped on Patrick¡¯s door. He was already up, engrossed in videos of robotic dogs.

    ¡°Brenna? Why are you up so early?¡± Patrick asked, surprised. He knew Brenna enjoyed sleeping in, and in his mind, she usually woke upte on weekends. Seeing her at his door now was a surprise.

    ¡°There¡¯s a robotics expo. Want toe?¡± Brenna shed an invitation. ¡°Mypany¡¯s one of the exhibitors.¡±

    Patrick¡¯s eyes immediately sparkled with enthusiasm. ¡°For real? Are there robots?¡±

    ¡°Of course! It¡¯s a robotics expo, after all.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Patrick sprang up, grabbed Brenna¡¯s hand, and eagerly pulled her downstairs.

    ¡°Brenna, when are we leaving? Is it a bitte to leave now?¡±

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    As they descended the stairs, they spotted Shepard and Ernst hurrying out of the elevator.

    Brenna immediately sensed trouble. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Shepard paused, his toneced with concern. ¡°Ableson took a bad fall down the stairs earlier. He¡¯s hurt pretty badly. I¡¯m going to check on him.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Brenna¡¯s worry grew. ¡°Dad, you¡¯d better go now. I¡¯ve got a robotics expo for work today, so I can¡¯t apany you.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve got this. Focus on your event,¡± Shepard said, clearly preupied with Ableson¡¯s condition. Without saying more, he rushed off with Ernst.

    Brenna called after Shepard, ¡°Dad, if there¡¯s anything I can do, just let me know.¡±

    Patrick asked, ¡°Will your uncle be okay?¡±

    Brenna tousled his hair. ¡°He¡¯ll be fine. Let¡¯s grab breakfast first.¡±

    At the robotics expo, top design teams and leadingpanies from across the nation converged. Brenna recognized several prominent names frequently mentioned on the news.

    Herpany had been gaining traction over the past two years and was earning a reputation. Their booth drew a steady flow of curious visitors.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 697

    ?Chapter 697:

    Patrick was engrossed in ying with a few mechanical arms and legs at the booth.

    ¡°Brenna, are these for people with disabilities?¡± The mechanical arm¡¯s ability to execute precise, intricate movements fascinated him.

    ¡°Smart boy,¡± Brenna said, smiling. She hadn¡¯t exined before that these were prosthetic limbs designed to restore mobility and independence for those with disabilities. Compared to conventional prosthetics, these offered enhanced flexibility, breathability, and stability, though they came at a higher cost.

    The research team was focused on lowering expenses to make them essible to ordinary families.

    Several prosthetics manufacturers showed interest in acquiring the designs and paused to discuss specifics with Tommy.

    Brenna was confident in herpany¡¯s creations, certain they would attract strong partnerships.

    ¡°Brenna, I need to use the restroom,¡± Patrick whispered, gently pulling Brenna¡¯s hand.

    ¡°I¡¯ll apany you,¡± Brenna replied.

    By eleven in the morning, the exhibition hall was noticeably busier, buzzing with activity. Brenna, Tommy, and a few engineers were too engrossed to notice a man d entirely in ck, wearing a baseball cap, sunsses, and a mask, loitering near their booth for an extended period.

    The team was preupied with showcasing products to the crowd gathered at the booth.

    Brenna was deeply engaged, exining to a representative from a medical equipment firm, ¡°This robotic arm is highly advanced. It integrates neuralponents and a chip, syncing seamlessly with the brain. It¡¯s aplete substitute for a human arm, ideal for those with disabilities. And it¡¯s reasonably priced; a full-arm prosthetic costs just over two hundred thousand.¡±

    The representative shook his head promptly. ¡°That¡¯s still too expensive for most people. Your design is impressive, and the arm is top-notch, but it¡¯s geared toward affluent clients, not average users.¡±

    ????? ??erfe???? check g???????¦Í???????????m

    Brenna had expected this. ¡°You¡¯re correct¡ªit¡¯s a stretch for families earning a few thousand a month. But what about high-end clients?¡±

    The man shook his head again. ¡°High-end clients with disabilities are a small demographic, Ms. Harper. Do you have a more budget-friendly option? Something still intelligent like this? If so, we will ce an order today.¡±

    Brenna paused, then turned to Tommy. ¡°Did we bring the simplified model, the single-arm version with one neuron and chip?¡±

    Tommy nodded. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s stashed under the table. It was too basic, so I didn¡¯t disy it.¡±

    Brenna and Tommy knelt to retrieve a box from beneath the table, unveiling a lessplex robotic arm.

    ¡°Watch out!¡± Tommy suddenly spotted the man in ck, who had been eavesdropping the whole time. The man unscrewed a water bottle and, in a shocking move, flung the liquid directly at Brenna¡¯s face.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 698

    ?Chapter 698:

    Tommy swiftly grabbed the robotic arm from the table, hurling it at the man while yanking Brenna back, shielding her.

    The man was hit by the arm but didn¡¯t retreat. Instead, he threw more of the liquid at Brenna with increasing frenzy.

    Panic erupted¡ªseveral visitors fled, and booth staff grabbed nearby objects, hurling them at the man.

    Tommy leaped onto a chair, got past the table, and quickly subdued the man.

    The nearly empty bottle slipped from the man¡¯s grasp, and where the liquid had spilled, it hissed, releasing white smoke.

    ¡°Sulfuric acid!¡± Tommy instantly identified the substance. Had it struck Brenna, the damage would have been catastrophic.

    The man¡¯s sunsses were shattered, his head bleeding.

    Enraged, Tommy snatched the bottle and poured its remaining contents onto the man¡¯s face.

    A harsh sizzling sound followed as the acid ravaged the man¡¯s skin, disfiguring half his face. Staff from the booth rushed over, shouting, ¡°Mr. McCoy, your clothes¡ªthere¡¯s acid on them!¡±

    Only then did Tommy realize the searing pain in his right shoulder.

    As others called the police and restrained the attacker, Tommy shed his coat, revealing jagged holes eaten through the fabric. His undershirt was simrly damaged, with irregr burn patterns. After removing it, he saw the acid had only scorched the surface of his skin, leaving it red.

    His clothing had absorbed most of the acid¡¯s destructive force; he had been lucky.

    The attacker was still screaming, drawing a crowd of onlookers.

    Tommy exhaled heavily and turned to Brenna. ¡°Brenna, are you okay?¡±

    Brenna examined herself and replied, ¡°I¡¯m unharmed. Let¡¯s get you to the hospital; I¡¯ll leave this to the team.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???????? ?????????????????¦Í??????????????

    A nearby colleague offered Tommy his coat. ¡°Take this. You two go to the hospital; we¡¯ll handle things here.¡±

    Brenna looked at Patrick, reluctant to leave him behind. ¡°Patrick, why don¡¯t youe with us to the hospital?¡±

    Patrick shook his head. ¡°No, I want to stay and see the expo. Don¡¯t worry, Brenna. I¡¯ll stay with Lorna and behave.¡±

    Lorna quickly asked, ¡°Brenna, should I go with you to the hospital or stay here with Patrick?¡±

    Brenna thought for a moment. ¡°Stay and look after him. I¡¯ll take Tommy to the hospital myself.¡±

    Tommy tried to downy it. ¡°Brenna, I don¡¯t need a hospital visit. It¡¯s just a slight burn; I¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Brenna was resolute. ¡°No chance. Acid burns are serious. We¡¯re going.¡±

    Unable to dissuade her, Tommy had no choice but toply.

    At the hospital, Brenna was surprised to find the burn unit overwhelmed. Several doctors were hurrying to the emergency room. Apparently, a prominent figure had just been admitted after a sulfuric acid attack to the face.

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 Chapter 699

    ?Chapter 699:

    Brenna and Tommy had no choice but to wait.

    Brenna scanned the burn unit¡¯s two offices, finding them deserted¡ªno doctors in sight. Irritated, she muttered, ¡°Who is this important figure? They got hit with acid, and every doctor had to drop everything to care for them?¡±

    Shirie Hospital was overcrowded, its corridors a chaotic blur of hurried footsteps. Yet no burn specialists were avable, leaving patients waiting in frustration.

    With a huff, Brenna told Tommy to sit and wait while she headed to the nurses¡¯ station to find out what was going on. At the station, only one nurse remained; the other had just left to apany a patient¡¯s rtive to a ward.

    ¡°Excuse me,¡± Brenna said, her tone cool. ¡°Is there really no one covering the burn unit?¡±

    The nurse nced up, momentarily taken aback by Brenna¡¯s beauty. ¡°There were doctors here ten minutes ago, but they rushed to the ER when a patient¡¯s family member got sshed with concentrated sulfuric acid. Are you here for a visit or an emergency?¡±

    ¡°My friend was also sshed with sulfuric acid and has a minor burn. I need to know where he can be treated.¡±

    The nurse, surprised, muttered, ¡°Two acid attacks in one night? That¡¯s strange.¡±

    She leaned forward, scanning the hallway. ¡°Where¡¯s the patient?¡±

    Brenna led the nurse to Tommy, who peeled off his shirt to reveal a raw, reddened burn on his shoulder¡ªworse than before.

    The nurse exhaled in relief. ¡°It looks painful, but it¡¯s not as bad as getting sshed in the face.¡±

    Curious, Brenna asked, ¡°Who got sshed in the face?¡±

    The nurse clicked her tongue, her face heavy with sympathy. ¡°I heard it was Ethan Mitchell, the Mitchell Group¡¯s CEO.¡±

    Brenna froze, feeling like she¡¯d misheard. Ethan? How could it be him?

    ???????? ?????????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í??????©q??????

    ¡°Who did you say?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Ethan Mitchell. He was visiting a friend when someone ambushed him with sulfuric acid as he left the hospital room,¡± the nurse said gravely.

    ¡°No clue who he crossed for this to happen¡­¡±

    Tommy, equally shocked, urged Brenna, ¡°Go check on him. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Though she trusted the nurse, Brenna needed confirmation. ¡°Are you sure it was Ethan Mitchell, the CEO of the Mitchell Group, who got sshed with acid?¡±

    The nurse nodded firmly. ¡°Yeah. The whole hospital¡¯s buzzing about it. He¡¯s in the ER now, with burn specialists and ophthalmologists attending to him.¡±

    Brenna bolted toward the ER immediately.

    Her heart was in turmoil. She had no idea how badly Ethan was injured. Would his impossibly handsome face be ruined forever? She didn¡¯t think she cared that deeply for him, so why was her heart racing with dread like this?

    Brenna tried to steady her breathing andpose herself, but her legs moved on autopilot, rushing her forward in a frenzy.

    She had narrowly escaped an acid attack herself earlier. Could the assant who targeted Ethan be connected to the one who targeted her?

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 Chapter 700

    Chapter 700:

    Who could be behind this?

    Had she crossed someone recently?

    Her mind swirled with questions, but no answers emerged.

    Shirie Hospital, a top-tier facility renowned for its advanced technology and skilled staff, had an emergency department perpetually overrun with patients.

    Upon reaching the reception desk, Brenna asked, ¡°Where¡¯s the burn victim who was just admitted?¡±

    The nurse, after guiding a young girl doubled over in pain to a treatment room, replied, ¡°Which one? We¡¯ve had two burn cases brought in just now.¡±

    ¡°Two? That¡¯s strange¡ªtoo many cases like this in one night,¡± Brenna murmured. ¡°I¡¯m looking for Ethan Mitchell.¡±

    The nurse gestured toward an emergency room. ¡°He¡¯s in there, getting his arm treated. It¡¯s a severe injury.¡±

    Brenna was confused. ¡°Wasn¡¯t he sshed with acid in the face?¡±

    ¡°He managed to block his face with his arm, so only his arm was hurt,¡± the nurse exined.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± Brenna hurried to the emergency room, only to find the door locked, barring her entry.

    She paced restlessly outside, dialing Ethan¡¯s phone.

    She called several times, but he didn¡¯t answer. Left with no choice, she waited.

    From a nearby emergency room, piercing screams echoed, while two inclothes officers stood guard outside.

    Concerned about Tommy, whom she had left behind, Brenna called him. He reassured her that a surgeon and dermatologist were attending to his burn, easing her worries.

    Two hourster, the emergency room door finally swung open. Ethan emerged, his left arm wrapped in a specialized Vaseline dressing, his impably handsome face untouched.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s, the heart of storytelling

    ¡°Thank God,¡± Brenna said, walking over and gently wrapping her arms around his waist, her voice trembling with relief. ¡°You¡¯re okay. I thought your face was scarred¡­¡±

    Ethan had been visiting Jayceon and was exiting his hospital room when a deranged individual flung acid at him from a water bottle. His suit jacket on his left arm absorbed most of the acid; instinctively, he raised his left arm to shield his face.

    Without that jacket, his face would have been ruined.

    Despite the burning pain, Ethan foundfort in Brenna¡¯s embrace. He carefully wrapped his right arm around her, cherishing the rare closeness.

    ¡°Miss, the patient is still on an IV. Step back; your clothes might carry germs and infect his wound!¡± the nurse holding the IV bottle snapped. Blushing slightly, Brenna eased out of Ethan¡¯s arms and took the IV bottle from the nurse.

    In the VIP ward, she meticulously arranged Ethan¡¯s bed. Ethan, holding the IV with one hand, stood quietly, watching her with a contented smile. Being injured suddenly seemed worthwhile; how else would he get Brenna to tend to him like this? For him, this was a moment of pure joy.

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Dear readers, new novel releases in a few hours. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?

    .

 Chapter 701

    ?Chapter 701:

    Outside, rain drummed softly on the windowpane.

    Maia¡¯s heart thumped in time with the raindrops, her cheeks glowing pink. She dared not meet his eyes, sensing the hidden meaning behind his words. Slowly, she shut her eyes. She braced for a soft or fiery kiss, but nothing came.

    Instead, Chris chuckled quietly and asked, ¡°What are you waiting for?¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes snapped open suddenly, and she caught Chris staring at her with a cheeky grin, his head cocked to one side. Her cheeks burned an even deeper shade of red.

    Wasn¡¯t this exactly what Chris had been after?

    Maia felt so mortified that she wished the ground would just swallow her whole.

    ¡°What exactly do you want? If you don¡¯t say, I¡¯ll just think you want nothing! Then I¡¯ll rest,¡± Maia snapped, standing up to walk away.

    But Chris clutched her wrist firmly and said, ¡°I want you¡­ to call me darling.¡±

    Maia went rigid. Her face med bright crimson. She bit her lip, feeling nervous and a bit ashamed.

    Although she had epted that Chris was legally her husband, she still found it hard to address him so intimately. After all, it was just a marriage of convenience.

    Noticing her hesitation, Chris let go of her hand, his expression falling into one of hurt and disappointment.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to, then forget it. Maybe deep down, you never really saw me that way¡ª¡±

    ¡°Darling,¡± Maia¡¯s soft voice cut through his words.

    Chris looked up at her, his eyes shimmering with shaky, overwhelming happiness.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t catch that. Say it once more.¡±

    Stay tuned galnov??????.co??

    Maia froze again.

    Really? Why did she feel like she was being toyed with? Still, thinking of all Chris had done for her, she decided to humor him just this once.

    ¡°Darling!¡± Maia¡¯s voice rose louder this time, clear and soft, ringing in Chris¡¯s ears and making his heart skip a beat.

    Without warning, he pulled her close and kissed her with fierce passion.

    The powerful kiss hit Maia like a wave, but this time she didn¡¯t just go along with it. She threw her arms around his neck and took charge. It felt like all the feelings bottled up over four years finally burst out in that moment.

    She gently shoved Chris away and nibbled on his lip with a teasing smile.

    For four long years, neither the Morgan family nor Vince, the man she once loved, had believed she was innocent.

    The Morgans and Vince had all backed away when she was at her worst.

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 Chapter 702

    ?Chapter 702:

    But Chris, the man standing before her now, had never wavered. He stayed by her side and fought to prove her innocence.

    For the first time ever, Maia was fully present, lost in a close, tender moment with Chris, wide awake and aware. A sudden thought flickered through her mind.

    She wanted to be Chris¡¯s wife, truly and honestly. But¡­ was real love still within her reach?

    Could her heart, battered by the Morgans and Vince, ever mend? Maia worried that even if Chris gave her his love, she might not be able to give it back with her shattered heart.

    The fear of getting hurt¡ªand hurting Chris¡ªwashed over her, bringing a wave of sadness.

    ¡°Chris, why are you so good to me?¡± Maia whispered as she gently pushed him away, her eyes fixed on his captivated face.

    Chris grinned, gave her cheek a gentle pinch, and murmured, ¡°Because you¡¯re my wife, and the only woman I¡¯ll ever truly love.¡±

    Maia knitted her brows, puzzled. ¡°Chris, when did you start loving me?¡± She just couldn¡¯t wrap her head around why he was so devoted to her.

    Chrisughed softly and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. ¡°I¡¯ve told you before¡ªI fell for you the moment I firstid eyes on you.¡±

    Maia was speechless. Could he really have fallen in love at first sight? Right there by City Hall?

    Before she had time to think it through, Chris¡¯s passionate kiss stole her breath away once again.

    The Morgan family residence glowed with warm, inviting light.

    Sheets of rain battered the world outside, drenching everything and bringing a biting chill, but inside, heat pressed in from every corner, bordering on oppressive.

    Read exclusive updates g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls

    From upstairs, the distant rumble of a running shower echoed through the halls.

    Standing just outside the bathroom, Sandra¡¯s features wore a mask of calm, though shadows gathered behind her eyes.

    A gentle knocknded on the door. ¡°Rosanna, don¡¯t linger in there too long. Turn up the hot water, or you¡¯ll end up catching a cold,¡± Sandra called out.

    She lingered a moment longer before adding, ¡°And don¡¯t forget to wash up properly.¡±

    Only the rush of water answered, refusing to acknowledge her presence.

    Steam filled the small room, wrapping everything in a dense fog. Curled on the tiles, Rosanna drew her knees to her chest and let the water pour over her head, as if it could wash away the mess inside. Gradually, the shower¡¯s warmth chased the chill from her skin, but nothing could thaw the frozen ache in her chest.

    Arms locked tightly around her legs, she pressed her nails into her flesh until pain bit through. A broken sob slipped past her lips before she could hold it back.

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 Chapter 703

    ?Chapter 703:

    She had been through an exhausting day. From being left behind by everyone to wandering in the rain with no shelter, from Vince turning her away to the unbearable silence from her parents, it felt as though she had been ground down to nothing.

    Even so, here she was, returned to these walls.

    But did this ce even count as home anymore?

    She found it hard to tell.

    All she could do was cry, the way a child might weep after losing the world.

    Meanwhile, in the living room below, Richardshed out, kicking the coffee table so hard that every mug rattled and threatened to tip.

    ¡°How much longer is this going to go on? Why can¡¯t she pull herself together? You¡¯re her mother ¡ª go up there and make her see what¡¯s at stake!¡±

    Seated stiffly on the sofa, Sandra sipped her coffee, her grip nearly cracking the porcin. ¡°And do you honestly think she¡¯ll listen to reason right now?¡±

    A derisive snort left Richard as he cast his eyes toward the bathroom upstairs, his voice sharp as ice. ¡°There¡¯s no turning back now. Have you seen the trash they¡¯re spewing about our family online? Rosanna¡¯s name is getting dragged through the mud. We need to make Axell sign the settlement agreement tonight, no matter what it takes.¡±

    Frustration boiling over, Richard mmed his fist into the wall, knuckles paling from the force. ¡°There¡¯s no point trying to reason with Rosanna. At this rate, we¡¯ll have to get what we want another way.¡±

    Sandra¡¯s expression shifted, shadows pooling beneath her eyes. ¡°And what exactly do you mean by that?¡±

    The only answer Richard gave was another dismissive grunt. ¡°It¡¯s toote to y nice. Now that things have spiraled this far, she can only me herself.¡±

    With a flick of his wrist, he pulled out his phone and dialed Axell¡¯s number.

    Axell, who¡¯d spent the previous night deep in his cups, finally answered the call after sleeping off the worst of it. Richard¡¯s request snapped him to attention, a twisted thrill lighting his voice. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the settlement agreement is ready. Just send Rosanna over, and you¡¯ll have it.¡±

    After ending the call, anticipation buzzed through Axell.

    Feel inspired by ga  ln o vels .

    He ordered the servants to freshen up the bedroom, making sure everything looked just right.

    Tonight, he nned to savor every moment with Rosanna, hungry for another taste of her vulnerability.

    The very idea had him rifling through his nightstand for pills ¡ª determined to be at his strongest for what was toe.

    Not stopping there, he retrieved a whip bristling with thorns, a cruel smile twisting his lips.

    ¡°With the rain pouring down so fiercely tonight, it¡¯s the perfect excuse to keep the fun going until sunrise!¡±

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 Chapter 704

    ?Chapter 704:

    Meanwhile, Rosanna finally finished her shower.

    Still swaddled in a towel, she stared into the bathroom mirror. Her damp hair clung to her cheeks, giving her a wild, unfamiliar look. A stranger¡¯s face stared back at her ¡ª eyes void of light, lips drained of color.

    Rubbing her hair with a towel, Rosanna heard her stomach rumble, loud and insistent.

    She had gone the entire day without a single meal, and now a wave of weakness washed over her from head to toe.

    A call drifted up from downstairs, Sandra¡¯s voice sweet as syrup. ¡°Rosanna, dinner¡¯s ready. I made all your favorites tonight.¡±

    Uncertainty flickered across Rosanna¡¯s face, but she slipped into her pajamas and made her way downstairs all the same.

    Crossing the threshold into the dining room, her eyes widened at the sight of a feast ¡ª dish after steaming dish, each carrying the scent of home.

    Every te on the table was something she had always craved. Nostalgia stung the back of her nose, emotion swirling just beneath the surface.

    For a fleeting moment, her ragged arrival and everything she had endured faded away. Instead, this scene looked almost enchanted, as if she had stumbled back into a cherished dream.

    Richard¡¯s voice greeted her with unexpected warmth, the earlier tension wiped away. ¡°Why are you just standing there? Come here and sit with us. You must be hungry by now.¡±

    Sandra¡¯s weing smile followed, her hand slipping into Rosanna¡¯s as she gently steered her toward the table. ¡°Don¡¯t let your thoughts wander. Just eat, sweetheart. Everything¡¯s been kept hot just for you.¡±

    Something in Rosanna felt patched together, as if all her shattered pieces were being gently gathered.

    She took her seat, hands still shaking as she reached for her fork and tasted the first bite. The familiar vors carried her back through years of memories.

    ¡°Dad, Mom¡­ I appreciate it,¡± she whispered, barely lifting her gaze.

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    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to thank us for. You¡¯ll always be our daughter. Looking after you is what we do,¡± said Sandra, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

    A gentle smile curved Richard¡¯s lips. ¡°Eat well, get your rest, and don¡¯t trouble yourself with anything else. We¡¯ll handle the rest.¡±

    The mingling scents of food and affection hung in the air, wrapping Rosanna in a cocoon of belonging that she hadn¡¯t felt in so long. Between thefort on her te and her parents¡¯ gentle encouragement, a fragile warmth returned to her heart.

    Without warning, the room began to tilt. Darkness swept over her vision. A heartbeatter, she slumped forward onto the table, consciousness slipping away.

    A sharp tter echoed across the room as Rosanna¡¯s utensils slipped from her fingers and hit the floor.

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 Chapter 705

    ?Chapter 705:

    Panic sent Sandra rushing to her side, her hand shaking as she nudged Rosanna¡¯s shoulder. When no response came, she turned tear-filled eyes to Richard. ¡°Richard, she¡¯s out cold.¡±

    Without hesitation, Richard sprang from his chair, his arms wrapping around Rosanna¡¯s upper body. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this end ¡ª grab her legs. We need to move quickly.¡±

    Together, they lifted Rosanna and carried her gently to the guest room on the first floor,ying her across the freshly made bed. Sandra immediately set to work, unfastening the buttons of her daughter¡¯s nightgown.

    ¡°Step out for a minute. I¡¯ll call you when she¡¯s ready.¡±

    ¡°Alright, but be quick,¡± Richard replied as he left, leaning against the door and lighting a cigarette.

    Time crawled by as he watched the clock tick in the living room, each second growing heavier.

    Rain tapped steadily at the windows, a silent soundtrack to the tense quiet inside.

    Soft light spilled over the bed, mixing with the scent of heavy perfume that lingered in the room.

    Sandra sat beside the bed, carefully slipping Rosanna into the gown that had been thoughtfullyid out. Her hands trembled as she removed Rosanna¡¯s nightclothes.

    The cold air prickled Rosanna¡¯s skin, and for a moment her brow knit, her body reacting instinctively to the chill, lost in some distant dream.

    This was no ordinary gown. Every detail ¡ª from the sweeping V-shaped back to the intricatece and flowing silk ¡ª had been chosen to turn Rosanna into a vision of delicate beauty.

    Makeup came next. Sandra worked with practiced skill, erasing every trace of exhaustion and tears from Rosanna¡¯s face until not a blemish remained.

    When she finally finished, Rosanna looked like something crafted for a disy case ¡ª a wless porcin doll.

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    A shaky sigh escaped Sandra as she drank in the sight of her daughter. Then she called out, ¡°Richard,e back in!¡±

    Richard flicked away his cigarette and returned, surveying Rosanna with a calcting eye. ¡°Let her hair down. It¡¯ll look better that way ¡ª I want Axell to be pleased with what he sees.¡±

    ¡°Alright, I understand,¡± said Sandra with a nod, her face shadowed with pain, though her hands never once stopped moving.

    Once everything was in ce, they wasted no more time. Carefully, almost ceremoniously, the pair carried Rosanna to the car, settling her in the back seat with the tenderness reserved for something irreceable.

    The engine came alive with a growl, and the car slipped away into the rainy night.

    Damp streets reflected nothing but brooding darkness, as the rain thinned to a drizzle beneath heavy, unbroken clouds.

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 Chapter 706

    ?Chapter 706:

    City lights shimmered in the puddles, weaving gold and violet ribbons through the shadows that swallowed every trace of the moon.

    Inside the car, an uneasy hush pressed down on everything.

    Richard kept his focus on the road, knuckles pale against the steering wheel, while Sandra sat rigid in the passenger seat, twisting her hands together in herp, fighting to steady her nerves.

    A quiet voice broke through the silence. ¡°Richard¡­¡±

    Richard¡¯s attention never wavered from the windshield. ¡°What is it?¡±

    Doubt hovered in Sandra¡¯s words. ¡°Do you really believe Axell will be good to Rosanna?¡±

    Even as she spoke, a bitter taste filled her mouth ¡ª she¡¯d already made peace with their decision, yet guilt wed at her heart.

    Sandra paused for a moment, as though pinpointing the root of her unease. As if offering an exnation for what she¡¯d just said, she continued, ¡°Even though Rosannamitted something we can¡¯t excuse, she¡¯s still our daughter.¡±

    Not a single word came from Richard. The possibility of turning back had long slipped away.

    The car rolled beneath a blinking streetlight, then another, rain-slicked roads stretching endlessly ahead.

    Only when the silence grew unbearable did Richard finally ease off the gas, guiding the car toward the curb with a heavy sigh.

    A cigarette found its way between his fingers, the lighter¡¯s flick audible in the quiet.

    Rain pattered against the window as he cracked it open, letting smoke curl into the damp night.

    ¡°We¡¯re out of options,¡± he murmured, barely above a whisper. ¡°There was never any real choice for Rosanna, either.¡±

    He paused, drawing in another breath of smoke, his voice rough and parched. ¡°Given the state of her name now, no man from a wealthy and powerful family would take her in. And you know her character ¡ª she suffered enough in the slums back then and would never marry an ordinary man who can¡¯t offer her an extravagant life. So, Axell is the only choice.¡±

    Feel the thrill at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s©q??o??

    Rain crept through the open window and snuffed out his cigarette before he could finish it.

    Richard flung it away, shut the window firmly, and fired the engine back to life.

    ¡°Marrying Axell ensures a life wrapped infort and abundance,¡± Richard murmured. ¡°It¡¯s the wisest path forward for Rosanna.¡±

    Rain drummed against the windshield as their car carved through the slick streets.

    Sandra¡¯s gaze drifted to her husband, catching the silver threads that had multiplied in his hair.

    Deep down, she recognized the truth in his words.

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 Chapter 707

    ?Chapter 707:

    Yet maternal instinct wed at her chest, a relentless ache spreading like fire through her ribs. Every breath carried the weight of what they were about to do.

    Turning toward the rain-streaked window, Sandra watched streetlights blur into amber halos through the downpour. Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes but refused to fall.

    Axell¡¯s vi zed with light against the storm-darkened night. Richard guided the car to a stop near the entrance, then carefully lifted Rosanna¡¯s limp form from the backseat.

    Rain soaked through his suit jacket as he cradled her, the fabric clinging to his skin like a secondyer of guilt.

    Sandra appeared beside him with an umbre, her presence both shield and witness as they approached the imposing front door. Richard¡¯s fingers trembled slightly as he dialed the familiar number.

    ¡°We¡¯re here.¡±

    Within moments, the door burst open.

    Axell emerged in a silk bathrobe, practically vibrating with anticipation, while his elderly butler hovered respectfully behind.

    ¡°Already?¡± Axell¡¯s eyebrows arched as he took in Rosanna¡¯s unconscious state. ¡°What exactly happened to her?¡±

    Yet as his gaze swept over her carefully chosen dress and wless makeup, hunger flickered across his features. He swallowed hard, satisfaction already creeping into his expression.

    Richard stepped closer, transferring Rosanna into Axell¡¯s eager arms. A practiced smile stretched across his face as he offered his rehearsed exnation.

    ¡°Nothing serious. She simply dozed off during the drive. Regardless, she¡¯s yours now, as promised.¡±

    His hands rubbed together with barely concealed anxiety as he ventured the question that had haunted him all evening. ¡°About that letter of understanding we discussed¡­¡±

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    Cradling Rosanna against his chest, Axell savored her yielding warmth and the intoxicating perfume that clung to her skin. Impatience crackled in his voice. ¡°Enough with this tedious dance! My word stands.¡± His grip tightened possessively around her before he seized a document from the butler¡¯s waiting hands, flinging it toward Richard with casual contempt. ¡°Take your precious paper and disappear. Don¡¯t ruin my good time.¡±

    The dismissal struck Richard like a physical blow. He lunged forward, desperate fingers grasping at the fluttering document, but it slipped through his grasp andnded in the rain-soaked gravel.

    Scrambling to his knees, Richard¡¯s hands shook violently as he retrieved the sodden paper.

    The weight of it felt both like salvation and damnation, a key to freedom that had cost them everything precious.

    Yet shame meant nothing now.

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 Chapter 708

    ?Chapter 708:

    Seeing Axell¡¯s bold signature and handprint on the document, he finally exhaled.

    The letter of understanding was real. Jarrod was saved.

    ¡°Thank you¡­ Thank you, Mr. Nelson¡­¡± He folded the document carefully, tucking it into his briefcase like it was made of ss.

    Axell looked at the humble man before him, his lip curling. ¡°You really are pathetic.¡±

    With that, he turned and headed back inside, Rosanna still unconscious in his arms. His eyes kept drifting down to her face, his new toy to do with as he pleased.

    Richard stood there, swallowing his pride along with the rain.

    Meanwhile, Sandra watched the letter change hands, desperation breaking through herposed facade. ¡°Mr. Nelson, you¡¯ll treat our Rosanna kindly, won¡¯t you?¡± The words escaped before she could stop them.

    Axell didn¡¯t even acknowledge her existence. He swept toward the vi¡¯s entrance, Rosanna¡¯s limp form cradled against his chest, before barking at the butler without a backward nce. ¡°Show them out!¡±

    The door mmed shut with brutal finality.

    Rainshed down with renewed fury.

    The butler¡¯s polite but firm gestures herded them toward the street, leaving them exposed to the storm¡¯s wrath.

    Sandra clutched the umbre with white knuckles, Axell¡¯s callous dismissal cutting deeper than the wind that sliced through her coat. Her body trembled ¡ª from cold, from rage, from the awful realization of what they¡¯d just done.

    Under the umbre, Richard stood frozen, his gaze locked on the document that had cost them everything.

    The paper felt impossibly heavy in his grip, as if it contained the weight of his daughter¡¯s future.

    Once, he¡¯dmanded boardrooms and closed million-dor deals with a handshake. Now here he stood, a broken man who¡¯d traded his daughter for his son¡¯s freedom.

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    Yet even as guilt gnawed at his chest, he couldn¡¯t shake the conviction that it had been necessary.

    After all, Rosanna was a living reminder of their family¡¯s disgrace.

    He nced at Sandra¡¯s stricken face and softened his voice. ¡°Let¡¯s go home. Tomorrow morning, we bring Jarrod back where he belongs.¡±

    Sandra didn¡¯t move immediately.

    Instead, she gave onest look over her shoulder and let out a long, weary sigh before she turned and climbed into the car beside Richard.

    As the door shut with a dull thud, she turned toward her husband, her tone dry and brittle. ¡°Richard, do you think Rosanna will have a decent life from now on?¡±

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 Chapter 709

    ?Chapter 709:

    The inside of the car grew quiet again. Only the steady patter of rain drumming on the windows broke the silence.

    Richard switched on the engine without a word, eyes locked on the road ahead, face unreadable.

    Several moments passed. Then, almost in a whisper, he finally said, ¡°Let her go. Let¡¯s act like she was never ours¡­ We¡¯ve done our part these past four years. We¡¯ve done what we could.¡±

    He hesitated briefly before adding, ¡°After Jarrod returns, our priority is to work on getting Maia on our side¡­ She¡¯s thest shot we¡¯ve got at saving the Morgan name!¡±

    Sandra gripped the edge of her seat more tightly and gave a slight nod. ¡°Do you think Maia might ever forgive us? After all that we did to her?¡± she asked quietly.

    ¡°How would we know unless we give it a shot? Maia and Jarrod were thick as thieves when they were kids. We jumped to conclusions back then and med her unfairly. But now, if the three of us go and plead with her, I¡¯ve got a feeling she might soften.¡±

    Richard pressed down on the gas, and the car picked up speed. ¡°If once isn¡¯t enough, we¡¯ll go again. And again if we have to. We won¡¯t stop till she forgives us!¡±

    Meanwhile, in the grand bed of the master suite at the Nelson estate, Rosannay in a daze, caught somewhere between sleep and a dream.

    In her dream, she finally wore the white wedding gown that she had always longed for and married into wealth and status.

    People surrounded her, pping and cheering, voices full of joy. The whole ce buzzed with excitement.

    A hand offered her a ss of wine. She took it with a smile and sipped slowly.

    Out of nowhere, a sharp pain shot through her head, and everything around her started spinning.

    She gasped, choking on the liquid as it went down the wrong pipe. Then, all at once, she began to cough hard, her body jerking with each breath.

    Every story starts at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s,

    Her eyes snapped open. Her throat burned, and tears poured down her cheeks without warning.

    Her mind was still foggy. She tried to push herself upright, but something yanked her wrist back hard!

    For a moment, Rosanna froze. She nced down and saw that her wrists and ankles had been tied tightly to the bedposts with red, ribbon-like restraints.

    The skin around the bindings was raw and marked. No matter how she twisted or pulled, there was no breaking loose.

    She flung her head back, a cold jolt running through her like someone had dumped ice water all over her body.

    The room was cramped, the lighting dim and eerie. Red curtains hung heavy all around, making it feel like she was trapped in a velvet cage.

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 Chapter 710

    Chapter 710:

    Directly across from the bed stood a fat, middle-aged man with a bulging stomach. A sick grin stretched across his face.

    Of all people, it had to be him ¡ª Axell!

    Rosanna froze. Her breath hitched, and terror danced in her wide, bewildered eyes. It felt like invisible hands were squeezing her throat.

    Her voice quivered as she asked, ¡°How¡­ how did I end up here?¡±

    She thrashed against the restraints, panic taking hold. The red ties dug sharply into her wrists, and her parched throat barely let any words out.

    ¡°Axell, let me go!¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t bother struggling if I were you.¡± Axell strolled closer, eyes shamelessly raking over her. His grin was cruel and full of malice. ¡°In the shape you¡¯re in, there¡¯s no escaping!¡±

    He let out a low chuckle and, without warning, yanked off the towel that had been draped over her.

    Rosanna¡¯s gaze dropped ¡ª and horror washed over her as she saw she had nothing on.

    All the color drained from her face in a heartbeat.

    A crushing wave of shame mmed into her, swallowing her whole. It felt like she was drowning in it.

    She could clearly recall being safe at home, sitting down to a delicious meal made with love by her parents. Everything had felt so warm, so normal. How had things spiraled into this nightmare?

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not possible¡­¡± Her thoughts spun wildly, a storm of disbelief. ¡°I remember¡­ I was at home, eating dinner with Mom and Dad¡­¡±

    ¡°Dinner?¡± Axell let out a slow, mockingugh, as if relishing her confusion. ¡°Naturally, they had to fill your belly first ¡ª so you¡¯d be strong enough to entertain me.¡±

    Rosanna jerked her head up, her voice cracked and raw. ¡°That¡¯s a lie! My parents would never do something like that!¡±

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    ¡°Why not?¡± Axell cut her off, his smile twisted and cold. ¡°Then go on ¡ª exin how you ended up here. You can¡¯t, can you? That¡¯s because they slipped something into your food.¡±

    He suddenly grabbed a small bottle from the nightstand and held it up. ¡°Recognize this?¡±

    The exquisite ss bottle gleamed in the dim light, remnants of transparent liquid still clinging to its crystalline surface.

    Panic crashed through Rosanna¡¯s chest, her heart plummeting into an abyss of dread. The realization struck her like ice water ¡ª she would never forget such a liquid.

    This was the very bottle of medicine Mariana had given her, but she never expected that Axell also had some.

    Axell shook the bottle lightly, a sinister smirk ying on his lips. ¡°You didn¡¯t finish it at thest banquet. Just now, while you were out cold, I made sure to force more of it down your throat.¡±

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Have an excellent weekend, dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. ©d( ??? )? ? *?

    .

 Chapter 711

    ?Chapter 711:

    He moved closer to her face, his grin turning vicious. ¡°Now I¡¯m just waiting for it to kick in. Then we¡¯re going to have some real fun.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re insane!¡± Rosanna screamed, her body jerking like she¡¯d been struck by lightning. She fought against her restraints, but the ropes around her hands and feet held tight.

    ¡°Dad! Mom!¡± she cried out desperately, her voice already going hoarse. ¡°Where are you? Help me!¡±

    Outside, thunder roared and lightning shed as torrential rain poured down once more.

    Rosanna¡¯s cries seemed to vanish into the sealed confines of the house. No one answered.

    The only sound was Axell¡¯s unrestrainedughter. ¡°Go ahead and scream all you want.¡± His amusement deepened until his eyes became cruel slits. ¡°This is my house. Between these walls and that storm raging outside, your voice won¡¯t reach a single soul.¡±

    Leaning back with satisfaction, he delivered his next blow. ¡°Your loving parents struck quite the bargain, trading you for your brother¡¯s freedom. They left hours ago. Did you really think you floated here on your own?¡±

    Rising to his full height, he added, mockery carving harsh lines across his features. ¡°They delivered you personally, of course. And before departing, your father didn¡¯t forget to ask whether I would treat you kindly. Such a good father, isn¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s not possible¡­ You¡¯re making this up!¡± Rosanna¡¯s voice cracked and wavered, her struggles growing weaker with each passing moment. ¡°They gave me their word¡­ swore they¡¯d find another solution for Jarrod.¡±

    ¡°Still don¡¯t believe me? They didn¡¯t just slip you the drug, they dressed you up like a gift before handing you over.¡±

    As if his cruelty hadn¡¯t cut deep enough, Axell¡ª

    Axell narrowed his eyes with fresh malice. ¡°Oh, and that beautiful dress you arrived in? I¡¯d wager your dear mother helped you into it personally. Such a considerate woman!¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s eyes dropped to the floor, where an elegant wedding gowny crumpled and forgotten.

    Ice flooded her veins while her vision swam, the world bing hazy and unreal.

    Part of her refused to ept it.

    Desperately, she wished that this was nothing more than a nightmare, one she could wake from and find herself safe in her own bed. Yet the rope burns on her wrists, Axell¡¯s poisonous words, and the unnatural warmth spreading through her body confirmed the horrible truth.

    Once, she¡¯d believed herself the apple of her mother¡¯s eye, her father¡¯s most treasured daughter.

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 Chapter 712

    ?Chapter 712:

    Now those memories felt like borate lies.

    Wild desperation seized her as she fought against her bonds like a cornered animal.

    ¡°Save your strength. The more you struggle, the faster the drug will take effect.¡± Axell started loosening his robe, taking his time while his eyes lit up with sick pleasure. ¡°Your mind can resist all it wants, but your body¡¯s going to give in soon enough.¡±

    ¡°No¡­ don¡¯t touch me¡­¡± Rosanna¡¯s voice broke, tears choking her words. ¡°Please¡­ I¡¯m begging you¡­¡±

    ¡°Begging?¡± Heughed softly, his hand moving to her ankle as he leaned close to her ear. His voice dropped to a cruel whisper. ¡°This is exactly what you deserve, isn¡¯t it? Be good for me, and maybe I¡¯ll go easy on you.¡±

    ¡°You bastard! You¡¯repletely sick!¡± Tears finally spilled over, carrying all her shame, rage, and terror in one bitter flood.

    But then something shifted, and she went quiet.

    What was the point of struggling? Her screams weren¡¯t reaching anyone.

    The terrible truth settled over her like a weight. Her own parents had actually handed her over to Axell, like some kind of offering.

    Those delicious dishes, every gentle word they¡¯d given her ¡ª now felt like des twisting in her chest. All of it had been a performance.

    Just because of one lie she¡¯d told, just because Maia had risen above her, her parents could be this cruel to throw her away? Even though they knew what was¡ª

    Going to happen to her after she fell into Axell¡¯s hands, they still chose to hand her to him?

    If she¡¯d known it would end like this, the slums would have been paradisepared to this hell.

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    A bitter, hollowugh bubbled up from Rosanna¡¯s throat.

    In that moment, she severed every tie to the Morgan family.

    Very well. If they pushed her into hell, she decided to be a demon!

    She made a silent vow. As long as blood still flowed through her veins, she would make Maia and every single person who had betrayed her pay dearly.

    They would all suffer. They would all burn.

    Rain hammered against the window with relentless fury, each droplet swelling the tempest beyond. The storm¡¯s pounding merged with rolling thunder, creating a symphony of nature¡¯s fury.

    Outside, the tempest concealed whatever was happening within Axell¡¯s room.

    In the study of Cooper Estate, warm light from an ornate gilded deskmp illuminated the tension written across Kolton¡¯s face.

    He sat rigid in his chair, shadows deepening his expression as he massaged his temples with slow, deliberate movements.

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 Chapter 713

    ?Chapter 713:

    The giarism usations against Maia at the Lark Fashionunch hadpletely backfired. Instead of destroying her reputation, the controversy had elevated her fame to new heights. She¡¯d not only restored her public image but finally cleared her name of the theft scandal that had haunted her for four years. Nothing had prepared Kolton for this reversal.

    Maia¡¯s resilience far exceeded his calctions. A bitter taste of defeat settled on his tongue, an unfamiliar sensation for someone who preferred controlling events from behind the scenes. The carefully orchestrated n had crumbled in his hands.

    Her calmposure during the live broadcast troubled him most. That unppable confidence suggested that someone had been quietly supporting her efforts.

    Kolton¡¯s expression hardened as he reached for his phone, dialing Shiloh¡¯s number with sharp, precise movements.

    ¡°Tell me exactly what happened with today¡¯s prison interview.¡± His voice was devoid of warmth. The suppressed fury within him was on the brink of bursting out.

    Shiloh¡¯s sharp intake of breath crackled through the phone as cold sweat broke across his forehead. Zoey had warned him this confrontation wasing, though he hadn¡¯t expected Kolton to call so quickly.

    Drawing a steadying breath, Shiloh chose his words carefully. ¡°Mr. Cooper, please don¡¯t be upset. I¡¯ve only been here a year, and there were things I simply didn¡¯t know. As soon as this happened, I started investigating the prison guards¡¯ backgrounds. What I found exins everything ¡ª most of them have connections to the Ward Group. The Ward family orchestrated this entire interview behind the scenes.¡±

    ¡°Useless! I back you up, not for you to just be a freeloader!¡± Kolton¡¯s fist¡ª

    Kolton¡¯s fist struck the mahogany desk, the solid wood resonating with the force of his frustration.

    However, Shiloh¡¯s words, coupled with the footage the covert guards captured at the venue showing Vince chasing Maia, basically corroborated each other. It was clear that Vince had intervened in the matter behind the scenes.

    Shiloh¡¯s frantic apologies streamed through the phone, but Kolton¡¯s patience had evaporated. He cut through the rambling with razor-sharp precision.

    ¡°Enough! Do youprehend the devastation this interview has brought upon the Cooper Group? The entire inte is in an uproar, using us of smearing Maia just to take back Aurora Apparel Company.¡±

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    Rage coursed through Kolton¡¯s veins as his knuckles whitened around the phone. His voice turned ice-cold andmanding.

    ¡°You have three days to eliminate every thread of Ward family influence within that prison. Burn out theirworkpletely.¡±

    After a calcted pause, his tone dropped to something far more dangerous as he added, ¡°Remember this, the prison serves a vital purpose for the Cooper Group. Failure isn¡¯t an option. I need you to seize absolute control over every aspect of that facility. Are we clear? Don¡¯t disappoint me again.¡±

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 Chapter 714

    ?Chapter 714:

    With visible effort, Kolton pulled his fury back beneath the surface, his features settling into their usual mask ofposed authority.

    Terror crept up Shiloh¡¯s spine as he pressed the phone closer to his ear. ¡°Absolutely, Mr. Cooper. This time I¡¯ll root out everyst connection the Ward family has nted there. Nothing will remain.¡±

    Kolton released a dismissive sound before shifting topics. ¡°Speaking of oversights, how has Zoey been faring recently? You seem to have neglected updating me on her activities.¡±

    ¡°Zoey¡¯s situation remains stable,¡± Shiloh replied, dabbing perspiration from his brow. Kolton¡¯s vtile mood tonight left him genuinely unnerved.

    ¡°Just because things are going as normal, it doesn¡¯t excuse radio silence.¡± Kolton¡¯s voice carried a sharp edge as he reinforced expectations. ¡°Moving forward, I expect weekly reports on her activities. No exceptions.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely, Mr. Cooper!¡± Shiloh answered with crisp efficiency.

    Relief began washing over him as he anticipated the call¡¯s conclusion, but Kolton¡¯s tone shifted once more after an ufortable silence.

    ¡°One final matter requires rification. During Maia¡¯s four-year imprisonment, did she ever have any contact with Zoey?¡± Kolton¡¯s gaze narrowed as he awaited the answer.

    His naturally suspicious nature demanded absolute certainty that Shiloh remained loyal to his interests alone.

    The question struck Shiloh like a physical blow, his phone nearly slipping from trembling fingers.

    Perspiration beaded across his forehead as he fought to steady his breathing, hastily wiping away the moisture.

    Desperation wed at hisposure as his thoughts spiraled. Then he recalled the folded letter Zoey had pressed into his palm that afternoon as he departed her private quarters.

    Her parting words echoed clearly. ¡°Open it if Kolton calls with questions about my rtionship with Maia.¡±

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    Shiloh immediately rummaged through and found the letter. After opening it, he took a quick nce at the small writing and steadied his nerves.

    He steadied himself before cautiously responding, ¡°Mr. Cooper, I¡¯ve looked into this matter! Since they were locked up in the same facility, it¡¯s highly likely that Maia and Zoey would have run into each other. I¡¯ve also wondered if there¡¯s more between them than just that. But so far, nothing points to anything serious. They seem to have just brushed shoulders. Don¡¯t worry ¡ª I¡¯ll keep digging and make sure there¡¯s no threat.¡±

    Shiloh spoke firmly, staying true to what the letter had instructed him to do.

    Kolton didn¡¯t say a word after hearing this. He had to make sure that Zoey hadn¡¯t somehow helped Maia. But now, Shiloh¡¯s reply took the weight off his mind.

    Spending over four years under the same roof made it nearly impossible for Maia not to havee across Zoey.

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 Chapter 715

    ?Chapter 715:

    If Shiloh had said that Maia and Zoey had never crossed paths, or if he had boldly insisted that they shared no meaningful contact, Kolton wouldn¡¯t have hesitated. He would¡¯ve already sent his covert operatives to deal with Shiloh for turning against him.

    But the way Shiloh answered now made one thing clear ¡ª this warden didn¡¯t betray him. It also pointed to something else: Vince had clearly pulled the strings behind this entire setup at the prison. He must have paid those prisoners so that they sang Maia¡¯s praises.

    Kolton sat in silence for a while before breaking it, his voice steadier and moreposed than before. ¡°Put together a full report for me. I want all records of Maia¡¯s interaction with Zoey and everything you¡¯ve uncovered.¡±

    ¡°Got it!¡± Shiloh answered right away.

    The call cut off with a sharp tone. Shiloh let himself fall back into his chair, drained. It felt like a mountain had rolled off his chest. He wiped away the mmy sweat on his brow, his hand unsteady.

    His eyes drifted back to the letter lying on the table. A jolt ran through him. Zoey had predicted all of this. Her meticulous nning left him speechless ¡ª part fear, part admiration.

    On the thin piece of paper, two neat lines of handwriting stood out ¡ª ¡°If Kolton asks whether Maia had any contact with me, you must answer ¡®yes¡¯ and say the¡ª

    The matter is still under review. If he pushes for more, check pages forty-four and sixty-five in Maia¡¯s prison file before answering him.¡±

    Though shocked, Shiloh didn¡¯t waste time. He rushed straight to the records room. After scanning the shelves packed with thick folders, he pulled out Maia¡¯s file and flipped quickly to the pages mentioned.

    Just as the letter had said, these pages contained two reports involving Zoey and Maia. One described Maia standing up to Zoey. In the other, she had blocked Zoey¡¯s way. In both cases, Maia had taken a beating from other inmates not long after.

    Following those encounters, Maia had made it a point to steer clear of Zoey. They hadn¡¯t had any contact since.

    These documents were clearly legitimate. The events had really taken ce years earlier. Nothing about them seemed staged or tampered.

    It was now obvious that Zoey had seen this daying long ago ¡ª and hadid the groundwork far in advance.

    g¦Á ?¦Ç ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s holds great reads

    Staring at the files, Shiloh couldn¡¯t help but murmur in amazement, ¡°Ms. Cooper really is something else! Her mind is so meticulous!¡±

    Wasting no time, he snapped a few quick photos of the pages, then sat at his desk and began organizing everything. Once the report was finished, he sent it off through a secure, encrypted line.

    Kolton got the report not long after and went through it with a cold, analytical stare. As he flipped through the pages, his eyes gradually narrowed in thought.

    Maia had challenged Zoey?

    If that were true, knowing Zoey¡¯s personality, he was sure there was no way that she would have maintained any contact with Maia afterward.

    Even though they didn¡¯t share blood, Kolton knew Zoey inside and out. She had always been proud, headstrong, and hard to please. She looked down on anyone who didn¡¯t meet her high standards. Someone reckless like Maia wouldn¡¯t havested five minutes in her good graces.

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 Chapter 716

    ?Chapter 716:

    Thinking along these lines, Kolton grew more convinced that Zoey had yed no part in Maia¡¯s change behind bars.

    ¡°I might¡¯ve been reading too much into it,¡± Kolton muttered, snapping hisptop shut.

    Still, a flicker of doubt lingered in his eyes.

    Just then, a knock echoed on the door.

    A gentle voice called out, ¡°Dad, it¡¯s me ¡ª Mariana.¡±

    Kolton turned his eyes toward the door, his tone sharp andmanding. ¡°Come in.¡±

    Mariana slowly opened the door, her body trembling like a leaf in the wind. Her lip quivered as she stepped inside, clearly anxious.

    She crept forward on shaky legs, her hands clenched tightly in front of her. She didn¡¯t dare lift her eyes to meet his.

    Outside, a streak of lightning split the sky, briefly lighting up Kolton¡¯s face and revealing the frost in his expression.

    Under that harsh sh, his features looked carved from stone ¡ª cold, severe, and filled with a simmering rage.

    A low roll of thunder echoed across the distance.

    Though Kolton had yet to say a word, Mariana¡¯s fear overwhelmed her. She copsed to her knees with a loud smack against the floor.

    Tears poured down her cheeks as she sobbed, ¡°Dad, I messed up. I didn¡¯t mean for it to go this far. I only wanted to reim what should¡¯ve been ours from Maia. I didn¡¯t think¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Kolton bellowed, suddenly rising to his feet and mming his hand onto the desk, the impact echoing like a gunshot.

    your failure? Today¡¯s productunch conference sent our stock plummeting to the maximum allowable drop. In just a few minutes, we lost one billion in market value! This downward spiral isn¡¯t stopping either. Over the next few days, our stock will likely keep hitting those limits, and we could end up losing over ten billion!¡±

    Feel the thrill on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    Every trace of color fled from Mariana¡¯s stricken face.

    She knew that her father would be livid and had prepared herself for his explosive anger over today¡¯s mess. But never in her wildest nightmares had she imagined that her scheme would bring such ruinous losses to the Cooper Group.

    Terror gripped Mariana¡¯s heart. Her hands wouldn¡¯t stop shaking, and hot tears poured down her cheeks like a broken dam.

    ¡°Dad, I had no clue things would go this wrong. I honestly didn¡¯t¡­ What am I supposed to do now? Can we somehow fix this?¡±

    Kolton gazed at his daughter¡¯s miserable state. Though rage still burned in his chest, he felt his heart soften despite himself.

    Just this afternoon, he¡¯d actuallyplimented her on handling things so well.

    If he was being honest, part of this disaster was his own doing forpletely underestimating Maia.

    He released a long, tired breath and rubbed Mariana¡¯s back soothingly, wiping her tears with gentle fingers.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough crying. Since we¡¯re already in this deep,

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 Chapter 717

    ?Chapter 717:

    There¡¯s no point torturing yourself over it. I¡¯ll contact some investment partners to help us buy back shares and steady the market. I just hope this teaches you something valuable. Think twice before acting on impulse next time.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s voice took on a dangerous edge as he continued, ¡°This Maia woman is far sharper than we gave her credit for. I¡¯ve already put people on her trail, and they¡¯re investigating this Mr. M character too. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make sure they all pay for this humiliation. Maia, the Ward family, and everyone who stands in our way will be dealt with ordingly.

    As for you, starting right now, stay away from Maiapletely. You¡¯re also banned from posting anything online.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s piercing stare locked onto her, his voice carrying absolute authority. ¡°I need your word that from this moment forward, you¡¯ll pour everything you have into the art exhibition. I want to see you seed in this field and build a real reputation for yourself. Are we clear?¡±

    His hand reached out to gently stroke Mariana¡¯s hair. ¡°Can you promise me that?¡±

    Mariana raised her head, her body still quivering from the emotional storm. Words came out broken and hesitant. ¡°I¡­ I understand.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice remaining steady but unyielding. ¡°Good. I sincerely hope this time you won¡¯t let me down again.¡±

    Meanwhile, at Hurst¡¯s vi, Mnie tossed restlessly in her bed, unable to find anyfort.

    Her thoughts churned like a violent storm, refusing to settle.

    Ever since that heated argument with her father, he hadn¡¯t bothereding home.

    What made her sleepless was having watched Lark Fashion¡¯s new productunch earlier that afternoon.

    She¡¯d originally tuned in to witness Maia¡¯s downfall and watch her get publicly humiliated. She¡¯d even posted plenty of nastyments about Maia online.

    The ce for great stories: g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    But everything backfired spectacrly when it became clear that Maia hadn¡¯t giarized anything and certainly wasn¡¯t a thief.

    Such a fact left her utterly dumbfounded.

    Memories of everything she¡¯d said to her father that day now burned with shame.

    She desperately wanted to admit her mistake, but the apology seemed stuck in her throat.

    Since nine o¡¯clock that evening, she¡¯d been wrestling with how to say sorry to her father.

    Now it was already past midnight.

    Message after message got typed out, only to be deleted momentster.

    ¡°This is driving me crazy!¡± she groaned, biting her lip in pure frustration.

    Unable to bear the torture any longer, she grabbed her phone and called her father directly.

    Hurst picked up almost instantly. ¡°Mnie? What¡¯s up? Why are you still awake at this hour?¡±

    Mnie felt the old sting of pride tugging at her, but when the moment came, she could not form the words she wanted to say.

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 Chapter 718

    ?Chapter 718:

    Hurst¡¯s tone came through the phone, cool and impatient. ¡°Why don¡¯t you say anything? Then why did you call me? If you¡¯re not going to talk, I¡¯ll just hang up now.¡±

    At the sound of his threat, Mnie¡¯s nerves kicked in. ¡°Dad, don¡¯t hang up! I haven¡¯t finished. There¡¯s something I need to say,¡± she blurted out.

    Only the low hum of the line filled the next few seconds. Hurst finally let out a softugh. ¡°You¡¯vee to your senses, huh? Go ahead, I¡¯m listening.¡±

    Pausing for a moment, Mnie clenched her fists and tried to steady her voice. ¡°I¡¯m actually starving. I want your tomato meat sauce pasta,¡± she admitted, half-whispering.

    Hurst nced at the clock and shook his head, a smile creeping onto his lips. ¡°Right now? Mnie, it¡¯s almost midnight. Let¡¯s save it for tomorrow. I promise I¡¯ll cook it for you then.¡±

    His frustration had faded. The anger he felt earlier was gone, reced with the understanding that Mnie, still so young, was bound to be affected by whatever rumors swirled online.

    Mnie didn¡¯t argue. ¡°Okay, tomorrow is fine!¡± she said, a little too quickly.

    Once again, silence settled between them.

    ¡°If you have nothing else to say, I¡¯m hanging up for real this time,¡± said Hurst, his tone softer.

    Right as he prepared to end the call, Mnie¡¯s voice cut in, shaky but determined. ¡°Actually, I changed my mind!¡± she cried. ¡°I mean ¡ª I¡¯ve had time to think. Dad, if Maia is really so important to you, I want you to know I¡¯ll support your decision.¡±

    Before Hurst could get a word out, the call ended with a sharp click.

    Mnie, cheeks burning, dropped her phone on the bed.

    Relief and embarrassment crashed over her all at once.

    L?t?st ch¦Ápt?rs in g??lnovels.??????

    She threw her nket over her head and hid, her heart racing so fast that she could barely breathe.

    Meanwhile, Hurst just stared at his phone, still processing what had happened. He could hardly believe it. His daughter¡¯s sudden change of heart left him at a loss for words.

    After a moment, a crooked smile broke out on his face. ¡°Mnie can¡¯t make up her mind to save her life,¡± he muttered.

    He decided that she deserved the truth, no more confusion.

    Although he had already rified his rtionship with Maia before, Mnie didn¡¯t seem to have taken it to heart.

    He picked up his phone again and began to type out a message.

    Hearing her phone buzz, Mnie snatched it up. As she read the message, her eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat. ¡°Ms. Watson really is something special, but she¡¯s already married.¡±

    Shock rolled through Mnie. ¡°No way. That can¡¯t be true!¡± she cried, jumping out of bed.

    She lost no time searching the inte for anything about Maia¡¯s marriage. To her surprise, the news was everywhere.

    Since relentless PR teams scrubbed the Morgan and Ward families¡¯ engagement banquet footage from every corner of the inte, nobody could find a single clip of Maia dering herself married or shing a marriage certificate. Rumors and heated debates spread like wildfire online.

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 Chapter 719

    Chapter 719:

    A single post seemed to draw the most attention: ¡°Is Maia Watson Really Married?¡±

    Curiosity pulled Mnie in, and she opened the thread, met by a storm of conflicting takes.

    Plenty ofmenters insisted that Maia had already tied the knot, iming that her husband was the ever-elusive Mr. M ¡ª the same man behind her extravagant birthday surprise.

    A different crowd believed that Maia¡¯s supposed spouse was just a regr guy, so unremarkable that Maia felt too awkward to introduce him to the public.

    Further down, arguments started piling up against both theories.

    One person shared an analysis that struck everyone as especially convincing. ¡°Let me make this clear. Maia is definitely not married. To start with, she spent four years behind bars. During that time, she had no chance to meet any men. Before prison, Maia¡¯s fianc¨¦ was Vince, but he ditched her for Rosanna a long time ago. Honestly, who would choose to marry someone with a record like hers? Besides, Maia always shows up at events by herself. Has anyone ever seen her in thepany of a man? Has she ever mentioned a husband or shown his photo in¡ª

    Public? I am convinced that Maia has been single all along. There is no mysterious Mr. M. That was only something she invented to brush off people like Vince.¡±

    Finishing thement, Mnie felt herself nodding in agreement, her finger tapping the like button.

    Opposing voices were quick to chime in, ridiculing that perspective.

    ¡°Maia is gorgeous, the chief designer at MCN, and aposer under the name K. Do you know how many men admire her? The line would wrap around the! Maybe after her release, an influential figure fell for her and dated her. After spending some time together, they found that they got along well with each other, so they secretly registered for marriage. With his power, he kept all this unknown to the public.¡±

    ¡°No kidding! Her prison time doesn¡¯t matter. I would marry Maia in a heartbeat and never stop smiling!¡±

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you watching today¡¯s productunch? It was rified that Rosanna set Maia up. Anyone can see Maia is impressive ¡ª it makes sense for her to be married!¡±

    As she kept scrolling through the heated back-and-forth, Mnie¡¯s irritation only grew.

    She couldn¡¯t understand why she so desperately wanted these people to be wrong.

    Explore more on g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s

    What did that mean for her dad if Maia really had a husband?

    Feeling restless, Mnie twisted a strand of hair around her finger, worry etched across her face. She would not get a wink of sleep without answers.

    She made up her mind, determination shining in her eyes. ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯m tracking Ethan down at school and making him tell me the truth!¡± Nobody knew Maia¡¯s situation better than Ethan ¡ª her younger brother would have all the answers about this mysterious marriage.

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Have a great night, loved ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. ????(? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?

    .

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 720

    ?Chapter 720:

    When morning arrived, the relentless storm that had battered the town for hours finally eased.

    Sunbeams spilled gently through the ss, warming the corners of the room. Along the branches outside, beads of rainwater sparkled, dancing with every gentle movement of the wind.

    Maia did not rise at her usual time. Sleep held her until the clock struck nine.

    Confusion clouded her thoughts. Memories of that honest, lingering kiss from the previous night sent a rush of heat to her fingertips, and she could still feel Chris¡¯ warmth lingering on her lips.

    The night before, she had acted on impulse, even tugging Chris onto the couch with her.

    Recalling those moments left her cheeks burning, as if she had set a ze within herself. ¡°How could I let things go that far? Last night, I nearly¡­¡±

    Crossing boundaries with Chris had never seemed possible unless duty or circumstance demanded it. Yet none of that mattered in those moments. Raw feeling alone had driven her forward, and she could not resist.

    At the height ofst night¡¯s tension, a tremendous crash of thunder jolted her senses and abruptly ended their embrace.

    After taking a moment to gather herself, Maia pushed off the sheets, pulled on fresh clothes, and nned to prepare something to eat.

    However, the instant she reached the hallway, the scent of something delicious drifted toward her, apanied by the familiar sound of food sizzling.

    There stood Chris by the stove, wearing an apron over a fitted gray tee. One hand adjusted the me while the other flipped bacon as if he had done it countless times before.

    Golden light poured in through the window, highlighting the edge of his jaw and the subtle lines of focus on his face. There was a natural confidence in him¡ªquiet and appealing.

    Maia stopped in her tracks, captivated for a moment. The image before her could have been lifted straight from a scene in a show about married life, and the thought made her grin.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m fuels your imagination

    She stepped forward, intending to lend a hand.

    Without needing to look back, Chris caught the sound of her steps.

    ¡°You¡¯re up already? I thought you¡¯d stay in bed a bit longer.¡±

    Instead of keeping her distance, Maia wandered over and joked, ¡°I couldn¡¯t resist. That smell dragged me out of bed.¡±

    Only then did Chris look back at her, amusement softening his features.

    ¡°Give me a moment. Breakfast will be done soon.¡±

    Leaning in to catch a glimpse of what he was cooking, Maia felt her mouth water.

    ¡°Want some help in there?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got this. Why don¡¯t you sit down and rx?¡±

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll just wait and see if your food lives up to the scent.¡± With that, Maia left him to his work.

    Settling at the table, she rested her chin in her palm and let her gaze linger on Chris as he moved around the kitchen.

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 Chapter 721

    ?Chapter 721:

    Steam curled up from the stovetop, carrying the warmth of milk and the rich aroma of frying oil into the air.

    Chris¡¯ determined look found its way into her thoughtful eyes.

    Suddenly, the idea crossed her mind¡ªmaybe mornings like these could make life sweeter.

    Her daydream was cut short when Chris, in the middle of cooking, suddenly went still. A deep crease formed between his brows as he pressed a palm to his forehead.

    Concern shed in Maia¡¯s eyes. She left her seat and hurried to his side, reaching out to steady him.

    ¡°Is your headache back again?¡±

    Midway through her question, Chris suddenly turned and, with little warning, pressed a light kiss to her cheek.

    He shifted the mood with an easy tone.

    ¡°Breakfast is done.¡±

    That unexpected gesture left Maia rooted to the spot. Chris didn¡¯t wait for her to respond. Instead, he grabbed two tes and carried them to the table.

    For several seconds, Maia just stood there in disbelief. Finally, she lifted her hand to the ce he had kissed and asked,

    ¡°Were you really not feeling well, or was that just an act?¡±

    ¡°You can take a guess,¡± Chris replied, keeping his back to her and sounding far too pleased with himself.

    In truth, he only wanted to put her at ease.

    Narrowing her eyes, Maia frowned.

    ¡°Guessing isn¡¯t part of the n. You¡¯re still following every step of my treatment.¡±

    ??o§Þ

    Settling back into her chair, Maia reached for her ss and let the creamy milk linger on her tongue. The taste was full and mellow. With each bite of crisp bacon and golden eggs, breakfast felt like a treat fit for a special asion.

    Every time Chris cooked, he seemed to get better at it.

    Not a singlepliment left Maia¡¯s lips. Instead, she kept her eyes on her te and focused on her meal.

    Still, she could not forget the earlier moment when Chris¡¯ grip had tightened so much that his knuckles went pale.

    There was no mistaking it¡ªChris had truly been hurting, and whatever he felt was far from gentle.

    Quiet settled over the table as neither spoke a word, both drifting off into their own reflections.

    Out of nowhere, both nced up and locked eyes. At the very same moment, they both started to speak.

    ¡°Chris¡­¡±

    ¡°Maia¡­¡±

    A split second of surprise passed between them, then both started tough.

    A quietugh slipped from Maia as she blinked.

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 Chapter 722

    ?Chapter 722:

    ¡°You go ahead. I want to hear what you¡¯ll say first.¡±

    Chris gave a small, yful shake of his head.

    ¡°No way. I insistdies first.¡±

    Back and forth, they traded the invitation, amusement lighting up their faces. Finally, Maia gathered her thoughts and broke the silence.

    Maia ced her fork aside, her expression turning grave as she fixed her gaze on Chris.

    ¡°We can¡¯t postpone dealing with your headaches any longer. This morning, I¡¯ll contact several medical professors I know. When you go out, keep your phone on.¡±

    Two days earlier, Maia had already obtained Chris¡¯ medical scans. The bullet fragments were positioned in an extremely precarious location. Over time, these fragments had begun wreaking havoc on his brain¡¯s nerve pathways and had gradually fused with the surrounding bone tissue.

    Without immediate removal, extraction would be nearly impossibleter. This type of intricate surgery demanded a thoroughly detailed operational n,plete with backup strategies for unforeseenplications.

    Maia refused to squander another precious day. Regardless of how packed those professors¡¯ schedules were, she intended to assemble them for an urgent consultation and establish Chris¡¯ surgical blueprint without dy.

    ¡°Alright, I understand,¡± Chris responded with a measured nod, his face betraying no emotion. ¡°Incidentally, after breakfast, I¡¯ll be departing for work. Rest assured, I won¡¯t be apanying my boss on any business ventures. I¡¯ll remain within the city limits, so there¡¯s minimal risk.¡±

    After a brief hesitation, he continued,

    ¡°However, I may return quitete tonight, so please don¡¯t wait up for dinner.¡±

    Maia arched an eyebrow, studying Chris with growing suspicion.

    Your next story starts here g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    ¡°Do you have romantic ns tonight?¡±

    ¡°Indeed.¡± Chris held her stare, a subtle, barely detectable smile ying at the edge of his mouth. ¡°Have you forgotten? I gave Maxwell my word about teaching him advanced driving techniques. Tonight, I must honor thatmitment and take him for practical training.¡±

    Maia acknowledged this with a nod, yet concern still shadowed her features. She murmured quietly,

    ¡°Be careful.¡±

    Actually, Chris was deceiving her entirely. Something of far greater significance required his presence that evening.

    Since the Cooper Group¡¯s Geshuanian shipment had fallen victim to high-seas piracy, Kolton had adopted extreme caution, avoiding all subsequent dealings. This pattern shifted dramatically that morning when Chris obtained ssified intelligence that the Cooper Group intended to dispatch another Geshuanian shipment under cover of darkness.

    Yesterday, the Cooper Group¡¯s stock price had crashed, and this morning it hit the limit down the moment markets opened. Kolton was finally feeling the heat. Now, Kolton desperately needed a massive cash injection to prop up the Cooper Group¡¯s plummeting stock price. Unfortunately for him, Chris was absolutely determined to sabotage tonight¡¯s transaction.

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 Chapter 723

    ?Chapter 723:

    ¡°Alright, don¡¯t worry,¡± Chris replied with steadyposure. ¡°I¡¯ll listen to you, darling.¡±

    As the words left his lips, his gaze lingered on Maia once more. She quickly looked away, a delicate blush coloring her cheeks.

    Apparently, whenever Chris called her ¡°darling,¡± Maia couldn¡¯t suppress that adorable shyness¡ªa reaction Chris found utterly endearing.

    Chris frequently reminded himself how incredibly fortunate he was to have married Maia. In his view, Maia was his personal lucky charm.

    The financial damage he had dealt to Kolton¡¯s previous deals paled inparison to the devastation Maia had unleashed on the Cooper Group just yesterday. Within minutes, she had obliterated over a billion from thepany¡¯s market capitalization.

    Chris could practically visualize Kolton¡¯s livid, desperate expression.

    Looking ahead, Chris knew that he needed to corner Kolton even further. Only when driven toplete desperation would Koltonmit fatal errors, hastening the Cooper Group¡¯s inevitable copse.

    Striking while the enemy was vulnerable remained the smartest strategy.

    Therefore, Chris intended to keep disrupting Kolton¡¯s underground operations while simultaneously coordinating with multiple financial institutions to aggressively short-sell Cooper Group stock.

    ¡°What are you thinking about? If you¡¯re runningte, just go. I¡¯ll handle the cleanup here,¡± Maia said, rising from her chair and gathering the tes toward the kitchen.

    Chris observed her graceful figure as she moved away, a gentle smile crossing his face.

    ¡°Alright, thanks, darling. I¡¯ll head out now.¡±

    Maia hesitated mid-step, her thoughts drifting back to yesterday when Chris had yfully demanded she call him ¡°darling.¡± The memory brought warmth to her cheeks.

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    Chris, meanwhile, had embraced the endearment effortlessly, using ¡°darling¡± whenever the chance arose.

    Yet Maia still struggled to feelfortable addressing him the same way.

    Shortly after Chris departed, Maiapleted her kitchen duties.

    Settling onto the sofa, she began organizing her priorities for the day ahead.

    The MCN business no longer demanded her oversight. Beyond contacting professors to prepare Chris for surgery, her most pressing objective was wresting Cooper Group from Kolton¡¯s grasp and transferring control to Chris.

    This goal had lingered in her mind for ages, yet remained unfinished.

    Fortunately, yesterday¡¯s Lark Fashionunch had aplished more than just clearing her name from those four-year-old false usations. It had also delivered an unexpected bonus: Cooper Group¡¯s stock price had crashed spectacrly.

    This presented a golden opportunity to im control of Cooper Group. By securing over fifty percent of the shares and gaining control of more than thirty percent of the voting rights, one could effectively be Cooper Group¡¯s controlling shareholder.

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 Chapter 724

    ?Chapter 724:

    As for any hidden assets Cooper Group might possess, that wasn¡¯t her immediate concern.

    Her promise to Zoey had always centered on helping Chris reim his rightful inheritance. Transferring the entire Cooper Group to Chris would fulfill thatmitment perfectly.

    This was her moment to deliver a crushing blow to Kolton.

    While Maia contemted her strategy, her phone suddenly buzzed.

    Pattie was calling.

    The instant she picked up, Pattie¡¯s frantic voice burst through the speaker.

    ¡°Maia! Please, you need to get to the office immediately!¡±

    Maia¡¯s brow furrowed. Pattie had used those exact words twice before.

    ¡°Is Richard causing trouble again?¡± she asked, confused.

    ¡°No! It¡¯s Alice!¡± Pattie practically shouted.

    ¡°Alice is outside at the main entrance and won¡¯t leave until she sees you!¡± Pattie eximed. ¡°Maia, quit stalling ande handle this!¡±

    Maia blinked in disbelief. Was this just thetest stunt everyone was trying?

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you install a security gate downstairs? Is she blocking the entrance now?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly it, Maia! The second Alice arrived, she attracted a mob of fans and reporters. The lobby¡¯s a total mess. Just look online if you want to see how bad it¡¯s gotten for us!¡±

    Once the call ended, Maia went straight to Twitter. As expected, news about the chaos was all over her feed.

    A massive crowd had packed themselves into the building¡¯s front entrance, making it nearly impossible to get through.

    For a second, Maia stood frozen in surprise. Then she snatched up her bag and hurried out.

    Your next adventure is at g  al n ovels . con

    At the same time, inside the Cooper Group¡¯s boardroom, Kolton sat at the head of the table with a stormy look on his face.

    Gathered with him were several older men in somber suits, their attention fixed on the stock market graph disyed across the giant screen.

    Kolton had called in the Cooper Group¡¯s shareholders at dawn, hoping their presence would help steady the market.

    ¡°Trading¡¯s halted again!¡± one of the shareholders said, his voice edged with panic.

    ¡°We already burned through ten billion, and someone¡¯s still offloading shares?¡±

    ¡°We pushed out a full-scale PR blitz yesterday,¡± another added. ¡°All our media channels set the story straight, and we even got those influential bloggers to keep quiet. So why is this still happening today?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Is this all fallout from yesterday? Does Maia really have that kind of power over the market?¡± another asked, struggling to make sense of the situation.

    Just then, the door banged open.

    udius marched in and stopped beside Kolton.

    ¡°Father, I¡¯ve secured three billion.¡±

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    .

 Chapter 725

    ?Chapter 725:

    Without a hint of warmth, Kolton gave a curt nod.

    ¡°Keep buying up our shares. Coordinate with the financial institutions to push out favorable news.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it,¡± udius answered, casting a quick look at the sinking stock price. Deep down, he was torn. Maia¡¯s name had finally been cleared, and that should have brought him somefort. He had even thought this might convince his father to let him chase after her.

    But Mariana had to get involved, parading her so-called cleverness by leaking that banquet video. The aftermath was catastrophic.

    The chaos Mariana unleashed was dragging down the entire Cooper Group, and udius was seething. He had wanted to track her down that morning and demand to know what she was thinking, risking so much just to stop him from being with Maia.

    Instead, Mariana had already caught an early flight to another country, Sceibar, leaving him with nothing but anger and a mountain of work. He had spent the entire morning scrambling to scrape together enough capital to hold thepany together.

    Kolton¡¯s voice snapped udius out of his thoughts, cold as ever.

    ¡°Things have gone too far for you to me your sister. And as for Maia, my position hasn¡¯t changed. She¡¯ll still have to answer for the losses we¡¯ve suffered.¡±

    udius went stiff, realizing that his father had seen right through him.

    Quickly, he replied,

    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it. I¡¯ll make sure this situation gets resolved.¡±

    Kolton shot him a look that could cut ss. He knew udius was sharp and resourceful, but far too ruled by his feelings.

    Even so, Kolton trusted his son¡¯s priorities. Family interests always came first, a lesson he had hammered into him since boyhood.

    Fresh chapters live g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í????s

    Still, Kolton understood that the Cooper Group¡¯s current crisis ran deeper than the free-falling stock price. Public outrage had already put several business deals at risk.

    Even so, those projects didn¡¯t bring in the biggest profits for thepany. Tonight, however, a shipment valued at over ten billion was scheduled to move out.

    This time, only the very best from their security division had been chosen to handle it as the escort team.

    Kolton had even set up a decoy vessel to draw out the crew responsible for thest heist.

    If those thieves dared to try again, he was ready to make sure that none of them walked away alive.

    While Kolton moved his chess pieces behind the scenes, Chris finally reached the dimly lit bar hidden deep within a narrow alleyway.

    He slipped inside, shut the door, and pressed his hand to a hidden panel. In one smooth motion, a secret door slid open, and he disappeared into the darkness beyond.

    Inside, the covert base was alive with energy. More than a hundred operatives bustled about, focused on their tasks. The moment Chris emerged, several team leaders hurried over to brief him.

    ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve tracked the ship scheduled to leave tonight ¡ª but this isn¡¯t like before. It¡¯s a full-scale cargo vessel, enormous.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 726

    ?Chapter 726:

    He hesitated, then continued,

    ¡°Afterst time¡¯s mess, security¡¯s bound to be tighter than ever. Given what we¡¯re working with, pulling this off won¡¯t be easy.¡±

    Chris turned his gaze to the main control screen, which streamed real-time data about the giant ship. It was a fortress on water, bristling with security measures. If Kolton managed to pull off this shipment, it could easily pull the Cooper Group out of their stock market nosedive.

    This was something Chris refused to allow. He had no intention of backing down.

    ¡°Keep refining the n to intercept the ship,¡± Chris instructed. ¡°I¡¯ll look for a way to sabotage things from the inside.¡±

    At the same time, Maia parked her car outside MCN¡¯s headquarters.

    She barely had a chance to step out before a tidal wave of reporters swarmed her, cameras shing and microphones thrust in her direction, the air thick with questions.

    Alice, nearly bouncing with anticipation, elbowed her way through the crowd. She had missed her chance to speak with Maia the night before, blocked by Pattie¡¯s security team. Determined not to lose out again, Alice had camped at MCN early that morning.

    No matter what, she was set on convincing Maia to ept her as a student today.

    Shoving her way to the front, Alice called out,

    ¡°Ms. Watson, what did you think about what I said yesterday?¡±

    With her voice shaky and eyes full of hope, Alice pleaded,

    ¡°Please, Ms. Watson, let me be your apprentice! I¡¯ve dreamed of learning fashion design from you my whole life!¡±

    The moment Maia and Alice stood side by side, a flurry of camera shutters erupted. Their exchange was instantly captured and posted online, where it caused a sensation.

    L?t??t ?h¦Ápt?rs ??n g??l??ov?l??.????m

    ¡°Good grief. Is Alice seriously running after Maia, begging to be her student? She¡¯s serious about this!¡±

    ¡°No way! One of the industry¡¯s top designers actually wants Maia to take her under her wing?¡±

    ¡°Hold on, I missed everything yesterday. Wasn¡¯t there supposed to be bad blood between them? How did things turn around so fast?¡±

    ¡°If you missed it, watch the rey from yesterday¡¯s Lark Fashionunch. That¡¯s all I¡¯m saying. Maia¡¯s an absolute icon!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t stopughing. Never thought I¡¯d see a world-renowned designer practically ambush someone in public just to ask for mentorship!¡±

    Within minutes, thement section was on fire. Shares and reactions poured in, and even seasoned professionals were left speechless by the sudden twist.

    Meanwhile, the scene outside MCN was pure chaos. Reporters pressed closer, their questionsing one after another.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, why didn¡¯t you respond to Ms. Byrd¡¯s request yesterday?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Watson, will you be taking Ms. Byrd under your wing?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Byrd has publicly admitted to drawing inspiration from your work. Do you forgive her now?¡±

    The reporters showed no signs of letting up, questions fired from every direction, and microphones crowded so close that Maia could barely get a word in.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 727

    ?Chapter 727:

    A faint shadow crossed Maia¡¯s face as she nced at Alice, who stood beside her, remarkably poised despite the chaos swirling around them.

    Alice, once considered a giant in the international fashion world, looked nothing but earnest now.

    Maia hadn¡¯t anticipated this level of determination from Alice. Truthfully, her silence the day before had been a gentle way of turning Alice down.

    After all, Alice was older and already respected as a master designer. While her admission of borrowing from Maia¡¯s work had stirred plenty of controversy, her reputation in Otruitho still held strong.

    More importantly, Maia¡¯s priorities were already clear. She simply didn¡¯t have the time or energy to take on an apprentice.

    Still, allowing this situation to linger wasn¡¯t going to solve anything.

    Maia kept her tone cool and direct.

    ¡°Ms. Byrd, this isn¡¯t the ce for a discussion. Let¡¯s move this somewhere more private. Come with me.¡±

    Relief shed across Alice¡¯s face, and she nodded right away.

    ¡°Yes, of course.¡±

    Maia unlocked the car, holding the door open for Alice.

    In seconds, the car pulled away, leaving behind a crowd still buzzing with spection.

    Behind the wheel, Maia tightened her grip and shot Alice a sidelong nce. Without beating around the bush, she shut down Alice¡¯s proposal.

    ¡°Ms. Byrd, I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t ept you as my apprentice.¡±

    Maia continued,

    ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t believe I have anything to teach you ¡ª or that I¡¯m even qualified to be your mentor.¡±

    L??€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? ?¦Ç ?@ln?¦Í¨ºl?.¡é??

    Alice, however, acted as if she hadn¡¯t heard a single word. She pressed on, her voice warm with sincerity.

    ¡°Four years ago, it was your designs that snapped me out of my creative slump. I looked up to you from that day forward. So many of my pieces since then have been inspired by your work. When I realized you were Maia, the genius behind MCN, I was over the moon! Not even that wild stormst night could put out my excitement. I spent the whole night reviewing your recent collections. Your work blows me away every time.¡±

    Admiration sparkled in Alice¡¯s eyes. She took a breath, then smiled.

    ¡°So, whether you officially ept me or not, you¡¯ll always be the mentor I look up to.¡±

    Maia found herself at a loss for words, unsure how to respond.

    At that moment, Alice reached into her bag and pulled out a sketch.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, I drafted thisst night. Would you mind giving it a look?¡±

    Maia knew she couldn¡¯t keep turning Alice away, especially with how much trouble her appearances were causing at MCN.

    With a helpless sigh, Maia guided the car to the curb and stopped.

    ¡°All right, I¡¯m fine with exchanging ideas. Just that.¡±

    She examined Alice¡¯s sketch, quickly spotting a few areas that could use improvement, and offered her suggestions.

    .

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 Chapter 728

    ?Chapter 728:

    Alice listened intently, eyes lighting up as she absorbed eachment.

    ¡°That makes so much sense¡­ Thank you, Ms. Watson! Your feedback is incredible!¡±

    With a sigh, Maia repeated,

    ¡°I¡¯m happy to share thoughts, but I can¡¯t agree to be your mentor.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯ve already helped me grow. Doesn¡¯t that make you my mentor?¡± Alice beamed, her eyes shining with delight. ¡°A mentor is someone who guides me to create something more polished and true. That¡¯s exactly what you just did.¡±

    No matter what Maia said, Alice had already made up her mind ¡ª this was her mentor, end of story.

    Seeing that it was pointless to argue, Maia simply let it go and fell silent.

    Maia¡¯s silence was all the encouragement Alice needed.

    Visibly relieved, Alice pulled a gold-edged invitation from her bag and offered it with both hands.

    ¡°Maia, there¡¯s an international art exhibition in Sceibar in two weeks. One of my oil paintings is being showcased, and I¡¯d love for you toe with me. Who knows, maybe it¡¯ll inspire your next design.¡±

    Maia started to refuse, but as her eyes skimmed the invitation, something clicked.

    Wasn¡¯t this the same event where her own paintings were set to be disyed? Despite that, she had no intention of leaving the country, not with Chris¡¯ surgery looming.

    Still, the hopeful way Alice looked at her made it impossible to say no outright.

    ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it when the timees.¡±

    Alice lit up.

    ¡°Perfect! I¡¯ll wait for your decision.¡±

    Your escape begins with ga ln ov els .

    She carefully tucked the invitation into Maia¡¯s hand.

    With that, Alice hopped out of the car, waving her thanks from the sidewalk.

    ¡°Thank you so much! I¡¯ll update the design based on your feedback and send it to you, Ms. Watson!¡±

    Maia watched Alice go, feeling both amused and a little helpless at her persistence.

    But her mind quickly shifted back to Chris. That was her top priority now. Arranging his surgery couldn¡¯t wait.

    Once Alice was out of sight, Maia checked the time, then quickly ced a call to her mentor, the renowned medical expert Lenny Bryant.

    He answered almost immediately, though the sound of voices andmotion filled the background.

    ¡°Maia, give me a second. It¡¯s loud here. Let me find somewhere quieter.¡±

    She heard his footsteps, then a door shutting to block out the noise.

    Before she could speak, Lenny¡¯s voice came through, calm and knowing.

    ¡°Maia, you¡¯re calling about your friend, aren¡¯t you? I¡¯ve already gone through the medical files and test results. I even discussed the case with some of your senior colleagues yesterday. The fragments in his skull are in a very delicate spot. The¡­¡±

    ¡°Surgery isn¡¯t just technically demanding; the risks afterward could be just as serious.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 729

    ?Chapter 729:

    Maia leaned in, unable to hide her urgency.

    ¡°So what¡¯s your rmendation?¡±

    Maia heard Lenny¡¯s reply, steady and reassuring.

    ¡°No need to worry just yet. There¡¯s still hope. It¡¯s always better for us to evaluate things in person, though ¡ª we need to see the patient directly and confirm a few specifics.¡±

    Letting a thoughtful silence linger, Lenny continued,

    ¡°The tools we have here are more sophisticated, so it would be best for you to bring him straight to Drakmire University¡¯s affiliated hospital. We can run an MRI and get a clear picture of the bullet fragments¡¯ location, plus see how the nerves are affected. When could you get him here?¡±

    Without hesitation, Maia replied,

    ¡°I¡¯ll book the tickets right away and arrive tomorrow morning with him.¡±

    Before long, someone in the background called for Lenny, and his voice returned, a bit rushed.

    ¡°We¡¯ll have to pause this, Maia. I¡¯m at a conference, and I¡¯m up soon. Let¡¯s pick this up once you arrive at Drakmire. Call me as soon as you get in tomorrow.¡±

    A sharp beep ended their call.

    Maia wasted no time firing up the car and pointing it toward Elysium Apartments.

    Filtered sunlight flickered across her windshield, painting patterns as she drove. For days, Maia had thrown herself into every detail of Chris¡¯ recovery. Thoughts of what needed to be done raced through her mind, and she began to mentally sort her tasks.

    She nned to start packing as soon as she reached her apartment. Chris¡¯ medical documents, MRI reports, and the case studies she had carefully collected would all go in the bag.

    Chris would be home that night, so she intended to grab his documents and secure the earliest possible flight.

    Stay updated g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s

    By moving fast, they could make it to the hospital for scans by tomorrow afternoon, then meet with her mentor for a consultation by the evening.

    This schedule set, Maia pressed her foot down on the gas, already drafting a message to Chris abouting home early.

    Meanwhile, outside the Wront Police Station, Richard had just posted bail for Jarrod, with Sandra waiting at his side.

    The heavy doors finally swung open, and officers led out a thin, weary figure.

    Jarrod stepped into the daylight, unsteady and pale.

    A short separation had drained him; his frame had grown gaunt, and deep shadows haunted his eyes.

    Lifting his head, he blinked in disbelief at the sight of Richard and Sandra waiting for him. He even rubbed his eyes, but their faces only drew nearer. What startled him most was his father¡¯s hair, nowpletely white from anxiety and frustration.

    It was hard to believe ¡ª just days before, it had still been normal.

    ¡°You¡¯ve endured so much, Jarrod.¡± Sandra¡¯s gentle voice broke through the air.

    Warmth from the sun and the heat radiating off the concrete grounded Jarrod in reality ¡ª this moment wasn¡¯t some prison-induced delusion.

    Every ounce of strength left him at once, and hisposure dissolved. Tears streaming down, he stumbled forward, seekingfort in his parents¡¯ embrace. A choked cry escaped him as he wrapped his arms around Richard.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 730

    ?Chapter 730:

    ¡°Dad! Mom! What happened to your hair, Dad? It¡¯spletely white!¡±

    Richard offered a soft smile and patted Jarrod¡¯s back, his voice unwavering.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing to fuss over. White hair is cool. The important thing is that you¡¯re home and safe.¡±

    With another reassuring squeeze, he added,

    ¡°Everything¡¯s alright now. Let¡¯s go home.¡±

    Stepping closer, Sandra rested her hand on Jarrod¡¯s head, her touch gentle and steady.

    Without thinking, Jarrod turned, holding tightly to his mother. Words caught in his throat, almost too painful to say.

    Minutes passed before he managed to stutter,

    ¡°I only wanted to help Rosanna. I never expected things to spiral like this. Hurting Axell was never my intention¡­¡±

    Sandra patted his back, her voice thick with emotion.

    ¡°You¡¯re not at fault, Jarrod. I know you were only trying to protect your sister. Nobody can predict how things will unfold in moments like those. Please don¡¯t me yourself. I know your heart.¡±

    Her reassurance only deepened his sense of remorse. He had always wondered if his parents cared more about Rosanna, but now he understood the depth of their love for him, too.

    Arranging for his release must havee at great personal cost to his parents. Yet Jarrod knew this freedom was only temporary.

    Charges from Axell still hung over him, and Axell had a reputation for holding grudges.

    Despite the uncertainty, being out in the sunlight, able to hug his parents, felt like a gift.

    He dropped his gaze, quietly sharing the harsh truth.

    ¡°While I was inside, I talked to awyer. The odds aren¡¯t good. I¡¯ll probably be locked up for at least five years.¡±

    Before despair could settle in, Richard leaned close, his tone low and urgent.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry ¡ª we¡¯ve already worked things out with Axell.¡±

    Scanning the parking lot, Richard noticed a few officers lingering nearby. He nudged Jarrod toward the car.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t the ce for details. Let¡¯s get in the car and talk privately.¡±

    Suspicion flickered across Jarrod¡¯s face, but he followed them without protest.

    Once they were seated in the car, curiosity got the best of him, and he blurted out,

    ¡°Dad, was that real? Did Axell actually back down and settle with the Morgan family? Wasn¡¯t he the one who swore I¡¯d be locked away for good?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been through hell these past few days, trapped inside that ce. Axell didn¡¯t stop at threats ¡ª he actually sent his men after me and warned that he¡¯d ruin my entire family¡¯s life!¡± Jarrod¡¯s anger spilled over, his voice shaking, barely containing his frustration. ¡°Do you really think he¡¯d ever just let me walk away from this?¡±

    Richard focused on the road ahead, his hands clutching the steering wheel as he brought the car to life. Without ncing back, he kept his tone steady.

    ¡°Everything¡¯s been handled already. We¡¯ve obtained the settlement agreement. I made sure to get awyer involved. The court session in three days is just a technicality. You cannot end up behind bars, so stay calm.¡±

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 Chapter 731

    ?Chapter 731:

    For a moment, Jarrod could only stare, stunned by the news. He turned toward his mother, searching her face for reassurance.

    ¡°Is that really what happened?¡± he managed to ask, uncertainty in his voice.

    Sandra squeezed his hand and nodded gently.

    ¡°Since we have that agreement, the whole thing looks like nothing more than a scuffle between you and Axell. No one sees it as an attack anymore. There won¡¯t be any criminal charges.¡±

    Tears welled in Jarrod¡¯s eyes as relief began to set in. Slowly, he sank into the seat and let out a deep, unsteady breath.

    Recent days had left him drained and hollow, with no appetite and sleep slipping further from reach as worry gnawed at his thoughts. Nothing haunted him more than the idea of being abandoned, and at some point, he had almost epted that five years behind bars could be his reality.

    Even so, his parents had somehow found a way to obtain Axell¡¯s forgiveness, reaching down to pull him free when he had nearly lost hope.

    ¡°Unbelievable,¡± he said, his voice trembling. ¡°I can hardly believe it. Part of me was sure you¡¯d left me behind.¡±

    Richard¡¯s grip on the steering wheel grew firm as he kept his words sharp.

    ¡°You need to remember this moment. Going forward, control your temper. Don¡¯t act on impulse.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Dad.¡± Jarrod¡¯s nod was quick and full of promise. ¡°I mean it, I¡¯ll never pull a stunt like that again.¡±

    Through the ss, shiftingndscapes retreated while sunlight spilled over Jarrod¡¯s face.

    Jarrod sank deeper into the seat, struck by the gentle warmth shining through the window.

    Hope broke through the gloom atst, promising that brighter daysy ahead.

    Keep reading g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    A sudden worry shot through his mind. He began to wonder about Rosanna, uncertain of what fate had found her after everything that happened at the birthday banquet.

    ¡°Dad, Mom¡­ I just realized Rosanna isn¡¯t here. Is she all right?¡± Worry crept into Jarrod¡¯s words as he spoke.

    The car fell into a hush. No one said a word.

    Sandra gripped her hands together and looked away, deliberately avoiding his eyes.

    Richard¡¯s expression darkened, and without warning, he mmed on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt halt.

    Everyone jerked forward from the impact, and only Richard¡¯s quick reaction kept them from crashing into the vehicle ahead.

    Jarrod felt his chest tighten.

    ¡°Dad, what¡¯s going on?¡±

    A cold hush settled inside the vehicle, the air heavy as if winter had slipped in. Both Richard and Sandra remained silent, refusing to break the tension. Jarrod kept watching them. Something wasn¡¯t right. Their faces looked strange, like they were trying to keep something from him.

    ¡°What is this all about?¡± His voice grew sharper. ¡°Dad. Mom. If something¡¯s happened, I need to know. Please don¡¯t shut me out.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 732

    ?Chapter 732:

    Sandra gave Jarrod a nce, her eyes flickering with hesitation. Her lips pressed together as if she were holding back words. Instead of speaking, she exhaled gently and looked away, refusing to meet his eyes.

    Richard veered the car off to the shoulder and brought it to a full stop. Only after stopping did he swivel in his seat, his eyes fixed on Jarrod in the back.

    With deliberate care, he reached into his jacket¡¯s inner pocket and took out his phone. He tapped the screen a few times, opening a media app. Then, without a word, he passed the phone to Jarrod.

    ¡°Lark Fashion hosted a productunch yesterday. This video¡¯s from that event. Watch it. You¡¯ll get it after that.¡±

    Taking the phone, Jarrod frowned, puzzled.

    He didn¡¯t see how any of this could possibly be rted to Rosanna.

    Before Jarrod could speak, Richard¡¯s voice sliced through the tension, deep and deliberate.

    ¡°You¡¯ll understand after watching it. The only reason Axell agreed to sign that settlement agreement¡­ was that he showed interest in Rosanna. And we¡­ we let him have her in return.¡±

    Those words hit Jarrod like a blow. A few lines, but they carried a weight he could barely process.

    Jarrod¡¯s gaze shot up, stunned.

    ¡°Are you even hearing yourself right now?¡± he yelled, his voice cracking under the strain of emotion. ¡°You gave Rosanna to that monster? If that¡¯s really what happened, then I would¡¯ve taken the punishment myself! I¡¯d rather be locked up than sacrifice my sister like that!¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s words came out raw, bursting with fury and disbelief.

    Richard moved as if to say something, but Sandra stepped in before he could.

    ???? ??????? ?? ?????????.???

    She gentlyid her hand on Jarrod¡¯s shoulder, her voice thin and tired.

    ¡°Please, Jarrod. Just listen to me. We didn¡¯t do this out of cruelty. We honestly believed it was for her sake.¡±

    For her sake?

    Jarrod couldn¡¯t believe what he was hearing. It sounded like a sick joke.

    First his father, now his mother ¡ª both of them had clearly lost all sense.

    ¡°You traded her away for a piece of paper and called that a favor to her?¡± Jarrod¡¯s voice climbed, disbelief sharpening every word. ¡°Have either of you forgotten who Axell is? He¡¯s a monster pretending to be a man! How could you do something like this to Rosanna? What did she ever do to deserve that? She¡¯s not just some pawn! She¡¯s my sister ¡ª your daughter! How could you throw her away like that?¡±

    Richard struck the steering wheel with a sharp thud. His re was fixed on Jarrod, and his words came out in a bitter rush.

    ¡°What do you want me to say? Open your eyes to what¡¯s happening. Do you think she¡¯s still the pride and joy of the Morgan family like she used to be? No! Her name is being dragged all over the inte. Tell me, which wealthy man would willingly marry her now? You know what kind of life she was leading before. There¡¯s no way she would marry an ordinary man.¡±

    He continued, his voice rising.

    ¡°Axell may not be perfect, but the Nelson family has deep pockets. He can offer Rosanna security ¡ª a future where she won¡¯t have to struggle. Thanks to her sacrifice, Axell signed the letter of understanding, and that¡¯s why you could avoid a prison sentence. Isn¡¯t this what¡¯s best for her? Isn¡¯t this what¡¯s best for you?¡±

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 Chapter 733

    ?Chapter 733:

    Shocked, Jarrod pressed his back against the seat. His words shook with disbelief.

    ¡°Dad, have you lost your mind? How can you even say that?¡±

    The shock in Jarrod¡¯s voice matched the confusion spinning inside him. Only a few days earlier, his parents were certain that Maia was the problem. Now, suddenly, Rosanna was taking the me.

    Lowering his eyes, Jarrod stared at the phone in his hand.

    The video kept ying, silent except for the tense confrontation between Maia and Alice on the screen.

    Momentster, Maia reached into her bag and pulled out the evidence. Sheid everything bare ¡ª Alice was exposed, and Maia¡¯s innocence was finally undeniable.

    Footage rolled on, capturing the tense prison interview, the heated words between Rosanna and Maia, and, atst, Maxwell stepping forward to clear Maia¡¯s name with the real proof.

    A tremor ran through Jarrod¡¯s hand. His gaze darted up, his face pale with disbelief. His words barely came out.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t Maia who stole back then? It was Rosanna?¡±

    Richard¡¯s voice dropped low.

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± said Richard.

    Ice settled over Jarrod, numbing him from his feet to his spine, as if the car seat itself had turned to stone.

    Old memories surged in his mind, clear as ever.

    In those days, Maia still carried the Morgan name. She had wept, swearing she was innocent, pleading with her family to believe her.

    But Jarrod, as her brother, had refused to listen. He remembered shoving her aside, leaving a scar on her arm ¡ª a scar she never deserved.

    The newest releases are at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    He would never forgive himself for the moment he pushed his own sister away ¡ª the sister who once never let go of his hand. In a single act of reckless cruelty, he had sent her into darkness.

    ¡°How did things get to this point? What have I done?¡± The words trembled from Jarrod as his gaze remained glued to the screen, Maia¡¯s image shining back at him. For the first time, he felt the full weight of everything he had thrown away.

    That was Maia on the video. Not just a name, but his sister, flesh and blood. shes of memory returned. Maia had turned down the birthday gift he had given with such hope.

    Recognition dawned on him. The strength and distance in her eyes at that moment ¡ª they finally made sense.

    The Morgans had left Maia broken. They had trampled her spirit until there was nothing left.

    His grip failed. The phone tumbled from his hand,nding on the seat with a dull thud, as if even the device could not hold onto the ugly truth.

    Laughter, raw and frantic, burst from Jarrod¡¯s lips. Sobs tangled with the sound, tears pouring down his cheeks.

    ¡°Rosanna¡­ that liar fooled every single one of us,¡± he gasped out between fits of brokenughter.

    Regret hit with a force that made it hard to breathe. It crashed over him, relentless, dragging him under.

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 Chapter 734

    ?Chapter 734:

    Every breath was a struggle, his heart squeezed so tightly that he wondered if it might stop beating altogether.

    He spilled out in broken noises ¡ª raspy breaths, guttural howls, and chest-deep cries that rattled the car.

    ¡°Now you understand, don¡¯t you?¡± Richard¡¯s voice cut through the air, devoid of any warmth. ¡°It was Rosanna who destroyed the Morgan family.¡±

    rm filled Sandra¡¯s eyes as she watched Jarrod unravel. She hurried tofort him, her hand gentle on his back.

    Pain like this ¡ª she understood it all too well. Truth sometimes cut deeper than any de.

    A long, sorrowful pause settled over the car. Sandra broke the silence with a sigh heavy with resignation.

    ¡°We¡¯ve given Rosanna all the chances we could. At least now she has somewhere else to go. She¡¯s not part of this family anymore, Jarrod. Let her go.¡±

    Silence sank over the car, pressing into every corner.

    Not a single word escaped Jarrod this time. His silence hung in the air, quietly giving his answer.

    A moment passed before Richard broke it, his voice a measured hush.

    ¡°There¡¯s something else you should know. Back when we were drowning in debt, when the Morgans were close to losing everything, someone stepped in. An anonymous investor, working through another business, saved us from disaster.¡±

    Pain flickered across his face as he continued.

    ¡°That person ¡ª the one who saved us ¡ª was Maia.¡±

    Shock rippled through Jarrod. His eyes went wide and his lips parted, but not a sound came out.

    Richard sighed, shaking his head.

    Stay connected at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    ¡°Maia poured her heart into this family. And how did we repay her? We drove her out, pushed her away without a second thought.¡±

    Each word seemed heavier than thest. Richard squeezed his hands into tight fists, closing his eyes as if the truth itself was too much to bear. Tears threatened in Sandra¡¯s eyes, her pain matching Richard¡¯s regret.

    With a deep breath, Richard forced his eyes open, his expression hardening with new resolve.

    ¡°Maia never stopped caring about us. Even behind bars, she thought of the Morgans. If Rosanna hadn¡¯t twisted everything, Maia would havee home after her release. That¡¯s why we owe it to her ¡ª to do whatever it takes to bring her back.¡±

    Turning to his son, Richard said, his voice growing firm.

    ¡°Jarrod, it¡¯s time for you to make things right. We need you to persuade Maia and bring her back.¡±

    Right then, regret swallowed Jarrod whole, and there wasn¡¯t a single thought in his head on how to climb out of it.

    The moment Richard spoke, he nodded with force, his words rushed and trembling.

    ¡°Dad, Mom, we need to see Maia and offer our most sincere apology. Let¡¯s go now.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 735

    ?Chapter 735:

    His chest tightened with everything he hadn¡¯t said. His voice cracked as he turned to Richard.

    ¡°Do you know where she is?¡±

    A slow shake of the head came from Richard.

    ¡°I¡¯ve tried for months. I still don¡¯t know her exact address.¡±

    Narrowing his gaze, Richard added,

    ¡°But I have a n. If we set things up right, Maia will have no choice but to see us. And when she does, this time, we¡¯ll do it right. The Morgan family can¡¯t afford to lose her again.¡±

    Determination flickered in Richard¡¯s eyes as he started the car again.

    The engine rumbled to life, and together, they sped off into the street, racing toward MCN¡¯s headquarters, hope fighting its way through all their regrets.

    The three of them pulled up to MCN¡¯s sleek building in no time. Without a second thought, Richard guided Sandra and Jarrod toward the entrance, his steps brisk.

    ¡°Let¡¯s not waste a second. The sooner we get Maia here, the better,¡± said Richard, ncing back at his family.

    Eyes wandering up the shimmering building, Jarrod took in the sheer height, his breath catching at the sight of ss and steel zing beneath the midday sun. The sunlight bounced off the pale fa?ade, throwing sharp reflections all around and highlighting the tension twisting his expression.

    Worry crept into his brow as he finally voiced his doubt.

    ¡°Dad, do you really think this is going to work? What if Maia refuses toe?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry,¡± said Richard, his voice steady and full of certainty. ¡°We¡¯ll head up to the tenth floor in just a bit, take our ce at the MCN front desk, and sit tight. If Maia doesn¡¯t show up, then we won¡¯t budge.¡±

    He continued, calm as ever,

    Stay tuned for more g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í??s.c¡ðm

    ¡°Once we do that, Pattie, MCN¡¯s owner, will lose her cool and scramble to reach Maia. I¡¯ve pulled this trick before, and it worked like a charm.¡±

    ¡°Jarrod, do what your father says,¡± said Sandra, though her shaky tone gave her away. ¡°He tracked Maia down this same way before, and it actually worked.¡±

    Even as she spoke, her mind wandered. She kept going over possible ways to speak to Maia, fumbling through imaginary apologies. She clung to the hope that the right words would somehow make things right.

    ¡°Jarrod, if we show her we mean it and say everything from the heart, she wouldn¡¯t turn us away without listening. Don¡¯t you think so?¡±

    Jarrod managed a nod, still uneasy.

    ¡°Yeah, I get it,¡± he replied, though doubt gnawed at him. Something about this n felt like they were cornering Maia, but with everything that had happened, what other option did they really have?

    Deep down, he promised himself to apologize from the heart, to let Maia know that they had run out of choices. Maybe, just maybe, she would see that all they wanted was for her toe home.

    A fragile hope connected the three of them as they crossed the polished marble floor of MCN¡¯s entrance, determination and uncertainty weighing on every step.

    Yet, the moment they stepped inside, Richard stopped cold, caught off guard by what he saw.

    Sandra and Jarrod came up short right behind him, equally stunned, unable to move another inch.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 736

    ?Chapter 736:

    Thest time they hade, the corridor by the elevators had been wide open. Now, two polished silver-gray turnstiles stood firm in their path, cutting them off with no room to pass.

    Card scanners and facial recognition devices had been installed beside the barriers, while a pair of uniformed security guards kept close watch, their eyes sharp and unblinking.

    Richard squinted at the barrier, confusion tightening his brow. He muttered to himself,

    ¡°This isn¡¯t what was here before. These turnstiles weren¡¯t around thest time I came.¡±

    Curiosity getting the better of him, Jarrod tried to step closer, only to be greeted by a harsh rm that red through the lobby. Instantly, the guards stepped forward to block his path.

    ¡°Sorry, sir. No entry without proper authorization,¡± one of them announced, his tone leaving no room for argument.

    Jarrod¡¯s cheeks flushed as he backed away, the security team returning to their original positions, their attention never wavering.

    Turning back, he met Richard¡¯s eyes, a look of defeat on his face.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like we¡¯re getting through with this n,¡± said Jarrod, trying to mask his disappointment.

    Richard, refusing to give up, leaned in and said softly,

    ¡°Let¡¯s not lose our heads. If we hang back and blend in when more people arrive, maybe we can slip inside.¡±

    It didn¡¯t take long, though, for the reality to settle in. The guards hadn¡¯t taken their eyes off them for a second. And even if they managed to blend in with a crowd, there was no way they could get to the elevators.

    Another set of turnstiles waited at the far end of the hall, demanding a second card scan to get any closer.

    Trying to sneak in would be pointless; those guards were practically glued to them now. There was simply no chance of slipping by unnoticed.

    Restlessness took over Sandra as she paced back and forth, anxiety knotting in her stomach.

    Spotting a reception desk beside the new turnstiles, she seized her chance. With brisk determination, Sandra hurried over, putting on her best smile.

    ¡°Hi there,¡± she said, trying to sound pleasant. ¡°Would you mind helping us out? We need to get upstairs to see someone. Is there any way you could let us through?¡±

    ncing up from his desk, the receptionist silently pointed toward a sign-in sheet resting nearby.

    ¡°If you¡¯re visiting someone, write your names in the log. They¡¯ll need toe down for you, or call and approve your entry,¡± the employee replied, his voice t and indifferent.

    Color rose in Sandra¡¯s cheeks, stinging with humiliation. Even with everything their family had lost, no one had ever brushed her off like this before. Still, they hade seeking help, and she swallowed her pride with effort. A strained smile touched her lips as she stepped forward.

    ¡°We¡¯re here to see Maia Watson. You know who she is, don¡¯t you? Would you mind telling her that her family hase to visit?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 737

    ?Chapter 737:

    At the sound of Maia¡¯s name, the receptionist finally looked up, studying the three of them with open curiosity.

    ¡°You¡¯re Ms. Watson¡¯s family? What are your names?¡±

    Richard stepped forward without hesitation and introduced himself. The employee¡¯s brow furrowed just a bit as he picked up the phone and dialed.

    A momentter, he said into the receiver,

    ¡°I have someone at the front desk. He says his name is Richard Morgan and ims to be Ms. Watson¡¯s father. There are two others with him. They¡¯re here to see her.¡±

    The reply came swiftly, cold enough to cut through the ss and steel around them.

    ¡°He actually has the nerve to show up? Put him on the cklist. Get them out of MCN ¡ª now.¡±

    Orders snapped into the two security guards¡¯ earpieces, prompting them to rally a team and stride purposefully toward Richard¡¯s group. No exnations were offered as the staff moved in to usher Richard, Sandra, and Jarrod from the premises.

    Realizing that his usual tactics were useless now, Richard swallowed his pride and shuffled toward the exit, with Sandra and Jarrod reluctantly following behind. His determination, however, burned undimmed. He whipped out his phone, fingers flying as he dialed Maia.

    Meanwhile, sunlight gleamed off polished hoods outside Elysium Apartments while Maia swung her car door shut. From the depths of her bag, her phone vibrated.

    The screen shed Richard¡¯s name, and Maia¡¯s response was swift ¡ª she rejected the call and quickly tapped his contact into her block list.

    ¡°Finally, some peace atst,¡± she muttered.

    Read exclusive stories .c©–m

    Her steps had barely carried her to the stairwell before her phone buzzed again.

    Sandra¡¯s name popped up this time, not Richard¡¯s.

    Displeasure tightening her jaw, Maia sent Sandra¡¯s call away and blocked her as well.

    Figuring it best to be thorough, she searched for Jarrod¡¯s number and blocked him with a final tap.

    No more interruptions would find her now.

    After stepping into her apartment, Maia dragged out her suitcase, moving quickly to pack her things.

    Folded shirtsy in neat stacks when another call lit up her phone ¡ª this time, an unfamiliar number hovered on the disy.

    Uncertainty gnawed at her. Maybe it was urgent. After a moment¡¯s pause, she pressed answer.

    No sooner had the call connected than Richard¡¯s voice red down the line, brimming with irritation.

    ¡°Maia, you blocked all of us, didn¡¯t you? Why do you have to be so ruthless?¡±

    Maia¡¯s lips tightened in irritation, surprised that Richard still hadn¡¯t given up. Her thumb hovered over the end button, but Sandra¡¯s voice suddenly piped up through the phone.

    ¡°Richard, enough with the questions. Just ask Maia where she is. If she refuses toe to us, we¡¯ll go find her and say sorry ourselves!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 738

    ?Chapter 738:

    Jarrod couldn¡¯t stay silent either.

    ¡°Maia, can you hear me? It¡¯s Jarrod. Please, can we just talk? I¡¯m really begging here.¡±

    Not missing a beat, Richard tried again.

    ¡°Maia, please, just meet with us one time. Everything that happened was our fault. We all need a chance to say what¡¯s on our minds. Will you let us?¡±

    For a moment, Maia¡¯s finger paused mid-air, uncertain.

    Their words stirred something ¡ª a flicker of emotion that showed on her face. Maybe if all of this had happened four years ago, she might have stopped to listen.

    The present was different, though. She felt no obligation.

    Their pleas fell on deaf ears.

    Resolutely, Maia pressed end and blocked the new number without a hint of hesitation.

    That would be thest time she let an unknown call through.

    On the other end, the sharp click of the call ending echoed in Richard¡¯s ear, tightening his jaw.

    Sandra¡¯s eyes zed as she rounded on him.

    ¡°Richard! What¡¯s wrong with you? Maia¡¯s already furious, and you still talk down to her? Did you ever stop to think why she blocked us? Look at this disaster ¡ª you made it worse!¡±

    The words came out in a huff, frustration seeping into every syble.

    Even though all three finally agreed toe clean and offer Maia a genuine apology, breaking lifelong patterns didn¡¯te so easily. Richard¡¯s habit of using a sharp, critical tone pushed Sandra nearly to her breaking point. They had managed to get Maia to pick up the call, only to watch the opportunity slip through their fingers because of him.

    Tension filled Jarrod¡¯s clenched fists. He swallowed his ownints about his father, but disappointment gnawed at him ¡ª any hope of making amends now seemed lost.

    Latest releases on g@?¦Ç¦Òv???s

    With a heavy sigh, Richard tried to exin himself.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t my intention¡­¡±

    Impatience colored Sandra¡¯s response.

    ¡°What¡¯s the n now? Are we supposed to keep standing out here? If Maia never shows, do we just waste the whole day?¡±

    Muttering under her breath, Sandra¡¯s irritation grew. In her mind, Richard¡¯s stubbornness topped the list of reasons Maia wanted nothing to do with the Morgan family, second only to Rosanna¡¯s constant meddling. Her re spoke volumes.

    A sudden spark crossed Jarrod¡¯s face. Rubbing the sweat from his brow, he fumbled for his phone and started typing furiously. Brightening, he looked up.

    ¡°Mom, Dad, look ¡ª if someone blocks your number, you can still text them! The messages will still get through!¡±

    He hesitated, then suggested,

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we put everything we want to say into a message and send it to Maia?¡±

    Sandra and Richard traded surprised looks, taken aback by the idea.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 739

    ?Chapter 739:

    Of course ¡ª blocking a number only prevented calls, not texts.

    ¡°That¡¯s probably the smartest move we have,¡± said Richard, wasting no time as he reached for his phone. ¡°With any luck, Maia will agree to see us.¡±

    Together, the three of them got to work, tapping out and revising their messages in hopes of a breakthrough.

    Across town, Maia methodically packed away Chris¡¯ medical files and the stack of research notes she had spent monthspiling. Once everything fit snugly in her suitcase, she finally allowed herself to sit down and pour a ss of water.

    Reaching for her phone, she tapped out a quick message to Chris.

    ¡°I¡¯ve already spoken to the professor. Try toe home a little earlier tonight so you can rest. We¡¯re flying to Drakmire tomorrow morning. By the way, don¡¯t forget your driver¡¯s license.¡±

    Soon, Chris¡¯ response came.

    ¡°Okay, I remember. I¡¯ve already put it in the bag in my room. Check if it¡¯s there.¡±

    The speed of his reply made Maia pause. Immediately, she went to his room, reached for his bag on the desk, and dug around. Finally, she found his driver¡¯s license tucked away in an inner pocket.

    Without hesitation, she sent Chris another message.

    ¡°Found it. I¡¯ll book us on the 8 a.m. flight to Drakmire, so we can head straight to the university hospital for your MRI that afternoon.¡±

    This time, silence greeted her. No reply.

    Her phone buzzed again ¡ª not a message, but an iing call.

    One of her team members was on the line, breathless with excitement.

    ¡°Boss! You wanted me to watch the Cooper Group, right? Well, you¡¯ll want to hear this. They justnded a massive payment ¡ª over a billion! Looks like they¡¯re gearing up for a major contract.¡±

    Maia¡¯s mind sharpened at the news. She remembered reaching out to her team after taking Aurora Apparel from Mariana, instructing them to track every move the Cooper Group made.

    Your favorite tales live on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s

    Keeping tabs on Kolton served two purposes. She wanted to be ready for any bacsh if he tried to double-cross her, and she needed to gather ammunition for the day she finally brought down the Cooper Group for good.

    Hearing that the initial deposit alone was over a billion, Maia¡¯s mind spun with questions. Just how massive was this deal Kolton hadnded? Was the total value reaching ten billion ¡ª or even more?

    The Cooper Group had always been a powerhouse, its influence stretching across the country. Their reach was practically bottomless.

    It was obvious that Kolton had orchestrated this, likely hoping a high-profile transaction would lift thepany¡¯s sagging stock price.

    But Maia wasn¡¯t about to sit back and watch the Cooper Group w its way out of trouble.

    What she truly needed was more chaos ¡ª falling share prices would give her the perfect chance to grab up more stock.

    She leaned forward, her voice sharp.

    ¡°Any idea what kind of deal they¡¯re making?¡±

    .

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    .

 Chapter 740

    ?Chapter 740:

    ¡°Boss, you¡¯re trying to blow up the deal, aren¡¯t you?¡± said her subordinate, sounding far too pleased with himself. He had a solid grasp of how Maia operated and didn¡¯t bother hiding it.

    ¡°I just broke into the Cooper Group¡¯s sales system and found something off. The transaction details are vague, no mention of the product specs at all. That¡¯s enough for me to believe there¡¯s something shady going on.¡±

    His tone dropped to a conspiratorial whisper as he said,

    ¡°The goods are already on board a cargo ship, parked at Port 13. They¡¯re nning to set sail at eleven tonight, which is way off from normal schedules. The Cooper Group is hiding something big.¡±

    Maia couldn¡¯t help but smile, raising an eyebrow at his thoroughness. Her team was finally starting to see the bigger picture.

    ¡°Impressive. Looks like you¡¯re finally thinking things through,¡± she said, her tone half teasing. ¡°So, any ideas for sabotaging the deal?¡±

    A flustered cough sounded on the line.

    Her subordinate scrambled for an answer.

    ¡°I called you as soon as I figured this out! You¡¯re the boss here. I figured you¡¯d have the perfect n already.¡±

    ¡°Enough excuses,¡± Maia snapped, her authority clear. ¡°Get me every detail you can about that freighter ¡ª focus on the steering, main controls, andwork systems. I want that ship to get lost at sea tonight. Make sure it doesn¡¯t deliver the cargo on time.¡±

    A sh of interest lit up in Maia¡¯s subordinate¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Wait, are we actually going to break into the cargo ship¡¯s control system?¡±

    Ships typically run on aging software ¡ª twenty-five, maybe thirty years old at best. Security gaps widen as updates get skipped. Maia outlined the possibilities: those old VSAT terminals were easy prey, their satellite interfaces ripe for spoofing. Navigation systems also presented juicy targets, all too often neglected. She broke it down simply.

    After giving him enough time toprehend her exnation, she continued,

    M¦Òr? ¦Ôpd¦Át?s ¨ªn G¦Áln¦Òv?ls.c¦Òm

    ¡°We have three options. The first: mess with their navigation ¡ª spoof the GPS and send the ship off course or onto the rocks. The second: hit the propulsion controls, push the engines until they overheat, or slip in some code to lock everything down. The third: take over the main control unit, lock up themand functions, and force a total system shutdown. Clear enough?¡±

    Wide-eyed and almost breathless, the subordinate scribbled notes at lightning speed, barely able to keep up.

    No wonder Maia led Pris ¡ª her expertise seemed endless and her confidence unmatched.

    ¡°Boss, you¡¯re incredible! Nobody else exins things like you,¡± he said, then admitted with a bashful grin, ¡°Though most of that flew right over my head.¡±

    Maia just shook her head.

    ¡°Forget it for now. Send me all the data, and I¡¯ll show you how to handle the rest. If you¡¯ve got a spare minute, dig up some case studies. Either way, we need to move fast. Time isn¡¯t on our side.¡±

    ¡°Will do! I¡¯ll tap into the maritime bureau and get the cargo ship¡¯s specs right away!¡±

    .

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    .

 Chapter 741

    ?Chapter 741:

    At the same time, somewhere else behind closed doors, Chris arrived at the same strategies as Maia. He pored over technical schematics, running simtions for each possible point of attack.

    His analysis was clear: the navigation system offered the path of least resistance, while the main control core would put up the stiffest fight.

    With crisp authority, Chris addressed his team.

    ¡°Alright, everyone ¡ª n A goes live.¡±

    His intention was simple: set the vessel adrift, lost and helpless in open water.

    Cast adrift, the vessel would wander the sea forever ¡ª a ghost ship destined never to findnd.

    Responding instantly, the base¡¯s personnelunched into motion the moment Chris issued hismand.

    A message from Maxwell shed onto Chris¡¯ screen.

    ¡°Hawk is already in position!¡±

    Frustration tightened Chris¡¯ jaw. He dismissed Maxwell¡¯s update, his focus lingering on Maia¡¯s unopened message. After a brief pause, he opted to leave it unanswered.

    Elsewhere, Maia nced at her phone, noticing the silence from Chris¡¯ end. A quick check of the clock told her everything she needed to know.

    Assuming that he must be on the road, she decided not to press the matter.

    Just then, a new email from her teamnded in her inbox. Amusement glimmered in her eyes as she read.

    ¡°Now this cargo ship system¡­ that¡¯s a puzzle worth my time.¡±

    Meanwhile, at the Cooper Group headquarters, Kolton¡¯s eyes narrowed, a steely edge hardening his expression in the executive suite.

    News of an attempted hack targeting the ship¡¯s systems had juste in.

    Updates loaded now at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe?s

    ¡°Those fools from before must¡¯ve learned their lesson. No way they¡¯d risk a frontal assault afterst time.¡±

    A distorted voice cut through the video call. Across the screen, a sharply dressed man reclined in an ornate chair, face hidden by a sleek ck mask, with only his cold, predatory stare visible.

    ¡°Their ringleader took a bullet in thest encounter. Even if he¡¯s still alive, he won¡¯t be much of a threat now.¡±

    Kolton owed much of his power to the enigmatic figure seated across from him ¡ª his greatest ally in the shadows.

    A gravelly rasp colored every word the man spoke, hinting at old injuries to his throat.

    Kolton had never glimpsed the features hidden behind the mask, and the stranger¡¯s real identity remained a mystery.

    He knew only to call him ¡°Thomas,¡± following the instructions given from the very start.

    Determination set in Kolton¡¯s jaw.

    ¡°Whatever it takes, Thomas, that shipment leaves tonight! Last time, the loss of cargo nearly ruined our reputation. Another failure will destroy us with the buyers.¡±

    A chilling chuckle echoed from Thomas.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 742

    ?Chapter 742:

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. My defenses are unbreakable ¡ª no hacker alive can get through, not even Hawk from ST.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s tension eased at those words, some confidence returning to his posture.

    He replied,

    ¡°Perfect. If they can¡¯t crack the system, they¡¯ll have to take the ship by force. And when they show themselves, I¡¯ll hunt down everyst one. I want the names of those bold enough to challenge the Cooper Group from the shadows!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll crush anyone who dares defy the Cooper Group!¡± Kolton proimed, his voice a zing crucible of righteous indignation.

    Emboldened by Thomas¡¯ assurance, Kolton¡¯s eyes glinted with resolve. He grabbed his phone and called his subordinates.

    ¡°Trace their IP address and ry it to the operations team. I demand to know the identities of these insolent upstarts who presume to challenge me!¡±

    At hismand, the covert operatives tasked with safeguarding thework surged into action, their fingers dancing across keyboards in a fric counteroffensive against the digital intruders.

    Swiftly, they repelled the initial onught.

    ¡°Sir, we¡¯ve thwarted the first assault,¡± one operative reported, his voice taut with focus. ¡°But the source address was routed through abyrinth of nodes, obscuring the true IP.¡±

    Before the words could settle, the operative¡¯s screen erupted in a constetion of crimson alerts.

    ¡°This is dire,¡± he muttered, his tone edged with rm. ¡°We¡¯re not facing a lone attacker. It¡¯s a coordinated syndicate,unching a multivector assault.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s brow arched in astonishment.

    ¡°A syndicate?¡± he echoed, the word heavy with disbelief.

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    Thomas¡¯ visage flickered back onto the screen, his presencemanding.

    ¡°No cause for rm,¡± he dered, his gravelly timbre a steady anchor amid the storm. ¡°Your foes have clearly squandered vast resources on a cadre of hackers, but they¡¯re no match for us.¡±

    Thomas¡¯ voice, deep and resonant, quelled the unease coiling in Kolton¡¯s chest. It summoned a memory of a past conversation when Thomas had spoken of the hacker underworld¡¯s titans: the formidable ST and the ascendant Pris, locked in eternal rivalry.

    There was, however, another ancient and mysterious hacker group whose strength rivaled either of these two giants.

    Many believed that this group had vanished into history¡¯s folds, but Thomas had imed its annihtion at his hands.

    Kolton¡¯s gaze swept over the operatives around him, their faces illuminated by the glow of monitors. A sudden suspicion flickered. Could these be the remnants of that fabled group, now bound to Thomas¡¯ will?

    The thought draped him in a mantle of calm.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been overthinking,¡± he murmured, dismissing his doubts.

    From the looks of it, tonight would likely pass without any major incidents. Barring the emergence of some prodigious hacker from the shadows, only a union of ST and Pris could breach the fortress of Thomas¡¯ defenses. And that was clearly impossible. ST and Pris were sworn adversaries, their enmity a bedrock of the digital realm.

    ¡°My gratitude, Thomas,¡± Kolton said, his voice steeped in reverence. Ordinarily, Kolton cloaked himself in a veneer of cool detachment, but before Thomas, he shed all pretense of indifference.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 743

    ?Chapter 743:

    Over the years, he had glimpsed only fragments of Thomas¡¯ enigmatic power, enough to know that countless factions bowed to his influence. As for the full extent of Thomas¡¯ power, Kolton had no way of knowing. Still, he felt fortunate to have been chosen by Thomas and guided to where he stood today.

    Therge screen went dark once more.

    The room fell silent, save for the stato symphony of keyboards as the operatives pressed their vigil.

    ¡°The first wave was likely a feint, sir,¡± one reported. ¡°This second assault was their true gambit, but we¡¯ve neutralized it.¡±

    ¡°Well done,¡± Kolton replied, a relieved smile softening his features. ¡°Stay vignt. They may yet have more in store. Keep thework under constant watch.¡±

    The operatives nodded in unison, their focus unbroken as they resumed their task.

    A surge of control coursed through Kolton, lifting his spirits and dispelling the fog of his earlier failure to ensnare Maia.

    In the dimly lit recesses of an underground base nestled beneath a bar, Chris stood with arms folded, his brow furrowed as he scrutinized a sprawling screen. When had Kolton acquired such an impregnable defense?

    After a moment¡¯s reflection, he deduced that the shadowy power behind Kolton must have intervened.

    ¡°Ready the next wave of attacks,¡± hemanded, his voice a low growl of determination.

    His phone buzzed to life, and as he answered, Maxwell¡¯s voice crackled through.

    ¡°New developments, Chris. Hawk reports that while prepping the second wave, he detected another force probing the cargo ship¡¯s defensework. He¡¯s asking if you¡¯ve enlisted additional allies.¡±

    Chris¡¯ brow tightened into a knot the moment he heard the news. As the architect behind ST, he had built it from the ground up with his own hands ¡ª he never leaned on outside help.

    ???? ??????? ?? ?????????.???

    ¡°No, this is the kind of matter that must stay in-house,¡± he said firmly. ¡°Have Hawk dig deeper ¡ª see if he can smoke out who¡¯s behind that force.¡±

    Maxwell was caught off guard for a second.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t loop in anyone else? And you didn¡¯t step in personally either? Then who in the world has the chops to pull this off? Hawk just told me the other side¡¯s encryption is fortress-level stuff. They¡¯re hopping IPs and masking their trail like ghosts in a storm. He tracked them as far as an overseas server before the trail went cold.¡±

    For a fleeting moment, Chris¡¯ thoughts brushed past another group as formidable as ST. But he quickly shook off the notion. That crew was known for stirring the pot, not for lending a hand.

    Whether friend or foe, it was too early to tell. But from the breadcrumbs scattered so far, their goal seemed to mirror his own: stopping the cargo ship from leaving port on schedule.

    ¡°Put them on the back burner for now,¡± Chrismanded with resolve. ¡°Tell Hawk to stay on the offensive. Our missiones first. Chasing shadows can wait.¡±

    ¡°Got it!¡± Maxwell answered without missing a beat and ended the call.

    Meanwhile, on Maia¡¯s end, a call came through from one of her team members.

    ¡°Boss, do you think the Cooper Group brought in those ST devils? The cargo ship¡¯s firewall is way tougher than I expected!¡±

    .

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 Chapter 744

    ?Chapter 744:

    He hesitated briefly before continuing,

    ¡°And get this ¡ª I just picked up on someone else hammering at the ship¡¯s defense. They¡¯re no amateur. Boss¡­ don¡¯t tell me you jumped in because you thought I was drowning over here?¡±

    Maia was at a loss.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t me,¡± she denied without hesitation. ¡°I figured you and Pris could handle a cargo ship¡¯s system in your sleep.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Then who the heck is it?¡± the subordinate asked, his voice trailing into puzzled silence.

    A subtle furrow appeared on Maia¡¯s brow, a trace of realization dawning.

    ¡°If you noticed them, you must¡¯ve gotten a trace. What did the IP point to?¡±

    ¡°They cloaked themselves underyers of fake addresses, but my analysis puts them somewhere in Wront,¡± he reported honestly. ¡°That¡¯s why I assumed it was you.¡±

    ¡°Wront?¡± Maia echoed, her voice dripping with doubt as her eyes narrowed. Now her curiosity was utterly piqued. Who else was ying in her backyard? She herself was in Wront and hadn¡¯t heard whispers of any other elite hackers operating in the city.

    ¡°Could be another smokescreen.¡±

    ¡°So, what now?¡±

    Maia paused, then spoke with calm conviction.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who they are. For now, it looks like they¡¯re chasing the same oue we are. So keep pressing the attack. If the navigation system won¡¯t break, shift focus to the propulsion system. Hit them where it hurts.¡±

    ¡°Understood!¡± the subordinate replied without dy.

    Your next story is at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    Elsewhere, in Kolton¡¯s domain, a wall of monitors burst into a flurry of shing red alerts. The screens blinked with warnings like fireflies in a forest ze ¡ª his defense system had entered crisis mode.

    ¡°Sir, we¡¯ve got another wave of attacks!¡± a covert operative reported, his voice tight with urgency, sweat beading along his temples. ¡°This batch is bigger than thest ¡ª the number of active nodes has doubled! And they¡¯re noting from one ce anymore. Half are pinging from Amerya, the other half from Otruitho. I¡¯m betting we¡¯re dealing with two separate attackers!¡±

    Kolton, who moments earlier had been reclining with the ease of a man in control, straightened with a frown cutting across his face.

    ¡°Two attackers?¡± He chuckled, a bitter amusement in his tone. ¡°What¡¯s next ¡ª are you going to tell me it¡¯s ST and Pris teaming up? Don¡¯t make meugh. There¡¯s no universe where those two would join forces. And it¡¯s even less likely that two different genius-level groups would decide to crash the same party at the same time. Clearly, someone¡¯s trying to pull wool over our eyes.¡±

    He leaned forward, his voice dropping like a hammer.

    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in excuses ¡ª I want results. If you let this fall apart, then you¡¯d better have an exnation ready for your superior.¡±

    The moment those words from Koltonnded, the covert operatives stiffened, their reactions betraying a flicker of shock.

    Without wasting another second, they returned to work, though the sudden chill in their expressions revealed their unease. Kolton¡¯s earlier warning had clearly shaken them. They shifted gears and beganunching counterattacks that mirrored the enemy¡¯s offensive rhythm.

    As the sh continued, something clicked. The patterns they were responding to felt eerily familiar. It became clear that these movements resembled those used by the two hacking organizations. Fortunately, their team had trained under simtions that mimicked tactics from both.

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 Chapter 745

    ?Chapter 745:

    ¡°We¡¯ve pushed them back! Judging by how they move, there¡¯s a high chance that one is ST!¡± one of the operatives said to Kolton with urgency. ¡°We¡¯ve already deployed our countermeasures against ST and have sessfully stalled their advance!¡±

    Kolton¡¯s fingers twitched, a subtle tremor giving away his apprehension. This was the one scenario he had feared most.

    ¡°What about the second group?¡± he asked quietly.

    ¡°That second group¡­ theirbat style lines up almost exactly with Pris.¡±

    A sudden tension filled the room, and even the steady tapping of keyboards slowed to a cautious rhythm.

    Kolton narrowed his eyes, his tone dropping to a cial whisper.

    ¡°What did you just say? Did you just mention both ST and Pris? Are you sure?¡±

    Without saying a word, the covert operative swiveled the monitor toward him. A few swift clicks brought up a partially decoded segment.

    ¡°We identified their digital signature. It¡¯s hidden underyers of encryption, but the core markers are still there.¡±

    Kolton¡¯sposure cracked.

    ¡°Impossible!¡±

    He sprang from his seat and mmed his hand against the desk. The ss nearby rattled violently, nearly tipping over.

    ¡°Those two groups have been at each other¡¯s throats for years! Why would they ever join forces?¡±

    ¡°Could be a coincidence,¡± one operative muttered. ¡°Or maybe¡­ someone pulled strings for them and made them join forces.¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Kolton¡¯s eyes cut through the room like a sharpened knife. ¡°Tell me. Who could do that? Is there anyone out there powerful enough to control both groups? Who has that kind of reach? Stop tossing around wild theories to cover your failures!¡±

    Stay tuned for more g??lno¦Íe??s.c?m

    His jaw clenched as he tapped the desk with short, clipped motions, eyes locked on the feed.

    ¡°Maintain the pressure. I want them pushed back.¡±

    Momentster, a report came in with encouraging news.

    ¡°We managed to drive them back, sir!¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± A breath escaped Kolton as the tension finally loosened from his shoulders. It turned out that neither ST nor Pris had anything to do with the attack. He had let paranoia get the best of him.

    Deep within a hidden facility, the tension in Maxwell¡¯s voice crackled through the receiver.

    ¡°Our third assault just got shut down, Chris. Hawk says it¡¯s like they¡¯re reading our every move. Their counters? Practically wless.¡±

    Facing a towering wall of digital feeds, Chris remained still. His gaze lingered on the shifting data, and a hint of amusement yed on his face.

    ¡°Standard methods won¡¯t cut it. Time to shake things up,¡± he replied, unbothered. ¡°Order every ST operative to go online. I want a full-on assault. Tell Hawk to jam theirmand signals and wreck their navigation systems. Strip that cargo ship of even its most basic auto-controls.¡±

    At those words, a fire sparked in Maxwell¡¯s eyes.

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 Chapter 746

    ?Chapter 746:

    ¡°Got it! Let¡¯s give Kolton a crash course in how cyber warfare is really done.¡±

    In another location, Maia watched her subordinate falter before finally stepping in herself. She logged into her ount and issued amand to all Pris members.

    ¡°Everyone, get online. Time to strike back!¡±

    A message popped up in the group chat almost immediately.

    ¡°I need backup here! Sending the coordinates now!¡±

    One by one, Pris operatives from every corner of the world began to connect.

    A flood of attackmands erupted all at once, relentless and precise. With both ST and Pris fully mobilized, a storm of crimson data trails surged from global nodes, all zeroing in on the ship¡¯s digital framework.

    Never before had ST and Pris, the two most dangerous hacker syndicates,unched a joint operation.

    Their reason for joining forces remained a mystery, but their coordination was wless. Every line of code struck like a weapon, driven by a shared mission ¡ª to destroy the cargo ship¡¯s critical systems.

    Meanwhile, across the city in Kolton¡¯s office, every monitor in the room suddenly shed crimson as the shrill wail of rms filled the air.

    Panic overtook one of the covert operatives as he shot upright, hisplexion drained of all color.

    ¡°Sir, something¡¯s wrong! The operating system is copsing!¡±

    Kolton jolted out of his chair in disbelief.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening? Have you checked on the cargo ship?¡±

    The thought that their enemies could break through the operatives¡¯ internalwork had never crossed his mind.

    Fumbling for backup, one covert operative reached for hismunicator. But after he heard the reply, his movements grew unsteady, and he nearly lost his footing.

    ???? ??????? ?? ?????????.???

    Kolton¡¯s anger rose as he shouted,

    ¡°Exin yourself! What is happening right now?¡±

    The operative responded,

    ¡°They¡¯ve locked us out of the ship¡¯s navigation and broken through to the propulsion controls. Every safeguard we had has failed.¡±

    Frustration etched deep lines into Kolton¡¯s face. He cared little for the technical jargon and wanted nothing but the bottom line.

    ¡°Skip the details ¡ª just tell me, is the cargo ship still operational?¡±

    Nobody answered. The operatives hung their heads, paralyzed by their own defeat.

    In that tense moment, Kolton¡¯s phone buzzed. On the other end, the transport lead for the night¡¯s shipment sounded frantic.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, we have a critical emergency! The cargo ship¡¯s navigation is down, and the engine system has just overheated ¡ª it¡¯s on fire!¡±

    A deafening st suddenly thundered through the phone as the man tried to exin.

    Kolton flinched, the sharp sound cutting straight through the connection and rattling his nerves.

    Heavy breathing filled the line as the caller struggled to regainposure.

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 Chapter 747

    ?Chapter 747:

    ¡°The engine room¡¯s gone up in mes ¡ª it¡¯s exploded!¡±

    Cold fear crawled down Kolton¡¯s spine, tightening his chest. Disbelief left him momentarily speechless.

    On the other end, pure chaos erupted. Cries for help ovepped with frantic shouts to put out the fire.

    Kolton managed to bark orders through clenched teeth.

    ¡°Move the cargo ¡ª now! Grab whatever you can and get it off the ship! Cut the losses!¡±

    He stumbled backward, copsing into his chair, bloodshot eyes wide with shock, unable to process the disaster unfolding.

    Fury barely in check, he turned to the silent operatives.

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to have this under control?¡±

    No one answered. Shame forced every head downward.

    After a long silence, one operative broke, his voice thin and defeated.

    ¡°Sir, we tried everything. We truly did.¡±

    Grinding his teeth, Kolton fought to make sense of the cmity.

    How could so many skilled hackers attack at once? Could ST and Pris really have joined forces? That seemed impossible ¡ª those two groups never coborated, and he had no reason for them to target him. Unless¡­ someone powerful enough had orchestrated this, forcing a partnership no one expected.

    Who in the world couldmand enough power to rally two elite hacker groups at the same time?

    That unsettling question churned through Kolton¡¯s thoughts, paranoia gnawing at him as the crisis spiraled further from his grasp.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± The curse tore from his lips, all traces ofposure gone. Clearly, he had misjudged his opponents ¡ª these weren¡¯t amateurs looking for a quick score.

    Despite the chaos, one priority remained: the cargo had to be moved and the shipment delivered.

    With that goal front and center, Kolton¡¯s cold discipline slowly returned. A sharp, derisive snort escaped him.

    Rising deliberately from his chair, his eyes took on the cold glint of a hunter about to strike.

    ¡°Did they really believe blowing up one ship could bring me to my knees?¡±

    His head tilted, voice dropping to a low, menacing whisper that cut through the tension.

    ¡°Fortunately, I nned for something like this.¡±

    Originally, the second massive freighter had been set up as bait to lure his enemies over. But circumstances now forced his hand ¡ª this backup would have to be the main transport.

    Without hesitation, Kolton punched in a number.

    ¡°Move everything onto the second vessel. Pull all the armed operatives from the cargo ship ¡ª have them take smaller boats and form a tight escort. Tonight¡¯s schedule doesn¡¯t change.¡±

    He crossed to the window, eyes narrowing as he watched the distant glow of harbor lights flickering across the water. His next words slipped out, colder than the night air.

    ¡°Push the departure forward by an hour.¡±

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 Chapter 748

    ?Chapter 748:

    The order was met with instant obedience.

    ¡°Understood, sir!¡±

    Kolton ended the call, a bitterugh twisting his mouth.

    ¡°Whoever you are, if you think one ship¡¯s loss spells my defeat, you¡¯re sorely mistaken.¡±

    Right now, those hackers were likely celebrating, utterly unaware that a second, identical vessel even existed.

    As an added precaution, he had erased every digital trace of the backup ship¡¯s arrival, making its presence invisible to prying eyes. No one would guess that there were two ships ¡ª matching in every detail ¡ª hidden in in sight.

    Now, with the decoy and the true transport having swapped ces, Kolton was determined not to repeat past mistakes.

    Facing his covert team, he issued a final, ice-edgedmand.

    ¡°You¡¯ll board that ship as well. Strip out everyworkponent. I wantplete istion from the outside world. This is your chance to redeem yourselves ¡ª do not fail me again.¡±

    A wave of dread swept through the operatives as they scrambled to obey, wasting no time as they filed out of the office.

    At the same time, Maia¡¯s crew had already burst into loud celebration.

    ¡°Boss! Mission aplished!¡± one subordinate shouted, his voice catching as excitement got the better of him. ¡°Wepletely wrecked the engine! The navigation system¡¯s toast! The Coopers must be scrambling like headless chickens right about now!¡±

    ¡°Good work,¡± Maia said, a quiet smile tugging at her lips as her voice rang with genuine approval.

    ¡°Hah!¡± the subordinate chuckled, clearly pleased with himself, as though he¡¯d just won a medal. ¡°Even if they make a move now, there¡¯s no way they¡¯ll get those goods out without a hitch. They won¡¯t find another freighter that quickly ¡ª no chance. I also went through the port¡¯s data. As of now, there¡¯s just one huge vessel tied up at the docks.¡±

    New content uploaded g?ln¦Òv??ls?c?m

    These words struck Maia, and the smile slipped from her face. Her gaze turned sharp, and her voice came out firm and deliberate.

    ¡°Check again ¡ª don¡¯t leave anything to chance. Kolton might have an ace up his sleeve.¡±

    ¡°Seriously? Come on, that can¡¯t be.¡±

    ¡°Quit dawdling and get moving!¡± she snapped. Her tone brooked no objections.

    Once the call ended, Maia grabbed the coffee cup sitting nearby and took a small sip.

    Out of the blue, her phone buzzed again. She looked down and spotted a message from Chris.

    ¡°Maxwell ran into something tonight. I¡¯ll be back by seven.¡±

    Maia blinked once, then a soft smile tugged at her lips without her realizing it.

    Her thumbs danced over the screen as she typed quickly,

    ¡°It¡¯s settled then. I¡¯m whipping up a few homemade dishes to help you bounce back. Don¡¯t keep me waiting!¡±

    Chris shot back a reply almost right away.

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 Chapter 749

    ?Chapter 749:

    ¡°Lately I¡¯ve been bouncing back faster and feeling stronger. It¡¯s gotta be those amazing meals you¡¯ve been cooking, honey. And hey ¡ª when food¡¯s involved, you can bet I¡¯ll be on time. Seven it is!¡±

    It made perfect sense that he was getting better so quickly ¡ª Maia had been preparing meals loaded with rare, top-shelf ingredients known for their healing properties.

    She hadn¡¯t tallied the total price, but she knew it had cost a small fortune ¡ª easily several hundred grand. With that kind of quality, how could his recovery not speed up?

    She had been extra careful with what she used, selecting only the most potent, nourishing items. It was no surprise that he felt more alive by the day. Maia¡¯s eyes lingered on the word honey in his message. A light flush crept into her ears, and warmth spread across her cheeks.

    Her spirits lifted in an instant. With a soft grin, she quickly shot off another message to Chris.

    ¡°Smooth talker. Alright then¡­ I¡¯ll whip up a few extra dishes for you tonight.¡±

    Chris couldn¡¯t help but grin when Maia¡¯s reply popped up.

    He was well aware Kolton wasn¡¯t one to throw in the towel easily. Facing his team at the base, he barked out a clearmand.

    ¡°Stay sharp, everyone. Keep a close eye on that cargo ship. Kolton will try to move the goods for sure. If you spot any other vessels, use the same trick as before ¡ª knock out their navigation early.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± the group answered in unison.

    Right then, a senior officer stepped forward.

    ¡°Sir, why don¡¯t you head home and get some rest? We¡¯ve got this covered. Besides, Kolton won¡¯t find another ship big enough for that load anytime soon. We just hacked the port¡¯s system and checked the logs ¡ª there¡¯s only one giant cargo ship docked today.¡±

    Chris gave a nod and got ready to leave the base. Still, a nagging feeling crept over him.

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    As he stepped out of the bar, he paused for a second but then decided to call Maxwell.

    ¡°Go to the docks and watch from afar. Keep tabs on what¡¯s going on.¡±

    ¡°No problem!¡± Maxwell said right away. Then, after a beat, he added, ¡°Hey, why don¡¯t we go together? Afterwards, we can grab a drink or something. Don¡¯t forget ¡ª you still owe me dinner fromst time.¡±

    ¡°Maybe another time,¡± Chris said, keeping his tone cool. ¡°My wife¡¯s cooking tonight, so I¡¯m definitely heading home for dinner.¡±

    Maxwell was caught off guard, momentarily lost for words. He shouldn¡¯t have said that ¡ª it felt like he¡¯d just stumbled into a couple¡¯s private moment.

    ¡°Alright. Just don¡¯t forget, okay? I¡¯m heading down to the docks now. If anything pops up, I¡¯ll give you a heads-up.¡±

    After hanging up, Chris stepped briskly out of the alley, climbed into his car, and drove straight to Elysium Apartments.

    In the kitchen, Maia wore an apron as she rinsed the ingredients. The rich, herbal scent from the soup bubbling on the stove filled the air.

    Her phone buzzed once more.

    Without thinking, she grabbed it and nced at the screen. It was a message from Richard.

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 Chapter 750

    Chapter 750:

    The notification preview disyed part of the message. It was my fault, Maia. Please give me another chance.

    Without hesitation, Maia deleted it with a single swipe.

    Regretful pleas like this had lost all meaning to her long ago. Some bridges, once burned, could never be rebuilt. The Morgan family had received their chances before. Every time, they had thrown those opportunities away.

    Deep down, Maia had always known the Morgan house was never truly her home. Real family didn¡¯t exist for her within those walls.

    Home meant having people who genuinely cared about you. Finally, she had discovered her real family ¡ª Ethan, Kathie¡­ maybe even Chris belonged in that circle now.

    Another vibration buzzed through her phone.

    Sandra¡¯s name shed across the screen this time. Maia, we made terrible mistakes, but Rosanna manipted all of us. The truth has finallye out, and my heart is breaking. I never imagined I could hurt you so badly. Maia, please forgive me. I¡¯m begging you.

    Reading those words felt like being pped. A cold smile touched Maia¡¯s lips, though ice filled her eyes. She deleted Sandra¡¯s message just as quickly as the first. Both Richard¡¯s and Sandra¡¯s contacts went straight into her spam folder.

    Whatever pathetic messages they sent from now on would disappear into digital oblivion.

    Before she could set her phone down, another notification popped up. Jarrod¡¯s name appeared on the screen.

    Maia, I¡¯ve destroyed everything through my own stupidity. The regret is eating me alive. I was blind back then, wounding you and shattering your trust. Please, I need to exin everything face to face. Will you meet me?

    Behind all that supposed remorse, Maia recognized the same old maniption tactics.

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    Cold eyes scanned the message before her finger moved decisively. Delete.

    Jarrod joined his parents in spam folder exile.

    Setting her phone on the coffee table, Maia rose and headed toward the kitchen to finish preparing tonight¡¯s dinner. The girl named Maia Morgan had died long ago.

    She was Maia Watson now ¡ª a woman who had survived prison and wed her way back to build a new life.

    Those empty apologies held no power over her anymore.

    Meanwhile, at the Morgan family residence, Richard had just finished crafting his apology message after MCN resumed operations. He hit send, then waited. The message seemed to disappear into a void ¡ª no response came from Maia.

    Turning to Sandra and Jarrod, Richard asked,

    ¡°Have you both sent your messages?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Sandra said quickly with a nod. ¡°Jarrod and I both sent ours already.¡±

    ¡°Any reply from Maia?¡± Richard¡¯s voice carried a note of desperate hope.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Sandra and Jarrod answered together.

    ¡°Not even a single word?¡± Richard¡¯s face darkened.

    Both Sandra and Jarrod shook their heads in unison.

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: New novels in a few hours, hope you like them dear readers. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (?? ? ??)?

    .

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 751

    ?Chapter 751:

    ¡°Complete silence.¡±

    The three of them slumped against the couch, weighed down by an oppressive guilt that seemed to drain their very souls.

    Suffocating tension filled the room.

    Eventually, their anxiety boiled over into usations. Each began ming the others for failing to believe Maia back then. Fingers pointed as they argued over who was truly responsible for driving her away.

    ¡°She wouldn¡¯t actually cut us offpletely, would she¡­?¡± Sandra¡¯s voice cracked with uncertainty, tears threatening to spill from her reddened eyes.

    ¡°And now you¡¯re worried about that?¡± Richard¡¯s voice dripped with scorn. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t been so quick to believe every lie Rosanna fed you, we wouldn¡¯t be drowning in this mess.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± Sandra¡¯s eyes zed as she fired back. ¡°You were the first one screaming about cutting ties with Maia! You practically shoved her out the door yourself, calling her an ungrateful brat every chance you got!¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡± Richard¡¯s face turned crimson, words failing himpletely.

    ¡°Enough!¡± Jarrod¡¯s voice cracked like a whip as he shot to his feet. ¡°What¡¯s the point of this pathetic me game?¡±

    Richard and Sandra both froze, their heated argument dying in their throats as they stared at him.

    ¡°Every single person in this family is guilty!¡± Jarrod¡¯s voice turned ice-cold. ¡°But if we¡¯re ranking who deserves the most me, you both know exactly who it should be.¡±

    Bitterness seeped into his tone. ¡°All of this destructiones back to one person ¡ª Rosanna, that maniptive snake. She¡¯s the poison that drove Maia away. Who knows how she¡¯s doing now?¡±

    Sandra¡¯s mind immediately shed back to that terrible night ¡ª the night she and Richard had drugged Rosanna and delivered her to the Nelson family like a package.

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    Guilt twisted in her stomach. She looked away, unable to speak.

    Richard, however, let out a harshugh. ¡°What could possibly happen to that little schemer? She¡¯s living like a queen in the Nelson mansion ¡ª what hardships could she possibly face there? Axell worships the ground she walks on. They¡¯re probably already nning their¡ª¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s expression darkened at Richard¡¯s callous words. His jaw clenched with barely contained rage. ¡°So Rosanna destroys our entire family, and her reward is living in luxury? Where¡¯s the justice in that? How ironic!¡±

    ¡°Stop bringing Rosanna up, Jarrod. We¡¯ve done our duty by giving her stability.¡± Sandra exhaled slowly, fatigue weighing down her words.

    She turned to Jarrod, her voice cold. ¡°From that night on, she was no longer a daughter of the Morgan family. That¡¯s the price she has to pay.¡±

    In the master bedroom of the Nelson family estate, Rosanna curled up on the bed, staring at the ceiling with empty eyes. Her tears had dried hours ago, leaving her throat too raw for even whispers.

    Last night, the drugs had dulled everything.

    Now the effects were wearing off, and sharp pain tore through her body like fire, reminding her of what had happened in the dark.

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 Chapter 752

    ?Chapter 752:

    Her entire body ached as if it had been broken apart, the burning pain below making sure she could not forget a single moment.

    All through those dark hours, Axell ¡ª that repulsive monster ¡ª had brutalized her without pause, treating her like livestock for ughter.

    She wasn¡¯t the proud Morgan family daughter anymore. Now she was just a broken toy for others to use.

    But she refused to resign herself to this fate.

    After lying there all day, Rosanna finally understood the truth. There was no going back.

    She sat up slowly, looking down at her bruised body. This was all she had left now. The reality hit her hard, and she hugged her knees, sobbing once more.

    That awful man was her only choice now. She would have to endure him, make him like her, and somehow be his wife as quickly as possible.

    Only then could she use Axell¡¯s and the Nelson family¡¯s power to get back at Richard and Sandra for throwing her away ¡ª and at Maia for stealing seventeen years of her life.

    ¡°Maia, you vile woman. Just wait and see what¡¯sing for you!¡±

    The door burst open with a crash.

    Axell walked in wearing nothing but a bathrobe, satisfaction written across his face. Last night had been quite the entertainment. But when he saw Rosanna¡¯s tear-stained cheeks, his expression soured with annoyance.

    ¡°Still crying?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the point of all these tears?¡±

    Rosanna looked up at him, fighting the sick feeling in her stomach. She bit her lip, wiped her face, and asked quietly, ¡°Will you really marry me, Axell?¡±

    Axell paused. She had been nothing more than a night¡¯s amusement to him. Marriage? The idea seemed absurd.

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    To him, Rosanna was just another sex partner at best, a convenient ything.

    But looking at her delicate face streaked with tears, something stirred in his chest. His breathing grew heavier.

    ¡°Marry you?¡± He moved closer and sat on the edge of the bed. His fingers caught her chin, forcing her to look up as he smiled coldly. ¡°That all depends on how good you are to me. Keep me happy, and maybe ¡ª just maybe ¡ª I¡¯ll think about it.¡±

    With that, he leaned in, pressing her down against the mattress once more.

    This time, Rosanna offered no resistance. Instead, she closed her eyes and slowly lifted her arms to embrace him, responding to his touch with calctedpliance.

    A lone tear traced silently down her cheek.

    There was no other path avable to her now.

    If revenge was what she sought, she would have to fight her way out of this nightmare one brutal step at a time.

    The cost didn¡¯t matter. The methods didn¡¯t matter. Even if she had to sacrifice every piece of herself to get there, nothing else held meaning anymore.

    As long as she could someday destroy them all with her own two hands ¡ª every person who had wronged her, cast her aside, betrayed her trust ¡ª and watch them crumble into nothing, then all of this agony would serve its purpose.

    Her voice emerged soft yet unshakeable in its resolve. ¡°I will, Axell. I¡¯ll give you everything you want. I¡¯ll make myself so essential that you won¡¯t be able to imagine life without me.¡±

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 Chapter 753

    ?Chapter 753:

    Meanwhile, in Wront, the sun had yet to set.

    A sleek ck car pulled slowly into the driveway of Elysium Apartments. Chris stepped out and locked the door, his eyes naturally drawn upward to the kitchen window of his apartment.

    Through the warm glow of the ss, he spotted a familiar figure moving gracefully inside ¡ª Maia was busy preparing dinner.

    Warmth spread across his features, and his chest felt lighter at the peaceful sight.

    Eager not to keep her waiting any longer, he quickened his pace toward the building entrance.

    Just as he reached the front doors, his phone erupted with a violent buzz against his leg.

    The screen shed Maxwell¡¯s name insistently.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Chris answered.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got a problem, Mr. Cooper! Kolton¡¯s crew is on the move with their cargo right now,¡± Maxwell¡¯s voice crackled with urgency through the speaker. ¡°That slippery bastard Kolton was three steps ahead of us the whole time. Turns out they¡¯ve been hiding another massive cargo vessel with identical specifications!¡±

    ¡°No port entry records exist for the cargo ship Kolton prepared in advance,¡± Maxwell said, his voice carrying unusual weight. ¡°They¡¯ll finish transferring all cargo to the new vessel within the hour.¡±

    ¡°When I arrived, I discovered they had stripped out every piece ofwork equipment from the backup cargo ship. Kolton ditched the navigation systempletely to prevent any hacking attempts.¡± Maxwell hesitated before adding, ¡°Does he seriously n to navigate the open ocean with just stars and apass?¡±

    ¡°Possible, sure, but incredibly inefficient. There¡¯s no way he¡¯ll make the delivery deadline like that.¡± Chris squinted as realization dawned. ¡°Wait. Kolton¡¯s not that reckless. He must have pilot boats arranged to guide the cargo ship.¡±

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    Kolton¡¯s strategy targeted one thing: protecting the second cargo ship¡¯s propulsion system. Keeping those engine units safe from digital intrusion was his priority. Navigation could rely on disposable support vessels. If hackerspromised one, another would simply take its ce.

    ¡°Clever bastard. Kolton¡¯s got more tricks than we thought!¡± Maxwell clenched his jaw. ¡°What¡¯s our next move? We can¡¯t just sit here watching. Should we bomb the harbor?¡±

    Chris¡¯s gaze drifted to the upstairs window where warm light still glowed. His chest tightened with longing.

    Right there at his doorstep, Maia was cooking dinner for him. Tonight should have been theirs ¡ª quiet, gentle, perfect. Instead, he hadn¡¯t even managed a proper conversation with her.

    Still, with stakes this high, he had to deal with the issue right away.

    ¡°Tonight we execute the ship hijacking,¡± Chrismanded without hesitation.

    Meanwhile, at ss One of Wront University¡¯s elite preparatory program, Mnie slumped over her desk as evening shadows lengthened across the ssroom.

    Crimson sunlight filtered through the windows, painting everything in shades of frustration that matched her mood perfectly. Her notebooky open but untouched. The nk pages seemed to mock her inability to concentrate on anything meaningful.

    She wanted to talk to Ethan, but finding the right words felt hopeless. Their messy situation was school-wide gossip now. Everyone could see how things had soured between them, which only made everything moreplicated.

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 Chapter 754

    ?Chapter 754:

    Approaching him seemed almost impossible when half their ssmates were busy making things worse on purpose.

    What had happened during afternoon break still made her cringe. She had finally gathered enough courage to walk over to his desk, but before she could even get close, someone behind her started making jokes.

    ¡°Oh, going to see Ethan? Trying to stir up trouble again? That will only make you apologize to Maia one more time.¡±

    Marisa, who should have been in ss Three, appeared suddenly. Her voice cut through the quiet ssroom like a de. The perfectly timed remark sent ripples ofughter through their ssmates.

    Heat flooded Mnie¡¯s cheeks as she spun around and hurried back to her seat, mortified.

    Now the dismissal bell was seconds away from ringing. This was herst chance, and she knew it.

    The sharp chime echoed through the room, shattering the afternoon stillness. Ethan gathered his books with practiced efficiency, ready to escape the ssroom¡¯s stifling atmosphere.

    Panic surged through Mnie¡¯s chest as she bolted forward, her fingers closing around his sleeve before she could second-guess herself.

    Ethan froze mid-step. When he turned to face her, wariness flickered across his features, and he instinctively pulled back.

    ¡°You¡­ you need something?¡± Ethan¡¯s voice was filled with confusion and caution.

    Taking a shaky breath, she rushed the words out before her courage could abandon her. ¡°Ethan, I need to ask you something.¡±

    His gaze dropped to where her fingers still gripped his sleeve. A slight frown creased his brow. ¡°Okay, but¡­ could you let go first?¡±

    The request hit her like cold water. Her ears burned with embarrassment as she realized she was still clinging to him.

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    She released his sleeve immediately, biting her lip hard and dropping her gaze to the floor.

    Something in her expression made Ethan pause. Maybe some things did need clearing up between them. The past was the past, after all, and he wasn¡¯tpletely unreasonable.

    Besides, her father was Hurst, the man known across Twitter as Justiceze. His reputation for righteousness and heroism spoke volumes about his character.

    Just as Ethan opened his mouth to respond, a familiar voice cut through the moment from behind them.

    ¡°Well, well, well¡­¡± Marisa sauntered over, her grin dripping with mischief. ¡°Mnie, why do you keep pestering Ethan? What¡¯s your n? Surely you haven¡¯t fallen for him, have you?¡±

    Rage zed through Mnie¡¯s chest. All the courage she had painstakingly gathered crumbled under Marisa¡¯s taunting words. Herposure snapped like a wire pulled too tight.

    ¡°Will you just stop already? I¡¯ve had enough of your games. I need to ask Ethan something, and frankly, it¡¯s none of your business.¡±

    Marisa¡¯s eyebrow arched higher, her smile turning predatory. ¡°None of my business? Since when are Ethan¡¯s affairs not my concern?¡±

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 Chapter 755

    ?Chapter 755:

    She shot Ethan a knowing wink before turning back to Mnie with mock concern. ¡°Besides, what could you possibly need to ask him? nning more trouble? Did you forget what happenedst time, or should I remind your father about it?¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡± Mnie¡¯s face went white with fury. Her hands trembled as she clenched them into fists. Fed up with the games, she fixed her gaze directly on Ethan and cut straight to the heart of the matter.

    ¡°Ethan, I just need to know one thing. Who exactly is your sister¡¯s husband?¡±

    ¡°My sister¡¯s husband?¡± The words hit Ethan like a ssh of cold water. He blinked hard, scratching his head instinctively as confusion washed over his face. ¡°What husband?¡±

    Marisa¡¯s eyes lit up with mischief, practically sparkling with excitement. ¡°Oh, this is getting interesting. Mnie, why don¡¯t you just go home and ask your dad?¡±

    Mnie shot her a sharp re, irritationcing her voice. ¡°Of course I asked! My dad said Maia is already married, but he refuses to tell me who she married. So I came to ask Ethan! I just want to know if Maia is really married¡ªand to whom!¡±

    The instant those words left her lips, Ethan froze. His head snapped up, eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°You mean¡­ Maia got married?¡± His voice was filled with shock,ced with an instinctive denial he couldn¡¯t suppress.

    Marisa, however, stayed perfectly calm andposed. Within her circle, she had already heard countless rumors about Maia¡¯s supposed marriage. Some whispered that Maia had been involved with Hurst even after marrying, others imed her husband was the mysterious ¡°Mr. M,¡± and a few insisted she had never married at all¡ªthat it was nothing but gossip.

    For Marisa, the truth hardly mattered. She simply wasn¡¯t concerned.

    Ethan, on the other hand, was too stunned to speak. How could Maia be married without him knowing?

    ¡°Stop spreading nonsense!¡± Ethan snapped almost instantly. ¡°When did Maia supposedly get married?¡±

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    Relief and joy brightened Mnie¡¯s face at his reaction. ¡°She isn¡¯t married? That¡¯s wonderful!¡±

    Meanwhile, Marisa had already started scrolling on her phone while watching Ethan¡¯s expression earlier. Now she nudged him with her elbow and held it out. ¡°Look, there are tons of posts online saying Maia¡¯s already married. You really didn¡¯t know?¡±

    Ethan snatched the phone and nced down. The screen was flooded with posts about Maia¡¯s marriage. His grip tightened around the device as panic set in. ¡°I didn¡¯t know!¡±

    Most of Ethan¡¯s days were consumed by his studies, leaving little time to browse gossip tforms. When he did go on Twitter, it was only to support Maia or exchange messages with Justiceze.

    Certain rumors he avoided like the gue, knowing they would cloud his thoughts and shatter his focuspletely.

    Mnie¡¯sughter rang out as she studied Ethan, a calcting gleam dancing in her eyes. Nothing about his reaction felt rehearsed or fake. Clearly, Maia truly wasn¡¯t married after all.

    Yet to eliminate any lingering doubt, Mnie pressed further. ¡°Are you absolutely certain? Maia never breathed a word about marriage ns?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Ethan shook his head with frantic certainty. ¡°Not once has Maia mentioned getting married, and I¡¯ve definitely never seen her bring home any potential suitors for family dinner.¡±

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 Chapter 756

    ?Chapter 756:

    Every word only strengthened Mnie¡¯s growing conviction. A triumphant smirk curved across her lips as she waved dismissively. ¡°Thanks for clearing that up. I¡¯ll be heading out now.¡±

    Without another word, Mnie spun on her heel and practically bounced away, her steps light with newfound joy.

    Ethan remained frozen in ce, the phone¡¯s bright screen still glowing in his trembling hand.

    Beside him, Marisa watched his expression carefully before gently patting his shoulder. ¡°Are you alright? Your face has gonepletely white.¡±

    His head dropped as he spoke in barely a whisper. ¡°I need to get some answers from Maia. You should head back without me.¡±

    Before she could respond, he turned and walked in the opposite direction.

    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s actually on my way too, but I¡¯ll give you some space to process this,¡± Marisa said with a shrug, making no move to follow.

    As Ethan¡¯s silhouette disappeared around the corner, Marisa clicked her tongue thoughtfully. Maybe Maia¡¯s supposed marriage was nothing more than an borate scheme to spite the Morgan family.

    But what had suddenly sparked Mnie¡¯s intense interest in all this? Could she actually want Maia as her stepmother?

    ¡°Oh my God!¡± Marisa gasped, nearly biting through her lollipop in shock. ¡°That twisted logic actually makes perfect sense.¡±

    Amusement bubbled up inside her, making her eyes crinkle with delight. If her theory proved correct, Ethan would be her uncle-inw. Perhaps that exined why Mnie had recently wanted to talk with him ¡ª they would soon be family, and for the sake of togetherness, she needed to get along with him.

    Marisa¡¯sughter echoed through the empty corridor as she walked away.

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    Meanwhile, back at Elysium Apartments, delicious aromas drifted through the kitchen. Maia, still wearing her flour-dusted apron, carried the final dish from the stove and set it carefully on the dining table.

    A quick nce at the clock revealed the hands pointing to quarter past seven. She had been certain he would make it home on time.

    Yet the living room satpletely empty, and her phone disyed no new messages.

    Standing beside the floor-to-ceiling window, Maia watched storm clouds gather in the darkening sky, something flickering behind her eyes.

    ¡°Traffic must be terrible tonight¡­¡± The words slipped out as a whispered excuse, though she couldn¡¯t tell if she was making it for Chris or for herself.

    Still, disappointment began creeping into her chest like an unwee guest. Chris had broken his promise.

    Every dish she had lovingly prepared seemed to have lost its warmth already.

    With a heavy sigh, Maia turned back toward the kitchen to reheat everything.

    ¡°Ten more minutes,¡± she whispered to the empty apartment.

    If Chris still hadn¡¯t returned by then, she would have to call him.

    When Ethan returned to Marvelous Garden, the sight of a tableden with dishes greeted him. Kathie had outdone herself again.

    Soft light from the chandelier bathed the living room in warmth, while savory aromas drifted from the kitchen, wrapping around him like a gentle embrace. Spotting Ethan enter with downcast eyes, Kathie quickly beckoned him over.

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 Chapter 757

    ?Chapter 757:

    ¡°Why are you back sote today? Come try this. I picked up a few new recipes.¡±

    Ethan made his way to the study, dropped his backpack, and washed his hands with mechanical precision before settling at the dining table in silence. Throughout his journey home, doubt had gued every step. He had wrestled with whether to call Maia directly, ultimately choosing against it.

    Phone conversations felt too risky. What if he stumbled over his words? What if Maia got upset? That nagging question weighed on him, stealing his peace.

    Kathie emerged from the kitchen after setting out thest dish, her apron now hanging on its hook. What she found made her pause: Ethan sat hunched over his te, one hand supporting his chin while the other pushed food around with his fork. The meal had already grown cold.

    ¡°Ethan, is something wrong with the food today?¡±

    Looking up to meet Kathie¡¯s worried gaze, Ethan hesitated before shaking his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s perfect. I¡¯m just not very hungry.¡±

    Concern creased Kathie¡¯s features as she studied him. Something was clearly troubling the boy.

    Setting her utensils aside, she moved to the chair beside him. ¡°What¡¯s bothering you? Did something happen at school?¡±

    Ethan¡¯s teeth worried his lower lip as he struggled with his thoughts. Finally, he spoke in measured tones. ¡°Do you think¡­ family members should keep secrets from each other?¡±

    ¡°Why would you ask that?¡± Surprise flickered across Kathie¡¯s face. ¡°What¡¯s got you thinking such serious thoughts today?¡±

    ¡°I mean¡­ if I kept something from you and Maia, would you be angry?¡±

    This time Kathie didn¡¯tugh. Resting her chin thoughtfully on her hand, she considered his question. ¡°Family might be the closest bond in the world, but everyone deserves¡ª¡±

    Their private thoughts. Having secrets is perfectly normal.¡± Pausing, she looked at Ethan with gentle understanding. ¡°I may not have a fancy education, but I know a few things about life. If you¡¯re keeping secrets because you want to handle something on your own, or simply don¡¯t want to worry us with your troubles, that¡¯spletely reasonable. Better yet, if your secrets are meant to protect Maia and me, to benefit this family, then how could we possibly be angry? What right would we have to feel upset?¡±

    ???¨¦?? ???t?€§ñ? ?n Ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.???

    Relief washed over Ethan as his shoulders rxed, his expression softening.

    The next moment, however, Kathie shot up from her chair and seized his shoulders. ¡°Alright, out with it! What are you hiding from me and Maia?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± The fork nearly slipped from Ethan¡¯s startled grip. ¡°I was just asking hypothetically¡­¡±

    Squinting at him with knowing eyes, Kathie wore a mischievous smile. ¡°Oh no, don¡¯t try to backtrack now. I can hear it in your voice clear as day. Something¡¯s definitely weighing on your mind today. Come on, you might as well spill everything at this point! I promise I won¡¯t get mad, and neither will Maia! Wait¡­ don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve fallen for someone, have you?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t! What I said was just an example, nothing more!¡± Ethan bolted upright, his voice cracking with nervous energy.

    Kathie burst intoughter at Ethan¡¯s flustered expression. ¡°Alright, alright, I¡¯ll stop teasing you. But here¡¯s the thing: when you suspect family members are keeping secrets, the best approach is to ask directly, just like I did. Then try to see things from their perspective. Never bottle it up and let your imagination spiral out of control! Suspicion has a way of driving wedges between people.¡±

    Gently patting his head, she added with a yful grin, ¡°So¡­ Ethan, you¡¯re really not hiding anything from me? Don¡¯t make me lie awake tonight overthinking this!¡±

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 Chapter 758

    ?Chapter 758:

    Throwing his hands up in defeat, Ethan sighed. ¡°Fine, fine, I¡¯lle clean¡­ Today at school, I overheard someone saying that Maia got married.¡±

    Kathie¡¯s amused expression vanished instantly, freezing mid-smile.

    Slowly sinking back into her chair, she blinked repeatedly as if trying to process his words. ¡°Married? Who¡¯s getting married?¡±

    Watching Kathie¡¯s bewildered reaction, Ethan managed a bitter smile. Clearly, the news had blindsided her just as much as it had him.

    ¡°Maia, obviously!¡± Ethan replied with awkward frustration. ¡°People are saying she¡¯s already tied the knot.¡±

    His voice dropped to a disappointed murmur. ¡°But¡­ she never said a word to me about it.¡±

    Kathie froze for a second, then burst outughing. ¡°You seriously fell for that? Come on. It¡¯s clearly one of your ssmates pulling a prank. Haven¡¯t you figured Maia out by now? If she had really tied the knot, you¡¯d be one of the first people on her guest list.¡±

    Ethan said nothing. His eyes stayed fixed on the floor.

    Everything he had heard from Mnie and Marisa kept swirling in his head, tangled with the chaos he¡¯d seen online.

    Kathie noticed the way he shut down and tried again, this time with more patience. ¡°But I get it. Maia¡¯s at that stage where marriage is on the table. I¡¯ve even been encouraging her to find someone. Not long ago, she told me she wasn¡¯t dating anyone. And don¡¯t forget those rumors about her having a sugar daddy ¡ªpletely debunked, by the way. People will always talk. You shouldn¡¯t take everything to heart.¡±

    The memory of the online gossip about Maia rushed back to him, especially the rumors from before she was revealed as the mysteriousposer K. All of it had turned out to be baseless in the end.

    A small sigh escaped him as he muttered under his breath. ¡°Looks like I let my thoughts get the better of me.¡±

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    ¡°Listen to me, Ethan. Stop wasting your energy on doubts that might not even be real.¡± Kathie gave him a light pat on the back. ¡°If it bothers you that much, then talk to her. You¡¯re her brother. She¡¯ll be honest with you if you just ask.¡±

    With that advice sinking in, Ethan gave a slight nod. He decided to call Maia after dinner and ask her to meet him at Marvelous Garden for a proper conversation.

    That decision brought him a strange sense of relief, but also reminded him how drained he felt. His stomach rumbled in protest.

    He picked up his utensils and started eating with renewed appetite. ¡°Thanks, Kathie. This food¡¯s really good.¡±

    Kathie¡¯s lips curved into a pleased smile. ¡°No rush. Enjoy every bite.¡±

    Elsewhere, in one of the Elysium Apartments, night had already settled in. Maia sat at the dining table with her arms folded, her expression tight and unreadable.

    The meal had been carefully prepared ¡ª five dishes and a soup ¡ª yet the warmth had long since faded. The cutlery was perfectly in ce, but Chris still hadn¡¯t shown up.

    Twenty minutes slipped by without a word.

    Eventually, she gave in and reached for her phone, staring at the screen before pressing Chris¡¯s contact.

    Only one ring came through before the t, automated message yed: The number you are trying to reach is currently unavable. Please try againter.

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 Chapter 759

    ?Chapter 759:

    The voice caught Maia off guard. She held the phone for a moment before setting it back on the table.

    Chris hadn¡¯t returned as he had promised, and no message had been sent to exin why. Now, he had even turned off his phone?

    Maia¡¯s brows drew together, a quiet pressure settling in her chest. It wasn¡¯t exactly pain, just a dull, confusing weight.

    Her eyes drifted to the food she had carefully prepared. The steam had long vanished.

    He said he¡¯d be home by seven. She had made dinner earlier than usual, even adding a special herbal dish just for him.

    A sigh slipped past Maia¡¯s lips. A flicker of doubt ran through her mind ¡ª maybe she cared more about Chris than he had ever intended her to. Maybe the truth was simpler: Chris just didn¡¯t feel the same way she did.

    If he genuinely cared, wouldn¡¯t he have at least sent a message or made a phone call to exin? How could he just turn off his phone, as if she were insignificant, not worth his time or a single word?

    She began to feel ridiculous. Expecting anything from him now seemed like a mistake. Expectations only ever led to disappointment.

    ¡°I¡¯ll just eat,¡± Maia whispered under her breath, pressing her teeth into her lower lip as she pushed the food around her te.

    A few mouthfulster, she set her knife and fork down. The vors felt muted, as if the meal had lost all its warmth.

    Another quiet sigh escaped her.

    She left the table and stepped out onto the balcony. The evening breeze brushed against her skin, cool and quiet. The sky hung above her, empty of stars, just like the hollow feeling inside her.

    Back on the sofa, she checked her phone once more. Nothing.

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    With her jaw tightening, she redialed his number ¡ª only to hear the same automated response. His phone was still off.

    Holding the device in her hand, Maia remained seated as the silence of the room deepened and the hours dragged on. The glow from the ceiling light cast long shadows, making her loneliness feel even more pronounced.

    Slumped against the couch, she clutched the phone, unaware of when sleep finally crept over her.

    A sharp ring suddenly pierced the quiet.

    Startled, Maia sat up, reflexes snapping to life as she grabbed the device. But when she checked the screen, the name staring back at her wasn¡¯t Chris ¡ª it was Ethan.

    For a brief second, Maia hesitated. Ate-night call from Ethan wasn¡¯t typical ¡ª had something happened?

    She pressed the answer button with a trace of unease. ¡°Hey, Ethan. Is everything okay?¡±

    On the other end, Ethan drew in a steady breath. ¡°Can youe to Marvelous Garden right now? There¡¯s something I¡¯d rather say in person.¡±

    That caught her off guard. Maia had never heard Ethan sound so serious, and a quiet concern settled over her. ¡°Did something happen?¡±

    His response came a momentter. ¡°Not really¡­ I just need to see you and talk properly.¡±

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 Chapter 760

    ?Chapter 760:

    Maia¡¯s gaze drifted toward the untouched dinner. After a pause, she inhaled deeply and replied, ¡°Okay. I¡¯m on my way. Just wait for me.¡±

    Without wasting another second, Maia threw on her coat, grabbed her keys, and stepped outside.

    Upon arriving at Marvelous Garden, Maia entered and immediately noticed Kathie on the sofa, waiting calmly.

    ¡°You can go ahead. Ethan¡¯s in the study,¡± Kathie said with a warm smile, her voice gentle. ¡°It¡¯s better if you two clear things up directly.¡±

    That made Maia pause, her brows slightly drawn, but she gave a small nod and headed toward the study.

    Her hand found the door, and she eased it open without a sound.

    Inside, a soft glow lit the room. Ethan sat behind the desk, his posture stiffening the moment he heard the door creak open. His hands fidgeted restlessly, betraying his nerves.

    Maia stepped in, closed the door behind her, and met his eyes. ¡°What did you want to talk about?¡±

    For a few seconds, Ethan said nothing.

    Eventually, he looked up, hesitation clouding his expression, and asked, ¡°Someone at school mentioned¡­ that you¡¯re married. Is it true?¡±

    The words caught her off guard. Maia¡¯s fingers stilled in surprise ¡ª this was not the conversation she had expected.

    She almost denied it without thinking, but before she could speak, Ethan¡¯s voice grew more sincere. ¡°Please, just tell me the truth.¡±

    Maia felt the words catch before they could leave her lips. Sitting across from her was the person she trusted most¡ªher younger brother, the one she held closest to her heart. She had always believed nothing should be hidden from family. Yet here she was, doing exactly that.

    Keeping it a secret might have spared some conflict, but deep down, she knew it couldn¡¯tst forever. After letting the silence linger for a moment, she finally drew in a breath and chose the truth.

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    ¡°Yes, Ethan. I¡¯m married.¡±

    Maia¡¯s confession hit Ethan hard. He froze, disbelief etched across his face, and his voice rose with a mix of shock and urgency. ¡°You got married and didn¡¯t say anything? Who is he?¡±

    Maia¡¯s voice was low, almost apologetic. ¡°There were¡­ circumstances. I didn¡¯t have much of a choice, Ethan.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s brows knit together, his tone sharpening. ¡°What are you saying? That doesn¡¯t exin anything.¡±

    Maia held his gaze and answered, ¡°It was a marriage of obligation. I did it to return a favor. And when that¡¯s done¡­ I think we¡¯ll end it. That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t want to tell you about this.¡±

    For some reason, when Maia mentioned ¡°divorce¡± now, she no longer sounded so certain. Without warning, her mind drifted to how Chris had once called her ¡°honey.¡± Despite everything they had shared, the fragile trust she¡¯d been rebuilding with him felt unstable once more.

    Ethan leaned forward, a spark in his eyes. ¡°So you¡¯re saying¡­ the marriage isn¡¯t real?¡±

    Maia gave a faint nod. ¡°That¡¯s one way to put it.¡±

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 Chapter 761

    ?Chapter 761:

    To Ethan, that was the best news he¡¯d heard all night. His excitement bubbled up before he could stop it. If the marriage wasn¡¯t genuine, then maybe there was still hope for Maia and Justiceze. Although she hadn¡¯t gone into detail about the favor, Ethan didn¡¯t need to hear it. He believed she had her reasons, and with that, all his lingering doubts faded away.

    Still, something tugged at him. He tilted his head slightly and asked, ¡°Then who did you end up marrying?¡±

    Secrets still guarded, Maia¡¯s answer was gentle but firm. ¡°I can¡¯t reveal his identity yet,¡± she told him, her gaze shadowed and steady. ¡°What matters is this: our marriage is only for appearances. There¡¯s nothing real between us. He won¡¯t y any part in my life or in our family.¡±

    Moving closer, she locked eyes with Ethan. ¡°So, will you keep this arrangement to yourself? If Kathie or anyone else gets curious, just say you don¡¯t know anything ¡ª that I have my reasons for keeping it secret.¡±

    Ethan ced a hand over his heart, his voice steady as he made a promise. ¡°You can count on me. Your secret¡¯s safe ¡ª I won¡¯t breathe a word.¡±

    His sincerity touched Maia. For a moment, she let herself rx, ruffling his hair with a grateful smile. ¡°Thanks, Ethan. Really.¡±

    Just then, a new thought struck him. ¡°Is there someone you like now?¡± The question slipped out before he could stop it. What he really wanted was to ask about Hurst, but he worried it woulde off too strong, so he softened the wording.

    Maia froze, surprise flickering across her face as Chris¡¯s image shed through her mind.

    Burying her feelings, she barely managed a whisper. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know.¡±

    Before Ethan could react, she stood up, gently patted his shoulder, and said, ¡°Alright, no staying upte tonight. Go get some rest.¡± With that, Maia disappeared down the hall.

    Watching her go, Ethan found himself frowning in confusion.

    ???¦Å?? ¡é??t?€§ñ? ?¦Ç ?a?§Ú?¦Í¨º??.???

    What did she just say? She didn¡¯t know? How could she not know if she liked someone? Was she still tangled up over Justiceze ¡ª over Hurst?

    Maybe, Ethan thought, Justiceze¡¯s words hadn¡¯t been true. Could it be that Justiceze had never let Maia know how he truly felt? Had Maia never fully epted him, not deep down?

    The idea made Ethan restless, an urgent need bubbling up to help Justiceze win her heart, no matter what it took.

    Since Maia¡¯s marriage was nothing more than a formality, she¡¯d be free soon enough. And as long as her feelings for Justiceze ran true, then once the divorce¡­

    ¡­was final, the two of them could finally be together ¡ª no more secrets, no more hiding.

    In Ethan¡¯s heart, he had already chosen his future brother-inw. No one but Justiceze would ever fit the role.

    Cool night air brushed against Maia¡¯s skin as she stepped outside, the gentle breeze mingling with the golden wash of streetlights overhead.

    Her hand drifted to her phone, eyes searching the screen for any sign of a new message ¡ª but nothing greeted her.

    A subtle ache pressed at her chest, disappointment briefly clouding her gaze before she forced it aside and headed toward the parking lot.

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 Chapter 762

    ?Chapter 762:

    By the time she arrived at Elysium Apartments, a pulse of anticipation stirred beneath her skin. It was alreadyte ¡ª Chris should have been home by now, no matter what had dyed him.

    With deliberate slowness, Maia slid the key into the door, almost holding her breath as she stepped inside ¡ª only to find the apartment steeped in darkness.

    There was no trace of Chris.

    Maia¡¯s heart sank, heavy with unspoken worry.

    Switching on the light, she caught the faded aroma of the dinner she had prepared, now left untouched ¡ª a quiet testament to how long she had been waiting.

    A weary sigh slipped from her lips as she copsed onto the sofa, hands kneading the tension from her temples.

    Worry gnawed at her ¡ª was Chris caught up in trouble? Yet beneath that anxiety, a deeper hurt threatened to surface, one she struggled to ignore.

    Never before had he failed to keep a promise, let alone left her without even a single text. Even if his phone had died, surely he could have borrowed a charger somewhere, sometime before now.

    Was this what it felt like to be taken for granted?

    Though her heart had grown resilient after Vince, moments like this revealed just how vulnerable she still was.

    Her thoughts blurred, exhaustion gradually sweeping over her. She reclined against the cushions, eyes fluttering shut, until sleep crept in, quiet and slow.

    She had no sense of how long she had been waiting when, all at once, the faint sound of footsteps echoed just beyond the door, followed by the quiet click of a key turning in the lock.

    Startled awake, Maia blinked away the fog of sleep, her gaze instantly fixed on the entrance.

    As the door creaked open, a tall, familiar silhouette stepped inside, illuminated only by the faint spill of light from the hallway.

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    Maia¡¯s eyes drifted to the wall clock without conscious thought. The hour hand had already swept past four in the morning.

    Straightening on the sofa, she folded her arms and watched in silence as Chris walked through the door.

    Light flooded the room as he flicked the switch.

    Chris stopped short when he spotted Maia on the sofa, surprise flickering across his features before his brows drew together. ¡°Why are you sleeping out here?¡±

    Maia lifted her chin, her cool gaze scanning his disheveled hair and dirtied sleeves. Her voice carried a sharp chill. ¡°You finally decided toe home?¡±

    Noticing Maia¡¯s displeasure, Chris hesitated briefly before approaching her. He crouched down beside her, meeting her eyes directly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I made you worry. It¡¯s my fault for not returning on time.¡±

    All the words Maia had rehearsed seemed to crumble against his simple apology. Several heartbeats passed before she found her voice again, irritation still sharp in her tone. ¡°Do you have any idea how long I¡¯ve been waiting for you tonight? Couldn¡¯t you at least have sent word if something came up?¡±

    Chris stilled, his expression tightening. ¡°Something unexpected happened, and my phone got damaged. There was an emergency I had to handle, and I couldn¡¯t reach you.¡±

    The question slipped out before Maia could stop herself. ¡°What kind of emergency?¡±

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 Chapter 763

    ?Chapter 763:

    Chris said nothing.

    Maia read the hesitation in his silence, taking in his rumpled appearance once more. Suspicion bloomed in her chest. He must have been involved in something dangerous tonight ¡ª something he was determined to keep from her.

    Another mission with his boss, perhaps? Yet he had promised her explicitly that he wouldn¡¯t take such risks again.

    Time crawled by in heavy silence.

    After what felt like an eternity, Chris exhaled softly and met her gaze. ¡°Just some unfinished business from work. But trust me, I¡¯m safe. I didn¡¯t get hurt this time.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Skepticismced Maia¡¯s voice. He hardly looked like someone who had spent the night in safety.

    Chris reached out and gently ruffled her hair. ¡°Really.¡±

    Drawing Maia¡¯s hand to rest against his chest, a yful smile tugged at Chris¡¯s lips. ¡°Want to check for yourself?¡±

    Maia traced slow circles across his chest with one finger, her clear eyes sparkling with mischief as she looked up at him. ¡°And how exactly should I check?¡±

    Chris caught her wandering finger and brought it to his lips with tender reverence. His gaze burned with quiet intensity as his voice dropped to a husky murmur. ¡°Any way you want.¡±

    Maia¡¯s pulse stumbled, heat blooming across her cheeks. Quickly pulling her hand free, she felt herself teetering on the edge of surrender once more.

    But he had kept her waiting all night. Forgiving him this easily would be far too generous.

    Rising abruptly, she let a small pout curve her lips. ¡°I¡¯m sleepy. We¡¯ll discuss this after I¡¯ve rested.¡±

    Without a backward nce, she headed for the bedroom and closed the door with quiet finality.

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    Maia settled onto the bed, ears tuned to the faint movements beyond her door, followed by the gentle click of another closing. Chris had retreated to his own room atst. Yet a hollow ache bloomed in her chest.

    He still hadn¡¯t offered any real exnation. Did he genuinely care about her feelings?

    Even after everything they had shared, Maia felt as though Chris remained a puzzle with missing pieces. Beneath his charming smiles and fleeting tendernessy something hidden, something carefully guarded.

    Every instinct whispered that Chris was concealing far more than he had ever confessed.

    Sleep eluded her as she tossed restlessly, her mind churning until exhaustion finally imed her.

    Elsewhere, Hursty sprawled across his bed, faint yellow streetlight filtering through the window and casting long shadows across the wall. Silently, he stared at the ceiling, his mind restless and unsettled.

    Everything circled back to what his daughter Mnie had told him just a few hours earlier.

    That evening, Hurst had kept his promise and returned home early to prepare Mnie¡¯s favorite meal: tender barbecue ribs and creamy homemade mac and cheese.

    During dinner, Mnie devoured the food with obvious delight, humming cheerfully between bites while slipping in subtle praise for Maia.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 764

    ?Chapter 764:

    Hurst understood her perfectly. Ever since the Lark Fashion productunch, Mnie¡¯s entire attitude toward Maia had shifted dramatically. The event had not only cleared Maia of the giarism usations but had also vindicated her in the theft incident from four years ago.

    He himself had watched the livestream and found his admiration for Maia growing with every passing moment.

    Still, Hurst knew Maia was no ordinary woman. Reliable sources had informed him that when she rejected Vince, she had produced a marriage certificate as proof.

    Yet when he shared this information with Mnie, she fired back with arguments he couldn¡¯t refute.

    ¡°Dad, are you absolutely sure Maia is married? Have you even seen this mysterious husband of hers? What if that marriage certificate waspletely fake? Maybe she just pulled it out to make Vince back off and leave her alone? Besides, I asked Ethan about it, and you know what he told me? He had absolutely no clue about Maia being married! See? Maia probably isn¡¯t married at all!¡±

    Faced with Mnie¡¯s logic, Hurst had been left speechless.

    Now, lying alone in his room, her words kept reying in his mind. Over and over, they refused to let him rest, keeping him awake until nearly four in the morning.

    When he thought about it carefully, he realized he had never onceid eyes on Maia¡¯s supposed husband. The timing of her presenting that marriage certificate had been suspiciously convenient ¡ª and her own brother Ethan remainedpletely in the dark about it.

    Viewed from this angle, Maia might very well be single after all. Perhaps, as Mnie had suggested, the entire marriage had been nothing more than an borate fabrication from the beginning.

    Restlessly, Hurst rolled over in bed. Despite the mattress being perfectly soft andfortable, sleep refused toe.

    While his feelings toward Maia had always remained admiration, and she was still a young woman barely in her twenties, Mnie clearly held her in exceptionally high regard. Few people had ever earned Mnie¡¯s genuine respect and affection.

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    Without realizing it, he began to wonder whether he should explore the possibility of something more with Maia ¡ª if only for Mnie¡¯s happiness.

    Suddenly, his bedside rm clock shattered the silence.

    Groggily, Hurst cracked open his eyes and checked the time. Six-thirty in the morning already. Outside, the sky was slowly brightening, soft morning light seeping through the curtains and washing over his tired form.

    A wry smile crossed Hurst¡¯s lips. He had indeed spent the entire night wide awake.

    After Mnie woke, she went to wash up first. When she descended from the second floor, she immediately spotted her father at the dining table, looking utterly drained, with dark circles shadowing his eyes. She couldn¡¯t suppress a mischievous grin.

    ¡°Dad, rough night? Were you thinking about¡­ my future new mom?¡±

    Hurst nced up with a slight frown, her words hitting ufortably close to home. Embarrassment flickered across his features.

    ¡°Stop talking nonsense. Just eat your breakfast and get going. You don¡¯t want to bete for school, and the driver¡¯s been waiting outside.¡±

    Mnie leaned closer with a knowing smirk, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m telling you again ¡ª some chances onlye once in a lifetime. If you really like her, then be bold and go after her! Even if Maia actually is married, so what? Weren¡¯t you the one who always told me to fight for the things I want?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 765

    ?Chapter 765:

    Wearily, Hurst massaged his temples.

    ¡°Stop meddling in grown-up affairs. You should be concentrating on your studies instead. Your entrance exams are right around the corner.¡±

    Mnie rolled her eyes at his deflection, shouldered her backpack, and headed toward the door.

    ¡°Fine. Then at least try to get some rest this morning. I¡¯m heading to school now.¡±

    As he watched his daughter¡¯s figure vanish through the doorway, Hurst let out a long sigh. Had his sleepless night really been that obvious?

    In the car, Mnie gazed out at the passing scenery, a deeply satisfied smile spreading across her face. Rather than watching Hurst ¡ª a perfectly eligible bachelor ¡ª fall prey to some shallow gold-digger, she would much prefer seeing him with Maia.

    Maia possessed both stunning beauty and remarkable capability. Though only a few years older than Mnie herself, she radiated intelligence, maturity, and dependability ¡ª qualities that made her truly worthy of her father.

    Such perfect opportunities were rare, and as Hurst¡¯s daughter, Mnie felt it was her duty to lend him a helping hand. Her next move would be gathering proof that Maia remained unmarried, then discreetly orchestrating encounters between her and Hurst.

    Both goals, however, would require the help of Maia¡¯s brother, Ethan. Winning him over and securing his cooperation became her most crucial task.

    Absolutely! That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯ll do! For Dad¡¯s future happiness, I can afford to set aside my pride for a while, she resolved silently.

    Gentle morning light bathed the campus, carrying a delicate floral fragrance through the air.

    Mnie rushed off the bus with her backpack bouncing against her shoulder, slipping into the ssroom just as Ethan settled his bag at his desk.

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    Only a handful of students had arrived. Swallowing her pride, Mnie strode over to Ethan, seized his arm without warning, and began dragging him toward the door.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Ethan jerked back instinctively, but Mnie¡¯s grip tightened around his wrist.

    Her teeth caught her lower lip. ¡°Come with me for a moment. I have something really important to tell you!¡±

    A frown creased Ethan¡¯s brow as he prepared to refuse, but the urgency in Mnie¡¯s expression made him pause. ¡°Alright, but make it quick. I need to study.¡±

    Mnie¡¯s face brightened as she nodded, leading him to a secluded corner of the hallway. Once she confirmed they were alone, her voice dropped to an earnest whisper. ¡°Have you asked Maia yet? Is she married or not?¡±

    The question hit Ethan like a bolt, memories of Maia¡¯s words from the previous night flooding back. His head shook slowly. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    A knowing smile spread across Mnie¡¯s lips, as if she had expected exactly this response. ¡°Do you really not know, or are you just afraid to say?¡±

    She stepped closer, abandoning subtlety. ¡°Since you won¡¯t say it, I will. Have you ever considered that if Maia isn¡¯t really married, or if her marriage is fake, wouldn¡¯t you want to help her end it sooner?¡±

    Ethan¡¯s frown deepened. Was she just guessing?

    His eyes narrowed as suspicion crept in. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 766

    ?Chapter 766:

    ¡°Hey, just hear me out first, okay?¡± Mnie raised her hands in a calming gesture. ¡°I know you want Maia to be happy, right? Have you ever considered why she kept her marriage a secret from you? Maybe it isn¡¯t something happy at all. She feels so exhausted and bitter, but she doesn¡¯t want you to worry about her, so she chooses to keep silent. This marriage¡­ it¡¯s weighing on her terribly. As a girl, I understand this burden better than you do. So shouldn¡¯t we work together to help her escape this situation?¡±

    Ethan stood frozen, his thoughts spinning wildly.

    He hadn¡¯t told Mnie anything, yet she seemed to know the truth.

    Was this what they called a woman¡¯s instinct?

    When Ethan remained silent, Mnie pressed her advantage. ¡°And think about it ¡ª don¡¯t you believe Maia deserves a better man?¡±

    The image of Justiceze floated through Ethan¡¯s mind, that calm and gentle presence from their conversations. Something stirred in his chest, though wariness still clouded his expression. ¡°What exactly are you getting at?¡±

    Mnie drew in a steadying breath, her tone growing serious. ¡°I¡¯ll bepletely honest with you. My dad actually has feelings for Maia. And you know how incredible my dad is, so¡­¡±

    Her words trailed off, a soft blush creeping up her neck. Even with all her mental preparation, voicing these thoughts brought an unexpected wave of shyness.

    This vulnerable side of Mnie caught Ethanpletely off guard. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Mnie was harboring the exact same thoughts as him.

    All this time, he had been wrestling with how to bring Hurst and Maia together, and here was Mnie, proposing the very same n. Excitement sparked in Ethan¡¯s eyes.

    As he studied Mnie¡¯s face, he found that sharing amon purpose had somehow erased his usual irritation with her. His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°You¡­ you want me to help set up Maia with your dad?¡±

    L¦Ët??¦Ó §éh¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?r? ¦Én g??l?ov?ls.??????

    Mnie¡¯s head bobbed eagerly, her cheeks burning but her expression deadly serious. ¡°Exactly!¡±

    She thrust out her hand toward him. ¡°Let¡¯s work together!¡±

    Ethan stared at her outstretched palm for a long moment before sping it firmly. ¡°Alright.¡±

    ¡°Perfect! It¡¯s a deal then!¡± Mnie¡¯s entire face transformed with joy, a radiant smile blooming across her features. ¡°From now on, we¡¯re allies. You share whatever information you have with me, and I¡¯ll do the same. Our mission is simple ¡ª get them together and marching down that aisle as fast as possible!¡±

    Guilt tugged at Ethan¡¯s conscience. He had given Maia his word not to expose the fake marriage. Yet Mnie had reached this conclusion entirely on her own. Technically, he wouldn¡¯t be breaking his promise.

    More than anything else, he truly wanted Maia to find happiness with Justiceze.

    Atst, Ethan gave a decisive nod. The unlikely pair immediately began plotting their strategy.

    ¡°So our first priority is confirming whether Maia¡¯s marriage is real. If she is indeed married but unhappy, we need to figure out how to get her divorced. Plus, we have to create more chances for Maia and my dad to spend time together,¡± Mnie outlined.

    Ethan¡¯s mind shed to Maia¡¯s promise about divorcing once she¡¯d repaid her debt. Since he couldn¡¯t share that detail with Mnie, he simply yed along.

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 Chapter 767

    ?Chapter 767:

    ¡°Sounds good,¡± Ethan confirmed.

    The sharp ng of the school bell cut through their secret meeting.

    What neither conspirator realized was that Marisa stood pressed against the wall just around the corner, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Why had Ethan and Mnie suddenly be so chummy?

    At that moment, the shrill ring of an rm pierced through Maia¡¯s room in Elysium Apartments.

    Her hand fumbled across the nightstand to silence the phone before she copsed back against her pillow, staring nkly at the ceiling.

    Sleep had been elusive the entire night.

    As soon as she opened her eyes, a heavy ache filled her head and a sharp sting burned in her eyes.

    Drawing in a shaky breath, shebed her fingers through her tangled hair and forced herself upright.

    Today¡¯s flight for the medical appointment could no longer be dyed.

    Hastily throwing on a jacket, she moved toward Chris¡¯ room to wake him for packing, just as her own door swung open. The door across the hallway opened at the exact same moment.

    Both Maia and Chris froze, their eyes locking in mutual surprise.

    While Maia stood processing the coincidence, Chris recovered first, shing an innocent smile as he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten about today¡¯s flight. Actually, I was just getting up to make you breakfast.¡±

    Crossing her arms defensively, Maia shifted her weight and replied stiffly, ¡°Don¡¯t bother. There¡¯s still food left in the fridge.¡±

    Chris¡¯ expression brightened with a yful grin. ¡°Perfect. Can¡¯t let your amazing cooking go to waste, honey.¡±

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    Without missing a beat, he strolled into the kitchen, pulled outst night¡¯s untouched dishes from the fridge, and began heating them one by one in the microwave.

    The casual response left Maia momentarily stunned, her nned words dissolving on her tongue.

    ¡°God, this smells incredible,¡± Chrismented while transferring the warmed dishes to the dining area.

    Maia said nothing, walking straight to the table and settling into her chair. She watched as Chris meticulously arranged each dish and even set out a fork for her, his voice warm with appreciation.

    ¡°Seriously, your cooking is unmatched, honey.¡±

    Without acknowledging thepliment, Maia took a bite and chewed in silence.

    Chris nodded thoughtfully between bites, as though conducting a serious taste test. ¡°This grilled chicken is absolutely incredible!¡± He gestured enthusiastically with his fork. ¡°And these ribs are so tender they¡¯re practically falling apart!¡±

    Maia¡¯s patience finally snapped, her re sharp enough to cut ss. ¡°You didn¡¯te home yesterday, and these dishes sat cold all night. They can¡¯t possibly taste the same as when I first made them.¡±

    Unfazed, Chris lifted a spoonful of soup to his lips and smiled after tasting it. ¡°Anything you make always tastes perfect to me, no matter what.¡±

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 Chapter 768

    ?Chapter 768:

    The simple response caught Maia off guard, her brewing anger faltering slightly. A frown creased her brow. Every time she prepared to unleash her frustration on Chris, he somehow managed to disarm herpletely. It felt like throwing a punch only to have it sink harmlessly into cotton.

    Maia released a heavy sigh. Forget it. As long as he was safe, nothing else mattered.

    Taking a few more deliberate bites, she fixed him with a stern look. ¡°Pack everything quickly after this. We can¡¯t afford any dys getting to the airport.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely, whatever you say, honey,¡± Chris replied, his smile radiatingpletepliance.

    Once breakfast ended, Chris disappeared into his room to pack.

    Exhaustion weighed heavily on Maia¡¯s eyelids, and she let out a long yawn. Just as she turned toward her room for a much-needed nap, her phone buzzed to life. Lenny¡¯s name shed across the screen.

    ¡°Hello, Professor Bryant?¡± Maia answered.

    Lenny¡¯s familiar voice crackled through the speaker. ¡°Have you already booked your flight, Maia?¡±

    ¡°Nine this morning,¡± Maia confirmed briefly.

    Static filled the pause before Lenny¡¯s hesitant response. ¡°You¡¯ll need to cancel it immediately. I just received urgent notice that I¡¯m required to leave Drakmire this afternoon for an international academic summit in Otruitho.¡±

    The news hit Maia like a cold wave. ¡°This suddenly? How long will you be away?¡±

    ¡°Orders from the higher-ups. There¡¯s no refusing something like this,¡± Lenny said, his voice carrying unmistakable weariness. ¡°After the summit concludes, I¡¯ll be conducting lectures there for two weeks.¡±

    He paused briefly before continuing. ¡°I¡¯m well aware of Chris¡¯ condition, though. Here¡¯s what I¡¯m thinking: bring him directly to Sceibar Royal Academy Hospital in two weeks instead. Their facilities are state-of-the-art forprehensive evaluations and testing. Better yet, several of the world¡¯s¡­¡±

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    ¡°Leading neurosurgery and general surgery experts will be attending the summit. I can arrange for a joint consultation with them.¡±

    The suggestion struck Maia as an unexpected stroke of fortune. Gathering such renowned specialists in one ce was practically unheard of, so she didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Perfect. I¡¯ll bring him over in two weeks then. Thank you, Professor Bryant.¡±

    Phone call finished, Maia stepped into the living room to find Chris busily stuffing his suitcase.

    ¡°Change of ns,¡± she announced. ¡°Professor Bryant is heading to Otruitho this afternoon for a summit. I¡¯ve spoken to him, so your medical appointment will have to wait. We¡¯ll go in two weeks.¡±

    ncing up with a crooked smile, Chrisughed. ¡°Guess life¡¯s curveballs win out over even the bestid ns.¡±

    A pointed look from Maia cut through his levity. ¡°At least he informed me as soon as he got the news, which is more than I can say for you.¡±

    Embarrassment flickered across Chris¡¯ face. For a moment, he had no defense, so he settled for a sheepish grin. A hush fell between them, tension lingering in the air.

    Maia broke the silence, her tone calm but edged with warning. ¡°Let¡¯s not repeat this. If anything changes, I want to know right away.¡±

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 Chapter 769

    ?Chapter 769:

    Promise written across his expression, Chris replied, ¡°You have my word. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±

    Satisfied with his response, Maia chose not to press further. A yawn escaped her as she retreated toward her bedroom.

    No sooner had she sunk into bed than her phone buzzed again. Alice¡¯s name shed across the screen.

    ¡°Maia, check your inbox! I just sent thetest design drafts,¡± Alice said, her excitement spilling through the line. ¡°Also, I¡¯d really love for you toe to the art show.¡±

    Exhaustion pressed at Maia¡¯s temples. The show wasn¡¯t on her agenda, but since she¡¯d be taking Chris for his appointment soon anyway, and the art show¡¯s location wasn¡¯t far from the hospital, she decided it would fit right in.

    ¡°Sure,¡± she replied, her voice tired but agreeable. ¡°I¡¯ll be around for other business, so I¡¯ll stop by.¡±

    Alice practically squealed with delight. ¡°Fantastic! I¡¯m flying back to Otruitho in a couple of days. Call me when you get there ¡ª I want to greet you myself!¡±

    ¡°Sounds good, see you soon,¡± Maia answered, her smile audible in her tone.

    With the conversation over, Maia sank deeper into the mattress, set her phone aside, and let sleep finally overtake her.

    Elsewhere, the ss bell sounded at Wront University, marking the start of a break.

    Mnie rose from her seat, scooped up her textbook, and strode directly toward Ethan, who sat in the back corner.

    To any observer, her movements seemed casual, even as she spoke in a voice meant to be overheard. ¡°Ethan, can you help me with this function? I¡¯m stuck.¡±

    That got his attention. Ethan looked up, ready with an answer.

    However, Mnie leaned in close and whispered, ¡°I¡¯m not here for math. Any news about Maia¡¯s marriage?¡±

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    Ethan stiffened, casting a wary nce around the ssroom. Keeping his voice low, he replied, ¡°Like I said before, I really don¡¯t know¡­ Besides, break¡¯s not the best time for this conversation.¡±

    Instead of letting the matter drop, Mnie dragged over a ssmate¡¯s chair and sat right next to him. ¡°Breaks are perfect for these kinds of talks. From now on, expect me every time the bell rings ¡ª always with a math problem or two,¡± she teased.

    A mischievous glint lit her eyes as she raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased with her n.

    After weighing her words, Ethan realized that maybe this wasn¡¯t such a bad idea after all. He leaned closer and kept his voice low. ¡°Got any bright ideas? If I go straight to Maia, she¡¯ll just shut me out.¡±

    Leaning in, Mnie nearly brushed against his arm as she whispered, ¡°Actually, I do. Where is Maia living these days? If you give me her address, I can hire a private investigator to keep watch. There¡¯s no way her husband can hide forever. If they show up together, we¡¯ll have proof ¡ª and a photo to match his face to his name.¡±

    The suggestion caught Ethanpletely off guard. The thought of bringing in a private investigator was something he had never dared to consider. Questions about the cost swirled in his mind, but he doubted it would be cheap.

    The real hitch was his totalck of information about Maia¡¯s home life. He admitted sheepishly, ¡°But I honestly don¡¯t know where she lives now. Maia alwayses to see me. I¡¯ve never been invited to her ce.¡±

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 Chapter 770

    ?Chapter 770:

    ¡°What!?¡± Mnie nearly fell out of her seat. ¡°You¡¯re joking, right? How can you not know your own sister¡¯s address? She¡¯s got you on lockdown tighter than a pop star dodging the paparazzi!¡±

    A sheepish grin spread across Ethan¡¯s face. ¡°Maybe she¡¯s just making sure I never cross paths with her husband¡­¡±

    A long, drawn-out sigh escaped Mnie as she ran through her mental checklist.

    This level of secrecy was a new hurdle, but she wasn¡¯t ready to quit.

    Giving herself a moment to think, Mnie finally said, ¡°Alright then, here¡¯s another angle. What if you¡ª¡±

    A sharp voice interrupted before she could finish.

    Marisa had materialized behind them, her tone frosty. ¡°Mnie, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re pestering Ethan again?¡±

    Marisa popped the lollipop out of her mouth, spoke slowly, and said, ¡°Let me spell it out for you. Ethan¡¯s under my protection now, so keep your distance. You¡¯d be smart not to mess with me.¡±

    Her voice barely rose in volume, yet it was sharp enough to cut through the noise in the room and draw every pair of eyes her way.

    It had almost be routine for Marisa to drop by whenever the bell rang for a break. Only yesterday, she had turned a corner and caught sight of Mnie and Ethan tucked away near the end of the hallway.

    This time, she caught them deep in conversation again,ughing as though they shared some private joke. Mnie leaned in close, practically clinging to Ethan as if he belonged to her.

    The sight stirred a sharp frustration in Marisa. Ethan wasn¡¯t just anyone ¡ª he was her friend. Did Mnie really think she could take that from her? Was this some kind of petty revenge?

    Her thoughts grew heavier when she overheard a few voices whispering by the doorway.

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    ¡°Hey, look at that. Mnie always rushes to Ethan right after ss. I even saw her dragging him along after school yesterday. You think something¡¯s going on between them?¡±

    ¡°That can¡¯t be right. Back when Ethan was new here, Mnie wouldn¡¯t stop giving him trouble.¡±

    ¡°But maybe she was just trying to grab Ethan¡¯s attention by bullying him?¡±

    Off to the side, a small group of students huddled together, tossing nces at Marisa while one of them muttered, ¡°Look at her. Maybe Ethan¡¯s done with Marisa already.¡±

    The words hit harder than Marisa expected. She hadn¡¯t thought the students in ss One would be so eager to spread rumors.

    And yet, something about their words struck a nerve, sharp and sudden. She couldn¡¯t decide which part unsettled her more. Was it Mnie¡¯s sudden interest in Ethan? Or was it how quickly Ethan allowed someone new to slip into his orbit?

    Trying to stay level-headed, Marisa told herself that she only wanted to keep Ethan around because he made her life less boring. There was nothing more than that. Still, her feet moved before her thoughts could stop them, carrying her forward.

    Just as Marisa arrived, Mnie stood up without a nce and walked off, cool and unfazed, straight back to her seat. She clearly had no intention of starting a fight with Marisa.

    Before Ethan could smooth things over, Marisa caught hold of his wrist and yanked him out of the room.

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 Chapter 771

    ?Chapter 771:

    ¡°Wait, what¡¯s going on?¡± he asked, but she didn¡¯t give him a chance to finish before hauling him all the way up to the rooftop.

    Once they arrived, silence stretched between them. The breeze swept past, leaving Ethan momentarily stunned.

    When Marisa finally turned to face him, the usual mischief in her eyes was gone. Her voice cut sharp through the air. ¡°Tell me the truth, Ethan. What¡¯s happening between you and Mnie?¡±

    Caught off guard, Ethan rubbed the back of his neck and muttered, ¡°Nothing¡¯s going on between us.¡±

    Without warning, Marisa leaned in close, her gaze locking onto his. ¡°Then why has she been glued to you every single break for the past two days?¡±

    Ethan opened his mouth, faltered, then rushed out a reply. ¡°She¡¯s worried about the entrance exam. There were things she didn¡¯t understand, so she came to me for help.¡±

    And just like that, he told Marisa something that wasn¡¯t true ¡ª for the first time. Anxious thoughts surged through him, and his pulse refused to settle.

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Marisa narrowed her eyes and stepped closer without hesitation. She wasn¡¯t tall, but the energy she carried was impossible to ignore. nting her hand firmly against the wall, she trapped Ethan in ce.

    ¡°Ethan, look at me,¡± she said, her voice dipping into something almost teasing, but beneath it was a demand as clear as steel. ¡°Don¡¯t feed me lies. I know when someone¡¯s not being honest.¡±

    Backed against the wall, Ethan felt his breath catch, uneven and quick.

    Guilt tugged at him as he met Marisa¡¯s eyes.

    Marisa was the only person at Wront University who had ever made him feel like he belonged. That was exactly why deceiving her didn¡¯t sit right with him.

    But this time, the matter involved Maia.

    I@?€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? In ?al¦Ð?¦Í¦Ål?.c?m

    He and Mnie had already started working together behind the scenes, and what they were nning had to remain a secret.

    Ethan¡¯s gaze dropped, uncertainty and hesitation flickering across his face. Marisa¡¯s questions left him cornered, unsure of what to say.

    But in the end, Ethan gave a small nod ¡ª because the mission to pair Justiceze with Maia mattered more than anything else right now.

    ¡°I¡¯m telling the truth. I swear,¡± he said.

    A bit of tension slipped from Ethan¡¯s shoulders as the conversation settled.

    Taking a measured breath, Marisa stepped back.

    Her hand dipped into her zer until she found a brightly wrapped lollipop, which she pressed into Ethan¡¯s palm.

    ¡°Take this. I¡¯m heading off now. If Mnie gives you trouble, you know where to find me.¡±

    Without another nce, Marisa spun around and strode away.

    Ethan stared down at the lollipop in his hand, lingering in quiet thought before heading toward ss One. Just as he stepped inside, the shrill ring of the school bell echoed through the room.

    He paused when he noticed something strange: the boy who usually sat beside him had moved to the front row, and Mnie had imed the seat instead.

    Moving quickly, Ethan slipped into his ce and leaned toward her, whispering,

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 Chapter 772

    ?Chapter 772:

    ¡°Why did you¡­¡±

    Smiling softly, Mnie cut him off.

    ¡°Your seatmate and I switched. This way, it¡¯s easier for me to ask you more questions.¡±

    Ethan was left without a reply. With the teacher already standing at the front, he shifted his focus to the lesson and let the matter go.

    Only minutes passed before something tapped lightly against his hand.

    Turning his head, he caught Mnie slipping him a folded note in secret.

    ¡°Ethan, set up a meeting with your Maia. I¡¯ll have a private investigator tail her after she leaves so we can figure out her address.¡±

    Ethan stared at the message for a long moment before pressing his lips together and giving a faint nod.

    He was curious too¡ªabout where his sister lived and the identity of the man she had married out of obligation.

    Meanwhile, at the Morgan household, restless nights and skipped meals had be routine. They had waited so long, hoping for news, yet Maia still hadn¡¯t reached out.

    Right then, both Richard and Sandra received a message from Rosanna.

    ¡°Dad, Mom, I miss you.¡±

    Lifting their heads at the same moment, the couple exchanged nces and showed each other their phones.

    Noticing they had received the same message, neither spoke, letting the silence stretch between them. Just then, footsteps echoed on the staircase.

    Their attention shifted as Jarrod appeared, moving quickly down the steps. He brushed past his parents with a weary sigh and headed for the door.

    Richard asked, his voice edged with suspicion,

    Latest updates only on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??ls

    ¡°Where are you off to?¡±

    Without breaking stride, Jarrod replied,

    ¡°I¡¯m going to the MCN building. If I keep showing up, sooner orter I¡¯ll cross paths with Maia.¡±

    Richard and Sandra exchanged a look, an unspoken agreement passing between them. Rising together, they both said,

    ¡°We¡¯lle with you.¡±

    Elsewhere, outside the MCN entrance, Vince had been waiting for what felt like forever while the security guard blocked his way inside.

    He stood just beyond the turnstile, frustration clouding his face. All day, he had tried to reach Maia, but not a single call had gone through. Every message he sent disappeared without a trace, like pebbles vanishing into a deep well.

    Eventually, his patience snapped, and he decided to show up in person. If Maia came in for work, he was certain he¡¯d catch sight of her ¡ª maybe even manage to invite her to dinner.

    Word traveled quickly, and soon Pattie heard that Vince was waiting at the entrance downstairs.

    Propping her chin on one hand, Pattie let out a tired sigh.

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 Chapter 773

    ?Chapter 773:

    ¡°We still haven¡¯t sorted out the Morgan family, and now Vince decides to show up.¡±

    Luckily, with the security system and double turnstiles in ce, neither he nor the Morgans could make it upstairs.

    A sharpugh escaped her lips as she muttered,

    ¡°Now they regret everything? None of them cared about Maia before, and suddenly they want to make things right? Regret can¡¯t undo what they did to her.¡±

    Picking up the phone, Pattie gave strict instructions to the front desk.

    ¡°Listen carefully. No one from the Ward family or the Morgan family is to be allowed into MCN.¡±

    No sooner had she finished than the receptionist chimed in,

    ¡°Of course, Ms. Miller. I understand. Just so you know, security just called to say the Morgan family is also downstairs now, right alongside Vince.¡±

    Pattie¡¯s expression soured at the update. Was there any chance those people would finally back down? Now every single one of them crowded the building¡¯s entrance, refusing to budge.

    Drawing in a long breath, Pattie spoke with icy calm.

    ¡°Just let them stand there if they find it entertaining.¡±

    After ending the call, she wasted no time firing off a text to Maia: Honey, stay away from the office for now. Vince and the Morgans have made a habit of waiting out front every day. Don¡¯t let yourself give in.

    Down at the MCN entrance, Vince stood tall and stiff, his hands shoved deep into his pockets as he watched the doors.

    When he noticed the Morgan family approaching, he quickly looked away, pretending he hadn¡¯t seen them.

    Richard spotted Vince but decided to keep silent as well. Not a word passed between the four of them.

    . brings magic to life

    From her ce at the side, Sandra let out a weary sigh. If the past had yed out differently, Vince would have ended up marrying Maia, and their lives might have turned out much happier.

    Nothing should have unfolded like this.

    What a waste.

    Meanwhile, Jarrod fixed a heated re on Vince, his patience finally wearing thin.

    ¡°Why are you even here? Maia has a husband now. You should leave her alone.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s cutting words pierced Vince¡¯s heart, making his brows knit tightly.

    He nearly snapped back with a sharp Mind your own business, but after a second thought, he forced the urge down.

    His hands curled into fists at his sides as he struggled to keep his temper in check.

    Whether Maia had a husband or not didn¡¯t matter to him. What mattered was that he had the means to win her back ¡ª even if it meant tearing her marriage apart.

    Jarrod eventually gave up trying to provoke him. With a scoff, he fell silent and looked away.

    None of them moved closer. They remained where they were, scattered near the first-floor entrance, unwilling to close the awkward distance.

    At some point, the air conditioning downstairs had shut off, and the ce began to feel stifling.

    Sweat gathered on their brows as the heat pressed in.

    .

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 Chapter 774

    ?Chapter 774:

    Jarrod shifted ufortably, his expression darkening. He turned to his parents and muttered,

    ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯m telling you, Maia¡¯s upstairs. She¡¯s doing this to test how long we¡¯ll wait.¡±

    Despite the oppressive heat, the other three stayed rooted in ce, silently agreeing with Jarrod.

    Not one of them made a move to leave.

    On the upper floor, Pattie caught word that even after the cooling system had been shut off, the Morgan family and Vince still refused to budge.

    A quiet scoff escaped her lips.

    ¡°Unbelievable. They¡¯vepletely lost it. Tell security they can take a break somewhere cooler. If those four want to roast, let them roast.¡±

    To Pattie, this small difort was nothingpared to the suffering Maia had endured in the past.

    She felt no sympathy for them. After all, it was their blindness that had condemned Maia to four years behind bars.

    Just then, her phone buzzed. Maia had sent her a message: I¡¯m leaving for Sceibar soon. You¡¯ll be in charge of thepany until I return. Let me know if anything importantes up.

    Over the next several days, Vince and the Morgan family acted as though they had formed a silent pact.

    Each day, they showed up without fail.

    Their persistence carried the air of a quiet contest, each one determined to prove their devotion.

    Still, Maia never appeared.

    Dive into tales at g¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s,

    Before they realized it, two weeks had passed.

    Early one morning, Maia brought Chris to the airport. She had kept to herself during this period, even turning down Ethan¡¯s attempts to meet. Most of her focus went into studying Chris¡¯ medical condition, while the rest was spent offering asional feedback on Alice¡¯s design drafts.

    Meanwhile, word reached her that Cooper Group had taken a serious hit. A dyed shipment had triggered a steep financial penalty, pushing thepany into troubled waters.

    It almost felt as though destiny was finally tipping the scales in her favor.

    Chris, on the other hand, had been keeping a low profile. Since theirst talk, he rarely left the house, and when he did, he made sure to return early and always kept her informed.

    Lately, he had been calling her honey far more often than usual.

    As they walked, Chris pulled the suitcase behind him and grinned over his shoulder.

    Honey, think this is the first trip we¡¯re taking as a married couple.

    Maia didn¡¯t hide her annoyance.

    Tone it down when we¡¯re in public. What if someone spots you?

    Chris simply gave azy shrug.

    Come on. With how we¡¯re dressed, no one¡¯s going to recognize us.

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 Chapter 775

    ?Chapter 775:

    He had woken up early just to follow every detail of Maia¡¯s disguise instructions. The oversized sunsses covered nearly half his face¡­

    Maia went even further ¡ª she wore a tailored zer, tied her hair into a tight bun, and topped it off with a cap and shades that concealed most of her features. Recognition seemed impossible.

    But at the airport, just as they moved past security, a sharp voice called out from the crowd.

    Maia! Maia!

    Panting heavily, Vince pushed his way through the sea of travelers. He hadn¡¯t only been waiting outside MCN ¡ª he had arranged for someone to dig into Maia¡¯s travel ns and discovered a booked flight to Sceibar. That discovery drove him here, desperate to catch her in time.

    He scoured the crowd frantically, moving from one group to another,pletely overlooking the disguised couple just a few steps away ¡ª Maia and Chris. At that same moment, a few airport security officers noticed his restless pacing and pulled him aside for questioning.

    Although removed from the restricted zone, Vince refused to give up. He stood at the barrier, shouting, his voice raw.

    Maia! Where are you? I know I messed up. Please¡­ just give me one more chance!

    Again and again, his voice rang out, loud enough to make strangers pause and stare. The attention didn¡¯t matter to him. All that mattered was whether Maia could hear him through the chaos.

    Traveler after traveler passed through the gates, but not once did he glimpse the woman he had been longing to see for weeks.

    I¡¯m not quitting, Maia. I¡¯ll wait for the day you return. When that dayes, I¡¯ll make sure you see things differently, Vince muttered, stubborn hope burning in his eyes.

    And if heartfelt apologies weren¡¯t enough to reach her¡­ then he wasn¡¯t above turning to other methods to win her back.

    ???€?? ¡é?¦Át?¦Å§ñs 1n ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.???

    Burlwood Grove, Sceibar

    As dusk draped thendscape in violet hues, the ne descended with a soft hum. Its tires kissed the tarmac with a faint jolt, stirring Maia from the haze of half-sleep.

    The fatigue of ten long hours in the air clung to her bones. She ran a hand through her hair, gathered herself, and rose to retrieve her carry-on, instinctively ncing toward the window.

    Beyond the ss, snow-capped mountains shimmered like frozen sentinels beneath the fading light. Airport announcements rose in a medley ofnguages, underscored by a graceful symphony ying somewhere overhead, lending the terminal an air of quiet elegance and distant charm.

    Maia and Chris collected their luggage and stepped into the arrivals hall, where a massive banner stretched across the walkway read: Wee to Burlwood Grove, Ms. Maia Watson. ¡ª Alice Byrd

    A wry smile tugged at Maia¡¯s lips. There was no point in hiding now. With a soft sigh, she slipped off her sunsses and pushed back the brim of her baseball cap.

    Almost instantly, Alice spotted her. Eyes bright and steps quick, she rushed forward and threw her arms around Maia.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, you¡¯re finally here!¡±

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 Chapter 776

    ?Chapter 776:

    Maia warmly returned the hug.

    ¡°I¡¯ve taken care of everything,¡± Alice announced with a radiant smile. ¡°The hotel is ready, and I booked a dinner reservation too. You have to try the beef ribs ¡ª they¡¯re practically famous here.¡± Her gaze shifted curiously to the man standing just behind Maia.

    ¡°And¡­ who¡¯s the gentleman apanying you?¡±

    Maia turned slightly. Chris stood tall at her back, sunsses still in ce, his expression calm and unreadable. His posture radiated quiet authority.

    Before Maia could answer, Alice¡¯s eyes sparkled with mischief. ¡°Is he your bodyguard?¡±

    For a second, Maia blinked in surprise ¡ª then burst intoughter.

    Behind her, Chris furrowed his brow ever so slightly.

    Tilting her head back to nce at him, Maia smirked mischievously.

    ¡°You nailed it, Alice. He¡¯s my bodyguard.¡±

    Besides indulging in a bit of fun at Chris¡¯ expense, it was also the most convenient exnation ¡ª for now.

    ¡°I knew it!¡± Alice said triumphantly, nodding as if she had solved a riddle. ¡°He¡¯s got that look ¡ª like the kind of guy who could dismantle a threat with one hand and not spill his coffee.¡±

    Chris nearly choked on air. He shot Maia a silent look, as if asking, Seriously? I look like a bodyguard to you?

    She, of course, acted oblivious and walked ahead without a backward nce.

    Alice looped an arm through Maia¡¯s and marched on. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ms. Watson,¡± she said cheerfully. ¡°Here in Sceibar, I have a little sway. Anyone who tries to mess with you will have to go through me first.¡±

    Chris trailed behind them with a resigned sigh, hefting both suitcases without a word.

    Stay updated with g?ln¦Òv???s

    By the time they finally settled in, dusk had deepened into evening. Their hotel, a discreet jewel tucked into the hillside, exuded quiet opulence ¡ª sleek, understated, and built for those who prized privacy.

    Alice had chosen a room with a direct view of the Jaliyah ¡ª a shimmering ribbon of water winding through the majestic slopes of the Apex Mountains. At that hour, the peaks stood like painted sentinels under the indigo sky, their silhouettes etched in fading gold. It was all too perfect, like a living masterpiece.

    Later that evening, Alice took them to a renowned restaurant, a prestigious spot whispered about in elite circles for its transcendent cuisine and sommelier-led pairings.

    Throughout the meal, Alice¡¯s attention wasser-focused on Maia. She cut her steak with the tenderness of a doting guardian, poured her wine with a steady hand, and addressed her with endearments at nearly every turn.

    Maia had gently tried to dissuade her from the constant ¡°Ms. Watson¡± formality, but Alice had a stubborn streak. After a few failed attempts, Maia let it slide with a sigh and a half-smile.

    Chris, by contrast, remained a silent sentinel. He sat slightly off to the side, upright and still, exuding the quiet alertness of someone permanently ¡°on watch.¡± His calm gaze swept across the room every so often, but when itnded on Maia, it softened ¡ª just a little.

    asionally, he helped her with utensils or refilled her ss, but never once joined the conversation.

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 Chapter 777

    ?Chapter 777:

    By the time the clock struck nine, Alice had returned them to their hotel with her usual elegance and efficiency.

    Maia¡¯s and Chris¡¯ rooms were next to each other. As they reached the hallway, Chris hesitated before reaching for his door ¡ª and finally broke his silence.

    ¡°Do I really look like a bodyguard?¡±

    Maia, hand on the door handle, turned her head. Her eyes held a teasing spark as she studied him for a beat.

    ¡°You do,¡± she said softly. ¡°You radiate security. It¡¯s a gift.¡±

    The irritation that had briefly clouded Chris¡¯ features evaporated like mist in sunlight. His shoulders eased, and the corners of his mouth lifted into something unguarded and proud ¡ª just for a moment.

    Maia smiled. ¡°Get some rest. Tomorrow morning, we¡¯re due at the affiliated hospital of the Sceibar Royal Academy for your checkup. Professor Bryant already made the arrangements.¡±

    Chris gave a crisp nod. ¡°Got it.¡±

    Meanwhile, across the city at a five-star hotel in the heart of Burlwood Grove, a different kind of quiet unfolded. On the top floor, inside the presidential suite, soft lighting painted the room in warm tones, and the air carried the delicate fizz of chilled champagne. The atmosphere was tailored elegance ¡ª tasteful, deliberate.

    A gentle, poised knock sounded at the door.

    An elegant woman set her slender champagne flute back on the marble-topped table, then rose with unhurried grace to answer.

    Mariana stood outside, shoulders slightly drawn in, fingers twitching at her sides.

    When the door opened, she looked up ¡ª and froze.

    The woman before her looked like a figure from a high-fashion spread: dressed in a champagne-hued velvet ensemble that hugged her figure with impable tailoring. Her makeup was wless. Her eyes, cool and assessing, revealed nothing.

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    She exuded nobility cloaked in frost.

    This woman was Mariana¡¯s sister, Kiley Cooper ¡ª Kolton¡¯s eldest daughter, the reigning CEO of Radiant Jewels.

    ¡°Hello, Kiley.¡± Mariana¡¯s tone was warm, her smile gentle and inviting.

    Kiley returned the gesture. ¡°It really has been some time, Mariana.¡±

    Once they were both seated and had exchanged a few polite remarks, the conversation quickly shifted to the reason behind their meeting.

    ¡°I thought your schedule was packedtely. What made youe to Sceibar all of a sudden?¡± Mariana asked, leaning forward slightly.

    She had arrived in town ahead of schedule for the uing art exhibition, only learning earlier that day that her older sister, Kiley, happened to be in the same city. That revtion had prompted her to rush over without hesitation.

    Kiley took a slow sip of her wine, swirling the ss with practiced grace. ¡°Didn¡¯t Dad fill you in? Radiant Jewels is one of the main sponsors for this prestigious art event.¡±

    Mariana blinked in surprise. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re here for the exhibition too?¡±

    Kiley nodded without hesitation. ¡°That¡¯s right. This event is a major step for our Cooper family¡¯s expansion into the art industry. You¡¯re expected to showcase your strongest pieces to help Cooper Group build a name in this space. And beyond that, it¡¯s a great setting to discover fresh talent who could help us innovate in Radiant Jewels¡¯ future collections.¡±

    A sharp glint entered Kiley¡¯s eyes. To her, gathering skilled artists wasn¡¯t just about elevating their jewelry brand. It was also a calcted step toward expanding the family¡¯s presence in the art industry and strengthening the Cooper Group¡¯s standing once Mariana moved up the ranks.

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 Chapter 778

    ?Chapter 778:

    A faint trace of disappointment flickered in Mariana¡¯s eyes at her sister¡¯s words. Deep down, she had suspected it. Kiley wasn¡¯t in Sceibar just to see her. Still, Mariana reminded herself that Kiley had always been like udius ¡ª ambitious, driven, and guided by what was best for the family, not sentiment.

    ¡°I get it. I¡¯ll give it everything I¡¯ve got,¡± Mariana replied, keeping her voice steady.

    That didn¡¯t escape Kiley¡¯s notice. A quietugh slipped out as she leaned forward. ¡°You sound a little upset, Mariana. But I promise I didn¡¯t juste here on Cooper Group¡¯s behalf,¡± she said, cing her ss down with care.

    Her tone softened a beatter. ¡°I also heard things didn¡¯t end well for you back home. Aurora Apparel Company got pulled out from under the Cooper Group, didn¡¯t it?¡±

    Mariana had tried to stayposed, but Kiley¡¯s words struck a nerve. Her eyes turned misty in an instant.

    No matter how loud or fearless she usually was, standing before Kiley always made Mariana feel like a younger version of herself ¡ª uncertain, exposed, and longing to be understood.

    That night at Cooper Group¡¯s event still haunted her. Losing Aurora Apparel Company had left a bitter taste she couldn¡¯t shake. She had counted on the giarism scandal to drag Maia down and reim the brand, but her n had backfiredpletely.

    Now that Kiley had brought it up, Mariana realized it was the perfect moment to unload everything she had been holding back.

    She bit her lower lip briefly to steady herself, then nodded and began recounting every slight Maia had supposedly inflicted ¡ª each one exaggerated to cast Maia in the worst possible light.

    Among her many usations, she didn¡¯t forget to im that Maia had made advances toward udius.

    Kiley¡¯s mood shifted instantly. Her jaw tightened, and her eyes lost all warmth. ¡°So that¡¯s the kind of woman Maia is? A seductress hiding behind a sweet face?¡±

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    For someone like udius ¡ª reserved, disinterested in women, and alwaysposed ¡ª to fall for her? That was shocking.

    He had even tapped into Cooper Group¡¯s finances to throw an extravagant birthday party for Maia.

    Having spent the past few years focused on expansion overseas, Kiley had distanced herself from local affairs. Her focus had been strictly professional. If Mariana hadn¡¯t shared all this face-to-face, she never would have believed that her level-headed brother could act so recklessly.

    If left unchecked, Maia would eventually stand in the way of Cooper Group¡¯s ambitions.

    Without missing a beat, Kiley¡¯s face hardened, and her tone dropped to a chilling calm. ¡°Anyone who crosses the Cooper family pays a price. Leave this to me.¡±

    At that, Mariana¡¯s lips curved slightly, her eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction. ¡°I really appreciate it, Kiley.¡±

    Now that Kiley had taken charge, she was confident that Maia¡¯s downfall was only a matter of time.

    Before either of them could say more, a rxed female voice drifted in from deeper within the suite. ¡°Kiley, do we havepany?¡±

    Startled, Mariana turned her head toward the sound just as someone stepped out from the bedroom.

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 Chapter 779

    ?Chapter 779:

    The woman who appeared wore a silk robe that draped lightly over her elegant frame. Her features were delicate, her charm effortless, and her presence carried the ease of someone ustomed to being watched.

    For a moment, Mariana forgot to breathe. A strange flutter stirred in her chest. Kiley had never had a boyfriend before ¡ª could this mean something more?

    Before she could ask, Kiley let out a smallugh. ¡°Mariana, meet Raegan Foster. She¡¯s a very dear friend of mine.¡±

    With a nod in Raegan¡¯s direction, she added, ¡°Raegan, this is my younger sister, Mariana Cooper.¡±

    Wrapped in a light cashmere shawl, Raegan strolled forward with unhurried grace. Her eyes shimmered as she reached out to Mariana, her voice smooth and maic. ¡°Pleasure to meet you.¡±

    A brief pause followed before Mariana offered her hand and responded with practiced courtesy, ¡°Likewise. It¡¯s nice to meet you.¡±

    shing a gentle smile, Raegan gave a small stretch and sighed. ¡°You two carry on ¡ª I need more sleep.¡± With a graceful twist of her waist, she disappeared down the hallway, heading back to the bedroom.

    What no one seemed to notice was the faint, knowing smirk that formed on Raegan¡¯s lips just before she slipped behind the door.

    With a light touch, Raegan slipped into the bedroom and closed the door behind her, the gentle click barely audible.

    Once the door sealed off the outside world, her expression shed its charm, revealing a gaze sharp and unfeeling.

    Tilting her head, she reached into the pocket of her robe and unlocked her phone in one smooth motion, opening a message thread with an unlisted number.

    The moment the text was sent, Raegan erased it without hesitation ¡ª no record, no evidence.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s brings your imagination alive

    Without a second nce, she ced the phone face down on the nightstand.

    Her eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling as her mind wandered, wondering how soon the message would reach the person on the other end.

    In another part of the city, darkness had fully settled in.

    Chrisy sound asleep, undisturbed and still.

    Out of nowhere, a faint buzz stirred the silence near his pillow.

    A gentle glow appeared as the phone screen lit up, signaling the arrival of a new message.

    Morning light spilled gently into the hotel suite through the tall, ss-paneled window. Sceibar weed the day with a softness that seemed untouched by time.

    As Raegan stirred awake, her hand instinctively reached for her phone on the bedside table.

    A message notification waited for her ¡ª a single-word reply. ¡°Okay.¡±

    That one word was enough to bring a faint, knowing smile to her lips.

    Not far from her, Kiley rose slowly, arms stretching above her head before she reached for a slender cigarette.

    She inhaled deeply, then exhaled a perfect smoke ring into the morning air, her eyes drifting toward Raegan¡¯s expression.

    With a smirk, Kiley asked, ¡°You¡¯re grinning already. Don¡¯t tell me some guy texted you good morning?¡±

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 Chapter 780

    Chapter 780:

    Raegan turned slightly, nodding once with a light smile, offering no exnation. Shifting closer, Kiley draped an arm across her shoulder and gave her a sideways nce. ¡°That¡¯s not like you. I thought men weren¡¯t your thing.¡±

    Raegan arched a brow in amusement. ¡°That¡¯s not entirely true.¡±

    Her voice was calm as she added, ¡°It¡¯s just that most of them don¡¯t interest me.¡±

    Curiosity lit up in Kiley¡¯s eyes as she slid her arm around Raegan¡¯s narrow waist. ¡°So this guy¡¯s not like the others, huh? What¡¯s the situation between you two?¡±

    With a shrug and a half-smile, Raegan replied casually, ¡°Okay, don¡¯tugh ¡ª but honestly, there¡¯s been zero progress.¡±

    That answer made Kiley cough while smoking, forcing her to quickly snuff out her cigarette. Turning to face her friend fully, she tilted Raegan¡¯s chin with one hand, eyes narrowing in disbelief as she studied her closely.

    Even with no makeup, Raegan looked effortlessly striking. Every subtle movement, every smile, carried a maic pull that few could resist, regardless of gender. More than her looks, it was the way she carried herself ¡ª confident, graceful, and unintentionally seductive ¡ª that made people instinctively want to shield her. How was it possible that any man could resist that?

    ¡°You¡¯re serious? There¡¯s actually a man out there immune to you? Don¡¯t tell me he swings the other way?¡±

    That thought caught Raegan off guard. Her eyes widened as she blinked in surprise. ¡°Wait ¡ª what? I didn¡¯t even consider that. Could he¡­? Hmm, maybe not?¡±

    That angle hadn¡¯t crossed her mind until now, and Kiley¡¯s remark sparked a flicker of doubt. ¡°What do you think I should do? Is there a way to figure it out for sure?¡±

    A gentleugh escaped Kiley as she watched Raegan¡¯s moment of hesitation. ¡°Just test the waters yourself. You¡¯ve got enough charm to melt anyone ¡ª so if he stays unaffected when you¡¯re alone together, well¡­ there¡¯s your answer.¡±

    At the thought, a faint blush crept into Raegan¡¯s cheeks, her mind clearly drifting toward the possibility. ¡°There¡¯s logic in that¡­¡± she muttered, her voice trailing off as a curious excitement stirred inside her. After all, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to give it a try.

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    Over in his own suite, Chris finished getting dressed and stepped into the hallway. Just as he lifted his hand to knock on Maia¡¯s door, it swung open from the inside.

    For a brief moment, they simply looked at each other across the doorway. Instead of his usual sharp attire, Chris wore a light gray knit sweater and pale trousers that made him look effortlessly approachable.

    There was an ease about him today, something gentle and quietly charming. Maia quickly gathered herself and said withposure, ¡°Good morning, Chris. You¡¯re up earlier than I expected.¡±

    A nce at his wristwatch preceded Chris¡¯ smile. ¡°You insist on early mornings, honey. I wouldn¡¯t dream of defying you.¡±

    Though her lips twitched ever so slightly, Maia chose not toment. With a calm motion, she turned back to shut the door behind her. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s head out. We should get to the checkup ahead of schedule.¡±

    The affiliated hospital of Sceibar Royal Academy.

    Golden shafts of morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows that danced quietly along the sterile corridor.

    At the entrance to the examination wing, Maia stood beside a white bench, her eyes fixed on the tightly shut door of the CT room. No matter how still she tried to remain, the worry etched on her face betrayed the storm inside her.

    Chris was undergoing a CT scan and MRI ¡ª procedures meant to determine the status of the embedded fragments. The soft mechanical hum of the machines asionally drifted through the door, a constant reminder of what was at stake.

    .

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Have a nice week dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?

    .

 Chapter 781

    ?Chapter 781:

    Lenny stood beside her, his graying hair catching the light, his expression thoughtful. He seemed to be weighing every word before speaking.

    Maia finally turned to him, her voice hushed but urgent. ¡°Professor Bryant, considering his condition¡­ how much hope do we have?¡±

    Lenny¡¯s brows drew together, the question striking a nerve. He didn¡¯t respond right away, his eyes fixed on the closed door as if searching for answers beyond it. Atst, he replied in a voice heavy with caution. ¡°We¡¯ll need to see the test results before we can say anything for certain.¡±

    A cold unease crept into Maia¡¯s chest. Though his words were reasonable, they carried the weight of someone preparing her for disappointment.

    ¡°So¡­ is it because too much time has passed? That the bullet fragments haven¡¯t just settled, but¡­¡± Her voice faltered, dropping to a near whisper. ¡°That they¡¯ve fusedpletely with the brain tissue?¡±

    She had spent nights buried in case studies and knew this was the most dangerous possibility. Speaking it aloud felt like tempting fate.

    Lenny nced at her but gave no reply. He merely exhaled, long and slow. ¡°Maia,¡± he said atst, ¡°you¡¯ve reviewed clinical cases too. You know that extracting a fragment, in itself, isn¡¯t aplex operation. The real challenge lies in where it¡¯s lodged. That¡­¡±

    region of the brain is a tangled web of nerves ¡ª particrly the frontal lobe, which governs our most delicate motor functions. Even if this were a recent injury, the odds of sess wouldn¡¯t exceed thirty percent.¡± He paused. ¡°And this¡­ this isn¡¯t even recent.¡±

    Maia felt her chest tighten like a fist around her heart. Her fingers curled instinctively. ¡°What about now?¡± Her voice was hoarse. ¡°Is there¡­ not even a ten percent chance left?¡±

    Lenny said nothing right away. He looked out the window, letting the light touch the silver strands of his hair.

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    ¡°Not impossible,¡± he murmured atst. ¡°I¡¯ll send today¡¯s scans to a few of the leading neurology experts for parallel analysis. But if we go by precedent¡­¡± He turned his eyes toward Maia, sharp yet sympathetic. ¡°Have his headaches grown more frequenttely?¡±

    The question caught her off guard. She gave a slow nod. ¡°Yes.¡±

    He let out a soft sigh, the kind that came from years of hard truths. ¡°That suggests the condition is worsening. If we leave it alone, it¡¯s only a matter of time before it starts impairing his motor function. And once that happens, we¡¯ll be staring down not just deterioration ¡ª but permanent paralysis.¡± His tone dropped further. ¡°Even if we try to manage it conservatively, there¡¯s no guarantee it won¡¯t suddenly escte into something life-threatening.¡±

    Maia felt as if the floor had dropped from under her. ¡°How can that be?¡± she whispered, her voice trembling.

    She looked at Lenny, disbelief swimming in her eyes. ¡°Professor Bryant, is that really your assessment? I thought the fragment was only disrupting his memory, causing migraines, nothing more.¡±

    Lenny released a slow breath. ¡°The problem is that it¡¯s moved.¡±

    He raised his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, his voice deep. ¡°Ipared his initial scans with thetest ones: the fragment has shifted by 0.1 millimeters. In most parts of the brain, that would be negligible. But in the frontal lobe, even that tiny shift canpromise nerve conduction. Avoiding physical strain or trauma might dy the worst, but it doesn¡¯t change the direction things are heading.¡± His voice dropped to almost a whisper, tinged with helplessness. ¡°And the hard truth is ¡ª no doctor wants to shoulder the risk of such a high-stakes brain surgery.¡±

    Maia lowered her gaze, hershes trembling.

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 Chapter 782

    ?Chapter 782:

    Chris had told her the same thing. He had knocked on many doors, consulted numerous experts ¡ª but no one had dared attempt what might end in irreversible disaster on the operating table.

    She had braced herself for bad news, yet Lenny¡¯s words still struck like a silent thunderp. Her heart felt trapped in a vice.

    If no one dared operate, did that mean Chris¡¯ condition would simply unravel? Suddenly, memory loss and the threat of lifelong disability no longer seemed like the true despair.

    The real horror was knowing that at any moment, without warning, this could cost him his life.

    Maia¡¯s fists clenched at her sides. Her heart ached as though each beat carried the weight of helplessness ¡ª and still, she stood there, frozen, uncertain which path to take next.

    The CT room door swung open without warning, and Chris stepped out at a sluggish pace.

    Maia caught Lenny¡¯s eye. Without exchanging a word, they silently agreed to drop the conversation they had been having.

    Several hourster, Maia and Chris finally emerged from the hospital affiliated with Sceibar Royal Academy.

    A cool wind swept through the valley as the midday sun zed high overhead. The hospital¡¯s front za buzzed with chatter in many differentnguages.

    Chris reached for Maia¡¯s hand and asked evenly, ¡°The scans are in. What did Professor Bryant tell you?¡±

    Maia offered him a tender smile, her lips curving softly as she replied in a calm,posed tone. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He said he¡¯ll consult with a few other professors tomorrow to figure out the best approach for the surgery.¡±

    Her smile was steady, concealing whatever storm might have been brewing inside. But when Chris met her gaze, he caught a fleeting flicker of doubt in her eyes.

    Feel the thrill at g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    He had sought advice from countless top specialists before, and every attempt had ended in disappointment. Still, since Maia had spoken, he decided to let the matter rest.

    ¡°Okay then. What¡¯s our next stop?¡± Chris asked.

    ¡°Let¡¯s head back to the hotel,¡± Maia answered, her teeth lightly tugging at her lower lip.

    They had barely stepped back into the hotel when someone familiar appeared near Maia¡¯s room, waiting right outside the door.

    It was Alice.

    Dressed in a pale camel-colored coat, she looked as though she had been standing there for quite some time.

    ¡°Ms. Watson!¡± she eximed as soon as she saw Maia, hurrying over. ¡°Did everything go well today? I wasn¡¯t sure if I should ring you, but I didn¡¯t want to interrupt ¡ª so I decided to wait here instead.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Just about,¡± Maia said with a nod and a gentle smile. ¡°I¡¯ll definitely be at the art show tomorrow. You don¡¯t have to worry.¡±

    Alice¡¯s face lit up, her tone lively. ¡°Wonderful! It starts at ten sharp. I¡¯ll swing by at nine to get you.¡±

    ¡°Sounds good,¡± Maia replied with a nod.

    ¡°Well, I won¡¯t keep you any longer. Take care, Ms. Watson.¡±

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 Chapter 783

    ?Chapter 783:

    Alice was clearly over the moon¡ªshe almost danced down the hallway, humming cheerfully as she disappeared from sight.

    The following morning arrived at the Paul Klee Center, nestled in Burlwood Grove in Sceibar. Golden sunlight poured in through the center¡¯s gleaming, modern ss dome as the world-renowned art event, Cross-Boundary Resonance: A Dialogue Between Art and Time, kicked off in full.

    Organized by a Sceibar-based art foundation and backed by global heavyweights like the Newmarch Arts Center and the Gascoyne Museum, the show boasted rare masterpieces and specially curated sections highlighting modern creators. The Cooper Group had proudly sponsored the event, securing front-row spots for Kiley and her group at the ceremony¡¯s opening.

    Right at ten, the exhibition space filled to the brim with attendees. The director of the Gascoyne Museum stepped up to the podium and delivered a heartfelt and thoughtful address. But after half an hour, people in the crowd began to squirm, their attention clearly waning. Atst, as he wrapped up his final words, the room broke into enthusiastic apuse.

    The audience poured into the central exhibit space. Reporters and critics from around the world wasted no time, splitting off into different wings to talk and take notes.

    Kiley, d in a sharp, tailored dress, strode ahead of the group. Her face was unreadable, her gaze sharp and appraising. Except for Raging Waves by her sister Mariana, nothing else managed to hold her interest. She nced over each piece without slowing her stride, that familiar sense of disappointment creeping in once again.

    But as she neared the far end of the second hall, a piece suspended on a custom track made her pause. It stood out. She came to a sudden halt.

    The artwork was titled Rebirth.

    At first nce, Kiley took it for a dying bird, clinging weakly to a brittle branch. Its pale wings sagged, as though drained of strength.

    Every story starts at galn   ovels ;

    The heavyyers of ink gave the piece a suffocating weight, almost as if it were pulling in every trace of light around it.

    Still, something about it drew her closer. She couldn¡¯t exin why.

    ¡°Who painted this?¡± she asked the staff quietly, without turning around.

    The attendant nearby replied, ¡°It was created by someone named Matias Watts.¡±

    ¡°Matias Watts¡­¡± Kiley whispered the name under her breath, almost as if tasting the sound of it.

    Mariana stood back and noticed Kiley finally stopping in front of a piece of art.

    She hurried over, but the moment her eyesnded on the canvas, she froze in surprise. ¡°Isn¡¯t this the crown jewel of Orchid Gallery in Wront? How is it here at the exhibition?¡±

    Kiley turned her head sharply, raising an eyebrow. ¡°What did you just call it? The crown jewel? You¡¯ve seen this painting before?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen it once. It¡¯s good, I¡¯ll admit,¡± Mariana replied with a casual shrug. ¡°But all the fame? That¡¯s exaggerated. Nothing about it stood out to me. Honestly, my piece, ¡®Raging Waves,¡¯ blows it out of the water.¡±

    ¡°Totally agree,¡± Raegan said, stepping closer to examine the painting. ¡°It¡¯s just a bird on itsst legs. Gloomy, really.¡±

    The moment her words left her mouth, a sharp click echoed from the bottom of the frame, and it began to turn sideways with a quiet whir.

    Everyone froze. All eyes locked onto the spinning base, no one daring to look away.

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 Chapter 784

    ?Chapter 784:

    When it rotated halfway, the reverse side came into view.

    A beatter, the crowd gasped in unison, stunned.

    On the back was the image of a phoenix, soaring upward from smoldering ashes. Its wings stretched wide in triumph, beak lifted in a fierce cry toward the heavens.

    A beam of light swept across the surface, revealing the same bird from before ¡ª reborn. The contrast between the two sides was striking, a vivid portrayal of life wing its way back from death. The image radiated strength and beauty, striking the crowd with an emotional force. The phoenix seemed so alive it could leap straight out of the canvas, leaving those who had mocked the ¡°dead bird¡± utterly rooted to the spot.

    ¡°This is¡­¡± Mariana¡¯s eyes widened, but no further words came. She stood frozen in silence.

    Just minutes earlier, she had dismissed it without thought. Now it hit her like a p ¡ª she had beenpletely wrong.

    And it wasn¡¯t only her. Even Raegan stepped back unconsciously, whispering under her breath, ¡°It¡¯s not a dead bird; it¡¯s a phoenix.¡±

    ¡°A phoenix reborn.¡± Kiley¡¯s gaze locked on the ming creature, her eyes glowing with intensity.

    Brilliant concept, masterfully executed. Could this be the hidden gem she had been searching for all along?

    ¡°Who exactly is this Matias Watts?¡± she murmured.

    Meanwhile, Mariana stood quietly beside her, caught off guard and lost for words. Atst, it dawned on her why this piece might truly be the prized jewel of Orchid Gallery.

    At first, she had written it off as nothing more than a shy trick ¡ª painting on both sides of the canvas.

    But now she realized it wasn¡¯t just about paint on two surfaces. There was something deeper at work.

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    She bent down, narrowing her eyes to study it more closely.

    The edges of the phoenix¡¯s wings and certain lines seemed to bleed into the ¡°dead bird¡± on the reverse, as if the paint from the death side seeped through to sketch the bones beneath the rebirth.

    The dying bird and the rising phoenix weren¡¯t in conflict; they flowed into one another, telling a single story. Death became the soil from which rebirth sprang.

    The painter¡¯s ingenuity and vision went far beyond clever design. The work wrestled with profound ideas beneath its surface.

    Mariana¡¯s fingertips trembled slightly. So this was the truth of it. In that moment, she couldn¡¯t deny that this artist¡¯s skill, imagination, and message stood toe-to-toe with her own prized work, ¡°Raging Waves.¡±

    She clenched her fists, a spark of determination flickering in her eyes.

    She had clearly misjudged this artist, Matias.

    Yet if it came down to raw talent ¡ª without tricks or illusions ¡ª she was convinced she still held the upper hand.

    Comforted by that belief, Mariana released a slow, steady breath. Still, a fierce curiosity burned inside her to meet Matias face-to-face.

    ¡°Do you want to meet the artist?¡± Kiley suddenly asked, her excitement shining through.

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 Chapter 785

    ?Chapter 785:

    Mariana gave a small nod, not bothering to hide it. ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious to meet the artist too, Kiley?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Kiley said, her smile wide and genuine. ¡°I don¡¯t just want to meet Matias ¡ª I want to bring him on board.¡±

    Without hesitation, she spun around and gestured for one of the staff members to approach.

    Recognizing who she was, the staffer hurried over with a polite smile. ¡°Ms. Cooper, what can I do for you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m very interested in this piece and its creator,¡± Kiley said, pointing firmly at the painting titled Rebirth. Her tone was sharp andmanding. ¡°You must have the details of the artists in the exhibition. Get me in touch with Matias. I want a face-to-face meeting.¡±

    Because the order came straight from the CEO of Radiant Jewels, one of the event¡¯s sponsors, the staffer didn¡¯t dare take it easy. He quickly gave a nod, pulled out his tablet, and started digging up the info from backstage.

    After a short while, he looked up with an apologetic expression and said, ¡°Ms. Cooper, sorry to say, but Matias didn¡¯t leave a phone number. Still, he did answer our email, promising he¡¯d be at the exhibition on time.¡±

    Kiley raised a brow. ¡°No phone number at all?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± The staffer nodded firmly. ¡°This kind of thing hardly ever happens.¡±

    Kiley thought for a moment, then smiled to herself. ¡°You know, the more gifted someone is, the more likely they are to have their quirks.¡±

    Most artists usually left their contact details, worried they might miss a chance. But then there were geniuses like Matias, who hated sharing such details to keep distractions at bay. Still, that didn¡¯t mean tracking him down was out of the question.

    Kiley fixed her eyes on the staff member. ¡°Could you help me track down Matias?¡±

    g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s hosts great fiction

    The staff member hesitated, ncing at Kiley with some unease. His bosses had told him to assist her with anything, but this was a tough nut to crack. With no better ideas, he admitted, ¡°Ms. Cooper, this is going to be tricky since we don¡¯t even have a photo of Matias on file.¡±

    Kiley frowned at that. She¡¯d never dealt with an artist quite like this before. ¡°Seriously?¡±

    Raegan lifted an eyebrow and let out augh. ¡°Is it really that tough to find someone? Matias said he¡¯d show up on time. If he¡¯s already here, he must be around somewhere. Why not just make an announcement over the PA?¡±

    The staff member blinked in surprise but nodded without hesitation. ¡°I¡¯ll head over to the control room and ask to broadcast a message right away.¡±

    Elsewhere in the exhibition hall, Maia strolled alongside Alice. She paused now and then, taking in the artwork and sharing her thoughts. Not far behind, Chris stood silently, watching them. At first, he¡¯d assumed Maia was just good with design. But he was caught off guard by how deeply she felt and understood the paintings. Each frown, gentle smile, and even the way she lingered on a piece revealed a depth of focus and judgment, as if she knew every detail inside out.

    Chris couldn¡¯t stop himself from grinning. His wife wasn¡¯t just a genius in fashion design; she was also a true connoisseur when it came to appreciating art. She never failed to catch him off guard.

    Knowing how much Maia loved paintings, he found himself considering the idea of giving her his own collection of great works.

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 Chapter 786

    ?Chapter 786:

    Alice was equally impressed, letting out amazed gasps again and again. She never would have guessed that Maia¡¯s understanding of art ran so deep.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, I had no idea you knew so much about modern art. It¡¯s really impressive. Inviting you to this exhibition was the best decision. I feel like I¡¯m learning so much from you.¡±

    She hurried ahead, buzzing with excitement, chatting about modern art with Maia like a starstruck fan chasing after her idol.

    Just then, a voice boomed through the PA system: ¡°Could the artist Matias Watts please make their way to Exhibition Hall 4, where the piece ¡®Rebirth¡¯ is on disy?¡±

    The entire hall fell silent for a few beats.

    Maia stopped in her tracks, a slight frown creasing her brow. Her eyes lifted toward the ceiling speakers as the announcement echoed once more.

    Without hesitation, she turned sharply and strode straight toward Hall 4.

    Alice hurried after her, bubbling with excitement. ¡°Wow, Ms. Watson! It¡¯s super rare to hear a broadcast like that at an art show. Usually, when they call out for an artist, it¡¯s one of two things: either there¡¯s a big problem with the artwork that needs exining, or a collector is interested and wants to talk about buying it privately.¡± She held up two fingers for emphasis. ¡°Ms. Watson, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s probably the second one? Let¡¯s check it out. This painting has to be something special.¡±

    Maia said nothing and simply picked up her pace.

    Outwardly, she looked calm, but inside, curiosity and worry churned. Was something wrong with her piece?

    Chris stayed close behind, moving instinctively at her side, quietly parting the crowd like a skilled bodyguard.

    To Alice, Maia¡¯s silence only confirmed that she agreed with her.

    She figured that Maia was just as eager to see the piece called Rebirth.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, don¡¯t stress. I¡¯ll ring a friend of mine and get us a prime spot,¡± Alice said, pulling out her phone to call the director of the Gascoyne Museum.

    At that same moment, many other visitors shared Alice¡¯s curiosity. They all surged toward Hall 4, eager to catch a glimpse of Rebirth.

    The air buzzed with chatter.

    ¡°Why¡¯s there such a crowd? Who¡¯s this Matias Watts? Never heard the name before. What¡¯s the deal with that painting?¡±

    ¡°Move it! I just heard the piece is breathtaking and caught the eye of one of the sponsors.¡±

    ¡°Wow! On the very first day of the show, something like this happens. That painting must really be something else!¡±

    Everyone was itching to find out what made the artwork so different from the rest.

    Within minutes, Hall 4 was overflowing with visitors.

    All eyes gravitated toward the painting titled Rebirth, the crowd pressing close around it.

    At that moment, the canvas rotated, revealing the front: a frail bird suspended between life and death.

    A gloom hung over the image. Each feather was rendered in aggressive strokes, as if sorrow and finality clung to every inch. The audience¡¯s reactions were mixed.

    Quite a few viewers looked underwhelmed once they got a closer look.

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 Chapter 787

    ?Chapter 787:

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard stories about this piece ¡ª supposedly the crown jewel of Zephyria¡¯s Orchid Gallery. Now that I¡¯ve seen it, the technique is impressive, but calling it a national treasure might be going too far.¡±

    ¡°The structure is solid, but don¡¯t you think the atmosphere is too bleak? It¡¯s hard to see any connection to the idea of rebirth.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, Raging Waves has far more spirit. Its message is much clearer than this.¡±

    Elsewhere in the room, a handful of seasoned collectors ¡ª already familiar with the secret of this two-sided masterpiece ¡ª watched the scene with quiet amusement, their eyes glinting with yful anticipation.

    Each one waited patiently, eager to witness the shock and wonder that would ripple through the crowd when the reverse side was revealed.

    A little whileter, Maia and herpanions finally arrived at Hall 4, only to be stopped by the tightly packed sea of onlookers.

    ¡°Rx, Ms. Watson. My friend should be here any minute now,¡± Alice reassured her.

    Hardly had she spoken when Grover Perez, the director of Gascoyne Museum ¡ª the same man who had given the opening speech ¡ª appeared with brisk steps.

    ¡°Ms. Byrd! It¡¯s been far too long.¡±

    Alice skipped the pleasantries. ¡°Let¡¯s cut the small talk. Can you get us closer to the front?¡±

    With a genial wave, Grover replied, ¡°Of course. Consider it done.¡±

    Immediately, a group of staff stepped in, parting the crowd and ushering Maia, Alice, and Chris toward the front.

    As they moved forward, the painting¡¯s details came into sharper focus.

    Now in full view, Alice studied Rebirth and voiced her thoughts. ¡°At first nce, it feels somber, but the colors are surprisingly vivid. Every feather seems alive. Still, the bird looks like it¡¯s teetering on the edge of death.¡± She turned to Maia, expecting a reaction.

    Your story hub g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s

    Before Maia could respond, a woman¡¯s startled voice rang out across the hall. ¡°Maia? What are you doing here?¡±

    The sound struck like lightning, snapping everyone¡¯s attention toward them.

    Maia¡¯s head lifted, her gaze locking on the speaker. Mariana stood there. The world, it seemed, truly was impossibly small.

    Causing a scene in such a public setting was thest thing Maia wanted.

    But Mariana had already closed the distance, her words slicing through the air. ¡°How did you get into a world-ss exhibition like this? Do you even know what real art is?¡± A smirk curled at her lips. ¡°Clearly, the standards for this show drop lower every year if just anyone can stroll in.¡±

    Maia kept her expression unreadable, arms folded tightly as she remained silent. Instead of rising to the bait, she quietly scanned the room, searching for whoever had prompted the organizers to page Matias over the loudspeaker.

    Letting Mariana¡¯s barbs pass withoutment, Maia stood her ground.

    Alice, however, bristled and stepped in front of her, ready to defend. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t Ms. Watson understand art? She¡¯s not only my guest tonight ¡ª I invited her personally ¡ª but she¡¯s also a genuine connoisseur.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s gaze shifted to Alice, her voice dripping with contempt. ¡°You¡¯re in no position to judge, considering your reputation for giarism. Oh, wait¡­ the one you giarized was Maia herself, wasn¡¯t it? No wonder you look up to her like some starstruck student. Honestly, it¡¯sughable.¡±

    Anger red in Alice¡¯s eyes. ¡°That¡¯s not true! I only drew inspiration from her; I didn¡¯t steal anything.¡±

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 Chapter 788

    ?Chapter 788:

    A slow, chillingugh drifted from nearby. ¡°Is that so? Are you Alice Byrd?¡± The speaker¡¯s tone dripped with arrogance and authority.

    Maia nced up to see an elegantly dressed woman emerge from behind Mariana, icy and poised, her presence casting a hush over the crowd.

    Kiley advanced, her eyes fixed on Alice with scorn. ¡°Since when do you get to have a say here?¡±

    The sheer force of the woman¡¯s presence left Alice momentarily speechless, forcing her to step back.

    Trying to regain her footing, Alice asked warily, ¡°Who are you?¡±

    ¡°Kiley Cooper,¡± the woman replied in a cool tone, her face betraying little emotion.

    Everyone nearby was stunned. A whisper quickly spread through the crowd.

    ¡°That¡¯s Kiley Cooper, the CEO of Radiant Jewels, the famous jewelrypany.¡±

    ¡°I just heard she was the one who told the organizers to track down the artist behind this painting. Maybe she wants to buy it.¡±

    ¡°Matias sure has good luck. I wish Ms. Cooper admired my work like that.¡±

    At that moment, Chris stepped out from behind the crowd.

    ¡°Wow, I didn¡¯t expect to run into both of you here.¡± He stood casually next to Maia, his posture rxed as he watched Kiley and the others.

    Mariana froze when her eyesnded on him, shock widening her gaze.

    ¡°Chris¡­ why are you here too?¡± Her voice trembled, her hands clenching so tightly that her nails nearly pierced her palms.

    Why were Chris and Maia appearing together like this? What kind of connection did they share? Could Maia be the mysterious woman rumored to be supporting him?

    Chris nced toward themotion, shed azy grin, and shrugged.

    ¡°Just a coincidence.¡±

    ¡°A coincidence?¡± Mariana ground her teeth, fury zing in her eyes. They were in Sceibar, a country far from home. Who would believe such an excuse? Especially when Chris was standing right at Maia¡¯s side, clearly acting as her shield.

    Kiley¡¯s gaze then locked on Chris. Her stare dripped with disdain, her voice sharp and cold.

    ¡°Chris? The illegitimate son of our Cooper family. How dare you show your face here? This isn¡¯t your ce.¡±

    To everyone¡¯s shock, Chris smirked, utterly unfazed, and replied with ease.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m an illegitimate son. But that doesn¡¯t stop me from going wherever I please. And it certainly isn¡¯t your concern.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s expression darkened instantly. The crowd gasped in disbelief. Someone had actually dared to talk back to the CEO of Radiant Jewels in public.

    Raegan¡¯s first reaction to Chris¡¯ bold reply was surprise. She gave him a careful once-over.

    He was tall, broad-shouldered, slim at the waist, and strikingly handsome ¡ª truly a rare find among men. For some reason, the face of the man she longed for day and night shed into Raegan¡¯s mind. Though she had never seen him in person, she imagined he must look exactly like Chris.

    But a man could not be judged by looks alone. Talent, influence, and wealth were what truly made someone stand out. How could an illegitimate Cooper son ever measure up to the man she admired?

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 Chapter 789

    ?Chapter 789:

    Raegan sneered, realizing that her earlierparison was utterly ridiculous. She had no interest in earning favor with the illegitimate son when she could seek approval from the true Cooper family. Wasting no time, she mocked him.

    ¡°An illegitimate son? What a crude and rough character.¡±

    Her words weren¡¯t loud, but they carried far enough for many ears to hear, stirring a ripple of whispers through the crowd. Then she shot Maia a scornful look. Anyone who stood beside such a reckless and unrefined man could hardly be trusted or respected.

    At first, Maia had no intention of bing involved with Mariana and the others. But hearing them sneer at Chris with such arrogant disdain made her irritation spike.

    She stepped forward, her gaze sharp and cold, her lips curving with faint sarcasm.

    ¡°As CEO of Radiant Jewels, belittling guests at the gallery in public is certainly¡­ ¡®graceful.¡¯ Perhaps this is the true style of yourpany.¡±

    Maia¡¯s words struck like a de, leaving both Raegan and Kiley flushed with embarrassment.

    Meanwhile, Chris ¡ª the target of their insults ¡ª couldn¡¯t stop the proud smile that tugged at his lips when he heard his wife defend him.

    Just then, Alice, who had invited Maia to the exhibition, was boiling with anger. She opened her mouth to retort but stopped when the crowd suddenly parted.

    The director of the Gascoyne Museum, Grover, rushed forward.

    ¡°Pardon me. Can you exin what¡¯s going on here?¡± Grover asked as he approached. His brow knitted slightly, his tone carrying the quiet courtesy expected of a true Otruitho gentleman.

    He studied the scene carefully until his eyesnded on Alice, who still looked visibly upset.

    Alice stepped closer, her emotions running high, and spoke faster than usual. ¡°Mr. Perez, these women have insulted my mentor and thrown the exhibition into chaos. Would you kindly have them removed?¡±

    ???????????? §ã?????????????? g??????????????????????

    But before she could finish, Grover¡¯s gaze shifted past her and locked onto the woman standing coolly on the opposite side.

    He immediately recognized her ¡ª Kiley.

    At once, his expression changed. Grover cleared his throat, shifting uneasily, then leaned toward Alice and lowered his voice with effort. ¡°Alice, that¡¯s Ms. Kiley Cooper. She¡¯s the CEO of Radiant Jewels and one of the sponsors of this exhibit. It wouldn¡¯t be wise to ask her to leave.¡±

    Alice froze, stunned, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her fiery anger. She hadn¡¯t expected the woman to be someone of such weight.

    Before Alice could recover, Kiley spoke, her voice sharp and frosty. ¡°Mr. Perez, I don¡¯t think these people should even be here. As a sponsor, I have the authority to have them escorted out immediately.¡±

    Her wordsnded like a thunderp.

    The room fell into silence, every eye turning to Grover, waiting for his judgment.

    Grover¡¯s face grew tense, a sheen of sweat forming on his forehead. On one side stood a major sponsor; on the other, a lifelong friend. He was trapped between a rock and a hard ce.

    Just then, a faint sound drifted from the direction of the disy stand. Quiet yet crisp, it cut through the stillness like fate itself shifting course.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 790

    ?Chapter 790:

    Every gaze turned instinctively toward the painting titled Rebirth. Slowly, the base of the stand began to rotate, revealing the ¡°dead bird¡± that had been¡­

    Shown before, the image of a phoenix emerged ¡ª its head held proudly, eyes sharp as if cutting through the ordinary, engulfed in mes. Its wings were like des, slicing the air as it soared boldly against the wind, radiating an unstoppable spirit.

    The fury of the phoenix and the mes of rebirth merged seamlessly on the canvas, bringing the entire scene to life, striking straight at the soul.

    In that instant, the painting became more than art ¡ª it was a powerful cry of existence, a breathtaking fusion of death and renewal.

    Even those with no knowledge of art felt a stirring deep within, as though their very souls had been set aze by the force before them.

    The moment struck like a lightning bolt, freezing the entire room in stunned silence. Everyone stood dumbfounded.

    Then, with a sudden collective breath, the crowd erupted into thunderous apuse.

    ¡°Amazing! Is this theplete Rebirth? It¡¯s absolutely stunning!¡±

    ¡°Unbelievable! What kind of skill is this? A single canvas holding two images, the colors shifting as it spins, with the y of light and shadow transforming the dying bird into a phoenix rising in mes?¡±

    ¡°Could this be the legendary technique that allows one canvas to contain two pictures? I¡¯ve only ever read about it in ancient manuscripts. The artist must have absolute control over color and brushwork. It¡¯s so difficult to achieve that it vanished centuries ago. Back then, only the wealthiest could possess such treasures.¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t just skill¡­ Who on earth is this Matias Watts?¡±

    Photographers scrambled to capture every angle, shutters firing in rapid session. The room buzzed with exhration.

    ??????????? §ã??¦Á¦Ñ???????? g??????¦Í??????©q§ã??£í

    Several collectors immediately reached for their phones, making calls to inquire about Matias.

    Overhearing the chatter, Kiley¡¯s thoughts sharpened. For now, her true focus was on Matias.

    As for Maia, she was not Kiley¡¯s priority ¡ª there would be plenty of opportunities to deal with that womanter.

    Kiley¡¯s gaze swept across the room until it found Grover. Leaning in withmanding authority, she whispered, ¡°Mr. Perez, find this Matias quickly ¡ª and remove these irrelevant people.¡±

    Her voice was low but carried the sharp edge of someone ustomed to giving orders.

    Grover hesitated briefly, then slowly began moving toward Alice. His eyes reflected regret, conflict, and the weight of a difficult decision.

    ¡°Ms. Byrd, I know today hasn¡¯t been easy for you and your friends,¡± he said gently, his tone careful, as though trying to soothe a wound. ¡°But as curator, I have to consider every angle. Ms. Cooper is the primary sponsor of this exhibition and a major supporter of the museum. If this esctes any further, it will be humiliating for everyone involved.¡±

    Alice looked at Grover with a vacant expression, weighed down by a deep sense of disappointment.

    It had never crossed her mind that a man praised for his integrity would bend to the influence of money.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 791

    ?Chapter 791:

    Her lips trembled slightly, searching for words, and she murmured, ¡°So, Grover, are you saying you want my mentor and me gone? Be honest¡­ Is this really how you feel?¡±

    Grover stayed silent. He lowered his gaze, avoiding her eyes, saying nothing at all. Sometimes silence cut deeper than any harsh reply.

    Alice struggled to understand how Grover could stand there, quietlyplicit, without a single word in her defense.

    ¡°Gee¡­¡± A dry, humorless chuckle escaped her lips, her chest tightening with grief and humiliation.

    She had been the one urging Maia again and again to attend the art show. She had boldly promised, ¡°Here in Sceibar, I have a little sway. Anyone who tries to mess with you will have to go through me first.¡±

    Yet now, faced with the unthinkable, her confidence shattered.

    Her guest, her respected mentor Maia, was being humiliated in front of everyone ¡ª told to leave.

    And Alice could do nothing.

    It felt as though something was stuck in her throat, choking back her words.

    Through the murmur of the crowd, hushed voices floated around them.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening? Why are they being asked to leave?¡±

    ¡°They don¡¯t look like real artists to me¡­¡±

    ¡°Art shows will take in anyone these days¡­ it¡¯s all a bit of a mess now.¡±

    The whispers weren¡¯t loud, but each one pierced Alice¡¯s heart like a needle.

    She clenched her fists, her eyes burning, and turned to Maia ¡ª her admired mentor ¡ª with a look full of guilt.

    Right at that moment, Maia broke her silence.

    ??¦Á???????? ?h¦Á¦Ñ???????? g??l????v??????£®?????

    ¡°Are you certain you want to throw me out?¡± she asked.

    Her gaze locked on Kiley, her tone cool and even but edged with steel. The crowd fell silent in an instant.

    All eyes turned toward her.

    Maia stood tall,posed and poised, radiating calm authority.

    ¡°If I walk away now, you maye to regret it,¡± she said.

    Kiley narrowed her eyes, briefly caught off guard.

    Maia had far more inner strength than she had anticipated. No wonder udius had taken an interest in her.

    Raegan, standing nearby, frowned. Something about this exchange felt off, though she couldn¡¯t put her finger on it.

    Before anyone else could speak, Mariana burst out. All the frustration she had bottled up against Maia finally boiled over.

    ¡°Maia, this is Sceibar! You¡¯re standing in a top-tier international art show. Do you think you¡¯re still in your little hometown? Who do you think you are, making threats? Leave ¡ª right now!¡±

    She didn¡¯t stop there. Turning sharply, she jabbed her finger at Alice.

    ¡°And you ¡ª Alice Byrd! You dare to call giarism ¡®drawing inspiration¡¯? What nerve! Like the old saying goes, bad apples stick together. You and Maia ¡ª the same shady breed. Just showing up here cheapens the whole event. You didn¡¯te to showcase art ¡ª you came to copy others and snatch ideas for those low-grade fashion knockoffs of yours.¡±

    All that pent-up rage from Wront had been simmering inside Mariana. Now, with everything out in the open, she felt a weight lift from her chest.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 792

    ?Chapter 792:

    Whatever it took, she wasn¡¯t about to let this chance slip away. Surrounded by artists and buyers, she was determined to drag Maia¡¯s name through the mud.

    Only by ruining Maia¡¯s reputation could Mariana finally feel at ease.

    Her tirade didn¡¯t just target Maia and Alice; it leveled heavy usations, iming they had stolen the work of others. The charges struck a nerve with nearby artists, who erupted furiously.

    ¡°Stealing ideas, huh? Get lost! You don¡¯t belong here!¡±

    Yet through it all, Maia¡¯s expression remained calm. Not a flicker of emotion crossed her face.

    She began to move, one step at a time, heading straight toward the artwork titled¡­

    With dozens of eyes fixed on her, she stopped. Slowly, her hand lifted as she pointed toward the lower right corner of the canvas.

    There, now that the painting had rotated to reveal the phoenix, the name inscribed was Maia.

    She turned to Grover, her voice steady and clear.

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you trying to find the artist Matias Watts?¡± she asked.

    ¡°That¡¯s me. I am Matias Watts.¡±

    The silence was almost unbearable.

    Maia¡¯s deration hit like a thunderp, stunning everyone into a hushed stupor.

    It felt as though time itself had frozen, the air thick with disbelief.

    After a few tense seconds, someone finally found their voice, shaky and uncertain.

    ¡°Did I hear her correctly? Did she just im to be Matias Watts?¡±

    ¡°This can¡¯t be real! If she¡¯s truly Matias ¡ª the mastermind behind Rebirth ¡ª then she¡¯s no ordinary artist. She deserves respect, not rejection.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Even the sponsors don¡¯t have the authority to drive out someone of such caliber. If this exhibition stands for anything, it should be artistic freedom and authenticity.¡±

    ??????????? §ã???????????? g?????????????[£®]??????

    The room slowly buzzed back to life as whispers spread like ripples through water.

    Kiley¡¯s brows furrowed, her face a mix of doubt and disbelief. Could the woman standing before them ¡ª Maia ¡ª truly be Matias? Or was this just a ploy? After all, a simple Maia signed on the painting wasn¡¯t irrefutable proof.

    Raegan¡¯s jaw hung open in astonishment, while Mariana scoffed.

    With a calcted smile, Mariana folded her arms and sauntered toward Maia, her eyes gleaming with ridicule, as though watching a desperate actress stumble across a stage.

    ¡°Maia, has pretending be second nature to you? Just because the name ¡®Maia¡¯ appears on that painting, you think you can get away with this charade? A few design tricks picked up abroad and suddenly you believe you¡¯re a jack of all trades?¡±

    She paused deliberately, her smirk sharpening as she pressed on.

    ¡°Do you have any idea what it takes to create something of this depth? And you dare stand there, stone-faced, and im it as your own?¡±

    Her words sliced through the air, dripping with sarcasm. Mariana might have been forced to swallow her pride in fashion design, where she could never outshine Maia.

    But painting? That was sacred ground to her. A craft she had nurtured since she could first hold a brush. An art where she didn¡¯t just endure ¡ª she excelled.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 793

    ?Chapter 793:

    Unlike fashion, which could be mastered with ir and speed, true painting demanded not only talent but years of sweat, failure, and relentless refinement.

    Even for Mariana¡­

    Hailed as a prodigy since childhood, producing such a wless work would have been a rare triumph even for her.

    But Maia? How could someone like her possibly scale that peak?

    What fueled Mariana¡¯s fire even more was the sting of defeat she had suffered at the Cooper Group g. After that humiliation, she had Maia¡¯s background thoroughly investigated.

    The reports were crystal clear ¡ª Maia had been a rebellious student, more familiar with detention than discipline. She had never been enrolled in any art programs, neverpeted in painting contests, let alone tasted victory in one.

    Even if she had picked up a brush behind prison walls, it wasughable to think she could reach this level in such a short time.

    Thus, Mariana¡¯s confidence burned bright. After all, what was the point of her years of sacrifice and struggle if Maia could truly achieve this?

    Her eyes narrowed as she drew in a slow breath, fresh determination surging within her. She might have lost the crown in design, but in the realm of painting, Maia couldn¡¯t even set foot on the same ying field. To Mariana, Maia¡¯s im was not only absurd ¡ª it was insulting.

    She was certain Maia had overreached, daring to impersonate the elusive Matias in public. This was her moment to strike ¡ª to strip away Maia¡¯s mask and expose her as a fraud.

    Turning to Grover, her tone rang steady and resolute.

    ¡°Mr. Perez, I stake my reputation on this ¡ª this woman is not Matias. And as curator of the Gascoyne Museum, as a key figure behind this exhibition, isn¡¯t it your responsibility to remove impostors who tarnish the name of true artists?¡±

    Her words rippled quickly through the crowd, stirring a chorus of support.

    ??????????? ¡é???¦Ñ???????? ?????????????????©q?????

    ¡°I know that artist ¡ª she¡¯s Mariana Cooper, the painter behind Raging Waves. That piece is the soul of this entire showcase. I heard someone already offered eighty million, and the final bid might shatter a hundred million.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve followed Mariana¡¯s career. She¡¯s a rare talent, a multiple gold medal winner in international art contests. If she says Maia¡¯s lying, I believe her.¡±

    The murmurs swelled like a rising tide, sharpening by the second. One voice pierced through the crowd.

    ¡°Turns out this woman named Maia was impersonating someone ¡ª but got exposed by the real artist. Bet she never imagined she¡¯d be questioned like this. Someone like her deserves consequences. Call the police!¡±

    Another chimed in, voiceced with scorn. ¡°She¡¯s not just a giarist. She¡¯s been to jail, hasn¡¯t she? That makes her a fraud and a thief.¡±

    A third scoffed, arms crossed. ¡°These days, anyone dares to call themselves an artist. It¡¯s disgraceful.¡±

    Across the room, Chris stood frozen. Maia¡¯s revtion had left him rattled. His wife wasn¡¯t merely an art lover ¡ª she was a true master.

    His gaze locked on the canvas. Rebirth. That one piece spoke volumes. With it alone, she could carve out a ce for herself in the art world ¡ª no, even beyond that.

    She could be a name revered by critics and collectors alike.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 794

    ?Chapter 794:

    Even Mariana¡¯s painting had someone willing to pay eighty million for it. Maia¡¯s work could not be worth any less.

    Chris narrowed his eyes slightly, his mind already turning. He would ce a high bid on Rebirth, high enough to preserve it forever.

    Meanwhile, Alice stood speechless. Her eyes widened, brimming with awe. Slowly, she turned to Maia, her expression radiant with joy.

    A warm flush colored her cheeks as realization dawned. So that was why¡­ No wonder Maia spoke with such insight, with such intuitive depth. It had always been there. She had been a genius all along.

    Alice¡¯s admiration blossomed into reverence, sparkling in her eyes like sunlight on water.

    A short distance away, Grover wiped at his brow, his panic barely concealed. Cold sweat clung to his skin.

    The situation was quickly slipping beyond his control.

    He stepped forward, lips parting to urge Maia to leave quietly once more ¡ª but she had already pulled out her phone. Holding the screen out toward him, steady and unbothered, she said coolly,

    ¡°Mr. Perez, this is the invitation you personally sent me. You can confirm my identity with this email, can you not?¡±

    Grover leaned in, peering at the screen. His eyes flinched, and a gasp escaped him. He blinked, then furrowed his brows.

    ¡°Are you truly Matias Watts?¡± His voice trembled at the edges.

    ¡°Absolutely.¡± Maia lowered the phone and met his eyes, her tone sharp but calm. ¡°I did not expect such treatment at an international art exhibition. I want a formal exnation from you ¡ª and from everyone who joined this farce. Otherwise, I will withdraw my painting.¡±

    A hush swept through the room. Mariana¡¯s jaw tightened. She was the first to break the silence.

    ??????????? ??????????????? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°That is absolutely impossible,¡± she snapped.

    But almost instantly, suspicion flickered in her gaze. Her lips curled into a sneer.

    ¡°Did you forge that email? Do not think I don¡¯t know your tricks, Maia. If you truly had the talent to create such a piece, how could you remain unknown? Either you¡¯re impersonating Matias, or Matias is indeed you, but this Rebirth is definitely not your work. No matter how talented you im to be, there is no way you developed this kind of skill while locked up for four years.¡±

    Maia¡¯s gaze sharpened. Her brow lifted slightly as she stared down Mariana, cold and unmoved.

    Four years in prison could not have shaped this. That much was true. But she had not picked up a brush only after being incarcerated. She had loved painting since childhood.

    The solitude. The silence. That had been her ssroom. When her parents turned cold and distant, it was painting that helped her survive the ache. It calmed the noise in her chest and gave her breath beneath the weight.

    Fame had never appealed to her ¡ª money even less. She sold her work only when necessity forced her hand, always under a pseudonym.

    Vicki had adored her paintings. After she passed, Maia ced her remaining works in a wooden box and cremated them with Vicki. Her paintings were pieces of her soul, and she wanted them to travel with the one person who had cherished her.

    Rebirth had been born inside those cold prison walls. It had taken over three years. Countless sleepless nights. Every brushstroke an exhale. Every detail a silent cry turned into color. Death and renewal. Grief and hope.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 795

    ?Chapter 795:

    All of it lived on that canvas.

    The bird that had fallen was the woman she once was. And the phoenix rising? That was her.

    Right then, many people began rallying behind Mariana, convinced her reasoning made perfect sense.

    ¡°I agree with Miss Cooper. That woman? She¡¯s just a fashion designer with a criminal record, yet she dares to parade around as Matias. Art isn¡¯t about bold ims ¡ª you need actual skill to back it up.¡±

    ¡°What Maia said sounds fake to me. Even the most gifted artist needs years to mature. How could she possibly pull off something like Rebirth in just four years? It¡¯s far-fetched. Not even a fool would believe it.¡±

    ¡°Some people will do anything for a taste of fame. Honestly, I don¡¯t believe she painted this at all. She¡¯s probably faking the whole Matias identity just to ride the buzz. It¡¯s disgraceful. That ¡®Maia¡¯ signature? She probably scribbled it on the painting herself.¡±

    ¡°She shouldn¡¯t even be here. Someone like her doesn¡¯t deserve the spotlight. Get out!¡±

    Insults flew from every direction, each sharper than thest. Alice¡¯s desperate protests were drowned out by the tidal wave of scorn rising in the hall. Every eye was fixed on Maia.

    Still, she did not move. Maia stood like a mountain in the storm ¡ª calm, unwavering, her gaze steady.

    Narrowing her eyes at Mariana, she let her lips curl into the faintest smile. ¡°So tell me, what kind of proof would satisfy you that I am Matias? Or perhaps you already have something in mind?¡±

    A flicker of hesitation crossed Mariana¡¯s face as the memory of her humiliating defeat at the Cooper Group banquet resurfaced. To her, today felt like the perfect moment to turn the tables.

    Trying to appear unfazed, she arched her brows in mock interest, though the smug twist of her lips betrayed her. ¡°If you really created something like Rebirth, then you should be better than me. Paint something right now. If your work surpasses mine, I¡¯ll admit you¡¯re Matias.¡±

    ??????????? ??????????????? ¨À??????¦Í??????©q?????

    The room erupted in chatter. Many found Mariana¡¯s proposal fair and leaned forward eagerly, waiting for the confrontation.

    Maia, however, remained silent ¡ª perfectly still.

    Her silence, in this setting, came across as hesitation ¡ª perhaps even doubt. Whispers quickly turned into ridicule.

    ¡°See that? She¡¯s hesitating. She knows she can¡¯t do it.¡±

    ¡°She came here with nothing but empty talk, and now she¡¯s stuck. Does she even realize how many acimed artists are in this room? She¡¯s walking straight into humiliation.¡±

    ¡°All that boldness earlier, and now she won¡¯t even open her mouth. What happened to her confidence?¡±

    More voices piled on, the chatter swelling around them.

    Out of nowhere, Maia finally broke her silence. Her tone was cold and deliberate. ¡°Mariana, if I prove I am Matias, then what bes of the usations you¡¯ve thrown at me?¡±

    Mariana let out augh, dripping with disbelief. ¡°You seriously think you stand a chance against me, Maia?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 796

    ?Chapter 796:

    Right then, Kiley ced a gentle hand on Mariana¡¯s shoulder, urging her to stop fueling the fire. With a graceful step forward, she drew everyone¡¯s attention. Her eyes, steady and sharp, locked onto Maia with an air of calm superiority.

    ¡°Miss Watson. Word travels fast. They say you stirred up quite the scene at the Cooper Group¡¯s banquet.¡± Her voice was measured, yet her words cut with precision. ¡°If you¡¯re truly that bold, let¡¯s raise the stakes this time. Should you lose, we expect you to hand over the Aurora Apparel Company and go public with an apology, admitting you faked being Matias.¡±

    She paused, her gaze tightening like a de. ¡°But if you win, Miss Watson, you¡¯ll have our word. Name your price, and we¡¯ll honor it ¡ª so long as it¡¯s within reason.¡±

    The moment those words hit the air, the audience buzzed with disbelief. Nobody had anticipated that Kiley¡¯s opening statement would turn a simple art demonstration into a high-stakes battle for reputation.

    With her chin resting lightly in her palm, Maia slipped into silent reflection, her eyes glimmering.

    Truth be told, she had never nned to reveal herself as Matias so soon. But with Mariana and Kiley practically forcing a challenge, there was no reason to hold back.

    Besides, stirring up trouble for Cooper Group aligned perfectly with her strategy.

    Seeing both Kiley and Mariana together confirmed her suspicions ¡ª Cooper Group intended to branch out, using Radiant Jewels¡¯ influence and their own resources tounch Mariana as a star in the art world.

    Allowing Cooper Group to grow stronger was out of the question. The weaker they became, the better Maia¡¯s chances of snapping up their shares and seizing control.

    Resolute, Maia lifted her head, her cool gaze locking on Kiley and Mariana.

    ¡°Is that the best you can do? Since you¡¯re so eager for excitement, why not make things truly interesting?¡±

    ?????????? §ã?????????????? ????????????????[©q]?????

    Her casual taunt sent another ripple of shock through the crowd. Her tone was light, yet her words carried a razor¡¯s edge, leaving the onlookers reeling.

    Whispers swept through the hall as people exchanged uneasy nces.

    ¡°Is she actually taking the bait? Isn¡¯t she worried about losing?¡±

    ¡°She must be crazy ¡ª the challenge is already risky, and she wants to add more?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s gambling everything on this. Has shepletely lost her mind?¡±

    Doubt quickly gave way to curiosity, and a tense hush settled over the room.

    Unable to bite her tongue, Raegan stepped forward with a sharp scoff. ¡°Miss Watson, you¡¯re giving yourself far too much credit.¡± Her eyes narrowed with scorn. ¡°I¡¯ve crossed paths with plenty of arrogant people, but never someone reckless enough to challenge fate when the odds are stacked against her. Take my advice ¡ª drop the act. You want to raise the stakes? You¡¯d better be sure you can handle defeat.¡±

    After making sure her words had sunk in, she let out a sharpugh, contempt curling across her lips.

    ¡°Or maybe¡­ you nned all along to skip out on your promise if things go south?¡±

    Her jeering remarks drew snickers from several bystanders, fanning the crowd¡¯s growing excitement.

    Maia, however, remainedposed. She gave Raegan a steady, indifferent nce before turning away, dismissing her entirely.

    That silent disregard struck Raegan harder than words. Her body stiffened with frustration. ¡°You¡ª¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 797

    ?Chapter 797:

    But Maia acted as though Raegan didn¡¯t exist, refusing her the dignity of acknowledgment.

    With deliberate calm, she turned her gaze to Mariana instead. Her voice carried a casual ease.

    ¡°My terms are straightforward. If you take first ce, I¡¯ll walk away from the art world for good. But if the tables turn and you lose, you¡¯ll have to do the same ¡ª disappear from painting forever.¡±

    A subtle, knowing smile yed at the corners of her mouth.

    ¡°So, Mariana, do you have the nerve to ept?¡±

    The words seemed to freeze the room. An unnatural stillness swept through the crowd, gripping everyone in ce.

    Spectators stared at Maia in stunned awe, rattled by the sheer boldness of her proposal.

    Nobody in their wildest dreams had expected her to stake everything on the line like this.

    Then, as if on cue, a collective gasp broke the silence, followed by a wave of murmurs.

    ¡°Unbelievable¡­ This isn¡¯t just an art duel. They¡¯re gambling with their entire lives.¡±

    ¡°She must be out of her mind. Who would risk their future on a contest?¡±

    ¡°For someone who breathes art, leaving the painting world is the same as being erased.¡±

    A sharp twitch flickered in Raegan¡¯s eye as realization struck, her mouth twisting with icy amusement.

    ¡°Maia Watson, you must be insane ¡ª or you¡¯re ying at something else entirely¡­¡±

    Her words slowed, deliberate, dripping with scorn.

    ???????????? §ã???¦Ñ???????? ????????????????????????

    ¡°You¡¯re only making this outrageous bet to rattle Mariana. Clearly, you don¡¯t have the guts for a realpetition, isn¡¯t that right?¡±

    That usation sparked another ripple through the crowd.

    ¡°She¡¯s bluffing!¡± someone shouted.

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Who would really risk everything on a whim like that?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s obviously bluffing, just hoping Mariana loses her nerve so she can wriggle out.¡±

    ¡°Fear, in and simple ¡ª she¡¯s scared of losing.¡±

    Suddenly, the mood in the room shifted, whispers swirling against Maia.

    Kiley, meanwhile, felt a chill creep over her, unsettled by the sudden turn. Her re grew colder, her brows tightening with concern.

    It was bing obvious ¡ª Maia wasn¡¯t to be underestimated. From the very beginning, her sights had been set on undermining Cooper Group.

    Kiley realized Maia was a threat, one that needed to be eliminated as soon as possible.

    She longed for a quiet moment with Mariana, hoping to gauge how confident her sister truly felt about winning.

    But before Kiley could intervene, Mariana let out a dismissiveugh.

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m easily spooked? Quit posturing, Maia!¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 798

    ?Chapter 798:

    Certain of her talent, Mariana refused to be rattled by empty theatrics. Arms folded, she arched a brow and smirked.

    ¡°Your art? It¡¯s hardly worth my attention. But if you want to make things interesting, I¡¯ll match your wager.¡±

    Without warning, she raised a single elegant finger.

    ¡°But I¡¯m not done. I¡¯ve got a condition of my own to add.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s gaze finally found its mark ¡ª Chris.

    She bit her lower lip, determination shing in her eyes like a de drawn from its sheath.

    ¡°If you lose, then from this day forward, stay away from anyone associated with the Cooper family.¡±

    She paused, letting the weight of her next words sink like stones into still water.

    ¡°Even if they¡¯re not officially part of the family ¡ª even if they were born outside of wedlock like Chris ¡ª you are not to go near them or have any kind of connection with them.¡±

    Her voice cut through the air, sharp and cold. It lingered there, a silent frost settling over the room.

    A hushed tension gripped the crowd. People nced at one another, bewilderment spreading like wildfire. Whispers drifted through the air, confusion etched on every face.

    But Mariana remainedposed. Without turning her head, she subtly nced at Kiley to gauge her reaction ¡ª still no visible shift. The corners of Mariana¡¯s mouth lifted in quiet satisfaction.

    She had anticipated this. If she had bluntly forbidden Maia from approaching Chris, it would have sounded too personal, too obvious. It would have raised Kiley¡¯s suspicions.

    Since udius hade up earlier in conversation with Kiley, Mariana could easily justify thister ¡ª iming she only wanted to shield udius from potential temptation.

    ??¦Á???????? §ã????¦Ñ???????? ??¦Á??????¦Í??????©q?????

    And her emphasis on ¡°even if they were born outside of wedlock¡±? That, too, had its purpose. She could argue that Chris needed the reminder: any indiscretion on his part would reflect poorly on the Cooper family. It would silence any doubters.

    Still, all of it was just window dressing.

    In truth, Mariana simply wanted to ensure that as long as she defeated Maia, this woman would stay away from Chris.

    Upon hearing Mariana¡¯s stiption, Maia raised an eyebrow and cast a sidelong nce at Chris.

    Chris, for his part, only shrugged ¡ª he looked just as confused.

    Maia turned back, folded her arms, and tilted her head with a trace of amusement as she faced Mariana.

    ¡°Alright, I ept. But if you lose, then no one from the¡­¡±

    ¡°Cooper family is allowed to make things difficult for Chris again.¡±

    A wave of gasps rippled through the onlookers. No one had expected Maia to actually agree.

    ¡°Is she out of her mind? She¡¯s wagering her rtionship, her career, and her future in one move!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 799

    ?Chapter 799:

    ¡°I¡¯ve got to hand it to her ¡ª she¡¯s got guts. Or maybe she¡¯s just all show and no substance. Inside, she might be shaking like a leaf.¡±

    ¡°Or perhaps it¡¯s all a performance ¡ª a calcted move to unnerve her opponent and throw them off bnce.¡±

    Yet Chris felt a warm surge in his chest as he heard Maia¡¯s words. She was standing up for him ¡ª shielding him, even now.

    Mariana, hearing the murmurs, allowed a smug smile to curl her lips. She was ready to settle the matter on the spot. But then Kiley stepped in.

    ¡°In that case,¡± she said coolly, ¡°let¡¯s hold thepetition tomorrow at ten in the morning. Take the day to prepare properly. That way, no one can im Mariana took advantage of you.¡±

    Her eyes calmly swept across Maia beforending on Grover. ¡°We¡¯d be honored if you would serve as the witness and judge for tomorrow¡¯s match.¡±

    Grover blinked, surprised by the sudden request, but nodded quickly. This situation was well beyond his control now. With the Cooper Group involved, he had no choice but to ride the tide.

    Kiley continued, her tone firm and measured. ¡°And to ensure absolute fairness, the drawing theme will be chosen at random ¡ª from ideas submitted by the audience. Anyone who wishes to suggest a theme can hand it to the staff. Tomorrow, Mr. Perez will draw one personally.¡±

    After she finished speaking, Kiley turned her gaze back to Maia, her eyes flickering with a quiet chill. ¡°Ms. Watson, do you find these terms eptable?¡±

    Mariana nced sideways at Kiley, faintly puzzled. She knew Kiley well enough to recognize that nothing she proposed was ever as innocent as it appeared. This seemingly fair arrangement must already be rigged. Kiley had likely made ns to sway the oue ¡ª stacking the deck in favor of a theme she excelled at, tipping the scales subtly in her favor.

    With that realization, Mariana¡¯s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. ¡°It all sounds perfectly fair to me. Maia, surely you don¡¯t object?¡±

    ???????????? §ã?¦Á?????????? ??????????¦Í?????????????

    At that moment, the Cooper sisters ¡ª each for her own reasons ¡ª reached an unspoken agreement. Victory was themon goal.

    But before Maia could respond, the onlookers began chiming in.

    ¡°This is an excellent n! It¡¯spletely fair. Ms. Cooper¡¯s leadership at Radiant Jewels is truly impressive.¡±

    ¡°And letting us participate by suggesting themes? That¡¯s brilliant ¡ª it makes it all the more exciting!¡±

    ¡°If Maia refuses now, it just means she¡¯s afraid. Any real artist should be able to handle any topic thrown their way.¡±

    All eyes turned to Maia ¡ª some filled with hope, others tinged with doubt. She stood quietly, listening to the noise around her, a subtle, enigmatic smile on her lips.

    ¡°I have no objections.¡±

    Her calm words reignited the crowd¡¯s excitement like a spark to dry tinder.

    Without lingering on the matter, Maia turned her attention to Kiley and asked, almost casually, ¡°Oh, by the way¡­ earlier, you said that if I win, I can ask anything of you, as long as it¡¯s within your power. Is that still your promise?¡±

    Kiley gave a poised nod, her expression serene yet self-assured. ¡°That¡¯s right. I stand by my words.¡±

    She paused, her voice smooth as a ribbon. ¡°So, Ms. Watson¡­ have you already decided what you¡¯ll ask for?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 800

    ?Chapter 800:

    A calm smile yed on Maia¡¯s lips as she responded in aposed, steady tone, ¡°I haven¡¯t made my decision yet. When I do, I¡¯ll let you know.¡±

    Shadows flickered in Kiley¡¯s eyes, her mouth curling into a vague, unreadable smile. ¡°No rush,¡± she replied, her voice as smooth and detached as ever. Barely above a whisper, her words drifted through the air. Something cold and razor-sharp lurked behind that poised exterior, enough to unsettle everyone listening.

    Raegan let out a dismissive snort, a smirk twisting her features. ¡°You¡¯re acting like the trophy¡¯s already yours, Maia.¡±

    Everything she¡¯d learned about Mariana hade straight from Kiley. Despite being so young, Mariana¡¯s collection of national des spoke for itself. Even the Cooper family treated her as the undisputed heir to their artistic legacy.

    Raegan, being close to Kiley, could sense her friend¡¯s inner turmoil, no matter how cid she tried to appear. One thing had be clear: anyone who crossed Kiley never had luck on their side. That thought made Raegan arch an eyebrow, disdain flickering in her gaze.

    Chris, standing quietly beside Maia, shot Raegan a nce so brief it almost went unnoticed.

    The crowd¡¯s curiosity bubbled up, fragments of hushed conversation swirling around them.

    ¡°Why is Maia so confident? Does she seriously believe she¡¯s some prodigy?¡±

    ¡°I bet she¡¯s just putting on a brave face. In a setting like this, iming to be Matias Watts is reckless ¡ª she¡¯s not afraid of being exposed?¡±

    ¡°No kidding! She looks like she thinks victory is guaranteed. Who told her she was invincible?¡±

    Someone in the crowd chimed in, ¡°Looks to me like she¡¯s just saving face ¡ª stalling for time because she¡¯s afraid to speak up, and even more afraid to lose.¡±

    Snickers and mocking nces were aimed squarely at Maia, their intentions as clear as day.

    ???????????? §ã???¦Ñ???????? ??¦Á??????¦Í??????©q?????

    Even so, Maia¡¯sposure never faltered. Her steady gaze drifted over andnded on Mariana.

    The taunts floating through the room seemed to put Mariana in a better mood. She didn¡¯t hesitate to fire off a cutting remark. ¡°Oh, Maia, drop the act! Still trying to¡­¡±

    Come up with something clever? You talk big, but can you actually win?¡±

    Quiet but confident, Maia answered, ¡°You do remember I¡¯ve won before, haven¡¯t I? The one who was defeated by me is you.¡±

    The words hit their mark, leaving Mariana momentarily frozen, as if something heavy lodged in her chest. Rage flickered in her eyes as she struggled to keep herposure. With her finger leveled at Maia, she nearly hissed, ¡°Just you wait! If you back out tomorrow, you¡¯ll regret it!¡±

    Maia let a wry smile touch her lips. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll be there. You have my word.¡± Her tone was almost yful. ¡°But if things turn out likest time, don¡¯t be a crybaby this time.¡±

    Stung by the jab, Mariana bristled. ¡°Who are you calling a crybaby?¡±

    Catching the look of barely contained fury on Mariana¡¯s face, Maia decided it wasn¡¯t worth continuing. A lightugh escaped her as she lost interest in the exhibition, turning away with an easy, elegant step. She made her exit with poise, showing that she couldn¡¯t care less about the whispers and stares.

    Behind her, Mariana¡¯s hands curled into fists so tightly that her nails left crescent marks in her palms. Constant reminders echoed in her mind ¡ª she was the prodigy with awards to prove it, and there was no way Maia could ever surpass her.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 801

    ?Chapter 801:

    Once Maia had departed, a long silence settled between them before Kiley finally let her gaze drift toward Raegan. Her question came softly and low. ¡°So, what¡¯s your take on Maia?¡±

    With a careless shrug, Raegan swayed her hips and looped her arm around Kiley¡¯s, lounging as if nothing could faze her. ¡°She thinks a few small wins make her a big shot. Honestly, I¡¯ve met dozens just like her ¡ª quick to get defensive and too proud for her own good.¡±

    As Raegan swept her hair over one shoulder, she let her gaze drift to Mariana, a sly smile ying on her lips. A moment ago, she had picked up on Mariana¡¯s obvious attempt to raise the stakes. It made her wonder if those feelings for the Cooper Group¡¯s illegitimate son ran deeper than simple disdain.

    That might be the sort of detail her boss would want to know about.

    Kiley¡¯s eyes narrowed, a shadow flickering across her face as she followed Raegan¡¯s gaze to where Mariana stood. Her voice, sharp and cool, cut through the room.

    ¡°Mariana, you should know better. As a Cooper,posure is everything. You made this move without even consulting me. I hope you¡¯re not acting on a whim ¡ª because you¡¯d better be absolutely certain you can win.¡±

    But Mariana didn¡¯t flinch. Her gaze held firm, zing with defiance.

    ¡°I¡¯m not uncertain, Kiley. I will win. What Maia stole from me ¡ª I¡¯m taking it back with my own hands.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s eyebrows flickered, her stern gaze softening just a touch. She stepped deliberately to Mariana¡¯s side, resting a slender hand lightly on her shoulder. Her voice, calm and measured, carried quiet authority.

    ¡°Mariana, your determination is admirable, but if you want to win, determination alone won¡¯t carry you there.¡±

    Mariana blinked, puzzled by the calm shift in her sister¡¯s tone.

    L?????????? §ã????????????? ??¦Á?n??¦Í??????£®?????

    Kiley exhaled slowly, her words turning coaxing, almost instructive.

    ¡°Tell me ¡ª what kind of painting are you strongest at? If you truly want to win, you need strategy, not just bravado. Use every strength you¡¯ve got. Bend the field to your advantage.¡±

    A flicker of confidence lit Mariana¡¯s eyes.

    After a pause, she said evenly,

    ¡°Portraits. Especially women. I¡¯ve won two national gold medals for it.¡±

    ¡°Perfect,¡± Kiley murmured, satisfaction curving her lips. ¡°Then tomorrow, that¡¯s the battlefield we choose. And Mariana ¡ª assume Maia is at the top of her game. Treat her like a master, even if you think she¡¯s not. Because the moment you let your guard down¡­ that¡¯s when you fall.¡±

    A faint smile tugged at Mariana¡¯s lips. As always, her sister¡¯s precision and calcted calm were unwavering ¡ª but this time, Mariana felt no need to worry.

    ¡°Maia¡¯s nothing but a fa?ade. Four years in prison, focused on fashion design. How much time could she have had for painting? I¡¯ve been at this since I was a child.¡±

    She turned to meet Kiley¡¯s gaze, chin lifted with pride.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you trust me?¡±

    ¡°I do. But I trust the power of preparation more,¡± Kiley said coolly, her voice dropping to a razor-sharp edge. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the venue. Everything will be arranged to give you the upper hand. Your job is simple ¡ª paint like your life depends on it. Leave Maia no opening. No mercy. Understood?¡±

    ¡°Crystal clear,¡± Mariana said, her eyes glinting with contempt as she nced toward the exit Maia had taken. ¡°Even if Maia can paint, there¡¯s no way she¡¯s caught up to my level in just a few short years.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 802

    ?Chapter 802:

    After all, Mariana had been hailed as a painting prodigy since childhood ¡ª how could she possibly lose to Maia in this field?

    Her lips curved into a confident, almost smug smile. ¡°And with you pulling the strings, thepetition will be portrait painting ¡ª my domain. I can¡¯t lose.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good. Head back to the hotel and prepare thoroughly. Stay sharp ¡ª don¡¯t let your guard down,¡± Kiley said with a knowing smile, though a subtle chill still lingered in her eyes. No one slipped past her unscathed.

    And Maia would be no exception.

    ¡°Understood,¡± Mariana replied, her voice tinged with quiet fire. Her proud, confident gaze swept toward the direction Maia had disappeared, a silent vow burning in her mind. ¡°Maia, this time I¡¯ll crush youpletely ¡ª there won¡¯t be a single chance for you to rise again.¡±

    Behind them, Raegan remained still, a quiet smile curling at her lips. She watched Mariana go, amusement flickering in her eyes.

    It seemed tomorrow was destined to be nothing short of spectacr.

    Meanwhile, Maia and her group made their way out of the bustling gallery.

    A rush of crisp air hit her cheeks, instantly clearing her head.

    Casting her eyes upward, she foundfort in the wide stretch of blue overhead and finally let out a deep, steady breath. A visit meant only to honor Alice¡¯s invitation and quietly appreciate her own paintings had turned into a public scene she hadn¡¯t bargained for.

    Trailing behind, Alice wore a pout, apologizing nonstop, her regret shadowing Maia all the way from the art hall to the street.

    Before long, Grover, the Gascoyne Museum¡¯s curator, hurried out after them, stumbling over his apologies to Alice and swearing he¡¯d had no say in the matter. He pleaded for a dinner together so he could give her a proper exnation.

    Despite her anger, Alice didn¡¯t want to end the friendship. Tossing Maia a look, she said, ¡°Ms. Watson, why don¡¯t you go back to the hotel for now? I have to give Grover a talking-to ¡ª and make him pay for a feast at the city¡¯s best restaurant. He won¡¯t forget it soon!¡±

    ???????????? §ã???¦Ñ???????? g???????¦Í??????[.]?????

    A softugh escaped Maia, amused by this fiery side of Alice. ¡°Go on, then.¡±

    All the authority Grover hadmanded on stage had vanished; in Alice¡¯s presence, he was downright timid.

    Momentster, Maia and Chris strolled toward the taxi line.

    Thoughts of Mariana and Kiley, with their smug confidence, made Maia snort under her breath and give her head a small shake.

    ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± From behind, a familiar voice brought her back. Chris caught up and fell in step, giving her a gentle look.

    That snapped Maia out of her thoughts. She nced at him, allowing a small smile to surface. ¡°Honestly? Just thinking about how some people never learn until life knocks them down a few times.¡±

    Chris gave a low chuckle, warmth in his tone. ¡°Sounds like you already know you¡¯re going to win, honey.¡±

    yfulness lit Maia¡¯s features as she gave Chris a sly look. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be nervous that I might lose? If that happens, you know I¡¯ll have to cut you offpletely.¡±

    Instead of answering right away, Chris tilted his head, one eyebrow arching as if something amusing had just urred to him.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 803

    ?Chapter 803:

    ¡°Wait a minute. So what you¡¯re really afraid of isn¡¯t losing Aurora Apparel, but missing me?¡±

    Maia could only stare, speechless. Somehow, she had walked straight into that one.

    ¡°You shameless flirt,¡± Maia said, rolling her eyes, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her fondness.

    Confidence colored Chris¡¯ voice as he paused, turning to face her directly. With a gentle hand, he brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead.

    ¡°Why would I be worried? You¡¯re extraordinary. There¡¯s no way you¡¯ll lose.¡±

    Whatever happened ¡ª no matter what the world took from her ¡ª he intended to remain by her side.

    Besides, Mariana¡¯s terms only mentioned Maia staying away from him. Nothing ever said Chris couldn¡¯t be the one to chase after her instead.

    ¡°Now tell me,¡± he said, a hint of curiosity in his tone. ¡°What sort of wager are you nning to put on the table if you win against Mariana?¡±

    Lifting her gaze toward the clouds, Maia¡¯s eyes sparkled with secret delight. A mischievous grin spread across her lips.

    ¡°Funny, someone always used to make me guess things. Why don¡¯t you try your luck this time? If you manage to get it right, I¡¯ll spill the secret.¡±

    Caught off guard, Chris paused, an uneasy look flickering across his face as he scratched his cheek.

    ¡°I have no idea.¡±

    A burst ofughter escaped Maia as she watched him flounder.

    ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s because I haven¡¯t actually made up my mind yet.¡±

    A sudden spark of mischief danced in her eyes as she decided to both tease Chris and dig for answers about Mariana¡¯s odd request. She cleared her throat, schooling her features into seriousness.

    ??????????? §ã???¦Ñ???????? ??????????????????©q?????

    ¡°Chris, there¡¯s something I¡¯d like to ask, and I want you to bepletely honest with me.¡±

    He leaned in, curiosity mingling with a touch of yful worry.

    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡±

    Chris¡¯ brow knit together before he exaggerated a look ofic anxiety.

    ¡°I noticed Mariana seems to have quite the special interest in you, doesn¡¯t she?¡± Maia looked at Chris with mock seriousness dancing in her eyes, her voice dropping low as she asked, ¡°Why do you think she went through all the trouble of making that bet? Does Mariana want me to avoid everyone in the Cooper family, or is it specifically you she¡¯s trying to protect?¡± She lifted an eyebrow with obvious amusement.

    Behind her yful tone, genuine curiosity burned in her gaze. ¡°Something tells me Mariana¡¯s hostility toward me goes way beyond just losing Aurora Apparel Company. I think this might actually be about you, Chris.¡±

    Chris felt himself stumble for a moment, then he couldn¡¯t suppress a wry smile. ¡°Back when I was stuck with the Cooper family, Mariana was literally the only person who showed me any decency,¡± he exined with quiet reflection. ¡°She almost never joined in when the others mocked my illegitimate status, and she was the only one who didn¡¯t treat me like I had some kind of disease. After all these years, we¡¯ve managed to keep things peaceful between us.¡±

    Chris shifted to face Maia directly and gave her nose a gentle tap. ¡°She¡¯s nothing more than my cousin, my uncle¡¯s daughter. What exactly is running through that head of yours?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 804

    ?Chapter 804:

    Before Maia could get a word out, Chris pursed his lips with exaggerated suspicion, his eyebrows climbing upward. ¡°Hold on¡­ could it possibly be that you¡¯re jealous?¡±

    Maia whipped her head away with theatrical indignation, folding her arms across her chest. ¡°Absolutely not.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just a little strange, that¡¯s all,¡± she muttered after letting the silence stretch between them, her eyes flickering with something unreadable. ¡°You might see her as just a cousin, but does she really see you the same way?¡±

    Her seemingly innocent question cut straight through to something deeper.

    Chris felt his thoughts scatter for a moment. His mind drifted back to those brutal days at the Cooper family¡¯s residence, when everyone else treated him like an unwanted stain on the family name. Mariana had been different, though. She had offered him warmth and genuine concern when no one else would even look his way.

    ¡°Maybe she just took pity on me back then,¡± Chris said with a soft chuckle.

    Maia nced at him but didn¡¯t press further, shifting her gaze slightly before changing the subject. ¡°Speaking of tomorrow¡¯spetition, if I actually manage to win, is there anything from Cooper Group that you¡¯d want?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± The question clearly caught Chris off guard.

    He considered it for a moment, then broke into a smile that radiated such genuine warmth it could have melted Maia on the spot. ¡°Honestly, there¡¯s nothing from Cooper Group that I need or want. Just seeing you win would be enough to make me happy.¡±

    Something flickered across Chris¡¯ expression then, as if a memory had surfaced unexpectedly. When he spoke again, his voice carried the gentle quality of wind across still water. ¡°Actually, if there¡¯s one thing I can¡¯tpletely let go of, it would be Grandpa. Kolton has made sure I can never visit him.¡±

    At those words, Maia pressed her lips together and fell into thoughtful silence. She looked into Chris¡¯ deep eyes, realizing for the first time how little she truly knew about him.

    ???????????? ¡é???¦Ñ???????? g??????????????£®?????

    ¡°But that¡¯s my burden to carry, not yours,¡± Chris said firmly, his voice regaining its steady warmth as his expression settled back to normal. ¡°You should focus on what you want from Cooper Group when you win. Don¡¯t be modest about it. Take everything you can get your hands on.¡±

    Chris¡¯ words drew a genuineugh from Maia. ¡°Here you are, a Cooper family member, actually encouraging me to strip them of everything I can.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ve never shown me an ounce of appreciation, so why should I waste any concern on them? What matters to me is making sure you, my wife, get what you deserve.¡± Chris¡¯ eyes sparkled with mischief as he chuckled softly.

    ¡°You¡¯re absolutely shameless,¡± Maia shot back, her smile widening as their eyes met. ¡°There¡¯s something that¡¯s always puzzled me though. At Cooper Group¡¯s banquet, Laurence clearly held deep affection for you, and he seemed to have a wonderful rtionship with your mother as well. So why couldn¡¯t she marry into the Cooper family? What left you growing up as an out-of-wedlock child?¡±

    A thoughtful look swept across Chris¡¯ face as he nced toward the distant horizon. ¡°That¡¯s a story with some history behind it. I¡¯d rather share it with you properly, when we have more time.¡±

    Although sorrow lingered in his eyes, a delicate smile curved his lips.

    Bathed in golden sunlight, Chris seemed like a figure out of an old master¡¯s painting. The sky¡¯s edge glowed with crimson and gold, peaceful and expansive. Maia found her gaze lingering on him, and in that moment, a vision of his mother shed unexpectedly in her mind ¡ª a picture of calm beauty and quiet strength.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 805

    ?Chapter 805:

    Inspiration struck her all at once.

    Even while she had been behind bars for four years, Maia never put down her pencil. ¡°Rebirth¡± was only a small window into her talent, a snapshot of the journey her art had taken. Since childhood, drawing had been inseparable from her sense of self.

    Excelling in fashion design, she knew, required rock-solid fundamentals ¡ª especially when it came to mastering the human form.

    Back in school, Maia often participated in art contests, consistently winning first prizes. Yet Richard and Sandra never paid her efforts any mind. In fact, they would scold her for ¡°wasting¡± time on art.

    Discouraged, Maia eventually withdrew from everypetition.

    Of everyone in the Morgan family, only Vicki ever recognized her passion, leaving warm encouragement scribbled on the backs of her drawings: ¡°Wonderful work, Maia. Don¡¯t stop.¡±

    Because of Vicki¡¯s faith in her, Maia stayed true to her love for art, never letting it go.

    It was Vicki who once told her that art could capture and preserve everything someone holds dear.

    One painting ¡ª a portrait of Vicki ¡ª had once hung in Maia¡¯s bedroom at the Morgan home. Whenever she looked at Vicki¡¯s gentle smile in that portrait, a measure of calm would settle her aching heart.

    Rosanna had gotten rid of that portrait ¡ª along with the rest of Maia¡¯s treasured possessions ¡ª without a second thought.

    Despite the loss, Maia still felt the memory of that painting¡¯sfort as if it were yesterday.

    Meanwhile, Chris¡¯ bedroom told a very different story: only a mother¡¯s portrait, her face forever left unfinished. The fact that he had grown up without a single memory of her appearance pressed heavily on Maia¡¯s mind.

    ???????????? ????¦Ñ???????? ?????n??¦Í????????????

    Just then, the low rumble of a taxi pulling up caught her attention at the roadside.

    ¡°Need a lift?¡± The driver¡¯s question snapped Maia from her thoughts.

    Maia nodded gently. ¡°Could you take us to the hotel, please?¡±

    One after the other, Maia and Chris slipped into the back seat.

    As the car rolled forward, city lights and shadows streamed past in a slow, gentle rhythm. Sunbeams slipped through the ss, painting Maia¡¯s profile with a warm, golden hue that softened her features.

    Scenes from the street flickered by, but Maia¡¯s gaze often drifted to Chris, lingering with quiet interest. She took in his strong brow, the fan of thickshes casting shadows beneath, the sculpted nose, sharp lips, and those eyes that always seemed to hold unspoken tales.

    Every nce was quick ¡ª never more than a second ¡ª swift and almost instinctive. She was certain her curiosity went unnoticed.

    In fact, even the smallest shift of Maia¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t escape Chris¡¯ notice as he sat beside her. Still, he chose not to say a word, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

    Appearingpletely absorbed in the silence, he let her believe he hadn¡¯t seen a thing.

    Before long, the taxi rolled up to the hotel entrance. Shoulder to shoulder, they made their way through the lobby, rode the elevator up, and reached their floor in quietpany.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 806

    ?Chapter 806:

    As they paused outside their rooms, Chris finally broke the silence, his words unhurried.

    ¡°You spent the whole ride sneaking nces at me, sweetheart.¡±

    Caught off guard, Maia paused mid-step. Feigning surprise, she tilted her head. ¡°Hmm?¡±

    Chris angled his face toward her, a yful glint in his eye. ¡°You were staring for ages¡­ Did I grow a second nose or something?¡±

    For a moment, Maia couldn¡¯t find her voice. Regaining herposure, she replied, ¡°That¡¯s not true at all. You must have imagined it.¡±

    A lifted eyebrow and a teasing tone answered her. ¡°Oh? Did I now?¡±

    No answer came from Maia ¡ª she could only stare. A beat passed before she finally said, ¡°You just seem a little different today.¡± The excuse came out smoothly, though her eyes darted everywhere but to him.

    ¡°And what¡¯s changed?¡± Chris asked, curiosity lingering.

    Shifting her gaze to the ceiling, Maia stumbled for words, then blurted, ¡°Actually ¡ª I just remembered. Professor Bryant messaged earlier to invite me out for dinner.¡±

    Turning her eyes up to Chris, she managed a casual tone. ¡°Do you want toe along?¡±

    A light shake of the head was his response. ¡°I¡¯ll pass. I¡¯m still shaking off the jetg and not feeling my best. You go ahead and enjoy dinner. I¡¯ll probably just grab something simple nearby.¡±

    Maia nodded. ¡°Alright, see youter.¡±

    A silent understanding passed between them as they exchanged a final nce. Momentster, they each slipped into their separate rooms, thoughts lingering in the air behind them.

    A few momentster, Maia slipped into a sleek outfit, swept her hair into an effortless style, and draped a flowing coat across her shoulders. Without attracting attention, she quietly left the hotel and made her way toward the affiliated hospital of Sceibar Royal Academy.

    ??????????? ????¦Ñ???????? ?????????¦Í????????????

    Her purpose was clear: to confirm Chris¡¯ medical consultation before they enjoyed their anticipated meal together.

    Meanwhile, Chris stood before the ornate mirror. Resting elegantly on the table beside him was a silver mask of exceptional craftsmanship. Its wless surface was adorned with intricate gold filigree that shimmered in the light, radiating an almost regal sophistication.

    He rinsed his face with cool water and carefully dried the moisture from his brow. As he studied his reflection, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his features. His appearance remained utterly unchanged from any other day.

    ¡°Perhaps¡­¡± he mused, an amused smile tugging at his lips. ¡°My dear wife has be captivated by this very face? Could that exin those stolen nces she thinks I don¡¯t notice?¡± A deepugh rumbled from his chest.

    With deliberate precision, his eyes zing with anticipation, Chris lifted the mask toward his face. The instant the chilled metal touched his skin, his entire presence shifted within the mirror¡¯s reflection.

    His gaze sharpened into something cold and predatory. The gentle, aristocratic bearing he usually carried vanished, reced by a formidable aura that radiated silent warning to anyone who might dare approach.

    Every line of his masked features exuded mystery and danger, like a predator moving unseen through the shadows.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 807

    ?Chapter 807:

    This was Chris¡¯ hidden identity: the elusive leader of the mysterious organization known as The Mask.

    Chris studied his transformed reflection with satisfaction and murmured calmly, ¡°Time to meet the other members.¡±

    He pulled on his coat and left the hotel swiftly, vanishing into the night.

    Meanwhile, in the presidential suite of a luxurious hotel, Raegan stretched with feline grace.

    Her phone buzzed softly against the marble table. A message from an unknown number shed across the screen, showing nothing but a location and a specific time.

    Her lips curved into a knowing smile as she reached for her backpack. Inside, a mask striped with gold gleamed under the light, its surface exuding cold menace.

    Night had settled deep over the city, shrouding the streets in silence while heavy clouds draped themselves across the skyline like a suffocating veil. Raegan slipped quietly from the hotel.

    Taking advantage of Kiley¡¯s absence, she exchanged her dazzling dress for a in gray coat, blending seamlessly into the night.

    She navigated carefully past surveince points, wound through three different street corners, and switched to a taxi before finally arriving at the mouth of a secluded alley.

    An ancient church of weathered brick and crumbling stone loomed before her. The cross at its entrance looked menacing in the dim light, its paint peeling as crows circled the bell tower above ¡ª a stark contrast against the vibrant city beyond.

    ¡°This is the ce,¡± Raegan whispered. After double-checking the address, she moved silently toward an unremarkable side entrance.

    She lifted the mask to her face, concealing her captivating features beneath its golden surface.

    ???????????? §ã??¦Á¦Ñ???????? g??????????????©q?????

    In that instant, all of Raegan¡¯s warmth and charm vanished, reced by themanding presence of The Mask¡¯s ruthless second-inmand. She now embodied Lady Golden Enigma, the merciless overseer of the Otruitho division.

    Drawing a steady breath, she pushed against the heavy, weathered wooden door.

    The church¡¯s vast interior stretched before her, rows of empty pews casting long shadows. Figures dressed in ck upied the benches, each wearing a distinctive mask, their heads bowed in silence. Every head turned at the sound of her entrance.

    Recognizing Lady Golden Enigma, they rose in perfect unison, offering her a brief yet wlessly executed salute.

    Raegan acknowledged them with a subtle nod, her movements deliberate and controlled.

    She proceeded calmly to the third row and settled into her seat, waiting patiently for their leader¡¯s arrival.

    The assembly maintained their silence, bound by an unspoken code of understanding.

    Finally, the sound of measured,manding footsteps echoed from the far end of the church.

    A man in an impably tailored ck suit emerged from the shadows. Tall and imposing, he carried himself with razor-sharp precision. The silver mask covering his face gleamed coldly in the dim light, its intricate golden carvings flickering with an almost sinister brilliance beneath the candlelight.

    The entire atmosphere within the church shifted instantly, thickening with tension.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 808

    ?Chapter 808:

    Every member rose as one, bowing their heads in perfect synchronization.

    ¡°Salute, sir!¡±

    Chris positioned himself at the front, his piercing gaze sweeping across the masked figures before him.

    ¡°Good. Five of you have answered the call.¡±

    His attention then shifted deliberately to Lady Golden Enigma.

    ¡°Now¡­ deliver your report.¡±

    In the dim-lit chapel, masked figures rose one by one, each delivering their reports on regional affairs.

    Chris, cloaked in his silver mask, sat on the high tform, his posture calm yetmanding. He listened intently, tilting his head in subtle nods.

    ¡°Fine work,¡± he said, his voice steady and warm with approval.

    Though their faces remained hidden, the thrill of his praise rippled through the members. Shoulders trembled with excitement as they dipped into respectful bows toward their leader.

    To them, he was more than amander ¡ª he was their savior, the man who had plucked them from death¡¯s grasp years ago during a daring rescue. His true face remained a mystery, but their loyalty burned fiercely.

    The creed of The Mask pulsed within their hearts: Conceal your identity to protect justice. It was a vow to shield the innocent from misfortune, a mission that bound them closer than blood.

    Reports flowed like a river, carrying tales of cross-border capital shifts in the financial world, military resource movements in East Otruitho, and covert political schemes whispered in shadowed halls. Each revtion painted a picture of a world teetering on unseen edges.

    When the discussion turned to illicit dealings by multinational corporations, the air grew taut. All eyes shifted to the third row, where Lady Golden Enigma sat ¡ª that was her area of investigation.

    ??¦Ñ??¦Á?????? ?????? ???? ????????¦Í????????????

    Raegan rose, her piercing gaze cutting through the slits of her golden mask, locking onto Chris. She squared her shoulders, her voice precise and firm as it sliced through the silence.

    ¡°Three dayste, thest freighter from Cooper Group docked in Otruitho. A penalty of ten billion was paid for the dy, funneled through Radiant Jewels.¡±

    Her words carried the weight of months spent weaving her way into Kiley¡¯s trust, posing as a confidante to unearth Radiant Jewels¡¯ secrets. Kiley had seen her as a close friend, never suspecting her motives.

    Raegan¡¯s report confirmed Chris¡¯ suspicions ¡ª his recent operation had stung Cooper Group, even if it had not halted their shipment entirely.

    Thepany¡¯s stock prices, after a turbulent week, had only just begun to steady. No movement from Kolton suggested he was taking time to recover from the impact.

    ¡°What cargo?¡± Chris asked, his tone measured.

    Raegan gave a slight shake of her head, a faint sigh slipping from her lips. ¡°No confirmation yet, but the clues point to medical supplies.¡±

    She paused, waiting for the praise she had grown ustomed to.

    Raegan was no ordinary operative; she had danced with death on countless missions, always emerging unscathed. Chris had always acknowledged her skill, her cunning. Surely, he would now.

    But half a second of silence stretched heavy and unfamiliar. When Chris finally spoke, his voice was low, edged with caution. ¡°Press deeper. Stay discreet. And keep your focus ¡ª avoid entanglements.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 809

    ?Chapter 809:

    Raegan¡¯s head snapped up, her breath catching. Confusion churned in her chest. ¡°Sir, have I erred?¡± Her voice rasped, thick with disbelief.

    The chapel fell into a hush, the air thick with tension.

    Masked members exchanged furtive nces, their eyes darting between Raegan and the tform.

    Chris¡¯ gaze, cold as steel, offered no warmth. ¡°Maia Watson is not one to cross,¡± he said, his words detonating like a grenade in the silence.

    Raegan¡¯s fists clenched, her lips pressed into a tight line beneath her mask.

    Without another word, Chris turned, his silver mask catching thest flicker of candlelight before he vanished into the chapel¡¯s shadowed depths.

    The members stood frozen, their breaths shallow in the wake of his departure.

    After a long moment, Raegan stirred, her voice regaining its crisp edge. ¡°Disperse,¡± she ordered the others. ¡°Hold the leader¡¯s words close.¡±

    An hourter, Raegan strode into the hotel lobby. Her mind churned, a storm of questions and doubts.

    Why had the leader spoken so sharply?

    Did he know of her sh with Maia at the art exhibition?

    His warning had been unmistakable, a de pressed to her pride.

    In all her years, Raegan had never encountered such a situation.

    Yet now, doubt gnawed at her. Who was Maia?

    She was not a member of The Mask ¡ª that much was certain.

    An undercover agent, perhaps?

    But if Maia truly belonged to The Mask, Raegan reasoned, she and the others would have been informed the moment Maia set foot in Sceibar. Or was Maia something else entirely ¡ª a new piece on Chris¡¯ chessboard, a rival threatening Raegan¡¯s ce at his side?

    The thought twisted like a knife. Raegan had always seen herself as his sharpest weapon, his most trusted de.

    ?????????? ?????????? ?????????????? at ????????¦Í????????????

    No one could supnt her. She would not allow it.

    Her agitation simmered, a fire stoked by every unanswered question.

    Swiping her key card at the presidential suite¡¯s door, she heard the lock click. But as she stepped forward, she froze. Her breath caught.

    Kiley was already home ¡ª far earlier than expected.

    Kiley reclined in the plush armchair of the presidential suite, one hand draped across her knee, the other deftly navigating herptop. Her eyes remained locked on the glowing screen, where Maia¡¯s photograph dominated the center, nked by a crisp dossier of her details.

    ¡°Why did you slip out without a word?¡± Kiley asked, her voice smooth as silk, not bothering to nce up.

    The question hung between them, casual yet pointed, betraying no hint of her inner thoughts.

    Raegan hesitated, then broke into her trademark grin. Swaying her hips, she sauntered over and dropped onto Kiley¡¯sp, her voice a yful murmur. ¡°You were gone forever, Kiley. I was climbing the walls in here, so I took a walk to shake off the boredom.¡±

    Kiley arched a brow, her gaze still fixed on theptop. ¡°A walk? Or a man? Feeling blue, are you?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 810

    Chapter 810:

    Her words cut through the air, sharp and knowing, as if she could peer straight into Raegan¡¯s soul. She sensed the flicker of truth Raegan tried to bury beneath her charm.

    Raegan¡¯s shoulders rxed, and she let out a mock huff. ¡°You always read me like a book, don¡¯t you? I texted him, and it has been nearly a day with no reply.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°Is that so?¡± She eased theptop onto the side table and turned to Raegan, pulling her closer. Her fingers tracedzy circles along Raegan¡¯s waist, a gesture both tender and possessive. ¡°Maybe you should y coy. Let him chase you until he¡¯s tripping over himself to win you over.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re probably right,¡± Raegan said, her tone light but distracted.

    She nestled into Kiley¡¯s embrace, savoring the warmth. Kiley¡¯s gaze softened, though a flicker of curiosity lingered. ¡°I cannot fathom what man could resist you,¡± she mused, her voice low. Tilting her head, she studied Raegan¡¯s delicate features. ¡°What is his name? Need a little nudge from me?¡±

    Raegan swatted Kiley¡¯s arm, a teasing glint in her eyes. ¡°No chance! What if you steal him? You¡¯re the real heartbreaker.¡±

    Her gaze drifted over Kiley¡¯s form, the silk pajamas clinging to her curves like a second skin, every line radiating elegance.

    Kiley chuckled, her fingers pausing on Raegan¡¯s waist. ¡°You think so little of yourself?¡± Her tone shifted, firm and resolute. ¡°Rest easy. Men hold no appeal for me. They only clutter my path to sess.¡±

    Raegan¡¯sughter bubbled up, bright and genuine. ¡°Anyone else saying that, I would call it hot air. But you? I believe it.¡±

    She leaned back, the tension between them dissolving into easy banter. Theirughter filled the suite, a fleeting reprieve from the undercurrents swirling beneath their words. Then Raegan¡¯s gaze flicked to theptop, her voice dropping. ¡°So, what is the story with Maia?¡±

    Kiley¡¯s eyes narrowed, her stare fixed on the screen. ¡°I am not certain, but something is off. Before she went to prison, she was just an ordinary woman. After her release, she suddenly carried multiple identities ¡ª the geniusposer K, and MCN¡¯s chief designer Eileen. It feels as though she became someone entirely different, like a phoenix rising from the ashes,pletely reinventing herself.¡±

    ???????????????? ????????????: g????????¦Í????????????

    She paused, closing her eyes as if recalling something, then continued, ¡°It is like that painting titled ¡®Rebirth.¡¯ She has gained a new life. That painting might truly be hers, and I am beginning to believe that Matias Watts is indeed her.¡±

    Raegan¡¯s eyes gleamed, her mind racing. ¡°If that is true, Maia feels like a piece moved into y by someone else.¡± She propped her chin in her hand, mulling it over. ¡°If Maia is Matias, can your sister truly outshine her in tomorrow¡¯s live painting contest?¡±

    Kiley¡¯s smile brimmed with confidence. ¡°Absolutely. My sister will triumph. Tomorrow¡¯spetition is live; Maia cannot fake her way through it.¡±

    Raegan tilted her head, her thoughts aligning. ¡°So, you think Maia¡¯s achievements ¡ª her painting included ¡ª are not her own?¡± The idea settled in her mind, far more usible than Maia mastering such skill in four short years.

    But a warning echoed in Raegan¡¯s head: the leader¡¯s sharp voice cautioning her not to cross Maia. Could it be that even The Mask¡¯s leader was wary of Maia? Did Maia wield a power far greater than any of them knew?

    Her voice turned sly. ¡°Maybe she crossed paths with someone powerful in prison. Or perhaps a hidden force is pulling her strings.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s head snapped toward Raegan, her amber eyes glinting with suspicion. ¡°You never care about women, Raegan, but Maia has your attention. That is not like you.¡± She leaned closer, her voice icy. ¡°Are you keeping something from me? And where were you tonight? My bodyguards said they hadn¡¯t seen you leave the hotel.¡±

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Hope you liked the chapters dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (¡ä?? ? ??`) ?

    .

 Chapter 811

    ?Chapter 811:<fnc18c> This content belongs to ?ovelFind</fnc18c>

    Raegan froze, her breath catching. Kiley¡¯s gaze bore into her, unyielding. She swallowed hard, her mind scrambling for an answer.

    A strange stillness settled over the room, so heavy it felt like it could be sliced clean through.

    With a slow breath, Raegan steadied herself and let out a casual remark. ¡°Most women just don¡¯t catch my interest.¡±

    As she spoke, she reached up and gently tilted Kiley¡¯s chin toward her, leaning in with a yful smile. ¡°The only reason Maia caught my attention¡­ is you.¡±

    Kiley blinked, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Me?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely.¡± There was something unreadable in Raegan¡¯s eyes ¡ª teasing, curious. She bit down gently on her lower lip and added, ¡°You didn¡¯t have to say anything. I could see how furious you were today, the second I looked at your face.¡±

    Kiley kept quiet, her gaze calm but unwavering as it locked on Raegan¡¯s.

    Rising to her feet, Raegan smoothed the fabric of her dress with deliberate care. ¡°I just wanted to understand where you wereing from. As for where I went¡­ like I said, I just strolled around tonight to clear my head.¡±

    While speaking, she reached into her bag, pulled out her phone, and tapped on the screen to open the photo gallery. ¡°I happened to pass by a church earlier. It had a strange kind of charm, so I snapped this.¡±

    The image showed a quiet church bathed in shadows, its towering spire faintly lit beneath the night sky.

    With an easy motion, she passed the phone to Kiley, a subtle smile ying at the corners of her mouth. ¡°By the way, those bodyguards you set up¡­ they don¡¯t seem all that reliable.¡±

    Folding her arms, Raegan tilted her head and asked, ¡°How did I manage to walk right past them without being noticed? They must be absent-minded when working.¡±

    Addressing suspicion with logic was far more effective than pretending it didn¡¯t exist. Why must it be that she was lying? It was entirely possible the bodyguards had neglected their duty and failed to see her leave the hotel.

    ???????????????????? ?????????????????? ???? g??????¦Í?????????????

    Kiley stared at the photo for a moment longer before finally looking up. Noticing the tension in Raegan¡¯s face, she exhaled gently, her expression softening into a slight smile. ¡°Maybe I was too quick to assume. You¡¯re right. Those guards aren¡¯t¡­¡±

    ¡­doing their job. I¡¯ll have them reced soon.¡± Her tone sounded almost like reassurance.

    Kiley leaned forward and gave herptop a gentle tap. ¡°I dug up some information on Maia. Since you¡¯re so curious, why not help me make sense of it?¡± Without waiting for a response, she rose from her seat, loosening the sash around her robe as she turned toward the bathroom. ¡°I¡¯m exhausted. Going to take a bath.¡±

    Raegan responded with ease, her tone light and unaffected. ¡°No worries. I¡¯ve got it.¡±

    The moment Kiley slipped behind the bathroom door, Raegan¡¯s pleasant expression vanished. Her posture shifted as she sat up straighter.

    The screen glowed as Raegan adjusted the angle, her eyes narrowing in concentration while she scanned through the data on Maia. Disyed across the monitor were images, news clips, and public records ¡ª each one offering a glimpse into Maia¡¯s carefully curated life.

    One headline caught her attention, pulling her in like a loose thread waiting to be unraveled. With a few swift clicks, Raegan closed every other tab, leaving only the article that detailed Maia¡¯s birthday.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 812

    ?Chapter 812:

    Maia wasn¡¯t the real daughter of the Morgan family, but she had been born on the same day as Rosanna. Because of that, the Morgans had once hosted a joint celebration for both of them.

    While reading the article, Raegan let out a low chuckle. ¡°Now this is something¡­ Maia isn¡¯t a Morgan, huh?¡±

    Continuing down the page, she paused when she spotted a familiar name ¡ª Kiley¡¯s younger brother, udius ¡ª who had gifted Maia something excessivelyvish.

    ¡°So that exins Kiley¡¯s reaction. Her own brother¡¯s chasing after Maia ¡ª someone actually from the slums.¡±

    Just as she prepared to scroll again, Raegan¡¯s breath hitched.

    A new image loaded onto the screen ¡ª someone in a mask, introducing himself as a representative of Mr. M, offering gifts to Maia.

    Raegan¡¯s stare hardened as she took in the photo, her jaw tightening. The muscles in her hand clenched around the mouse, her knuckles paling from the pressure.

    There was no way she¡¯d mistake that mask for any other.

    It belonged solely to members of The Mask.<fneeba> The rightful source is F¦ÉndNovel</fneeba>

    What truly stunned her, though, were the extravagant gifts ¡ª an explosion of fireworks, a mesmerizing drone light show, and the Angel¡¯s Tear, a rare blue sapphire valued at three hundred million.

    Zooming in, Raegan focused on the image, her eyes locked on the mask¡¯s details. The longer she examined it, the more familiar it became.

    Suddenly, realization struck ¡ª her eyes widened. That exact mask was worn by the elite members tasked with guarding the leader.

    A sharp breath escaped Raegan¡¯s lips, her chest tightening.

    Could it be? Was Mr. M actually the leader of The Mask?

    ???????? ???????? ?????????????? at ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    A shocked ¡°No way!¡± escaped Raegan¡¯s lips before she could stop herself. The truth struck with the chill of a winter gust, lodging a sharp ache deep inside her.

    To pull off such an extravagant disy ¡ª so much wealth, organization members hand-delivering a birthday present ¡ª only The Mask¡¯s top figure could wield that kind of power.

    One question pounded in her mind: what did that single letter ¡°M¡± represent?

    Metal? Mask? Maybe Master?

    Whatever the answer, her thoughts returned to the same imposing presence ¡ª the mysterious leader who always wore that silver mask. He was everything untouchable: proud, distant, entirely ruled by reason.

    How could he possibly go to such lengths for a woman?

    A sudden burst of hot resentment swept through Raegan¡¯s chest, burning brighter with every breath. Her eyesnded on thevish birthday gifts, and a sharp lump rose in her throat, her heart clenched by uncertainty.

    Was Maia the woman who had managed to capture the attention of the legendary leader?

    No sooner had the suspicion entered her mind than Raegan¡¯s breath quickened, each inhale jagged and sharp. Jealousy shimmered in her eyes, barely contained, as her chest rose and fell in a harsh rhythm.

    Belief wouldn¡¯te ¡ª her mind fought the possibility with everything she had. eptance was out of the question. Years spent at the leader¡¯s side, ever since college, risking everything for his cause, had turned her into the trusted confidante she was now. For him, no sacrifice was too great.

    No one understood the depth of her devotion as clearly as Raegan herself ¡ª her love for the leader had long been an undeniable truth. She clung to the hope that someday, the man behind the mask would reveal his face just for her, arms drawing her close, lips brushing hers.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 813

    ?Chapter 813:

    Why Maia? What did that woman have that set her apart?

    A prison record and four wasted years ¡ª Raegan saw nothing in Maia that could rival her own loyalty and aplishments.

    Therefore, Raegan refused to believe the leader held any true affection for Maia. She had to be nothing more than a piece on the chessboard, another of the leader¡¯s carefully ced shadows.

    Yet when Raegan nced down, she saw the deep crescent marks her nails had pressed into her palms.

    The sudden creak of a door pulled her from her thoughts. Clouds of steam rolled out from the bathroom, drawing her back to the present.

    Kiley stepped into the room, her hair still damp as she ran a towel through it, the belt of her bathrobe loosely knotted. With an easy tone, she asked, ¡°So, did you find anything interesting?¡±

    At the sound of Kiley¡¯s voice, Raegan quickly collected herself. Her response was smooth, carrying no hint of the turmoil she¡¯d just felt. ¡°It could be nothing. Maybe Maia isn¡¯t backed by any group after all. Still, this Mr. M character strikes me as strange.¡±<fndef4> This update is avable on find?novel</fndef4>

    Tapping her slender fingers against theptop screen, she turned to Kiley with a small, knowing smile and continued, ¡°My guess? He¡¯s the one pulling strings for Maia, inventing all these credentials and stories for her. And honestly, I haven¡¯t seen any evidence of her painting talent.¡±

    Raegan rose with practiced grace as she spoke, then reached over to take the towel from Kiley, gently running it through her hair as she added, ¡°So¡­ I doubt your sister will lose to Maia at tomorrow¡¯s artpetition.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s expression finally rxed a bit at her words. Raegan¡¯s analysis aligned with her own views, and the doubt that had lingered about Raegan began to fade. Perhaps her initial caution had been misced.

    Experience had taught Kiley that plenty of people approached her with hidden motives, each hoping to use her for their own gain. Yet Raegan stood apart from the rest ¡ª just her presence in a room seemed to draw every gaze her way.

    ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? at ??????????¦Í??????£®??????

    There was a quality about her that felt almost otherworldly, a beauty that seemed to belong to some visiting angel.

    Kiley struggled to recall the details of their first encounter; the memory was blurred by the immediate bond they had formed, as if two kindred souls had stumbled across¡­

    Each other after a long separation. The night slipped by in a haze ofughter and shared drinks, and they had been inseparable ever since. Remarkably, only a month had passed since that fateful evening, one that had arrived with no stars in the sky.

    Because of this, Kiley kept her guard up ¡ª notpletely trusting, but more afraid of what it would mean to lose Raegan.

    ¡°Your reasoning is sharp. It lines up with my own thoughts,¡± Kiley murmured, hershes lowering as she spoke. ¡°I¡¯ll admit, I¡¯m eager to see what happens. Once Maia is defeated in the contest tomorrow, we can start unraveling her reputation little by little. I wonder ¡ª when her back is against the wall, will that elusive Mr. M finally reveal himself to save her?¡±

    ¡°If Mr. M is willing tovish Maia with such expensive gifts, I doubt he¡¯ll simply disappear when she¡¯s in trouble. Wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±

    A gentle tone carried through Kiley¡¯s words, but a yful curve hinted at something sharper beneath her smile. ¡°Anyone, whether Maia or her mysterious benefactor, who crosses paths with the Cooper Group puts everything on the line.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 814

    ?Chapter 814:

    A moment¡¯s hesitation crossed Raegan¡¯s face before she looked up and met Kiley¡¯s gaze directly. There was no mistaking the underlying threat in Kiley¡¯s statement.

    It sounded like Kiley was saying, ¡°If you cross the Cooper Group, I won¡¯t blink twice about taking you out ¡ª even if you¡¯re one close friend of mine.¡±

    Despite the tension, Raegan¡¯s expression remainedposed, though her eyes betrayed a storm of feeling. A subtle smile appeared as she replied, ¡°You¡¯re right. I can¡¯t help wondering, though ¡ª who is this man behind Maia?¡±<fn41fe> Updates are released by find{n}ovel</fn41fe>

    A sense of kinship sparkled in Kiley¡¯s eyes. ¡°Seems like our minds work in tandem.¡±

    Without warning, she reached out, fingers gently tilting Raegan¡¯s chin upward. ¡°Raegan, can I count on your loyalty for good?¡±

    Nerves tingled under Kiley¡¯s touch, but Raegan offered a steady nod. ¡°Absolutely. You can trust me.¡±

    Her smile seemed effortless, yet tension showed in her whitened knuckles, clenching hard beneath the surface.

    At that very moment, outside a meeting room at Sceibar Royal Academy¡¯s affiliated hospital, Maia sat quietly, waiting for Lenny, her back resting against a chair.

    When she had first arrived, a nurse had told her that Lenny was inside, deep in conversation with a panel of international specialists. She thought her wait would be brief, but the hours slid by, turning sunset into nightfall.

    Atst, the conference room doors parted with a quiet creak.

    Lenny emerged, immediately catching sight of Maia, and hurried over. ¡°Maia, you¡¯re early! Didn¡¯t we agree on dinner at seven?¡±

    A small, self-mocking smile yed on Maia¡¯s lips. This was ssic Lenny ¡ª whenever his work consumed him, the world outside faded away.

    Lifting her wrist in mild reproach, she pointed to her watch. ¡°Professor Bryant, dinner hour came and went a while ago.¡±

    Only then did Lenny look sheepish, embarrassment coloring his face. ¡°Already nine o¡¯clock? Ah, Ipletely lost track. The meeting ran long ¡ª everyone had so much to say.¡±

    ?????????? ???????????????? ????????????: g????????¦Í??????[?]??????

    Maia¡¯s reply was gentle, her tone free of usation. ¡°That¡¯s what I suspected.¡±

    After a few words to break the ice, she wasted no time getting to what mattered. ¡°Professor Bryant, do you have an update on Chris¡¯ surgery n?¡±

    The question erased the remnants of his smile, bringing a new gravity to his features. With a weary breath, he replied, ¡°Each of us ¡ª myself included ¡ª has put forward an approach. The trouble is, we can¡¯t agree on the best one yet.¡±

    Her gaze dropped, and a flicker of uncertainty crossed Maia¡¯s face. Reading between the lines, she heard the doubt behind her professor¡¯s optimism. ¡°So there¡¯s truly no option left?¡±

    Lenny shook his head gently. ¡°It¡¯s not hopeless, Maia¡­ The issue is that every proposed n right nowes with significant risks. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll sit down with the other surgeons again and keep pushing for something safer.¡±

    He caught the shadow of disappointment in her eyes and quickly tried to reassure her. ¡°Try not to worry just yet. Why don¡¯t we eat first and talk more afterward?¡±

    Dinner ended, and Maia walked back to the hotel on her own. She paused outside her suite, gaze lingering on Chris¡¯ door across the hall. Not a hint of light escaped ¡ª the door remained firmly closed.

    Saying nothing, Maia quietly swiped her keycard and slipped inside her room. A sky scattered with stars watched over the city, but inside Maia¡¯s chest, unrest churned.

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    .

 Chapter 815

    ?Chapter 815:

    That evening, sleep proved elusive. Her thoughts ran circles in the dark.

    By sunrise, news of the uproar at the international art exhibition was already racing through Otruitho¡¯s entire artmunity. Excitement surged throughout the city as talk of the two artists¡¯ looming showdown at the art center reached fever pitch.

    All across social media, posts sprang up, filled with opinions on Mariana¡¯s Raging Waves and Maia¡¯s Rebirth.

    Onement read, ¡°Matias¡¯ paintings seem to hold more profoundyers, but is Maia actually Matias? I¡¯ve never even heard of Maia until now.¡±

    Another voice retorted, ¡°I have to disagree. Mariana¡¯s art is always dazzling, and this time her masterpiece is even more magnificent than before.¡±

    Someone else chimed in, ¡°Heading to Dashwood Arts Center right now for the live art battle ¡ª I¡¯ll stream the whole thing so nobody misses out!¡±

    The Dashwood Arts Center buzzed with anticipation as major media outlets converged at the exhibition hall¡¯s entrance, jostling for prime positions. Photographers meticulously arranged their gear, lenses glinting in the morning light, poised to immortalize the event.

    Social media influencers, their tripods nted like sentinels, prepared to livestream the spectacle to their eager followers. One influencer, his voice brimming with excitement, addressed his camera and legion of viewers: ¡°Good morning, art enthusiasts! We¡¯re live at the epicenter of today¡¯s artistic duel, a sh that¡¯s been the talk of the international art world for months. I dare say this face-off will etch itself into the chronicles of art history as a legendary encounter.¡±

    Online, discontent simmered among art aficionados. One disgruntled usermented, ¡°Rumor has it the exhibition ditched its exclusive invite-only policy, opting instead to hawk tickets this very morning. Cursed be this ticketing fiasco! Prices have skyrocketed fivefold, turning what was once essible into a luxury for the privileged few.¡±

    Yet, amid the maelstrom of controversy and the crescendo of media and influencer hype, one truth shone clear: the artistic duel between Mariana and Maia had transcended mere exhibition, ascending into the realm of high-stakespetition, captivating the discerning eyes of Otruitho¡¯s art elite.

    ?????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????? ??????????¦Í??????©q??????

    As the clock¡¯s hands inched inexorably toward ten, a swelling tide of attendees surged toward the venue, their eagerness palpable. Serpentine queues coiled around the entrance, a testament to the public¡¯s fervor as they mored to secure and validate their coveted tickets.

    Upon their arrival, Maia and Chris were greeted by a breathtaking spectacle: a sea of humanity, packed shoulder to shoulder, their collective anticipation thrumming in the air.

    ¡°This exceeds my wildest expectations,¡± Maia murmured, her voice calm, though her widened eyes betrayed a flicker of astonishment.

    ¡°Indeed! The sheer magnitude of this gathering is staggering. It¡¯s as if we¡¯ve stumbled upon a global summit of the art world,¡± Chris remarked, his smile broadening as he drank in the awe-inspiring panorama.

    In that moment, Alice materialized, her footsteps a rapid stato as she seized Maia¡¯s hand. ¡°Hurry, this way! Grover¡¯s secured us a discreet entry. The main entrance is an imprable throng. We¡¯ll never breach it.¡±

    ¡°Very well,¡± Maia acquiesced, a subtle smile gracing her lips. It appeared that Alice and Grover had mended their fractured bond through the dinner.<fn8387> Get full chapters from findnovel</fn8387>

    Guiding Maia toward the back door, Alice vented, ¡°That incorrigible Grover! Despite knowing he was forced to escort us out, I wasn¡¯t inclined to absolve him so readily. I¡¯ve insisted he reserve a table at a fine eatery and extend a heartfelt apology to you, Ms. Watson.¡±

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 Chapter 816

    ?Chapter 816:

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that,¡± Maia demurred, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.

    ¡°Your magnanimity is admirable, but I remain unswayed,¡± Alice retorted, her tone a blend of exasperation and loyalty.<fnff90> Updates are released by find¡¤novel</fnff90>

    ¡°Why are there so many people here today?¡± Chris inquired, his gaze sweeping over the bustling scene. ¡°I can see staff members selling tickets.¡±

    Alice waved a hand in casual dismissal. ¡°Grover¡¯s ever the opportunist. Last night, he sensed the Otruitho artmunity¡¯s fervor reaching a fever pitch. Sniffing out a golden chance, he opted to capitalize on the hysteria, peddling tickets to bankroll the Gascoyne Museum¡¯s renovation.¡±

    Maia and Chris exchanged a nceden with unspoken understanding, their eyes conveying a shared empathy for Grover¡¯s predicament, though their lips remained sealed.

    Momentster, the trio reached thepetition hall, where easels stood in regimented rows, their nk canvases awaiting the stroke of genius.

    Shortly thereafter, Mariana¡¯s convoy glided to a halt. Kiley, one of the sponsors, had orchestrated a phnx of security personnel to escort Mariana. With disciplined precision, they parted the sea of onlookers, forging a clear passage for her grand entrance.

    Mariana emerged from the vehicle, her short dress a bold statement against the morning light. Trailing in her wake were her elder sister Kiley and the steadfast Raegan.

    The press descended like a ravenous flock, cameras shing in a blinding stato. A zealous reporter elbowed his way to the fore, microphone extended like ance. ¡°Miss Cooper, what drives you in this artistic duel?¡± he demanded.

    Another voice boomed over the din, ¡°Are you confident of victory?¡±

    Yet another queried, ¡°You¡¯ve wagered your career on this contest, Miss Cooper. Have you pondered the repercussions of defeat?¡±

    Encircled by a maelstrom of probing questions and the relentless strobe of cameras, Mariana pressed forward with unwavering poise. Only once did she pause, casting a fleeting nce over her shoulder at Kiley, who offered a subtle nod of encouragement.

    ?????????????? ?????????? ?????? galn??v??????£®??????

    Thus emboldened, Mariana came to a deliberate stop, pivoting to face the voracious lenses. Her voice, though gentle, carried the weight of conviction. ¡°As one who has devoted a lifetime to the mastery of painting, I refuse to abide chatans.¡±

    Her eyes, twin shards of ice, scanned the assembly before returning to the cameras. With a rion deration, she proimed, ¡°My sole intent in this artistic confrontation is to unmask Maia Watson¡¯s deceit and banish her from the realm of art.¡±

    A wave of apuse swept through the hall, buzzing with energy.

    To Mariana, environments like this felt like old friends. She had grown used to the spotlight ¡ª whether collecting trophies at national contests or delivering speeches in distant cities, the dazzle of cameras and the snap of shutters had be part of her everyday life.

    Calmly, she faced the press. A polished smile yed across her face, unwavering as questions and shes surrounded her. Her eyes roamed the crowd. The person she was searching for was nowhere in sight.

    So Maia still had not arrived.

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 Chapter 817

    ?Chapter 817:

    A sh of scorn flickered in her gaze as her lips twisted into a taunting grin. ¡°Does anyone see Maia? Maybe she finally lost her nerve.¡±

    The sting in her words didn¡¯t go unnoticed. Reporters who caught her remark looked at one another in surprise, unsure how to respond.

    ¡°Honestly, where did Maia disappear to?¡± someone said.

    ¡°Is she hiding because she¡¯s afraid to show her face?¡± another voice asked, trying to stifle augh.

    ¡°If she bailed at thest second, she¡¯s never going to live it down,¡± someone else added.

    Suddenly, Grover¡¯s voice boomed over the speakers, formal andmanding as ever. ¡°Attention, please. The painting contest is about to begin. Mariana Cooper, kindly make your way to the exhibition hall at once, or you¡¯ll be disqualified.¡±

    The announcement rippled through the audience, spreading unease. People nced around, whispering among themselves. They had kept a close watch on the main entrance all morning, yet not a single person recalled seeing Maia arrive.

    ¡°Did Maia slip in when no one was looking? Did anybody spot her?¡± a woman near the front whispered.

    ¡°She might have skipped the media and sneaked in another way,¡± someone replied, sounding doubtful.

    Almost as confusion settled in, the huge screen overhead suddenly flickered to¡ª

    A momentter, everyone turned their attention to the poised woman who now filled the screen.

    Maia, dressed in a sharp gray-blue suit dress, stood before her canvas, perfectlyposed. Her face betrayed no nerves. Every movement she made seemed elegant, almost regal ¡ª like a figure from an old portrait, carrying herself with quiet strength.

    Thepetition space behind her stood ready, awaiting what woulde next. A heavy silence settled over the entire hall.

    ???????? ?????????? ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Not a momentter, a chorus of voices rose up among the crowd and reporters. ¡°That has to be Maia. She¡¯s absolutely stunning!¡±

    Gasps followed, and someone blurted out, ¡°She¡¯s got the kind of charm you¡¯d expect from a movie star! Can you believe she¡¯s a painter?¡±

    A man¡¯s voice chimed in, ¡°People always say painting transforms a person. Maia looks like she was born with a brush in her hand.¡±

    Someone else remarked, ¡°Frauds could never pull off that kind of presence. She fits my idea of a true artist perfectly.¡±

    An undercurrent of excitement swept through the hall. Just minutes before, everyone had seemed eager to witness Maia stumble. The mood shifted in a heartbeat, and suddenly, she had gained an unexpected wave of support.

    ¡°That¡¯s just how it is. Appearances really do matter,¡± said someone with a weary sigh.

    By now, the press who had been gathered around Mariana broke away, rushing toward the entrance of the exhibition hall. Their cameras were already raised, determined to capture Maia¡¯s moment.

    In their haste, Mariana and her group found themselves abandoned and overlooked. Her once-confident smile faded, leaving her features stiff and strained. With frustrationcing her words, sheined, ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be judging art, not hosting a fashion show!¡±

    Even to herself, herint rang hollow and weak.<fnc5c7> Fresh chapters posted on f¦É¦Ídn¦Ïvel</fnc5c7>

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 Chapter 818

    ?Chapter 818:

    While Mariana tried to regain herposure, Kiley remained at her side. Her face revealed nothing, but her eyes grew sharp as she studied Maia¡¯s image on the screen.

    Without saying a word, she turned and began walking away, thoughts spinning about what could have drawn udius to someone like Maia.

    Seeing Kiley move off, Mariana scrambled after her.

    Neither of them noticed that Raegan, trailing behind, had turned pale, clenching her fists tightly.<fn8ab2> Official source is find?novel</fn8ab2>

    Raegan was getting her second real look at Maia. Her gaze stayed glued to the screen, where Maia¡¯s gentle face appeared calm and collected. Each breath felt tighter, as if invisible hands were squeezing her heart.

    Not even a day earlier, Raegan had been convinced that Maia¡¯s looks were nothing special, and her figure less remarkable than hers. This time, though¡­

    Bathed in the glow of every spotlight, Maia held herself with a poise that seemed to draw the gaze of all who entered. There was an undeniable strength in how she stood alone, radiating dignity and independence.

    Just seeing her walk in sent Raegan¡¯s heart reeling, tangled in the same storm it had barely calmed from before. The thought that The Mask¡¯s leader could have fallen for Maia swept over her all at once, pressing down on her thoughts like a sky thick with storm clouds. Raegan couldn¡¯t stop turning the question over in her mind, wondering again and again if the leader had really fallen for Maia.

    After all, Maia¡¯s past was marked by time behind bars. What did she have that could ever measure up to The Mask¡¯s elusive leader?

    A mix of envy and frustration rose in Raegan, flooding her with a bitterness she struggled to push down.

    ¡°Raegan, are you just going to stand there?¡± Kiley called, snapping her out of her haze. ¡°Come on, we need to hurry!¡±

    That sharp nudge jolted Raegan back to her senses. She responded quickly, picking up her pace to rejoin the others.

    ???? ???????? ??????¡¯???? ?????????????? ???????? ?????????¦Í??????£®??????

    Meanwhile, the staff inside had already sprung into action, ensuring every detail was perfect for what was about to unfold. Grover¡¯s instructions led them to set up a clear space in front of the renowned painting Rebirth, cordoning off the area to prevent anyone from disturbing the contest.

    Security guards lined the perimeter at close intervals, forming a human barrier to protect the proceedings. Off to the side, the judges¡¯ seats had been arranged in a tidy cluster, giving the panel a direct view of thepetition.

    Several audience members whispered in awe as they recognized prominent figures among the judges ¡ª acimed artists, directors from top galleries, and influential collectors. The front row boasted veteran professors from the Royal Academy of Arts in Sceibar, the Royal Art Museum¡¯s director, the Minglewood Collectors¡¯ Association¡¯s president, and a handful of art bloggers whose opinions shaped the art world.

    No one could deny the weight these judges brought to the table; their presence alone promised an honest and fair contest.

    Soon enough, Mariana and her entourage crossed into thepetition area, drawing all eyes their way. Their entrance ignited a fresh wave of excitement in the crowd.

    A young fan¡¯s voice rang out, ¡°Mariana, you¡¯ve got this! Your artwork always inspires me!¡±

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 Chapter 819

    ?Chapter 819:

    ¡°Atst, we¡¯re about to see the contest kick off! I¡¯ve been waiting for this all week. Maybe the judges will actually choose the theme I sent in.¡±

    ¡°Just thinking about it gives me chills. Mariana¡¯s Raging Waves is unforgettable, and Maia¡¯s Rebirth still has people talking. Who knows what kind of art they¡¯ll create today?¡±

    With renewed energy, the reporters wasted no time adjusting their cameras and microphones.

    Above the swell of cheers, Grover made his way to the front and lifted his hand, signaling the crowd to settle down. ¡°Distinguished guests, esteemed judges, and friends in the audience, wee to this highly anticipated art showdown! Now that our artists are ready, I¡¯m pleased to dere thepetition officially open.¡± He paused, letting his gaze sweep over the room. ¡°Since yesterday, we¡¯ve received over three hundred different theme submissions. Suggestions have ranged from portraits andndscapes to abstract pieces, realism, still life, culture, legends, fantasy, and themes about emotion.¡±

    Attention then shifted as Grover turned to the ss container positioned center stage. He slipped his hand inside the round slot on top. ¡°Next, I will draw the theme for today¡¯s painting.¡±

    A hush swept through the venue. Every eye locked on Grover as he searched for the winning slip. He moved with agonizing patience, slowly pulling out a single folded note. His fingers unfolded it one corner at a time, eyes narrowing as he read the contents.

    A split secondter, people caught a glimpse of his troubled expression. Tension buzzed in the air.<fna922> The source of th?s content is find[f]ovel</fna922>

    Many in the audience couldn¡¯t help but whisper among themselves. ¡°What¡¯s going on with Grover? He doesn¡¯t look happy.¡±

    ¡°Did we end up with something bizarre?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t take it! Please, just announce the theme!¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???????????? at galn??v??????£®?????

    Dozens of gazes bore into the paper Grover clutched.

    Just then, Grover¡¯s brow glistened with sweat. His mind raced to find the right words for Alice.

    He had genuinely rejected Kiley¡¯s plea for special treatment. He had left the process fair and untouched.

    But even so, confusion flooded his thoughts. Why did it have to turn out like this?

    All he could do now was hope that Maia had some skill or inspiration for this unexpected theme and style.

    Grover lifted his head slowly, his gaze sweeping across the gathered crowd before his steady voice cut through the murmur. ¡°Today¡¯s painting duel theme is portraiture, with a focus on realism.¡±

    The moment his words settled, excited chatter erupted from the audience once again.

    A satisfied smile curved Kiley¡¯s lips. Yesterday¡¯s rejection from Grover had only motivated her to work behind the scenes, pulling strings to orchestrate this very moment. Simple portraiture might allow Maia to produce something decent, but the realism requirement would create an insurmountable gap between her and Mariana.

    Realistic painting demanded that the artist capture subjects exactly as they appeared, revealing their natural beauty through precise, vivid detail. Such work required exceptional skill and masterful brushwork.

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 Chapter 820

    ?Chapter 820:

    Kiley¡¯s research into Maia¡¯s background had been thorough. Social media posts and school records revealed a first-ce win in a middle school artpetition, but her work leaned heavily toward impressionism, with noticeably amateur technique. Daily practice since then still wouldn¡¯t be enough to match Mariana¡¯s caliber.

    That was exactly why Kiley had secretly added the style requirement. The deck was now stackedpletely in Mariana¡¯s favor.

    Confidence radiated from Mariana as she absorbed the theme announcement. She arched an eyebrow at Maia with obvious smugness. ¡°Looks like fortune is smiling on me today.¡±

    Maia¡¯sposure never wavered. She settled calmly before her canvas, then turned toward her arrogant opponent. ¡°So, can we paint anyone in particr?¡±<fnf8ba> Find the newest release on F¦ÉndNovel</fnf8ba>

    ¡°Obviously, as long as it¡¯s a person. If you find it hard to decide, just pick someone from the crowd,¡± Mariana taunted. ¡°Though I¡¯m wondering if you can even handle realism. Do you actually know the difference between realistic portraiture and impressionism?¡±

    Approving chuckles rippled through the panel of judges. Maia¡¯sck of formal training made her unfamiliarity with advanced techniques perfectly reasonable, after all.

    Camera lenses zoomed in on Maia¡¯s face, hunting for any trace of anxiety or fear. Everyone expected panic, but Maia¡¯s expression remainedpletely serene. Instead, she smiled warmly and responded, ¡°Of course I do. What, you don¡¯t know? Let me kindly enlighten you. Realistic portraits emphasize precision and intricate detail, while impressionism focuses more on capturing emotion and atmosphere.¡±

    A smirk yed at the corners of her mouth as she added, ¡°Did you get that?¡±

    Instantughter filled the room. Everyone could see that Mariana had tried to embarrass Maia, only to have the tables turned with a perfectly urate and concise exnation.

    Murmurs of appreciation for Maia¡¯s sharp wit began spreading through the crowd.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ??????????¦Í??????©q??????

    ¡°Maia¡¯s incredible. She just schooled Mariana right at the start of this duel.¡±

    ¡°Mariana¡¯s face is priceless. She never saw thatebacking, and now she¡¯s probably regretting her little stunt.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s teeth caught her bottom lip as she decided against continuing this verbal battle with Maia. She turned away to focus on mixing her paints. Maia began her own preparations as well.

    Ten minutes passed before both artists were ready. They positioned themselves before their nk canvases and started sketching their initial outlines.

    The audience practically vibrated with anticipation. On one side was Mariana, the rising international art sensation, while the other showcased Maia, the enigmatic artist who had appeared from nowhere. Which one would im victory?

    Soon enough, Mariana¡¯s canvas revealed the rough outline of a woman, and Maia¡¯s showed the same. This development left both the audience and judges burning with curiosity about their chosen subjects.

    Sharp-eyed audience members began to notice something intriguing. Kiley, positioned directly in front of Mariana, bore a striking resemnce to the figure taking shape on Mariana¡¯s canvas.

    ¡°Look, she¡¯s drawing Ms. Cooper.¡±

    ¡°Now we can tell if it¡¯s good or not since we have the real person right there.¡±

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 Chapter 821

    ?Chapter 821:

    ¡°Mariana¡¯s pretty skilled. You can already see who it is from just those few lines.¡±

    On the other side, Maia suddenly stopped drawing and looked straight at Chris, who was standing nearby. This caught everyone¡¯s attention, and the cameras quickly focused on what Maia had drawn.

    ¡°What on earth is she creating? There¡¯s no face on that woman at all.¡±

    ¡°Wait, didn¡¯t she just lecture everyone about impressionism versus realism? How can she draw a woman with no face? This isn¡¯t realism at all.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m starting to think Maia simply can¡¯t draw faces properly. Think about it ¡ª Matias barely has any portrait work in his public collections.¡±

    The judges began murmuring their disapproval, bing more convinced that Maia had no real grasp of what realism actually meant.

    Chris, meanwhile, felt increasingly puzzled by Maia¡¯s direct stare. The whole situation reminded him of that evening when Maia kept stealing nces at him on their way back to the hotel. During that time, she would never admit to watching him so closely. Now, though, she wasn¡¯t bothering to hide her gaze at all.

    Then, without any warning, Maia shut her eyes and remained perfectly still in her seat.

    Whispers broke out all around the room.

    ¡°What kind of technique is this? She¡¯s just sitting there with closed eyes instead of drawing.¡±

    ¡°How strange. Does she actually believe she can paint without seeing anything?¡±

    ¡°Maia must be giving uppletely. It really seems like Mariana was correct all along. This woman isn¡¯t Matias at all.¡±

    ¡°How absurd! Where are the facial features in a realist painting?¡±

    Meanwhile, Mariana had already begunyering rich colors across her canvas. She cast a sideways nce at Maia, sneering quietly to herself. How foolish could one person be?

    ???????????????? ?????????? ???? g???????????????????????

    Was Maia nning to pull the same stunt she had attempted at Cooper Group¡¯s g? Did she honestly believe that fashion design techniques would work for realistic portrait painting?

    Whatplete naivety.

    Mariana dismissed Maia entirely and returned her focus to her own work. Each brushstroke flowed with delicate precision, showcasing her masterful technique. Her hand moved with fluid elegance across the canvas, transforming the painting process into a mesmerizing performance that held everyone spellbound.

    Through carefulyering and seamless color blending, Kiley¡¯s features began emerging on the canvas with startling rity and vibrant life. Without missing a beat, Mariana moved into the finer details, capturing every nuance of feminine elegance and grace.

    Waves of admiration swept through the watching crowd.

    ¡°Incredible! We¡¯re witnessing the creation of a true masterpiece! This is absolutely breathtaking!¡±

    ¡°Dear God! Even unfinished, this has already surpassed anything I could ever dream of creating.¡±

    Several judges rose from their seats in excitement, calling out, ¡°Mark this day! The art world has just discovered Mariana Cooper.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s the kind of genius painter we see maybe once in a hundred years!¡±

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    .<fnf051> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find{n}ovel</fnf051>

 Chapter 822

    ?Chapter 822:

    ¡°This is absolutely extraordinary! Kiley¡¯s portrait on the canvas looks incredibly lifelike, capturing feminine beauty with such vivid detail. The brushwork is meticulous, and every element feels remarkably authentic! The oue seems clear already. Mariana is without question the most gifted young artist of this entire generation.¡±

    Several audience members had already begun discussing the painting¡¯s value, nning to make offers the moment this artistic duel concluded.

    Just then, Maia finally opened her eyes.

    Immediate mockery erupted from the spectators.

    ¡°Did all the praise for Mariana¡¯s masterpiece finally wake her up?¡±

    ¡°Has she suddenly remembered she¡¯s supposed to bepeting in a painting duel? Who falls asleep during such a high-stakespetition?¡±

    ¡°Look at that. She¡¯s getting to her feet. Is she about to surrender?¡±

    ¡°Does she even have time left to paint anything meaningful? There are fewer than four hours remaining in this contest¡­¡±

    One art enthusiast began lecturing the crowd. ¡°Creating a realistic portrait in oils requires vastly different timeframes depending on the artist¡¯s expertise, personal style, and theplexity of the subject matter. While no standard exists, generally speaking, the more detailed and photorealistic the portrait, the longer the process takes. True masterpieces often require days, months, or even an entire year toplete properly. We can clearly see that Mariana¡¯s work is nearly finished, while Maia is barely beginning¡­ There¡¯s really no suspense left. Mariana will definitely win this painting duel.¡±

    The judging panel first showered Mariana¡¯s artistic skills with enthusiastic praise, then voiced sharp criticism regarding Maia¡¯s seemingly indifferent attitude toward the entirepetition.

    At this moment, Maia slowly picked up her brush and began outlining the facial features without hesitation.

    ???????? ???????? ?????????????? ???? gal????¦Í??????©q?????

    Everyone looked at Maia, unsure how to react to her work. Mariana¡¯s was nearly finished, while Maia seemed to just be getting started.

    The judges frowned as they struggled to critique Maia¡¯s technique. Some of her strokes were bold and decisive, while others were as delicate as a de of grass.

    Maia¡¯s movements were graceful, as though the brush were merely an extension of herself. Her strokes were swift as she sketched out details of the body in a short span of time. Art experts in the crowd marveled at Maia¡¯s technique, most of them having never seen such a style before.

    The onlookers, however, were unimpressed.

    ¡°To the untrained eye, her painting looks impressive, but oil paint takes time to dry. With her technique, the underlying paint won¡¯t dry in time and will mix with the newyer, turning it into a mess of colors bleeding into each other.¡±

    ¡°If this were abstract art, I¡¯d absolutely apud her technique, but unfortunately for her, it¡¯s realistic painting.¡±

    Even Alice, who was seated among the audience, appeared nervous. She turned to Chris and asked, ¡°Do you understand what Maia¡¯s trying to do? Who is she painting?¡±<fnbde9> The source of th?s content is F¦ÉndNovel</fnbde9>

    However, before Chris could answer, Alice dismissed her own question. ¡°Gee, why am I asking you? You¡¯re just Maia¡¯s bodyguard. What could you possibly know about this subject?¡±

    Chris was left speechless by Alice¡¯s words. But she was right about one thing: he really had no idea what Maia was doing.

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 Chapter 823

    ?Chapter 823:

    Time went by, and Mariana was almost through with her sketch. She smiled victoriously as she wiped the sweat off her forehead. She then turned to look at Maia.

    Maia had stopped painting again and had her eyes closed.<fn1181> Checktest chapters at find¡¤novel</fn1181>

    Mariana, confused, wondered what this woman was doing.

    She wasn¡¯t the only one bewildered by Maia¡¯s actions. The judges, audience, and online viewers were all at a loss. Was Maia about to fall asleep again?

    Soon the murmurs began.

    ¡°I thought this Maia knew her stuff, but now I¡¯m disappointed.¡±

    ¡°This isughable. Is Maia really the author of Rebirth? The mysterious painter Matias? Surely she¡¯s a fraud.¡±

    ¡°I think she realized the paint underneath hadn¡¯t dried and just decided to give up.¡±

    Mariana smiled, feeling vindicated by thesements. She had thought Maia would be a formidable opponent, but it turned out she was just a fraud who didn¡¯t even understand the basics of oil painting.

    What a shameless woman, iming to be Matias. Maia had even dared to make a bet with her!

    Mariana returned to her painting, a satisfied smile on her face. She had given thispetition her all. Her drawing of Kiley was very lifelike, with every detail perfectly executed. Mariana decided within herself to use the momentum from this painting duel to pave a new path for the Cooper family.

    Although her painting wasn¡¯t yetplete, everyone waited with bated breath for its final touches. They all believed Mariana to be the best artist of their time.

    It was at this moment that Maia began to paint again. The din of the audience around her didn¡¯t seem to bother her as she made her strokes. Maia¡¯s steady hand continued to refine the portrait of the faceless woman¡¯s features. It was as though, when she had her eyes closed, she had been trying to recall the details of the woman¡¯s face.

    With each stroke, the ethereal beauty of the faceless woman gradually emerged. Though the portrait had a dreamlike quality, it still maintained its element of reality.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ???? ??????????¦Í??????[.]??????

    Maia then took out a t brush and began sweeping side to side. Within a few strokes, a veil materialized. The appearance of this veil transformed the previously blurred areas of the painting, turning its imperfections into perfection. The intery of light and shadows looked incredibly real.

    The painting revealed a beautiful woman dressed in silk and wearing a veil.

    When Maia applied her final touches, it looked like a real photograph. The way she painted the semi-transparent veil was so lifelike that it seemed as if a real piece of fabric had beenid across the canvas.

    One of the judges, amazed, rushed forward. He moved his hand over the surface of the painting with childlike awe.

    ¡°How¡­ how did you do it?¡±

    In all his years as an art judge, he had never seen anyone produce a work this realistic. The painting even rivaled the realism of the master painter Jordan Estrada, who was renowned for the extraordinary detail in his work.

    The crowd, too, looked on in amazement at the painting before them. They stared, dumbfounded, unable to believe that the once blurry image had suddenly transformed into a high-definition masterpiece.

    Maia, however, hadn¡¯t stopped painting during that time. She added a few light strokes, giving the woman¡¯s hair a realistic sheen.

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 Chapter 824

    ?Chapter 824:

    Chris stared at the painting, a feeling of familiarity scratching at the back of his mind. Why did Maia¡¯s painting seem so familiar to him?<fn266c> Updates are released by </fn266c>

    Kiley¡¯s eyes, on the other hand, widened in disbelief when she saw the painting. As the CEO of Radiant Jewels, she had never shown such an expression anywhere. She looked as though she had just seen a ghost¡ªand in a way, that was true. She recognized the woman Maia was painting.

    It was none other than Nic Glyn, Chris¡¯ long-deceased birth mother. How could Maia have seen Nic, and how was she painting her?

    Raegan stood rooted beside Kiley, her jaw ck, words trapped in her throat. Her eyes locked onto Maia¡¯s canvas, where colors danced with a life that stole her breath. A tightness gripped her chest, each inhale a struggle against the weight of awe.

    Never had she encountered such a breathtaking work of art. Envy, sharp and familiar, surged through her veins.

    Maia was just a painter, nothing more, Raegan told herself, her mind scrambling to reim confidence. In a fight, she¡¯d have Maia outmatched in seconds ¡ª brushstrokes could notpete with fists. The Mask¡¯s leader needed a warrior, not some delicate artist with a knack for pretty pictures. Besides, Raegan¡¯s talents stretched far beyond a canvas. That thought steadied her, easing the storm in her heart.

    While the crowd marveled at Maia¡¯s masterpiece, Mariana hunched over her own work, oblivious to the murmurs swirling around her.

    Silence cloaked the venue, the audience spellbound by Maia¡¯s art. No one dared disturb the sacred hush, as if a single sound might shatter the moment¡¯s magic.

    A voice sliced through the stillness. ¡°I am done!¡± Mariana dered, her tone brimming with assurance. Sheid her brush down with a soft clink, her shoulders loosening as she exhaled.

    Cameras swiveled toward her, lenses glinting in the light.

    ?????????????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ???? gal????¦Í??????£®??????

    Mariana¡¯s smile widened, and she gestured to her canvas. ¡°This piece is called Contemtion. Please, take a look.¡±

    Her painting captured Kiley with uncanny precision ¡ª a thoughtful pose, one arm propped on an elbow, the other hand cradling her chin. Kiley¡¯s eyes gleamed with a vivid spark, each stroke infused with emotion that seemed to pulse off the canvas.

    It was a masterpiece, no question.

    Mariana¡¯s gaze lingered on her work, pride swelling in her chest. She hoisted the canvas higher, eager for the judges and crowd to drink it in.

    But the air felt wrong.

    No thunderous apuse greeted her. No eager eyes met hers.

    Even the cameramen, moments ago focused on her, now turned toward Maia¡¯s corner.

    A frown creased Mariana¡¯s brow. What was happening? Unease coiled in her gut. Her gaze darted to Kiley, usually a pir of calm, but her sister¡¯s face was a mask of fury, fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles whitened.

    ¡°Kiley?¡± Mariana¡¯s voice wavered, tentative.

    Kiley did not answer, her stare fixed forward, unyielding.

    Mariana followed her sister¡¯s gaze. In the next moment, she froze as if she had seen a ghost.

    Maia¡¯s painting loomed before her ¡ª a portrait of a woman, gentle yet regal, her eyes brimming with a love so profound it seemed to spill from the canvas.

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 Chapter 825

    ?Chapter 825:

    Mariana¡¯s hands shook, her brush slipping from her fingers to tter on the floor. She knew that face. How could she not?

    ¡°Is that¡­ Nic?¡± Mariana¡¯s voice climbed, sharp with disbelief. She took two unsteady steps toward Maia¡¯s canvas, her heart pounding.

    Her reaction startled everyone. ¡°How could you know her face? Nic passed years ago. You were a child then ¡ª no way you saw her!¡± Her words tumbled out, frantic, until they snagged in her throat.

    Her eyes, now rimmed with red, flicked to Chris. Had he shown Maia a photo of his mother?

    But Chris had once confessed that he barely recalled his mother¡¯s face, with no pictures to jog his memory. So how?

    Mariana¡¯s mind reeled, questions piling up. What tied Maia to Chris? She pushed the thought away, unwilling to chase it further.

    Maia set her brush down with deliberate grace, a faint smile ying on her lips. ¡°Your reaction confirms it,¡± she said, her voice steady. ¡°I painted her true. Nic, was it? A name that carries weight, like a whisper from the past.¡±

    She nced at Kiley, whose livid expression ¡ª shockced with disbelief ¡ª offered further proof. The woman on Maia¡¯s canvas was unmistakably Chris¡¯ mother.

    Maia had chosen to paint Nic for this art duel to stir exactly this reaction, to draw out recognition from those who knew her face.

    Nic, Chris¡¯ mother, had once been close to the Cooper family and had lived with them for some time, so Kiley and Mariana would recognize her instantly.

    Turning to the audience and judges, Maia gestured to her work. ¡°This is A Mother¡¯s Timeless Love,¡± she said, her voice soft but clear. ¡°It captures a mother gazing at her child, her love eternal, watching over them even beyond life¡¯s end.¡±

    The room held its breath, then erupted. Apuse crashed like waves, relentless and warm.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    No one had expected Maia to conjure a woman she had never met with such vivid rity.

    Tears glistened in the audience¡¯s eyes. Some bowed their heads, sleeves brushing away quiet sobs. They saw their own mothers in Maia¡¯s work, their love a steady glow that time could not dim.

    Mariana¡¯s painting, though skilled, paled beside Maia¡¯s. It was not just technique ¡ª Maia¡¯s work carried a raw, heartfelt truth that seized the soul.

    Maia turned to Chris, her smile gentle but sure. ¡°Chris, this is for you.¡±

    ¡°So Maia created the painting for this man?¡± someone muttered, curiositycing their tone.<fn9c3e> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find(?)ovel</fn9c3e>

    ¡°What is she implying? Is she painting this gentleman¡¯s mother?¡±

    The buzz of voices swelled, a soft hum of spection.

    Chris stood frozen, struck as if by lightning when he overheard Mariana and Maia mention a name he thought buried forever ¡ª Nic Glyn.

    That name, to him, was a melody, the sweetest echo of a life stolen too soon. A bullet had torn through her skull years ago, robbing him of his mother¡¯s face, and the Cooper Group¡¯s cold exclusion had stripped him of her photographs. Yet her name remained, etched in his heart like a sacred vow. To him, it was the most beautiful name in the world.

    His gaze locked on the paper Maia held. Disbelief warred with hope as he studied the image. Outwardly, he stoodposed, shoulders squared, but his eyes, rimmed with red, betrayed the storm within.

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 Chapter 826

    ?Chapter 826:

    He stepped closer, each movement deliberate, as if to imprint the portrait into his soul.

    Maia, sensing his unspoken need, pivoted the easel. The painting of his mother now faced him fully, her gentle features glowing with serenity. Her eyes, vivid and warm, seemed to pierce through time, locking onto his.

    For a heartbeat, the world stilled. It was as if his mother had crossed the chasm between life and death to gaze upon him once more.

    A sharp hiss escaped his lips. Dizziness crashed over him, a splitting headache wing at his skull. His knees buckled, the room spinning as memories ¡ª long buried ¡ª surged to the surface.

    Images flickered like an old film reel: a faceless woman holding his hand, her features now sharpening into focus. Her voice, soft and familiar, echoed in his mind.

    ¡°Sweetheart, slow down, or you¡¯ll tumble.¡±

    Another sh: ¡°I¡¯ve made your favorite noodle bowl, love.¡±

    And then, fainter,ced with quiet strength: ¡°If I¡¯m gone one day, you must keep going, Chris. Look to the stars when you miss me. I¡¯ll be there, shining for you.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t doubt it. Live on¡­¡±

    Chris clutched his head, the flood of memories overwhelming. His mother¡¯s smiles, her gentle frowns, herughter ¡ª they yed before him, vivid and relentless.

    One hand pressed against his temple, the other braced on the floor, he fought to stay upright. Cold sweat beaded on his brow, dripping in heavy rivulets. His body trembled, curling inward as if to shield itself from the onught.

    Maia¡¯s voice cut through the haze, sharp with concern. ¡°Chris!¡±

    She rushed to his side, her hands steadying his swaying frame.

    ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???????????????? ???? g????????¦Í??????£®??????

    Mariana started forward, her instinct to help warring with hesitation. Her eyes darted between Kiley and Chris, lips parting but no words came. She bit her lip, unable to bring herself to publicly ask if he was alright.

    Sweat glistened on Chris¡¯ ashen face, his breaths shallow. One hand gripped his temple, the other pressed into the floor, anchoring him as perspiration traced paths down his cheeks.

    ¡°Someone get a doctor!¡± a voice shouted from the crowd.

    Grover and the staff surged forward, urgency in their steps. ¡°Do we need an ambnce?¡± Grover asked, his tone clipped.

    Maia knelt beside Chris, grasping his hands. ¡°Look at me, Chris. You¡¯re not alone. I¡¯m right here.¡±

    Whether it was her words or the fading storm in his mind, the sweat on Chris¡¯ forehead began to ebb.

    He drew a ragged breath, his voice rough as gravel. ¡°I am fine.¡±

    Grover waved the staff back. ¡°Clear the area. Give him room to breathe.¡±

    Maia, still hovering, searched his face. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re alright? You were shaking just now.¡±

    Chris lowered his gaze, meeting the eyes of the woman who stood a head shorter yet held him up with fierce determination. ¡°I rang the bell,¡± he murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

    .<fna4df> Latest content published on f?ndnovel</fna4df>

    .

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 Chapter 827

    ?Chapter 827:

    His cold fingers reached for hers, sping them tightly. ¡°Your painting¡­ it brought her back. My mother¡¯s face, her voice ¡ª memories I thought were gone forever.¡±

    His eyes softened, holding Maia¡¯s. ¡°Thank you, Maia. Truly.¡±

    Joy sparked in Maia¡¯s expression, her heart swelling. She had not anticipated that her portrait could unlock such a gift.

    ¡°This is incredible,¡± she said, her voice bright. ¡°We should get you to a doctorter, just to be safe. You might be on the mend.¡±<fn005b> Original content can be found at FindN()vel</fn005b>

    Chris¡¯ brow furrowed, curiosity overriding his pain. ¡°But how did you do it?¡± He leaned closer, his voice low. ¡°You never met her. How could you paint her so perfectly?¡±

    The question hung in the air, and the crowd leaned in, their curiosity palpable. How had Maia captured a woman she had never known?

    Once again, silence settled over the room.

    ¡°It¡¯s actually quite simple¡­¡± Maia spoke in a rxed tone, her lips curling slightly into a knowing smile.

    With the crowd watching intently, she turned toward Chris again, strolled over with measured steps, and gave his face a thorough once-over, taking in the sharp angles of his features.

    ¡°The answer¡­ is written all over your face.¡± As she said this, she lifted her hand and motioned toward him. ¡°In many families, daughters often inherit their looks from their fathers, while sons usually favor their mothers. It¡¯s not a strict rule, of course, but it holds true more often than not. So¡­¡±

    She spun around, pointed to her painting, and continued, ¡°I took the structure of your face as my guide. Then, by flipping the traits and imagining them with feminine touches, I built a picture of what your mother might have looked like. Looking at the final piece, I¡¯m confident it reflects your mother¡¯s appearance.¡± Maia¡¯s voice was steady and full of assurance.

    As herst word lingered, the space grew still, as if the air itself paused. Then, all at once, gasps filled the room, followed by an explosion of cheers and astonishment from the audience and the judges.

    ?????????????? ????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????£®??????

    ¡°What is Maia saying? She can paint a mother¡¯s face just by studying her son? That sounds like some kind of magic!¡±

    ¡°In criminal investigations, professionals can put together a suspect¡¯s face by reading tiny clues. If Maia pulled this off, then her grasp of facial anatomy is out of this world!¡±

    ¡°So this is what true talent looks like? I¡¯m honestly blown away!¡±

    ¡°Maia¡¯s on another level! Most forensic sketches only capture a rough idea, but hers looks incredibly real ¡ª like the woman was sitting right there in front of her. It¡¯s more like a photo than a painting!¡±

    ¡°Mariana¡¯s piece, Contemtion, is solid, but it just doesn¡¯t hold a candle to Maia¡¯s portrait when you make aparison.¡±

    Right then, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement, and the crowd¡¯s opinion turned on a dime.

    While the crowd burst into excited chatter, Mariana ¡ª standing opposite Maia ¡ª felt her expression copse. Her pride took a hit. She simply couldn¡¯te to terms with the fact that Maia¡¯s work had received such overwhelming apuse from both the viewers and the judges.

    She stared once more at Maia¡¯s painting. It had a soft, dreamlike glow, almost hidden behind a mistyyer. With the way the light and shadows danced over it, the image looked as though something real had beenid gently on top of the canvas.

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 Chapter 828

    ?Chapter 828:

    A thin veil seemed to drift across the painting¡¯s surface. It didn¡¯t look like paint at all ¡ª it resembled real fabric, delicate and weightless.

    Right then, Mariana clearly caught the sound of chairs dragging across the floor from the judges¡¯ table. Some of the judges had risen, unable to resist. They walked briskly over, eager to examine Maia¡¯s artwork more closely.

    Their faces quickly shifted. Shock and awe spread across their features as they studied the details.

    ¡°This¡­ this was actually done with paint? No matter how I look at it, it honestly seems like there¡¯s a real sheer cloth sitting on top of it.¡±

    ¡°Just look at how the shadow of the veil falls, how the colors areyered, how she handled the transparency¡­ it¡¯s absolutely wless.¡±

    ¡°What really draws you in are the eyes and that faint smile ¡ª there¡¯s something mysterious about them. You can¡¯t tear your gaze away. There¡¯s no question in my mind ¡ª Maia has to be Matias, the one who created Rebirth!¡±

    ¡°I always believed Mariana was the brightest star among young painters. I never imagined someone else could outshine her. This piece deserves full marks, no question.¡±

    ¡°Ipletely agree!¡± the other judges chimed in without hesitation.

    Some of the art collectors seated among the judges couldn¡¯t hold back and began bidding on the spot.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, I¡¯d dly pay ten million for this masterpiece!¡±<fn4b76> Checktest chapters at </fn4b76>

    ¡°I¡¯ll top that ¡ª twenty million!¡±

    ¡°Fifty million, right here!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll raise it to a hundred million!¡±

    The reporters were momentarily speechless, their cameras firing nonstop as they scrambled to capture the frenzy around the bidding collectors. All around, the crowd let out audible gasps, stunned by what they were witnessing.

    ?????????????? ?????? ?????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Unbelievable! I never thought I¡¯d get to see such an astonishing paintinge to life with my own eyes!¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t even use a photo for reference? No way¡­ this looks more real than any photograph could!¡±

    ¡°Poor Mariana! She doesn¡¯t stand a chance now!¡±

    Despite the flood of offers pouring in, Maia remained calm. She gave a soft smile and gently shook her head.

    ¡°Apologies, but this piece isn¡¯t for sale.¡± Her tone was kind, yet unwavering. Then she turned to Chris, her head tilted slightly and her eyes gleaming with warmth. ¡°Like I just said, Chris, it¡¯s for you. So, do you like it?¡±

    At that exact moment, every collector turned to stare at Chris, waiting for his reaction.

    But Chris wasn¡¯t paying attention to them. His gaze was fixed solely on Maia. He looked at her with a longing expression, barely resisting the urge to embrace her then and there in front of everyone.

    For years, the thing that haunted him most was the empty space in his memory where his mother¡¯s face should have been.

    And now, thanks to Maia¡¯s incredible gift, that empty space in Chris¡¯ heart wasn¡¯t just filled ¡ª it stirred up a flood of old memories he hadn¡¯t expected. The way his mother died hadn¡¯t been straightforward.

    As he thought back to thatst party, the one where he crossed paths with his grandfather, Chris¡¯ gaze turned sharp, eyes narrowing with sudden rity.

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 Chapter 829

    ?Chapter 829:

    Around them, the energy in the room buzzed. People were clearly thrilled.

    But Mariana was different ¡ª her expression turned grim. She had been certain that her artwork would stand out, but yet again, she found herself in Maia¡¯s shadow. Whatever pride she had left crumbled into pieces.

    At that point, she couldn¡¯t even bring herself to nce at Maia¡¯s painting. All she wanted was to vanish into thin air.

    A short distance away, Raegan¡¯s brows knit together. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder ¡ª was it truly possible that Maia had painted a woman she¡¯d neverid eyes on, and yet somehow created a face that looked strikingly real?

    She shot a sideways nce at Kiley ¡ª and to her surprise, caught a flicker of fear shing across Kiley¡¯s usually unshakable expression.

    But it didn¡¯tst long. Kiley¡¯s features quickly returned to their usual coolposure.

    Then, without warning, she stepped forward. Her voice rang out, sharp as ice. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, it appears you¡¯vee to a final decision.¡±

    As soon as she spoke, the room wentpletely still.

    The judges looked at one another, exchanging uncertain nces.

    A palpable tension coiled through the air among the judges, the silence in the exhibition hall as taut as a drawn bowstring.

    Some judges fidgeted, their lips parted as if words teetered on the edge of escape, only to falter under the weight of restraint. Others cast furtive nces, their furrowed brows betraying unease as their eyes darted from one colleague to another.

    They all recognized the superior artistry before them, yet the shadow of Kiley¡¯s influence ¡ª the exhibition¡¯s most formidable patron ¡ª loomedrge. None dared risk her wrath by openly challenging her will.

    In that charged moment, every gaze converged on Grover, a silent plea shimmering in their eyes. Grover, sensing the collective expectation, swiped at the beads of perspiration glistening on his brow.

    ?????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    With a reluctant step forward, he cleared his throat. ¡°Well, Ms. Cooper, the sentiment is clear. The audience and judges have spoken. The victor of this artistic duel is¡ª¡±

    His voice wavered, but before he could conclude, a razor-sharp voice sliced through the air.<fn9abf> Get full chapters from f?ndnovel</fn9abf>

    ¡°Have you all forgotten the essence of this painting challenge?¡± Kiley interjected, her lips curling into a mocking smirk that dripped with disdain. Her words struck like a thunderp, leaving the judges exchanging bewildered nces.

    Grover¡¯s frown deepened, though he held his tongue.

    From the crowd, a voice pierced the silence. ¡°Portrait realism!¡±

    Mariana, who moments before had seemed lost in a fog of despair, snapped to life, her eyes igniting with a fervent spark.

    ¡°Exactly,¡± she dered, her voice swelling with renewed vigor. ¡°Thispetition hinges on portrait realism, capturing the unerring likeness of a subject.¡±

    Her momentum surged, each word a polished arrow aimed at her rival. ¡°Since the theme is realism, victory should rest on who most faithfully recreated their subject¡¯s true appearance.¡±

    Her gaze, unrelenting, pinned Maia in its crosshairs.

    Earlier, she had been too flustered to realize that only she, Kiley, and Chris had seen Nic in person. And Chris, because of an ident, had lost his memory of his mother¡¯s looks. There wasn¡¯t even a single photo of her left in the family. This absence emboldened Mariana to challenge the authenticity of Maia¡¯s work, tilting the scales in her favor.

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 Chapter 830

    ?Chapter 830:

    Emboldened by the rapt attention of judges and onlookers, she pressed her case. ¡°Realism isn¡¯t about weaving sentimental tales or plucking heartstrings. It¡¯s about precision, the meticulous rendering of a living subject¡¯s truth.¡± Her voice crescendoed,manding the room. ¡°Who among you has seen the woman in Maia¡¯s painting? Can anyone attest to its fidelity? Who can verify that every contour, every nuance, mirrors a real person?¡±

    The hall fell into a stunned hush, her words hanging like a guillotine¡¯s de.

    Her eyes swept over the judges, sharp and admonishing, as if scolding wayward pupils. ¡°So, tell me ¡ª on what grounds do you crown her the winner?¡±

    Her rebuke stung, and several judges who had favored Maia shrank, their faces flushed with chagrin, shifting uneasily in their seats.<fn201f> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find?novel</fn201f>

    A murmur rippled through the audience, swelling into a chorus of debate.

    ¡°Mariana¡¯s got a point,¡± one voice conceded. ¡°Portrait realism demands likeness. None of us know the woman Maia painted.¡±

    Another added, ¡°Mariana¡¯s portrait of Kiley, who stands before us, is a wless mirror of her. It¡¯s undeniable.¡±

    A third questioned, ¡°How can we judge Maia¡¯s work? She painted a deceased woman she never met. Can that even qualify as realism?¡±

    Yet not all were swayed. Defenders of Maia pushed back.

    ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t she im victory? Realism isn¡¯t just mimicry. It¡¯s about capturing a subject¡¯s essence, their living spirit. Maia¡¯s portrait breathes with such vitality, it¡¯s as if the woman could step from the canvas.¡±

    Another added, ¡°Yes, and Maia¡¯s subject¡¯s gaze pierces the soul, vivid and haunting. If that¡¯s not mastery, what is?¡±

    A third voice championed, ¡°Art thrives on beauty and impact. Maia¡¯s work captivates in a way Mariana¡¯s cannot match.¡±

    The crowd erupted into a cacophony of shing opinions, factions forming like storm clouds.

    ???????? ???????? ????????????????????????

    ¡°The veil in Maia¡¯s painting is striking, but this is portrait realism!¡± one detractor countered. ¡°The focus must be the person, not an essory. Mariana¡¯s work adheres to the theme.¡±

    Another insisted, ¡°Unless Maia¡¯s portrait can be proven identical to its subject, Mariana deserves the crown!¡±

    The tide of public sentiment swayed under the weight of Mariana¡¯s and Kiley¡¯s calcted words, fueling a heated sh of convictions.

    Kiley stepped forward, her smile a de of cruel calction. In a voice soft yetced with venom, she addressed the judges who had dared favor Maia. ¡°Will you judge with integrity? Or have bribes clouded your impartiality, leading you to such a tantly unjust verdict?¡±

    Her usation detonated like a spark in dry tinder, igniting an uproar that roared through the crowd.

    Kiley refused to give Maia the slightest chance of winning. Setting someone up had alwayse easily to her.

    With a sly glimmer, she nced Maia¡¯s way. That look practically announced to the whole room that Maia had gotten to the judges.

    Calling Maia out so boldly could have easily backfired on her. Still, letting the opportunity slip by and failing to rally support would mean defeat for Mariana ¡ª something both she and the Cooper Group simply would not allow.

    Silent now, Kiley swept her gaze across the judges¡¯ table. One by one, her piercing stare lingered on them, each re a silent threat of what would follow if Maia walked away with the prize.

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 Chapter 831

    ?Chapter 831:

    The judges who had spoken in Maia¡¯s favor shifted awkwardly.

    ¡°Ms. Cooper, aren¡¯t you pushing this too far? I haven¡¯t taken any bribes from anyone.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re simply doing our jobs. All we care about is the art itself.¡±

    None of them spoke with real confidence. Their words sounded thin and uncertain.

    Several judges exchanged nervous nces before turning to Maia.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, can you produce an actual photograph of your subject? If we couldpare it to your painting, we¡¯d be more certain of our decision.¡±

    A second judge jumped in. ¡°That¡¯s right. Even if she¡¯s no longer alive, surely someone kept her picture somewhere? If you can prove your work is a faithful portrait, of course, we¡¯re willing to clear your name and dere you the winner!¡±

    Each of the older judges chose their words with caution. Deep down, all they wanted was to push the responsibility onto Maia and steer clear of any trouble.

    All attention shifted right back to her.

    Standing firm, Maia did not flinch or waver. Anyone watching could tell that she had braced herself for this moment. Letting her gaze travel across the judges before settling on Mariana, she said, ¡°The Cooper family¡¯s reaction just now says more than any proof I could offer.¡±<fna33e> Find the newest release on Find_Novel(.</fna33e>

    Her voice was calm but cut through the tension. Those few words shattered the stalemate and tipped the bnce in her favor.

    After that, Maia turned to Kiley, a faintly mocking smile tugging at her lips. ¡°If I really missed the mark, how did you manage to recognize Nic right away?¡±

    Gasps and murmurs spread across the crowd. The judges were at a loss for words, and even Mariana, who had been so aggressive moments before, visibly froze.

    It did not take her long to recover. shing a frosty smile, she snapped, ¡°I was only guessing. What¡¯s wrong with that? If you want my opinion, your painting looks nothing like Nic¡¯s.¡±

    ???????? ???????????????? ???? ????????????????????????

    Crossing her arms, she denied her slip-up without hesitation.

    Maia met her stare, disappointment flickering in her usually clear eyes. With a soft sigh, she said, ¡°I honestly thought someone from the Cooper family would handle defeat with more dignity.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the one who can¡¯t handle defeat!¡± retorted Mariana, her voice rising as her eyebrows shot up. ¡°Face it, Maia, nobody wins every time. The deal was clear. Since you lost, you should keep your word. Walk away from art. Stay out¡ª¡±

    A voice as cold as ice sliced through the tension. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±

    Everyone¡¯s head snapped toward Chris, whose stern face and raspy voice carried across the room. ¡°I¡¯ll speak for her. Maia¡¯s painting is the spitting image of my mother, Nic.¡±

    You could hear a pin drop in the silence that followed.

    Maia nced over, taking in the calm lines of Chris¡¯ face, and for a fleeting moment, she felt the tension in her chest ease.

    Any sense of relief vanished as someone in the crowd spoke up with suspicion. ¡°Sir, everyone here saw you arrive with Maia. What makes your word trustworthy?¡±

    ¡°If that really is your mother, you should be able to show us a picture, shouldn¡¯t you?¡±

    Caught off guard, Chris faltered for a moment. He had no photograph to offer. Every image of Nic had vanished ¡ª lost to years of quiet erasure and family silence. Even if he wanted to show proof, there was nothing left to find. But staring at the painting had jolted memories loose, ones he thought he had buried for good.

    Chris faced the room, eyes frosty. ¡°My mother went by another name. Sophia.¡±

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 Chapter 832

    ?Chapter 832:

    ¡°Sophia?¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    Chris¡¯ words caused another wave of murmuring in the room.

    A faint change passed over the faces of some older guests and art collectors as soon as they heard that name. Hearing it seemed to stir something deep in their memories, as if old stories had suddenlye back to life.

    After a brief pause, though, they dismissed the thought with a shake of their heads. Surely it wasn¡¯t her. Most likely, it was only a case of two people sharing the same name.

    At that point, nearly everyone there had no clue what was going on. They leaned toward each other and murmured, puzzled and unsure.

    ¡°Sophia? That doesn¡¯t ring a bell.¡±

    ¡°So what if we know her name?¡±

    ¡°He thinks just bringing up that name is enough for us to dig up her picture?¡±

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t even have a photo of his mom, but throws a name at us? What a strange dude!¡±

    As soon as Maia caught the name ¡°Sophia,¡± her eyes lit up in shock. It hit her ¡ª Chris had never brought up that name, not even once. Maybe the headache had jogged Chris¡¯ memory ¡ª not just her face, but other things too?

    She squinted slightly as an idea popped into her head. Perhaps that bit of shrapnel stuck in Chris¡¯ head had shifted somehow. He really had to see Lenny again ¡ª to get another scan and find out where the fragment had ended up.

    If fate cut them some ck, the operation might not be so dangerous anymore. Chris could finally be free of this long-standing problem. The very idea fired Maia up. She felt like grabbing Chris by the arm and marching straight to the hospital.

    Right then, a woman¡¯s voice broke through the air, sharp with urgency. ¡°Wait!¡±

    ???????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????¦Í?????????????

    All heads turned in unison. Every gazended on the woman who had spoken. Alice pushed her way out from the group. Her face looked more solemn than anyone had ever seen before.

    ¡°Chris, you mentioned your mother, Nic, also went by Sophia,¡± she said. ¡°But that name¡¯s not exactly unique. Is there anything else you can recall about her?¡±<fn570b> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? F¦ÉndNovel</fn570b>

    She gave him a gentle nudge and added, ¡°Can you think a bit more? Maybe something wille back to you. Did your mom ever go to Otruitho? Was she into painting or anything like that?¡±

    Chris knitted his eyebrows together, clearly struggling to remember. His hand went up to his temple as if by habit, as if it helped him think. But surprisingly, it didn¡¯t take him that long this time.

    Before long, he answered calmly, ¡°My memory¡¯s still a bit fuzzy, but I¡¯m pretty sure she had been to Otruitho. I remember seeing her paint a lot when I was a child.¡±

    Alice¡¯s eyes sparkled with sudden energy. It seemed like she was standing on the edge of a breakthrough, just one small clue away from cracking the whole thing open.

    Eagerly, she leaned in and asked, ¡°Can you picture how she used to sign her paintings? Do you think you could jot it down for us?¡±

    As soon as she spoke, a few older folks in the crowd ¡ª especially the art collectors ¡ª appeared to catch the drift and stepped in to get a better look. One person, quick on the uptake, passed Chris a pen and a small notebook without saying a word.

    Chris flipped the notebook open, grabbed the pen, and let his mind drift back to the days when he was small. Then, at a slow pace, he started writing.

    .

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 Chapter 833

    ?Chapter 833:

    Bit by bit, the letters took shape in ink ¡ª right there on the paper. And then it was clear to everyone as the long signature revealed itself: ¡°S. S. S.!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s truly her!¡± Alice gasped and drew in a shaky breath. Her voice wavered, thick with feelings she hadn¡¯t expected to rise up. ¡°Chris,¡± she said softly, ¡°I think your mother used the name Sophie S. Schrader when she painted. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±

    ¡°How would you know that?¡± Chris asked, his voice rough and strained. He locked eyes with Alice, stunned, barely able to process what he was hearing. ¡°Did you¡­ actually know my mother?¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± Alice gave a firm nod, her eyes glowing with emotion. ¡°And it wasn¡¯t just me ¡ª lots of collectors here, even the curator, knew your mother. Honestly, she was a legend to many of us.¡±

    She hadn¡¯t even finished her sentence before the room broke into a buzz of excitement.

    ¡°Surely you all haven¡¯t forgotten who she is?¡± Alice turned to face the crowd, lifting the notebook with Chris¡¯ handwriting high above her head. She raised her voice. ¡°This signature ¡ª doesn¡¯t it say it all?¡±

    ¡°I just thought the woman in Maia¡¯s painting looked familiar!¡± someone called out. ¡°She seemed a bit younger than I remember, but now it¡¯s clicking. That woman in Maia¡¯s painting is the brilliant artist who once took all of Otruitho by storm fifteen years ago, and then disappeared like smoke ¡ª Sophia S. Schrader!¡±

    Alice¡¯s voice shattered the quiet, loud and striking like a lightning bolt out of nowhere. Her eyes darted across the rows ¡ª from the stern faces of the judges to the sea of people in the crowd ¡ª before finallynding on the senior art masters seated right up front.

    In a heartbeat, those respected elders of Otruitho stood abruptly. The surprise etched on their faces and the swiftness of their reaction silenced the room as if someone had hit the mute button.

    Everyone¡¯s attention snapped to Chris in perfect unison.

    ???????? ?????????????? ?????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????¦Í?????????????

    Grover moved ahead slowly, his voice shaky with disbelief. ¡°Are you really the son of the painter, Sophia S. Schrader?¡±

    Chris winced slightly as a dull ache pulsed in his skull.

    When had his mother suddenly be a legendary figure in Otruitho¡¯s art scene?

    Chris furrowed his brow, locked eyes with Grover, and gave a small nod.

    That tiny gesture hit the crowd like a bolt out of the blue. The signature Chris had just penned spoke volumes without a single word ¡ª it left no room for doubt.

    In the blink of an eye, the hall buzzed with gasps and hurried whispers.

    ¡°My God! He¡¯s actually the son of Sophia S. Schrader?¡±

    ¡°No wonder! I thought the woman in that portrait rang a bell. I should¡¯ve known the moment I saw it ¡ª must be my age catching up with me!¡±

    ¡°This is unreal! You¡¯re telling me Maia painted Sophia S. Schrader?¡±

    The ripple of surprise turned into a roaring tide of excitement.

    One by one, collectors jumped to their feet, clearly itching to act.

    ¡°No wonder I felt such a pull toward this piece ¡ª it¡¯s the legendary Sophia S. Schrader! She¡¯s like a ghost; every time she shows up, she disappears before anyone can blink. You hardly ever see photos of her. But I think my dad admired her work ¡ª maybe he kept a picture somewhere!¡±<fnb915> For more chapters visit f?ndnovel</fnb915>

    ¡°Hurry up! Everyone, dig through your things ¡ª see if you¡¯ve got any photos of Sophia S. Schrader!¡±

    .

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    .

 Chapter 834

    ?Chapter 834:<fn0364> ?????? ???? find?novel</fn0364>

    In no time, a few pictures surfaced.

    Sadly, most were blurry or snapped from afar. The faces were unclear, making it nearly impossible to say for sure whether Maia¡¯s painting matched.

    ¡°Is this seriously all we¡¯ve got?¡± Alice asked, her voice tight with worry as she looked out over the crowd, speaking to the collectors and art schrs around her.

    Kiley gave a sharp, dismissiveugh through her nose. For a brief second, she had worried Maia might actually pull off aeback. But now, it looked like that fear had been for nothing.

    If no sharper images turned up soon, Maia didn¡¯t stand a chance.

    A self-satisfied look crept back onto Mariana¡¯s face. With a sly grin, she threw a nce at the judges. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously thinking of basing your verdict on these fuzzy snapshots, are you?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t start gloating just yet, Mariana!¡± Alice snapped, her tone cutting. ¡°With this many artists and collectors in one ce, someone has to have a proper, up-close photo of Sophia!¡±

    ¡°Oh really?¡± Mariana smirked. ¡°Then I look forward to seeing it.¡±

    Out of the blue, Grover shouted, ¡°Hold on! It just came to me! Sophia once gave money to the Gascoyne Museum. And whenever an artist made a donation, the museum kept a high-quality photo of them!¡±

    His words instantly sparked a buzz of excitement among the crowd.

    Chris, now bursting with anticipation, balled his fists tight. He had never dared to hope that he might get a clear view of his mother¡¯s face again.

    ¡°Well, what¡¯s the holdup?¡± Alice said, her voice sharp with urgency. ¡°Call them already!¡±

    Without missing a beat, Grover pulled out his phone and started dialing. He turned toward the audience and reassured them, ¡°Don¡¯t panic, folks. I¡¯m reaching out to the Gascoyne Museum right now. They should have Sophia¡¯s photo in their archives.¡±

    After finishing his remarks, Grover shot a pointed look at Mariana, clearly replying to her earlier jab. ¡°Miss Cooper, rest assured ¡ª we will use only the clearest, most definitive photos as the standard for judging realism.¡±

    ?????????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Right after that, he got in touch with the museum¡¯s assistant and took his timeying out just how urgent the situation was, making sure that everyone could hear him.

    Mariana¡¯s expression froze. She gave a sharp scoff and turned her back. ¡°You¡¯d better have those photos, then!¡±

    Still, her hands betrayed her ¡ª they trembled, revealing the nerves she was trying hard to hide.

    At the same time, Kiley¡¯s brow creased. Her thoughts were miles away. It had never crossed her mind that Chris¡¯ biological mother had such a background. If this truth had surfaced back in the day, she thought, her grandfather Laurence, who was the family head at the time, would have had no reason to stop Nic from joining the Cooper family. Their hopes in the art world could have taken flight ten years ago. So what on earth had really happened?

    By now, it was obvious ¡ª her father, Kolton, had kept some things under wraps. He hadn¡¯t shared the full story of what had really gone down all those years ago.

    Momentster, a crisp, high-definition image lit up the gallery¡¯s main disy.

    It showed a crowd from more than ten years back. A circle of artists was gathered around a striking woman in a palevender gown, a delicate scarf floating around her shoulders. She carried herself with a kind of soft elegance that quietly stole the spotlight.

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 Chapter 835

    ?Chapter 835:

    That woman was none other than Sophia S. Schrader ¡ª the famed painter who had once enchanted all of Otruitho before she disappeared without a trace. She stood at the center of the frame, her lips curved in a gentle smile. There was a glow about her, something maic. You couldn¡¯t tear your eyes away.

    Just below the photograph, a short caption stated, ¡°Ms. Sophia S. Schrader donated thirty million to the Gascoyne Museum.¡±

    Still, what truly floored the crowd wasn¡¯t the donation. It was Sophia¡¯s smile ¡ª it matched the one in Maia¡¯s painting to perfection.

    The gallery froze. The silence was soplete it felt as if everyone had stopped breathing at once. And then, the reactions erupted.

    ¡°It¡¯s unreal!¡±

    ¡°Looks exactly the same!¡±

    ¡°Maia didn¡¯t just paint her face ¡ª she captured her spirit. The lighting, the emotion, even the tiniest details in the brushwork¡­ it¡¯s like Sophia walked out of the frame!¡±

    ¡°How in the world did Maia pull this off? Had she somehow seen this photo before thepetition?¡±

    ¡°As if just having a picture could help anyone paint something that alive! If you ask me, the winner¡¯s right in front of us!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s for sure ¡ª there¡¯s no question ¡ª Maia takes the crown today!¡±

    Someone rose from their seat and approached the painting, peering closely through a magnifying ss, silently examining every detail.

    Grover¡¯s eyes looked a little ssy, as if years of bottled-up feelings were finally breaking free. He moved forward, stopped in front of the artwork, drew in a deep breath, and announced with authority, ¡°As curator of the Gascoyne Museum, I officially name Ms. Watson the winner of this painting showdown!¡±

    Right away, the room exploded with apuse, the sound bouncing off the gallery walls. The crowd roared her name with excitement.

    ???????????? ???????????? ???? ??????????????????£®??????

    Reporters rushed in, their cameras clicking nonstop, eager to capture the historic moment.

    ¡°Well earned!¡±

    ¡°Maia, you¡¯re a legend!¡±

    Voices shouting ¡°Mariana¡¯s lost!¡± echoed from every corner of the room.

    Eager collectors jumped in with offers right away.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, I¡¯m ready to pay a hundred million for that piece!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go higher ¡ª one hundred and fifty million!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll give you my entire private collection if you¡¯d just sell it to me!¡±

    Amid the flurry of fierce bids and admiring stares, Maia only smiled softly and gently shook her head.

    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve already made it clear ¡ª this painting isn¡¯t up for grabs,¡± she said firmly.

    Her eyes scanned the crowd until they settled on a familiar, handsome face. Her look was steady and warm. ¡°Because this isn¡¯t merely art. It¡¯s a gift.¡±<fn4916> Readplete version only at Find¡ïNovel</fn4916>

    Following her gaze, everyone¡¯s attention shifted to Sophia¡¯s son ¡ª Chris.

    ¡°Oh my God! I was truly in tears ¡ª Maia had shown such incredible kindness to her bodyguard. Had everything she done tonight been just so he could see his mother onest time?¡±

    ¡°I had always believed Sophia had simply retired, but it turned out she had passed away¡­ Still, her son was incredibly fortunate. He encountered another artistic genius who managed to revive his mother¡¯s spirit across time.¡±

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 Chapter 836

    ?Chapter 836:

    ¡°Who could possibly doubt Maia now? She had proven it all with her talent! Today would be etched in Otrultho¡¯s art scene for many years. Her painting was destined to be legendary!¡±

    The apuse swelled, cheers booming through the gallery, louder than ever before.

    Just as the noise began to fade, a voice suddenly pierced the crowd. ¡°I¡­ lost?¡±

    Mariana stood frozen, her lips trembling, eyes wide with disbelief and shock. She stepped back, clutching her chest, barely able to catch her breath. It felt like she was plunging into a bottomless pit.

    ¡°This can¡¯t be¡­ How did I end up losing?¡± Mariana nced at her sister Kiley, her face drained of color.

    Kiley¡¯s expression was just as serious and heavy.

    There was no denying it ¡ª Mariana had been defeated.

    Still, Kiley needed to figure out how to contain the fallout from this art battle.

    Raegan, who had stayed quiet most of the time, was lost in thought as well.

    Was Maia¡¯s win purely due to skill, or had luck yed its part?

    If they hadn¡¯t found that photo of Chris¡¯ mother, would Maia have had some secret trick to pull out?

    Facing Maia clearly called for careful nning and a steady hand.

    The room quieted down once again, tension thick in the air.

    Maia moved toward Mariana with measured steps. Her face was calm, but her eyes gleamed with a cutting edge. ¡°Mariana, I won again. A bet¡¯s a bet. You¡¯re not going to chicken out now, are you?¡±

    Maia¡¯s words struck Mariana like a blow. Mariana froze in surprise.

    Those exact words were what she had intended to say to Maia ¡ª but now, the roles were reversed.

    ???????????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????[?]??????

    A wave of shame crashed over her.

    Mariana¡¯s eyes shed red with anger as she stared daggers at Maia. ¡°I lost!¡± Mariana¡¯s voice cracked, raw with emotion. ¡°Maia! If you¡¯re really all that talented, then let¡¯s go again ¡ª one more match!¡±

    Maia just gave her a cold, unimpressed look.<fnd278> Readplete version only at Find?Novel</fnd278>

    ¡°And you judges, just because she painted someone familiar to you, you called her the winner?¡± Mariana spun toward the judges, her re sharp and using. ¡°Is that fair? Tell me ¡ª how is my painting any worse than hers?¡±

    She was grasping at straws, fighting hard against the crushing truth, desperate to break free from the odds stacked against her.

    But the judges stayed silent, not a single one answering her.

    Instead, she faced whispers and murmurs of disapproval from the crowd.

    ¡°She¡¯s still stubbornly iming she didn¡¯t lose? In what universe is her painting better than Maia¡¯s?¡±

    ¡°Mariana¡¯s totally lost her grip¡­ wasn¡¯t she the one who wanted this duel to begin with? Talk about getting in over your head.¡±

    ¡°Maia already proved she¡¯s Matias reincarnated with her skills. And today¡¯s painting even topped ¡®Rebirth.¡¯ What¡¯s the use of another round?¡±

    ¡°People who can¡¯t swallow defeat always look pitiful. And she calls herself a Cooperdy?¡±

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 Chapter 837

    ?Chapter 837:

    ¡°Is she out of her mind? Losing and then trying to weasel out? She¡¯s making the whole Cooper Group look bad. Is everyone in thepany as untrustworthy as she is? Then who would dare to cooperate with them in the future?¡±

    Finally, Kiley stepped up. She stood beside Mariana and gave her shoulder a steady,forting pat. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s voice was calm, but it carried a sharp edge that shut down any argument before it could start.

    Even though she didn¡¯t want to ept it either, she wasn¡¯t about to throw the Cooper Group¡¯s reputation under the bus in front of the media.

    After all, some bets weren¡¯t set in stone. There was always a chance to renegotiate.

    Mariana stayed silent, lookingpletely crushed.

    She bit her lip hard, her eyes simmering with bitterness.

    Only then did Kiley lift her gaze, her face nk as she stared at Maia, her voice steady and cold. ¡°Mariana lost. Now, feel free toy out the terms you never mentioned.¡±

    Her words hung in the air, and the room fell into silence again.

    Everyone¡¯s attention snapped to Maia, eager to hear what terms she would put forward.

    As the winner of the art contest, Maia stood beneath the spotlight with unwavering calm, facing the curious stares as though she had foreseen them all along.<fnf526> Latest content published on Find1Novel</fnf526>

    She already had her answer in mind, but she didn¡¯t speak right away. Her gaze swept across the crowd until itnded on Chris, quietly standing at the back.

    ¡°Are you sure I can ask for anything?¡± she asked Kiley, her voice steady.

    ¡°As long as it¡¯s within the Cooper Group¡¯s ability to fulfill,¡± Kiley replied with a polite smile. Her tone remainedposed, though a cold edge glinted in her eyes.

    Maia¡¯s lips curved into a quiet smile. Then she looked up at Kiley, her expression sharpening into something precise and resolute.

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????????©q?????

    ¡°Then I¡¯d like Cooper Group to lift every restriction ced on Chris Cooper. From today on, let him move freely through thepany and visit his grandfather whenever he chooses.¡±

    Gasps and murmurs erupted from the crowd the moment her words sank in.

    Even Chris looked stunned, his brows lifting as he stared at Maia in disbelief. She tilted her head slightly and added with a calm smile, ¡°That¡¯s a fair request, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    The audience immediately buzzed with spection.

    ¡°What the hell? That¡¯s her request? She¡¯s speaking to Kiley Cooper ¡ª CEO of Radiant Jewels ¡ª and she chooses something like that?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Kiley¡¯s worth billions. Maia could¡¯ve asked for anything. Why settle for something so tame?¡±

    ¡°If it were me, I¡¯d ask for cash, a brand deal ¡ª something that would actually benefit me long-term. She totally wasted that chance.¡±

    ¡°And Chris¡­ if he¡¯s a Cooper too, why would their ownpany be holding him back? That¡¯s weird.¡±

    The crowd¡¯s voices grew louder, curiosity quickly turning into confusion. Some were stunned, some sympathized with Chris, while others whispered theories about the real nature of his connection to Maia.

    From the crowd, Mariana red daggers at Maia, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

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 Chapter 838

    ?Chapter 838:

    How dare Maia say such things in front of so many people!

    Wasn¡¯t she deliberately dragging Cooper Group¡¯s name through the mud?

    Meanwhile, Alice was buzzing with quiet excitement. ¡°I didn¡¯t think Ms. Watson would stand up for this man like that.¡±

    She had trusted her instincts about Maia ¡ª and now she was certain. This was the kind of person she would follow without hesitation.

    Across the hall, several prominent figures in the art world ¡ª many of whom had once been close to Sophia or had benefited from her ¡ª quickly picked up on the message behind Maia¡¯s words.

    It was obvious now. Sophia¡¯s son was being mistreated by the Coopers.

    And when Maia mentioned the restrictions and Chris requesting to visit his grandfather, their expressions changed.

    One after another, they stood up from their seats in outrage.

    A leading figure in the artmunity, leaning on a cane, questioned sharply, ¡°Ms. Kiley Cooper, would you care to exin what¡¯s really going on?¡±

    Standing beside him, a senior dean from the art academy spoke out sharply, his voice edged with fury. ¡°Chris Cooper carries the blood of the Cooper family ¡ª how dare you treat the son of the legendary Sophia this way? The Otrultho artmunity will never condone such disgraceful behavior from your group.¡±

    The venue erupted in protest.

    Voices shed as more people joined in, leveling usations toward Cooper Group.<fnbcec> Follow current nov?ls on Find?Novel</fnbcec>

    ¡°Back in her day, Sophia helped fund education and paved the way for countless artists. And now her own son is banned from seeing his grandfather?¡±

    ¡°Some legacy, Cooper family. You brag about a century of honor and this is how you repay her?¡±

    ?????????????? ?????? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Mariana felt her stomach twist. Fear swept over her as she instinctively retreated behind Kiley, her face drained of all color.

    Her suspicions from earlier had just been confirmed ¡ª Maia had done this on purpose, dragging Cooper Group into chaos right before their eyes.

    Raegan positioned herself firmly beside Kiley, her posture tense and eyes narrowed in warning. She was prepared to shield Kiley the moment things escted, but even now, she couldn¡¯t wrap her head around it. Why were all these people suddenly rallying behind Chris?

    What kind of legacy had his mother left behind that moved people to defend her son with such conviction?

    The atmosphere shifted sharply.

    The room, once filled with admiration for the Cooper name, now brimmed with hostility.

    The crowd had closed in, leaving no room to retreat.

    ¡°If Sophia hadn¡¯t backed me when I had nothing, I wouldn¡¯t be standing here today. I won¡¯t let her son be treated like this!¡±

    ¡°Kiley, you owe us an exnation right now!¡±

    ¡°If you n to brush this off, don¡¯t even think about walking out of here unscathed!¡±

    ¡°Hide behind me. Want me to escort you out?¡± Raegan¡¯s whisper brushed against Kiley¡¯s ear, her voice barely audible yet ready to whisk Kiley away at the first sign of trouble.

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 Chapter 839

    ?Chapter 839:

    The painting duel¡¯s oue meant nothing to Raegan. Her true mission was protecting Kiley, earning her trust, andpleting the leader¡¯s orders.

    Bright lights flooded the hall while charged whispers and wild spection filled the air, forcing even the mostposed guests to reconsider their positions.

    Kiley waved her hand dismissively. ¡°No, thanks. That¡¯s unnecessary.¡±

    Her gaze locked onto Maia, eyes deep and unreadable as midnight waters. A moment passed before she stepped forward, her voice calm yet carrying unmistakable authority. ¡°Everyone, you may not realize this. Chris Cooper carries the Cooper name, but he¡¯s nothing more than an illegitimate child of the Cooper family. Isn¡¯t it natural for a bastard child to struggle with eptance?¡± She let the words hang in the air before continuing, ¡°Right now, I¡¯m still in negotiations with Maia. Please, keep the noise down.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s piercing stare cut through the crowd like a de, redirecting every eye toward Chris.

    Amidst the swirling chaos of rumors, Chris¡¯ attention had remained solely on Maia from the very beginning.

    The surrounding turmoil might as well have been invisible. His world contained only her.

    Maia used this precious chance to negotiate with Kiley for him, hoping that he could visit his grandfather without any hindrance. Warmth bloomed in Chris¡¯ chest, his heart cradled in gentle, protectivefort.

    Maia always served as his beacon, illuminating the bleakest shadows within his soul.

    Chris tightened his grip, feeling an overwhelming urge to hold Maia close.

    Kiley¡¯s attention shifted back to Maia, curiosity sharpening into something more probing. ¡°Maia, I¡¯m curious. What drives you to make such a demand?¡±

    Behind the innocent questiony a calcted test. She found that Maia proved far more cunning and maniptive than she had originally judged.

    ???????????? ?????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????©q??????

    Once Maia confirmed that Chris was Sophia¡¯s son, her demand became crystal clear. She was deliberately turning Otrultho¡¯s entire artmunity against Cooper Group.

    The shocked reactions from the art world¡¯s elite proved that Maia had hit her target perfectly.

    Kiley couldn¡¯t grasp what vendetta Maia harbored against Cooper Group, but this woman¡¯s strategic move had already derailed their international expansion. Everything about Maia¡¯s n screamed careful calction, not impulsive decision-making.

    Maia¡¯s gaze settled on Kiley as she raised her hand slightly, pointing toward Chris. Her voice wasn¡¯t loud, yet it somehow reached every corner of the hall. ¡°The reason for my demand is quite simple.

    He¡¯s my man now,¡± she said softly, ice threading through her gentle tone. ¡°And I¡¯m fiercely protective of what¡¯s mine. I simply refuse to watch others bully my man. Especially after I discovered that when he wanted to visit his own grandfather, he actually got blocked by the Cooper family.¡±

    Shock rippled through the room like wildfire.<fn5055> Readplete version only at find{n}ovel</fn5055>

    Stunned faces turned toward each other in disbelief.

    Nobody could fathom that Chris¡¯ reasonable request to see his grandfather had been crushed by his own family.

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 Chapter 840

    Chapter 840:

    Cold disapproval gradually settled over the faces of artists and curators in the front rows.

    ¡°Illegitimate or not, visiting his grandfather shows proper filial respect. Nothing wrong with that.¡±

    ¡°To think Sophia¡¯s son has endured such treatment¡­ The Cooper family has crossed every line.¡±

    Murmurs of outrage and sympathy swept through the crowd.

    Chris couldn¡¯t suppress his smile as Maia¡¯s deration echoed in his mind: ¡°He¡¯s my man now¡­ I simply refuse to watch others bully my man¡­¡±

    His gaze found Maia, intense yet tender as their eyes met. Warmth flooded through him, a feeling absent for countless years.

    After his parents died, he had be truly alone ¡ª unprotected, stepped on by everyone who crossed his path.

    Everything changed when he met Maia, back when she was just a small girl. She had positioned herself in front of him, dering with fierce determination, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I will protect you.¡±

    Chris¡¯ heart thundered against his ribs, that precious first memory crystallizing with startling rity.

    No other woman had ever stirred his soul after that day. Learning that his aunt wanted him to marry Maia filled him with joy beyond measure. His throat worked silently, emotion stealing his voicepletely.

    A sharp voice suddenly sliced through the moment. ¡°Shame on you, Maia!¡± Mariana finally snapped, her restraint crumbling atst.

    She had been holding herself back all this time, but now herposure shatteredpletely.

    ¡°Chris belongs to us, the Cooper family. You im he¡¯s yours? Who exactly do you think you are?¡±<fndd55> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find?novel</fndd55>

    ???????????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í????????????

    Mariana¡¯s voice cracked with raw emotion, teetering on the edge ofplete breakdown.

    Chris could only ever belong to her. How dare Maia stake such a brazen im on him? The audacity was unforgivable!

    Maia¡¯s eyes drifted toward her with cool indifference,pletely void of concern.

    Poor Mariana had suffered two crushing defeats at her hands, likely leaving her self-worth in ruins.

    Rather than waste energy on pointless arguments, Maia turned back to Kiley with a slight arch of her eyebrow. ¡°Ms. Cooper, surely you can handle such a simple request?¡±

    With a faint, practiced smile, Kiley replied, ¡°Ms. Watson, your request isn¡¯t out of line, but I¡¯ll need my father¡¯s approval before anything moves forward. Still, you have my word ¡ª I¡¯ll put every effort into convincing him.¡±

    Maia folded her arms, one eyebrow arching with skepticism. ¡°Ms. Cooper, are you just stringing me along with empty promises?¡±

    A step closer, Kiley¡¯s voice turned soft and reasonable. ¡°Not at all. It¡¯s simply out of my hands. Of course, I¡¯m willing to go beyond my usual responsibilities ¡ª but in return, surely you¡¯d expect some sort of exchange, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±

    At that, Alice let out a huff. ¡°Sounds to me like you¡¯re just going back on your word.¡±

    A chorus of mutters followed, several nodding. ¡°Losing and still trying to call the shots? What kind of logic is that?¡±

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Have a great week dear readers, new chapters this friday and new novels tomorrow. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. ????(? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?

    .

 Chapter 841

    ?Chapter 841:

    Maia silenced them with a single cool gesture, then leveled a sharp look at Kiley. ¡°There¡¯s no need for theatrics, Ms. Cooper. Just tell me what you want.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s gaze narrowed a fraction. Maia¡¯s willingness to negotiate gave her hope ¡ª perhaps she could salvage something from this loss in the painting contest.

    Letting a thoughtful silence linger, Kiley finally spoke, her tone almost mournful. ¡°As Mariana¡¯s sister, I know how deeply she loves painting. It is everything to her. If she¡¯s banned forever, it¡¯s as if you¡¯re taking the light from her life. I can¡¯t let her wither away like that.¡±

    Her eyes locked on Maia¡¯s. ¡°So, Ms. Watson, if you¡¯ll agree to adjust the wager ¡ª let¡¯s make it a one-year ban from art exhibitions for Mariana ¡ª I¡¯ll move heaven and earth to get Chris that opportunity with my father.¡±

    Maia¡¯s answer came with a coldugh. ¡°From a lifetime to a year? That¡¯s a bold counteroffer.¡±

    The crowd around them erupted in whispers once again.

    ¡°Do the Coopers even know what dignity means anymore?¡±

    ¡°Is it really fair for them to shift the terms just because they¡¯re losing? Wasn¡¯t Mariana the one who set the whole wager in the first ce?¡±

    ¡°Guess even families with all that power can wriggle out of promises. What a spectacle!¡±

    Whispers and sidements buzzed through the crowd.

    Despite the noise, Kiley didn¡¯t bat an eye. The opinions of bystanders meant nothingpared to shielding the Cooper Group from a real setback.

    Later, she would focus on damage control and spin for the public.

    ¡°If you can¡¯t ept, I understand,¡± Kiley replied, her smile never wavering. ¡°But the terms do need some tweaking.¡±

    Maia weighed her options in silence, then met Kiley¡¯s eyes, the ghost of a smile on her lips. ¡°I¡¯ll y along ¡ª but I want more. Mariana¡¯s out of the art scene for five years, and she¡¯ll make a public apology to me. And as of now, she stays away from Chris and me, for good.¡±

    ???? ?????? ???????? ???????????? ¡ª ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????©q??????

    Maia rarely bent in negotiations, but Chris¡¯ future came first, so she was willing to give ground ¡ª on her own terms.

    Five years was long enough to dim any artist¡¯s spark and deliver a real lesson. Those wordsnded like a blow.

    Mariana¡¯s eyes went wide with outrage, her voice ringing out. ¡°What did you just say, Maia? Who do you think you are, preventing me from seeing Chris?¡±

    Maia regarded her steadily, her tone unruffled and cool. ¡°I believe I¡¯m the winner of this contest and get to call the shots. Perhaps your memory is slipping. Allow me to refresh it for you.¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡± Words failed Mariana, and herplexion faded to a sickly gray.

    Kiley answered with a measured nod. ¡°So be it. Mariana won¡¯t cross paths with you or Chris again.¡±

    A panicked cry burst from Mariana. ¡°Kiley!¡±

    Missing art exhibitions or even Maia she could endure ¡ª but being kept from Chris was more than she could take.

    ¡°Enough,¡± Kiley snapped, her voice sharp as ss. ¡°Apologize to Ms. Watson. Right now.¡±<fne138> Follow current nov?ls on f?ndnovel</fne138>

    A violent tremor ran through Mariana; her jaw clenched so tightly that she nearly cracked a tooth.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 842

    ?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 ¡ª prayed ¡ª 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 ¡ª 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 ¡ª 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.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???? ???????? ??????????¦Í??????[?]??????

    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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 Chapter 843

    ?Chapter 843:

    Yet momentster, she found herself bowing respectfully before Maia, swallowing her humiliation and resentment in front of the entire room. ¡°I am truly sorry, Ms. Watson.¡±

    This time, Mariana¡¯s apology rang clear and unmistakable, though every word tasted like poison.

    Maia stood motionless, studying Mariana as if weighing her sincerity, or perhaps contemting something else entirely.

    Finally, she chose mercy over further punishment. ¡°Alright. I heard you. Watch yourself going forward and avoid stirring up trouble again.¡±

    She stepped closer and ced a gentle hand on Mariana¡¯s shoulder.

    At that moment, a faint smile appeared on Maia¡¯s lips, her voice lowered to a whisper meant only for the two of them. ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you did at the Morgan family¡¯s twin birthday party.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s eyes flew wide, her pupils shrinking to pinpoints as the blood drained from her face.

    But Maia had already straightened, her voice rising to address the entire room as though nothing had transpired between them. ¡°All right, I ept your apology.¡±

    The truth hit Mariana like a physical blow. Maia had known everything from the very beginning. She had known about the birthday party scheme, about Rosanna¡¯s involvement, about every calcted move they¡¯d made.

    Looking back at how this painting duel had unfolded, Mariana could see it now with terrifying rity. Maia had masterfully exploited her thirst for revenge andpetitive nature, guiding her step by deliberate step. Finally, Maia got exactly what she wanted.

    Maia had never been at a disadvantage. She had been orchestrating everything from the very first moment.

    Mariana¡¯sposure finally shattered, her eyes wide with terror as she stared at Maia, her very soul trembling with fear.

    ???????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í????????????

    She had gravely underestimated this woman. This woman who had endured four years behind bars had outmaneuvered her at every turn, leading to one humiliating defeat after another.

    The weight of her miscalction pressed down on her chest until she could barely draw breath.<fn230d> This update is avable on Find?Novel</fn230d>

    Meanwhile, the audience and media erupted into enthusiastic praise for Maia.

    ¡°Did you see that? Maia epted Mariana¡¯s apology. Such grace and generosity is truly remarkable!¡±

    ¡°Not only is Maia a gifted artist and absolutely stunning, but she possesses such a magnanimous heart! Her future knows no bounds!¡±

    ¡°Does someone like Mariana even deserve forgiveness? Maia¡¯s far too kind! In her position, I would never have shown such mercy!¡±

    ¡°After making all those unreasonable demands and losing so spectacrly, isn¡¯t this exactly what Mariana hading? She¡¯s simply reaping what she sowed!¡±

    Eachment struck Mariana like a physical blow, draining the color from her facepletely.

    The entire room had turned against her, their voices rising in mockery and disdain while Maia basked in waves of praise and admiration.

    Mariana¡¯s chest tightened painfully as she struggled to draw air into her lungs. Without warning, a crushing wave of vertigo mmed into her consciousness. The world tilted violently around her as her legs gave way beneath her weight, her body crumpling helplessly toward the floor.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 844

    ?Chapter 844:

    Kiley swiftly caught Mariana as she wavered on the verge of copse, shooting her a sharp look before firmly gripping her shoulder. Her voice carried calm authority. ¡°Stand up straight.¡±

    She shifted her attention to Maia. ¡°Is this enough? If so, let¡¯s call it a day. I¡¯ll settle the remaining bets as soon as possible.¡±

    Maia studied Mariana¡¯s crumpled form with cold amusement, then lifted her shoulders in a careless shrug. ¡°Perfect! Just remember your word, Ms. Cooper. The entire Otrultho art scene witnessed today¡¯s little spectacle.¡± Each word dripped with pointed meaning.

    Kiley¡¯s jaw clenched visibly, though she swallowed whatever sharp reply burned on her tongue. Teeth grazing her lower lip, she spun on her heel and stormed toward the gallery exit.

    Raegan¡¯s sharp eyes had already caught the press circling like vultures. She darted forward, cutting through the crowd to form a protective barrier around Kiley¡¯s retreat.

    Behind them, Mariana shuffled along with her chin buried against her chest, skin drained of all color as if life itself had leaked away. Her legs wobbled dangerously with each faltering step as she fought to keep up.

    The defeated scattered into the shadows.

    Reporters descended on Maia like hungry wolves, questions exploding from every direction.

    Bathed in blinding camera shes and surrounded by shouting voices, Maia wore her victory like armor, each answer delivered with practiced grace.

    When the media frenzy finally died down, Maia swept from the gallery with her followers trailing behind.

    Grover practically sprinted to intercept them, breathless excitement radiating from every gesture. ¡°Miss Watson, we¡¯ll treasure your masterpiece A Mother¡¯s Timeless Love during its exhibition tour. Once itpletes its journey through Otrultho, we¡¯d be honored to deliver it wherever you wish. Where shall we send this precious work?¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyebrow arched with wicked delight, lips curving into a cat-like smile.

    ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ?¦Á??????¦Í??????£®??????

    ¡°Ask the painting¡¯s new owner instead.¡±

    Understanding dawned instantly, and Grover spun around to hunt down Chris.

    Chris beamed as he readily shared his contact details.

    ¡°Excellent! I¡¯ll be in touch with you shortly to arrange the delivery,¡± Grover dered before disappearing back into the gallery¡¯s chaos. His evening was clearly just beginning.

    Once the dust settled, Alice whisked Maia and Chris away to their hotel.

    Alice could barely contain her excitement, words tumbling out in a breathless rush during the drive. ¡°Maia, you were absolutely incredible today! Do you realize what¡¯s happening? The entire Otrultho art scene is going wild over your painting! Everyone¡¯s calling you a once-in-a-generation artistic prodigy! Not just for A Mother¡¯s Timeless Love, but for Rebirth too, the piece you disyed as ¡®Matias.¡¯ Critics are hailing you as a revolutionary force in contemporary art!¡±<fnf723> Follow current nov?ls on find?novel</fnf723>

    Alice¡¯s eyes sparkled with secret knowledge as she leaned forward conspiratorially. ¡°They have no clue you¡¯re also the genius behind MCN¡¯s fashion empire. Imagine their faces when they discover you¡¯re Eileen! They¡¯d lose their minds and worship the ground you walk on!¡±

    Maia rested her head against the cool window, her smile carrying quiet satisfaction.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 845

    ?Chapter 845:

    She hadn¡¯t given it much thought. She just did her best each time, always striving for perfection.

    The truth was, Otrultho was just the beginning. News of her triumph had already set the global art world aze.

    Maia¡¯s stunning victory had traveled across oceans, reaching all the way back to Wront.

    Inside the towering Cooper Group headquarters, Kolton¡¯s face had turned deathly pale as he red at the news footage disying Maia¡¯s photograph, his features twisted with barely contained rage.

    ¡°Maia again!¡± His voice erupted in a savage roar as his fist crashed down on the mahogany desk, sending a porcin coffee cup exploding into countless razor-sharp fragments.

    This nightmare kept repeating itself.

    He had given Mariana crystal-clear orders to stay away from Maia and concentrate solely on the art exhibition, but she hadpletely ignored him. Every hard-learned lesson had evaporated from her memory as she once again hurled the entire¡ª<fn630f> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find?novel</fn630f>

    Cooper Group had been hurled into a media feeding frenzy. Kolton¡¯s disappointment in Mariana ran deeper than the ocean.

    But something else burned even hotter in his chest.

    Maia¡¯s calcted words at the exhibition had expertly weaponized the Otrultho art world¡¯s fury, turning every ounce of their rage directly toward the Cooper Group like a guided missile. Their stock price was now plummeting into free fall yet again.

    Worse still, the headlines had exposed Chris¡¯ true role.

    He had actually stooped to bing Maia¡¯s personal bodyguard!?

    Kolton¡¯s brow furrowed into deep, angry lines as his fury reached a boiling point that threatened to consume everything in its path.

    ?????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    ¡°That bastard!¡± Kolton¡¯s voice cracked through the office like a whip, veins bulging at his temples, eyes aze with fury. He mmed his fist on the edge of the desk, the impact sharp enough to rattle the pen holder. ¡°Chris actually had the audacity to be a bodyguard for some outsider? To betray his own bloodline like that?¡±

    His chest rose and fell in jagged rhythm, seething with disbelief. The images on his phone shed again ¡ª Chris, silent andposed, standing protectively beside Maia in every single photo, as if he belonged there.

    The longer Kolton stared, the hotter his anger burned. He drew in a long breath, slow and trembling, as if trying to steady the storm beneath his ribs. A momentter, he remembered the party where he hadst run into Chris ¡ª and Maia had been there too.

    Could something have started back then?

    As he scrolled through the messages pouring in from his subordinates, his brow furrowed deeper. His face turned to stone.

    He had never expected this. Chris ¡ª the unwanted, lowborn bastard ¡ª turning out to be the son of Nic¡­ or rather, Sophia S. Schrader, the renowned artist.

    Had he known that, perhaps he would have seen the storming. Without that connection, the Otrultho art world wouldn¡¯t have turned so cold against the Cooper Group. Investors wouldn¡¯t be pulling their funds or shorting their stocks. The revtion hit like shrapnel.

    He leaned back, stunned, his mind a whirlwind. ¡°Nic¡­ all this time, and she was hiding behind another name. Dead for years, and still she manages to stir the pot,¡± Kolton muttered through clenched teeth, his voice raspy.

    .

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 Chapter 846

    ?Chapter 846:

    With his eyes closed, he seemed to be drifting back through old memories.

    Yes. His instincts hadn¡¯t failed him then.

    Even decades ago, he had sensed there was something off about Nic and his elder brother, Kyle.

    The first impression Nic gave, aside from her beauty, was her remarkable intelligence.

    If a woman like that had joined forces with Kyle, they would have be an unstoppable team ¡ª and Kolton knew there would have been no ce for him in the Cooper Group.

    That was why he had moved first. He had been ready to wipe them both out.

    Chris, too, was meant to vanish. But over time, Kolton had let that intention rot. Chris had seemed harmless ¡ª meek, unremarkable, and thoroughly unimpressive. A waste of bloodline. And perhaps some shred of guilt toward Kyle had stayed his hand.

    Letting the boy live had been his version of atonement.

    But now? Now he saw clearly just how naive he had been. He should have cut the root when it was still soft.

    Chris might be useless, but one fact remained.

    He was a Cooper, Kyle¡¯s only son, Laurence¡¯s rightful grandson, and a ticking time bomb with a legitimate im to the inheritance of the Cooper Group.

    And Maia¡­ she had already made waves and provoked them. She had stripped Aurora Apparel Company from Mariana¡¯s hands, forced her to apologize in public, and dragged the Cooper name through the dirt.

    It was hard for Kolton not to be suspicious. If Maia ended up with Chris, would it be just like back when Nic was with Kyle? Were they plotting to dethrone him?

    The thought made Kolton¡¯s veins throb again.

    ?????????????? ???????????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    But in the next second, he dismissed the possibility.

    Impossible! It still sounded like utter nonsense. What was he even thinking? Chris was just a nobody. He wasn¡¯t half the man Kyle was.

    And Maia? No matter how sharp she yed her hand, she was nothing like Nic.

    She likely had other motives for approaching Chris.

    Still¡­ Kolton couldn¡¯t take chances. No scheming woman would be allowed to worm her way into the Cooper family, not under his watch. And no one ¡ª no one ¡ª would be permitted to drag their legacy through the mud again.

    He mmed his palm against the desk with renewed fury, the sound echoing off the walls. ¡°Someone get in here ¡ª now!¡±

    Kolton shifted his gaze toward his assistant, who immediately rushed forward without needing to be called.

    ¡°Dig into everything between Chris and Maia,¡± he said sharply. ¡°I want to know if he¡¯s genuinely protecting her, or if this whole bodyguard act is just a front. Track every encounter. Find witnesses. I don¡¯t care how long it takes, just bring me the truth.¡±

    ¡°Right away!¡± the assistant responded, then quickly turned and disappeared.

    Beyond the walls, thunder cracked through the sky as lightning tore across the clouds. Despite it being mid-afternoon, not a single sliver of sunlight managed to break through.<fnb4db> For more chapters visit Find1Novel</fnb4db>

    A heavy storm was brewing.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 847

    ?Chapter 847:

    With a troubled expression, Kolton turned to the rain-smeared window, weighed down by a storm of his own.

    ¡°What¡¯s your game, Maia?¡± he muttered. ¡°Do you really believe that dragging Chris ¡ª a pitiful piece in this game ¡ª will be enough to take on me and the entire Cooper Group?¡±

    ¡°Just who are you really working for?¡± Kolton asked under his breath, his voiceced with suspicion. A nagging sense told him that Maia wasn¡¯t acting alone ¡ª someone else was pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

    Suddenly, a sh of lightning cut through the darkness, revealing the cold precision etched across Kolton¡¯s face.

    Caution had always been his way of life. Every move was weighed, every risk calcted. Sess was never left to chance.

    However, that mindset had earned Kolton more than a few enemies.

    Because of that, identifying who might be supporting Maia was no easy task. Resting his chin on his hand, Kolton began running through the names and scenarios in his head.

    To start, there was Shiloh ¡ª someone he still considered trustworthy. This man had no reason to deceive him. Therefore, what Shiloh had said should be true ¡ª Maia had no ties to Zoey.<fne1ac> Follow current nov?ls on F?ndNovel</fne1ac>

    Then came Maia¡¯s family background. She wasn¡¯t even blood-rted to the Morgan family, and Kolton couldn¡¯t recall doing anything that might have stirred resentment from Morgan family members. By all logic, there shouldn¡¯t be a grudge.

    Hold on. Something clicked in Kolton¡¯s mind that he hadn¡¯t considered before. The identity of Maia¡¯s real parents ¡ª why had he never thought to investigate that? What if they were connected to someone he had killed in the past? Driven by the chilling thought, he wasted no time calling in his covert operatives.

    ¡°Track down information on Maia¡¯s biological parents!¡± he said.

    ?????????????? ???????????????©q?????

    At that moment, Maia and Chris reached the entrance of the hotel.

    Alice offered a quick farewell before slipping away without dy.

    Once inside the elevator, an unusual silence settled between them.

    As Maia leaned forward to press the floor number and the doors slid shut, Chris reached out and wrapped his arms around her without warning.

    ¡°Maia,¡± he muttered, his voice low and sincere. ¡°I really mean it. Thank you.¡±

    Stunned by the sudden closeness, she hesitated before slowly lifting her head to meet Chris¡¯ eyes.

    After a brief pause, a gentle smile tugged at Maia¡¯s lips as she eased out of his hold. ¡°Since when did you start acting so serious? You used to throw ¡®darling¡¯ around without a care.¡±

    Caught off guard, Chris blinked, then chuckled quietly. ¡°Fair enough, darling. I¡¯ll drop the formality.¡±

    His lips curled into a quiet smile, Maia¡¯s words still echoing in his thoughts. For Chris, this day had etched itself deep into memory ¡ª he had not only seen his mother¡¯s face again, but something between him and Maia had shifted, drawing them closer.

    A gentle chime signaled the elevator¡¯s arrival at their floor.

    As the doors parted, a calm and empty hallway stretched before them. They began walking side by side, though with every step, the space between them seemed to narrow, as if drawn together by some silent rhythm.

    .

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 Chapter 848

    ?Chapter 848:

    A flicker of awareness stirred in Maia. She just felt that Chris was standing a little too near forfort. A sharp sound broke the quiet ¡ª his breathing had turned quick and uneven.

    It was unmistakably Chris.

    When she turned around, Maia found him visibly shaken ¡ª his usual calm shattered, brows drawn tight, and one hand pressed firmly against his head.

    His footing faltered, and he swayed as if he might fall at any second.<fn88a1> The source of th?s content is ?ovelFind</fn88a1>

    ¡°Chris?¡± rm swept over Maia¡¯s face. She rushed to his side and caught his arm. ¡°What¡¯s happening to you?¡±

    Sweat trickled down his face, cold and heavy, while his entire body tensed in what looked like unbearable agony.

    ¡°My head¡­ it feels like it¡¯s splitting¡­¡± His voice came out strained, eyes zing over as he struggled to stay conscious.

    Before she could say another word, his body gave out, and he copsed.

    ¡°Chris! Chris, wake up!¡± Maia pleaded, her voice raw from screaming as she tried to hold his lifeless weight, nearly buckling beneath him.

    No matter how desperately she yelled, her cries seemed swallowed by emptiness, unable to reach him at all.

    Chris remained motionless. His eyes were shut tight, pain etched across his face, his head pressed against her shoulder while sweat formed a cold sheen on his brow. The heat radiating from his skin was almost unbearable. It was as if a fever raged through his veins, scorching Maia¡¯s hands every time she touched him.

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t drift away¡­ Open your eyes, Chris. Look at me, I¡¯m right here!¡±

    Only silence replied. His unconsciousness ran deep, and his breathing grew weaker with each passing moment.

    It was pure luck that a hotel waiter saw what was happening and rushed to get help. The manager joined him, and together they lifted Chris onto a stretcher before hurrying him to the waiting ambnce.

    ?????? ???? ?????????? ???????????????????????

    Sirens howled through the night, sharp and relentless, cutting through Maia¡¯s thoughts and slicing deep into her chest.

    Outside the emergency room at the affiliate hospital of Sceibar Royal Academy, Maia lingered in the hallway. She paced restlessly, tense as a drawn bowstring, ncing nervously at the shut doors. Every so often, she would bite her lip, fix her gaze on the floor, and wring her hands until her knuckles turned white.

    All she could do now was hope ¡ª trusting in time and fate.

    Sixty minutes crawled by.

    Still, the emergency room¡¯s red light glowed steadily, and the steel doors stayed firmly shut.

    Maia¡¯s energy faded with every passing minute. Eventually, she dropped onto a chair and pressed her hands against her ears, wishing she could shut out the growing fear inside her.

    Chris had only just recovered his memories of his mother. Maia truly believed that things would start to get better. She had no idea it was just a temporary peace before disaster.

    The pain Chris endured this time was nothing like before.

    The headaches struck more often now, each one stronger than thest. It almost seemed as though the next time he copsed, he would never wake up again.

    .

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 Chapter 849

    ?Chapter 849:

    ¡°It can¡¯t end like this,¡± Maia whispered to herself. Every few moments, she lifted her head to watch the emergency room doors, wishing they would swing open and someone would tell her Chris had pulled through.

    But hope faded each time she looked up.

    The red warning light stayed on. The doors didn¡¯t budge.

    Unable to tear her gaze away, Maia stared at the entrance, frozen with worry. Closing her eyes felt risky. She was terrified that if she looked away, the worst news mighte while she wasn¡¯t watching.

    Only then did Maia realize just how much Chris meant to her. Life without him was impossible to imagine.

    Maia stared hard at the glowing red light above the emergency doors. That warning signal felt more like a curse, casting a shadow over her heart.

    Suddenly, rapid footsteps echoed along the corridor, their sound crisp and hurried.

    Each footfall reminded Maia of a judge¡¯s gavel. The heaviness matched the pounding in her chest.

    Maia¡¯s head snapped up at once.<fn8098> Official source is f¦É¦Ídn¦Ïvel</fn8098>

    Hope red inside her, as if this might be her only chance.

    Lenny appeared at the end of the hallway.

    ¡°Professor Bryant!¡± Maia jumped to her feet, her voice scratchy with worry.

    Lenny wasted no time. His face showed deep concern as he asked, ¡°Are they still working on him?¡±

    ¡°Yes, they¡¯re still inside. It¡¯s already been over an hour.¡±

    Lenny nodded, his expression grave. ¡°I understand the situation. It¡¯s indeed quite serious. The patient has a brain hemorrhage and has fallen into aa. Thankfully, you acted quickly, so the bleeding isn¡¯t out of control.¡±

    ¡°A brain hemorrhage?¡± Maia echoed, her voice faint and uncertain.

    ???????? ???????????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????????

    ¡°That¡¯s correct. You mentioned during our call that Chris had a sudden return of memories, didn¡¯t you?¡± Lenny asked.

    Maia nodded, her eyes dull and tired. ¡°He started to remember things from when he was little. A lot of details came back to him, even his mother¡¯s face.¡±

    Lenny¡¯s expression tightened. After thinking for a moment, he exined, ¡°That makes¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡­sense. The bullet fragment that was pressing on his nerves has shifted, allowing the memories to resurface. Unfortunately, that same shift affected more sensitive parts of his brain.¡±

    A cold heaviness settled in Maia¡¯s chest.

    Without wasting another second, Lenny pushed through the emergency room doors and disappeared inside.

    Maia lingered by the entrance, staring in silence at the doors as they shut behind him.

    Once they closed, the hallway grew eerily quiet.

    Maia kept her gaze glued to the signal light above, unable to look away.

    Atst, a faint bell sounded, and the red light blinked off.

    Every muscle in Maia¡¯s body tensed. She stumbled up from her seat.

    The emergency room doors flew open, and Lenny stepped out, beads of sweat shining on his brow.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 850

    ?Chapter 850:

    Maia hurried to meet him, her words trembling with worry. ¡°Professor Bryant, please tell me ¡ª how is Chris?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s stable for now,¡± said Lenny, his tone heavy.

    ¡°For now?¡± Maia¡¯s breath caught in her throat. ¡°Do you mean it¡¯s only temporary?¡±

    Lenny didn¡¯t answer immediately, instead fixing his gaze on her for a moment. After a while, he exhaled slowly. ¡°Maia,e with me. There are some things I need to discuss with you.¡±

    Maia followed him into a nearby office.<fn09d5> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? F?ndNovel</fn09d5>

    The space was simple, barely two hundred square feet, but everything inside was neatly arranged.

    ¡°This is where I¡¯m working today,¡± Lenny told her as he moved toward a viewingmp mounted on the wall. He slid a set of fresh CT scans beneath the light. A sharp click echoed as themp flickered to life, revealing rows of clear, detailed brain images.

    Lenny¡¯s voice grew even graver. ¡°You need to prepare yourself, Maia.¡±

    Maia moved closer, eyes scanning the images. On the right side, a dark mass cut through the ordered patterns ¡ª a jarring intrusion.

    Lenny pointed at the scans. ¡°The fragment shifted and ruptured a blood vessel here. Chris must have gotten too worked up, which pushed his blood pressure too high. The vessel swelled until the fragment tore through, leading to a small hemorrhage that¡¯s putting pressure on his nerves. We¡¯ve already acted quickly, but the situation isn¡¯t good. If he gets upset again and his blood pressure spikes, there¡¯s a real danger he could suffer another brain bleed.¡±

    Maia¡¯s face tightened, her fingers gripping so hard that her knuckles paled. ¡°If we don¡¯t get that fragment out soon¡­¡±

    ¡°He could suffer another brain hemorrhage at any moment, anywhere,¡± said Lenny. His wordsnded heavily, leaving Maia stunned. ¡°If it happens and the bleeding is too much, or if help doesn¡¯t arrive in time, Chris may never wake up.¡±

    ???????????? ???????????? ????????: ??????????????????[?]??????

    Maia mped her lips shut, a tightness rising in her throat as she battled back the swirl of panic. Somehow, she managed to ask, ¡°Has a surgery n been decided yet?¡±

    ¡°There is.¡± Lenny paused, gathering his thoughts. ¡°We¡¯ve spent days reviewing the options. After plenty of debate, this is the best n we have so far. But the chances of sess are slim.¡±

    He rubbed at his brow, clear frustration showing. ¡°It¡¯s only about twenty percent ¡ª even if we¡¯re being hopeful. That¡¯s the highest anyone could give it.¡± Lenny repeated the percentage, making sure she understood just how slim the chances were.

    ¡°The risk is enormous. The bleeding point is close to the brainstem. Even the slightest mistake could leave him in a vegetative state, cause a permanenta, or result in brain death.¡±

    A stabbing ache twisted in Maia¡¯s chest.

    Lenny cleared his throat, his voice carrying a helpless note. ¡°Even with this n, no one¡¯s willing to take that risk. The danger is simply too great, and nobody wants to attempt a procedure with only a one-in-five chance of working.¡±

    ¡°So, he¡¯s just supposed to die waiting?¡± Maia¡¯s eyes shed as she fought to steady her voice. ¡°Because the risk is high, everyone steps back and just lets him slip away?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not giving up on him,¡± said Lenny, his expression clouded. ¡°Chris isn¡¯t facing immediate danger. We can treat his symptoms, avoid risks, keep him calm, and hopefully buy him more time¡ª¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 851

    ?Chapter 851:

    ¡°That won¡¯t do,¡± Maia cut in, raising her voice for the first time.

    She drew in a breath, then met Lenny¡¯s eyes without wavering as she dered, ¡°I¡¯ll do the surgery myself.¡±

    A heavy, absolute silence filled the office.

    Lenny jerked his head up,pletely stunned. ¡°What did you just say?¡± He stared at Maia as if he couldn¡¯t believe his ears.

    ¡°I¡¯ll do the surgery,¡± Maia said, her voice steady and clear.

    ¡°Are youpletely out of your mind?¡± Lenny snapped, losing the control he rarely let slip. ¡°Maia, do you understand the risk you¡¯re talking about? You might be my top student, but you haven¡¯t practiced medicine since you left the academy. Brain surgery isn¡¯t just about being gifted or brave.¡±

    Lenny clenched his jaw. ¡°You have incredible potential, but no one picks up a scalpel and masters this in a week. It takes years in the operating room. Even if I walked you through every step, there just isn¡¯t enough time. Chris doesn¡¯t have that luxury. He¡­¡±

    Maia¡¯s hand curled into a fist at her side. She knew that everything he said was true. Brain surgery was a field where skill only came from relentless, hands-on experience.

    Right now, though, she had no choice left.

    This wasn¡¯t just about Zoey¡¯s trust in her. Maia couldn¡¯t stand to see Chris trapped in constant uncertainty, never knowing when the end mighte. She wanted him to have a life that wasn¡¯t haunted by fear.

    ¡°Then tell me, Professor Bryant, who else will do it?¡± Maia¡¯s voice stayed calm as she met his eyes. ¡°No one else is stepping up, so I have to be the one. I have to be the surgeon.¡±

    Lenny froze, caught off guard by her determination.

    ???????? ???? ?????????????????????

    He looked Maia up and down, searching for something, but then hesitated. Finally, after a long moment, he spoke more quietly. ¡°Maia, I need to know. What is your real connection to this patient?¡±

    For a few seconds, Maia remained silent, then slowly lifted her chin. ¡°Chris is my husband.¡±<fn825c> ?????? ???? F?ndNovel</fn825c>

    Her answer seemed to stretch the silence even further. The tension in the room was thick enough to feel. Even the buzz of the overhead light felt painfully sharp in the quiet.

    Lenny stood frozen, unable to hide his shock as he stared at the student he had always known to be steady and logical. For a moment, he didn¡¯t know what to say.

    Maia held his gaze, her tone unwavering and clear. ¡°That¡¯s why I have to save him, no matter what it takes.¡±

    Conflicting emotions flickered in Lenny¡¯s eyes, but he stayed silent.

    After what felt like ages, he let out a long breath. ¡°Are you certain about this?¡±

    Without a hint of doubt, Maia nodded.

    Lenny finally gave in. He rubbed his forehead, sounding every bit the stern teacher again. ¡°Alright, then. When we get back, I¡¯ll walk you through the entire procedure, step by step. From the incision to stopping the bleeding, from sutures to care after the operation, I¡¯ll be at your side the whole time. I¡¯ll be strict, Maia. I won¡¯t go easy on you. There¡¯s zero margin for error, do you understand?¡±

    ¡°I do, Professor Bryant.¡± Maia¡¯s eyes held steady. ¡°I won¡¯t fail you.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 852

    ?Chapter 852:

    Night swallowed the world outside.

    Thunder rumbled in the distance, and heavy rain battered the windows with sharp, clear taps.

    Maia opened the door to Chris¡¯ hospital room. Inside, a peaceful stillness lingered.

    She made her way to his side, eased down into a chair, and reached for Chris.

    Chris¡¯ skin felt warm, but he showed no signs of waking, lost in a sleep that seemed impossibly deep.

    Maia watched him for a long moment, then whispered, barely above a breath, ¡°Chris, promise me you¡¯lle back to me¡­¡±

    A sudden bolt of lightning lit up the sky.

    For a second, Chris¡¯ fingers moved ¡ª a tiny tremor, almost as if he was answering her.

    That night, Maia exined everything to Alice, asking for some peace and quiet in the days toe.

    Alice¡¯s first instinct was to encourage her. ¡°Maia, artists all over Otrultho are waiting for you. You¡¯re a sensation! This is your chance, so don¡¯t let it slip away!¡±

    Even so, Maia only offered a gentle shake of her head. ¡°There will be more chances down the road. Right now, something else matters far more.¡±

    A brief silence passed before Alice backed down. In the following days, she made sure that Maia was left undisturbed and turned away every invitation that came.

    Within the hospital room, Maia kept constant watch at Chris¡¯ bedside. Every sheet was crisp and white, and the only sound was the steady pulse of the monitoring machines.

    She refused to leave, talking to the unconscious Chris as if her words alone could keep him close.

    ¡°You can¡¯t keep lying there forever. Without your voice pestering me, it¡¯s gotten far too quiet,¡± she whispered, her face showing every trace of exhaustion.

    ?????? ???????? ????????????????: g??????¦Í?????????????

    Not a wink of real sleep touched Maia since Chris slipped into aa. She stayed put through the day and kept vigil all night, never straying from his side. Lenny made more than one attempt to get her to rest, but Maia wouldn¡¯t budge, convinced that leaving even for a moment might mean that Chris would never open his eyes again.

    ¡°It¡¯s been two days already,¡± she murmured, propping her chin in her hand. ¡°If you don¡¯t wake up soon, I might just have to find someone else.¡±

    Her voice cracked a little, but she managed a tired smile as she teased him.

    As she gazed at Chris, her words turned softer. ¡°You really are impossible¡­ Who passes out and just sleeps for two days straight? Open your eyes for me.¡±

    Minute after minute slipped by. Another day ended, and Chris remained silent and still.

    After spending two days talking nonstop to the unconscious Chris, Maia¡¯s throat burned with raw pain. The only thing she could do was lean close, gently wrap his hand in hers, and whisper softly, ¡°How much longer do you n to sleep? It¡¯s been ages since youst called me ¡®honey.¡¯¡±

    As her voice faded, a low, familiar sound drifted to her ears.

    ¡°Honey¡­¡±

    Everything about Maia went still.<fn4219> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find¡¤novel</fn4219>

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 853

    ?Chapter 853:

    Her mind jumped to the conclusion that she must have imagined it.

    Chris hadn¡¯t shown any signs of waking up until now.

    But then, a slight flutter of hisshes caught her attention, and slowly, he blinked his eyes open. He looked around in a daze, as if pulling himself up from the depths of sleep.

    Catching sight of Maia, he knit his brows together in confusion, unable to shake the thought that they had been sleeping in separate rooms all this time. A question escaped his lips, his voice carrying genuine surprise. ¡°What are you doing in my room?¡±

    Maia jolted upright, her hand shooting out to smack the emergency button on the wall. ¡°Doctor!¡±

    In a heartbeat, a team of doctors and nurses burst into the room, bringing a rush of energy as they hurried to take his temperature, measure his blood pressure, and test his level of awareness.

    She stepped back as they worked, yet her eyes never once left Chris.

    Gradually, the medical staffpleted their flurry of checks, and once they confirmed that his condition had stabilized, they filed quietly out of the room.

    Now, only the two of them remained. Silence hung in the air for a few seconds.

    A memory flickered through Chris¡¯ mind, lighting up his expression with a sudden smile. ¡°I could have sworn that while I was out, I heard you saying you missed me calling you ¡®honey.¡¯¡±

    Bright red instantly bloomed across Maia¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Ahem¡­ you probably misheard.¡±

    A teasing grin spread across Chris¡¯ face as he rxed back against the pillows. ¡°Honey!¡± he called out again, his tone light and yful. ¡°If you like it, I¡¯ll call you ¡®honey¡¯ as many times as you want!¡±

    Maia turned her head, determined not to meet his eyes.

    ?????????????? ????????: g???????????????????????

    A wider smile tugged at Chris¡¯ lips, though he understood there were moments when he had to hold back. Until the Cooper Group was finished, he couldn¡¯t reveal their rtionship in public.

    After letting the silence linger, Chris changed the subject and asked quietly, ¡°How long was I unconscious?¡±

    ¡°Three days,¡± Maia answered.

    He fixed his gaze on her and asked, ¡°Did the doctors say anything about my condition?¡±

    Maia paused, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. She decided to soften the truth, not wanting Chris to worry.

    She picked up an apple from the bedside and began to peel it, keeping her voice and hands steady. ¡°It was just the shock from regaining a lot of your memories at once. That overwhelmed you for a bit, but the doctors said there¡¯s no danger. You just need to keep your emotions in check from now on.¡±

    Her calm tone seemed to reassure him, and Chris returned her steadiness with a gentle smile. ¡°All right.¡±

    Meanwhile, no one knew where Maia had gone. She seemed to have disappeared without a trace, yet in just three days, her name had spread across the global art world.<fnfc2c> Discover more novels at ?ovelFind</fnfc2c>

    The duel of paintings she had taken part in turned her into an overnight icon. Alice, during a highly anticipated interview, recounted the event with extra ir and emotion.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 854

    ?Chapter 854:

    Maia¡¯s global fanbase swelled almost instantly.

    Everywhere online, fans filled forums and social feeds with messages of admiration.

    ¡°Maia is Matias in the flesh! Who could ever doubt her now?¡±

    ¡°Rebirth and A Mother¡¯s Timeless Love are masterpieces, and nothing else created this century canpare to them!¡±

    ¡°There will never be another artist like Maia. She¡¯s always the best!¡±

    Words of praise poured in from every direction, the excitement reaching all the way back to Wront.<fna5a6> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find?novel</fna5a6>

    The news hit like a bolt of lightning, leaving countless people speechless ¡ª especially Vince.

    At the Ward home in Wront, a loud crash echoed when Vince identally let go of his red wine ss.

    Immediately, the ss shattered into countless tiny shards, and the rich red wine slowly soaked into the carpet, spreading out in a growing patch.

    ¡°Maia is in Sceibar? When did she leave? I didn¡¯t even realize¡­¡± Vince said, stunned, his eyes widening with surprise. He hadn¡¯t expected Maia to be away from Wronttely.

    He stared at the report about Maia reaching legendary status at the artpetition, feeling a mix of shock and excitement.

    So Maia had slipped away quietly to the international art exhibition in Sceibar? And she¡¯d made such a big ssh!

    She had shot to fame overnight, shaking up the entire art scene like a bolt from the blue.

    ¡°Maia¡¯s amazing! I always knew she could make it big at whatever she set her mind to!¡±

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ? ?????????????????????????

    Vince¡¯s mouth curled into a grin, unable to hide his admiration. What really made him happy was realizing that Maia hadn¡¯t been ignoring him on purpose, as he once thought.

    In fact, she hadn¡¯t even realized that he had been standing outside the MCN building waiting for her day after day!

    Though it made him chuckle a little, Vince felt hope stir inside him again. Recently, whether the MCN was open or shut, he had shown up at the door without fail, just to catch a glimpse of Maia.

    Still, after waiting ten long days, he had nothing to show for it.

    Vince¡¯s early hope slowly twisted into worry, and before long, it turned into deep despair.

    While waiting outside the MCN building, he often caught harsh words thrown his way from the Morgan family.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it gross, Vince? It¡¯s because you show up every day that we don¡¯t get to see Maia!¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t you just quiting? Don¡¯t you realize you¡¯re hurting Maia?¡±

    ¡°Please, just stop showing up¡­¡±

    Vince rolled his eyes inwardly. The Morgans med him for not seeing Maia? That was absurd!

    Wasn¡¯t it their own past actions that had hurt Maia? Still, why hadn¡¯t Maia appeared even once? He would have settled for just one nce from her.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 855

    ?Chapter 855:

    But it never came to pass.

    Days turned into a painful test of patience for Vince. Waiting felt like being trapped, slowly eating away at his mind.

    Then he remembered Maia¡¯s real prison ¡ª four long years behind bars ¡ª while he had only waited a handful of days. For the first time, Vince truly grasped the depth of Maia¡¯s suffering.

    He felt a heavy sadness thinking about how he hadn¡¯t visited her even once during those four years.

    Doubt crept in, making him wonder if his past mistakes had burned any chance of a future with Maia.

    The thought gnawed at him, a dull ache pressing on his chest. Maia had once trusted him with her whole heart, giving herself to him, but he had shattered that love without mercy.

    Every silent night, when Vince shut his eyes, Maia¡¯s tear-filled gaze and her desperate plea rang in his ears: ¡°I didn¡¯t steal. Why don¡¯t you believe me?¡±

    He remembered herst look ¡ª full of hopelessness and icy coldness.

    He no longer dared to dream of Maia¡¯s full forgiveness.<fn8176> Newest update provided by ?ovelFind</fn8176>

    If she could just spare him one nce, one chance to make things right, Vince would hold it close to his heart. But that moment still hadn¡¯te.

    He slipped deeper into gloom. He started to wonder if Maia had known all along that he was waiting below and simply chose to turn a blind eye.

    Only after catching the news just now did Vince suddenly realize how wrong he¡¯d been. Maia wasn¡¯t even in the country; she had already left for Sceibar.

    In a sh, a tiny spark of hope reignited in Vince¡¯s dull, tired eyes.

    He frantically tapped through his phone, searching for more updates. Amid a sea of headlines, he quickly found a story about Maia¡¯s rise to fame in Otrultho¡¯s art scene.

    ???????? ?????????? ? ????????????????£®?????

    His heart pounded as he eagerly opened the most popr video report online. On screen, Maia stood center stage, looking confident andmanding, while loud,sting apuse filled the room.

    His eyes flicked to the caption below: ¡°The prodigy Maia Watson presented her masterpiece, ¡®A Mother¡¯s Timeless Love,¡¯ to the son of renowned artist Sophia S. Schrader. It¡¯s said she recreated Sophia¡¯s youthful image using her son¡¯s features.¡±

    ¡°The son of Sophia?¡± Vince frowned, a gut feeling telling him that something wasn¡¯t quite right.

    How had Maia managed to cross paths with the son of such a renowned artist? Could it be possible that the person in question was just a young child, maybe seven or eight years old?

    Yet the way the news broke made it seem intentionally vague, as if something was being kept out of sight. No name was shared. No photograph was released.

    Doubt started to settle in Vince¡¯s mind.

    He immediately contacted a friend in Sceibar, asking them to help investigate who exactly the mysterious son of Sophia was.

    While he waited for any word, Vince found himself lost in thought.

    If Maia¡¯s ambition was simply to make her mark in the art world, she could easily rely on the Ward family¡¯s influence and connections.

    All she had to do was return to him. If Maia came back, Vince promised himself that he would treat her with twice as much care and never allow her to face any more hardship.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 856

    ?Chapter 856:

    But while Vince was still wrapped up in dreams of a happier tomorrow, his phone chimed with a sudden alert.

    A photo popped up from his friend in Sceibar, followed by a message: ¡°Here¡¯s a picture taken during the exhibition. The person you asked about is just behind Maia.¡±

    Vince didn¡¯t hesitate and opened the photo right away.

    There was Maia, leading the way, her smile shining. A tall, striking man walked right behind her. The two looked close. Their interaction appeared more than just casual.

    The sight of the man¡¯s face made Vince¡¯s heart lurch, his whole body suddenly going cold.

    How could it be him yet again?

    One memory after another shed through Vince¡¯s mind.

    The first time he noticed that man, it was at the door of a high-end restaurant. He had leaned against a Rolls-Royce Phantom, oozing arrogance and a cold disregard for everyone else.

    Then there was the scene at Nexus Collective. Vince had watched, powerless, as the same man strode in and led Maia away without a second thought, evennding a punch squarely on Vince¡¯s jaw.

    At the Lark Fashionunch, the pattern repeated itself. Maia climbed into that man¡¯s car and left the event without looking back.<fncad3> Follow current nov?ls on </fncad3>

    Never in his wildest dreams had Vince thought that this man would turn up again, especially not as Maia¡¯spanion in Sceibar.

    Frustration began to bubble up inside him. Vince pulled out his phone and started digging through every lead he could find, determined to learn more.

    Before long, he had the man¡¯s name: Chris Cooper.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Rumor had it Chris served as Maia¡¯s bodyguard.

    A wave of confusion swept over Vince.

    So this man was Chris?

    The Cooper family¡¯s illegitimate son?

    Vince¡¯s eyes reflected both shock and burning anger, unable to contain the storm inside him. Over and over, the same thought screamed through his mind. What on earth was happening? Had Chris and Maia really known each other for years?

    Another possibility dawned on him ¡ª what if Maia¡¯s secret husband was Chris all along?

    The very idea made Vince suck in a sharp breath.

    That kind of ending was impossible to ept. How could an illegitimate son from the Cooper family dare to stand toe-to-toe with the rightful heir of the Ward family for Maia¡¯s heart?

    How dare he! Who did Chris think he was?

    Vince¡¯s chest tightened. Just imagining Maia grinning that way at someone else made it feel as though knives were being driven straight through him. The pain was nearly unbearable.

    ¡°No! This can¡¯t go on. I refuse to sit here and do nothing.¡± His eyes grew wild and bloodshot, his face twisting with a mixture of obsession and rage. Without hesitating, Vince grabbed his phone and dialed a number. His voice came out cold and razor sharp. ¡°Get everything ready and bring it to my vi now.¡±

    Barely thirty minutester, someone arrived at his door, handling a heavy box with extreme care before setting it down.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 857

    ?Chapter 857:

    ¡°Are you sure about this, Mr. Ward? These items¡­ are not exactly safe,¡± the man asked quietly, almost as if afraid to hear the answer.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mention this to anyone. Just go.¡± Vince shot him a fierce look and waved him away.

    After the man disappeared, Vince opened the box himself. Inside, rows of detonatorsy perfectly arranged. Madness flickered in his eyes as he reached for one, letting his fingers glide over its icy surface. A crooked grin twisted his mouth.

    ¡°Maia, you belong to me. I won¡¯t let anyone take you away.¡± His voice dropped to a hoarse, almost monstrous whisper, and his stare grew even more feverish. ¡°This time, Maia, you¡¯ll have to decide.¡±

    Vince gave a low, chillingugh, his tone heavy with obsession and finality. ¡°Either you choose to stay with me, or we¡¯ll go down together.¡±

    A wicked smile lingered on his lips, sealing his resolve.

    At the Sceibar Royal Academy Affiliated Hospital, Chris was bouncing back with surprising speed.

    Every instruction the doctor gave, Maia took seriously. She never missed a chance to remind him not to let his emotions get the better of him, especially after what had happened thest time.

    ¡°You need to start thinking of yourself as someone who¡¯s still recovering!¡± Maia stood at his bedside, her voice firm butced with care.

    Chris gave her a faint smile and nodded. ¡°Okay, okay. I¡¯ll listen to you, honey.¡±

    Still, he couldn¡¯t help but add, ¡°Honestly, I feel almost normal. Remember when I got shot before? I bounced back pretty quickly that time too.¡±

    Maia narrowed her eyes at him. What he failed to mention was how quickly he had improved back then, as she had been feeding him nothing but healing soups and restorative meals.

    ¡°Thatst injury was different. It was only on the surface. But this one ¡ª it¡¯s inside, and it¡¯s far more dangerous. You need to start treating this seriously. I can¡¯t bear the thought of watching you copse again.¡±

    ?????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????? ¡ª ????????????: ????????????????©q??????

    Her gaze softened as she sat by the bed and lowered her voice. ¡°Also, the surgical n to remove the bullet fragment from your head still needs work. Until it¡¯s finalized, we can¡¯t afford another setback.¡±

    She didn¡¯t say it out loud, but the words echoed in her chest: You have to hold on, Chris. I need more time to perfect the craniotomy.

    Chris, moved by the weight of her concern, whispered, ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll wait. I give you my word.¡±

    By the following morning, with every medical testing back clean, Chris was cleared to leave the hospital.

    Just as they were preparing to head out, Alice hurried over, her energy impossible to miss. ¡°Ms. Watson, don¡¯t forget to message me once you return to Wront! People here in Otrultho are already talking about you ¡ª you¡¯ve be quite the sensation. Grover¡¯s even feeling guilty for missing his chance to treat you to a proper dinner. I didn¡¯t mention what really happened, though. He still thinks you left Sceibar a while ago.¡±

    With a lightugh, Maia said, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to visit again when I get the chance!¡±

    Although clearly reluctant, Alice walked Maia and Chris to the airport and kept waving until they disappeared into the terminal.

    Based on the schedule, their flight was expected tond at Wront International Airport by 5 p.m. that evening.<fn9642> Content originallyes from find{n}ovel</fn9642>

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 858

    ?Chapter 858:

    Sleep had be a rare luxury for Rnd in recent days.<fn08c5> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on Find1Novel</fn08c5>

    News of Maia¡¯s ordeal in Otrultho had only recently reached him. Still, his mind was locked onto a different investigation.

    Awyer from Zenith Legal ¡ª the very one who had represented Maia ¡ª had been the victim of a hit-and-run. The driver had fled the scene and remained atrge.

    Rnd¡¯s desk was overflowing with reports, witness ounts, and surveince footage.

    Everything they had managed to gather outlined the suspect¡¯s reckless escape. While the injuredwyery in aa, the person responsible continued to walk free.

    The weight of the case pressed on Rnd¡¯s chest like a boulder.

    He had made it his mission to bring justice to the victim.

    Several times over the past few days, he had visited the hospital, hoping for a sign of improvement, but thewyer never stirred.

    A deep crease formed between Rnd¡¯s brows as his expression turned darker.

    The case wouldn¡¯t shift in their favor until they got their hands on the perpetrator and uncovered who was pulling the strings behind it all.

    At longst, a breakthrough arrived the previous night.

    Authorities tracked down the hit-and-run suspect at a rundown hotel tucked away in Wront¡¯s downtown district.

    With a packed suitcase in hand, the man had been moments away from vanishing into the night.

    The second the officers burst into the room, he dropped to his knees, trembling, and confessed without hesitation.

    When Rnd learned who had orchestrated the crash, the name stopped him cold ¡ª but only for a second. The more he thought about it, the more it added up.

    ???????????????? ???????? ????????????????£®??????

    This time, he wasn¡¯t leaving things to chance. He would be the one to take the mastermind down himself.

    Elsewhere, Vince got in touch with a contact from the airline and finally essed Maia¡¯s flight details.

    ording to the records, Maia¡¯s ne was expected to touch down at Wront International Airport by 5 p.m.

    A nce at his watch made Vince¡¯s pulse quicken ¡ª he could already picture Maia walking through those gates.

    However, it was only 8 a.m., meaning there were still nine hours until Maia¡¯s nended. This gave Vince ample time to prepare for his bold n.

    His eyes settled on the device resting on the table, and a chilling grin crept across his face.

    ¡°Wee home, Maia. This time, you¡¯re not slipping through my fingers again¡­¡± The words came out in a whisper as Vince moved closer, trailing his fingertips along the cold, menacing objectsid out before him.

    To him, this wasn¡¯t just a backup n. It was the only n left that might bring Maia back.

    Far above all that, the ne carrying Maia and Chris glided smoothly through the thinning clouds, steady on its path home.

    The shaking from earlier had finally eased, and the ne settled into a quiet rhythm.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 859

    ?Chapter 859:

    With her head resting back against the seat, Maia gazed out at the open sky. The emotional weight of the past few days pulled at her, and exhaustion slowly took hold.

    Sleep crept in as her eyes fluttered shut. Her head tilted gently,ing to rest against Chris¡¯s shoulder without her even noticing.

    Feeling the gentle pressure against him, Chris turned slightly and caught sight of Maia¡¯s peaceful expression.

    A quiet warmth filled his chest. Not wanting to disturb her, he shifted just enough to support her better.

    When a flight attendant came by, Chris spoke gently and asked for a nket, then ced it over Maia with care.

    His eyes lingered on her sleeping face, and a quiet joy stirred inside him.

    If it were up to him, he would freeze time right here. Chris hoped with everything in him that he could remain by Maia¡¯s side always ¡ª to protect her, to bring her peace, and to share moments like this for the rest of their lives.

    While lost in thought, Chris suddenly became aware of a change ¡ª Maia¡¯s breathing had grown unsteady, and a thin sheen of sweat had begun to form on her forehead.

    Without his knowledge, Maia was trapped in a nightmare.

    In that dream, she had been dragged back to her early years. Richard and Sandra stood as distant figures, their cold silence shutting her out as she waited alone outside a closed door.

    Before she could process the ache, the setting twisted. Rosanna emerged next, her expression sharp and triumphant, hurling false usations that left Maia powerless and unheard.

    Momentster, Vince appeared. He looked at her not with pity or anger, but with disdain carved into his face, as if her presence itself was repulsive.

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ????????: g??????????????©q??????

    The nightmare took another turn. This time, she saw a little boy ¡ª someone familiar but oddly distant. She wanted to see him clearly, to hold on to something real in the chaos, but the dream wouldn¡¯t allow it. Everything about him stayed blurred, no matter how much she strained to focus.

    Then, she rushed forward, bravely chasing away those people who were bullying him. In the next blink, the boy stood tall above her. She looked up and saw only his chin. Her height had changed. She wasn¡¯t herself anymore.

    A realization slowly dawned. In this dream, she had be a child again.<fn8b0c> Chapters first released on find[f]ovel</fn8b0c>

    Right as the odd thought settled in her mind, the dream twisted violently, and Maia stood trembling on the edge of a monstrous cliff. Below her stretched an endless ck void, alive with rivers of moltenva and flickering mes that licked the air like the breath of some ancient beast.

    As she turned around, she saw that the Morgan family stood alongside Vince, their smiles unsettling. Without hesitation, countless arms lunged forward, forcing her off the ledge.

    She tumbled downward, limbs iling, reaching out in desperation ¡ª but the air offered no grip, no salvation.

    Then, cutting through the chaos, a gentle and familiar voice floated to her like a lifeline. ¡°Maia¡­ hey, Maia, can you hear me? Wake up¡­ please¡­¡±

    In an instant, Maia¡¯s eyes flew open. She found herself staring straight into Chris¡¯ face, filled with worry and concern.

    .

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 Chapter 860

    ?Chapter 860:

    ¡°You were reaching out like you were trying to hold onto something,¡± Chris said, his voice calm and soothing. ¡°Was it a nightmare?¡±

    Only then did Maia notice how tightly her hand was gripping Chris¡¯ forearm.

    Heat rose to her cheeks as she quickly let go. ¡°Yeah¡­ I was falling in my dream.¡±

    The moment Maia spoke, a few nearby passengers nced her way. Talk of falling mid-flight wasn¡¯t something most people wanted to hear.

    Before Maia could smooth things over with a lightment, her stomach gave a loud, unmistakable growl.

    That did it ¡ª her face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she immediately cast her eyes downward.

    Chris smiled slightly and pressed the service button, ordering some food for Maia.

    After she finished her meal, a bit of color returned to her face. She suddenly nced up at Chris with a spark in her eyes. ¡°Chris, once we¡¯re back, let¡¯s grab something spicy. There¡¯s this ce in Wront I used to go to with Pattie. Real authentic stuff.¡±

    The restaurant had been one of Maia¡¯s favorite spots with Pattie, especially when she couldn¡¯t stomach the unfamiliar vors abroad.

    Chris gave Maia a gentle nod, a faint smile ying on his lips. ¡°Sounds good. It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve had anything with real heat.¡±

    Right on cue, a quiet grumble came from his stomach.

    Maia looked up, her eyes twinkling with yful mischief. ¡°Then it¡¯s settled.¡±

    Outside the window, the clouds parted as the aircraft began its descent toward Wront International Airport.

    Without a word, Chris reached over and wrapped his hand around Maia¡¯s, which still felt a little cold to the touch.

    To his quiet relief, Maia didn¡¯t pull away. Instead, her fingers gently closed around his.

    ???????? ???????? ???? ??????????¦Í????????????<fn2247> The source of th?s content is FindN()vel</fn2247>

    Their eyes met in the hush between them, a simple nce saying more than words could.

    Not long after, the ne touched down with a gentle glide across the runway. Once the doors opened, Chris and Maia made their way down the mobile stairs and boarded the shuttle waiting to take them from the tarmac.

    They headed straight for the baggage im, retrieved their luggage, and stepped outside ¡ª only to be met with a sudden burst of chaos. A crowd had already formed, packed with eager fans and reporters, cameras shing from every direction.

    Apparently, someone had spotted Maia by the carousel, snapped a quick photo, and posted it online.

    The image had gone viral in minutes. News of her return ¡ª ¡°Maia arrives at Wront International Airport¡± ¡ª was already trending across multiple tforms.

    Excited voices filled the air, building into a wave of cheerful noise.

    ¡°Maia! It¡¯s so good to see you back!¡±

    ¡°Ms. Watson, your art means the world to us! We¡¯ve been cheering for you all along!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been your fan for as long as I can remember! Composer K¡¯s music shaped my childhood, MCN¡¯s designs inspired my style, and now I¡¯m studying art because of you. You¡¯ve been my role model all my life.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 861

    ?Chapter 861:

    With a warm smile, Maia gave a few small nods, acknowledging the heartfelt words.<fn4a34> Discover more novels at F?ndNovel</fn4a34>

    Out of nowhere, a reporter near the front cut through the cheerful chatter with a pointed question. ¡°Ms. Watson, can you rify your real rtionship with Mr. Chris Cooper?¡±

    Without missing a beat, another voice jumped in. ¡°People are starting to wonder if there¡¯s something deeper going on ¡ª beyond the typical employer and bodyguard dynamic.¡±

    The energy in the crowd shifted. For a moment, the noise faded.

    All attention locked onto Maia and Chris, eyes wide with curiosity and expectation.

    A short distance away from themotion, Vince remained still, hidden behind dark sunsses and a ck mask, his stare sharp and burning with envy.

    Underneath his breath, a bitter whisper escaped. ¡°Maia¡­ and that worthless bastard¡­¡±

    While the crowd cheered and snapped photos, he lingered just beyond the edge, cloaked in shadow, his focus fixed entirely on her figure in the distance ¡ª his fists tightening inside his coat like coils ready to spring.

    Vince had been convinced that this time he would finally get the jump on Maia and see her before anyone else did.

    He had managed to get her flight information through a few back channels, then reached the airport long before her ne was set tond, believing that fate might just give him a break.

    But hope was quickly reced by disappointment.

    Any attempt to approach Maia fell apart before it even began.

    An army of eager supporters and a wave of reporters blocked every path, leaving him stranded far from her side.

    Stuck on the sidelines, Vince could do nothing but wait and watch, searching for even the smallest chance to get closer.

    ???????? ???????? ???????? ?????????????????¦Í??????????????

    From his vantage point, the reporter¡¯s question drifted to him without effort. That simple inquiry about the rtionship between Maia and Chris felt like a knife twisting inside him.

    Everyone nearby seemed to freeze, hanging on Maia¡¯s next move.

    With nerves on edge, Vince couldn¡¯t look away from her. He barely remembered to breathe.

    Maia only offered a faint, knowing smile.

    Calmly, she replied, ¡°Chris just serves as my bodyguard. As for the rumors, only a fool puts any faith in them.¡±

    The way she spoke was measured, her answer careful but unwavering. A wave of pain moved through Vince¡¯s chest, leaving him shaken by feelings he couldn¡¯t quite name.

    Chris caught Maia¡¯s drift in an instant. He slid on a pair of dark sunsses and took on his bodyguard persona, stepping ahead of her like a fortress. With a low,manding tone, he spoke up. ¡°Everyone, please step aside.¡±

    Chris¡¯ height and confident presence made the crowd part almost immediately. Hidden from the cameras by Chris¡¯ broad shoulders, Maia pressed forward, her eyes set straight ahead and refusing to slow down for anyone¡¯s questions.

    The press and fans kept tossing questions her way, but Maia never looked back or said another word.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 862

    ?Chapter 862:

    After a tense walk through shing cameras, the two slipped into the Maserati that Maia had parked in advance. The car sped off while cameras clicked wildly behind them.

    In no time, that dramatic exit was everywhere online.

    Headlines such as ¡°Maia Touches Down in Wront,¡± ¡°Chris and Maia Appear Together at Airport,¡± and ¡°Maia Shuts Down the Rumors¡± started trending. Thements section was a frenzy, withizens eager to share their hot takes.<fnc4c8> Checktest chapters at F¦ÉndNovel</fnc4c8>

    Some argued that Chris was just doing his job as a bodyguard, insisting that people shouldn¡¯t make a mountain out of a molehill. Others swore there was more between the two than met the eye.

    But amid all the gossip, nobody caught sight of the ck BMW tailing the Maserati. Anyone familiar with the license te would know it belonged to Vince.

    At the same time, Richard couldn¡¯t sit still in the Morgan family living room as he scrolled through thetest news.

    ¡°Why am I so clueless?¡± He pped his own forehead, pacing across the floor with regret. ¡°One friend of mine works at the airport! It never crossed my mind to use this connection to check her flight. I could have picked her up with no trouble at all.¡±

    Sandra, still on the couch, felt her patience running thin. ¡°We¡¯ve spent so much time waiting outside the MCN building ¡ª through rain and sunshine ¡ª and Maia wasn¡¯t even here this whole time.¡±

    ¡°Who could have guessed Maia would take off for Sceibar like that?¡± Richard let out a heavy sigh, regret written all over his face. ¡°I kept assuming she was still angry¡­ Now I¡¯m not even sure if she saw any of our messages.¡±

    Suddenly, Jarrod lit up and burst out, ¡°That¡¯s it!¡±

    A thought shed through his mind, mirroring Vince¡¯s earlier conclusion. Since Maia had traveled overseas and probably never received their messages, she likely hadn¡¯t been ignoring him after all.

    That idea brought a spark back to Jarrod¡¯s eyes. He looked at his parents and announced, ¡°I think I¡¯ve figured out where Maia lives.¡±

    ?????????? ???????? ???? ????????¦Í????????????

    Richard and Sandra turned their attention to Jarrod. ¡°How?¡±

    Without a word, Jarrod zoomed in on a photo disyed on his phone, tapping the image of a tall man. ¡°Take a good look. Does this face mean anything to you?¡±

    A crease formed on Sandra¡¯s brow. ¡°Isn¡¯t he that bodyguard? I remember he¡¯s a Cooper, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Chris Cooper,¡± Jarrod replied with a bitter twist to his mouth. ¡°The Cooper family¡¯s bastard son.¡±

    Recognition lit up Richard¡¯s eyes. ¡°Are you saying he¡¯s our ticket to Maia?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Jarrod responded, a smug look spreading across his face. ¡°I¡¯ve never met him myself, but people in our circle talk. They say the Cooper family¡¯s ck sheep spends his nights in clubs and bars, usually in questionablepany. Tracking him down shouldn¡¯t be too hard.¡±

    Sandra¡¯s anxiety spiked the moment she heard that, and she shot Jarrod a withering look. ¡°Then what are you waiting for? Get your friends on the line!¡±

    With a helpless shrug, Jarrod pulled a face, his grin sheepish. ¡°Mom, Dad, if I rally the crew, I¡¯m going to have to foot the bill, aren¡¯t I?¡±

    Richard let out a frustrated sigh and produced a bank card from his bag, pressing it into Jarrod¡¯s hand. ¡°Use this.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 863

    ?Chapter 863:

    After a pause, he added a warning, ¡°Don¡¯t blow through all our savings. We¡¯re nearly tapped out.¡±

    ¡°No problem, Dad,¡± Jarrod answered, confidence radiating. ¡°Just watch. I¡¯ll bring Maia home, you¡¯ll see.¡±

    Meanwhile, Pattie had already caught wind of Maia¡¯s return and wasted no time calling. ¡°Maia, you¡¯re back atst! I¡¯ve missed you more than you know.¡±

    The instant Maia picked up, Pattie¡¯s excited voice burst through the speaker, forcing Maia to hold the phone a few inches away.

    ¡°You vanished overseas without a single warning, then made headlines everywhere. Your name alone sent MCN¡¯s sales in Otruitho through the roof! Justst week, we moved a million units. Can you even grasp how huge that is?¡±

    Words tumbled out of Pattie in a breathless rush, each one brimming with excitement barely held in check.

    Ecstatic would be an understatement. The damage Lark Fashion had done with their smear campaign had left MCN struggling for months. But now, every loss had been erased ¡ª and they were actually turning a massive profit.

    Bringing the phone back to her ear, Maia allowed herself a small, amused smile. ¡°That sounds wonderful.¡±

    Pattie¡¯s enthusiasm only grew. ¡°Sounds wonderful? That¡¯s all you¡¯ve got for me?¡± She practically squealed, unable to hide her glee. ¡°Honestly, Maia, you¡¯re too calm. You¡¯re an international sensation now! Who would have guessed the famous Matias from the Otruitho art circles is really Maia Watson ¡ª who¡¯s also Eileen Vaughn, MCN¡¯s creative genius!¡±

    Rising to a fever pitch, Pattie added, ¡°Everyone¡¯s buzzing about you. This isn¡¯t just good luck ¡ª it¡¯s a massive win for all of us!¡±

    A softugh escaped Maia. ¡°Stealing the spotlight was never part of the n.¡±

    Pattie let out a chuckle. ¡°Tell that to Alice ¡ª she¡¯s been singing your praises everywhere, calling you her one true mentor and hailing you as a living legend, the portrait star of a new age. If you keep hiding, I bet your fans will hunt you down just for a signature!¡±

    ?????????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Alice¡­ she just gets a little carried away sometimes.¡± Maia pressed her fingers to her temples, feeling a headacheing on.

    Whenever she remembered Alice flooding social media with glowing posts about her and MCN, a sense of resignation set in. Nothing Maia said could convince her friend to slow down.

    ¡°I say let her keep it up. All that publicity has been great for business,¡± Pattie chimed in, herughter brimming with approval. ¡°Anyway, enough about work. Tell me where you are ¡ª I want to take you out, throw you a proper wee party.¡±

    Even through the phone, Maia could pick up the pure delight in Pattie¡¯s voice.

    After a moment, Maia answered, ¡°Do you still remember the restaurant at the top of Harmony za?¡± She shot a look at Chris behind the wheel. ¡°That¡¯s where we¡¯re headed now.¡±

    A teasing note colored Pattie¡¯s reply. ¡°Look at you, out to dinner with your handsome bodyguard! Am I about to crash your romantic evening?¡±<fn6b4f> Get full chapters from f¦É¦Ídn¦Ïvel</fn6b4f>

    Suppressing augh, Maia answered yfully, ¡°If you think it¡¯s not appropriate, then just skip it.¡±

    For a second, Pattie was caught off guard, but she quicklyughed along. ¡°Oh please! As it happens, I¡¯ve been craving spicy food there. I guess I¡¯ll just ¡®run into you¡¯ there!¡±

    Maia let the words hang for a beat. A chance encounter?

    .

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 Chapter 864

    ?Chapter 864:

    A genuineugh slipped from her. ¡°Sounds good. See you soon.¡±

    Sliding her phone into her bag, Maia shot a quick look at the man seated at the wheel beside her.

    The way Chris handled the car ¡ª calm, precise, and unhurried ¡ª offered afort she couldn¡¯t quite exin.

    Now that Pattie was in the loop about the two of them, sharing a meal together hardly felt out of the ordinary.

    Before Maia could bring up her own thoughts, Chris spoke first, his voice low and certain. ¡°Dinner¡¯s on me tonight. You and Pattie are my guests.¡±

    Meanwhile, over at Wront University¡¯s advanced cement ssroom, Mnie went straight to Ethan the moment the bell rang.

    ¡°Ethan, your sister¡¯s back in town!¡±

    Excitement rang in her voice, impossible to miss.

    The past several days had left their ns to investigate Maia¡¯s disappearancepletely stalled. Mnie¡¯s worries had grown, especially when even Ethan couldn¡¯t get through to Maia. Those concerns led her to confide in her father, Hurst, who immediately dispatched people to find answers ¡ª only to discover that Maia had traveled to Sceibar.

    ¡°Check out this headline,¡± Mnie said, offering her phone to Ethan. The screen disyed a photo of Maia at the airport, surrounded by a crowd of reporters.

    Mnie had caught sight of Chris standing at Maia¡¯s side and couldn¡¯t help but scowl. She wondered what business he had acting as Maia¡¯s bodyguard. Given Chris¡¯ reputation as the Cooper family¡¯s illegitimate son, Mariana had never approved of him, especially since Maia was her chosen future stepmother.

    That left Mnie uneasy, especially with Chris shadowing Maia everywhere and inte gossip swirling that she wanted no part of.

    Without another word, Ethan said, ¡°I¡¯m calling Maia now. Tonight, we move forward with our old n ¡ª the detective¡¯s on standby.¡±

    ???????? ???????????? ???? ?????????????????????????<fnf00f> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find?novel</fnf00f>

    He was surprised to learn that Maia had gone to Sceibar with Chris. No connection between Maia and Justiceze was something he wanted to ensure.

    Meanwhile, Marisa made her way to the entrance of the advanced cement ssroom after catching wind of the news, only to spot Mnie standing ufortably close to Ethan once again.

    With a quiet scoff, Marisa muttered, ¡°Seriously, Mnie, what game are you ying now?¡± and turned away in irritation.

    Storming off, she puzzled over the source of her anger.

    If Ethan chose to spend time with anyone, that was his business. So why did seeing him with Mnie always leave her feeling unsettled?

    Out in the parking lot, Maia and Chris had just found a spot when her phone lit up with an iing call from Ethan.

    Ethan¡¯s voice came through, eager and warm. ¡°Maia, I saw the news that you¡¯re back. Will you being to Marvelous Garden tonight?¡±

    It urred to Maia that a visit with Kathie and Ethan was long overdue. ¡°I can drop by, but it might bete,¡± she said after a pause.

    Ethan¡¯s excitement was unmistakable. ¡°Perfect. I¡¯ll tell Kathie you¡¯reing ¡ª we¡¯ll make sure your favorites are on the table,¡± he added, sneaking a nce at Mnie and giving her a slight nod.

    A gentle apology followed from Maia. ¡°Actually, I have dinner ns tonight and won¡¯t make it back in time. How about we all eat together tomorrow instead?¡±

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 Chapter 865

    ?Chapter 865:

    Ethan decided he didn¡¯t mind missing dinner as long as Maia would still visit his home, so he quickly agreed to her n.

    Once the call ended, Maia and Chris made their way to the elevator and rode straight up to the building¡¯s highest floor.

    The top floor buzzed with energy, especially outside the spicy restaurant she and Pattie always favored, where a sizable crowd waited for a table.

    Chris took in the scene and asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t it possible to reserve a spot at this ce?¡±

    A shrug from Maia answered him. ¡°Reservations only open on the same day. We¡¯ll just have to take a number and wait it out.¡±

    They grabbed a reservation ticket and found six parties ahead of them, which meant about an hour before they could be seated.

    With a small grin, Chris remarked, ¡°People must be hooked on this food.¡± If he remembered correctly, the owner of this restaurant was Maxwell. He was considering calling Maxwell to pull a few strings.

    But before he could act, an unwee voice cut through the crowd. ¡°There you are, Maia. I¡¯ve been searching everywhere for you.¡±

    Turning around, Chris watched as the speaker pulled off his sunsses and removed a ck mask, finally revealing himself.

    Standing before them was Vince.

    Almost without thinking, Maia shifted closer to Chris, putting a little distance between herself and Vince.

    With Chris standing firm by her side, she met Vince¡¯s gaze and asked, her tone calm and measured, ¡°Vince, what exactly do you want from me?¡±

    Vince¡¯s eyes zed with a sudden, desperate fire, as if a dormant spark had roared to life. He lunged forward, his polished shoes clicking against the pavement.

    ¡°Maia, can we talk? Just you and me?¡±

    ?????????? ????????: g???????????????©q?????

    Maia¡¯s face hardened, her lips pressing into a thin line. She folded her arms, her voice sharp as a winter gust.

    ¡°Vince, if you¡¯ve got something to say, spit it out now. I¡¯m done with private chats.¡±

    The memory of that tainted wine ss shed in her mind. Vince¡¯s relentless attempts to bend her to his will still stung, raw and unforgiving.

    Chris, silent as a shadow, stepped forward and nted himself between Maia and Vince. His broad shoulders squared, unyielding as a mountain, his face a mask of cool indifference.

    Vince¡¯s gaze darkened, his jaw clenching as he red at Chris.

    ¡°Get out of the way,¡± he spat, his voice dripping with disdain. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but the Cooper family¡¯s bastard. Who do you think you are, standing there like you own her?¡±<fn0e56> Follow current nov?ls on find~novel</fn0e56>

    His hand shot out, aiming to shove Chris aside. But the moment his palm met Chris¡¯ shoulder, it was like pushing against a steel beam. Vince staggered back, his face flushing crimson, the effort futile against Chris¡¯ immovable frame.

    Humiliation burned in Vince¡¯s eyes. Behind Chris, Maia¡¯s voice sliced through the tension.

    ¡°Vince, we¡¯re done. Have some self-respect.¡±

    She turned on her heel, her steps brisk as she headed toward the restaurant¡¯s glowing entrance.

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 Chapter 866

    ?Chapter 866:

    Chris arched an eyebrow, his gaze a silent warning. He fell into step beside her, his voice low but firm.

    ¡°Stop harassing my employer, or I won¡¯t ask nicely next time.¡±

    A strange weight settled over Vince, rooting him to the spot. His fists clenched, nails biting into his palms as he watched Maia¡¯s figure recede.

    The memory of Chris¡¯ fist connecting with his jaw weeks ago flickered in his mind, a bruise on his pride that hadn¡¯t faded. His lips trembled, and his voice cracked, rising in a desperate pitch.

    ¡°Maia, wait! Fine, I¡¯ll say it here!¡±

    He stumbled forward, chasing her retreating form, the crowd¡¯s curious eyes following him. Swallowing hard, he raised his voice, words tumbling out in a rush.

    ¡°Maia, I screwed up. I know that. Rosanna ¡ª she twisted my head, fed me lies, and I fell for it. One mistake after another.¡±

    Maia didn¡¯t pause, her silhouette steady against the restaurant¡¯s warm glow.

    Vince¡¯s voice broke, raw with anguish, his eyes fixed on her back.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been outside MCN every day for two weeks, Maia. Rain, heat, it didn¡¯t matter. I waited. I can¡¯t stop thinking about you. Every night, when I close my eyes, it¡¯s you ¡ª everyugh, every moment we had.¡±

    He dragged a hand through his hair, his voice thick with regret.

    ¡°I was blind to how good you were. I was a damn fool. I see that now, and I¡¯m sorry ¡ª so sorry. Give me a chance to make it right. I¡¯ll give you anything, everything, if you¡¯ll just forgive me. You loved me once, Maia. You can¡¯t tell me it¡¯s all gone. Please, I can¡¯t imagine my life without you.¡±

    The more he spoke, the more desperate he became. His voice, heavy with remorse, echoed like a confession, quickly drawing the attention of the crowd around them.

    Faces pressed closer, some recognizing the Ward family heir from tabloids and newsreels.

    ???????? ???????????? ???? ??????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Vince Ward?¡± a woman whispered, pointing. ¡°Begging like that in public?¡±

    ¡°So romantic,¡± another sighed. ¡°But she¡¯s not even looking at him.¡±

    ¡°Some things you can¡¯t take back,¡± an older man muttered, shaking his head.

    Ripples of dissent spread through the onlookers, their voices sharp and unforgiving.

    ¡°What¡¯s he expect?¡± a young woman scoffed. ¡°He treated her like dirt, and now he¡¯s ying the lovesick puppy?¡±

    ¡°Spilled milk,¡± another voice added. ¡°He should¡¯ve known better. It¡¯s toote to make amends now.¡±

    ¡°Is the Ward family¡¯s son really unable to reach Maia ¡ª the very woman he once brushed aside without a second thought?¡±

    The whispers stung, each one like a needle pricking Vince¡¯s pride. His face paled, then flushed, a storm of emotions twisting inside his chest. With a ragged breath, he surged forward, desperation driving his steps toward Maia once more.

    Vince shoved through the crowd, his broad shoulders cutting a path like a de through silk. ¡°Move aside!¡± His voice boomed, raw with desperation, as he lunged toward Chris. But Chris was quicker, his hand snapping out to catch Vince¡¯s wrist. With a sharp twist, he forced him back, muscles taut beneath his tailored jacket.

    ¡°Get lost,¡± Chris hissed, his words a low growl meant for Vince alone.

    .<fn6a66> This text is hosted at find?novel</fn6a66>

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 Chapter 867

    ?Chapter 867:

    Vince staggered back a few steps before regaining his bnce.

    Chris stood firm, an unyielding barrier between Vince and Maia, who lingered just beyond, her silhouette framed by the neon glow of the city street.

    An illegitimate son of the Cooper family dared to stand in his way?

    The thought burned through Vince¡¯s mind, stoking the fire in his bloodshot eyes. He clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms as he fought the urge to swing. ¡°Maia,¡± he pleaded, voice cracking like a man gasping for hisst breath, ¡°why won¡¯t you look at me? I¡¯ve changed. I swear it. I¡¯d marry you ¡ª give up everything for you.¡±

    Murmurs rippled through the gathering crowd, a sea of curious faces illuminated by the flicker of phone screens. Some snapped photos, their whispers buzzing like static.

    Maia, the rising star, was a ma for attention, and this public unraveling was pure gold.

    Seeing the situation escte, Maia reluctantly stopped in her tracks. She turned, her expression cold as winter frost. ¡°Vince,¡± she said, each word clipped and deliberate, ¡°we¡¯ve been done for years. Stop harassing me.¡±

    Vince¡¯s shoulders slumped, but only for a moment. His gaze darted to Chris, venomcing his tone as he jabbed a finger in his direction. ¡°Is it because of him? This¡­ nobody?¡±

    He sneered, his voice rising to a fevered pitch. ¡°A social outcast of the Cooper family. You¡¯re falling for his lies, Maia! That Rolls-Royce he¡¯s unting? Borrowed. He¡¯s got nothing. I¡¯m the heir to the Ward family ¡ª me!¡±

    Chris¡¯s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing to slits.

    Vince¡¯s tirade grew wilder, his voice a snarl. ¡°You think you can y the Cooper heir, huh? Deceiving her with your pathetic act? I¡¯ll rip that mask off your face!¡±

    Hearing that, Maia could no longer stand it. She stopped, turning to Vince, who was now out of control, disregarding his image and verging on hysteria. ¡°Enough!¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???????? ???? g?????????????¦Í??????????.????????

    Her voice cut through the noise, sharp and unyielding. She stepped closer, her gaze locking onto Vince¡¯s. ¡°I won¡¯t let you nder Chris. I know exactly who he is ¡ª more than you ever will. If you¡¯re unraveling, get help. A psychiatrist, maybe. But I¡¯ve said it before, and I¡¯ll say it again: there¡¯s nothing left between us.¡±

    Her words struck Vince like a physical blow. He staggered, eyes wide with disbelief, as if seeing her for the first time.

    ¡°You¡­ you knew all along?¡± His voice trembled, barely above a whisper. ¡°Then why still choose him?¡±

    Maia¡¯s expression didn¡¯t soften. ¡°Don¡¯t assume everyone¡¯s as shallow as you are,¡± she said, her toneced with disdain. ¡°You chase profit, power, status. That¡¯s not love. You¡¯ll never understand what it means to truly win someone¡¯s heart.¡±

    She turned, her heels clicking sharply as she moved to leave. ¡°I¡¯m done here. Keep this up, and I¡¯ll call the police for harassment.¡±

    Vince stood rooted to the spot, his body quaking ¡ª not with anger, but with something darker, more unhinged. His bloodshot eyes followed her retreating figure, a predator tracking prey. His lips twitched, a grotesque parody of a smile.

    ¡°Maia,¡± he whispered, the name slithering from his mouth like a curse, ¡°you¡¯re mine. No one else¡¯s¡­ only mine. I will definitely win you over and never let you go.¡±

    A jolt ran through Vince as he jerked his head up, red-rimmed eyes catching the light, an unnatural grin pulling at his mouth.

    Without warning, he lunged forward, and Maia and Chris watched in stunned disbelief as he yanked open the front of his jacket.

    .

    .<fn1b2e> Content originallyes from fin?novel</fn1b2e>

    .

 Chapter 868

    ?Chapter 868:

    A neat line of metallic detonators, securely fastened inside, gleamed under the overhead light.

    Shock swept across Maia¡¯s face, her eyes flying wide in an instant.

    She stood barely a yard from Vince, while Chris hovered just ahead of her, directly facing the threat. Both took in the sinister outline of the explosives and the small remote Vince clenched in his fist.

    An eerie stillness gripped the room, thick and suffocating.

    Maia¡¯s skin crawled, every muscle in her body turning rigid.

    Chris moved fast, sliding in front of her, one arm reaching back as his broad frame shielded herpletely from Vince¡¯s line of sight.

    He fixed Vince with a piercing stare, something cold and dangerous flickering in his eyes.

    ¡°Quiet now.¡± Vince pressed a finger to his lips, the grin twisting. ¡°No sudden moves. Say nothing. Not a word.¡±

    His voice was low, just loud enough for Maia and Chris to hear. With the narrow gap between them, Vince ensured Maia saw every detail, while to everyone else it looked like nothing at all.

    Through this deception, he kept the crowd calm, turning innocent bystanders into pawns to corner Maia.

    That twisted scheme was hisst, desperate move to force her hand in marriage.

    Vince lifted the remote, shing it before their eyes as his gaze locked on Maia and Chris. ¡°The two of you belong to me now. Step out of line, and I swear I¡¯ll press this.¡±

    Pressure mped around Maia¡¯s chest, each inhale sharper than thest, as if fear itself was wrapping tight coils inside her.

    Turning his attention fully to Maia, Vince spoke with a desperate edge.

    ?????????????? ?????????????????? ????????: g???????????¦Í???????????????????

    ¡°You despise me now, I can see that. But do you ever remember the days when everything between us was perfect? Rosanna came between us. Without her, I would never have hurt you.¡±

    He advanced again, his voice tightening.

    ¡°I¡¯m not the same man anymore. My feelings for you ¡ª they¡¯re all-consuming. Just look at me, Maia. Day after day, I waited for you outside MCN. I messaged, I called, I tried everything I could think of. Still, you ignored me. Can¡¯t you forgive me? Is another chance really too much? Just give me one, and I swear I¡¯ll make it right. I¡¯ll give you a life full of happiness andughter.¡±<fn7539> Content originallyes from findnovel</fn7539>

    Maia offered nothing in return, her scalp prickling with tension.

    The further Vince spoke, the more tangled and incoherent his words became, circling back on themselves. He was unraveling, his grip on reality slipping with every sentence, and one false move could set off disaster.

    The greatest danger wasn¡¯t only his explosives ¡ª it was the circle of ordinary people Vince had unknowingly drawn into his madness, their lives hanging by a thread along with hers and Chris¡¯s.

    The gleam of the detonators and the remote seared into Maia¡¯s mind, each one a silent promise of catastrophe. She couldn¡¯t tell if Vince was putting on some twisted performance or if he had truly broken.

    Either way, she and Chris both knew the truth: any rash action would end in ruin.

    Around them, the restaurant scene carried on as if nothing were wrong. The cheerful chaos shed with their private crisis ¡ª clusters of people waiting at the spicy food spot¡¯s entrance, filling the air withughter and chatter.

    .

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 Chapter 869

    ?Chapter 869:<fnf324> Latest content published on ?ovelFind</fnf324>

    A growing number of passersby began to notice Vince, their whispers spreading quickly.

    ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that Vince Ward? He¡¯s the Ward family¡¯s next in line. What on earth is he doing?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s Maia Watson, right? Unbelievable. She¡¯s the one who turned heads at Sceibar¡¯s big art show!¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s that man next to her? He looks like her bodyguard. No wonder people say there¡¯s something going on with them.¡±

    ¡°Is Vince trying to win back Maia? This is better than a TV drama ¡ª I have to tell everyone about this!¡±

    Just as Vince expected, the onlookers eagerly drank in every detail, their excitement mounting. From their vantage points, none could see the danger concealed beneath his jacket. Only those standing directly in front of him caught the faintest glimpse of the threat, while everyone else remained oblivious.

    Every gesture Vince made revealed the twisted performance he had staged ¡ª a spectacle for the crowd, masking the terrifying precision with which he threatened Maia and Chris.

    A wicked smile crept across his face as he leaned closer, his voice a venomous whisper.

    ¡°Maia, if you turn me away, there won¡¯t be hope for anyone else.¡±

    His tone sharpened with urgency, his words a chilling promise.

    ¡°The explosives strapped to me aren¡¯t the only danger. This entire building is wired. Escape isn¡¯t an option. If I press this button, no one here survives.¡±

    A twitch flickered across Vince¡¯s face, his grin stretching into something truly unhinged.

    Wildughter erupted from him, echoing through the room.

    ???????????????? ???????? ?g???????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Maia, will you marry me?¡±

    In a sudden, dramatic gesture, he dropped down on one knee.

    Every eye in the crowd locked on him as if watching a performance ¡ª one Vince had clearly rehearsed in his mind a hundred times. One hand clutched the remote with deadly intent, while the other slid a ring from his pocket,pleting the grotesque disy.

    Gasps and cries broke from the crowd.

    ¡°No way! Vince is proposing to Maia!¡±

    Pride curled across Vince¡¯s lips as he dered, ¡°Maia, this time I¡¯m serious ¡ª absolutely serious.¡±

    Mad determination zed in his eyes as he leaned forward, his voice dropping to a threatening murmur.

    ¡°Come with me, and nobody here will get hurt.¡±

    Shock red in Maia¡¯s gaze, her pupils shrinking. No path of retreat remained. She understood that a single wrong move could drive Vince over the edge, his thumb pressing down on the trigger. She couldn¡¯t risk it.

    Frozen in tension, she felt Chris lean close. His whisper brushed her ear, low and steady.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared. I¡¯ll stay right here.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 870

    Chapter 870:<fn567b> Latest content published on find{n}ovel</fn567b>

    That simple promise cut through her panic like sunlight breaking the dark.

    Neither spoke again. Vince had lost all touch with reason, gambling every innocent life on his obsession. He never once paused to consider what came after.

    Catching Chris¡¯s presence, Vince shot him a venomous re.

    ¡°Shut your mouth, you pathetic idiot! This is between me and Maia!¡±

    An eerie stillness clung to Vince for a heartbeat before his face twisted into something even more deranged.

    Sudden, boomingughter erupted again, louder, wilder.

    ¡°Maia, will you marry me?¡± he shouted, his smile crazed and wide, as he dropped fully to one knee before her.

    In front of a captive audience, Vince clung to the remote with white-knuckled determination, his other hand fumbling in his pocket until he pulled out a ring ¡ª every movement executed with the precision of a scene rehearsed countless times in his mind.

    His words rang out, clear enough for everyone to hear. Gasps and shouts rippled through the crowd.

    ¡°Whoa! Vince is proposing to Maia in front of everyone!¡±

    That smug grin returned as Vince dered, ¡°Maia, I mean it. This time, you have to believe me.¡±

    Every line of his expression radiated frantic obsession. He dipped his head, voice lowering to a chilling murmur.

    ¡°Say yes now,e with me, and these people go free.¡±

    Shock surged through Maia, her eyes narrowing with dread. There was no escape left for her. If she refused, Vince ¡ª in his unhinged state ¡ª might press the remote at any moment. It was a gamble she couldn¡¯t afford to risk.

    Chris, sensing the tremor in her body, leaned closer and whispered, steady and unwavering, ¡°You¡¯re not alone. I¡¯m right here.¡±

    ?????????? ????????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Those gentle words cut through her terror like a lifeline, anchoring her spiraling thoughts.

    Neither dared to speak again. Vince was far beyond reason, his mind fractured, rational thought lost to reckless desperation.

    Chris drew another venomous re from Vince, who spat, ¡°Mind your own business! You don¡¯t belong in this! This is between me and Maia!¡±

    Maia stretched her arm out, holding Chris back, and stepped forward. Her voice was calm, deliberate, every syble measured.

    ¡°Let me handle this.¡±

    She faced Vince directly, her tone steady but firm.

    ¡°Vince, think. Do you understand the disaster you¡¯re creating for yourself right now?¡±

    Her words reached for whatever fragments of sanity still lingered in him, but nothing shifted.

    For the briefest moment, doubt flickered across Vince¡¯s face ¡ª but it vanished just as quickly.

    A bitterugh broke from him, sorrow clouding his eyes, his voice raw and ragged.

    .

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Nice friday for you dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (?? ? ??)?

    .

 Chapter 871

    ?Chapter 871:

    ¡°You¡¯ve cornered me, Maia. Don¡¯t you see? I have nowhere left to go. Life means nothing without you. Say you¡¯ll marry me, here and now, and I¡¯ll listen to anything you want¡­ I swear it.¡±

    Maia kept silent, her brow furrowing as unease clouded her face. Nothing in that moment felt more vtile than Vince himself ¡ª a human powder keg ready to explode at the slightest spark.

    His breaths came fast and ragged, chest rising and falling like a storm on the verge of breaking. Then, with a sudden shout, his plea tore through the air, wild and desperate.

    ¡°Maia! Will you marry me?¡±

    The words carried a force that turned every head, pulling even more eyes toward them.

    Excitement rippled through the bystanders who hadn¡¯t noticed until then. Several rushed closer, shouting:

    ¡°Hurry,e see! There¡¯s a proposal happening!¡±

    Phones and cameras shot up instantly, recording, snapping, streaming ¡ª the crowd capturing every second in a frenzy. Within moments, livestream links flooded social media, headlines surging into trending lists: Vince Proposes to Maia.

    But the truth ¡ª the hidden threat strapped beneath his jacket ¡ª remained invisible to all but Maia and Chris, even as the growing audience only strengthened Vince¡¯s leverage.

    The tension pressed in from all sides, nerves stretched to breaking point. One wrong move and everything could unravel.

    Was Vince still clinging to sanity, or had he already slipped past the edge into madness? Maia couldn¡¯t tell. Her only hope was to keep him talking, to stall, to search for any crack of reason left in him.

    Behind her, Chris stayed sharp, every sense on high alert. One look at those concealed detonators told him enough: this was no bluff. Vince was far more dangerous than his worst suspicions had allowed.

    ???????????? ????????: ???????????????¦Í??????????©q?????????

    As Maia stepped forward, drawing Vince¡¯s focus, Chris used the moment to slip his phone from his pocket. He silenced it, dialed Maxwell from memory, and held it close, his mind already calcting their only chance.

    No one in the crowd ¡ª not even Vince ¡ª suspected a thing. The call had connected in perfect silence, with Maxwell on the other end catching every sound nearby.

    Inside his car, Maxwell nced at the caller ID and tapped his Bluetooth headset without hesitation.

    ¡°Chris, you justnded a few hours ago, and now you¡¯re calling me? Shouldn¡¯t you be spending time with Maia?¡± His tone carried its usual swagger, a grin tugging at his lips.

    Chris had only just returned, and already his name lit up Maxwell¡¯s phone. Calls like that weren¡¯t routine ¡ª it was proof of how much Chris valued their friendship. For a fleeting moment, pride sparked across Maxwell¡¯s face.

    But as the silence stretched on, unease crept in.<fn9f5e> Find the newest release on fin?novel</fn9f5e>

    Something was wrong.

    .

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 Chapter 872

    ?Chapter 872:

    Chris wasn¡¯t the type to dial and then stay quiet. The line was live, yet no words came. Only muffled sounds slipped through, as if the phone had been hidden from sight.

    Maxwell¡¯s chest tightened. What could drive Chris to reach out like this? If he wasn¡¯t speaking, was it because he couldn¡¯t? Because he was in danger?<fna563> Official source is find{n}ovel</fna563>

    The thought struck like lightning, widening Maxwell¡¯s eyes with sudden realization.

    From the back seat, Marisa straightened, her lollipop slipping from her fingers as she blurted out, ¡°Maxwell, look at this! Vince Ward¡¯s putting on a show again ¡ª he¡¯s actually proposing to Maia in front of everyone. It¡¯s all over the inte. Some people are even saying Maia isn¡¯t worthy of him. Can you believe that?¡±

    Her words snapped Maxwell¡¯s attention to Marisa¡¯s phone. On the live stream, Chris¡¯ outline was unmistakable in the background.

    A knot tightened in Maxwell¡¯s chest. ¡°Why would Chris call me in the middle of this chaos?¡± he muttered, suspicion sharpening his focus.

    Before the thought could settle, Maia¡¯s voice suddenly broke through the Bluetooth, catching himpletely off guard.

    Maia¡¯s voice came through Maxwell¡¯s headphones, clearer now than before. It seemed Chris had taken the phone out of his pocket, risking being noticed.

    Over the line, Maia spoke firmly. ¡°Take a breath, Vince. Give me the remote first¡­ I¡¯ll sit and exin everything properly.¡±

    Earlier, Maxwell couldn¡¯t make out her words, but now they rang out sharp and undeniable.

    A remote?

    Recognition shed across Maxwell¡¯s face.

    Then he caught Chris whispering, ¡°Maia, stay back. He¡¯s wired with explosives.¡±

    The realization hit Maxwell like a bolt of lightning. He shot up from his seat, terror racing through him, sweat prickling his skin. Explosives?

    ?????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???? g????????¦Í?????????????

    Everything suddenly made sense ¡ª Chris¡¯ strange, silent call, the muffled sounds, the urgency.

    Maxwell remembered his own routine. Every week, around this exact hour, he would stop by the spicy restaurant to settle the ounts. And he always had the ¡°cello¡± with him in the car.

    But that instrument case didn¡¯t hold a cello. Hidden inside was a custom-built weapon, crafted to transform into a high-powered sniper rifle.

    Right now, Maxwell was stationed just under a hundred yards from Harmony za.

    Standing across from it, Friendship Tower matched Harmony za in height. Its rooftop faced the za head-on, offering a broad, unobstructed view of the entiremercial strip.

    A n crystallized in Maxwell¡¯s mind in seconds. Without hesitation, he ended the call, his resolve hardening.

    ¡°Keep your head down. Don¡¯t meddle with anything. Cross the street, head into Skyline International, and treat yourself to something. I¡¯ll transfer the money now,¡± Maxwell said firmly to Marisa.

    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Marisa blinked in confusion, struggling to understand why Maxwell was suddenly acting this way. Before she could process it, the force of the car¡¯s eleration threw her back against her seat.

    A thunderous roar from the engine tore through the air as Maxwell mmed the gas, veering across threenes before darting into the underground parking of Friendship Tower.

    .

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 Chapter 873

    ?Chapter 873:

    ¡°Seriously, Maxwell? Vince is about to propose to Maia ¡ª are you really losing it over something this petty?¡± Marisa shouted. Still fuming, she added, ¡°And why can¡¯t I at least watch it unfold? What¡¯s the big deal?¡±

    Maxwell kept his lips sealed. Not a single word left him until the car rolled to a halt. ¡°I¡¯ve got something urgent. I won¡¯t be going with you.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, he popped open the trunk, pulled out a sleek ck cello case, and strode straight toward the elevator.

    Left standing alone, Marisa blinked nkly for a few seconds before her face twisted with frustration. ¡°Ugh, that idiot Maxwell¡­ always keeping secrets. He better spill everythingter.¡±

    Maxwell couldn¡¯t afford any distractions now. Every second mattered if he wanted to stop that maniac Vince from making his next move.

    Back in Drakmire, Maxwell had already earned a reputation as the prodigy of the Payne family¡¯s hidden division ¡ª particrly for his marksmanship. Sniper rifles had always been his specialty.

    That same talent had earned him a hidden identity as one of the world¡¯s top ten snipers, listed on the infamous assassinwork known as Killer.

    Meanwhile, Marisa didn¡¯t follow him. Her attention drifted away from Maxwell¡¯s strange behavior. With a flick of her thumb, she pulled out her phone and sent the livestream link to Ethan.

    At that very moment, over at Wront University, Ethan sat alone in a quiet corner of the library¡¯s first floor, eyes locked on his screen, his fists clenched tight as the stream yed.<fnb1bb> This content belongs to find?novel</fnb1bb>

    Even before Marisa shared the live stream, Mnie had already briefed Ethan about what was unfolding at Harmony za.

    Now, he sat glued to the screen, rage boiling beneath the surface as his eyes locked on the two men in front of the camera.

    Vince, the shameless one, had spent years tormenting Maia ¡ª lying, manipting, and betraying her trust.

    ?????????????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ??????????¦Í????????????

    Then there was Chris. He yed the role of her guardian, yet Ethan couldn¡¯t shake the suspicion that his intentions were anything but pure.

    Why couldn¡¯t both men just leave his sister alone? The thought echoed in Ethan¡¯s head like a relentless drumbeat.

    Elsewhere, the powerful families ¡ª Morgan, Cooper, and Ward ¡ª caught wind of themotion in no time. All eyes turned to the scene of a marriage proposal that had set the entire city of Wront aze.

    The Morgan family¡¯s vi.

    ¡°Vince? How could it possibly be him?¡±

    Richard shot up from the sofa the moment he caught sight of the live stream on his phone, his eyes widening in sheer disbelief. His shock was so intense that he sent a teacup tumbling from the coffee table.

    Scalding liquid sshed across his hand, yet he hardly flinched, too stunned to feel the burn.

    On the screen, Vince ¡ª looking visibly flustered ¡ª had dropped to one knee, proposing to Maia.

    Maia stood stiff as stone, her face clouded with unease. There wasn¡¯t a trace of happiness in her expression.

    ¡°Has that guy lost his senses? Proposing in public like this?¡± Richard fumed under his breath, anger simmering. ¡°How did he even find Maia before anyone else? And why him, of all people?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 874

    ?Chapter 874:<fnc67d> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find?novel</fnc67d>

    Sandra, drawn by themotion, hurried over. When her eyes fell on Richard¡¯s phone, she froze, as though jolted awake from a nightmare.

    It felt as if time itself had twisted back four years ¡ª to when Maia, still the Morgan family¡¯s daughter, stood faithfully beside Vince and the two had ended up together.

    But now, Maia was already married to someone else. And Vince was proposing to her at this very moment. Had hepletely lost his mind?

    Beside them, Jarrod sprang to his feet. ¡°Dad, Mom, look ¡ª Maia¡¯s reaction seems off.¡±

    He squinted at the live feed, frowning. ¡°Look! She doesn¡¯t seem willing at all. Isn¡¯t she trying to stop Vince from doing something rash? Could it be¡­ Vince is threatening her somehow?¡±

    Richard¡¯s brows furrowed deeper. He stared at the screen, piecing things together. Then his eyes sharpened.

    ¡°Exactly. Maia clearly isn¡¯t on board ¡ª she¡¯s trying to calm him down. What in the world is happening?¡±

    Just then, a thought ¡ª half born of gossip, half borrowed from melodramas ¡ª struck Sandra. Her face paled. ¡°Could it be¡­ is Vince threatening to jump off a building if Maia says no? Is that why she keeps trying to stop him?¡±

    For a heartbeat, the room fell heavy with silence. Sandra¡¯s idea, outrageous as it sounded, felt disturbingly possible.

    Jarrod¡¯s expression turned grave. He nced from the live stream to his mother, disbelief and worry mixing in his gaze. ¡°No way¡­ has Vince really gone off the deep end?¡±

    Meanwhile, at the Cooper Group headquarters.

    In the hushed stillness of the top-floor office, udius sat behind his desk, eyes locked on theputer screen, his face a careful mask that betrayed nothing.

    He clutched a pen so tightly it threatened to splinter, yet he hadn¡¯t written a single word.

    ???????????? ????????????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    The live stream filled the center of his screen. Vince, wild-eyed and desperate, wasying his heart bare in public.

    ¡°Maia, will you marry me?¡±

    The pen snapped cleanly under udius¡¯ clenched fingers.

    Still, he forced himself to remain silent, keeping a veneer ofposure. But within, his thoughts spun like a cyclone ¡ª turbulent, unsettled, impossible to silence.

    His gaze stayed cold, his heart caught in a cruel suspense.

    Inwardly, he whispered, almost as if trying to will it into reality, ¡°Maia, don¡¯t you dare say yes to Vince.¡±

    Elsewhere, in the Cooper family¡¯s vi, Kolton leaned against the window, swirling a ss of red wine.

    The live stream yed on the television, and a faint, mocking smirk tugged at his lips. He studied the dark swirl of the wine with open disdain.

    ¡°Vince¡­ so desperate you¡¯d dance with death itself, all for Maia,¡± his thoughts dripped with scorn.

    Kolton turned, his voice sharp as a knife, toward his assistant. ¡°Looks like the Ward family wants to hitch their wagon to Maia. In that case¡­¡±

    He paused, eyes narrowing as he continued, ¡°Wront has no need for the Ward family anymore.¡±

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 Chapter 875

    ?Chapter 875:

    The assistant stiffened, bowing his head at once. ¡°Understood, Mr. Cooper. I¡¯ll see to it right away.¡±

    Once the assistant left, Kolton returned his gaze to the screen, eyes glinting like steel.

    He tapped his fingers on the table ¡ª once, twice ¡ª thenced his hands together, thinking aloud. ¡°A woman like Maia, already married and once imprisoned ¡ª and yet she can still drive Vince this far¡­ udius must not be allowed to dream of her either. And perhaps it¡¯s time to arrange udius¡¯ marriage.¡±

    Meanwhile, chaos erupted at the Ward Estate.

    Charles, hands trembling with rage, mmed his cane on the floor, the sound echoing like thunder. His re fell upon his son, Gavin, each word dripping with fury. ¡°This is the son you raised? Gavin, just look at the mess he¡¯s made! He¡¯s shamed our entire Ward family!¡±

    Gavin felt a cold dread tightening around his chest.

    Head bowed low, he stammered, ¡°Dad¡­ I truly had no idea Vince would go this far. I¡ª¡±

    ¡°Silence!¡±

    Charles was apoplectic, his face flushed with anger, chest heaving violently. ¡°A live broadcast! Has hepletely lost his senses? If Maia refuses him, who else would marry him? He¡¯ll be theughingstock of all Wront! Gavin, answer me! Has Vince secretly reconciled with Maia? Is that why he dared do something so brazen?¡±

    Gavin opened his mouth, but words failed him. Before he could gather a reply, the butler, kneeling and visibly shaken, cut in, his voice urgent. ¡°Mr. Ward, there¡¯s something I must confess, though it may already be toote¡­¡±

    The butler closed his eyes, struggling to speak. ¡°Vince¡­ he¡¯s about to cause serious trouble.¡±

    Gavin narrowed his eyes. Something felt wrong. He scoffed and demanded, ¡°Out with it!¡±

    ???? ?????????? ???? ???????????? ¡ª ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í????????????

    The butler wiped his forehead with a trembling hand. His voice wavered as he forced the words out. ¡°I went into Vince¡¯s room. It¡¯s full of detonators. I think¡­ I think he¡¯s making bombs.¡±

    ¡°Is that real? Are you sure?¡± Shock gripped Charles and Gavin instantly. Their heads snapped toward the live stream, dreading what they might see next.

    A shrill pulse rang in Gavin¡¯s ears. His bnce faltered, and he stumbled back, disoriented.

    Meanwhile, Charles¡¯ fury boiled over. He thrust a finger toward Gavin, his face flushed red with rage. His voice trembled as he tried to speak. ¡°You¡ª¡±

    Whatever he meant to say never came. His body copsed without warning, crumpling to the floor.

    ¡°Mr. Ward!¡±

    ¡°Dad!¡± Gavin dropped to his knees, grabbing him desperately. Panic choked his words. ¡°Call the doctor! Bring the ambnce now!¡±

    Chaos erupted across the estate as the butler and staff scattered in confusion. Gavin¡¯s hands shook uncontrobly. With clumsy fingers, he yanked out his phone and dialed Vince¡¯s number again and again until it finally began to ring.<fn7c55> The source of th?s content is find?novel</fn7c55>

    But instead of Vince¡¯s voice, a lifeless recording answered. ¡°The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment¡­¡± A beatter, the voicemail kicked in. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s Vince. Leave your message and I¡¯ll get back to you.¡±

    A loud crash tore through the room as Gavin mmed his fist against the table, sending the coffee pot flying and hot liquid sttering across the floor. ¡°Get the car. We¡¯re going to Harmony za right now!¡±

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 Chapter 876

    ?Chapter 876:

    Before leaving, Gavin cast onest nce at the screen, his thoughts racing as he muttered, ¡°Please don¡¯t do it, Vince. Don¡¯t let those bombs go off.¡±

    It felt surreal. His son ¡ª always so measured and careful ¡ª now stood at the edge of something unthinkable.

    The moment Gavin slid into the car, he barked at the driver, ¡°Step on it!¡±

    While chaos spiraled around them, the standoff between Vince and Maia hadsted barely ten minutes. Yet for both, it felt like being trapped in a burning room with no way out.

    ¡°You want to know something, Maia?¡± Vince¡¯s voice wavered unpredictably ¡ª one second gentle, the next sharp. He iled his arms as he sank into memories that had clearly haunted him for years.

    ¡°I really did value what you gave me. Back then, all I wanted was to escape a marriage arranged by my family. I pushed back against the engagement¡­ not because I hated you, but because I didn¡¯t have the words to exin it.¡±<fn009e> Read full story at F?nd-Novel</fn009e>

    His eyes refused to settle. One moment they floated, the next they locked onto her with an almost frightening intensity. His face twisted back and forth between anguish and something disturbingly close to glee.

    ¡°Then came Rosanna. She wrecked everything. Lied to me. Fooled my father. They wouldn¡¯t let me near you again, and in the end, I was forced into marrying her. I never wanted this. Not any of it.¡±

    With careful steps, Maia inched her way toward him, silent and steady. Only a single yard separated them now. One more step ¡ª that was all she needed. If she moved fast enough, she could grab the controller before he even registered the motion. This could all be over in a breath.

    But before she could take another step, Vince¡¯s sharp voice cut through the air. ¡°Stay right there!¡±

    He jerked back a pace, a wild grin curving across his face like a warning. ¡°Maia, stop. I can see what you¡¯re nning. Look at me ¡ª really look at me!¡±

    ???????????????? ???????????? ???? g????????©q???

    What stared back from his eyes wasn¡¯t reason. It was chaos ¡ª obsession wrapped in desperation, the kind of look that came just before everything copsed.

    ¡°Tell me something¡­ would you marry me?¡±

    The air grew heavier in an instant, thick with the weight of his question.

    Refusing to flinch, Maia bit down hard and drew in a slow breath, forcing her nerves into submission.

    Right then, Vince looked less like a man and more like a live explosive, needing only the tiniest spark to blow everything apart.

    A faint vibration buzzed in Chris¡¯ pocket. With barely a flicker of emotion, he tilted his head downward and answered the call in silence.

    ¡°I¡¯m in position,¡± Maxwell¡¯s voice rolled through the speaker, low and steady.

    Chris gave a short nod before replying, ¡°I¡¯m counting on you. Just don¡¯t get¡ª¡±

    Maia hurt.

    ¡°Got it.¡± With a weary breath, Maxwell ended the call without another word. There was no question about it ¡ª Chris would go to the ends of the earth for his wife. But even without Chris¡¯ reminder, Maxwell knew he would never hurt Maia.

    A cold stillness settled over him in the next breath. His eyes narrowed, his demeanor shifting into something lethal andposed.

    Using the tip of his finger, Maxwell tested the direction of the breeze, quiet calction guiding his every move.

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 Chapter 877

    ?Chapter 877:

    He adjusted the sight on his rifle with practiced precision, locking onto Vince with unblinking focus. Failure wasn¡¯t an option.<fna817> Original content can be found at F¦ÉndNovel</fna817>

    To guarantee the angle was perfect, he fired a single test round into the marble wall opposite ¡ª the sharp crack of the shot echoing like a warning. A faint chip broke off the wall, and with that tiny cue, Maxwell refined his aim with mechanical precision.

    No further adjustments were needed.

    Within seconds, the sights aligned perfectly with the center of Vince¡¯s forehead. Each breath Maxwell drew was shallow, nearly inaudible. A lump formed in his throat as he steadied himself.

    His finger inched forward, settling gently on the trigger. One silent motion, and it would all be over.

    But just before that moment, the image inside the scope shifted.

    Without warning, Maia stepped directly into the line of fire ¡ª her body shielding Vincepletely.

    ¡°Damn it!¡±

    Maxwell clenched his jaw so tightly it felt like his teeth might shatter. His finger snapped away from the trigger, nerves frayed to the edge. Sweat ran down his face, his temples pounding as though he had just stared death itself in the eye.

    A chill shot through him.

    Was Maia really nning to step in and try to talk Vince down?

    For a brief moment, the world seemed to stand still. Chris¡¯s warning ¡ª Just don¡¯t get Maia hurt ¡ª echoed in Maxwell¡¯s mind again and again.

    The shot would take only 1.19 seconds to reach its mark at this distance. With Vince in his sights, Maxwell could line it up withplete confidence. But what he couldn¡¯t predict was whether Maia might suddenly move, stepping into the line of fire and taking the bullet herself.

    Despite all his years as a hitman, this was the first time Maxwell found himself weighing both the taking of a life and the sparing of one in the same breath. His pulse raced, sweat dripping steadily as he wrestled with the choice.

    ?????????????? ???????????? ? g?a?l?n?o?v?e?l?s?.?c?o?m

    Chris, sensing the razor¡¯s edge of the standoff, reacted instantly. He darted forward, cing himself in front of Maia, shaking his head sharply toward Maxwell. The message was clear and urgent: Don¡¯t shoot.

    At that exact moment, Vince shifted backward, and the edge of something metallic shed beneath his jacket.

    ¡°Wait ¡ª what¡¯s that? Look, Vince is hiding something!¡± a girl near the front gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. ¡°No way. Are those detonators?¡±

    Her voice had barely faded before panic rippled through the crowd.

    ¡°Somebody help!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s wearing detonators!¡±

    In an instant, fear spread like wildfire, and chaos erupted everywhere.

    Vince caught the rmed voices and made no attempt to keep his secret. In one swift motion, he ripped his coat open for all to see.

    Detonators, neat and deadly, gleamed under the overhead light, strapped across his torso.

    Standing over the terrified crowd, he grinned like a madman and let out a boomingugh. ¡°Take a good look! I¡¯ve wired myself with explosives. If Maia doesn¡¯t say yes to my proposal, not a single person in this ce is getting out alive!¡±

    .

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 Chapter 878

    ?Chapter 878:<fn6317> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn6317>

    For everyone there, the wordsnded like a death sentence. Panic erupted instantly.

    People screamed and bolted in every direction, some sobbing as they searched desperately for their loved ones, others frantically dialing emergency numbers on their phones.

    Before anyone could process the chaos, a deafening explosion tore through the mall.

    A st thundered from the esctor leading to the top floor. Smoke and mes erupted, swallowing everyone caught in that section. Screams pierced the air.

    Another explosion followed near the elevator, ripping apart steel beams and spraying fire in every direction. Half the overhead lights flickered and died, plunging the floor into shadow while thick, choking smoke rolled across the chaos.

    Vince¡¯s manicughter rang out over the devastation. ¡°Go ahead ¡ª try running! Every inch of this mall is wired to blow. None of you are getting out alive!¡±

    The entire top floor copsed into pandemonium. Screams, cries, and the thud of bodies colliding blended into one nightmarish sound.

    Some stumbled and fell, only to be trampled beneath the stampede. Others, desperate beyond reason, tried to force their way through windows, only to be dragged back by those clinging to them in terror.

    Amid the smoke and fire, phone screens still blinked, capturing every moment as some continued streaming live.

    Videos shook and blurred, butment sections exploded:

    ¡°Explosion at Harmony za ¡ª top floor!¡±

    ¡°Vince Ward is holding Maia Watson hostage! He says if she won¡¯t marry him, he¡¯ll kill everyone with the bombs. This is insane¡­¡±

    ¡°What kind of psycho does this? If he can¡¯t have her, no one gets out alive?¡±

    ?????????? ???? ??????????????: ?????????????????????????

    ¡°Is this real? Was that really an explosion? Where even IS this ¡ª what about Maia?¡±

    ¡°Harmony za¡¯s top floor just blew up! Vince really nted bombs. This is unreal!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s threatening to kill everyone unless Maia agrees to marry him. This is like a nightmare.¡±

    ¡°Police, ambnce, fire trucks ¡ª get to Harmony za now!¡±

    Amid the chaos, Maia moved against the tide, stepping toward Vince while everyone else fought to escape.

    A flicker of fear crossed Vince¡¯s face. He raised his right hand, the remote clenched tightly, his thumb inching toward the button.

    ¡°Maia, is this really your answer? Do you even care about your own life?¡± he shouted.

    The explosion¡¯s echo still reverberated through the air. Thick, beast-like smoke billowed around them, blurring the surroundings and choking everyone within reach.

    mes burst from the shattered elevator doors, casting the sky in a fiery crimson glow while the acrid stench of smoke and burning metal spread through the air.

    Panic gripped the crowd as people scattered in every direction, their cries and screams merging into a chaotic symphony.

    Amid the copse, Maia kept walking toward Vince, unfazed by his repeated threats.

    Seeing this, Chris darted forward and gripped her wrist firmly.

    .

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 Chapter 879

    ?Chapter 879:

    ¡°Maia, it¡¯s dangerous. Don¡¯t go!¡± he whispered urgently, afraid that provoking Vince might put her life at risk.

    Maia turned back and gave him a gentle smile. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Trust me.¡±

    Chris felt his breath catch. Those two words ¡ª trust me ¡ª echoed in his mind, and instinctively, he released his grip. His faith in Maia was absolute.

    Facing forward again, Maia stood tall, her long hair whipping in the smoky air. Her silhouette cut a striking figure against the chaos surrounding her.

    Vince¡¯s pupils contracted sharply. Like a cornered beast, he raised both hands and shouted hoarsely, ¡°Don¡¯te any closer, Maia! I¡¯m not joking. I will detonate this bomb.¡±

    Maia¡¯s steps never faltered. Her crystal-clear eyes reflected Vince¡¯s panic-stricken face as she replied calmly, ¡°Of course. I¡¯m afraid of death, but I¡¯m more afraid of being fooled and deceived.¡±

    Her voice was soft, yet it pierced Vince¡¯s ears like a de, shattering the illusion of madness he had so carefully built.

    Chris kept his gaze fixed on Vince¡¯s every movement, poised like a predator ready to spring into action and shield Maia at any moment.

    Meanwhile, from his sniper position in the opposite building, Maxwell gritted his teeth, eyes pressed against the scope. Through the lens, Maia¡¯s figure grew clearer and clearer.

    ¡°Is she crazy? What¡¯s she doing walking toward Vince now?¡±

    Sweat beaded across Maxwell¡¯s palms as Maia¡¯s iprehensible actions left himpletely baffled. Memories of past encounters flooded back, reminding him how Maia had consistently defied everyone¡¯s expectations.

    But this time felt different. Without any audio from the scene below, Maxwell couldn¡¯t afford to take such a dangerous gamble. His throat tightened as he swallowed hard. The gun barrel shifted with deliberate precision, the crosshairs gliding from Vince¡¯s forehead to the controller raised high in his trembling right hand.

    If the situation demanded it, he would fire to cripple Vince¡¯s hand, ensuring the madman couldn¡¯t press the detonation button on that deadly remote.

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ???????? g???????????????????????

    Yet Maia¡¯s behavior gave him pause once again. Each step she took was measured and confident, far from the reckless desperation of someone throwing her life away. Something told him she possessed knowledge that escaped the rest of them.

    Maxwell¡¯s finger hovered over the trigger. What kind of assurance could she possibly have?

    Meanwhile, Vince¡¯sposure cracked visibly. His entire body went rigid, his lips trembling uncontrobly. The controller shook violently in his grasp, yet his finger refused to press the fatal button.

    ¡°Maia, I¡¯m serious!¡± His voice cracked with desperation as he fought to maintain control. ¡°If youe any closer, I¡¯ll¡ª¡±

    ¡°What will you do?¡± Maia¡¯s interruption sliced through his threat like a de. Her gaze turned cial, though her tone remained eerily calm.

    Earlier, she had wavered with uncertainty, but now, as she drew closer, she could feel Vince¡¯s carefully constructed fa?ade beginning to crumble. Whatever doubts had clouded her mind vanishedpletely, reced by steady confidence and crystal-clear resolve.

    Throughout the confrontation, Maia had wrestled with one crucial question: was Vince truly unhinged, or simply putting on an borate performance?

    .<fn9485> Chapters first released on Find[?]ovel</fn9485>

    .

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 Chapter 880

    ?Chapter 880:

    With this in mind, she had deliberately soothed his fraying emotions while meticulously analyzing his micro-expressions and bodynguage, all while examining the supposed detonators strapped to his chest.

    She needed to determine whether Vince¡¯s attention was genuinely fixed on the terrified crowd or if he was calcting her every step closer. Was his death grip on the controller authentic? Did the so-called explosive vest strapped to his torso actually contain real bombs, or was it all an borate bluff?

    These questions spun relentlessly through Maia¡¯s mind.

    She understood Vince¡¯s true nature perfectly: selfish, paranoid, and fundamentally cowardly. A man like him would never willingly put himself in real mortal danger.

    This entire spectacle was nothing more than the final, desperate gambit of a cornered and terrified man.

    People gathered in the shadows, keeping their distance while curiosity dragged their eyes toward the unfolding chaos. Phones appeared in trembling hands as bystanders shared every second online. Within moments, the inte exploded withments.<fnc148> Content originallyes from f?ndnovel</fnc148>

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this! Has she lost it? She¡¯s actually walking right up to a guy wearing a bomb!¡±

    ¡°Is she out of her mind? She¡¯s putting her own life on the line.¡±

    ¡°This is making me so anxious. Vince Ward, if you want to end it all, leave my favorite idol out of it!¡±

    In front of the cameras, Maia stood tall and unflinching, her gaze sharp and unyielding as she faced the frenzied man without retreating a single step.

    Meanwhile, at the Wront police station, inside the Ward and Cooper family homes, and even in the MCN headquarters, people stared at their screens in total silence. Nobody dared to move or even breathe.

    ¡°What will I do?¡± Vince retorted before breaking intoughter. ¡°If youe any closer, I¡¯ll really detonate the bomb.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???? g????????¦Í????????????

    Instead of slowing down, Maia advanced with quiet resolve. Each step she took forced Vince backward, his confidence draining away.

    ¡°So this is what you want, right? Are both of us going down together? Here¡¯s your chance. Why don¡¯t you press that button?¡± Maia challenged him, her steady gaze making Vince¡¯s hand tremble. His finger hovered over the trigger, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to press it.

    When Maia noticed, she gave a coldugh. ¡°Do you need me toe over and do it for you?¡±

    Vince¡¯sposure cracked. He stumbled back, panic spreading across his features. ¡°I¡¯m warning you, stay back! I don¡¯t want this to get any worse.¡±

    ¡°Is that the truth, or are you just too scared?¡± Maia¡¯s voice was calm, her eyes locked on his as his nerves unraveled.

    With a frustrated frown, Vince demanded, ¡°What are you even talking about?¡±

    Maia stopped, her eyes shing with anger. ¡°Vince, have you had enough?¡±

    Shock flickered across Vince¡¯s face as the reality of the moment hit him.

    ¡°You¡¯re terrified, Vince. Don¡¯t pretend you¡¯re not,¡± Maia said. After a brief pause, she added, ¡°If you really had the nerve, you would have taken me with you already.¡±

    Anger twisted Vince¡¯s features. ¡°You¡­ just stop talking!¡± His entire frame trembled as if her words had struck him.

    ¡°You know, Vince, I understand you better than anyone,¡± Maia continued, her tone edged with a bitterugh. ¡°There was a time when I actually cared about you, more than I care to admit.¡±

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 Chapter 881

    ?Chapter 881:

    Frozen in ce, Vince could only stare at her, speechless.

    Relentless steps from Maia cornered him until his back pressed hard against the cold ss behind him.

    A thick barrier of ss, just four and a half feet tall, stood between him and open space. Any misstep would send him plummeting. Far below, the ground waited, stone upon stone ¡ª there would be no surviving such a fall.

    A tremor rattled through Vince¡¯s voice. ¡°Maia¡­ do you want to see me fall apart?¡± His confidence withered, leaving him pale and drenched in sweat, every ounce of strength leaning into the ss for support.

    Towering over him, Maia looked down with nothing but disdain. Slowly, her lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. ¡°Look at yourself, Vince. You¡¯re the only joke here.¡±

    Her words stung like a p, shattering what little pride Vince had left.

    Wide-eyed and exposed, he realized everyst ounce of bravado was gone. With clenched teeth, he tried to hold himself together, but his legs finally gave out beneath him.

    Drained of all resolve, he dropped to the floor.

    A wild, brokenugh burst from Vince ¡ª loud and echoing, like a man with nothing left to lose. Tears mixed with sweat as he clutched the detonator in both hands, a wild look in his eyes.

    He mmed his thumb down. The button clicked loudly beneath his touch.

    Time froze. The silence barelysted before the entire crowd erupted in sheer panic.

    ¡°Everybody down!¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a bomb! It¡¯ll blow!¡±

    ¡°Damn it! He pushed the button!¡±

    ?????? ?????????? ???? g???????¦Í??????£®?????

    People bolted in every direction, their cries filling the air as they dropped to the floor. Parents clutched their kids, shielding them with trembling arms and broken sobs. Maia stayed rooted.

    She didn¡¯t flinch. Her expression stayed cold¡ªeyes sharp, unwavering. Chris remained still, too.

    He kept his eyes on Maia. There was no fear in him. All he possessed now was a quiet strength that wouldn¡¯t bend, not even now.

    A sharp click cut through the air.

    The button went down once.

    Then again.

    And again after that.

    More clicks followed in rapid bursts.

    Vince looked unhinged. He kept jabbing the controller like a man desperate to prove he still held power over the moment.

    Still, it stayed quiet.

    No eruption tore through the air.

    No ze burst into life.

    No trace of smoke appeared.

    Not even the tiniest flicker showed itself.

    .

    .<fn389a> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fn389a>

    .

 Chapter 882

    ?Chapter 882:

    Maia shifted one foot back and swept her eyes across the crowd. ¡°Listen to me. Don¡¯t panic. He did set a few bombs in the building, but they¡¯ve already been dealt with. And the bomb he¡¯s carrying? That isn¡¯t real.¡±

    Though she didn¡¯t raise her voice, it rang with unwavering certainty.

    ¡°How¡­ how is that even possible¡­¡± someone whispered, slowly lifting their head. Their eyes searched the scene, stunned by the absurd truth.

    One by one, people began to rise¡ªcautious, confused. Their gazes flicked from Maia to Vince, who had fallen to his knees like a puppet with its strings cut. The silence returned, heavy and strange, broken only by the faint, repetitive clicking.

    Vince¡¯s movements started to falter. His skin turned pale. The controller in his grip had be useless.

    He sankpletely, no strength left to pretend. With a strained breath, he lifted his gaze and said, ¡°How¡ªhow did you figure it out?¡±

    Atst, the crowd released the breath they¡¯d been holding, and the silence broke into a storm of gasps and cries.

    Tired eyes stared up at her. Vince looked at Maia as if she were right there and still unreachable.

    Standing tall, Maia stared down at him. Her expression was steady, untouched by mercy.

    What she¡¯d done earlier wasn¡¯t just luck. She had made a bold guess about the bomb being fake and took the time to confirm it carefully.

    As it turned out, she was right; Vince was bluffing. The bomb on him would never explode.

    His reasons were clear enough. He kept a gap between them¡ªnot only to protect the controller, but because, deep down, he knew she might notice that something was wrong with these detonators if she got too close. ¡°Old patterns are hard to break,¡± as the saying goes.

    And Maia had said it before: whatever she and Vince once had, it was long gone.

    ?????? ?????? ???????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    So Maia refused to let Vince shake her, either emotionally or logically.

    ¡°You lost this battle long before today, Vince. It¡¯s over. Turn yourself in.¡±

    Maia¡¯s voice remained calm as she cast a nce at Chris. There was reassurance in her tone, a gentle steadiness that followed as she added, ¡°Chris, everything¡¯s fine now; the danger has passed.¡±

    Chris blinked, caught off guard for a moment, then gave her a firm nod.

    Without another word, he pulled out his phone and quietly said to Maxwell, ¡°Stand down.¡±

    On the other end, Maxwell finally exhaled the breath he¡¯d been holding. It was hard to ept, but once again, Maia had pulled off something no one sawing.

    Vince¡¯s grip faltered. His hand dropped, and the controller ttered to the floor with a dull thud.

    It was as if Maia¡¯s voice never reached him. His lips kept moving, lost in his own world. ¡°I ordered the real thing, real wires, real triggers. Everything looked perfect on the outside. All the circuits were in ce, theyout was solid, convincing enough. The only thing I did was take the explosive out of the detonator, just as a precaution. No one else knew that. No one but me.¡±<fn1ec4> Read full story at f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fn1ec4>

    Vince¡¯s voice slipped into a quiet murmur, sounding as if he were piecing together his own downfall or maybe offering Maia onest exnation, a final parting word.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 883

    ?Chapter 883:

    ¡°I only wanted to frighten you¡­ to make you rethink things, to get you to say yes¡­ marry me¡­ That¡¯s all I wanted. Just a chance.¡±

    Completely defeated, Vince crumpled to the floor, resembling a broken fighter left sobbing in the wreckage of his own choices.

    Suddenly, hurried footsteps pounded on the fire escape. With a thunder of boots, a SWAT team stormed inside, weapons drawn, spreading out to lock down every angle. Several officers wasted no time, wrestling Vince to the floor and pinning him with practiced efficiency.

    All around, the crowd burst into a chaotic uproar. Amid the shouts, a crisp, familiar voice sliced through the noise. ¡°Hold on.¡±

    Heads swiveled as a clear path parted in the wall of onlookers. Striding into view came a cluster of detectives in inclothes, authority written on every badge. Out in front walked a man everyone recognized¡ªRnd.

    A steady, unwavering presence, Rnd¡¯s sharp gaze missed nothing; every inch of him radiated control and silentmand. Maia¡¯s heart skipped. She hadn¡¯t expected to see him here.

    No time was wasted on greetings. Rnd crossed straight to where Vincey restrained.

    ¡°Vince Ward.¡± Calm but cold, his words cut like a de. ¡°You¡¯ve had your moment. It¡¯s over.¡±

    Recognition shed in Vince¡¯s eyes, a bitter grin flickering as if he still had something left to say. Steel cuffs mped around his wrists before another word escaped.

    Two officers stepped forward, holding up their IDs. ¡°Vince Ward, you¡¯re under arrest for major disturbances, endangering the public, illegal possession of explosives, and making violent threats. You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say can be used against you in court.¡±

    Panic seized Vince as he shouted, ¡°No! I never blew up anything! Those were just fireworks, smoke bombs, nothing more! I just wanted to scare her. You¡¯ve got no right! You don¡¯t get it¡ªI love her!¡±

    ?????????????? ???????????? ????: g????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Wild-eyed and frantic, he fought the officers, his pleas ringing hollow in the charged air.

    Rnd¡¯s voice took on a sharper edge. ¡°Vince Ward, your crimes run far deeper than you admit.¡± His words sliced through the tension like ice. ¡°You hired an assassin to target a Zenith Legal attorney. We have irond evidence¡ªalong with a signed confession from your aplice. Just enjoy your life in prison, facing what you¡¯ve done.¡±

    Instantly, chaos erupted throughout the room.

    ¡°Hired an assassin? He¡¯s absolutely insane?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that attorney from Zenith Legal representing Maia? Wasn¡¯t the incident called an ident before?¡±

    ¡°So it was Vince pulling the strings all along?¡±

    Shock froze Vince in ce, eyes wide and unblinking, lips parted in silent horror.<fn309b> Official source is f?ndnovel</fn309b>

    It was all over, and he knew it.

    In that instant, every facade, every calcted gesture, drained away.

    Laughter spilled from Vince¡¯s lips, empty and wild.

    Turning around, he caught sight of a figure storming through the crowd¡ªa man in a tailored suit, eyes zing with fury.

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 Chapter 884

    ?Chapter 884:

    Gavin, his father, had arrived.

    ¡°Vince!¡± Gavin¡¯s face was ashen, his voice filled with disbelief. ¡°How could you have done such things? Do you have any idea what you¡¯ve done? Did our family mean nothing to you?¡±

    Each word trembled, heavy with heartbreak. ¡°You¡¯ve crushed everything I ever hoped for.¡±

    No retort came from Vince. Theughter died, and his body sagged.

    His chin dropped to his chest. He stood silent, motionless.

    Realization hit harder than any prison bars¡ªthe Ward family was powerless to shield him now.

    No one would weep for a murderer.

    Only cold cells, iron bars, and the slow ache of regret stretched ahead.<fn29eb> Chapters first released on fin?novel</fn29eb>

    The woman he had chased for so long had never once looked back.

    As his world faded to gray, Vince¡¯s final glimpse was of Maia turning away. And beside her, standing tall, was Chris¡ªthe man Vince had always despised.

    The officers wasted no time. Vince was promptly taken into custody, yet tension still hung thick in the air.

    ¡°Seal the entire perimeter and sweep every section of the building!¡± The sharp order from the special opsmander reignited the unease among those present.

    ¡°Everyone listen carefully! Do not panic. Leave in a single file. No running! This isn¡¯t over yet. There may still be explosives inside. Stick to the assigned exits and follow our lead!¡±

    Members of the SWAT team moved with practiced speed. Megaphones redmands while other officers fanned out, securing key locations. Detection equipment buzzed as K9 units sniffed through each level¡ªlobbies, elevator shafts, vents. No space was overlooked.

    Anxiety began to ripple through the room again. Some people slumped to the floor, lightheaded. Others stood trembling, hands pressed over their mouths to stifle sobs.

    ?????????????????? ?????????????? ??????????: ?????????¦Í???????????????

    Panic pushed one individual to the brink. He scrambled toward the railing in a desperate bid to escape, unaware that a fall from that height could kill a grown man instantly. Thankfully, an armed officer grabbed the man just in time and dragged him back from the edge.

    ¡°Are you out of your mind? Evacuate in order! Do you hear me? Don¡¯t run! Keep it together!¡±

    Across the lobby, the crowd stood frozen, caught between terror and exhaustion. Fear still clung to their expressions like a shadow that wouldn¡¯t lift. No one could say for sure whether Vince had nted another trap.

    But as the panic slowly faded, a sobering truth began to settle in. Had everyone bolted in fear from the start, the aftermath would¡¯ve been far worse. The real tragedy wouldn¡¯t havee from a bomb, but from the chaos of people turning against each other in blind desperation.

    Even with heavily armed officers keeping order, some still broke down¡ªcrying, shaking, unable to stop themselves. Being afraid of dying is part of being human. No one should feel ashamed for that.

    But what separates people from instinct is the choice to stand their ground. And in that moment, courage made all the difference.

    True heroes are those who stare death in the face and walk forward anyway. Maia was exactly that kind of person.

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 Chapter 885

    ?Chapter 885:

    When panic surged and people scattered, Maia did the opposite¡ªstanding firm, walking straight into danger, and exposing Vince¡¯s bluff before things spiraled further out of control.

    Had Maia not anticipated his game or spoken with the rity that anchored the crowd in that critical moment, who knew how many lives this building would have taken?

    Maia¡¯s quiet deration that ¡°everything¡¯s fine now; the danger has passed¡± was more than just a line¡ªit steadied the hearts of everyone who heard it. Without it, fear might have taken full control. A stampede was only a heartbeat away from turning the scene into carnage.

    No one wanted to imagine that oue. No one wanted to see blood spilled by panic.

    In the aftermath, while tension still lingered like smoke, Maia moved beside Chris without a word. Both of them stepped carefully down the stopped esctor, its structure intact but lifeless.

    Maia¡¯s face held no trace of pride or fear¡ªjust calm and certainty. And though she said nothing, every quiet step seemed to speak louder than the chaos left behind.

    At first, no one said a word. They just stared at her¡ªevery pair of eyes drawn to the same figure.

    A voice finally broke through the silence. ¡°Ms. Watson¡­ She¡¯s the one who saved us.¡±

    Whispers rippled through the crowd, gentle at first. ¡°Maia.¡±

    Then the name caught fire, passing from one mouth to another. ¡°Maia.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Maia who worked wonders!¡±

    One person, overwhelmed with emotion, cried out in a shaky voice, ¡°She saved everyone in this building.¡±

    And then it hit like a wave¡ªshouts pouring from the crowd, each one louder than thest. ¡°Maia, thank you!¡±

    ?????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í??????©o?????

    ¡°You saved us! Thank you!¡±

    ¡°You were incredible back there¡­¡±

    A sudden burst of pping rose through the unsettled air, steady and rhythmic, gradually blending with voices full of gratitude and admiration.

    Down below, reporters who had scrambled to the scene lifted their cameras toward Maia, eager to seize the image that everyone would remember. Event staff stepped aside, and the SWAT officers moved instinctively, parting the crowd to make way for her.<fn64a2> This update is avable on Find[?]ovel</fn64a2>

    Chants began to rise from the crowd, growing louder with each repetition. ¡°Maia Watson! Maia Watson!¡±

    This wasn¡¯t for show. The voices came straight from their hearts¡ªa collective tribute to the woman who stood firm, who stayed sharp when it mattered most. To them, it felt like weing home a hero, and someone in the crowd hit record, saving the moment forever.

    Standing at the center of it all, Maia looked out across the crowd. Her face stayed calm¡ªno bright smile, no tears. Just a quiet nod that said everything. Though unused to being the center of attention, she met their eyes without flinching.

    Camera shes burst like starlight. Lenses zoomed in. Reporters surged forward, voices ovepping in a frenzy to hear from her.

    Without a word, Chris moved in. Always watchful, he positioned himself between her and the press, gently carving a path through the chaos.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 886

    ?Chapter 886:

    Only after they stepped beyond the ss doors of Harmony za did Maia finally exhale, the breath long and heavy.

    A weight settled quietly on her chest. Deep down, she couldn¡¯t shake the thought¡ªif not for her, Vince might never havee. These people might never have been in danger.

    The sun greeted her as they stepped outside. Its warmth touched her skin, chasing away the gloom that clung to her thoughts.

    Right then, as her foot crossed the threshold, someone familiar broke through the crowd and rushed toward her.

    ¡°Maia!¡± Pattie came charging forward, giving Maia no warning before throwing her arms around her in a crushing hug.

    Tears already brimmed in her eyes, and her body shook from the lingering panic. ¡°You scared the hell out of me! Do you even realize that?¡± Her voice wavered, but the bluntness was unmistakable. ¡°I was watching the live stream¡ªI nearly threw my phone across the room. You were standing in front of that maniac with a bomb strapped to him! What were you thinking? Have youpletely lost it?¡±

    Maia was momentarily stunned, then gently patted Pattie¡¯s back, her voice soft and steady. ¡°Alright. It¡¯s all over now. Look at me¡ªsee? Not a scratch.¡± She even gave a yful spin, her smile calm and reassuring.

    ¡°Swear to me you won¡¯t do anything like that again.¡± Pattie stepped back and scanned her from head to toe, her expression tight with worry. Only once she was sure that Maia was unharmed did she speak again, her voice cracking.

    ¡°That bastard Vince¡ª¡± Pattie¡¯s hands iled in frustration. ¡°For a second, I thought I¡¯d lost you for good. I swear, if I could get my hands on him, I¡¯d beat the living daylights out of that lunatic!¡±

    ¡°The police already have him in custody,¡± Maia said with a casual shrug.

    ¡°That¡¯s not nearly enough¡ªhe deserves to rot behind bars for the rest of his life!¡±

    ???????????? ???? ??????????: ??????????????????©q?????

    ¡°Maybe so¡­ but that¡¯s not for us to decide,¡± Maia replied, lowering her voice. ¡°Rnd¡¯s involved now, and on top of that, Vince is being linked to a murder case. I doubt he¡¯s going anywhere anytime soon.¡± She didn¡¯t linger on it, quickly steering the conversation elsewhere. ¡°Anyway, I need food.¡±

    Pattie blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Wait, what?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m dead hungry.¡± Maia gave a firm nod, facepletely serious. ¡°I was running on pure adrenaline. Now that it¡¯s worn off, I¡¯m ready to devour everything in sight.¡±

    A brief pause stretched between them before Pattie suddenly lit up with recognition. ¡°Actually, yeah¡ªI¡¯m starving too. Completely drained. And now we can¡¯t get our spicyfort food because of that lunatic. I swear, I¡¯ll never forgive him!¡± She huffed, crossing her arms. ¡°Just thinking about those dishes makes me furious¡ªand even hungrier!¡±

    Maia arched a brow just as her stomach let out a loud growl. ¡°Obviously. Talk about spice any longer and I¡¯ll start drooling on the spot.¡±

    Laughter bubbled between Maia and Pattie as they kept trading yful remarks. Standing nearby, Chris had quietly stayed within earshot, saying nothing¡ªuntil now. Their back-and-forth made his brow twitch, barely noticeable.

    It hit him then¡ªMaia¡¯s obsession with spicy food had always been there, but somehow he¡¯d missed itpletely.

    ¡°You¡¯re into spicy food?¡± Chris asked out of the blue.<fn856a> Readplete version only at FindN()vel</fn856a>

    Maia turned with a smirk. ¡°Wow, Chris. Didn¡¯t think I was such a mystery to you. But let¡¯s focus on what matters¡ªknow any good ces to eat around here?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 887

    ?Chapter 887:

    Truth be told, Maia wasn¡¯t the only one running on empty. Chris, after everything, was feeling it too¡ªhunger creeping in now that the tension had died down. And they weren¡¯t alone. Even a few special forces officers nearby were rubbing their stomachs, clearly thinking the same thing.

    Just then, a familiar voice cut through the air. ¡°Is everyone alright?¡± Maxwell strolled over, a massive cello case slung across his back.

    Pattie gave him a quick once-over and smirked. ¡°Maxwell? What¡¯s this¡ªjoining an orchestra now?¡±

    Stopping in his tracks, Maxwell raised both hands in defense. ¡°This thing? It¡¯s a gift from a friend. I was nearby when I caught the live stream and nearly had a heart attack. Came straight here. Good to see you all in one piece.¡±

    ¡°You really have a talent for showing up at the most dramatic moments,¡± Pattie muttered under her breath, eyeing the cello with clear suspicion. Since when did he y? And who gave him a cello?<fn0aa8> ?????? ???? f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn0aa8>

    Still, she let the questions slide and refocused. ¡°Since you¡¯re here, how about pointing us to somewhere we can get food? Preferably a ce that doesn¡¯te with lunatics included.¡±

    Pattie wasn¡¯t about to take chances. Vince might be out of the picture, but those three Morgan family lunatics who¡¯d been hovering around the MCN buildingtely? Just thinking about them made her skin crawl. No question about it¡ªthose people were outright fanatics.

    ¡°Hey, I was genuinely concerned. Don¡¯t forget, we all hung out at KTV not long ago. That¡¯s gotta count for something, right?¡± Maxwell¡¯s gaze drifted between Chris and Maia. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m just d everyone made it out safe.¡±

    Out of nowhere, Chris spoke up. ¡°You know this neighborhood, Maxwell. Got any leads on a legit spicy food restaurant?¡±

    That question made Maxwell freeze for a second before everything clicked. ¡°Ms. Watson¡¯s got a thing for spicy dishes?¡±

    ???????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°She had ns to dine at the rooftop restaurant earlier,¡± Chris added with a mischievous wink.

    A slight crease formed on Maxwell¡¯s brow as he exhaled silently. A secondter, understanding dawned on him. Chris wasn¡¯t just asking for directions¡ªhe wanted Maxwell to pull a few strings and get them something special.

    Without missing a beat, Maxwell replied, ¡°You came to the right guy. I know a hidden gem nearby. Secure. And the best part? The chefs there trained under the same mentors as the rooftop restaurant¡¯s team. Their food? Practically indistinguishable.¡±

    ¡°For real?¡± Maia and Pattie blurted it out at the same time, eyes lighting up.

    Catching Chris¡¯s small nod, Maxwell straightened with pride. ¡°No doubt about it. Follow me. I¡¯ll lead the way.¡±

    Momentster, the group split into separate vehicles and began making their way to the restaurant.

    Once Maia slid into her seat, she slumped back and let her eyes fall shut. The fatigue had caught up with her. Before long, her head rested on Chris¡¯s shoulder as sleep took over.

    Turning slightly, Chris nced at her profile and reached for her hand, holding it with care.

    At the same time, social media lit up like wildfire. Tags such as #MaiaWatson, #WrongExplosionAttempt, and #VinceWardLostHisMind shot straight to the top of Twitter¡¯s trending list. Dozens of bystanders began flooding the inte with firsthand posts, snapshots, and shaky videos, all delivering one clear message.

    ¡°Ms. Watson kept herposure and calmed everyone down. She¡¯s the real hero of the day.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 888

    ?Chapter 888:

    ¡°She prevented a disaster. Without her, people would¡¯ve panicked. It could¡¯ve turned into a stampede. Maybe worse¡ªdeaths, 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.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í????????£®?????

    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.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 889

    ?Chapter 889:

    Without hesitation, she reached for a separate phone resting on the table and dialed.

    ¡°Let the team know it¡¯s time to initiate the handover. udius will now oversee operations in Otruitho.¡± Her voice carried the kind of certainty that left no room for debate.

    ¡°Right away, Ms. Cooper.¡±<fn2> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n ?ovelFind</fn2>

    Without missing a beat, Kiley switched to another contact and ced a second call.

    It rang three times before udius finally answered, his voice low and familiar. ¡°Kiley. What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Kiley didn¡¯t bother with small talk. ¡°I assume Dad already told you. Start making arrangements for your flight. I don¡¯t want Otruitho running without one of us present.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been informed.¡± udius kept his tone even, revealing nothing beneath the surface.

    Still, Kiley knew her brother too well to miss the signs. When udius spoke with that kind ofposure, it wasn¡¯t calm¡ªit was restraint. The quieter he got, the more it hinted at everything he was holding back.

    For a brief second, Kiley considered whether to say more. Unlike most people, she had the patience to reach him. After all, udius was meant to take the reins of Cooper Group someday, and when that day came, she intended to step aside and finally live on her terms.

    Eventually, she spoke again. ¡°You need this time in Otruitho. It¡¯s not just business¡ªit¡¯s a lesson. Both Father and I believe it¡¯s the right path. And maybe, while you¡¯re there, you¡¯ll find the rity you¡¯ve been avoiding.¡± Kiley paused and added, ¡°You know exactly who I¡¯m referring to.¡±

    udius remained silent for a couple of seconds, tightening his grip slightly while maintaining his usual elegance and gentlemanly demeanor. ¡°I understand, and I¡¯ll handle the work well.¡±

    ???????????????????? ?????????????? ???????? g????????¦Í?????????????

    Kiley didn¡¯t waste time before responding. ¡°That¡¯s what I want to hear. I¡¯m heading back to Wront in the morning. If you¡¯re free, we should catch up. Also, Mariana¡¯s strugglingtely. See if you can arrange for her to talk to someone professional.¡±

    Kiley ended the call before udius could say anything else.

    Setting her phone down on the table, she turned her attention to Mariana, who was curled up on the sofa. ¡°Mariana, book the tickets for us. You¡¯reing to Wront, too.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s head slowly lifted from the cushions, her gaze clouded and distant. Every day since the art exhibition, she had drifted through life as though nothing could shake her from the disappointment. Losing to Maia twice had shattered her self-esteem and dulled her hope.

    She didn¡¯t seem to register what Kiley said fully, but eventually nodded. ¡°Alright.¡± Kiley let out a gentle sigh, anxious about how to help her sister recover soon.

    At the Cooper Vi, udius remained in his study, phone still in hand, hisposure never slipping. He looked as unyielding as a statue carved from marble.

    Even after the call, Kiley¡¯s words reyed in his thoughts. He let his eyes wander toward the shimmering city lights just beyond the window.

    For a brief moment, he acted as though the view meant everything to him. However, he knew deep down that it was never the skyline he clung to. He found himself unable to let go of Maia.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 890

    ?Chapter 890:

    He could not deny his feelings for her, even though they left him uncertain. Through it all, only Maia managed to leave an imprint that he couldn¡¯t erase.

    His father couldn¡¯t have picked a more strategic time to ship him off to Otruitho, and it was no coincidence that Kiley called right after, her message loaded with urgency. There was no mistaking the n¡ªthey wanted Maia out of his story for good.

    Most people believed that putting miles between two hearts and letting time pass would make the feelings disappear. That much seemed obvious to his father and sister. Still, when it came to his feelings, he wasn¡¯t so sure. Could he truly erase Maia from his heart just by leaving for Otruitho, even though he was so taken with her?

    udius didn¡¯t know the answer.<fn7cb2> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find[?]ovel</fn7cb2>

    He swallowed, eyes dropping toward the floor.

    The thumping in his chest grew stronger, as if pushing him to make a choice that he¡¯d regret if ignored.

    Before his departure, there was one thing he needed to do before packing his bags. udius had to find Maia and finally tell her what he truly felt.

    Even if Maia brushed him off or stood in silence, the words needed to leave his chest.

    It was better to let his heart speak than to let regret settle in.

    Turning his attention to the television, he caught sight of Maia walking right up to Vince, her confidence on full disy. A faint smile broke through his serious expression.

    ¡°I should be brave like her,¡± udius silently told himself.

    Somewhere else, beneath a sky littered with stars, two private vehicles crept into an exclusive club tucked away in the valley. The ce offered the quietfort of privacy.

    Inside one of the cars, Maia¡¯s head rested against Chris¡¯s shoulder. She slept peacefully, hershes forming tiny shadows along her cheek as the city lights flickered through the ss.

    ?????????? ????????????????????: g?????????????????????

    A pleasant dream seemed to have found her, and Chris could tell by her steady breathing and the soft, contented smile that appeared every now and then. This calm was a far cry from how she¡¯d looked on the ne earlier.

    Still, both times, she had leaned on his shoulder for support.

    Whatever they were before, things between them had shifted. They¡¯d grown a little closer.

    Lost in these thoughts, Chris nearly missed the moment to wake her.

    He nudged her gently and spoke in a low voice. ¡°We¡¯re here.¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes blinked open, and she wrinkled her brow as if the drive hadn¡¯t taken long at all. ¡°That was fast.¡±

    Right away, she let out a yawn and gave a long, sleepy stretch, as though she could have used more rest.

    Chris watched her with a small grin, his eyes meeting hers. ¡°You¡¯ve been out for almost thirty minutes.¡±

    Just then, Maia¡¯s stomach let out a rumble. Clearly, she was ready for dinner.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 891

    ?Chapter 891:

    Pinching the bridge of her nose, Maia tightened her coat around herself and stepped out of the car.

    A cool gust of wind greeted her as she exited, causing her to sneeze softly.

    ¡°The air¡¯s cooler up here in the mountains. Nights really do feel different than in the city,¡± said Chris. Without a second thought, he slipped off his coat and settled it over Maia¡¯s shoulders. Looking at her, he added, ¡°I already asked them to bring out the soup first. Be sure to try some.¡±

    Pattie couldn¡¯t help but feel like an extra wheel. She was one of the select few who knew Chris and Maia were legally married, which made her presence feel even more awkward. Still, since she was there, she figured that she might as well enjoy a good meal.

    After clearing her throat, Pattie slipped her arm through Maia¡¯s. ¡°Come on, Maia. I¡¯m starving, and I¡¯m dying to find out if this chef lives up to the hype.¡±

    Maia threw a nce Chris¡¯s way, then grinned and started chatting with Pattie as they walked ahead.

    Not far off, Maxwell had just shown up. He spotted Chris standing there by himself and almost burst outughing, but managed to keep a straight face. Maxwell stepped up beside him. ¡°Come on, man. Everything¡¯s set just like you asked.¡±

    The corridor whispered with the rustle of leaves as Maxwell led the group through its shadowed embrace, guiding them into the private club he had secured for the evening.

    The air shifted, warm and inviting, as they stepped inside. The club¡¯s interior gleamed with understated elegance. Polished wood paneling caught the soft glow of amber lights, casting a golden sheen across the room. The faint scent of cedar mingled with the crisp night air drifting in from thendscaped gardens, where water trickled over smooth stones, blending seamlessly with the darkness outside. It was a scene plucked from a dream¡ªserene and almost too perfect.

    As they settled into plush chairs, servers glided forward, bearing traysden with dishes that steamed and shimmered in the low light. The table soon overflowed with vibrant tes, their spices weaving a heady aroma that teased the senses. These weren¡¯t just local specialties of Wront; the spread boasted vors from distant corners of the world, each dish a small masterpiece.

    ???????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Pattie¡¯s eyes widened as she surveyed the feast, her fork hovering midair. ¡°Good heavens, Maxwell!¡± she eximed, leaning forward, her voice bright with astonishment. ¡°Maia and I barely mentioned these dishes in passing, and you remembered every single one? You even got the chefs to whip them up ahead of time. Not a single thing¡¯s missing!¡±

    Maxwell¡¯s lips twitched, but before he could respond, his gaze flicked to Chris, who sat calmly slicing a piece of grilled pepper. He didn¡¯t dare take credit and quickly cleared his throat to exin, ¡°Just to rify, I can¡¯t remember the names of all those dishes. Chris jotted them down and sent me the list while we were on the way. I just passed it to the chefs.¡±

    Pattie¡¯s head swiveled to Chris, her grin widening. ¡°Chris, you¡¯re a marvel! What a memory!¡±

    She nudged Maia yfully, her tone teasing. ¡°Someone¡¯s got a knack for details, wouldn¡¯t you agree, Maia?¡±

    Maia¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile, her eyes catching Chris¡¯s across the table. Amusement danced in her gaze, unspoken but unmistakable.

    ¡°Very thoughtful, Chris,¡± she said softly.

    .

    .<fn973c> Readplete version only at F¦ÉndNovel</fn973c>

    .

 Chapter 892

    ?Chapter 892:

    Pattie coughed, suddenly aware of Maxwell¡¯s presence.

    Her eyes darted to him, but his expression remained unreadable as he sipped his wine, his posture rxed yet alert. Breathing a quiet sigh of relief, she realized she had nearly let slip the open secret of Maia and Chris¡¯s bond. Chris said nothing, his focus on Maia as he deftly ced a slice of tender beef onto her te.

    The gesture was simple, almost instinctive, but it carried a weight that didn¡¯t escape Maxwell¡¯s notice. He watched, his wine ss paused halfway to his lips.

    Usually, Chris tempered his devotion in public, but here, in front of Pattie, the mask was off. A suspicion stirred in Maxwell¡¯s mind. Did Pattie know about Maia and Chris¡¯s rtionship? He wondered inwardly. Maxwell paused, considering the possibility, and decided to confirm with Christer.

    Laughter bubbled up, mingling with the clink of sses and the savory aroma wafting from the table.

    Pattie speared a piece of curry-dusted chicken, her eyes lighting up. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the chef here to nail it like this. It tastes exactly like that spot in Harmony za.¡±

    Maia nodded, savoring a bite of spiced rice. ¡°Spicy food always hits the spot.¡± Her voice was light, but her thoughts drifted to Sceibar, where she had endured weeks of nd, repetitive meals. The memory made her appreciate the burst of vor on her tongue even more.

    Maxwell smirked, leaning back in his chair. Of course it was the same, he thought. It was the same chef. He didn¡¯t voice it, though, letting the moment linger.

    Pattie¡¯s fist clenched around her napkin, her voice sharp with lingering frustration. ¡°We almost didn¡¯t get this meal, thanks to that maniac Vince.¡± She shuddered, recalling the chaos earlier that day.

    Maia sipped her soup, her expression softening. ¡°At least he didn¡¯t ruin our night.¡±

    ¡°Good thing we ran into you, Maxwell,¡± Pattie added, tossing him a grateful nce.

    ?????????? ???????? ??????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Maxwell opened his mouth to reply, but his phone buzzed sharply on the table. He nced at the screen, and his face paled.

    ¡°Oh no,¡± he muttered, standing abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. ¡°No, no, no¡­¡±

    Pattie leaned forward, curiosity piqued. ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°My sister, Marisa,¡± Maxwell said, his voice tight with a mix of dread and resignation.

    He answered the call, bracing himself.

    ¡°Maxwell, have you lost your mind?¡± Marisa¡¯s voice crackled through the line, sharp and unrelenting. ¡°You promised me dinner, and you just ditched me? What, you think it¡¯s fun, huh? What am I exactly to you?¡±<fna556> Fresh chapters posted on F?nd-Novel</fna556>

    ¡°I told you, it was ast-minute thing,¡± Maxwell said, rubbing his temple. ¡°I¡¯m almost done here. I¡¯lle get you.¡±

    ¡°Last-minute, my foot!¡± Marisa snapped, though a yful edge crept into her tone. ¡°You¡¯d better pick me up now, or I¡¯m telling Mom and Dad you¡¯re bullying me. And don¡¯t think I¡¯ll settle for less than ten grand to keep quiet!¡±

    Maxwell ended the call, his shoulders slumping. ¡°Sorry for the scene, everyone,¡± he said, forcing a sheepish grin. ¡°My sister¡¯s about to erupt.¡±

    Pattie¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°You have a sister? Since when?¡±

    ¡°Did I not mention her?¡± Maxwell said, already halfway to the door, buttoning his jacket. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ve got to go before she burns the city down.¡±

    The door mmed shut with a resounding bang.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 893

    ?Chapter 893:

    Silence hung for a heartbeat before the table erupted inughter.

    ¡°Maxwell¡¯s so terrified of his sister, isn¡¯t he?¡± Pattie said, wiping a tear from her eye. ¡°That¡¯s really something else.¡±

    Maia chuckled, her gaze softening as Chris slid another piece of beef onto her te. He didn¡¯t speak, but the corner of his mouth lifted in a quiet smile, his focus unwavering.

    Meanwhile, on the outskirts of town, Axel¡¯s sprawling vi glowed faintly under the starlit sky. The bedroom was a cocoon of warmth, scented with the faint musk of perfume.

    On the bed, Axel stirred in his sleep, muttering incoherently before sinking back into dreams.

    On the plush carpet beside a velvet sofa, Rosanna sat curled in a silk robe, her knees drawn to her chest. Her eyes were fixed on the television, its flickering images casting shadows across her face.

    The television kept running the report on what had happened to Maia. The room rang with pping, loud whoops, and the crowd shouting, ¡°Maia Watson¡± over and over again.

    Rosanna stared nkly ahead. Her mouth was mped shut, as if she had bottled everything up for ages.

    Atst, a crooked smile crept onto her face, but no sound escaped her lips. She rose to her feet without hurry and wandered to the tall window. The robe she wore made her reflection look pale and ghostlike against the ss.

    ¡°Vince¡­ Vince¡­ You still can¡¯t move on from Maia, can you?¡± she murmured under her breath. Then, like a switch, her tone snapped ice-cold. ¡°You really are a pitiful idiot! I gave it my all once. I dreamed of being your wife. And now? It all looks like a cruel punchline!¡±

    Rosanna dipped her head, a strange grin spreading across her face. Her shoulders shook with a soft, jitteryugh. In a heartbeat, thatugh twisted into something wild and shrill¡ªcutting through the past like a knife through silk.<fn4adc> Updates are released by f?ndnovel</fn4adc>

    ???????????????? ????????: g????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Ha¡­ what a joke! I actually used to picture myself as Mrs. Ward. The thought isughable now! Vince, you¡¯ve let me down in every possible way. You couldn¡¯t even drag Maia down with you. What on earth was I thinking, falling for someone like you?¡± Rosanna ranted in a half-crazed way, her voice full of bitterughter¡ªtaunting Vince and, maybe, deep down, ridiculing who she used to be.

    She sank into the sofa again, dragging her fingers through her tangled hair, every movement heavy.

    After sitting in silence for some time, she inhaled deeply. When she lifted her gaze, her face wasposed¡ªthere was even a strange peace in her eyes, something entirely new to her.

    She nced over her shoulder at the man lying fast asleep in the bed: Axell.

    The very man she had loathed, pushed away, and sworn she would never let near was now the only person she could lean on.

    Axell had already left his mark on her. She had gotten used to his smell, his habits, and the way he always had to be in control.

    Still, none of it made a difference now.

    Rosanna had finally seen things for what they were.

    ¡°Turns out¡­ not a single man out there is worth a damn,¡± sheughed softly, her grin twisted with both freedom and a touch of madness.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 894

    ?Chapter 894:

    ¡°No big deal. I¡¯ll just call it quits.¡±

    She padded barefoot across the floor and stood beside the bed, eyes locked on Axell¡¯s sleeping face. There was a time she held her head high as the proud Morgan heiress, refusing to yield to anyone. Now, she was just a shadow of that girl¡ªliving in someone else¡¯s home, dancing to a man¡¯s tune, surviving off whatever scraps he offered.

    Lately, she¡¯de to understand the ugly truths about people¡ªtheir hunger for power, their endless wanting, and their need to dominate.<fn4d3b> Chapters first released on find?novel</fn4d3b>

    She offered Axell exactly what he craved¡ªgentleness, submission, a steady presence. And sure enough, he started treating her like she belonged to him. She¡¯d stopped being just a body to warm his bed. Now, he wanted her nearby, always within reach, like something precious he couldn¡¯t let go of. She had picked up on the change right away¡ªand it was exactly the oue she had been aiming for.

    Rosanna firmly believed it was only a matter of time before Axell waspletely wrapped around her finger.

    ¡°Since you¡¯ve taken my body, there¡¯s a price to pay¡­ From now on, you belong to me¡ªuntil your final breath, you¡¯ll dance to my tune.¡±

    She bent down slowly, closing the distance between them with eerie intimacy. Her voice dropped to a silken murmur, like a lover whispering in sleep. ¡°Axell¡­ sleep well¡­ You¡¯ll be my sword of revenge!¡±

    She ran her fingers lightly along his jaw, her eyes shining with a wild, feverish light that only grew sharper by the second.

    ¡°Starting now, I don¡¯t give a damn about pride, love, or my past. I¡¯m going toe out on top, no matter what it takes. And you¡ªyes, you¡ªand the entire Nelson n¡­ you¡¯re the only tools I need to do it.¡±

    She kept her eyes locked on him, unmoving. There was something in her stare¡ªhalf hunter ready to pounce, half lunatic clinging to thest thing that made sense.

    Out of nowhere, a low, unhingedugh spilled from her lips. It bubbled up slowly, dark and twisted, soaked in venom.

    ???????? ???????? ???????????????????? ? ??????????¦Í??????©q??????

    She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at the screen, where Maia¡¯s image lit up the room.

    ¡°Maia¡­ while you bask in the light, I¡¯ll be the darkness pulling at your heels. Bit by bit, I¡¯ll reim all that you stole from me¡ªeverything you own, everything you are. I¡¯ll make you choke on regret. And Richard¡­ Sandra¡­ from this moment on, you¡¯re not my parents. You¡¯re just enemies.¡±

    Peace settled over the presidential suite, warmmplight brushing over each elegant surface.

    By the floor-to-ceiling ss pane, Raegan let her fingers move across the keyboard, her face both focused and quietly thoughtful. She stared at the headline crawling across her screen: ¡°Explosion at Harmony za in Wront. Famed Designer Maia Watson Confronts Attackers, Crisis Averted.¡±

    Shouts, stampeding feet, and general disorder filled the video. However, in the midst of the turmoil, Maia stood her ground, steadily moving toward the bomber with strikingposure.

    Brows knit with concern, Raegan kept her gaze fixed on Maia¡¯s image in the video.

    ¡°Maia¡­¡± She had just returned to Wront and was already in the news spotlight again? How did that woman manage to be the center of attention wherever she went?

    With a single keystroke, Raegan stopped the footage.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 895

    ?Chapter 895:

    Frozen on the screen, Maia¡¯s face appeared resolute and unflinching.

    Something about that image made an odd tension rise inside Raegan.

    Maia¡¯s behavior was too unusual.

    Her poise in the midst of bem hinted at something unshakable, something practiced.

    Had Raegan not known about Maia¡¯s background, she would have thought Maia was a seasoned, well-trained special operative.

    That unsettled feeling spurred Raegan on, so she wasted no time searching for Maia¡¯s public records once more.

    With eachyer Raegan peeled back, the situation only grew stranger.

    Somehow, a woman with a criminal past had emerged as the celebratedposer known as K. She was also recognized as Eileen Vaughn, the lead designer at MCN. Just recently, another revtion surfaced: Maia had been unmasked as Matias Watts, the artist featured at the gallery show.

    The pieces did not fit together. Raegan felt as if she were staring at several mismatched lives all forced into the shape of one person.

    Could any single individual genuinely pull off such feats? Or had these dazzling achievements been staged, with Maia crafted into an borate persona by unseen hands? What other exnation made sense?

    Perhaps her time behind bars had not been ordinary at all. Maybe Maia had spent those years with a covert group like ¡°The Mask,¡± enduring rigorous preparation. That possibility couldn¡¯t be dismissed. Raegan even caught herself wondering if Maia had ever set foot inside a cell at all.

    There were simply too many gaps, too many unanswered questions, to reach a clear conclusion. Yet one fact remained¡ªMaia¡¯s mind was remarkably strong. Whatever the chaos, Maia moved through it with calm certainty.

    Had she really spent four years locked away, or did her absence point to intensive, secret training? To Raegan, thetter appeared increasingly likely. The truth seemed within reach, but there was still something amiss, something that she didn¡¯t find reasonable.<fnc6bb> ?????? ???? find{n}ovel</fnc6bb>

    ???????? ???????????? ???? ??????????¦Í?????????????

    A sigh escaped Raegan as she pressed back against her chair, pressing her fingers to her temples in irritation.

    That was when the door opened with a gentle touch.

    A quiet sound cut through the room as the not-quite-closed handle turned. The interruption jolted Raegan, snapping her out of her thoughts. Quickly, she minimized everything on her screen that referenced Maia. With rigid hands, she switched her disy to a fresh tab, doing her best to seem absorbed in global headlines.

    A momentter, Kiley glided in. The silver-gray silk of her robe caught the low light, and something faintly sharp flickered beneath her rxed exterior. ¡°You¡¯re tucked away in here by yourself, no lights on, not even amp?¡± Her words drifted out, easy and soft, but Raegan caught a detached sort of amusement.

    Pulling herself together, Raegan managed a small, convincing smile. ¡°Lights slipped my mind. Got bored, so I started scrolling through the news,¡± she said, matching Kiley¡¯s easy tone and masking any hint of anxiety.

    In the blink of an eye, Kiley moved closer, dipping down to murmur near Raegan¡¯s ear, ¡°Raegan¡­¡± She let the name hang, voice yful and teasing. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not keeping something from me?¡±

    Instantly, Raegan¡¯s posture turned rigid. She barely had a chance to respond before Kiley reached over and imed the mouse for herself.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 896

    ?Chapter 896:

    ¡°I noticed you were quick to hide something as I walked in. Why not show me what kind of news has your attention?¡±

    Moving efficiently, Kiley brought up the list of recently visited sites with a few swift movements.

    Disyed on the monitor, words like ¡°Maia,¡± ¡°explosion,¡± and ¡°heroine¡± practically leapt from the search bar.

    The entire room seemed to pause, silence thickening around them.

    ¡°So, Maia¡¯s been on your mind,¡± said Kiley, voice even as she watched Raegan closely. A slow, knowing smile curled at the edge of her mouth. ¡°I never would have guessed you were so invested in her story.¡±

    Raegan suddenly felt her chest tighten, but she kept a straight face, showing no hint of distress.

    ¡°You¡¯ve caught me red-handed. I only wanted to do something good for you. That day at the gallery, Maia tore into your sister without a second thought. You just stood there, taking it all in quietly. So¡­ I thought maybe I could dig into Maia¡¯s past a little. See if there was any dirt I could pass along to you.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s brow lifted slightly, as if weighing the meaning behind Raegan¡¯s confession. Back at the show, Raegan had reacted oddly whenever Maia was around. It seemed Raegan did care¡ªhoping to avenge Kiley and Mariana. That thought brought Kiley somefort, and she bought into Raegan¡¯s story without question.<fncf66> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? F¦ÉndNovel</fncf66>

    Watching Kiley¡¯s response, Raegan hid her grin, sure that her tale had done the trick. To make her story sound more believable, she let a natural gleam flicker in her eyes as she spoke. ¡°I honestly didn¡¯t see iting¡­ the moment Maia got back to Wront, she blew up online. People started praising her like she was some kind of hero because of that explosion incident.¡±

    She hesitated for a beat, then leaned in, dropping her voice to a near-whisper. ¡°Kiley, something about her just doesn¡¯t sit right with me.¡±

    ¡°Something doesn¡¯t sit right?¡± Kiley looked surprised, her curiosity instantly piqued by Raegan¡¯s vague warning. ¡°What are you getting at?¡±

    ???????????? ???? ????????????: ?????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°To tell the truth, Maia doesn¡¯te across like someone who spent four years behind bars.¡±

    Raegan rose to her feet, her voice softer now as she exined, ¡°The way she carries herself¡ªit¡¯s too smooth, too polished. Like she¡¯s been practicing it in front of a mirror. I¡¯m starting to think her entire background¡¯s been put together on purpose. Listen. The identity she¡¯s been using¡ªit doesn¡¯t add up. It¡¯s like someone took bits and pieces from totally unrted lives and stitched them together. You don¡¯t usually see former inmates rising to the top in business, art, and music all at once. She¡¯s too wless. It¡¯s as if she were designed to impress. The fact that she became this popr right after getting out? It raises too many red gs.¡±

    Raeganid out her points step by step, each one sounding believable and well thought out. There was no way a person could be that skilled in such a short span¡ªunless Maia had spent every single day of those four years behind bars working nonstop to perfect them.

    Kiley¡¯s expression grew more serious as she listened. She mulled over Raegan¡¯s words, turning them over in her mind. She couldn¡¯t deny it¡ªRaegan¡¯s theory was gutsy, but it held weight and made a surprising amount of sense.

    After sitting in silence for a while, Kiley let out a quietugh. ¡°Looks like I¡¯ll have to take a trip to the Wront prison where she served her time. I need to know exactly what happened during those years.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Raegan¡¯s pulse quickened, and she blurted out without thinking, ¡°You¡¯re actually going back to Wront?¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 897

    ?Chapter 897:

    ¡°Yes.¡± Kiley moved in from behind, her steps unhurried. She leaned in gently, looping her arms around Raegan¡¯s waist and resting her chin lightly on her shoulder. Her voice took on a slow, yful lilt as she murmured, ¡°So, how about it? Want toe along with me?¡±

    Raegan¡¯s muscles tensed for a moment, especially when she felt the soft warmth of Kiley¡¯s breath near her ear.

    Before she had the chance to reply, Kiley spoke again. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about bringing you on board¡ªas my CEO¡¯s personal assistant. What do you think?¡± The words came out sounding light, but there was an unmistakable weight behind them. It felt more like a veiledmand than a suggestion.

    Raegan shifted, turning her head to meet Kiley¡¯s eyes. The job title didn¡¯t hold much value in itself. But getting ess to Cooper Group from the inside? That was the perfect setup for digging deeper¡­ Her thoughts wandered quietly.

    Raegan gathered her thoughts in a heartbeat, then replied to Kiley¡¯s proposal, ¡°Whatever it is, I¡¯m on board¡ªas long as it means I can help you.¡±

    ¡°Support me?¡± Kiley let out a quietugh, her breath tickling Raegan¡¯s ear like a breeze.

    Raegan dropped her gaze, a strange flicker dancing behind her eyes.

    Before anything moved forward, she had to wrap things up in Otruitho fast and get the green light from her superior.

    Her thoughts darted in every direction, juggling what needed to be done. While her mind was elsewhere, she was caught off guard¡ªKiley suddenly pressed her down onto the bed.

    The plush mattress absorbed them both, sinking slightly beneath their weight. Kiley lifted herself up a bit, looking down at Raegan with a mischievous yet searching gaze.

    ¡°You could definitely be of help to me,¡± she murmured softly, her fingers gently brushing along Raegan¡¯s cheek.

    ?????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í???????????????

    The room fell into a heavy silence.

    Raegan stayed still, quietly meeting her gaze, a flicker of doubt crossing her eyes.

    Kiley moved closer, her tone tender. ¡°You¡¯ve always been so reliable, bringing me a sense of calm.¡±

    Her fingers traced a slow path over Raegan¡¯s cheek. If only Raegan could stay like this forever¡­ everything would feel just right. Raegan¡¯s eyes held a trace of nervousness as she reminded herself that this was all part of the n.

    But suddenly, Kiley rose, pulling a nket around Raegan to tuck her in. She strolled slowly to the couch, switched off the floormp, and nced back with a smile. ¡°We¡¯re off to Wront first thing tomorrow. Mariana already booked our tickets. It¡¯ste now¡ªget some sleep,¡± Kiley said as she made her way toward the door. ¡°I¡¯ve got a few things to sort out.¡±

    At the same time, Mnie had just gotten home and spotted Hurst sitting on the sofa. She dashed over, eyes shining with excitement. ¡°Dad, did you catch the news today? Maia was amazing!¡±<fn98eb> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find?novel</fn98eb>

    Anticipation flickered in Mnie¡¯s eyes as she watched Hurst, waiting for his reaction to everything that had happened.

    Instead of answering immediately, Hurst offered a faint smile and angled his phone so she could see. Bright across the disy, headlines about Maia grabbed her attention.

    ¡°Naturally, I¡¯ve already heard,¡± said Hurst, his voice calm. ¡°Honestly, there¡¯s hardly a soul in Wront who¡¯s missed the story by now.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 898

    ?Chapter 898:

    Measured and thoughtful, his tone carried the familiar weight of reason. ¡°Maia¡¯s bravery struck a chord with everyone who saw what happened. To add to that, Vince is at the heart of a murder case this time¡ªhe¡¯s the brains behind it all. What¡¯s astonishing is how Maia never lost herposure and even managed to catch Vince off guard in such a vtile situation.¡±

    A note of excitement crept in as Hurst continued, ¡°She didn¡¯t just step up as a hero¡ªher actions directly led to the arrest of a dangerous criminal right here in Wront.¡±

    At that, Mnie¡¯s eyes grew wide in surprise. Words caught in her throat, unable to break through.

    She hadn¡¯t expected her father¡¯s praise for Maia to eclipse her own admiration. What truly caught her off guard was how Hurst kept going, spending nearly twenty more minutes describing Maia¡¯s tactical brilliance, the public controversy swirling around her, and the way all this attention had turned into an economic windfall.

    ording to Hurst, Maia came across as nothing short of a brilliant, fearless prodigy. He confidently predicted that MCN was on the verge of skyrocketing in fame, and everything Maia touched¡ªbe it fashion, art, or any product¡ªwas destined to stay in vogue for ages.

    A knowing grin on his lips, Hurst said, ¡°I¡¯ve already secured the newest MCN designs for you. Honestly, if we wait much longer, even I might not be able to pull the right strings.¡±

    Pausing for emphasis, he added, ¡°Maia never fails to surprise me. I¡¯m seriously considering meeting with her soon, just to explore whether there¡¯s room for business between us.¡±

    That speech left him a little dry-mouthed. He reached out, grasped his coffee from the table, and drank deeply.

    Mnie seized the opportunity, leaning in close to her father and wrapping her arm around his. With a teasing tilt to her voice, she pleaded, ¡°Dad, it¡¯s been ages since I¡¯ve seen you this excited about someone. Are you sure you¡¯re not willing to reconsider my idea?¡±

    That question made Hurst set his mug aside. He turned toward his daughter, and for once, the usual resistance in his eyes seemed to soften.

    ?????????????? ?????????????? ???? g????????¦Í??????©o?????

    Mnie¡¯s eyes sparkled with hope as she pressed on. ¡°Dad, I know I had the wrong impression of Maia before, but that¡¯s all behind me. After Mom passed, I imagined so many women possibly filling that ce in your life, and none of them ever felt right. But now, honestly¡­ I¡¯d be happy if it was Maia. If you chose her, I¡¯d wee it.¡±

    A faint flush colored Mnie¡¯s cheeks, something that rarely happened, though this time her words rang with fresh sincerity. Setting aside her usual shyness, she spoke directly, determined to convince Hurst about Maia. Second chances, after all, did not wait around forever.

    ¡°Maia would make the perfect stepmother if anyone could,¡± Mnie insisted, pushing past her nerves while her heart thudded in her chest.

    An eyebrow lifted, Hurst gave her a look that was equal parts teasing and genuine. ¡°You always have a new scheme brewing, Mnie. Maybe tomorrow you¡¯ll be on to the next idea¡ªand maybe your opinion of Maia will change just as quickly.¡±

    With a burst of determination, Mnie retorted, ¡°Dad, I mean it. I could never feel that way about her again.¡±

    Her uncharacteristic enthusiasm made Hurstugh. He reached out, squeezed her shoulder, and tapped her nose in a familiar gesture from her childhood. ¡°Alright, alright, message received. Honestly, your hopes are written all over your face. You really do want to see me find happiness again, don¡¯t you?¡±

    .

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    .<fn5ca3> Latest content published on ?ovelFind</fn5ca3>

 Chapter 899

    ?Chapter 899:

    A thoughtful silence settled between Hurst and Mnie before he spoke again, his tone dropping and the gravity of his words unmistakable. ¡°Maia truly is remarkable, but she¡¯s not unattached. You remember I told you before¡ªshe¡¯s married.¡±

    Catching the subtle shift, Mnie sensed something new in her father¡¯s voice¡ªa gentleness that hinted at hesitation rather than firm refusal. Years of experience had taught him to weigh every angle, analyzing consequences and possibilities with measured care.

    Still, that wasn¡¯t what Mnie hoped to hear.

    Without warning, she rose from her seat, her yful demeanor reced by resolve as she fixed her gaze on Hurst. ¡°Dad, you¡¯re the one who always said that if you care about someone, you should go after them. I know you feel something for Maia¡ªthis is more than simple admiration, isn¡¯t it? Are you really going to let that slip away? Her marriage doesn¡¯t change anything. After all, you¡¯ve been married, too. Doesn¡¯t that make you even better suited for each other? Most men might hesitate because of her past, but I know you wouldn¡¯t let that get in the way.¡±

    Mnie listed every argument she could muster, determined to leave no room for him to argue.

    The effect was immediate¡ªHurst looked genuinely stunned.

    What sort of ces did Mnie pick up such unconventional logic? Odd as it was, her arguments somehow managed to hold water.

    Words hovered on the tip of Hurst¡¯s tongue, but Mnie charged ahead, building her case with even more conviction. ¡°Look at the facts¡ªshe left the country without her husband, just took a bodyguard. That alone tells me I was right before. Either Maia isn¡¯t married, or that so-called husband is not someone she truly loves. Whatever the truth is, if you go after her, I honestly think you¡¯ve got a real shot.¡±<fn260a> Chapters first released on findnovel</fn260a>

    A flicker of doubt crossed Hurst¡¯s features as he absorbed her reasoning, lines settling deep on his brow.

    Silently, Mnie added another point, saying, ¡°And now Ethan, Maia¡¯s brother, is rooting for you. That makes your odds even better than anyone else¡¯s.¡± As she was speaking, her eyes were searching her father¡¯s face for any sign of encouragement.

    ???????? ???????????????? ? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Only then did it hit her¡ªif her father married Maia, wouldn¡¯t that make Ethan her step-uncle? Being ssmates with their uncle wasn¡¯t something everyone could experience.

    And strangely, that idea didn¡¯t unsettle her. In fact, she¡¯de to appreciate Ethan¡¯s quiet, dependable presence, even if he was a bit on the reserved side.

    After a long moment, Hurst finally looked up at his daughter, thest trace of stubbornness fading from his eyes. Privately, he admitted that he¡¯d already been mulling over this very possibility for some time. He had noticed that Mnie¡¯s admiration for Maia bordered on adoration¡ªalmost as if she were a lifelong fan.

    Who in Wront wouldn¡¯t want a stepmother who had be a local legend, especially with Maia¡¯s heroic reputation spreading so quickly?

    Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Hurst finally spoke up, his tone straightforward and sincere. ¡°I¡¯ll give this some real thought. But before anything else, I need to get to the bottom of Maia¡¯s marital status. If there¡¯s truly a husband, I have to know who he is. Pursuing her without knowing the facts would feel like meddling in someone else¡¯s rtionship¡ªand I owe Maia nothing less than honest intentions.¡±

    The moment those words left his mouth, Mnie¡¯s whole face lit up. With a burst of energy, she flung her arms around him and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, her tone bubbling with delight. ¡°Dad, you¡¯re the most chivalrous man in Wront. And I¡¯m sure your charm will touch her. If you set your heart on something, I know you¡¯ll make it happen.¡±

    Inside, she muttered to herself, ¡°As long as tonight¡¯s n falls into ce, everything should sort itself out soon.¡±

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 Chapter 900

    Chapter 900:

    Joy overflowing, Mnie didn¡¯t linger in the living room. She quickly offered an excuse and hurried upstairs to her room. Once inside, she clicked the lock and immediately grabbed her phone to call Ethan.

    At that same moment in Marvelous Garden, Ethan had only just finished eating and was heading toward the study with homework in mind when his phone began to ring. He nced down and saw Mnie¡¯s name shing across the disy. Not wanting to be overheard, he shot a look toward the kitchen where Kathie was busy cleaning up, then darted into the study and locked the door behind him.

    ¡°Did something happen?¡± Ethan asked, his voice dropping to a cautious hush.

    On the other end, Mnie answered with a thrill that was impossible to miss.

    ¡°Guess what? I just pulled off something incredible.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Ethan scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.

    Mnie inhaled deeply to steady her nerves and went on, ¡°I finally got my dad to think about dating your sister. If things pan out, I¡¯m pretty sure he¡¯ll tell her how he feels.¡±

    Ethan kept listening, his frown growing heavier. With his phone pressed to his ear, his gaze reflected mixed feelings. He found it hard to put the whole thing into simple, sensible terms.

    Mnie was the daughter of Justiceze. She had once tormented him, but now she was trying to y matchmaker between her dad and Maia. Surprisingly, Ethan was going along with the whole idea. The whole thing seemed so far-fetched that it might as well have been a story made up for fun.

    Trying to steady himself, Ethan cleared his throat softly. ¡°Well, that¡¯s¡­ great.¡± Even though he said it, his voice was stiff and unsure.

    In truth, Ethan really respected Justiceze and secretly wished the man would be his brother-inw. He didn¡¯t mind at all that Justiceze had a daughter. He even felt this exined why Justiceze had always watched over Maia from a distance but never had the courage to get close. Maybe Justiceze felt he wasn¡¯t good enough for her because of his previous marriage and having a kid.

    While Ethan mulled it over, Mnie jumped in again, sounding rxed. ¡°Iid all my cards on the table to force us to face what we really felt. I even told my dad that it didn¡¯t matter if Maia was already married¡ªthey could still be together after a divorce. Both having been married twice would make them understand more about love and family. So I believe they will be a perfect match.¡±

    ???????? ?????????? ????????: g????????¦Í????????????

    Ethan froze, caught off guard and momentarily lost for words. He hadn¡¯t expected Mnie to be so straightforward, speaking without holding anything back. But then again, that was totally Mnie¡¯s style. She had slowly opened up and bepletely honest with Ethan.

    Rubbing his forehead, Ethan murmured, ¡°You know, that actually makes a lot of sense.¡±

    Mnieughed softly. After talking with Ethan for a bit, she reminded him once more, ¡°The private eye I hired is hanging around your neighborhood right now. Make sure you shoot me a message when your sister shows up!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll remember,¡± Ethan assured her.

    Meanwhile, elsewhere, Marisa came back home with Maxwell, clearly upset. She dropped onto the couch, sucking on a lollipop, her mood sour as can be.

    Not only had her silly brother, Maxwell, ditched her at Friendship Tower, but something else was gnawing at her. That fool Ethan hadn¡¯t answered her texts. While chewing on her candy, Marisa kept hitting refresh on the chat screen of her phone.

    Just moments ago, she had seen Ethan typing¡­ but no message ever came through.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Great tuesday loved ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?

    .<fn0572> Updates are released by find?novel</fn0572>

 Chapter 901

    ?Chapter 901:

    Marisa couldn¡¯t shake the thought that Ethan was wrapped up in a chat with Mnie and had totally forgotten about her.

    With that idea in mind, she decided to call Ethan first. But his phone was tied up¡ªbusy signal all the way.

    A frown crept across Marisa¡¯s face as she stared at her screen, her eyes narrowing with a hint of menace.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Maxwell asked, watching her scowl with curiosity.

    ¡°Hand over your phone!¡± Marisa snapped, snatching Maxwell¡¯s device and dialing Mnie¡¯s number¡ªonly to get the same busy tone.

    ¡°Tsk!¡± Marisa felt that the lollipop in her mouth had lost its sweetness.

    There was no way this was just a coincidence, was there?

    She grumbled under her breath, tossing the phone back to Maxwell, feelingpletely drained.

    Just then, Maia and her friends rolled back into the city after dinner. Pattie, not wanting to be the third wheel, made up some excuse and slipped away.

    In the car, only Maia and Chris stayed behind. As Chris drove, he nced over and asked, ¡°Where to next?¡±

    Maia let out a quiet sigh, her eyes fixed on the dark streets outside. ¡°Drive me to Marvelous Garden. I told Ethan I¡¯d stop by once I got back.¡±

    Chris nced at his watch. Even though it waste, he nodded in understanding.

    Today¡¯s events at Harmony za International had really shaken things up, and as Maia¡¯s younger brother, Ethan would definitely be concerned. ¡°All right,¡± Chris said, his voice low. ¡°Want me to wait for you?¡±

    Maia looked at him briefly, her lips barely moving. ¡°No need. I¡¯ll catch a taxiter. With your health the way it is, you shouldn¡¯t be upte. Better head home and get some rest.¡± Her voice was calm but left no room to argue.

    Chris was quiet for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

    ???????????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????????: ?????????¦Í???????????????

    The car pulled up at the gate of Marvelous Garden.

    Before stepping out, Maia gave a quick warning. ¡°Be careful on the road.¡±

    ¡°I will,¡± Chris answered quietly, watching her walk inside before driving off.

    As Maia stepped inside, Kathie greeted her with worry, asking, ¡°Are you okay, Maia?¡±

    Kathie gave her a quick once-over. After making sure that Maia wasn¡¯t hurt, she let out a relieved breath while muttering, ¡°Vince is crazy!¡±

    Just then, Ethan suddenly grabbed his stomach, his face shifting a little. ¡°Oh no! I¡¯ve got to hit the bathroom.¡±

    Kathie hesitated, thinking that maybe Ethan had eaten something bad. But before she could say anything, Ethan bolted for the restroom.

    Once the door shut behind him, he pulled out his phone, found Mnie¡¯s contact, and quickly typed a message: ¡°Maia¡¯s here.¡±

    He hit send, rxed a bit, pretended to flush, and then came out of the bathroom.

    Ethan walked back into the living room as if everything were perfectly normal, acting like the earlier incident had never taken ce.

    Right then, Kathie was deep in conversation with Maia, their talk drifting from everyday nonsense to Maia¡¯s stunning sess at the Sceibar art show. ¡°You were absolutely brilliant at that exhibition, Maia. I even caught a piece about it online,¡± Kathie remarked, her eyes lighting up with pride. ¡°If your parents were alive to witness this, they¡¯d be bursting with joy.¡±

    Maia quietly took it in, her face calm, though her eyes dropped before she could stop them.

    .<fn312d> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fn312d>

    .

    .

 Chapter 902

    ?Chapter 902:

    Unaware of Maia¡¯s subtle change in demeanor, Kathie let out a sigh and carried on. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought you¡¯dnd in such a mess the moment you returned¡­ Vince ispletely out of his mind¡ªimagine threatening you with bombs. It¡¯s like he treats human lives as nothing but ythings. I truly don¡¯t understand what was going through the Morgans¡¯ heads when they decided to pair you up with someone like him. Thank goodness you¡¯re not actually one of them.¡± Worry creased her forehead, and her voice quivered with both unease and quiet anger. ¡°Maia, I was honestly terrified¡­ When I saw the news earlier today, I felt like the air was knocked out of me.¡±

    Maia understood that Kathie¡¯s concern came from a good ce. She reached out, gave her hand aforting pat, and said in a calm voice, ¡°Don¡¯t fret, Kathie. Look¡ªI¡¯m okay, right?¡±

    But Kathie wouldn¡¯t let it go. She let out another sigh and muttered a few choice words under her breath. ¡°I swear, Vince is headed for disaster. You were lucky¡ªsomeone up there must¡¯ve been looking out for you. If something had happened to you, I wouldn¡¯t know how to face your parents when I met them in heaven. They did so much for me in the past.¡± Her voice trailed off as she sank into old memories.

    ¡°Your parents¡ªeven though they didn¡¯t have much, they always held their heads high,¡± Kathie said, her expression mellowing. ¡°When Rosanna and Ethan were still kids, things were tough financially, but your parents still made sure they looked presentable. Their clothes might¡¯ve been old and a bit worn, but they carried themselves with such grace. They had this quiet elegance, no matter what.¡±

    She stopped for a second, nced over at Ethan, and went on. ¡°Your folks did everything they could to make sure their kids had a good shot at life¡ªespecially when it came to school. They didn¡¯t hold back, no matter the cost.¡± Out of the blue, Kathie¡¯s face tightened, as if a memory had hit her hard. ¡°What breaks my heart is¡­¡±

    ¡°They never found out the truth¡ªthey were raising the wrong girl. Rosanna wasn¡¯t even theirs. I still remember¡­ whatever she wanted to study, they stood behind her. Life wasn¡¯t easy for them, but their devotion to their children never once faltered.¡±

    Something in what Kathie said stirred Ethan. Her words unlocked pieces of his early years that had long been buried.

    ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ¡ú g????????¦Í?????????????

    Back in those days, he and Rosanna were always by their parents¡¯ side. They didn¡¯t have much, but somehow, life felt full and rich. Even now, just remembering it brought a quiet smile to Ethan¡¯s face.

    Just as Maia opened her mouth to say something, Ethan cut in, saying, ¡°Yeah, I remember as well¡­ Dad liked to draw. I can still picture that hawk he did once¡ªjust a pencil, but it looked almost real. At the time, I didn¡¯t even know it was supposed to be art. Too bad the sketch disappearedter.¡±

    Maia stayed silent, letting Ethan¡¯s memories and Kathie¡¯s stories wash over her. A strange mix of puzzlement and interest began to rise within her. Her thoughts drifted to that sculpture Ethan had gifted her on her most recent birthday¡ªit showed their family.

    Just then, her imagination brought up pictures of their parents. They dressed inly but neatly. Their faces were calm, but their eyes held a quiet intensity¡ªlike a fire burning just beneath the surface.

    Out of nowhere, a strange gut feeling struck her. What if her parents had oncee from wealth? Maybe, long ago, they had lived infort¡ªfar better than she¡¯d ever imagined.

    That might shed light on their polished way of dressing and their strong emphasis on education.

    .<fn7bd1> Discover more novels at Find_Novel(.</fn7bd1>

    .

    .

 Chapter 903

    ?Chapter 903:

    Still, it begged the question¡ªhow did they wind up living in slums?

    Had something drastic happened that dragged them down in life?

    Or maybe¡­ were they keeping their heads down, trying to stay off someone¡¯s radar?

    No matter the reason, the mismatch between their background and lifestyle made one thing crystal clear to Maia¡ªher real parents had hidden truths that she still hadn¡¯t uncovered.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Maia?¡± Ethan had caught the distant look on her face. After watching her sit there in silence, he finally spoke up, his voice gentle and concerned.

    Maia jolted out of her thoughts and gave a faint smile. Lifting her hand, she gently tousled Ethan¡¯s hair and let out a quiet breath. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing,¡± she murmured. ¡°I was just wondering about Mom and Dad¡ªwhat kind of people they really were, and what kind of life they used to live.¡±

    Ethan heard her and sighed too, unable to hold it back.

    Kathie, who had been listening nearby, suddenly perked up as if a light had switched on in her mind. Without missing a beat, she said, ¡°Maia, if you and your brother are curious about your parents¡¯ lives, why don¡¯t you head back to the slums they used to live in? Some of the long-timers there might still remember them and have a few stories to share.¡±

    Maia¡¯s face brightened at the idea. It truly made sense. Sitting around and specting wouldn¡¯t get them anywhere¡ªvisiting the ce might give them real answers.

    She faced Ethan and said with a hopeful tone, ¡°Ethan, why don¡¯t we go this Saturday?¡±

    Maia quickly remembered that her schedule was clear during the day that Saturday. Actually, she had already made ns to see Lennyter that day. He was set tond in Wront on Saturday evening. For the next three months, he would be working closely with her¡ªmentoring and training her so she could eventually handle neurosurgeries on her own.

    Of course, three months was her own optimistic guess. Lenny had warned her, ¡°Maia, even if you¡¯re exceptionally talented, it¡¯s going to take at least a full year to really get the hang of it.¡±

    ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í?????????????

    She shook those thoughts off and turned her attention back to Ethan, waiting for what he¡¯d say.

    Ethan paused, weighing it for a second, then grinned and gave a cheerful nod. ¡°No problem, Maia. Let¡¯s do that.¡±

    He thought about whether to mention it to Mnie, but in the end, he chose not to. After mulling it over, he figured that it wouldn¡¯t sit well with her. They were heading to the old part of town¡ªthe slums¡ªand he guessed that someone like Mnie, who came from a life offort and ease, wouldn¡¯t be keen on setting foot there.

    Right then, Kathie noticed how quickly the two had made up their minds about when to go. A happy smile spread across her face.

    She gave a gentle warning, saying, ¡°Maia, after everything that happened today, you really ought to watch your step. You¡¯re at the stage in life where settling down might not be such a bad idea.¡±

    Maia blinked, caught off guard. Then it hit her what Kathie was hinting at. A mix of panic and embarrassment crept over her.

    Kathie, of course, had no clue that Maia had already tied the knot. And Maia, deep down, wasn¡¯t sure how much longer she could keep that under wraps. At that moment, Kathie leaned in and spoke with firm sincerity. ¡°Maia, I know you hate it when I go on like this, but time isn¡¯t on your side. If you had tied the knot earlier, maybe you wouldn¡¯t be facing all this mess. A man like Vince wouldn¡¯t be chasing after a married woman, would he?¡±

    .

    .<fnac1e> Newest update provided by Find~Novel</fnac1e>

    .

 Chapter 904

    ?Chapter 904:

    Maia gave a dry, almost bitter smile. If only things were that simple¡­ Actually, the truth was miles away from what Kathie believed.

    Vince had always known that she was married. After all, at his engagement celebration with Rosanna, Maia had been forced to say it out loud in front of everyone¡ªher marital status, in and clear¡ªjust to try and make him back off.<fn8dde> Chapters first released on f?ndnovel</fn8dde>

    But that n had backfired.

    Instead of pulling away, Vince became even more obsessed. He took things a step further and shamelessly offered to keep her as his secret lover.

    So, even though Maia¡¯s marriage was no secret, there would always be people who simply didn¡¯t care. That realization weighed on her, leaving her with a sense of quiet despair.

    Ethan caught the change in her face right away. He remembered how theirst talk had gone and jumped in quickly, hoping to steer the mood in another direction. ¡°Kathie, you really don¡¯t have to worry,¡± he said. ¡°Maia¡¯s got everything figured out in her own way. And let¡¯s be honest¡ªwith someone as incredible as my sister, the line of guys chasing after her could stretch all the way from our front door to the gates of Wront University!¡±

    Both Kathie and Maia turned to him, stunned. They hadn¡¯t expected him to say something like that, considering the kind of impression he usually gave off.

    In truth, Ethan had borrowed that line straight from Mnie.

    After all, Maia wasn¡¯t just a famous designer and artist¡ªshe was also a local hero who had saved countless lives.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say stuff like that,¡± Maia said with a gentle tap on Ethan¡¯s arm. ¡°I¡¯ve only been gone a few days, and it looks like you¡¯ve changed quite a bit.¡±

    Ethan ran a hand through his hair, sensing that his words might have raised some doubts in Maia¡¯s mind. He hurried to exin, ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­ just something I picked up from my ssmates.¡±

    His nervousness made him feel like his old self again.

    ???????????? ???? ?????? ????????: ?????????¦Í????????©q?????

    Maia smiled quietly and gave him a little nudge of encouragement. ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re getting on well with your ssmates, which is great. But¡­ maybe keep those kinds of things out of the schoolyard chatter.¡±

    She remembered hearing something simr about Chris one night at a club¡ªsomeone had mentioned how famous he was for drawing admirers wherever he went. Maia definitely didn¡¯t want to end up with a reputation like that.

    As she listened, Kathie let out a sigh and muttered, ¡°Well, I suppose it¡¯s no use sticking my nose into young folks¡¯ business anymore¡­¡±

    Then, with a worried look, she gave Maia¡¯s hand a soft squeeze and added, ¡°But Maia, you really need to be careful. Don¡¯t go giving me another heart attack.¡±

    Even though Kathie sounded a little like she was nagging, Maia could feel the genuine care behind it. Her eyes softened, and she quickly nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Kathie. I¡¯ll watch my step from now on.¡±

    The three kept talking for some time, and gradually, the mood in the room grew warm and easygoing.

    Maia nced at the clock and noticed that it was almost midnight. She got to her feet, ready to head out.

    Ethan rose as well, walking her to the door. ¡°Maia,¡± he asked, ¡°when are you going to let Kathie in on the truth?¡±

    Maia paused briefly, then lowered her voice as she answered, ¡°I¡¯ll tell Kathie after some time.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 905

    ?Chapter 905:

    She felt a bit uneasy and reminded Ethan once more, ¡°During this time, don¡¯t tell anyone about my fake marriage.¡±

    Ethan gave a slight nod, but deep down, he had already broken his word.

    ¡°All right then. Get to bed early¡ªyou¡¯ve got school in the morning,¡± Maia said before turning to walk away.

    Ethan watched her retreat before he slowly headed back to his own room.

    Once inside, he locked the door behind him and leaned against it, muttering to himself, ¡°Maia, don¡¯t hold this against me. I¡¯m doing it for your own sake¡­ The only man I think is excellent enough to be your husband is Justiceze¡­ Hurst Cooper. And soon enough, his daughter Mnie will convince him toe clean to you¡­ Maia, you have to grab this chance.¡±

    That thought nagged at him, so he opened Twitter and pulled up Justiceze¡¯s profile.

    As expected, Justiceze had just posted a scathingment about Vince¡¯s wild antics.

    What he didn¡¯t realize was that the genuine Justiceze was sitting at home, waiting for Maia toe back.

    By then, Maia had just walked out of Marvelous Garden.

    A cool breeze drifted through the evening air, and the streety empty.

    Only a shining moon hung silently up in the night sky.

    She looked up at the moon and suddenly felt like she was dreaming.

    The day had been packed with so much that her feelings were still all over the ce.

    Maia pulled out her phone and opened a ride app to book a taxi.

    As she waited for the cab, she started sorting through her thoughts.

    ?????????????? ????????????: g??????¦Í??????????????

    She had to n her next steps carefully to save time and reach her goals faster.

    Right now, there were three essential matters.

    At the top of the list was Chris¡¯s surgery.

    It felt like she was racing against the clock. Maia knew that her skills weren¡¯t sharp enough to operate on Chris just yet. She had to throw herself into studying and practicing surgery for the long haul.

    Next on her list was taking down Cooper Group and gaining control over it. She¡¯d managed to defeat and humiliate Mariana again at the Sceibar art show, which came as a surprise. She was certain that Kiley wasn¡¯t going to let that slide, and it might even catch Kolton¡¯s eye.

    Lastly, she needed to dig up any leads about her real parents and solve the mystery of where she came from. That uneasy feeling wasn¡¯t new to Maia¡­ She even thought that it could tie back to how her parents died in that ident.

    As those worries ran through her mind, Maia let out a quiet sigh. Each problem demanded her full focus and wouldn¡¯t be solved overnight. While her thoughts churned, she suddenly got the eerie sense that someone was staring right at her.

    Startled, she whipped around on instinct. But the street behind her was empty, just the shadows of trees swaying softly beneath the streetlights.

    Still, the feeling felt unmistakably real. When she was locked up, Zoey had drilled her hard to sharpen her alertness. If Maia missed even a hint of being watched, Zoey would have someone toss sandbags at her. Because of that, Maia grew highly alert to any hostile looks.

    ¡°This is strange¡­¡± Maia frowned, a flicker of wariness creeping into her chest. After ncing around, she whispered to herself, ¡°Maybe I¡¯m just on edge.¡± She shook her head and turned her gaze elsewhere.

    .

    .<fnd536> Content originallyes from f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fnd536>

    .

 Chapter 906

    ?Chapter 906:

    Right then, the faint honk of a car horn broke the silence. Her taxi had shown up atst. Maia let out a slow breath and climbed into the vehicle.

    She didn¡¯t realize that in a shadowy nook beneath a distant streemp, someone quietly moved, their eyes fixed on her as she drove away.

    ¡°Damn it.¡± A sharp breath escaped from the man hidden in the shadows. He was no ordinary hire. Mnie had shelled out a fortune just to bring him in. Cade Riley carried a name that needed no introduction in Wront. He was the kind of private eye you called when no one else could deliver.

    Sweat gathered at his brow despite the cool air around him. He dragged a sleeve across his forehead and tried to calm his breathing. What had just unfolded moments ago still rattled his nerves.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t normal. Couldn¡¯t have just been by chance,¡± Cade muttered under his breath, more to steady himself than anything else.<fn914d> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fn914d>

    Years of digging into people¡¯s secrets had made him sharp. Mistakes were rare, almost nonexistent. But tonight, while tailing Maia, he caught a flicker of something he didn¡¯t expect¡ªshe had stopped and turned like she sensed him.

    The moment froze him.

    Cade had no choice but to melt into the shadows, heart thudding. Lucky for him, she didn¡¯t linger. She turned back around and got inside the taxi, none the wiser. Steadying himself with a slow exhale, he pulled out his phone and tapped in a familiar number.

    ¡°Move now! A taxi just left¡ªte ends in 589,¡± Cade said, voice clipped but urgent. The memory of nearly being spotted still lingered. ¡°And don¡¯t tail her too close. Keep a low profile and make sure she doesn¡¯t catch on.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got it, sir,¡± came the hushed reply on the other end.

    Once the call ended, Cade scanned his surroundings. No eyes on him. He emerged from the tree line and made his way to a ck sedan stationed a few feet away. The door clicked open under his grip, and he climbed in. With a quick inhale to settle his focus, he mmed his foot down on the gas and followed.

    Roughly twenty minutester, the taxi pulled up in front of Elysium Apartments. While retracing her steps from Marvelous Garden, an unsettling sense lingered¡ªlike someone had been following her.

    ???????? ???? ???????????????? ???????? ?g???????¦Í?????????????

    Instead of heading straight home, Maia turned aside and slipped through a nearbyplex, her eyes quietly searching for anything out of ce.

    Once she felt certain that the coast was clear, she let her guard down and turned toward Building No. 5, her pace a bit more rxed.

    Not far off, hidden among the branches, Cade watched with growing satisfaction. There was no doubt she had keen instincts¡ªbut not sharp enough to shake him off.

    At that moment, a hushed voice came through his earpiece. ¡°Sir, the target appears to be¡­ Maia Watson.¡± For a split second, Cade froze.

    So, the client wanted him to follow Maia¡ªthe genius designer,poser, and artist who had saved so many people at Harmony za today?

    It all made sense now¡­ no wonder the client had thrown such a hefty sum his way.

    Still, Cade wasn¡¯t one to cross professional lines. He shot a warning, firm and direct. ¡°Focus on the task. We don¡¯t need to know too much.¡± That was enough to make the assistant p a hand over his mouth.

    Even so, silence didn¡¯tst. A few beatster, curiosity slipped through. ¡°Sir, Maia¡¯s kind of a hero right now after what she did at Harmony za¡­ Doesn¡¯t it seem off that someone would pay us just to get her address?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 907

    ?Chapter 907:

    Cade shifted his gaze, locking eyes with his assistant. For the first time, he noticed that something had shifted. The usual loyalty and discipline had faded. Instead, the man stood there, openly defying him.

    Before Cade could get a word in, the assistant spoke up again, more firmly this time. ¡°Sir, we should seriously reconsider. Everyone in Wront knows who Maia is now. And honestly¡­ if she hadn¡¯t been there today, my mother might¡¯ve gotten hurt at Harmony za.¡±

    That hit him, but Cade kept his expression unreadable. ¡°Let me handle the judgment calls. Your job is to follow orders.¡±

    Without hesitation, he moved forward and fixed his gaze on a window high above. A gentle glow spilled from the ninth floor, a clear sign that someone had just arrived.

    His next move was simple¡ªidentify the exact unit and ry it to the client.

    At the same time, Maia stepped into thefort of the home she hadn¡¯t seen in days. A flick of the light switch revealed a surprising sight¡ªeverything was spotless. Chris had spent the evening cleaning rather than lounging around.

    Removing her jacket, she made her way into the living room, where she found Chris slowly standing from the couch to meet her.

    ¡°You¡¯re home,¡± Chris said, his voice thick with drowsiness. Although his words were groggy, the look in his eyes was unmistakably warm.

    Maia¡¯s gaze shifted from Chris to the couch, catching the subtle creases in the cushions.

    A faint frown tugged at her brows. Though her voice held a hint of scolding, there was worry beneath it. ¡°It¡¯s way toote. Why didn¡¯t you go to bed?¡±

    A gentle smile yed on Chris¡¯s lips. ¡°You were out sote, I just couldn¡¯t settle down,¡± he admitted softly, affection coloring every word. ¡°Figured if I napped on the couch, I¡¯d hear youe in and finally get some rest myself.¡±

    Maia looked up at him, feigning a scold. ¡°I¡¯m not a kid anymore, you know. I can handle myself.¡± Still, his words sent a wave of warmth through her chest.

    ???????? ???????????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    Chris¡¯sugh drifted over his shoulder as he moved toward the kitchen. ¡°With all that tossing and turning, I figured I might as well whip up something sweet and soothing.¡±

    A hint of pride crept into his tone. ¡°This recipe is perfect for bedtime¡ªa littlefort in a bowl, guaranteed to help you drift off.¡±

    Momentster, he returned carrying a steaming bowl, carefully setting it on the dining table. He gave it a gentle stir, releasing even more of its scent.

    Clouds of fragrant steam rose up, carrying the promise of something delicious. Maia inhaled, eyes lighting up. ¡°That smells amazing! I had no idea you could pull this off. Seriously¡ªwell done!¡±

    A sheepish grin appeared on Chris¡¯s face. ¡°Honestly? I just followed instructions from the inte. Never actually cooked before tonight.¡±

    She studied the depths of his gaze. Every gesture, every detail was proof¡ªhe wasn¡¯t some thoughtless yboy, not the womanizer people whispered about. Instead, he was quietly attentive, pouring real care into the smallest things for her.

    Suddenly, Maia shed him a mischievous smile. ¡°So, can I say that I¡¯m your very first?¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, she dipped her head, blew gently on her spoonful, and tasted the soup¡ªletting the moment speak for itself.<fn986d> Chapters first released on ?ovelFind</fn986d>

    Each spoonful offered a mellow sweetness that was never overpowering, the silky texture melting away in her mouth, the bnce of vors just right. The warmth of the soup seemed to wrap Maia in gentlefort, coaxing a smile and dissolving her stress. ¡°This is wonderful!¡± she eximed.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 908

    ?Chapter 908:

    Across the table, Chris still clung to her earlier tease. He leaned in with a yful glint in his eye. ¡°So, what¡¯s your verdict on my first time¡­ does it taste good?¡±

    On the surface, their words were about dessert, but beneath it all, something more intimate simmered.<fndbc5> Original content can be found at find?novel</fndbc5>

    A rosy flush crept over Maia¡¯s cheeks. ¡°It tastes really good.¡±

    ¡°Hold on.¡± Chris reached out, pausing her with a soft touch as he wiped a stray drop of soup from her lips. Grinning, he tasted it off his finger, eyes twinkling. ¡°Yep¡ªdefinitely sweet.¡±

    That small gesture sent heat flooding Maia¡¯s face.

    There was something almost too tender about the moment, and Maia found herself drawn to Chris¡¯s mouth. Those sculpted lips, poised in a faint smile, hinted at feelings left unsaid.

    The gentle lighting turned golden, mixing with the fragrance of the soup and deepening the quiet, private mood.

    Maia found herself staring, her pulse suddenly racing, her breath uneven. Ever since Chris hade into her life, her heart seemed to beat differently¡ªso much more sensitive to his nearness. Every small thing he did seemed to slip past her defenses, tugging at the softest corners of her heart.

    Chris¡¯s gaze found Maia¡¯s, and an unspoken conversation passed between them in the quiet.

    Maybe it was the magic of soft candlelight. Maybe it was that Maia¡¯s carefully guarded feelings had finally slipped free from the logic that usually held them in check.

    A nervous dryness crept into her throat, her lips parting as if to speak but not quite finding the words.

    Memories from thest few days flickered through her mind: every hardship in Sceibar, the chaos after the Wront explosion¡ªthrough it all, Chris had never once wavered, always standing by her side, his presence a constant reassurance.

    ???????????? ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    All at once, those moments tumbled together, and a powerful wave of emotion swept over Maia.

    The urge surged through Maia¡¯s chest like a wave, mming into her hesitation and quickening her pulse. Her cheeks slowly warmed to a soft pink.

    ¡°Maia?¡± Chris noticed the change in her expression. He leaned a little closer, his voice low and tender. ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    Maia lifted her eyes, her gaze turning gentle. She met his for a heartbeat, then let it drift downward¡ªlingering on his mouth, so dangerously close and inviting. She spoke before she could stop herself, her tone shaky but tender. ¡°Chris¡­ I feel like this part¡­ might be even sweeter¡­¡±

    Before the words had fully left her lips, she had already seized Chris¡¯s tie. With a gentle tug, she drew him closer, rose onto her toes, and boldly pressed her lips to his.

    Chris¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn¡¯t expected Maia to take the lead. But a heartbeatter, joy¡ªdeep and unmistakable¡ªlit his face. He pulled her close, arms tightening around her waist, and kissed her back with fierce passion and hunger.

    When their mouths met, the taste was golden honey mixed with the clean, cool scent that was uniquely his. It swirled on their tongues, dizzying and sweet, like a heady drink.

    Maia felt as if he had stolen the air from her lungs. Her chest lifted and fell faster, her thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind. Her heart pounded out of rhythm, wild and unrestrained.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 909

    ?Chapter 909:

    All along their road, danger had been a constant shadow. Again and again, they had shoved their feelings aside, burying them where no one could see. But now the dam broke. The kiss let everything flow free. In that instant, nothing stood between them¡ªnot fear, not silence¡ªonly the fierce, overwhelming love that had been locked away for far too long. Chris kissed her more deeply, as though he could draw her into himselfpletely, as if they were meant to be one.

    Every brush of skin sent heat through them, searing and intense. Maia could feel it¡ªhis need to im her¡ªbutyered with a gentleness she had never known. He was holding her like something precious.

    She gripped his wide, solid shoulders, answering his kiss without thinking. Her body slowly yielded, growing weak in his arms, melting into him, letting him lead without resistance.

    Their breath came faster with every second, and the air between them thickened¡ªcharged with desire and raw closeness.

    Fueled by burning desire, Chris swept Maia into his arms, cradling her sideways against his chest. He pulled her even closer, and they copsed together onto the spacious living room sofa.

    Soft cushions wrapped around them, and a new kind of tenderness seemed to soak into the air, stirring emotions and quickening their pulses.

    Chris¡¯s mouth finally broke away from hers, only to press gentle, lingering kisses along the curve of her delicate neck.

    With every light touch, Maia shivered. A warm blush bloomed across her face, painting her cheeks with a deep, irresistible glow.

    Chris¡¯s lips kept moving lower, and everywhere he touched seemed to awaken on her skin¡ªeach inch turning hypersensitive, as though set alight. Just when the moment teetered on the edge, he suddenly stopped. He ced his palms gently on either side of her, lifting himself slightly.

    His head rose a little, and he looked straight into Maia¡¯s eyes. There was a weight in his voice she hadn¡¯t heard before¡ªfirm, sincere, steady. ¡°Maia, are you¡­ willing to give yourself to me?¡± he asked.

    ?????????????????? ???????? ???? ???????? g???????¦Í??????????????

    Maia froze for a breath, startled. Her heart thudded in her chest, loud and fast, while her eyes shone with a sudden, quiet glow.

    She stared up at his face¡ªso familiar, so kind, and strikingly handsome¡ªand in that stillness, memories of their journey rushed back. A deep, unwavering rity settled inside her.

    Her heart beat like a drum, loud and unrelenting. Yet in that instant, her emotions became crystal clear.

    Long ago, she had quietly promised herself that her first time would only be with someone who truly loved her¡ªand someone she truly loved in return. So even though she had liked Vince so much before, she had never thought of being with him without knowing his true feelings for her.

    But now¡­ Maia felt something shift. She couldn¡¯t keep pretending. Lying to herself¡ªpretending not to feel this¡ªwas no longer possible.

    An unexpected rush of sweetness and courage welled up inside Maia, stirred by Chris¡¯s closeness. Her lips curved into a soft smile. With deliberate slowness, she gave a steady nod. ¡°Yes.¡±

    A spark of happiness lit up Chris¡¯s face, his eyes gleaming as if he had just uncovered something precious. He leaned in, brushing another kiss across her lips.

    Even as emotion threatened to take over, he held back, treating Maia with the same gentle reverence he always did¡ªafraid to overstep, afraid of hurting her. The room¡¯s energy shifted, tension growing thick, their breathing quickening as the moment intensified.

    .

    .

    .<fna22f> Content originallyes from F¦Énd£Îovel</fna22f>

 Chapter 910

    ?Chapter 910:

    But as they hovered at the edge of giving inpletely, Maia¡¯s thoughts spun back to Chris¡¯s medical history¡ªmemories of doctors¡¯ warnings and his close call in Sceibar shing like a warning sign.

    Without thinking, she pressed her hands against his chest, her voice breathless but firm. ¡°Chris¡­ just a second.¡±

    Chris stopped, desire still lingering in his gaze. ¡°Is something wrong?¡±

    Worry and love mingled in Maia¡¯s eyes. ¡°It¡¯s your health. You¡¯re not supposed to overdo it. You remember what happened in Sceibar, don¡¯t you? The doctors told you to take it easy, to avoid anything strenuous¡­¡±

    Chris hesitated, at a rare loss for words. He managed a half-hearted protest, sounding almost sulky. ¡°I¡¯ve managed this long¡­ it¡¯s not a big deal.¡±

    A grave expression settled over Maia¡¯s face. ¡°This isn¡¯t like before. Last time, you passed out and scared me half to death. I¡¯m not about to gamble with your health for just one night.¡±

    Disappointment flickered over Chris¡¯s features as he leaned in, nuzzling her shoulder with a quiet, yfulint. ¡°Are you sure? We really can¡¯t¡­?¡±

    A soft firmness settled into Maia¡¯s eyes as she shook her head. ¡°Not tonight. You need to behave.¡±

    Her hands moved with gentle finality, easing Chris away as she whispered, ¡°We¡¯ll wait until you¡¯re truly well¡­ There¡¯s no rush, is there?¡±

    Reluctance tugged at Chris¡¯s features, but seeing the resolve in Maia¡¯s gaze, he gave in with a sigh. ¡°Alright¡­ you win.¡±

    Shoulders slumping, he ran a frustrated hand through his hair before trudging off toward the bathroom. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll go cool off with a shower.¡±

    As she watched him retreat, so forlorn and disappointed, Maia¡¯s chest tightened with a bittersweet ache¡ªyet her resolve to see him healthy only grew.

    The sound of water echoed from behind the closed door as Maia sank onto the sofa, one hand pressed to her wildly beating heart. A rueful, tender smile touched her lips. ¡°Once you¡¯re fully healed, Chris, you¡¯ll see¡­ I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s worth the wait,¡± she muttered to herself.

    ???????? ???????? ???????????????????? @ g?????????¦Í????????©q??????

    Night settled in, the air thick with memories of warmth and quiet longing.

    At the same time, over at Hurst¡¯s vi, Mnie¡¯s bedroom was tense with a different kind of energy¡ªrestless and sharp. Perched on the edge of her bed, Mnie gripped her phone tightly. The screen disyed a fresh message from Cade: ¡°Target¡¯s confirmed address: Elysium Apartments, Unit 902, Building 5.¡±

    ¡°Finally¡­ Maia¡¯s address is in my hands,¡± she whispered. Restlessness took over¡ªshe leaped from the mattress, bare feet silent on the floor, making two anxiousps around the room before pressing a hand to her pounding heart.

    The thrill of discovery surged through her, electrifying every nerve.

    ¡°Maia, just what are you hiding? Are you married? Who¡¯s your mysterious husband? The truth¡¯s about toe out¡ªyour secret won¡¯tst much longer!¡± Mnie muttered to herself.

    With that thought fueling her, she punched in Ethan¡¯s number without a moment¡¯s hesitation.

    The call connected immediately. On the other end, Ethan¡¯s mellow, slightly husky voice answered, ¡°Hello?¡±

    Dropping her tone and brimming with anticipation, Mnie could hardly contain herself. ¡°Ethan, I finally tracked down where your sister lives.¡±

    .<fn7552> Follow current nov?ls on find[?]ovel</fn7552>

    .

    .

 Chapter 911

    ?Chapter 911:

    A brief silence stretched between them, then Ethan replied, uncertainty in his voice, ¡°You really managed to find it?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Mnie said, straightening with pride, her eyes gleaming. ¡°Tomorrow, you¡¯reing with me. We¡¯ll see for ourselves if she¡¯s actually married.¡±

    Ethan pressed the phone closer, his knuckles whitening, torn between emotions. Still, he gave a quiet, ¡°Alright.¡±

    The moment she ended the call, Mnie kept her phone in hand, her fingers dancing quickly across the screen as she scrolled through her chat with Cade, the private eye. Her message was brisk: ¡°Nice work! Now dig deeper¡ªfind out who actually owns that apartment.¡± With a decisive tap, she sent it.

    Pillows stacked behind her, Mnie settled back, her eyes locked on her phone, anticipation flickering in their depths. A soft whisper left her lips, meant for no one but herself. ¡°Dad, you have no idea how much I¡¯m rooting for you to finally capture Maia¡¯s heart.¡± A sly smile tugged at her mouth, her thoughts swirling with secret ns.

    Meanwhile, just outside the Elysiumplex, a ck sedan idled, nearly invisible in the shadows of the street. Cade settled deeper into his seat, studying the message he had just received¡ªfind out who owns the ce.

    Rather than responding right away, he reached for a cigarette and took his time lighting it. Thin streams of smoke drifted upward, painting the inside of the car with a dim haze.

    Could this be another job for him?

    He wouldn¡¯t help for free, especially when it involved Maia; that would require extra fees.

    Years in the military had shaped Cade before he wore the detective badge. He approached every case with discipline and a strict moral code.

    With narrowed eyes, he nced once more at the address listed for Maia. He remembered his assistant¡¯s advice earlier, and in truth, he hadn¡¯t handed over Maia¡¯s actual location¡ªjust one close enough to pass. Technically, Maia lived in the sameplex, but the building was different. Cade nned to figure out what the client really wanted before revealing anything real about Maia¡¯s whereabouts.<fn3dda> Find the newest release on find?novel</fn3dda>

    ???????????? ?????????????? ???????? ???? g???????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Boss, you¡¯re incredible! I knew I made the right choice working with you,¡± his assistant said, clearly thrilled by what he¡¯d seen. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d give the client a fake address. Everyone back in Wront¡ªincluding my mom¡ªowes you for being smart about this. So, what do we do next?¡±

    Cade shot a warning look at his assistant. ¡°I¡¯ll be the one to decide whates next.¡±

    After a short pause, he instructed, ¡°Check out the actual address. I want everything you can find on who owns that property.¡±

    ¡°Got it, sir,¡± his assistant replied with a determined nod.

    The following day arrived.

    At Elysium Apartments, gentle sunlight streamed in through wide windows, bathing the entire space in a soft, golden glow.

    Still in her pajamas, Maia moved through the kitchen, half-awake as she prepared some milk. Chris appeared behind her, his gray loungewear blending into the early light, and circled her waist with his arms in a slow, easy gesture.

    ¡°Morning,¡± he whispered, his voice thick from sleep, letting his chin rest in the curve of her neck.

    Maia switched off the gas and melted into his hold, her voice quieter than usual. ¡°What has you out of bed this early?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 912

    ?Chapter 912:

    Chris pressed his lips gently to her forehead. ¡°Couldn¡¯t get any rest.¡±

    Raising her gaze, Maia studied him with concern. ¡°Was it because ofst night¡­?¡±

    Chris let out a quietugh and touched her nose with his finger. ¡°You¡¯re reading into it too much.¡±

    Unconsciously, Maia pressed her teeth into her lower lip as she remembered that Lenny would be arriving in Wront soon to guide her through advanced surgical procedures. Even the idea of performing a craniotomy made her hands tense up, the knowledge of how critical each movement was weighing heavily on her. Without thinking, she gripped the edge of Chris¡¯s shirt, needing something steady.

    ¡°Is something bothering you?¡± Chris asked, his gaze falling to her hand before lifting to her face, worry flickering in his eyes.<fn424a> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find~novel</fn424a>

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Her head dropped as she quietly rested against his chest. In her heart, she made a silent promise. She wouldn¡¯t put Chris in danger¡ªnever.

    Maia had held on to that promise like a lifeline, whispering it to herself more times than she could count. Her deepest wish now was for Chris to recoverpletely.

    What began as a favor for Zoey had grown into something far more personal. Chris deserved to live without pain¡ªnot just because of what others wanted, but because he mattered to her. Their past had been messy and raw, yet through it all, Maia found herself unlocking the door she had long shut on him.

    Loving someone meant showing up for them. It meant staying. That was why she clung to the hope that his operation would go well and give him a second chance at life.

    Chris stepped closer, closing the space between them with quiet urgency. ¡°You¡¯re sure you¡¯re all right?¡± he asked, his eyes searching Maia¡¯s face. A moment passed before he added, ¡°Something¡¯s on your mind, isn¡¯t it?¡± Without waiting for an answer, he pulled her into his arms, his hands settling gently on her back. There was care in his touch, but also a quiet insistence. ¡°It feels like you¡¯re holding something back. It¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll wait until you¡¯re ready to let me in.¡±

    Chris spoke in a voice that carried warmth and quiet strength, his smile gentle but genuine. ¡°You don¡¯t have to keep it all in. I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡±

    ???????????????? ????????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    The words caught Maia slightly off guard, though her lips soon curved into a gentle smile. Clearly, he had misunderstood. She decided to exin that she was genuinely fine, only a bit nervous and worried.

    Just as she opened her mouth to rify, a knock interrupted the moment.

    Knock, knock¡­ ¡°Delivery!¡±

    Whatever Maia had nned to say vanished in that instant. She eased out of Chris¡¯s arms without hesitation. There was no roughness in the way she moved, but something about it felt rushed. Her gaze darted toward the door as she spoke. ¡°Let me take care of that.¡±

    Without slowing down, she crossed the room and turned the knob. Waiting outside was a delivery person, holding a in white box in both hands. ¡°Ms. Watson? This is for you. I just need your signature here¡­ and here.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡±

    Maia signed swiftly, epted the package, and nced over her shoulder toward Chris.

    Chris was leaning against the armrest of the sofa, a faint, almost imperceptible smile at the corner of his lips. He wasn¡¯t sure if Maia had been turning this over in her mind before now. Did it catch her off guard, or had she expected it all along?

    His curiosity shifted to the box¡ªwhat exactly was inside?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 913

    ?Chapter 913:

    As Maia drew nearer, holding it in both hands, Chris leaned back and asked with mild interest, ¡°That got here pretty quick. What¡¯d you have delivered this time?¡±

    Maia returned to the table without a word. Instead of replying, she gave a small, knowing smile and said, ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡±<fn49b0> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? F¦Énd£Îovel</fn49b0>

    She set the box down with care, her fingers moving quickly as she peeled away the outeryer. A sleek electronic blood pressure monitory nestled inside, gleaming white with rounded edges and a screen still wrapped in its protective film.

    Chris furrowed his brows.

    Moving with deliberate care, Maia arranged the pieces, connected the device to the outlet, and lifted her head toward Chris. There was a softness in her gaze, steady and light, though it carried a flicker of subtle hesitation. ¡°Hand, please.¡±

    Chris let out a low chuckle. ¡°You really are determined to y doctor with me.¡±

    He didn¡¯t resist. Instead, he crossed the room, eased into the chair, and positioned his arm across the table without a word. Without making a sound, Maia reached for the cuff, gently pushed up his sleeve, and adjusted it with steady, practiced hands.

    The glow from themp threw delicate shadows across her cheeks, the sweep of hershes faint but visible.

    When the monitor disyed the readings, both numbersnded safely below the danger mark. Only then did Maia let her shoulders drop, releasing the breath she had been holding. ¡°Have you had any headaches sincest night?¡±

    ¡°None at all,¡± Chris said right away. ¡°If I did, you¡¯d catch on before I could even try to fake it.¡±

    Instead of responding immediately, Maia leaned slightly and gave him a teasing smile. ¡°d to hear it. And don¡¯t bother trying to keep anything from me, all right?¡±

    An odd pressure settled in Chris¡¯s chest, quiet but unmistakable.

    Maia had chosen her words with care, not just to express concern, but to keep Chris from hiding anything out of misced worry for her.

    ???????? ???????? ???????? ???? g????????¦Í??????©o?????

    Chris caught the unspoken warning wrapped in her tone and nodded without hesitation. ¡°I understand.¡±

    Maia offered him a faint, knowing smile. Although they hadn¡¯t actually had sex the previous night, something in the air had shifted. The emotional gap seemed smaller now, and a quiet harmony had begun to settle between them like dust after a storm.

    Still, Maia wasn¡¯t one to let her guard downpletely. ¡°You¡¯re not in stable condition,¡± she reminded him softly. ¡°You can¡¯t afford to be careless.¡±

    Chris chuckled, his voice warm and light, like sunlight filtering through morning mist. ¡°Understood, honey.¡±

    Maia gave him a sidelong nce, equal parts amusement and warning, but didn¡¯t reply. Instead, she adjusted her grip, carefully peeled away the bandage, and gently stored the blood pressure monitor with practiced precision. They spoke no more. Only the clock on the wall dared to interrupt the silence, its ticking unusually loud in the stillness of the morning.

    Yet within that hush, something tender passed between them. Neither spoke of love, but their eyes betrayed them¡ªit was there, bright and unmistakable.

    Just then, Maia¡¯s phone¡ªresting idly on the table¡ªlit up. A push notification blinked onto the screen from a financial news outlet. It showed that Kiley had arrived in Wront via private jet. She would assume the CEO position of the Cooper Group.

    The message red briefly before being swallowed by a stream of other updates. Momentster, the screen dimmed and turned ck.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 914

    ?Chapter 914:

    Maia and Chris, now busy with breakfast preparations, didn¡¯t notice the update slip by.<fn4944> This update is avable on f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fn4944>

    Meanwhile, just outside the freeway exit of Wront International Airport, a convoy of ck vehicles surged onto the main road. Two sleek limousines led the charge, followed by a stately two-tone Maybach, with six ck Buick business vans bringing up the rear. The entire formation moved like a tide of quiet power.

    Other drivers instinctively made way, casting curious nces and wondering who couldmand such presence.

    Inside the Maybach, Raegan sat in the back seat. She closed the folder on herp, took a quick nce at the passing scenery, then turned to the woman beside her. ¡°Kiley, are we heading straight to Cooper Group, or should we make a stop at your vi in South Lake?¡±

    She had already settled into her role as Kiley¡¯s executive assistant with seamless grace.

    Kiley slid off her sunsses and hooked one temple of the frame neatly into the breast pocket of her beige suit jacket. ¡°Neither.¡±

    Her tone was calm, cool, and final¡ªlike a decision long since made. ¡°We¡¯re going to Wront Prison first.¡±

    Raegan blinked, briefly surprised, then gave a soft chuckle. ¡°Of course. That¡¯s exactly what I expected from you.¡±

    A faint smile tugged at Kiley¡¯s lips. ¡°Is that so?¡±

    Without looking, she reached out and lightly sped Raegan¡¯s hand. ¡°Efficiency first¡ªthat¡¯s my rule.¡±

    She leaned back against the seat, her voice unhurried yet firm. ¡°I believe only those who work efficiently have earned the right to waste timeter.¡±

    Raegan looked at her for a moment, her gaze softening. ¡°You always think so clearly, Kiley. I feel incredibly lucky to have met you.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????: ?????????¦Í???????????????

    Kiley tightened her hold on Raegan¡¯s hand, her tone gentle yet sure. ¡°And for me, meeting you is a piece of rare fortune.¡±

    An hourter, the convoy rolled into the parking zone just outside Wront Prison. Momentster, brake lights red like a cheetah stretching taut in early light¡ªa line of red glowing through the dawn.

    With a crisp click and swish, every door opened at once. One of Kiley¡¯s aides dashed to her door, one hand pulling it open, the other held t above the frame in silent deference.

    Kiley stepped out, her beige trench coat catching the breeze, her presence sharp andmanding. Every step she took was deliberate, like a measured beat in a slow march.

    Raegan followed, poised in a tailored suit. Her manner was equally dignified, though her smile carried a softer note of kindness.

    Seeing them approach, the guards and the deputy warden of Wront Prison rushed to greet them. Upon confirming the neers were their long-anticipated guests, they smiled and led the way.

    ¡°Ms. Cooper,¡± he said warmly, ¡°Warden Shiloh Hayes has been expecting you. He even opened his stash of premium coffee beans today to give you a proper wee.¡±

    Raegan¡¯s brow furrowed. Something felt off. Why hadn¡¯t the wardene out to greet Kiley himself? After all, the Cooper Group had poured hundreds of millions into this facility.

    Kiley¡¯s expression turned colder than midwinter frost. Yet if she was offended, she didn¡¯t show it. Her reply came clipped and cool. ¡°Lead the way.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 915

    ?Chapter 915:

    Not long after, Kiley showed up at Shiloh¡¯s office, trailed by her usual group. Shiloh, the warden, wore a crisp, spotless uniform. His face showed both respect and a hint of wariness.

    He got to his feet as she entered. ¡°Ms. Cooper,¡± he said, his voice smooth but slightly guarded. ¡°d you could make it.¡±

    He handed her a cup of coffee. ¡°This one¡¯s made from a rare, handcrafted roast,¡± he remarked. ¡°Top-of-the-line beans¡ªI hope it suits your taste.¡±

    Kiley shot him a look, quickly picking up on his exaggerated courtesy. She sensed that he was the type who hid his real intentions. Still, he seemed to understand one thing clearly¡ªaround here in Wront, the Cooper Group ran the show.

    Hence, Kiley skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. ¡°Cut the formalities. I¡¯m here to investigate the conditions during Maia Watson¡¯s incarceration.¡±<fn721a> The source of th?s content is find?novel</fn721a>

    Shiloh¡¯s face twitched for a split second, but he quickly masked it with a trained, courteous smile. ¡°Ms. Watson¡¯s case has been closed for some time now,¡± he responded smoothly. ¡°But if you¡¯d like ess to the file, I can make that happen, Ms. Cooper.¡±

    Kiley kept her voice level. ¡°The files are a start,¡± she replied. ¡°But I¡¯ll also need full ess to the prison¡¯s logs and detailed reports¡ªeverything recorded during her entire four-year stay.¡±

    The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Even the steady ticking of the wall clock felt loud in the silence.

    Shiloh paused briefly, a thinyer of sweat forming on his brow. He pulled himself together, though a hint of powerlessness slipped through. ¡°Ms. Cooper, to be frank, I only recently stepped into the role of warden here. Thest warden passed away from illness. As for what happened to Maia Watson during those four years¡­ I don¡¯t have the full picture. All I can do is refer to the official logs.¡±

    What he said wasn¡¯t a lie¡ªhe really had just taken charge; anyone could dig into his record and find that much true. But it wasn¡¯t the whole picture either. In reality, he knew far more than he let on about Maia¡¯s time behind bars.

    ?????????? ???????????? ????: ??????????¦Í?????????????

    Still, there was no way he¡¯d turn on Zoey, the one pulling the strings. He practically owed her everything¡ªhis survival included. Still, he clearly understood that Kiley hadn¡¯te with a smile or goodwill.

    Trying to steer the conversation, he added, ¡°There was actually a segment aired by Wront Television not long ago. They interviewed a few inmates about Maia¡¯s time here. The footage is avable on the inte. If you¡¯re curious, you can check it out, Ms. Cooper¡ª¡±

    He didn¡¯t get to finish. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± Kiley cut him off, her voice sharp. ¡°Just hand over whatever paperwork you¡¯ve got.¡±

    A few momentster, several guards hauled in a heavy box stuffed with files.

    Kiley took her seat at the head of the table, her posture steady. She rested her hands neatly in herp. Her expression was soposed that it was almost unreadable. She cast a nce in Raegan¡¯s direction.

    That single look was enough. Raegan immediately caught her meaning. She stepped up without dy, her focus sharp as she sifted through the stack of files that Shiloh had handed over. Her eyes held a trace of chill, scanning everything with quiet intensity.

    Raegan paid special attention to the prison logs. Shebed through each entry with care, marked all mentions of Maia, and passed them along to Kiley. Kiley flipped through the pages without much interest, but her eyes locked onto Shiloh with a cutting gaze. ¡°What was the previous warden¡¯s name? When did he die?¡± she asked, her tone cool.

    Shiloh jumped at the chance to reply. ¡°His name was Morse Ryane,¡± he answered quickly. ¡°He died about a year back¡ªright before Maia was released. I hadn¡¯t stepped into the role yet at that point. Also, Iter found out that his personal journal had vanished. No one¡¯s been able to locate it. So, unfortunately, a lot of original records are gone. We¡¯ve had to piece things together using duty reports and whatever¡¯s left in the logs¡­¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 916

    ?Chapter 916:

    ¡°A year ago?¡± Raegan spoke evenly, her voice steady as her hand lingered on a half-turned page in the prison log. There was a subtle edge of sarcasm in her words. ¡°How convenient. Maia was just about to walk free, and the one man who might¡¯ve known the full story¡ªMorse¡ªsuddenly drops dead¡­¡± She paused and looked over at Kiley. After catching a small nod from her, Raegan went on, her tone turning icy. ¡°Sounds like someone¡¯s sweeping things under the rug. Don¡¯t you agree?¡±

    Shiloh kept the same polite smile stered on his face. ¡°Well¡­ surely that¡¯s just a coincidence, isn¡¯t it? What kind of secret could a prison possibly be hiding?¡±

    Kiley offered a faint smile of her own, slow and unreadable. Her fingers tapped against the tabletop in a steady rhythm. Her eyes, however, were sharp enough to cut.

    The room fell dead silent. The tension was thick enough to choke on. Shiloh kept his grin in ce, but the sheen of sweat forming on his forehead betrayed his nerves.

    Once they had stepped out of the prison, Kiley turned to Raegan and lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Your thoughts?¡±

    Raegan lowered her voice. ¡°Shiloh¡­ doesn¡¯t sit right with me.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s eyes grew colder. ¡°Same here.¡±

    She tapped her fingers once against the table. ¡°With the old warden gone, there¡¯s no one left to verify anything. He could cook up whatever story suits him.¡±

    Raegan gave a slight nod, her expression tightening as her eyes narrowed. In her view, this way of covering up the truth fit perfectly with how The Mask usually operated. It appeared that Maia¡¯s ties to both The Mask and its leader ran deeper than she had originally believed. ¡°So, what¡¯s our next move?¡± Raegan asked quietly.

    Kiley didn¡¯t respond right away. A cold smirk formed on her lips. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s time we tried a different approach¡ªsee if we can get Shiloh to spill on his own.¡±

    Raegan locked eyes with her, and in that brief nce, they understood each otherpletely.

    ???????????????? ????????: g????????¦Í?????????????<fn5e84> ?????? ???? fin?novel</fn5e84>

    Not another word was needed.

    Inside the CEO¡¯s office at Cooper Group headquarters, tension gripped the air. udius moved restlessly from one side of the room to the other. His forehead creased deeper with every pass, and his pace grew sharper.

    It was a jarring contrast to the calm, collected figure he usually was. Clearly, waiting had worn him thin, stripping away every trace of his usualposure.

    All at once, he halted and turned back toward theputer screen. A news sh lit up in bold letters. ¡°Miss Kiley Cooper, heiress of Cooper Group, has arrived in Wront via private jet¡­¡± The line made udius¡¯s chest tighten.

    His sister had only recently brought this up in conversation. He hadn¡¯t even packed, hadn¡¯t even seen Maia. Now Kiley was already in town, and from the looks of it, she was forcing his hand, pressuring him to drop everything and fly out to Otruitho without dy. Still, was it truly necessary to rush?

    udius¡¯s fingers curled slightly. He nced at his watch, uncertainty tightening his jaw. It was nearly midday now, and something didn¡¯t sit right.

    Ordinarily, his sister would havee straight to thepany to begin the handover. Instead, ever since the news broke, he¡¯d been sitting tight¡ªyet there was still no sign of Kiley.

    Where could she have gone?

    The butler had just confirmed that Kiley hadn¡¯t returned to the Cooper estate either.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 917

    ?Chapter 917:

    The clock kept ticking, every second dragging heavier than thest. udius found himself growing more agitated by the minute. The wait was bing unbearable.

    Truthfully, he should have gone to Maia long before this. Still, a strange feeling crept in, leaving him oddly unmoored.

    ¡°How pathetic! You thought you could run things like Father did. But look at you, udius. You can¡¯t even steer your own life,¡± he muttered under his breath with a bitter smile.

    A secondter, he pressed his fingers to his temples and drew a deep breath. The storm passed, and his usualposure settled back in.

    After standing still for a few seconds, udius reached for his phone and opened Maia¡¯s contact. He typed quickly: ¡°Maia, I¡¯m heading to Otruitho soon to oversee the operations there. Before I leave, there¡¯s something important I need to say face-to-face. I know this mighte out of nowhere, but if I let this moment slip, I might never get the chance again. Can we meet?¡±

    He didn¡¯t hit send right away. For a full minute, he just stared at the screen, weighing the tone and every word.<fn7fe2> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? Find1Novel</fn7fe2>

    Once he was sure it sounded right, he pressed send. The messagended, and the screen quietly disyed a single word: ¡°Delivered.¡± No response came¡ªnot right away.

    udius kept his gaze fixed on the screen until the light in his eyes slowly faded.

    Eventually, he let out a long breath and set the phone down on the desk without care.

    Each second dragged on, making the room feel heavier, as if the silence itself pressed down on him, stirring unease that wouldn¡¯t settle.

    Unable to keep still, udius tapped his fingers against the desk, then stood up and began pacing once more.

    Five minutes went by, then ten. Still, there was no word from Maia.

    ???????????? ?????????????? @ ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Atst, udius stopped pacing and made up his mind.

    He swung the office door open. ¡°Secretary,¡± he called out.

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Cooper. What do you need?¡±

    ¡°If Kiley shows up asking for me, contact me right away.¡± udius¡¯s voice held a firm edge that left no room for questions.

    ¡°Understood, Mr. Cooper.¡±

    After giving the instruction, udius grabbed his coat and walked out briskly.

    Just outside the Cooper Group tower, he paused and cast a look back at the towering structure that had long been his world.

    A strange heaviness crept in. Would he be back anytime soon? He couldn¡¯t tell. Without dwelling further, he climbed into his car and stepped on the gas, though he had no clear destination in mind.

    Maia¡¯s home address? udius didn¡¯t even have that.

    His thoughts churned restlessly. No matter how hard he tried to focus, Maia¡¯s face kept surfacing in his mind.

    Questions kept flooding his mind. Could it be that she was too busy to check her phone? Or had she seen it already and just didn¡¯t know how to respond? ¡°God¡­¡± he muttered, one hand gripping the wheel, the other supporting his head as he let out a hollow chuckle.

    The sun was at its peak, casting sharp rays over the city of Wront.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 918

    ?Chapter 918:

    As udius left the parking lot, he remainedpletely unaware that another vehicle¡ªpart of a sleek ck convoy¡ªwas easing into a side entrance not far behind him.

    At the center of the convoy cruised a sleek, understated Maybach S680. Settled in the rear seat, Kiley wore her usual faint smile¡ªcool, distant, unreadable.

    Through the tinted window, her eyes quicklynded on a rare carbon-fiber Porsche pulling away.

    That wasn¡¯t just any car. She had gifted it to udius¡ªa model so rare that no one else in Wront owned one.

    ¡°Hold on a second.¡± Kiley¡¯s tone was smooth, yet there was an unmistakable edge to it.

    Raegan, sensing something, turned to look in the same direction and spotted the Porsche stopped at a red light.

    ¡°Follow that car,¡± Kiley said, her voice firmer now, her eyes narrowing with focus.

    ¡°Yes, Ms. Cooper,¡± the driver replied, steering swiftly without hesitation.

    Breaking from the formation, the Maybach eased into traffic and began tailing the Porsche with smooth precision.

    Meanwhile, in the sleek kitchen of Elysium Apartments, Maia was wiping down the counter, putting thest of the clean dishes away. Chris had just stepped out, drying his hands on a towel as he walked past the dining table.

    Suddenly, Maia¡¯s phone buzzed against the polished surface. The screen lit up with a message preview.

    Chris¡¯s eyes flicked to the screen unintentionally, catching a single line: ¡°Maia, I¡¯m heading to Otruitho soon to oversee the operations there. Before I leave, there¡¯s something important I need to say face-to-face. I know this mighte out of nowhere, but if I let this moment slip, I might never get the chance again. Can we meet?¡±

    Chris stopped in his tracks, the towel in his hands forgotten. He silently repeated the words from the message in his mind. ¡°Before I leave¡­ Something important? Say face-to-face?¡± A flicker of unease passed through him.

    ?????????????? ?????????????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Chris had seen through udius¡¯s motives long ago. udius¡¯s admiration for Maia had been obvious from the start of the winery project, and Ethan¡¯s tournament win only fueled it. He used business meetings as a front, but Chris knew exactly why he kept trying to meet with her.

    Chris¡¯s lips curled into a cold, ironic smile. ¡°What a shame for you, udius¡ªthe woman you so openly desire is already my wife,¡± he muttered to himself. And even if udius didn¡¯t know that Chris was the husband, he surely knew that Maia was married. So how could he still dare to pursue her? No doubt about it, udius had inherited Kolton¡¯s brazen streak.

    As Chris stood brooding, Maia finished tidying up and walked over, drying her hands on a towel.

    ¡°Your phone buzzed just now,¡± Chris said casually, masking the edge in his voice.

    Maia nodded, picked up the phone, and checked the screen. She frowned instinctively after reading the message. As far as she could tell, there wasn¡¯t anything worth discussing with udius.

    Could this be about him trying to acquire her designbel, Genius?

    She had anticipated that udius might find out she was the designer, as it wouldn¡¯t be difficult for Cooper Group. Or maybe he was still trying to poach Ethan for his gaming empire. Not unlikely. But recalling that udius was heading to Otruitho made her second-guess herself. Maybe she had jumped to conclusions.<fnec75> Checktest chapters at find{n}ovel</fnec75>

    Suddenly, a new thought struck her. If udius was stepping away from Wront¡­ then who was stepping in?

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 Chapter 919

    ?Chapter 919:

    Almost instinctively, she swiped through her phone and found a news alert. Kiley had arrived in Wront by private jet and was expected to take over as CEO of Cooper Group. Maia¡¯s eyes widened. That was fast.

    Maia had just returned from Otruitho¡ªand now Kiley had suddenly arrived in Wront? Could it truly be just a coincidence? Or was there another reason behind Kiley¡¯s return this time?

    Maia¡¯s eyes drifted back to the message, her mind sinking deeper into thought. Her instincts whispered that there was more beneath the surface. What exactly did udius want to say to her now? Maybe meeting him wasn¡¯t such a bad idea after all.

    Maia¡¯s next move was clear¡ªshe needed to reim control of Cooper Group. That meant facing them head-on in the business arena, no more dancing around the edges.<fna1f6> Latest content published on find?novel</fna1f6>

    After being away for so long, she had to get a firm read on thepany¡¯s internalndscape¡ªwho stood where, what had shifted, and how best to dismantle Kolton¡¯s grip on the empire. And if meeting udius gave her the chance to gather some valuable intel, all the better.

    Maia stood lost in thought, unaware that Chris had been quietly observing her the entire time. He caught the flickers of hesitation and conflict in her face, a shadow of doubt crossing his own eyes.

    ¡°Maia,¡± he said softly, drawing her attention. ¡°You okay? You don¡¯t look well.¡±

    Maia blinked, collecting herself. After a beat, she replied, ¡°Something came up. I need to step out for a bit. You should rest¡ªdon¡¯t wait up.¡±

    Before he could say anything else, she turned and disappeared into her room, the door clicking shut behind her.

    Chris stood there, still and quiet. ¡°Alright¡­ I understand,¡± he murmured.

    But inside, a storm was brewing. Was she really going to meet udius without telling him?

    ???????????????? ??????????: ???????¦Í?????????????

    Chris¡¯s earlier calm quickly faded, reced by a sharp pang of bitterness. The feeling hit him harder than ever before. Was he¡­ falling into jealousy again?

    He pushed the thought aside swiftly. Chris reminded himself that Maia must have her reasons for meeting udius. He couldn¡¯t afford to let his imagination run wild. After all, trust was the bedrock of their rtionship.

    Minutester, Maia¡¯s door swung open once more. She had slipped into a sleek ck suit, looking sharp. Chris watched silently, words stuck in his throat.

    Maia moved toward the door to grab her handbag. From the corner of her eye, she caught Chris¡¯s slightly evasive nce. She bent down to tie her shoces and paused, realizing that an exnation was necessary.

    Still, she was afraid that if he knew she was going to meet udius, it might rile him up. And with his health issues, a re of anger could do more harm than good.

    So, she turned back and looked Chris straight in the eye, her expression serious. ¡°Chris, I have to go to MCN. Pattie¡¯s been swamped while I was away, and we¡¯re about to roll out new products. Design has always been my responsibility.¡±

    Chris gave a small nod, though disappointment lingered behind his eyes. Maia had given a reason, but it was clear she wasn¡¯t beingpletely honest. Then, without missing a beat, Maia added quietly, ¡°And¡­ I¡¯m also nning to meet udius.¡±

    She didn¡¯t beat around the bush. ¡°udius told me he¡¯s about to take over the business in Otruitho and wants to discuss something important before he leaves. I¡¯m not sure what his game is, but I figured it¡¯s better to listen¡ªhe might have some useful info.¡±

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 Chapter 920

    ?Chapter 920:

    She paused, watching as Chris¡¯s tense face softened. Then, with a yful grin, she said, ¡°I was worried you¡¯d jump to conclusions, which is why I held back at first. But like I said, honesty is the bedrock of any rtionship, so I thought you should know.¡± Then she added with a wink, ¡°Honestly, I was scared you¡¯d get jealous.¡±

    Chris blinked in surprise, then his eyes warmed.

    He nced away for a moment and cleared his throat. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t told me, I probably would have gotten jealous.¡±

    ¡°Probably? Then maybe I won¡¯t tell you next time¡­¡± Maia teased, poking fun.

    Chris quickly shook his head. ¡°No chance. You¡¯ve got to keep me in the loop, or else I¡¯ll worry myself sick.¡±

    ¡°Alright then, I was only joking¡­ I¡¯ll wrap things up early and be back for dinner tonight,¡± Maia said with a grin.

    Maia returned a soft smile, feeling lighter than she had the moment she walked out of prison. The chill that once gripped her heart had thawed, and she found herself hopeful for whaty ahead. She understood that honesty mattered most.

    Chris caught on and smiled warmly. ¡°Sounds good. What do you want for dinner, love? I¡¯ll get everything ready before you get home.¡±

    Maiaughed, her voice brighter than before. ¡°Anything you cook, Chris, will taste amazing.¡±

    The door clicked shut quietly behind her. Chris stayed rooted in ce for a long moment, his mind spinning with thoughts. A smile slowly tugged at the corners of his mouth. Maia¡¯s openness lifted his mood, like sunlight breaking through after a storm.

    He knew that in a rtionship, there was no room for lies or needless doubts. Since Maia had been upfront about meeting udius, Chris wondered if it was time for him toe clean and share everything with her.

    Apart from being the Cooper family¡¯s secret offspring, Chris had built up a web of hidden identities over the years. To settle scores with the Coopers, he had risen to be Wront¡¯s shadowy kingpin, the mastermind behind the hacker group ST, a powerful but faceless investor in high finance, and the enigmatic head of ¡°The Mask.¡± He had guarded these truths fiercely, never letting them slip out.

    ?????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í??????©q??????

    Still, a nagging worry gnawed at him¡ªif Maia ever found out about those hidden lives, would she feel betrayed? Would she think he had been dishonest all along?

    He dreaded the day she might misjudge him and turn away in disgust. Chris had wrestled with the idea ofying it all bare to Maia countless times, but each time, he pushed the thought aside.

    It wasn¡¯t that he wanted to keep secrets from her. He just feared those truths could pull her into even deeper trouble. With those concerns weighing heavy, he chose not to tell her¡ªat least, not just yet.<fn6db5> Content originallyes from F?nd-Novel</fn6db5>

    Rubbing his temple softly, Chris tried to steady his swirling thoughts and stave off a pounding headache. But when he thought about Vince¡ªthe man who had chased after Maia and lost his mind threatening her¡ªa sharp ache pulsed in his forehead.

    His eyes dropped, and a wave of unease settled over him. He trusted Maia¡¯s straightforward honesty since she hadid everything out for him. Still, udius was a man with hidden schemes and dark ns.

    Chris knew that he had to stay on guard. No matter Maia¡¯s worries, he felt it was his duty to protect her quietly from behind the scenes. With that resolve, he decided to tail Maia secretly, keeping watch to stop udius from spiraling out of control like Vince had and making a dangerous mistake.

    In under a minute, Chris swapped into clothes better suited for quick movement. He pulled on a baseball cap and dark sses, then slipped out of the apartment without a sound.

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 Chapter 921

    ?Chapter 921:

    At the same time, a figure lurking in the shadows near Elysium Apartments quietly tailed Maia as well. He was none other than the private eye, Cade.

    At Elysium Apartments, sunlight shimmered off a sleek silver Maserati, scattering shes across the polished parking lot like dancing mercury.

    Maia emerged from the stairwell with calm precision. Dressed in a tailored ck suit that cut amanding silhouette, she radiated effortless confidence. She slid into the driver¡¯s seat of the luxury sports car, adjusted the seat and mirror with the ease of someone who had done it a thousand times¡ªbut didn¡¯t start the engine right away.

    Instead, she pulled out her phone and typed a quick reply to udius: ¡°Sure. Let¡¯s meet in two hours at Starlight Caf¨¦, right next to the MCN building.¡± Message sent, she tossed the phone onto the passenger seat, started the car, and rolled out of the apartmentplex with graceful control.

    Sunlight streamed through the side window, outlining her features in a crisp, elegant profile. She looked focused and unbothered.

    What she didn¡¯t notice, however, was the ck Rolls-Royce Phantom that purred to life just moments after she drove off. Inside, Chris steered with one hand while the other draped casually over the window frame, his eyes locked on the gleaming silver Maserati ahead. He followed at a measured pace, always twenty yards behind. Even when Maia began weaving through slower cars, Chris glided after her like a shadow, never breaking his rhythm.<fn702e> Fresh chapters posted on find[?]ovel</fn702e>

    ¡°Not bad,¡± he muttered, amused. ¡°She¡¯s been practicing.¡± He tapped the elerator, keeping pace with ease. His calm belied the calction behind his every move.

    She was headed to MCN¡ªlikely for work¡ªthen a meeting with udius. Traffic thickened, but Chris adjusted effortlessly. The Phantom moved with the confidence of a predator.

    Further back, a ck Buick surged through traffic, trying to catch up. Inside, Cade was growing impatient. ¡°Slow down! Follow that Rolls-Royce Phantom!¡± he barked from the back seat.

    ???????????? ???????? ??????????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    His assistant nced at him through the rearview mirror, confusion in on his face. ¡°Sir, shouldn¡¯t we be following Maia? She¡¯s in that limited-edition Maserati. If I don¡¯t floor it, we¡¯ll lose her.¡±

    Cade shot him a re. ¡°Shut up. Do you want to be spotted? Believe me, if you go after her car, her bodyguard will clock us immediately. y it smart. Follow the Phantom¡ªMaia¡¯s bodyguard.¡±

    The assistant hesitated, then his eyes widened in realization. ¡°Wait¡­ you think the guy in the Phantom is her bodyguard?¡±

    ¡°Of course he is! Were you even paying attention earlier? How could you miss that Maia has a bodyguard?¡± Cade was nearing the edge of his patience, silently wishing his assistant possessed even a hint of his own sharp instincts.

    ¡°Keep your distance. We can¡¯t afford to be seen.¡±

    Cade frowned, his thoughts turning bitter. Maia¡¯s Maserati already drew enough attention, but her bodyguard in a Rolls-Royce Phantom? That was overkill. At times like this, Cade couldn¡¯t help but think he was in the wrong line of work. Private investigation paid peanuts. Bodyguards for the rich? That was a goldmine.

    Meanwhile, across town, udius was aimlessly cruising through Wront¡¯s bustling downtown in his custom Porsche, the engine purring beneath him. Though the A/C hummed gently, his palms were slick with sweat. ¡°I¡¯m driving around like an idiot,¡± he grumbled. ¡°What am I even doing?¡±

    His phone buzzed. He nced down. Maia had replied to his message: ¡°Sure. Let¡¯s meet in two hours at Starlight Caf¨¦, just next to the MCN building.¡±

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 Chapter 922

    ?Chapter 922:

    In an instant, the fog in his mind cleared. Excitement bloomed behind his ribcage. He couldn¡¯t stop the grin from spreading across his face. With newfound energy, he spun the wheel in a sharp U-turn and headed straight for MCN. However, he failed to notice the ck Maybach that passed him in the oppositene.

    Inside, Kiley watched through her tinted sunsses, tracking the blue Porsche with quiet intensity.

    ¡°Why the sudden U-turn?¡± Raegan asked beside her, voice low with suspicion. ¡°Think he saw us?¡±

    Kiley gave a soft chuckle. ¡°If udius had spotted us, he¡¯d be banging on the hood by now. Trust me.¡± Then, calmly, she instructed the driver, ¡°Turn around. We¡¯ll follow¡ªkeep a safer distance this time.¡±

    ¡°Understood, Ms. Cooper,¡± the driver replied, executing the maneuver smoothly.

    In the front passenger seat, Mariana stirred awake, groaning as she massaged her temples. ¡°Kiley¡­ why aren¡¯t we home yet?¡±

    A slow rub over her eyes didn¡¯t do much. The exhaustion fromst night still clung to Mariana, and she had barely drifted off during the car ride. By the time sleep finally took her, they were already en route to Wront Prison. Kiley had made sure no one disturbed her.

    ¡°We¡¯re not done yet, so don¡¯t get toofortable,¡± Kiley said. She hadn¡¯t expected Mariana toe just then, after staying awake all night.

    Still focused on the road, Kiley spoke in an easy tone. ¡°Lift your eyes, Mariana. See that Porsche up ahead?¡±

    Mariana followed her gaze. When she spotted the sleek blue car speeding ahead, something about it stirred her memory. With a hint of hesitation, she asked, ¡°Is that udius¡¯s car? Are we¡­ tailing him?¡±

    A cool sharpness cut through Kiley¡¯s reply. ¡°Yeah. I want to find out where he¡¯s going instead of showing up at thepany like he¡¯s supposed to.¡±

    Mariana¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line as a quiet unease settled in her chest. Was it possible that udius was nning to meet Maia? She gave her head a firm shake, brushing the idea away before it could settle. udius might want to see Maia, but that didn¡¯t mean Maia would ever agree to face him.

    ???????? ???????? ???? ??????????????: g?????????¦Í????????????

    Everyone knew the rift between her and the Cooper Group ran too deep to mend. There was no denying it¡ªMaia had be the Cooper Group¡¯s outright adversary. The mere possibility sent a jolt through Mariana, her eyes shing with a fire that threatened to consume her restraint.

    Not long after, udius pulled into the lot beside the MCN building. He killed the engine and nced at his watch. Roughly ny minutes still separated him from the time they were supposed to meet.

    His eyes shifted to the ss tower above, guessing that Maia must be buried in her work somewhere on the upper floors.

    A few quiet moments passed as udius lingered near his car, weighing his options, until he made up his mind to visit Starlight Caf¨¦ first. There, he hoped to find a quiet corner where he could speak to Maia without being watched or interrupted.

    What he had in mind was a window seat¡ªone that didn¡¯t face the entrance, ideally surrounded by d¨¦cor that blurred visibility, and tucked into the more peaceful part of the caf¨¦. Luck was on his side¡ªhe stumbled upon just the kind of spot he was imagining.

    With a cup of ck coffee ced in front of him, he settled in, nerves creeping up as he pieced together what he wanted to say, almost like a student rehearsing before a final exam. Though he had always drawn attention from girls and received more than his fair share of love letters over the years, he had never taken the step to confess to anyone. Not once.<fn897e> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? findnovel</fn897e>

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 Chapter 923

    ?Chapter 923:<fn8856> Official source is f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fn8856>

    Despite all his aplishments in the business world, udius found himself out of his depth when it came to matters like this. Sweat began to gather on his palms, a rare disy of nerves from someone usually so poised and in control.

    While udius wrestled with his anxiety, Chris remained parked nearby, silently watching the situation unfold. It wasn¡¯t hard to guess udius¡¯s reason for being here¡ªhe was waiting for Maia.

    Just then, something out of the ordinary caught Chris¡¯s attention. A Maybach crept into view and pulled into a parking spot across the street. Suspicion flickered in Chris¡¯s eyes as he focused on the car. He knew that vehicle well. It belonged solely to Kolton.

    What was Kolton¡¯s car doing here? Was this meeting between udius and Maia Kolton¡¯s doing?

    There was no denying it. Something felt off, and udius was indeed up to something. Chris felt fortunate he had chosen to tail them, driven by a mix of worry and instinct.

    With tension tightening in his chest, Chris pulled out his phone, ready to stop Maia from going through with the meeting. His thumb hovered above the screen as Maia¡¯s number lit up¡ªthen he hesitated, the call left unfinished. Doubt crept in. Calling now might make it obvious he had been following her. Thest thing he wanted was for Maia to think he was crossing a line. Drawing a quiet breath, Chris narrowed his gaze and chose to keep watching a while longer.

    While sitting in the plush seat of the Maybach, Kiley slid off her sunsses, her gaze ice-cold. Reading udius was never difficult for her; his motives were obvious from the start. Clearly, he¡¯de all this way just to say goodbye to Maia.

    A thought crossed her mind¡ªwhen did her brother lose all sense? Why did Maia have such a hold over him?

    ¡°He¡¯s really about to meet Maia¡­¡± Kiley muttered under her breath, and without hesitation, she scolded, ¡°Ridiculous!¡±

    Down below, udius hurried toward the bar beneath the MCN building, and Mariana couldn¡¯t stomach it either; her frustration was practically evident. Ever since the art exhibit, Maia had been a constant thorn in Mariana¡¯s side, a shadow she couldn¡¯t shake. Watching udius¡¯s retreating figure, she stood frozen, uncertain if she wanted to burst outughing or shout in anger. The situation was beyond annoying.

    ?????? ???????? ?????????? ????: g????????¦Í????????????

    Maia had embarrassed and tormented her more times than she could count, leaving her the butt of every joke. Still, her older brother insisted on running after Maia, talking as if marrying that woman was some wonderful idea. Nothing about it made sense¡ªit was utter madness.

    ¡°Kiley, is udius really going to see Maia?¡± Mariana turned her head, urgently looking at Kiley sitting in the back seat, pleading, ¡°We can¡¯t let him meet Maia!¡± Her words tumbled out in a rush. In a shaky voice that bordered on frantic, she continued, ¡°I have no idea how Maia managed to wrap udius around her finger¡­ Do you rememberst time? He poured family money into that ridiculous birthday celebration¡ªso much money, just for her! This cannot go on. If Dad finds out, he¡¯ll be heartbroken.¡±

    Kiley lifted her gaze, not at all surprised by the events Mariana described. Still, Mariana¡¯s anxiety far surpassed what Kiley had expected. She wasing apart, emotions teetering on the edge of copse.

    Trying to bring a sense of order back, Kiley replied softly, ¡°I understand. Take a breath. I¡¯ll step in¡ªI¡¯ll make sure Maia doesn¡¯t cause more trouble.¡± Raegan,

    Meanwhile, Raegan kept her thoughts to herself, eyes narrowing slightly. The messy web linking udius and Maia was far more tangled than she had guessed. Though Kiley had never revealed the details, Mariana¡¯s outburst painted a vivid picture. udius wasn¡¯t simply an acquaintance to Maia¡ªhe was chasing after her, and she kept her distance.

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 Chapter 924

    ?Chapter 924:

    Kiley¡¯s hasty return to the country suddenly made sense in a new light. Raegan nced at the MCN building, unable to stop herself from measuring her own worth against Maia¡¯s, once again. No matter how she looked at it, she failed to see what made Maia so irresistible.

    Somehow, Maia kept drawing men to her like moths to a me. Vince hade first¡ªthe one who had attempted to blow up an entire building just to make Maia marry him. Next, udius, heir to the powerful Cooper name, entered the picture. Even the shadowy figure known as Mr. M, the head of The Mask, wasn¡¯t immune to Maia¡¯s orbit.

    A jolt of anxiety made Raegan tighten her grip. She faced Kiley, voice low. ¡°What¡¯s our move now?¡±

    Taking in the glowing sign above Starlight Caf¨¦, Kiley kept herposure. A faint smile flickered as she replied, ¡°I¡¯ve heard good things about their coffee. Maybe we should give it a try.¡±

    No further exnation was necessary. With that, the Maybach¡¯s doors swung open. Kiley stepped out, with Raegan and Mariana trailing right behind her. Without hesitation, all three strode toward the entrance of Starlight Caf¨¦.

    Across the street, inside a dark Buick, Cade had resigned himself to a dull stakeout. He expected nothing unusual¡ªMaia sticking to her routine, a bodyguard trailing for safety, nothing more. He began tapping out a quick message to Mnie with his update. ¡°Maia¡¯s at work today¡ªno unfamiliar men around, no sign of anyone posing as her husband.¡±

    After a brief pause, he added another detail: ¡°Also, the registered owner of the apartment where she lives is listed as Baylor Dixon.¡±

    Yet for all his years as a private investigator, Cade had never before resorted to misleading the person paying his bills.

    The address he reported was a fabrication, though the real owner behind the property had indeed been tracked down. Deciding whether to reveal the truthter would alle down to whatever Mnie¡¯s real agenda turned out to be.

    Protecting himself took priority¡ªCade had no interest in anyone learning that he had dug into Maia¡¯s background or in risking unnecessary trouble for her. For the moment, Maia was something of a local legend in Wront, and thest thing he needed was to make enemies.

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    Besides, the way she faced danger head-on had left Cade, who¡¯d once worn a uniform, thoroughly impressed. He kept that sentiment to himself, but deep down, Maia had earned his respect. Somewhere along the way, he had even started to root for her.

    With a quiet sigh, Cade ced his phone on the passenger seat and reached for the car door, thinking that a cigarette might help clear his head. No sooner had he stepped onto the curb and pulled out a lighter than movement up ahead caught his eye: three women were stepping out of the Maybach.

    Recognition hit him at once¡ªthere was Kiley, the soon-to-be CEO of Cooper Group. A jolt of panic made his skin prickle. Instinct kicked in, and Cade quickly retreated back into his vehicle.

    Cade¡¯s assistant peered over with a furrowed brow. ¡°Boss, what¡¯s happening?¡± While still in the driver¡¯s seat, Cade tracked Kiley¡¯s poised, unhurried steps, his mind churning over recent developments.

    Just the night before, he¡¯d been knee-deep in research about Maia¡¯s recent exploits. Part of that included Maia orchestrating the takeover of Aurora Apparel from Mariana, and then publicly disgracing Mariana yet again at the Otruitho art show, putting her entire future in the arts on shaky ground.

    On top of everything, their client this time¡ªMnie¡ªhailed from the Cooper family too, which led Cade to a sobering realization: the Coopers might be targeting Maia out of revenge.

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    .<fncd3c> Chapters first released on f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fncd3c>

 Chapter 925

    ?Chapter 925:

    A chill swept over him, making his hands slick with sweat. His loyalties had already shifted, and he found himself bending the truth to protect Maia, even if it meant betraying his own client. Faced with this conflict, Cade wondered if it was time to walk away from the case altogether ande clean to Maia.

    Inside Starlight Caf¨¦, mellow lighting spilled across polished wood, casting a golden glow over the tables and chairs. The trio¡ªKiley, Raegan, and Mariana¡ªmade their entrance and found a quiet corner to settle in. Though tucked away, their vantage point offered an unobstructed view of udius, who sat framed by the floor-to-ceiling window on the other side of the room.

    As a waiter approached, Kiley drummed her fingers gently against the table. ¡°Threettes for us,¡± she said, her eyes never straying from udius, her focus sharp and unwavering.

    Not much time passed before the waiter arrived, carrying the coffees the women had requested. With unhurried grace, Kiley lifted her cup, wearing an expression that suggested she was simply enjoying a break, herposure unshaken. On the other hand, Mariana couldn¡¯t resist stealing nces at udius, her face barely masking her simmering frustration and displeasure. Raegan kept mostly silent, her eyes asionally flickering upward, revealing aplicated mixture of curiosity and detachment.

    In the meantime, Cade slipped through the caf¨¦¡¯s entrance, doing his best to go unnoticed. His baseball cap sat low over his brow, the cor of his trench coat turned up, helping him melt into the background. Choosing a spot just a few tables away, he settled where he could observe Kiley without drawing attention, all while keeping an eye on the ebb and flow of the caf¨¦.

    He sipped his coffee quietly, tracking Kiley¡¯s gaze across the room¡ªuntil surprise caught him off guard. udius? The famously disciplined sessor of the Cooper Group?

    He reminded himself that udius was Kiley¡¯s younger brother. So Kiley was here, observing her own sibling?

    A frown formed on Cade¡¯s face, suspicion sharpening his features. At that precise moment, the door to Starlight Caf¨¦ swung open. Instinctively, he looked up to see who had just entered.

    ???????????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í??????©q??????

    Maia stepped in, dressed in a sleek ck suit, every step radiating assurance. Her eyes swept across the caf¨¦ beforending directly on udius. Without hesitation, she strode to his table, pulled out a chair, and sat facing him.

    A sharp glint shed in Cade¡¯s eyes. Was this meeting with udius her true purpose?

    His attention shifted to where Kiley and her friends sat. As expected, tension visibly tightened their expressions. Though Kiley sipped her coffee with practiced calm, her piercing gaze never wavered from the pair across the room, and irritation simmered just beneath the surface. Both women beside her fixed cold, critical stares on udius and Maia.

    Watching the scene, Cade squinted and clicked his tongue, pondering the possibility of a secret pact between Maia and udius. The feeling of being tangled up in the Cooper Group¡¯splicated web only grew stronger for him. All this had spun out from what should have been a simple contract¡ªa twenty-thousand-dor job for some discreet digging.

    In his mind, Cade let out a silent sigh. ¡°This is turning into a real mess,¡± he admitted to himself. He understood all too well that battles for control in the Cooper Group usually ended with someone paying a steep price.<fn5a9f> Checktest chapters at F?nd-Novel</fn5a9f>

    Getting out now was impossible for Cade. Any misstep could bring the wrath of powerful enemies down on his head. He thought back to the dark history of the Cooper Group, recalling the deadly feud that imed the life of their eldest son, Kyle, and left their gifted daughter, Zoey, behind bars¡ªwhile others never even made it out alive.

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 Chapter 926

    ?Chapter 926:

    Years might have passed, but living in Wront had taught Cade that those wounds ran much deeper than outsiders ever guessed. Risking everything for twenty thousand dors no longer seemed remotely worthwhile. His earlier doubts weighed even heavier, and right then, Cade resolved to walk away from the assignment. He¡¯d return the payment and make sure to cut all ties with his client.

    As for whether he should give Maia a heads-up, he saw no need to do it himself, for he trusted that his assistant would handle it.

    As these thoughts circled in his mind, Cade¡¯s phone began to vibrate. One nce at the screen revealed a new message from Mnie: ¡°Keep tracking Maia. I need a report on every stop she makes, every person she meets, and, if possible, record or remember every word she says today. Complete this, and you¡¯ll earn another eighty thousand dors.¡±

    Stuck at school with Ethan for the day, Mnie had little choice but to leave everything to the private eye she hired. So far, Cade¡¯s speed and results had impressed her, and now she dangled a muchrger reward to have him uncover the truth about Maia¡¯s mysterious husband.

    Reading the offer, Cade squinted and reread the figure, making sure he wasn¡¯t imagining things. Eighty thousand stared back at him from the screen. That amount just for another day of surveince?

    There was no sense in second-guessing. When money talks, it is hard not to listen.

    Raising his hand, Cade quietly caught the waiter¡¯s eye, pressed some cash into his palm, and murmured a request. Within minutes, he¡¯d imed a spot just steps from udius and Maia. He lowered the brim of his cap, slipped in his earphones, and pretended to be on a call while he listened intently.

    With poisedposure, Maia settled into her chair, eyes lifting ever so slightly to study udius, who was sitting across from her. He had dressed with clear intention¡ªnavy shirt beneath a charcoal zer, every strand of hair neatly slicked back. The cool confidence of a polished executive surrounded him, though the subtle way he traced his finger around his coffee cup hinted at nervousness beneath the surface.

    He lingered in silence, searching for the right words, as though answers pressed at his chest but refused to be spoken aloud.

    ???????????? ???????????????? ?????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, if there¡¯s something on your mind, you can say it now,¡± Maia said, skipping past formalities with crisp resolve. Her tone was even, stripped of unnecessary sentiment.

    Her directness took udius by surprise. After a moment¡¯s recovery, he offered a small nod. ¡°Thank you for meeting with me today.¡±

    He straightened his shoulders and paused, lips pressed tight, before turning his attention back to Maia. ¡°There¡¯s something I wanted to tell you face-to-face. I¡¯ll be leaving soon for Otruitho for business. I don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ll be staying there; it could be a year, five years, or maybe¡­¡±

    A simple nod from Maia told him she had already heard. ¡°The news covered your transfer. Is that all you wanted to talk about?¡±

    His answer came in a hesitant shake of the head. Drawing a slow, steadying breath, udius clutched his cup and forced himself onward. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯ve admired you for a long time. Back at the Cooper Group g, you stood out in a way I can¡¯t exin. There¡¯s something maic about you¡ªyour energy, your confidence, the way you light up a room.¡± Speaking from the heart didn¡¯te easily to udius. Each phrase fell from his lips with careful precision, as if he feared the wrong word would scatter everything he hoped to say.

    Maia arched a single eyebrow, yet she let the silence linger.

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    .<fn0886> Follow current nov?ls on f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn0886>

 Chapter 927

    ?Chapter 927:

    ¡°You¡¯re self-reliant, insightful, and carry yourself with genuine humility,¡± udius said, his tone low and unwavering. ¡°Out of everyone in my world, you stand apart.¡± His eyes didn¡¯t waver as he continued, his voice steady and measured: ¡°Since I might be away for a long while, I need to leave nothing unsaid. Maia, I have feelings for you.¡±

    Atst, the truth was spoken. udius¡¯s words weren¡¯t forceful, but they rang with absolute certainty.

    For a heartbeat, the moment hung suspended, heavy and unbroken.

    A flutter ofshes was Maia¡¯s only response at first. After a thoughtful pause, she answered, ¡°Mr. Cooper, I believe you already know I have a husband.¡± Her tone softened. ¡°Still, I appreciate your honesty.¡±

    The answer struck udius, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. Even so, at least he had put his feelings into the open. Yet something held him back from epting it. He fell quiet, then gathered himself and asked gently, ¡°May I ask¡ªis your marriage real? There¡¯s a rumor going around that it was only a cover to get away from Vince¡­ that you¡¯re not truly married.¡±

    Maia let her gaze fall, a quietugh slipping from her lips. Never in her wildest thoughts did she imagine that a simple journey to Sceibar would spark such wild spection about her life.

    ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± she replied, her voice steady and clear. ¡°I really am married¡ªthere¡¯s no reason for me to lie to you.¡±

    For an instant, hope flickered in udius¡¯s eyes, but her answer dashed whatever he had been expecting. Before he could find new words, Maia continued, ¡°He may not be wealthy or have some impressive career, and yes, he¡¯s struggling with health problems. Still, he¡¯s real¡ªfunny, thoughtful, gentle, and good-hearted. And I have to mention, he¡¯s a fantastic cook. With him, I finally feel safe, cherished, and content in a way no one else ever gave me.¡±

    As she spoke, a gentle smile softened her face, painting a picture of quiet happiness. Meanwhile, udius felt disappointment settle over him, heavy and inescapable.

    ???????????????? ???????????? @ g???????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Our bond is solid,¡± Maia said, her words measured and unwavering. ¡°Gossip holds no weight with me. What matters is I trust him, more than anyone, with everything I have.¡±

    Staring across the table, udius tightened his grip on his cup, knuckles pale, his gaze stormy with emotions he struggled to contain. A trace of desperation edged his voice as he asked, ¡°But you¡¯re extraordinary. How could an average man possibly be enough for you?¡±

    Maia looked up, her voice gentle yet unwavering. ¡°Mr. Cooper, I value trust above all else¡ªnot money, not social standing. He¡¯s one of the rare men I can depend on. If you came to dere your feelings, I¡¯m sorry, but my answer is no.¡±

    Hearing this, udius felt his entire sense of reality begin to crack. The thought that Maia would choose someone ordinary was something he simply could not process.<fn6d79> This content belongs to Find?Novel</fn6d79>

    His mind suddenly drifted to herst birthday celebration, remembering how another man had managed to eclipse him with both sincerity and wealth. ¡°I have to ask¡­ Is your husband Mr. M?¡±

    A shadow of puzzlement crossed Maia¡¯s face as she regarded udius. ¡°No, he isn¡¯t. My husband leads a simple life. As for Mr. M, it might sound odd, but I don¡¯t even know who that is.¡±

    A heavy silence settled over the table. udius sat there, unable to judge whether Maia was hiding something or being absolutely honest. Handpicked to inherit the Cooper Group, he found it almost impossible to ept losing to someone without prestige. In his heart, he had always pictured himself as the only one worthy of her.

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 Chapter 928

    ?Chapter 928:

    But for all thefort lies can offer, it¡¯s the truth that leaves the deepest mark. A raw note crept into udius¡¯s words. ¡°Would you let me wait for you?¡± His tone strained. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s selfish, but letting go just isn¡¯t something I can do. I don¡¯t believe I fall short of your husband¡ªanything he gives you, I could offer too.¡±

    For a moment, he faltered, unable to surrender his hope. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re just swept up by him right now. I can be patient. If things change¡­ if there¡¯s ever a divorce, I¡¯d¡ª¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t get that chance,¡± Maia interjected, her response swift and unwavering. ¡°There will never be a divorce.¡±

    The words left her lips almost on their own, whether as a shield for her heart or a truth she already knew. ¡°Mymitment to this marriage runs deep. And love isn¡¯t about outdoing someone else.¡± A chill sharpened her gaze. ¡°It¡¯s not about victory or being superior. All I want is for him to be there when I¡¯m at my lowest, to stand beside me, to hold me up¡ªthat¡¯s what counts. You are a good person, Mr. Cooper, but this is where our story ends.¡±

    Maia¡¯s voice grew colder, her resolve unmistakable. After a few seconds, she added, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing further, I should be going now.¡±

    The finality of her words struck udius. For a moment, he sat motionless, only then realizing he had crossed the line.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for all this,¡± udius admitted, his voice rough with emotion. ¡°You¡¯re the only woman who¡¯s ever truly captured my admiration.¡± His words tumbled out in a low murmur. ¡°For so long, I treated love like a business deal, just weighing what¡¯s fair and what¡¯s owed. But you showed me that real feelings¡ªreal devotion¡ªcan make anyone willing to give up almost anything.¡±

    For a brief moment, Maia¡¯s eyes shimmered with feeling, but she reminded herself that boundaries had to be clear. She paused to gather her thoughts, then spoke in gentle tones. ¡°Throughout life, you¡¯re bound to cross paths with the wrong people, but what matters is not letting them hold you back. The right person, after all, is still out there somewhere, waiting to meet you.¡±

    udius looked stunned, as if her words had struck a dozen chords at once. It was only then that he understood, as if Maia¡¯s honesty had jolted him awake.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Forgive me for letting my emotions get the best of me today,¡± he said, a faint, embarrassed smile forming on his lips. ¡°I just didn¡¯t want to walk away with any regrets. I appreciate you hearing me out¡ªand I¡¯m grateful for your advice.¡± He hesitated, eyes darkening, his tone dropping to a whisper. ¡°But¡­ there¡¯s something else I have to tell you. I believe Kiley¡¯s return isn¡¯t just coincidence. I think she came back for you.¡±<fn971a> Checktest chapters at find[?]ovel</fn971a>

    ¡°I guessed as much,¡± Maia said, giving a slight nod as a faint, unreadable smile tugged at her lips.

    It didn¡¯te as a shock to udius. Somehow, Maia always seemed like the kind of person who could see through every move¡ªhis, Kiley¡¯s, and everyone else¡¯s.

    Even so, he issued a quiet warning. ¡°Don¡¯t let your guard down¡­ Kiley isn¡¯t like Mariana. She may lookposed, but she¡¯s far more unpredictable. If she sees you as a threat, she won¡¯t hold back. She¡¯ll do whatever it takes to strike first. I used to think that if you were willing to ept me and join the Cooper family, maybe things wouldn¡¯t have to turn out like this¡­¡± udius let out a small, uneasy cough. ¡°But hearing what you just said¡­ I get it now. If you ever reconsider, though, I¡¯m sure I can convince my sister and my father to call everything off.¡±

    Maia was silent for a few seconds, then nodded at him again. ¡°I appreciate the heads-up.¡±

    She stood up from her seat and reached for her purse. ¡°And thank you for being straight with me. But like I told you before¡­¡± Her eyes met his without flinching. ¡°Don¡¯t wait around. I¡¯m not changing my answer.¡±

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 Chapter 929

    ?Chapter 929:

    Frozen in ce, udius parted his lips as if to speak, but no words came¡ªand he made no effort to follow her.

    Without looking back, Maia turned on her heel and made her way toward the exit. Golden light poured in from the massive windows, outlining her figure in a gentle, sunlit glow.

    Still rooted to his seat, udius stared ahead nkly, as though every bit of color had been drained from the scene before him. He had always believed that he could remainposed, that with time, he¡¯d inch closer to her. But the truth remained¡ªMaia had never been his, and she had never once offered him the chance.

    Dropping his gaze, udius let out a quiet, bitter chuckle that barely reached his eyes.

    But just as Maia reached the threshold of the bar, a voice cut through the air like a de. ¡°Maia! You shameless witch!¡±

    Instantly, Maia came to a stop, her expression tightening with faint irritation. Stepping into view, a figure she knew all too well blocked her path, brimming with hostility.

    In a flowing pale blue dress, Mariana stormed forward, her features twisted with anger as she jabbed a finger in Maia¡¯s direction. ¡°Have you no shame? You¡¯re a married woman, yet you¡¯re still chasing after my brother!¡±

    A hush swept through the bar as the crowd¡¯s attention snapped to them. The outburst had captured the entire room, every eye turning to watch.

    udius, startled by the sudden noise, nced over his shoulder in disbelief. Mariana? What on earth was she doing here?

    Although Maia¡¯s face remainedposed, a small crease formed between her brows. Without reacting further, she took a quiet step back.

    ¡°Step aside.¡± Her voice remained even and unshaken.

    ¡°You think you can just walk out like you didn¡¯t do anything?¡± Mariana, however, wasn¡¯t backing down. She marched forward, voice rising. ¡°Is your goal to marry udius now and take the Cooper name for yourself? Wasn¡¯t taking away Aurora Apparel Company from us enough? Or are you aiming for the entire Cooper Group too?¡±

    ?????????????????? ?????????? ????: ????????¦Í????????????

    Mariana¡¯s unstable emotions reached their peak in an instant. Her thoughts spiraled out of control, painting Maia as a maniptive woman wing her way up the socialdder by any means possible.

    All sense of restraint vanished. Ignoring how she looked to others, she raised her voice and shouted, ¡°Maia Watson, hear this. You¡¯re nothing but a shallow face with a fake attitude. Once that mask slips, no one will look at you the same way.¡±<fne85e> This update is avable on Find¡ïNovel</fne85e>

    Meanwhile, Kiley¡¯s brows knitted in frustration. In just a moment of distraction, Mariana had charged at Maia like someonepletely unhinged. Her original n had been simple¡ªto catch udius in the act of meeting Maia so she could confront himter for his reckless behavior.

    But the scene had spiraled fast. Mariana¡¯s mental state was worse than she had assumed. Just the sight of Maia had sent her over the edge.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± A sharp, furious voice sliced through the chaos, cutting Mariana off mid-sentence.

    udius shot up from his seat. He rushed to stand between them, shielding Maia, his eyes hard as steel as he locked onto his sister¡¯s gaze. ¡°Not another word, Mariana. Apologize to Maia¡ªright now.¡±

    ¡°And why should I say sorry? Maia¡¯s the one who needs to apologize!¡± Mariana¡¯s fists tightened, her whole body shaking as she red, eyes rimmed with unshed tears.

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 Chapter 930

    Chapter 930:

    Emotion caught in her throat as she cried out, barely holding it together. ¡°I¡¯m your own sister, udius! How can you ask me to humble myself to someone who isn¡¯t even family? And have you forgotten how she humiliated me, Mnie, and the whole Cooper family?¡±

    Rage and betrayal burned in her stare, every grievance aimed straight at udius.

    ¡°You¡¯re not the same brother anymore!¡± Mariana¡¯s voice cracked and threatened to spiral out of control. ¡°What is it about Maia that¡¯s turned you upside down? Is your obsession so deep you¡¯d throw us away for her? You¡¯re so disgusting! I¡¯ve never¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± udius¡¯s expression hardened. His voice cut through the room, hand flying up in warning.

    Smack! The sound of the p rang out, snapping the air. Mariana stood there, stunned and unmoving.

    Slowly, she pressed trembling fingers to her burning cheek as a red mark began to bloom. ¡°You hit me. For her¡ªfor a woman like Maia?¡±<fn6bc5> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n FindN0vel</fn6bc5>

    Each word shook with disbelief, tears spilling down her face as herposure finally copsed. Tears streamed quietly down Mariana¡¯s cheeks, leaving her looking heartbreakingly fragile.

    udius, finally losing hisposure, let frustration spill from his lips. ¡°Look at yourself. Is this really how you want people to see you?¡± His voice was edged with irritation he¡¯d never shown before. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time or ce for a scene. Keep acting like this, and you¡¯re dragging the whole Cooper family through the mud!¡±

    With a sharp, almost mockingugh, Mariana retorted, ¡°Really? And why does that matter to me?¡±

    Raising her chin defiantly, she shot Maia and udius a furious re, the sting of the p snapping her into focus. ¡°And you¡ªunting yourselves out in the open like this? Since you don¡¯t care about the family¡¯s reputation at all, why should I? Have you forgotten Maia¡¯s married? And she was involved with Vince so deeply that¡­¡±

    He was even willing to die without her! Didn¡¯t you read the headlines yesterday? What could possibly make you choose her over your own family? What makes her worth turning on me?¡±

    ?????????? ???? ???????? ??????????: g???????¦Í????????©q?????

    Every usationnded hard, leaving udius no room to answer. Sanity slipped from her grasp again, and her voice spiraled up, ragged and wild.

    ¡°Thanks to her, I am not allowed to draw any painting for five years!¡±

    The raw anguish in her cry stirred a wave of whispers through the crowd.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Maia Watson over there? The famous one¡­ And isn¡¯t that udius Cooper¡ªCooper Group¡¯s heir?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t Maia married? What¡¯s she doing in public with udius like this?¡±

    ¡°And what did Mariana mean about being not allowed to paint for five years?¡±

    Whispers swirled as more and more guests recognized the trio¡ªMaia, udius, and Mariana¡ªand a few curious bystanders quietly started filming the heated scene with their phones. It wasn¡¯t long before someone uploaded a photo to Twitter, capturing the confrontation mid-re.

    ¡°Scandal breaks: Married Maia caught with udius, drama erupts with sister Mariana.¡±

    Within minutes, Maia¡¯s name shot up the trending charts, the messy scene drawing countless eyes and fueling a wildfire of spection.

    Meanwhile, udius¡¯s expression turned stony as he realized the attention they¡¯d attracted. His re swept the crowd. ¡°Put your phones away,¡± he instructed, voice like ice. Pushing past the gathering spectators, he grabbed Mariana¡¯s arm, intent on removing her from the chaos.

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Have a really really nice weekend dear readers. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (¤Å ? _?)¤Å?

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 Chapter 931

    ?Chapter 931:

    But before he could get far, a clear andmanding female voice rang out from across the bar. ¡°udius, have you lost your mind? Laying a hand on your own sister, right in front of everyone? Are you set on embarrassing us?¡±<fnd1fb> Get full chapters from Find?Novel</fnd1fb>

    Kiley approached, her trench coat crisp, footsteps deliberate, her stare cial and unyielding. She carried herself with an authority that instantly silenced the room, with Raegan at her side, sharing in her disapproval and silentlymenting that she hadn¡¯t stopped Mariana sooner.

    Lowering her voice so only the group could hear, Kiley said, ¡°Enough from both of you. One of you is impulsive; the other, foolish for love. Don¡¯t forget you¡¯re Coopers.¡±

    ¡°Do you realize what you¡¯re doing? This isn¡¯t your living room. We¡¯re in a caf¨¦.¡± Kiley¡¯s voice sliced straight through the chatter, colder than ever and carrying the weight ofmand. Her tone was unyielding, soaking the entire caf¨¦ with a chill that made everyone sit up straighter.

    Not a single protest left udius¡¯s mouth. Anger and shame painted his face red. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, but no sound followed. Knuckles whitening, he clenched his hands tightly before dropping his eyes to the floor.

    Mariana hade prepared to defend herself, ready to let loose every pent-up word. Kiley, though, met her head-on with a stare that stripped Mariana of all resolve. That look cut straight to the core, stopping any argument before it could begin. With trembling lips, Mariana swallowed her protest. Tears rimmed her eyes, threatening to spill, and a tremor ran through her shoulders as she forced herself to stay silent.

    The heaviness in the air pressed down, thick and unyielding.

    Standing off to the side, Maia watched the tension build. Her brow creased in thought as she considered the strange scene before her. How did both Cooper sisters find themselves in this ce, anyway?

    A quick nce at udius confirmed that shock still held him captive. Even he looked confused by the sisters¡¯ sudden appearance, mirroring Maia¡¯s surprise. Following the thread, it became obvious that Kiley and Mariana had trailed udius all the way here.

    ???????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????? @ ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Maia remembered that udius had warned her not long ago¡ªKiley was back to take over the Cooper Group. She, Maia, was right in her sights. Even with that knowledge, Maia felt a subtle knot of worry form inside. Outwardly, she maintained a look of calmposure.

    Kiley¡¯s eyes swept the room and finallynded on Maia, the two locking stares for a moment. Before Kiley could open her mouth, Maia stepped in, cool and unbothered, offering a small, guarded smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t think we¡¯d meet again so quickly.¡±

    A polite nod apanied her words, soft in delivery but distant in meaning. ¡°Wee back, Kiley. You¡¯ve returned just in time to steer Cooper Group forward.¡±

    Recognition flickered in Kiley¡¯s eyes. ¡°Yes, it is rather sudden, isn¡¯t it?¡± Her smile reced the earlier steel, revealing a different side¡ªone that looked gentle but carried a sharp edge beneath the surface.

    A subtle re flickered in Maia¡¯s eyes. She had already picked up on Kiley¡¯s difficult nature back at the Sceibar art exhibition. Surrounded by curious eyes, she understood the stakes. Slipping even once would tip the scales against her. She straightened her shoulders and addressed Kiley in a firmer voice. ¡°Since you¡¯re at the helm of the Cooper Group, maybe it¡¯s time you took responsibility for your siblings. If you let chaos break out in public, people will start doubting your leadership, and the Cooper name could take a real hit.¡±

    Every word Maia spoke cut through the chatter, her tone unshakable and impossible to ignore. Phones shed all around as diners, hungry for entertainment, held their devices high and murmured among themselves.

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 Chapter 932

    ?Chapter 932:

    ¡°Remember that birthday party for Maia? udius from the Cooper family supposedly gave her some over-the-top gift. The rumors are starting to make sense now.¡±

    ¡°Mariana said it herself. There¡¯s definitely something going on between udius and Maia.¡±

    ¡°If she actually cheated on her husband, the fallout would be enormous.¡±

    Eyes bore down on Maia, but she faced the crowd with unwavering calm, her chin lifted and back perfectly straight.

    Kiley, lips twisting into a taunting grin, retorted, ¡°Ms. Watson, I appreciate the advice, but maybe you should be exining why you¡¯re hanging around with my brother?¡±

    Thatment sent tension spiking through the room. Maia¡¯s brow knit together. She could see exactly what Kiley was after¡ªpin everything on her and drag her name through the mud.

    Any attempt to respond was swallowed up by a shrill cry that shattered the air. ¡°Maia! I swear I¡¯ll end you, you snake!¡±

    Mariana appeared to have lost all control. She wrenched herself free from Raegan¡¯s grip and lunged at the dining table. Snatching a knife in a wild frenzy, she acted out of sheer desperation¡ªan unbelievable scene for such a ce¡ªher crazed eyes locked on Maia.

    Right then, the mood shifted in an instant.

    ¡°Ah!¡± a waitress yelled, while several patrons hurriedly backed away, panic written all over their faces.

    Maia, on the other hand, seemed ready for this. Her expression tightened just a bit, but she stayed calm and steady. Without a hint of fear, she smoothly stepped back, dodging Mariana¡¯s strike effortlessly.

    Mariana lost her bnce and stumbled forward, crashing into the table¡¯s edge and cutting her forehead badly. Through gritted teeth, she bore the pain without hesitation and spun around to jab at Maia¡¯s chest once more.

    ?????????????? ?????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    The knife caught the light, shing with a threatening glint.

    Mariana had lost her mindpletely, paying no attention to Kiley and udius shouting at her. Her gaze was locked solely on Maia.

    Just then, a low, firm voice boomed from the doorway. ¡°Put it down!¡± Themand carried a weight that seemed to stop time, freezing everyone in the room.

    Mariana was no different; she recognized the voice immediately. For a fleeting moment, she faltered.

    Then, a figure rushed over in a few strides. All eyes followed as hended a sharp chop on Mariana¡¯s wrist with pinpoint uracy. The knife ttered out of her hand, dropping to the tiled floor with a hard metallic ng. Mariana wobbled, nearly tipping over.

    Maia blinked and instinctively nced up. Standing there was Chris.

    He wore a ck shirt and stood tall, his gaze icy and his breathing calm and steady. One hand stayed ready in defense, while the other rose in front of Maia, fully shielding her.

    Though Maia hadn¡¯t expected Chris to show up, a strange feeling of safety washed over her¡ªespecially from the way he had just stepped in. There was something undeniably impressive about it.

    The crowd burst into excited murmurs. Some recognized him and called out, ¡°It¡¯s Maia¡¯s bodyguard!¡± Many others gawked in disbelief, saying, ¡°He moved so fast, I couldn¡¯t catch a clear glimpse.¡±

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    .<fna8fb> Latest content published on f?ndnovel</fna8fb>

 Chapter 933

    ?Chapter 933:

    Meanwhile, Mariana, knocked down by Chris¡¯s strike, shook uncontrobly. Her voice cracked as she whispered, ¡°Chris¡­¡± Tears poured down her face instantly. She stared at him, almost falling apart, her eyes vacant, as if unable to ept the scene before her. Chris nted himself between Maia and her like an unbreakable wall.

    Mariana remained seated on the floor, dazed, as if sshed with freezing water. ¡°Why did even you raise your hand against me?¡± she asked, her voice quivering. At that moment, the throbbing pain in her forehead and wrist snapped her back to reality.

    But her brief rity didn¡¯tst long. She awkwardly rose and shuffled toward Chris, her bottled-up feelings and bitterness overwhelming her logic again, her voice growing louder. ¡°Chris, why are you taking Maia¡¯s side? I treated you so well.¡± In fact, what she truly wanted to say was ¡°I love you so much,¡± but the words stuck in her throat.

    Chris replied with icy calm, ¡°I¡¯m Maia¡¯s bodyguard now. I¡¯m just doing my job. If you touch her again, I won¡¯t hold back.¡± His tone was as cold and unforgiving as a biting winter wind.

    Mariana felt her energy drain away in an instant. She stood frozen, tears streaming down her face without control.

    At that moment, Maia cautiously peeked from behind Chris and asked softly, ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    Chris caught Maia¡¯s voice, and his expression immediately softened. He shifted a bit and spoke in a calm voice. ¡°I was just passing by MCN and figured I¡¯d grab a coffee and wait for you to finish work. But right when I reached the entrance, I spotted this risky situation.¡± He moved aside, letting Maia step into his protective space naturally.

    Chris cleverly skipped over why he had actuallye, offering instead a humble apology. ¡°If you think I crossed a line by taking things into my own hands, I¡¯ll ept whatever consequencese my way.¡±

    To the people nearby, it sounded like Chris, Maia¡¯s bodyguard, had been following other instructions but chose to trail her on a whim. The story raised no eyebrows and only reinforced his role as her protector. Maia¡¯s eyes flickered with a swirl of feelings; punishing Chris was out of the question. In truth, she felt more thankful than words could say.

    ?????????????????????????? @ ???????¦Í????????????

    She shook her head softly, her voice turning tender. ¡°I¡¯m really d you showed up.¡±

    Maia had never imagined that Mariana would go as far as trying to kill her. Nor did she expect Chris¡¯s abilities to be so sharp.

    Meanwhile, Kiley took a slow step forward. Her movement was calm, but she radiated an intimidating aura. She didn¡¯t scold Mariana again. Instead, she fixed Chris with a frosty stare, her voice chilling enough to send shivers. ¡°Chris, you¡¯re a member of the Cooper family, yet here you are, stooping to serve a stranger?¡±

    Pointing a finger at Chris¡¯s face, she expressed her disappointment. ¡°You¡¯ve brought shame on the Cooper name.¡±

    Nobody saw thising¡ªKiley¡¯s harsh words clearly dripped with contempt and disgust for Chris. A heavy silence dropped over the crowd, thick and suffocating.

    Chris stood firm before Maia, unmoving, his eyes icy and sharp. He slowly swiveled his head, fixing Kiley with a lookced with sneering mockery. ¡°Your words are pretty harsh, Ms. Cooper.¡± His tone dripped with contempt, sharp and biting. ¡°Besides, the Cooper family never treated me like a human being. I¡¯d rather serve Maia than serve any of the Coopers. Because they don¡¯t deserve me.¡±

    His wordsnded like a thunderp, shocking everyone around.

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    .<fn4c8b> The source of th?s content is find?novel</fn4c8b>

 Chapter 934

    ?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¡ªthe Cooper family¡¯s enemy¡ªshielding 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>

    ???????????????? ???? ????????: ??????????¦Í??????©q?????

    ¡°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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 Chapter 935

    ?Chapter 935:<fn66a2> Updates are released by F¦ÉndNovel</fn66a2>

    udius kept silent, offering no response.

    ¡°Bring Mariana home right away,¡± Kiley continued, voice sharp. ¡°By the time you get there, I expect her to have calmed down. And make sure she gets therapy.¡± Then Kiley nced coldly at Mariana, showing no sympathy. ¡°You two need to clean up this mess and keep the Cooper Group from taking a bigger hit.¡± Finally, Kiley faced Raegan and said, ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡±

    Raegan gave a quick nod, paying no attention to Mariana¡¯s tear-streaked figure on the floor. As they stepped out, the bar fell into a heavy, uneasy quiet.

    In a shadowy corner, Cade scrambled to pack up his hidden camera gear. His face showed a mix of shock and thrill as he rushed to his car. mming the door shut,

    He was still stunned by the drama he¡¯d just witnessed, like something out of a soap opera. He caught his breath and dialed a number. ¡°Hello, Miss Cooper.¡±

    Mnie¡¯s voice came through cold and sharp. ¡°Get to the point.¡±

    Cade wasted no time and told her everything that had gone down at the bar. Mnie¡¯s eyes grew wide with surprise. She hadn¡¯t seen iting¡ªher cousin udius had feelings for Maia too, and had even boldlyid them out.

    Thinking about Hurst, Mnie suddenly felt deeply disappointed. udius had guts, no doubt. Even though Maia was married, he put his heart on the line. Luckily for Hurst, udius didn¡¯t seed¡ªone less rival in the game of love.

    Mnie knew she had to uncover who Maia¡¯s husband was before pushing her father toe clean to Maia. So she told Cade, ¡°Keep tailing Maia. Find out where she¡¯s headed next. Make sure she¡¯s not heading back to Elysium Apartments too soon.¡±

    Cade frowned in confusion. ¡°What exactly do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Just keep me posted on Maia¡¯s movements. I¡¯ll make sure the pay is worth your while.¡±

    After hanging up, Mnie clenched her fists tightly. Then she leaned close to Ethan and whispered, ¡°We¡¯re going to Elysium Apartments after school today.¡±

    ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????? ¡ú g???????¦Í?????????????

    Ethan gave a quick nod. ¡°Have you got a n in mind?¡±

    Mnie smiled confidently. ¡°Definitely. We watch first. Once I know where Maia is, we¡¯ll catch her at the door before she gets home and find out who her husband is.¡±

    As they talked, a ssmate called out to Ethan, ¡°Hey, Ethan, check Twitter! Your older sister is trending. Rumor has it she cheated on her husband, and her secret lover is udius Cooper.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Mnie shot the ssmate a cold re and snapped, ¡°Zip it!¡±

    Inside the car, Kiley nced over at Raegan, who remained silent, lost in her own thoughts.

    ¡°Raegan, would you truly do anything for me?¡±

    ¡°I would. You don¡¯t have to question that.¡±

    A shadow crossed Kiley¡¯s face as she lowered her tone. ¡°You witnessed how Maia hurt my sister, didn¡¯t you? Mariana¡¯s been through so much, suffering because of her. I can¡¯t just let Maia walk away after everything.¡± While watching Raegan closely, Kiley searched for any hint of uncertainty or hesitation in her eyes.

    Resolute as ever, Raegan didn¡¯t break eye contact. Years with The Mask had taught her how to y every part, especially when the stakes ran high. If Kiley¡¯s request crossed a line, Raegan could y along now and decideter whether to follow through¡ªit was second nature.

    ¡°Kiley, you don¡¯t have to worry.¡± She squeezed Kiley¡¯s hand, steady and sure. ¡°As long as it¡¯s within my power, I promise I¡¯ll see it through for you.¡±

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 Chapter 936

    ?Chapter 936:

    Kiley¡¯s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten¡ªMaia has a brother, doesn¡¯t she?¡±

    She leaned in, brought her mouth close to Raegan¡¯s ear, and quietly revealed her n. For a heartbeat, Raegan¡¯s eyes went wide with surprise. Then she nodded, the answer clear. ¡°Consider it handled. Leave the rest to me.¡±

    Over at the Cooper Vi, tension clung to the walls of the study, as if the whole room held its breath. Behind his massive desk, Kolton¡¯s attention was glued to his phone, ice-cold eyes scanning the headlines. Every new headline ratcheted up the pressure, each one more shocking than thest:

    ¡°Cooper Group¡¯s heir shocks everyone by striking his own sister and losing control over Maia Watson!¡±

    ¡°Maia Watson¡¯s involvement with the Cooper family¡¯s heir came to light during her marriage¡ªaffairs exposed!¡±

    ¡°Mariana Cooper¡¯s knife attack on Maia Watson created chaos and sent the public into a frenzy!¡±

    Kolton¡¯s eyelid twitched as he read. His grip on the phone tightened with every headline, and the gloom on his face deepened. Maia had only returned for two days, and already she had dragged the Cooper Group back into the storm of public scandal.

    A loud bang echoed as Kolton brought his fist down on the desk. The sudden force sent the cup rattling, its lid skittering close to the edge. Nothing stung worse than these humiliating headlines. Years of effort had gone into shaping his heir¡¯s public image, only for all that work to turn into the town¡¯s running joke.

    udius¡¯s infatuation with Maia made Kolton uneasy. In his eyes, she posed a real danger to the Cooper Group. Now, just as Kiley had returned to clean up the mess, another incident had erupted. Kolton hadn¡¯t even considered that things could spiral so quickly.

    A creeping loss of authority gnawed at him; he prided himself on always having the upper hand. He paused, drew a long breath, and tried to talk himself down from the edge.<fn832b> Read full story at ?ovelFind</fn832b>

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    That was when the video shed across the screen. The footage showed udius striking Mariana¡¯s cheek for everyone to see, then stepping in to defend Maia.

    With Mariana unraveling in front of the crowd, her voice cracked as she faced udius. ¡°How can you ask me to humble myself to someone who isn¡¯t even family? You¡¯re not the same brother anymore! What is it about Maia that¡¯s turned you upside down? Is your obsession so deep you¡¯d throw us away for her? You¡¯re so disgusting! Have you forgotten Maia¡¯s married?¡±

    Every word in that recording tore through the Cooper Group¡¯s reputation, leaving Kolton feeling hollow and betrayed by his own son. He felt trapped in a waking nightmare. A tremor ran through his body, cold sweat sliding down his face. The shame udius brought weighed him down.

    Maia¡¯sposure never broke; her voice was sharp and clear from start to finish. Kolton¡¯s opinion of Chris had always been low, but even he showed up, wrested the knife from Mariana, and shielded Maia with all the courage of a loyal guardian.

    ¡°Unbelievable!¡± Rage twisted Kolton¡¯s features. His jaw clenched, knuckles whitening.

    ¡°Perfect. Just perfect,¡± he muttered in a harsh whisper. ¡°Every one of you wants to ruin the Cooper name. Maybe I¡¯ve gone too easy on you all this time.¡± Seething, Kolton snatched up his phone and punched in udius¡¯s number.

    The call barely rang before connecting.

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 Chapter 937

    ?Chapter 937:

    Kolton never gave udius a chance to speak. ¡°udius, I want you home right now!¡±

    The line went quiet for a beat, then a voice came through: ¡°I¡¯m heading there now¡­¡±

    Without another word, the call dropped. Kolton mmed his phone onto the desk. He started pacing, each step more agitated than thest.

    Not even twenty minutes had passed when the door creaked open. udius entered the study, walking with measured steps. His face remainedposed, untouched by guilt.

    Kolton pushed himself up from the chair, his eyes narrowing the moment he noticed theck of remorse in udius¡¯s stance. Fury rippled through him. ¡°Do you have any idea what kind of disaster you¡¯ve caused? You¡¯ve dragged the Cooper Group through the mud! Take a look at what people are saying online. You might want to scroll through the trending tags¡ªyour name¡¯s all over it. What was going through your head? Did you forget your ce? This isn¡¯t some love story you¡¯re living out. You¡¯re tearing down everything you¡¯ve built¡ªpiece by piece. As the heir to the Cooper Group, you¡¯re supposed to act with foresight. You¡¯re not allowed to throw it all away for something so reckless!¡± With a harsh breath, Kolton pierced udius with a re. ¡°You made aplete mess of things today.¡±

    Kolton shared the same verdict Kiley had drawn¡ªudius had acted like a fool. Had he not seen the footage with his own eyes, Kolton would never have believed his son capable of such madness.

    ¡°Right now, I¡¯m giving you one chance to speak,¡± Kolton said through clenched teeth. ¡°Start exining.¡±

    But udius remained still. He didn¡¯t utter a word, nor did he bother checking his phone like he¡¯d been told. His eyes dropped to the floor, shoulders ck like a boy who¡¯d resigned himself to a scolding. He didn¡¯t argue. He didn¡¯t flinch. He let his father¡¯s fury pour out without interruption.

    That was when the study door mmed open again, rattling on its hinges. Storming inside with unsteady steps, Mariana lookedpletely undone. Her eyes were swollen, streaks of makeup stained her cheeks, and the left side of her face was red and puffy. ¡°Dad¡­ please look at what he did to me! You can¡¯t just let this go!¡±

    ?????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ¡ª ?????????? g???????¦Í??????©o??????

    She fell at Kolton¡¯s feet, her voice cracking through her sobs. ¡°udius¡­ he struck me! He hit me over that miserable woman, Maia! She¡¯s already married, and yet she still clings to Vince like some shameless con artist! Everything about her is a lie! But udius? He¡¯s so obsessed with her that nothing else matters¡ªnot me, not this family! Dad, she¡¯s taken everything I ever had. I¡¯ve lost everything because of her!¡± Each word came out more desperate than thest, and her legs nearly gave way beneath her.

    Kolton didn¡¯t speak right away. Instead, he slowly turned toward udius, whose silence didn¡¯t budge. His expression grew darker, brows tightening. ¡°In front of a crowd, you struck your sister¡ªdo you even realize what kind of chaos that¡¯s caused? People are tearing us apart online. Mariana lost control in public, but you¡¯re no better, not after what you did!¡±

    Kolton¡¯s hands balled into fists as he narrowed his eyes at his son. His voice turned cold. ¡°Is that it? Nothing to say for yourself?¡±

    The question caught udius off guard. His gaze slowly lifted to meet Kolton¡¯s. There was a flicker¡ªsomething unspoken¡ªbut still, he kept quiet. Until now, he¡¯d never seen his father so furious. And even with the weight of that anger pressing down on him, he still couldn¡¯t form the right words. He loved Maia¡ªthat much he knew. But this mess? He¡¯d never intended for things to spiral out of control like this.<fnf34a> Checktest chapters at find[?]ovel</fnf34a>

    All he wanted was to show Maia what she meant to him before he left the country. If Mariana and Kiley hadn¡¯t meddled, none of this would¡¯ve exploded the way it did.

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 Chapter 938

    ?Chapter 938:

    ¡°Is your silence supposed to mean something?¡± Kolton¡¯s voice burst from his chest, loud and cracked with frustration. ¡°Have you just decided to ept everything without a word? Or do you honestly think this doesn¡¯t deserve an exnation? I didn¡¯t raise you to run from consequences like a coward. That¡¯s never been who you are. You¡¯ve always had the heart of a leader¡ªstrong, decisive¡ªand now you¡¯re walking away from everything you were meant to be? Can you even see what this choice says about you?¡±

    Kolton fell silent for a breath, his presencemanding as he stared hard at udius. ¡°Foolish!¡±

    A sharp jolt ran through udius¡¯s chest, his heart skipping a beat. Even Mariana, who had been mid-sob moments before, froze in ce, startled by the shift in atmosphere.

    But Kolton wasn¡¯t finished. His voice thundered across the room. ¡°Is this how you n to challenge me? By standing there with that attitude?¡±

    Lifting one brow, he continued with a scoff. ¡°I had ns for you. You were meant to take the reins of this family, to elevate the Cooper Group, not to crumble over a woman and toss everything.¡±

    udius turned his head slowly and looked at him. Atst, he opened his mouth. ¡°I¡¯m not that foolish¡­ I just don¡¯t want to leave without making things right.¡±

    Though spoken quietly, his words rang with resolve.

    ¡°Making things right? Take a good look at what you¡¯ve done. This¡ªthis chaos¡ªis that what you hoped to see?¡± Ovee with rage, Kolton raised his hand and swung without thinking.

    The movement made Mariana flinch. She gasped and threw her hands over her ears.

    In the end, Kolton¡¯s hand froze midair and never came down. His wrist trembled. A vein twitched along his jaw as he ground his teeth and pulled his hand back with a slow, deliberate motion. His eyelids shut tight, his face pale as ash.

    ¡°It is all Maia¡¯s fault,¡± he muttered, almost spitting the words. ¡°Can you not see? She has destroyed everything. She is like poison¡­ a curse.¡±

    ?????????? ???? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Silence swallowed the study. The tension among the three was so thick they could almost hear their own heartbeats echoing against the wood-paneled walls.

    Then Kolton sank into his chair, exhaling a breath that had been caught in his chest far too long. ¡°No matter how you feel right now, public opinion must be addressed first,¡± he said, voice low but firm. ¡°Tomorrow morning at ten, the Cooper Group will hold a press conference. You will be there. You will publicly state that you have no rtionship with Maia and make the situation clear to the media. Thepany¡¯s reputationes first. I will not entertain any objections.¡±

    udius said nothing at first. Then, with a resigned nod, he answered quietly, ¡°Alright. I understand.¡±

    ¡°Go to your room. Reflect on your actions.¡± Kolton turned away, his voice clipped, his gaze refusing to follow his disgraced son.

    udius did not linger. He left without protest, each step steady, unfaltering.

    Once the door shut behind him, Kolton¡¯s expression softened as he looked toward Mariana. She sat curled on the couch, shoulders trembling, sobs wracking her frame.

    ¡°Mariana,e here,¡± he said gently. ¡°Let Daddy take you to a doctor, alright?¡±

    ¡°A doctor?¡± Her tear-filled eyes widened in rm. ¡°Dad, I am not sick! I do not want to go to the hospital. Please¡­ I do not want to!¡±

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    .<fn4522> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find?novel</fn4522>

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 Chapter 939

    ?Chapter 939:

    Disappointment flickered across Kolton¡¯s face. Maia¡¯s name burned in his thoughts like acid. He crouched down and ced both hands on Mariana¡¯s thin shoulders. ¡°Alright, alright. You are not sick,¡± he said soothingly. ¡°How about dessert instead? Something sweet to take your mind off things, hmm?¡±

    She sniffled, wary. ¡°Really? No hospital?¡±

    ¡°Really,¡± Kolton reassured with a faint smile. ¡°I promise.¡±

    Only then did she nod, drained from her tears. Her body sagged as she leaned against him, eyes dull with exhaustion. ¡°I messed everything up, Dad,¡± she whispered, her voice breaking.

    Kolton rubbed her back in soft circles. ¡°It is alright. You just need to rest.¡±

    Outside Wront University, a sleek dark gray car pulled to a slow stop. Raegan sat behind the wheel, her eyes shielded by stylish sunsses. She held a folder loosely in one hand¡ªfresh from her informant¡¯s desk. Inside were a student ID and a detailed profile: Ethan, a special admit at Wront University, thriving in the elite preparatory program.

    The boy in the photograph had an open, honest face and eyes clear as morning water. There was something unmistakably gentle about him, eerily simr to Maia.

    ¡°It must be him,¡± she murmured.

    Looking up from the file, Raegan spotted a young man approaching the campus gate. He matched the photo exactly. Her assessment wasplete.

    The situation was shaping up to be far simpler than expected. All she needed was to take Ethan¡ªMaia¡¯s younger brother. Everything else had been arranged. Kiley had paved the road ahead. This move would not only earn her more of Kiley¡¯s trust, but also offer a closer look at who Maia really was¡ªand what she might be hiding.

    At that moment, Ethan reached the gate and paused, ncing around as though expecting someone. Raegan seized her chance. She opened the door, stepping out of the car. But before she could approach, another vehicle¡ªa luxury model¡ªglided to a stop in front of Ethan. He stepped in without hesitation.

    Raegan¡¯s instincts red. Her eyes narrowed behind her shades as she slipped back behind the wheel and followed the car at a safe distance. Was it Chris¡ªMaia¡¯s elusive bodyguard?

    ???????? ?????? ?????????????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    The passenger-side window rolled down. A breeze lifted a long strand of hair.

    Raegan leaned forward. The driver was a woman¡ªnot Chris.

    She elerated, eager to see more details.<fn113c> Fresh chapters posted on Find1Novel</fn113c>

    As the vehicle drew nearer, although she couldn¡¯t discern the woman¡¯s face, it was obvious she wasn¡¯t Maia¡ªand she looked younger.

    ¡°Ethan¡¯s ssmate?¡± she muttered, tapping her nails against the steering wheel. She had no record of this girl. Unknown variables were never good. Still, Raegan¡¯s curiosity sharpened. Whoever this girl was, she might lead to something interesting. One way or another, she had a task toplete today.

    Inside the other vehicle, Mnie animatedly shared thetest gossip and rumors with Ethan, blissfully unaware of the shadow trailing behind them.

    Ethan had seen the trending topics and widespread rumors in the afternoon, but what excited him was that Justiceze hadmented too. ¡°It¡¯s always those clueless fools who show their affection uninvited. Some people really need to look in a mirror before deciding they are worthy of Maia.¡± He held up his phone, eyes lighting up.

    Justiceze never missed. Though no names were mentioned, everyone knew who it was aimed at¡ªudius.

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 Chapter 940

    ?Chapter 940:

    The memory of the recent gamingpetition resurfaced. udius had been hovering around Maia ever since, like a stray that refused to leave. Clearly, udius had an agenda. And Ethan knew one thing for certain: his sister was not someone just anyone could dare to chase.<fn2c64> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find?novel</fn2c64>

    Ethan had always felt that only someone like Justiceze was truly deserving of his incredible sister.

    Sitting beside him, Mnie kept digging through her notes. ¡°See? In a mess like this, Maia¡¯s husband didn¡¯t open his mouth once. The man¡¯s got no spine. He¡¯s a total coward.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s face shifted, just a little. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s just bad at dealing with stuff like this,¡± he said.

    ¡°It¡¯s not about skill. The guy¡¯s just got no guts,¡± Mnie scoffed.

    She pulled out the file the detective had sent over and showed it to Ethan. ¡°Check this out¡ªhis name¡¯s Baylor Dixon. We should go talk to him today, spell things out. Tell him it¡¯s time to bow out gracefully and end the marriage. What do you say?¡±

    Ethan liked the sound of the n, but he doubted it would actually pan out. ¡°You think that¡¯ll really work?¡± he asked.

    Mnie smirked, her eyes sharp. ¡°We¡¯ll start off ying nice. If he agrees, great. If he pushes back, well¡­ he can¡¯t say we didn¡¯t try. One way or another, he¡¯s going to have to walk away from your sister.¡±

    While all this unfolded, neither of them noticed that a few hundred yards behind, a taxi crept along the road, keeping its distance. In the back seat, Marisa lounged against the window, a lollipop tucked in the corner of her mouth and a baseball cap pulled low over her eyes. Her gaze stayed fixed on the sleek Rolls-Royce up ahead, a knot of unease tightening in her chest.

    She¡¯d gone out earlier expecting to grab lunch with Ethan, but instead she¡¯d caught sight of him climbing into Mnie¡¯s car from across the street. It threw her off. She couldn¡¯t make sense of why Ethan and Mnie had suddenly be thick as thieves. They¡¯d been practically glued togethertely.

    Was something romantic bubbling between them? No¡ªno way!

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    Marisa gave her head a small shake, convincing herself that she was only trying to find out what they were doing. That was it. Nothing more. It wasn¡¯t out of jealousy¡ªdefinitely not.

    She slipped a crisp hundred-dor bill into the cab driver¡¯s hand. ¡°Sir, keep some distance, but whatever you do, don¡¯t lose them.¡±

    The driver gave her a look through the rearview mirror¡ªcool and unfazed, like this was just another Tuesday for him. ¡°Boyfriend stepping out on you?¡± he asked casually. ¡°Rx. I¡¯ve done this before.¡±

    Marisa¡¯s eyes went wide in surprise, and she let out a small, awkward cough. Before she could get a word in, the driver waved it off. ¡°You don¡¯t need to exin. I understand.¡±

    Not long after, three vehicles¡ªMnie¡¯s car, Marisa¡¯s taxi, and Raegan¡¯s car¡ªall headed toward the Elysium Apartments.

    Ethan ended up trailing Mnie to the location that Cade had passed along¡ªElysium Apartments, Unit 902, Building 5. They now stood outside the unit¡¯s door, exchanging a look. They both knew this moment had been a long timeing.

    But just as she reached to knock, Mnie¡ªwho¡¯d been leading the charge all day¡ªpaused. She¡¯d always been good at making moves from behind the scenes, but now, face-to-face with Maia¡¯s husband, her confidence faltered. After all, she was still just eighteen. She had no clue what kind of man Baylor really was. What if he turned out to be aggressive? Or some big, rough guy who wouldn¡¯t listen?

    Within seconds, all the excitement Mnie had felt earlier fizzled out, reced by hesitation. She began to think this was the kind of thing a guy should probably handle. Without saying a word, Mnie inched backward and, when Ethan wasn¡¯t paying close attention, gave him a light shove toward the door.

    .

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 Chapter 941

    ?Chapter 941:

    Then she made a little motion with her hand, nudging him along. ¡°How about you knock instead? I, uh¡­ suddenly feel a bit uneasy.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s stomach fluttered, and a sudden wave of nerves crept up on him. He was only eighteen too, and for most of his life, he¡¯d been shy and quiet. Talking to people didn¡¯te naturally. That only started to change after Maia became part of his world.

    And meeting Marisa had shifted things even more. Still, the thought that all this was for Maia¡¯s sake gave him strength and filled him with happiness. He let out a slow breath, looked at Mnie, and gave a firm nod. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ve got it.¡±

    Maia had even bravely confronted a man armed with a bomb, and now what Ethan was facing was just her husband, which felt trivial byparison. Besides, her husband had offered no aid during her recent struggles, earning him thebel of coward in Ethan¡¯s mind. Why should he fear such a man?

    Ethan steadied his nerves and raised his hand to knock on Room 902¡¯s door. Before he could, a soft click sounded, and the door opened from within. His hand paused as he met the gaze of a man observing him closely. The stranger wore sses and a loose sweatshirt, holding a bag of trash, clearly about to step out.

    Ethan swallowed hard, startled by the unexpected encounter.

    Baylor, equally surprised by the unfamiliar couple, stopped to study them. A young woman lingered cautiously behind the young man, casting nervous nces, while the man, though visibly shaken, returned his look with determination. Unease crept over Baylor as he realized they had arrived, just as his wife had predicted. She had mentioned her younger siblings might visit Wront and stay over, asking him to host them.

    Pushing past his surprise, Baylor offered a polite smile. ¡°Are you here to see your sister?¡±

    Ethan¡¯s pulse quickened at the question. Had Baylor expected them?

    Clearing his throat, he asked, ¡°Are you her husband, Baylor Dixon?¡±

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í????????©q?????

    The private investigator, Cade, had provided that name, and Ethan had no reason to doubt it.

    Hearing his full name, Baylor rxed, certain of his guests¡¯ identities. He sighed, his tone tinged with regret. ¡°Your sister hasn¡¯te home yet.¡± An idea struck him. His wife had been upset over his divorce proposal, and they hadn¡¯t spoken in days. Perhaps, through her siblings, he could convince her to return or agree to end their marriage, which promised only mutual discontent.

    Keeping his smile, he continued, ¡°I was about to take out the trash. How about I treat you to dinner? There¡¯s a good restaurant nearby where we can talk.¡±

    Mnie, still behind Ethan, exhaled in relief at Baylor¡¯s courteous tone. Her initial

    Her apprehension faded. Maybe Maia¡¯s husband wasn¡¯t as bad as she¡¯d thought. ¡°If money could resolve this, he might leave Maia willingly,¡± she muttered to herself. Leaning closer to Ethan, she whispered, ¡°That¡¯s a good n. We can talk properly and settle this.¡±<fn124d> Checktest chapters at ?ovelFind</fn124d>

    Actually, Mnie was feeling a bit hungry at the moment. Ethan considered it briefly before nodding.

    Unaware, they were all entangled in a misunderstanding. Baylor assumed Ethan was his wife¡¯s brother, while Ethan and Mnie believed Baylor was Maia¡¯s estranged husband.

    Under this cloud of confusion, they walked to a nearby restaurant. On the way, Baylor spoke little, his eyes showing signs of fatigue, as if burdened by heavy thoughts.

    Mnie, puzzled by the situation, moved closer to Ethan. ¡°Baylor doesn¡¯t seem surprised by us. Doesn¡¯t that strike you as strange?¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 942

    Chapter 942:

    Ethan had noticed it too. ¡°Maybe my sister told him we wereing.¡±

    In truth, he was confused but determined to stayposed for Maia¡¯s sake. ¡°Baylor doesn¡¯t seem difficult. We might persuade him to leave her,¡± he said quietly.

    Mnie¡¯s voice carried optimism. ¡°I think so too. Let¡¯s resolve this today.¡±

    They soon arrived at the restaurant, their misconceptions lingering.<fnd47c> Chapters first released on F?nd-Novel</fnd47c>

    Baylor picked the booth by the window on purpose, then passed the menu to Ethan and Mnie with a gentle smile. ¡°Go ahead and pick anything you like.¡±

    From the other side of the street, Raegan sat inside a shadowed vehicle, her focus pinned on the trio by the ss, a slight frown tugging at her mouth. What was supposed to be a simple situation had taken a turn; Ethan was the only one she meant to keep tabs on, yet somehow a man and a young woman had entered the picture. She pulled her thoughts back into order and muttered to herself, ¡°Alright. Two more people. I can manage that.¡±

    Still, something about the man stirred her curiosity. Was he the elusive husband Maia kept under wraps? If that turned out to be true, then the game had just gotten a lot more thrilling.

    Not far from the entrance of Red Grove, Marisa stood with a lollipop in her mouth, arms folded, her stare tangled with uneasy thoughts as she watched everything unfold inside. She had tailed them to Red Grove with no ns to interfere, only to observe from afar and uncover what had drawn Ethan so closely to Mnie these days. Earlier, while slipping through the crowd behind them, she had caught sight of the two whispering back and forth like it was second nature. Anyone would assume they were dating.

    ¡°Seriously, Ethan? You absolute traitor¡­ Even if you¡¯re into Mnie now, did you have to shut me out like this?¡± Marisa pouted, her chest tightening with jealousy she hadn¡¯t expected to feel. Turning her eyes toward the window again, she tried to make sense of the unfamiliar man sitting with them. The way he interacted with both Ethan and Mnie suggested he wasn¡¯t a stranger; he had even offered to treat them to lunch.

    Then it hit her. That guy might be Maia¡¯s husband¡ªEthan¡¯s brother-inw. Oh no. If that were true, then Mnie had already met someone from Ethan¡¯s family as his girlfriend?

    ?????????????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Marisa quickly buried her reaction beneath a nk expression and muttered, ¡°I came to eat. That¡¯s it. Just happened to end up here. Total ident.¡± Trying to look unbothered, she drew in a steady breath and stepped through the doors of Red Grove.

    The moment she stepped inside, a waiter greeted her and guided her toward a table tucked far from the window.

    ¡°Wait, why can¡¯t I sit over there?¡± Marisa asked, irritation creeping into her tone. ¡°That seat¡¯s still empty.¡±

    With an apologetic smile, the waiter said, ¡°That table¡¯s already reserved. But if you¡¯d like, I can bring you a little closer to the window.¡±

    Marisa let out a soft groan, scanning the room until her eyesnded on a different spot. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll take that one instead.¡±

    ¡°All right, this way.¡± The waiter gave a polite nod and motioned for her to follow.

    At the table by the window, Baylor paused briefly before breaking the silence. ¡°How¡¯s your sister doing these days? Is she all right?¡±

    The question made Ethan straighten in his seat. His brows drew together. ¡°How could you not know about my sister¡¯s situation? Aren¡¯t you her husband?¡±

    What Maia had confessed not long ago resurfaced in his mind. Their marriage, from what she¡¯d said, existed only in name¡ªthey didn¡¯t even live under the same roof. The thought should have brought relief, and it did, in part. Still, something about the situation didn¡¯t sit quite right.

    Seated across the table, Baylor offered a strained smile, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue. ¡°Truth is¡­ we¡¯re going through a divorce. She¡¯s been pretty shaken by it and hasn¡¯te home in a while. I assumed she already mentioned it to you¡­ Still, I¡¯m grateful you dropped by. If there¡¯s anything I can help you with, don¡¯t hesitate to ask.¡±

    Although his words were measured, Baylor still had his wife¡¯s request in mind. He intended to take the next day off so he could show her siblings around Wront and give them a proper tour.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Hope you like the new content, best regards dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. ( ? ? ¨C ) ?

    .

 Chapter 943

    ?Chapter 943:

    A wave of emotion crashed over Ethan when the word ¡°divorce¡± reached his ears. Confusion flooded his mind. Was he hearing this correctly? Could Baylor truly be nning to separate from Maia?

    Ethan never saw this twisting. He had shown up with Mnie precisely to talk about this, yet Baylor was ready to walk away without a single word of persuasion from them.

    Even so, Ethan felt a duty as Maia¡¯s brother to speak up. He couldn¡¯t keep the question down. ¡°You¡¯re set on a divorce? For what reason? Has my sister ever failed you?¡±

    Mnie stepped in swiftly, giving Ethan¡¯s sleeve a quick pull as a warning. ¡°Let¡¯s calm down, Ethan. Isn¡¯t this actually what we hoped for?¡±

    A part of her was already thinking about how much trouble they might be spared by this turn of events.

    Ethan still shook his head. ¡°Even if that¡¯s true, I want to hear his exnation before anything else.¡±

    At that, Baylor¡¯s face brightened. ¡°So you actually want me to divorce her? What a weight off my shoulders!¡± His excitement was unmistakable. ¡°To be honest, we¡¯re simply too different. If we keep forcing this, neither of us will ever be happy. It¡¯s obvious to me that she outshines everyone around her, brilliant and driven, while I¡¯m just a regr guy with a desk job. So, I suggested the divorce. I want her to be free.¡±

    Tension rippled through Ethan as he balled his hands into fists. ¡°So those are your honest feelings?¡±

    The realization hit hard¡ªhis sister had married a man who couldn¡¯t even stand tall for her. ¡°You¡¯re right. She¡¯s out of your league. Not once have you truly supported her, not even when she faced harsh words from others.¡± Instead of arguing back, Baylor kept his gaze on the floor, silent.

    Find what you love at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s???????

    ¡°I get it now,¡± said Baylor, his voice subdued. ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I wanted out. Still, she won¡¯t agree to the divorce, and we ended up in a nasty fight about it.¡± He hesitated, then pleaded, ¡°Since you see things my way, can you talk to her? Convince her to let me go?¡±

    Shocked and frustrated, Ethan felt his heart pounding. He struggled to make sense of his sister¡¯s choices. Even if her marriage to Baylor wasn¡¯t real, how could she have picked¡­

    Someone socking in strength? Baylor¡¯s weakness was something Ethan just couldn¡¯t forgive.

    Mnie leaned in and gently pulled at Ethan¡¯s sleeve, her voice low. ¡°Ethan, this is exactly what we wanted. Why are you letting your emotions run wild?¡± From her perspective, Baylor¡¯s honesty had pushed their scheme most of the way to victory.

    Ethan¡¯s part was nearly done. Now that Baylor seemed set on ending things with Maia, Mnie felt confident that she could secure the most skilled attorney in Wront to seal the deal. A nce at Mnie made Ethan realize his real frustration¡ªsomeone like Baylor had married Maia, while Justiceze could only be her silent guardian. Drawing in a steadying breath, Ethan fixed his eyes on Baylor, who was fidgeting with clear difort.<fn7c2c> Official source is ?ovelFind</fn7c2c>

    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll talk to my sister for you.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 944

    ?Chapter 944:

    ¡°Really?¡± Baylor¡¯s heart finally settled, and he said excitedly, ¡°That¡¯s wonderful news!¡±<fn48a8> This content belongs to find?novel</fn48a8>

    Just then, a server appeared, armsden with the dishes they¡¯d ordered. With an eager smile, Baylor said warmly, ¡°Please, dig in. Consider tonight my way of saying thank you in advance. When this is behind us, just tell me what you want¡ªI¡¯ll do my best to deliver.¡±

    Disappointment settled in Ethan¡¯s chest as he watched Baylor. While many would have done anything for a chance to marry Maia, Baylor acted as if he were escaping disaster, barely containing his rush to file the divorce papers.

    Hunger slipped away from Ethan as that thought lingered. Even though the table filled with tempting food, he forced down only a few mouthfuls.

    Mnie, on the other hand, dug in with true enthusiasm. Her appetite matched her mood¡ªshe hadn¡¯t eaten all day, and now, with their n close topletion, it wouldn¡¯t be long before Maia rejoined the ranks of the unattached. Bing her family member was only a matter of time. The idea of it would surely delight her father. Lost in pleasant musings, Mnie enjoyed every bite even more.

    On the opposite side, Baylor discreetly texted his wife: ¡°I met with your brother and sister. We¡¯re having dinner at Red Grove. Will you be home tonight?¡±

    Baylor¡¯s wife scowled at her phone, frustration creasing her features as she read histest message. Their heated argument still fresh in her mind, she had driven to the airport to collect her siblings, determined not to let them meet Baylor. Watching her younger brother and sister enjoy their meal right before her, she released a weary sigh and shook her head.

    The audacity of Baylor resorting to such transparent lies just to lure her home left her speechless. What a pathetic attempt, really. Rather than dignify his message with a response, she chose to wait and see what desperate move he¡¯d make next.

    Discover more content at ?¦Áln¦Ò¦Íe?s

    Outside the restaurant, tucked inside a parked sedan, Raegan kept her eyes trained on the trio through therge window before pulling out her phone. ¡°Red Grove restaurant. Target confirmed, three individuals present.¡±

    The voice crackled back instantly. ¡°Copy that!¡±

    Inside the restaurant, Marisa absently ordered several dishes while stealing nces at Ethan across the room. Something in his earlier expression had caught her attention. The way his jaw tensed suggested he was wrestling with troubled thoughts.

    ¡°What¡¯s eating at him?¡± she whispered under her breath.

    A waiter appeared beside her table, setting down the steaming tes. Marisa took her first bite, and her eyes lit up with delight. ¡°This is incredible! I need to drag my annoying brother here next time.¡±

    Lost in the amazing vors, she demolished her meal with surprising speed. When she finally looked up toward Ethan¡¯s previous spot, her heart skipped a beat. Panic shot through her as she realized the three of them had vanished while she¡¯d beenpletely absorbed in her food.

    Marisa threw money on the table and bolted outside, her head swiveling in every direction. The sidewalk stretched empty in both directions. No trace of Ethan or Mnie anywhere.

    .

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 Chapter 945

    ?Chapter 945:

    Stomping her foot in frustration, Marisa cursed herself. ¡°Seriously? You¡¯re such an idiot, Marisa!¡±

    At that moment, the ss door of a small convenience store just ten yards away suddenly swung open. Ethan¡¯s familiar figure emerged first, with Mnie close behind and a man who, ording to their earlier conversation, was Maia¡¯s husband bringing up the rear.

    Marisa dove behind the nearest tree, pressing her back against its rough bark as her pulse raced.

    That had been way too close forfort. At least she hadn¡¯tpletely lost track of them.

    Peeking around the trunk, she spotted all three with their backs to her and boldly stepped into the open to trail behind them.

    She¡¯d barely taken a few steps when two ck vans roared around the corner ahead. The vehicles elerated hard, screeching to a halt andpletely boxing in Ethan¡¯s group.

    Masked figures armed with wooden clubs poured out in a coordinated rush.

    Marisa¡¯s blood turned to ice as she scrambled back behind her tree cover. Everything happened with military precision, giving Ethan and the others no chance to react or flee.

    Within moments, all three were overwhelmed and dragged, struggling, into the waiting vans.

    The entire abductionsted mere seconds before the vehicles peeled away into traffic.

    Staring at the empty sidewalk where Ethan, Mnie, and that man had stood just moments before, Marisa felt the lollipop slip from her numb lips and explode against the pavement.

    L?t??t ch¦Ápt?rs ¦Én g??lnov?l??.???m

    ¡°Oh God! They¡¯ve been kidnapped!¡± Her trembling fingers flew across her phone screen, dialing Maxwell¡¯s number.

    Maxwell bolted upright from his afternoon nap at the urgency in his sister¡¯s voice, grabbing his jacket as he rushed toward the door.

    ¡°Text me your exact location right now. I¡¯m already moving¡­ Please tell me you caught those license tes?¡±

    Relief flooded his voice when she confirmed she had. ¡°That¡¯s my brilliant sister! Send them over immediately, and I¡¯ll put every resource in the city on this.¡± The moment he hung up, Maxwell was already speed-dialing Chris. ¡°We have a serious problem. Someone just¡­¡±<fn9116> Chapters first released on Find?Novel</fn9116>

    ¡°Snatched Maia¡¯s brother off the street.¡± Chris shot a nce at Maia behind the wheel, then dropped his voice to barely a whisper. ¡°Find them. Now.¡±

    Keeping this from his wife was crucial. He had to get Ethan back safely before Maia discovered what had happened.

    After ending the call, his fingers flew across his phone. ¡°I can¡¯t move openly right now. This is all on you. Don¡¯t let me down!¡±

    Inside the van, Ethan fought against the gag stuffed deep in his mouth, every attempt to speak producing only muffled sounds. Coarse rope bit into his wrists, bound so tightly behind his back that his fingers were already going numb.

    Maia had barely stepped through the doors of Elysium Apartments when her phone buzzed with a call. A number she didn¡¯t recognize lit up her screen.

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 Chapter 946

    ?Chapter 946:

    Her brow furrowed. Probably some telemarketer, she figured, and ended the call without a second thought.

    People online had turned against her, and the sentiment had grown sour. Arge chunk of inte users were pointing fingers, iming she¡¯d cheated on her husband with udius.

    Chris, unsurprised by the gossip, simply shrugged it off. He didn¡¯t believe a word of it.

    While heading into the kitchen to get dinner started, Chris casually kept ncing toward Maia, staying alert. He found himself wondering whether Maxwell had taken care of the problem already.

    It had been one hell of a day for Maia¡ªtoo much going on, too fast. Chris had already made up his mind: he¡¯d take charge, get Ethan out safely, and keep Maia from having to stress over it.

    Right at that moment, her phone rang a second time. The same unfamiliar number showed up. She hesitated, then gave in and picked up the call.

    A harsh, low voice crackled through the line. ¡°You¡¯re Maia Watson, yeah? We¡¯ve taken your brother, Ethan. If you want him in one piece, show up alone at this ce.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s voice followed, shaky and nervous. He sounded scared, pressured. He recited an address.

    ¡°Alright!¡± Maia replied instantly, not even stopping to think.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget¡ª43 Oak Street. And don¡¯t bring anyone. If you do, he¡¯s a dead man!¡± the man snapped before disconnecting. The line went dead, leaving beeping in her ear.

    Let your imagination soar with g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s£®?¦Ï??<fna9f3> This update is avable on find?novel</fna9f3>

    Maia looked over at Chris, who was still tied up with dinner prep, and moved toward him. ¡°Something¡¯se up at the MCN,¡± she said. ¡°Pattie¡¯s in a bind. I¡¯ve got to go help out. Don¡¯t bother waiting. Eat without me. I¡¯ll reheat mer.¡±

    She turned on her heel, careful not to meet his eyes, and headed for the door. Chris stopped what he was doing. Her refusal to look at him said it all. He guessed the call hadn¡¯t been harmless¡ªit had to be the kidnappers.

    It seemed Maxwell hadn¡¯t found them yet. Who could be behind the kidnapping of Maia¡¯s brother at such a critical moment? Was the Cooper Group pulling the strings behind this?

    Chris yanked off his apron without a second thought and dialed Maxwell¡¯s number.

    ¡°Where do things stand?¡± Chris demanded, his voice low and tight, barely keeping his temper in check.

    ¡°I was just about to reach out,¡± Maxwell replied. ¡°Marisa caught one of the tes. We traced it to 43 Oak Street. It¡¯s a rough neighborhood¡ªno rules, no cops. I¡¯m putting a crew together to go in.¡±

    ¡°43 Oak Street?¡± Chris repeated, thrown for a second. ¡°I¡¯m on my way. If you spot Maia, hold her back.¡±

    The moment the call ended, Maxwell looked around and noticed something off¡ªMarisa, who had arrived with him, had vanished. His gaze darted in all directions, panic creeping in, his eyes wide with rm.

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 Chapter 947

    ?Chapter 947:

    That reckless sister of his had already stormed the ce on her own.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± Maxwell muttered under his breath. Without wasting a second, he shot Chris a quick message to update him on the new turn of events, then got ready to storm in on his own.

    Marisa hadn¡¯t stopped kicking herself since it happened. She¡¯d trained in self-defense and tactics since she was a kid. If things hadn¡¯t gone south so fast, she would¡¯ve stopped it¡ªno question.

    Ethan was a loyal follower of hers. There was no way she could just stand by and let him be dragged off.

    Frustrated and fed up, she ditched caution and made a break for the building.

    Before long, she ended up inside what looked like a bar. But where were Ethan and Mnie?

    At that moment, a few shapes caught her eye¡ªpeople she thought she recognized.

    Their faces had been hidden before, sure, but they were still wearing the same outfits. That gave them away. They were the very ones involved in the abduction earlier.

    Without missing a beat, Marisa tailed them straight down to the lower floor.

    The second she stepped in, a wall of noise smacked her in the face.

    ¡°Get on your feet! Swing back at him!¡± someone shouted.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got ten grand on you! If you can still breathe, throw a punch!¡± another voice barked.

    ¡°Hahaha! Another win for me! The Tyrant¡¯s unbeatable ¡ª he¡¯s the king without a crown!¡± a third yelled with glee.<fn4c82> This content belongs to Find?Novel</fn4c82>

    ????t£å??t ???????????????? ???? g¦Álnovels.£ã¦Ïm

    It hit her then ¡ª she¡¯d stumbled into an illegal fight club. Marisa froze, taken aback.

    Just then, thin fingers mped down on her shoulder. A voice asked, ¡°Were you over at Red Grove earlier too?¡±

    She reacted on instinct, jerking to the side and spinning around to see who it was. The stranger had their face hidden behind a mask, but the menace in their presence was unmistakable.

    Raegan studied the young woman standing before her. Something about her rang a bell ¡ª probably from the background reports she¡¯d gone through earlier. With a faint smile curling on her lips, she asked, ¡°You¡¯re here for Ethan, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Marisa, catching on that she was facing one of the culprits, shot back, ¡°And if I am? Tell me where you¡¯ve taken him.¡±

    At the same time, Maxwell stormed through the entrance of 43 Oak Street, not bothering to slow down. The ce was a madhouse ¡ª loud, rowdy, packed. Some kind of event was clearly in full swing. Maxwell scanned the crowd, eyes darting. But Marisa was nowhere in sight.

    What the hell was happening here?

    He could¡¯ve sworn she¡¯d gone inside just moments before.

    A sick thought hit him ¡ª had she been caught as well?

    He tore through the ce in a panic, eyes scanning every corner.

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 Chapter 948

    ?Chapter 948:<fn47f5> Content originallyes from find?novel</fn47f5>

    Right then, a man ¡ª probably the host ¡ª yelled out, ¡°Time to kick off the wild night bash! Let¡¯s set the floor on fire!¡±

    As soon as he said that, the crowd came alive. Dozens of people ditched their drinks and flocked to the center, ready to dance.

    The overhead lights dimmed, and in their ce came strobe shes and spinning spotlights, flickering back and forth without pause.

    It got so dark that even people standing shoulder to shoulder could barely make out each other¡¯s faces.

    In seconds, the entire room turned into a full-blown dance club, wild and electric.

    Beneath No. 43 Oak Street, three floors below,y the underground boxing ring. In the faint, moody light, Marisa froze in ce and lifted her gaze toward the masked woman. Her chest pounded with both nervousness and thrill. Marisa kept her face neutral, but inside, she worked hard to look unbothered, all while sneaking nces around to take everything in.

    The instant the masked woman addressed her, dozens of piercing eyes turned her way. Near the door, four heavily built men with grim faces stepped into view. Clenching her jaw, Marisa came to a grim conclusion ¡ª the masked woman wasn¡¯t just anyone. This had to be the brains behind Ethan and Mnie¡¯s abduction. Maybe she even ran the whole shady operation down here.

    What didn¡¯t sit right with Marisa was the motive. Why would a shady fight club target someone like Ethan? He was just a first-year college kid, not exactly the type to stir up this kind of mess.

    As Marisa was lost in thought, the masked woman suddenly spoke, her voice tinged with disdain and mockery. ¡°You don¡¯t need to look around; everyone here works for me.¡± Then, narrowing her eyes, she added, ¡°As for Ethan¡­¡± She broke off, a cold smirk curling her mouth. ¡°He¡¯s fine for the time being. But don¡¯t get toofortable ¡ª that could flip in a heartbeat.¡±

    Explore the world of fiction at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    A knot formed in Marisa¡¯s chest. Her hands curled into tight fists, and she had to fight hard not to let her emotions take over.

    Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and met the woman¡¯s gaze, trying to inject strength into her voice. ¡°What are you saying? What do you want with Ethan? Look ¡ª I¡¯m protecting him.¡±

    Behind the mask, Raegan eyed Marisa carefully, trying to figure out who she really was. But after a moment¡¯s thought, she let the worry slide. It didn¡¯t matter. If Marisa had made it this far and knew Ethan, then walking out wouldn¡¯t be simple.

    Marisa kept her feelings in check, thinking hard. Usually, people like this took someone like Ethan for money. If they said he was still unharmed, maybe this was nothing more than a ssic case of ransom.

    Holding onto that idea, Marisa took a breath and forced a cool exterior. ¡°Tell me what you want. How much will it take for you to release Ethan and Mnie?¡±

    Raegan¡¯s lips curled into a smug grin, mocking her without trying to hide it. ¡°Money? No, we¡¯re not after cash.¡±

    She said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Marisa¡¯s breath caught in her throat. Her stunned expression said everything ¡ª she hadn¡¯t seen thating.

    This wasn¡¯t about money? Had she misread the whole situation? Maybe this wasn¡¯t just about squeezing someone for ransom after all.

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 Chapter 949

    ?Chapter 949:

    Her voice wavered for a second, but she pulled it together quickly. ¡°Then¡­ what do you want?¡±

    Raegan took a slow step forward, her tone sharp and icy. ¡°You¡¯ll know soon,¡± she said tly.

    Marisa sensed the looming figures of the guards closing in behind her, and a wave of dread and powerlessness swept over her.

    At the same time, tucked away inside a cramped, shadowy chamber hidden within the fight club, Baylor was hunched over in one corner, looking like he was on the verge of falling apart.

    With his head buried in his hands, he mumbled over and over, ¡°How the hell did I end up here? Are they going to shut us up for good? These people don¡¯t look like they¡¯re ying around.¡±

    He was a wreck ¡ª his mood all over the ce ¡ª and he hadn¡¯t quit whining since they got thrown in. The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on. Mnie, seated just a few steps away, frowned deeply while flicking through her phone, desperately trying to reach someone on the outside.

    Even though the kidnappers hadn¡¯t taken their phones, there wasn¡¯t a single bar of reception. She figured that they were either using some kind of signal blocker or maybe it was just because they were buried so far underground. Still, with no one watching their every move, she slowly started to pull herself together.

    After all, she carried the Cooper name. If these people had even half a brain, they¡¯d think twice beforeying a finger on her. She intended to y that card once the boss showed up ¡ª and insist on their release.

    ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of your moaning!¡± Ethan snapped, unable to stomach Baylor¡¯s constant griping any longer. He spun around and shot him a furious look, his tone edged with irritation.

    Read it all on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    He¡¯d already lost faith in the man his sister had married, and right now, Baylor¡¯s whining was pushing him to the brink.<fn8> Content originallyes from </fn8>

    The sudden outburst caught Baylor off guard. He recoiled like a scolded child and mmed up in the corner.

    Right then, the heavy iron door creaked open from the hallway, breaking the silence like a thunderp.

    A towering, shaven-headed man entered the room, moving with deliberate slowness. He didn¡¯t smile. His face was tight with authority, and his eyes sliced across the room, examining each person like they were items on a list. His voice dropped like a stone. ¡°Unless you n to rot in this ce, you¡¯d bettere with me.¡±

    Baylor clung to that voice like it was hisst hope. He bolted toward the man and asked, ¡°Wait¡­ are you setting us free?¡±

    There was a beat of silence before the man¡¯s lip curled. He shot Baylor a look that froze the air. ¡°Free? That¡¯s rich. Funniest thing I¡¯ve heard all day. If walking into death counts as freedom, then yes, freedom¡¯s waiting right outside.¡±

    The hope drained out of Baylor all at once. His knees buckled. He copsed and began to shake, his voice breaking as he begged, ¡°I¡¯ll pay you. However much you want, it¡¯s yours. Just don¡¯t kill me. Please¡­¡±

    That was all it took for Mnie¡¯s fear to boil over. She stormed ahead and said, ¡°You don¡¯t know who you¡¯re dealing with. I¡¯m Mnie Cooper. My father is Hurst Cooper. Surely you know how powerful and influential the Cooper family is. If you want to avoid a mess, I suggest you back off and let us out of here.¡±

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 Chapter 950

    ?Chapter 950:

    A single brow lifted as the shaven-headed man responded, ¡°So, a Cooper, is it? That does make things¡­ slightly more delicate.¡±

    That small reaction stirred something in Mnie. For a second, she dared to believe he might reconsider.

    Her hope barely had time to form before it was crushed by his next words. ¡°But the dead don¡¯t tell stories. If no evidence remains, your precious family will just assume you vanished into thin air.¡±

    That sentence hit harder than a blow. Mnie¡¯s legs gave out, and she would¡¯ve fallen if Ethan hadn¡¯t stepped in and steadied her.

    Trying to mask the tremor in his voice, Ethan forced out his question. ¡°What are you nning to do with us? We have never crossed you, have we?¡±

    Augh echoed in the space between them, low and twisted. ¡°All in good time. The answers wille soon enough.¡±<fn196a> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? fin?novel</fn196a>

    Then, without waiting for a reply, the man pivoted and started down a corridor, passing through several heavy iron doors.

    The hallway grew darker with every step. When they reached a narrow entryway that reeked of rust and sweat, he came to a stop and looked back at them. His words sliced through the stillness. ¡°Step inside. If you can defeat the opponents you¡¯re about to face, you¡¯ll be allowed to leave.¡±

    Opponents? What did that mean?

    Confused nces passed between Ethan and Mnie, neither of them understanding whaty ahead. Baylor, on the other hand, was frozen in ce, too shaken to move an inch.

    ¡°Time¡¯s almost up. Step forward, or I¡¯ll end this right here.¡± A low growl came from the shaven-headed man as he drew a dagger from his belt.

    Check out the newest chapters g¦Ál¦Ç¦Ò¦Í?ls

    That threat jolted Ethan and Mnie into motion. Without looking back, they sprinted ahead, while Baylor¡¯s frightened voice echoed after them. ¡°Don¡¯t leave me! I¡¯ming!¡±

    Blinding light met them as they emerged from the tunnel, the roar of a crowd crashing over them like a wave.

    Ethan spun around, taking it all in. They were standing at the center of a massive circr arena, the floor beneath them packed and scarred from past battles.

    Although their faces were hidden behind borate masks, the crowd buzzed with barely contained thrill.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, get ready! The challenge round is about to begin right here in our exclusive underground arena. A million dors is on the line for anyone who can oust our champions.¡± The host gave the pages a dramatic shake before adding, ¡°What I¡¯m holding are signed death waivers from each of the neers. They knew the risks. They agreed to y. Odds have been calcted. Probabilities are in. It¡¯s time for everyone to ce their bets ¡ª put your money where your mouth is!¡±

    That statement sent the crowd into a frenzy, their cheers bouncing off the walls like thunder.

    ¡°I put my money on Tyranting out on top!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m backing Tyrant as well!¡±

    ¡°These contenders today are pathetic! There¡¯s nothing thrilling about this at all.¡±

    When thosements reached his ears, a memory shed in Baylor¡¯s mind ¡ª being forced to stamp his fingerprint on some papers inside the car earlier that day.

    Not in his wildest thoughts had he expected things to turn out like this.

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 Chapter 951

    ?Chapter 951:

    He hadn¡¯t agreed to any of this ¡ª he¡¯d been pushed into it against his will.

    ¡°NO! I¡¯m not one of the challengers. Let me go¡­ I don¡¯t belong here! You¡¯ve misunderstood everything!¡±

    But it didn¡¯t matter what came out of his mouth anymore. The door had mmed shut behind him and wasn¡¯t opening again.

    With high walls looming all around him, getting out looked like a lost cause. Meanwhile, Mnie slumped to the ground, her eyes fixed on the giant of a man standing before her. She looked drained of all hope.

    What hope did she have ¡ª a mere girl ¡ª against a man built like a tank? She thought just one hit from him would send her straight to the ground, lights out.

    Summoning every bit of nerve he had, Ethan stepped in front of Mnie, standing his ground and staring Tyrant dead in the eye.

    Right then, the host¡¯s voice echoed through the air once more.<fn6f30> The rightful source is F?ndNovel</fn6f30>

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, here¡¯s how it goes today ¡ª our brave contenders will take on the top three beasts in this underground ring. Apart from Tyrant, we¡¯ve got Viper and Reaper. And as always, your bet is on which of these monsters will deliver the final blow.¡±

    No sooner had he finished speaking than two shadows dropped into the ring from beyond the towering walls.

    Viper, bare-chested, had an enormous serpent inked from shoulder to ribcage, coiling menacingly across his torso.

    Reaper, on the other hand, had ck bands tied around his head and biceps, making the air in the arena even heavier with dread.

    The audience broke into wild cheers and shouting all over again.

    ¡°Now this is fun! I can¡¯t put my money on Tyrant this time. Honestly, Viper looks like he could wipe out the whole bunch solo.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not a given! Suppose Reaper makes the first move? Honestly, I reckon the only one who might hold his own is that older guy over there.¡±

    While the chatter around them went on, Marisa, seated next to the woman in the mask ¡ª clearly the one pulling the strings ¡ª clenched her jaw and asked, ¡°They never actually signed a challenge agreement, right?¡±

    ¡°They did sign,¡± Raegan answered tly. ¡°Their prints are there as proof. I¡¯m not holding them against their will. They stayed because they agreed to it.¡±

    Marisa let out a sharp scoff. ¡°Tsk. You really expect me to swallow that?¡±

    Of course, she didn¡¯t believe it. Clearly, the masked woman and her crew used despicable means to force Ethan and the others to sign what was obviously a trap, a dangerous contract.

    The host¡¯s voice boomed through the arena once more. ¡°Don¡¯t let looks deceive you. The ones standing here today believe they¡¯ve got what it takes to walk away winners. Odds are sitting at fifty to one.¡±

    As soon as they heard that, the crowd erupted in mockingughter.

    ¡°Are they seriously trying to rope us into putting money on those rookies? Not a chance ¡ª I¡¯m not taking the bait.¡±

    ¡°Right? This thing¡¯s almost over already. I¡¯m putting my cash on both Viper and Reaper.¡±

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 Chapter 952

    ?Chapter 952:

    Just then, Raegan shot a nce at Marisa. ¡°Think what you want. It makes no difference. What matters is that by the end of this, those three are either going to be dead or disabled.¡±

    This was the punishment Kiley had nned down to thest detail.

    Maia had pushed Mariana over the edge ¡ª straight into a mental copse. Now, Ethan had to pay the price. Crippling him was the n.

    Raegan had no intention of killing Ethan, which was why she told Tyrant to stand down.

    After the crowd put down their bets, they¡¯d rig the fight by choosing who attacked first ¡ª Viper or Reaper ¡ª just to make sure most people ended up losing their money.

    ¡°You¡­¡± Marisa¡¯s hands curled into tight fists. Her voice trembled with anger. ¡°You nned this, didn¡¯t you? Why? Who the hell are you? What do you have against Ethan and the others? Why go to such lengths?¡±

    Marisa finally figured it out ¡ª this masked woman had been pulling the strings from the start. The moment Ethan and his friends were snatched by her, she already had a n in motion.

    No matter how this ended, the me could easily be shifted back to Ethan and his friends, who had been painted as voluntary challengers. And with every face in that ce hidden behind a mask, uncovering the identities of those behind this would be nearly impossible.

    ¡°This is where things get interesting.¡± Raegan didn¡¯t bother responding to Marisa. Instead, her gaze stayed locked on the chaos unfolding in the arena.

    To humiliate Maia properly, she had made sure Maia would have front-row seats to the carnage. She wanted Maia to watch ¡ª helplessly ¡ª as her brother Ethan was torn apart, limb by limb.

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    Checking the time, Raegan flicked her wrist and noted the countdown. Ten minutes more, and Maia would walk in just as the cruelest scene unfolded. That thought alone pulled a grin from her lips. It wasn¡¯t joy. It was satisfaction sharpened like a de.

    She¡¯d had enough of Maia¡¯s smug little smirks. What she truly craved was the moment that smugness cracked wide open.

    That image alone would be worth every second of nning.

    Across the arena, the announcer¡¯s voice rang out, officially kicking off the challenge.

    Without hesitation, Viper and the Reaper shared a knowing look ¡ª one that needed no words ¡ª before the Reaper lunged forward with brutal speed. From the stands, disappointed groans echoed as bets began to crumble. ¡°Great. I backed the wrong one. I assumed Viper would strike first,¡± someone muttered.<fnbf4e> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find{n}ovel</fnbf4e>

    Not knowing what else to do, Mnie ducked behind Ethan. Her entire body trembled, unprepared for the viciousness erupting in front of her.

    In full panic, Baylor took off running. He mmed both fists against the iron gate, shouting wildly, ¡°I don¡¯t want to die! Open the door!¡±

    By then, the Reaper had already closed the distance, charging like a beast let loose.

    Although Ethan¡¯s hands were shaking, he forced himself to stand tall.

    The slums he grew up in didn¡¯t offer much mercy. He¡¯d taken beatings before, and he¡¯d fought back each time he got into fights because he knew he couldn¡¯t show weakness. He had to rely on himself, as help never came.

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 Chapter 953

    ?Chapter 953:

    Mnie stood frozen,pletely unequipped for any kind of fight. Baylor, though fully grown, crumbled under pressure like a scared child.

    That left Ethan with no choice but to step up.

    Rather than backing down, Ethan let out a defiant yell and lunged forward with a swing.

    To the Reaper, it wasughable. His opponent moved at a snail¡¯s pace.

    One lean shift of his body, and the punch missed. Then came a swift, brutal strike aimed at Ethan¡¯s neck.

    Wide-eyed, Ethan realized toote just how fast this man was. He barely got his arm up in time to block.

    The impact nearly crushed him. Pain tore through his arm, followed by a numbness that made it useless. The blow knocked him off his feet and hurled him across the ground.

    Without a word, the Reaper flicked his eyes toward Mnie, then dismissed her entirely. He pivoted instead and set his sights on Baylor, charging forward with lethal intent.

    Not once did he nce back at the one he¡¯d just knocked down. There was no need. In his mind, the fight had already been won.

    Terror drained the color from Baylor¡¯s face as Reaper charged. He swung his arms in panic, more iling than fighting.

    Before Reaper could reach him, a voice cut through the chaos from behind. ¡°Leave him. I am your opponent.¡± Ethan¡¯s voice was strained, but it held firm as he pushed himself off the floor.

    Though his limbs still quivered, his stare didn¡¯t waver.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s offers tales worth telling

    He wanted to stand tall ¡ª just like his sister Maia. If she could be fearless, then so could he.<fn960a> Content originallyes from F¦Énd£Îovel</fn960a>

    That made Reaper stop in his tracks. He slowly turned to face the one he had already dismissed.

    The earlier strike had been brutal. Most grown men would¡¯ve stayed down after that kind of hit.

    Blocking it should¡¯ve shattered the armpletely.

    And yet, Ethan was back on his feet.

    A shift passed over Reaper¡¯s expression. For the first time, he acknowledged him. ¡°Impressive. Maybe you¡¯re worth my time after all.¡±

    Without another word, Reaperunched himself at Ethan once more. By then, Ethan was barely holding it together. His entire body wobbled from the pain pulsing through his arms.

    Color had drained from his face, and beads of sweat clung to his brow. He wasn¡¯t okay, but he refused to copse.

    Out of nowhere, a shadow dropped from the top of the wall andnded between them.

    The sudden interruption made Reaper skid to a halt, his senses sharpening instantly.

    Standing protectively in front of Ethan was a girl in a mask.

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 Chapter 954

    ?Chapter 954:

    Even through the haze of exhaustion, Ethan¡¯s eyes widened. He knew that shape. ¡°Marisa?¡±

    ¡°Honestly, Ethan, you still recognized me.¡± Marisa let out a weary sigh, peeling off the mask she had just grabbed. Hiding her face had been pointless. Even in that battered state, he still knew who she was. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯re under my protection. No one¡¯s going toy a finger on you.¡±

    As soon as she saw Marisa¡¯s face, Mnie¡¯s eyes widened in shock. She didn¡¯t waste a second, running straight over to hide behind her.

    When it came to fighting, nobody in the elite prep program could beat Marisa.

    Taking the lead, Marisa fixed her gaze on Reaper, standing across from her. Her eyes were as sharp as knives. ¡°I¡¯ll take you on.¡± Instantly, the crowd exploded in disbelief.

    ¡°Look at that. Another fool trying to take on death.¡±

    ¡°She thinks her size will help her against the Reaper? Ridiculous!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s just signing her own death warrant.¡±

    Reaper snickered, lifting a finger in Marisa¡¯s direction. ¡°I¡¯ve seen plenty of knightse to save the damsel, but I¡¯ve never seen a beauty save a knight. Even though I¡¯m not fond of fighting women, if you¡¯re eager to die, who am I to deny you?¡±

    As soon as he finished, his fist swung out, aiming for Marisa.

    Viper just watched, thinking there was no chance he¡¯d need to step in. It was a shame, really, for such a beautiful girl to meet her end here.

    Then, as he carelessly nced away, something heavy crashed onto the ground in front of him.

    Reaper was sprawled at his feet,pletely knocked out, his eyes rolled back. Viper¡¯s head jerked up, staring at Marisa in astonishment. ¡°That was you?¡± He had gone up against Reaper more than once in this ring. He knew exactly how tough the man was. For her to take him down so fast ¡ª he could hardly believe it.

    It wasn¡¯t just Viper ¡ª every person in the crowd looked stunned. You could almost hear a pin drop. No one had actually seen how it happened; everything had gone by in a blur.

    All they knew was that Reaper was sent flying by the neer, a young woman who had barely settled into the ring.

    Marisa rolled her wrist with practiced ease, then slipped right back into her stance. It was clear she favored boxing.

    ¡°Come on, are you blind or what? You saw it.¡± Marisa scoffed, popping her neck. Growing up as a hidden member of the Payne family in Drakmire, her training had started when she was still a child. Unlike her brother Maxwell, she excelled inbat.

    She had even entered countless matches under false names, racking up more than a few boxing championships. After moving to Wront, though, she hadn¡¯t truly unleashed her skills.<fne6f5> Readplete version only at f?ndnovel</fne6f5>

    Viper, caught off guard by someone like her, scowled. ¡°I¡¯m not blind. You¡¯re just full of yourself.¡±

    Marisa shot him a taunting look, arching a brow. ¡°Oh, really? I call it confidence. Kneel before me and beg for forgiveness, and maybe I¡¯ll let you off easy.¡± Her boldness sent a ripple through the spectators.

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 Chapter 955

    ?Chapter 955:

    ¡°This girl¡¯s got some nerve! I like her already.¡±

    ¡°She might be good, but let¡¯s see how long shests. Don¡¯t forget ¡ª Reaper¡¯s the weakest one here.¡±

    ¡°Maybe the organizers nned this twist. Makes for great drama.¡±

    ¡°Big talk won¡¯t help her if she has no clue who she¡¯s up against!¡±

    Beneath the harsh lights, the arena buzzed with wild energy. Laughter, jeers, and cheers rose and fell in chaotic waves, working everyone¡¯s nerves. Viper¡¯s face only grew darker as he listened. His fists clenched so tightly that the veins in his forehead bulged.<fnaa2b> This text is hosted at find?novel</fnaa2b>

    It was obvious that her taunts had struck a nerve. At the same time, Tyrant ¡ª the quiet ruler of the ring ¡ª fixed a sharp, predatory gaze on Marisa, sizing her up with open curiosity.

    Marisa barely looked eighteen, and physically, she shouldn¡¯t have stood a chance against someone like Reaper.

    Yet she¡¯d dropped him without effort, proving that her fighting skills were on another level.

    That could only mean she had received real boxing training. She might even be a pro.

    Then again, maybe Reaper had underestimated her because she was a girl. His reputation for going easy on women wasn¡¯t exactly a secret.

    Whatever the reason, Marisa¡¯s disy had captured Tyrant¡¯s attention. He shot Viper a sideways look, grinning yfully. ¡°Watch yourself, Viper. If she wipes the floor with you, I¡¯ll never let you forget it.¡±

    Viper¡¯s eyes narrowed, a dangerous spark flickering in them. He had no intention of letting Tyrant get thestugh.

    The crowd burst into raucousughter at Tyrant¡¯s slightly sardonic remark. The energy surged higher, like a fire stoked by wind, as spectators began voicing their thoughts with growing excitement.

    ¡°Ha ha ha¡­ Reaper¡¯s been taken down! I bet he¡¯s burying his face in shame. Imagine the sting of getting mocked and manhandled by the Tyrant ¡ª it¡¯s downright humiliating.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, it was clear Reaper got toocent, especially since his opponent was a girl. He¡¯s done that before ¡ª held back against female fighters and paid dearly for it.¡±

    ¡°But Viper? He¡¯s a whole different beast. That man¡¯s never shown mercy, not even to women. His brutality¡¯s the stuff of legend. This fight¡¯s a foregone conclusion¡­ That girl won¡¯tst long.¡±

    ¡°Heh, no doubt about it! The betting odds are out, and I¡¯m dying to see what Viper does to her. Will he break her arms or go straight for the neck?¡±

    ¡°Well, she signed the liability waiver, didn¡¯t she? So, if her neck does get snapped, nobody¡¯s to me but herself. This is the kind of spectacle that gets the blood pumping!¡±

    The jeers crashed like relentless waves, echoing in everyone¡¯s ears.

    Almost no one in the arena gave the girl who had just stepped into the ring a second thought. In their eyes, the match had already devolved into nothing more than a diator¡¯s show ¡ª life and death dangling on strings for their entertainment.

    To the crowd, this wasn¡¯t about honor or skill. It was about adrenaline, wagers, and carnage.

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 Chapter 956

    ?Chapter 956:

    Meanwhile, the two fighters at the center of this storm locked eyes, measuring each other in silence.

    The tattooed man, Viper, let out a faint sneer before slipping into a focused calm as he started advancing toward Marisa. The shouts andughter around him didn¡¯t distract him for a moment.

    Tyrant¡¯s mockery might¡¯ve sounded like bravado, but Viper understood the message hidden between the words ¡ª it was a warning. Underestimating this girl could be a costly mistake. He approached with caution.

    Viper understood this better than anyone. He had wed his way through a battlefield of blood and dust; he knew the world had no shortage of prodigies lurking in unexpected ces.

    Gender, age, appearance ¡ª none of that ever lulled him into a false sense of security.

    He lived by one code: never let your guard down, no matter who stands before you.<fnd5c2> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fnd5c2>

    His footsteps were measured, each one heavy with intent, and he stopped just shy of a yard from Marisa ¡ª close enough to strike, but far enough to react.

    Right on cue, the host¡¯s voice sliced through the tension like a drumroll before battle. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, the moment of truth has arrived! Let¡¯s see how long this youngdy can endure Viper¡¯s assault!¡±

    Instantly, the atmosphere soared, and people roared for Viper. ¡°Crush her, Viper! Take her out! I¡¯ve got ten grand riding on you ¡ª don¡¯t pull your punches!¡±

    ¡°This girl wants to box? What a joke. She¡¯s probably clueless that Viper¡¯s a master of jiu-jitsu ¡ª he strangles boxers for sport. And she¡¯s clearly in a lighter weight ss. If he gets his hands on her, it¡¯s game over.¡±

    ?????????v?????.co?? for more reading

    ¡°Yes, once Viper catches you, escape is a fantasy. She looks like a twig. One hit and she¡¯ll shatter.¡±

    Marisa heard every word. Her eyes narrowed as she studied Viper¡¯s posture and movements with sharp vignce. Her brow furrowed.

    Jiu-jitsu?

    This was the kind of opponent she dreaded the most.

    The boxing techniques she had honed were brutally effective in street fights and chaotic skirmishes where fists flew freely.

    But jiu-jitsu was a different beast altogether.

    It was tailored for intimate, close-rangebat ¡ª especially in lethal one-on-one confrontations like this. A single misstep could leave her limbs twisted or her breath stolen in seconds.

    From Viper¡¯s build alone, Marisa could already sense he was an even tougher opponent than Reaper. Viper¡¯s arm span easily outmatched hers, giving him the upper hand in reach. He could strike first, while her own blows might fall short of even grazing him.

    If she rushed in recklessly for closebat, she¡¯d be walking straight into a trap ¡ª ensnared and mmed down the instant contact was made. She gently bit her lower lip, her eyes narrowing with rare intensity, her expression a portrait of guarded focus and steel-edged resolve.

    It wasn¡¯t confidence shecked ¡ª Marisa had that in spades ¡ª but the weight of the moment pressed down on her like a storm cloud ready to burst. She could tell, in as day, that this man was several times more dangerous than Reaper.

    ¡°Tsk. Just my luck ¡ª of all days, I run into someone like this,¡± she muttered, almost under her breath.

    .

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 Chapter 957

    ?Chapter 957:

    Still, she tossed her head lightly, her expression softening just a touch as she nced behind her at Ethan. Her tone was calm ¡ª cool as riverstone ¡ª but carried a protective edge. ¡°Ethan, take a step back. I¡¯d rather you didn¡¯t get hurt by ident.¡±

    Ethan stood frozen, her words echoing in his mind, stealing the air from his lungs.

    His gaze lingered on Marisa as she walked away, her parting vow reying like a drumbeat in his chest: ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯re under my protection. No one¡¯s going toy a finger on you.¡±

    Then came the challenge that still rang in his ears: ¡°I¡¯ll take you on.¡± His hands clenched at his sides.

    Ethan¡¯s heart pounded faster, a rush of unfamiliar emotions surging through him ¡ª anxious, uncertain, andced with silent prayer and tightly coiled tension.

    A desperate prayer echoed in his mind: ¡°Please, Marisa ¡ª be safe.¡±

    Meanwhile, across from Marisa, Viper let out a coldugh, his hands forming ws as he assumed an aggressive stance, his voice low and chilling. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got, youngdy.¡±

    The crowd responded with raucousughter and venomous cheers.

    ¡°That¡¯s Viper¡¯s signature taunt ¡ª he¡¯s going in for real now!¡±

    ¡°What are you waiting for? Finish her already! I¡¯ve got money riding on this.¡±

    ¡°This girl clearly has no clue who she¡¯s dealing with. She¡¯ll be begging for mercy any minute now ¡ª probably sobbing, ¡®Please, I can¡¯t take it!''¡±

    The air inside the underground ring thickened with cruelty, every shout cutting like ss.

    Chapters live now at ??????¦Ò????????.c§àm

    But Marisa didn¡¯t flinch. She¡¯d faced worse. And those who had underestimated her rarely stood long afterward.

    Drawing a slow breath, she grounded herself. Her stance was firm, with her right fist tucked close and her left hand raised defensively. Her steps began to fall into rhythm, her eyes never leaving her opponent.

    And yet, a strange calm settled over her.

    In the face of danger, her instincts didn¡¯t falter ¡ª they sharpened like a de. ¡°Bring it,¡± she whispered, poised and resolute, her eyes glinting with the lethal stillness of a drawn sword.

    In that instant, Ethan¡¯s face shed in her mind.<fnc786> Chapters first released on F¦Énd£Îovel</fnc786>

    Since this fight was inevitable, she¡¯d give it everything she had. She would be the one to break through, to fight her way to freedom.

    The host raised his hand. ¡°Round one ¡ª fight!¡±

    In an instant, the fight for survival began ¡ª and the crowd exploded into a frenzy of wild cheers.

    Marisaunched forward like a thunderbolt, her fist cutting through the air with surgical precision, aimed straight at Viper¡¯s chest.

    His pupils contracted.

    He hadn¡¯t expected that kind of speed ¡ª especially not from someone who looked barely eighteen.

    But Viper¡¯s instincts were honed by countless fights.

    In a sh, he leaned back, narrowly avoiding the strike.

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 Chapter 958

    ?Chapter 958:

    Yet that was exactly what Marisa had nned. Her right foot touched down lightly as she twisted her waist, momentum snapping through her body like a whip.

    Her right hook came screaming toward him, sharp and deadly. The first jab had been bait ¡ª this was the real strike.

    And trailing behind it was a vicious uppercut.

    It was the samebo that had taken Reaper out cold.

    But Viper moved like his namesake ¡ª fluid and sudden. He slipped inside her reach with uncanny timing.

    Marisa¡¯s breath caught.

    Too close ¡ª too fast.

    Before she could react, his arms wrapped around her right arm like a coiled rope.

    His foot swept toward her supporting leg.

    The maneuver was lightning-fast and razor-sharp, leaving Marisa barely a second to respond.

    ¡°You¡¯re done,¡± he muttered, cold and certain. With a single forceful pull, he could break her bnce, m her down, and lock in a chokehold to finish the fight.

    The audience went wild.

    ¡°She¡¯s trapped! It¡¯s over!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s got her now. It¡¯s over for this girl!¡±

    The roar of the crowd fueled Viper¡¯s confidence, but he stayed focused ¡ª merciless and efficient.

    He shifted his weight, ready to bring her crashing down.

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    Marisa teetered, caught in the grip of gravity ¡ª and a moment that could decide everything.

    Right when things seemed hopeless, Marisa sprang upward without warning. She appeared weightless, twisting through the air with an effortless 360-degree spin that turned her opponent¡¯s own momentum against him.

    That quick maneuver allowed Marisa to slip out of the restraints with grace, her arms nowpletely free.

    Uponnding, she drove her heels into the floor and quickly backed away, cing space between herself and Viper once more.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡± Viper gawked at the girl now standing beyond his reach, his expression torn between confusion and disbelief. Though he had anticipated that anyone who could defeat Reaper must possess strong fighting skills, the acrobatic maneuver she had just performed still left him utterly shocked.

    Nobody in the room dared to speak. The sheer elegance of what they¡¯d witnessed had left them breathless. Tyrant gritted his teeth, barely containing his urge to step into the arena.

    Then, as though released from a spell, the crowd exploded with shouts of astonishment.

    ¡°Is this even real?¡± The crowd buzzed with uncontroble energy. No one had expected a battle so thrilling. A few were already on their feet, pping like their lives depended on it.<fn0ce5> This text is hosted at find?novel</fn0ce5>

    Gasps echoed across the arena as others froze, eyes wide. ¡°Did you see that? She¡¯s moving like a dancer!¡± someone shouted, unable to hold in their awe. Viper hadn¡¯t anticipated Marisa foreseeing his attack and dodging it easily, and his eyes turned icy.

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 Chapter 959

    ?Chapter 959:

    Never before had a female fighter slipped past him in the ring. The sting of that reality pressed hard against his pride.

    But luck, as he saw it, hadn¡¯t left him just yet. They were still within reach.

    He charged at her once more, refusing to let hesitation slow him down. Marisa didn¡¯t panic. She stepped back three times, light on her feet as if carried by rhythm.

    Both fists lifted in defense, she danced between his movements ¡ª sometimes baiting, other times slipping just out of harm¡¯s way.

    Then, like a strike from the shadows, she crouched low, surged ahead, and let her fist fly.

    A thunderous impact followed. Bang!

    Her knuckles crashed against Viper¡¯s iing arm, halting his motion mid-swing.

    Without losing a beat, she used the momentum to dart backward, dipped low, then swept to the side, neatly dodging his next attempt.

    The surprise on Viper¡¯s face was clear. He hadn¡¯t expected her to read his moves with such uracy or respond with this level of precision.

    Compared to Viper, she moved like a falcon in freefall ¡ª striking with speed, pulling back, and always out of reach. No matter how fast the snake struck, its prey stayed airborne.

    High above the ring, Raegan narrowed her eyes, watching intently. Something about Marisa caught her attention, and a flicker of admiration stirred within her. Tension pressed down on the arena, yet the audience had be a rolling storm.

    ¡°Can someone exin this? Why is Viper struggling? Is he seriously being outmatched by a girl?¡±

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    ¡°I¡¯m telling you, she¡¯s no ordinary fighter.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s charging at him! She doesn¡¯t even flinch when he counters!¡±

    Back in the stands, Raegan let out a soft exhale through her mask. Her gaze danced with amusement as a grin crept beneath the fabric.

    Marisa¡¯s abilities had caught herpletely off guard.

    Although the crowd cheered for the sheer spectacle, Raegan, someone who understood realbat, saw something deeper in Marisa¡¯s movements. Her gaze sharpened as she observed, ¡°This isn¡¯t just training. She was born with this. That kind of instinct can¡¯t be taught.¡±

    A gift that rare didn¡¯te around often. Letting it go to waste would be a mistake too costly to justify. With the right guidance and training within the organization, Raegan was certain Marisa could be a force worth reckoning with.

    Still, no amount of admiration could distract her from the mission Kiley had given.

    Time was thinning fast. Maia¡¯s arrival had to be minutes away now, if not sooner.

    Shifting her focus, Raegan pivoted with calm precision. Her eyesnded on the shaven-headed man at her side. Without urgency, she raised her hand and gestured toward Viper. Her voice came quietly, yet it carried weight. ¡°Tell him to switch focus. Ethan¡¯s right hand ¡ª make sure it¡¯s useless.¡±

    The shaven-headed man gave a sharp, enthusiastic nod. Wasting no time, he brought his fingers to his lips and blew a piercing whistle that sliced straight through the noise.

    A string of whistles followed, each one shifting in pitch and rhythm. Tyrant, standing inside the ring, heard the signal, and his eyes turned stormy. He knitted his brow, immediately picking up on his boss¡¯s instructions.

    .

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    .<fn3ba3> This content belongs to find?novel</fn3ba3>

 Chapter 960

    ?Chapter 960:

    Understanding the order, Tyrant didn¡¯t pause. He rumbled to Viper, ¡°Go after that boy first. The boss wants you to break his hand.¡±

    Viper¡¯s eyes lit up at the suggestion.

    He had spent most of the day chasing Marisa, and at this rate, defeat was inevitable. Tyrant¡¯s words helped him realize where he was going wrong. Marisa¡¯s nimbleness kept her just out of reach. Earlier exchanges showed she wasmitted to defending the boy.

    So, if he targeted the boy, Marisa would rush to his side. In her haste, she might make a costly mistake. Catching her off guard would make it easy to finish her off.

    It became obvious that the boy, hiding at the edge of the ring, was her greatest weakness.

    The moment he made sense of this, Viper sprang into action, lunging straight at Ethan.

    His speed was frightening, every movement full of purpose.

    In the blink of an eye, Viper closed the distance, Ethan¡¯s presence looming.

    ¡°Ethan, get back!¡± Marisa yelled, sprinting forward with all she had.

    She tried, but she couldn¡¯t beat Viper to him.

    As Viper¡¯s shadow engulfed him, Ethan stood frozen, his eyes darting between the lunging hands and Marisa¡¯s desperate dash. She was nearly there, but his feet refused to budge.

    Ethan¡¯s eyes stretched wide in shock as a powerful blow crashed into him.

    A thunderous impact followed.

    A tremendous force hurled Ethan across the room.

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    The impact sent him into the wall, and he slumped to the ground, groaning in pain.

    ¡°Marisa!¡± Ethan barely managed to lift his head before his gaze caught Viper driving Marisa down onto the ground.

    One hand pressed her shoulder to the mat, while the other twisted her arm back, and Viper¡¯s leg quickly wrapped around her waist to lock in the hold. Pain shot through Marisa in an instant. She mped her jaw shut, salty sweat running down her face.

    The agony finally broke herposure. Her scream rang out before she could stop herself.

    The crowd exploded with wild cheers. ¡°Break her! Crush her!¡± they yelled. Insults andughter flew from every corner, mocking Marisa for getting in over her head.

    All the while, Ethan¡¯s eyes widened, his shock written inly across his face.

    Somehow, an unknown surge of energy pushed Ethan forward into the fray. A desperate shout tore from his lips. ¡°Marisa!¡± Ethan lunged at Viper, doing his best to wrench those cruel hands away. ¡°Let go! You bastard! Let her go!¡±

    Right at that moment, Viper¡¯s lips curled into a cold sneer.

    Quick as a sh, he shifted his foot and locked Ethan¡¯s arm in ce.

    Everyone could hear the gruesome pop of a joint being torn out of ce.

    Ethan¡¯s scream came a heartbeatter, raw and filled with pain. ¡°Ah! Let go of Marisa!¡±

    His arm threatened to give way, yet all his thoughts still circled around Marisa¡¯s well-being.

    .<fn56f9> For original chapters go to find?novel</fn56f9>

    .

    .

 Chapter 961

    ?Chapter 961:

    Over on the mat, Marisa pressed her teeth into her lip, straining and fighting to get loose after hearing Ethan call out.

    From a short distance away, Tyrant looked on with amusement. ¡°Only Viper could control two fighters at once and hold them both down. That¡¯s what makes him the best.¡±

    The crowd could barely contain their excitement.

    ¡°She¡¯s writhing like an animal.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s it! Put more pressure! Break every bone in her body!¡±

    ¡°I swear, those kids won¡¯t walk again after this.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what happens when you get cocky.¡±

    All at once, a thunderous crash echoed through the arena.

    Everyone looked up as the metal railing overhead flew open from a powerful kick.

    A shadowy figure dropped down from above, moving with the smooth, fierce momentum of aet streaking through the night.

    The neer had long hair flowing behind her, clearly a woman.

    Spectators gawked at the sudden appearance, many jumping up in surprise. ¡°Who the hell is that? Is someone else about to throw themselves into this mess?¡±

    ¡°What an unbelievable night this has turned into. I never imagined so many challengers would step up one after another.¡±

    ¡°Unfortunately, no matter how manye, it¡¯s all for nothing. So far, none of the challengers has seeded in iming the prize.¡±

    Restlessness swept through the crowd. Their chatter rose and fell, echoing the crashing of waves in a storm.

    Your source for updates g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls

    Suddenly, a woman¡¯s cold voice cut clean through the noise in the center of the arena. ¡°Let them go, or you¡¯ll wish you had.¡±

    Themand didn¡¯t need volume to demand attention. Instead, its precision and sharpness erased everyst murmur in the ce.

    People reacted as if struck by lightning. Heads whipped around to find the one who had justnded in the heart of the lights after jumping down from above. There stood a woman ¡ª tall and slender, her mask barely hiding refined features. Eyes as clear as ice now burned with barely contained fury. She reached up with slow intent, pulled off the mask, and tossed it away. Bouncing once before settling, the discarded mask ¡ª mandatory for anyone who entered this underground world ¡ª came to rest near Viper¡¯s feet. With her mask gone, her cold beauty stood revealed for every soul to see.

    A hushed gasp escaped someone in the crowd. ¡°Wait, could that be¡­¡±

    Another voice rang out, full of disbelief. ¡°It¡¯s Maia Watson!¡±

    Roars erupted all at once, filling the boxing ring with pure chaos and delight. Up from their seats, dozens of spectators jostled, sending snacks and drinks tumbling as all eyes locked onto her face.

    Nobody could believe their eyes. ¡°How did she end up here?¡±

    Whispers shot around. ¡°Is that really Maia Watson? The brilliant designer everyone¡¯s been talking about? The one who made headlinestely?¡± Once her name was spoken, the energy in the ring skyrocketed.

    All around the arena, masked spectators sprang from their seats, unable to contain their excitement.

    Somebody called out, ¡°That¡¯s Maia Watson! What would bring her to a ce like this? Did shee chasing the one million?¡±

    A doubtful voice followed. ¡°Why would Maia risk her life here? She¡¯s a designer, not a fighter. This isn¡¯t some artpetition. This is an illegal fight club.¡±

    Another person scoffed, ¡°She looks so delicate. There¡¯s no way she¡¯dst a single round. What gives her the nerve to stand there and talk big?¡±<fnad7e> This text is hosted at findnovel</fnad7e>

    Doubtful murmurs and mockingughter rippled through the crowd. Others just stared in wide-eyed disbelief.

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 Chapter 962

    ?Chapter 962:

    Yet, under the full re of the lights, the woman in question remained perfectly calm. Nothing about her stance wavered.

    Not once did she look away from Viper. Her stare locked on the hands and feet pinning Ethan and Marisa, her eyes sharp and cold, like the arrival of winter¡¯s first snow.

    Right then, something shifted. Viper, who had always felt in control, caught a strange chill deep inside. For a brief second, fear gripped him, though he brushed it off as his imagination.

    From the side, Raegan broke into a wide grin, quietly savoring the moment. Maia stood atst, her presence alone casting a shadow that felt impossible to ignore.

    Raegan could tell that Maia was angry. It was rare to see this woman with such an expression; if only Kiley were here, she surely had never seen Maia like this. Raegan¡¯s mask kept her wild delight hidden, but her body practically vibrated with excitement.

    Without making a sound, she looked as though she wasughing to herself.

    Interest flickered in her eyes, curiosity recing amusement.

    Maia, who had once cornered Kiley and Mariana, now faced one of life¡¯s toughest choices. How would she choose?

    ¡°Well then, Maia. What will it be? Tell me ¡ª will you rescue your brother or will you pick the girl? Who matters more to you?¡± Raegan muttered to herself. ¡°Right now, this is a moral dilemma where a choice must be made between two equally difficult options¡­ and Maia only has one chance.¡±

    As she finished, she signaled with her eyes to the shaven-headed man nearby. Catching on in an instant, the man raised a whistle to his lips and sent a sharp sound across the ring, making sure Tyrant received the message.

    For updates, visit ?¦Ál?ov??s.co?

    Tyrant¡¯s eyes narrowed. Leaning in, he ryed the instructions to Viper. ¡°She has to decide. The boss wants her to pick just one. The second she does, you know what to do ¡ª make sure the other can¡¯t get up again.¡±

    His announcement rang out, echoing through the crowd for all to hear.

    Everyone ¡ª including Maia ¡ª caught every word.

    Some audience members scowled, bothered by the cruel demand. Others couldn¡¯t hide their excitement.

    Viper met Maia¡¯s eyes and let out a coldugh. ¡°You heard him, right? I¡¯m ready to let one of them go, but you have to pick. Choose, or watch them both die.¡±

    Tension gripped the room, transforming a simple challenge into a riveting confrontation. The audience buzzed with excitement.

    ¡°What will Maia decide?¡± one whispered.

    ¡°This is unexpected. I chose the right ce for entertainment today,¡± another remarked.

    ¡°Make your choice already! Your dy is unbearable!¡± a third urged.

    Despite the crowd¡¯s mor for a swift decision, Maia remainedposed. She drew a deep breath and spoke firmly. ¡°If you want my choice, give me time to think.¡±

    Viper¡¯s lips twisted into a mocking sneer. ¡°Patience isn¡¯t my virtue. You have ten seconds, or I¡¯ll disable them both. Ten! Nine! Eight¡­¡±

    Maia stood too far to reach them quickly, even at a sprint, giving Viper the advantage to react first. Saving both Ethan and Marisa seemed nearly impossible.

    .

    .

    .<fn6587> This content belongs to find{n}ovel</fn6587>

 Chapter 963

    ?Chapter 963:

    Her eyes darted between the two, trapped in Viper¡¯s deadly hold, searching for a way to rescue them both.

    The situation demanded immediate action.

    Ethan¡¯s face was pale, sweat trickling down as he bit his bottom lip in pain, enduring with sheer willpower.

    Marisa fared no better, her expression contorted, teeth clenched to stifle cries.

    Both endured agony yet held firm resolve.

    Maia looked at them, her chest heaving with emotion.

    Ethan was her brother by blood, and Marisa was Maxwell¡¯s sister. Abandoning either was unthinkable. She had to save them both.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. Save Marisa!¡± Ethan rasped, his voice hoarse but defiant, sweat streaming down his face.

    Marisa¡¯s cry followed. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to him! Save Ethan!¡± Their pleas to prioritize the other halted Viper¡¯s countdown.

    Maia¡¯s finger trembled as she weighed her options.

    Viper, gripping them tightly, let out a cold chuckle. ¡°Both ying heroes? How touching.¡±

    He tightened his hold, drawing anguished screams from Ethan and Marisa.

    ¡°Ugh!¡±

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    ¡°Choose quickly!¡± he barked, his tone mocking. ¡°Where was I? Oh, five. Time¡¯s slipping away. If I count to one and you haven¡¯t decided, they both die.¡± With a harshugh, he resumed. ¡°Four¡­¡±

    Find your adventure at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§àm (uso de ¡°?¡± y ¡°§à¡± cir¨ªlica)

    From the stage, Raegan observed Viper¡¯s performance with satisfaction, relishing how the countdown pressured Maia. Always cautious, Raegan needed to fulfill Kiley¡¯s request while heeding the leader¡¯s warning not to provoke Maia directly.

    By orchestrating this dilemma, Raegan ensured any me would fall on the Cooper Group, keeping their deception hidden unless the leader intervened.

    For now, Raegan could watch Maia closely, gauging her response.

    Maia, however, saw through the scheme.

    She knew her enemies had kidnapped her brother and lured her here, not for ransom or direct harm, but to stage a public spectacle as a warning and retaliation.

    The Cooper Group, her earlier target, was clearly behind this.

    A faint smile touched her lips as she nced at the audience.

    She wouldn¡¯t choose today. She would save them both.

    At Viper¡¯s count of two, Maia sprang into action, her movements swift and precise, almost too fast for the audience to track.

    ¡°Has she lost her mind?¡± one gasped.

    ¡°She¡¯s not choosing. She¡¯s attacking!¡± another eximed.

    Maia sprinted straight into the chaos, sending the arena into wild confusion. Gasps of shock and awe erupted from the crowd, and the spectators rose from their seats in astonishment.

    ¡°Did Maia really just run up there? She must not care about what happens to those two at all.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just reckless. She could lose her life and still fail to help anyone.¡±

    .

    .<fnecb8> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n F?nd-Novel</fnecb8>

    .

 Chapter 964

    ?Chapter 964:

    Laughter and jeers poured through the stands, tension building on stage. All around, a few onlookers bounced in their seats, faces twisted with mocking grins, hungry for the spectacle.

    A look of surprise took over Raegan¡¯s face as she kept her eyes glued to Maia, a strange mix of curiosity and suspicion creeping in.

    She always figured Maia would freeze up, trapped in her own conscience.

    What really threw Raegan off was how Maia never paused for a second. Without stopping, she charged ahead, showing no sign of worrying about her brother. Raegan simply could not understand it.

    Unlike most in the crowd, Raegan knew the truth about Viper¡¯s captive. She recognized the young man as Maia¡¯s brother, Ethan.

    Raegan assumed Maia would wrestle with the impossible choice, stuck between saving one and leaving the other behind, until she cracked under pressure. Raegan¡¯s prediction turned outpletely wrong. Maia pressed on without wavering.

    ¡°This woman¡­¡± A chill crept into Raegan¡¯s stare. She frowned as the thought surfaced, questioning if Maia actually believed she could rescue both. There was no way anyone could pull that off.

    Meanwhile, Viper¡¯s attention snapped to Maia. A hard glint shed in his eyes as he noticed her rapid advance.

    A guttural roar burst from him. Ignoring the official countdown, he hurled his strength forward, determined to crush both Ethan¡¯s and Marisa¡¯s joints before Maia could close the distance.

    Hands waved wildly in the stands. Some in the audience looked away, not wanting to witness what wasing.

    L?t??¦Ó ch¨»¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?????.??????

    And then, without warning, every spectator stood in stunned silence at the sight before them.

    Maia crouched quietly next to Viper as her hand drifted away from his head.

    The sight that unfolded next defied belief.

    Foam gathered at Viper¡¯s lips. His eyes rolled back as his body stiffened, and he copsed, out cold.

    ¡°Wait. Did anyone else see that?¡±

    ¡°Is this real? What just happened up there? What did she do?¡±

    ¡°No way! All I caught was a flicker.¡±

    ¡°How in the world did Maia pull that off?¡±

    Pandemonium broke out in the stands.

    Raegan shot up from her seat, fixing her stare on Maia, her eyes narrowing in disbelief.

    She had caught every detail.

    In the blink of an eye, Maia¡¯s fists struck three times.

    That first punchnded squarely at the crown of Viper¡¯s head, right where it counted, shutting down his motor control in a heartbeat.

    Next, her knuckles crashed into his temple, taking him out of the fight and ending any threat to Ethan as Viper¡¯s world faded to ck.

    Finally, Maia¡¯s hand found its mark at Viper¡¯s throat, leaving him mute and turning the oue into a foregone conclusion.<fn6db9> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? F?nd-Novel</fn6db9>

    Not a single move was wasted. Maia¡¯s attacks cut through the air, direct and unstoppable. The finishing sequence showed restraint; Viper wasn¡¯t killed, only rendered unconscious.

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 Chapter 965

    ?Chapter 965:

    Pulling off a feat like that took perfect timing and totalmand over her body.

    There was no denying it ¡ª Maia fought on a different level.

    At the same time, Ethan and Marisa managed to break free atst, both scrambling upright with unsteady legs.

    A pale look clung to Ethan¡¯s features as he fought to reach his sister. ¡°Maia¡­¡± But the words barely left his mouth before shock swept over his face.

    What he saw was that Tyrant, the most formidable force in his eyes, appeared like a nightmare made real. The undisputed powerhouse of the underground ring closed the distance in an instant, swinging a fist almost the size of a sandbag straight for Maia.

    Few could match Tyrant¡¯s strength in that ring, yet he was making his move under the cover of surprise.

    Warnings would never reach Maia in time. That punch tore through the air with deadly intent.

    Maia nced over her shoulder and found herself swallowed up in Tyrant¡¯s looming presence.

    A sudden burst of windshed against Maia¡¯s face as Tyrant¡¯s punch tore through the air.

    Boom!

    Down came his fist, moving so fast that it seemed to leave a trail of shadows. The strike cracked like a whip, slicing clean through the stillness.<fn176a> Readplete version only at find(?)ovel</fn176a>

    All at once, the audience surged to their feet, mouths wide open and hearts hammering in disbelief.

    I@te$t ¡é#@pter$ In g@!novel$.c0m

    ¡°That¡¯s it for Maia!¡±

    ¡°She barely rescued them ¡ª and now this? That attack came out of nowhere!¡±

    ¡°One hit from Tyrant could knock someone out cold!¡±

    No one dared to move. The tension in the arena was suffocating. Instead of fleeing, Maia jolted her right arm upward.

    A t, heavy sound followed as her hand met the iing blow.

    Gasps turned into stunned silence. She had caught the hit and stopped it t. Tyrant¡¯s momentum, once unstoppable, was frozen mid-swing by her grip alone. Neither Ethan nor Marisa could hide their disbelief at what had just unfolded. Although Maia managed to hold her ground, a dull ache spread through her arm, already mottled with bruises.

    Only a single step backward betrayed the impact before she found her bnce again.

    Her gaze lifted, locking onto her opponent. She silently acknowledged the raw power of the underground ring¡¯s fiercest fighter. Without Zoey¡¯s brutal training sessions during those long four years behind bars ¡ª and without wing her way to the top of Geshuania¡¯s ruthless underground circuit ¡ª she would¡¯ve crumpled under that strike.

    ¡°You only backed up once after taking that hit,¡± Tyrant said, letting out a rough breath while curling his hand, which still trembled faintly from the contact. Never had he crossed paths with a woman who could endure one of his power punches.

    That realization shifted something in him ¡ª Maia had earned more than his attention. She had earned his respect.

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 Chapter 966

    ?Chapter 966:

    He rolled his neck, then cracked a grin. ¡°No more holding back. I¡¯m going all in¡­ let¡¯s give this everything we¡¯ve got.¡±

    Power surged through Tyrant as he pushed forward again without hesitation. Muscle ripped through fabric as Tyrant¡¯s power surged, shredding his shirt in one explosive motion.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment we¡¯ve been waiting for ¡ª our reigning champion, Tyrant, is unleashing his full power!¡± the announcer said. ¡°He isn¡¯t holding back anymore. It¡¯s been ages since we¡¯ve seen his shirt blown to pieces. ce your bets. How long can Maia survive this?¡± Excitement swept through the venue like wildfire.

    ¡°I¡¯m calling it now ¡ª Maia won¡¯tst five minutes.¡±

    ¡°Come on, Maia beat Viper. I say ten.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s wishful thinking. Look at Tyrant. One minute, and Maia¡¯s out.¡±

    But away from the roar of the crowd, Ethan caught something others didn¡¯t. Maia¡¯s arm ¡ª the same one that had blocked the monstrous strike ¡ª hung uselessly at her side.

    Faint bruises crept up her wrist, darkening by the second.

    A burning frustration tightened Ethan¡¯s chest as he stared at Tyrant, overwhelmed by how powerless he felt.

    Before he could react, Marisa grabbed his arm and tugged him away. ¡°Let me handle this, Ethan. Your sister needs backup.¡±

    Shock flickered in Ethan¡¯s eyes as he realized something was off with Marisa, too.

    From the way she moved, it was clear she¡¯d taken more damage than he had.

    Every tale finds a home at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    At that moment, Chris pulled up in front of 43 Oak Street.

    One nce around, and he spotted the familiar gleam of a silver Maserati parked nearby.

    That was Maia¡¯s car. She¡¯d gotten here before him?

    His gaze sharpened.

    Without wasting a second, Chris reached into his pocket and dialed Maxwell.

    The call went unanswered.

    Irritation crept into his expression, mixing with the unease already churning inside him.

    Without waiting any longer, Chris pushed open the bar¡¯s entrance and stepped inside.

    Inside the bar, Maxwell paced restlessly aftering up empty in his search.

    Marisa had sneaked out from the Payne residence with him, and if anything happened to her, he wouldn¡¯t be able to exin to their parents in Drakmire. He¡¯d be in serious trouble.

    Consequences aside, Maxwell truly did care about Marisa ¡ª even if their conversations usually ended in arguments. She wouldn¡¯t have traveled to Wront if he didn¡¯t matter to her, and he knew that.

    ¡°Marisa, where are you? Just stay safe. I swear, whatever you¡¯ve been eyeingtely, I¡¯ll buy it. Hell, I¡¯ll even double your allowance ¡ª just don¡¯t get hurt.¡± Dropping his gaze, he fumbled for his phone, hoping for any sign.

    Then, like a punch to the gut, Maxwell¡¯s face sank further. There were two missed calls and a single unread message.<fne2df> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? F?nd-Novel</fne2df>

    All from Chris.

    ¡°Damn it!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 967

    ?Chapter 967:

    In his panic over Marisa, he¡¯dpletely lost track of Chris¡¯ and Maia¡¯s situation.

    Without wasting another second, Maxwell tapped Chris¡¯ contact and darted for the exit.

    Instead of heading off alone, he made up his mind to find Chris first and search together from there.

    There was still a chance to fix things ¡ª if they weren¡¯t toote.

    Before he could take another step, someone yanked him by the arm and dragged him outside.

    The sudden pull threw Maxwell off bnce, and he spun around to see who it was.

    A masked figure stood before him, blending in with the costumed crowd that had filled the dance floor earlier.

    Just as Maxwell prepared to push back, the figure pressed something into his hand ¡ª a mask identical to his own.

    ¡°Put this on ande with me,¡± Chris whispered.

    ¡°Wait¡­ Mr. Cooper?¡± Maxwell blinked, confused.

    Seeing Chris in disguise only deepened his confusion. Why was he hiding his face, too?<fna7e0> Fresh chapters posted on fin?novel</fna7e0>

    Still, Maxwell didn¡¯t ask questions. He slipped the mask on without hesitation. As they moved, Maxwell quickly updated Chris, exining the missed calls and the reason he¡¯d gone silent.

    Once he learned that Maxwell had been searching for Marisa, Chris didn¡¯t scold or question him.

    Lowering his voice, Chris said, ¡°Word is there¡¯s an underground boxing ring hidden around here¡­ I asked you to keep watch, but forget it. Maia¡¯s probably already inside. And I¡¯m guessing your sister got dragged into it, too. From what I dug up, they¡¯ve been thrown onto the stage ¡ª forced to fight.¡± That conclusion wasn¡¯t a guess. It came from the mouth of an enforcer Chris had cornered earlier.

    Let your mind wander with g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??????

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Shock gripped Maxwell as the words sank in, draining the color from his face.

    A rush of anger followed, and his voice rose. ¡°Damn it! I¡¯m heading back to the car. I need something ¡ª anything ¡ª I can use as a weapon!¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re armed, they won¡¯t even let you near the entrance.¡± Before he could move, Chris stepped in and ced a firm hand on his shoulder.

    Rolling his shoulders and squaring his stance, Chris muttered, ¡°This time, we fight bare-handed.¡±

    No words came from Maxwell. He simply clenched his jaw and gave a sharp nod.

    Thunderous cheers echoed throughout the underground boxing arena.

    Tyrant, towering close to 6.5 feet, looked as though he had been carved out of stone, with muscle-packed shoulders and a back as imposing as a mountain. Every time he swung, it felt like a lotive barreling through the ring.

    He attacked with the wild intensity of a beast let loose, charging forward like a shot from a cannon. Blows flew at Maia in rapid session, each punch slicing through the air with a howling wind and threatening to knock out any opponent.

    No ordinary fighter could have survived even a single one of those crushing hits.

    Yet Maia possessed a nimbleness that seemed almost inhuman.

    Instead of meeting brute force with force, she darted around Tyrant¡¯s assaults, slowly wearing him out while keeping an eye out for any cracks in his offense.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 968

    ?Chapter 968:

    Every step she took appeared weightless and impossibly swift. She slipped out of danger with barely a second to spare, Tyrant¡¯s fists missing her by a hair¡¯s breadth every time.

    But suddenly, trouble cornered her.

    He hounded Maia until her back nearly pressed against the arena¡¯s high, slick wall.

    The escape route vanished behind her, blocked by the unyielding tall barrier. A crooked grin curled on Tyrant¡¯s lips as he drew closer and unleashed a savage punch.<fn2ca2> This update is avable on F¦ÉndNovel</fn2ca2>

    In a sh, the crowd heard a loud crash.

    In a blur, the audience witnessed the wall shake as the force of his fist sent dust clouds swirling.

    Yet Maia simply dipped her head to the side, letting the punch slide past with astonishing ease.

    The entire ring seemed to vibrate with new energy.

    Spectators jumped from their seats, gasping and shouting in disbelief.

    ¡°Did you see that? She vanished right before he hit her!¡±

    ¡°Tyrant has let loose at least a dozen punches already, and she¡¯s slipped past every one!¡±

    ¡°The way she moves¡­ it¡¯s almost as if she¡¯s dancing instead of fighting.¡±

    Maiapletely ignored the uproar from the crowd as Tyrant looked tireless, lunging toward her once again.

    She met his charge with sharp eyes and unwavering focus, ready for whatever came next.

    Tyrant unleashed blow after blow, fists pounding the air in wide, wild arcs, each strike blurring into the next with mind-numbing speed. He never let up, pouring every ounce of his strength into the attack, his focus locked on Maia.

    Against all odds, Maia seemed to sense his intentions before he even moved. Every attempt tond a punch was met with her effortless slips and agile twists. She slid away from danger with the stealth and poise of a panther, her movements so graceful they looked almost otherworldly beneath the harsh arena lights.

    Meanwhile, Ethan and Marisa had just shaken free from their bindings on the edge of the arena. Groggy and battered, they stared in disbelief at the contest unfolding before their eyes.

    Marisa pressed a trembling hand to her aching arm, transfixed by Maia¡¯s dance around each vicious blow, admiration flickering in her gaze.

    Her first instinct had been to rush in and lend a hand. That urge died quickly, reced by the humbling truth that Maia¡¯s reflexes were in a league of their own. There wasn¡¯t a single chance for anyone else to keep up.

    In the corner, Baylor stood frozen, jaw ck in amazement.

    Moments earlier, fear had sent Baylor¡¯s mind spinning, panic nearly overtaking him.

    rity struck as he recalled his promise to his wife about keeping the younger ones safe.

    Though still trembling and his voice shaky, Baylor shouted toward Ethan and Marisa as loudly as he could, ¡°Come over here! It¡¯s safer on this side!¡±

    Ethan¡¯s hand curled into a tight fist.

    It stung, watching Baylor choose safety while Maia braved the storm alone.

    How could anyone with an ounce of courage let family stand unprotected?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 969

    ?Chapter 969:

    But Marisa grabbed Ethan¡¯s arm and pulled him toward Baylor. She recognized that, coward or not, Baylor¡¯s instincts were right.

    If they lingered, Maia might be forced to defend them, slowing her down at the worst possible moment.

    Across the ring, Tyrant¡¯s expression grew dark with concentration. With every miss, frustration mounted as he struck nothing but empty space.

    At first, he¡¯d assumed Maia simply relied on quick feet and athleticism to avoid his attacks. A few exchangester, experience told him something deeper was at y.

    This wasn¡¯t just about speed. Maia wielded absolutemand over the tempo, dictating every beat of their contest.

    From the crowd, a spectator leapt to his feet and shouted, ¡°What is happening right now? Look at how perfectly she dodges!¡±

    Others joined in, voices rising with excitement. ¡°Does she know exactly where Tyrant¡¯s swinging? Is Maia reading his mind or something? At this rate, Tyrant¡¯s going to tire out and lose in front of everyone!¡±

    Lively chatter rippled through the audience, every corner filled with startled excitement.

    For a moment, the host could only stare, words catching in his throat as disbelief took over. ¡°Can someone really reach such a height? In all my years here ¡ª no, in all my days breathing ¡ª I¡¯ve nevere across a fight scene so extraordinary.¡±

    Up in the highest seats, Raegan watched, tension pulling her brows tight. Her gloved fingers traced the rim of her mask, and her gaze sharpened with true seriousness.

    It wasn¡¯t the first time she had underestimated Maia, but each time, Maia had proved her wrong. This time was no exception.

    L¨»¦Ó??¦Ó c§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ??n g??l??ov?l??.??o??<fn636c> Find the newest release on Find¡ïNovel</fn636c>

    At first, Raegan had chalked up Maia¡¯s win against Viper to dumb luck or some secret training. The idea that Maia might actually be a true master never urred to her until now.

    Yet, there was something unsettling ¡ª no records hinted at Maia¡¯s experience. Training histories were nk. Nothing in the archives pointed to a decorated fighting past.

    Nevertheless, the way Maia moved, the uncanny awareness, and a perfect sense of rhythm outstripped even Tyrant, the so-called king of the arena. It was staggering to witness.

    Everything about Maia¡¯s form looked unfamiliar ¡ª nothing matched the martial arts Raegan had studied. Instead, Maia wove together elements from different disciplines, building a fighting style that was sharp, agile, and unapologetically effective.

    ¡°Who could have possibly been Maia¡¯s teacher?¡± Raegan whispered this under her breath, and the shadow of The Mask¡¯s leader drifted through her mind. That individual was the only one in her memory whose fighting style blended all sorts of martial disciplines.

    Was it possible that Maia had picked up those moves from him?

    A sharp worry stabbed at Raegan. Her thoughts spiraled, for she had no proof, but jealousy and resentment swirled in her eyes whenever she looked at Maia.

    Tyrant came to a sudden halt right then.

    No sign of exhaustion marked his face, and his breathing remained steady. He slowly drew back his fist, a strange spark flickering in his gaze.

    ¡°Well, this is entertaining!¡± he eximed, hisughter rumbling across the room. ¡°You¡¯ve got some real talent. It¡¯s rare toe across someone like you these days.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 970

    Chapter 970:

    While he spoke, Tyrant shrugged and stretched his neck. ¡°That¡¯s not boxing. It¡¯s nothing like any familiar martial art. So I want to know,¡± he said, eyeing Maia with childlike anticipation. ¡°Before we keep trading blows, why don¡¯t you tell me ¡ª just what exactly are you practicing?¡±

    Tyrant¡¯s words rang out over the ring, drawing every pair of eyes to Maia, their stares brimming with wonder and intrigue.

    In the stands, excitement burst out like fireworks.

    ¡°Seriously, I¡¯m dying to know what tricks Maia picked up. How did she slip away from Tyrant¡¯s every attack?¡±

    ¡°Maybe you don¡¯t realize it, but nobody¡¯s ever heard Tyrant toss outpliments like that. At first, I thought he was just being polite, but Maia must be extraordinary to read his attacks so easily.¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t stick to any pattern I¡¯ve seen. Could she be using some ancient martial art everyone else forgot?¡±

    ¡°But wait! Isn¡¯t Maia aposer, designer, and painter? And now you tell me she¡¯s also a fighter?¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about her day job. She¡¯s unstoppable! She¡¯s honestly the coolest person here. I just became her fan.¡±

    While the audience buzzed with excitement, it seemed as if everyone forgot that defeat in this match could mean death. They were swept away by the spectacle.

    Maia finally sprang into action.

    She lifted her right arm with practiced ease, spreading her fingers. Her feet shifted, her body tilted just so, and her left hand dropped calmly by her side. The pose she assumed was nothing short of art ¡ª sharp, measured, and asmanding as a statue in a gallery.

    Uncover new tales on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s??om

    This wasn¡¯t just any warm-up. Her posture spoke of something rarer. This was a signature stance ¡ª a deration of style belonging to a single discipline and one master alone.

    Without warning, someone near the front pointed and shouted, ¡°Hold on! I¡¯ve seen that before!¡±

    A man, somewhere in his forties, stared at Maia with shock written all over his face. ¡°Last year, in the underground ring in South Pyrnce, I saw a woman drop her opponent with that exact move.¡±

    His voice trembled as he remembered. ¡°And not long after, rumors said a fighter using the same stance took home the crown in Geshuania¡¯s underground league.¡±<fnf3fe> Official source is F?ndNovel</fnf3fe>

    The crowd sucked in a collective breath.

    Tension gripped the air in an instant.

    Recognition shed across the host¡¯s face, his jaw falling open as he shouted, ¡°Could it be? Maia is the legendary fighter who¡¯s been shrouded in mystery all this time?¡±

    The host¡¯s voice echoed through the underground boxing ring¡¯s loudspeakers, like a thunderbolt that momentarily stunned the crowd.

    ¡°What? Are you serious?¡±

    No one was certain whether the host was telling the truth.

    The fighter, known only as the King of the Arena, had always been shrouded in secrecy. She never gave her real name when issuing challenges and always kept her face hidden beneath a headpiece during every single match.

    ¡°Wait¡­ Are you saying Maia was the King of the Arena all along?¡± someone in the crowd screeched, and just like that, disbelief swept through the room like wildfire.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense,¡± someone said. ¡°Maia was locked up for four years. There¡¯s no way she could be the King of the Arena.¡±

    ¡°Right? That fighter never once showed their face. How could you say for sure it was Maia?¡±

    ¡°And if you look at the dates, she was still in prison when the King of the Arena wasst seen.¡±

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Great Friday for you dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (???©n???) ? ?? ??

    .

 Chapter 971

    ?Chapter 971:

    Whispers of doubt stirred across the crowd like a growing tide.

    Up in the balcony, Raegan sat still, her expression clouded by something more than surprise. A subtle crease formed between her brows.

    She couldn¡¯t ignore the questions echoing around her.

    But another thought pressed quietly at the edge of her mind. What if Maia¡¯s prison sentence had been a cover? What if she had never really been locked away?

    There had to be more beneath the surface.

    Raegan¡¯s interest sharpened, scanning the restless audience until her eyes locked on a lone figure cloaked in ck.

    ¡°If anyone is holding the missing piece, it¡¯s Shiloh. I¡¯ll have to get it out of him,¡± Raegan whispered under her breath.

    Just then, a burst of excitement cracked through the tension.

    ¡°Wait a second ¡ª aren¡¯t Maia¡¯s moves just like that legendary martial artist from the big screen?¡±

    ¡°All that¡¯s missing is the nose tap and head tilt!¡±

    ¡°Exactly what I was thinking!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s using Jeet Kune Do! That¡¯s straight out of those iconic films!¡±

    ¡°Seriously? Does Maia know Jeet Kune Do? That¡¯s wild!¡±

    ¡°People keep calling Maia a designer, but let¡¯s be real ¡ª she can do just about anything.¡±

    Maia stepped forward, leading with her left foot while her right knee bent in control. Her right hand hovered near her chest, and her left moved with quiet precision. The way she held herself ¡ª firm, focused, unshaken ¡ªmanded the entire space. Her eyes locked in, sharp and deliberate, cutting through the air like a de.

    L§Ñt??t ch¨»pt?rs ?n g??ln¦Ïv?ls.??¦Ï??

    Roars surged across the arena, the second wave of excitement crashing louder than the first.

    People couldn¡¯t look away. It was as if they were witnessing a different version of Maia, one they¡¯d never truly seen until now.

    On the other side, Tyrant, the reigning force of the arena, let out a slow, knowing grin.

    He bounced lightly, warming up his limbs with practiced ease.

    Without hesitation, he leaned forward, ced one leg ahead, bent the other behind, and copied Maia¡¯s stance perfectly.

    For a heartbeat, everything went still.

    Then the silence cracked wide open.

    ¡°Hold up! Is Tyrant trained in Jeet Kune Do too?¡±

    ¡°This changes everything! A one-on-one using the same style? Finally, a real test of who deserves the crown!¡±

    ¡°What? You¡¯re kidding, right? That guy¡¯s whole thing has always been brute strength and Muay Thai strikes. I¡¯ve never once heard anything about him picking up Jeet Kune Do.¡±

    While whispers of doubt spread like wildfire, a man from the stands started to rise, clearly agitated. Before he could speak, Tyrant¡¯s coldugh cut through the noise.

    ¡°Of course you haven¡¯t,¡± he said, his eyes fixed on Maia like a de aimed at its mark. His tone was sharp, nearly mocking. ¡°I don¡¯t waste Jeet Kune Do on weaklings. But she¡¯s not like the rest.¡±

    That one sentence made it clear ¡ª Tyrant didn¡¯t see Maia as just another opponent.

    She had earned enough of his respect to draw out the part of him he usually kept hidden.

    .

    .<fn31a4> Th?s chapter is updated by Find¡ïNovel</fn31a4>

    .

 Chapter 972

    ?Chapter 972:

    For a beat, Tyrant stood still, radiating a quiet but deadly confidence. Then he went on, his voice thick with pride and menace. ¡°Jeet Kune Do is all about bnce. Power and speed work together. You¡¯ve got speed.¡± Tyrant raised his voice and his hand, eyes burning. ¡°But me? I¡¯ve got both. I¡¯ve been holding back until now. But that ends here. You¡¯re about to see what Jeet Kune Do truly looks like.¡±

    Right after speaking, he crouched low. With deliberate slowness, he rolled up his pant legs.

    A harsh metallic thud followed. Two heavyweights hit the floor, sending out a deep echo across the ring.

    A faint vibration pulsed beneath their feet.

    Right after, a crack shaped like a spider¡¯s web crawled across the floor tiles at the center of the ring.

    ¡°Hold on¡­ Was that a pair of steel sandbags?¡±

    ¡°No way. They must weigh over a hundred pounds!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re telling me he fought the entire time with them strapped to his legs? That¡¯s beyond intense!¡±

    ¡°Forget dodging. Maia won¡¯t stand a chance now! Tyrant¡¯s on another level!¡±

    Cheers, gasps, and wild shouts burst from the crowd as the momentum shifted yet again.

    Now that Tyrant had shown what he¡¯d been holding back, almost nobody in the room thought Maia stood a chance.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen¡­ What you¡¯re about to witness might just be the most brutal showdown since this arena was built.¡± The host¡¯s voice cracked slightly as he lifted the mic, his hand visibly trembling. ¡°Brace yourselves ¡ª this is a battle between legends!¡±

    L?t?st ch¦Ápt?rs ¦Én g??l??ov§Ö???.????

    Raegan shot to her feet, eyes locked on the weights that had just hit the floor, then quickly turned toward the shaven-headed man nearby.

    ¡°Well, guess that clears up why I¡¯ve always called him my trump card, huh?¡± He scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. ¡°Let¡¯s face it ¡ª if we didn¡¯t put those restraints on him, what¡¯d be the point? No one would even bother stepping into the ring. The truth is, since this ce opened its doors, Tyrant¡¯s never tasted defeat.¡± The shaven-headed man¡¯s hands opened in a small disy of pride. ¡°And that¡¯s while dragging those weights around.¡±

    Raegan¡¯s breath caught in her throat, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Wait¡­ you¡¯re telling me he¡¯s been doing this the whole time?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he replied with a slow nod. ¡°He¡¯s been holding back, waiting for someone who might actually push him past his limits. Looks like the person finally showed up.¡±

    Before anyone could respond, fresh voices rose from the crowd.

    ¡°That¡¯s it. Maia¡¯s done for.¡±

    ¡°She might¡¯ve been King of the Arena in the past, but that¡¯s ancient history now. I don¡¯t see her making it out of here in one piece. Earlier, she had speed on her side, but now? With that advantage gone, she¡¯s finished.¡±

    ¡°Tyrant¡¯s the real beast here. This fight¡¯s as good as done. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if Maia ends up on the front page tomorrow ¡ª dead. And after this? No one¡¯s going to step up to face him again.¡±

    A chaotic mix of ps, jeers, and wild shouting filled the arena, the crowd teetering on the edge of frenzy.

    Maia, standing dead center on the stage, stayed as still as stone. Her eyes were sharp, emotionless, and locked onto her opponent.

    Tyrant crept forward with measured steps, his body tense like a predator stalking its prey. Under the harsh lights, every flex of his muscle carved sharp shadows across his skin.<fnaeb1> This content belongs to f?ndnovel</fnaeb1>

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 973

    ?Chapter 973:

    Without warning, he sprang into action.

    In the blink of an eye¡­

    Boom! The arena seemed to shudder as the air cracked under the force of hisunch.

    Before anyone had time to gasp, he was already inches from Maia.

    Both fists whipped forward with brutal speed, aiming straight for Maia¡¯s face. No one could believe it. Tyrant¡¯s strike came so fast that it left the entire crowd breathless. His movement was nothing but a blur.

    Even the air itself seemed to slice as his fists cut through it, whistling past with a sound that stung the ears.

    ¡°Maia!¡±

    ¡°Maia!¡±

    Ethan and Marisa screamed her name from the sidelines, their voices cracking with panic, their faces pale with fear.

    At that very moment¡­

    Bang!

    The doors to the arena burst open with a loud crash.

    ¡°Move!¡± Chris stormed in like a thunderstorm, his ck trench coat ring behind him as rage poured off him in waves.

    Not far behind, Maxwell ran in, every step fueled by the same fear and fury. Chris didn¡¯t look around. His eyes stayed locked on the shadowy figure standing center stage.

    Exclusive updates avable g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Maia¡¯s figure was barely visible, nearly consumed by the onught of Tyrant¡¯s strikes. Chris felt his pulse surge, his vision sharpening with fury.

    ¡°Maia!¡± The shout tore from his throat, his stare turning cold enough to freeze bone.

    A heartbeatter¡­ Chrisunched himself from the stands, cutting through the air with the speed of a lightning bolt, heading straight for the heart of the arena. The pressure of his arrival made the nearby crowd recoil without thinking. Chris¡¯s gaze burned with deadly intent, and his voice rumbled low and dangerous. ¡°So, you really are looking to die.¡±

    Inside the arena, Maia had positioned herself defensively, prepared for whatever assault woulde.

    Tyrant¡¯s assault hit like a hurricane tearing through the coast.

    His punches thundered through the air, kicks cast massive shadows, muscles bulged like breaking boulders, and every strike echoed with bone-rattling force. Front-row spectators stumbled backward under the crushing pressure, unable to hold their ground.

    Even from the upper seats, everyone felt caught in the eye of a violent storm. Still, many refused to retreat, eyes locked on the ring¡¯s center, unwilling to miss a single moment.

    This would be a fight remembered in underground fighting history.

    Among them, Raegan sat motionless, her fingers slightly clenched.

    She knew exactly what Tyrant¡¯s power meant.

    The tide of battle had already begun to turn.

    With Tyrant¡¯s full strength unleashed, one solid hit would crush his opponent¡¯s will and defense.

    Right now, Maia looked like a deer caught in headlights to everyone watching.

    Chris was still racing toward the arena wall, almost within reach.<fn596d> Th?s chapter is updated by F¦ÉndNovel</fn596d>

    One more yard¡­ One more step¡­

    He¡¯d never felt such panic, desperately wanting to leap into that ring immediately.

    ¡°Stop it!¡± Chris shouted, reaching toward Maia, terrified he¡¯d see her fall in the next moment.

    Everyone held their breath.

    Nobody spoke; all eyes stayed fixed, the silence almost eerie.

    They expected to witness history, watching Maia getunched from the ring and crash down hard.

    But in the next second, just as Chris prepared to vault over the wall, just as everyone thought Maia would take the hit and somehow rise for another round against Tyrant, and just as his fist was about to connect, Maia moved.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 974

    ?Chapter 974:

    Rather than evading, she chose a different path entirely.

    Boldly, she advanced straight into the danger zone.

    ¡°Has she lost her mind?¡± a spectator gasped in disbelief. ¡°She¡¯s going to let that monster¡¯s fist tear right through her?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s pure suicide!¡±

    Within seconds, the entire crowd fell silent.

    Time seemed to freezepletely.<fna36f> Checktest chapters at f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fna36f>

    Tyrant¡¯s massive fist remained suspended mid-strike, inches away from making contact yet somehow unable to reach its target.

    Raegan¡¯s jaw dropped in astonishment once again.

    From her vantage point, Maia¡¯s movements blurred into ghostly afterimages. She had slipped into the strike zone like flowing water, her elbow cutting past Tyrant¡¯s guard as she twisted alongside his punch. Her palm, elbow, and knuckles struck in lightning session, each blow finding the weak points in his massive frame with surgical precision. Smack! Smack! Smack!

    The sharp sounds of impact rang crystal clear through the stunned arena.

    Everything unfolded so rapidly that half the audience missed it entirely. Those who caught the sequence sat frozen in shock, mirroring Raegan¡¯s expression.

    ¡°What fighting style was that? Nothing like her previous techniques.¡±

    ¡°Looked almost like some ancient martial art?¡±

    ¡°Holy hell, a triple counterbination? Maia just pulled off the impossible. I genuinely thought Tyrant was about to end her life.¡±

    Your escape is on g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    Tyrant himself stood dazed from the rapid assault, swaying like a man caught between consciousness and oblivion.

    His confusionsted mere moments.

    Awareness returned to his eyes as he focused on Maia again.

    However, before anyone could process what was happening, Maia pulled back her fists and unleashed a devastating sweep kick.

    She generated power from her core, unleashing explosive force as her foot connected with Tyrant¡¯s ribs.

    Boom! The entire ring shuddered from the impact.

    Tyrant¡¯s towering frame went airborne,unched sideways across the arena before mming into the far wall and tumbling in a heap.

    Maia remained nted in ce, her icy stare fixed on the crumpled figure as her voice cut through the silence like steel. ¡°That kick was for my brother and Marisa.¡±

    Her eyes swept the arena, hunting for whoever had orchestrated this nightmare. ¡°I don¡¯t care who¡¯s pulling the strings. Leave my family and friends alone!¡± Maia¡¯s warning echoed with deadly intent.

    The underground arena¡¯s atmosphere turned cial in an instant.

    Every spectator sat frozen, barely daring to breathe.

    All eyes remained locked on the fierce yet elegant figure dominating the ring, as if witnessing something beyond belief.

    Maia was absolutely incredible!

    That finishing move belonged in an action movie, not real life.

    After several tense moments, a wet coughing sound broke the silence from the arena¡¯s edge. ¡°Ahem¡­ Ahem¡­¡±

    Tyranty crumpled against the wall, his eyes streaked with red as violent coughs wracked his body, blood spattering from his lips.

    He attempted to rise but couldn¡¯t even manage to get his knees under him. This time, the ¡°uncrowned king¡± of the underground boxing ring truly couldn¡¯t rise again.

    Silence descended once more as everyone held their breath, too stunned to utter a word.

    Raegan satpletely speechless.

    Tyrant had unleashed his full power without restraint, yet his ultimate attack had been neutralized just like that.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 975

    ?Chapter 975:

    The entire arena erupted into chaos, the crowd unable to contain their excitement.

    ¡°Maia! That was insane!¡± someone shouted.

    Cheers followed like crashing waves, shattering the silence into a thousand pieces.

    ¡°She actually beat Tyrant! Maia took him down!¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­ isn¡¯t Maia supposed to be some kind of artist? A designer, right? How did she pull that off?¡±

    ¡°No way she¡¯s just a painter. That final kick? That was pure martial arts mastery.¡±

    ¡°Where does she get that strength? She¡¯s my hero now. No doubt.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m serious. I¡¯ll use her photo as my profile pic. Right now.¡±

    ¡°Maia¡¯s a queen! An absolute goddess!¡±

    One chant led to another until the entire arena trembled with Maia¡¯s name. The underground ring had transformed into a furnace of wild energy, on the verge of exploding. Without hesitation, Chris vaulted over the high wall,nding in a blur and sprinting toward Maia like a predator closing in on its prey.<fn4058> ?????? ???? Find¡ïNovel</fn4058>

    ¡°Maia!¡± His arms wrapped around her the moment he reached her, holding her tightly, as if letting go wasn¡¯t an option.

    ¡°Are you hurt?¡± A tremor in Chris¡¯ voice revealed his genuine fear.

    Just the thought of Maia being injured had shaken him to his core. Frozen in ce, Maia stood still, her limbs weak from exhaustion. His voice cut through the haze in her mind.

    Blinking, she looked up and met a face she knew too well. Only now, Chris¡¯ normallyposed expression was twisted with panic.

    M??? ?¦Ñ????? ?? ?????¦Í???.???

    Confused, Maia tried to make sense of it. Maybe she was hallucinating. Maybe her body had finally given in.

    Wasn¡¯t Chris supposed to be at home, cooking dinner? What in the world was he doing here?

    But the warmth of his embrace was too vivid. The faint scent of the forest on his clothes was unmistakable.

    ¡°How did you¡­¡± Maia stared up at Chris, her voice barely audible.

    Before she could finish the thought, Chris leaned closer. ¡°Shh. I¡¯ll exinter. You just need to breathe.¡±

    After such an intense fight, Chris understood the toll it took ¡ª exhaustion, weakness, and the body nearly giving out.

    Right now, telling Maia everything could wait.

    While holding her hand, his eyes fell on the bruises ¡ª deep, dark, and fresh.

    His jaw tightened. The shock on his face twisted instantly into fury.

    A storm brewed in Chris¡¯ gaze, the red in his eyes deepening with rage. Instead ofshing out, he scanned the crowd and swallowed his anger. ¡°You¡¯re safe now. Just get some rest. Let me handle whates next.¡±

    Whoever was responsible for dragging Maia into this mess had just made the biggest mistake of their life.

    Chris didn¡¯t n to let them walk away unscathed.

    He nced at Tyrant¡¯s crumpled body on the ground. That could wait.

    Right now, he needed answers ¡ª and he¡¯d search every face in that arena until he found the one pulling the strings.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 976

    ?Chapter 976:

    Meanwhile, Maxwell finally reached the edge of the arena. Unlike Chris, he couldn¡¯t exactly leap down with ease, so he shouted instead, his voice high with worry, ¡°Marisa! Are you okay?¡±

    Holding her shoulder, Marisa winced. Then, with a tired wave, she said, ¡°Geez, you¡¯re loud. I¡¯m fine, alright?¡±<fn5636> Get full chapters from </fn5636>

    Hearing Marisa¡¯s voice sparked something in Maxwell ¡ª his chest tightened, and his eyes shimmered with emotion.

    Relief washed over him as he let out a shaky breath. ¡°You little troublemaker,¡± he muttered, voice low. ¡°You scared the hell out of me. No more going off on your own, got it?¡±

    Marisa gave him a pointed look and rolled her eyes. ¡°Yeah? Maybe if you¡¯d moved a little faster, I wouldn¡¯t have had to.¡±

    Even though she knew she¡¯d made the wrong call, the chaos involving Ethan had clouded her judgment.

    Saving him was the only thing on her mind at the time.

    Meanwhile, by the fence, the crowd grew restless. The host hadn¡¯t announced Maia¡¯s victory ¡ª because he had vanished without a trace.

    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t anyone called the match? Isn¡¯t it obvious Maia won?¡±

    ¡°Damn it! That messes up the whole betting pool. The odds were way off!¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­ where are the rest of the staff? This isn¡¯t normal!¡±

    Right as the confusion peaked, a sudden shriek tore through the air. ¡°Everyone, run! The cops just showed up!¡±

    The shout struck like thunder cracking through calm skies.

    Discover more

    Everyone understood what it meant. Behind those masks were high-profile individuals ¡ª people with reputations they couldn¡¯t afford to risk.

    Exposure was unthinkable. Getting caught wasn¡¯t an option.

    Whatever money they had riding on the oue didn¡¯t matter anymore. Survival came first.

    Suddenly, the entire section of masked spectators shot to their feet, bolting in every direction like a herd spooked into chaos. ¡°Move! You¡¯re blocking the way!¡±

    ¡°Watch it! Quit shoving!¡±

    Chaos spread through the arena like wildfire.

    At the center of the stage, Chris stood firm, his arms forming a barrier around Maia.

    But his focus wasn¡¯t on the panic. His eyes narrowed, locking onto a specific point high above the stands.

    Through the blur of fleeing bodies, one figure stood out ¡ª familiar, and not by ident.

    Something about that figure tugged at Chris¡¯ memory.

    Was it her ¡ª Raegan?

    He distinctly remembered telling Raegan to stay away from Maia.

    Could she have ignored him? Or was this all Kiley¡¯s scheme?

    Lowering his gaze to Maia in his arms, Chris tightened his hand into a fist.

    rms suddenly pierced the air, ring through the underground arena like a siren of doom.

    Panic spread instantly. People rushed in every direction, their movements wild and frantic¡ªlike waves crashing without rhythm. The thunder of fleeing footsteps, panicked shouts, and sharp curses blended into a storm of chaos. Breathless gasps added to the suffocating tension, turning the whole ce into a ticking bomb ready to explode.

    In the middle of the madness, Raegan stopped cold. For some reason, she turned her head and looked back at the unraveling chaos behind her.

    Was it real, or just in her mind?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 977

    ?Chapter 977:

    Just moments ago, Raegan had felt a gaze¡ªsharp and unrelenting¡ªwatching her every move.

    ¡°Come on. I¡¯ll unlock the hidden exit,¡± the shaven-headed man said, snapping Raegan out of her thoughts.

    She gave a small nod in response, forcing her focus forward again. Far ahead, a section of the wall began to shift. The nearly invisible outline of a door slowly appeared, creaking open with a soft, mechanical hum.

    This hidden exit was no ident. The shaven-headed man had arranged it ahead of time¡ªa direct route for escape in case of danger or exposure, leading straight to the underground parking lot.

    ¡°A backup route, huh? I have to admit, you¡¯re thorough,¡± Raegan said, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

    With a casual shrug, the shaven-headed man replied, ¡°Basic protocol. We¡¯re part of ¡®The Mask,¡¯ remember? Getting caught isn¡¯t part of the job description.¡±

    Without wasting another second, both figures slipped through the hidden passage, swallowed by the shadows beyond.

    At the center of the arena, Maia¡¯s strength gave out. Her legs buckled, and she copsed into Chris¡¯s waiting arms.

    Her breaths came in shallow bursts. A dull pain crept through her limbs¡ªher body screaming from being pushed too far.

    That fight had drained everything she had. Tyrant wasn¡¯t just any opponent¡ªhe had been her most difficult challenge yet. And to win, she had gone all in.

    Chris reacted immediately.

    Catching her without hesitation, concern flooded Chris¡¯ features as he leaned in, calling her name with urgency. ¡°Maia!¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s©q??o?? is where stories live

    In response, Maia¡¯s eyelids fluttered, barely open, offering Chris a quiet signal that she had heard. No words came from her lips. She didn¡¯t have the energy to speak ¡ª only a faint parting of her mouth.

    ¡°Save your breath. We¡¯ll talk once you¡¯re safe.¡± Without waiting, Chris scooped her into his arms and turned toward the exit.

    Just minutes ago, this same woman had stood powerful and defiant. Now, in his hold, she felt weightless ¡ª and that realization sank deep into Chris¡¯ chest. He caught sight of Maxwell dashing down the corridor atst and said, ¡°Mr. Payne, please, take care of everything here.¡±

    Though caught off guard for a second, Maxwell quickly gathered himself and nodded. ¡°Got it. Leave everything here to me.¡±

    Chris didn¡¯t respond right away. His eyes swept across the scene ¡ª an arena now swallowed by chaos ¡ª and each step he took became more determined than thest.<fn1a9c> The rightful source is f?ndnovel</fn1a9c>

    ¡°Maia¡­¡± A faint voice broke through the noise.

    Ethan stumbled forward, barely keeping his bnce. Tears had already begun to fall, leaving streaks down his cheeks. His eyes locked onto Maia, motionless in Chris¡¯ arms, her face pale and her eyes shut. Panic surged through him. ¡°Maia? What¡¯s happening? Say something!¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 978

    ?Chapter 978:

    Chris¡¯ expression tensed. Not wanting Maia disturbed further, he shifted slightly and spoke with calm firmness. ¡°Quiet down. She¡¯s just resting. You don¡¯t need to panic ¡ª I¡¯ve got her.¡±

    As Chris carried Maia onward, his thoughts drifted to everything she¡¯d endured sinceing back to the country.<fnf989> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find?novel</fnf989>

    Today alone had pushed Maia far past any limit. From spending hours at MCN to meeting with udius and barely escaping Mariana¡¯s attack in the caf¨¦, and now ending the day with a brutal fight ¡ª anyone else would¡¯ve copsed much sooner. Even the toughest had their breaking point.

    A vivid image shed through Chris¡¯ mind ¡ª Mariana lunging at Maia with a knife.

    At that moment, Maia was just standing there, her expression nk, and Chris had mistakenly assumed that fear had paralyzed her.

    Now, as he had time to reflect, it became clear that Maia had remained calm all along, confident that Mariana couldn¡¯tnd a blow.

    With Ethan now updated and reassured, Chris pressed forward, not bothering to look behind.

    Despite all his previous doubts about Chris, Ethan couldn¡¯t deny what he¡¯d witnessed ¡ª the man¡¯s concern and urgency far exceeded what Maia¡¯s husband had shown. Each step Ethan took sent sharp pain through his battered body. Even as he tried to follow, his legs refused to keep up with Chris¡¯ steady pace.

    Gritting his teeth, Ethan raised his voice and shouted, ¡°Make sure you protect her!¡±

    Chris must have caught the words. Without breaking stride, he turned his head just enough to give a small nod. Though unsteady, Ethan¡¯s feet carried him forward, refusing to stop even as his body threatened to copse.

    Find thetest stories g?ln¦Òv??ls

    A short distance away, Marisa saw Ethan faltering and rushed over to steady him, taking his hand in hers. ¡°Rx. Maia¡¯s fine. She¡¯s just drained¡­ Right now, it¡¯s you I¡¯m more worried about.¡±

    Ethan met Marisa¡¯s eyes and gave a small nod, his energy nearly gone. Countless words sat on the tip of his tongue, but his body was too battered to let them out.

    ¡°Ethan!¡± Just then, a familiar female voice suddenly called out from behind.

    Both Ethan and Marisa turned toward the voice in unison.

    Rushing forward, Mnie didn¡¯t waste a second. She clutched Ethan¡¯s injured arm, tears falling freely as she spoke in a trembling voice. ¡°This must hurt so badly¡­ I¡¯ll call my dad. He¡¯ll get us to the hospital ¡ª and after that, this whole underground ring is getting shut down.¡±

    Watching the desperation and care in Mnie¡¯s face, Marisa felt a sting in her chest and bit down lightly on her lip.

    Her eyes met Mnie¡¯s, but no words came out.

    Right then, a breeze swept through as Maxwell came jogging up.

    He threw his arms around Marisa, pulling her into a fierce hug. ¡°Marisa! What would I do if something happened to you? I was scared out of my mind!¡±

    Marisa pulled back slightly with a frown, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Geez. Could you be more dramatic? I¡¯m okay ¡ª just a little banged up. But seriously¡­ if Maia hadn¡¯t stepped in, you¡¯d be scraping me off the floor right now.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t curse it like that!¡± Maxwell shot her a re, his tone dead serious. ¡°If anything ever happened to you, who else would I hand over my monthly allowance to?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 979

    ?Chapter 979:

    He continued in a serious tone, ¡°Promise me. From now on, don¡¯t recklessly put yourself in danger, and I¡¯ll increase your monthly allowance by ten thousand dors.¡±

    That finally earned a small smile from Marisa. ¡°Deal! I¡¯ll be more careful from now on ¡ª no more close calls, I promise.¡±

    Just as that rare moment of warmth settled between them, movement stirred in the distance. From the shadows, Tyrant suddenly pushed himself upright. He hadn¡¯t lost consciousness after all. His re burned with rage as he locked eyes on the path Chris had taken ¡ª and without warning, he sprinted after him.

    Maxwell¡¯s voice cracked with rm. ¡°Oh no ¡ª he¡¯s not finished!¡±

    There was no doubt about it. Tyrant was headed straight for Maia and Chris.

    Reacting on instinct, Maxwell spun around and bolted after him.

    ¡°Have you lost your mind? Come back here!¡± Marisa¡¯s panicked voice chased after him.

    But her brother, who had no realbat skills to speak of, was already gone. And there was no pulling him back now.

    Maxwell had already vanished down the shadowy corridor, swallowed by the dark.

    Eyes turned next ¡ª this timending squarely on Baylor.

    ¡°What?¡± Baylor blinked and scratched his head, clearly confused. ¡°Why are you all staring at me?¡±

    That was enough to send Ethan over the edge. Even if his marriage to Maia was all for show, this wasn¡¯t the time to just stand around doing nothing.

    ¡°You¡¯re not hurt, so why are you just standing there? Go outside and call the cops already! Can¡¯t you see what kind of shape my sister¡¯s in? Ugh ¡ª seriously!¡± Baylor¡¯s face twisted with surprise. ¡°What are you talking about? Your sister was here?¡±

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    He genuinely had no idea.

    By now, the underground ring was nearly deserted, with only four of them remaining as the chaos faded away.

    Mnie¡¯s brows drew together at his words.

    Something wasn¡¯t adding up. Baylor looked genuinely baffled. And yet, Maia had been right in front of him. There was no way he hadn¡¯t seen her.

    Mnie¡¯s expression suddenly shifted, her eyes going wide as a thought struck her like a jolt.

    ¡°Hold on!¡± Mnie grabbed Baylor¡¯s arm without hesitation, brows drawn tight. ¡°Answer me this ¡ª what¡¯s your wife¡¯s name?¡±

    The strange question caught Ethan¡¯s attention, too. He turned toward them, eyebrows raised in confusion.

    Clearly thrown off, Baylor blinked rapidly, struggling to make sense of what was happening. The question rattled him more than he expected.

    ¡°Destinee Watson. Why? What¡¯s this about?¡± As soon as the words left his mouth, he froze. His eyes grew wide. ¡°Wait¡­ don¡¯t tell me¡­ you¡¯re not her family?¡±

    Ethan stared at him, stunned.

    Could they really have gotten it wrong this entire time?

    Not trusting what he¡¯d just heard, Ethan stepped forward and asked again, ¡°You¡¯re saying your wife isn¡¯t Maia Watson ¡ª my sister?¡±

    ¡°Of course not! Someone like Maia? No way I¡¯d be married to her. I mean ¡ª look at me! I¡¯m not even in her league.¡± Baylor shook his head, still rambling. ¡°Perfect. I wanted your help getting Destinee to divorce me. And now? That whole n just fell apart.¡±

    For a brief second, everything froze.

    A wave of dizziness washed over Mnie, and her knees nearly gave out beneath her.

    She never imagined they¡¯d blunder this badly.

    Worse yet, she¡¯d thrown herself into danger for it.

    Trying to steady her breath, she turned to Ethan with visible difort. ¡°I¡­ I think¡­ we went after the wrong guy.¡±

    The entire mess traced back to one thing ¡ª the faulty intel from that private investigator.

    Mnie¡¯s jaw clenched with frustration.

    In her head, she cursed without holding back, ¡°Cade, you better pray you¡¯ve got a damn good excuse.¡±

    That could wait. Right now, she had to track down her confiscated phone and get in touch with her father, Hurst.

    Elsewhere, the night wind screamed through the air, wild and sharp.

    Moving quickly, Chris kept a firm grip on Maia, her body resting gently in his arms.

    Maia remained still, eyes shut tight. Hershes gave the faintest twitch, and beads of sweat had already begun to form on her brow.

    They hadn¡¯t gotten far ¡ª only a short distance ahead ¡ª when a loud, heavy rhythm of footsteps echoed from behind.

    ¡°Hold it right there!¡± Tyrant¡¯s voice mmed through the silence like andslide. ¡°I¡¯m not finished. This fight isn¡¯t over.¡±

    The shame of losing had cut deeper than any wound. He refused to let it end like this. Not without revenge.

    Chris froze in ce.

    .

    .<fn668e> Get full chapters from find[?]ovel</fn668e>

    .

 Chapter 980

    ?Chapter 980:

    Up until now, he had held back. But in this moment, he dropped the pretense entirely.<fn7d33> Find the newest release on find?novel</fn7d33>

    Night settled over the city, deep and heavy, with only the dim glow of streetlights casting soft halos onto the pavement.

    Chris gently lowered Maia onto a nearby bench, his movements deliberate, careful. He slipped off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders, shielding her from the wind.

    The cold bit through the thin fabric of his white shirt, outlining every taut muscle beneath it. His knuckles cracked as he flexed his hands, tension seeping into every joint.

    ¡°I never nned to let you walk away from this,¡± he said, his voice low and edged with ice. ¡°Touch my woman, and you¡¯d better be prepared to suffer the consequences.¡±

    A twitch pulled at the corner of Tyrant¡¯s mouth. Then he burst into a short, wheezingugh that ended in a sharp cough. Blood welled at the corner of his lips and dripped down his chin.

    ¡°The consequences?¡± he scoffed betweenbored breaths. ¡°You¡¯re just her bodyguard. An illegitimate Cooper trying to wear a crown that doesn¡¯t fit. I got careless, that¡¯s all.¡± He rolled his wrist slowly, joints cracking with effort. Blood still smeared his mouth, but the twisted grin on his face remained.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t think Maia would use my own strength against me. She flipped the power right back on me¡­ beat me with it.¡± His chest rose and fell, strained and uneven. His eyes narrowed like a hawk zeroing in on its prey. His fists clenched, more knuckle cracks echoing. ¡°You really think this ends here?¡± he growled. ¡°You can¡¯t even begin toprehend what my body is capable of.¡±

    Your favorite tales are on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§ànn

    Then, quieter ¡ª deadlier ¡ª he added, ¡°You want to y hero? Fine. I¡¯ll make sure that title costs you dearly. Another corpse won¡¯t change much.¡± The final words hissed through clenched teeth.

    Without warning, Tyrant stomped hard and lunged like a missile, air splitting around him as he charged. The ground trembled beneath his weight. His fists roared through the wind like rolling thunder.

    Chris did not flinch. His eyes burned cold, sharp, and unrelenting. Every inch of him radiated fury, etched into his skin like a brand.

    Maia¡¯s injuries yed on repeat in his mind ¡ª her trembling hands, the raw wounds on her legs, the way she stood and fought without a single word ofint.

    She had been defiant, even in pain. That stubborn bravery nearly broke him. Chris¡¯ fists clenched tighter. The moment Tyrant drew close, Chris shifted to the side and caught his wrist mid-swing, twisting sharply.

    A bone popped. Tyrant screamed, his wrist instantly dislocated, his eyes wide with shock.

    After the brutal bout with Maia, Tyrant was already weakened¡ªand Chris exploited every crack in his defense. No hesitation. He drove his foot into the back of Tyrant¡¯s knees, dropping him like a stone. The brute hit the ground hard, crumpling at Maia¡¯s feet.

    The noise jolted her awake. With effort, Maia peeled her eyes open¡ªand froze.

    Tyrant. Right in front of her. Still breathing.

    Panic surged through her. He caught up? What about Chris?

    ¡°Chris, watch out!¡± she cried instinctively.

    Before he could react, she sprang forward, summoning every ounce of strength left in her battered body. With a sharp twist of her hips, she unleashed a vicious sidekick straight into Tyrant¡¯s chest.

    Bang!

    Tyrant flew backward andnded hard, unmoving.

    The impact sent Maia stumbling a few steps back. She barely kept her bnce. A tingling sting shot up her right foot.

    Chris rushed to her side and caught her just as she began to falter. His hand gripped her shoulder, steady and strong. His eyes shimmered with something fierce and unspoken. ¡°You¡­¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 981

    ?Chapter 981:<fnde23> Content originallyes from f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fnde23>

    Up close, he had felt the sheer force behind her kick.

    Even in her most fragile moment, she had risked everything for him.

    That realization hit him like a wave. His throat tightened.

    He held her closer, a weight settling in his chest. Once, he had promised to protect her¡ªsworn it, in fact. Yet here she was, injured and exhausted, because he had failed.

    Guilt wed at his ribs. Anger simmered beneath it.

    Chris knew there was a mastermind behind all this, and now all he could do was find that person and avenge Maia.

    A set of footsteps broke the tension. Maxwell stepped into the scene, his eyes scanning the aftermath before settling on Maia and Chris. Relief washed over his face.

    ¡°You two go ahead,¡± he said, his voice low andmanding. ¡°Leave the rest to me.¡±

    He nced at Tyrant, who was lying unconscious on the ground. The coldness in Maxwell¡¯s stare said everything. Tyrant would not be getting up again. Chris nodded and turned to Maia. Without a word, he slid his arms beneath her knees and lifted her into his chest once more.

    ¡°I am taking you to the hospital.¡± His tone was firm butced with tenderness. Maia rxed instantly, resting her head against his shoulder. Her arms wrapped weakly around his neck. A faint smile curled her lips.

    With Chris holding her, the world felt distant¡ªalmost safe. Her eyelids fluttered closed.

    This time, she did not fight the exhaustion.

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    Raegan slipped back into the car, her expression unreadable. ¡°I am sorry for your losses,¡± Raegan said tly.

    The shaven-headed man gave a small shrug. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I do not mind.¡± Without another word, he eased the car over to the roadside and reached up toward his neck.

    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­¡±

    In one smooth motion, he peeled something away.

    With a sound like silk tearing, the surface of his scalp came off¡ªrevealing a different face beneath. What he had peeled off was not real skin, but a synthetic mask.

    The man blinked slowly, his face now unrecognizable. ¡°This identity has run its course.¡±

    Night had already settled deep, and the faint glow from the dashboard painted gentle shadows across Raegan¡¯s face, giving her an air of quiet control tinged with distance.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to remain so cautious after all these years.¡± Raegan¡¯s voice came low and measured,ced with subtle curiosity.

    From the passenger seat, a quietugh escaped the man beside her. He reached up, peeled off his mask, and revealed a face both polished and sharp. This was Austen Nelson ¡ª the fourth operative under The Mask. Raegan herself had brought him into the fold.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 982

    ?Chapter 982:

    A yful spark lit Raegan¡¯s eyes as she looked him over. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you before, so what¡¯s with all the disguise? And honestly, that shaven-headed look you wore earlier ¡ª it weirdly suited you better.¡±

    Austen gave a gentleugh but chose to remain silent.

    Raegan¡¯s expression shifted as the mood grew heavier. ¡°I¡¯ll speak with the leader directly about your return. Tomorrow, I want you in Otruitho to finish what I left behind.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± Austen nodded once. ¡°But I need a few more days here. There are some loose ends I still have to deal with.¡±

    His eyes narrowed, and though his voice remained even, there was tension beneath the surface ¡ª like a storm barely held back.

    Before leaving Wront behind, there was one more person he needed to confront ¡ª his elder brother, Axell.

    Later that evening, Austen made his way back to the Nelson estate. Crossing the threshold, he was immediately met with muffled voices andughter drifting from the master bedroom.

    A faint scowl touched his lips, and a sharp breath escaped as he muttered, ¡°Looks like Axell dragged another woman home again.¡±

    Rather than disturb whatever scene was unfolding behind that door, he kept walking and headed straight for the living room. In a cold voice, he asked, ¡°Who¡¯s in there with him this time?¡±

    The mansion¡¯s butler appeared quickly, bowing low in a practiced motion. No one in the house dared to offend Austen, the second son of the Nelson family, known for his cold temper. With the utmost respect, the butler answered, ¡°It¡¯s¡ª¡±

    ¡°Miss Rosanna from the Morgan family.¡±

    ¡°Rosanna?¡± That name made Austen pause, his brow lifting slightly.

    If he had to guess, this was Axell¡¯s way of getting back at him¡ªretribution for what Jarrod had done.

    A quietugh slipped from Austen, tinged with disinterest. It seemed some sort of deal had been struck; otherwise, Axell wouldn¡¯t let it go, given his personality.

    Austen let out a sigh, shaking his head with mild exasperation. ¡°If he¡¯d put even half as much effort into thepany as he does chasing women, we¡¯d be unstoppable.¡±

    Austen had long since walked away from the fight for power. The title of heir meant nothing to him, which was why he¡¯d passed the mantle to Axell without a second thought. But dealing with his older brother wasn¡¯t exactly simple. If it hadn¡¯t been for their parents¡¯ dying wish¡ªasking him to stand by Axell¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t be involved in any of this.<fn228c> Checktest chapters at find?novel</fn228c>

    Right then, the butler stepped forward, holding out an envelope.

    ¡°Mr. Austen Nelson, this is from Mr. Axell Nelson. He asked that you receive it personally.¡±

    ¡°A letter?¡± Austen¡¯s brow lifted as he took it, curiosity flickering in his eyes. He unfolded the envelope and pulled out an invitation¡ªelegantly printed and formal in design.

    .

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 Chapter 983

    ?Chapter 983:

    His expression sharpened, eyes narrowing without a word.

    The card announced the uing union¡ªAxell and Rosanna¡¯s wedding, set for the following week.

    ¡°So he¡¯s really tying the knot with Rosanna?¡± Austen stared at the invitation, lips curling faintly in a crooked smile, though his eyes stayed cold. ¡°Falling in love, is he? That¡¯s a first.¡±

    With a narrowing nce, Austen studied the details a moment longer before tucking the card neatly into his jacket.

    Before leaving the country, it was clear¡ªRosanna deserved a closer look.

    Elsewhere, inside the private hospital owned by the Cooper Group, Hurst sat stiffly on the couch, his expression dark, brows drawn in a stormy line. The moment news of the night¡¯s events reached him, he wasted no time. A bounty was announced under Cooper Group¡¯s name¡ªevery person tied to the underground boxing ring, especially the shaven-headed organizer, was now a target for investigation.

    ¡°Leave no one unchecked. Dig through everything.¡±

    Injuries had been reported¡ªhis daughter, Maia, Ethan, and the girl named Marisa were all hurt in different ways.

    And yet, Hurst had known nothing until now.

    Fury churned beneath his calm exterior. He wanted names. Justice would be delivered, and no one responsible would be spared.

    Just then, the exam room door opened, and Mnie stepped out.

    Mnie looked pale, but she managed to remainposed.<fnd12b> Read full story at Find1Novel</fnd12b>

    ¡°I¡¯ve already told you I¡¯m fine, Dad. Ethan and Marisa are the ones who are more seriously injured. You need to arrange for the best doctors for them.¡±

    ???§ÁE ??P?¦«T¦®? I§ª G¦«?§ª?V¦®??.???

    ¡°I understand,¡± Hurst said, nodding as he gently tapped her forehead. ¡°I¡¯ll overlook the fact that you were tracking Maia. But don¡¯t forget ¡ª you almost died. I won¡¯t allow you to take such risks again.¡±

    ¡°I only did it for you,¡± Mnie muttered with a slight pout, lowering her voice.

    Although Hurst let out a faint snort, he didn¡¯t push the matter. Instead, he furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°Is it true that Maia sent a towering guy flying? Was she already injured when that happened? Is she with Chris now?¡±

    The questions triggered something in Mnie. ¡°She was definitely hurt,¡± she said quickly. ¡°When Chris picked her up, she looked barely conscious. But still, the way she fought¡ª it felt like watching a scene straight out of an action movie!¡± Excitement bubbled in Mnie¡¯s voice as she recounted the details of the brawl.

    Soon after, Destinee, Baylor¡¯s wife, stepped into the hospital and happened to pass by Mnie. ¡°What a mess this turned out to be,¡± she muttered.

    Mnie let out a weary sigh and nced at Destinee. She had been so sure Baylor was married to Maia. Now she realized it had all been a misunderstanding. The me rested squarely on that private investigator who had led her astray.

    Thinking about how Cade had ignored her calls made her blood boil again.

    ¡°Dad, I need your help tracking down that private investigator,¡± Mnie said, turning to Hurst. ¡°He fed me lies, and because of that, everything spiraled into something awful.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already taken action,¡± Hurst said, his expression darkening. ¡°Every person tied to this mess will be dealt with ordingly.¡± Cade, in particr, stood out as a prime suspect.

    .

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 Chapter 984

    ?Chapter 984:

    His mistake had put Mnie¡¯s life at risk.

    Had Maia not shown up¡­ had she not known how to fight¡­ things could have ended in disaster.

    And all of it had happened in Wront ¡ª right under the Cooper Group¡¯s jurisdiction.

    Something about it didn¡¯t sit right with Hurst. An underground fighting arena couldn¡¯t possibly run undetected unless someone influential was backing it. Kolton immediately came to his mind. He couldn¡¯t name anyone else in Wront with the kind of influence to pull something like this off.

    To Hurst, it seemed likely that this underground fighting arena was just one of Kolton¡¯s dirty ventures. Framed in that light, the situation became even more bizarre.

    Hurst had always believed he deserved to lead the entire Cooper Group, not just oversee one of its branches. For years, he¡¯d been quietly building his influence,ying the groundwork to take control. But if he were to marry Maia, would that move expose his quiet rebellion against Kolton?

    By the following morning, the Cooper Group had organized a press conference at Wront¡¯srgest convention center. Whispers were already circting, not only about the Cooper Group¡¯s newest venture but also about udius finally speaking up regarding the gossip surrounding him and Maia.

    The buzz drew a massive crowd of reporters to the venue. From national outlets to social media personalities and niche bloggers, everyone had shown up.

    Behind the scenes in a private lounge, udius sat quietly, a speech resting in hisp. He scanned the lines Kolton had prepared for him. After a brief read, his face hardened. Without a second thought, he ripped the paper to pieces.

    ¡°Is this what Dad expects me to say? What does he think I am?¡± His voice was low and bitter as he flung the torn pieces into the bin.

    Don¡¯t miss out g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m

    The trash lid mmed shut with a loud bang.

    Rage surged through udius as his fist crashed down on the table. His father wasn¡¯t just lying ¡ª he was deliberately smearing Maia¡¯s and MCN¡¯s reputation.

    A knock interrupted the tense silence in the room.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, it¡¯s time for the press conference. Should we head out?¡± Kolton¡¯s assistant stood outside, his voice polite as ever.

    Still, udius had no illusions. The assistant wasn¡¯t just there to help ¡ª he was nted to keep an eye on him, to make sure he didn¡¯t walk away.

    ¡°I¡¯ming,¡± udius said, forcing a smile, fully aware he was ying the role of a pawn.

    But this time, he wouldn¡¯t follow his father¡¯s n anymore.

    Inside the MCN headquarters, the conference room felt like the air had turned to ice.

    At the head of the long table, Pattie sat, clutching her phone so tightly that her knuckles had turned pale. She had already tried calling Maia three times, but every attempt ended the same way ¡ª Maia¡¯s voicemail urging her to leave a message.<fne038> Fresh chapters posted on f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fne038>

    Smack! Pattie mmed the phone down on the table. She shot to her feet and began pacing the room, her temper boiling over.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening here? You¡¯d better not disappear on me now, not when everything is hanging by a thread!¡± she shouted, her voice trembling with raw fury and fear. ¡°The Cooper Group has crossed the line this time!¡±

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 Chapter 985

    ?Chapter 985:

    Since the previous afternoon, gossip about Maia had swept across the inte like a storm. Headlines screamed, ¡°An affair with udius despite being married,¡± ¡°Scandalous behavior,¡± and even ¡°Plotting the explosion,¡± each one climbing the trending charts on social media.

    Every usation cut deep, like sharp des shing at Maia¡¯s reputation. Some went further, insisting that Maia had driven Vince to his desperate act by dumping him for udius, leaving him cornered with nowhere to turn.

    The more Pattie dwelled on it, the hotter her anger burned. She could still hear the flood of phone calls from suppliers and department store executives ringing in her head from the night before.

    ¡°Ms. Miller, is the gossip online true? Did Maia actually cheat on her husband?¡±

    ¡°Will Maia¡¯s private mess affect MCN¡¯s new productunch?¡±

    ¡°Are you nning to release a public response? If you don¡¯t, we may need to reconsider working together.¡±

    Those questions, though wrapped in courtesy, felt like knives carving into Pattie¡¯s chest.

    She was certain the storm of rumors could never have erupted so quickly without the deliberate scheming of the Cooper Group. Even so, Maia had been out of reach since the afternoon before.

    ¡°A press conference today? To exin? To face the public?¡± Pattie scoffed, her gaze turning cold. ¡°This is nothing but a trap to smear Maia. They¡¯re making a mountain out of a molehill.¡±

    The thought made her p her own forehead, furious that she hadn¡¯t thought to keep Chris¡¯s number. With Maia refusing to pick up, Pattie guessed she had copsed under the weight of it all and chosen silence as her only escape.

    L??t??st ch??pt??rs in g¦Ál??ovels.c?m

    But silence had no ce now. Maia had to face udius head-on. ¡°Maia, you¡¯re driving me out of my mind!¡± Pattie ground out, her thoughts spiraling in a frenzy.

    Without hesitation, she pressed Rnd¡¯s number on her phone.

    The second the call went through, Pattie wasted no time. ¡°Rnd, the inte¡¯s exploding with scandals about Maia. What¡¯s your take? You¡¯re Zenith Legal¡¯s star attorney. You must defend her. We both know who Maia really is. This reeks of the Cooper Group and udius spreading poison.¡±

    A short silence followed on the line.

    Then, a steady baritone replied. ¡°I¡¯m already at the press conference.¡±

    Pattie froze in surprise. Rnd was there already?

    His voice flowed again, calm and resolute. ¡°Leave it to me.¡±

    That single promise washed over her like a wave, dousing the fire in her chest. ¡°Good for you, Rnd!¡± Pattie gave a quickugh. ¡°Hold on for me. I¡¯m close by. I¡¯ll be there right away.¡±<fn642d> Read full story at Find[?]ovel</fn642d>

    She ended the call, snatched up her bag, and marched out. ¡°Cooper Group, if you want to y dirty, don¡¯t me me for striking back. For Maia¡¯s sake, I¡¯ll fight tooth and nail today,¡± Pattie muttered.

    Backstage, just before the press conference began, Rnd ended the call and loosened his tie, though a private memory stubbornly clung to him. He couldn¡¯t shake off the image of Pattie leaning too close that night when she had one ss too many.

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 Chapter 986

    ?Chapter 986:

    He gave a shortugh, trying to push the thought aside. ¡°This isn¡¯t the moment to drift into nonsense,¡± he muttered.

    As far as Rnd was concerned, the whispers about Maia and udius carried no weight at all. Still, the way the matter had snowballed while Maia remained out of sight gnawed at him.

    He had seen plenty of dirty tricks in the past. Rumors were often spun to sway the crowd. And when words alone failed, some went further ¡ª snatching people, holding them captive, silencing thempletely so the real story never surfaced.

    Was it the Cooper family pulling the levers in secret, or had the Ward Group deliberately spread dirt to rescue Vince? Maybe the two families were in on it together.

    Their goal was in ¡ª to drag Maia¡¯s name through the mud, to turn her from a celebrated heroine into a woman used of stringing along men, and to push Vince¡¯s reckless behavior onto her supposed betrayal.

    Absolutely infuriating!

    Rnd lifted his head, scanning the space in search of Maia.<fn34af> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? F¦Énd£Îovel</fn34af>

    His eyes narrowed.

    The backstage was wide, yet there was no trace of Maia anywhere.

    Had the Coopers and Wards already made their move against Maiast night? Just then, his phone buzzed again, breaking the tension.

    He nced at the screen. It was a message from Elvira.

    ¡°Rnd, I¡¯m so mad I could shout! How dare they smear Maia like this! Saying she plotted the explosion herself? And ming her for cheating on Vince, of all things?¡±

    gal¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe?s.c?m is your update source

    Rnd rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was just about to type back, telling Elvira to cool down, when his phone vibrated again.

    Ding!

    ¡°udius is getting way ahead of himself! He ought to take a good look in the mirror. How could Maia ever fancy him? And now they im she betrayed her husband with him? What kind of nonsense is this?¡± Rnd¡¯s mouth twitched as he read the text.

    He could picture his sister on the other side, raging like a kettle about to boil over. Truth be told, Elvira had already started venting over the phone before Rnd even left the house, and she hadn¡¯t stopped since ¡ª firing off messages nonstop, making sure he wouldn¡¯t let it slip his mind.

    At the same time, on the far side of the press conference hall, the Morgan family had shown up ahead of schedule. The minute they caught wind of the online gossip and the announcement of the press event, their tempers red.

    It was utter rubbish! Their Maia was never that kind of girl.

    Richard¡¯s face turned pale, his hands folded neatly behind him, though his posture remained firm and upright. If anyone dared to throw mud at Maia, he would snap back on the spot, forgetting appearances entirely. ¡°Bullshit! You don¡¯t know a damn thing! Maia¡¯s being framed! Lies, all of it! I¡¯d be a fool to swallow such trash.¡±

    In that moment, Richard seemed to have erased from memory how he once scolded Maia in the very same way, quick to judge and quicker to condemn.

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 Chapter 987

    ?Chapter 987:

    And it wasn¡¯t only him ¡ª Sandra, too, was following down that path. She shot back with an icy tone, ¡°We know Maia inside and out. Mind your tongue! She carries the Morgan name.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s fury turned his face crimson. He even started shouting back, sparring with people nearby. Things almost boiled over into a fight, but the staff hurried in and broke it up before fists flew.

    The weight of their past mistakes gnawed at them. That guilt made it unbearable to hear anyone speak ill of Maia now. For them, defending her felt like the only way to make up for the wrongs they had done.<fn26bd> Content originallyes from FindN()vel</fn26bd>

    On their way to the venue, the three of them had already made a pact ¡ª if udius dared to smear Maia in front of everyone, they would rise together and shut him down!

    At the same time, chatter about the Cooper Group¡¯s press conference had exploded online.

    Phrases like ¡°Cooper Group¡¯s Press Briefing,¡± ¡°The Maia and udius Affair,¡± and ¡°Solid Proof of Maia¡¯s Betrayal¡± shot straight to the top of trending searches.

    The entire entertainment industry was watching. The fashion world, even the financial sector, had their eyes glued to this single event.

    And just then, the Queen of Pop, Brielle, dropped a lengthy post.

    ¡°About those stories floating around concerning Maia Watson, I only wish to say this¡ªquit dragging down a diligent young woman with groundless gossip. Has a simple work meeting now turned into proof of infidelity? If that¡¯s how it is, then should every appointment I have with colleagues be treated as an affair too? Only sharp minds can see past lies. Don¡¯t let schemers pull your strings.¡±

    The piece set off a storm of chatter online.

    Fresh updates loaded g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    ¡°Exactly right, Ms. Hinks! Maia would never behave like that.¡±

    ¡°All it takes is someone to tell the truth; we can¡¯t allow rumor-peddlers to triumph!¡±

    ¡°But the footage wasn¡¯t fake. Maia and udius slipped away to meet in secret, and someone caught it on camera¡­¡±

    ¡°Mariana boiled with rage, even using a knife to stab Maia. Who¡¯s to say Maia hasn¡¯t crossed the line already?¡±

    The noise in the crowd rose and dipped like waves.

    ¡°Just yesterday, she was hailed as Wront¡¯s hero, yet today she¡¯s dragged through the mud¡­ Tsk! Once a woman finds fame, envy alwayses knocking.¡±

    ¡°Who is Maia¡¯s husband anyway? Howe he never shows his face?¡±

    ¡°His wife got dragged into such messy scandals, yet he still stayed on the sidelines?¡±

    The crowd buzzed with suspicion, mockery, and a hint of glee at her misfortune.

    At that moment, udius walked into the press conference hall. He wore a ck suit, his face set in stone, and the senior managers of Cooper Group trailed close behind him.

    The stage lights slowly brightened, and in a blink, countless cameras fixed themselves on the gleaming Cooper Group emblem.

    The room¡¯s energy shifted at once¡ªtension mixed with unease, making the air feel heavy and alive.

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 Chapter 988

    ?Chapter 988:

    Everyone held their breath, wondering whether Maia¡¯s rumors would be crushed outright or proven beyond doubt.

    Journalists already had their cameras pointed and their recorders ready at the microphone on the podium.

    The low chatter in the hall slowly died down, though many people still stole nces at each other and spoke in hushed tones.

    ¡°Do you reckon Maia will turn up today?¡±

    ¡°Why would she bother? Just to be shamed in front of everyone?¡±

    ¡°If it were me, I¡¯d pack my bags and disappear overseas to avoid the mess.¡±

    Amidst the ongoing gossip, Pattie stormed into the hall, her presence sharp andmanding. She dropped herself into a seat without care and swept the crowd with a frosty stare that sent shivers down their spines.

    ¡°Cooper Group, if you dare spout nonsense today, you¡¯ll have me to answer to.¡±

    Hardly had Pattie spoken when her phone buzzed in her hand. She nced down and saw Maia¡¯s name shing on the screen. Pattie¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she quickly pressed the answer button, lowering her voice. ¡°Maia, you finally decided to answer the phone, huh?¡±

    But instead of Maia¡¯s familiar voice, a short pause lingered before a deep male voice came through. ¡°It¡¯s me, Chris.¡±

    A flood of questions and spections surged through Pattie¡¯s mind as she heard his voice. She couldn¡¯t help but imagine countless scenarios. She cleared her throat softly to steady her nerves. ¡°Where¡¯s Maia? Could you hand her the phone?¡±

    ¡°My apologies.¡± On his end, Chris¡¯s eyes lingered on Maia, soundly asleep in the hospital bed. His brow furrowed, and his voice came out low. ¡°She¡¯s resting. She can¡¯t take the call right now.¡±

    ¡°She can¡¯t take the call?¡± Pattie froze for a moment, then her voice rose despite herself. ¡°But¡­ look at the time! No matter howte you were up, you can¡¯t¡­¡± Pattie took a deep breath before continuing, ¡°Chris, can¡¯t you at least wake Maia up? This is no small issue! I¡¯m sitting here at Cooper Group¡¯s press conference¡­ You know those online rumors are already hurting MCN¡¯s business¡ª¡±

    Before she could finish, Chris cut her off. ¡°I told you, it¡¯s really not possible right now. Maia¡­¡±

    His words trailed off. He hesitated for a moment, but with Pattie waiting on the other end, he finally came clean. ¡°She¡¯s in the hospital, recovering from an injury. Something happenedst night¡­¡±

    ¡°What!?¡± Pattie froze, her face stiffening as her pulse raced. Her voice shook as she pressed, ¡°Tell me ¡ª what exactly happened?¡±

    Chris gave a tense summary ofst night¡¯s underground match. His words were controlled, but the heat simmered beneath. ¡°This might have something to do with the Cooper Group,¡± he said, his voice low but firm.

    At the press conference, Pattie clutched her phone tightly, her knuckles turning white as her chest heaved with fury. Her face was as dark as a stormy night, her eyes locked on the Cooper Group executives. Their practiced grins looked strangely unsettling to her.

    She let out a sharp whisper, ¡°Filthy liars.¡± Her jaw clenched, the urge to confront them publicly growing stronger, pressing against her self-control. But she knew she couldn¡¯t act without proof.

    .

    .<fn3666> Th?s chapter is updated by Find1Novel</fn3666>

    .

 Chapter 989

    ?Chapter 989:<fnc275> Chapters first released on </fnc275>

    The fury didn¡¯t leave her. It coiled tighter inside, offering no relief.

    Once she collected herself, her voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°Got it. Just stay with Maia and make sure she¡¯s okay. I¡¯ming over now.¡±

    After the call ended, she wasted no time. Her fingers flew across the screen as she typed a message to Rnd. ¡°Maia¡¯s been hurt and she¡¯s in the hospital now. I need you to cover the press conference. I have to be with her. I won¡¯t find peace unless I¡¯m there.¡±

    With the message sent, she stood up. Her eyes swept over the line of smug executives, a look of pure contempt hardening her face. Without another word, she walked out with unwavering purpose.

    Across the venue, Rnd¡¯s gaze was fixed on a single word glowing on his phone ¡ª hospital. A knot formed in his chest. His hands turned mmy, and it took him a moment to realize he was sweating.

    ¡°This is the nightmare I was hoping to avoid,¡± he muttered under his breath. His eyes shifted from the message to the man speaking on stage. Whatever warmth was in his gaze had long since disappeared.

    There was no doubt in Rnd¡¯s mind now. The Cooper Group had gone too far.

    Narrowing his eyes, Rnd drew in a slow breath. ¡°The Cooper Group. The Ward family. Everyst one of you. I¡¯m not letting this slide.¡±

    Just then, the Cooper Group¡¯s spokesperson finally finished the lengthy opening remarks, passing the microphone to udius.

    All at once, shes sparked, and shutters clicked, every camera and recorder locking onto udius as if summoned by instinct.

    Not a word was spoken. The conference hall fell into an eerie stillness, mirrored by the viewers at home, frozen as they held their breath.

    L¦Á¦Ó??¦Ó ?§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??om

    Eyes didn¡¯t stray from udius on stage. The crowd ¡ª both present and virtual ¡ª waited like statues, desperate to catch his first reaction to the growing scandal.

    udius stood firmly on the stage. His eyes drifted across the sea of faces before dipping low, his posture unreadable. Whatever passed through his mind, he didn¡¯t let it show.

    Far from the noise and tension, a quiet morning unfolded at the Cooper Estate. Kolton casually brought the rim of the porcin cup to his lips, savoring the richness of the brew before setting it back down. ¡°This blend hits the mark today,¡± he said with a smirk, clearly in good spirits.

    In his eyes, udius had always been the perfect piece on the board ¡ª silent, precise, and always within reach.

    That quiet confidence lingered as Kolton turned toward the television, his gaze settling on the live feed without a hint of concern.

    ¡°Maia¡­ Maia¡­ After today, your name will be dragged through the dirt.¡± With a snort, he scoffed. ¡°Wront¡¯s heroine? What a joke. You¡¯re a curse ¡ª bad luck follows you like a shadow.¡±

    Just then, udius¡¯ voice rang out from the television speakers, cutting through the silence like a de. ¡°To all members of the media, I¡¯d like to respond to the rumors that surfaced yesterday.¡±

    Lifting his head, udius locked eyes with the camera. ¡°There¡¯s more to this story than what¡¯s been shown,¡± he said, his voice now steady and clear.

    Those words hit Kolton like a p. His grin faltered. A flicker of disbelief crept into his eyes. His fingers twitched, and scalding coffee sshed onto his wrist before he even noticed.

    Back at the press conference, confusion rippled through the executives seated behind udius. Theirposed expressions twisted into rm. No one had expected this. The script was gone.

    udius was supposed to confirm Maia¡¯s guilt ¡ª to expose her as the maniptor. Now, nothing made sense.

    Fury shed across Kolton¡¯s assistant¡¯s face as he stepped forward, fully prepared to wrest the microphone from udius.

    But before he could act, udius¡¯ voice rose sharply, cutting through the tension. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s true. I fell in love with Maia Watson. And I knew she was married when it happened.¡±

    That confession hit the room like a crack of lightning. Kolton¡¯s assistant froze in his tracks, shock painted across his face.

    Not a single move followed. His breath caught as he tried to grasp what udius was ying at.

    From Kolton¡¯s assistant¡¯s viewpoint, even though the speech had strayed from the original n, there was still a chance udius was making it up on the fly, sticking to the gist and given directions.

    Especially with his strategy of first denial and then affirmation, it seemed not entirely off the table. As long as they could prove Maia was a married woman of questionable morals who seduced udius, the oue would suffice to report back to Kolton.

    For the assistant, how they got there wasn¡¯t important; only achieving the right oue mattered to deliver a clean report to Kolton. But just as he wavered, everything suddenly shifted once more.

    Up on the stage, udius realized his father¡¯s assistant hadn¡¯t rushed in to stop him, and he quietly let out a relieved breath before pressing on, his gaze sharp and resolute.

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 Chapter 990

    ?Chapter 990:

    ¡°But¡­ this isn¡¯t about Maia tempting me. It was all about my genuine admiration for Maia¡¯s skills, my appreciation of who she was, and my one-sided love for her. Yesterday, I only meant to say goodbye before leaving for Otruitho; it wasn¡¯t some secret affair. Besides, after Iid my feelings bare, Maia made it clear she was married and turned me down.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s assistant took a stumbling step backward, nearly losing his bnce.<fn8f97> Read full story at FindN()vel</fn8f97>

    Right then, his eyes grew wide with a heavy dose of regret.

    His earlier conclusion had beenpletely off the mark. udius wasn¡¯t sticking to the script to tarnish Maia¡¯s name; he was standing up for her dignity. As the Cooper family¡¯s future head and the heir to the Cooper empire, udius was going against his own bloodline for Maia.

    Meanwhile, in front of the television, Kolton was equally furious.

    Bang!

    With a loud crash, he flung the pricey porcin coffee cup to the floor, shattering it into shards and sending the liquid flying everywhere.

    ¡°You thankless fool! How dare you turn your back on me?¡± Kolton shook with fury, his face twisted with both anger and bitter disappointment.

    He looked like he aged ten years in a heartbeat, his whole body trembling as if swallowed by a zing storm of rage. But udius didn¡¯t pause his speech on stage.

    He went on,ying out to the press what had really happened at the bar that day. His goal was to defend Maia¡¯s reputation before walking away.

    ¡°My younger sister, Mariana, struggles with mental health problems, and nobody could have predicted her behavior. Yet through all this chaos, Maia has suffered the most,¡± udius said, fire in his voice. ¡°I can¡¯t say what those photographers were after, but their sneaky filming and twisted editing havepletely warped the facts. This is outright nder and character assassination.¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s is your story source

    Atst, udius bellowed to everyone watching, ¡°I, udius Cooper, stake my name and honor on the truth of what I¡¯ve said. Don¡¯t buy into the fake videos and pictures spreading online. Maia never betrayed her husband. She¡¯s a woman of integrity, a true heroine of Wront.¡±

    The room buzzed with shock, and quiet murmurs rippled through the crowd.

    ¡°So that¡¯s how it really was. I always believed Maia wasn¡¯t that kind of person. It must have been a mix-up.¡±

    ¡°Right! Didn¡¯t you notice Maia stayed silent all this while? The truth has a way ofing out.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve said it before¡ªWront¡¯s heroine wouldn¡¯t stoop to such low morals. If anyone uses Maia of cheating, I¡¯ll stand up to them.¡±

    The Morgan family jumped to their feet, energized. Richard and Sandra held onto each other tightly, their eyes shining with tears.

    ¡°Maia never did those things¡­ I knew it all along!¡± Richard said, beaming.

    Sandra wiped her tears away. ¡°Yeah. We¡¯ve watched her grow up, after all.¡±

    Nearby, Jarrod shouted out, ¡°Where are the ones who threw shade at Maia before? Now that the truth¡¯s out, got any words? Why the silence? Speak up! Let¡¯s hear you!¡±

    The crowd buzzed with chatter as the tide of rumors about Maia took a sharp turn.

    But then, out of nowhere, someone raised a skeptical voice. ¡°Even if Maia didn¡¯t cheat, how do you exin what happened with Vince? She did break up with him, and if it wasn¡¯t for Vince trying to reconcile with Maia, how would that bombing incident have happened?¡±

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 Chapter 991

    ?Chapter 991:

    ¡°Exactly! This just shows Maia wasn¡¯t cheating, but that whole explosion case was definitely because of her. She¡¯s no heroine¡ªmore like a jinx.¡±

    ¡°Right on! If she hadn¡¯t been involved, none of this mess would have unfolded. Lucky for us, Vince didn¡¯tpletely lose it. If he¡¯d brought a real bomb, who knows how many lives Maia could¡¯ve cost?¡±

    Out of the blue, a hidden faction in the crowd spoke up in unison. Theyunched a sharp attack on Maia, ming her for all the trouble. The atmosphere quickly spiraled back into chaos.

    At that moment, Rnd rose to his feet with slow, deliberate calm, his presencemanding attention. He spoke firmly, ¡°Regarding Vince¡¯s case, as thewyer for the victims, I will be filing a formalwsuit against Vince Ward. The trial is scheduled for next Wednesday. All the facts wille to light then.¡±

    His announcement sent shockwaves through the crowd once more. Many immediately recognized him, murmuring, ¡°Wow! That¡¯s Rnd Cullen, the famous attorney from Zenith Legal.¡±

    ¡°Rnd Cullen himself. The acewyer and undefeated senior partner at Zenith Legal stands before us. I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s actually attending this press conference.¡±

    ¡°Wait, could it be that the truth isn¡¯t what we¡¯ve been told? Maybe Maia really is being framed.¡±

    ¡°This will be quite the spectacle. His words make it crystal clear where he stands¡­ Well, to put it bluntly, he¡¯s throwing his full weight behind her.¡±<fn9252> Chapters first released on Find_Novel(.</fn9252>

    Explosive chatter erupted throughout the conference hall.

    The press conference venue suddenly became a hive of activity, buzzing with spection and exmations, breaking the previously tense and oppressive atmosphere. Nearly every reporter and attendee began whispering frantically among themselves, their collective chatter drowning out Cooper Group¡¯s spokesperson and plunging the event intoplete chaos.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is your escape to fiction

    Kolton¡¯s special assistant turned red with fury, rushed to the stage, and yanked the microphone from udius¡¯ grip. ¡°Everyone, please calm down!¡± he shouted desperately.

    However, the scene had already spiraled beyond control, with reporters in the crowd bellowing questions.

    ¡°Is Cooper Group deliberately smearing Maia¡¯s reputation?¡±

    ¡°Give the public some real answers!¡±

    Several Cooper Group executives exchanged panicked nces before scrambling to their feet, desperately trying to restore order. ¡°Please, everyone, just stay calm.¡±

    Still, the barrage of questions from the crowd continued relentlessly, their voices quickly swallowing any attempt at damage control.

    Without warning, four towering bodyguards in dark sunsses stormed the stage and forcibly dragged udius away. udius offered no resistance whatsoever.

    Instead, he simply cast an indifferent nce at the chaotic crowd below, his eyes holding a strange mixture of satisfaction and something deeper. The live broadcast cut to ck without warning, leaving viewers staring at empty screens.

    The Cooper Estate.

    Kolton sat rigid with tension, eyes squeezed shut as veins pulsed visibly across his forehead.

    When his eyes snapped open again, Kolton summoned his covert operatives with a voice as cold as ice.

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 Chapter 992

    ?Chapter 992:

    A figure dressed in ck materialized instantly, dropping to one knee and answering with respectful precision, ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    ¡°Go and capture my troublesome son. Lock him in the estate¡¯s secure holding area! No one releases him without my direct permission.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s voice was steely and sharp, each word dripping with chilling intent.

    ¡°Understood, sir.¡± The operative bowed deeply before disappearing swiftly, vanishing like smoke into the shadows.

    Meanwhile, at Wront¡¯s Sunridge Hospital, Mnie burst into the hospital room, her face alight with excitement.

    ¡°Big news!¡± she announced breathlessly as she crossed the threshold. ¡°You¡¯ll never guess what just happened!¡±

    Ethan¡¯s head snapped up at her voice. He bolted upright in bed,pletely forgetting about his injuries. A sharp pain immediately stole his breath. ¡°Hiss¡­ What happened?¡± he forced the question through gritted teeth, struggling against the sudden agony.

    Marisa stirred on the neighboring bed. Her injuries were far more severe than Ethan¡¯s, leaving her only able to turn her head slightly, but her eyes zed with curiosity.

    ¡°My cousin udius actually stood up at Cooper Group¡¯s press conference and admitted he fell in love with Maia. He even confessed it waspletely one-sided. Maia rejected him entirely,¡± Mnie rushed out in a single breath.

    Ethan¡¯s eyes widened with shock. ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    Marisa looked equally stunned, her expression filled withplete bewilderment. ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Maia and udius¡­ How did they even get tangled up together?¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s hosts exclusive updates<fnbde0> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on f?ndnovel</fnbde0>

    Seeing their confused faces, Mnie suddenly realized she¡¯d forgotten they weren¡¯t aware of the online rumors.

    ¡°Oops, my bad. I got way too excited and forgot to fill you in on everything,¡± Mnie quickly apologized. She thenunched into an exnation, recounting the vicious online rumors and udius¡¯ shocking rification in vivid detail.

    Ethan¡¯s face grew thunderous as she spoke, his fists clenching until his knuckles turned white. He could barely contain his burning rage. ¡°These people are absolutely disgraceful! It¡¯s nothing but pure nder!¡±

    His sudden outburst caused his wounds to re with pain again, twisting his features into a grimace. ¡°They¡¯re actually calling my sister a jinx¡­ This is too much!¡±

    The situation made Ethan painfully aware of just how weak and powerless he truly was. He found himself questioning when he¡¯d finally be strong enough to protect his sister properly.

    Seeing his growing agitation, Mnie rushed to reassure him. ¡°Don¡¯t get yourself worked up. Now everyone knows it¡¯s udius who had unrequited feelings for Maia. She never had an affair with him during her marriage.¡±

    Marisa, too, chimed in softly. ¡°Ethan, try not to worry so much. Mnie mentioned that Vince¡¯s case goes to trial next week, and it¡¯s being handled by Zenith Legal¡¯s absolute bestwyer. You can rest easy¡­ The truth will finallye to light.¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Mnie nodded enthusiastically, then suddenly paused as something urred to her. She turned to Marisa with genuine curiosity. ¡°By the way, Marisa, there¡¯s something I¡¯ve been wondering about¡­ How did you end up at that underground boxing ring, anyway?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 993

    ?Chapter 993:

    Hearing Mnie¡¯s question, Ethan immediately swiveled to face Marisa, his eyes zing with curiosity.

    Marisa felt momentarily stunned,pletely at a loss for words. She¡¯d never anticipated Mnie would ask something like this. There was absolutely no way Marisa could admit she¡¯d been following them around. No, that option waspletely off the table!

    Marisa drew in a steadying breath and, forcing herself to appear calm, offered her carefully crafted exnation. ¡°Ahem¡­ I just happened to be walking by when I saw you being dragged into that van, so I followed along, and then I ended up getting caught too.¡±

    ¡°What a remarkable coincidence,¡± Mnie said, eyeing Marisa with obvious suspicion. ¡°I distinctly remember your house being in thepletely opposite direction.¡±

    Marisa¡¯s expression wavered for just a moment before she quickly regained her confidentposure. She arched an eyebrow and shot back, ¡°Well¡­ sometimes life just works out that way. Is it really so impossible to believe?¡±

    Mnie felt momentarily dazed, but then she remembered how Marisa had thrown herself into danger the night before to rescue both her and Ethan. Waves of gratitude and guilt crashed over her, and she decided to drop the subject entirely.

    ¡°Alright¡­¡± Mnie sighed lightly, her face showing a sincere and earnest expression. ¡°No matter what, I owe you this time, Marisa. Really appreciate it. I¡¯m taking back every single prejudice I ever had about you. You¡¯re actually an incredible person.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Marisa couldn¡¯t suppress a smirk at those words, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she pressed, ¡°Come on then! Spill it. What exactly were these prejudices you had about me?¡± She then deliberately put on an exaggerated stern expression. ¡°Besides, I¡¯m hot-headed and reckless, always getting into fights. What could possibly be good about that?¡±

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    Mnieughed helplessly, shaking her head with gentle resignation as she chose to stay quiet.

    Marisa¡¯s cheeks colored slightly at being thanked so openly, something that rarely happened to her.

    She had always maintained her reputation as the tough girl with a serious ¡°don¡¯t mess with me¡± attitude around campus. This felt like the very first time someone had expressed such direct gratitude.<fn3d64> Th?s chapter is updated by fin?novel</fn3d64>

    After several moments offortable silence, Ethan suddenly spoke up, his voice radiating warmth and genuine appreciation. ¡°Marisa, you¡¯re truly amazing! At Wront University, you¡¯re the first¡­¡± He paused, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. ¡°The first friend of mine.¡±

    His simple words sent ripples through something deep within Marisa¡¯s chest. A friend? Just a friend?

    Complex emotions surged inside her, but she quickly masked them with a teasing grin and cocked an eyebrow. ¡°Hey, hey, hey¡­ Ethan, aren¡¯t you more like my subordinate? Around school, you¡¯re totally under my protection. When did we suddenly be friends? Shouldn¡¯t you be showing some respect and gratitude to me, after all that I did to save you?¡±

    Ethan met Marisa¡¯s slightly evasive gaze with a radiant, warm smile. Golden sunlight poured through the hospital window, illuminating his features, and in that moment, both Marisa and Mnie found themselvespletely mesmerized.

    Growing a bit self-conscious under their stares, Ethan rubbed his nose sheepishly and said, ¡°Alright, Marisa. Whatever we call it, thank you for saving me this time. Thank you so much, really.¡±

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 Chapter 994

    ?Chapter 994:

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s no big deal, just lending a hand.¡± Marisa shrugged, but her face grew even redder.

    Mnie jumped in at the perfect moment, asking, ¡°I keep wondering how Maia¡¯s holding up right now¡­ Ethan, could you possibly give me your sister¡¯s phone number?¡±

    Meanwhile, deep within the dungeon beneath Cooper Estate, udius sat with his head bowed,pletely stripped of emotion. He appeared to have anticipated this oue long ago, remaining as calm as a perfectly stillke.

    The heavy door creaked open slowly, and Kolton approached with his cane, his weathered face hidden in the shifting shadows. Neither man uttered a word, the oppressive silence hanging between them like an unspoken judgment.

    After what felt like an eternity, the cane struck the stone floor with another sharp, echoing thud.

    Kolton¡¯s words came out tight, as if forced past clenched teeth. ¡°Are you really my son? Do you even see yourself as a Cooper? I can¡¯t believe you¡¯ve chosen to side with Maia. Do you understand what you¡¯ve done?¡±

    That sharp volley of questions mmed down like a wall of steel, driving a wedge between father and son.

    udius didn¡¯t answer. For nearly twenty years, he had poured every ounce of himself into shaping Cooper Group¡¯s future. Simply put, he had lived without a single day that was truly his own. What his father had drilled into him had turned into aw he lived by.

    But meeting Maia had overturned that entire foundation. For the first time, he cared for a woman with his whole heart, enthralled by every nce, every gesture. He didn¡¯t want even a scratch to stain her good name.

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    ng! ng! The iron bars rang out as they were struck.

    ¡°udius, look at me! Speak up! What¡¯s running through your head right now?¡± Kolton mmed his cane against the iron rails, his anger spilling out with each strike. ¡°I raised you to inherit everything, and now¡ªthis is how you repay me? Have you forgotten what Maia did to our family? How could you choose her and stab us in the back? Remember this¡ªshe seized Aurora Apparel and pushed Mariana into madness. And that¡¯s not all. Her MCN is eating away at Cooper Group¡¯s market share, and you can¡¯t pretend you don¡¯t see it! Tell me, boy! What does that woman mean to our family?¡± Kolton¡¯s bellow shook the dungeon, filling it with his rage.

    ¡°You¡¯ve let me down so much!¡± His voice rolled and rumbled, a thunderstorm pounding at udius¡¯ ears. ¡°You¡¯ve given your heart to the enemy. Do you think this is some tragic love story?¡±

    Atst, udius stirred. He raised his head slowly, a mocking curl tugging at his mouth. ¡°Father, isn¡¯t it true that Mariana has been the one stirring things up against Maia? If she had behaved, none of this would have happened.¡±<fne25e> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fne25e>

    That single retort struck Kolton dumb. His eyes grew darker, fury coiling tighter in his chest, but no rebuttal woulde.

    ¡°It looks like I guessed right,¡± udius went on, his eyes no longer meeting his father¡¯s. Under his breath, he added, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but maybe I was never the obedient piece you wanted to move around the board.¡±

    His voice was calm and resolute, with not a hint of wavering. ¡°This time, I only acted from the heart.¡±

    He paused, drew in a long breath, then forced the courage into his voice. ¡°Father, punish me if you must. I¡¯ll ept it. But I beg you ¡ª leave Maia out of this. Don¡¯t walk further down the wrong road. Perhaps Cooper Group and Maia¡¯s MCN could actually cooperate, and both sides could prosper.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 995

    ?Chapter 995:

    Before he could finish, a frigid shout split the air. ¡°Silence! Do you think you¡¯re in a position to teach me how to act?¡±

    Kolton¡¯s face darkenedpletely, his eyes shing like knives, his voice trembling with restrained rage.

    ¡°If you insist on defiance, then you can¡¯t fault me for being merciless.¡± He bent his head slightly, his grip on the cane so tight his knuckles nched. ¡°I was willing to send you to Otruitho, a ce of solitude, so you could cool your head and reflect. But your reply has angered me. From this moment on, you¡¯ll remain locked in this dungeon until youe to your senses. Only then will you be allowed out.¡±

    Kolton delivered hisst words and left the room, his back rigid. With every stride, his shoes seemed to sink deeper into the floor. He felt as if he was wading through wet cement.

    Fatigue pressed down on his shoulders, making movement a challenge. For years, he considered himself the guiding force behind Cooper Group. He had weathered every crisis and carved a name for himself as a shrewd leader. Now, however, he resembled a defeated gambler, stung by the very heir he once shaped.

    A sharp, metallic tang coated his tongue. Kolton realized he had bitten through his lower lip, and the taste of blood made him grimace.

    ¡°I must be losing my mind. Apparently, I still have a heart,¡± Kolton scoffed, forcing out a brittleugh. ¡°I was never the sentimental type.¡± That had always been true.

    Only one person had ever stirred something in Kolton ¡ª Zoey. Without her intervention all those years ago, he would never have be the Cooper Group¡¯s patriarch.

    But where did that leave Zoey?

    She spent more than ten years locked away in Wront Prison. And now, his own son stood on the other side of the battlefield.

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    Kolton addressed the men standing in the shadows. ¡°Do whatever you must to make udius yield,¡± he ordered to the covert operatives, his voice icy. ¡°I want him broken, but alive.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± one operative responded and slipped into the darkness with others. Kolton blew out a rough sigh, then dragged himself out of the underground chamber.

    Before reaching the mansion, he caught sight of Kiley standing by the main gate.<fn08fb> Discover more novels at F?nd-Novel</fn08fb>

    Kiley held herself upright, faceposed, but inside, her nerves churned. Deep down, she understood her father¡¯s fierce nature. After what her brother had said to the press today, she doubted Kolton would let it slide.

    She hade hoping to shield her reckless sibling.

    Spotting Kolton, Kiley hurried over. ¡°Dad, udius didn¡¯t think things through. Please, don¡¯t¡ª¡±

    Kolton lifted his hand to stop her, his features nk. ¡°There¡¯s no need. I already know what you intend to say.¡±

    He let out a scoff, resignation clear in his tone. ¡°Even if I had the urge to discipline him, it¡¯s no longer an option.¡±

    Kiley stared at him, worry growing in her chest. ¡°What are you saying?¡±

    ¡°That fool caught a flight to Sceibar,¡± Kolton replied, his voice even.

    Kiley¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°What? He really left?¡±

    Kolton nced at his daughter, giving a resigned sigh. ¡°Humph! At least that boy knows when to run.¡±

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 Chapter 996

    ?Chapter 996:

    His next words came out bitter, edged with disappointment. ¡°But he dragged our name through the mud this time.¡±

    He looked past Kiley, eyes fixed on something unseen, and his voice dropped, cold as ever. ¡°Maia needs to be handled.¡±

    ¡°Of course, Dad.¡± Kiley gave a slight nod, her face steady despite the turmoil inside.

    She kept her eyes lowered, answering softly but firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it. Just give udius another shot, Father.¡±

    Kolton remained silent for a moment, his eyes locked on her. After what felt like ages, he reached over and rested a hand on her shoulder.

    ¡°You have to earn your ce,¡± he said, meeting her eyes with a look that cut right through her. ¡°Both of you are my children, so the chance to lead Cooper Group belongs to each of you. From now on, show me what you¡¯re capable of. I¡¯ll be watching closely.¡±

    He let the words hang for a moment before adding, his voice grave, ¡°Starting today, thepany is yours to run.¡±

    At the entrance of Maple Hospital, Hurst lingered at the bottom step, his hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles ached, his palms slick with sweat. Dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit and a tie that passed any inspection, he exuded an air of dignity and polish. Yet, despite his appearance, he kept fidgeting with his cor, like someone bracing for an important speech.

    ¡°Try to rx, Dad. Are you really ready for this?¡± Mnie¡¯s patience wore thin as she eyed her father. ¡°You look like you¡¯re about to bolt. Forget impressing Maia¡ªright now, you look more like a nervous kid than anything else.¡±

    He shot her a nce, refusing to back down. ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯re talking about. This isposure, not nerves. I¡¯m the picture of calm.¡±

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    Just then, a few women strolling past slowed their pace, ncing his way with open admiration.

    The sight amused Mnie, and she gave her dad a quick thumbs-up and a broad smile. ¡°Seriously, Dad, you¡¯re looking sharp. There¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Hurst replied, a flicker of confidence crossing his face. But still, his hands felt stickier than ever.

    Thoughts of Maia rejecting udius spun through his mind. What hope did he have against that?

    ¡°Quit standing around!¡± Mnie eximed, handing him a bouquet of carnations wrapped in shiny paper. ¡°I had to pull a lot of strings to get her number. Maia already knows we¡¯re stopping by, so you¡¯re not backing out now. Just get in there and show her what you¡¯ve got¡ªmaybe I¡¯ll finally have a stepmom!¡±

    A small cough caught in Hurst¡¯s throat, making his replye out stiff. ¡°Mnie, you need to stop with the nonsense.¡±

    She rolled her eyes and let out a little huff. ¡°Call it what you want, but anyone can see you¡¯ve got your heart set. And as for Maia¡¯s so-called husband? The man¡¯s nowhere to be found¡ªprobably hiding from his own shadow. He¡¯s not evenpetition.¡±<fn6f71> Find the newest release on Find?Novel</fn6f71>

    Mnie¡¯sments hit a nerve, spurring Hurst to stiffen with renewed determination. His teeth clenched as he straightened his jacket, slipping back into hismanding business persona. ¡°Let¡¯s move. We¡¯re going up.¡±

    Sunlight filtered through the hospital room¡¯s window, mingling with the ever-present scent of antiseptic. Pattie sat nearby, her hands steady as she worked a paring knife around an apple¡¯s skin.

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 Chapter 997

    ?Chapter 997:<fndbc7> For original chapters go to ?ovelFind</fndbc7>

    ¡°You gave me the fright of my life, Maia,¡± Pattie muttered, never pausing her task. ¡°When did you learn those martial arts? Every muscle in your body was torn. You really put yourself through the wringer. People who know the truth realize you handled a tough fighter, but anyone else would think you just stood there and took a beating¡­¡±

    Leaning into her pillows, Maia could only offer a sheepish smile. ¡°Sorry for making you worry.¡±

    A sharp nce from Pattie apanied her next words. ¡°At least you admit it,¡± she said, handing Maia a neat slice of apple. ¡°Eat this.¡±

    After a gentle bite, Maia replied quietly, ¡°You¡¯re exaggerating. I wasn¡¯t prepared for all that. I guess I just haven¡¯t moved around muchtely, and the excitement got to me.¡±

    ¡°Not prepared? You call that just a little excitement?¡± Pattie¡¯s eyes widened with disbelief. ¡°Honestly, Maia, are you sure you weren¡¯t getting into scraps every day behind bars? Nothing else exins how tough you¡¯ve gotten.¡±

    A memory of the doctor¡¯s visit shed through Pattie¡¯s mind, making her grin. ¡°Want to hear something funny? The doctor said you¡¯re basically a medical marvel. No broken bones after all that chaos. He joked about writing a journal article on you!¡±

    A wryugh escaped Maia. ¡°Maybe I just have good luck on my side,¡± she said, grateful for Pattie¡¯s real concern.

    Earlier, Pattie had burst through the door, her eyes rimmed in red. Emotion tightened her voice as she finally spoke, frustration and fear mingling together. ¡°Why can¡¯t you look out for yourself? Sure, you won the fight, but you scared me half to death.¡±

    galnov??s keeps you updated

    A promise left Maia¡¯s lips as she squeezed Pattie¡¯s hand. ¡°Nothing like that will happen again. But it does mean I¡¯ll need to take a break from MCN for a bit.¡±

    Pattie raised her eyebrows. ¡°Work? Forget that and concentrate on healing!¡± Another slice of applended in Maia¡¯s hand. ¡°Things have calmed down online. All you need to do is rest ¡ª I can keep everything under control. What really threw me was udius at that press conference. Instead of dragging your name through the mud, he actually defended you. He¡¯s nothing like the rest of the Cooper family.¡± She paused, watching Maia closely. ¡°Even Cooper¡­¡±

    The Cooper Group¡¯s people looked blindsided on the livestream. ¡°Who knows what udius is going through now?¡±

    Not a word left Maia¡¯s lips, though her gaze turned sharp.

    A momentter, Pattie brought up another concern. ¡°And listen, Vince¡¯s trial is next week. I¡¯m counting on Rnd to put him away for good this time. He¡¯d better not get another chance to hurt you.¡±

    Once her words were out, Pattie leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. ¡°So, what¡¯s really going on between you and Chris?¡±

    The question caught Maiapletely off guard. ¡°What are you getting at?¡±

    ¡°Gee! ying dumb, huh?¡± Pattie squinted with a teasing smile. ¡°I heard from a nurse he stayed by your side all night without closing his eyes. If you hadn¡¯t insisted on him cooking for you, he probably wouldn¡¯t have left.¡±

    That yful banter lingered in the air just as the door swung open.

    Carrying arge bouquet, Hurst strode in first, and Mnie trailed behind, arms full with a basket of fruit.

    The door creaked open, letting in a sliver of light from the hallway. Hurst stepped inside at an unhurried pace, while Mnie kept close behind, silent andposed.

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 Chapter 998

    ?Chapter 998:

    They caught sight of Pattie right away, and the recognition dawned instantly on both faces. Without a word, Hurst gave Pattie a brief nod before turning and crossing the room to where Maiay.

    ¡°You¡¯ve done more than enough for my daughter, Ms. Watson,¡± he said, setting a bouquet down on the table beside her. ¡°I¡¯m grateful. I hope you get well soon.¡±

    Pattie studied Hurst for a moment. He didn¡¯t seem as cold or sharp as people described. If anything, he looked uneasy. His eyes refused to settle on Maia for long.

    Why would he be nervous now of all times?

    Maia picked up on it too. Something about Hurst looked more polished, like he had gone out of his way to impress. Still, she let it go. Maybe he was on his way to a formal dinner or business meeting.

    ¡°I appreciate that,¡± Maia said. Then she turned to Mnie and added, ¡°I¡¯m just relieved you¡¯re safe.¡±

    Although she had hoped for this meeting, Mnie found herself hesitating, unsure how to act around the woman she longed to call family. Being only inches away from Maia was a brand new experience, and it left her breathless.

    From this distance, she could finally see what others always talked about ¡ª Maia¡¯s beauty wasn¡¯t just on the outside. There was a quiet grace in her posture, a calm strength in her eyes, and a symmetry to her face that felt almost unreal. Maia carried herself with an elegance unexpected from someone who had been behind bars for four years.

    ¡°I only got a couple of cuts¡­ nothing serious,¡± Mnie said, her voice shaking slightly as she caught Maia looking back at her.

    Something about Maia¡¯s eyes ¡ª almond-shaped and luminous ¡ª stirred a memory that had been buried for years. Mnie remembered a golden afternoon, sunlight dancing on the water, as she yed by Lake Yelorne with her mother watching from the shore.

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    Mnie turned, and what she saw nearly took her breath away ¡ª those eyes. They mirrored theke and held a softness that reminded her of her mother. Without meaning to, Mnie whispered, ¡°Mom¡­¡± Then panic set in, and she pped both hands over her mouth, face flushing with heat. For a second, even Hurst looked frozen, as if he hadn¡¯t expected that. His thoughts turned sharp. Mnie was letting her emotions run wild again. She had just called Maia ¡°Mom.¡±

    Across the room, Pattie stiffened. Her eyes flicked rapidly between Mnie, Hurst, and Maia, searching for an exnation. Something felt off. Why did it seem like those three belonged together while she stood on the outside looking in?<fn19c9> The source of th?s content is ?ovelFind</fn19c9>

    A strange unease settled over Pattie. Had Mnie been more affected by the incident than they realized? If she were mentally sound, then why would she call Maia ¡°Mom¡± of all things? After all, Maia wasn¡¯t even that far in age from Ethan.

    Maia drifted into a quiet fog of memory, thinking back to the college students who once ced bets during Ethan¡¯sst gaming tournament. That memory tugged a faint smile from her as she looked at Mnie, choosing to spare the girl any embarrassment. ¡°Is that your way of telling me I remind you of your mom?¡±

    Without hesitation, Mnie gave a quick nod. ¡°Yeah¡­ especially your eyes. They¡¯re almost the same.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Maia¡¯s voice dropped into a gentle tone. ¡°She must¡¯ve been both graceful and kind. I¡¯ll take that as a highpliment.¡±

    ¡°She really was,¡± Mnie said, her eyes lighting up with a quiet joy. Somehow, she found herself liking Maia even more.

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 Chapter 999

    ?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 ¡ª 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 ¡ª 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 ?? F¦Énd£Îovel</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 ¡ª just like Ethan does ¡ª 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 ¡ª 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 ¡ª 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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 Chapter 1000

    Chapter 1000:

    ¡°You weren¡¯t obligated to tell us any of this, Mr. Cooper.¡± After a brief pause, Maia finally spoke. ¡°I¡¯m not the type to ce blind trust in anyone just because of a few words, but so far, you¡¯ve been someone who¡¯s stood by me.¡±

    No hesitation came from Hurst as he replied, ¡°That¡¯s because we are friends, Maia. Supporting you wasn¡¯t a burden. If anything, I¡¯ve gained far more from knowing you.¡±

    Honesty lingered in his voice, revealing his innermost thoughts.<fn9b95> ?????? ???? Find_Novel(.</fn9b95>

    Right then, Hurst couldn¡¯t help but feel a quiet sense of relief. Choosing to build a connection with Maia ¡ª recognizing her strength before anyone else did ¡ª had been one of his wiser moves.

    In reply, Maia offered a subtle nod before shifting focus to what mattered most. ¡°Any leads on Tyrant? And what exactly happened with Ethan and Mnie ¡ª how did they end up in that situation? Also, who else do you think might be behind all this? This matter isn¡¯t simple at all.¡±

    Maia asked those questions with lethal intent. She had no intention of allowing anyone connected to this attack to escape justice. Without the years of intensive martial arts training she¡¯d undergone alongside Zoey in prison, she might not have survived this time.

    Family deserved absolute protection from danger. When trouble arose, it should target her alone. But this time, her enemies had shattered every unspoken rule by going after her younger brother. Such a vition could never be permitted again.

    Hurst shifted ufortably but answered withplete honesty. ¡°We¡¯ve encountered aplication. I¡¯m not sure who spirited Tyrant away, but I¡¯ve already dispatched search teams to locate him.¡±

    As soon as Maia heard this revtion, her brow creased in concern. She remembered that bastard vividly¡ªshe¡¯d beaten him senseless until he couldn¡¯t even twitch. How had Hurst failed to secure such a helpless target?

    Read exclusive stories at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    Pattie¡¯s tension spiked as she absorbed their exchange. She immediately grabbed her phone and dialed frantically. ¡°I need you at Maple Hospital immediately to provide Maia with round-the-clock protection. Also, deploy additional personnel to safeguard Ethan.¡±

    Hurst raised his hand in a calming gesture. ¡°Please don¡¯t worry, Ms. Miller. Ethan remainspletely secure at my private medical facility.¡±

    He shifted his attention to Maia. ¡°I believe you¡¯d be considerably safer if you transferred there as well.¡±

    Mnie¡¯s face brightened with enthusiasm. What a perfect solution. This arrangement would eliminate her daily hospital visits while allowing her father to spend time with Maia regrly.

    Maia thought it unnecessary, but just as she was about to refuse Hurst, Pattie interjected, ¡°Maia, I think you should go. Combined protection from my security team and Hurst¡¯s personnel would create an imprable defense.¡±

    Tyrant could resurface at any moment, and there¡¯s no telling what other threats might emerge.¡±

    Mnie eagerly supported the proposal. ¡°Exactly, Maia. Your presence would ease Ethan¡¯s anxiety tremendously. He regained consciousness today and has been asking for you constantly.¡±

    Faced with their united persuasion, Maia found herself swallowing the refusal she¡¯d been ready to voice.

    Meanwhile, in a shadowy back-alley establishment, Chris slipped through the bar¡¯s entrance unnoticed. After departing the hospital, he¡¯d strategically positioned several trusted operatives around the medical facility to guarantee Maia¡¯s continued safety. He navigated through a concealed doorway and descended into the underground base, where several people immediately rushed to meet him.

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Hope you liked the new chapters dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?

    .

 Chapter 1001

    ?Chapter 1001:

    ¡°Boss, the guy woke up and tried to make a run for it. He hurt two of our men in the process.¡±

    ¡°That bastard¡¯s got some serious strength. Even beaten like he is, he can still pack a punch.¡±

    Just then, another operative approached Chris with a file in hand. ¡°Boss, here¡¯s his medical report. Two broken ribs are his worst injuries¡­¡±

    The man looked at Chris with clear admiration. ¡°Only you could¡¯ve done that kind of damage, sir.¡±

    Chris shook his head. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me.¡± He felt genuinely puzzled. Had he really only managed to cause such minor harm to that guy?

    To everyone around him, his words sounded like typical modesty, and nobody bought it for a second. They figured their leader was just being humble as usual.

    That was when Chris finally realized just how powerful Maia really was in a fight. He couldn¡¯t help wondering how he¡¯d do against his own wife inbat.<fnb6d3> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on F?ndNovel</fnb6d3>

    But he quickly pushed that thought aside. That was too ridiculous! His wife was meant to be protected and loved, not fought against.

    Soon enough, he reached the iron cell where they were holding Tyrant.

    ¡°You little bastard, you tricked me! If you¡¯ve got any balls,e in here and fight me man to man!¡± Tyrant bellowed furiously. ¡°If that bitch hadn¡¯t gotten in my way, I would¡¯ve torn you apart that night.¡±

    Chris¡¯s face darkened instantly.

    ¡°Ha ha ha¡­ Why the long face? Struck a nerve, did I? You¡¯re nothing but a gold-digging parasite, feeding off that woman¡¯s sess. Think I don¡¯t see right through you? You¡¯re just a worthless bloodsucker, living off a woman¡¯s charity.¡±

    Tyrant¡¯s crude insults toward Chris rippled through the gathered crowd, sparking waves of outrage among the onlookers. Chris merely lifted his shoulders in casual indifference. What could he say? His wife was indeed formidable, and he¡¯d never pretended otherwise.

    While outsiders saw him as useless, the reality was far moreplex than appearances suggested.

    ¡°Since you¡¯re so eager to meet your maker, I¡¯m happy to arrange the introduction,¡± Chris replied, his voice dropping to arctic temperatures. ¡°Open the door.¡±

    Momentster, he stepped across the threshold.

    ¡°Two of your ribs are already broken. I¡¯ll be sure to avoid those spots,¡± Chris said, his voice carrying a deadly promise. After all, those injuries belonged to his wife¡¯s handiwork. What he intended was to shatter every remaining rib in Tyrant¡¯s body.

    ¡°Hahaha¡­ Such arrogance! Pretty boy, you walked right into my trap.¡± Tyrant¡¯s sneer twisted his features. ¡°If you value your miserable life, tell them to unlock this door and escape!¡±

    The words barely left his lips before Tyrantunched himself forward like a human projectile, charging straight at Chris.

    Air currents stirred Chris¡¯ hair as Tyrant closed the distance, yet his expression remained utterly serene.

    The next instant, a sickening thud reverberated through the cramped cell. Outside the cell, some people widened their eyes, some covered their mouths, and others turned their heads away in fear. Then came a symphony of impacts, punctuated by agonized screams. Tyrant writhed on the cold floor, his face twisted in unbearable pain as sweat streamed down his forehead. Disbelief consumed him.

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 Chapter 1002

    ?Chapter 1002:

    How could this pampered pretty boy possess such devastating skill? Tyrant¡¯s assumptions had been catastrophically wrong. This young man, notorious throughout Wront as the Cooper family¡¯s illegitimate embarrassment and worthless yboy, had just shattered four more of his ribs with surgical precision.

    Chris stoodposed, his clothing only slightly disheveled from the brief encounter.

    ¡°If you want to keep breathing, then start naming everyone involved in this scheme,¡± his voice carried the chill of winter frost.

    Chris advanced one calcted step, forcing Tyrant to scramble backward until excruciating pain froze him in ce.

    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t think you¡¯re actually stronger than me. If it weren¡¯t for the damage that woman inflicted earlier¡­ Ahem¡­¡± Blood suddenly erupted from Tyrant¡¯s lips as the crushing realization hit him that he waspletely outmatched. Still, his stubborn pride refused to bow to reality. Admitting defeat simply wasn¡¯t in his nature.

    ¡°Absolutely, my wife surpasses me in every way. Your point being?¡± Chris¡¯ tone carried yful mockery. ¡°Sounds like someone¡¯s green with envy over my incredible wife.¡±

    Shock registered across Tyrant¡¯s battered features.

    ¡°Your wife? Ha ha¡­ Ahem¡­¡± Tyrant¡¯sughter dissolved into bloody coughs. ¡°That¡¯s the most ridiculous joke I¡¯ve heard in my entire miserable life.¡± The idea of Maia being married to Chris, the Cooper family¡¯s disgraced bastard, seemed utterly impossible.

    ¡°You won¡¯t taste death until every secret spills from your lips.¡± Chris positioned his boot directly over Tyrant¡¯s shattered ribs. ¡°When you daredy a finger on my wife, did this consequence ever cross your mind?¡±<fnce29> Checktest chapters at F?ndNovel</fnce29>

    Fresh screams echoed off the iron cell walls as agony consumed Tyrant once more.

    Minutester, Chris stepped back into the corridor.

    ¡°Keep him breathing¡­¡± his voice carried deadly authority as his eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.

    Without another word, Chris departed the underground facility and emerged into the shadowy alley above.

    The tavern remained shuttered, its surroundings eerily deserted. He settled into a weathered chair, drawing slow, measured breaths to steady his racing pulse.

    Tyrant¡¯s confession had revealed the puppet master behind tonight¡¯s chaos: his boss, that shaven-headed brute, acting on orders from a mysterious woman who had approached him personally. This woman concealed her identity behind an borate mask, whichpletely obscured her features.

    Chris¡¯ hands curled into tight fists as turbulent emotions churned beneath hisposed exterior. A single name formed silently on his lips, heavy with bitter recognition. ¡°Raegan Foster.¡±

    What twisted the knife deeper was the devastating truth: the organization orchestrating this betrayal was his own creation¡ªThe Mask. The operative running Wront¡¯s affairs was the fourth member of The Mask, known only by the codename ¡°Faceless.¡±

    Chris suspected that the shaven-headed man was none other than Faceless in disguise.

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 Chapter 1003

    ?Chapter 1003:

    As Chris mulled over this thought, a strange sense of foreboding crept in ¡ª as though fate itself had chosen to mock him. The group he had once built from the ground up was now turning its attention toward his wife. He had made it clear to Raegan that Maia was off-limits, yet in direct defiance of his warning, Raegan not only ignored him but also teamed up with another member of The Mask to confront Maia.<fn373a> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find[?]ovel</fn373a>

    Such behavior was out of character, unlike anything that had happened before. Perhaps Raegan had inadvertently revealed something about her identity and was now trying to win back Kiley¡¯s trust by targeting Maia.

    But Raegan had made no prior report to him. If she had, he would have shut the n down immediately.

    Then, there was the darker possibility ¡ª that Raegan had already abandoned The Mask entirely and was now standing with Kiley.

    No answer seemed certain for now. Chris knew he would have to confront Raegan soon andy down a clear warning. If she had truly turned against them, he was ready to cut her out of the organization without a second thought.

    Suddenly, a stabbing pain ripped through Chris¡¯ head, forcing a sharp hiss from between his teeth. The sensation felt as if something deep within his head had begun to shift, bringing with it an agony that was almost unbearable.

    ¡°Did the bullet fragment shift because of that brutal sh with Tyrant earlier?¡± Chris¡¯ fists tightened until his knuckles turned white, and cold sweat seeped between his fingers.

    Maia¡¯s earlier warning echoed in his mind. She had cautioned him against heavy exertion and allowing his emotions to run wild.

    But resisting was impossible. Whoever was after his wife had already drawn blood.

    Chris refused to stand idly by while Maia suffered at someone else¡¯s hands. ¡°Damn it¡­¡± he whispered, bracing himself against his arm for support as beads of sweat slid down his forehead.

    His surroundings swayed wildly, the scene before him tilting and twisting like a funhouse caught mid-quake. Determined not to ck out, Chris bit down hard and willed himself to remain upright.

    ¡°Maia¡­ is still waiting for me to make her dinner.¡± The thought looped endlessly in his mind, each repetition giving him the strength to endure.

    By then, Hurst and Mnie had already stepped out of the hospital. Although Maia had agreed to be transferred, the process couldn¡¯t be finalized until Chris came back to sign the documents.

    Golden sunlight poured over the car¡¯s hood as Hurst and Mnie slid inside. The moment Mnie sank into her seat, a warm smile tugged at her lips. ¡°Dad, Maia is truly amazing. Her eyes¡­ they remind me so much of Mom¡¯s. Every day, I feel myself liking her even more.¡±

    Her mind wandered back to every shared nce and every word exchanged in the hospital room.

    Hurst returned his daughter¡¯s smile and answered gently, ¡°Yes, she really is remarkable. But when things seem too perfect, I feel it¡¯s better not to rush. I still think our connection with her needs more time to grow. If we move too soon, I¡¯m not sure I¡¯ll have the confidence to confess sessfully.¡± With a fond touch, he ruffled her hair. ¡°You were pretty sharp today. If I get tied up with workter, I want you to visit Maia more often. The two of you should strengthen your bond.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely. You don¡¯t even have to tell me ¡ª I¡¯d do it anyway,¡± Mnie replied, lifting her chin with the pride of someone entrusted with an important mission.

    After a brief pause, she raised her eyebrows and asked, ¡°Dad, did that private investigator, Cade, end up getting caught?¡±

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 Chapter 1004

    ?Chapter 1004:

    A faint squint narrowed Hurst¡¯s eyes as he gave her hand a reassuring pat. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. There¡¯s no way he¡¯ll slip away. I¡¯ve already taken his assistant into custody.¡±

    Far across town, in a shabby apartment on the northern edge of Wront, Cade lingered by the window, peering through the narrow slits of the blinds. Down below, two strangers were speaking in hushed tones with the locals.

    The sight made his stomach tighten. Without a second thought, he snatched up his things and bolted toward the rooftop.<fn6800> Discover more novels at f?ndnovel</fn6800>

    ¡°This is bad¡­ I¡¯m in real trouble now.¡±

    A weary breath escaped Cade as he continued moving.

    If the investigation had involved anyone other than Maia, he would never have dared give his employer a false location.

    No one could have predicted that this one decision might nearly cost his employer her life. If not for Maia¡¯s timely intervention, the oue would have been catastrophic.

    Cade feared that in Hurst¡¯s mind, he was already marked as an aplice. Getting caught now would mean enduring merciless torment.

    Exining the real reason behind giving Mnie the wrong address was out of the question. Admitting that he did it to shield Maia would only worsen things.

    His one hope was that Maia would speak on his behalf. Perhaps then, Hurst might let it go.

    Unfortunately, Cade didn¡¯t even know which hospital Maia had been taken to. And to make matters worse, as he stepped outside, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed behind him.

    Without a second thought, Cade clenched his jaw and sprinted toward the top floor, gathering speed for a desperate leap to the neighboring rooftop.

    ¡°Damn it! There¡¯s nothing left for me to lose.¡±

    Meanwhile, Kiley had just finished hearing Raegan¡¯s full ount.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Kiley¡­ But rest assured, I paid them well. There¡¯s no way this can be traced back to us,¡± Raegan said, not attempting to hide what had happened the night before.

    She understood Kiley well enough to know that the truth would eventuallye out, and speaking openly now was the best way to avoid suspicion.

    As she expected, Kiley offered no reprimand. Instead, a smile touched her lips. ¡°Excellent work ¡ª better than I expected. Initially, this was meant to be just a warning for Maia, but now it¡¯s be a real lesson.¡±

    Raegan was taken aback by such praise.

    A flicker of guilt stirred within her chest, and she found herself unable to meet Kiley¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Track down the hospital where Maia is staying and monitor her every move,¡± Kiley said, her voice cold. ¡°Once I¡¯ve wrapped up thepany¡¯s affairs, I¡¯ll deal with her myself. Maia cannot be allowed to stay around.¡±

    To Kiley, this confrontation was only the opening act. The real resolution would onlye when Maia was eliminated.

    ¡°You¡¯ve done me a great favor, Raegan. I won¡¯t forget it.¡± Kiley¡¯s voice softened but carried an unmistakable weight. ¡°From now on, you and I are in the same boat¡­ I trust you¡¯ll never turn against me.¡±

    Her words served as both recognition and a veiled threat. At that moment, Kiley began to see Raegan as someone firmly within her circle. Kiley had never fully trusted Raegan¡¯s abilities from the start. However, as long as Raegan moved forward with the n, she would be forever tied to Ethan¡¯s abduction ¡ª a silent pledge of loyalty.

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 Chapter 1005

    ?Chapter 1005:

    Kolton¡¯s lessons lingered in Kiley¡¯s mind: control came from holding something over another person. Trust could fade, loyalty could waver, but fear remained constant. It was fear of retribution, not friendship, that kept people from turning away.

    A faint smile tugged at Kiley¡¯s lips as her eyes narrowed. ¡°Raegan, you¡¯re the first friend I¡¯ve ever wanted to keep.¡±

    ¡°Rest assured, Kiley. How could I ever betray you?¡± Raegan stepped closer, guiding Kiley¡¯s hand to rest over her chest. ¡°Feel that heartbeat? Kiley, you can put your faith in mepletely.¡±

    ¡°Excellent,¡± Kiley said, satisfaction warming her tone. ¡°You really know how to win me over. If I were a man, you¡¯d have me wrapped around your finger, helpless to resist.¡±

    With a yful look, Raegan let out a mock sigh. ¡°What a shame you¡¯re a woman too.¡±

    Easing herself onto Kiley¡¯sp, she gave a lightugh. ¡°Not that it changes anything between us. So, what¡¯s my next assignment?¡±

    Silently, she understood that Kiley¡¯s schedule was about to get much busier. udius¡¯ sudden disappearance had left no one to manage the handover at Cooper Group, and several of his loyal subordinates were openly resisting Kiley¡¯s authority.

    But for someone as experienced as Kiley, such defiance was hardly an obstacle. Given a little time, she would dismantle every challenge and cement her control over the Cooper Group.

    That meant a significant share of the workload would inevitably fall on Raegan, the assistant Kiley trusted to carry it out.

    Raegan¡¯s remark drew a faint smile from Kiley. ¡°You really do have a knack for reading my mind.¡±

    However, her expression shifted in an instant. The warmth faded, reced by a steely glint in her eyes. ¡°Do you remember what I told you after our visit to Wront Prison?¡±

    The change in tone made Raegan¡¯s features sharpen with focus.

    Almost simultaneously, both women spoke the same words. ¡°Interrogate Shiloh without holding back.¡±<fna655> Discover more novels at Find¡ïNovel</fna655>

    Maple Hospital.

    A faint, chilly scent of antiseptic lingered in the hospital room.

    Pattie¡¯s gaze followed Hurst and Mnie as they walked away. When the door clicked shut, she hurried to Maia¡¯s side. Her expression lit up like a child holding back a giggle, eyes fluttering, lips twitching into a smile. Maia sank into her pillow and shot her a curious nce.

    ¡°Why are you staring at me like that?¡±

    ¡°Ha ha ha¡­ I swear, you looked like a beaming mother who¡¯s just gained a brand-new daughter.¡±

    Pattie finally let theughter spill out, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°Maia, don¡¯t take it to heart. I just had a gut feeling that Hurst might fancy you¡­ The way he looked at you ¡ª there was something in his eyes. I¡¯ve never seen anything like it. And his daughter Mnie¡­ She met you and immediately called you ¡®mom¡¯. Gave me goosebumps. For a second, I even wondered if Mnie was your hidden child ¡ª until I remembered the ages didn¡¯t add up.¡±

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 Chapter 1007

    ?Chapter 1007:

    And if that happened, she could never face Elvira again.

    Rnd¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. His tone remained steady, but his words were firm, like stone. ¡°I¡¯m not rushing anywhere. My business here still isn¡¯t finished.¡±

    Pattie took a step closer, narrowing her gaze as she observed the pair chatting. Out of the blue, she asked, ¡°What are you talking about? I¡¯m a bit confused by your conversation.¡±

    To her, Maia¡¯s words seemed like a quick attempt to push Rnd out of the picture. Yet, Pattie had no intention of seeing Rnd leave Wront so suddenly.

    She shifted her attention from Maia to Rnd, and a thought crossed her mind. Could Maia already know that Rnd had been investigating some risky case? Was that the reason behind Maia¡¯s words?

    As the idea clicked into ce, Pattie felt as though everything made sense. She reached out and gave Rnd¡¯s shoulder a friendly tap.

    ¡°Are you in some kind of trouble?¡± she asked, her concern genuine. ¡°We¡¯re friends, aren¡¯t we? Why didn¡¯t you say anything if you were in a bind? Do you need my help?¡±

    Rnd blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the sudden change in her tone.

    Before he could answer, Pattie waved his words away with a firm gesture. ¡°Rnd, that¡¯s what friends are for. If you insist on being formal, I¡¯ll be annoyed.¡±

    Rnd was momentarily speechless. He was a bit taken aback by Pattie¡¯s blunt and open manner, though he couldn¡¯t say he minded it.

    There was warmth in her voice, a real concern for his well-being, and that made it hard for him to brush her off. He hesitated, his eyes dropping to the floor, feeling an unexpected reluctance to disappoint her.<fn0904> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find(?)ovel</fn0904>

    That feeling was new to him, yet, to his surprise, he had no desire to fight it. ¡°Alright.¡± Rnd spoke quietly, but with a certain weight in his voice. ¡°If I need help, I¡¯ll let you know.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s settled then.¡± Pattie¡¯s grin carried a hint of victory.

    None of them could have guessed that, deep down, she was picturing Rnd unable to bring himself to leave her side.

    Maia, watching the exchange, realized she had failed to talk him into leaving Wront.

    She gave a small shake of her head, her eyes clouded with quiet resignation.

    Since she couldn¡¯t articte Zoey¡¯s motives directly, Maia had to think of another angle¡ªsomething that would keep Rnd alert and ready for trouble.

    ¡°If you¡¯re not leaving, then you must be careful,¡± Maia warned.

    She continued, noticing the puzzled expressions on Pattie and Rnd¡¯s faces. ¡°Not long ago, awyer from Zenith Legal ended up in a car crash on his way to court. I¡¯m afraid the Coopers and the Wards could pull the same stunt¡­ especially after your speech today put you right under their noses.¡±

    Pattie froze for a moment, her features tightening as the realization sank in. She hadn¡¯t ounted for that before. ¡°You¡¯re right. You think of everything, Maia. From this point on, I¡¯ll take charge of Rnd¡¯s safety.¡±

    Rnd turned his head toward her, his lips pressed together in faint disbelief. ¡°You? Protect me?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± Pattie¡¯s brow arched with confidence. ¡°I¡¯m a top-tier client at Bluedon Safeguards. I can have them send a team to guard me.¡±

    She let a short pause hang in the air before smiling with quiet resolve. ¡°Which means, for your own safety, I¡¯ll be glued to your side to make sure nothing happens to you.¡±

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 Chapter 1008

    ?Chapter 1008:

    Rnd¡¯s chest tightened unexpectedly. The words brought back shes of the hotel and KTV incidents, and the memory made a faint heat creep up his ears. Before Rnd could respond, Pattie had already taken control of the matter.

    ¡°Alright. That¡¯s decided. I¡¯ll set up a private office for you at MCN. You have to make sure Vince stays in jail long enough¡ªit would be better if he were locked up for life. I don¡¯t want any slip-ups at this stage.¡±<fn2112> Th?s chapter is updated by F?ndNovel</fn2112>

    Rnd spoke up despite himself. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid this might put you in danger?¡±

    ¡°Why? Do you think I would be scared so easily? You¡¯re not afraid of death, so why should I be? And besides, we still have unfinished business. If something happens to you, who am I supposed to settle scores with?¡± Pattie shot back, her lips jutting in a slight pout. Inwardly, she added, ¡°You think you can kiss me and just walk away? Not a chance.¡±

    She had already made up her mind¡ªRnd wasn¡¯t going anywhere. They stayed in the hospital room for a few more minutes, then rose and headed for the door.

    The door clicked shut behind them, leaving a short, heavy silence. Then Maia¡¯s phone vibrated.

    Lenny¡¯s name lit up the screen.

    A message followed: ¡°Maia, my schedule¡¯s been moved up. We¡¯ll start surgery training next Monday.¡±

    Maia quickly replied with a simple ¡°Got it.¡±

    Her eyes flicked to the clock. It was twenty minutes to noon.

    Why hadn¡¯t Chrise back yet?

    A knot formed in her chest. Almost without thinking, she tightened her grip on the phone and dialed that familiar number.

    At that moment, in the Nelson family¡¯svish vi, beyond the tall panes of ss that stretched from floor to ceiling, the night sky pressed down like a heavy lid, filling the room with a suffocating gloom. A shrill female voice, dripping with venom, abruptly tore through the stillness of the lounge.

    ¡°Maia! What trick did you pull to make udius fall for you¡ªand even admit it out loud?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s mouth twisted into an unnatural grin. She had just finished watching the Cooper Group¡¯s press conference. Herughter rang out¡ªwild, unsteady¡ªcutting through the air like the cackle of a deranged storybook witch.

    ¡°Have I lost my mind, or has the world gone mad?¡± She suddenly grabbed the cup from the coffee table and hurled it towards the floor with force.

    ng!

    The cup sailed through the air in a brief arc before hitting the floor and bouncing away intact, as if mocking her impotence.

    Rosanna narrowed her eyes, her breathing fast and uneven. The cup now rested silently at the carpet¡¯s edge, as though it were whispering that she was powerless to change anything.

    Grinding her teeth, Rosanna stooped, snatched the cup again, and hurled it hard against the tiled floor. This time, there was a sharp crack. The porcin shattered, finally breaking open a fissure.

    ¡°Hahaha! Atst¡ªit¡¯s broken.¡± Rosanna threw back her head,ughter bursting from her. Her eyes were bloodshot, her voice thick with the savage delight of someone who had finally won a petty victory.

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 Chapter 1009

    ?Chapter 1009:

    The things she yearned for were always just out of reach, falling easily into Maia¡¯s hands. Meanwhile, everything she loathed stubbornly haunted her, no matter how hard she tried to escape.

    Ever since discovering she was the Morgan family¡¯s flesh and blood, Rosanna had dreamed of climbing to the highest rung of society. She pictured herself marrying into wealth, imagining the day she would stand proudly as Vince¡¯s wife. Then udius appeared in her life¡ªand her hunger for more only deepened.

    But destiny had other ns.

    Everything Rosanna chased after came to Maia as easily as breathing. It was as if Maia only had to crook a finger, and udius would dly be her husband.

    Even though Maia turned udius down, he still stood up for her during the Cooper Group press conference to clear her name. Rosanna felt as though the whole world wasughing right in her face.

    Jealousy sprouted wildly inside her, twisting through her heart like thorny vines, taking over every inch of her soul. That anger bloomed into deep crimson flowers¡ªpure hatred.

    ¡°Why? Why did udius have to fall for Maia?¡± Rosanna rasped, her voice rough and raw. ¡°He could have liked anyone, but it couldn¡¯t be her!¡± Where had she gone wrong?

    Her nails dug hard into her palms. The sharp sting snapped Rosanna back to reality, but also fueled her growing cruelty.

    Just then, a few servants rushed over. They cleaned up the shattered cup and wiped the wet spots off the carpet and floor with quick, practiced movements. The head maid stepped forward cautiously and asked, ¡°Ma¡¯am, did we make a mistake? Please don¡¯t be upset. Let us know if there¡¯s anything you need.¡±

    Rosanna nced at the four servants, and a flicker of amusement brightened her face.<fn346f> Checktest chapters at find~novel</fn346f>

    ¡°That ck coffee was too weak. Make it stronger next time.¡±

    Rosanna eased herself back onto the sofa, now carrying herself like a truedy of the upper crust.

    ¡°Of course, ma¡¯am. We¡¯ll prepare it right away.¡± The maids quietly left the room.

    Rosanna squinted, a calcting look in her eyes. Lately, she had swallowed her pride and bent over backwards to win Axell¡¯s favor. Atst, the old man had epted her.

    Even though the times he forced himself on her made her stomach churn, she had finally secured her ce in the Nelson family.

    From now on, everyone in the house had to address her as ¡°ma¡¯am¡± whenever they saw her, showing respect.

    Rosanna soaked in that feeling of triumph. She should have been on cloud nine all day.

    But then she logged onto the inte and was met with nasty rumors and the Cooper Group¡¯s press conference.

    ¡°Don¡¯t hurry,¡± Rosanna whispered under her breath. ¡°Soon enough, I¡¯ll get my chance to strike back at Maia.¡±

    Just a few more days until after her wedding to Axell. Then, she coulde and go as she pleased in the Nelson estate. With the name Mrs. Nelson, her hands would no longer be tied.

    She nned to pay a ¡°visit¡± to the Morgan family¡ªa visit meant to deliver her own kind of gratitude to Richard and Sandra for all they¡¯d done. And she certainly wouldn¡¯t overlook her ¡°beloved older brother,¡± Jarrod.

    .

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 Chapter 1010

    ?Chapter 1010:

    Rosanna let out a low, bitterugh. ¡°Maia, I¡¯m not trying to outdo you right now. I just want to watch you crumble, drowning in misery. I¡¯ll patiently wait for that day.¡±

    At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed by the door.

    Austen walked in casually, his hands stuffed in his pockets, taking slow, easy strides.

    When Rosanna caught sight of him, her face changed slightly, but she quickly masked it with a warm, calm smile. She stepped forward gently and said, ¡°Good day, Mr. Austen Nelson.¡±

    Austen happened to be Axell¡¯s younger brother. Since Rosanna was now connected to the family, she was set to be his sister-inw and didn¡¯t need to treat him with excessive respect.

    But during her stay with the Nelsons, Rosanna realized that Austen was the real power yer behind the scenes.

    Even Axell, the eldest Nelson son, treated Austen with serious respect, walking on eggshells around him.

    The butler and other servants showed obvious respect and a bit of wariness whenever Austen appeared, proving his high standing and undisputed control in the family.

    That was when Rosanna¡¯s thoughts started racing. A spark of ambition lit her eyes¡ªif she could win Austen over, many obstacles would melt away.

    Besides, Austen was nothing like Axell.<fn492b> Fresh chapters posted on find~novel</fn492b>

    Axell, who was pushing forty, had a soft waist and a slight belly, with wrinkles forming around his eyes.

    In contrast, Austen stood tall and fit. His broad shoulders and slim waist showcased a toned body hidden under his shirt, giving him a powerful and maic presence.

    Austen¡¯s face was sharply cut and undeniably handsome, impossible to ignore.

    Sometimes, while dealing with Axell, Rosanna caught herself daydreaming about Austen instead. It was a kind of crush that made her a little nervous whenever their eyes met.

    Austen looked her up and down slowly, like a buyer inspecting something at an auction.

    Being the new favorite of his older brother, Rosanna made a good impression. She was young, well-groomed, and kept her figure nicely. No surprise that Axell had agreed to marry her.

    Still, Austen knew full well that her marriage into the Nelson family wouldn¡¯t change anything. In that household, the men ruled, and women never really gained any standing.

    ¡°Hmm, you look quite well today,¡± Austen teased with a smirk. ¡°Even though you stayed up way tootest night¡­¡±

    With that, he spun around and headed upstairs, leaving Rosanna rooted to the spot, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

    Had Austen heard the sounds fromst night?

    But even if he had, why would he bring it up like that?

    Rosanna dropped her gaze, a flicker of realization darkening her eyes.

    Sure enough, men were all the same.

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 Chapter 1011

    ?Chapter 1011:

    Maybe she had a shot at winning over Austen and making the Nelson brothers her pawns.<fn0245> Get full chapters from Find1Novel</fn0245>

    Meanwhile, inside the hospital room at Maple Hospital, Maia stared at her phone¡¯s screen as the dialing sounds echoed in her ears. Her heart slowly sank. What on earth was going on with Chris? Had his headachese back again? Her thoughts wandered to the moment just before she passed out, when Tyrant had suddenly dropped to his knees before her.

    Had Chris been in a fight with him?

    She had already warned Chris not to act on impulse.

    Right then, the hospital room door swung open.

    Chris stepped inside, bringing with him that familiar aura. His eyes shone with his usual smile, and he carried a three-tier wooden lunchbox.

    The tight knot of anxiety in Maia¡¯s chest loosened immediately, her worries retreating like the ebbing tide.

    ¡°Did you wait long? Here¡¯s your food, all the things you like,¡± Chris said as he moved toward the bed. He opened the lunchbox with ease, letting out a tempting aroma.

    Maia watched him closely and asked quietly, ¡°I called you several times. Why didn¡¯t you pick up?¡±

    ¡°Called me?¡± Chris frowned, pretending to think, then patted his pocket. ¡°Oh no. I was rushing to bring you food and must¡¯ve left it on the dining table.¡±

    Maia exhaled slowly, her face softening. ¡°I was really worried, thinking your headaches might be back.¡±

    Chris¡¯ fingers froze for a beat, a light sweat breaking out on his forehead. He had to admit that her gut feeling was eerily spot-on.

    Fortunately, he managed to hold it together.

    His phone was truly missing. He figured it had been left at the bar and had sent someone to fetch it.

    ¡°You really care about me a lot, huh?¡± he said with a grin, steering the conversation away. He set up the small table on the hospital bed and carefully arranged the dishes one by one. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I haven¡¯t forgotten what you told me. If my head starts hurting, I¡¯ll let you know for sure.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good. You better not hide anything from me,¡± Maia said, fixing him with a sharp look. ¡°Chris, remember, you¡¯re a patient. And¡­¡± She squinted slightly. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you exin why you were at the underground boxing ring? Weren¡¯t you supposed to be home waiting for me?¡±

    Chris hesitated, caught off guard.

    Oh no, he hadn¡¯te up with an excuse for this yet.

    And just then, his headache began creeping back again.

    Maia¡¯s eyes darkened as she calmed the storm raging in her chest.

    She no longer faltered or wavered; instead, she picked up her eating with firm resolve. She knew that soon she¡¯d be swamped, needing to rescue Chris and handle the Cooper Group at the same time.

    Because of that, she needed to get back to full strength quickly.

    When Chris returned a littleter, she intended to show him how to cook meals that would help speed up her healing.

    Outside the hospital room, just beyond the wall, Chris pressed his back against the chilly surface and let out a deep sigh. He brushed the sweat from his brow and massaged his temples. That had been a close call.

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 Chapter 1012

    ?Chapter 1012:

    He hadn¡¯t anticipated the headache would hit him again today, especially not twice. If Maia caught wind of it, she¡¯d definitely be disappointed and worried, scolding him for ignoring her warning.

    Thankfully, Maia hadn¡¯t noticed a thing.

    Chris recalled her concerned expression, smiling slightly, his heart filled with an inexplicable joy.

    That brief feeling of warmth made him forget his ache for a moment.

    Truly, love had the power to give strength.

    He caught his breath and readied himself to approach the window and deal with the paperwork for her transfer.

    Still, a fierce resolve sparked inside him. He vowed to face Raegan head-on tonight.

    She had to be stopped.

    If she kept going after Maia, it would show she had betrayed The Mask.

    In the meantime, a room cloaked in soft shadows waited.

    Raegan eased the door open, her face hidden behind her mask.

    The sharp click of her heels broke the quiet with a threatening ring.

    In front of her, a man sitting in the middle of the room raised his head.

    His clothes were stained, marked by patches of dried blood.

    A ck cloth covered his eyes, while his hands were tied behind the chair, and shackles locked around his ankles.

    He looked utterly beaten.

    This man was Shiloh, the warden of Wront Prison.

    ¡°Gee¡­ Another one?¡± Shiloh said in a cold tone. ¡°What do you want to know? I¡¯ve already told you everything¡­¡±

    Raegan twisted her lips into a smirk. She¡¯d questioned plenty who imed to be tough as nails, but they all had one thing inmon: before their cracks showed, they acted like fearless warriors ready toy down their lives. But once their weak spots were exposed, they tossed aside their morals and spilled every secret.

    Snatching the warden hadn¡¯t been easy.

    If she failed to extract any clues about Maia from him, exining it to Kilev would be a tough sell.<fn03fd> Find the newest release on f?ndnovel</fn03fd>

    ¡°Oh? You say you¡¯ve told us everything?¡± Raegan dropped her voice, masking it as if it belonged to someone else. ¡°Maybe we should switch gears and chat about other things, like your daughter in Lakelight, Dakota. Word is, she¡¯s got stunning eyes, long flowing hair, and studies ssical dance at a school.¡± Raegan paused, then leaned in close to Shiloh¡¯s ear. ¡°Picture her with broken limbs, her tendons sliced. Could she still perform on stage?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Shiloh gasped, sweat suddenly pouring down his face.

    His mental guard copsed in an instant. ¡°Please, don¡¯t hurt her¡­¡±

    But Raegan drew even nearer, murmuring darker threats. ¡°I¡¯ve heard girls her age face horrors and exploitation if trafficked on the ck market¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Shiloh snapped, losing all control.

    His daughter was thest piece of family he had left.

    He wrestled with himself, then took a deep breath and dropped his head. ¡°I¡¯ll talk. I¡¯ll tell you everything I know about Maia Watson.¡±

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 Chapter 1013

    ?Chapter 1013:

    ¡°Brilliant! Seems like you¡¯re not a fool after all,¡± Raegan said, gently lifting Shiloh¡¯s chin with one hand. ¡°Now, spill it. Did Maia really spend four years locked up in Wront Prison?¡±

    Sweat began to drip down Shiloh¡¯s forehead. His eyebrows knitted together as he swallowed nervously.

    ¡°Is this question really that hard?¡± Raegan snapped, raising one eyebrow, clearly running out of patience. ¡°You better think hard¡­ What matters most to you? Your daughter, or Maia?¡±

    ¡°I was told not to dig into Maia¡¯s business,¡± Shiloh admitted, his voice shaky. ¡°But I found out¡­ there was a stretch when she wasn¡¯t in Wront Prison, and during that time, there were no records of Maia being there.¡±

    Raegan¡¯s eyes narrowed, showing that she had anticipated this answer. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll protect you,¡± she said, pulling out her phone to call Kiley. ¡°He¡¯s ready toe clean.¡±

    Raegan pressed the phone close to Shiloh¡¯s lips, her voice firm and leaving no room for argument. ¡°Go ahead, tell him what you¡¯ve uncovered.¡±

    After finishing all the transfer paperwork, Maia was finally helped into the ambnce.

    Chris climbed in too, taking the seat beside her, his eyes fixed on her face.

    Maia looked over at Chris and reached out her hand.

    Chris responded by grabbing hers tightly.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Maia replied, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. ¡°I just felt like holding your hand. It helps me calm down.¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m, your destination for tales

    In reality, she was quietly checking Chris¡¯ pulse and temperature.

    His hand was warmer than before, and his heartbeat was steady.

    This made Maia breathe easier. It seemed Chris was pulling through after all. Chris felt a wave of gratitude as he sensed the warmth of Maia¡¯s hand in his.

    For a brief moment, words failed him.

    His heart was pounding.

    It was the very first time he¡¯d ever held Maia¡¯s hand like that.<fn8691> The source of th?s content is find[?]ovel</fn8691>

    Nearby, a nurse watched the scene unfold and couldn¡¯t resist saying, ¡°You two really are deeply in love.¡±

    She didn¡¯t recognize Maia, and quietly muttered to herself, ¡°I miss those carefree days of young love, when just holding hands made my heart skip a beat. Now, after ten hours at work, I don¡¯t even want to talk to my husband.¡±

    Maia and Chris shared a look and smiled, deciding to keep quiet.

    Still, the nurse had a point. That feeling was pure young love.

    Simply holding hands brought a flood of emotions.

    Soon after, the ambnce pulled up outside Wront GoodWill Hospital. Hurst, who had somehow gotten wind of the situation, was waiting at the entrance to personally wee Maia.

    When Hurst spotted Chris, he didn¡¯t show any scorn despite Chris¡¯ notorious identity. Instead, he greeted him with a warm smile. ¡°Chris, it¡¯s been a long time. You look even better than I remember.¡±

    Maia stole another nce at Chris after hearing that.

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 Chapter 1014

    ?Chapter 1014:<fn0358> Readplete version only at Find[?]ovel</fn0358>

    When it came to looks, Chris had never been beaten.

    Chris gave a polite nod and replied, ¡°You as well.¡±

    He held no love for anyone from the Cooper n, especially Hurst, who was known to be a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing.

    Still, because Hurst had treated Maia kindly, Chris kept his tone civil.

    Hurst returned the nod but quietly thought less of Chris.

    As Maia¡¯s bodyguard, Chris should have done a better job protecting her. How had Maia and Ethan ended up hurt?

    Hurst couldn¡¯t help but add, ¡°You need to do your job well. Make sure this doesn¡¯t happen again.¡±

    Just then, his phone buzzed.

    He nced at his phone and told Maia, ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve got urgent matters to attend to. You should go on up without me.¡±

    Hurst spoke his mind and then dashed off as if he¡¯d just run into a brick wall.

    But in reality, he had everything nned out well ahead of time for Maia. Knowing she would fret over her brother¡¯s health, he didn¡¯t set up a separate room for her; instead, he made sure she could stay in Ethan¡¯s hospital room.

    The moment Maia stepped inside, she spotted a familiar face¡ªKathie.

    Right then, Kathie was feeding Ethan, who couldn¡¯t move a muscle.

    When she heard the door open, she swiftly turned her gaze toward it. ¡°Maia!¡± Kathie hurriedly put down the te and fork, standing up to wee her.

    Her eyes were bloodshot, clear signs she had been crying not long ago. It wasn¡¯t just Kathie; Ethan and Marisa, too, looked at Maia, their faces full of joy.

    New chapters now on .c?m

    Still, both of them flinched in pain at the exact same time.

    Maia lifted one eyebrow and quickly said, ¡°Ethan, Marisa, please lie back and get some rest.¡±

    Her eyes then met Kathie¡¯s. ¡°Kathie, I¡¯m sorry for causing you so much worry.¡± Those words seemed to break through Kathie¡¯s calm, and tears started streaming down her face.

    She raised her hand but stopped short, afraid she might hurt Maia if she touched her.

    ¡°Maia¡­¡± Kathie closed her eyes for a moment. ¡°If anything had happened to you two, how could I ever face yourte parents?¡±

    She let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Yesterday, I thought you had gone to the slums early on. But when Ethan didn¡¯te back by midnight and I couldn¡¯t reach you by phone, I called some old friends there. None of them had seen you¡­ I was terrified¡­¡±

    Maia saw the gray hairs creeping up Kathie¡¯s head and wrapped her arms around her softly. ¡°I¡¯m the one who should apologize for making you worry¡­ It¡¯s all okay now.¡±

    In truth, Kathie hadn¡¯t closed her eyes sincest night. She had been out on the streets looking for Ethan and Maia until a phone call finally brought her to the hospital.

    Seeing Ethan covered head to toe in bandages had thrown her into a panic, and tears ran freely down her cheeks.

    Even after finding out that Maia had rescued Ethan and his friends, Kathie still couldn¡¯t calm down; she worried more about how Maia was holding up. Now, spotting Maia safe and sound, Kathie felt a wave of relief wash over her.

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 Chapter 1015

    ?Chapter 1015:

    ¡°Maia, maybe we ought to get out of Wront. I¡¯m scared those bad folks mighte after you again. Word on the street is that the criminal called Tyrant is still out there, and those working with him have disappeared too¡­¡±<fn132e> Readplete version only at F?ndNovel</fn132e>

    Her fear made perfect sense. For a regr person, the smartest move would be to pack up and leave. But Maia was far from ordinary.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Kathie. We¡¯re not going anywhere. I¡¯ll figure out how to bring those people down,¡± Maia said with firm conviction.

    Kathie was about to reply when her eyes caught sight of a tall figure standing quietly behind Maia.

    She slowly lifted her gaze and locked eyes with Chris.

    Under those deep eyes was a strikingly handsome face.

    Kathie¡¯s eyes grew wide in surprise, and she looked at Maia, asking, ¡°Maia¡­ who¡¯s this guy?¡±

    But before Maia could answer, a light seemed to dawn on Kathie¡¯s face. She guessed this man was the reason Maia didn¡¯t want to leave Wront. Apparently, Maia had kept her promise and found herself a boyfriend.

    Kathie couldn¡¯t help but admire Maia¡¯s choice.

    Not only was the man tall, but he was also incredibly good-looking.

    With excitement, Kathie grabbed Chris¡¯ hand and said, ¡°You¡¯re Maia¡¯s boyfriend, right?¡±

    The room suddenly went quiet.

    Ethan quickly answered for Maia, ¡°Kathie, he¡¯s not Maia¡¯s boyfriend.¡±

    At that very moment, a faint smile yed on Chris¡¯ lips as he thought to himself that Kathie definitely knew how to spot a good thing.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s, your source for inspiration

    Right then, Maia reached out and caught Kathie¡¯s arm. ¡°Kathie, I want you to meet him¡­¡±

    She looked over at Chris briefly, then quickly averted her gaze. ¡°This is Chris Cooper, my bodyguard.¡±

    Thanks to her many years of experience, Kathie instantly grasped what was going on. From Maia¡¯s behavior, it was clear she had some feelings for Chris, her protector.

    Still, something was holding them back, a silent wall that kept their rtionship unclear.

    Kathie let go of Maia¡¯s arm quickly and gave Chris a warm smile. ¡°Sorry for the mix-up¡­ Please watch over Maia well.¡±

    At the same time, Ethan was clenching his teeth in frustration.

    Why did that irritating Chris have to tag along with Maia here?

    What if Justiceze got the wrong idea? That would spell trouble!

    Ethan was dead set on figuring out how to shake off Chris.

    Just then, the medical team walked in and settled Maia right next to Ethan. The room held three hospital beds. From left to right sat Maia, Ethan, and Marisa.

    Chris fetched a chair from outside and took a seat between Maia and Ethan. Kathie nced at Chris once more, leaned in a bit, and softly asked, ¡°Young man, you look about Maia¡¯s age. Do you have a girlfriend?¡± Hearing this, both Ethan and Marisa immediately focused on Chris.

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 Chapter 1016

    ?Chapter 1016:<fn7a10> Updates are released by FindN0vel</fn7a10>

    Maia could only manage a resigned smile.

    Kathie always worried about her love life, not knowing this so-called ¡°bodyguard¡± was actually her legal husband.

    Still, Maia herself was curious about how Chris would answer and kept her eyes fixed on him.

    Chris thought it over briefly before saying, ¡°I have a girlfriend.¡±

    He hesitated for a moment, then added, ¡°And she¡¯s the best woman in the world.¡±

    ¡°Sweet and kind.¡±

    Kathie let out a heavy sigh, a hint of regret washing over her.

    Chris was a good-looking guy, and yet, he already had someone special. When Chris spoke, Maia smiled faintly, thinking he knew just how to charm her at the perfect moment.

    Meanwhile, Ethan balled his fists so tightly that his injury red up, making him wince.

    Chris was indeed a yboy!

    Even with a girlfriend, he still lingered around Maia.

    Plus, Ethan always sensed that Chris looked at Maia differently¡ªnot like a bodyguard watching over his client.

    This only steeled Ethan¡¯s resolve to keep that jerk Chris away from Maia. He also nned to update Justiceze, so no one would get the wrong idea about Maia.

    At the Nelson family vi, Rosanna made her way toward Austen¡¯s door.

    Just behind her, a maid carried a bottle of fine dessert wine on a tray. ¡°I¡¯ll take it,¡± Rosanna said, grabbing the tray and motioning for the maid to knock on the door.

    Your adventure awaits at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c©–m

    The maid stepped forward carefully, knocked, then stepped back and turned away.

    Aid-back voice called from inside, ¡°Who is it?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s me, Rosanna,¡± she replied softly. ¡°I brought the wine you asked for, Mr. Nelson.¡±

    Rosanna wore a high-slit dress that gave off a graceful, seductive vibe.

    It was her way of feeling out the situation.

    With Axell out today, the timing was perfect for her to make a move on Austen.

    Almost immediately, the door swung open from the inside.

    Austen, shirtless, gave her a once-over.

    ¡°Come on in. Wine¡¯s best enjoyed together,¡± he said with a weing smile.

    ¡°Why not stay for a drink?¡±

    Rosanna met his gaze and nodded. ¡°Alright.¡±

    The bedroom held a chill that mingled with a charged stillness, as if the very air waited for something to happen.

    With an almost careless air, Austen reached for a ck shirt draped over the chair and rolled his shoulder as he slid into it. He made no move to fasten the buttons, leaving his chest and sculpted abs exposed through the loose opening. A quiet dominance clung to the space, warning any intruder that this was his ground.

    For a heartbeat, Rosanna could do nothing but watch.

    There was a dangerous energy about Austen, even though she was meant to be the one closing in on her prey.

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 Chapter 1017

    ?Chapter 1017:<fn5e6f> This update is avable on f?ndnovel</fn5e6f>

    It felt as if she had walked willingly into his snare.

    Austen¡¯s eyes lingered on her, patient and assessing, while a faint, unreadable smile yed at his lips.

    ¡°Go on, take a seat,¡± he muttered, his tone low and unhurried, yet carrying a weight that pulled at the senses.

    Before she could move, Austen had already taken the sofa for himself, folding one leg over the other with effortlessposure.

    On the coffee table before him, sses and ice cubes were already arranged. With deliberate ease, he dropped a few cubes into both sses, and the faint chime of crystal on ice broke the silence.

    Rosanna remained standing, her gaze fixed on him.

    Rather than take her seat, she inclined her body toward him, tilting the bottle so the wine flowed smoothly into his ss before tending to her own.

    The curve of her form caught the light in a way that hinted at something unspoken, and a loose strand of hair brushed her cheek. She eased it back behind her ear with a slow, unhurried touch.

    The moment cracked the stillness, sending a rush of heat through Austen as though the air itself had turnedbustible.

    ¡°Mr. Nelson, this is for you.¡± Rosanna¡¯s smile was gentle yet knowing as she offered him the ss, keeping the other for herself.

    She had barely begun to lower herself into the seat when a sudden grip closed firmly around her wrist.

    A glimmer of amusement flickered in Austen¡¯s expression as his free hand imed the ss, guiding her into the solid wall of his chest.

    g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s, your storytelling home

    The unexpected pull left Rosanna off bnce, her palms pressing against the hard nes of his muscles as heat rushed to her face.

    ¡°Mr. Nelson¡­ you¡­¡± Her words stumbled out in a fragile whisper,ced with unease, as she tried to push herself away.

    But Austen offered no room to retreat.

    His hold tightened, unyielding, like steel wrapped in warmth. ¡°Isn¡¯t this exactly what you were after?¡± he whispered against her ear. His low chuckle sliced through theposure she tried to maintain.

    A faint tremor rippled through Rosanna¡¯s frame, her body yielding involuntarily beneath the weight of his presence until her breath came uneven.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, Mr. Nelson¡­ what could I possibly want?¡± Her voice held a stubborn edge, though her eyes betrayed her unease. Without a word, Austen¡¯s arm closed around her, the motion so sudden that it stole her breath.

    A heartbeatter, he swept her off her feet and sent her down onto the bed. The space between them vanished as his figure loomed over her, heavy with intent.

    The next thing she felt was the cold press of his lips, crashing against hers with unrestrained intensity.

    ¡°Drop the act.¡± Austen¡¯s tone was calm yet unshakable. ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with enough women to read their thoughts in a single look.¡±

    While the words hung in the air, his hands moved with deliberate confidence, removing theyers of fabric from Rosanna¡¯s body.

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 Chapter 1018

    ?Chapter 1018:

    ¡°You crave me, don¡¯t you?¡± A crooked smile touched his lips. ¡°The finest hunters often wear the skin of the prey¡­ so tell me, my future sister-inw¡ªbetween the two of us, who¡¯s truly hunting whom?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s breaths came faster, her pulse thudding wildly from the rush of adrenaline.

    It dawned on her that Austen posed a far greater threat than she had bargained for; he had already caught on to her game.

    Yet the question still hung in the air¡ªwas she stalking him, or was she the one being stalked?

    A sudden spark lit her eyes, and shezily traced a circle across his chest with the tips of her fingers.

    ¡°What is it you hope I am?¡± Rosanna asked, locking eyes with him, her lips curved in a teasing smile. ¡°And tell me, who was the one who stood here with his shirt hanging open¡­ Were you seducing me, too?¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± Austen¡¯sugh was low, and he found her far more fascinating than he had expected. ¡°So you¡¯re saying you¡¯ve been trying to seduce me? I¡¯m your fianc¨¦¡¯s brother. Doesn¡¯t it bother you that he might hear about this?¡±

    ¡°It does¡­¡± Rosanna¡¯s softugh brushed the air as she looped her arms around his neck. ¡°But I¡¯m not losing sleep over it, because I know¡­ you¡¯ll keep it to yourself.¡±

    Her eyes sparkled, and before he had the chance to reply, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his.

    In the stormy months she had spent with Axell, Rosanna had mastered the art of keeping a man hooked.

    No man who tasted that kind of charm ever walked away untouched. The shift in Axell¡¯s behavior toward her¡ªright down to his readiness to make her his wife¡ªspoke volumes.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m brings endless adventures

    All she required now was a secluded moment to reel in the true power behind the Nelson family name.

    Austen had already handed her that moment on a silver tter. There was no way she would let it slip through her fingers.

    For her, the titles of hunter and prey were meaningless.

    What truly counted was ensuring Austen would crave her from this moment on, bending to her will whenever she wished. That would be enough. Austen¡¯s focus began to waver; what¡­

    What had started as a simple test of Rosanna¡¯s control had already spun out of his grasp far sooner than he expected.

    His breath came hot and uneven, his sight hazy as he surrendered to the pull she had over him.

    At the same time, in Maia¡¯s hospital room, sunlight slipped past the curtains, spilling warmth over the vase on the bedside table. The pale yellow petals trembled as if stirred by an unseen breeze.

    Kathie had spent a while chatting with Maia and was getting ready to head off. She gave Maia¡¯s hand a light pat and murmured, ¡°Maia, if anythinges up, call the doctor right away. I¡¯ve got to go make dinner for you and Ethan¡­¡± Her eyes swept over the rest of the room, and she added with a smile, ¡°I¡¯ll cook extra today. All of you can shareter.¡±

    Then Kathie rose to her feet, her gaze lingering on Chris for a few heartbeats, full of admiration with a faint touch of regret. ¡°Oh! If only Maia could meet someone as dashing as you one day.¡±

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    .<fn583b> Content originallyes from find?novel</fn583b>

 Chapter 1019

    ?Chapter 1019:<fn33ce> ?????? ???? Find~Novel</fn33ce>

    Maia let out a small, awkward cough. ¡°Kathie¡­¡±

    Kathie¡¯s brows lifted suddenly, and she peered at Maia with quiet curiosity. ¡°By the way, Maia, I¡¯ve heard people saying you¡¯re already married. Is that true? Something so important, and you never breathed a word to me. Why?¡± The atmosphere tightened, and the air in the room seemed to chill.

    Marisa let out a quiet click of her tongue.

    She hadn¡¯t imagined the older woman¡ªclearly someone from Maia¡¯s family¡ªwould be unaware of Maia¡¯s supposed marriage.

    The situation struck her as strange.

    Either Maia was hiding something she couldn¡¯t reveal, or¡­ the whole marriage was a sham.

    Before Maia could get a word in, Ethan cut her off, quick to guard his sister¡¯s secret. ¡°Kathie, don¡¯t pay attention to idle talk. If Maia were really married, she¡¯d have told us.¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes slid toward her brother, a silent nod in her gaze. Good boy. He still remembered the promise and knew how to cover for her.

    Kathie mulled it over, then let out a small sigh with a smile. ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right. Still, talk like that only starts because your sister hasn¡¯t got a boyfriend yet.¡±

    Chris¡¯ brows gave the faintest twitch at thatment, a sudden thought shing through his mind.

    He almost blurted, ¡°Who says she doesn¡¯t? I¡¯m right here, and I¡¯m her legal husband.¡±

    But when he caught Maia¡¯s look from the corner of his eye, he bit back the words.

    His wife must have her own reasons for keeping the marriage under wraps from Ethan and Kathie.

    He also refused to let Maia be a bigger target for the Cooper Group because of who he was.

    With Kolton still in the picture, he wouldn¡¯t dare expose Maia as his wife. But a thought crept into his mind¡ªit was about time to stop living behind a mask.

    Chris, a man with many identities, had spent years in silence, gathering power in the dark, all for the day he could take revenge for himself and his parents. The bullet fragment in his brain kept whispering the same warning¡ªhe had to wipe out the Cooper family, root and branch.

    At the same time, before his worsening headaches pushed him toward something more dangerous, he longed to tell the world that Maia was his wife. Just then, Kathie¡¯s sigh broke the quiet once more. ¡°That¡¯s true. If Maia really had a husband, he¡¯d have shown up to visit her.¡±

    Maia let her eyes drift softly toward Chris, a faint curve forming at the corners of her mouth. Anyone who had imed her husband wouldn¡¯t turn up had clearly been wrong.

    Not only had hee, but he¡¯d also gone to the trouble of making her a spread of tasty food.

    On top of that, the whole ordeal had left him so racked with guilt and anger that his old headache had red up again.

    Ethan, however, grew even hotter under the cor when he heard about it.

    He snorted. ¡°Exactly! That means Maia isn¡¯t truly married at all.¡±

    In his rush of emotion, he made his injury worse, and his face drained of color. Still, he pushed on stubbornly. ¡°Maia, tell me this¡­ Is there any man alive who would stay away when his wife¡¯s been hurt? Could you even call such a man a husband?¡±

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 Chapter 1020

    Chapter 1020:

    That had been eating at Ethan for a long while, and now he finally let it out.

    ¡°When I¡¯m grown, I¡¯ll never be that kind of man.¡± He fixed his gaze on Maia. ¡°Even if you¡¯ve got your reasons for staying with him, a man like that¡¯s hopeless as a husband.¡±

    Chris got the odd feeling that Ethan¡¯s words were aimed right at him, but he had no way to refute them.

    The whole thing left him seething inside.

    Kathie smacked her thigh as a memory of her own unhappy marriage from years ago shed through her mind. She quickly added her voice to theints.

    ¡°Exactly! A fellow like that can¡¯t really call himself a man. Ethan, when you¡¯re grown, don¡¯t you dare turn out like him. You must be the kind of husband who stands by his wife and looks after her, you hear?¡±

    ¡°I certainly will!¡± Ethan replied with determination, hoping Maia would understand his point.

    In his heart, he wished she would cut ties with the man who never came when she needed him and, better yet, file for divorce once she got out of the hospital.

    Now that Justiceze¡ªHurst himself¡ªwas right there in front of them and likely to drop by often, the timing couldn¡¯t be better.

    Ethan vowed to find a way for those two to push past the invisible walls between them and show his sister the kind of man she could truly count on for the rest of her life.

    Yet, Maia found herself matching Chris with the image of the man Kathie had just described.

    She believed Chris was truly amazing.

    Read more chapters at g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls

    He paid close attention to her needs and showed genuine kindness. Plus, his cooking skills were nothing short of impressive.

    Only she was aware of these things, and that was all that mattered. Even if thousands called him a scoundrel or a womanizer, his consistent behavior over time had proven he was someone she could trust for life.

    Meanwhile, Marisa felt her heart skip a beat as she listened to their talk.

    What exactly was Ethan saying right there in front of her?

    It sounded like he was telling her, ¡°Marisa, when I grow up, I¡¯ll be a man who truly cares for his wife. You don¡¯t want to miss your chance with me¡­¡± Could this be a subtle way of showing his affection for her?<fn3fa8> Content originallyes from Find~Novel</fn3fa8>

    Marisa shook her head, scolding herself for letting her thoughts run wild¡ªimagining Ethan in a sharp suit, down on one knee, asking for her hand. ¡°Oh dear! Marisa, are you bing a hopeless romantic?¡± she quietly mocked herself.

    ¡°Yeah, Ethan, Kathie¡¯s spot on. I believe you¡¯ll turn out to be a great man someday,¡± Maia said with encouragement.

    Ethan knitted his brows just a bit.

    He had been so clear with his point, yet it felt like Maia just didn¡¯t get it. He let out a deep sigh. ¡°Of course, I¡¯d never skip a chance to be there for my wife.¡±

    Then, Ethan looked away.

    Suddenly, Maia noticed her brother was lost in thought, brooding.

    She figured it was best to exin thingster.

    If he found out her husband was Chris¡ªthe very man sitting beside her¡ªit might be tough for him to swallow, not to mention Marisa was in the room too.

    .

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: New novels in a few hous dear readers. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (?? ? ??)?

    .

 Chapter 1021

    ?Chapter 1021:

    ¡°All right then. I¡¯ll head back and whip up some food to keep you all going,¡± Kathie said as she turned to leave.

    At that point, Ethan, his frustration mounting, turned to Chris and said, ¡°Hey, bodyguard, could you grab my phone for me?¡±

    Chris paused briefly but then picked up the phone from the nightstand and handed it over. ¡°Want me to make the call for you?¡±

    ¡°No, I got it. I can type.¡± Despite the pain, Ethan took the phone and opened Twitter, beginning to draft a message.

    He needed toy out what was going on to ¡°Justiceze¡± and make sure his feelings about Maia were crystal clear.

    Meanwhile, the real Justiceze¡ªChris himself¡ªremainedpletely oblivious, busy filling a ss with water for Maia.

    But Marisa felt like the world had just caved in around her.

    She had been mortified by her wild daydreams just a moment ago, but now a wave of doubt and bitterness washed over her.

    Ethan was still texting someone, even with everything going on?

    Who in the world could that be?

    Maybe it was Mnie?

    Ugh¡­ The thought stung worse than a p to the face!

    ¡°Ethan, I¡¯ve been through so much trying to support you¡­¡± her inner voice muttered in frustration.

    A weird sense of rivalry bubbled up inside Marisa, pushing her to shut her eyes and silently size herself up against Mnie.

    Your next story starts here: g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Did Ethan prefer girls like Mnie?

    Marisa wondered if it was because she usually kept things low-key with her style. But she had made an effort for him before, hadn¡¯t she?

    Refusing to sit and wait, she knew she had to sneak in a moment to ask him what type of girls he was into.

    Out of the blue, Chris¡¯ phone buzzed.

    A private message popped up on Twitter from ¡°Winters.¡± It turned out to be the exact message Ethan had just typed out. Hearing the notification, Ethan snapped his gaze up at Chris.

    A soft wind from the sea drifted through the air.

    The old warehouse at the harbor¡¯s edge, usually quiet except for the wavespping at the shore, had suddenlye alive with men in ck suits. The longstanding calm had been shattered.

    Hurst, mistaken by Ethan as Justiceze, had just arrived, looking travel-worn. He wore a dark suit cut to perfection, his jacket left open, and the top two buttons of his shirt undone. His face radiated a calm, icyposure. The moment Hurst stepped in, a crowd of people lined up to show respect.

    ¡°Good day, Mr. Cooper.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Cooper.¡±

    In near-perfect unison, dozens of voices rang out from inside the warehouse. They all bowed in sync, their eyes showing both respect and fear, their gestures sharp and coordinated.

    Hurst gave a slight nod, used to this kind of disy, and motioned for everyone to fall back into their ces.

    .<fn1853> Get full chapters from find?novel</fn1853>

    .

    .

 Chapter 1022

    ?Chapter 1022:

    He had just gotten word that his men had cornered Cade on some rooftop. That private eye had shown nerve when feeding lies to Mnie, but now he looked like a scared rabbit trying to slip away.

    Instead of making a daring leap across two roofs, he had crouched on the edge, yelling, ¡°I have something important to say. I need to see your boss, Hurst Cooper.¡±

    A reckless idiot! That was exactly what Hurst thought of Cade. With that in mind, he strode boldly deeper into the warehouse.

    One of his men stationed at the door quickly moved up to lead him.

    Walking past rows of old wooden crates, Hurst noticed the heavy mix of sea air and cold metal hanging in the space. Finally, under the glow of a lone overheadmp, heid eyes on Cade.

    Cade was shirtless, his hands bound behind him with ropes as thick as fingers, cutting into his skin. His wrists bore bloody marks, and his ankles were tightly secured.

    At the sound of approaching footsteps, Cade slowly lifted his eyes.

    The sight of Hurst drew a mocking grin across Cade¡¯s face, and he spat out saliva tinged with blood.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, you took your sweet time¡­ Anyter, and all you¡¯d find is my dead body.¡±

    Hurst¡¯s face showed no flicker of emotion as he settled into a chair brought by his men, checking his watch. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for games. You¡¯ve got five minutes to talk.¡±

    His eyes hardened as they fixed on Cade. ¡°Cade isn¡¯t your real name. You used to be special forces, Emilio Riley. I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re no fool.¡±

    Your escape begins at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Cade¡¯s eyelids jerked sharply. This secret identity had stayed buried for years, yet Hurst had dug it up without missing a beat.

    Forcing a grin, Cade said, ¡°I never thought you¡¯d dig up my past, Mr. Cooper.¡±<fn9521> Newest update provided by find(?)ovel</fn9521>

    Hurst¡¯s voice carried no warmth. ¡°You have four minutes and twenty seconds.¡±

    Cade¡¯s smile vanished in an instant.

    He had studied Hurst carefully, aware that this man was far from ordinary.

    As head of the Cooper family branch, Hurst¡¯s influence stretched beyond the fa?ade of a ¡°wine merchant,¡± with control over countless ventures, many outside Wront.

    Even more crucial, Hurst had military experience. After leaving the service, he recruited veterans, assembling not only resources but a cadre of elite, battle-hardened subordinates.

    Like now, these armed men moved with the precision of trained professionals.

    ¡°Wow, wow, wow¡­ Mr. Cooper, are you being serious? You wouldn¡¯t actually kill me and dump me in the sea for the sharks, would you?¡± Cade had already smelled the brine and heard the crashing waves. If he ended up in the water, no one would ever know who¡¯d done it.

    His thoughts raced as he begged, ¡°Come on¡­ We both came from the military. Technically, we¡¯ve got some history inmon.¡±

    ¡°Four minutes,¡± Hurst said tly, irritation creeping into his voice at the detective¡¯s rambling.

    Luckily, Mnie hadn¡¯t been hurt this time, but it still sent a jolt through him as a father.

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 Chapter 1023

    ?Chapter 1023:

    Anyone who threatened his daughter deserved a swift end.

    ¡°Damn it! Hold on a second!¡± Cade shouted in a panic, veins standing out on his forehead. ¡°This whole mess was a coincidence. I had no clue why your daughter was digging into Maia Watson. I only gave her a fake address to keep Maia safe. Who could¡¯ve guessed it would blow up like this?¡±

    He sucked in a deep breath and pressed on, ¡°I swear I¡¯m telling the truth. Didn¡¯t your Cooper Group sh with Maia? I acted because I support her. She¡¯s someone I respect, a legend in Wront known for her courage.¡±

    Yet no matter what he said, Hurst¡¯s expression remained unmoved, his eyes devoid of any trust.

    He only nced at his watch. ¡°Two minutes.¡±

    ¡°Fuck! Are you even hearing me?¡± Cade snapped, frustration boiling over, ready to fight to the end.

    ¡°Do whatever you want! Kill me if that¡¯s your n!¡± He clenched his teeth and spat out a sneer. ¡°Hurst Cooper, don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t see it¡ªyou¡¯ve got feelings for Maia, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Those words hit like a stone cast into water.

    Cade made onest, desperate plea. ¡°Let me go, and I can be of use to you.¡±

    Hurst¡¯s eyes lifted, holding a steady re for several moments before he let his lids fall shut once more.

    Not missing the unspoken order, his subordinate reached for the pistol at his waist. The sound of the slide snapping into ce sliced through the tense air.

    A tight knot formed in Cade¡¯s throat, but he forced his voice to rise. ¡°I¡¯ve dug up something about Maia¡ªabout her real parents. She¡¯s been desperate to learn where she came from. This could put you in her good graces. End me now, and you¡¯ll regret it for the rest of your life,¡± he shouted, his words tumbling out in urgency.

    Find your favorite stories at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s., conn

    Hurst stayed silent for a moment, then replied calmly, ¡°Wait.¡±

    His subordinate immediately lowered the gun.<fneef0> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? F¦ÉndNovel</fneef0>

    Hurst slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile forming on his lips. ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m a man who deals in opportunities. If you had this kind of leverage, you should have put it on the table sooner.¡±

    He rose from his seat, eyes scanning the area with quiet authority. ¡°Why are you still standing there? Release my friend.¡±

    A nervous swallow moved through Cade¡¯s throat, the weight of relief settling on him for the moment.

    Behind the calm fa?ade, Hurst revealed a side of himself few ever got to witness.

    The word ¡°friend¡± lingered in Cade¡¯s mind, wrapped in bitter irony.

    In fact, Cade had lied.

    He hadn¡¯t found any concrete information about Maia¡¯s parents.

    All he had uncovered was Maia¡¯s n to dig into their past, with the slums as her next destination.

    Inside Maia¡¯s hospital room, Chris¡¯ eyes were fixed on his phone, a faint curve of amusement tugging at his lips.

    Glowing on the screen was a private message from his online friend, Winters. ¡°Justiceze, I need to know something. You¡¯ve always been fiercely protective of Maia online. Is there something more?¡± The words nearly made Chrisugh out loud.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 1024

    ?Chapter 1024:

    Ethan had asked him to fetch the phone and, despite being in pain, had typed that question as if it were a matter of life and death.

    How could anyone not see it?

    His feelings for Maia went far beyond mere affection.

    Maia wasn¡¯t just someone he liked¡ªshe was his wife.

    For Chris, Maia¡¯s life mattered more than his own, and there was no danger he wouldn¡¯t face to keep her safe.

    After a brief pause, Chris tapped out his answer. ¡°Absolutely. No one supports Maia more than I do.¡±

    From the hospital bed, Ethan¡¯s gaze tracked Chris¡¯ fingers as they moved across the screen. A fleeting suspicion crossed his mind that he might have just sent a private message to Chris.

    He gave a small shake of his head, brushing the notion aside. No, that was absurd¡ªsurely it was nothing more than chance.

    Looking at Chris¡¯ expression as he typed, Ethan thought that he was chatting with a woman.

    A wide grin spread across Chris¡¯ face, and he even cast a nce in Maia¡¯s direction once the message was sent.

    Damn it. Ethan¡¯s chest burned with the urge to jab at Chris¡¯ shameless, flirty eyes.

    How could Chris sit there, chatting so cheerfully with another woman, right in front of Maia?

    Worse, every so often, he turned toward her wearing that foolish, gentle smile. There was no doubt in Ethan¡¯s mind¡ªChris¡¯ feelings for Maia were far from pure.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§àm, where stories thrive

    Why would she ever hire someone like that to guard her? It was no different from letting a fox into the henhouse.

    Determined to address it, Ethan resolved to send ¡°Justiceze¡± a direct message.

    Once his decision was made, he typed, ¡°I need to be honest with you. Don¡¯t be shocked¡ªI¡¯m actually Maia¡¯s younger brother.¡± A gentle buzz came from Chris¡¯ phone almost instantly.

    Ethan¡¯s eyes narrowed. Could this really be just another coincidence? When he nced down at the screen, the reply read, ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re Ethan Watson. I already knew.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s fingers trembled against the phone, and a rush of excitement surged through him.

    It turned out Hurst had been aware from the very start that he was Maia¡¯s brother.

    That was¡­ wonderful!

    Memories of the ident shed in Ethan¡¯s mind¡ªhow Hurst had shown the same level of worry as Mnie, arranged the hospital, paid for every treatment, and handled countless other details.

    All this time, he realized, he had been the only one left in the dark.

    Without wasting a moment, Ethanposed another message. ¡°Didn¡¯t think you¡¯d figure it out so soon. Truth is¡­ I¡¯ve got a pretty good idea who you are, too. Hopefully, you make the most of it and, someday, end up as Maia¡¯s husband, protecting her and chasing all the unhappiness away from her life.¡±

    Ethan stared at the lines glowing on his phone screen, the words he had just typed weighing heavier than any secret he had ever carried. His heart pounded so hard it felt ready to burst from his chest.

    .

    .<fneddd> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n f?ndnovel</fneddd>

    .

 Chapter 1025

    ?Chapter 1025:

    Even his breathing seemed strained, every inhale thick with anxiety.

    Sending that private message meant revealing everything¡ªno room left to retreat, no way to hide.

    He lingered for a heartbeat, his thumb hovering above the send button, summoning every shred of courage he could muster. Then, with a hesitant tap, the message was gone.

    For a long while, he kept his eyes fixed on the screen, waiting for the reply that never came.

    Time crawled forward with deliberate cruelty, each second stretching longer than thest, as though some invisible force was holding it in ce.

    At that moment, Chris turned his head, casting a half-smile at Ethan, and asked gently, ¡°Would you like some fruit? I can peel an apple for you.¡±

    Of course, Chris had seen Ethan¡¯s message and was tempted to reply, ¡°I¡¯m already your brother-inw now.¡±

    But he held his tongue. That was Maia¡¯s news to share, not his.

    Hence, he didn¡¯t respond.

    Ethan shook his head. ¡°No, thank you. I do not want any.¡±

    The soft chime of Chris¡¯ ringtone cut through the air.

    Out of the corner of his eye, Ethan caught the screen lighting up¡ªan image of a woman¡¯s avatar shing across it.

    The change in Chris¡¯ expression was immediate.

    The easy warmth faded, reced by something colder, harder, as though a gust of icy wind had swept through him.

    ?¦Ò???? ¦Ô???????????? ¦É?? ?????????????????.??????

    A woman? Ethan¡¯s stomach dropped. His gaze darted between Chris and the phone, his mind working fast.

    Chris narrowed his eyes, the muscles in his jaw tightening as he swallowed his irritation.

    Raegan?

    How dare she call him? And the timing couldn¡¯t have been worse.

    He had nned to track down this insubordinate woman tonight and confront her about the incident in Wront. Instead, she had reached out first.

    Still, it was an opportunity to hear her exnation. Without answering, Chris locked the screen and turned to Maia. ¡°Sorry. I need to take this call outside.¡±

    Maia nodded, unbothered. ¡°Go ahead. If anything happens, I will use the call button.¡±

    The door clicked shut behind him, his footsteps fading into the corridor. Once the room was quiet again, Ethan¡¯s restraint shattered.

    ¡°Maia, why did you hire him as your bodyguard?¡±

    He hesitated before adding, ¡°I¡¯ve heard things, you know. That Chris is tangled up with women in Wront, with all kinds of ambiguous rtionships. And now I just saw a woman¡¯s face on his caller ID¡­ Keeping him around¡ªwhat will people think?¡±<fnbac2> Readplete version only at find(?)ovel</fnbac2>

    A crease formed between Maia¡¯s brows. Her voice sharpened, though it remained calm. ¡°Ethan, have I not told you before? Some things you need to see for yourself, not just follow the crowd¡¯s assumptions. A woman¡¯s face doesn¡¯t mean anything. Maybe that¡¯s his family member, or a friend, or maybe a colleague. If Chris had not been there that day¡­ do you have any idea what could have happened to me?¡±

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 Chapter 1026

    ?Chapter 1026:

    In her mind, the scene reyed¡ªTyrant kneeling under Chris¡¯ attack. The danger had been very real. Without Chris, she might have been seriously hurt.

    ¡°I do,¡± Ethan shot back, ¡°but he is your bodyguard. It is literally his job to show up. Or was he off with another woman, forgetting to protect you? Because if he had been there from the start, none of that would have happened.¡± His voice rose, agitation fueling his words. The sudden strain made him wince, a sharp pain stabbing at his side.

    Marisa gasped, her eyes darting to the red seeping through his bandages. ¡°Ethan! Your wound¡­¡±

    Maia¡¯s rm red instantly. ¡°Ethan, stay still!¡± She mmed her hand on the call button, her voice carrying an urgent edge. ¡°Someone, please! The patient¡¯s wound is bleeding!¡±

    Whatever frustration had lingered between them vanished in an instant, reced by pure panic and a rush of guilt.

    She couldn¡¯t understand it. Why did Ethan dislike Chris so much?

    They had barely exchanged more than a handful of words in total. And yet¡­ Chris had just offered to peel an apple for him. From where Maia stood, she couldn¡¯t find a single thing the man had done wrong.

    The hospital room erupted in suddenmotion.

    Marisa mmed her finger on the call button. ¡°Hurry! Somebody get in here¡ªEthan¡¯s wound has opened up!¡±

    This wasn¡¯t the turn of events Ethan had imagined. Seeing Maia¡¯s rmed face and the worry brimming in her eyes filled him with guilt.

    He scolded himself in silence. Why couldn¡¯t he have spoken to her without raising his voice? What made him let his temper slip like that?

    L¦¡¦Ó??¦Ó ch¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??????

    The door burst open, and a flurry of nurses and doctors poured in, tending to Ethan¡¯s injury with swift precision.

    Through the noise and movement, the sound of measured footsteps grew louder from the hallway.

    Lifting his gaze, Ethan caught sight of Hurst stepping into view.<fn68e6> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? Find~Novel</fn68e6>

    With a determined stride, Hurst closed the distance to the bed and sped Ethan¡¯s hand without hesitation. His tone carried unwavering strength. ¡°Ethan, you¡¯re going to be alright.¡±

    Lifting his eyes, Ethan found himself caught in the steady,manding gaze of Hurst before him.

    An unexpected tightness formed in his throat, the kind that came with a wave of indescribable relief.

    Justiceze was here.

    Messages might have gone unanswered, yet he had been the first to arrive. In Ethan¡¯s heart, there was no doubt¡ªonly Hurst deserved to stand beside his sister.

    ¡­

    Upstairs on the second floor of the Nelson family¡¯s vi, the air still carried the heat and closeness of what had just happened.

    Resting her head against Austen, Rosanna¡¯s eyes shimmered with a quiet, self-satisfied glow.

    What she hadn¡¯t counted on was the sheer endurance Austen possessed, leaving her drained and breathless.

    .

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 Chapter 1027

    ?Chapter 1027:

    ¡°Not bad at all. You¡¯ve met my expectations,¡± Austen said with an easy tone. ¡°Still, throwing yourself at me like this¡­ what exactly are you after?¡±

    With a slow motion, Rosanna trailed her fingers in gentle circles across the hard ne of his chest. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? I want you.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Austen¡¯s brow lifted, and a low, mocking chuckle escaped him. ¡°Do you, now? But you¡¯re about to wear the title of Mrs. Nelson¡ªmy sister-inw. Doesn¡¯t that make your words sound a little hollow?¡±

    Amusement curled in Austen¡¯s mind as he silently ridiculed the woman before him. The truth was simple¡ªwhether it was his older brother or himself, Rosanna had only ever been a passing diversion.<fn63b7> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fn63b7>

    A woman this pleasing to the eye and easy to handle was worth entertaining a bit longer.

    ¡°I¡¯m being serious.¡± Closing the distance between them, Rosanna¡¯s smile deepened. Oblivious to the truth, she leaned into his wandering touch. ¡°I just happened to meet your brother first. Had it been you¡­ the story might have changed.¡±

    A faint glint passed through Austen¡¯s eyes, his grin unreadable. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s say I believe you. Whatever happened today stays between us.¡±

    After a short pause, he added, ¡°And if you ever need a favor, don¡¯t hesitate. I¡¯ll give you my full support.¡±

    Naturally, it was nothing more than a hollow assurance¡ªa man¡¯s lie dressed as generosity.

    ¡°So you mean it?¡± Rosanna¡¯s grin widened, pleasantly surprised by his willingness to y along. ¡°In that case, there¡¯s one favor I¡¯d like to ask.¡±

    Her words came slowly, each one deliberate. ¡°Austen, I want you¡­ to help me take care of Maia Watson.¡±

    A faint spark of surprise flickered in Austen¡¯s eyes before his smile grew sharper.

    Their paths had already shed in the underground boxing ring. Maia had humiliated him¡ªhis prized fighter, Tyrant, was not only beaten but had vanished altogether.

    ns to settle that score were already taking shape in his mind. Perfect¡ªtheir goals were aligned.

    Still, he disguised his true intentions as doing Rosanna a favor.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll do it,¡± Austen muttered, his fingers curling around Rosanna¡¯s wrist once more, a predatory smile tugging at his mouth. ¡°But your performance will decide how far I go.¡±

    ¡°Seriously?¡± Rosanna¡¯s eyes flickered with surprise, but before she could react further, he had already pressed her down beneath him.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1028

    ?Chapter 1028:

    The hospital room erupted in suddenmotion.

    Marisa mmed her finger on the call button. ¡°Hurry! Somebody get in here¡ªEthan¡¯s wound has opened up!¡±

    This wasn¡¯t the turn of events Ethan had imagined. Seeing Maia¡¯s rmed face and the worry brimming in her eyes filled him with guilt.

    He scolded himself in silence. Why couldn¡¯t he have spoken to her without raising his voice? What made him let his temper slip like that?

    The door burst open, and a flurry of nurses and doctors poured in, tending to Ethan¡¯s injury with swift precision.

    Through the noise and movement, the sound of measured footsteps grew louder from the hallway.

    Lifting his gaze, Ethan caught sight of Hurst stepping into view.

    With a determined stride, Hurst closed the distance to the bed and sped Ethan¡¯s hand without hesitation. His tone carried unwavering strength. ¡°Ethan, you¡¯re going to be all right.¡±

    Lifting his eyes, Ethan found himself caught in the steady,manding gaze of Hurst before him.<fn17d5> Read full story at find{n}ovel</fn17d5>

    An unexpected tightness formed in his throat, the kind that came with a wave of indescribable relief¡ªJusticeze was here.

    Messages might have gone unanswered, yet he had been the first to arrive. In Ethan¡¯s heart, there was no doubt¡ªonly Hurst deserved to stand beside his sister.

    Upstairs on the second floor of the Nelson family¡¯s vi, the air still carried the heat and closeness of what had just happened.

    Step into new worlds at g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s?conn

    Resting her head against Austen, Rosanna¡¯s eyes shimmered with a quiet, self-satisfied glow.

    What she hadn¡¯t counted on was the sheer endurance Austen possessed, leaving her drained and breathless.

    ¡°Not bad at all. You¡¯ve met my expectations,¡± Austen said with an easy tone. ¡°Still, throwing yourself at me like this¡­ what exactly are you after?¡±

    With slow, deliberate motion, Rosanna trailed her fingers in circles across the hard ne of his chest. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? I want you.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Austen¡¯s brow lifted, and a low, mocking chuckle escaped him. ¡°Do you, now? But you¡¯re about to wear the title of Mrs. Nelson¡ªmy sister-inw. Doesn¡¯t that make your words sound a little hollow?¡±

    Amusement curled in Austen¡¯s mind as he silently ridiculed the woman before him. The truth was simple¡ªwhether it was his older brother or himself, Rosanna had only ever been a passing diversion. A woman this pleasing to the eye and easy to handle was worth entertaining a bit longer.

    ¡°I¡¯m being serious.¡± Closing the distance between them, Rosanna¡¯s smile deepened. Oblivious to the truth, she leaned into his wandering touch. ¡°I just happened to meet your brother first. Had it been you¡­ the story might have changed.¡±

    A faint glint passed through Austen¡¯s eyes, his grin unreadable. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s say I believe you. Whatever happened today stays between us.¡± After a short pause, he added, ¡°And if you ever need a favor, don¡¯t hesitate. I¡¯ll give you my full support.¡±

    Naturally, it was nothing more than a hollow assurance¡ªa man¡¯s lie dressed as generosity.

    ¡°So you mean it?¡± Rosanna¡¯s grin widened, pleasantly surprised by his willingness to y along. ¡°In that case, there¡¯s one favor I¡¯d like to ask.¡± Her words came slowly, each one deliberate. ¡°Austen, I want you¡­ to help me take care of Maia Watson.¡±

    A faint spark of surprise flickered in Austen¡¯s eyes before his smile grew sharper. Their paths had already shed in the underground boxing ring. Maia had humiliated him¡ªhis prized fighter, Tyrant, was not only beaten but had vanished altogether. ns to settle that score were already taking shape in his mind. Perfect¡ªtheir goals were aligned.

    Still, he disguised his true intentions as doing Rosanna a favor. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll do it,¡± Austen muttered, his fingers curling around Rosanna¡¯s wrist once more, a predatory smile tugging at his mouth. ¡°But your performance will decide how far I go.¡±

    ¡°Seriously?¡± Rosanna¡¯s eyes shed with surprise, but before she could react, he had already pressed her down beneath him.

    Inside the emergency room.

    The sharp sting of disinfectant clung to the air.

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 Chapter 1029

    ?Chapter 1029:

    Two nurses and a doctor moved with seamless coordination, guiding Ethan onto the operating table without wasting a second.

    The doctor removed the bandages from Ethan¡¯s body, frowning slightly. ¡°Why is there this much bleeding?¡±

    Stitches had split apart, and fresh blood traced a slow, rming path along his side and shoulder.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to be all right. The bleeding will stop soon,¡± the doctor said gently, though his eyes stayed fixed on the injury. With practiced speed, he took the forceps from a nurse, mped the vessels, and began re-stitching without pause.

    Each passing second dragged, and the room felt locked in a tense stillness.

    Roughly twenty minutester, the bleeding had been stopped, the three reopened wounds stitched once more, and fresh bandages secured firmly in ce.

    Removing his gloves, the doctor kept his tone firm. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you did to rip these open again, but acting this recklessly while you¡¯re still admitted¡ªdo you have no concern for your own life? Try to keep calm and make sure this doesn¡¯t happen again.¡±

    Ethan stayed silent, his gaze fixed downward, his face pale.

    Taking note of hisck of response, the doctor added a few more reminders before stepping out of the room.

    Just then, the door burst open with sudden force.

    A figure he knew well rushed inside.

    ¡°Ethan!¡± Maia¡¯s voice trembled with urgency as she hurried toward him.

    Lifting his gaze to meet hers, Ethan¡¯s eyes carried a trace of fatigue. ¡°I¡¯m all right, Maia. I¡¯m sorry for making you worry¡­ and for how I spoke earlier.¡±

    M¦Òr¦Å ¦Ôpd¦Á§äes ¦Én G¦Áln¦Ò¦Íels.c¦Òm

    Maybe it was the rashness of youth, but once his temper cooled, Ethan could see how wrong he had been. His approach had been far too rushed. Instead of confronting things head-on, he should have taken his time, slowly revealing Chris¡¯s true character to his sister rather thanshing out.<fn2fd3> Get full chapters from f?ndnovel</fn2fd3>

    By the bed, Maia lowered herself into a crouch. Her eyes lingered on his pale face, her brows drawn together, yet she offered no criticism. A gentle nod followed. ¡°What matters is that you¡¯re safe. Just focus on resting.¡±

    From the hallway, the sound of footsteps drifted toward the door. Through the doorway stepped Hurst, with the doctor who had handled Ethan¡¯s treatment right behind him.

    In a low voice, the doctor briefed him on the details of Ethan¡¯s condition.

    Hurst absorbed every word, his expression hardening as he moved swiftly to Ethan¡¯s side. ¡°Ethan, how are you holding up? The doctor rmends you stay here in the emergency room for a while. Going back now might put more strain on your injuries, and we don¡¯t want any setbacks.¡± His tone carried the urgency of someone speaking to a close rtive.

    Once he¡¯d finished, his gaze swept over Ethan before he pressed further. ¡°Tell me¡ªwhat exactly happened earlier? How did the wounds reopen?¡±

    Maia¡¯s only response was a nce in his direction, with no sign she intended to speak. Ethan shifted his gaze away, equally unwilling to exin. A faint stiffness settled over the moment.

    Sensing the tension, Hurst let out a quiet cough and forced a lighter smile. ¡°Well, what¡¯s important is the doctor acted quickly. Keep yourself calm, Ethan. If something bothers you or you¡¯re unhappy about anything, you can alwayse to me.¡±

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 Chapter 1030

    ?Chapter 1030:

    Stepping in a little closer, Hurst spoke with quiet sincerity. ¡°Don¡¯t let your emotions get the better of you. If there¡¯s something you want, say it to me directly. If it¡¯s within my reach, I¡¯ll make it happen.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s lips tightened, a trace of uncertainty glinting in his eyes. Say it to him directly? What exactly was Justiceze implying?

    A momentter, realization dawned on Ethan. Hurst was suggesting there was no need for more exchanges online¡ªnow that they¡¯d uncovered each other¡¯s identities, they could speak in person instead.

    A flicker of thrill ran through Ethan¡ªhe had long been waiting for the chance to finally meet Justiceze in person.

    ¡°Still, with Maia nearby, this wasn¡¯t the right moment for a long conversation. So he nced at Hurst and said, ¡°My sister is hurt as well. Would it be all right if she went back to her room to rest first?¡±

    Ethan¡¯s suggestion eased the strain in the room.

    Maia, too, was a patient.

    Hurst blinked in mild surprise before inclining his head. ¡°You¡¯re correct. My worry clouded my judgment, and I overlooked that.¡± He turned to Maia with a gentle tone. ¡°Ethan¡¯s condition is stable now. Allow me to guide you back to your room.¡±<fn6f52> The source of th?s content is Find~Novel</fn6f52>

    Maia¡¯s eyes flickered from Hurst to Ethan, but ultimately settled on Ethan as she murmured, ¡°Be well, and recover fully.¡±

    Her voice wasposed, though an undisguised trace of worry lingered in her gaze.

    She understood Ethan more than anyone. Unless his discontent ran deep, he would never lose control so badly that he risked reopening his injuries.

    L?t?st ?h??pt?rs ¦Én g??lnov§Ö???.??????

    Yet she knew this was not the time for a long discussion. Once Ethan left the hospital, she intended to speak with him properly. Perhaps then he might truly see Chris for who he was.

    rity was the only path to removing bias.

    She refused to let her brother view Chris as outsiders did. Chris was not only her legal spouse but also Ethan¡¯s brother-inw. Being family meant prejudice had no ce among them.

    Maia soon reached the threshold of the emergency ward.

    The instant she crossed it, Ethan¡¯s voice called out again. ¡°Mr. Cooper, wait a moment. I have a private matter to discuss with you.¡±

    His tone carried quiet determination.

    Hearing this, Maia stopped mid-step and turned her head slightly.

    Her expression toward Ethan was one of confusion.

    Hurst, also caught off guard, knit his brows and cast a questioning nce her way.

    Maia reflected briefly.

    Having just argued with Ethan, she considered that in moments like these, a neutral voice might reach him better.

    She inclined her head in consent. ¡°This is best resolved between the two of you. Mr. Cooper, I¡¯m indebted to you for this. Please watch over my brother.¡± Her voice carried both appreciation and reliance.

    She was thankful for Hurst¡¯s medical assistance and hopeful he might ease Ethan¡¯s agitation.

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 Chapter 1031

    ?Chapter 1031:

    ¡°Think nothing of it. It¡¯s an honor,¡± Hurst replied with a warm smile. ¡°Ms. Watson, you¡¯ve aided me greatly, and besides, my daughter Mnie and Ethan share a ssroom. We¡¯re already connected, so his concerns are mine as well.¡±

    Hearing this, Ethan felt a faint, unexpected warmth stir within him.

    Still, Hurst was mindful of his aim to win Maia¡¯s goodwill. He knew that focusing on Ethan at Maia¡¯s expense could risk alienating one for the other.

    ¡°Here¡¯s what I¡¯ll do,¡± he said, shifting the conversation. ¡°I¡¯ll escort you back to your room first, Ms. Watson, and then return to speak with Ethan.¡± After a short pause, he added to Ethan, ¡°I¡¯ll send you my contactter. If somethinges up, you can reach me directly.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Ethan¡¯s reply was soft but steady, carrying a spark of eagerness.

    Hurst¡¯s remark felt almost like an answer to their earlier confidential exchange. Perhaps his silence to the prior message was because he had arrived at the hospital shortly after. And with a direct number,munication would be far simpler.<fn2a13> Read full story at </fn2a13>

    Elsewhere, at the back of the hospital, in the shadowed space near the emergency stairwell, Chris stood gripping his phone, a frown etched across his features.

    ¡°You¡¯re saying¡­ all of this was Kiley¡¯s doing?¡± he asked with icy skepticism, lingering doubts still gnawing at him.

    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s why I staged the entire affair, and at the end I arranged for someone to cry out that the police were on their way. I remembered your caution, sir; it was merely a token rm meant for Maia. I had to ensure Kiley suspected nothing.¡±

    Raegan¡¯s voice flowed through the receiver, even and self-assured. She knew this matter couldn¡¯t be hidden from the all-seeing leader of The Mask, so she had prepared her exnations in advance.

    Updates loaded at g??????¦Òv????s.co??

    Each point fit neatly into the next, with logic strong enough that the leader might at most deem her impulsive rather than deserving of punishment.

    Chris forced his temper down.

    But before he could chastise her, Raegan¡¯s apologetic voice came through. ¡°My apologies, sir. I never imagined it would unfold like this. If you wish to discipline me, I¡¯ll ept it.¡±

    ¡°Or are you saying you no longer trust me?¡± Raegan asked, her voice tinged with a sadness she tried to mask. ¡°Sir, I¡¯ve stood by you for years¡­ when have I ever failed you?¡± Her tone was gentle but carried weight, brimming with sincere honesty.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Chris finally let his anger loose, his deep voice booming withmanding authority. ¡°Do you even understand how bad the fallout could have been this time?¡±

    Still, Raegan¡¯s ount suggested the worst had been avoided. At least she hadn¡¯t turned against him. A slip-up here could easily have pushed Raegan to betray him.

    Chris took a breath, his anger softening a touch as he went on, ¡°Make sure nothing like this happens again. Don¡¯t let me down. If Cooper Group ever plots anything against Maia, you tell me first. No solo decisions!¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± she replied.

    Raegan let a faint smile tug at her lips, and a quiet breath of relief slipped out. Through the years, she hade to know the leader better than anyone else. He never scolded without cause; every reprimand reflected his solid judgment and clear thinking. To her, his charm held an almost perfect, irresistible pull. That was why earning his trust mattered so much.

    .

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 Chapter 1032

    ?Chapter 1032:<fnf600> Get full chapters from f?ndnovel</fnf600>

    ¡°My actions this time have gained Kiley¡¯s confidence,¡± she said, her voice calm, tinged with pride she couldn¡¯t hide. ¡°She abducted a key figure, then had me question him, which led me to learn some details about Maia.¡±

    Chris¡¯s eyes darkened at her words. ¡°Go on.¡±

    Feeling the shift in his mood, Raegan paused, then spoke honestly. ¡°Maia spent four years behind bars, but she got out before her sentence ended¡­ Kiley intends to use that as leverage.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Chris¡¯s face shifted slightly, his reaction sharp and immediate.

    ¡°Yes, I was taken aback too,¡± Raegan admitted, echoing Kiley¡¯s suspicions alongside her own thoughts. ¡°Right now, there are two theories. One is that Maia escaped prison but was caught again, and the former warden covered it up. It hints she isn¡¯t an ordinary person¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­and with her identities recently revealed, there could be a hidden organization backing her.¡± Chris¡¯s frown deepened noticeably.

    When he stayed quiet, Raegan pressed on. ¡°The other theory is a bit far-fetched. Kiley thinks Maia might never have been imprisoned at all, and someone helped her avoid justice from the beginning¡­ It reminds me of a case we handled in the past.¡±

    She paused, then added, ¡°Maybe the real Maia Watson is gone for good. Someone could be posing as her, supported by a group protecting her identity. Her remarkable featsposing, designing, painting, martial arts¡ªare beyond what one person could truly achieve.¡±

    ¡°Ridiculous!¡± Chris scoffed, cutting her off. ¡°Keep digging into this, and report any intel at once.¡± His voice dropped, icy and firm. ¡°And make sure Maia stays safe.¡±

    Raegan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Atst, she voiced the question she had kept bottled up. ¡°Sir, what exactly is Maia¡¯s link to our organization? Why¡­ why do you care so much about her? What if Kiley¡¯s suspicions are correct? Do you truly believe a woman imprisoned for four years could possess such extraordinary talents across multiple fields? Can a person like that even exist?¡±

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    Raegan¡¯s questions hung in the quiet, broken only by the sudden beep of the phone.

    The call ended abruptly.

    Raegan froze in ce, dazed, unable to move, before her phone buzzed once more.

    A fresh message blinked on the screen: ¡°Do what you need to do.¡±

    It offered no greeting or exnation.

    Raegan¡¯s eyes lingered on the text. She stayed quiet for a few heartbeats, then a softugh escaped her.

    Herughter carried both bitterness and a sense of victory.

    Even though the leader had issued a warning, she felt neither sadness nor defeat. Instead, it confirmed one undeniable fact: the leader knew nothing about what had gone on while Maia was imprisoned.

    Perhaps, as more of Maia¡¯s secrets surfaced and questions about her true self piled up, the leader¡¯s stance toward her would finally shift.

    Raegan believed his faith in Maia rested on a shallow understanding. What if she could peel back theyers of this ¡°perfect¡± image?

    Her gaze turned icy, and a faint, knowing smile tugged at her lips.

    ¡°Very well, then. Let¡¯s make you see the truth, piece by piece. The so-called Maia Watson is nothing more than a polished mask. When you reach the point of utter disappointment and revulsion¡­ you¡¯ll finally see who has truly stood by you,¡± her inner voice murmured.

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 Chapter 1033

    ?Chapter 1033:<fnf5a4> Fresh chapters posted on find?novel</fnf5a4>

    The hospital.

    The faint, lingering beeps from the ended call hung in the room. Chris had already pivoted sharply, striding toward the patient rooms.

    His eyebrows knit together, a quiet sense of unease gnawing at him.

    But when he swung the door open to the room where Ethan should have been resting and Maia had just been returned, the bedy empty¡ªboth of them were gone.

    The room was deserted except for Marisa, who sat alone beside the window.

    ¡°Where are they?¡± Chris demanded, his tone edged with urgency.

    Marisa caught his words and let out a quiet snort, deliberately turning her face away. Her eyes stayed glued to the view outside the window. Clearly, she had no intention of joining the conversation.

    Chris¡¯s gaze darkened a touch, and his voice dipped lower as he asked again, ¡°Where did Maia and Ethan go?¡±

    Marisa finally swiveled her head, replying sharply, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    The truth was, Hurst had returned Maia only moments before. He had also mentioned that Ethan needed monitoring in the emergency room that night and wouldn¡¯t being back to the patient room. After exchanging a few words with Maia, Hurst had walked away. Not long after, Maia had suddenly risen and left the room herself.

    So, in reality, Marisa genuinely had no clue where Maia had gone¡ªand she wasn¡¯t inclined to volunteer the information.

    The reason was simple. Anyone Ethan disliked probably had hidden motives. If Chris hadn¡¯t been there, Ethan wouldn¡¯t have shed with Maia, and his injuries wouldn¡¯t have started bleeding.

    Fresh content live now g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s

    At that moment, Marisa didn¡¯t realize she had quietly begun to care about Ethan¡¯s likes and dislikes, standing by him without question.

    Chris felt a flicker of confusion, wondering why Marisa seemed to take a dislike to him. Had something happened to sour her mood?

    He didn¡¯t linger on it, though, and turned to leave the room to check with the duty nurse. As he stepped into the corridor, he ran into a familiar face.

    ¡°Maxwell?¡±

    ¡°Chris?¡± Maxwell replied, startled. ¡°My sister Marisa is in this room, right? I thought she said so, but I¡¯ve been so busy I can¡¯t remember exactly.¡±

    He wasn¡¯t being careless. He had been too busy tracking down the people who had kidnapped his sister, running on no sleep from the previous night straight through to now. The most irritating part was that those people were still out there, roaming free.

    ¡°You haven¡¯t forgotten. It¡¯s right here,¡± Chris said, giving Maxwell a reassuring pat.

    on the shoulder. ¡°But she seems a little off today.¡±

    ¡°Is it because I showed upte?¡± Maxwell asked, frowning.

    He pictured Marisa¡¯s scowl and let out a weary sigh. ¡°This is going to be tricky. Thanks for the warning. I¡¯d better go in and clear things up.¡±

    He took a couple of steps, then halted abruptly. ¡°By the way, Chris, we need to meet againter. This whole situation is too weird. The guy running that underground boxing ring¡ªthe shaven-headed man¡ªhas disappeared without a trace.¡±

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 Chapter 1034

    ?Chapter 1034:

    With that, Maxwell darted into the room, leaving no time for further words.

    Chris stayed frozen for a moment, silent.

    ¡°Of course, you won¡¯t uncover anything. The shaven-headed look is just a cover,¡± his inner voicemented.

    He shook his head and made his way toward the nurse¡¯s station.

    Maia sat there, apparently jotting something down on a piece of paper. Chris didn¡¯t interrupt her. He just moved quietly closer.

    At Cooper Group, inside the president¡¯s office, Kiley sat at her desk, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. She held a sheet of paper between her fingers¡ªa list of names.

    ¡°I never imagined so many people would im to have seen Maia,¡± she said. ¡°And it happened during her jail time, no less. This is truly something. If even one of them steps up to confirm she showed up outside prison, then Maia¡¯s finished.¡± A shadow passed over Kiley¡¯s eyes. ¡°Go. Track them down. Make sure they testify.¡±

    The person opposite her snatched the list without hesitation and hurried off.

    After they left, Raegan murmured beside her, ¡°If we can show she wasn¡¯t locked up at those times, we can pin an escape scandal on Maia. This is even better than I hoped.¡±

    Kiley replied without much expression, ¡°You¡¯re right. And we¡¯ve also got Shiloh¡¯s weak spot. From this moment, he¡¯s under our control.¡± Her eyes flicked to Raegan. ¡°When you get a chance, pay a visit to his daughter. It¡¯ll keep Shiloh under our thumb and help us dig out more of Maia¡¯s secrets.¡±

    Kiley rose from her chair and strolled to the floor-to-ceiling window. She gazed over the lively city below, a cold spark glinting in her eyes. She knew full well that MCN was riding a wave of poprity; a direct sh would be a losing battle.

    1???E$? ?????€?S 1? g¨»l??¦Ïv?l?.§ão??

    She needed another tactic. Instead of confronting the rising MCN head-on, she nned to grow Radiant Jewels¡¯ reach, making up for the recent setbacks Maia had caused.

    ¡°Raegan, we have to speed up theunch of Radiant Jewels¡¯ new line,¡± Kiley said suddenly, her tone sharp as she fixed her gaze on Raegan. ¡°This time, we need to make the brand roar across the global stage.¡±

    Raegan gave a casual shrug, aware of her position. ¡°Understood, Ms. Cooper.¡±

    The two shared a brief, knowing smile.

    Just then, a knock sounded at the door. The HR director and the finance director of Cooper Group stepped inside.

    ¡°Ms. Cooper, I¡¯ve brought the personnel lists for everypany under Cooper Group, just as you asked.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Cooper, here¡¯s the financial report for all thepanies under Cooper Group you requested.¡±

    Kiley stayed silent, epted the papers, and skimmed through them. After a moment, she looked up and spoke in an icy tone. ¡°I¡¯m assuming you two are sharp. Those who aren¡¯t usually can¡¯t grasp my meaning¡ªand naturally, they don¡¯t end well.¡±

    The two directors stiffened at her words. Kiley had been back only a single day, yet every opposing voice had disappeared¡ªvanished without leaving a trace. The weight of that fact pressed heavily on them, filling the room with an unfamiliar tension.

    ¡°Ms. Cooper, we¡¯ll follow your instructions without question.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely, Ms. Cooper. We answer only to you!¡±

    They quickly voiced their loyalty, desperate to earn Kiley¡¯s confidence.

    ¡°Good. I hope you¡¯re clever enough to handle the tasks I hand out.¡± Kiley flipped open the documents, her eyes scanning the ring red loss numbers, ruthlessly gging several subsidiaries. ¡°Shut down every unprofitable division. And these people¡ªthose who¡¯ve been drawing sries without workingy them off as well.¡±

    She delivered each order with the precision of a scalpel, her motions sharp and unhesitating.

    The HR director, watching names get crossed off, felt a cold sweat form. ¡°Ms. Cooper, many of these staff members are seasoned employees. They¡¯ve trained countless others. Firing them could spark unrest¡­¡±<fn7dc0> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find?novel</fn7dc0>

    Kiley¡¯s lips twitched in a faint smile, but her voice was ice-cold. ¡°Then give them a way to vent their anger.¡±

    She tapped on the proposal Raegan hadid out. ¡°Strategy for Diverting Public Outrage. Feasibility Analysis on Targeting Maia Watson.¡±

    ¡°Put all their anger on Maia. It¡¯s her fault they¡¯re out of work. Tell them I didn¡¯t want to fire them¡ªthat it was all due to the impact from MCN,¡± Kiley said evenly. ¡°Maia is the reason thesepanies went under.¡±

    The n hit two targets at once: it funneled the employees¡¯ rage onto Maia and saved Cooper Group a hefty sum. Kiley nced at Raegan, her admiration growing. Raegan wasn¡¯t just striking; she was intelligent and a valuable assistant.

    Once everyone had left the office, Kiley leaned back in her chair and picked up her phone. She stared at the texts she¡¯d sent udius, which seemed to have vanished into thin air¡ªno response at all. A frown formed as she wondered why her brother was ignoring her messages and not picking up her calls.

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 Chapter 1035

    ?Chapter 1035:

    Kiley lingered by the window, her eyes fixed on Wront¡¯s darkened streets, while her father¡¯s words kept bouncing around in her head. He had said that udius had already left the city. Yet the more she dwelled on it, the more it felt wrong.

    Even if udius really had departed Wront and reached Otruitho, he could have received her messages after hended. A possibility quietly emerged. Could it be that udius was imunicado?

    Still, how could her father, Kolton, trick her in such a way? He wouldn¡¯t have locked udius up just to punish him for misbehaving, would he? The ridiculous idea had barely formed before Kiley shook her head, a wry grin tugging at her lips. No matter how strict her father could be, he wouldn¡¯t take thew into his own hands against his own son, would he?

    Just then, her phone buzzed. udius, who had been silent for ages, finally sent her a text: ¡°Just woke up, getting over jetg.¡± Momentster, another message popped up: ¡°Kiley, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m fine. I¡¯lle back once Father cools off.¡±<fn630e> Updates are released by </fn630e>

    Reading his words, Kiley felt a weight lift from her chest. A faint smile curved her lips as she typed back, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll try to put in a good word with Father, but you need to think too. You can¡¯t keep acting so recklessly.¡±

    At the Cooper estate, under the dim lights, Kolton stared at his phone with a nk expression. He only set it down once the message had gone through. He faced one of the operatives standing nearby, his voice sharp andmanding. ¡°Track down someone who can imitate voices. Starting today, they¡¯ll handle Kiley¡¯s calls. Keep it tight. Say as little as possible and don¡¯t make a mistake. We can¡¯t let Kiley get suspicious.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± the operative said, saluting before walking off.

    Kolton let out a long sigh, slipped into his coat, and made his way down the corridor toward the underground dungeon. It was the third time he hade to see udius. He wanted to check if his son had finallye to his senses and recognized his own folly. As long as udius admitted his mistakes and promised not to repeat them, Kolton was ready to give him another shot. After all, growth meant taking a few bumps along the road, and Kiley and udius could be each other¡¯s guideposts. Whoever learned to stand on their own would one day take the reins of the Cooper Group.

    Your favorite stories g?ln¦Ò¦Íels

    In the hospital¡¯s nurses¡¯ office, soft light spilled across the papers, casting gentle shadows. Maia¡¯s pen danced over the page, filling it quickly through the quiet night. Her handwriting was graceful and precise, almost like a piece of art. Even the nurse standing beside her blinked in surprise, momentarily caught off guard.

    After a brief pause, she spoke with admiration. ¡°Your handwriting is really something, ma¡¯am.¡±

    Maia offered a small, appreciative smile and a gentle nod. It was the product of endless practice under Zoey¡¯s strict guidance. Naturally, it looked stunning.

    ¡°Thanks. Here¡¯s your pen back,¡± Maia said, returning the steel pen to the nurse.

    But the next moment, as she turned around, she found herself in a familiar embrace.

    ¡°Chris?¡± Maia looked up at him, clearly taken aback. ¡°When did you sneak up behind me?¡±

    ¡°For a while now. You seemed so focused, I didn¡¯t want to interrupt,¡± he replied softly.

    Chris tilted his head down, noticing her cheeks flush as she realized her hands had identally brushed against his chest while turning. She had touched him before¡­ Was a slight touch enough to make her blush?

    .

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 Chapter 1036

    ?Chapter 1036:

    Chris remembered the time Maia had been drugged by Vince, and the intense, intimate moments that had followed.

    He couldn¡¯t resist and let out a wide grin. ¡°Maia, I never thought your handwriting could be this beautiful. Just like you¡ªabsolutely stunning.¡±

    Maia shot him a quick look andughed softly. ¡°Cut the ttery. I didn¡¯t think anyone would be sneaking up behind me like that.¡±<fn972d> The source of th?s content is f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fn972d>

    Chris gave Maia a sheepish grin and shrugged. ¡°You can¡¯t put this on me¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to. The moment I got near, your handwriting just pulled me in.¡± He then steered the conversation elsewhere. ¡°By the way, what were you scribbling on that paper a moment ago?¡±

    Peering at the paper again, he frowned slightly. ¡°Why does it read like a list of ingredients? Do you need me to buy all of them?¡±

    He noticed that at the bottom of the paper, there seemed to be some cooking methods listed.

    ¡°Congrattions! You guessed right. This is indeed a shopping list for you, Chris,¡± Maia replied, passing the paper over. ¡°I know you might be tied up for the next few days. I need you to whip up three portions each day, just like my notes and methods suggest.¡±

    Chris quickly put two and two together¡ªMaia wanted Ethan and Marisa to enjoy these meals too. Maybe putting all these ingredients together would make something truly wholesome.

    ¡°Maia, what exactly are these?¡± he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

    ¡°And some of these seem medicinal¡­ like ginseng, right?¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Maia¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d recognize them. I¡¯ll exin then. This is a kind of herbal cooking. It taps into the nutrients of natural nts to boost health and speed recovery. I refined it from medical texts and old manuscripts.¡±

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    Hearing that, Chris stared at Maia, disbelief written all over his face.

    ¡°So¡­ the meals you had me eat before were this kind of herbal cooking too? Is that why I bounced back so fast?¡±

    Back then, he had assumed his quick recovery was just his good constitution. He had never realized it was really Maia¡¯s silent efforts behind the scenes. A wave of emotion hit Chris suddenly, and his eyes lingered on Maia more intensely than before.

    ¡°Yeah. This recipe is basically the same asst time,¡± Maia continued, unaware of Chris¡¯ shift in demeanor. ¡°But I¡¯ve made some tweaks. And your feedback helped fine-tune it. After all, you were the first one to try it.¡±

    Chris let out a smallugh. ¡°So¡­ does that make me your guinea pig?¡±

    ¡°Do you mind?¡± Maia asked.

    ¡°Not at all!¡± Chris answered with sincerity. ¡°Actually¡­ I feel pretty honored.¡±

    Midnight came around faster than Chris expected. At Maia¡¯s urging, he headed back to Elysium Apartments. Barely had he stepped through the door when a bill from his subordinatesnded in his hands. The number was staggering, with five zeros trailing behind it.

    Chris¡¯ eyes went wide. ¡°These medicinal herbs cost this much?!¡±

    And that wasn¡¯t even the full total; several herbs were still missing from the purchase.

    As he thought it over, he realized the herbal meals Maia had cooked for him before must have easily run into hundreds of thousands, too. A swirl of emotions churned inside him.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1037

    ?Chapter 1037:

    It hit him¡ªMaia had been quietly bearing all these sacrifices on his behalf all along.

    Elsewhere, in a secret location, Shiloh finally found himself freed. His hood was pulled off. A woman stood before him, someone he had neverid eyes on before.

    ¡°You may go now. Just remember what we expect,¡± she said, her tone calm and measured.

    Shiloh gave her a quick nce and nodded in acknowledgment. From her voice, he could tell she wasn¡¯t the one who had interrogated him earlier.

    Even though the voice that day had been disguised, Shiloh felt almost certain that the interrogator was the woman who had apanied Kiley to the prison. It was clear that his answers hadn¡¯t satisfied Kiley, which had led to his capture, the torture, and the questioning.

    ¡°How am I supposed to reach youter?¡± Shiloh asked, narrowing his eyes.

    ¡°No need,¡± the woman sneered. ¡°I¡¯ll reach out to you. And if you breathe a word about what happened here, your daughter¡¯s corpse will be the consequence.¡±

    ¡°Understood. I know the rules,¡± Shiloh replied, voice heavy with fatigue. ¡°I also expect you to keep your word and leave my daughter unharmed.¡±

    The woman said nothing. She pivoted and melted into the shadows.

    Once her footsteps disappearedpletely, Shiloh began walking away slowly. No one noticed the faint smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips.

    The emergency room was wrapped in a silence so dense that it seemed to press down on the walls. Only the faint ticking of the monitors broke through the stillness, steady and unyielding.

    Ethan shifted restlessly on the bed, his impatience simmering beneath the sterile white lights. The door creaked open, and Hurst slipped inside, moving with unusual haste.

    Latest chapters uploaded g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s

    ¡°Ethan, here I am.¡± His voice carried warmth, softened by an almost fatherly smile. ¡°It¡¯s just you and me now. Speak freely.¡±

    Gone was themanding aura of the Cooper family¡¯s branch leader. In front of Maia¡¯s younger brother, Hurst seemed approachable¡ªalmost eager, as though he wanted to earn the boy¡¯s trust.

    Ethan¡¯s eyes lit up, brimming with excitement. ¡°Mr. Cooper, I never imagined Justiceze was truly you. Now that the truth is out, why not take the first step? I will help you.¡±

    Hurst held his smile, though confusion stirred beneath the calm surface.

    Justiceze? First step?

    How would this young man help him?

    Questions swarmed in his head, but his face betrayed nothing.

    Years of discipline had taught him the art ofposure.

    Then Ethan¡¯s next words hit like a de to the chest. ¡°Mr. Cooper, I know about your feelings for my sister.¡±

    Ethan bit his lip, the hesitation in his eyes shing with his resolve. ¡°For Maia¡¯s happiness, I will tell you something I promised never to reveal,¡± Ethan said in a rush. His voice dropped, almost conspiratorial. ¡°Her marriage is fake. She is still single. Please¡­ do not let her slip away.¡±

    The room seemed to freeze. Even the machines felt muted.

    Hurst stared at him, stunned. The truth in Ethan¡¯s eyes left no room for doubt. No wonder Ethan had asked to speak alone, away from Maia¡¯s watchful presence.

    .

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    .<fnf6b8> Content originallyes from f?ndnovel</fnf6b8>

 Chapter 1038

    ?Chapter 1038:

    In that instant, Hurst¡¯s mind raced through countless memories¡ªMnie being close to Ethan suddenly, them following Maia, and their unexpected kidnapping.

    The joy and excitement he felt were magnified in his heart by everything that had happened recently.

    Pieces that had never aligned now clicked together, shaping a clear truth Hurst could finally see.

    It had been Mnie who revealed his feelings for Maia to Ethan, setting everything that followed into motion.

    But none of that mattered as much as the revtion itself.

    ¡°Are you certain?¡± Hurst¡¯s voice was low, edged with restrained hope. He leaned closer. ¡°Maia¡¯s marriage¡­ it is not real?¡±

    Ethan nodded firmly. ¡°She told me herself. I was supposed to keep it secret, but I want her to find happiness. She deserves it more than anyone.¡± His young voice cracked with conviction.

    The words jolted through Hurst like lightning.

    The self-imposed chains that had bound him for years shattered in an instant. He should have guessed long ago¡ªMaia¡¯s supposed husband, a man who never appeared, who existed only in rumors, was nothing but smoke.

    Hurst met Ethan¡¯s gaze. Confronted with Ethan¡¯s sincerity, he recognized this as an excellent opportunity and chose to respond in kind to build rapport quickly.

    ¡°Thank you for trusting me with this,¡± Hurst said quietly. He hesitated, his usual confidence faltering for the briefest second. ¡°But do you not mind? I am far older than your sister. I have been married. I even have a child.¡±

    Ethan shook his head, his expression fierce with determination. ¡°None of that matters. Mnie and I both want you to be with her. I hope you be my brother-inw.¡±

    Your next favorite is on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s£®??o??

    Ethan¡¯s words lingered long after Hurst stepped out of the emergency room. He walked the corridor with an unshakable smile tugging at his lips, his steps light, as though a weight had finally been lifted.

    Doubts that had gnawed at him for years fell away. Somehow, through twists of fate, things were moving exactly as he had dreamed.

    In his mind, he painted the future: Maia beside him on a golden afternoon, sunlight tangled in her hair, while Ethan¡¯s and Mnie¡¯sughter rang across the grass as they chased each other.

    A family whole again. A happiness once lost, but no longer out of reach.

    ¡°I believe that day is not far away,¡± he murmured under his breath.

    Wednesday slipped by without making a sound.

    The past several days had been filled with more than enough events. Through trial and error, Chris discovered how to prepare food with healing qualities, although his sess came after he stumbled at the beginning.

    To Maia, Chris¡¯ effort was impressive. She remembered that Elvira had needed more than a dozen attempts before getting it right, squandering precious herbs in the process.

    Ethan, on the other hand, refused to soften his feelings toward Chris. He would not touch a single dish Chris prepared, and his stubbornness slowed down his recovery.

    Marisa, too, avoided the herbal remedies, though her hesitation was less hostile.

    .

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    .<fne146> Original content can be found at find{n}ovel</fne146>

 Chapter 1039

    ?Chapter 1039:

    Their healing would stille, just at a slower pace.

    Maia noticed that Hurst¡¯s concern was sincere. Even without the therapeutic meals, the doctors¡¯ care and the nurses¡¯ attention should allow the two children to leave the hospital within two weeks.

    Due to the therapeutic meals Chris carefully prepared, Maia regained her strength at a remarkable pace. Almost all signs of her injuries had faded, though her right hand sometimes betrayed her with an odd tremor.

    Maia knew without doubt that the tendons and bones had taken the worst of the damage. That punch shended on Tyrant carried every bit of force she had, and she never foresaw the cost it would bring to her hand.

    With Lenny¡¯s arrival in Wront, she resolved to keep the injury hidden from him. She refused to let him shoulder needless worry or alter his training schedule on her ount.

    Finding a way to silence the tremor had now turned into a challenge Maia needed to face at once.

    At that moment, Maia lingered in the corridor of the hospital. Her fingers tightened and released in rhythm, as if willing her hand to remember its proper strength.

    From behind, Chris¡¯ deep voice reached her ears.

    With a faint smile, Maia turned to face him. ¡°Chris, you don¡¯t need to be concerned. I¡¯m doing much better now.¡±

    Calmness lingered in her voice, and her features carried a quiet grace, even as she kept her right hand carefully out of sight.

    In Chris¡¯ gaze rested a tangle of emotions, tooyered to be named.

    All of a sudden, Maia spoke again, her words gentle and her expression bright like the morning sun. ¡°There¡¯s somewhere I¡¯d like to visit.¡±

    Hope flickered in her clear eyes as she added, ¡°Chris, would you take me to see the slums?¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± Chris answered without the slightest pause, though the request stirred a thread of confusion in him.

    Such ces were a mix of diverse and unpredictable elements and not very safe.<fnc997> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? F?nd-Novel</fnc997>

    There was no chance he would allow his wife to go there by herself.

    Choosing not to question her, he said gently, ¡°No matter the ce, I¡¯ll stay by your side.¡±

    At his words, Maia¡¯s lips lifted, her tone carrying warmth. ¡°Thank you, Chris.¡±

    Once she had exined everything to Ethan, Maia walked alongside Chris toward the payment counter to finalize her release from the hospital. Before reaching it, Chris halted abruptly, his attention locked on a television mounted high on the wall.

    Wondering what had caught his eye, Maia looked up as well and noticed the midday broadcast flickering on the screen.

    The image showed Vince in prison attire, his face drained of color as guards led him into the courtroom.

    While the reporter spoke, bold text scrolled across the bottom: ¡°Vince Ward was sentenced to twenty years in prison for murder and endangering public safety.¡±

    From a short distance away, someone whispered in shock, ¡°Murder? My goodness. Vince Ward has another case tied to him. Do the rich think taking lives is some kind of pastime?¡±

    ¡°Thatwyer Rnd Cullen really pulled off a feat. Only twenty years, but still, Vince¡¯s life is ruined. By the time he¡¯s out, he¡¯ll be nearly fifty.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1040

    ?Chapter 1040:

    ¡°No sympathy for a man like him. It¡¯s his own fault. Word is, he never stopped chasing after women.¡±

    As the voices around them carried on, Chris¡¯ brow tightened, uneasy that Maia might take the words to heart. Just when he thought to guide her away, he noticed Maia¡¯s calm demeanor as she strolled past him without a flicker of concern, heading straight for the window.

    Long ago, Maia had stopped wasting emotions on such matters. To her, the downfall of a fool held no value worth dwelling on.

    Inside the courtroom, Vince appeared hollow, his posture slumped like a scolded child. The sentence itself meant nothing in his eyes. For him, Maia was the only one whose judgment truly mattered. Without Maia¡¯s pardon, redemption would remain forever out of reach. Visions of Maia¡ªbright and unbroken before the years of captivity¡ªhaunted every corner of his mind.

    How desperately he wished he could rewind life to the moment before he shattered Maia¡¯s trust. Vince tightened his grip, his dry lips moving slightly, but no one knew what words of repentance he whispered.

    All that answered him was the harsh echo of iron doors mming shut.

    The slums stretched before them. After the rainfall, the streets had turned into a mess of filth and mud, every step sinking slightly into the grime. The air carried a stench that clung stubbornly, impossible to ignore. Every so often, a stray cat darted past or a rat scurried into the shadows. Although Chris had walked through ces like this before, the sight always pressed heavily on his chest. It was jarring to see how sharply divided one city could be.

    The Cooper Group held control over the city¡¯s wealth, even hosting grand charity banquets each year to supposedly aid the poor. Still, the contrast remained bitterly ironic, for the slums were treated like a forgotten scar, left exposed for anyone willing to look.

    Your favorite stories are on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s?c?m

    At that moment, Maia sped Kathie¡¯s arm while Chris trailed a few steps behind them. Together, the three wound their way through narrow alleys until they reached the small house at the center of the slum where Kathie and Ethan once lived.<f5c> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find¡¤novel</f5c>

    ¡°This is where I used to live. If Maia hadn¡¯t bought a house for Ethan and me, I¡¯d probably still be staying here,¡± Kathie said as she pushed the door open, her eyes flicking toward Maia before lingering on Chris¡¯s tall frame.

    ¡°Good timing for a visit. I need to grab something inside. Chris, wait out here. Maia,e along with me,¡± Kathie said, tugging Maia closer. Once the two of them slipped inside, she lowered her voice. ¡°Tell me the truth, Maia. Is Chris really just your bodyguard? Does he truly have a girlfriend? You¡¯re not secretly in love with him, are you?¡±

    Maia forced a small, strained smile and steered the conversation elsewhere. ¡°Kathie, our priority now is to ask about my parents. That¡¯s why we¡¯re here, isn¡¯t it? There¡¯s no need to dig into Chris¡¯ background.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I understand¡­ though I thought you¡¯d wait until Ethan left the hospital before asking,¡± Kathie replied with a nod. Dropping the earlier topic, she searched around the cramped room and quickly pulled out an old, yellowed envelope.

    ¡°Here it is, exactly where I remembered leaving it at home¡­¡± Kathie¡¯s face brightened with excitement. ¡°Maia, this envelope holds a note from your father. I can¡¯t make sense of the words, but the script is beautiful. When Ethan was young, he often took it out to read, and eventually he ced it back here.¡±

    The moment Maia heard that, she stepped forward in haste and carefully opened the envelope. The sheet of paper revealed lines written in graceful strokes, and the words made Maia¡¯s eyes grow wide.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1041

    ?Chapter 1041:

    ¡°When I do count the clock that tells the time, and see the brave day sunk in hideous night¡­¡±

    Those verses were unmistakably from Shakespeare. Even more striking was her father¡¯s handwriting¡ªbold, flowing, and refined in its elegance. That discovery made Maia hesitate, her doubts about her father¡¯s education deepening. Clearly, her parents had note from this ce originally.

    Without a word, Maia slipped the letter back into its envelope and walked out with Kathie, stepping onto the street once more. Chris stood at the entrance, his back to the door, surveying the surroundings. Watching Chris stand so alert, Kathie whispered under her breath, ¡°Could a man like that really be only a bodyguard?¡±

    Her gaze drifted beyond Chris to a crumbling house several rows away. ¡°Maia, that¡¯s the ce your parents once lived. It¡¯s been empty for years. A vagrant stayed there for a while, but I don¡¯t know where they¡¯ve gone now.¡±

    Chris lifted his eyes toward the spot Kathie pointed out. The building looked charred, as though fire had eaten through its walls, leaving it more like wreckage than a home.<fnd85b> For more chapters visit FindN()vel</fnd85b>

    ¡°Didn¡¯t that house used to be quite decent, Kathie?¡± Chris said thoughtfully.

    ¡°Yes. Back then, it stood out as one of the nicest homes on this street. People used to say Maia¡¯s parents must have been well-off, but they always imed otherwise. The ce had been passed down from a rtive,¡± Kathie said, before lifting her hand to point toward the far end of the road. ¡°Do you see that house? It once served as a grocery store. Maia¡¯s father went there often. The owner¡¯s son manages it now, and he might still remember something about your father.¡±

    ¡°The owner¡¯s son?¡± Maia said with interest.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. His father died years ago. He worked as a repairman in the neighborhood, and your father frequently visited him to get things fixed. If the man were still alive, it would have been easier. At least then you¡¯d know exactly what your father once worked on.¡±

    Stories live now on galn¦Ò??????????o??

    Within the shadowed grocery store, the atmosphere carried the weight of moisture and lingering age. Even though the sun shone brightly outside, it failed to illuminate the interior. The shopkeeper had deliberately avoided switching on the bulbs, clearly conserving the electricity bill. A single kerosenemp cast a dim shimmer. Upon a timeworn wooden cab nearby, various items rested in tidy order.

    The young shopkeeper noticed a presence at the entrance but continued his task, simply asking, ¡°What are you here for?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s me, Kathie,¡± Kathie said confidently as she stepped inside behind Maia. ¡°I used to look after you when you were small. You once behaved with good manners. Why are you acting like your father now? Someonees in, and you don¡¯t even lift your head?¡±

    Startled by her tone, the young man spun around, a trace of eagerness slipping into his voice. ¡°Kathie! I assumed you had left this ce. Why return now?¡±

    ¡°I did leave, but I came back to meet you and ask a few things,¡± Kathie replied.

    The young shopkeeper¡¯s gaze shifted toward Maia beside Kathie, scanning her from head to toe. ¡°This must be Watson¡¯s true daughter, right?¡±

    Maia gave a small nod. ¡°You¡¯ve heard about me?¡±

    The young shopkeeper nodded again. ¡°Yes. Others mentioned it. The moment I saw you, I was sure you belonged to Mr. Watson. You carry a resemnce¡­ his aura rests in you.¡±

    After saying that, he set down what he had been holding, brushed his hands against his clothes, and extended a hand to Maia. ¡°I¡¯m Royce Adams. Please call me Royce.¡±

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 Chapter 1042

    ?Chapter 1042:

    Maia gently epted the handshake. ¡°Pleased to meet you. I¡¯m Maia Watson.¡±

    Royce Adams released her hand. ¡°What are you hoping to learn? Ask openly, and I¡¯ll share whatever I know.¡±

    ¡°I wish to understand what sort of person my father truly was.¡± Maia thought for a moment and added, ¡°And did hee often because things at home frequently broke down?¡±<fn093f> Fresh chapters posted on fin?novel</fn093f>

    Kathie joined in, ¡°Royce, can you recall all those visits Mr. Watson made to your shop? What did he fix when your father was present?¡±

    ¡°There were plenty!¡± Royce answered, his eyes narrowing as memory surfaced, his chin resting on his palm. ¡°Mr. Watson could mend practically anything. Without his help, my dad couldn¡¯t have repaired so much for the neighborhood.¡±

    ¡°Helping? Repairing?¡± Maia asked, bewildered. ¡°Didn¡¯t hee to get things repaired by your father?¡±

    Royce lifted his shoulders. ¡°From what I recall, the first time Mr. Watson arrived was with a watch. My dad spent forever on it and failed. Then Mr. Watson stepped in and solved it in moments. Honestly, as a child, he became a hero. He fixed televisions, radios, watches,puters¡ªevery odd device you can imagine. Nothing was too challenging for him. While working, he exined the methods to my dad. I didn¡¯t grasp the details back then, but I thought he was extraordinary, since nothing stayed broken in his hands.¡±

    Kathie cut in, ¡°Truly? I always thought he wasing for your dad to handle repairs, not that he was actually capable himself.¡±

    ¡°You misunderstood, Kathie. My dad could manage minor faults, but anything moreplex exceeded him. Around here, in a poorer area, people brought discarded items that already had problems. Many came withbels in foreignnguages. Without Mr. Watson¡¯s trantions, my dad couldn¡¯t even read them, let alone repair them.¡±

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    Royce gave a shortugh, spreading his palms wide. ¡°Truth is, my dad fooled everyone. It was always Mr. Watson doing the real work. One day, I finally asked how manynguages he could speak. Want to guess?¡±

    Chris thought briefly and lifted three fingers. ¡°Three?¡±

    ¡°Too low.¡± Royce shook his head. ¡°Try higher.¡±

    Maia arched a brow and raised four fingers. ¡°Four, maybe?¡±

    ¡°Still low,¡± Royce chuckled. ¡°You can guess higher. Honestly, that¡¯s why I admired Mr. Watson so much. He was remarkable.¡±

    ¡°Stop dragging it out,¡± Kathie urged impatiently, knowing this mattered to Maia. ¡°How many? Say it!¡±

    ¡°Eight,¡± Royce said with a grin. ¡°Mr. Watson told me he knew eightnguages.¡±

    Kathie gasped, her lips parting in shock. ¡°I never imagined Maia¡¯s father had that gift.¡±

    Maia¡¯s hand tightened slightly, her thoughts weaving together faint fragments of her father.

    She remembered the Shakespeare her father had written down, the skill he had with repairs, and now his knowledge of eightnguages. Why would a man with such gifts choose to remain in the slums? Surely her father could have built a far better life.

    Did circumstances force her parents into hiding here?

    Maia remained silent, unsettled by the thought that her parents¡¯ decision to live in the slums seemed utterly misced.

    .

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 Chapter 1043

    ?Chapter 1043:

    Chris¡¯s attention settled on Maia with newfound understanding.

    His wife¡¯s intelligence and strength suddenly made perfect sense¡ªshe had inherited her father¡¯s formidable legacy.

    A subtle smile touched his lips as his fascination with Maia¡¯s origins deepened.

    Suddenly, chaos erupted beyond the walls.

    ¡°Move faster! The generous benefactor has returned. If we arrivete, we¡¯ll miss everything.¡±

    ¡°Another visit? This is the third time, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Stop wasting time with chatter, or you¡¯ll lose your chance¡­¡±

    Their attention shifted toward themotion outside, where pedestrians rushed through the streets as though drawn by some momentous event.

    Royce stepped from behind his counter, positioned himself at the doorway, and peered into the distance before addressing Maia. ¡°Someone has arrived to help these disadvantaged neighborhoods, distributing food and essential supplies to those in need. Will you join them? If not, would you mind supervising the store?¡± His expression brightened with genuine enthusiasm. ¡°I refuse to miss witnessing such generous acts.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d love to see this myself,¡± Maia replied, her interest immediately sparked. She burned with curiosity about the identity of the person helping the slum¡¯s residents.

    If possible, she wanted to contribute as well.

    Kathie, catching Maia¡¯s intentions, offered an encouraging smile. ¡°You should all go ahead. My age makes me better suited to remain here and guard the store.¡±

    The group navigated through several treacherous alleyways, where muddy ground created slippery footing beneath their feet, their steps asionally sshing through puddles left by the recent rainfall.

    Fresh content live on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls?c?m

    Ahead stretched a moderately level area teeming with people. At the center stood a makeshift wooden table overflowing with food, clothing, canned provisions, and other vital necessities.<fn2bbc> Follow current nov?ls on ?ovelFind</fn2bbc>

    Volunteers wearing distinctive armbands worked to maintain orderly distribution, while another team handed out the collected supplies.

    Within the crowd, someone helped an elderly person secure their stic bag.

    Sunlight filtered through gaps between the crumbling buildings, bathing one man in a golden glow.

    He raised his head, and their eyes met.

    Maia¡¯s body went rigid with shock.

    The man was Hurst.

    Hurst lifted his hand in greeting toward Maia, his eyes brightening with quiet, unmistakable satisfaction as his mouth curved into a gentle arc.

    After learning of Maia¡¯s visits to these impoverished areas, he had made a daily habit ofing here to donate to the disadvantaged residents.

    Everything he had orchestrated led to this precise moment.

    His goal was to make a favorable impression on Maia, to present himself as someone driven bypassion, and to engineer a seemingly idental encounter designed to win her admiration.

    Of course, it wasn¡¯t easy¡­ but Hurst also had information about Maia¡¯s parents, which was enough to make her feel grateful to him.

    With supreme confidence, Hurst maneuvered through the assembled crowd, advancing purposefully toward Maia.

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 Chapter 1044

    ?Chapter 1044:

    ¡°Ms. Watson, what an extraordinary coincidence to encounter you in this ce,¡± he remarked, casting a brief nce toward Chris standing beside her.<fnad63> This text is hosted at ?ovelFind</fnad63>

    Chris was surprised to see Hurst but kept hisposure. He knew that while Hurst often participated in charitable activities, he typically appeared only when the media were present to document the event, delegating most of the actual work to his professional team. On those asions, Hurst would specifically invite reporters to capture and broadcast such demonstrations of kindness.

    Yet as Chris scanned the area, he detected no sign of media coverage whatsoever.

    ¡°This truly is an unexpected coincidence. I never anticipated that you would be the one conducting charitable work here, Mr. Cooper.¡± Maia¡¯s voice carried warmth and genuine appreciation. She had always maintained¡­

    She had always held positive feelings about Hurst, and now she witnessed a side of his character unknown to the public.

    What struck her most was Hurst¡¯s genuine assistance to the impoverished residents of the slums. Along the way, she had overheard countless people praising his dedication.

    Maia realized this wasn¡¯t his first visit, nor did he resemble those who performed charity only for the cameras. Theplete absence of reporters confirmed his sinceremitment to helping the disadvantaged.

    From Maia¡¯s lighthearted tone, Hurst sensed he had won her approval.

    ¡°Simply contributing what I can offer,¡± he replied, brushing off the praise with a casual gesture. ¡°I regrly organize charitable activities because my wealthes from society. I cannot focus exclusively on profit; I must also give back and work to improve the living conditions of Wront¡¯s residents.¡±

    ¡°Beautifully expressed!¡± Royce burst into enthusiastic apuse. ¡°Mr. Cooper, you truly embody greatness!¡±

    L?t??¦Ó §éh?¦Ñ¦Ó?r? ¦Én g¨»l??¦Ïv?l?.§ão??

    His pping inspired the nearby crowd to join in, voicing their praise for Hurst¡¯s charitable efforts. The atmosphere turned vibrant and celebratory.

    Chris¡¯s eyes darkened with contemtion.

    Meanwhile, Maia felt herself drawn to the appeal of helping others, Hurst¡¯s words echoing through her mind. She focused on him and asked with humble curiosity, ¡°Mr. Cooper, I¡¯m eager to be involved in charitable work myself. Would you share any guidance?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely.¡± Hurst¡¯s smile broadened as he gestured to the volunteers behind him. ¡°Would you like some firsthand experience right now? You could help me distribute these supplies, and I¡¯ll give you a thorough overview of charitable work, including details about the organizations operating throughout Wront.¡±

    He reached toward his assistant, retrieved a volunteer armband, and extended it to Maia.

    ¡°I would be absolutely delighted to join your efforts,¡± Maia dered, epting the armband before turning to Chris. ¡°You should help as well.¡±

    Inside the Cooper Group headquarters, the conference room felt heavier than usual.

    Kiley let her eyes sweep across the long table before she spoke in a low voice. ¡°I want to know what everyone thinks about the crisis we¡¯re facing now.¡± Her words hung in the air, and most of the senior executives dropped their gaze without speaking.

    A handful of experienced board members, however, lifted their heads and fixed their eyes on her.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1045

    ?Chapter 1045:

    ¡°We won¡¯t get anywhere if we keep relying on price wars,¡± one of them said carefully. ¡°The only way forward is to repair thepany¡¯s image. Right now, our profits are no better than they were twenty years ago. We¡¯re barely keeping ourselves afloat. If nothing changes, we¡¯ll be looking at real losses soon.¡±

    Another elder leaned forward and voiced his agreement. ¡°That¡¯s exactly the issue. We need to reshape how the public views us. People are hearing too much bad news about the Cooper Group. Where is our PR department in all this? Do they even understand that our two-hundred-year survival has always depended on protecting our good name?¡±

    ¡°Everyone knows what you said. But what¡¯s the solution? If you¡¯ve got a strategy,y it out for us. Or are you nning to dump the whole problem on the new general manager?¡± The remark came with a mocking tone, the speaker¡¯s disdain for Kiley, who had just taken office, dripping from every word.

    In truth, however, those who had dared to challenge Kiley¡¯s authority were no longer in the picture.

    That same board member who seemed bold enough to confront Kiley was, in fact, already aligned with her camp.

    Kiley had ced him there deliberately, using him as both a pawn to soothe tempers and bait to draw out any hidden opposition.

    Attention in the room shifted toward the outspoken figure, though just as quickly, every pair of eyes darted back to Kiley, waiting to see how she would respond.

    With deliberate calm, Kiley rested her smooth hand on the polished table and gave it a gentle tap.

    ¡°All of you may have different thoughts about me, but that¡¯s not the issue here. What matters is that your goals are tied to mine.¡± As she spoke, she rose from her seat, her posture towering over the executives, her confidence filling the room. ¡°Since none of you seems capable of offering a solution to the Cooper Group¡¯s current troubles, I¡¯ll handle it. From this moment on, my directives will guide you, and my word will be the rule.¡± Kiley¡¯s cold eyes drifted across the table, lingering on each face. ¡°The first step is to restore the Cooper Group¡¯s reputation. To achieve that, we will organize a grand charity g to demonstrate our dedication to social responsibility.¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??????, the heart of fiction

    Shock rippled among the executives, their expressions betraying disbelief.

    Could it be that she truly had a n?<fn29fd> Find the newest release on f?ndnovel</fn29fd>

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Arge-scale charity event would drown out the negative reports. The public won¡¯t dwell on gossip once they feel they¡¯ve gained something from us!¡± one director quickly chimed in, relief in his tone. ¡°Exactly, and the media thrives on stories like this. If it¡¯s executed well, the Cooper Group could stand taller than before,¡± another executive added with enthusiasm.

    The board member who had challenged Kiley earlier frowned and muttered with clear irritation, ¡°We already hold charity events every year, and we even control the leading charity association in Wront. Isn¡¯t that more than enough?¡± The remarknded heavily, sending unease through the room like ripples across still water.

    All eyes turned back to Kiley, waiting for her response.

    Instead of showing irritation, she curved her lips into a faint smile. ¡°The reason is simple. What we¡¯ve done so far has fallen short. You¡¯re all aware that I¡¯ve long managed the overseas markets.¡± She let a pause settle before her tone sharpened with resolve. ¡°That¡¯s why I won¡¯t limit our efforts to a local charity event in Wront. My vision isrger. I intend tounch a global charity g. Leaders and well-known figures from around the world will be invited, and together, we¡¯ll provide food and clothing for those living in poverty.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1046

    ?Chapter 1046:

    Her deration left the conference room buzzing with disbelief.

    A global charity g? Such a thought had never crossed their minds.

    At that very moment, Raegan clicked open a PowerPoint file, ready to reveal the n in greater detail.<fnf140> Official source is find?novel</fnf140>

    The massive screen lit up, showcasing Kiley¡¯s ambitious proposal for the g. Reactions were immediate, with several executives springing from their seats in surprise.

    ¡°A jointunch of Radiant Jewels alongside the charity g?¡±

    ¡°Famous actors, global celebrities, even political leaders¡ªare we really bringing all of them in?¡±

    ¡°Is this within our reach? If it seeds, we won¡¯t just erase the damage to our reputation. The benefits could reshape the Cooper Group¡¯s future and push it far beyond its current standing.¡±

    Seeing their shocked faces, Kiley drawled, ¡°This time, I will also invite Maia Watson from MCN.¡±

    Turning her gaze toward the head of PR, she added with measured authority, ¡°You understand what needs to be done. Make sure you take advantage of this chance.¡±

    At the Cooper family¡¯s vi, Kolton listened to reports about Kiley¡¯s performance in the boardroom, and a look of satisfaction crossed his face. Afterward, he shifted his gaze toward the dungeon and released a weary sigh. ¡°udius, you¡¯re still leagues behind Kiley when ites to strategy. Haven¡¯t you realized it yet? Maia isn¡¯t the harmless woman you¡¯ve convinced yourself she is. Every move she makes is tearing at the very foundation of the Cooper Group here in Wront.¡±

    After the meeting concluded, Kiley positioned herself beside the expansive panoramic window, her gaze sweeping across the urbanndscape below. Deliberately, she raised her hands and clenched them into tight fists. For two full centuries, the Cooper Group had served as the bedrock of this city¡¯s identity and character.

    More books avable at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv?ls

    Anyone bold enough to challenge the Cooper Group¡¯s authority would face her relentless, unforgiving wrath.

    Pivoting away from the window, Kiley turned her attention to Raegan with a pointed question. ¡°Before our meetingmenced, you mentioned that someone requested an audience with me?¡±

    Raegan paused in her document sorting and responded promptly, ¡°Correct. The requestes from ady representing the Nelson family. She ims to have something of vital importance to discuss with you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re perfectly capable of declining such requests without consulting me. I have no interest whatsoever in Wront¡¯s pretentious high-society circles,¡± Kiley said withplete indifference. However, after a brief contemtion, curiosity got the better of her. ¡°What is this important matter?¡±

    ¡°She specifically referenced Maia,¡± Raegan rified, lifting her gaze from the paperwork. ¡°That detail prompted me to mention it before the meeting began. Furthermore, I¡¯ve recently investigated Mrs. Nelson¡¯s background, and her history is quite fascinating.¡± A cunning smile danced across Raegan¡¯s features while her eyes zed with predatory intensity. ¡°Her true identity is Rosanna Morgan¡ªthe legitimate daughter of the Morgan family, whose position Maia usurped for seventeen long years.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s expression reflected genuine admiration as she observed Raegan, her smile widening with approval. ¡°Excellently executed. Under these circumstances, we shall grant this authentic Morgan daughter her desired opportunity. Extend an invitation for her to attend my exclusive evening gathering tonight.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 1047

    Chapter 1047:

    ¡°Understood. In fact, I¡¯ve already prepared the invitation for the Nelson family,¡± Raegan replied with satisfaction, presenting aprehensive stack of documents to Kiley. ¡°Here are myplete findings. I believe Rosanna could prove an invaluable strategic asset.¡±

    That evening, within a secluded private vineyard nestled in Wront¡¯s countryside, the sophisticated gathering reached its peak.

    The assembled guests were heirs and heiresses from Wront¡¯s most distinguished families, apanied by their carefully chosen spouses.

    Rosanna moved in perfect sync with Axell, wearing a meticulously custom-designed evening gown that radiated elegance and refinement.

    Behind her graceful form, Austen discreetly let his hand graze her hip whenever onlookers were distracted. Rosanna betrayed no visible disturbance, though a delicate flush bloomed across her cheekbones.

    After confirming that Axell remainedpletely oblivious to the subtle interaction, she turned to Austen with a mischievously reproachful re. In recent days, she had finally seeded in winning theplete loyalty and affection of both Nelson brothers.

    Thanks to Austen¡¯s strategic rmendation, Axell had officially granted Rosanna permission to participate in various social gatherings and events.

    Once Rosanna secured her newfound freedom, her immediate priority was to visit the Cooper Group headquarters, hoping to arrange a meeting with Kiley.

    Although she failed to achieve that direct encounter on her first attempt, she felt fortunate that tonight presented another precious opportunity. Rosanna¡¯s eyes narrowed with determination as she reminded herself to capitalize fully on this moment.

    Discover what¡¯s new on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls

    Shortly thereafter, Kiley made her anticipated entrance.

    The assembled guests instantly shifted into obsequious disys toward the newly appointed CEO of the Cooper Group.

    ¡°Ms. Cooper, your presence surpasses even my most optimistic expectations for charm and sophistication. Should the Wall family be able to serve your interests in Wront, please don¡¯t hesitate to inform us.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Cooper, your decision to invite Wront¡¯s most influential personalities tonight suggests major announcements ahead. The Miller family pledges unwavering support for whatever direction you choose to pursue.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Cooper, we humbly request your continued protection and guidance in future endeavors. If any opportunity arises where we might prove useful, simply say the word.¡±

    These individuals were exceptionally shrewd, acutely aware of the Cooper Group¡¯stest strategic movements and developments. They understood that Kiley¡¯s polished appearance belied her true nature¡ªshe was a woman of extraordinary cunning and calcted ruthlessness.

    Within mere days, she had assertedplete domination over the Cooper Group¡¯s headquarters, silencing every trace of opposition through methods beyond ordinary means. Whispered rumors even suggested that certain individuals had been quietly removed from the equation entirely.

    Whether their motives sprang from a desire to curry favor with the Cooper Group or from self-preservation to avoid offending Kiley personally, Wront¡¯s entire social atmosphere had transformed dramatically in just a few short days.

    Rosanna watched Kiley surrounded by devoted admirers, her heart swelling with bitter envy and resentment.

    Like Maia before her, Kileymanded center stage, basking in widespread adoration and reverent attention from countless onlookers.

    Despite being the same age, Rosanna had only managed to secure a precarious status under the protective umbre of the two Nelson brothers. She clenched her fists with renewed determination, refusing to abandon the purpose that had brought her here tonight.<fn94c1> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn94c1>

    But the crowd was imprable, effectively blocking her path to Kiley.

    At that moment, someone tapped her shoulder.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Great Friday for you dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (???©n???) ? ?? ??

    .

 Chapter 1048

    ?Chapter 1048:

    Rosanna turned slightly and found herself staring into Raegan¡¯s eyes.

    Recognition flickered across her face. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ Ms. Cooper¡¯s assistant, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Impressive. You still remember me,¡± Raegan replied with a faint smile. ¡°I assume you¡¯re eager to meet Ms. Cooper. I do have a way, though I¡¯m uncertain if you¡¯re brave enough to try it.¡±

    Her gaze lingered on Rosanna as she leaned closer and whispered, ¡°I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re skilled at the piano. What if you perform tonight at the reception? If you manage to face your fears and finish the piece, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re introduced to Ms. Cooper.¡±

    The suggestion stunned Rosanna.

    Memories of her defeat at Maia¡¯s hands in a pianopetition rushed back, reminding her why she had abandoned the instrument ever since.

    Why would Raegan demand such a thing?

    And how could this woman possibly know about the scars she carried?

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± Clenching her fists, Rosanna forced herself to agree.

    This was her only chance to reach Kiley, and she refused to let it slip through her fingers.<fne98e> Newest update provided by find~novel</fne98e>

    At the same time, Kiley noticed Raegan already speaking with Rosanna, and her smile deepened.

    Although she was curious to meet Rosanna, she would never allow her eagerness to be too apparent.

    Barriers and trials had to be set in ce so that Rosanna would cherish the privilege of standing before her.

    In addition, Kiley wanted Rosanna to break free from the shadow Maia had cast over her. Only then could she be considered a weapon sharp enough to wield.

    Kiley¡¯s mind never rested, always turning with schemes and calctions.

    Before long, Rosanna was seated at the piano.

    Several guests recognized her instantly, and whispers spread quickly among the women.

    Find thetest stories g?ln¦Òv??ls

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the Morgan family¡¯s daughter? How could she possibly receive an invitation from the Cooper Group?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! She caused such a scandal before. Everyone here still remembers the scene she created with Axell at the party.¡±

    ¡°I heard the Morgan family disowned her. The only daughter they acknowledge now is Maia, though I also heard Maia has already cut ties with them.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Word is the Morgan family regrets it terribly, and they began treating Maia like their true daughter and even defend her whenever they hear someone speak ill of her.¡±

    ¡°How ridiculous! The impostor has taken the ce of the rightful one.¡±

    Each remark struck Rosanna like a de as she stood beside the piano. She bit her lower lip, trying to steady herself against the sting of their gossip.

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 Chapter 1049

    ?Chapter 1049:

    Although her body trembled, Rosanna forced her hands to hover steadily above the keys.

    ¡°Let us wee Mrs. Nelson, who will present a special performance tonight,¡± Raegan said, stepping forward with a poised smile.

    At that very moment, Axell and Austen appeared, moving through the crowd until they stood in in view at the front. The atmosphere shifted instantly, and the chatter died down under the weight of their presence.

    ¡°I don¡¯t appreciate hearing rumors about my sister-inw,¡± Austen said in a quiet but firm tone to the crowd. ¡°This time I¡¯ll ignore it, but the next time¡­ you¡¯ll learn that gossipes with a price.¡±

    By his side, Axell raised his voice toward Rosanna. ¡°Make sure you y properly. Don¡¯t bring shame on me.¡±<fncb3a> Readplete version only at f?ndnovel</fncb3a>

    Reactions rippled through the guests, their faces showing unease and surprise. Everyone knew Rosanna¡¯s ce with Axell came from the night she spent with him.

    Now, with Austen standing in her corner as well, the situation was unlike anything they had ever seen.

    For the first time that evening, Rosanna¡¯s nerves began to settle. Her gaze drifted toward the Nelson brothers, and emotions tangled within her chest.

    She might have secured her role through painfulpromise, but atst she carried the name Mrs. Nelson.

    Her fingers pressed against the piano, gliding swiftly across ck and white like a delicate dance.

    Momentster, the music came to an end.

    A heavy silence lingered in the banquet hall as the guests remained captivated by the spell of her performance.

    Then Kiley began to p, and the entire room soon followed with thunderous apuse.

    ¡°Mrs. Nelson, that performance was absolutely breathtaking!¡±

    ¡°Rosanna has exceeded every whisper of her artistic brilliance. Tonight proved that witnessing her talent firsthand surpasses any reputation.¡±

    Stay connected at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°Online critics insist her skills pale beside Maia¡¯s prowess, yet I find myself questioning their harsh judgment.¡±

    The gathered guests discovered newfound reverence for Rosanna¡ªnot merely because the Cooper family had embraced her with such obvious warmth, but because she now bore the distinguished title of Mrs. Nelson. No one would underestimate the hostess of any prominent family, especially the Nelsons¡ªAxell¡¯s wife.

    Rosanna rose gracefully from her seat, acknowledging the thunderous apuse with a dignified nod.

    Raegan materialized beside her, voice cutting through the lingering ovation. ¡°Exquisitely executed. Follow me¡ªI¡¯ll introduce you to Ms. Cooper.¡±

    Witnessing this exchange, several attendees began calcting whether cultivating favor with the Morgan family might prove advantageous.

    The Morgan residence sprawled in quiet elegance. Richard had settledfortably into his favorite armchair, a newspaper spread across hisp, when his phone erupted with an unexpected chime.

    .

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 Chapter 1050

    ?Chapter 1050:

    He lifted the device, studying the illuminated screen as his brow creased into deep furrows.

    Sandra glided past, catching sight of his troubled expression. ¡°Richard, has something disturbed you?¡±

    Richard¡¯s gaze snapped upward, wonder threading through his words. ¡°Someone witnessed Rosanna at Cooper Group¡¯s exclusive cocktail gathering this evening.¡±

    He bolted upright, turning the phone toward her. ¡°She appeared in public not as our Morgan daughter, but as Axell¡¯s wife¡ªMrs. Nelson.¡±

    ¡°This news fills my heart with pure joy!¡± Sandra seized the phone, devouring its contents with hungry eyes. ¡°Richard, what we did was right¡ªRosanna will surely remember our sacrifice with gratitude.¡±

    ¡°Precisely! Axell honored his word and made Rosanna his wife,¡± Richard reflected, satisfaction warming his voice. ¡°We fulfilled our final duty as her biological parents.¡±

    ¡°The world now recognizes Rosanna as Mrs. Nelson.¡± Sandra¡¯s expression clouded with sudden mncholy. ¡°Yet we received no wedding invitation. Does our daughter harbor resentment toward us?¡±

    ¡°Abandon such thoughts¡ªAxell must have forbidden her from including us,¡± Richard said with gentle reassurance. ¡°Everything belongs to yesterday now. Perhaps someday Rosanna willprehend the love behind our difficult choices.¡±

    Meanwhile, Rosanna had returned to the Nelson mansion¡¯s familiar embrace. Her spirits soared with quiet triumph.

    Earlier that evening, she had prostrated herself before Kiley, surrendering her pride to be nothing more than a willing servant¡ªeven offering to grovel as her devotedpdog¡ªall to secure Kiley¡¯s assistance against Maia. These humiliating acts meant nothing to Rosanna¡¯s calcting mind.

    If destroying Maia required such sacrifices, she would pay any price. After all, the moment she bartered away her dignity and status for raw power, her former self had diedpletely.

    Therefore, Rosanna had finally grasped the victory she had pursued so relentlessly.

    Your favorite tales are on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§ànn

    Kiley had epted her desperate proposal, hiring her as an assistant to coordinate the approaching charity g alongside Raegan.

    Axell remained in the shower while Rosanna stretched across their bed, her vacant stare fixed on the ceiling¡¯s pristine surface.

    ¡°Kiley believes I¡¯m merely another piece on her borate chessboard. But in my carefully constructed game, she has be the true pawn serving my purposes.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s features hardened into granite resolve. The time had arrived for her foolish parents to face the devastating consequences of their betrayal.

    She reached for the phone she had obtained from Austen. Her eyes zed with dangerous fervor.

    ¡°Richard, Sandra, you have proven yourselves unworthy of parenthood. Since you worship Maia and dream of iming her as your daughter, I will ensure you perish drowning in that very delusion.¡±<fnbb4c> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n F?ndNovel</fnbb4c>

    Rosanna sat on the plush bed, her suddenughter sharp and unhinged, echoing through the room.

    ¡°They don¡¯t deserve to be called parents. They should be dead, but not quickly. I want them to suffer, to drown in despair. And I¡¯ll pin their deaths on Maia,¡± she muttered, her voice low and venomous.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1051

    ?Chapter 1051:<fna688> Chapters first released on find(?)ovel</fna688>

    Her hands shook, her eyes narrowing with a cold, predatory glint.

    She had resolved to end Richard and Sandra, the ones who had drugged her and delivered her to Axell¡¯s bed.

    ¡°You were dead to me the moment you betrayed me,¡± she said with a bitter chuckle, her fingers moving swiftly across her phone screen.

    Posing as Maia, she sent a message to Richard and Sandra.

    ¡°You sought Maia¡¯s forgiveness, didn¡¯t you? I can help with that,¡± she muttered as she typed.

    At the Morgan family vi, their phones buzzed in unison.

    Sandra frowned at thete hour.

    ¡°Who¡¯s texting now?¡± she murmured, scrolling through her device. Her expression froze in shock. She turned to Richard, showing him the message. Richard, already reading the same text on his phone, leaped from the sofa, his voice brimming with excitement. ¡°Maia sent us a message.¡±

    They stared at their screens, disbelief mingling with joy as they absorbed the words.

    ¡°Maia has forgiven us. She wants to meet,¡± Richard eximed, his enthusiasm clear.

    Sandra¡¯s eyes welled with tears. ¡°This is incredible. Our efforts weren¡¯t wasted,¡± she said, her voice trembling.

    ¡°Let¡¯s reply and invite her home,¡± Richard nodded, beginning to type.

    Before he could finish, another message arrived from ¡°Maia.¡±

    He opened it and turned to Sandra.

    ¡°She¡¯s changed her number and asked us to update it.¡± Sandra checked her phone, finding a simr message.

    ¡°After all she¡¯s been through, I understand her changing her number. The paparazzi must be relentless,¡± she said.

    Richard and Sandra werepletely unaware that the new number didn¡¯t belong to Maia at all. It was a burner phone Rosanna had acquired from the ck market to ensure anonymity¡ªa number with no real owner¡¯s information or identity.

    Updates loaded at g¦Ál¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe??s

    The Morgan couple assumed Maia had changed her number due to harassment. Their excitement grew, convinced she had forgiven them and would return to the Morgan family.

    Rosanna¡¯s gaze darkened as she read their replies, a cruel smile curling her lips. ¡°Maia, your mom and I hope you¡¯lle home. You¡¯re our daughter, and we want you with us,¡± Richard wrote.

    ¡°You¡¯re my daughter, Maia, and I¡¯ll spend my life making up for my wrongs,¡± Sandra added.

    Rosannaughed coldly. ¡°They call Maia their true daughter. Rosanna, how pitiful you are,¡± she whispered to herself.

    In the next moment, her demeanor shifted, her voice turning cold. ¡°At least my n is going smoothly. They haven¡¯t suspected a thing.¡±

    By impersonating Maia, she had lowered their defenses with a false promise of forgiveness. That was only the first step.

    Her second step¡ªtricking them into epting ¡°Maia¡¯s new number¡±¡ªhad seeded, allowing her to deepen the ruse and draw them into her trap.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1052

    ?Chapter 1052:

    Satisfaction settled across her face.

    The sound of a door creaking open broke her focus, followed by footsteps approaching from the bathroom.

    Axell wasing!

    Rosanna quickly slipped her phone out of sight and then sank onto the bed. She made sure herce dress was sitting just right, tugging it slightly up as she arranged herself in the middle of the bed, oozing charm.

    Hershes twitched delicately, and a faint grin curved her lips, giving her a captivating look.

    The bedroom door creaked open, and a wave of steam drifted in from the bathroom, carrying the sound of approaching footsteps.

    Axell appeared at the side of the bed, a towel wrapped around his waist. He caught sight of Rosanna¡¯s tempting pose and felt his throat tighten; desire sparked in his eyes instantly.

    He murmured her name, ¡°Rosanna¡­¡±

    Rosanna drew him closer with a flick of her finger, her gaze sparkling with mischief.

    In the blink of an eye, Axell lunged forward, driven by fierce desire.

    Outside the window, Austen kept himself hidden, quietly observing the scene without anyone noticing.

    The moment he caught sight of them together, his expression darkened, and he turned on his heel, retreating to his own room.

    What exactly had Rosanna done? Who had she just messaged on the phone she borrowed from him?

    Meanwhile, Maia finally made her way back to Elysium Apartments after wrapping up the day¡¯s charity work in the slums.

    She paused at the bottom of the stairs, scanning the area to ensure she wasn¡¯t being watched before making her way up.

    Maia had made an excuse and discreetly ensured Chris left early before the charity work came to an end today. By doing so, she could avoid suspicion about their living arrangement.

    With Hurst showing up nked by a dozen bodyguards, Maia hadn¡¯t felt a shred of worry about any threats.

    Chris stayed quiet for what felt like an eternity before finally nodding and agreeing to leave.

    Maia couldn¡¯t shake the sense that something was off; Chris looked unusually tense, his eyes on Hurst sharp and icy.<fn9cba> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find~novel</fn9cba>

    Could he be feeling jealous?

    She let out a soft, amused chuckle at the idea.

    Spending the day helping Hurst hand out supplies had lifted Maia¡¯s spirits. The gratitude of the people around her left her feeling lighter.

    Maybe that was what life was really about.

    ¡°Perhaps I should talk to Pattie tomorrow about setting aside part of MCN¡¯s earnings for a charity fund to aid the needy,¡± she mused quietly.

    Just as Maia reached the door to her apartment, her phone buzzed again, breaking her thoughts.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1053

    ?Chapter 1053:

    Lenny¡¯s call came through.

    Maia¡¯s face brightened as she picked up. Without waiting for him to speak, she asked, ¡°Professor Bryant, is the surgical practice room ready?¡±

    ¡°Take it easy, Maia. You already knew the answer,¡± Lenny¡¯s calm voice said over the line. ¡°I managed to secure a surgery room at Maple Hospital through a friend. It¡¯s only avable at night, and in emergencies, the ER takes priority.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s more than enough. Thanks a lot, Professor Bryant.¡± Maia nced at her apartment door, paused briefly, then added, ¡°Professor Bryant, can Ie over now?¡±

    Her gaze dropped to her shaking right hand as worry crept in. ¡°I just can¡¯t wait any longer,¡± she said, her voice tinged with anxiety.

    ¡°Of course! I¡¯ll send the address immediately,¡± Lenny replied. Aware of the recent events in Wront and Maia¡¯s husband¡¯s condition, he knew there was no time to waste.

    Maia didn¡¯t knock. She didn¡¯t step into the apartment either.

    She just shot Chris a quick message. ¡°I have something to handle tonight, so I might get backte. Don¡¯t wait up for me¡­¡±

    Worried he might push himself, she added another: ¡°Make sure you get some sleep. Take care of yourself and don¡¯t stay up toote.¡±

    After sending the messages, Maia didn¡¯t hang around. She stepped out and gged a cab straight to the hospital.

    She had to get back in top shape as fast as possible if she wanted to perfect the craniotomy and save Chris.

    Meanwhile, inside the apartment, Chris waited for Maia to return, scrolling through her messages. His brow knit tightly with worry.

    For some reason, Hurst¡¯s over-eager behavior kept shing through his mind, especially that afternoon when Hurst had insisted on helping Maia dig into her parents¡¯ past.

    What exactly was he hoping to uncover?

    ???§ÁE ??P?¦«T¦®? I§ª G¦«?§ª?V¦®??.???

    Anyone could tell that Maia¡¯s father didn¡¯te from the slums.

    Chris had already hired someone to look into it, confident that answers woulde quickly.

    Suddenly, his phone buzzed. An unknown number lit up the screen.

    Yet he knew right away it was Kiley calling.

    Why her? What had prompted her to ring him out of the blue?

    Chris paused for a heartbeat, then finally picked up the call.

    ¡°Truly surprising, I must admit. I never imagined you¡¯d pick up my call at thiste hour.¡± Kiley¡¯s low, frosty tone drifted through the receiver.

    Her voice hinted at weariness, as though she had been lying under the covers. Chris¡¯s brow furrowed; Kiley wasn¡¯t the type of woman who would contact him at such a time merely for idle chatter.

    ¡°You disturbed me thiste only to say that?¡± Chris responded sharply, his voice growing colder. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing important, I¡¯ve got to go.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you wish to see Grandpa?¡± Kiley asked, a faint curve tugging at her lips. ¡°I¡¯ve finally found a means.¡±

    .

    .

    .<fne90b> Find the newest release on ?ovelFind</fne90b>

 Chapter 1054

    ?Chapter 1054:

    ¡°What means?¡± Chris fought to steady the rush of eagerness rising within, forcing his voice to remainposed.

    ¡°Give me your location, and I¡¯ll send over two entry passes,¡± Kiley replied at a deliberate pace, then borated, ¡°Cooper Group is preparing a major phnthropic banquet. Grandpa, as the former president of Cooper Group, will be present. I¡¯ll carve out a small window for you to meet him privately. But I can¡¯t guarantee how long that moment will be. I¡¯ll do my best to secure it for you. This path is the only realistic choice. I trust you grasp that and won¡¯t squander the chance.¡±

    She added softly, ¡°Be assured. Father won¡¯t be informed of this.¡±

    The meaning beneath her words was in. If Kolton learned of it, even with Kiley¡¯s involvement, Chris would lose every possibility of seeing Laurence alone.

    In addition, she was reminding him that this would be the single opening. Before Chris could reply, Kiley continued, ¡°I¡¯m handing you two passes. Surely you understand the significance of that?¡±

    ¡°Oh? And what significance would that be?¡± Chris pretended ignorance.

    He remained mindful that his guise as the unwanted and talentless illegitimate son in the eyes of the Coopers had to be upheld.

    ¡°Ms. Cooper, you know my nature. Unless you rify, I might fail to catch your meaning,¡± Chris added evenly.

    ¡°Chris, such tricks are wasted between us.¡± Kiley let out a lightugh, unwilling to prolong the guessing game.<fnbad0> Original content can be found at Find1Novel</fnbad0>

    ¡°I can read your character at a nce.¡± She dismissed Chris¡¯s pretense and redirected the talk. ¡°Returning to the main point, let me be candid. I expect¡­ you and Maia to attend this banquet together. Don¡¯t worry. I sincerely hope you both can join. Perhaps we¡¯ve had friction over Mariana, but this gathering offers a chance to ease those strains, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°So that¡¯s all¡­ You ought to have said so from the start. I¡¯ll ask Maia if she¡¯s willing to attend.¡± Chris still carried on with the shallow image the Coopers had of him, cautious that Kiley might not have seen his true colors and was just saying so to test him.

    After replying, he promptly added, ¡°But there¡¯s no need to deliver the passes to my residence. I¡¯ll collect them myself. I prefer not to have anyone know where I stay. After all, at eighteen, I barely escaped an ambush and took a bullet.¡±

    Don¡¯t miss out g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m

    ¡°My sympathies for that,¡± Kiley murmured as she shifted upright, her gaze dimming. She had certainly heard of that ordeal. Even her father, Kolton, had deliberately sent men to uncover the truth at the time. Kolton had told her that when they discovered the assant, he had already shot himself.

    Whether Chris was simply affecting weakness or genuinely a lost cause was something Kiley despised. She hoped it was an act; if not, his existence dragged shame upon the Cooper family.

    ¡°Indeed. You all regret it. Perhaps everyone¡¯s lives would have been smoother if I had perished back then.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that. Whatever the case, you remain part of the Cooper family,¡± Kiley whispered, forcing down her displeasure. ¡°Still, I see your caution. In that case, appear at Cooper Group tomorrow. Someone will be waiting in the lobby for you.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1055

    ?Chapter 1055:<fn814f> For more chapters visit Find?Novel</fn814f>

    ¡°Very well,¡± Chris answered with a faint smile.

    Chris ended the call as soon as he finished speaking.

    He moved to the window and peered into the dark emptiness beyond.

    Kiley seemedpletely in the dark about that old incident. Kolton had apparently wiped away every trace of the assassination attempt, even taking care of the hitman. Chris figured it was wiser to wait for the invitation cards before bringing the topic up with Maia.

    He then pulled out his phone and nced through the messages Maia had sent just moments ago.

    A small, subtle smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

    ¡°Maia, I have no clue what you¡¯re nning, but¡­ I¡¯m counting on you,¡± he said to himself.

    Chris switched off the lights in the living room and made his way to the bedroom.

    Meanwhile, in a suite at the Heliopolis Hotel, Wront,

    Kiley set her phone aside and made her way slowly toward the bathroom. Steam filled the room, and the constant rush of running water echoed all around.

    She tapped gently on the door and murmured, ¡°I¡¯m still uneasy about this. Tomorrow morning, go to MCN and send invitations to both Pattie and Maia. Make sure they know about the charity g next Saturday.¡±

    Inside, Raegan switched off the shower with her slender fingers and draped a towel around herself. She replied casually, ¡°No problem. I¡¯ve already got the invitations for MCN ready.¡±

    After thinking for a moment, she opened the bathroom door, water dripping from her long hair. ¡°Kiley, there¡¯s no reason to stress about Maia turning it down. She¡¯s the talk of the town these days, and with that kind of reputation, she won¡¯t have the nerve to skip the g. Once we leak the invite list to the press and let it spread, if Maia doesn¡¯t show, her image could take a serious hit. Someone like her rejecting a charity event? Her good name would turn sour fast.¡± She added with a smile, ¡°From what I¡¯ve seen, Maia¡¯s sharp and sees the bigger picture. She¡¯ll get it and won¡¯t say no.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Kiley said, her tone warm with gratitude. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the media work to you.¡±

    L??t??st ch??pt??rs in g¦Ál??ovels.c?m

    In the operating room, Maia, soaked in sweat, was practicing dissections on a model, scalpel in hand.

    Lenny hovered nearby, offering advice from time to time.

    Still, as the minutes dragged on, Maia¡¯s hands shook more than usual.

    ¡°Maia, don¡¯t get worked up. Let¡¯s go slowly, one step at a time,¡± Lenny reassured her. ¡°That¡¯s enough for today. Head home and rest. Tomorrow, recall what you did today, follow the process, and try to find your flow.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Professor Bryant. I can keep going. Let me practice a bit longer,¡± Maia said through gritted teeth, pressing on. ¡°Today, I have to get past this mental block.¡±

    In reality, the ¡°mental block¡± was just a cover for her injured right hand.

    Seeing that, Lenny didn¡¯t say another word.

    He moved closer and brushed the sweat off Maia¡¯s forehead, offering a few words of encouragement. ¡°Keep pushing! You¡¯ve got this!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1056

    ?Chapter 1056:

    Maia kept practicing all through the night.

    Lenny didn¡¯t even notice when he drifted off. The next thing he knew, sunlight poured through the window, and Maia was still at it.

    ¡°Maia, stop right now!¡± he rushed in, rmed. ¡°Neurosurgery isn¡¯t a game. Doing a few extra drills won¡¯t automatically make you better. You need steady practice and time to grow. Go home and rest! Once you¡¯ve recovered, we can pick this up,¡± he said firmly, gently leading her out of the hospital.

    Once outside, Maia spotted a caf¨¦ and ordered a cup of coffee to clear her head.

    She hesitated to go home, fearing that she might interrupt Chris, and decided a short nap at the office would be better.

    Before long, Maia reached MCN.

    The moment she walked into the office space, Pattie¡¯s sharp voice cut through the air.

    ¡°A charity g? Hosted by Cooper Group? Thanks, but I¡¯m not interested, and Maia isn¡¯t either!¡± she snapped. ¡°And if you¡¯re not here to discuss business with MCN, don¡¯t bothering back!¡±

    Maia caught the sound of Pattie¡¯s voice and her brows furrowed, yet she didn¡¯t hesitate. She quickened her steps and pushed open the reception room door. At that exact moment, Raegan was heading toward the entrance, and the two nearly collided.

    Fortunately, Maia halted just in time.

    For a brief second, their gazes locked.

    The sight of Raegan inside MCN startled Maia, though she kept her reaction in check. Before she could speak, Raegan¡¯s lips curved into a warm smile, the kind one might offer an old acquaintance. ¡°Maia, it¡¯s only been a few days, but you look much more radiant.¡±<fnaee1> Latest content published on find?novel</fnaee1>

    Her voice carried a gentle lilt, and her manner radiated friendliness, as if she truly felt happy for Maia¡¯s vigor.

    With no change in her expression, Maia answered tly, ¡°You too.¡±

    gal¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe?s.c?m is your update source

    Before the exchange could continue, Pattie rushed forward. She clutched Maia¡¯s arm tightly and pulled her to her side, making her protectiveness and hostility in.

    ¡°Don¡¯t bother with her, Maia.¡± Pattie¡¯s re cut toward Raegan, and her words carried open disdain. ¡°She showed up first thing in the morning, demanding to see you. How shameless! Other than the Morgan family, we ought to ban every single person from Cooper Group.¡±

    In response, Raegan lifted her hands with an exaggerated shrug, her expression feigning innocence. ¡°Ms. Miller, shouldn¡¯t you save those remarks until I¡¯ve left?¡± Her tone remained soft. ¡°It seems Cooper Group has been greatly misunderstood.¡±

    ¡°I said it right in front of you deliberately!¡± Pattie shot back with a sneer, her stare cutting colder than before. ¡°Don¡¯t you have even a shred of self-awareness? I already asked you to leave. So get out of my sight immediately. Stop lingering here without shame, unless you¡¯d prefer I call security to drag you away.¡±

    The moment those words left her lips, she motioned to the staff waiting by the door. ¡°Well? What are you standing there for? Escort her out!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1057

    ?Chapter 1057:

    A group of staff members stepped forward, their courtesyced with authority as they asked Raegan to go.

    Not a word came from Maia during the standoff. Her calm expression made it clear she wasn¡¯t opposing Pattie¡¯s actions.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to push me out. I was leaving already.¡± Darkness flickered briefly in Raegan¡¯s eyes as she backed away, lifting her hands in a gesture of surrender. ¡°I only stopped because I saw someone familiar and wanted to greet her.¡±

    While speaking, sheid two invitations neatly on the coffee table, then turned her gaze on Maia. ¡°Maia, is this the way MCN receives its guests?¡±

    Her finger pointed to the cards. ¡°These are for a charity g. Whether you and Ms. Miller decide toe is entirely your choice. But treating me this way is hardly respectable.¡±

    With that, Raegan pivoted and walked out, refusing to grant either Maia or Pattie a chance to reply.

    The sharp rhythm of her heels against the floor echoed, then slowly faded away.

    Pattie let out a coldugh. ¡°Respectable? That depends on the person. Not everyone deserves the honor of being weed by MCN.¡±

    There was no way she intended to humor Raegan. Pattie had always been blunt and upromising by nature.

    On top of that, MCN was preparing to go head-to-head with Cooper Group.

    This was nothing short of a battle.

    For Cooper Group to show up now with an invitation for Maia and herself could only mean one thing¡ªthey were scheming.

    It was an obvious snare.

    Pattie turned the thought over in her mind as she strode forward, scooped up the invitations, and made straight for the trash bin without hesitation.

    But just then, Maia suddenly stopped her.

    Her gaze lingered on the embossed gold lettering, a faint glimmer sparking in her eyes. ¡°Hold on. Let¡¯s keep them for now. They mighte in handy.¡±

    Fresh updates loaded g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    Pattie tilted her head and frowned at Maia. ¡°Come on, Maia. What reason would the Cooper Group have for inviting us? They¡¯re probably just trying to force a donation out of us. They¡¯re wealthy enough, so why don¡¯t they use their own money instead?¡±

    A quietugh slipped from Maia, her expression unshaken. ¡°I understand your point. Still, something that¡¯s happenedtely made me rethink how I view charity.¡±

    Without hesitation, she pulled the invitation cards from Pattie¡¯s hand, letting her fingers glide over the gold-embossed lettering as if weighing her decision. ¡°This is actually why I came to see you today.¡± Her eyes sharpened with conviction. ¡°I¡¯ve decided to put half of my yearly dividends toward charitable projects. I want to use what I have to truly help the people who are struggling.¡±

    For a moment, Pattie froze, her face full of disbelief. ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡±<fna652> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? Find?Novel</fna652>

    Maia only shook her head, her lips curving into a calm smile. ¡°My mind has never been this clear.¡±

    Pattie blinked hard, her surprise in on her face. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious.¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1058

    ?Chapter 1058:

    ¡°Serious as ever.¡± Maia gave a firm nod. ¡°Why don¡¯t we continue this in your office, where we can talk properly?¡±

    She wasted no time and guided Pattie toward the office.

    The moment the door shut behind them, a faint shift came over Maia¡¯s features. Remaining still, she spoke in a quiet tone. ¡°Pattie, Raegan¡¯s visit today didn¡¯t sit right with me.¡±

    ¡°I felt the same way.¡± Pattie eased into her chair, her yful manner gone. ¡°Still, I need to know¡ªare you actuallymitted to this charity idea?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I am,¡± Maia answered, her tone growing heavier. ¡°The thought only crossed my mind yesterday. Then today, Raegan shows up with Cooper Group¡¯s invitation. Tell me, does that not feel too coincidental, almost like someone¡¯s watching my every move?¡±

    Suspicion flickered in Pattie¡¯s eyes. ¡°Are you implying this could be Hurst¡¯s doing?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a strong possibility,¡± Maia whispered. ¡°Or worse, it could mean I¡¯m being followed. Anyway, refusing the invitation might cause more trouble than it¡¯s worth.¡±

    Maia lowered her gaze to the invitation cards resting in her hand, a faint flicker running through her eyes. ¡°Kiley won¡¯t miss the opportunity to smear both me and MCN.¡±

    For a brief span, the office carried a heavy silence, the weight of her words pressing down on the air.

    Then a sudden gleam sparked in Maia¡¯s expression. She leaned toward Pattie, speaking in a hushed tone against her ear.

    Excitement rushed over Pattie, her face lighting up. ¡°That¡¯s brilliant!¡±

    At that same hour, Raegan stepped out of the MCN building.

    Sliding into the driver¡¯s seat, she slipped a small recorder from the inside of her jacket.

    A cruel smile curved across her mouth.

    Piece by piece, her n was unfolding exactly as she wanted.

    By midday, news outlets in Wront were buzzing with a single story that dominated the airwaves: ¡°Cooper Group will be hosting a grand charity g alongside theunch of Radiant Jewels¡¯test collection.¡±

    The announcement raced through the city like sparks catching dry grass. In particr, Kiley, the freshly appointed CEO of Cooper Group, tirelessly emphasized the value of the charity initiative during her interviews.

    ¡°We owe our sess to the people who believed in us. Since Cooper Group stands where it is today because of the public¡¯s trust, it¡¯s only right that we return that kindness.¡±

    Her confident remarks,bined with her striking aura, sshed across headlines within hours.

    Not long after, Kiley took to Twitter herself, writing, ¡°This event will prove Cooper Group¡¯s sincerity. Every cent from Radiant Jewels¡¯ new product line will fund charity work, from free meals for underprivileged children to establishing a medical assistance fund for the public.¡±

    Barely sixty minutes passed before the post amassed more than ten thousand likes, with shares andments rising at an unstoppable pace.

    At the same time, a wave of celebrities and socialites joined in, leaving their own remarks and reposts to amplify the buzz.

    .

    .<fn80f7> Th?s chapter is updated by F?ndNovel</fn80f7>

    .

 Chapter 1059

    ?Chapter 1059:

    Several guests revealed that they had already received their invitations and confirmed their attendance at the charity g.

    Among the respondents were prominent businessmen, some of whom pledged an additional ten million each to strengthen Cooper Group¡¯s charitable initiative. Such derations ignited a wave of excitement.

    Across social tforms, a wave of ¡°showing off invitations¡± quickly became the newest trend. Owning one of those coveted cards suddenly turned into a mark of prestige. There were even people scrambling to use connections in hopes of securing their own, fueling the frenzy further.

    Driving this whirlwind was Cooper Group¡¯s vast public rtions machine, working seamlessly with hundreds of media outlets. Across social media, world-renowned models and foreign dignitaries proudly posted photos of their invitations to Cooper Group¡¯s uing charity g, instantly sparking worldwide coverage.

    ording to press reports, the event was shaping up to be a record-breaking charity extravaganza, with projections of raising more than fifty billion dors.

    Amid all the glittering publicity, whispers about MCN began surfacing online. Beneath Maia¡¯s Twitter posts, curiousizens started leaving pointedments.

    ¡°Maia, did you receive an invitation to Cooper Group¡¯s charity g? Could you make a statement? Show us the invitation?¡±

    ¡°This is the biggest charity event in Wront. Practically every majorpany is involved. Don¡¯t tell us MCN is sitting this one out?¡±

    Very quickly, the question of Maia¡¯s response¡ªand MCN¡¯s potential appearance at the g¡ªturned into yet another trending topic across social tforms.

    Online chatter surged with intensity.

    Despite the swirlingments across social media, Maia maintained her silence.

    As Wront¡¯s celebrated heroine, her reputation had been soaring.

    Initially, the remarks were straightforward, questioning whether she would attend the Cooper Group¡¯s charity g.

    But the tone soon shifted to malice.

    L¦Á¦Ó??¦Ó ?§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??om

    ¡°Why no reply? That¡¯s awfully arrogant,¡± one user posted.

    ¡°No invitation for you, huh? Or do you just not want to go?¡± another demanded.

    Comments piled up, each pressing for answers to Maia¡¯s silence.

    Even MCN, her fashionpany, issued no statement.<fn5ad8> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on Find_Novel(.</fn5ad8>

    ¡°Did the Cooper Group snub MCN and Maia?¡± one spected.

    ¡°Is the Cooper Group still bitter over past events?¡± another asked.

    Theories multiplied, dissecting the reasons behind Maia¡¯s and MCN¡¯s quiet stance.

    As public pressure peaked, the Cooper Group¡¯s official ount finally posted across tforms: ¡°The Cooper Group champions openness and inclusivity, warmly inviting all to support this charitable cause. MCN is a respected fashion leader, and Maia is a brilliant designer. Both have been invited to our charity g. We aim to spread kindness.¡±

    The attached images showed two invitation cards, one for Maia and the other for Pattie.

    The statement swiftly dispelled public doubts, shifting sentiment back toward Maia and Pattie.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 1060

    ?Chapter 1060:

    Eager anticipation grew for their response, with many hoping that they would confirm attendance.

    ¡°The Cooper Group has been gracious. If Maia holds a grudge and skips the g, I¡¯m done with her,¡± one fan wrote.

    ¡°I knew they wouldn¡¯t exclude Maia. Maybe she¡¯s just shy after udius¡¯s recent pursuit?¡± another suggested.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait for Maia and MCN¡¯s reply. I hope Maia wears her own design and speaks at the g. That would steal the show,¡± a third enthused.

    News of the event spread rapidly through the slums, bing a focal point of conversation. Those touched by Hurst¡¯s recent generosity praised the Cooper Group¡¯s efforts, unable to distinguish between the Cooper Group¡¯s actions and Hurst¡¯s.

    What was unexpected was Hurst¡¯s reaction to the news of the charity g. His response diverged sharply from the public¡¯s enthusiasm.

    ¡°Kiley¡¯s tactics are truly impressive; these orchestrated attacks are likely her doing. What is she trying to achieve? Forcing Maia to attend the charity g?¡± Hurst muttered to himself, leaning back on his sofa, his brow furrowed as he studied the invitation card before him.

    He sighed, weighing the situation carefully. Hurst suspected a hidden motive but couldn¡¯t pinpoint it.

    He nced at the invitation again, his expression cautious. ¡°I¡¯ve been invited to numerous charity eventstely. Skipping this one would raise questions. Though I dread facing Kolton or supporting the Cooper Group¡¯s foundation, I have no choice.¡±

    His decision to attend stemmed partly from concern for Maia. He needed to be present to shield her from any targeting by the Cooper Group.<fnfdc6> Chapters first released on Find~Novel</fnfdc6>

    Chris stepped out of the Cooper Group¡¯s building, sunlight warming his shoulders and glinting off the invitation cards in his hands, one for Maia and one for himself. He resolved to ask Maia¡¯s thoughts on the g.

    With that thought, he pulled out his phone, preparing to contact his wife. As he began typing, Maxwell¡¯s call interrupted him.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s is your story source

    Chris hesitated briefly before answering.

    ¡°Chris, something¡¯s wrong! Get online. Someone¡¯s stirring trouble and attacking Maia,¡± Maxwell said urgently.

    Chris¡¯s eyes narrowed.

    ¡°I¡¯m on it,¡± he replied, ending the call.

    He opened his Twitter app, the trending topic immediately catching his attention:

    ¡°Maia and Pattie refuse to attend Cooper Group¡¯s charity g, sparking online debate.¡±

    Chris tapped on the trending feed and quickly noticed the heated debates about Maia refusing to reply.

    The thread was overflowing with bitter remarks, each one harsher than thest. ¡°Has Maia gone too far this time? Is she just pretending to be distant, or does she actually think she¡¯s some untouchable star? Cooper Group reached out with a kind invitation, and she doesn¡¯t even have the decency to answer?¡± ¡°Are designers always this full of themselves? She skips out on charity events and won¡¯t even exin why. Is she just showing off? Honestly, it¡¯s ridiculous. Maia makes more money than most, yet she refuses to give a dime. And this is the so-called heroine everyone praises?¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1061

    ?Chapter 1061:

    ¡°Her silence says it all. She has no ns to show up. Let¡¯s be real, not everyone is generous. Maia¡¯s just a sharp businesswoman who thrives on publicity. Haven¡¯t you noticed she alwayses out ahead after every controversy?¡±

    When Chris reached the end of those nasty remarks, his expression hardened. He had never imagined that one simple invitation¡ªjust a card¡ªcould stir such chaos and spark an online storm.

    He shot a cold nce at the Cooper Group headquarters, his eyes steady with determination.

    There was no mistaking it. This had Kiley¡¯s fingerprints all over it.

    That so-called invitation was nothing but bait.

    What she really wanted was to whip up a storm online and drag Maia into a public trial.

    Even if Maia had legitimate ns or was quietly setting up real charity work, the crowd would still brand her as heartless. This wasn¡¯t random. It was a nned media trap.

    Chris narrowed his eyes while his fists tightened against his legs.

    Without wasting a second, he yanked open the car door and dropped into the driver¡¯s seat.

    The moment the door closed, he signed in to Twitter using his hidden ount, ¡°Justiceze.¡±

    His thumbs raced over the screen as he fired off posts defending Maia.

    ¡°Are we sure Maia¡¯s the one refusing to join, or is someone just spinning this story to ruin her name?¡±

    ¡°Maia hasn¡¯t even answered yet, so why is everyone already assuming she turned it down?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with all these clueless trolls? Who did Maia supposedly upset now?¡±

    The posts spread fast, drawingments and shares, especially from her loyal fans. They refused to ept that Maia had no interest in the charity event. To them, there had to be another exnation for her silence.

    At the same time, some users started asking who ¡°Justiceze¡± really was. Every time Maia came under fire, that ount always appeared to shield her. A few even floated the idea that her husband might be behind the ount, though the rumor never gained much ground.<fn0dec> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn0dec>

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is your escape to fiction

    What drew everyone¡¯s attention was the question of why Maia had chosen silence, all the more puzzling because the invitation hade from the Cooper Group. Even if she had no desire to be there, she could have given some exnation or excuse instead of acting as though it had never reached her.

    Meanwhile, Ethan sat in his hospital bed, jaw clenched as he kept refreshing the page on his phone. Even though he was still weak, he forced himself to fight through the pain, his fingers flying as he fired back at Maia¡¯s attackers online.

    The hospital door creaked open just as a familiar female voice rang out. ¡°Ethan!¡±

    Ethan lifted his head and saw Mnie standing there, worry written all over her face.

    ¡°Have you seen what they¡¯re saying? It¡¯s all nonsense. You can¡¯t let it bother you. Maia¡¯s probably just too busy to check what¡¯s going on right now. I already told my dad, and he promised to handle it and speak up for your sister,¡± said Mnie in a rush. She nced at Ethan nervously before adding, ¡°But you can¡¯t let yourself get worked up like this. You¡¯ll risk reopening your wound.¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1062

    ?Chapter 1062:

    Seeing how worried she was, Ethan gave a small nod and said quietly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let it happen again.¡±

    Right after he spoke, three fresh posts from Justiceze appeared on his feed. His eyes brightened at once. ¡°Yes! Justiceze is spot on. Someone¡¯s clearly trying to drag my sister¡¯s name through the mud.¡±

    Marisa, who had been standing off to the side, clicked her tongue under her breath.

    Curiosity stirred in her. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder who this Justiceze Ethan spoke so highly of really was.

    From Ethan¡¯s tone, it seemed he held the person in high regard.

    At that moment, Hurst was sitting in his office. His face looked as dark as storm clouds. He tapped his fingers on the desk, bracing himself for trouble. ¡°Control thements, delete the posts, and repost¡­ Have you done all I asked?¡± he said to his assistant, while his other hand kept calling Maia. But he never got through. Each time the call slipped straight into her voicemail.

    Hurst frowned and dialed her number three times.

    Every time she didn¡¯t answer, his worry grew heavier.

    Could Maia have run into trouble?

    He drew in a long breath, his brow knotting tighter.

    For the charity g, Kiley had of course sent him an invite. She had even handed him several spares with no names written yet.

    Hurst only had to reach Maia, add her and Pattie¡¯s names on the cards, and post a photo online. That would be enough to put the gossip to rest.

    Naturally, that would push Maia toward saying yes.

    Hurst struggled to figure out what was on her mind. His idea might fix things for now, but what if she refused to go?<fnd82d> Find the newest release on find¡¤novel</fnd82d>

    Yet, the moment he pictured her face, he brushed that thought aside. If Maia turned down the charity g, it meant she was heartless, and that wasn¡¯t the Maia he remembered.

    After turning it over in his head, Hurst typed out a message. ¡°Ms. Watson, I have extra invitation cards. I can write your name and Pattie¡¯s name at any moment. If you want to attend the charity g, I can post the photos to calm the rumors.¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s hosts exclusive updates

    Once he checked the words carefully, he hesitated for a beat, then pressed send.

    The message went through.

    Right at that moment, Mariana, who had stayed quiet for some time, suddenly posted, ¡°Hahaha¡­ So this is your so-called heroine, huh? Stop asking. How could a woman like her have a kind heart? You¡¯ve all been fooled by her hypocrisy for so long.¡±

    She even tossed in a mocking ¡°goodbye emoji.¡±

    Her sneering post on Twitter quickly stirred the fire again.

    Countlessizens, looking for a ce to vent, crowded thements. They echoed her words, and nasty remarks poured in.

    ¡°Atst, someone dares to tell the truth. Maia¡¯s actions are shameful¡­ Is she silent because she never nned to donate?¡±

    ¡°Has Maia ever donated anything? I¡¯ve never heard of it. Honestly, her public image is falling apart.¡±

    .

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    .

 Chapter 1063

    ?Chapter 1063:

    ¡°Oh wow! Maia only basks in praise, but she can¡¯t do the simple act of giving back. I can¡¯t believe I ever admired her.¡±

    To make matters worse, almost at the same time, Rosanna, who had stayed quiet even longer, posted, ¡°Charity g, here Ie.¡±<fn4063> Newest update provided by ?ovelFind</fn4063>

    She also shared a photo of the invitation card that carried her name. Her words looked in, but the effect was powerful.

    In an instant, the post stirred up anger online.

    Plenty of Rosanna¡¯s old fans grabbed the chance topare her with Maia. They rushed to Rosanna¡¯s Twitter, clicking likes, droppingments, and praising her kindness, all while mocking Maia as if she were invisible.

    The bacsh blew up like wildfire.

    ¡°Rosanna is incredible! Even after all she has been through, she still steps up first to give back to society.¡±

    ¡°Now you can see a person¡¯s true nature. Maia really let us down this time; she¡¯s not even on Rosanna¡¯s level. Is she that scared of donating?¡±

    ¡°This time the truth is in. Rosanna may have spoken against Maia, but at least she¡¯s doing real charity.¡±

    After that, more and more voices turned against Maia. They began tearing her down.

    People set ¡°Maia¡¯s silence¡± against ¡°Kiley¡¯s interview,¡± ming Maia for enjoying her wealth without giving back.

    Each remark picked up plenty of likes, especially one particrment that racked up thousands.

    ¡°Kiley¡¯s words in that interview¡ª¡®we owe our sess to the people who believed in us¡¯¡ªhit hard. Put her beside Maia, and the gap is huge.¡±

    ¡°True! Maia wears so many titles and makes piles of money, yet I¡¯ve never once seen her help the poor. It¡¯s a joke that people still look up to her.¡±

    ¡°When someone gets put on a pedestal, they usually forget who they really are.¡±

    For a brief spell, the inte filled up with jokes, doubts, and harsh criticism of Maia, like a storm that shook the whole ce.

    Feel the thrill at g aln  ov el s .

    Maia¡¯s fans and backers grew more and more worried, but both MCN and Maia¡¯s own page kept quiet.

    Some people guessed that Maia might not even be able to give an answer.

    Regardless, the incident had made the uing charity g hosted by Cooper Group widely known. They had not spent a penny on ads. They simply rode on Maia¡¯s fame to spread the word.

    Strangely enough, a handful of small-time stars rushed to hop on the train, saying they too would show up at Cooper Group¡¯s charity g.

    Invited or not, they loudly dered that they wanted to give back, join charity events, and even promised to donate if they failed to show up at the g. On the so-called moral high ground, Maia¡¯s silence became the loudest ¡°proof¡± against her.

    The strange mix of moral pressure and ridiculous theater kept ying out.

    At the same time, Kiley stayed in her office, eyes fixed on thements on her screen, lips curving into a refined smile.

    .

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 Chapter 1064

    ?Chapter 1064:

    She leaned back in her chair, gently swirling the wine in her ss, and muttered to herself, ¡°Maia, you¡¯ve got only one road left. You must attend the charity g I prepared for you with care.¡±

    She took a sip of red wine and then burst outughing. ¡°I can¡¯t wait for the day you¡¯re left in ruins.¡±

    While heated arguments raged online, a bundle of photos popped up and quietly turned the tide. They came from Hurst.

    Those shots showed Maia during her trip to the slums, where she and Hurst gave out food side by side.

    In the pictures, Maia stood in the middle of the crowd, handing food and clothes to every child and elder. Her face looked sincere, her movements were gentle, and there was not a trace of coldness.

    ¡°The words above the photos were short and sharp: ¡°Charity isn¡¯t about speeches. It¡¯s about rolling up your sleeves and helping the poor. Prove it with your actions.¡±

    At first, Hurst had Brian take those shots in secret for other purposes, but now he was forced to use them to fight back against the online crowd of ¡°fools.¡± The pictures, along with Hurst¡¯s post, spread like wildfire, setting off a fresh wave of opinion.

    Plenty ofizens were stunned. ¡°Did she really go to those ces?¡±

    ¡°No way. Was it all staged?¡±

    Some raised doubts. ¡°People living there might not even use the inte. Even if this was all arranged, no one would step in to reveal the truth.¡±

    But before long, curious people rushed into the slums to check for themselves. They snapped photos of the spot and talked with the locals.

    Soon, the people who had gone to check were proven wrong.

    At the site, a middle-aged woman shouted with joy, ¡°It¡¯s true! Ms. Watson came herself; she gave us plenty of food, water, and clothes.¡±

    A man added with certainty, ¡°Of course it¡¯s true! My son even said Ms. Watson¡¯s smile was lovely.¡±

    The story grabbed major media attention. Reporters rushed over to see for themselves and quickly confirmed Hurst¡¯s photos were real.

    Your story source galnov??????c?m

    The public started to change its tune. Those who doubted Maia grew quieter.

    The flood of praise pushed Maia¡¯s reputation to new heights.

    Manyizens started to think twice, wondering if they had been fooled by people with hidden agendas. Some began to believe that she had her own reason to keep silent. Though they didn¡¯t know what it was, they chose to believe her.

    Just then, fresh news popped up: ¡°MCN Employee Reveals: Maia Will Give 50% of Her Stock Dividends to Charity.¡±

    In a sh, Maia became the center of everyone¡¯s attention again. Her fans flooded thements section.¡±

    ¡°Wow, Maia really is doing charity. She didn¡¯t exin, but her action is the loudest refutation!¡±

    ¡°Some people just talk, but others walk the walk. Maia is quietly doing good without chasing fame.¡±

    ¡°A hero who works in silence is far better than a self-righteous pretender.¡± ¡°Maia will always be my goddess!¡±

    .<fn9174> Get full chapters from find?novel</fn9174>

    .

    .

 Chapter 1065

    ?Chapter 1065:

    However, just as people thought the tide of public opinion was about to turn¡ªbelieving Maia would not only attend the charity g but was already helping others through her actions¡ªa fuzzy recording suddenly surfaced on social media. No one knew who had shared it first.

    At first, few noticed it, until someone recognized Pattie, the CEO of MCN, speaking.

    In the recording, Pattie¡¯s voice was sharp, with a dismissive and slightly impatient tone. ¡°A charity g? Hosted by Cooper Group? Thanks, but I¡¯m not interested, and Maia isn¡¯t either! And if you¡¯re not here to handle MCN business, don¡¯t even think abouting back!¡±

    That mysterious clip sparked another online uproar.

    People¡¯s opinions about Maia and the whole situation shifted once more. Chaos broke out online as users felt tricked and rushed to attack Maia and Pattie from MCN.

    Criticism of Maia surged online, spreading rapidly across social media. ¡°This is uneptable. I can¡¯t believe Ms. Miller, the CEO of MCN, would say that. Their reputation is ruined. What will they say next?¡± one user posted.

    ¡°No wonder Maia stayed silent. She clearly doesn¡¯t care about charity. It¡¯s obvious now. I¡¯m curious about her damage control. I¡¯m boycotting MCN starting today. They won¡¯t get another cent from me,¡± another dered.

    ¡°Were we lied to about Maia donating half her dividends to a charity fund for the slums? Even if she did, it was probably just for show,¡± a third spected.

    ¡°She¡¯s a coward, still refusing to respond despite the evidence. The recording seems real,¡± another added.

    Public sentiment, once supportive, turned sharply against Maia as former fans retracted their allegiance.

    Hurst wiped sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, staring at his phone screen. He knew Pattie as fierce but not reckless. Why would she say such things and allow them to be recorded? Those thoughts should have remained unspoken.

    Many wealthy individuals engaged in charity not out of genuine concern for the poor but to gain recognition or wealth¡ªa fact Hurst understood well, having witnessed annual charity scandals exploiting public generosity.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s, home to unforgettable stories

    He tried calling Maia, but she didn¡¯t answer.

    Deciding quickly, Hurst wrote her name on an anonymous invitation, photographed it, and sent it to her with a message: ¡°Use this to address the public¡¯s doubts.¡±

    At the hospital, Ethan, Marisa, and Mnie watched the situation deteriorate with the recording¡¯s emergence. Their supportivements for Maia drew immediate attacks, using them of being paid by Maia and MCN.

    ¡°How did this escte so badly?¡± Ethan asked, his expression grim. He reyed the recording repeatedly, hoping to prove it false.

    Mnie, fists clenched, spoke up. ¡°The public is being manipted. Can Ms. Miller speak for Maia? Maybe she dismissed the Cooper Group¡¯s representative to avoid hassle, saying Maia wasn¡¯t interested. In the recording, Maia didn¡¯t utter a single word, so how could they assume she didn¡¯t want to attend the charity g?¡±

    Marisa nodded. ¡°That makes sense. I didn¡¯t expect you to be so reasonable.¡±

    Mnie frowned, clearly offended. ¡°And when have I ever been unreasonable?¡± she snapped, ring at Marisa.

    .

    .

    .<fn5908> Readplete version only at find~novel</fn5908>

 Chapter 1066

    ?Chapter 1066:

    Marisa said nothing, though a faint smile lingered. Mnie¡¯s past misjudgments had caused trouble, a fact she seemed to overlook.

    This time, Marisapletely agreed with Mnie¡¯s words. She, too, refused to believe Maia was so callous.

    Ethan stared at his phone silently before dialing Maia¡¯s number, desperate for her truth.

    The call went unanswered.

    A notification appeared, revealing a new post from Justiceze, condemning the public¡¯s moral pressure and asserting Maia¡¯s right to skip the charity g.

    This time, the post gained no traction.

    In MCN¡¯s CEO office, Pattie observed Maia, who sat calmly with her eyes closed, seemingly unfazed by the controversy. ¡°Isn¡¯t it time we rify this, Maia?¡± Pattie asked.

    Maia opened her eyes, a subtle smile forming. ¡°Not yet. Let¡¯s wait. Someone out there is more anxious than we are.¡±

    Kiley followed the online debate with mixed emotions, sensing something amiss.

    Typically, someone facing such scrutiny would rify the misunderstanding, but Maia remained silent.

    Did she truly intend to skip the g and avoid donating?

    Raegan, beside her, frowned, clearly sharing Kiley¡¯s unease.

    Kiley suddenly let out a sharpugh. ¡°If Maia won¡¯t speak, we¡¯ll speak for her. Since she¡¯s noting, my ns for her at the charity g are useless. I¡¯ll ruin her now.¡±

    She scribbled a note and handed it to Raegan. ¡°Announce that I, Kiley Cooper, formally invite Maia to the charity g again.¡±

    Raegan understood Kiley¡¯s aim¡ªto intensify the public¡¯s outrage and damage Maia further.

    Before Raegan could act, however, Maia finally broke her silence.

    The impact of Maia¡¯s statementnded with the force of a thunderp, stirring the tide of public opinion.

    The tales you love are at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    She wrote, ¡°I will be at the Cooper Group charity g just as nned.¡±

    In the photo that came with her words, Maia sat gracefully with her legs crossed. A coffee table stood nearby, carrying a few pastries, while her left hand lifted an elegant invitation.

    Sunlight caught the card, making the golden letters shimmer vividly.

    It was clear to everyone that this was the official invitation to Cooper Group¡¯s g.

    The moment the post went live, the online uproar froze briefly before erupting again, flooding the inte with reactions.

    ¡°Maia is fearless. She doesn¡¯t exin herself; she just posts the invitation, and it feels like a bold statement.¡±

    ¡°See? I told you. Maia never said she wouldn¡¯t attend. Her critics now need to exin themselves. That invitation proves she isn¡¯t backing down, and suddenly they¡¯re the ones looking foolish.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been pointing this out from the start. There¡¯s more beneath the surface. Pattie has no authority to speak for Maia, and certain people are intentionally stirring trouble to damage her reputation.¡±

    .

    .

    .<fnee70> Chapters first released on find?novel</fnee70>

 Chapter 1067

    ?Chapter 1067:

    ¡°Those recordings that caused all the chaos earlier need to be sifted through. Someone might have tampered with them.¡±

    ¡°If Maia had already been invited, why did she stay quiet? Perhaps she wanted to watch who would be foolish enough to attack her first.¡±

    Thement section immediately erupted with a mix of spection and judgment.

    The invitation card didn¡¯t just confirm her attendance; it cut through rumors like a sharp de, silencing doubts and usations in a single image.

    Elsewhere, inside a corporate office in Wront.

    Hurst stared at Maia¡¯s photo on his phone, caught off guard by the rity of the proof.

    He reflexively opened his album and pulled up the picture of the invitation he had sent Maia, quickly matching it to the one in her post.

    ¡°The serial numbers aren¡¯t lining up.¡±

    The digits partially hidden by Maia¡¯s fingers in the photo were still visible enough, and they didn¡¯t match the invitation he had originally sent.

    ¡°She¡­ didn¡¯t use the one I gave her?¡± Hurst frowned, realizing he had overreacted earlier and made a fuss for no reason.

    Maybe Maia had acquired another invitation through a different channel. Could someone else have done exactly what he did? But who would go through that trouble, and were their intentions the same as his¡ªsimply to win Maia¡¯s favor?

    Meanwhile, in a hospital room, Ethan let out a long sigh, sinking back into the pillows. Relief softened his features as he said, ¡°I knew Maia could get through this!¡±

    The evidence now spoke louder than any online chatter; the rumors no longer carried weight.

    Mnie smiled at him, glowing with satisfaction. She had just called Hurst and confirmed that he had sent Maia an invitation¡ªmost likely the very same one she had disyed in her post.

    Leaning toward Ethan, she whispered, ¡°It was my father. He managed to secure an extra invitation and passed one to your sister.¡±

    galnov??s keeps you updated

    Ethan remainedposed, as though he had anticipated this revtion all along.

    Lowering his tone, he asked Mnie, ¡°Do you have any idea¡­ how far your father and my sister have gone with this?¡±

    Mnie gave a small shrug. ¡°I can¡¯t say for certain, but from what I see, they¡¯re more than just friends¡­ not exactly in love yet.¡±

    She then patted his shoulder and added, ¡°The journey isn¡¯t finished. You and I must keep working on it.¡±

    Across the room, Marisa couldn¡¯t hide her eye roll.

    She had an odd feeling that Ethan and Mnie were sitting far too close¡­ almost like they hadpletely forgotten she was there. That was not something she could ept.

    Marisa eased herself upright, slipped the wrapper off a lollipop, and tucked it between her lips. She pressed her eyes shut. People often say, ¡°Out of sight, out of mind.¡±

    .

    .<fnc1e2> Follow current nov?ls on find?novel</fnc1e2>

    .

 Chapter 1068

    ?Chapter 1068:

    She thought that if she refused to look at Ethan and Mnie, then maybe she could escape the sting of what had unfolded.

    But inside, something restless stirred, and peace seemed impossible.

    Marisa bit her lower lip as she resolved that after leaving the hospital, she would demand answers from Ethan.

    If Ethan¡¯s heart truly belonged to Mnie, she would force herself to give them her blessing.

    Still, the thought of doing so made her hesitate. Marisa couldn¡¯t bring herself to dwell on it any longer.

    The gap between her and Ethan felt wider with every passing moment.

    Thoughts rushed through her head, leaving her hollow and uneasy. Atst, Marisa cracked her eyes open just enough to steal a fleeting look at him.

    Out in the parking lot, Chris remained frozen, his eyes fixed on the glowing screen of his phone.

    Few would have caught it, yet he understood exactly what Kiley was aiming for. Those two invitation cards Kiley handed him had been the first clue.

    Every move pointed to a carefullyid snare designed to leave Maia with no escape from attending the charity g.

    The tactics were already in ce¡ªwhether guilt, public bacsh, or sly recordings, Kiley had prepared them all to corner Maia into reacting.

    And once Maia reacted, there would be no turning back.

    ¡°What else is she keeping from me?¡± Chris¡¯s gaze shifted toward the Cooper Group building, his expression hardening.

    The risk was obvious, but he couldn¡¯t walk away when Maia needed him. The truth about his grandfather¡¯s fate had to be uncovered, and he would be the one to bring him home.

    Even if the charity g turned into a battlefield, Chris knew he had no option but to step into it.

    Meanwhile, inside the CEO¡¯s office at the Cooper Group, Kiley sank into the leather sofa, her lips curving as she scrolled through Maia¡¯s post.

    Lose yourself in stories on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    ¡°So, you¡¯ve finally stepped onto the board.¡± She tilted her head toward Raegan and said, ¡°Adjust today¡¯s press release. Change it to ¡®Wee, Maia.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Got it,¡± answered Raegan with an amusedugh. She had already cornered Maia with the recording, and though the gamble carried weight, the job was finished. Even if Pattie suspected her involvement, there wasn¡¯t a shred of proof to back it up.

    At the end of the day, Pattie had no choice but to swallow her pride, for the recording was nearly untouched and carried her very own words as evidence.<fna037> Get full chapters from f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fna037>

    Then, in the blink of an eye, Raegan¡¯s features twisted with fury, as though an invisible blow hadnded squarely on her.

    Catching the sudden shift, Kiley leaned closer and whispered, ¡°Why do you look like that? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Without a word, Raegan tightened her grip, balled her hands into fists, and passed the phone straight to Kiley.

    Disyed on the screen was Pattie¡¯s statement that rified the controversy: ¡°Regarding the audio clip circting online recently, I must state that it was edited and severely distorted my original intent.¡±

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 Chapter 1069

    ?Chapter 1069:

    Directly beneath her words, a surveince recording was attached.

    In the footage, Pattie appeared with a pleasant smile and said, ¡°A charity g? Naturally, I¡¯m interested, and Maia is as well. She¡¯s even preparing tounch her own foundation. We¡¯ll attend as promised, so be sure to inform Kiley.¡±

    The sequence in the video unfolded smoothly, the images sharp and convincing, leaving no trace of alteration.

    Once the video finished ying, Kiley frowned, and a sharp chill spread across her face.

    ¡°This is a lie! That footage has to be fake!¡± Raegan burst out, her voice rising with panic. ¡°Maia must have hired a master editor. None of it happened that way¡­ Kiley, please believe me.¡±

    Deep down, she understood the truth. The public would ce their faith in the clear security video, while that suspicious audio clip would lose all credibility. To cover her tracks, Raegan had carefully released the recording through three separate outlets.

    ¡°Looks like Maia is more resourceful than we imagined,¡± Kiley muttered, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Someone is backing her up. At the g, we¡¯ll have to tread carefully and shut down every chance she has to fight back.¡±<fneaeb> Discover more novels at FindN()vel</fneaeb>

    She should have recognized the pattern sooner. Every time the stakes rose, Maia found a way to seize control, and it likely tied back to Mr. M, the man who once surprised her with extravagant birthday gifts.

    Kiley¡¯s gaze cut back to Raegan with renewed intensity. ¡°Tell me, have you uncovered who Mr. M really is? I have a strong suspicion he¡¯s the one pulling strings for Maia now.¡±

    Raegan¡¯s fingers curled tighter at Kiley¡¯s remark.

    Questions spun wildly in her head. Could it really be the leader of The Mask who had stepped in to aid Maia?

    If the one she revered most had intervened, then aplishing all of this would hardly be a challenge.

    After all, The Mask was filled with prodigies, some skilled enough to fabricate wless video footage.

    Discover fresh tales at g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s,

    ¡°Not yet¡­ I¡¯ve found almost nothing about Mr. M, and there¡¯s one thing that doesn¡¯t add up,¡± Raegan said, hesitating. ¡°How did Maia sneak out of prison unnoticed? Could that also have been orchestrated by Mr. M? If that¡¯s true, then how much power does he hold? And how did Maiae into contact with someone like him?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve caught on to that as well,¡± Kiley muttered, her eyes narrowing with thought.

    ¡°From what I¡¯ve gathered, anyone capable of covering tracks so perfectly has to be someone with enormous reach¡ªperhaps the head of a dominant family in Drakmire, or even the leader of a hidden organization.¡±

    Kiley fell silent for a moment before fixing Raegan with a piercing stare. ¡°Have you evere across a group called ¡®The Mask¡¯?¡± she asked gently.

    Raegan froze at the mention, a chill breaking out across her skin.

    ¡°¡®The Mask¡¯?¡± she asked, feigning confusion as she gave a quick shake of her head. ¡°Never heard of it before. What¡¯s that?¡±

    At the MCN office, Pattie¡¯s eyes lit up when she noticed the flood of likes and supportivements beneath Maia¡¯s statement. Turning to her with delight, she said, ¡°Maia, I never imagined you knew someone so skilled. I checked the video clip carefully, but I couldn¡¯t find any trace of editing.¡±

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 Chapter 1070

    Chapter 1070:

    With a quietugh, Maia replied, ¡°Yes, when ites to this field, he truly is a master.¡±

    A notification shed across her screen, and Maia quickly read the message from her subordinate. ¡°Maia, hacking this was nothing for me¡­ Also, I tracked the leak. It came from three different channels using virtual IPs, but I uncovered the actual source. The address points straight to Cooper Group.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Maia replied quickly.

    In fact, there was no need for her to dig deeper¡ªshe already had a clear idea of the person pulling the strings.

    ¡°What a maddening situation! It¡¯s like marching straight into danger with open eyes!¡± Pattie said, her teeth clenched while her arms tightened across her chest. ¡°Do you think this is another one of Raegan¡¯s ploys? That woman twists everything. She even alters recordings to make trouble online.¡±

    MCN had endured countless scandals from the start, and those who remained were loyal. Because of that, it was unthinkable that someone from within would secretly leak such a thing. The only person who could have pulled it off was Raegan during her visit to MCN that day.

    Maia tucked her loose hair behind her ear, then turned to Pattie with a slight smile. ¡°It¡¯s not the same this time. We haven¡¯t walked into a trap; we¡¯re hunters entering the forest armed.¡±

    In Maia¡¯s view, Raegan¡¯s schemes revealed pride rather than cleverness.

    ¡°She could have been shrewder about it. Still, let her think she¡¯s ahead for now. Pretending to be vulnerable does not mean we¡¯ve already lost the war.¡±

    ¡°Maia, are we truly letting this go? It feels like surrendering. And for what? A charity event? It¡¯s clear she arranged it to trip up MCN,¡± Pattie said, her eyes glinting sharply.

    Obviously, she took Raegan¡¯s stunt as a direct challenge from Cooper Group aimed at MCN. Patience had never been Pattie¡¯s strength, and she always leaned toward striking back without dy.

    ¡°If Raegan dares to show her face at that gathering, I¡¯ll make sure she regrets it. At the very least, she won¡¯t leave unscathed from my words.¡±

    Read exclusive stories at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    Maia understood that Pattie was exaggerating; she wasn¡¯t reckless enough to start a fight. But with the way she acted, there was no doubt she¡¯d stir up some chaos for Raegan.

    ¡°Of course I know,¡± Maia replied as she stood. She crossed the room, took Pattie¡¯s hands in her own, and spoke gently. ¡°All you need to do is show up. I¡¯ll manage everything else.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Pattie arched a brow in suspicion. ¡°You¡¯re telling me not to interfere? This is the first time someone¡¯s tried to humiliate me like this, and I don¡¯t n on swallowing it quietly.¡±

    Since she knew it was pointless to argue, Maia gave a small nod. She gently said, ¡°Just promise me you won¡¯t go too far.¡±<fn244b> Get full chapters from find?novel</fn244b>

    Her next words, however, carried a weight that hadn¡¯t been there before. ¡°Pattie, there¡¯s a chance I¡¯ll vanish for a while. When that happens, I need you to ignore every rumor and let the noise outside fade away on its own.¡±

    Pattie stiffened at once, sensing that Maia¡¯s tone carried a gravity she seldom revealed.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Today we¡¯re gonna have a few new novels, hope you like them. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (?? ? ??)?

    .

 Chapter 1071

    ?Chapter 1071:

    Even when the fever dipped, it never fell below 101¡ãF.

    He was mostly delirious, rarely aware of his surroundings.

    Linda, stationed by his bedside in her wheelchair, maintained a constant vigil.

    This isn¡¯t creativity; it¡¯s theft. My genuine words breathe at  gal n o v e ls.

    Eric¡¯s face was burning with fever, his lips cracked and dry. Sweat rolled down his temples, dampening his hair and soaking into the pillow.

    Linda wiped the sweat from his face with a towel, quietly swapping out the ice pack from his forehead. She leaned close, her voice soft but steady. ¡°Eric, please get better soon.¡±

    That morning, Hadley had no shooting schedule.

    She and Brady had nned a visit to the hospital.

    Upon their arrival, Josue conducted several tests on Brady.

    ¡°The results show no major concerns.¡± Josue reviewed the report and spoke in a calm, measured tone. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you underwent surgery three months ago?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Brady replied, nodding. ¡°I was injured in a car ident. My liver was affected.¡±

    Fortunately, the injuries were superficial, and the surgery left nosting impacts.

    ¡°Good,¡± Josue responded with a nod. ¡°Your recovery seems to be on track ording to the report. However¡­¡±

    He turned to Hadley. ¡°Regarding a bone marrow transnt, you¡¯ll need to wait another three months. The criteria for a donor are quite strict¡­¡±

    ¡°Another wait?¡± Brady frowned. ¡°Can¡¯t we speed this up somehow? Doctor, I really am fine.¡±

    Josue offered a gentle smile. ¡°Feeling fine doesn¡¯t equate to being ready. That¡¯s a determination for medical experts to make.¡±

    He borated, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯ve just had major surgery. Your liver must fully heal. Rushing into another procedure could jeopardize your recovery. Additionally, you should adopt a high-protein diet, engage in regr physical activity, and focus on your mental well-being to reduce potential surgical risks.¡±

    This is a fake copy; the real story is at  g al n o v e ls.

    ¡°But¡­¡± Brady still felt the pace was too slow.

    ¡°No buts.¡± Hadley frowned slightly. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear what the doctor said?¡±

    The three-month dy was already a significant reduction from the initial, longer waiting period.

    Risking Brady¡¯s health for any reason was not an option for her.

    ¡°Dr. Duncan, we will adhere to your rmendations.¡±

    ¡°Very well.¡± Josue acknowledged with a nod. ¡°I will prescribe some medications for you to take daily, and I¡¯m also referring you to a therapist. You must attend those sessions consistently.¡±

    He handed Brady a booklet. ¡°Here¡¯s a guidebook for exercises tailored to such conditions. Please follow it closely.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± Brady took the booklet, his expression serious.

    Josue then addressed Hadley. ¡°I will set the surgery date and inform you as soon as it¡¯s confirmed.¡±

    At these words, Hadley¡¯s emotions overflowed, tears brimming in her eyes. ¡°Thank you so much, Dr. Duncan.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±

    After their appointment, Brady headed to the pharmacy to pick up his prescriptions.

    ¡°Hadley, please wait here. I¡¯ll be quick.¡±

    .<fnf1e5> Checktest chapters at f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fnf1e5>

    .

    .

 Chapter 1072

    ?Chapter 1072:

    ¡°Sure,¡± Hadley replied, standing still as the bustling hospital lobby grew even more chaotic.

    ¡°Quick! Stop her! Don¡¯t let her get away!¡±

    Before she could make sense of it, a woman came sprinting straight toward her¡ªand crashed right into her arms!

    Statement: manipted content. Official source at  gal no vels.

    Hadley¡¯s hand shot up instinctively, attempting to brace the woman stumbling toward her.

    But the force was too much¡ªshe couldn¡¯t steady the woman, and they both crashed to the floor in a tangle.

    Hadley bore the brunt of the fall, cushioning the woman¡¯s descent while taking a painful hit herself.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry!¡± The woman scrambled to her feet, flustered. Hadley, wincing, waved off the apology, too breathless to respond before Brady rushed back to her side.

    With effortless strength, Brady hoisted the woman upright, his eyes darting to Hadley with concern. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± he asked, voice tight with worry.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Hadley reassured him, brushing herself off. She nced at her palm¡ªscraped raw, speckled with tiny beads of blood that stung fiercely.

    Brady¡¯s temper red as he turned on the woman. ¡°Watch your step next time!¡± His voice crackled with frustration.

    Hadley¡¯s health was fragile¡ªshe couldn¡¯t afford injuries like this.

    ¡°Ah!¡± The woman shrank back, arms raised as if to ward off Brady¡¯s anger, trembling as she stammered, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡±

    ¡°How good is an apology?¡± Brady snapped, his protective instincts in overdrive. ¡°If my sister¡¯s hurt because of you¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Hadley cut in, noticing the woman¡¯s fear. She shook her head at Brady. ¡°It¡¯s just a scratch, nothing serious.¡±

    A crowd began to gather, their murmurs buzzing like static.

    Don¡¯t lose the thread: the genuine novel is at  gal n o vel s.

    ¡°Let me go!¡± The woman tugged against Brady¡¯s grip, panic shing in her eyes.

    ¡°You think you can just walk away after this?¡± Brady held firm, unconvinced.

    Hadley¡¯s brow furrowed¡ªshe sensed the crowd wasn¡¯t just curious. Those people were likely after the woman. ¡°Brady, release her.¡± She urged softly.

    ¡°What?¡± Brady blinked, caught off guard.

    ¡°Now!¡± Hadley insisted, aware the pursuers were closing in.

    ¡°Alright.¡± Brady released his grip with a reluctant sigh.

    The woman hesitated, her gaze flickering to Hadley with a fleeting, grateful smile. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said before slipping away, vanishing into the sea of faces.

    ¡°Where did she go?¡±

    ¡°She ran this way, I¡¯m sure of it!¡±

    ¡°Fan out¡ªfind her!¡±

    The shouts of the pursuers echoed as Hadley watched the woman¡¯s escape, silently wishing her luck.

    They wereplete strangers, and Hadley had no clue what danger the woman was running from.

    Yet the woman¡¯s desperate flight stirred memories of Hadley¡¯s own struggle in the years ago.

    ¡°Hadley,¡± Brady said, snapping her back to the present as he gently took her wrist. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding too much. We need to see a doctor now.¡±

    .<fn1029> Official source is Find1Novel</fn1029>

    .

    .

 Chapter 1073

    ?Chapter 1073:

    ¡°You¡¯re making a mountain out of a molehill,¡± Hadley teased, pulling her hand back with a lightugh. ¡°It¡¯s just a graze. A tissue will do the trick, and it¡¯ll be fine before we even go to a doctor.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re joking at a time like this?¡± Brady¡¯s frown deepened, his worry almostical. ¡°You know how serious your condition is. Your blood¡ªit¡¯s important!¡±

    This was uploaded by a content thief. The official home is  gal n o v e l s.

    Hadley paused, realizing Brady was still in the dark about Joy.<fnf9e3> Readplete version only at find?novel</fnf9e3>

    She pressed her lips together, then met his gaze. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m not the one who is sick. It¡¯s not me with astic anemia.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Brady froze, confusion clouding his face. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    If she wasn¡¯t ill, what had all their efforts been for?

    ¡°Let me show you something,¡± Hadley said, pulling out her phone and opening her photo album. ¡°I didn¡¯t think we would find a match, so I kept it quiet. Thing is, I have a daughter, Brady, and she is the one who is sick.¡±

    She handed Brady the phone, revealing a picture. ¡°This is my daughter.¡±

    ¡°Let me see.¡± Brady¡¯s eyes softened as he took it in, still reeling. He studied the image, a mix of joy and sorrow tugging at him. ¡°She is¡­ beautiful. So precious.¡±

    Joy¡¯s cherubic face was enough to warm any heart, but the weight of her illness tempered Brady¡¯s smile.

    ¡°Her name?¡±

    ¡°Joy,¡± Hadley said softly.

    ¡°Joy¡­ Joy,¡± Brady repeated, as if savoring the sound. His gaze lingered on the photo, a tender grin breaking through. ¡°She has got my eyes, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Joy¡¯s delicate features did indeed echo Brady¡¯s own.

    Brady¡¯s eyes glistened with unshed tears, his voice catching as he murmured, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Hadley.¡±

    Their family had failed her in too many ways.

    To avoid confusion, the official edition of this novel is at  galno vels.

    ¡°She has grown so much already, but¡­¡± he added, a pang of regret in his tone.

    But none of them had even known she existed.

    Hadley pressed her lips together, unable to brush it off with empty reassurances this time. Instead, she let the silence speak for her.

    Brady steadied himself, a hopeful smile breaking through. ¡°Hadley, can I meet her? Can I meet Joy?¡±

    Hadley¡¯s face softened. ¡°Of course,¡± she said with a nod.

    With Joy¡¯s surgery being nned, it was the perfect time for them to meet¡ªnot just as uncle and niece, but for Joy to know the person whose bone marrow would soon give her a fighting chance.

    ¡°Oh, man!¡± Brady eximed, smacking his forehead with a grin. ¡°I¡¯ve got to get her something special. First time meeting my niece¡ªI can¡¯t show up empty-handed! What does Joy love? Spill all the details.¡±

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll tell you everything.¡± Hadley chuckled, warmth in her eyes.

    In the stillness of the hospital room, Eric stirred, his eyes fluttering open.

    The afternoon light cast a gentle glow, and the caregiver dozed quietly on the cot nearby. At his bedside, someone rested, long hair spilling over her shoulders like a soft curtain.

    Hadley?

    Eric¡¯s brow furrowed as he lifted his hand.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1074

    ?Chapter 1074:

    The figure shifted, raising her head, and her face lit up with relief.

    ¡°Eric, you¡¯re awake!¡±

    It wasn¡¯t Hadley¡ªit was Linda.

    Read carefully , this was modified. The real words are at  gal n o v e l s.

    Eric¡¯s hand fell back to the sheet, a quiet ache settling in his chest. Of course it wasn¡¯t Hadley. Hadley had moved on, leaving him behind.

    ¡°You feeling okay?¡± Linda asked, reaching to touch his forehead.

    ¡°Much better,¡± Eric replied, turning his face just enough to evade Linda¡¯s hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m all sweaty,¡± he added lightly, as if to exin. ¡°Don¡¯t want to get you messy. I¡¯m fine, really.¡±

    Linda¡¯s smile was gentle as she drew back her hand. ¡°Good to hear.¡±

    The caregiver stirred too, fetching a ss of water. ¡°Mr. Flynn, would you like a drink?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, thanks.¡±

    ¡°Let me take it,¡± Linda said, taking the ss and holding it toward Eric.

    ¡°Here, let me help.¡±

    ¡°I can manage,¡± Eric said with a small shake of his head. ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m down for the count.¡±

    He lifted the ss with a gentle grasp, tilted his head back, and savored the liquid in deep gulps before passing the empty vessel back to the caregiver.

    ¡°I would like a bath. Please prepare the water,¡± he said.

    ¡°Very well,¡± the caregiver replied with a nod, heading off to fulfill the request.

    Eric then turned his gaze to Linda. ¡°Linda.¡±

    Just then, the sharp trill of Linda¡¯s phone cut through the moment.

    She raised her phone with a small smile. ¡°I¡¯ll take this outside.¡±

    To avoid confusion: the full and legitimate version is at  galn ov els.

    With that, she glided out of the room in her wheelchair.

    ¡°Hello?¡±

    The caregiver soon reappeared from the bathroom. ¡°Mr. Flynn, the bath is ready.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± Eric gave a slight nod and stepped into the bathroom.

    Immersed in the soothing embrace of the water, Eric let his eyelids flutter shut. Visions of Hadley danced in his mind¡ªher radiant smiles, yful pouts, and shes of fiery anger.

    He drew a slow, steady breath and, in a sudden impulse, slipped beneath the surface.

    It would be alright.

    Time would weave its quiet magic, and he would forget.

    Hadley had been right¡ªlife moved on, with or without someone by your side.

    He had been a solitary soul since the cradle and had carved a path through life regardless.

    Yet, a hollow ache gnawed at his chest, as if his heart were a deste in where no seed could take root.

    Was this his reckoning?

    Once, he had turned her away without a second nce, and now she had walked out of his life without looking back.

    Karma, it seemed, spared no one.

    When he emerged from the bathroom, towel in hand, Linda was back, seated at the dining table, her warm gesture inviting him closer. ¡°All done? Come, have a seat¡ªthere¡¯s something easy on the stomach.¡±<fn91aa> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on Find~Novel</fn91aa>

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1075

    ?Chapter 1075:

    Eric rubbed the damp strands of his hair, his eyes flickering from her to the spread on the table.

    He nodded, eased into a chair, and murmured, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Linda¡¯s lips curved into a yful smirk. ¡°No need for such formality. What¡¯s this? Just because you didn¡¯t return my feelings, I¡¯m no longer a friend?¡±<fn259f> The rightful source is find¡¤novel</fn259f>

    Linda was teasing Eric for acting distant earlier.

    It turned out she had picked up on it the whole time.

    Embarrassed, Eric sheepishly shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡±

    What you just read doesn¡¯t exist in the original. Discover it at  g al n o v e ls.

    ¡°Then focus on your food. Stop letting your mind wander.¡± Linda handed him a spoon and ced a bowl in front of him. ¡°Like Ernest, I¡¯ll always be family to you.¡±

    Eric¡¯s throat tightened. The words hit him harder than he expected. After a long pause, he gave a nod. ¡°Alright.¡±

    ¡°Come on. Eat,¡± Linda urged.

    Eric took a spoonful. It was warm, but it tasted like nothing.

    He once knew what having a family felt like. But now, he was being shut out all over again.

    What kind of misfortune had he brought upon himself in his past life? Abandoned by his parents at birth. Now, left behind by his lover. Life twisted and turned without warning. And still, he walked its winding path alone.

    Using the address Hadley had given him, Brady arrived at her apartment on Milnd Road.

    He frowned. Did she really live here? Wasn¡¯t she adopted by the Flynn family? Wasn¡¯t she Eric¡¯s wife? What was she doing in a ce like this? It wasn¡¯t that the ce was run-down, but it simply didn¡¯t suit someone of her background.

    Brady pulled up beneath the apartmentplex, his mind full of questions. At the entrance, Hadley was already there, waiting. ¡°Just park here,¡± she weed him with a smile. ¡°Make sure you¡¯re not blocking the way, and it¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Brady stepped out of the car, still looking puzzled. ¡°Hadley, do you actually live here?¡±

    Don¡¯t be misled: the original lives at  gal n o v e ls.

    ¡°I do,¡± Hadley responded. Sensing his doubt, she smiled softly and exined, ¡°Eric and I got divorced some time ago.¡±

    Brady froze. ¡°Since when?¡±

    Weren¡¯t they all over social media not long ago with their official statement?

    ¡°It¡¯s a long story. If you want to hear it, I¡¯ll tell you in bits and pieces. But for now, let¡¯s go meet my daughter. And don¡¯t mention any of this in front of her. She doesn¡¯t know.¡±

    Hadley paused, and her voice grew even more serious. ¡°And don¡¯t bring up her father either. She has no idea who he is.¡±

    Brady¡¯s expression shifted, and a quiet heaviness settled in.

    What kind of life had she been living all these years?

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Hadley smiled lightly. ¡°Joy didn¡¯t even nap when she heard you wereing.¡±

    The two of them walked into the apartment building, one after the other.

    ¡°This is it.¡± Hadley stopped in front of a door and pulled out her keys.

    Brady held his breath, feeling a little anxious.

    The moment the door swung open, the sound of small footsteps came rushing toward them, followed by a sweet little voice. ¡°Mommy! Mommy¡¯s back!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1076

    ?Chapter 1076:

    ¡°Joy.¡± Hadley crouched down and gently patted her daughter¡¯s neatly tied bun. ¡°Uncle Brady is here. Say hello.¡± Then, with a warm smile, she stepped aside.

    Brady stood frozen, his throat dry.

    One looked down. The other looked up. Uncle and niece stood face to face.

    Don¡¯t be misled: the original lives at  gal n o v e ls.

    ¡°Hello, Joy. I¡¯m Uncle Brady.¡±

    Joy stared up at him, eyes wide. Then, she noticed how much he looked like her mother. She raised her little arms and said, ¡°Uncle Brady, hug!¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Brady was caught off guard for a second, but then broke into a big grin. He bent down and scooped her up. ¡°Joy, you¡¯re even more beautiful than in the photos. I brought you a present. Want to see it?¡±

    ¡°Yes! Thank you, Uncle Brady!¡± She wrapped her arms around his neck and nted a kiss on his cheek.

    ¡°Oh, wow. Thank you, Joy.¡± Bradyughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He thought she was the most precious thing he¡¯d ever seen. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s open it.¡±

    Brady had gotten Joy a custom-made life-size doll. Along with it was a little suitcase packed with clothes, shoes, bags, and essories for the doll.

    ¡°Mommy, it¡¯s as big as me! So pretty!¡± Joy squealed in delight. She grabbed Brady¡¯s hand and tugged eagerly. ¡°Uncle Brady, let¡¯s dress her up and fix her hair!¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± Brady nodded with a grin. He was more than happy to join in.

    Watching them together, Hadley took a step back. It was their first meeting, yet they were already getting along like old friends.<fn7d23> Newest update provided by fin?novel</fn7d23>

    ¡°Joy, enjoy your time with Uncle Brady. I¡¯ll go help Melba with dinner,¡± she said with a smile.

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    The uncle and niece replied in unison, making Hadley chuckle as she turned toward the kitchen.

    Counterfeit chapter detected , real edition at  g a l n o v e ls.

    That evening, Joy wouldn¡¯t leave Brady¡¯s side. Whether it was eating, watching cartoons, or reading bedtime stories, she wanted him with her every moment.

    Hadley knew the reason. Joy had grown up without a father, so she naturally gravitated toward any man who treated her kindly. That was also why she clung to Eric, aside from the fact that they were rted by blood.

    It wasn¡¯t until Joy finally drifted off to sleep that Brady got the chance to leave.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I only meant for you to meet her and stay for dinner. I didn¡¯t expect it to drag on. Kids can be pretty clingy,¡± Hadley said apologetically.

    Brady waved it off. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to be sorry about. I love kids. And Joy¡¯s my niece. She¡¯s such a sweetheart. I¡¯ll be dropping by often, so don¡¯t get tired of me.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Hadley responded, warmth settling in her chest. ¡°It¡¯ste. Let me walk you down.¡±

    ¡°No need. I¡¯m not a kid. I¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Take care on your way.¡±

    ¡°I will. Get some rest.¡±

    The next day, just as Hadley arrived on set, Elvin came rushing over. ¡°Hadley, Mr. Faulkner wants to see you. Come with me.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Hadley set her bag down and followed him without hesitation.

    ¡°Hadley, you¡¯re here. Have a seat.¡± Adonis pointed to a chair across from him. ¡°You don¡¯t have many scenes left in this show. What are your ns after this?¡±

    Hadley blinked, caught off guard. She shook her head and answered, ¡°I haven¡¯t really thought about it.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1077

    ?Chapter 1077:<fn21b4> Checktest chapters at Find¡ïNovel</fn21b4>

    She had taken this role on a whim. nning ahead hadn¡¯t crossed her mind.

    Adonis nodded knowingly. ¡°I figured. Well, I¡¯m working on a web series. Would you be interested?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Hadley looked surprised. ¡°But I don¡¯t have much experience.¡±

    This is the imposter¡¯s hunt. To read the truth, go to  ga lno vels.

    ¡°Experiencees with time,¡± Adonis said inly. Then, he shook his head and continued, ¡°But not all actors follow the same path. Some lean on technique, others on talent. And some, like you, have strong instincts. You¡¯ve got that natural intuition.¡±

    Hadley could tell he meant every word. She appreciated that he saw her potential and believed in her.

    The filming wasn¡¯t even wrapped up, yet here he was, already thinking about her next step.

    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she gave a nod. ¡°I¡¯ll follow your lead, Mr. Faulkner.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡± Adonis turned to Elvin, and the two exchanged a smile. ¡°I can rx for now. There¡¯s a small gathering in a few days. I¡¯ll take you along and introduce you to the production team.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Thank you, Mr. Faulkner. Thank you, Mr. Webster.¡±

    Eric¡¯s health gradually improved. On the day he was discharged, Ernest came to pick him up.

    ¡°Have you thought it over? When do you n on going back to thepany?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± Eric leaned backzily against the seat. ¡°I¡¯m still feeling a little weak.¡±

    Ernest didn¡¯t push. He knew Eric wasn¡¯t weak; he just didn¡¯t want to return.

    Atst, he nodded. ¡°Alright. Then take more time to rest.¡±

    ¡°Mm¡­¡± Eric mumbled. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to say it outright. The truth was, he had no intention of going back to the Flynn Group.

    After dropping him off at Silver Vis, Ernest drove off.

    False, distorted, and stolen. The original is at  gal n o v e l s.

    Eric stood by the gates, watching the car until it disappeared from view. Only then did he turn and head inside.

    Just as he closed the gates behind him, a rumble of engines caught his attention. Severalrge moving trucks were making their way down the street anding to a stop at the house next door.

    Eric raised an eyebrow. It seemed he was getting new neighbors.

    Eric vaguely recalled that the neighboring house belonged to an elderly couple. Had they sold the house and relocated elsewhere?

    Before he could dwell on it, Phillips arrived with some good news. ¡°Mr. Flynn, there is an update on the financing.¡±

    Eric arched an eyebrow, keeping his emotions carefully guarded. When he was with the Flynn Group, his energy had been stretched thin, and his own ventures were more of a side project.

    But things had now changed. He had plenty of time to expand his operations.

    Still, being an independent entrepreneur without backing meant he had to rely on outside forces.

    He initially had the luxury of taking his time, building things up gradually. But now, thanks to Ferris, securing a partner could elerate the process significantly.

    It was unexpected to receive news so quickly, especially after putting out feelers just a few days earlier. ¡°Well, that was quick.¡±

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Phillips said with a chuckle. ¡°Your reputation in the industry precedes you. People know what you are capable of.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1078

    ?Chapter 1078:

    ¡°Alright,¡± Eric said and flicked his wrist in a casual wave, amusement dancing in his tone. ¡°Let me have a look at the details.¡±

    ¡°Here you go.¡±

    Eric took the documents and skimmed through them with a practiced eye. ¡°The credentials check out. Let¡¯s set up a face-to-face meeting to iron out the details.¡±

    This fake chapter exists to identify thieves. The real one is at  g a l n o v e l s.

    ¡°Understood.¡±

    This week marked the end of Hadley¡¯s scenes, officially wrapping up her time on set.

    Though she wasn¡¯t the lead, Adonis held her in high regard, and because of her connection to Eric, whose breakup with her remained a secret to the public, the crew decided to throw a small celebration in honor of her departure from the set.

    Everyone gathered for lunch, and a celebratory cake was brought in. To top it off, Adonis stepped forward and handed her a bouquet of fresh flowers.

    ¡°Hadley, I wish you nothing but sess and a bright future!¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Hadley replied with a graceful smile, epting the well-wishes without letting them settle in her thoughts.

    When it was time to leave, A walked her out.

    Unlike Hadley¡¯s brief role, A had a much more prominent presence in the show as the third female lead.

    A sighed, looping her arm through Hadley¡¯s as they walked. ¡°I¡¯m really going to miss you.¡±

    At the entrance, A nced around expectantly. ¡°Isn¡¯t Mr. Flynning to pick you up on a day like this?¡±

    Hadley paused for a beat, then shook her head. ¡°He is noting.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± A¡¯s lips curved into a disappointed pout. ¡°I was hoping to catch a glimpse of him. He hasn¡¯t been to the set in a while. But you see him every night, right?¡±<fn0cd8> Chapters first released on find?novel</fn0cd8>

    Hadley ignored the question.

    This is bait for thieves; the original lives at  galn ov e ls.

    She could tell A was trying to use her as a bridge to get closer to Eric. However, A was bound to be disappointed.

    ¡°You should head back. You have plenty of scenes to shoot today, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Hadley didn¡¯t feel the need to exin herself further. There was no need to share personal matters with someone she wasn¡¯t close to. ¡°There is no need to see me off. I¡¯ll catch a ride myself,¡± she added.

    ¡°Alright then,¡± A replied, releasing her arm and offering a quick wave before going back toward the set.

    Just as Hadley exhaled a quiet sigh of relief, her phone rang.

    It was Brady. He had earlier suggested a celebration and already booked a spot at Cozyroom.

    She stared at the screen for a beat but didn¡¯t pick up. Looking up, she spotted his car parked just across the street.

    Brady stepped out with a smile and waved. ¡°Hello, Hadley!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ming!¡± Hadley called back, a smile tugging at her lips as she jogged over to him.

    Brady opened the car door for her. ¡°Melba and Joy are already there. There is a kids¡¯ y zone packed with activities, and Joy loves it. She will have a st and work up an appetite.¡±

    ¡°Sounds perfect,¡± Hadley said with a warm smile. ¡°You have really thought of everything.¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± Brady shed a broad grin, his teeth gleaming as they set off toward Cozyroom.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1079

    ?Chapter 1079:

    Cozyroom was located on the 9th floor of Poseidon¡¯s Realm, which meant a ride up in the elevator.

    ¡°Hadley, quick! There¡¯s an elevator over here!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ming!¡±

    The two dashed over. ¡°Hold the door!¡±

    As the elevator doors started to slide shut, an arm shot out, halting them. The doors glided open again.

    ¡°Thank you!¡±

    This chapter makes no sense for a reason: it¡¯s not mine. The authentic one is at  gal n o v e l s c om.

    ¡°Thanks!¡± Brady said, stepping aside as Hadley followed, both nodding in appreciation. But then, the elevator fell silent.

    It was a tight space upied by just four people.

    Eric, Phillips, Brady, and Hadley.

    ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Brady eximed, his eyes narrowing at Eric with barely veiled hostility.

    Eric raised an eyebrow, momentarily perplexed. Did he know this guy? Then his eyesnded on Hadley standing behind Brady, and understanding dawned.

    A cold sensation spread through his chest.

    Who was this pretty boy to Hadley?

    Ever since Brady had learned how Eric had treated Hadley in the past, he held nothing but animosity toward him.

    Now, facing Eric in person, the urge to throw a punch gnawed at his restraint. ¡°Eric, you¡ª¡±

    ¡°Brady!¡± Hadley jumped in, sensing the shift in his posture. She quickly grabbed his arm, her voice low but firm, gently shaking her head. ¡°Don¡¯t make a scene. We¡¯re here to eat.¡±

    Brady¡¯s muscles tightened, but after a long pause, he reluctantly nodded. ¡°Fine,¡± he muttered, still simmering.

    If you notice inconsistencies, it¡¯s not a mistake , it¡¯s bait. The original is at  galn ov els co m.

    ¡°Quit staring,¡± Hadley whispered, subtly turning him away to prevent further confrontation.

    To Eric, their bodynguage resembled that of a close couple.

    Hadley had never acted that affectionately with him.

    Suddenly, a wave of jealousy crashed over Eric.

    The elevator dinged as it arrived on the 9th floor. The doors slid open, and Hadley quickly tugged Brady along. ¡°Come on. Hurry up!¡± Eric and Phillips trailed a few paces behind.

    Eric watched Hadley hurry off, his hands shoved in his pockets, chin slightly raised. He stood still, unmoving, until his hidden fists clenched tight, the faint sound of his knuckles cracking barely audible.

    ¡°Phillips,¡± he murmured.

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Flynn.¡±

    ¡°Find out everything about that guy.¡±

    ¡°Right away, Mr. Flynn.¡±

    Eric and Phillips arrived five minutes ahead of schedule, only to find their counterpart had beaten them to it.

    The meeting was set in a private room, partially hidden behind a decorative screen at the entrance.

    As they stepped inside, a sharply dressed young man stood waiting, his tailored ck suit crisp and immacte.

    ¡°Which of you is in charge? Only one person is needed inside.¡±

    .<fn9e0d> Read full story at find~novel</fn9e0d>

    .

    .

 Chapter 1080

    ?Chapter 1080:

    Acknowledging him with a nod, Maxwell shifted his eyes toward Chris briefly. What the owner said was true. The fireworks disy Maxwell and Chris had once prepared for Maia¡¯s birthday had gone down in local memory asvish, dazzling, and nearly unmatched in Wront¡¯s history.

    Chris kept his thoughts to himself, though Maia¡¯s face surfaced in his mind. Guided by the owner, the two of them were soon led to a booth right beside the wide ss window.

    From that spot, the river stretched endlessly before them, the view unmatched by any other seat in the ce.

    Not long after, Maia entered Anita Restaurant with her group in tow. The doorman stepped forward with a courteous smile. ¡°Dr. Walsh, please follow me. Your private room is ready¡ªsecond door on the left, the one named ¡®Flowing Brook.''¡±

    Carsen gave a small nod, then turned to check on Maia walking behind him. ¡°How are you holding up? Do you need another piece of candy?¡±

    During the drive over, he had seen Maia drift off to sleep, and that alone told him the single candy she¡¯d eaten hadn¡¯t been enough to raise her blood sugar.

    ¡°I¡¯m doing better now,¡± Maia answered.

    Across the dining hall, Chris sat near the wide window, his eyes fixed on the river before he suddenly twisted in his seat. His attention shifted toward the entrance, and a faint crease formed on his brow.<fn865b> The source of th?s content is F?ndNovel</fn865b>

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mr. Cooper?¡± Maxwell asked, following his line of sight, but found nothing unusual by the doorway.

    By then, the doorman was already guiding a middle-aged couple to their table.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Chris muttered, lowering his gaze as he fished out his phone.

    Still, no message from Maia appeared on the screen. For a brief moment, he wondered if he had only imagined his wife¡¯s voice echoing in his head. That thought pushed him to finally type out a message for Maia.

    Inside the private room called ¡°Flowing Brook,¡± the surgical assistants, anesthetist, and nurses were already waiting. Carsen scanned the group before speaking. ¡°Thank you all for your effort today. Since we still have two more surgeries tomorrow, I won¡¯t drag this out with a long speech. Let¡¯s eat quickly and get some rest. Don¡¯t stay upte tonight.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Dr. Walsh!¡± the group answered together, their voices rising as one.

    Explore more fiction on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s???????

    To Maia, Carsen remained a fascinating puzzle. His tone often sounded detached, yet his gestures revealed a quiet thoughtfulness.

    Soon, Anita Restaurant¡¯s most signature dish arrived at the table. The rich scent of roasted wagyu beef instantly stirred everyone¡¯s appetite. Even though Maia felt hunger gnawing at her, she held herself with grace, refusing to abandon her manners. Meanwhile, the rest of the group dug into their tes with enthusiasm, unbothered by appearances.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to be overly formal. Skipping food won¡¯t help you,¡± Carsen said as he slid a te of wagyu in front of her. ¡°With your low blood sugar, you should take a few bites right away.¡±

    One of the doctors joined in with augh. ¡°That¡¯s right! If you don¡¯t start eating now, the food will disappear fast. Surely you wouldn¡¯t want to miss such delicious food.¡±

    Encouraged by the yful atmosphere, Maia finally gave in and began tasting the tender slices of wagyu. The meat turned out to be extraordinary, seared to just the right degree. Every bite released rich juices andyers of vor that lingered on her tongue. Noticing her enjoyment, Carsen called for the server and asked that wagyu be served to everyone at the table.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1081

    ?Chapter 1081:

    At first, the server paused, prepared to warn him about the risk of ordering more than they could finish. Before the thought was spoken, Carsen leaned forward at the head of the table and said firmly, ¡°It won¡¯t go to waste. We¡¯ll see to that.¡±

    With that assurance, the server simply nodded, recorded the order, and added, ¡°By the way, the fireworks over the river are about to begin. You may want to take a look.¡±

    ¡°Fireworks? I didn¡¯t see thating. I¡¯d love to watch. Who¡¯sing with me?¡± the first assistant doctor rose to his feet, excitement clear in his voice.

    To his surprise, everyone voiced their eagerness¡ªeveryone except Maia.

    ¡°Perfect, let¡¯s catch the show together,¡± Carsen replied as he stood. Turning to the nearby server, he instructed, ¡°Have the wagyu ready for us when we return.¡±

    The group filed out of the private room. At the windows, diners were already gathering, faces lifted with anticipation for the night sky to burst into color.

    As Maia, not wanting to be left alone, rose to follow them out, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, and Chris¡¯s name glowed on the screen.

    Slipping away from the others, she headed toward a quiet corner of the hallway. A tall window there opened to the river, the ss reflecting the shimmer of night.

    As she pressed to answer, a firework streaked upward and burst into a cascade of dazzling light. The thunderous crack filled the air, followed by blossoms of color spilling across the sky. From the restaurant came cheers and apuse, their echoes carrying clearly through the phone.

    ¡°Chris?¡± Maia called softly, noticing only silence on the other end. Still, no reply came from Chris.

    He remained silent, ncing around before moving away from the surrounding people. He had only meant to try his luck with a call to Maia. Earlier that day, she hadn¡¯t answered, and he hadn¡¯t expected her to this time either. Yet, to his surprise, Maia picked up.

    What unsettled him was the backdrop of fireworks and cheers spilling through the line¡ªtoo vivid to mistake for an ident. After a stretch of silence, he finally asked, ¡°Where are you right now?¡±

    Maia hesitated, then answered without much thought, ¡°I¡¯m at Pattie¡¯s. Why do you ask?¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s holds stories for every mood

    ¡°Nothing important. I just wanted to know when you¡¯ll be back,¡± Chris replied evenly, though his eyes moved sharply across the guests around him.

    Nearby, Maxwell caught sight of him on the phone. He shook his head with quiet resignation. Anyone with sense could tell who Chris was speaking to.

    ¡°It may take a few days, most likely after the charity g,¡± Maia estimated softly. Lately, all her focus had been tied up in learning surgical techniques from Carsen.<fn37a9> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? Find¡ïNovel</fn37a9>

    Realizing how much she had been neglecting Chris, Maia quickly added, ¡°I¡¯lle back the day after tomorrow. Could you prepare something special for me?¡±

    Chris lowered his eyes at her words, a smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Of course.¡± There was always a quiet joy in being needed by the woman he loved, a warmth he couldn¡¯t quite put into words.

    Once the call ended, Chris forced himself to believe he had imagined what he heard earlier. It waste, and surely Maia was already settled at Pattie¡¯s home. Perhaps Pattie¡¯s ce happened to be close enough to the river to catch the fireworks. Brushing aside his doubts, he went back to his seat.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1082

    Chapter 1082:

    ¡°Meat is the good stuff,¡± Brady said, doting on his niece without a second thought. ¡°A hearty meal keeps you strong!¡±

    That way, when surgery loomed, she would face it with less strain.

    ¡°Here you go.¡± Concerned about Joy¡¯s digestion, Brady fished out a packet of digestive tablets once they settled into the car. ¡°Joy, pop a couple of these.¡±

    This text doesn¡¯t belong to the original. The legitimate version is published at  g a l n o v e l s.

    They would ease her stomach and keep her hale.

    ¡°Uncle Brady, you¡¯re the greatest!¡± Joy eximed, clutching the tablets with both hands. ¡°I love you tons!¡±

    Hadley shook her head, a fond smile tugging at her lips. Brady was spoiling Joy rotten, but his care was impossible to fault.

    When they pulled up on Milnd Road, a sleek BMW Mini sat parked outside the apartment building. Melba was the first to pipe up. ¡°Never seen that one around before. Who¡¯s got a shiny new ride?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s mine,¡± Brady said with a grin, shooting Hadley a wink. ¡°What do you think?¡±

    ¡°You bought this? A new car?¡±

    Hadley noticed it was fresh off the lot¡ªno tes yet.

    ¡°Yep,¡± Brady confirmed. ¡°Picked it up today. What¡¯s your take?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s sharp,¡± Hadley said, giving a nod as she eyed him. ¡°Bit snug for you, though, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Cars like that usually caught a woman¡¯s eye more.<fn8433> Find the newest release on f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fn8433>

    And why was it parked right outside her ce?

    ¡°Thought the same myself¡­¡± Brady raised his arm and lobbed something in Hadley¡¯s way. ¡°Catch, Hadley!¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Hadley snagged it reflexively, ncing down to find a car key in her hand.

    Pointing at the BMW Mini, she asked, ¡°This key is for that car?¡±

    The one who copied this will fall. You can read the original at  g alnov el s.

    ¡°You got it,¡± Brady said with a slight nod. ¡°It¡¯s yours now.¡±

    ¡°This¡­¡± Hadley stood frozen, words escaping her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare say you won¡¯t take it!¡± Brady cut in, sensing her hesitation. His face grew serious. ¡°Just ept it. Everything our family has is yours too. Why not make use of it?¡±

    Hadley chuckled at his logic.

    While his words held weight, she felt they should¡¯vee from her lips instead.

    Her thoughts drifted to the other three Jenkins family members, and a wave of warmth hit her. Brady, untouched by the grime around him, held fast to a heart of gold.

    She gripped the car key tightly, resolve settling in. She wouldn¡¯t refuse. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll keep it.¡±

    ¡°That is the spirit.¡± Brady¡¯s smile radiated warmth. ¡°Hadley, from here on out, I¡¯ve got your back. No more hardships for you.¡±

    Hadley¡¯s eyes shimmered, her heart swelling with gratitude. ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to that.¡±

    Yearster, recalling this moment, Hadley would still feel the glow of Brady¡¯s earnest care and unwavering loyalty.

    Eric didn¡¯t head straight back to Silver Vis. Instead, he joined Barrie and Marshall for a round of drinks.

    As he knocked back one ss after another, Barrie and Marshall shared a knowing look.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1083

    Chapter 1083:

    ¡°Meat is the good stuff,¡± Brady said, doting on his niece without a second thought. ¡°A hearty meal keeps you strong!¡±<fndb33> Follow current nov?ls on Find?Novel</fndb33>

    That way, when surgery loomed, she would face it with less strain.

    ¡°Here you go.¡± Concerned about Joy¡¯s digestion, Brady fished out a packet of digestive tablets once they settled into the car. ¡°Joy, pop a couple of these.¡±

    This text doesn¡¯t belong to the original. The legitimate version is published at  g a l n o v e l s.

    They would ease her stomach and keep her hale.

    ¡°Uncle Brady, you¡¯re the greatest!¡± Joy eximed, clutching the tablets with both hands. ¡°I love you tons!¡±

    Hadley shook her head, a fond smile tugging at her lips. Brady was spoiling Joy rotten, but his care was impossible to fault.

    When they pulled up on Milnd Road, a sleek BMW Mini sat parked outside the apartment building. Melba was the first to pipe up. ¡°Never seen that one around before. Who¡¯s got a shiny new ride?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s mine,¡± Brady said with a grin, shooting Hadley a wink. ¡°What do you think?¡±

    ¡°You bought this? A new car?¡±

    Hadley noticed it was fresh off the lot¡ªno tes yet.

    ¡°Yep,¡± Brady confirmed. ¡°Picked it up today. What¡¯s your take?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s sharp,¡± Hadley said, giving a nod as she eyed him. ¡°Bit snug for you, though, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Cars like that usually caught a woman¡¯s eye more.

    And why was it parked right outside her ce?

    ¡°Thought the same myself¡­¡± Brady raised his arm and lobbed something in Hadley¡¯s way. ¡°Catch, Hadley!¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Hadley snagged it reflexively, ncing down to find a car key in her hand.

    Pointing at the BMW Mini, she asked, ¡°This key is for that car?¡±

    The one who copied this will fall. You can read the original at  g alnov el s.

    ¡°You got it,¡± Brady said with a slight nod. ¡°It¡¯s yours now.¡±

    ¡°This¡­¡± Hadley stood frozen, words escaping her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare say you won¡¯t take it!¡± Brady cut in, sensing her hesitation. His face grew serious. ¡°Just ept it. Everything our family has is yours too. Why not make use of it?¡±

    Hadley chuckled at his logic.

    While his words held weight, she felt they should¡¯vee from her lips instead.

    Her thoughts drifted to the other three Jenkins family members, and a wave of warmth hit her. Brady, untouched by the grime around him, held fast to a heart of gold.

    She gripped the car key tightly, resolve settling in. She wouldn¡¯t refuse. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll keep it.¡±

    ¡°That is the spirit.¡± Brady¡¯s smile radiated warmth. ¡°Hadley, from here on out, I¡¯ve got your back. No more hardships for you.¡±

    Hadley¡¯s eyes shimmered, her heart swelling with gratitude. ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to that.¡±

    Yearster, recalling this moment, Hadley would still feel the glow of Brady¡¯s earnest care and unwavering loyalty.

    Eric didn¡¯t head straight back to Silver Vis. Instead, he joined Barrie and Marshall for a round of drinks.

    As he knocked back one ss after another, Barrie and Marshall shared a knowing look.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1084

    Chapter 1084:

    ¡°Meat is the good stuff,¡± Brady said, doting on his niece without a second thought. ¡°A hearty meal keeps you strong!¡±

    That way, when surgery loomed, she would face it with less strain.

    ¡°Here you go.¡± Concerned about Joy¡¯s digestion, Brady fished out a packet of digestive tablets once they settled into the car. ¡°Joy, pop a couple of these.¡±

    This text doesn¡¯t belong to the original. The legitimate version is published at  g a l n o v e l s.

    They would ease her stomach and keep her hale.

    ¡°Uncle Brady, you¡¯re the greatest!¡± Joy eximed, clutching the tablets with both hands. ¡°I love you tons!¡±

    Hadley shook her head, a fond smile tugging at her lips. Brady was spoiling Joy rotten, but his care was impossible to fault.

    When they pulled up on Milnd Road, a sleek BMW Mini sat parked outside the apartment building. Melba was the first to pipe up. ¡°Never seen that one around before. Who¡¯s got a shiny new ride?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s mine,¡± Brady said with a grin, shooting Hadley a wink. ¡°What do you think?¡±

    ¡°You bought this? A new car?¡±

    Hadley noticed it was fresh off the lot¡ªno tes yet.

    ¡°Yep,¡± Brady confirmed. ¡°Picked it up today. What¡¯s your take?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s sharp,¡± Hadley said, giving a nod as she eyed him. ¡°Bit snug for you, though, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Cars like that usually caught a woman¡¯s eye more.

    And why was it parked right outside her ce?

    ¡°Thought the same myself¡­¡± Brady raised his arm and lobbed something in Hadley¡¯s way. ¡°Catch, Hadley!¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Hadley snagged it reflexively, ncing down to find a car key in her hand.

    Pointing at the BMW Mini, she asked, ¡°This key is for that car?¡±

    The one who copied this will fall. You can read the original at  g alnov el s.

    ¡°You got it,¡± Brady said with a slight nod. ¡°It¡¯s yours now.¡±

    ¡°This¡­¡± Hadley stood frozen, words escaping her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare say you won¡¯t take it!¡± Brady cut in, sensing her hesitation. His face grew serious. ¡°Just ept it. Everything our family has is yours too. Why not make use of it?¡±

    Hadley chuckled at his logic.<fn42ee> Updates are released by find?novel</fn42ee>

    While his words held weight, she felt they should¡¯vee from her lips instead.

    Her thoughts drifted to the other three Jenkins family members, and a wave of warmth hit her. Brady, untouched by the grime around him, held fast to a heart of gold.

    She gripped the car key tightly, resolve settling in. She wouldn¡¯t refuse. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll keep it.¡±

    ¡°That is the spirit.¡± Brady¡¯s smile radiated warmth. ¡°Hadley, from here on out, I¡¯ve got your back. No more hardships for you.¡±

    Hadley¡¯s eyes shimmered, her heart swelling with gratitude. ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to that.¡±

    Yearster, recalling this moment, Hadley would still feel the glow of Brady¡¯s earnest care and unwavering loyalty.

    Eric didn¡¯t head straight back to Silver Vis. Instead, he joined Barrie and Marshall for a round of drinks.

    As he knocked back one ss after another, Barrie and Marshall shared a knowing look.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1085

    Chapter 1085:

    ¡°Meat is the good stuff,¡± Brady said, doting on his niece without a second thought. ¡°A hearty meal keeps you strong!¡±

    That way, when surgery loomed, she would face it with less strain.

    ¡°Here you go.¡± Concerned about Joy¡¯s digestion, Brady fished out a packet of digestive tablets once they settled into the car. ¡°Joy, pop a couple of these.¡±

    This text doesn¡¯t belong to the original. The legitimate version is published at  g a l n o v e l s.

    They would ease her stomach and keep her hale.

    ¡°Uncle Brady, you¡¯re the greatest!¡± Joy eximed, clutching the tablets with both hands. ¡°I love you tons!¡±

    Hadley shook her head, a fond smile tugging at her lips. Brady was spoiling Joy rotten, but his care was impossible to fault.

    When they pulled up on Milnd Road, a sleek BMW Mini sat parked outside the apartment building. Melba was the first to pipe up. ¡°Never seen that one around before. Who¡¯s got a shiny new ride?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s mine,¡± Brady said with a grin, shooting Hadley a wink. ¡°What do you think?¡±

    ¡°You bought this? A new car?¡±

    Hadley noticed it was fresh off the lot¡ªno tes yet.

    ¡°Yep,¡± Brady confirmed. ¡°Picked it up today. What¡¯s your take?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s sharp,¡± Hadley said, giving a nod as she eyed him. ¡°Bit snug for you, though, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Cars like that usually caught a woman¡¯s eye more.

    And why was it parked right outside her ce?

    ¡°Thought the same myself¡­¡± Brady raised his arm and lobbed something in Hadley¡¯s way. ¡°Catch, Hadley!¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Hadley snagged it reflexively, ncing down to find a car key in her hand.

    Pointing at the BMW Mini, she asked, ¡°This key is for that car?¡±<fn0ce6> Chapters first released on F¦ÉndNovel</fn0ce6>

    The one who copied this will fall. You can read the original at  g alnov el s.

    ¡°You got it,¡± Brady said with a slight nod. ¡°It¡¯s yours now.¡±

    ¡°This¡­¡± Hadley stood frozen, words escaping her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare say you won¡¯t take it!¡± Brady cut in, sensing her hesitation. His face grew serious. ¡°Just ept it. Everything our family has is yours too. Why not make use of it?¡±

    Hadley chuckled at his logic.

    While his words held weight, she felt they should¡¯vee from her lips instead.

    Her thoughts drifted to the other three Jenkins family members, and a wave of warmth hit her. Brady, untouched by the grime around him, held fast to a heart of gold.

    She gripped the car key tightly, resolve settling in. She wouldn¡¯t refuse. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll keep it.¡±

    ¡°That is the spirit.¡± Brady¡¯s smile radiated warmth. ¡°Hadley, from here on out, I¡¯ve got your back. No more hardships for you.¡±

    Hadley¡¯s eyes shimmered, her heart swelling with gratitude. ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to that.¡±

    Yearster, recalling this moment, Hadley would still feel the glow of Brady¡¯s earnest care and unwavering loyalty.

    Eric didn¡¯t head straight back to Silver Vis. Instead, he joined Barrie and Marshall for a round of drinks.

    As he knocked back one ss after another, Barrie and Marshall shared a knowing look.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1086

    Chapter 1086:

    Eric watched for a moment as Linda started her treatment, then headed back to his house. Just as he arrived, his phone rang; it was Ernest on the line.

    ¡°Alright, I understand¡­ Don¡¯t worry, Ernest.¡±

    Ending the call, Eric made his way to the garage.

    This is just a shadow of the original. The light is at  g al n o v e l s.

    Today, Hadley paid a visit to the sanatorium.

    Her schedule had been packed with film shoots, leaving little time to visit Elissa.

    Elissa was in her usual room, decorated with a fresh bouquet of flowers on the coffee table. The bouquet featured an eye-catching mix of pink outer petals and soft yellow inner ones.

    ¡°They¡¯re so beautiful!¡± Hadley couldn¡¯t help but admire them aloud.

    ¡°Are they really?¡± Elissa asked, her blindness preventing her from seeing them. ¡°They do have a lovely, subtle scent.¡±

    ¡°Yes, they are¡­¡± Hadley confirmed with a smile, lowering her voice slightly. ¡°Were they sent by your neighbor?¡±

    Elissa blinked in surprise. ¡°How did you guess?¡±

    ¡°The sanatorium would never provide such luxurious flowers.¡±

    Elissa was surprised. ¡°Are these flowers really that costly?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Hadley confirmed with a nod. ¡°These are Juliet Roses, often called the Million-Dor Rose. They¡¯re among the most expensive varieties in the world.¡±

    She recognized them from the gardens at the Flynn Mansion.

    ¡°Million-Dor Rose?¡± Elissa¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Why would he send me such extravagant flowers? I had no idea¡­ I thought they were just regr roses.¡±

    ¡°They signify more than just expense,¡± Hadley said, her smile hinting at deeper meanings. ¡°Any idea what these roses represent?¡±

    Elissa looked confused and shook her head.

    Fake file, false heart. The living book beats at  g a l n o v e l s.

    Hadley smirked. ¡°Eternal love.¡±

    Elissa¡¯s expression changed dramatically; her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed. ¡°We¡¯re not like that,¡± she murmured defensively.

    Hadley gently linked arms with her, leaned in, and whispered, ¡°He¡¯s so thoughtful. Maybe you should give him a chance?¡±

    Just then, the sound of the doorbell interrupted their conversation.

    Elissa deftly steered the conversation away from romantic implications. ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on that. It¡¯s probably Mr. Flynn.¡±

    Today was her scheduled check-up, and Ernest was supposed to take her.

    Hadley let out a quiet chuckle. Ernest really was something. Even now, he hadn¡¯t told Elissa who he really was.<fn705d> Follow current nov?ls on findnovel</fn705d>

    As Laney opened the door, he greeted, ¡°Mr. Flynn, pleasee in.¡±

    Hadley stepped forward to help Elissa as she said to the neer, ¡°Ernest, I had some free time today, so I came to keep Elissap¡ª¡± She froze mid-sentence, her voice catching.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Elissa asked, confused, turning in Hadley¡¯s direction.

    Eric, who hadn¡¯t expected Hadley¡¯s presence, found himself momentarily lost for words, his eyes involuntarily locking with hers before he forced himself to look at Elissa.

    ¡°Miss Hond, I¡¯m Eric. My brother was unable toe, so I¡¯ll be taking you to your check-up.¡±

    Now it made sense. That was why Hadley had gone quiet.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1087

    Chapter 1087:

    Eric watched for a moment as Linda started her treatment, then headed back to his house. Just as he arrived, his phone rang; it was Ernest on the line.

    ¡°Alright, I understand¡­ Don¡¯t worry, Ernest.¡±

    Ending the call, Eric made his way to the garage.

    This is just a shadow of the original. The light is at  g al n o v e l s.

    Today, Hadley paid a visit to the sanatorium.

    Her schedule had been packed with film shoots, leaving little time to visit Elissa.

    Elissa was in her usual room, decorated with a fresh bouquet of flowers on the coffee table. The bouquet featured an eye-catching mix of pink outer petals and soft yellow inner ones.

    ¡°They¡¯re so beautiful!¡± Hadley couldn¡¯t help but admire them aloud.

    ¡°Are they really?¡± Elissa asked, her blindness preventing her from seeing them. ¡°They do have a lovely, subtle scent.¡±

    ¡°Yes, they are¡­¡± Hadley confirmed with a smile, lowering her voice slightly. ¡°Were they sent by your neighbor?¡±

    Elissa blinked in surprise. ¡°How did you guess?¡±

    ¡°The sanatorium would never provide such luxurious flowers.¡±

    Elissa was surprised. ¡°Are these flowers really that costly?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Hadley confirmed with a nod. ¡°These are Juliet Roses, often called the Million-Dor Rose. They¡¯re among the most expensive varieties in the world.¡±

    She recognized them from the gardens at the Flynn Mansion.

    ¡°Million-Dor Rose?¡± Elissa¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Why would he send me such extravagant flowers? I had no idea¡­ I thought they were just regr roses.¡±

    ¡°They signify more than just expense,¡± Hadley said, her smile hinting at deeper meanings. ¡°Any idea what these roses represent?¡±

    Elissa looked confused and shook her head.

    Fake file, false heart. The living book beats at  g a l n o v e l s.

    Hadley smirked. ¡°Eternal love.¡±

    Elissa¡¯s expression changed dramatically; her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed. ¡°We¡¯re not like that,¡± she murmured defensively.

    Hadley gently linked arms with her, leaned in, and whispered, ¡°He¡¯s so thoughtful. Maybe you should give him a chance?¡±

    Just then, the sound of the doorbell interrupted their conversation.

    Elissa deftly steered the conversation away from romantic implications. ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on that. It¡¯s probably Mr. Flynn.¡±<fn6a5e> For original chapters go to find{n}ovel</fn6a5e>

    Today was her scheduled check-up, and Ernest was supposed to take her.

    Hadley let out a quiet chuckle. Ernest really was something. Even now, he hadn¡¯t told Elissa who he really was.

    As Laney opened the door, he greeted, ¡°Mr. Flynn, pleasee in.¡±

    Hadley stepped forward to help Elissa as she said to the neer, ¡°Ernest, I had some free time today, so I came to keep Elissap¡ª¡± She froze mid-sentence, her voice catching.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Elissa asked, confused, turning in Hadley¡¯s direction.

    Eric, who hadn¡¯t expected Hadley¡¯s presence, found himself momentarily lost for words, his eyes involuntarily locking with hers before he forced himself to look at Elissa.

    ¡°Miss Hond, I¡¯m Eric. My brother was unable toe, so I¡¯ll be taking you to your check-up.¡±

    Now it made sense. That was why Hadley had gone quiet.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1088

    Chapter 1088:

    Truthfully, there were still hours left before their scheduled meeting. Even at a slow pace, the drive from the Morgan vi to Wront Manor would take no longer than ny minutes.

    Richard and Sandra felt the same thrill they had experienced when they first discovered Rosanna was their biological daughter, forgetting entirely how they had once treated Maia.

    ¡°Richard, do you think Maia¡¯s inviting us to lunch means she¡¯s ready to return? I couldn¡¯t sleep a winkst night. Memories of her kept rushing back¡ªthe way she crawled at one, toddled around at three, her first day of school¡­ I regret everything. How could we have been so blind? Maia is our daughter. No matter what, she grew up under our roof.¡± Tears welled in Sandra¡¯s eyes. ¡°Do you think she¡¯ll ever forgive me?¡±

    Richard¡¯s hands tightened on the steering wheel as he let out a heavy sigh. ¡°She might¡­ At first, I only wanted her back because I thought she could rescue our family from trouble. It wouldn¡¯t have been hard for her, considering where she is now.¡±

    He pressed down on the elerator, the car surging forward.

    ¡°But then I learned the truth¡ªthat Rosanna framed her, and our downfall was entirely our own fault. If we had trusted Maia back then, none of this would have happened.¡±

    Richard¡¯s words lingered in the car, heavy and unforgiving. Sandra sank into silence, weighed down by guilt.

    At that time, none of them had chosen Maia. They cast her aside simply because she wasn¡¯t tied to them by blood.

    It was cruel. It was foolish. Yet heartbreakinglymon, because many families would have done the same.

    In reality, Maia was the child they had raised, the daughter who had shared seventeen years of her life with them.

    ¡°She always wanted us to notice her. Even though we ignored her feelings, she kept loving us¡­ Do you remember that sweater she knitted for your birthday? She worked on it for a whole month. And every time you came home, your room was spotless. The butler told me it was always Maia who cleaned it,¡± Sandra whispered, breaking the silence.

    Her eyes drifted toward the passing scenery, her voice heavy with regret. ¡°Maia was such a good child. Yet our own daughter framed her, and we, the only family she had, turned our backs and sent her to prison.¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m brings endless adventures

    ¡°That¡¯s behind us now. If we face Maia with honesty, she¡¯ll forgive us,¡± Richard said firmly as he pressed harder on the elerator. ¡°The mountain road is just ahead. In twenty minutes, we¡¯ll reach Wront Manor and wait for her in the private room.¡±

    But in the next instant, a massive truck loomed into view, barreling straight toward them.

    Its high beams red, blindingly bright, and the air filled with the deafening st of a horn.

    On that narrow, twisting road, there was nowhere to swerve.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± Richard cursed, clutching the steering wheel to keep the car from flipping as he stomped the brakes with all his strength.

    The screech of brakes tore through the mountain air, leaving a ck scar of rubber across the asphalt.

    .

    .

    .<fn8c87> Discover more novels at find?novel</fn8c87>

 Chapter 1089

    Chapter 1089:

    Eric watched for a moment as Linda started her treatment, then headed back to his house. Just as he arrived, his phone rang; it was Ernest on the line.

    ¡°Alright, I understand¡­ Don¡¯t worry, Ernest.¡±

    Ending the call, Eric made his way to the garage.

    This is just a shadow of the original. The light is at  g al n o v e l s.

    Today, Hadley paid a visit to the sanatorium.

    Her schedule had been packed with film shoots, leaving little time to visit Elissa.

    Elissa was in her usual room, decorated with a fresh bouquet of flowers on the coffee table. The bouquet featured an eye-catching mix of pink outer petals and soft yellow inner ones.

    ¡°They¡¯re so beautiful!¡± Hadley couldn¡¯t help but admire them aloud.

    ¡°Are they really?¡± Elissa asked, her blindness preventing her from seeing them. ¡°They do have a lovely, subtle scent.¡±

    ¡°Yes, they are¡­¡± Hadley confirmed with a smile, lowering her voice slightly. ¡°Were they sent by your neighbor?¡±

    Elissa blinked in surprise. ¡°How did you guess?¡±

    ¡°The sanatorium would never provide such luxurious flowers.¡±

    Elissa was surprised. ¡°Are these flowers really that costly?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Hadley confirmed with a nod. ¡°These are Juliet Roses, often called the Million-Dor Rose. They¡¯re among the most expensive varieties in the world.¡±

    She recognized them from the gardens at the Flynn Mansion.

    ¡°Million-Dor Rose?¡± Elissa¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Why would he send me such extravagant flowers? I had no idea¡­ I thought they were just regr roses.¡±

    ¡°They signify more than just expense,¡± Hadley said, her smile hinting at deeper meanings. ¡°Any idea what these roses represent?¡±

    Elissa looked confused and shook her head.

    Fake file, false heart. The living book beats at  g a l n o v e l s.

    Hadley smirked. ¡°Eternal love.¡±

    Elissa¡¯s expression changed dramatically; her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed. ¡°We¡¯re not like that,¡± she murmured defensively.

    Hadley gently linked arms with her, leaned in, and whispered, ¡°He¡¯s so thoughtful. Maybe you should give him a chance?¡±

    Just then, the sound of the doorbell interrupted their conversation.

    Elissa deftly steered the conversation away from romantic implications. ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on that. It¡¯s probably Mr. Flynn.¡±

    Today was her scheduled check-up, and Ernest was supposed to take her.

    Hadley let out a quiet chuckle. Ernest really was something. Even now, he hadn¡¯t told Elissa who he really was.

    As Laney opened the door, he greeted, ¡°Mr. Flynn, pleasee in.¡±

    Hadley stepped forward to help Elissa as she said to the neer, ¡°Ernest, I had some free time today, so I came to keep Elissap¡ª¡± She froze mid-sentence, her voice catching.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Elissa asked, confused, turning in Hadley¡¯s direction.

    Eric, who hadn¡¯t expected Hadley¡¯s presence, found himself momentarily lost for words, his eyes involuntarily locking with hers before he forced himself to look at Elissa.

    ¡°Miss Hond, I¡¯m Eric. My brother was unable toe, so I¡¯ll be taking you to your check-up.¡±

    Now it made sense. That was why Hadley had gone quiet.<fn4f13> Follow current nov?ls on findnovel</fn4f13>

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1090

    Chapter 1090:

    Eric watched for a moment as Linda started her treatment, then headed back to his house. Just as he arrived, his phone rang; it was Ernest on the line.

    ¡°Alright, I understand¡­ Don¡¯t worry, Ernest.¡±

    Ending the call, Eric made his way to the garage.

    This is just a shadow of the original. The light is at  g al n o v e l s.

    Today, Hadley paid a visit to the sanatorium.

    Her schedule had been packed with film shoots, leaving little time to visit Elissa.

    Elissa was in her usual room, decorated with a fresh bouquet of flowers on the coffee table. The bouquet featured an eye-catching mix of pink outer petals and soft yellow inner ones.

    ¡°They¡¯re so beautiful!¡± Hadley couldn¡¯t help but admire them aloud.

    ¡°Are they really?¡± Elissa asked, her blindness preventing her from seeing them. ¡°They do have a lovely, subtle scent.¡±

    ¡°Yes, they are¡­¡± Hadley confirmed with a smile, lowering her voice slightly. ¡°Were they sent by your neighbor?¡±

    Elissa blinked in surprise. ¡°How did you guess?¡±

    ¡°The sanatorium would never provide such luxurious flowers.¡±

    Elissa was surprised. ¡°Are these flowers really that costly?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Hadley confirmed with a nod. ¡°These are Juliet Roses, often called the Million-Dor Rose. They¡¯re among the most expensive varieties in the world.¡±

    She recognized them from the gardens at the Flynn Mansion.

    ¡°Million-Dor Rose?¡± Elissa¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Why would he send me such extravagant flowers? I had no idea¡­ I thought they were just regr roses.¡±

    ¡°They signify more than just expense,¡± Hadley said, her smile hinting at deeper meanings. ¡°Any idea what these roses represent?¡±

    Elissa looked confused and shook her head.

    Fake file, false heart. The living book beats at  g a l n o v e l s.

    Hadley smirked. ¡°Eternal love.¡±

    Elissa¡¯s expression changed dramatically; her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed. ¡°We¡¯re not like that,¡± she murmured defensively.

    Hadley gently linked arms with her, leaned in, and whispered, ¡°He¡¯s so thoughtful. Maybe you should give him a chance?¡±

    Just then, the sound of the doorbell interrupted their conversation.

    Elissa deftly steered the conversation away from romantic implications. ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on that. It¡¯s probably Mr. Flynn.¡±

    Today was her scheduled check-up, and Ernest was supposed to take her.

    Hadley let out a quiet chuckle. Ernest really was something. Even now, he hadn¡¯t told Elissa who he really was.

    As Laney opened the door, he greeted, ¡°Mr. Flynn, pleasee in.¡±

    Hadley stepped forward to help Elissa as she said to the neer, ¡°Ernest, I had some free time today, so I came to keep Elissap¡ª¡± She froze mid-sentence, her voice catching.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Elissa asked, confused, turning in Hadley¡¯s direction.

    Eric, who hadn¡¯t expected Hadley¡¯s presence, found himself momentarily lost for words, his eyes involuntarily locking with hers before he forced himself to look at Elissa.

    ¡°Miss Hond, I¡¯m Eric. My brother was unable toe, so I¡¯ll be taking you to your check-up.¡±

    Now it made sense. That was why Hadley had gone quiet.

    .

    .<fn4fa4> For original chapters go to ?ovelFind</fn4fa4>

    .

 Chapter 1091

    ?Chapter 1091:

    ¡°You monster! Do you have any idea of the damage you¡¯ve caused?¡± Richard¡¯s fury erupted. ¡°How did I end up with a daughter so cruel?¡±

    Sandra¡¯s eyes went wide, her voice faltering. ¡°Rosanna, call for an ambnce right now! We can talk this through calmly.¡±

    ¡°I know exactly what I¡¯m doing. I want Maia dead. And I want you dead as well. I¡¯m not just vicious¡­ I¡¯m downright wicked. This is who I am¡ªit runs in my veins, all because of you,¡± Rosanna spat, her madness spilling free. ¡°You¡¯d better start worrying about your own lives. Did you actually believe Maia forgave you? How naive. The very idea isughable! She¡¯s far too proud to be willing toe back to the Morgan family.¡± Rosanna¡¯s voice dripped with scorn. ¡°Here¡¯s the truth¡ªyou were never hearing from Maia. Every message came from me. How does that sit with you? Crushing, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Richard froze in shock. ¡°It was you? That can¡¯t be possible!¡±

    A jolt of terror struck him as he pressed the brake, only to realize the car wasn¡¯t slowing.

    He mmed his foot down harder, pushing the pedal to the floor.

    Instead of halting, the vehicle lurched forward even faster, dragged downhill by gravity¡¯s pull.

    ¡°The brakes¡­ they¡¯ve failed?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s words echoed in his mind, and he shouted into the phone, ¡°Was it you? Did you sabotage the car?¡±

    ¡°Exactly. You¡¯re sharp, but not sharp enough. It¡¯s far toote now.¡± Rosanna¡¯sugh was soft, almost yful.

    From her vantage point high above, she watched coldly as the vehicle swerved out of control, smashed through the guardrail, and hurtled off the cliff. Her lips curled into a whisper. ¡°Goodbye.¡±

    The valley shook with the crash¡ªfirst the violent impact, then the roaring explosion that followed, echoing through the mountains like thunder. The st thundered across the valley, and thick ck smoke coiled upward from the wreckage, climbing the sky like a dark cloud.

    ¡°It seems the curtain has fallen.¡± Austen¡¯s voice came from behind as he leaned close to Rosanna¡¯s ear. ¡°Tell me, what¡¯s your next move?¡±

    Your next story starts here: g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Before she could answer, he pressed a finger lightly against her lips. ¡°No¡­ let me guess.¡±<fn0ce4> Follow current nov?ls on Find_Novel(.</fn0ce4>

    Rosanna turned toward him, her eyes glimmering with anticipation.

    Austen studied the plume of smoke twisting in the distance, then gave Rosanna¡¯s head a gentle pat. His tone softened. ¡°Since you lured them out in Maia¡¯s name, your aim must be to pin this tragedy¡ªno, this murder¡ªon her. Isn¡¯t that it?¡±

    ¡°Is that all?¡± Rosanna¡¯s smile curved wider. ¡°And whates after? Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s far too easy?¡±

    ¡°In Wront, Maia is seen as a saint. People will call this an ident, bad luck for Richard and Sandra, nothing more. It won¡¯t touch her reputation.¡±

    Her gaze snapped back to Austen, sharp and predatory. ¡°So, may I say you guessed wrong? Still¡­ your thought isn¡¯t useless. Even if most won¡¯t believe it, I only need a few to doubt her.¡±

    Austen¡¯s brows narrowed slightly, surprise flickering in his eyes. ¡°And who do you have in mind? Richard¡¯s son?¡±

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    .

 Chapter 1092

    ?Chapter 1092:

    ¡°Bingo, Mr. Nelson. Right on target.¡± Rosanna¡¯s tone turned yful, almost sing-song. ¡°I¡¯ll use him to destroy Maia.¡±

    ¡°This feels like rather an interesting notion.¡± Austen lowered his eyes,ughing under his breath as he tenderly brushed Rosanna¡¯s slender chin, a trace of yful cunning shimmering within his gaze.

    At first, his new sister-inw had been nothing more than a diversion for him, a fleeting distraction. Yet as time passed, Austen realized he no longer knew whether he was the maniptor or the manipted, for the game seemed to tighten its grip around him.

    Raindrops slipped unnoticed, speckling Austen¡¯s jacket and moistening Rosanna¡¯s lightly curled tresses.<fn17f4> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? </fn17f4>

    Vapor drifted across the faraway hills, weaving a spectral and uneasy mood as rainfall and firelight intermingled in the open air.

    ¡°Come on. The rain¡¯s falling,¡± Austen murmured, drawing Rosanna into his hold, his tonenguidly deep while a sly, almost wicked smile edged his lips. ¡°Since I¡¯ve aided you so much, shouldn¡¯t you grant me something in return?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s lips curled into a smile, her eyes alluring as though intoxicated. She leaned close to his ear and whispered, ¡°How about¡­ we don¡¯t go back tonight? Let¡¯s search for another ce and really unwind?¡±

    A sudden ze of desire red in Austen¡¯s eyes.

    In the following instant, the pair hurried off through the storm.

    Elsewhere, mes surged from beneath the cliff.

    The vehicle that had recently gone over erupted once again, hurling fiery streaks into the night sky, setting alight the nearby shrubs and brittle twigs. The rain fell like tears from the sky¡­ yet even the torrent failed to smother the inferno stoked by gasoline.

    ¡°Good heavens! That nearly killed me; I was close to finished,¡± muttered a middle-aged fellow in a dark brown outfit bearing the word ¡°Ranger¡± on the sleeve. He spat into the dirt, trying to rid his lungs of the acrid smoke.

    He had been patrolling close by and rushed to aid the two passengers the moment the automobile plummeted, only for it to explode as he stepped away. Drawing a long breath to steady his nerves, the ranger studied the two motionless figures resting under the tree.

    Your escape begins at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°Fortunate you ran into me, or nothing would have remained to bury,¡± he grumbled to himself while moving nearer, first examining Sandra, who seemed less injured. ¡°Hey! Wake up! Are you still alive?¡±

    She gave no reply, yet he found a faint exhale when he pressed a finger beneath her nostrils.

    The ranger then turned toward Richard, whose brow was streaked with blood.

    As he inspected him, Richard¡¯s eyes fluttered open, zed with disorientation. He seemed ready to speak, but before a word escaped, he copsed again into unconsciousness.

    ¡°Don¡¯t give up on me!¡± the ranger leaned forward, confirming Richard was still alive, then swiftly called emergency services, stating their whereabouts. At that instant, a mobile rang inside the clothing of the injured, senseless man.

    Pausing, the ranger reached into Richard¡¯s pocket and retrieved the device. The fractured disy revealed the name of the caller¡ªJarrod.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1093

    ?Chapter 1093:

    Inside the Morgan household¡¯s vi.

    Jarrod had just ced a call, discovering his parents were absent. Yet the instant the words came through the line, his expression turned deathly pale.

    It felt as though his entire world had shattered that very moment.

    ¡°What rubbish are you saying? How could my parents drive off a cliff? Why would they have gone anywhere like that?¡± Jarrod¡¯s tone shook, his heart refusing to ept what he was told.

    ¡°Settle down, boy! Listen. Get yourself to Wront¡¯s Erygan Hospital right away. The rest you¡¯ll need to hear from them after they awaken!¡± the other speaker snapped with impatience,ced with irritation, then disconnected, leaving only the t tones of the call¡¯s end.

    Jarrod stood frozen for a few seconds before suddenly springing up from the sofa.

    He rushed upstairs, digging through drawers for keys, then dashed out the entrance.

    With the household funds exhausted and the chauffeur long dismissed, he had no choice but to drive an aging Mercedes toward Erygan on his own.

    The car wheels screeched against the gravel drive before the vi.

    ¡°Mom, Dad¡­ please be safe!¡± Jarrod implored as he clenched the steering wheel, aware that if his parents perished, he would bepletely alone. The storm persisted, droplets fine as threads striking against the car ss, all throughout the¡­

    Throughout the journey, Jarrod¡¯s mind echoed the man¡¯smand from the call: ¡°The rest you¡¯ll need to hear from them after they awaken!¡± That faint possibility was the only thread holding him together.

    Although his parents had suffered cmity, they had not yet been imed by death.<fna786> The source of th?s content is f?ndnovel</fna786>

    That notion of hope lifted Jarrod, who could not face a life devoid of his parents.

    ¡°Almighty, let them endure¡­ Mother, Father, hold on!¡±

    On the drive to Erygan Hospital, the storm ripped through the sky as if the heavens themselves had split open, soaking everything in its path.

    Find your favorite stories at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s., conn

    Behind the wheel of his battered Mercedes, Jarrod pressed harder on the gas, forcing the car along the twistingnes near the city¡¯s edge. The wipers wed across the ss, yet the downpour still blinded his view.

    Sweat gathered in his hands, and the windows clouded until his own strained reflection became nothing more than a shadow. His thoughts spun wildly, each one striking harder than thest.

    The news of his parents¡¯ ident clung to him like a nightmare that would not release its hold.

    ¡°Why did it have to happen? Why were they out before sunrise? They never leave the house that early¡­¡± Jarrod whispered, urging the car to go faster while memories of their odd behavior gnawed at him.

    They had spoken in hushed tones, dodged phone calls whenever he was nearby, and their eyes kept darting toward his bedroom as if hiding something from him. At first, he had convinced himself it was only money troubles, yet the truth now hinted at something far deeper.

    .

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 Chapter 1094

    ?Chapter 1094:

    As soon as the Erygan Hospital gates came into sight, the rain eased and left the air eerily still.

    Jarrod swung the car door open and nearly lost his footing as he dashed toward the entrance.

    Beyond the doors of the emergency ward, the glowing red sign clung stubbornly to life, stealing away whatever hope Jarrod tried to hold on to.

    Restless steps carried him back and forth, his shoes striking uneven echoes on the sterile floor. He kept his focus locked on the light, silently willing it to change.

    Minutes felt like hours. The air hung heavy with the dampness left by the storm, and the crowd in the hall shifted restlessly, but Jarrod¡¯s eyes refused to wander from that doorway.

    Without warning, the red indicator above the emergency doors flickered and went dark.

    A slow creak followed as the double doors parted, and a weary-looking doctor stepped into view.

    Jarrod lunged toward him before he could take another step, his words breaking apart as he said, ¡°Doctor, please tell me how my parents are. They¡¯re going to make it, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    The doctor studied him with heavy eyes, his expression drawn tight with grief. ¡°Are you their rtive? I need you to brace yourself. We tried every measure possible.¡±

    For a moment, Jarrod stood frozen, the blood drained from his face as though everyst beam of hope had been snuffed out.

    ¡°What do you mean by that? No¡­ it can¡¯t be,¡± Jarrod said, stammering, his gaze locked on the doctor¡¯s mouth as if every syble carried his fate.

    A weary breath escaped the doctor before he said, ¡°The car plunged from nearly fifty-five yards high. The airbags lessened the impact, but both suffered catastrophic internal injuries, particrly in the brain. Right now, they¡¯ve slipped into a deepa.¡±

    Weakness swept through Jarrod¡¯s legs, and he nearly fell. ¡°But they¡¯re still alive, right?¡± he asked, his voice choked with emotion.

    With a grave nod, the doctor answered, ¡°Yes, their vitals remain steady at this moment. However¡­¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§àm, where stories thrive

    ¡°However, what?¡± Jarrod cut in, his voice raw and urgent, his eyes zing with fear.

    The reply came gently, almost reluctant. ¡°We cannot say whether they will ever awaken. The state they¡¯re in shows all the signs of a persistent unresponsive condition.¡±

    ¡°No! That can¡¯t be true!¡± Jarrod¡¯s voice tore through the silence, echoing against the long corridor walls. ¡°They¡¯re only unconscious! Why wouldn¡¯t they wake up? Did you even do everything you could? I¡¯ll have them moved somewhere else!¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s hands clutched the doctor¡¯s cor as his voice cracked, his entire world crumbling around him.

    Nurses rushed in at once, trying to pry him away and filling the hallway with frantic movement.

    The doctor snapped in frustration, his voice raised. ¡°We¡¯ve already exhausted every option!¡±<fnc1ba> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on </fnc1ba>

    Nothing reached Jarrod¡¯s ears. The words ¡°unresponsive condition¡± echoed over and over, drowning out everything else.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1095

    ?Chapter 1095:

    A sudden weight pressed down on his shoulder, unyielding. ¡°Kid, listen carefully.¡±

    Jarrod spun halfway around, ready tosh out.

    However, before a single word escaped, a burst of pain ripped through his body. A violent crash echoed down the corridor as Jarrod¡¯s body struck the wall, hurled as though by an invisible hand.

    Dizzy and aching, he forced himself to raise his head, and his blurred vision slowly cleared on the form of a massive man looming above him.

    Dark brows pressed together in a hard line, and the fierce look in the stranger¡¯s eyes warned that he was someone far too dangerous to challenge.

    A dark brown uniform clung to the man¡¯s frame, the stitched word ¡°Ranger¡± visible on the cuff like a badge of warning.<fnc934> This content belongs to Find~Novel</fnc934>

    For a moment, Jarrod froze, his voice rasping as he managed to ask, ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re the ranger who pulled my parents out, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    A mockingugh slipped from the man as he said, ¡°So you¡¯re not entirely ignorant after all.¡± His grip loosened, and Jarrod crumpled hard onto the floor. Shaking, he remained sprawled where hended, sweat beading on his forehead, his breathing ragged, his face pale.

    The ranger folded his arms across his chest, his voice sharp as a whip. ¡°You¡¯re old enough to know better. How can you not tell right from wrong? Your parents nearly died when their car went over that cliff. If the doctors hadn¡¯t fought to keep them alive, you¡¯d already be mourning them.¡±

    In the surrounding corridor, many medical staff and other patients¡¯ rtives who had witnessed the earlier scene were shaking their heads, whispering among themselves, mostly criticizing Jarrod for his rude behavior toward the doctors.

    ¡°What a disgrace. How could anyone attack a doctor like that? Doesn¡¯t he know better?¡±

    ¡°Honestly¡­ what kind of upbringing leads to this? Hardly anyone can stomach such disgraceful conduct.¡±

    Across from him, the forest ranger kept his arms folded and sneered down at Jarrod. ¡°Get on your feet! You¡¯re supposed to keep your head steady when things get rough.¡±

    ¡°I just¡­¡± Jarrod lifted his gaze, his jaw tight, but his words broke apart as his shoulders shook. ¡°I can¡¯t ept any of this¡­¡±

    ?¦Ò???? ¦Ô???????????? ¦É?? ?????????????????.??????

    ¡°Cut it out! Start acting your age. Your parents are still alive, and aa doesn¡¯t alwaysst forever. Being in an unresponsive condition doesn¡¯t mean they won¡¯t return.¡±

    After he said this, the ranger¡¯s tone softened slightly. He tapped Jarrod¡¯s shoulder. ¡°If you truly care, then call the rest of your family and begin gathering money fast. Just a kind reminder¡ªthis treatment isn¡¯t something an average family can afford.¡±

    With a calcting nce, the ranger looked him up and down. ¡°Still¡­ from the look of those fancy clothes, I¡¯d say money might not be an issue for your¡­¡±

    ¡°Household.¡± The mention of ¡°gathering money¡± drained the light from Jarrod¡¯s eyes, leaving him hollow.

    His gaze dropped to his damp coat, the fine stitching of the once-prized suit now mocking him beneath the sterile hospital lights.

    Behind the polished facade, the Morgan family had already crumbled. Bankruptcy had swallowed their wealth, and the family was drowning in debts so heavy they could not even scrape together the millions required for surgery, let alone cover the days to follow. And call the rest of his family?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1096

    ?Chapter 1096:

    Two names surged into Jarrod¡¯s thoughts at once¡ªhis little sister, Rosanna, and Maia.

    ¡°Yes¡­ I need to contact them right away.¡± Jarrod¡¯s voice trembled with a desperate kind of relief as he fumbled for his phone, clinging to the thought like it was his final lifeline.

    Before he could press the first button, the ranger¡¯s voice cut in, halting his movement. ¡°Oh, almost forgot. I brought you a phone.¡±

    Confusion flickered across Jarrod¡¯s face as he lowered his gaze, startled by the interruption.<fn06c9> Find the newest release on find?novel</fn06c9>

    In his hand, the ranger ced a phone, its screen cracked and edges scorched, and Jarrod instantly recognized it as Richard¡¯s.

    ¡°It died right after I finished the call with you and couldn¡¯t be turned back on,¡± the ranger said, leaning his chin on one hand as if reying the scene in his head. ¡°Still, I managed to check the call history just before it went dark. The timing lines up with the ident. Looks like your father was on the phone while driving, probably distracted. Rain makes these cases all toomon.¡± With a dismissive shrug, he added, ¡°Maybe track down the person he was talking to¡ªyou might get some answers.¡±

    The words struck Jarrod like a blow, and his voice cracked as he raised his head. ¡°You mean¡­ my father was on a call right before the crash? Why didn¡¯t you tell me this earlier? Who was he speaking to?¡± His tone erupted, sharp and uncontrolled.

    ¡°It only came back to me when I saw you reaching for your phone. And give me some credit¡ªit wasn¡¯t easy dragging your parents out in the middle of a storm.¡± His hands spread wide in frustration.

    Already, he regretted offering Jarrod so much detail, especially when this young man showed nothing but hostility toward him, who had saved two lives.

    ¡°Please, tell me who was on the call with my father.¡± Jarrod¡¯s voice was raw, his eyes burning red as he cut off the ranger¡¯s rambling, consumed only by the need for answers.

    ¡°Alright, but this is thest thing I¡¯ll say,¡± the ranger said, his tone sharp with impatience. ¡°The name on that log was ¡®Maia.¡¯ That¡¯s it. You¡¯ve heard everything I know.¡±

    Pressing his lips together, he hesitated, then added as if something else had resurfaced in his mind. ¡°One more thing¡ªthe authorities already ruled it an ident. A truck driver even reported your father before the crash, iming he was driving recklessly on the mountain road and nearly caused a collision.¡±

    L¦¡¦Ó??¦Ó ch¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??????

    ¡°What name did you just say? Maia?¡± Jarrod¡¯s voice cracked as his eyes locked on the ranger, his expression twisted between disbelief and fear.

    All the other words the man had spoken blurred into nothing, his mind clinging only to that one name.

    ¡°Tell me you¡¯re certain! Are you saying thest person my father spoke to before the crash was Maia?¡±

    The ranger gave a weary shrug, his tone t. ¡°That¡¯s what the log showed¡ª¡¯Maia.¡¯ If you need the rest of the story, ask the police. I only happened to be there when I pulled them out.¡±

    Turning his back without hesitation, the ranger walked away, no longer carrying the pride of a savior but the heaviness of wanting to be done with it all. Jarrod remained frozen in ce, hisplexion drained as he fought to contain the storm surging inside him.

    .

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 Chapter 1097

    ?Chapter 1097:

    In his trembling grip, the broken phone felt heavier than stone, and Maia¡¯s name zed in his thoughts like a brand he could not erase.

    For a long moment, Jarrod hovered over the phone before finally pulling up Maia¡¯s contact and pressing the call button, desperate to uncover what she had spoken about with his father before the crash.

    Seconds dragged into what felt like hours, yet the ringing continued without anyone answering.

    A sharp unease twisted in Jarrod¡¯s chest, and the lines on his forehead deepened as his worry grew.

    ¡°Why her? Of all people, why Maia?¡±

    For a long moment, his gaze lingered on the glowing screen before he finally tapped out a message. ¡°Mom and Dad were in a terrible ident. They¡¯re at Erygan Hospital. Maia, can youe over?¡±

    Another pause lingered before he added, ¡°I know you¡¯re tied up with work, but this is a matter of life or death. I¡¯m begging you.¡±<fne993> ?????? ???? find?novel</fne993>

    Jarrod exhaled slowly after sending the message, hoping it would steady his nerves. To ease his own worry, he muttered to himself, ¡°Maia is probably caught up with something. She may not even realize that Dad had the ident while speaking to her.¡±

    Jarrod pressed the call button and waited for Rosanna to answer.

    The moment her voice came through, he said, ¡°Rosanna, you need to get to Erygan Hospital right away! Mom and Dad were just in a terrible ident.¡± From the other end, the sound of hurried breaths filled his ear, making him think she was already in distress.

    ¡°Wait¡­ what did you just say? Who was in that ident?¡±

    Hearing Rosanna¡¯s confusion made Jarrod¡¯s chest tighten with dread.

    ¡°Rosanna?¡± His brows furrowed as irritation slipped into his tone. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you paying attention? What¡¯s going on with you? Why are you gasping like that? I said our parents were in an ident. They¡¯re at Erygan Hospital, and you need toe fast!¡±

    ¡°Hospital?¡± Rosanna¡¯s shaken voice returned, and in the background, a man¡¯s rough breathing seemed to bleed through the line.

    Jarrod¡¯s mind stayed locked on the urgency of the moment, so he ignored whatever was happening on her end. ¡°Erygan Hospital,¡± he said quickly. ¡°Get here right away. Mom and Dad have just made it through the worst, but the doctors say their treatment will be expensive. Can you¡ª¡±

    Rosanna cut him off, her voice shaken. ¡°Tell me how they are right now. Jarrod, calm yourself. Send me the address, and I¡¯ll head there at once.¡±

    After a beat of silence, she softened her tone. ¡°As for the bills, leave that to me. I¡¯ll try asking Axell for support. Even if he refuses, they¡¯re still my parents. I won¡¯t stand aside. I¡¯ll face this with you.¡±

    Hearing Rosanna say that lifted a heavy weight from Jarrod¡¯s chest.

    But the hesitation she¡¯d shown earlier lingered in his thoughts.

    Everyone understood what Axell was likevish when it came to women, but not someone you could count on when it mattered most.

    Hearing Rosanna¡¯s words eased something heavy inside Jarrod, stirring the warmth of family that had never fully left him.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1098

    ?Chapter 1098:

    Despite every conflict that once stood between them, Rosanna was still his sister by blood, bound to him in ways nothing could sever.

    It is natural for parents to hold their children close, and just as natural for children to carry love for their parents, no matter the hardships.

    ¡°Rosanna¡­ thank you. I truly mean it.¡± Jarrod¡¯s eyes grew misty, and his voice broke with emotion. ¡°Alright then. I¡¯ll be waiting for you at the hospital.¡±

    At that moment, Rosanna angrily tossed her phone aside after the call ended. Warmth spread to her cheeks while a storm lingered in her expression. With her hands balled into fists, she spun around to re at Austen¡¯s broad frame looming behind her. Her tone came out sharp and edged with anger. ¡°Austen, everything has gone off track,¡± she said coldly.

    ¡°Richard and Sandra haven¡¯t died. They are indeed fortunate.¡± Bitter resentment dripped from Rosanna¡¯s voice.

    In that instant, she ripped away her carefully crafted mask of terror and concern. Her features transformed into something cold and merciless, radiating venomous hatred like a predator revealing razor-sharp fangs. ¡°They absolutely cannot be permitted to survive,¡± she dered with chilling resolve.

    The current circumstances spelled disaster for Rosanna¡¯s schemes.

    The catastrophe she¡¯d orchestrated should have delivered Richard and Sandra straight to their graves. Should Richard recover, he might expose her impersonation of ¡°Maia.¡±

    Rosanna knew well that such a revtion wouldn¡¯t merely destroy her borate ns but would drag her into catastrophic consequences.

    Rosanna twisted around to face Austen, her voice taking on a pleading tone. ¡°Austen, please stop what you¡¯re doing. I¡¯m begging you. I can¡¯t continue right now. I need to reach the hospital and assess the real situation.¡±

    Austen, whose aroused desire had been broken by the earlier phone call, felt his excitement evaporatepletely. Positioned directly behind her, he¡¯d caught every damning word of that conversation.

    Rising to his feet, he gazed down at her with darkened eyes, though his tone remained mockingly light. ¡°Your distressed performance nearly had me fooled. Who would have imagined you orchestrated this entire ident?¡±<fn814a> Latest content published on FindN0vel</fn814a>

    Step into new worlds at g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s?conn

    ¡°What other choice did I have? They¡¯re my biological parents¡­ I had to project grief and worry¡­ otherwise, how could I possibly earn Jarrod¡¯s trust?¡± Rosanna arched her eyebrows before continuing, ¡°Besides, only through such acting can I convince Jarrod this incident has nothing to do with me. It¡¯s all Maia¡¯s fault; she¡¯s the one responsible for the crash. I¡¯ve already crafted my approach with Jarrod. He¡¯ll be a perfect puppet in my grand design.¡± A cunning smile crossed her features. ¡°Naturally¡­ the essential condition is ensuring Richard and Sandra can never speak again.¡±

    Austen stared at her for several seconds before suddenlyughing. ¡°You really are ruthless! Honestly, I¡¯m worried that one day, you¡¯ll do the same to me.¡±

    ¡°How could you even think that? Austen, don¡¯t tease me like that,¡± Rosanna purred, moving closer with sultry calction. ¡°I¡¯m already yourspletely; you mustn¡¯t doubt my loyalty.¡±

    Meanwhile, at Wront Central Hospital.

    Evening had settled over the medicalplex.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1099

    ?Chapter 1099:

    Carsen emerged from the operating room afterpleting two demanding procedures, pulling off his surgical mask with visible relief.

    Both operations had concluded sessfully, and Maia¡¯s performance throughout had been nothing short of remarkable. More precisely, her improvement had been meteoric.

    Her movements remained steady, precise, and efficient, without a single misstep during crucial moments. Rather than hindering the surgical team, she provided wless assistance at every turn.

    If Carsen hadn¡¯t known Maia¡¯s background intimately, he would never have believed that shecked any prior surgical experience whatsoever.

    In every sense, Maia possessed natural genius paired with an unwavering dedication to mastering surgical techniques.

    Carsen had witnessed Maia¡¯s relentless work ethic firsthand; she¡¯d arrived at the hospital hours early to study outside the operating room before each proceduremenced.

    Just as he approached the elevator leading to his office, a familiar voice echoed from behind. ¡°Dr. Walsh, could you spare a moment?¡±

    Carsen spun around to find Lenny positioned at the corridor¡¯s far end, supporting himself with a walking cane, worry etched across his weathered features.

    ¡°Professor Bryant?¡± Carsen strode over quickly. ¡°What brings you here this evening?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯vee to inquire about my student, Maia. How has she been progressing? Is she proving herself apetent assistant?¡± Lenny asked with characteristic directness, holding nothing back. ¡°I understand you weren¡¯t pleased about me assigning someone to study surgery under your guidance, but Maia is my most promising student, and she possesses genuine talent. So¡­ please, as a personal favor, guide her properly¡­¡±

    Carsen broke into unexpectedughter. ¡°If that¡¯s your concern, then put your mindpletely at ease. I¡¯ve already decided to ept Maia as my formal apprentice and share every technique I¡¯ve mastered with her. This decision isn¡¯t for your benefit, but because I¡¯ve finally discovered a student worthy of inheriting my surgical legacy.¡±

    Carsen spoke withplete sincerity, nning to share this wonderful news with Maia over dinner that very evening. Lenny was taken aback, clearly not expecting this turn of events. Wearing a cautious smile, he asked tentatively, ¡°You¡­ truly believe she has that potential? Are you sure you aren¡¯t just saying so because of me?¡±

    M¦Òr¦Å ¦Ôpd¦Á§äes ¦Én G¦Áln¦Ò¦Íels.c¦Òm

    ¡°Absolutely, Maia possesses truly remarkable abilities! I¡¯ve never encountered a student with such natural talent.¡± Carsen adjusted his posture, unusual gravity in his tone. ¡°Therefore, Professor Bryant, you can feelpletely confident returning to Drakmire. I¡¯ll handle everything here personally.¡±

    Lenny, positioned across from Carsen, nodded with evident satisfaction reflected in his expression.

    His concerns hadn¡¯t actually centered on Maia¡¯spetence, but Carsen maintained notoriously exacting standards, seldom expressing approval for any young physician.<fn2739> Chapters first released on FindN()vel</fn2739>

    Much to Lenny¡¯s astonishment, Carsen had not only volunteered to guide her development but had spoken with such absolute conviction.

    .

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 Chapter 1100

    Chapter 1100:

    ¡°Very well. I¡¯m cing her in your capable hands, Carsen.¡± Lenny smiled warmly while giving Carsen¡¯s shoulder an encouraging pat. ¡°Ensure you mold her into an exceptional neurosurgeon.¡±

    ¡°Without question, Professor Bryant. You have mypletemitment,¡± Carsen responded with a warm smile.

    At that precise moment, Maia had just exited the changing area.

    Two back-to-back intensive surgeries hadpletely sapped her strength, leaving her feeling unusually lightheaded.

    After thoroughly washing her hands and removing her surgical attire, she studied her reflection in the mirror, appearing visibly exhausted and drained. Thankfully, she¡¯de prepared for this possibility.

    ¡°I suppose this will have to suffice,¡± Maia whispered quietly, extracting a package of sweets from her coat pocket.

    She¡¯d hastily acquired them from the hospital¡¯s convenience shop earlier that morning. While the vorcked the refreshing quality of yesterday¡¯s candy from Carsen, it delivered essential sugar tobat her hypoglycemic symptoms.

    As sweetness flooded her mouth, Maia gradually felt some vitality returning. Resting against the changing room entrance, she retrieved her phone from the same pocket containing the candy.

    Aplete ten hours had psed since she¡¯dst checked her phone. She anticipated discovering multiple missedmunications, particrly from Chris and Pattie.

    Yet the moment Maia activated her phone, her eyebrows drew together in bewilderment.

    Jarrod?

    What could possibly exin his numerous attempts to reach her?

    Her call history disyed his name repeatedly, showing no fewer than twenty unanswered calls.

    Frowning deeply, Maia quickly scrolled through her messages. Soon, two texts from Jarrod captured her attention.

    L?t?st ?h??pt?rs ¦Én g??lnov§Ö???.??????

    ¡°Maia, Mom and Dad were in a car ident¡­ They¡¯re receiving emergency treatment at Erygan Hospital right now. Can youe over? I know you¡¯re busy, but this is literally life or death for them. I¡¯m pleading with you.¡±

    Maia¡¯s fingers wentpletely still.

    She stared at the message in stunned silence, her frown intensifying.<fn8aaa> Updates are released by find?novel</fn8aaa>

    Richard and Sandra had been involved in a car ident.

    Was this genuine, or was Jarrod manipting her emotions once again? Could this be another fabrication designed to draw her out?

    After all, Jarrod had sent simr deceptive messages previously, falsely iming that Richard was hospitalized in hopes that Maia would visit them. Maia was no longer the naive girl who would rush to their aid at the mere mention of her ¡°parents.¡±

    Furthermore, she hadpletely cut ties with the Morgan family, so even if this proved true, it bore no relevance to her current life. Still, she couldn¡¯t achieveplete emotional detachment.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Hope you liked having the chapters a bit early dear readers. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?

    .

 Chapter 1101

    Chapter 1101:

    Despite everything, Richard and Sandra had provided for her during seventeen years of her life; she remained indebted to them for that care.

    With this consideration weighing on her mind, Maia gently bit her lower lip while instinctively tightening her hold on the phone.

    Just then, conversation from two other assistants leaving the changing room broke through her contemtion.

    ¡°Two operations in a single day. Absolutely draining!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re telling me! Tonight, we¡¯ll definitely need a substantial meal to recover. I heard that Dr. Walsh will treat us to dinner again!¡±

    The two assistants soon spotted Maia ahead, and one approached her with a friendly expression.

    ¡°Dr. Watson, why are you still here? I assumed you¡¯d already gone to meet Dr. Walsh. Since you¡¯re still around, let¡¯s head out together! Incidentally, if it weren¡¯t for your rapid thinking during that second procedure today, we might have required two additional hours to finish it.¡±

    Another colleague added, ¡°Absolutely right. Without your intervention, the surgery wouldn¡¯t have proceeded so seamlessly. Based on your performance over these past two days, I¡¯m confident Dr. Walsh might announce your permanent position tonight.¡±

    Faced with her colleagues¡¯pliments, Maia offered a gracious smile. ¡°It was truly a coborative effort; I simply contributed what was necessary.¡±

    ¡°Oh, please don¡¯t be so humble!¡± The first assistant dismissed her modesty with a wave. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely the highlight of tonight¡¯s celebration. Come along. Dr. Walsh has already brought the car around.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Maia nodded quietly.

    Her eyes remained fixed on the message for another moment before she finally tucked her phone back into her pocket.

    She would go¡­ but not immediately.

    Her decision was to wait until after dinner before making the trip to Erygan Hospital.<fnfb53> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fnfb53>

    Updates loaded at g??????¦Òv????s.co??

    Maia apanied her colleagues downstairs.

    Carsen¡¯s car sat waiting at the main entrance.

    He rolled down the window, looking cheerful. ¡°Hurry up and get in. I¡¯m taking you all to a great ce tonight.¡±

    ¡°Fantastic! I¡¯m already looking forward to this evening¡¯s meal!¡± someone called out enthusiastically.

    .

    On the third floor of Russell Restaurant, a private room held a grand feastid out on a wide, round table.

    ¡°Hold on, is that really ck caviar? Dr. Walsh, be honest with us. Did you win the lottery or inherit a fortune?¡± The nurse¡¯s voice rang with excitement as she looked at Carsen, then shifted her gaze toward the waiter who had just arrived. The waiter rolled in a cart carrying two gleaming bottles of a celebrated dessert wine.

    ¡°Wait a second! That looks like Chateau d¡¯Yquem. What¡¯s the asion for bringing out something this rare?¡± one of the assistant doctors said. With a yful grin, he nced at Maia sitting beside Carsen and added, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re about to reveal some big news?¡±

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Sorry for beingte dear ones, 25 new chapters avable now, hope you enjoy it. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?

    .

 Chapter 1102

    ?Chapter 1102:

    Carsen let out augh and motioned for them to calm down. ¡°Listening to you, anyone would think I¡¯ve never spoiled you before. There is something I want to share tonight, but I¡¯ll save that announcement for the end.¡± By then, every ss had already been filled with the golden wine.

    With his ss in hand, Carsen stood up and let his eyes settle on each of them. His voice carried a gentle warmth as he said, ¡°For now, let us savor this feast and the wine before us. I¡¯m grateful for your teamwork today, because together we managed to save two more lives. Here¡¯s a toast to the effort we share.¡±

    A chorus of agreement filled the room as chairs scraped back and sses were lifted high. ¡°Well spoken!¡±

    ¡°Here¡¯s to honoring life itself, and to pulling more souls back from the edge.¡±

    ¡°To saving even more lives.¡±

    Laughter and chatter swelled, and in that moment, the weight of the long day seemed to slip away from everyone.

    Even as the celebration rang out, they hadn¡¯t forgotten the oath they took on the day they graduated from medical school.

    Their calling was clear: to heal the wounded and fight for the living. Despite the bright atmosphere, Maia¡¯s expression betrayed unease.

    Her eyes flicked to her wristwatch every so often, as though time itself pressed against her.

    However, Carsen caught the subtle movement. Nothing about her restlessness went unnoticed by him.

    Still, Carsen decided not to ask her, knowing that Maia¡¯s role tonight was far too important.

    As the toasts went on, even the strongest drinker among them carried a rosy glow on his cheeks.

    By now, Maia could barely keep herposure, for the clock was nearing ten. ¡°Dr. Walsh, forgive me. I need to step away for a personal reason. Would it be possible for me to¡ª¡±

    Her words were cut short when Carsen spoke over her. ¡°Maia, you are the most hardworking and gifted student I¡¯ve ever taught. I take back the harsh opinion I once had of you.¡± Rising from his seat, his tone shifted to one of gravity. ¡°It is time I make an important announcement.¡±

    . is your storytelling hub

    Instantly, the room¡¯s noise faded, and every gaze fell upon Maia.

    ¡°Maia, well done. You have passed my trial and gained my full acknowledgment. From this day forward, you remain here,¡± Carsen said with conviction. ¡°And I will personally mentor you, offering the strictest guidance in neurosurgery.¡±

    The room erupted in cheers and apuse.

    ¡°Well deserved, Dr. Watson!¡±

    ¡°Congrattions!¡±

    At the same time, inside Erygan Hospital.

    Rosanna darted through the hallway, heading straight toward the room where Richard and Sandra waited.

    By the time she burst through the door, her breath came in ragged pulls, and perspiration clung to her temples as though she had been running endlessly.

    .

    .<fn314b> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? find?novel</fn314b>

    .

 Chapter 1103

    ?Chapter 1103:

    ¡°Jarrod, tell me quickly, how are Mom and Dad?¡± Rosanna asked anxiously. Before Jarrod could even respond, she rushed to Sandra¡¯s bedside and knelt on the floor. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s me, Rosanna. What happened to you? Please open your eyes and look at me!¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s eyes shifted to Richard, whoy entangled in tubes, and she said, ¡°Dad, what¡¯s going on with you both? Just a few days ago, everything seemed fine. Why did you suddenly drive all the way to that ce?¡±

    Tears blurred her vision as Rosanna finally turned toward Jarrod, her voice breaking. ¡°Jarrod, tell me honestly, what have the doctors said? Is there any chance Mom and Dad will wake up?¡±

    Beyond the door, Austen stood quietly, watching through the narrow ss pane. Silently, he pped for Rosanna¡¯s excellent performance.

    ¡°Those acting skills¡­ truly, Rosanna, the Academy owes you a golden trophy,¡± he muttered silently, a sly grin tugging at his mouth.

    Within the room, Jarrod clenched his hands tighter, his gaze fixed on his sister¡¯s tear-streaked face. In that moment, he recognized how unfairly he had treated her before.

    Blood, after all, bound them closer than anything else ever could.

    Even if Rosanna had stumbled into reckless choices and hurt others, Maia included, she remained his younger sister.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ for the way I treated you before,¡± Jarrod said atst.

    Instead of pulling away, Rosanna sped his hands and shook her head. ¡°Jarrod, let¡¯s put the past behind us. I made choices that brought consequences, and I have no one to me but myself. This isn¡¯t the moment to dwell on that. Please, just tell me what the doctor said.¡± Her voice tightened as her eyes locked firmly on his.

    For a brief instant, Jarrod felt lighter, convinced that Rosanna was right. The past had to stay buried.

    Even so, the words she wanted weighed heavily on his tongue.

    Only after a long pause, pressed by the urgency in Rosanna¡¯s gaze, did he manage to speak. ¡°The doctor believes the chances of Mom and Dad waking are very slim. They¡¯re in something close to aa now.¡±

    Fresh content live now g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s

    The moment she heard those words, Rosanna slipped her hands away from Jarrod¡¯s and took a slow step back. Her head bowed, and her hair fell forward like a curtain of grief.

    Her shoulders quivered, painting the picture of someone crushed under unbearable sorrow.

    What no one could see was the truth. Behind that veil of hair, Rosanna shook not from despair, but from a surge of hidden excitement.

    A wide smile stretched across her face.

    Coma-like state!<fnc482> The source of th?s content is Find¡ïNovel</fnc482>

    To her, it was the perfect oue.

    It was unexpectedly great news¡­ Rosanna breathed a sigh of relief. As long as her parents didn¡¯t wake up, the truth would be buried forever.

    Every ounce of effort she had poured into her disy for Jarrod had paid off. With Richard and Sandra unable to awaken, she was spared the dangerous task of silencing them in the hospital.

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 Chapter 1104

    ?Chapter 1104:

    Her n only required one more step: nting the seed in Jarrod¡¯s mind that this wasn¡¯t a mere ident but a calcted attempt on their lives. And of course, she intended to steer his suspicion straight toward Maia.

    All at once, Rosanna snapped her head up, tears spilling dramatically down her cheeks.

    She lurched forward, her body trembling as though consumed by unbearable sorrow. ¡°Jarrod, is that really true? Could the doctors be wrong? How could Mom and Dad end up in such a state? What happened to them?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s grip tightened on Jarrod¡¯s arm with desperate force as she pressed, ¡°Please, tell me exactly what urred at the scene!¡±

    Ovee by Rosanna¡¯s disy, Jarrod felt his vision blur as tears gathered in his reddened eyes.

    ¡°I wish the doctors were wrong, too. But the truth is, Mom and Dad plunged from a cliff nearly fifty-five yards high. If the forest ranger hadn¡¯t discovered them in time, they probably wouldn¡¯t have survived at all.¡± He sniffled and dragged the back of his hand across his damp cheeks.

    Rosanna¡¯s eyes widened in exaggerated disbelief. ¡°What!?¡± she shouted, though deep within, her thoughts spat hatred at the ranger who had ruined her perfect n.

    Had it not been for that man¡¯s intervention, everything would have fallen neatly into ce.

    ¡°Yes, fifty-five yards,¡± Jarrod said firmly, as though to drive the horror into reality.

    Long before Rosanna appeared, he had already gone over every detail of the ident in his mind.

    With old grudges finally cast aside, Jarrod opened his heart and shared every fact he knew with his sister, Rosanna, whom he had decided to trust again.

    ¡°Are you telling me Dad was actually on the phone with Maia when he fell off the cliff?¡± Rosanna¡¯s expression tightened in shock, though inwardly her opinion of the ranger was already shifting.

    The man had done his part well.

    1???E$? ?????€?S 1? g¨»l??¦Ïv?l?.§ão??

    Pieces were sliding neatly into ce¡­ Rosanna had thought that framing Maia would require much more effort.

    Yet the ranger¡¯s words had made it almost effortless.

    ¡°Does that phone still exist? I want to confirm what this kind stranger said,¡± Rosanna said, her tone carrying a trace of eagerness. ¡°And if I can, I¡¯d like to thank him in person.¡±<fn465a> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find[?]ovel</fn465a>

    Jarrod scratched the back of his head, looking awkward. ¡°I forgot to keep his contact details before he left.¡±

    Digging into his pocket, he pulled out Richard¡¯s phone. ¡°Dad¡¯s phone is right here, but it won¡¯t power on. I¡¯ve tried charging it every way I could, and nothing works.¡±

    Rosanna epted the device, her eyes sweeping over the cracked screen and the scorched edges. Augh nearly slipped from her lips. Things were turning out far better than she had imagined.

    All she needed now was to bring the phone back to life, show Jarrod the incriminating messages, and then watch it die again for good.

    That way, Maia would fall neatly into the trap.

    .

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 Chapter 1105

    ?Chapter 1105:

    Rosanna forced down the thrill bubbling inside her and spoke in a calm, low tone. ¡°I know someone skilled with phones. He can probably repair this.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s face lit up instantly. ¡°Seriously? That¡¯s wonderful!¡±

    ¡°Hand it to me, and I¡¯ll go find him right now,¡± Rosanna said, meeting his eyes. ¡°Jarrod, stay here with Mom and Dad. Call me if anything changes.¡±

    Once Rosanna left, Jarrod turned to the sight of his parents lying motionless in their hospital bed and whispered, ¡°Dad, Mom, did you see that? Rosanna came to visit you. She¡¯s concerned about you, too.¡±

    ncing at his own phone, disappointment clouded his features.

    Up until now, Maia hadn¡¯t answered his texts or returned his calls.

    Could she really have forgotten that the Morgans had cared for her for seventeen years?

    At that moment, Maia finally reached Erygan Hospital.

    She walked straight to the nurse¡¯s station and asked about the room assigned to Richard and Sandra.

    ¡°You must be their daughter, right?¡± the nurse asked, ncing at Maia and drawing her own conclusion from the tense demeanor.

    After checking the records, the nurse said, ¡°Third floor. Take the elevator, turn left, and walk about ten steps to Room 305.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Maia answered politely before turning to go.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, please wait,¡± the nurse suddenly called out, stopping Maia in her tracks. ¡°Here¡¯s today¡¯s medical bill. The deposit for the stay hasn¡¯t been paid yet. If you n to transfer them, you¡¯ll need to settle today¡¯s charges first.¡±

    Maia froze, then turned back and epted the slip of paper.

    She knew well that the Morgan family couldn¡¯t cover the cost in their current condition.

    Pulling a bank card from her purse, she asked, ¡°Can I pay with this?¡±

    ¡°Yes, of course,¡± the nurse said with a friendly smile. ¡°It would be best to deposit enough for half a month so treatment isn¡¯t interrupted¡­¡±

    Your favorite stories g?ln¦Ò¦Íels

    Without hesitation, Maia covered the expenses and even added arge sum, enough to keep Richard and Sandra in care for three more months.

    In her heart, she counted it as repayment for the seventeen years the Morgan family had raised her.

    No matter the situation, Maia could never turn her back on someone in need.<fn9dff> Original content can be found at find?novel</fn9dff>

    Her choices were always guided by a clear conscience.

    Momentster, the elevator doors slid open, and Maia stepped onto the third floor.

    But as she approached the hospital room¡¯s door, she heard Jarrod¡¯s voice from inside. ¡°I can¡¯t stand Maia. Did we make a mistake? She doesn¡¯t want to return to us. She¡¯s different now, no longer part of the Morgan family. She won¡¯t lift a hand to help us.¡±

    Through the closed door, Jarrod¡¯s words reached her. ¡°Forget about Maia. Your only daughter is Rosanna. She¡¯s the one who woulde to help us¡­¡± Midway to knocking, Maia froze, her hand suspended in the air.

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 Chapter 1106

    ?Chapter 1106:

    A sudden haze dimmed the brightness of her eyes, clouding them with hurt. It felt as though her gentle heart had been pressed beneath an unbearable weight.

    Her breath grew uneven, spilling out in short, strained bursts.

    If Jarrod despised her this much, she wondered what reason she had to be here at all.

    In Maia¡¯s mind, she believed that she had done all she could and didn¡¯t owe them anything.

    After a quiet pause, Maia let her head tilt in resignation and slowly withdrew her hand from the door.

    Without a second thought, she turned away, determined not to remain outside any longer.

    Not long after Maia¡¯s departure, a gentle knock from a nurse sounded at the door. ¡°It¡¯s time for the dressings to be changed.¡± In answer, Jarrod stood up with a quiet nod.

    His gaze followed the nurse as she adjusted his parents¡¯ IV lines and shone a light into their pupils for examination.

    ¡°Try not to let worry consume you. There¡¯s still a chance they might wake,¡± the nurse said gently while pushing the cart toward the door. ¡°Spend time speaking to them. Familiar voices can stir the brain and sometimes help it regain consciousness.¡±

    ¡°I understand. Another nurse gave me the same advice,¡± Jarrod replied, lowering his head as he sat back down. ¡°I¡¯ve been talking to them all through the night, but¡­ nothing has changed.¡±

    With a look of encouragement, the nurse turned back to him. ¡°Don¡¯t let despair take over. Miracles do happen, and here at Erygan Hospital, we¡¯ll do everything possible for your parents.¡±

    The reassurance lingered in his mind, and after a brief pause, Jarrod cleared his throat. ¡°Um¡­ about the bill. Could I have just a little more time? I promise I¡¯lle tomorrow to settle it.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± The nurse froze, her face showing surprise. ¡°Someone already paid the bill. A woman came earlier¡ªI believe she was your younger sister¡ªand she even ced a deposit to cover three months in advance.¡±

    Find magical tales on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c????

    Startled, Jarrod leapt to his feet. ¡°What? Three months of hospital care?¡±

    The amount would be staggering. At Erygan Hospital, daily care alone cost between twenty and thirty thousand.

    Altogether, that added up to nearly a million.

    Could anyone else but Rosanna have done this?

    Her tearful expression from earlier reyed in his thoughts, convincing him that he had guessed correctly.

    Once the nurse had gone, he reached for his phone, intending to call her immediately and express his gratitude.

    However, thete hour gave Jarrod pause. Midnight had alreadye and gone, and he worried about waking her. Instead, he typed out a message with trembling fingers: ¡°Rosanna, thank you. I can¡¯t express how grateful I am¡­ without you, I¡¯d truly be lost.¡±

    At the Nelson family¡¯s vi, Rosanna stood in the living room, her arms folded, her eyes fixed on Austen as he worked on Richard¡¯s broken phone.

    .

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    .<fn5> This content belongs to Find~Novel</fn5>

 Chapter 1107

    ?Chapter 1107:

    ¡°Good thing the motherboard¡¯s intact, just a couple of loose joints,¡± Austen said, making the final adjustment to the device before passing it to her. ¡°I¡¯ve soldered it back. It should power on now.¡±

    Rosanna took the phone, a sly smile on her face. ¡°But I don¡¯t really need itpletely fixed. You know what I mean, right?¡±

    ¡°Naturally, I left a hidden backdoor. Whenever you give the word, I can overload the circuits remotely and burn them out,¡± Austen replied with ease.

    Ranked fourth as Faceless in The Mask, Austen found such tricks effortless.

    ¡°You truly are the most irresistible man I¡¯ve ever known, Austen,¡± Rosanna said, her voice dripping with admiration.

    A sudden buzz from her own phone interrupted the moment.

    ncing at the screen, she saw Jarrod¡¯s name.

    ¡°How stupid Jarrod is. I can¡¯t imagine someone like him carrying the same bloodline as mine,¡± Rosanna muttered coldly.

    Still, appearances mattered.

    Her fingers flew over the screen as she sent her reply. ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me, Jarrod. We are family.¡±

    Inside the hospital room, Jarrod read Rosanna¡¯s message and felt his fists curl tightly.

    ¡°So it really was Rosanna who settled the bill.¡±

    The thought of Axell¡¯s miserly ways came to him next, and his chest constricted. ¡°Getting that much money from the Nelson family must have been incredibly hard for her.¡±

    Meanwhile, Maia had done absolutely nothing.

    The parents who had cared for her for seventeen years nowy unconscious, and she hadn¡¯t even appeared at their bedside or shown the slightest concern. ¡°Maia, couldn¡¯t you at least pretend to care?¡±<fn33b2> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? Find¡ïNovel</fn33b2>

    As he remembered the ranger¡¯s ount of the ident, Jarrod¡¯s mind sank into unease once again.

    Latest chapters uploaded g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s

    Was it possible that Maia was tied to what had happened to his parents? Was that why she kept silent and refused to show up?

    Maia was already seated in a taxi, heading toward the western suburbs. Raindrops soon began to fall, brushing softly against the windows and creating a rhythmic patter.

    The dim glow of streetlights stretched into streaks of light as the car sped along, sliding quickly past her view.

    For seventeen years¡ªnearly her whole life¡ªshe had given herself to the Morgan family, yet recognition and respect had always been withheld.

    When the taxi pulled to a stop, the drizzle had faded into silence.

    She stepped onto the pavement and caught sight of her reflection in a shallow puddle under the glow of a streemp. Her figure looked solitary, almost fragile.

    But as memories of Chris surfaced¡ªthose fleeting, warm moments they shared¡ªa tender smile curved on Maia¡¯s lips.

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 Chapter 1108

    ?Chapter 1108:

    ¡°No. I¡¯m not truly alone.¡± She drew in a steady breath, letting the gloom lift from her heart.

    Chris wasn¡¯t her only anchor. She had Zoey and many friends whose different temperaments were bound together by their genuine care for her.

    A sudden lightness swept over her. Maia lifted her arms and spun, stepping into the puddles like a scene from ¡°Singin¡¯ in the Rain¡± as she headed toward Pattie¡¯s vi.

    As soon as Maia stepped inside, Pattie¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°Maia!¡± A wine ss dangled from Pattie¡¯s hand, and the flush on her cheeks made it clear that she had had more than her usual amount.

    She quickly set the ss aside, hurried over, and looped her arm through Maia¡¯s. ¡°You came at the right time! Sit with me and have a few drinks. I can¡¯t take Rnd¡¯s nonsense anymore.¡±

    ¡°How much have you had already?¡± Maia asked, catching the strong smell of alcohol on Pattie¡¯s breath. Her brows drew together. Pattie rarely lost control like this¡ªher tolerance was usually remarkable.

    ¡°Not that much. Don¡¯t worry about it. Let¡¯s just drink.¡± Pattie tugged her toward the sofa with tipsy insistence, mumbling, ¡°Maia, tell me honestly. What do you think of me?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re amazing. Elegant. Your personality shines, and you¡¯re graceful, with a figure that turns heads,¡± Maia replied with a thoughtful smile, resting her chin on her hand.

    ¡°Really? Then why, even though I¡¯ve made myself clear, does Rnd still refuse to make a move? And¡­¡± Pattie muttered. She grabbed the ss on the table, took a long swallow, and her tone grew bitter. ¡°And another thing¡ªhis drinking is pathetic. Every time he¡¯s drunk, I¡¯m the one dragging him back. Imagine that! He¡¯s supposed to be the man. Tall, broad-shouldered, built like a sculpture, yet so heavy I nearly break my back hauling him around.¡±

    ¡°Pattie¡­ that¡¯s enough. You¡¯ve had more than you should.¡± Maia reached out as her friend tried to refill her ss, snatching it away before she could pour. Yet she underestimated Pattie¡¯s resolve to drink.

    Pattie simply grabbed the bottle itself and tipped it back for a deep drink. ¡°Stop that!¡± Maia shot up, reaching for the bottle in an attempt to wrest it from Pattie.

    Your next favorite is on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s£®??o??

    Suddenly, a sharp crash echoed from upstairs, the distinct sound of porcin shattering against the floor.

    Maia stiffened, her eyes darting toward the staircase.

    Pattie, instantly snapped out of her drunken haze, bolted toward the second floor.

    ¡°My antique vase!¡± she cried out as she ran. ¡°Rnd, you¡¯re in deep trouble! When you wake up tomorrow, I¡¯ll make you answer for this. If you can¡¯t pay in cash, you¡¯ll pay with yourself. That vase was a royal heirloom¡ªtwo centuries old!¡±<fnee6c> This text is hosted at f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fnee6c>

    Rnd? Maia blinked in surprise.

    Hurrying upstairs with Pattie, Maia found a man sprawled across the wooden floor of the second level, his white shirt rumpled and his gray trousers stained with dust.

    It was none other than Rnd, the starwyer from Zenith Legal.

    Near his side, a shattered vase rested in pieces, the jagged rim showing where arge fragment had broken away.

    ¡°Rnd, wake up! Look at the mess you¡¯ve made,¡± Pattie whispered, her voice unusually gentle. But in an instant, her tone shifted, andughter bubbled out of her. ¡°Well, this makes things far more interesting. Either you be my boyfriend, or you ept me as your creditor!¡±

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 Chapter 1110

    ?Chapter 1110:

    Realizing that Rnd might tell the truth after getting drunk, Maia prepared to intervene. But then, Rnd suddenly straightened and carefully moved his mouth. ¡°Maia¡­¡±

    Maia¡¯s chest tightened, her unease nearly robbing her of breath.

    She had no clue how she could respond, silently praying that the entire moment was nothing more than a dream.

    Pattie shifted her gaze toward Maia at the doorway, her brow lifting faintly. She bent nearer to Rnd, speaking softly. ¡°Rnd, what sort of nonsense is this? Can you clear your head? Have you secretly cherished Maia all along?¡±

    Rnd¡¯s eyelids stayed shut, his tone slurred.

    He appeared to echo himself, yet both Pattie and Maia failed to discern his words this time.

    Maia turned toward Pattie, catching the woman¡¯s brows drawn together in solemn focus upon her.

    Maia¡¯s pulse skipped.

    ¡°Maia, I can¡¯t understand what he¡¯s saying!¡± Pattie exhaled and huped again from the liquor. ¡°I must attempt once more.¡±

    ¡°Wait, Pattie¡­¡± Maia quickly cut in. ¡°Why don¡¯t we head downstairs for another drink and allow Rnd proper rest?¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Pattie chuckled faintly. ¡°Wonderful thought! Tonight we¡¯ll drink until we¡¯ve had our fill!¡±

    She lurched upright, nearly copsing, and leaned heavily against Maia.

    ¡°Maia, how do things stand between you and Chris now? Can you show me how to win a man¡¯s heart?¡± Pattie¡¯s words thinned away, her body easing into drowsiness.

    Maia steadied her swayingpanion.

    She studied Pattie, whose eyelids had closed, and let out a quiet sigh.

    She had never imagined that Pattie could disy such vulnerability.

    Yet in matters of love, who could be entirely assured?

    Your favorite stories are on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s?c?m

    Maia guided Pattie into another guest chamber and ced her upon the mattress.

    Afterward, she descended alone to the parlor.

    Pouring herself a ss of wine, Maia watched the red liquid swirl, and her mind reyed Chris¡¯s grin.

    She swallowed the whole measure of red wine at once, her face flushing. She couldn¡¯t stop herself from pondering what Chris might be doing that very evening.

    ncing at the missed calls on her phone, she whispered, ¡°Today¡­ he didn¡¯t reach me, not even a message.¡±

    Maia reclined against the sofa cushions, her eyelids gradually lowering.

    Meanwhile, within Elysium Apartments, Chris tossed in bed, rolling about restlessly, unable to find sleep.

    He rose, switched on themp in the parlor, and surveyed the home full of furnishings, yet his chest felt hollow.

    Without Maia, the t seemed stripped of any sense of belonging.

    He peered at the clock hanging on the wall, his fists clenching, fighting the impulse to contact Maia.

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    .<fn89d3> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find[?]ovel</fn89d3>

 Chapter 1111

    ?Chapter 1111:

    He didn¡¯t wish for her to believe that hecked faith in her.

    The next morning,motion sounded from the upper floor.

    Rnd, no longer hisposed self, was scrambling into his clothes and dashing downstairs.

    His recollection was hazy, only remembering Pattie approaching him, iming that she had crucial matters to tell.

    Then¡­ he drank too much.

    When he awakened, he discovered himself lying across a broad bed.

    Rnd¡¯s throat burned with a fierce thirst.

    A pounding ache throbbed in his temples, and strangely, his dreams had been filled with Maia¡¯s face.<fn1b60> Readplete version only at find?novel</fn1b60>

    As he made his way downstairs, his steps faltered at the sight of a woman stretched across the sofa.

    ¡°Maia?¡± Rnd¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    The polishedposure he carried in court was gone, reced by a rare look of disarray as he stopped in ce.

    Before he could gather himself, anguid voice drifted from behind.

    Rnd spun around to see Pattie gliding forward, stifling a yawn, her silk nightgown catching the dim light.

    The delicate fabric clung to Pattie¡¯s shape, emphasizing every graceful curve.

    ¡°Why are you awake so early?¡± Pattie asked.

    Rnd¡¯s thoughts scattered, his mind thrown into chaos.

    Had he really spent the night at Pattie¡¯s vi?

    But then¡­ why was Maia here?

    Rnd¡¯s throat tightened, and he forced out, ¡°Last night, I¡­¡±

    At that moment, Maia stirred and sat up, having dozed off on the sofa the night before.

    Stories live now on galn¦Ò??????????o??

    Her calm voice greeted them as they descended the stairs. ¡°Good morning, Pattie. Good morning, Rnd.¡±

    The simple words struck Rnd like a sudden blow, snapping him into awareness.

    Confusion and guilt tangled in Rnd¡¯s chest, his emotions colliding all at once. He turned quickly toward Maia. ¡°Please don¡¯t misunderstand. Pattie asked for my helpst night, and after that¡ª¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t owe me an exnation.¡± Maia cut in smoothly. Then she shifted her gaze to Pattie. ¡°You should be exining yourself to her. After all, that precious antique vase was shatteredst night.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true! Thanks for reminding me, Maia¡ªI nearly forgot.¡± Pattie stepped forward, holding out her hand. ¡°Mr. Cullen, you¡¯ll have topensate me for that.¡±

    At Erygan Hospital, Rosanna arrived bright and early, carrying breakfast for Jarrod with a thoughtful smile.

    Once the meal was done, Rosanna wasted no time and pulled a phone from her bag. ¡°Jarrod, I have good news. The phone¡¯s working again.¡±

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 Chapter 1112

    ?Chapter 1112:

    Jarrod¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Seriously?¡±

    He grabbed it eagerly, unlocked the screen, and began scrolling through the call logs and messages. Soon, his expression darkened.

    ¡°This¡­ this can¡¯t be true. Maia was the one who arranged for my parents to go there¡­¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s voice quivered, heavy with disbelief, as though the truth was something too painful to ept.

    The possibility that Maia was linked to his parents¡¯ fall off the cliff struck him like a blow.

    ¡°Jarrod, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Rosanna tilted her head, pretending not to understand. She slipped the phone out of Jarrod¡¯s hands to nce at the messages.

    Right then, the device buzzed, the screen flickered¡ªand then went ck.

    ¡°Oh no! It¡¯s broken again!¡± Rosanna eximed, pressing the buttons frantically.

    No matter how she tried, the phone refused to respond.

    Jarrod quickly snatched it back and tried to revive it himself.

    But nothing worked. The screen stayed dark, and then thin wisps of white smoke began to rise from the casing.

    ¡°Ah! It¡¯s burning!¡± Jarrod yelped, dropping it to the floor where sparks crackled from the ruined phone.

    There was no denying it now¡ªthe phone was beyond repair.

    ¡°How could this be?¡± Rosanna eximed, her face painted with disbelief. ¡°My friend promised it was fixed. I¡¯ll go look for him.¡±

    ¡°Rosanna!¡± Jarrod stopped her, his voice strained. ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. I¡¯ve already understood what was going on.¡±

    He slumped into a chair, his whole frame heavy with despair.

    With Maia refusing to answer his calls or appear in person, Jarrod¡¯s mind reached a chilling conclusion.

    His parents¡¯ fall hadn¡¯t been an ident at all. It was deliberate¡ªcarefully orchestrated¡ªand the person behind it was Maia.

    Explore captivating tales on g¦Á ? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    The night before, he had felt ashamed for even suspecting her.

    But now, faced with what Jarrod believed was evidence, the thought weighed down on him like stone.

    ¡°Rosanna, do you think Maia hates our Morgan family?¡± he asked quietly.

    Rosanna felt thrilled at the question, but she managed to keep her expression steady. ¡°Why would you suddenly ask me something like that, Jarrod?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t shake this ugly feeling¡ªsometimes I wonder if everything my parents and I have dely has been for nothing.¡± Jarrod turned away, a quiet ache in his eyes. His voice held the regret of someone who finally understood what mattered, but only when it was toote.

    ¡°You want to know something?¡± He clenched his jaw, frustration rising. ¡°Dad, Mom, and I have bent over backward trying to clear Maia¡¯s name, desperate for her forgiveness. We¡¯re haunted by what we did to her. Every single day, we hope she¡¯lle back to the Morgan family¡ªsometimes we¡¯d do anything, swallow any pride, just to be forgiven. But look where that¡¯s gotten us. Maia refuses to even acknowledge us. It¡¯s like we don¡¯t exist to her anymore.¡±

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    .<fn2ba4> Original content can be found at find[?]ovel</fn2ba4>

 Chapter 1113

    ?Chapter 1113:

    Jarrod grabbed Rosanna¡¯s arm, his grip almost pleading as he continued, ¡°Tell me, Rosanna, is it true there¡¯s noing back from a mistake? Haven¡¯t we paid enough? Sure, Maia lost four years in prison because of us, but we gave her seventeen years as our daughter.¡±

    His agitation mounted with every word, fists tight and eyes zing.

    Rosanna stepped in, voice gentle as she reached out to calm him. ¡°Jarrod, you need to take a breath.¡± Her gaze flicked around, searching for words. ¡°I really don¡¯t think Maia is someone who could hold a grudge like that. If she truly hated the Morgans, I guess she¡¯d hate me most of all. You know, all this trouble started because of things I did a long time ago.¡±

    She let out a sigh and continued, ¡°From the first moment I came back to the Morgans, I felt like I didn¡¯t belong. My whole life and Maia¡¯s got swapped by mistake. She got the future I was supposed to have, and I ended up struggling just to get by. You might not understand, but back then, I was terrified I¡¯d lose everything I¡¯d finally found¡­¡±

    As Rosanna spoke, Jarrod¡¯s anger slowly faded, her words hitting him harder than he expected. He¡¯d never stepped foot in a slum, but her voice painted a clear enough picture.

    ¡°I understand. You just wanted to take back what was supposed to be yours. You were insecure; you feared our parents would share their love only with Maia. I get all of that!¡± he said earnestly.

    Tears filled Rosanna¡¯s eyes, and she threw her arms around him, clinging tight. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Jarrod. This is all my fault. Everything that happened, it¡¯s because of me.¡±

    He held her, her whole body trembling against his. ¡°Let it go, Rosanna. That¡¯s all behind us. I never once med you.¡±

    ¡°Really? You mean that? You¡¯re the only brother I could ever ask for,¡± Rosanna replied, burying her face in his shoulder, her voice small and raw.

    But her thoughts told a different story.

    Inside, she scoffed at his cluelessness, silently cursing him for not suspecting Maia.

    Frustration simmered within her. She was tired of pretending to y the devoted sister, tired of the act altogether.

    Fresh content live on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls?c?m

    All she wanted was for Jarrod to be her weapon¡ªto take Maia down for her.

    In truth, Rosanna had long cut the Morgan family out of her heart.

    Now she wore the name Mrs. Nelson, and that was the only identity she imed.

    ¡°Jarrod, we can¡¯t change the past, and what matters now is finding out what¡¯s really going on.¡± Rosanna¡¯s tone softened, but she carefully nudged him in the direction she wanted. ¡°You asked if Maia truly hates the Morgans¡ªI don¡¯t have the answer. But we both know Dad and Mom went up into those mountains for her sake. And you know what? Every single time I felt like I might finally get ahead of Maia, something strange happened, something that made me feel so unlucky.¡±

    She dropped her gaze, her voice falling to a whisper. ¡°Have you ever felt that? Like invisible forces are always working against you?¡±

    ¡°Unlucky? Invisible forces? Working against you?¡± Jarrod echoed, picking up on every word.<fn4987> Get full chapters from findnovel</fn4987>

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly it,¡± Rosanna answered quickly. ¡°It¡¯s almost impossible to exin. Maybe Maia just has extraordinary luck on her side, or maybe¡­¡±

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 Chapter 1114

    ?Chapter 1114:

    She paused, her eyes locking onto Jarrod¡¯s with a deliberate, loaded look.

    A cold suspicion crept through Jarrod¡¯s mind, dread churning in his gut. He found himself blurting out, ¡°Are you saying Maia¡¯s behind all of this? That she¡¯s been plotting everything from the shadows?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t say for certain,¡± said Rosanna, her tone firm yet uneasy. ¡°But I don¡¯t think Maia is reckless enough to plot against Mom and Dad. Even if she isn¡¯t their blood, I don¡¯t believe she¡¯d go after them unless something unbearable pushed her too far.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s thoughts scattered, leaving him hollow for a breath.

    Pieces of memory then rose up, slotting together in ways he hadn¡¯t noticed before.

    Maia had been clear¡ªshe wanted no ce in the Morgan family. Still, their parents had refused to let go, pestering her with calls and messages. When she blocked their numbers, they simply found new ones and tried again, apologizing repeatedly.

    A sharp realization flickered in Jarrod¡¯s eyes as he faced Rosanna. ¡°You¡¯re too forgiving, Rosanna. Haven¡¯t you ever doubted her? She told Dad and Mom to take that trip. And don¡¯t forget, she rotted in prison for four years because of us. You think that didn¡¯t carve hatred into her?¡±

    He couldn¡¯t bring himself to say her name the way he once did. Maia wasn¡¯t a sister to him anymore. She was Maia Watson¡ªa woman who might have tried to take their parents¡¯ lives.

    Every thread, every detail twisted together until Jarrod convinced himself of the truth.<fne720> This content belongs to Find_Novel(.</fne720>

    ¡°I even tried calling her from other numbers,¡± Jarrod muttered, his voice breaking with frustration. ¡°But she never once picked up. Rosanna, I¡¯m not clever, and I need you to help me see this through. I need to know how to uncover what¡¯s real.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s chest eased as she quietly exhaled. Getting him to this point had cost her, but the result was exactly what she had wanted.

    Rosanna knew she couldn¡¯t push too hard, not yet. She had to make Jarrod believe that the discoveries were his own.

    ¡°Fine then,¡± she responded, her voice calm. ¡°Lay everything out for me. I want the facts, and I want the whispers you¡¯ve been too afraid to say.¡±

    L?t??¦Ó §éh?¦Ñ¦Ó?r? ¦Én g¨»l??¦Ïv?l?.§ão??

    Time slipped away, and the longer they spoke, the darker their faces became.

    ¡°Jarrod, don¡¯t you see?¡± said Rosanna, her words spilling with outrage. ¡°We¡¯ve all been blinded by Maia¡¯s act. It isn¡¯t just us¡ªit¡¯s everyone around her. She ys innocent, but it¡¯s all a performance.¡±

    Her eyes drifted toward the hospital bed where their parentsy silent. ¡°Mom, Dad, don¡¯t worry. Jarrod and I will make sure justice is done.¡±

    Jarrod pressed his hands against his temples, a storm raging in his mind. He stammered, ¡°I need air¡­ and a cigarette,¡± before stepping out.

    Memories of Maia¡¯s cheerful smile, the way she had once trailed after him, began to crumble as though some invisible hand erased them stroke by stroke. At the same time, Rosanna¡¯s promise¡ª¡±Jarrod and I will make sure justice is done¡±¡ªsparked something dark in his chest, letting resentment quietly take root.

    Jarrod found himself alone on the rooftop, flicking cigarette after cigarette, letting the ashes scatter wherever they fell.

    Despite all the signs condemning Maia, he made up his mind to face her directly and give her onest chance to tell her side.

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 Chapter 1115

    ?Chapter 1115:

    He scrolled through his phone, eyes narrowing at headline after headline about Maia¡¯s appearance at a charity g.

    ¡°A charity g, Maia? While Mom and Dad are falling apart, you pretend none of it matters?¡± Jarrod¡¯s voice was brittle and cold, each word edged with bitterness. He drew in a shaky breath, his lips twisting into a smirk. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you pick up or not. I know how to track you down. With Dad and Mom in this condition and the Morgan family drowning in debt, it¡¯s only a matter of time before everything falls apart.¡±

    He stared off into the distance, voice dropping to a harsh whisper. ¡°I was never as gifted as you. I¡¯m not clever enough to charm my way into a wealthy family like Rosanna did. But if all of this really is your doing¡­¡±

    A surge of anger shot through him, and Jarrod mmed his fist into the concrete wall. ¡°If you¡¯re the one behind our downfall, if you¡¯re the reason my family¡¯s ruined¡ªthen you and I are going down together,¡± he muttered, his voice heavy with resolve.

    Inside the sterile hospital room, Rosanna noticed Jarrod was gone and slipped quietly to Richard¡¯s bedside.

    Her hand pressed hard against his waist as she gave a sharp twist with all her strength.<fn5ba0> For more chapters visit find{n}ovel</fn5ba0>

    If he had already awakened, he would have cried out from the pain.

    ¡°Nothing. So maybe I worried for nothing,¡± Rosanna muttered with a lowugh. ¡°I never imagined things would end up like this. I heard that even though people in a vegetative state can¡¯t control their bodies, they can still hear what¡¯s being said around them. That is why doctors insist we keep talking to you¡­¡± She bent close, her words brushing against his ear as she continued, ¡°Tell me, Richard¡ªwhat¡¯s it like to hear your only son obey me while I lead him in destroying Maia? It must be eating you alive.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s lips curled into a sly grin as she let out a tauntingugh.

    Her gaze shifted to Sandra, lying motionless in another bed. ¡°What you¡¯re suffering now is barely a fraction of what you made me go through. This is just the first step of my payback, not thest¡­ If death had taken you during that crash, you might have been spared.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s stare grew colder while her smile deepened with malice. Pulling out her phone, she took a picture of both Richard and Sandra, capturing their broken forms under the dim hospital lights.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??????, the heart of fiction

    Without hesitation, she uploaded the photo to Twitter.

    She nned to twist the tragedy into an attack on Maia, painting her as cold and unfeeling.

    Unlike before, Rosanna remembered the sting of losing to Maia in a public spat. This time, she avoided pointing a finger, even pretending to defend her. Not long after, news of Richard and Sandra¡¯s devastating car crash¡ªand their unresponsive condition¡ªswept across the inte.

    With a careful touch, Rosanna typed a caption beneath the photo. ¡°Dad, Mom, please open your eyes soon. I¡¯ve made so many mistakes before. If this suffering is destiny¡¯s punishment for me, then I wish I were the one lying here instead.¡± A secondter, she posted three more updates, each word dripping with false sincerity. As a daughter, Rosanna appeared to be pleading desperately for her parents¡¯ healing.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1116

    ?Chapter 1116:

    The posts gained traction fast, drawing waves of sympathy from strangers and loyal fans alike, who began sharing her words and offering prayers for her parents.

    As Rosanna¡¯s supporters returned in waves, the number of people wishing for her parents¡¯ recovery continued to climb, especially after hearing about the Morgan family¡¯s misfortune. Several generousizens even offered to donate money on their own.

    Meanwhile, others shared stories in thements about people waking from vegetative states.<fn0cfc> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? find~novel</fn0cfc>

    And as the event gained more attention, someizens began publicly questioning Maia online.

    ¡°No one ever wants a tragedy like this, especially since any of us could be parents one day¡­ Rosanna is clinging to hope for her mother and father, but where is Maia in all this? No matter what happened, they took care of her for seventeen years, didn¡¯t they?¡±

    ¡°People should never forget where they came from. To turn cold-hearted now is unthinkable. The Morgan family is falling apart, yet Maia, who once called them her family for seventeen years, hasn¡¯t shown even a flicker of concern. It¡¯s shameful. Her so-called charity work looks hollow to me. If she can¡¯t show love to the parents who raised her, how could she ever help strangers?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t stand by her anymore. I¡¯ve stopped being her fan. What is she even doing these days? She hasn¡¯t appeared, hasn¡¯t spoken up, and acts like she¡¯s disappearedpletely. She¡¯s nothing but a disappointment¡­¡±

    ¡°Is this really the so-called heroine of Wront? The couple who raised her for seventeen years lie trapped in a vegetative state, and she shows no concern at all?¡±

    Each time a remark like that surfaced, Rosanna would answer with, ¡°I don¡¯t me Maia¡­ This situation is no longer tied to her, since she isn¡¯t part of the Morgan family anymore.¡±

    Her words seemed to set a boundary, though the undertone revealed where she truly stood.

    Those statements only fueled greater sympathy toward Rosanna and deepened the pity people felt for Richard and Sandra¡¯s plight.

    More books avable at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv?ls

    In response, a surge ofizens stormed Maia¡¯s Twitter profile, condemning her behavior.

    By keeping quiet, Maia unwillingly made herself a bigger target, as trending discussions mocked her relentlessly, some even turning into outright insults.

    Inside Pattie¡¯s vi, Rnd pressed his fingers to his temples, confusion written across his face.

    ¡°Did I really smash an antique vase of such value?¡± he asked in disbelief, struggling to piece together the events of the night before.

    Because of his reputation as awyer, he refused to dodge ountability. If he had damaged something, he was determined to set it right.

    ¡°You absolutely did. The broken pce vase speaks for itself, and Maia saw it happen. Rnd, surely you¡¯re not about to wriggle out of this, are you?¡± Pattie said, arms folded as she motioned toward the surveince camera in the corner upstairs. ¡°The footage is all here.¡±

    Upon hearing her words, Rnd let out a faint sigh. ¡°Seems I really can¡¯t handle alcohol.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1117

    ?Chapter 1117:

    Without wasting time, he pulled out his phone and ced a call. ¡°Hello, Rnd speaking. I need an appraisal for an antique¡­ Yes, just give me an estimate.¡± Once he ended the call, Rnd faced Pattie and said, ¡°I¡¯ve already arranged for an expert to evaluate the damage. You have my word, I¡¯ll ept full responsibility. Please don¡¯t let it trouble you. If I can¡¯t cover the cost all at once, I¡¯ll make sure to repay you over time.¡±

    Calmness never left Rnd as he spoke, and his steadyposure only deepened Pattie¡¯s admiration.

    What woman could possibly resist a man so striking, radiating the confidence of a seasonedwyer?

    Her eyes lingered on Rnd with unmistakable warmth.

    Even Maia could sense the shift in the air between them.

    ¡°All right, all right!¡± Pattie said brightly, stepping closer to p Rnd on the back. ¡°Take it easy! But remember your promise. You¡¯ll answer for what you¡¯ve done.¡±

    Then, leaning in so her words brushed only Rnd¡¯s ear, she added in a softer tone, ¡°And as for what happened in the restroom¡­ and at the hotel¡­ you¡¯ll be ountable for that as well, won¡¯t you?¡±

    Color rose to Rnd¡¯s cheeks, and a few awkward coughs slipped out.

    Amused by his reaction, Pattie realized that he clearly remembered their ¡°intimate¡± moment andughed lightly. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you can¡¯t settle the debt right away.¡±

    ¡°As you said, you can pay it off gradually, like installments. And as luck would have it, mypany requires a reliable legal advisor. Why not take the role and let your sry cover the cost? Tell me, Rnd, you won¡¯t refuse, will you?¡± she added with a sly lift of her brow.

    The idea struck her as wless¡ªa way to keep Rnd close under her watch. Given time together, Pattie was certain that her charm would eventually win him over.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Rnd cast a brief look toward Maia before replying, ¡°I¡¯d dly act as MCN¡¯s legal advisor, but thepensation will remain separate.¡±

    A nce at his watch made him frown. ¡°Apologies, Ms. Miller¡­ This conversation will have to wait. I have urgent business at Wront Central Court and must leave at once.¡±

    Discover what¡¯s new on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls

    ¡°Fine then! But I¡¯d rather you just call me Pattie. Ms. Miller feels far too stiff,¡± Pattie said as she stepped closer to Rnd. ¡°Come on, let me drive you. Cabs are impossible to catch out here, and I¡¯m headed in that direction anyway.¡±

    Without protest, Rnd epted her offer since urgency pressed on him.

    That day, his priority was to see Zoey once more.

    Fresh evidence from the past had fallen into his hands.<fn494e> This update is avable on find[?]ovel</fn494e>

    If he could convince Zoey to testify, the trial might be reopened and Neville¡¯s unfulfilled wish finally realized.

    ¡°All right. I truly appreciate it,¡± Rnd replied with sincerity.

    Right then, Maia broke her silence. ¡°Wait, I¡¯m going with you.¡±

    Her eyes shifted toward Pattie. ¡°I need to stop by MCN. There¡¯s something important I want to talk about with you, Pattie.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1118

    ?Chapter 1118:

    Pattie¡¯s gaze flicked from Maia to Rnd, who looked restless, before narrowing in puzzlement. ¡°Maia, you¡¯re acting odd. Why are you suddenly so serious? Just spit it out here. It¡¯s not like strangers are listening in.¡±

    As she spoke, a thought crossed her mind. ¡°Wait a minute! Could it be something significant and serious? Maia, you¡¯re scaring me!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing important. Please don¡¯t make too much of it.¡± Maia noticed Rnd staring at her intently. She walked closer, slipped her hand around Pattie¡¯s arm, and murmured, ¡°Could we talk somewhere in private?¡±

    Pattie caught on right away and hurried to y along, saying, ¡°Oh¡­ that must be about the charity g, right? I was meaning to go over that with you.¡± She gave Maia a quick wink.

    In truth, she had it all wrong. Pattie assumed that Maia wanted to discuss ¡°pushing Rnd away from Wront.¡±

    Maia gave a short nod without adding anything else and moved directly to the front passenger seat.

    Rnd understood her silence and quietly took the spot in the back.

    Pattie steered the car onto the highway, though the ride carried an awkward heaviness.

    The three of them sat quietly, each tangled in personal thoughts.<fn93a9> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find¡¤novel</fn93a9>

    Maia was mulling over how to break the news to Pattieter. She didn¡¯t want to sound like she was bragging about having a man interested in her, nor did she want Pattie to feel distant from her because of Rnd. He was a good man, and she hoped Pattie could take this chance.

    To Maia, the ideal couple was made of two people who bnced each other well.

    Pattie carried an energy that filled every room, while Rnd carried a calm that grounded those around him.

    With them together, conversations could go on endlessly. But whenever Maia found herself beside Rnd, silence always stretched between them. Strangely, Pattie wasn¡¯t her lively self this time and kept her words to herself. From the back seat, Rnd narrowed his eyes, confused about why Maia was at Pattie¡¯s ce.

    His fists tightened, bothered by the thought that she might have misunderstood, and he debated whether he should clear things up.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s, the heart of storytelling

    After a moment, he realized how strange it was to feelpelled to exin.

    The thought seemed pointless, especially since Maia showed no sign of wanting answers.

    A lump rose in Rnd¡¯s throat as his eyes strayed to Pattie, her attention fixed on the road ahead. What rushed back to him instead were memories of their closeness, the way her touch and warmth lingered in his mind.

    During every lull in the day, Rnd¡¯s thoughts drifted back to the moments he had shared with Pattie. Where Maia seemed distant, untouchable like frozen marble, Pattie carried the warmth of sunlight that could melt away the cold. No girl Rnd had ever encountered felt quite like Pattie.

    ¡°Is it possible I¡¯m truly falling for her?¡± he asked himself in silence.

    At the wheel, Pattie kept her focus sharp, weaving through cars and pressing the elerator as if eager to get them there quickly.

    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± Pattie said atst, easing the car to a stop at the roadside. Turning to Rnd, she added, ¡°When you¡¯re finished, call me. I have something important to tell you.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1119

    ?Chapter 1119:

    Just as he reached to step out, Rnd froze mid-motion, his foot lingering above the floor.

    ¡°It might already be toote,¡± he muttered with uncertainty.<fn2d3c> Find the newest release on </fn2d3c>

    His gaze flicked toward Maia, who offered no sign of emotion, and then he finally pushed himself out of the car.

    After Rnd stepped out, Pattie sank into her seat and exhaled heavily.

    ¡°Ugh¡­ I overdid it with the drinksst night. I never actually told him to leave town, though I did warn him he¡¯s drawing too much attention and couldnd in trouble.¡± She gave a crooked smile. ¡°And you know what Rnd said? He imed he wasn¡¯t scared at all. Then he tipped back his whiskey like a fool and copsed right there on the table. Honestly, if I¡¯d shown up with the intent to finish him off, he wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance.¡±

    Eager to continue her story, Pattie turned toward Maia, only to notice her friend¡¯s knitted brows and the unspoken words hovering on her lips.

    With a teasing lift of her eyebrow, Pattie said, ¡°Maia, what¡¯s that look for? Stop worrying. I¡¯ll spell it out for Rnd today that he needs to pack up and leave Wront. And if he¡¯s stubborn about it, I¡¯ll just have my bodyguards drag him onto a ne bound for Drakmire.¡±

    The image of Pattie¡¯s hulking bodyguards in sleek suits and dark sses wrestling Rnd onto a ne made Maia burst intoughter. ¡°That n¡­ doesn¡¯t sound half bad. But, Pattie, that¡¯s not really what I wanted to bring up.¡± A steadying breath slipped from her lips as she tried topose herself. ¡°Truth is, I¡¯d rather not hide this from you, but¡ª¡±

    Right then, a ringtone cut through the moment.

    With a nce at the screen, Pattie raised a finger toward Maia. ¡°Give me a second. I need to answer this.¡±

    Three minutes crawled by before Pattie wrapped up her call.

    With a casual shrug, she set the phone aside. ¡°So, I¡¯ve got one piece of good news and one piece of bad news. Which do you want first?¡±

    ¡°The bad news,¡± Maia replied at once, not even pausing to think.

    I??¨¨$? ¡é??t?€§ñ? 1n ??l¦Ðo¦Í¦Ål?.c??

    ¡°I thought you¡¯d say that,¡± Pattie muttered with a weary sigh. ¡°MCN¡¯s sales have taken a hit this month. We¡¯re down more than thirty percent.¡±

    Instead of shock, Maia¡¯s features softened; she had already expected numbers to fall.

    The storm of criticism in recent weeks hadn¡¯t singled her out¡ªit had swept across MCN as well.

    ¡°And the good news?¡± Maia pressed.

    ¡°The good news is, I listened to you. I bought up gold when you suggested, and now the prices have soared. The gains are big enough to cover the sales loss.¡± Pride flickered in Pattie¡¯s voice as she turned to Maia. ¡°But tell me, Maia¡ªwhat was it you were about to say earlier?¡±

    For a brief second, Maia wrestled with her words before she finally let them out. ¡°Pattie, I can¡¯t keep this from you anymore. I wasn¡¯t truthful with youst night. I know who the woman Rnd once had feelings for is¡­¡±

    At once, Pattie leaned in with curiosity. ¡°Tell me, who is it?¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1120

    ?Chapter 1120:

    Before Maia could go on, Pattie pressed a finger lightly to her lips. ¡°Hold it. Let me take my usual guess first.¡±

    Pattie¡¯s gaze swept the surroundings, then returned sharply to Maia. ¡°My guess is¡­ you¡¯re the one Rnd liked.¡±

    Maia¡¯s chest tightened as her heart pounded wildly, threatening to break free.

    ¡°I hit the mark, didn¡¯t I?¡± Pattie smirked in satisfaction. ¡°And since we¡¯re being honest, I¡¯ll admit something too. I wasn¡¯t drunkst night at all¡ªI only pretended.¡± With a yful grin, she stuck out her tongue. ¡°I had already suspected that the woman Rnd liked might be you, and when I heard Rnd say it himself, I wasn¡¯t that surprised.¡±<fn2528> For original chapters go to F¦Énd£Îovel</fn2528>

    Her eyes softened as she added, ¡°Honestly, Maia, you¡¯re extraordinary. You¡¯re beautiful, gifted, and carry yourself so well. Any man who isn¡¯t blind would be¡±

    ¡°Drawn to you. So if this has been weighing on you, I want you to know it doesn¡¯t matter to me. If I were a man, I¡¯d be obsessed with you, too.¡±

    Stunned, Maia could only stare back at Pattie, realizing that the truth had already been uncovered. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I just didn¡¯t know how to bring myself to say it,¡± she whispered.

    ¡°I already understand what¡¯s troubling you.¡± Pattie reached over and gave Maia¡¯s shoulder a reassuring pat. ¡°You don¡¯t need to carry that weight. Think about it¡ªRnd hadn¡¯t even met me back then. He had no idea that, apart from you, Maia, someone like me even existed. That¡¯s the only reason he was drawn to you first. But I¡¯m certain it won¡¯t be long before he sees me and no one else. Trust me, I won¡¯t let myself lose to you.¡±

    Her hand lifted in the air, forming a determined fist. ¡°And besides, you¡¯re married now, so there¡¯s really nothing left to worry about. Ah¡­ finally said it.¡± Pattie¡¯s lips curved into a light smile. ¡°Now neither of us needs to feel weighed down. We¡¯ve always been open with each other, and that hasn¡¯t changed.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Pattie.¡± Maia¡¯s voice carried relief. ¡°I appreciate how you see it. Honestly¡­ I had no idea how to bring this up.¡±

    ¡°We are friends, so we shall be straightforward with each other. Rnd fell for you in the past, which means he had good taste. If it had been anyone else, I¡¯d seriously question his eye for beauty.¡±

    For the first time, Maia felt her heart settle into calm.

    Discover the best stories at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s

    Being truthful, she realized, was what kept bonds strong. Sharing honesty with someone who mattered was the only way to keep that bond unshaken. She no longer needed to worry about any rift forming between her and Pattie.

    ¡°Our friendship is unshakable, Maia. A man won¡¯te between us,¡± Pattie said firmly. ¡°Even if things don¡¯t work out between Rnd and me, nothing will change that.¡±

    ¡°With that said¡­¡± Maia¡¯s smile carried both warmth and rity. ¡°Haven¡¯t you noticed how Rnd keeps stealing nces at you? And he never refuses when you invite him along.¡±

    A sly arch lifted Pattie¡¯s brow. ¡°Well then, I suppose his judgment is just fine.¡±

    Their eyes met, and in the next breath,ughter flickered into matching smiles. ¡°So, where are you headed today?¡± Pattie shifted the conversation. ¡°If it¡¯s along the way, I¡¯ll drop you off.¡±

    ¡°Could you take me to Elysium Apartments?¡± Maia answered without hesitation.

    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re really going back there?¡± Surpriseced Pattie¡¯s tone. ¡°Does that mean everything on your side has already been handled?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 1121

    ?Chapter 1121:

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so yet,¡± Maia said with honesty. ¡°Still¡­ I think it¡¯s time to see how Chris is doing.¡±

    Before Maia could move, her phone began to vibrate.

    Pattie smirked and said, ¡°Oh, look at that! Do you think Chris already sensed you were thinking about him? The two of you must be perfectly in sync.¡±<fn68ee> The rightful source is find[?]ovel</fn68ee>

    Maia kept herposure, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.

    That hint of amusement vanished quickly when she looked at the phone screen. The call wasn¡¯t from Chris¡ªit was Zoey¡¯s name.

    Maia frowned. Why would Zoey suddenly call her? A chill of unease ran through Maia.

    She pushed the car door open and said to Pattie, ¡°Hold on a second. I need to answer this.¡±

    Only after walking about ten yards from the car did Maia press it to her ear and whisper, ¡°Hi, Zoey.¡±

    ¡°At least you haven¡¯t forgotten about me.¡± Zoey¡¯s tone bristled with anger. ¡°Did you ignore my instructions? Why is Rnd still hanging around Wront?¡±

    Maia drew a breath, but Zoey didn¡¯t let her speak. Her voice cut in like a de. ¡°I spared him because you begged me. Without that, he¡¯d already be finished.¡±

    ¡°Zoey, please! Just a little longer. He¡¯s about to leave,¡± Maia said desperately.

    The reply was nothing but the t drone of a call ended.

    Oh no!

    Maia broke into a cold sweat.

    Clearly, Zoey¡¯s patience had run outpletely. She was determined to deal with Rnd once and for all.

    A wave of urgency hit Maia¡ªshe couldn¡¯t let Zoey act on her threat.

    Without a second thought, she sprinted back to Pattie¡¯s car, yanked the door open, and leapt inside. ¡°Pattie, we have to go now! Drive me to Wront Prison!¡±

    Inside the hospital, Ethan was just wrapping up his final round of examinations. His attending physician reviewed the scans and said to him, ¡°Congrattions, Ethan! You can be discharged now.¡±

    Updates always at galno¦Íe??s

    As he heard those words, Ethan¡¯s eyes lit up with a long-forgotten spark of hope.

    ¡°Thank you so much, doctor,¡± he said, his voice steady with gratitude.

    ¡°You¡¯re wee. I¡¯m just doing my job. If anyone deserves your thanks, make it Mr. Hurst Cooper.¡± The doctor stood with a polite smile. He always knew what should or should not be said, and that was why he had earned Hurst¡¯s trust.

    Ethan lowered his gaze and nodded. Deep down, he knew that he owed everything to Hurst.

    Meanwhile, he was also aware that without Maia¡¯s herbal treatments, which sped up his recovery, he wouldn¡¯t be standing this soon.

    From the next bed, Marisa broke the silence. ¡°How unfair¡ªyou¡¯re already walking while I¡¯m still stuck here.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll be out in just a couple of days, maybe three at most,¡± Ethan answered with an encouraging tone.

    The sound of the door creaking open drew their attention as Mnie stepped inside. ¡°Ethan, is it true you¡¯re finally being discharged?¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1122

    ?Chapter 1122:

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Ethan turned toward her with a warm smile.

    The sight made Marisa bristle. She looked away in annoyance but couldn¡¯t resist sneaking a peek at him.

    Mnie crossed the room quickly and sped his hand. ¡°Have you decided where you¡¯ll go after being discharged? Why note over to my house? My father¡¯s back tonight, and we¡¯d love for you to join us for dinner.¡±

    At those words, Marisa¡¯s head snapped toward Mnie, eyes narrowing. What was Mnie trying to pull with that invitation?

    The invitation caught Ethan off guard, though his decision had already been made.

    ¡°Not tonight,¡± he said gently. ¡°Maybe tomorrow. Your father just returned, and I¡¯m sure the trip must have drained him.¡±

    He added with a calm smile, ¡°Besides, I promised Kathie I¡¯d head straight home after being discharged. She¡¯s probably cooking already, and I don¡¯t want to let her down.¡±

    Mnie faltered for a second before forcing a cheerful tone. ¡°In that case¡­ let me drive you back.¡±

    Ethan gave a small nod of eptance.

    What he said, however, wasn¡¯t the truth.

    He hadn¡¯t told Kathie about his discharge, nor did he n to go home.

    Instead, he nned to go to Maia.

    He wanted a private conversation with her¡ªto warn her against clinging to men like Chris and to remind her not to overlook someone as genuine as Hurst. ¡°Did either of you check Twitter yet?¡± Marisa blurted out. Her fingers fumbled across her screen until a flood of notifications lit up the disy.

    Lifting the phone for them to see, she said, ¡°Richard and Sandra were in a car crash. Their vehicle went over a cliff, and now both are in a vegetative state.¡±<fn86c0> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fn86c0>

    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding!¡± Ethan and Mnie shouted at the same time.

    Scrambled to open the app themselves, scrolling furiously. Within minutes, outrage boiled between all three of them.

    Fresh chapters uploaded on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls?c?m

    ¡°Rosanna¡¯s ying a dirty game,¡± Mnie said. ¡°She¡¯s pretending to defend Maia while postingments that practically invite others to tear her apart. Look at this¡ªshe keeps repeating that it has nothing to do with Maia, but it¡¯s clearly meant to stir the mob against her.¡±

    Marisa scoffed and shook her head. ¡°Unbelievable. That Morgan girl has finally mastered backhanded tricks. And the worst part? People are apuding her for it. Have they already forgotten Rosanna¡¯s past scandals? Why would anyone still believe her words and think that she¡¯s a kind-hearted person?¡±

    Ethan clenched his phone so hard that his knuckles turned white, furious at how the inte was turning against Maia.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± Ethan whispered.

    A crushing weight pressed against his chest, making it hard to breathe.

    Why couldn¡¯t Rosanna leave Maia alone, even after all this time?

    The whole tragedy had been nothing more than an ident.

    And besides, Maia wasn¡¯t even part of the Morgan family¡ªthere was no reason to drag her into it.

    What made his blood boil most was the cruelty online, everyment sharper and more malicious than thest.

    ¡°Maia¡¯s nothing but a liar. Heartless to the core!¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1123

    ?Chapter 1123:

    ¡°Some heroine she is. Even if they aren¡¯t her real parents, the least she could do is show up after what happened.¡±

    ¡°Still no word from her? A daughter in name only, that¡¯s all she is.¡±

    ¡°Ethan, please, calm down,¡± Mnie said, her voice tinged with worry. ¡°You¡¯ve only just gotten better. Don¡¯t let yourself be rattled by this. Those posts could easily be trolls Rosanna paid off. Stop scrolling, and don¡¯t take any of it to heart.¡±

    Over at Elysium Apartments, Chris slipped off his apron and admired the spread of food he had prepared, satisfaction softening his features.

    ¡°Maia should be on her way back. I really hope these dishes make her happy.¡±

    A nce at the clock made him reach for his phone, nning to check how close Maia was.

    Before he could dial, a private message from Winters appeared on his screen.

    ¡°Ethan?¡±

    Chris narrowed his eyes, puzzled about why Ethan would choose to reach out at this moment.

    Winters sent, ¡°Look at Rosanna¡¯s posts online. She is dragging Maia¡¯s name through the mud.¡±

    Just as Chris was about to open the page, another notification appeared.

    Winters added, ¡°I can¡¯t make sense of this. What does the Morgan family¡¯s scandal have to do with my sister? Why are people twisting the story? Do they not remember what the Morgan family has done to Maia¡ªruined her name, and even had her locked away?¡±<fn62a9> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? find?novel</fn62a9>

    Reading the second message gave Chris enough rity, even though he had not yetid eyes on the vicious remarks.

    He already picked up on Ethan¡¯s rising fear, his fury, and his deep confusion.

    It was clear that things were spiraling out of control.

    Since Ethan had only just regained his health, Chris worried that this matter would push him right back to the hospital. He wasted no time and fired off a private reply.

    Soon, Ethan received a reply from Justiceze. ¡°Rx for now. I haven¡¯t looked at Rosanna¡¯s posts or thements yet, but there¡¯s one thing I can say without a doubt: Maia didn¡¯t do anything wrong.¡±

    Explore new stories g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??s.c?m

    Inside the hospital room, Ethan exhaled slowly, the tension in his chest easing as he read the words from his idol, Justiceze.

    Those words rang true¡­ Maia carried no me. The cruel remarks online had only clouded his judgment.

    As Maia¡¯s brother, he should have recognized her innocence from the beginning.

    Still, Justiceze never once wavered. He stood by Maia every time, convinced of her integrity.

    While Ethan¡¯s thoughts were settling, his phone buzzed with another message from Justiceze. ¡°Forget the noise and focus on your recovery. I¡¯ll handle everything else.¡±

    The reassurance in those words felt like a weight lifting off his shoulders.

    At that moment, Ethan spotted a new update from Justiceze on Twitter. ¡°No one should resort to emotional maniption. These tragedies are unfortunate, but let me ask this: What do they have to do with Maia? The Morgan family already severed ties with her long ago.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 1124

    ?Chapter 1124:

    Within seconds of the post going live, replies began flooding in.

    ¡°Shut your mouth! You¡¯re nothing more than a crazed Maia fan,pletely obsessed with her.¡±

    ¡°Severed ties? Who came up with that nonsense? I still remember when Maia walked out of prison, the Morgan family were waiting for her right outside the gates. They never disowned her. If anything, they proved the opposite when they threw a birthday celebration for both Maia and Rosanna not too long ago. So tell me, who¡¯s really twisting emotions here and fanning the mes of public opinion?¡±

    ¡°I was wondering why you hadn¡¯t spoken up for Maia yet, and then your status appeared. What a strange coincidence. Every time she chooses silence, you jump in to defend her. Be honest¡ªare you Maia¡¯s secret ount?¡±

    Anger surged through Ethan as he read the harsh remarks, his fists clenching until his knuckles turned pale.<fnbeed> Discover more novels at find¡¤novel</fnbeed>

    Hard as it was to believe, some people actually tried to dismiss Justiceze as nothing more than a crazed fan of Maia, all in an attempt to tarnish her name!

    ¡°How can they stoop so low? Could Rosanna have hired trolls to do this?¡± Mnie said. ¡°All I did was share what I thought, and suddenly waves of people ganged up on me. Some even went as far as reporting my post.¡±

    ¡°Ha! Looks like Rosanna came ready for battle this time,¡± Marisa pushed herself upright, her eyes gleaming with mischief. ¡°Finally! I¡¯m tired of being stuck in this hospital bed. This is the perfect opportunity to shut down those online fools. Just watch me tear them apart.¡±

    Since Mnie and Marisa had already thrown themselves into the fight for Maia¡¯s sake, Ethan feltpelled not to remain idle.

    However, before he could type out his own response, another message shed across the screen from Justiceze: ¡°Don¡¯t waste your energy on them. Keep this in mind¡ªno matter how loud, smug, or hostile they sound, you must maintain yourposure. As long as you know the truth and stand by what¡¯s right, their arrogance will fall on them in due time.¡±

    For a moment, Ethan froze, letting the weight of Justiceze¡¯s words sink in.

    Ethan pressed his lips together, and a crease formed on his forehead. Mnie edged closer, studying him intently.

    Explore new chapters g?l¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°Hey, Ethan, are you feeling okay? You look as if those injuries have started hurting again.¡± She examined his expression carefully, then, once she noticed no trace of pain, she added, ¡°Or did someone say something harsh to you?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± Ethan said, showing Mnie the message he had just received on his phone. ¡°I¡¯m just unsure if I should do as he said.¡±

    Mnie scanned the screen, and a spark of recognition lit her eyes. ¡°What this person said is right. My dad always says so to me.¡±

    Ethan wasn¡¯t surprised by what Mnie said. After all, her father Hurst was Justiceze, and of course, he would say these words.

    ¡°So, do you agree with it, too?¡± Ethan asked.

    Mnie spoke with calm assurance. ¡°That¡¯s right. No matter how powerful or overwhelming the opposition may be, we have to keep our minds steady and our will unshaken, never bending to outside pressures or hardships.¡±

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 Chapter 1125

    Chapter 1125:

    Marisa thought for a while and said, ¡°So, we should go along with the current. We¡¯re putting too much weight on Maia, and that¡¯s why this whole matter stirs up our emotions. If you ask me, the more we fight with those people online, the worse Maia¡¯s reputation gets. Maybe it¡¯s smarter to let the noise fade away on its own.¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Mnie said with a sharp p of her hands. ¡°We should stop wasting time arguing with those fools online and let the storm pass.¡±

    Ethan nced from Marisa to Mnie. Both of their words seemed reasonable, yet something in him resisted their conclusion, though he struggled to find the words for it.

    Ethan then sent Justiceze another message. ¡°So, is keeping silent the best way now?¡±

    Not long after, a response appeared on his screen. The answer matched what they had suspected all along.

    And then, a new post from Justiceze caught Ethan off guard. ¡°LMAO! That¡¯s why I love the inte¡ªI can see so many fools every day online. You guys do bring me a lot of fun. If you¡¯re all overflowing with sympathy, then why don¡¯t you head to the¡±

    ¡°Hospital and check on Richard and Sandra instead of pping your gums online? Better yet, start donating. Don¡¯t criticize others when you haven¡¯t lifted a finger yourself!¡±

    Ethan stared at the post, more bewildered than ever.

    What in the world was happening?

    Justiceze had suggested they stayposed and avoid shing with strangers online, yet here he was doing the opposite.

    There he went again, firing off the post in anger, as though determined to strike back at anyone daring to smear Maia¡¯s name.

    Justiceze¡¯s tone cut like a de, quick and merciless in its delivery. The sheer boldness of it was thrilling.

    Even so, Ethan couldn¡¯t shake the strange thought that today¡¯s Justiceze felt unlike the one he had known before, almost as if a different hand had taken over the ount.

    ¡°Either way, Justiceze nailed it. I¡¯ll just go ahead and spread this post around,¡± Ethan muttered under his breath.

    At that same moment, Chris closed the Twitter app, his face unreadable.

    A nce at the clock told him that the promised hour had already slipped by.

    He remembered Maia had said that she would be home today.

    Pulling up her message from earlier that morning, he read the words again. ¡°Let¡¯s meet for lunch today. I can¡¯t wait for your special cooking, Chris.¡±

    Maybe it had something to do with the mess online.

    Chris¡¯ expression grew heavy as he pressed Maia¡¯s number and lifted the phone to his ear. ¡°Sweetheart, where are you? I¡¯ve already prepared the meal.¡±

    Then he heard Maia¡¯s anxious voice. ¡°Sir, can you go any faster? I¡¯m in a hurry!¡±

    That moment made Chris realize the online chaos had nothing to do with her absence.

    His lips curved into a faint smile as he whispered, ¡°Take your time, darling. I¡¯ll be here waiting as long as it takes.¡±

    The very next instant, however, Chris understood that he had been wrong.

    ¡°Chris, I won¡¯t be able to return for lunch. Something urgent just came up, and I¡¯ll exin everything once it¡¯s resolved.¡± Maia¡¯s voice cut off, and the call ended with a cold string of beeps.

    Shock settled across Chris¡¯ face, leaving him motionless.

    She ended the call just like that? And¡­ Maia¡¯s destination wasn¡¯t Elysium Apartments at all but somewhere entirely different.<fnbfb1> Discover more novels at find?novel</fnbfb1>

    Could he have misunderstood everything?

    Chris¡¯ gaze fell on the table crowded with untouched dishes, and his fists tightened at his sides.

    Something felt off, but what could have happened to leave Maia so flustered and anxious?

    Not once since Maia¡¯s release from prison had Chris witnessed her this unsettled.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Have a great week dear readers. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?

    .

 Chapter 1126

    ?Chapter 1126:

    ¡°No!¡± Chris shot to his feet. His hands curled into fists, and a sharp tension darkened his expression. ¡°I refuse to let Maia go through this suffering on her own again.¡±

    The memory of Maia sneaking into those brutal underground fights returned to him. He pictured her limping away, covered in bruises and streaks of blood, her body torn by the strain. The thought of her silent endurance pressed against his chest like a heavy stone.

    That weight left him anxious, agitated, and short of breath.

    Chris¡¯s unease grew worse than ever before.

    Sitting still was impossible now. He had to move, had to do something.

    Chris began pacing the room while reying Maia¡¯s recent behavior in his head. The way she avoided him made him suspect that she had stumbled into deeper trouble and was determined to keep him out of it.

    Maia had always been like that, facing hardship in silence, refusing to burden anyone else.

    But things were different now. She was no longer on her own. She was his wife.

    Chris thought that maybe he was to me for acting like a shallow yboy troubled by headaches.

    However, deep down, that was only a disguise. He carried more than one identity and held considerable influence. It might not have been enough to shake the Cooper Group, but he knew he was far from powerless.

    ¡°I won¡¯t sit still when my mind refuses to rest. I¡¯ll find out what kind of danger Maia has gotten herself into,¡± Chris muttered, pressing his fingers against his temple. ¡°Once I uncover the truth, I¡¯ll lend a hand without her knowledge, and afterward I¡¯ll go back to Elysium Apartments as though nothing happened.¡±

    In his mind, that was the only way to make sure Maia could return home early and share dinner with him.

    ?????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????? ¡ª ????????????: ????????????????©q??????

    Having made up his mind, Chris shrugged into his coat and stepped outside.

    In an instant, his casual air vanished. What remained was themanding figure of The Mask, the man hidden behind the metal mask.

    Chris¡¯ first stop would be MCN. From Pattie, he would gather information, and after that, he intended to unleash every resource at his disposal.

    At that same moment, Pattie steered her car toward MCN.

    From the speakers came Wront¡¯s traffic update. ¡°Breaking news. A couple was reported to have plunged off a cliff while driving two days ago. Both remain unconscious. Authorities remind drivers to slow down during wet conditions¡­¡±

    Without warning, her phone lit up and rang from the armrest. When she spotted the name on the screen, Pattie snatched up the phone and answered in haste, ¡°Maia?¡±

    ¡°Pattie! Listen to me carefully.¡±

    Maia¡¯s tone carried an edge of panic. ¡°Gather every guard you can and head straight to Rnd. His safety depends on you right now!¡±

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 Chapter 1127

    ?Chapter 1127:

    At once, Pattie stomped on the brake. The tires shrieked against the pavement, carving dark tracks into the road. Her sleek sports car jerked violently, almost spinning to a stop in the middle of thene.

    The jolt pitched her forward so hard that she nearly struck the steering wheel.

    Fortunately, the road was nearly empty, with only a few scattered vehicles in sight.

    Once she steadied herself, Pattie forced the question out. ¡°Right now? Maia, tell me the truth. Did you uncover something? Who¡¯s after Rnd? Is it a team of hired killers?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no room for further exnations. You have to believe me! Go to Rnd this instant. If you dy, it may already be toote.¡±

    Maia¡¯s reply was sharp, herposure masking a thread of desperation. She lowered her voice slightly before adding, ¡°I¡¯m meeting someone who has the power to intervene, but I need more time.¡±

    The words made Pattie¡¯s chest tighten.

    To her, Maia had always been steady and controlled. Hearing true urgency in Maia¡¯s voice left Pattie unsettled, and the danger felt heavier than ever.

    ¡°Okay! I¡¯ll take care of it. Rnd¡¯s safety is in my hands,¡± Pattie said. Then, with a hesitant breath, she added, ¡°Whatever it is you¡¯re nning, just¡­ promise me you¡¯ll be careful.¡±

    ¡°Of course I will. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Maia replied.

    When the call ended, Pattie acted without hesitation. The engine thundered as she pressed down on the elerator, the sound reverberating across the street.

    The elerator mmed beneath her foot as Pattie yanked the handbrake and twisted the steering wheel hard. Her car slid into a perfect drift, straightened out, and surged forward in Rnd¡¯s direction.

    With one hand steady on the wheel, Pattie used the other to punch in her security chief¡¯s number.

    ???????????????????? ?????????????????? ???? g??????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Listen carefully. This is an emergency,¡± she said, her voice tight with tension. ¡°Mobilize every man you have and head to Wront Central Court. Rnd Cullen must be protected at all costs.¡±

    ¡°Understood, ma¡¯am!¡± came the firm response without hesitation.

    The chief immediately spun to face his unit, barking outmands. ¡°All teams, move out now! Emergency assignment ¡ª shield Mr. Rnd Cullen!¡±

    His fist cut the air as he added, ¡°Check your weapons and be ready for resistance. This will not be an easy fight, and I won¡¯t allow Bluedon Safeguards to lose face.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± the operatives answered as one, springing into action and gearing up with practiced precision.

    By this time, Maia had reached the gates of Wront Prison. Before her, the gates towered like an ominous stronghold, chilling and unweing.

    Confronting the ce that had held her captive for four long years, Maia didn¡¯t have too many feelings¡ªonly the urge to walk faster.

    Her mind was fixed on Zoey. Every heartbeat warned her that even a moment¡¯s dy could cost too much.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1128

    ?Chapter 1128:

    ¡°There¡¯s no chance to linger on this now. I need to storm inside and make Zoey abandon her schemes against Rnd, and I must end every move she has set in motion,¡± Maia told herself.

    With that resolve, she dashed toward the towering gates of Wront Prison.

    Fear gripped her heart as the thought of sudden twists pushed her into reckless urgency.

    Her abrupt dash instantly drew the watchful eyes of the prison guards.

    To them, this woman was still far from the entrance. Even if she sprinted at full speed, it would take her at least two to three minutes.

    That small window of time gave them an advantage. The guards all raised their weapons with precision, preparing to fire at any moment.

    Flickers of the past haunted Maia¡¯s steps, memories of Zoey taking her in reying like a broken film reel.

    Had Zoey not chosen her as a disciple, Maia was afraid she would have been swallowed by the merciless walls of the prison long ago.

    To Maia¡¯s eyes, Zoey had always been both a mentor with an iron hand and a mother who demanded respect.

    Her fate would have been unremarkable without this woman¡¯s intervention, and she would never have be the capable figure she was now.

    Few could have imagined that a prisoner, hardened by four long years, would reemerge as someone cloaked in countless identities, armed with diverse skills, and destined for triumph in many fields.

    Whispers often circled her, and people could not help but wonder. Out in the world, Maia was hailed as a genius. She certainly carried remarkable talent, picked things up faster than most, and never shied away from hardship.

    Still, pride never touched her heart. Maia had always remembered that it was Zoey who gave her courage and shaped her growth.

    Truthfully, talent alone could not have carried Maia this far. Without a guiding hand to pass on wisdom, perseverance would never have lifted her to the ce where she now stood.

    Every skill Maia held bore Zoey¡¯s mark. Grueling lessons and merciless drills from her mentor honed those abilities, rescuing Maia from the broken girl in despair who had been deeply hurt by the Morgan family and giving her a new life.

    Through four long years of confinement, Maia hade to know Zoey more deeply than anyone else ever could.

    Even if she grasped only fragments, Maia still recognized the immense strength Zoey wielded and the glory she oncemanded.

    No matter how far she climbed, Maia believed the gulf between herself and Zoey remained wide. Zoey often called her the finest student, yet Maia could not see herself on the same level. After all, who could match Zoey? She controlled not only Wront Prison but stretched her influence far beyond its walls.

    To Maia, Zoey was the very definition of a genius. She was a dangerous woman cloaked in multiple identities, one who struck her enemies with merciless precision.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1129

    ?Chapter 1129:

    Maia was always puzzled about why Zoey stayed in prison, but whenever the topic arose, Zoey would remain silent. What bound her there? Nobody ever found the answer. To Zoey, the prison was less a cage and more a fortress, one guarded tightly by endless officers.

    During those four years, Maia had traveled beyond its walls at Zoey¡¯s side, receiving harsh training in ces scattered across the world.

    Together they endured countless trials, and everyone who dared to cross Zoey met ruin. Some vanished without a trace, while others met cruel deaths.

    So when Zoey spoke of driving Rnd away and dealing with him, Maia¡¯s heart was filled with dread.

    Fear always followed knowledge.

    Her feet carried her closer to the entrance until Maia snapped out of her memories and forced herself to focus again.

    That was when a voice barked across the air. ¡°Hold it right there!¡± Two guards stationed at the gate marched forward with sudden precision.

    One extended his arm to bar her way and spoke in a cold warning. ¡°This is Wront Prison. Visitors must register at the desk on the left.¡±

    The words sounded like procedure, yet their stance revealed readiness to restrain her at once.

    A furrow formed between Maia¡¯s brows. This was nothing like the routine she remembered.

    In the past, the guards here had always been Zoey¡¯s loyal men. They would recognize Maia instantly and unlock the small side door without a second thought, letting her slip through with ease.

    Up close, Maia realized that the guards wereplete strangers, not a single familiar face among them.

    A chill tightened her chest. Something was wrong. The old guards had been reced.

    If Maia chose to follow the official process, she would face another obstacle. Even if Zoey agreed to meet, the endless waiting alone would cost her at least an hour.

    The bureaucracy of Wront Prison was notorious for its sluggish pace.

    Before she could decide, an unfamiliar voice called out from behind. ¡°Maia?¡±

    Maia whipped around quickly and found herself staring at a man in uniform.

    The insignia of Wront Prison gleamed on his chest, and his expression carried the weight of authority.

    ¡°Mr. Hayes!¡± The sentries at the gate stiffened and saluted in unison.

    Shiloh returned their salute with barely a nce, then fixed his gaze on Maia. In a low voice, he asked, ¡°What brings you here?¡±

    Before Maia had the chance to reply, Shiloh¡¯s eyes grew darker. His voice cut in again,ced with scorn. ¡°Maia Watson, inmate number 9547.¡±

    His face showed no feeling, and his words came out like ice, heavy with contempt. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be standing here. Or do you feel like adding a few more years to your sentence?¡±

    Maia froze for a moment, surprised.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1130

    ?Chapter 1130:

    The way he spoke left no room for doubt. His tone carried open hostility.

    That made a hint of doubt flicker through her clear eyes. Could it be that the warden in front of her was not Zoey¡¯s ally?

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m speaking. Do you even hear me?¡± Shiloh snapped again, a cold sound in his throat, while Maia stood thinking. His sharp stare slid past her and fixed on the guards nearby. ¡°You two, put away your weapons and get back to your stations. Don¡¯t wait for an ident to remind you of my rules.¡±

    Hismand carried weight, and the guards obeyed at once. They shoved their guns back into their holsters and snapped to attention. ¡°Yes, sir!¡±

    ¡°Sorry about earlier. I lost my cool for a moment. You¡¯re just not the type of warden I expected to see.¡±

    Maia dropped her eyes, forcing a small, cautious smile. ¡°You act with authority, but it feels like I¡¯m not wanted here.¡±

    A faint twitch flickered at the edge of Shiloh¡¯s eye, though the rest of his face stayed rigid. ¡°Ms. Watson, keep the sweet talk to yourself. This is Wront Prison. I won¡¯t allow unnecessary trouble on my grounds.¡±

    He lifted his hand toward the bright yellow line painted on the floor. ¡°Especially not here, right outside the prison gate. I¡¯ll be direct. That strip of ground, fifty yards out, still counts as a forbidden zone. You¡¯ve been hanging around here too long. Do you want one of my guards to put a bullet in you? I don¡¯t enjoy repeating myself.¡±

    His voice hardened, and he motioned firmly for her to move away.

    Maia gave Shiloh a quick nce, then turned her eyes back to the two guards by the gate. With a soft, almost apologetic voice, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll head out now.¡±

    She had already noticed that the guards at the entrance were strangers. She had neverid eyes on them before. That told her Zoey¡¯s influence inside the prison was slipping.

    It also meant that Maia no longer had an easy path into Wront Prison.

    She chose to back off for the moment and think up a new nter.

    ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???? g????????¦Í????????????

    But after she had taken only a few steps, Shiloh¡¯s voice rang out from behind her.

    This time he sounded far more irritated. ¡°Ms. Watson, what¡¯s wrong with your legs? You¡¯re crawling like a snail. Even my grandma at eighty could outwalk you. Get in the car. I¡¯ll drive you off myself, and I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s nowhere near here,¡± Shiloh barked, cutting the air with a sharp wave of his hand.

    A ck sedan rolled up at once, and without giving Maia any chance to resist, Shiloh shoved her inside, dropping her into the back seat.

    He turned sharply, forced down his anger, and scolded the guards in a clipped voice. ¡°Next time, don¡¯t wait until someone¡¯s already at your nose before you react! I demand you block intruders at a hundred yards. That¡¯s the rule. No excuses.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± both guards shouted together.

    Shiloh swung the car door shut with force.

    The engine roared to life, and the car sped away down the road. At the same time, one guard suddenly bent over, clutching his gut. He muttered to his partner, ¡°Cover me for a while. My stomach¡¯s acting up.¡±

    He dashed through a side entrance, but instead of heading for the restroom, he slipped into an empty corner.

    Pressing his back to the wall, he hurriedly typed a message on his phone, reporting what had just happened, and hit send.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1131

    ?Chapter 1131:

    Inside Shiloh¡¯s car, Maia kept quiet, saying nothing.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, you may talk now¡­¡± Shiloh nced over his shoulder with a faint smile. ¡°The driver belongs to me.¡±

    ¡°That performance of yours nearly fooled me,¡± Maia said in a steady voice. ¡°For a split second, I thought you might have betrayed her or chosen another side.¡±

    Back when she noticed that the two prison guards were strangers, Maia had started questioning if Shiloh was pretending. It wasn¡¯t until she got into the car that she was fairly sure the warden was still loyal to Zoey.

    Zoey had gathered people whose minds were sharp and whose emotions ran deep. They stood out not only because of their skill but also because of their keen awareness.

    What impressed Maia most was the devotion they gave to Zoey, even if a few incidents in the past showed cracks in that loyalty. Still, those slip-ups were not something that Maia needed to dwell on right now.

    The hours had slipped away again, and Maia found herself wondering if Pattie had seeded in reaching Rnd.

    ¡°Surely you must be teasing me, Ms. Watson. That¡¯s beyond belief,¡± Shiloh said from the driver¡¯s seat. His smile lingered, yet his tone and posture betrayed a shift. ¡°Tell me, what has brought you back this time?¡±

    Gone was the confident figure Maia had seen earlier at the prison gates, for Shiloh now carried himself in an entirely different manner.

    ¡°I need to see her right away. Time isn¡¯t on our side,¡± Maia said, her words clipped and urgent.

    ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll handle it.¡±

    Casting a look at the driver, Shiloh gave the order, ¡°Turn the car around.¡±

    Before long, the vehicle was speeding back toward Wront Prison. As they neared the entrance, he lowered the window with deliberate calm.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????? ? g???????¦Í?????????????

    To anyone watching from outside, it looked as though the car held only Shiloh and the driver.

    The two guards recognized him immediately, saluted, and allowed the car to roll through the gates.

    Once the courtyard swallowed them in, the driver slipped off her cap, letting loose her thick curls.

    ¡°You haven¡¯t thought of removing those two guards. That suggests they¡¯re protected by someone powerful. Could it be that they answer to Kolton?¡± Maia asked.

    Without a word, Shiloh¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile, leaving his true thoughts unreadable.

    Before long, their car rolled into a lush garden that stood in sharp contrast to the starkness of the prison grounds.

    ¡°I won¡¯t be stepping inside with you. Take my number. Call me once you¡¯re finished, and I¡¯ll make sure you get out,¡± Shiloh said to her, then drove off without lingering.

    Drawing in a steadying breath, Maia climbed the stairs and pressed the bell by the entrance.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1132

    ?Chapter 1132:

    Far from the garden, Shiloh suddenly brought the car to a halt.

    An uneasy quiet filled the space around him.

    He lit a cigarette and drew in the smoke, his expression easing for a moment before tightening again.

    After snuffing it out, he pulled out his phone and swiftly dialed a number.

    The person on the other end was none other than Raegan.

    Guided by Siena, who wore a simple dress, Maia stepped into the meeting room.

    Because Siena served as Zoey¡¯s personal maid, her presence carried more weight than it appeared.

    Despite the pressing urgency of her visit, Maia forced herself to act with restraint. Siena, after all, had once awaited execution before being reshaped into a deadly operative whose hands moved like a killer¡¯s de.

    ¡°Please sit down. I¡¯ll brew you some coffee. If I recall correctly, you¡¯ve always preferred it ck,¡± Siena said, moving toward the cab. ¡°Zoey never touches ck coffee, onlyttes, but she still asks others to buy some for her.¡±

    ¡°Siena, I need to speak with Zoey. Could you let her know it¡¯s urgent?¡± Maia said. The offer of coffee meant little to her, for she only wanted answers and Zoey¡¯s presence.

    However, Siena carried on as though she hadn¡¯t heard the plea. She rinsed the mugs and the pot with practiced ease, and with the precision of a seasoned barista, she began the brew. Before long, the gentle scent of freshly brewed coffee spread through the room.

    ¡°Please, Siena, tell me where my mentor is,¡± Maia said, her voice unsteady.

    Atst, Siena lifted her gaze and gave a slow shake of her head. ¡°Your impatience will only ruin the conversation. You¡¯ll drink this coffee first, and after that, Zoey wille,¡± Siena said with chilling calm.

    A sharp pang seized Maia¡¯s chest.

    Your next favorite is on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s£®??o??

    Could it be that Zoey had known all along she woulde here? If so, was she stalling? Did Zoey have no wish to meet her at all?

    ¡°There isn¡¯t a moment to lose, Siena. I refuse to let Zoey¡¯s fury endanger my friends.¡±

    Maia rose quickly from her seat. ¡°Is she upstairs? I¡¯ll go find her myself.¡±

    ¡°Stop right there,¡± Siena said coldly. ¡°You¡¯ll only see her if you manage to defeat me.¡±

    The door shut with a firm click, and the faint rustle of the garden wind stayed beyond the window.

    The living room sat in stillness. A set of delicate porcin rested on a sandalwood table. Water inside the pot released tiny bubbles, breaking the silence in a soft rhythm.

    Siena sat at the table. Her eyes carried a smile, yet the curve of her lips hinted at something sharp, not yfulness.

    ¡°Maia, you¡¯re panicked,¡± she said, her tone so quiet that it brushed on tenderness. She lifted her gaze and continued, ¡°Nervousness before me carries risk; a wrong move could cost your life.¡±

    The mood tightened at once.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1133

    ?Chapter 1133:

    Maia had learned to fight, but certainty escaped her. Siena¡¯s killing arts came faster, colder, aimed at finishing a battle in one breath.

    ¡°Are you for real?¡± Maia frowned, immediately adjusting her breathing to prepare for any sudden attack from Siena.

    ¡°Calm yourself. If I had meant to kill you, your body would already be lying here, still warm,¡± Siena replied with a faint smile. ¡°But the second floor is off-limits. Try to force your way, and I will show no mercy.¡±

    She lifted the pot¡¯s lid, stirred the hot water with a swirl, and tipped it out in one smooth gesture.

    After that, Siena picked up the tray, carried over a pot of fresh ck coffee, and set it down. ¡°Go on, taste it.¡±

    Steam curled upward as the coffee gave off a bold, rich fragrance.

    Maia paused for a beat, then raised the cup and blew across the surface.

    Right as she leaned in to sip, a hand came down, covering hers without a sound.

    ¡°Siena? What did you mean by this?¡±

    Maia looked up. Siena wore a teasing smile. A cold drop of sweat gathered on Maia¡¯s brow. Siena had moved with shocking speed.

    Maia had not caught it properly. By the time she moved, Siena¡¯s hand was already before hers.

    If Siena had drawn a dagger, Maia knew that her throat could already have been cut.

    It stood as a in warning from Siena.

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you afraid I¡¯d poisoned the coffee?¡± Siena said in a low, amused voice. ¡°I meant a drug that would not kill you but would make you pass out. That would have stopped you.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you would do that,¡± Maia said as her heart finally calmed. ¡°That would have been too much trouble. You could have simply knocked me out.¡±

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    ¡°Oh?¡± Siena pulled her hand back from Maia¡¯s cup with deliberate slowness. ¡°You sound like you know me so well. What if I¡¯m not the person you imagine? Do you really know who I am?¡± Her voice dropped into a serious tone as she threw out the question.

    ¡°Truthfully, I don¡¯t know much about you,¡± Maia answered. She locked eyes with Siena while lifting the cup and draining the dark liquid. ¡°But I trust you wouldn¡¯t harm me, because your loyalty belongs to Zoey.¡±

    She swallowed the coffee in one go, her gaze never leaving Siena¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s delicious.¡±

    ¡°Naturally. These beans are top quality. They cost more than five thousand a gram,¡± Siena replied with a light smile as she poured Maia another serving. ¡°Tell me, in your view, what sort of person is the master I serve?¡±

    ¡°In my view?¡± Maia lowered her head until her eyes met her faint reflection on the coffee¡¯s surface.

    After a pause, she said, ¡°Zoey could be praised with endless words, yet if I must pick only one, I¡¯d call her ¡®mother.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Siena set the pot down. ¡°Did you ever hear she once said you were more than a student to her¡­ So that¡¯s the answer¡­¡± Her voice slipped into a murmur. ¡°And now it looks like you¡¯re close to finishing your third cup.¡±

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 Chapter 1134

    ?Chapter 1134:

    Siena filled another cup of coffee for Maia, following the same slow, precise motions as before. ¡°So, does this marriage she nned for you sit well with you?¡±

    Maia finished the second cup in a single gulp. She lifted the third cup and held it suspended in front of her.

    ¡°Even though I don¡¯t quite get why Zoey set it up this way, Chris is the finest man I¡¯ve ever known,¡± she replied.

    Suddenly, a sound came from the closet next to her.

    Maia¡¯s eyes widened as the closet door swung open.

    Zoey stepped out, extending her long, fair legs gracefully.

    With a burst ofughter, Zoey dropped into the chair across from Maia. ¡°I knew it all along¡ªyou¡¯ve taken a liking to my nephew. And I promise you, the feeling is mutual. At first, he tly refused when I brought it up. But the instant I revealed it was you, that stubborn boy agreed without hesitation,¡± she said, her tone yful. ¡°Sometimes I wonder if he had encountered you before I ever had the chance to.¡±

    ¡°Zoey! Were you hiding in the closet, listening just now?¡± Maia stammered, her cheeks burning as she recalled the answer she had given to the second question earlier.

    To most, Zoey appeared untouchable, like a rare blossom clinging to the highest peak, admired from afar but never within reach.

    She radiated authority, carrying herself with the weight of someone who ruled without challenge¡­ though shes of entricity broke through her severity.

    Zoey¡¯s nature was never consistent, her moods shifting in ways that left others guessing.

    ¡°Maia, my dear daughter,e closer, let me have a look at you,¡± Zoey said, her eyes glinting. ¡°Tell me, are you flustered because of Chris, or is it because you secretly see me as a mother figure?¡± She cast a sidelong nce at Siena. ¡°You may go now, Siena.¡±

    ¡°Understood, ma¡¯am.¡±

    Siena stood gracefully, bowed her head in respect, and slipped quietly toward the door.

    Finish reading at ?????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Now it¡¯s just you and me.¡±

    Zoey¡¯s gaze settled on Maia, her voice carrying a trace of reproach. ¡°All this time you¡¯ve been free, and not once did you visit me. But today you appear¡ªfor Rnd, of all people. Is he truly worth such devotion?¡±

    Her expression shifted, her tone sharpening like a de. ¡°Surely you haven¡¯t forgotten what happens to those who defy me. You are my disciple, treated as a daughter, even marked as the heir to everything I hold. And yet here you are, begging for a man like him?¡±

    ¡°Zoey!¡± Maia¡¯s voice cracked with urgency. ¡°Rnd is my friend¡¯s brother. I may not know what wrong hemitted against you, but I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s beyond forgiveness.¡±

    She clenched her hands together, desperation spilling out. ¡°Please, Zoey. Let him live. I¡¯ll make sure he leaves Wront before nightfall!¡±

    ¡°So be it. I¡¯ll allow it,¡± Zoey said with surprising ease.

    Her eyes dropped to her watch, and a weary sigh slipped through her lips. ¡°The trouble is¡­ the hour may already have passed.¡±

    Right then, Maia¡¯s phone red suddenly, cutting through the tension.

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 Chapter 1135

    ?Chapter 1135:

    Pattie¡¯s name shed on the caller ID.

    A prickling dread crept up her spine.

    Hands trembling, she answered and heard Pattie¡¯s rapid,bored breaths. ¡°Maia¡­¡±

    Maia¡¯s chest tightened as she hurried to ask, ¡°How is Rnd?¡±

    ¡°About him? He¡¯s fine. I¡¯m forcibly relocating him right now. Can¡¯t talk!¡±

    Then the connection dropped without warning.

    Maia raised her eyes and met Zoey¡¯s deep, unreadable stare.

    ¡°You must have missed Siena¡¯s three questions just now,¡± Zoey said, standing slowly. She crossed the small distance between them and held up three fingers. ¡°First, if I truly wanted Rnd gone, he would not still be alive. Why would he have managed to survive in Wront all this time?¡±

    One finger curled inward as Zoey pressed on. ¡°Second, I¡¯ve treated you like a daughter, so why would I ever force you into an impossible choice? Do you think I¡¯m blind to what ties you have with Rnd? Every step you take outside, I already know.¡±

    Another finger folded down.

    A weary breath escaped Zoey¡¯s lips. ¡°And third, is my nephew not good enough for you? Do you prefer another man so much that you¡¯re here begging for him? If Chris has fallen short in any way, say it, and I¡¯ll make sure he corrects himself.¡±

    All three fingers closed into a fist as Zoey leaned closer. ¡°Do you want to know what wounds me the most, Maia? It isn¡¯t your absence after you left prison. I never wanted you to visit me anyway, because your presence would only expose our bond. That exposure would be dangerous for you and for me.¡±

    Maia bit her lower lip, struggling to find words.

    She grasped the point Zoey was making, yet this time, she refused to risk Rnd¡¯s life. She had to confirm this with Zoey to be at ease.

    ¡°Why, then, did you want him gone?¡± Maia snapped, lifting her chin as years of doubt and questions finally spilled out.

    F0r more, visit g??l??ovels.??o??

    An answer was what she craved. She needed the truthid bare. ¡°Earlier, you were ying at intimidation, trying to scare me into sending Rnd away. So tell me inly. What did he actually do to deserve this?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s trying to reverse a verdict for me,¡± Zoey replied, speaking with the calm of someone noting a minor inconvenience rather than a threat.

    Rising slowly, she turned her attention to the crumbling silhouette of the prison beyond the windows. ¡°Have you ever wondered what restrains me, Maia? Sit still. I¡¯m going to exin it to you now.¡±

    Zoey¡¯s gaze fixed on the barrier ahead, and Maia instinctively followed it, noticing the towering walls crowned with electric wires. The metal strands stretched tight and caught the sunlight, gleaming like des.

    Memories stirred in Maia¡¯s mind, drawing her back to another time.

    Four years earlier, when Zoey had first led her out of the prison gates, the moment had felt surprisingly ordinary¡ªalmost like stepping out of her own home. Nothing about it seemed forced or difficult. At that time, she had asked Zoey, ¡°What is it that keeps you tied to this prison?¡±

    To Maia¡¯s eyes, Zoey had never looked like a captive. Instead, she carried herself as though this fortress belonged to her. Even though she had the freedom to leave whenever she wanted, Zoey always returned.

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 Chapter 1136

    ?Chapter 1136:

    She rarely stepped outside unless there was no other choice. Something unseen seemed to tug at her relentlessly, pulling her back each time, like a bird forever drawn to its cage.

    A sudden voice pulled Maia out of her drifting thoughts.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on in your head, Maia?¡± Zoey asked. ¡°You don¡¯t think I¡¯m the sort of person who enjoys being locked in here, spending my days watching criminals as if it were some twisted pastime, do you?¡±

    A yful smile lingered in Zoey¡¯s eyes as she tilted her head.

    ¡°Of course not,¡± Maia answered firmly, giving a sincere shake of her head. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I didn¡¯t realize that was the reason you asked me to send Rnd away. If he¡¯s working to overturn your case, then it proves something went terribly wrong back then. You should never have been trapped here in the first ce.¡±

    Once, Zoey had been known for her brilliance and versatility, and Maia could only imagine how much greater her influence would have been had she lived outside these walls.

    By now, the name Zoey Cooper might have been celebrated far beyond this prison.

    ¡°You¡¯ve started to see things more clearly, Maia,¡± Zoey said gently. ¡°It reminds me of myself twenty years ago. I¡¯m proud of you.¡±

    She lifted her hand, pale and delicate, palm open. ¡°Take it. There¡¯s something I want to show you.¡±

    Maia slipped her hand into Zoey¡¯s and followed her as they ascended to the second floor.

    A heavy stillness hung over the study, carrying only the faint fragrance of polished wood and aged paper.

    In front of the towering shelves, Zoey pressed a finger against a single book, and the case shifted with a low groan, sliding aside to reveal a narrow staircase spiraling upward.

    ¡°I was going to wait before showing you this,¡± Zoey said with a gentleugh, her tone as calm as a breeze on an autumn afternoon. ¡°I nned to let Siena lead you here someday¡ªmaybe when I was nearing the end of my life, or after I was already gone. By then, I imagined you and Chris might even have a child or perhaps two¡­¡±

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    Her words drifted easily, yet Maia felt a sudden weight settle in her chest.

    Her gaze lingered on Zoey, who had already ced a foot on the steps, and she opened her mouth to speak but could not bring herself to voice the thought.

    Zoey had always been strong in health; Maia could not ept the idea of her fading away. She firmly believed that Zoey could live a long life.

    With a silent plea echoing in her heart, Maia tightened her grip on Zoey¡¯s hand and followed her upward into the hidden passage.

    The staircase pressed tightly between the walls, its steps so small that they barely allowed room for half a foot.

    On either side, dim goldenmps flickered gently, casting soft shadows along the stone.

    From somewhere above, a cool current of air drifted down, keeping the passage breathable.

    Zoey moved upward without hesitation, her pace steady, as though she had traveled this way countless times before. By contrast, Maia struggled despite Zoey¡¯s hand steadying her, each step feeling heavier than thest.

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 Chapter 1137

    ?Chapter 1137:

    Atst, Zoey shoved open a panel overhead, and sunlight streamed in, scattering brightness over the stairwell.

    When Maia lifted her gaze at thending, she discovered they had stepped onto a hidden rooftop veiled in thick ivy that concealed itpletely from the outside world.

    At the center stood a dpidated little hut, which seemed out of ce, as if it had been moved here from elsewhere.

    ¡°Quite the surprise, isn¡¯t it? Nobody would ever guess that the ivy I nted would grow into a shield for this ce, or that I¡¯ve managed to carve out a secret haven behind it all.¡±

    Zoey¡¯s eyes gleamed with quiet pride as she revealed what she had made.

    ¡°Beneath these prison walls, I built anotheryer, concealing the wooden house where I first drew breath. It¡¯s like peeling back the skin of an onion, each part hiding the next.¡±

    Facing Maia, she stretched her arms as if to embrace the entire ce. ¡°Wee to the core of my manyyers.¡±

    After speaking, she turned away and began making her way toward the old wooden house, her steps steady and deliberate.

    The sun broke into slivers of brightness and shade, torn apart by leaves, and the pieces hung like a fragile curtain shaped like a rose.

    ¡°It was never others who locked me in.¡±

    Zoey faced away from Maia, standing in the center of the pale ray. Her words came quiet, as though she spoke only to the breeze. ¡°It is my own heart that keeps me trapped here.¡±

    She paused, her lips curling in a self-mocking smile. ¡°And you, you will be the only one in all these years who has the right to glimpse into my heart.¡±

    Her voice carried sorrow, thin and cold, like drops of rain thatnded deep inside the soul.

    Maia froze for a moment in surprise. Her eyes followed Zoey¡¯s slim outline, stretched long by the broken light and shade.

    ?????????????? ???????? ????: ?????????¦Í????????©q?????

    Loneliness and grief pressed close against Maia¡¯s mouth. But her throat closed tight, and the words she wanted to release were crushed under something tender yet cutting. She stayed silent.

    In that instant, Maia caught a glimpse of Zoey that she had neverid eyes on before.

    Zoey had always stood tall, full of pride, a woman of rare skill. Maia wondered what storms Zoey must have endured to shut herself away so quietly.

    To Zoey, perhaps the world, no matter how wide, had always felt like a cage.

    ¡°Maia, step inside.¡±

    Zoey stretched out her hand and pushed against the hut¡¯s wooden door.

    The door groaned on its hinges, trembling as though it might copse any second.

    ¡°Zoey, your surname is Cooper.¡±

    Maia lifted her head and studied Zoey¡¯s striking profile with puzzled eyes. ¡°You were the most gifted daughter of the Cooper family two decades ago. How could this poor hut ever be your home?¡±

    ¡°No, Maia¡­ Do you know the reason I cared for you at our first meeting, why I saved you from those prisoners who wished to harm you?¡± Zoey swung around, her lips bent in a faint smile, her brows arching high.

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 Chapter 1138

    ?Chapter 1138:

    She nted her hands firmly on her hips, her face carrying not the slightest hint of shame. Instead, it shone with bold pride and unshaken confidence.

    ¡°Because¡­ just like you, I wasn¡¯t born into that family by blood. The Coopers took me in. I lived as their adopted daughter.¡±

    Zoey spoke the words ¡°adopted daughter¡± with steady emphasis, almost as if she dered an honor.

    Lightly, she let one hand rest on Maia¡¯s shoulder. ¡°But you and I share sharp minds. That¡¯s why the true heirs in both our families kept their guard up against us.¡±

    Maia froze, startled. This truth was something she had never once heard before.

    Every tale and every rumor had painted Zoey as a prodigy, a legend, someone far beyond reach. Yet here stood Zoey, revealing that she was no more than an adopted child of the Cooper n.

    Maia¡¯s voice dropped so low it was nearly a whisper. ¡°You were actually¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yes. Our paths ran alike. Just like you, I was framed by the heirs and thrown into prison,¡± Zoey cut across her unfinished words,ying the truth bare without hesitation.

    She moved closer in a sudden step and wrapped Maia tightly in her arms.

    The embrace carried the faint freshness of clean cloth. It felt quiet, steady, and gentle, yet it pressed in with a strength that surrounded Maiapletely.

    ¡°That is why I refuse to see you waste away here.¡±

    Zoey¡¯s voice came low and even, spoken close to Maia¡¯s ear. ¡°Maia, you remind me of myself, so I want you to carry on in my ce, to finish the goals I left behind, and to hand Cooper Group over to Chris.¡±

    Her arms drew Maia in tighter. Zoey gave a softugh, her breath skimming Maia¡¯s cheek as she spoke near her ear. ¡°It pleases me deeply to hear you see me as your mother. I do wish I really were, to watch you live the joy that I never touched.¡±

    Zoey stopped for a brief moment, as if dulling the edge of her own words before releasing them. ¡°Maia, truth cuts like a de. Do you still wish to dig into my past? I may fall short of the perfect image you once held of me.¡±

    Maia wrapped her arms around Zoey in return, her fingers gripping the cloth of Zoey¡¯s clothes as if she feared letting go.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is where magic happens

    The sting in her throat atst melted away. All the heavy words she could never speak pressed into one shaky plea. ¡°If¡­ if it¡¯s allowed¡­ may I call you Mom?¡±

    Zoey¡¯s frame quivered so faintly it was almost unseen. She had pictured this very moment over and over in her mind, yet she had never truly believed it woulde to pass.

    ¡°Of course, my precious daughter,¡± Zoey said, her lips curving into a smile.

    ¡°Mom!¡± Maia called out, her voice breaking.

    Tears streamed down, and she suddenly understood she had not been chasing the shelter of a strong protector but had been running toward a long-lost home.

    She had yearned for it all her life. At that instant, every wall between them crumbled away.

    Maia suddenly understood she had been mistaken. She had once believed Zoey was nothing but ruthless, forgetting that kindness also lived in her. She had once thought Zoey only spun snares, forgetting that Zoey also stood guard for others. Until now, Maia had only noticed the chill in Zoey, never the warmth hidden beneath it.

    Zoey had carried herself with honor, and countless people had once admired her.

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 Chapter 1139

    ?Chapter 1139:

    How could a woman like that take the life of awyer who came to help her?

    Still, something lingering in Maia¡¯s mind kept confusing her. Why had Zoey never fought against the charges? Why had she chosen to stay locked inside prison walls? And what truth had unfolded in those distant days?

    Maia wondered if it had been Kolton, the present head of the Cooper family, who hadid the trap for her.

    Countless questions burst inside Maia¡¯s chest, rolling through her heart like waves that refused to calm.

    The flood of doubts left her even more tangled, yet it also pushed her to crave the truth about Zoey more than ever.

    ¡°I want to know, I want to learn every piece of your story, Mom.¡±

    Maia lifted her face, tears clinging to hershes, her voice firm and unwavering. ¡°I want to know¡­ the life of my other mother.¡±

    ¡°With a request spoken like that, how could I ever turn you away?¡± Zoey dipped her head in a faint nod, tears gleaming in her eyes.

    ¡°Then step inside, and you will meet¡­ another Zoey Cooper.¡±

    Within the hushed wooden hut, Maia saw numerous traces of past life.

    Along the walls, rough pencil marks measured growing heights, each line paired with a date that had long since faded.

    Beneath her feet, the boards groaned with age, the entire ce carrying the weight of abandonment.

    At the center, however, a modest cab stood in perfect order, untouched by time¡¯s neglect.

    Resting on top was a picture frame that had once held a group portrait of Zoey, though only her image remained; the other half had vanished into absence.

    ¡°My first home was a small fishing vige,¡± Zoey said, lowering herself into a worn wooden chair that creaked in protest. ¡°My parents survived by castings into the sea. Sit here, Maia.¡±

    She motioned to a stool beside her. ¡°What I¡¯m about to share may sound heavy, but life rarely deals its cards fairly.¡±

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    Taking the offered seat, Maia nced at Zoey and noticed the pale streaks of white now threading through her hair.

    Not only was fate merciless, but time itself carved away with an unforgiving hand.

    Zoey¡¯s eyes drifted past Maia, resting on the wall as though her vision pierced through the wood and into the memories buried beyond it.

    ¡°My parents adored me, and I believed myself to be the luckiest child alive. My father sold fish just so he could buy me little dolls and pretty dresses, and my mother¡¯s gentleness never wavered. They never quarreled, their love so constant it seemed unbreakable.¡±

    Zoey¡¯s voice grew rougher as she spoke. ¡°For a while, I thought that happiness would never abandon me. However, heaven had other ns. When I was only seven, a violent storm struck my vige, and my parents never returned from the sea.¡±

    Maia¡¯s fingers curled tightly, a dull ache pressing against her chest.

    ¡°After that, I kept going to the shoreline every single day, waiting for them to reappear, convincing myself they had only lost their way.¡±

    Zoey let out a gentleugh, as though clinging to a bittersweet memory. ¡°They never dide back, but I met a boy instead. To be precise, a boy who couldn¡¯t swim tumbled into the sea. His father was yelling desperately from the shore, though the man himself couldn¡¯t swim either.¡±

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 Chapter 1140

    ?Chapter 1140:

    Zoey¡¯s eyelids lowered as if the weight of memory pressed them shut, and after a quiet pause, she spoke again. ¡°When I lost my parents, I knew the hollow ache of grief all too well. That was why I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of another family suffering the same pain. So, like a figure lifted from a fairy tale, I pulled the boy from the water. His father¡¯s gratitude was immense, and when he heard my story, he took me in as his own. The boy himself treated me with kindness. It felt as though fortune had returned, as if my parents were blessing me from afar.¡±

    Her eyes flew open, fixing on Maia with startling rity. ¡°You¡¯ve pieced it together, haven¡¯t you? That boy grew up to be none other than Kolton, the head of the Cooper family.¡±

    Words flowed before Maia could utter a response. ¡°From then on, I lived as the youngest daughter of the Cooper family. I refused to squander such a gift of fate. I swore to repay Kolton and his father because gratitude, loyalty, and kindness were the values my father instilled in me. So, I studied tirelessly, surpassing every expectation ced before me. People called me talented, even destined, and some believed I would one day inherit the Cooper Group. Imagine that. Although not a drop of Cooper blood ran in me, my adoptive father never breathed a word about my past. Aside from Kolton, no one knew I was the daughter of a fisherman. He always said it made no difference, because¡­ he saw what was in my heart when I looked at Kolton.¡±

    The chuckle that followed carried a hint of mischief. ¡°By then, Kolton and I had already fallen in love. But in the eyes of the world, we were siblings, so we had no choice but to keep it hidden. We met in secret, whispering of a day when we could love one another in the open.¡±

    Zoey¡¯s smile gradually faded. ¡°Later, my adoptive father had an ident and fell into aa. The battle for Cooper Group¡¯s control erupted like a storm, touching every corner of our world.¡±

    Her gaze settled on Maia as her voice dropped to a near whisper. ¡°In the midst of it all¡­ Kyle, Chris¡¯ father, lost his life. It was by my hand, and only then did the conflict finally subside. The single shred of sce I carried was that my adoptive father eventually opened his eyes again.¡±

    A sharp denial burst from Maia. ¡°No, Zoey. That cannot be true. If you were the one who killed Kyle, Rnd would not fight so hard to defend your innocence. And if you bore that guilt, how could Chris, Kyle¡¯s only son, live without despising you?¡± Maia shook her head vehemently, her voice trembling unconsciously as she continued, ¡°This isn¡¯t the truth. At least not the part about the murder. It¡¯s not true.¡±

    ?????????????? ????????????: g??????¦Í??????????????

    Maia¡¯s words drifted across the hut, muffled by the thick timber walls and heavy curtains until they seemed to vanish into the wood itself.

    Outside, the night breeze brushed against the eaves, setting the wind chimes in motion. Their fragile notes rose and fell like echoes from a forgotten memory.

    No answer came.

    The stillness lingered, stretching longer with every passing second.

    Eventually, Zoey lowered her gaze. The kerosenemp on the table sputtered inside its ss, and the faint light caught on hershes, scattering shadows across her face. Most of her features sank into the darkness, unreachable by the weak glow of thentern.

    From Maia¡¯s side of the room, Zoey¡¯s expression remained unreadable. All she could register was the uneven rhythm of her own breathing, tangled with the rapid thud of her heart.

    It seemed impossible to Maia that Zoey could ever do such a thing. Yes, Zoey had always been merciless toward her enemies, but beneath that coldnessy a loyalty that never wavered. The Cooper family had saved her once, and Maia believed that Zoey would never repay that kindness with betrayal.

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 Chapter 1141

    ?Chapter 1141:

    In the same way, Maia herself could never lift a hand against Zoey, and she would never strike at those who had offered her a hand when she required help.

    What bound her actions was more than loyalty. It was a principle, a code Zoey had impressed upon Maia from the very start.

    From the days when she was only an orphan by the sea to the time she stepped into the Cooper family as their youngest daughter, Zoey had lived by that same rule. Gratitude shaped her choices, though she carried it out in ways only she understood.

    ¡°Zoey, why did you deceive me?¡± Maia finally broke the silence, her voice trembling. She pushed the kerosenemp forward, its glow stretching across Zoey¡¯s face. The sight that met her eyes was chilling ¡ª Zoey was smirking, her gaze glittering with an unreadable light.

    A sharp pang seized Maia¡¯s chest, tightening her breath.

    ¡°Your reasoning isn¡¯t bad,¡± Zoey said as she pulled her gaze away, her tone dropping to a whisper. ¡°But it¡¯s possible Chris has no idea that I was the one who killed his father.¡±

    Her words carried a deliberate slowness. ¡°Before I made my move, I kept a decent rtionship with Kyle. I visited both him and Chris often, and that closeness gave Chris a false sense of trust. He convinced himself I was framed and couldn¡¯t be guilty. He¡¯s far too trusting, always plotting how to save me.¡±

    ¡°So this is the truth you want me to ept?¡± Maia¡¯s expression steadied as the haze of confusion lifted. Her eyes locked with Zoey¡¯s as she replied, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯d rather hold onto a different story. Would you care to hear what my mentor once told me?¡±

    ¡°Oh? You n to tell my story instead?¡± Zoeyughed gently. ¡°You¡¯ve swapped our ces. Still¡­ I admit, I¡¯d like to hear it.¡±

    Leaning forward all at once, she rested her elbows on her knees. ¡°Go on, then. Share the truth as you see it ¡ª or should I call it the tale you¡¯ve crafted?¡±

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    Closing the distance between them, Maia mirrored her posture. ¡°This must be the final test, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Rising slowly, she steadied her posture and spoke with gravity. ¡°Once, you were the prodigy everyone talked about. Your talent was undeniable, yet your presence unsettled the Cooper family. It wasn¡¯t only Kyle who feared you ¡ª Kolton, the very one you admired, also saw you as a threat.¡±

    Themplight caught the drifting dust, scattering like tiny kes of ash in the air.

    Maia¡¯s words rang out with rity. ¡°They worried that your brilliance would overshadow theirs. More than that, they were terrified Laurence might truly pass Cooper Group into your hands. To secure their standing, they decided to form alliances through marriage with you ¡ª anything that would keep the bloodline in their grasp.¡±

    Zoey tilted her gaze upward, her expression unreadable, but she remained quiet.

    Taking her silence as permission, Maia continued, ¡°Kyle had his own household to protect, while Kolton refused to surrender his influence. So he arranged Kyle¡¯s death, twisted the truth, and forced you to take the me. I don¡¯t know exactly what hold he had over you, but one thing is certain ¡ª you discovered the truthter. And still, you honored some binding pact, one that kept you trapped here, unable to strike back against the man who betrayed you.¡±

    For a moment, Maia stopped speaking, her hands curling against her knees before loosening again.

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 Chapter 1142

    ?Chapter 1142:

    Her lips pressed together in uncertainty, unsure if she should continue ¡ª until Zoey¡¯s voice cut through the silence.

    ¡°Keep going,¡± Zoey said atst. Her face betrayed nothing, yet her tone had softened. ¡°Finish what you started.¡±

    Acknowledging the cue with a small nod, Maia continued, ¡°You were the one who rescued me. You raised me, guided me, and after I regained my freedom, you arranged my marriage to Chris. Through me, you hoped he would reim his inheritance and secure Cooper Group as his own.¡±

    All at once, Zoey jumped to her feet, the movement sharp and jarring. The cup beside her hand toppled with a dull crash onto the floor.

    A beatter, she began pping slowly, each strike deliberate, as though savoring the weight of the moment.

    ¡°Brilliant! Not only is the logic impable, but the plot is also very intricate, making it sound incredibly interesting,¡± Zoey said with unrestrained admiration. ¡°Maia, has it ever crossed your mind to be a writer? I¡¯m certain you¡¯d end up on the bestseller lists.¡±

    A faint crease formed between Maia¡¯s brows. Was her conclusion mistaken after all?

    Her gaze lingered on Zoey, searching for the smallest slip in that calm, pleasant expression, hoping to uncover whaty beneath it.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that right? Zoey, the only reason I came was to keep you from harming Rnd. If what you really want ispany, I can always return another day just to talk with you.¡±

    Memories of Zoey¡¯s past teasing flickered through Maia¡¯s mind, and irritation tightened in her chest as her fists curled at her sides. The frustration cut deeper now, because every spare moment was devoted to her surgical training. Maia simply couldn¡¯t afford to waste her time.

    Certain that Rnd was safe, Maia decided it was best to leave. She turned toward the door, her steps unhurried on purpose. Out of nowhere, cool but delicate hands slipped around her and stopped her from moving forward.

    Stay connected at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    At the instant those palms touched her, warmth seeped in, and Maia couldn¡¯t hide the faint smile tugging at her lips. Zoey had fallen for her ploy.

    ¡°Fine, Maia. I¡¯ll stop with the jokes. No need to sulk.¡±

    Zoey¡¯s lips pushed into a pout, though her eyes betrayed a yful warmth. ¡°Since your release, you haven¡¯t once bothered to visit me.¡±

    Gone was hermanding presence. In its ce lingered the gentleness of a mother fussing over her child.

    Even her voice mellowed, carrying none of its usual edge.

    ¡°As for you and Chris¡­ how far along are the two of you? Every time I ask, you refuse to say a word. Tell me, what daughter can truly hold a grudge against her own mother?¡± Zoey moved closer, slipped around to stand before Maia, and brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek.

    At that moment, she caught sight of the quiet pride etched on Maia¡¯s face. ¡°So it was just a show?¡± Zoey faltered, surprise shing in her expression.

    ¡°Yes, and my little story wasn¡¯t off the mark after all, was it?¡± Maia let out a low, amusedugh.

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 Chapter 1143

    ?Chapter 1143:

    Once Maia stepped out of Zoey¡¯s residence, she wasted no time dialing Pattie¡¯s number.

    The call barely rang before Pattie picked up. ¡°Maia! Atst, you¡¯re calling!¡± Her tone wasced with relief but underscored by sharp urgency. ¡°I¡¯ve been reaching out nonstop, but you never answered. Did you meet the person you were supposed to? Is Rnd still in danger?¡±

    ¡°Without giving Maia space to reply, Pattie rushed on. ¡°Listen, Rnd nearly pulled off another stunt. If I hadn¡¯t brought in the best security team, he¡¯d be halfway down the fire escape by now, probably breaking his neck in the process.¡±

    The news left Maia momentarily silent, caught between exasperation and disbelief. It struck her how words always seemed to slip away when the mind faltered. A hand went to her forehead as she tried to gather herself.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t answer earlier, but things have been settled. However, keep Rnd from bolting again. I need to speak with him in person,¡± Maia said, her tone steady but edged with concern. ¡°Make sure he understands this is about Zoey Cooper.¡±

    ¡°Zoey Cooper? Who¡¯s that?¡± Pattie blinked in surprise, then recovered and said, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll go talk to Rnd now.¡±

    ¡°Do it. Just keep him from leaving,¡± Maia answered, and she ended the call while picking up her pace, worry still clinging to her.

    What Zoey had revealed made it clear to Maia that Rnd was trying to honor his mentor Neville¡¯s final wish by reopening Zoey¡¯s case. Allowing him to move forward now would wreck the careful strategy Zoey had been shaping for years.

    While Rnd pushed for his mentor¡¯s cause, Maia had to strive for her mentor too.

    She was certain that Zoey had never murdered Kyle. Therefore, Maia had to clear her mentor¡¯s name. Remembering Chris¡¯ lost chance to see his grandfather and all that Zoey had suffered, Maia felt a fierce urge to seize control of Cooper Group, secure it for Chris, and bring everything to an end.

    Shiloh arrived not long after Maia¡¯s call had ended.

    Find more at g?? lno  ve ls.??o??

    ¡°Miss Watson, is everything settled?¡± he asked with a grin as he stepped out. ¡°Did it all go as nned?¡±

    Maia scanned the street, wary of Kolton¡¯s men lurking in the shadows, and slipped behind the wheel without a word. Seeing that, Shiloh just shrugged, refraining from further questions, and got into the back seat.

    The hum of the engine filled the silence before Maia finally muttered, ¡°Thanks for lending a hand. It worked out fine.¡±

    ¡°Just doing my part,¡± Shiloh said, sliding a phone from his pocket and pressing the call button with deliberate ease.

    Inside the sleek ck Buick, a faint buzz rattled the phone resting on the narrow table in the second row.

    Shiloh¡¯s name lit up on the screen.

    Recliningfortably, Raegan let a slow smile tug at her mouth. She rejected the call without hesitation, then scrolled to another contact and pressed dial.

    ¡°Maia is on her way out of Wront Prison. Be prepared.¡±

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 Chapter 1144

    ?Chapter 1144:

    Maia guided the car smoothly past the looming gates of Wront Prison.

    Unlike before, the two guards didn¡¯t bother with a thorough inspection. The moment they spotted Shiloh¡¯s private car approaching, they swung the gate wide.

    From the back seat, Shiloh¡¯s voice broke the hum of the engine. ¡°Ms. Watson, I¡¯d advise you to keep going a bit farther. Someone could still be watching. If it¡¯s not too much trouble, could you drop me off at Harmony za? I¡¯ve got an appointment there.¡±

    Without hesitation, Maia answered, ¡°Of course. That¡¯s along my route anyway.¡±

    Nearly an hour slipped by before the car rolled to a stop at Harmony za.

    Shiloh met Maia¡¯s gaze with a faint smile. ¡°We¡¯ll part ways here. If you ever want to see her again, just reach out to me first.¡±

    ¡°I will,¡± Maia said, stepping away from the car.

    Her thoughts lingered on Shiloh. He struck her as careful, resourceful, and skilled at masking his true self. She believed that someone like him, as the chief warden, could give Zoey better protection.

    Meanwhile, Shiloh pressed himself into a dark corner and called Raegan again. Beads of sweat formed across his brow.

    A momentter, the line connected.

    ¡°Maia¡¯s left the car. I don¡¯t know whates next, but I beg you ¡ª spare my daughter,¡± Shiloh whispered, his voice shaking.

    Raegan¡¯s reply was smooth, almost casual. ¡°Good work. Rest easy, your girl is unharmed.¡±

    Then the call ended.

    Her attention shifted to the fresh photographs glowing on her screen. A sly grin curved her lips. ¡°Maia, no matter how sharp your instincts, you¡¯ll never suspect Shiloh is already mine. At the charity g, I¡¯ll see your name dragged through the mud.¡±

    With deliberate ease, she forwarded the images to Kiley.

    Every story starts at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??§àm

    A sharp voice cut from behind her; Austen¡¯s low tone sliced through the tense quiet. ¡°Must we wait that long?¡± he said, menace threaded through the words. ¡°Why don¡¯t I just end her life right now?¡±

    Raegan pivoted to face him, a chill in her smile. ¡°You men rarely grasp how much longer a ruined name hurtspared to a single bullet.¡±

    Austen gave a casual shrug and smoothed his fake beard. Today, he was in disguise as a rugged man around forty years old, all rough edges and a heavy jaw.

    ¡°Women always make things difficult,¡± he said, curling his lip.

    Remembering Rosanna¡¯s simrly hard line, Austen continued, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t take her life. I¡¯ll just make sure she learns a lesson.¡±

    An eyebrow lifted on Raegan¡¯s face. Knowing that he would not be easily swayed, she said for the sake of the n, ¡°Do not cross the line. I¡¯m starting to regret telling you where Maia is.¡±

    Austen burst into augh as he pulled the door open and strode out. ¡°That¡¯s unlike you. Since when do you show hesitation?¡± He let out a chuckle, then the warmth drained from his expression as he tugged his cor up against the cold.

    Tyrant, Austen¡¯s long-time enforcer,y dead at the threshold, his body a stark warning left for Austen to find.

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 Chapter 1145

    ?Chapter 1145:

    Now that his true face had been revealed, Austen decided that Maia¡¯s survival would be far too risky.

    ¡°Calm down,¡± he said in a voice as cold as steel. ¡°I¡¯ve got this. I won¡¯t ruin what you¡¯ve worked for.¡±

    Raegan opened her mouth to argue, but Austen had already slipped away.

    Amid the bustling crowd, he vanished into the group as if he belonged there.

    ¡°He¡¯s getting harder to control now.¡±

    Raegan let out a weary sigh. At times, she wondered if some of The Mask¡¯s members hadpletely lost their minds.

    ¡°I need to keep an eye on him. If something happens before the charity g, I¡¯ll never forgive myself.¡±

    Raegan paused, her thoughts warring before she made her choice.

    She faced the driver and said, ¡°Start the car and trail Maia. I have to make sure Faceless doesn¡¯t take things too far.¡±

    The driver acknowledged her with a quick nod. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±

    At that very moment, Chris¡¯ car was cutting through the road on his way to Wront Prison.

    Before long, he had tasked his men with tracking Maia¡¯s location, yet the effort was interrupted by a call from his aunt, Zoey.

    On the other end, her voice carried an edge of me.

    Zoey wasted no time and pressed him with sharp words. ¡°Chris, why are you dragging your feet with Maia? She¡¯s such a fine woman. If you keep neglecting her, I¡¯ll make sure you regret it the moment I¡¯m free from this ce. You¡¯ll see!¡±

    Pulling himself together, Chris pressed harder on the gas, forcing the car to surge forward.

    Discover your next read at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s

    As the city blurred past, his eyes caught sight of a figure near Harmony za.

    Could it be Maia?

    Why would she show up in this ce?

    Chris saw her stepping into a taxi, and without a second thought, he jerked the wheel to give chase.

    Not far behind, a different taxi kept pace, carrying a rough-looking man in the passenger seat.

    That man turned out to be none other than Austen, the fourth in rank within The Mask, known as Faceless.

    At the Marclif Hotel.

    Inside the grand presidential suite on the twenty-second floor, Pattie sat stiffly on the sofa. Her arms were folded, her back pressed straight against the cushion, and her fingers tapped against her elbow in a restless beat. Her gaze stayed locked on the man across from her, irritation sharp in her eyes. ¡°Rnd, do you n on giving me an exnation or not?¡±

    A short while earlier, she had exhausted every effort to stop Rnd from running, but nothing had worked. Only when she mentioned Maia¡¯s words did he hesitate, falling into an unsettling silence.

    Now he lounged opposite her with his jacket tossed over the armrest and the first button of his shirt undone. Rnd¡¯s fingers wereced together so tightly that the blood had drained from his knuckles.

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 Chapter 1146

    ?Chapter 1146:

    From that moment until now, he had refused to speak. The longer his silence stretched, the more uneasy Pattie became.

    But when faced with Pattie¡¯s question, Rnd simply closed his eyes, clearly unwilling to offer any exnation.

    Pattie could no longer stand the heavy quiet. She rose quickly, crossed the short space between them, and leaned down as she tilted his chin upward so Rnd would meet her eyes.

    Rnd¡¯s eyelids lifted at her touch. For an instant, their stares shed. The air grew still except for the faint rhythm of their breathing.

    Pattie spoke carefully, weighing each word with meaning. ¡°Rnd, I need you to tell me. Do you like me?¡±

    Rnd¡¯s throat worked as he swallowed hard. His lips parted as though words were about toe, but he faltered and let them fall back into silence. The hesitation weighed on him more heavily than any interrogation in a courtroom.

    Then, without warning, warmth brushed against his mouth.

    Rnd¡¯s eyes flew wide in shock as he realized what she had done.

    Pattie¡¯s lips lingered on his before teasing his lower lip, and then she pressed closer, deepening the kiss.

    The sudden rush of it struck Rnd like a storm, fierce and unrelenting, leaving him utterly unprepared.

    vor both sweet and intoxicating spread across their mouths as their tongues tangled, and for a fleeting moment, Rnd¡¯s mind went utterly nk before a rush of dazzling images burst through.

    It was as if the night sky had erupted in color, fireworks bursting while meteors cut across the heavens.

    Rnd surrendered to the moment, his thoughts wiped away once more, and his eyes drifted shut as though the closeness belonged to them naturally.

    The best stories are at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s???????

    His heart raced with a rhythm he had never known, pounding so wildly that his breath turned uneven, even though this was not the first time they had kissed.

    Pattie slipped onto hisp, her palms steadying on his shoulders. The closeness of her face left their breath mingling in the narrow space between them.

    She leaned in until no distance remained, forcing him deeper into the sofa while stripping away every strand of reason. Rnd gave up resisting altogether, and for once, he stopped letting courtrooms orwsuits intrude on his thoughts.

    His first impulse was to pull her close, to cling to her as though letting go would be impossible.

    Time slipped by without measure before their mouths finally broke apart.

    They were left breathless, their cheeks tinged with a gentle flush.

    ¡°Rnd.¡±

    Pattie¡¯sshes quivered lightly, and her smile seemed to brighten straight from her eyes.

    She lifted her index finger, drew a circle on his chest, and drawled, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you¡¯re unsure. What matters is that I already know I like you.¡±

    Her expression shifted, the yfulness vanishing. ¡°Listen to me. I strive to be the person I want to be. You won¡¯t be able to run from that.¡±

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 Chapter 1147

    ?Chapter 1147:

    Before he could respond, Pattie leaned in once more and pressed her lips to his, pushing him down against the cushions. This time, however, the kiss brushed by quickly, vanishing almost as soon as it began.

    Rnd tugged at his tie, dragging in a heavy breath as warmth burned its way through his throat.

    Memories of every encounter with Pattie surged through his thoughts.

    He realized then that he had been drawn to her from the very beginning.

    Yet, having never truly loved a woman, he had no idea how to show it.

    Only now did he recognize one thing ¡ª what he once felt for Maia had been nothing more than admiration mixed with respect.

    The truth was clearer than ever ¡ª Pattie was the one who set his pulse racing, the one who lingered in his mind long after nightfall, her image appearing whenever he shut his eyes. Her unflinching honesty and the zing devotion she offered pulled him in like a me too captivating to resist.

    At that exact moment, however, something cold and fragile slipped onto his skin.

    He instinctively looked up, seeing that tears were spilling down Pattie¡¯s cheeks.

    A sudden stab of pain shot through Rnd¡¯s chest.

    Gently breaking the silence, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s troubling you?¡± His tone carried a careful warmth.

    Even before Pattie could form a reply, Rnd¡¯s hand moved toward her, drawn to the sorrow weighing her down.

    With gentle fingers, he brushed away the tears gathering at hershes, then drew her tightly into his arms once again.

    ¡°I¡¯m not running away.¡±

    His voice, rough with emotion, faltered briefly before steadying. ¡°The truth is, I feel the same. I like you, too.¡±

    ?????????¦Í??????.??????, ???????? ???????????????? ????

    At that, Pattie jerked her head up, her eyes widening in disbelief as they locked on Rnd¡¯s face.

    Rnd did not waver, meeting her gaze with a steady mix of passion and tenderness.

    There was fire in his eyes, yet a softness lingered there as well. Then, with a teasing spark, Pattie gave Rnd¡¯s solid chest a yful punch and broke into a grin. ¡°Honestly! Did you really have to wait for me to say it first?¡±

    ¡°Apologies.¡±

    Rnd¡¯s tone carried a raw sincerity, as though he were standing before a judge. ¡°I may be clumsy at this¡­ but what if, this time, I take the lead?¡±

    ¡°No way!¡± Pattie wasted no breath. She leaned in fast, silencing Rnd¡¯s words with another kiss.

    Out of nowhere, the suite¡¯s doorbell chimed.

    Pattie and Rnd froze in ce, eyes snapping toward the entrance. Could it be Maia?

    In that heartbeat of distraction, Rnd seized the moment. With a sudden shift, he eased Pattie back against the sofa.

    The weight he pressed down with was careful yetmanding, leaving her little space to object.

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 Chapter 1148

    ?Chapter 1148:

    Bending closer, Rnd brushed his lips near Pattie¡¯s ear and muttered, ¡°She can wait. Right now belongs to us.¡±

    ¡°You¡ª¡± Pattie barely formed the word before his mouth imed hers again.

    This time, the kiss surged with urgency, fierce as waves crashing against the shore.

    Only after a full minute did their lips part atst.

    Breathing unevenly, Pattie rested her fingertips against Rnd¡¯s chest, easing him back, though her reluctance was clear. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re getting better at this.¡±

    A mischievous thought flickered, and she let it spill in a yful yet probing tone. ¡°Careful now¡­ if we don¡¯t stop, Maia might think something¡¯s wrong and storm right in. Or maybe¡­ you want her to catch us in the act? Surely¡ª¡±

    Her yful remark never reached its end because the lock suddenly shifted.

    The handle pressed downward, and a thin de of hallway light cut through the darkened suite.

    Pattie froze in ce, and Rnd did the same, neither daring to exhale.

    When the door swung wider, the dull thud of boots struck the carpet one after another. A squad of bodyguards marched inside, fanning out in a practiced formation while the radios strapped to their wrists hissed with a sharp crackle.

    The front man swept his eyes across the suite, and once he was sure there was no threat, he asked, ¡°Ms. Miller, are you unharmed?¡±

    Only then did Pattie understand. Because she hadn¡¯t opened the door for some time, the guards had assumed there was danger. Forcing her voice steady, she lifted a hand and gestured them back. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Stay outside and keep watch.¡±

    ¡°Understood, ma¡¯am.¡±

    The squad filed back toward the entrance, pausing only long enough to count their numbers before stepping out.

    Just before the group cleared the doorway, a recognizable figure lingered. Eyes bright and searching, Maia looked straight toward them.

    ???????? ?????? ???????? ???? g???????¦Í??????©o?????

    At once, Pattie stood up and hurried past the guards. ¡°So you¡¯ve finally arrived, Maia.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, Pattie seized Maia¡¯s hand and steered her into the nearest room, shutting out questions before they could form.

    The heavy door mmed shut, echoing through the suite.

    Alone now, Rnd remained seated in the living room.

    His breath still came in uneven bursts, and the heat of Pattie¡¯s closeness seemed to linger around his ear.

    Taking a few deep breaths, Rnd sat up straight, buttoning his shirt, trying to regain his professionalposure.

    His eyes drifted toward the briefcase resting by the sofa, the dull shine of its ck leather catching the light.

    Insidey the files he had organized with painstaking precision. His first intention had been to present those appeal papers to the court that very day, hoping they might turn the tide of Zoey¡¯s trial.

    ¡°Zoey¡­¡±

    The name drifted through Rnd¡¯s thoughts like a whisper he refused to let go.

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 Chapter 1149

    ?Chapter 1149:

    He clung to the hope that when Maia finally appeared, she might hand him the opening he had been searching for ¡ª the chance to wash away the stain of Zoey¡¯s false conviction and honor Neville¡¯s dying wish.

    In the side room, a flush of crimson swept across Pattie¡¯s face, her eyes alight with excitement. ¡°Maia, I have two pieces of good news for you. Which would you rather hear first?¡± she asked, a mischievous smile curling her lips.

    Maia arched an eyebrow and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°Pattie, do you even realize what you¡¯re saying? What does it matter which piece of newses first if they¡¯re both good?¡± she said, her toneced with yful disbelief.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Pattie replied, confusion flickering across her face. A sheepish smile soon spread as her blunder dawned on her. ¡°I¡¯ll just share both in my own order. The first is that Ipleted the task,¡± she said, her voice bright with pride.

    A warm smile bloomed on Maia¡¯s face as she reached out, her fingers gently caressing Pattie¡¯s cheek. ¡°Of course you did,¡± she said, her voice soft with affection.

    Pattie¡¯s expression betrayed her second news, a subtle glow in her eyes.

    ¡°You¡¯ve shown your affection for him, haven¡¯t you?¡± Maia asked, her tone teasing yet warm.

    ¡°Is it that obvious?¡± Pattie said, abashed, her cheeks reddening further.

    After a moment of awkward silence, she continued, ¡°I had no choice. I needed to keep him close, and since he didn¡¯t make the first move, I had to. I put myself out there to keep Rnd from trouble. He¡¯s lucky to have me watching over him.¡±

    Maia nodded, her smile deepening. ¡°You bothplement each other beautifully,¡± she said, her voice genuine, brimming with goodwill. ¡°So, when do I meet your soon-to-be fianc¨¦?¡±

    ¡°Soon-to-be fianc¨¦?¡± Pattie stuttered, caught off guard, her eyes widening in shock. ¡°Isn¡¯t it too early for that?¡± she asked, her voice a mix of rm and disbelief.

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    Pattie¡¯s expression shifted, a sudden seriousness settling over her as a memory surfaced. ¡°Maia, will you now tell me what happened? Is Rnd in trouble? Is someone targeting him? I don¡¯t want to hear it on the news before he proposes,¡± she said, her voice tinged with worry.

    Maia¡¯s face grew thoughtful, her eyes turning distant. ¡°It¡¯s aplicated situation,¡± she said, her tone measured.

    Pattie was her closest confidante, the only one privy to her ns to dismantle the Cooper Group, a key ally in their execution.

    With a resolved look, Maia met Pattie¡¯s gaze. ¡°Come with me,¡± she said, turning and striding out of the room, her steps purposeful.

    Pattie hurried after her, her heart quickening.

    In the living room, Rnd stood as they entered, his neat clothes fitting impably, his usual cid expression steady on his face.

    ¡°We need to talk, Mr. Cullen,¡± Maia said, ncing at Pattie. ¡°I hope her presence here won¡¯t be an issue?¡±

    Rnd¡¯s gaze lingered briefly on Pattie, a flicker of warmth in his eyes, before he shook his head.

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 Chapter 1150

    Chapter 1150:

    Though he preferred to keep the matter private, Pattie was an exception, an opportunity to share everything now presenting itself.

    Rnd¡¯s gaze shifted to his briefcase, his movements deliberate as he opened it and withdrew a folder.

    He ced it on the table, carefully opening it to reveal documents neatly categorized withbels: Testimonies, Materials, Timeline, and Evidence.

    The first page held a photograph, dated two decades ago, of a young Zoey, her beauty ethereal, like an angel descended to earth.

    Maia¡¯s heart stirred, wondering what life Zoey might have led had she not been imprisoned, left instead to wither in a cell¡¯s cold confines.

    Rnd turned the page, revealing an old newspaper, its edges yellowed with time. ¡°My reason foring to Wront is to fulfill my mentor¡¯sst wish,¡± he said, his voice steady but heavy. ¡°He was the defensewyer for Miss Zoey Cooper.¡±

    For nearly an hour, the quiet of the living room was broken only by the shuffle of papers and the scratch of pen against paper. On the coffee table, documentsy scattered in neat disarray, bathed in the golden light of themp.

    Rnd went over the past in detail, speaking as though he were reliving a trial that had been dered over yet never truly resolved.

    With her brows drawn tight, Pattie listened carefully. When Rnd¡¯s words finally trailed off, she said, ¡°This is obviously coercion. Who in their right mind would take back their testimony and admit to murder in court?¡±

    Her words slipped out like venom, each syble cold and sharp. ¡°Whichever angle you examine, Kolton Cooper came out on top. That makes him the prime suspect.¡±

    Rnd gave a slow nod. ¡°Exactly. In families like his, power games are always yed behind closed doors. History is full of such stories, where greed drives people to ruthless extremes. That¡¯s why Neville once believed Zoey¡¯s case would be easy to win.¡±

    Turning a page, he pressed a finger against the timeline drawn across it. ¡°Look here. There was never any proof tying Zoey to the crime scene. In fact, Kyle was summoned there by Kolton himself.¡±

    R?????? ???????????????? ???????? g??l????¦Í??????.??o??

    He lifted his gaze toward Maia before speaking again. ¡°In the end, Zoey stood in that courtroom, withdrew everything she had testified to before, andid out a detailed murder plot in her own words. The judge epted every bit of it.¡±

    From the folder, Rnd slid another sheet free and passed it to her. ¡°This was her statement at the time. I¡¯ve gone through it more times than I can count. Honestly, it reads like the perfect crime.¡±

    With careful fingers, Maia unfolded the paper and began to read. The words carried a sharpness that cut like steel.

    By the time she reached the middle, a shiver trailed down her arms, leaving her skin prickled with chills.

    ¡°Such wless reasoning.¡±

    Her eyes rose to meet his, her tone quiet but heavy. ¡°Not a single crack. If I had been the one judging, I probably would have believed it too.¡±

    Rnd¡¯s head inclined in agreement. ¡°She even ounted for the missing fingerprints on the weapon, weaving every stray clue into a seamless chain. The story she told was nearly impossible to doubt.¡±

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Sorry for the dy, dear ones. I wanted to bring as many chapters as I could¡ªthere were 18 novels, so it was a lot to go through. Still, I hope you enjoyed the chapters. God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?

    .

 Chapter 1151

    ?Chapter 1151:

    He paused for a moment, delivering the final summary. ¡°ording to her confession, she intended to eliminate both Kyle and Kolton, then inherit Cooper Group.¡±

    The words seemed to hang in the air, and the room grew taut with silence.

    Maia said nothing, though she knew instantly that it wasn¡¯t the truth.

    Her memory pulled her back to Zoey¡¯s hut, where Zoey had once spun a tale by blending real incidents with false ones, weaving them into something that looked like fact.

    It dawned on Maia in that moment.

    Zoey hadn¡¯t only been probing her; she had been teaching her how such a method worked.

    The technique was real, and the one who carried it out could have been Zoey, but the mastermind behind it all was Kolton.

    By feeding lies, Kolton had pushed the infatuated Zoey to construct borate schemes, all while keeping her blind to his actual purpose.

    ¡°Why would Zoey confess at all?¡± Pattie finally cut through the quiet. Her eyes stayed locked on the testimony in Maia¡¯s hand as her voice turned cold. ¡°The motive doesn¡¯t hold up. If she had kept her statement and refused to admit guilt, she would have walked free because of insufficient evidence. And don¡¯t forget ¡ª her defense attorney was Neville. He wasn¡¯t just anywyer, but a lifetime professor at Drakmire Law School and the founder of Zenith Legal.¡±

    Then, she shifted her attention to Rnd and asked, ¡°Do you have something new to prove otherwise?¡±

    Rnd let out a breath before answering, ¡°I¡¯ve uncovered a few leads, though they¡¯re not enough to close the loop.¡±

    He unfolded several pages of notes. ¡°That¡¯s why I went to see Zoey at Wront Prison recently. But she wouldn¡¯t say a word and practically ordered me to leave. She even sent someone after me¡­ I just don¡¯t understand why.¡±

    Maia slowly shook her head. ¡°No. That¡¯s not what she wanted. She never meant to hurt you.¡±

    Both Rnd and Pattie turned their eyes toward her at once.

    With deliberate care, Maia folded the testimony and brushed her thumb along its edge before looking up. ¡°She was shielding you, Rnd. And she was protecting Neville, too.¡±

    A heavy silence nketed the room.

    Maiaid it out without hesitation. ¡°If you try to overturn Zoey¡¯s confession, you¡¯re not just clearing her name. You¡¯ll be dering war on Kolton, tearing him down, and standing against the most influential family in Wront.¡±

    Pattie reacted swiftly, her brows rxing only to tense again. ¡°So you knew all along, which was why you kept urging me to find ways to make Rnd leave.¡±

    A dryugh escaped her lips. ¡°I thought our trouble came only from thatst case, that we had merely angered the Cooper Group and Ward Group. I never realized we were caught in something farrger. They wouldn¡¯t actually resort to murder¡­ would they?¡± Pattie¡¯s eyes slid toward Rnd. ¡°No matter what, you¡¯ll be protected. My people will watch you day and night.¡±

    Rnd¡¯s expression darkened, his brows knitting together. After ncing between Maia and Pattie, he finally said, ¡°This is what my mentor wanted. He doesn¡¯t have much time left.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1152

    ?Chapter 1152:

    ¡°I understand.¡±

    Maia lowered her gaze, her hands curling into fists in herp. She knew too well that it wasn¡¯t prison walls holding Zoey captive ¡ª it was an oath.

    Kolton had bound her with a vow carrying dire consequences. Without the approval of the Cooper family¡¯s current patriarch, Zoey would never be able to walk out of Wront Prison on her own.

    Maia remembered clearly that for four long years, Zoey repeated her promise to help her escape, yet every attempt ended at the threshold, her courage faltering with excuses that pulled her back.

    Not once did Zoey defy the vow binding her.

    Still, vows were not unbreakable.

    When Chris eventually rose as the head of the Cooper Group, his order could free Zoey without her oath being shattered.

    Maia lifted her eyes, her voice calm and deliberate. ¡°I know what you¡¯re going through, Rnd. But this isn¡¯t the right moment. Give me more time.¡±

    She hesitated briefly before adding her pledge. ¡°I¡¯ll carry forward the investigation you started, and when the timees, I¡¯ll be the one to convince Zoey to ce her trust in you and allow her case to be overturned.¡±

    Before another word could be spoken, noise erupted from beyond the suite¡¯s door.

    ¡°Move fast! Team Two and Team Three, surround them from the back! Team One, keep pressing forward! Do not let that scoundrel escape!¡± a voice shouted from beyond the doorway. The walkie-talkie sputtered with harsh static, blending with the rhythm of boots pounding the floor.

    Inside the presidential suite, the three upants froze in rm.

    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Pattie edged closer to Rnd. Though she was afraid, she instinctively stood before him to shield him.

    ?????????? ???? ???????? ??????????: g???????¦Í????????©q?????

    Rnd shifted his stance, cing himself in front of Pattie with quiet resolve. ¡°Rx. I will handle this.¡±

    He yanked his necktie free, rolled his shoulders, and squared himself like a fighter ready for a brawl.

    The sight of Rnd shielding her so firmly sent another wave of heat rushing to Pattie¡¯s face.

    At the same time, Maia was striding toward the door, her thoughts racing without pause.

    How did Kolton¡¯s men manage to track them down? Was she being followed this whole time? If that was the case, when had it started?

    If Kolton had nothing to do with this, then could Zoey¡¯swork be the one behind it? The thought alone seemed far-fetched.

    At that moment, the door handle turned, and the lead bodyguard, whom they had briefly met earlier, entered the room. ¡°Ms. Miller, two of my men have already been taken down. The intruder fights like a professional and shows no mercy,¡± he said, his eyesnding squarely on Maia. ¡°I checked the surveince feeds from thest couple of hours. Ms. Watson, someone was on your trail, wearing a disguise. Our tech division is working on reconstructing the face.¡±

    ¡°Where is that person now?¡± Pattie asked, her voice sharp with fear. ¡°Are we actually safe at the moment?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1153

    ?Chapter 1153:

    ¡°The bastard slipped through our fingers!¡± the captain shouted, rage twisting his features as his fists tightened. Never before had he suffered such disgrace ¡ª losing men and failing to detain the enemy.

    ¡°We still have units chasing him, but I suspect he wasn¡¯t working alone,¡± he added, cutting a nce at Rnd before striding to the window. He yanked the curtains.

    He closed the curtains in one swift motion. ¡°Stay away from any ss panels. Position yourselves near the reinforced walls. For all we know, there could be a sniper waiting outside.¡±

    Pattie¡¯s stomach churned as dread spread through her chest. This was the first time she had ever stared danger in the face so directly.

    Without hesitation, Rnd sped her hand. ¡°Follow me.¡±

    Dragging Pattie along, he guided her straight into the bathroom. ¡°You¡¯ll be safer in here. Even if a sniper¡¯s outside, these steel-reinforced walls can take the impact.¡±

    After saying that, he made a move toward the door, but Pattie clutched his arm. ¡°Where are you going, Rnd? They¡¯re after you,¡± she said, her voice filled with confusion and fear.

    ¡°Pattie.¡±

    Turning back, Rnd fixed his gaze on her and spoke with a rare gravity. ¡°What if their n is bigger than that? What if both of us are on their list? I need to find out.¡±

    A faint smile broke through as he added, ¡°Rx. I still owe you a proper date, so I don¡¯t n on dying tonight.¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡±

    Pattie started to protest, but the door mmed shut before she could say more.

    From the other side, Maia¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°Stay put in there, both of you! Don¡¯t step out!¡±

    ¡°Maia!¡± Pattie shouted, startled by her sudden action. ¡°What are you nning to do?¡±

    ?????????????? ????????: g???????????????????????

    Silence answered her. Maia was no longer standing by the door.

    Rnd immediately tried to push the door open, only to find the lead bodyguard blocking his way.

    ¡°Step back! Do you have a death wish?¡± he shouted, nting himself in front of the bathroom¡¯s weakest spot. ¡°It¡¯s my job to keep Ms. Miller safe ¡ª and you as well.¡±

    Rnd shoved against him, determined to break through, yet the guard held his ground and even forced him a step backward. ¡°Quit resisting! Do you want me to put you down myself?¡± the lead bodyguard said, his eyes shifting past Rnd toward Pattie with a silent question. ¡°Ms. Miller, do you want me to alter the assignment?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. You¡¯re carrying out your duty well,¡± Pattie answered, forcing her voice to stay firm. ¡°But I want a detail dispatched to guard Maia right away. That¡¯s a direct order.¡±

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡±

    Elsewhere, Austen stumbled into a narrow alley, his chest heaving after sprinting across two city blocks.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± Austen pressed his back against the wall while ncing at the blood streaking down his arm. With a shaky breath of relief, he muttered, ¡°Good thing it didn¡¯t strike my stomach.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1154

    ?Chapter 1154:

    His original n was to slip unnoticed into the presidential suite and catch Maia off guard. However, the moment he set foot inside the Marclif Hotel, two men spotted him immediately. They weren¡¯t ordinary bystanders. They cornered him without hesitation and demanded answers.

    Austen had nearly fallen into their grip in that brief scuffle. Thinking back on it made his expression harden, and bitterness glimmered in his eyes.

    Their suspicions turned out to be true. Maia did have an organization standing behind her. From the way those two fought, Austen could tell that the group backing her possessed frightening strength.

    At that point, he couldn¡¯t deny that Raegan and Rosanna¡¯s strategy seemed more practical than his.

    Right then, the sound of footsteps broke through the silence from behind him.

    Shadows tightened over Austen¡¯s face as he broke into a sprint and fumbled to dial Raegan¡¯s number.

    ¡°Raegan, you need to get here fast. Someone¡¯s on my tail,¡± he whispered hoarsely, forcing himself to ignore the throbbing pain.

    Once the call ended, Raegan wasted no time. She shouted orders to her team, ¡°Move now! Astral Avenue. Third intersection. Hurry!¡±

    Engines red to life, and the tires shrieked as the vehicle sped off, throwing dust into the night air.

    Seated inside, Raegan gripped her hands together with quiet intensity. She hadn¡¯t questioned Austen about the details, yet the edge in his voice revealed the truth ¡ª his attempt had copsed.

    Worse still, the hunter had now be the prey.

    Could it be Maia¡¯s operatives? The thought confirmed what Raegan had feared. Maia was far from ordinary.

    ¡°I warned him not to jump ahead. The only way is to dismantle Maia step by step,¡± Raegan muttered under her breath. ¡°But¡­¡±

    Your imagination starts at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s?conn

    Austen let his impatience take over. What a fool.

    During that time, Austen managed to slip away once more. Rather than heading straight for the third intersection, he chose to veer off course on purpose.

    Even with all their skill, his pursuerscked the sharp instincts needed to keep up with someone who excelled at disguise the way Austen did.

    While weaving through the streets, he discardedyers of clothing and even altered his hairstyle to throw them off. Only a single road separated him from Raegan¡¯s car, and once inside, he¡¯d finally be beyond their reach.

    Just as relief crept in, a tall figure blocked the path ahead.

    The stranger stood against the light, and Austen couldn¡¯t see the face clearly, though something about the outline stirred a faint recognition.

    Still, no memory surfaced, and he doubted that the figure had anything to do with him.

    Most likely, it was nothing more than a passerby¡­

    That assumption was shattered the instant the shadowy figure lunged forward and swung a punch at Austen.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1155

    ?Chapter 1155:

    Just in the nick of time, Austen leaned back, and the punch barely missed him.

    Even so, the force behind that single strike sent a cold shiver racing down his spine.

    Only then did it dawn on Austen that he had been wrong ¡ª the stranger must be another one of Maia¡¯s people.

    Without hesitation, he stepped back and crouched low, his hand reaching for the dagger strapped to his calf.

    The de he pulled free measured about twelve inches, and its metallic edge gleamed menacingly in the dim light.

    Holding the weapon in a reverse grip, Austen prepared himself to sh across the throat of his foe as soon as the next opening appeared.

    But at that precise moment, the enemy froze and refused to move forward.

    ¡°Come on then, bastard!¡± Austen said, his voice sharp as he tried to lure the opponent into making a mistake.

    Right after he spoke, the sunlight shifted angles.

    The sudden glow spilled into the alley, and atst, Austen saw the stranger¡¯s face in full.

    Before him was a striking face, marked by a proud nose and sharp, sculpted lines.

    Recognition struck instantly ¡ª it was Maia¡¯s personal bodyguard. The man carried the same surname, Cooper.

    Raegan had once spoken of him, identifying him as Chris Cooper. Her words echoed in Austen¡¯s memory, describing Chris as nothing more than an illegitimate son of the Cooper family, dismissed as useless.

    Austen believed that if not for his briefpse in readiness, this so-called failure would never have had the chance to corner him.

    ¡°I know exactly who you are,¡± Austen said coldly. ¡°Unfortunately for you, you won¡¯t live long enough to learn who kills you.¡±

    Discover what¡¯s next on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s???o??

    Lowering his stance, he suddenly sprang forward, his movements swift and predatory, like a leopard on the hunt. The dagger shed in his grip, savage as a beast¡¯s w, shing straight for Chris¡¯ throat.

    The oue seemed already written in Austen¡¯s mind ¡ª Chris would grasp his throat in shock, copse to his knees, and spill blood across the ground like a broken fountain.

    Instead, the next instant shattered that vision, for Chris vanished from sight altogether.

    By the time Austen registered what had happened, a forceful punchnded on his ribs, causing him to groan and fall in pain. He sprawled on the ground with the dagger still in his grip. A crushing weight mmed down on his right hand, and pain forced his fingers open, sending the weapon ttering away.

    ¡°Why are you tailing Maia?¡± Chris¡¯ voice rang with coldmand. ¡°And tell me, who sent you?¡±

    Shock spread across Austen¡¯s face.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1156

    ?Chapter 1156:

    Before he even realized what had happened, Chris had already knocked him down.

    Could this man truly be the coward everyone thought he was? Or had that pathetic mask been hiding something far more dangerous all along?

    Agonizing pain suddenly tore through Austen¡¯s ribs, forcing a ragged gasp from his lips.

    Beads of cold sweat gathered and streamed down his temples. With a single motion, Chris had crushed him and snapped two ribs like twigs.

    Austen¡¯s chest heaved violently as his eyes narrowed in disbelief.

    What in the world had just unfolded? How could Chris unleash such power so suddenly?

    Nothing about it made sense. Austen had struck with his deadliest technique ¡ª the very move that had once left Tyrant defenseless ¡ª yet it had failed.

    Everything happening before his eyes drove home the grim truth ¡ª Chris had been pretending from the very start.

    Austen had to admit that Chris was not a weakling at all but a formidable force, far surpassing him inbat skill.

    What unsettled Austen most was the way Chris spoke, each wordced with a cold challenge.

    That air of contempt, that chilling indifference¡­ it carried the same weight as the notorious figure who led The Mask. No ¡ª his mind rebelled at the thought. That couldn¡¯t be right.

    How could anyone ce Chris in the same league as that man? If the leader of The Mask were the one standing here, Austen was certain that the punch wouldn¡¯t have just broken his ribs ¡ª it would have ended his life already.

    Hopelessness closed in on Austen.

    L¨»t??¦Ó c§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?ls.??????

    He should have listened to Raegan. He never should have pressed forward with this mission.

    Austen burst into wildughter. ¡°Do you really think I¡¯ll tell you anything? You don¡¯t deserve the truth! You¡¯re just a worthless stray, a disgrace the Cooper family never wanted,¡± he said, clinging to his defiance even with death close at hand.

    If nothing else, he longed to carve asting wound in Chris¡¯ heart. Chris stood motionless, his face betraying no reaction to the insults hurled at him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll give you one more chance,¡± Chris said, his voice cold as his eyes flicked to Austen¡¯s battered ribs. ¡°Or should I let those broken bones pierce your lungs?¡±

    The menace in his words made Austen tremble uncontrobly. That same aura¡­ it was hauntingly like the infamous leader of The Mask.

    But no ¡ª it couldn¡¯t be. Austen forced himself to believe that his blood loss and shattered body were distorting his thoughts.

    At that very moment, a vehicle screeched to a halt at the crossroads. Inside, Raegan surveyed the scene with a cold nce before issuing hermand. ¡°Shoot him.¡±

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, isn¡¯t this too dangerous to pull off in Wront?¡± one of the men asked with clear hesitation.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1157

    ?Chapter 1157:

    ¡°We have no choice. Faceless is ranked fourth in our organization, and his mastery of disguise is unrivaled,¡± Raegan replied as she secured a mask over her face and drew a pistol from the briefcase.

    The moment the vehicle door swung open, Chris rolled to the side and crouched behind a dented trash bin for cover. Shots struck the metal with muted pings, the sound dulled by suppressors. The attackers stepped out of the car wearing identical masks, their silenced weapons glinting in the dark.

    ¡°Move quickly! Get him out of there!¡± Themanding voice of a woman cut through the chaos.

    At the sound of her tone and the sight of those masks, Chris narrowed his eyes.

    It was Raegan ¡ª alongside members of The Mask.

    That revtion made no sense.

    Chris¡¯ thoughts spun wildly, scrambling to piece together possibilities that seemed impossible. It wasn¡¯t the first time this had happened¡­ and he had given Raegan more than enough warnings.

    A searing pain tore through Chris¡¯ skull, as though a de were carving into his mind. The migraine hit him with brutal force.

    ¡°Kill him! He must not speak of what he saw today.¡±

    Raegan¡¯s order rang out with firm resolve.

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡±

    Chris pressed his back against the wall, his chest rising and falling inbored breaths.

    The sound of boots echoed closer, tightening the noose around him.

    Without warning, gunfire erupted.

    A rush of footsteps followed immediately after.

    F??nd n?w ??h??????????s ??t g??l??ov?ls.?????

    Lifting his head, Chris wondered if the blinding pain had driven him to see illusions, because Maia suddenly appeared before him ¡ª yet he hadn¡¯t heard a single step approach.

    ¡°Chris! Can you hear me?¡± Maia darted forward and caught Chris just as his bnce gave way.

    The sight of his mmy skin and sweat-drenched face told her exactly what was happening.

    ¡°Stay with me! I¡¯ll get you to the hospital right now.¡±

    Outside the emergency ward of Wront Central Hospital, Maia wore a groove in the floor as she paced back and forth.

    Why Chris had been caught in such danger was beyond her, but she knew one thing ¡ª had she and Pattie¡¯s guards not arrived when they did, they might have been facing his corpse instead of waiting on doctors.

    That chilling thought sent a shiver racing down Maia¡¯s spine.

    The importance of Chris to Zoey¡¯s scheme wasn¡¯t the only thing weighing on her. The deeper truth was that he was her husband. No more lies, no more flimsy reasons ¡ª Maia knew that she had already surrendered. Chris¡¯ quiet care had broken through her frozen defenses.

    ¡°Chris, please¡­ you can¡¯t leave me now!¡± Maia whispered through gritted teeth.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1158

    ?Chapter 1158:

    Right then, the emergency room doors swung wide.

    Carsen stepped out first, his expression heavy with concern.

    ¡°Dr. Walsh, how is he?¡± Maia asked, her fists clenched so tight that her knuckles had turned pale.

    She tried hard to keep her voice steady, but despite her efforts to suppress her anxiety, her tone was filled with worry.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t the right ce to talk. Follow me,¡± said Carsen, pivoting sharply before striding away.

    Maia cast onest look at the emergency room, then hurried after Carsen to his office.

    ¡°He¡¯s the patient you mentioned earlier, isn¡¯t he? Your husband?¡± Carsen asked once the door was closed. His voice dropped low as his gaze held hers. ¡°I promised to keep this confidential, so we can only speak here.¡±

    He hesitated, then added, ¡°You should prepare yourself for the worst.¡±

    Maia pressed her lips into a thin line and gave a faint nod. ¡°Please, Dr. Walsh. Tell me everything.¡±

    Carsen leaned back in his chair, first taking a sip of water, then unwrapping a piece of candy to calm himself.

    Maia waited in silence, resisting the urge to interrupt, watching as he gathered his strength.

    After he set the ss aside, Carsen slid theptop toward her. ¡°Maia, in theing days, I¡¯ll be teaching you everything I know.¡±

    He tapped the keyboard twice, pulling up thetest brain scan before turning toward Maia. ¡°His condition has worsenedpared to before.¡±

    On the screen, the grayscaleyers shifted one by one.

    Your next adventure is at g  al n ovels . con

    Carsen¡¯s tone grew steady, resembling how he sounded in the operating room. ¡°Take a look¡­ the bullet fragments were lodged here at first, but the newest scan shows they¡¯ve moved another millimeter down. This new position is far more dangerous. It¡¯s pressed against a dense cluster of nerves ¡ª not only those tied to movement but also dangerously close to thenguage center.¡±

    He let out a quiet sigh. ¡°You haven¡¯t trained with me for very long, but you should be able to see that locating a safe incision point between these regions is almost impossible. And even if we attempt removal, ensuring the nearby nerves remain untouched will be extremely difficult.¡±

    Maia said nothing. She flexed her fingers, focusing on the weakness in her right hand ¡ª the same hand she had used against Tyrant that night.

    Chris¡¯ surgery demanded perfect control. Her hand couldn¡¯t waver, not even once.

    Still, whether from fear or from Carsen¡¯s exnation, her fingers began to tremble.

    ¡°But listen, you don¡¯t have to panic just yet,¡± said Carsen when he noticed Maia¡¯s reaction. ¡°Although the removal is now moreplicated, the fragments are less likely to shift again. That means he¡¯ll suffer fewer headaches, and we have more time to n carefully.¡±

    With that, Carsen rose from his seat and crossed over to Maia, his expression resolute. ¡°And I¡¯ll devote myself fully to working out a surgical n.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1159

    ?Chapter 1159:

    Maia lifted her gaze to Carsen. Though he carried himself with stern professionalism, she hade to understand that he was a healer at heart. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Carsen shook his head. ¡°There¡¯s no need for thanks. I¡¯m only fulfilling my duty. What matters most is that you train until your hands are perfectly steady. Everything else can wait.¡±

    With that, he crossed to the office door and rested his hand on the knob. ¡°I¡¯ve told you everything I needed to. Go see him now.¡±

    Maia rose to her feet and gave a small nod. ¡°Thank you, Dr. Walsh.¡±

    Just as she reached for the handle, Carsen¡¯s voice came again. ¡°Even while delirious, he kept whispering your name.¡±

    Maia¡¯s fingers clenched at his words.

    She gave a quiet acknowledgment before stepping out.

    In the hospital room, the curtains hung half-closed, letting a thin beam of light spill across the bed. The monitor¡¯s steady beeping filled the silence.

    Chris had already stirred awake. A dull ache lingered in his head, but his breathing came easier than before.

    At that moment, the door opened, and he caught sight of a figure he knew well.

    Her expression, though, was heavy with worry, her eyes shadowed with concern.

    Maia dragged a chair to the bedside and lowered herself into it. She reached forward and carefully wrapped her hand around Chris¡¯.

    Chris¡¯ skin carried a lingering warmth.

    ¡°Are you still in pain?¡± Maia asked in a hushed voice, her grip tightening as though her heart were echoing the strain.

    Chris lifted his gaze to Maia, his lips parting faintly.

    ?????????????? ?????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Maia leaned closer, waiting to catch his words.

    Maia and Chris shared a bond so deep that distance never weakened it.

    The only sound in the hospital room was the steady ticking of the monitor. The curtains were drawn, slicing the light into a narrow strip.

    Chris shifted his head just enough. Right then, Maia¡¯s face appeared in front of him, close enough for him to notice the shimmer along hershes and the concern she tried to keep hidden.

    Her familiar scent lingered around him.

    Days apart had stretched his patience thin, and the moment he saw her, Chris¡¯ longing surged forward like a river finally breaking free into the sea.

    Chris wanted nothing more than to hold Maia tightly. Still, he understood that the moment wasn¡¯t his to im.

    With a faint curve of his lips, he whispered, ¡°It hurts¡­ it still hasn¡¯t stopped.¡±

    Then, almost yfully, he softened his voice. ¡°But the instant you walked in, the pain slipped away. Tell me honestly, Maia, do you have some secret gift that makes my headaches disappear?¡±

    Maia¡¯s gaze lingered on his eyes. A yful spark glimmered there, softened by an affection he could never hide.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1160

    ?Chapter 1160:

    Of course, Maia recognized that Chris was teasing, only to shield her from worry.

    Still, the more he tried to disguise his pain with humor, the heavier her sorrow became.

    Life had dealt Chris a hand so cruel that she often asked what crime he had evermitted.

    All he longed for was a chance to embrace life without fear. To many people, being born into the Cooper family would have seemed like fortune beyond belief.

    For Chris, though, that family name had marked the start of endless suffering. Because Kolton saw him as a rival for the inheritance, Chris had carried pain that never should have been his burden.

    As a boy, he lost both parents. As a man, he narrowly escaped more than one attempt on his life.

    Although he managed to survive, the ordeal left him battling an unrelenting headache. Tears gathered in Maia¡¯s eyes, and her nose stung with the ache of unshed crying.

    Uncertainty clouded Chris¡¯ mind about what Maia was thinking, yet his eyes caught the shimmer of a tear threatening to slip down her cheek.

    ¡°It¡¯s true¡­ the pain is gone,¡± he muttered gently. ¡°I promised that if it returned, you¡¯d be the first to know.¡±

    Maia¡¯s hands rose to her face as she dabbed at her reddened eyes, brushing away the tear at the corner. She couldn¡¯t bear to break down in front of Chris.

    ¡°You have no idea how close it was today. They had weapons,¡± she whispered, fear still hanging in her voice. ¡°You said you¡¯d cook me a feast. Why break that promise? Why go somewhere so dangerous?¡±

    Chris¡¯ gaze locked onto the rity of Maia¡¯s eyes, and his heartbeat stumbled. The moment he dreaded had finally arrived.

    ¡°I kept my promise. I made every dish you love, but the house stayed quiet without you,¡± he said with warmth in his voice. ¡°I kept reheating the food, waiting for you to walk through the door, but you never did. Worry got the better of me, so I went out to find you. And maybe it was destiny. The instant I passed Harmony za, I caught sight of you stepping into a car¡­¡±

    Find your favorite stories at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s., conn

    The words halted there. Some exnations were unnecessary. A brief moment passed as he shut his eyes, then opened them again, determined to release the words that had weighed on his chest.

    With resolve gathering in his tone, Chris whispered, ¡°I missed you, Maia.¡±

    Maia¡¯s heart trembled at the sound of his confession.

    What she had nned to say was, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ve just been so busy these days.¡±

    However, the words that slipped past her lips were different: ¡°I missed you, too, Chris.¡±

    At once, an invisible current drifted through the sterile room, gentle but undeniable, wrapping them in its quiet pull.

    Their gazes held fast.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1161

    ?Chapter 1161:

    Heat crept across Maia¡¯s cheeks.

    Chris¡¯ eyes, however, remained unwavering.

    Without a single spoken word, something unspoken flowed between them, as though their longing had bridged the silence. The separation hadsted only days, yet to both of them, it felt like years had been stolen.

    ¡°Darling¡­¡±

    Chris finally broke through the quiet.

    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± Maia answered gently.

    ¡°Tell me¡­ do you think we can go home now?¡± Chris asked, easing himself upright and gesturing toward his head. ¡°I feel fine, really. And besides, the table is waiting, filled with food I made.¡±

    Maia¡¯s fingers wrapped firmly around his hand before she gave in with a reluctant nod. ¡°Okay, but once the meal is done, you¡¯reing back here. Three more days of observation, no excuses.¡±

    At Elysium Apartments.

    The sound of the lock clicking echoed, followed by the warm glow of the lights filling the living room.

    Together, they stepped back into the home Chris had prepared for them.

    Every corner of the apartment was in perfect order, and the dining table gleamed under the light, covered with dishes. Each one was exactly what Maia loved most.

    Not a single detail had slipped from Chris¡¯ memory.

    Every te on the table revealed the effort he had poured into making sure everything was just right.

    ¡°The dishes cooled off. I¡¯ll warm them,¡± Chris said as he moved toward the kitchen. ¡°Give me a minute, it won¡¯t take long.¡±

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    Before he could take another step, Maia reached out and blocked his path. ¡°Let me handle it. You should stay seated.¡±

    Her brow lifted ever so slightly. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one who always ims to be obedient to your wife? Why not prove it now?¡±

    For a brief second, Chris faltered, unable to respond.

    ¡°Alright then. I¡¯ll do as you say, darling.¡±

    Maia smiled softly and walked into the kitchen.

    Before long, the table was once againden with freshly reheated dishes, the air thick with inviting scents. Steam curled upward, carrying the fragrance until it seemed to saturate the entire room.

    ¡°This smells incredible!¡± Maia said as she sat down, tasting a bite before grinning in delight. ¡°With talent like this, you¡¯d qualify as head chef in the finest restaurant.¡±

    The thought crossed her mind that Chris hadn¡¯t worked steadily since he quit driving, so she added, ¡°Chris, maybe you should think about it. You¡¯d make a remarkable chef.¡±

    Instead of agreeing, Chris gave a slow shake of his head and replied with a gentle smile, ¡°No, I¡¯d rather save every bit of my cooking just for you.¡±

    A shadow flickered across his gaze, heavy with conflict. How could he confess that he had been keeping a painful secret from Maia all along?

    He was far more than a simple driver, and weakness was never part of him. Behind his quiet fronty countless identities: the figuremanding Wront¡¯s underworld, one of the original minds behind the hacker group ST, a businessman whose enterprises spanned borders, the elusive Mr. M, who once gifted the three-hundred-million-dor jewel called ¡°Angel¡¯s Tear¡±, and the enigmatic leader known only as The Mask.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1162

    ?Chapter 1162:

    Still, Chris¡¯ greatest fear was that Maia would resent him for hiding the truth.

    ¡°What¡¯s running through your mind?¡± Maia asked, blinking at Chris with concern. His faintly furrowed brows gave her reason to worry.

    Without hesitation, she stepped closer and ced her hand gently on Chris¡¯ forehead.

    ¡°Is the pain back again?¡±

    Instead of answering, Chris drew her into his arms and shook his head.

    ¡°Like this, it doesn¡¯t hurt,¡± he said with augh, the tension easing from his face. ¡°Maia, there¡¯s something I¡¯ve been meaning to tell you.¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes widened slightly.

    ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±

    A hard swallow slid down Chris¡¯ throat as he locked eyes with her.

    ¡°The truth is¡­ there are things I¡¯ve kept from you.¡±

    Quiet washed over the room until even the rhythm of their hearts seemed to echo between them.

    ¡°I¡¯m not really a driver,¡± he said gently, though the weight in his tone made it clear that he meant every word.

    ¡°I already guessed.¡±

    Maia cut him off before Chris could say more. ¡°It never made sense that someone in your position would get shot twice. You must have been serving as your boss¡¯s bodyguard, wasn¡¯t that right?¡±

    Maia¡¯s conclusion stunned Chris, though it was far from the truth. Just as he was about to correct her, her voice broke through again.

    ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve been keeping something from you as well.¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.??????, ¨C ???????? ???????????????? ????

    The words caught Chris off guard.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t been spending time with Pattietely,¡± Maia said atst, pressing her lips together.

    The thought of Chris worrying about whaty ahead weighed on her, and she realized that secrecy between them would only invite more distance and doubt.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been studying surgery for some time now.¡±

    Maia lifted her eyes to Chris and spoke with quiet resolve. ¡°Chris, will you trust me with your health, with your future? Let me be the one to perform your operation.¡±

    Her hands clenched together as she added, ¡°I can¡¯t bear to watch you live with the pain, or see your memory fade piece by piece because of those fragments. Most of all, I don¡¯t want you to forget who I am.¡±

    Everything Maia had tried to hold back came pouring out in that instant.

    Whatever Chris had intended to confess vanished. He abandoned all thought and pulled her firmly into his arms.

    ¡°I will, Maia,¡± he answered, holding her tighter, as though he could freeze this moment in time.

    Chris¡¯ arms held her with steady strength, and Maia clung to him as his familiar scent wrapped her infort.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1163

    ?Chapter 1163:

    The pounding in her chest grew faster with each second. She couldn¡¯t imagine a world without Chris, nor could she face the possibility of being erased from his memory.

    ¡°Chris, swear to me you¡¯ll never forget me.¡±

    ¡°I swear it.¡±

    Maia tilted her face upward and pressed her lips to his. For once, she chose to lead. Their kiss deepened into something tender yet consuming, stretching on as if neither of them wanted it to ever end.

    In the halls of Erygan Hospital in Wront, Raegan¡¯s brow tightened into a deep frown.

    A steady red glow still bathed the emergency room.

    Five hours had passed since Austen went into surgery, and he remained dangerously unstable.

    No one had expected the assant to topple The Mask¡¯s fourth-ranked member so quickly. That person was terrifying.

    But Raegan hadn¡¯t seen the opponent¡¯s face clearly at the time, only encountered a fully armedbat squad.

    Suspicion toward Maia tightened in her chest as Raegan narrowed her eyes.

    ¡°We¡¯ll have to wait until Austen regains consciousness before the truth about our enemy is revealed,¡± Raegan muttered to herself. Deep inside, she vowed, ¡°Whoever harmed Austen will not be spared. They will pay with their life.¡±

    This wasn¡¯t only about settling a score for Austen. It was also about protecting the reputation of The Mask, which had never endured such humiliation since its creation.

    Another fear gnawed at Raegan ¡ª the possibility that the leader might learn the truth and hold her ountable. After all, the entire scheme had been her design, with Maia as the target.

    Read thetest updates at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    At that thought, a sly smile tugged at Raegan¡¯s lips. In Wront, every member of The Mask bent to her will now. That gave her room to breathe.

    All she really needed was a convincing exnation should the leader ever demand answers.

    It struck Raegan that she had gone too long without reaching out to the leader, and an update was overdue.

    The mere thought of him brought a faint heat to her cheeks. When the operation in Wront finally came to an end, she promised herself she would reveal her feelings to him. Still, that moment had to be postponed until Maia was thoroughly ruined and erased from the spotlight.

    The Nelson family¡¯s vi.

    Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, dark clouds gathered overhead, and the wind made the shadows of the trees sway erratically.

    Rosanna stood rooted by the ss, her gaze fixed on the wrought-iron gates, their intricate patterns stark against the gathering storm.

    Austen had yet to return, the hour growingte, and a quiet unease stirred within her, a chill tracing her spine.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1164

    ?Chapter 1164:

    They had nned to spend the evening together, with Axell away on a business trip, a rare moment of stolen intimacy.

    Thoughts of her secret affair with Austen consumed her every waking moment, a relentless tide that kept sleep at bay until exhaustion finally imed her.

    This was the only way to stop her from recalling the past and thinking about the misfortunes that had befallen her, to forget that she had been responsible for her parents¡¯ deaths, and to erase the loathed image of Maia from her mind.

    Impatiently, Rosanna seized her phone and dialed Austen¡¯s number, muttering under her breath, ¡°He¡¯d better have a good reason for this.¡±

    The call rang unanswered, her frustration mounting.

    ¡°Damn it! Why is he taking so long?¡± she hissed, her voice sharp with displeasure. ¡°Men are all the same.¡±

    Her eyes fell on an old newspaper sprawled across the sofa, its front page proiming Vince¡¯s imprisonment in bold print. With a flick, she turned off the light switch, plunging the room into shadow.

    Suddenly, a loud thump struck the window, followed by a blinding sh of lightning that bathed the room in stark white, chased by a thunderous roar.

    Startled, Rosanna threw herself onto the bed, burrowing under the nkets as fear raced through her mind, her heart pounding in the dimness.

    Her thoughts drifted unexpectedly to Richard and Sandra, their kindness a distant warmth, and to her days as a radiant young woman in the Morgan family, betrothed to the charming Vince. Countless opportunities had once stretched before her but now had vanished, leaving her confined in Axell¡¯s house.

    Yet meeting Austen had rekindled a spark in her heart, a rare fortune amidst her turmoil.

    Boom!

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    Thunder boomed again, and Rosanna clutched the nket tighter, fully aware of the scandalous nature of falling for her husband¡¯s younger brother.

    What began as mere maniption had spiraled into something overwhelming, ensnaring herpletely.

    She felt wronged by fate. Why hadn¡¯t she met Austen sooner? His daring spirit and calmposure in any crisis drew her irresistibly.

    With a wry snort, she acknowledged her distrust of men, yet her resolve hardened.

    She would have Austen and all that belonged to the Nelson family.

    Killing Axell would be no great challenge. She had, after all, caused her parents¡¯ deaths.

    How much harder could it be to secure her future as Mrs. Nelson, married to Austen, with her current life intact? Lightning cut through the sky, and thunder rumbled once again over Wront.

    Elysium Apartments.

    Lightning sliced through the sky, casting fleeting shadows across the room. In that flickering light, two figures stood entwined, illuminated by the storm¡¯s electric glow.

    Chris loosened his necktie, his lips tracing a tender path from Maia¡¯s neck to her corbone, each kiss igniting a warmth that spread through her.

    His scent stirred a fierce desire, crumbling the walls she had built around her heart.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1165

    ?Chapter 1165:

    On the day Maia was imprisoned four years ago, she had lost hope, believing that her future was devoid of brightness. Everything would lose its original vibrancy.

    Yet fate had intervened, bringing Zoey and Chris into her life.

    What began as a mission from her mentor had deepened into something profound, its truth undeniable when Chris faced danger in the emergency room.

    In that moment, Maia could no longer deny her heart. She wanted to be his wife, to hold him close forever.

    Her voice soft, she murmured, ¡°Can you slow down a bit, Chris?¡±

    Maia finally let go of Chris¡¯ hand, her resistance slipping away.

    Heat surged through Chris¡¯ chest as he studied her face, where a faint blush gave her a softer glow. The sensation was overwhelming, as though mes coursed through his veins.

    Lifting Maia gently from the sofa, he looked down at her features, each one impossibly perfect.

    His breaths came uneven and hurried. Yet even with his desire wing at him, he steadied himself and held her gaze. For an instant, everything around them felt suspended.

    Then memories stormed back, flooding his thoughts with images of the very first time he had seen Maia. It was during his childhood, while he was fleeing with his mother.

    That day carried heavy air, stifling with humidity, though the storm clouds never broke into rain.

    His mother, Nic, had wept, and faint streaks of tears still clung to the corners of her eyes.

    ¡°Chris, stay hidden here. Don¡¯te out. I¡¯ll distract them,¡± she said, before disappearing from view.

    Your escape is on g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    Even as a child, Chris could grasp that her sorrow was tied to his father.

    Before long, a group of men dressed in ck suits and dark sses appeared, hunting for his mother and him.

    Closer and closer they came, while Chris stayed still inside a cardboard box, his breath caught tight in his chest. Just then, a young girl darted into view and stopped right outside his hiding ce, her gaze locking with his.

    A faint smile touched her lips before she spun toward the adults.

    ¡°Hey, are you searching for someone?¡± she called out.

    Fear pounded in Chris¡¯ veins. He had never seen her before, and he couldn¡¯t understand why she would risk drawing their attention.

    Still, the girl raised her voice again.

    ¡°Were you chasing an adult and a kid? I spotted them rushing that way just now.¡±

    One of the men said, ¡°Damn it! We got yed. They¡¯re headed the other direction, toward the subway. Move! Don¡¯t let them get away!¡±

    When the heavy footsteps finally disappeared into the distance, the girl¡¯s voice broke the silence.

    ¡°They won¡¯t be back for a while. You cane out now. But don¡¯t¡±

    ¡°Stay too long, because once they figure out I lied, they¡¯ll return.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1166

    ?Chapter 1166:

    Her steady gaze followed Chris as he crawled from the box, and her eyes were so clear they reminded him of a mountainke.

    ¡°Were you here with your mother or father? I only guessed you weren¡¯t alone, but thankfully those men didn¡¯t push too hard.¡±

    That mysterious girl turned out to be Maia from his childhood. All that running had left Chris weak, and his stomach ached with hunger after an entire day without food.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go find something to eat.¡±

    With a bright smile, she reached out and held his hand.

    From that moment, Maia became his rescuer, sharing a simple meal with him and keeping himpany while he waited for his mother to return. At one point, Chris asked her name, and she introduced herself as Maia Morgan.

    Her parents, she exined, were often absent and hardly paid her any attention, so she spent her days wandering on her own. That was why she had been there to notice him hiding in the box just before those threatening men appeared.

    Memories jumped ahead,nding on the day Chris came back from living overseas.

    After years of searching, he had finally stumbled across a clue that led him straight to Maia. However, when his eyes found her, she wasn¡¯t alone ¡ª she walked alongside a boy, with another girl keeping pace beside them.

    Fingers curled into a fist, Chris held himself back, unwilling to step in and reveal his longing. From the roadside, he simply stood there, silent, watching Maia move past as if she belonged to another world.

    ¡°Vince, do you have time tomorrow? I¡¯d like to visit the library and look for books on fashion design.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t make it tomorrow. My father wants me at a banquet.¡±

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    ¡°Then I¡¯ll go with you, Maia. I¡¯m free, and I¡¯d love to join,¡± the other girl said.

    Together, the three of them continued down the street, while Maia never once realized Chris was there.

    That encounter marked only the second time he had crossed paths with Maia.

    At that time, she was still the Morgan family¡¯s beloved daughter, engaged to Vince, the heir of the Ward family.

    In contrast, Chris bore the weight of being the Cooper Group¡¯s unwanted illegitimate son.

    At that time, Chris felt that he and Maia seemed to belong to two different worlds.

    Remembering the saying that true love sometimes means stepping aside for another¡¯s happiness, Chris chose to bless Maia from afar. He walked away from Wront and threw himself into building his own power, determined to one day seek justice for his parents.

    By what felt like a twist of fate, news of Maia reached him during a party.

    No longer celebrated as the Morgan family¡¯s treasure, she had been reduced to the status of their adopted daughter and even thrown into prison on charges of stealing jewels from Radiant Jewels.

    Although society condemned Maia as a thief, Chris couldn¡¯t bring himself to ept it. He waited patiently for her release, hoping to arrange a chance meeting that might allow them to reconnect.

    Instead, the unexpected happened when Zoey called him, saying that he must marry a woman.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1167

    Chapter 1167:

    Chris¡¯ heart already belonged to Maia, and he couldn¡¯t imagine agreeing.

    ¡°Zoey, that has to be a joke. I won¡¯t ept it.¡±

    ¡°Listen here, you stubborn boy! Maia is a fine young woman. How can you turn her down without even giving her a chance? Your father asked me before he passed to make sure you married someone worthy¡­¡±

    ¡°Hold on. What name did you just say?¡±

    ¡°Maia Watson. She once went by Maia Morgan, raised as the Morgan family¡¯s daughter until they learned she wasn¡¯t rted by blood. After that, she took back her original surname. But those details don¡¯t matter now. I¡¯m asking you to think it over. At least meet her once. I¡¯m confident you¡¯ll¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡± Chris interrupted, his pulse quickening as the words burst out.

    ¡°You will? Are you serious, or are you only saying that to please¡­¡±

    Memories shed again.

    On the very day Maia stepped out of prison, Chris took her as his wife.

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep my end of the bargain, Mr. Cooper. Once Zoey¡¯s request is fulfilled, I won¡¯t stick around. I¡¯ll file for divorce right after,¡± Maia said tly, her gaze steady on him. ¡°There¡¯s something I need to handle, Mr. Cooper. I¡¯ll be fine on my own.¡±

    When Maia¡¯s silhouette vanished from view, Chris lowered his eyes to the marriage certificate in his hand, a quiet smile tugging at his lips.

    Divorce? Impossible. He had endured years for this single moment, and there was no way he would ever let it slip away.

    The visions faded, and the present returned to him.

    Within the span of mere seconds, Chris had relived an entire chapter of his past.

    With great care, he lifted Maia and carried her into the bedroom, setting her gently on the bed. An unbidden smile touched his lips ¡ª atst, the day he had waited for had arrived.

    g???????¦Í??????.k???? ¨C ?????????? ??????????

    Lifting her head suddenly, Maia fixed her eyes on him with quiet curiosity.

    ¡°Chris, what was on your mind just now?¡±

    Even though it hadsted only a moment, she had caught the shift in his expression. Something must have stirred within him to bring that look to his face.

    ¡°I was remembering something that made me happy.¡±

    Chris shook himself free of the trance and offered a regretful nce. ¡°Forgive me, Maia. I shouldn¡¯t have let myself drift away.¡±

    Although the memories had pulled him in without warning, Chris found it awkward to have drifted off in such an intimate moment.

    ¡°No need to worry. Everyone feels uneasy sometimes.¡±

    Maia¡¯s face turned rosy as she shifted slightly, her long hair spilling over her shoulder.

    A faint movement ran through Chris¡¯ throat while his gaze lingered on her, shimmering with emotions too many to name. Heat spread through him as his hands carefully worked to remove Maia¡¯s clothing.

    However, just then, Maia¡¯s mind leapt back to Lenny¡¯s reminder and Carsen¡¯s warning. Chris¡¯ words from earlier echoed in her head ¡ª would he truly lose focus now at all times? Could he honestly be thinking of happy things in a moment like this? The exnation felt less like honesty and more like a convenient excuse.

    Without realizing it, Maia took his words the wrong way and grew even more convinced that she was right.

    In her mind, the only answer was that Chris had be so overwhelmed his blood pressure spiked, forcing the bullet fragments in his head to press against his nerves. He must have been suffering in silence, putting on a brave front so she wouldn¡¯t notice.

    All at once, Maia shoved him back.

    ¡°Wait ¡ª stop for a moment.¡±

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: I hope you enjoyed the chapters. I¡¯ve also renewed the invitation to the WhatsAppmunity, so you, dear readers, can join whenever you like. God loves you, and I wish you all the best. ( ?? ? ?? )?

    .

 Chapter 1168

    ?Chapter 1168:

    Chris¡¯ expression darkened as confusion overtook his features. ¡°Did something happen? Tell me what¡¯s wrong,¡± he asked quietly.

    ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m unprepared.¡± Maia hesitated as the words left her mouth, knowing they might bruise Chris¡¯ ego. She couldn¡¯t exactlye out and say, ¡°Chris, you¡¯re not in the right shape for this. You¡¯ll end up with a headache, so maybe we should just leave it for another night.¡±

    She needed to make things clear. Her heart wanted to keep moving forward, but her mind urged caution. What mattered most right now was Chris, and she wasn¡¯t about to risk his well-being for anything. Everything else could stay on hold until after his surgery, once he was safe and fully healed.

    ¡°We¡¯re married, but tonight feels too soon. Maybe we should slow down,¡± Maia said, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Closing the distance, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her cheek to his shoulder. ¡°I want our first night together toe after the wedding you promised me. Let¡¯s make it special when you¡¯re back to full strength,¡± she murmured.

    Once the words left her mouth, Maia let go of him, and her entire face flushed a deep, burning red.

    Heat climbed her cheeks like steam building in a kettle. She lowered her gaze to her fingers for a moment, but her eyes drifted andnded on Chris¡¯ lower abdomen. It rose gently, like a small hill beneath the fabric.

    Maia froze, quietly wondering if all of this might make him ufortable. She looked back at Chris, worry filling her eyes.

    Chris smiled softly, warmth in his voice. ¡°Whatever you decide, I¡¯ll always stand by it. You¡¯re right, sweetheart.¡± He drew her close, his arms around her, his touch feather-light. ¡°We¡¯ll save it for the perfect night. But until then¡­ will you let me fall asleep holding you?¡± His tone turned almost yful, barely above a whisper.

    Maia nodded, her reply just as gentle. ¡°I¡¯d like that, too. Let¡¯s just hold each other tonight.¡±

    Their embrace stayed careful¡ªeach of them afraid of crossing a line or causing harm. She worried about his blood pressure; he worried they might be rushing something meant to be savored.

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    Even though they were only holding each other, their breaths grew uneven all over again.

    Her instincts pulled in one direction while her logic pulled in the other, neither willing to yield.

    People always imed that resisting temptation was the hardest part of love. Yet Maia thought nobody warned her how intense self-control could feel.

    ¡°Maybe I should sleep on the couch tonight. I don¡¯t know how much more of this I can take.¡± Silence stretched between them until Chris finally broke it, his voice a low rumble edged with longing.

    Without warning, Maia pressed her lips softly to his, catching him off guard with her warmth. For a moment, the ache in his chest faded as she kissed him again, knowing he neededfort as much as she did.

    ¡°Does this make you feel better?¡± Maia asked, slightly breathless as their lips parted. ¡°This is a goodnight kiss. Sweet dreams, honey.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1169

    ?Chapter 1169:

    Before Chris could react, Maia dashed out of the room, moving so fast she forgot to grab her discarded clothes, vanishing like a frightened fawn.

    Stunned, Chris stared up at the ceiling, reying the moment.

    ¡°Did she really just call me honey?¡± he muttered.

    Looking down at himself, he groaned, ¡°Well, there goes any chance of sleeping tonight.¡±

    Chris rushed off for a cold shower, desperate for relief. Not long after, he slipped back into his room, a goofy grin still lingering on his face.

    Erygan Hospital.

    The glow above the emergency room finally dimmed, signaling the end of a long wait.

    As the doctor stepped out, Raegan was the first to reach him. ¡°Tell me. What¡¯s happened to him?¡± she demanded.

    Regret weighed heavily on the doctor as he shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. We tried everything. There was nothing more we could do.¡±

    Raegan¡¯s grip tightened, her voice sharp. ¡°Say that again! Is he still alive?¡±

    ¡°He suffered more than broken ribs,¡± the doctor exined, his wordsing slowly. ¡°There was massive blood loss before he got here. If he had arrived sooner, we might have had a chance to save him.¡±

    After he finished speaking, the doctor caught the icy look in Raegan¡¯s eyes and went rigid with fear, sweat beading on his forehead.

    He didn¡¯t dare stay any longer. The moment she released him, he fled down the corridor. Redness burned in Raegan¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Faceless is gone,¡± she murmured, the chill in her voice unmistakable.

    Every ounce of me shifted toward Maia¡ªbecause it was Maia the fighter had tried to protect. In that moment, the fourth-ranked member of The Mask had died.

    ¡°Maia Watson, your days are numbered.¡± The words curled from Raegan¡¯s lips like a twisted promise. Rage hardened into resolve as she rallied The Mask¡¯s forces, ready to bring destruction to Wront. This time, Raegan vowed to crush Maiapletely¡ªand anyone who dared to stand behind her.

    Fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow as Raegan pulled open the body bag, finally revealing Faceless¡¯s true identity. Austen¡¯s features were drained of life, yet he looked almost peaceful, trapped in a sleep he would never wake from.

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    A sudden ache rose in Raegan¡¯s chest, and tears spilled down her cheeks¡ªsilent and unrestrained.

    ¡°Idiot. So this is what you really looked like all along.¡± She reached out, fingers trembling as they brushed over Austen¡¯s cold face. Her voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°You could¡¯ve turned heads anywhere, but you always chose to hide behind that mask. All those times you imed you¡¯d never care about anyone, and still you never left my side. You even joined The Mask for me¡­ but I could never give you my heart.¡±

    As she spoke, her words were edged with a grief she hadn¡¯t expected, as if something deep inside her had been torn away. She had always believed Austen was just a friend¡ªso why did letting him go suddenly hurt this much?

    ¡°Austen, sleep easy. I swear I¡¯ll make this right.¡± With a shaky breath, Raegan wiped at her eyes and stepped away from the table.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1170

    ?Chapter 1170:

    Crying wouldn¡¯t change anything now. Only vengeance would honor his memory.

    Beyond the morgue doors, the hallway was packed with silent figures, each one cloaked in anonymity behind a mask. The quiet pressed in from all sides, thick with sorrow.

    ¡°Listen, I can¡¯t do this alone.¡± Raegan lifted her head and addressed the room, her voice gentle but firm. ¡°I need your strength to make sure justice is served for our fallen friend.¡±

    Every person present raised a fist to their chest, then struck twice in perfect sync. ¡°We await yourmand, ma¡¯am!¡±

    These masked figures had dropped everything to stand at her side the moment they heard the news. Behind every mask was a different story, but right now they stood united, ready to be Raegan¡¯s sword and shield.

    Taking a deep breath, Raegan nodded and returned their salute, her own fist thumping against her heart.

    Her words cut through the silence. ¡°Here¡¯s what I need. First, make sure no word of Austen¡¯s death reaches the outside world. Second, get your hands on invitations to the Cooper Group charity event. Last, follow my lead¡ªwe¡¯re going to draw the killer out, and our target is Maia Watson.¡±

    Meanwhile, inside Elysium Apartments, sunlight spilled in and painted Chris¡¯ face gold, wrapping the room in a gentle afternoon glow.

    Blinking away the remnants of sleep, Chris reached for his phone to check the time.

    It was 12:30 p.m.

    He shot up, realizing he¡¯d slept through the morning. With a groan, Chris scrambled out of bed, slipped on his slippers, and wandered into the main room.

    Maia¡¯s bedroom door was still shut, but the dining table immediately caught his eye.

    Homemade dishes filled every te, and a neatly folded note sat beside them. ¡°Chris, I made breakfast for you. Don¡¯t forget to warm it up before you eat.¡± Maia¡¯s signature flowed across the bottom in her familiar handwriting.

    He let out a soft sigh, knowing Maia was already long gone. As Chris pulled out a chair, another note tucked beneath the first caught his attention.

    Discover more content at ?¦Áln¦Ò¦Íe?s

    He unfolded it and read, ¡°Rest up today¡ªdon¡¯t leave the house. I¡¯ll be home by eight.¡±

    Reading her message, Chris couldn¡¯t help but smile, warmth settling in his chest.

    Across town, Maia was already stepping into the hospital. Following Carsen¡¯s instructions, she was entering new territory today¡ªher first time as the lead surgical assistant. The role came with far greater demands, almost as if she were standing in the surgeon¡¯s shoes herself.

    Steeling her nerves, Maia drew in a calming breath and quickened her pace, heading straight for the operating room. Gaining hands-on experience was her only shot at helping Chris reim a normal life. Once she could do that for him, she¡¯d stop pushing him away.

    Inside Erygan Hospital, Jarrod stood at the bedside of Richard and Sandra, the charity g invitation clutched tightly in his hand.

    He nced at his unconscious parents, his voice hardening. ¡°Dad, Mom, I promise you¡ªI¡¯ll take Maia down at the g. This time, I¡¯ll get justice for both of you.¡±

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 Chapter 1171

    ?Chapter 1171:

    His eyes drifted to a box at his side. Inside rested a crossbow, powerful enough to take out a target from twenty yards¡ªa gift meant for Maia, and not the kind anyone would want to receive.

    In Drakmire, standing before a massive building, Cade lifted his hat and stared at the que on the gate in disbelief¡ªNo. 001, Enigma Road. He checked the address on his phone once more and shook his head. ¡°Yeah¡­ this is the ce!¡±

    Wiping the sweat from his brow, he moved cautiously toward the gatehouse.

    In an instant, two guards snapped their heads toward him. ¡°Halt! This is private property. Do note any closer!¡± one of them barked, lifting his weapon.

    The second guard followed suit, raising his gun in the same sharp motion.

    Cade lifted his hands at once, but he still inched forward. ¡°No, please don¡¯t shoot! I¡¯m here to see someone.¡±

    ¡°Step back!¡± the two guards shouted in unison. ¡°Get out of here¡ªnow!¡±

    Cade saw them flick the safeties off their guns. Cold sweat ran down his spine, and he backed away quickly.

    When he was about ten yards from the gate, the guards slowly lowered their weapons.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± Cade swore. Those guards were impossible to deal with.

    He stared at the building in the distance, doubt knotting in his stomach. His recent digging suggested Maia¡¯s birth parents had once worked there. In Drakmire, an estate like this¡ªguarded by armed men¡ªclearly belonged to someone with rank and clout.

    ¡°This also tells me Maia¡¯s birth parents weren¡¯t ordinary folks¡­¡± Cade narrowed his eyes and quickly sent the details back to Hurst.

    Meanwhile, at Cooper Vineyard, Hurst typed on his phone. ¡°Miss Watson, would you honor me as my date for the charity g? I could get you a front-row seat¡­¡±

    Just as he was about to press send, he paused. The words sounded wrong, so he deleted them.

    Lately, Maia had been missing, clearly shaken by the online rumors.

    L?t??t ch¦Ápt?rs ¦Én g??lnov?l??.???m

    ¡°Kiley¡¯s definitely stirring up trouble,¡± Hurst muttered, reshaping his message as he tried to invite Maia to the g.

    Usually, he needed a date for events like this, but he couldn¡¯t just ask Maia to be hispanion.

    Suddenly, his phone buzzed, disying a message from Cade.

    Cadeid out thetest progress of the investigation in detail. Hurst read it with a frown. Then a thought struck him¡ªhe remembered a wine merchant in Drakmire and immediately called him to ask about the house at No. 001, Enigma Road.

    But the moment the merchant heard the address, he cut Hurst off. ¡°Mr. Cooper, why are you asking about this? I don¡¯t think that ce has anything to do with your business.¡±

    Hurst froze, catching the warning beneath the words. Before he could reply, the call ended abruptly.

    At the same time, a message popped up from the merchant: ¡°Some things are better left alone. I suggest you don¡¯t dig any deeper.¡±

    Hurst felt even more confused. Who could possibly live there? What link did Maia¡¯s parents have to the owner? And why was that address treated like a red line?

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 Chapter 1172

    ?Chapter 1172:

    Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind him.

    ¡°Dad, I knew I¡¯d find you here¡­¡± Mnie hurried over, wrapping Hurst in a hug. She teased, ¡°I need a favor¡­ Can you get me two invites to the charity ball?¡±

    Hurst blinked, slightly taken aback. He had already handed his daughter one invitation. ¡°Who are they for? Ethan and Marisa?¡±

    Mnie¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°Dad, can you read minds? How did you guess that so urately?¡±

    ¡°Who else would it be? Who else makes you ask?¡± Hurstughed, fishing two invitation cards from his pocket. He handed them to his daughter. ¡°Here. I already had them ready for you.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Dad!¡± Mnie beamed and nted a kiss on his cheek. Then she asked, ¡°Have you invited Maia yet?¡±

    Hurst¡¯s face stiffened at the question. He cleared his throat, trying to hide his unease. ¡°Not yet. I was just about to send her a message when you showed up.¡±

    ¡°Dad! You can¡¯t just text her. That looks half-hearted. You should invite her in person.¡± Mnie stepped back, made a cheering gesture, and urged, ¡°Go for it, Dad!¡± Then she spun around and ran off.

    ¡°You little rascal¡­¡± Hurst grinned. ¡°But you¡¯re right. Maybe inviting Maia in person is the way to go.¡±

    His grin faded as he typed a message to Cade: ¡°Stay in Drakmire and keep digging. Don¡¯t let me down.¡±

    Meanwhile, Rosanna waited anxiously for Austen to return. Fromst night until now, she had lost count of how many times she¡¯d called and messaged him.

    The fear of losing Austen¡ªalong with the worry that he was only toying with her and had never truly cared¡ªgnawed at her relentlessly. It swelled fast and out of control, tightening around her chest until anxiety nearly suffocated her.

    ¡°Austen, are you hiding from me or what?¡±

    At that moment, her phone buzzed in her hand.

    A message from Austen popped up: ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ll reach outter. It¡¯s not a good time right now.¡±

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    ¡°Not a good time right now?¡± Rosanna furrowed her brow, scanning the message again to make sure it was really from Austen.

    She didn¡¯t reply right away. Instead, she took a slow, measured breath, trying to quiet the storm rising inside her. Austen seemed tangled up in some kind of trouble¡ªsomething that was keeping him froming home anytime soon.

    But then again, his response felt like proof that he still cared. At least he¡¯d bothered to reply.

    ¡°Hmph! I knew you couldn¡¯t stay away from me¡­ Fine, I¡¯ll give you another chance,¡± she muttered. A faint smile tugged at her lips as the weight of her earlier worry quietly lifted.

    She nced out the window, calm resolve settling in. ¡°I just hope you don¡¯t take too long¡­¡±

    There was no time to dwell. The charity ball was next on her list. She opened Twitter and typed a quick post: ¡°Proud to represent the Nelson family at this year¡¯s charity ball. Let¡¯s make it a night to remember.¡±

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 Chapter 1173

    ?Chapter 1173:

    She attached a photo of the elegant invitation, her name gleaming across it in gold script.

    At the Cooper Group headquarters, in the president¡¯s office, Kiley scanned a report and nodded at the man standing before her. ¡°Well done. Keep the pressure up.¡±

    She closed the file and rose from her chair, her heels clicking against the polished floor. ¡°Start leaking the list of celebrity attendees to the press,¡± she said. ¡°Especially the ones who¡¯ve been quiet online. I want people buzzing about the event by morning.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Ms. Cooper.¡±

    Once the man exited, Kiley grabbed her phone and called Raegan. ¡°The ball is the day after tomorrow. I want it wless.¡±

    ¡°Everything¡¯s under control.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Kiley ended the call and nced at the framed photo on her desk. It was a group picture of her with her younger brother, udius.

    She frowned, noticing udius had been acting oddlytely. He ignored her calls, and his replies were always the same short, cold word: ¡°Busy.¡±

    It seemed like he was deliberately keeping his distance.

    ¡°udius, I hope you understand the gravity of this,¡± Kiley murmured, her voice edged with steel. ¡°Losing your im to the Cooper Group over a woman? If you¡¯re too blind to see what¡¯s at stake¡­ I¡¯ll have no choice but to rece you.¡±

    Beneath the Cooper estate, the basement reeked of dampness and decay.

    In the far corner, udius sat slumped against the wall. His clothes were soiled, his skin pale. Overturned trays of spoiled foody scattered near him, drawing flies by the dozens.

    The iron door groaned open.

    Kolton stepped in, his expression hard as stone. He walked up to the bars, arms crossed.

    ¡°What¡¯s this¡ªsome kind of hunger strike?¡±

    He jabbed a finger through the bars, his voice rising. ¡°You¡¯re pathetic. If you¡¯re trying to starve yourself, I won¡¯t stop you.¡±

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    udius remained still, eyes closed, his breathing shallow. Kolton¡¯s tone shifted, icy and deliberate. ¡°I came with news. It¡¯s about Maia.¡±

    At the mention of her name, udius finally stirred. His eyes opened slowly¡ªdull, but alert. Kolton¡¯s fury red at the sight.

    ¡°Her reputation is hanging by a thread,¡± he hissed. ¡°And I¡¯ll be the one to cut it¡ªpiece by piece¡ªuntil she¡¯s begging for it to end.¡±

    udius stared at him, eyes burning with fury.

    ¡°And you?¡± Kolton sneered. ¡°You¡¯re finished. I¡¯ve already got someone acting as your proxy in Otruitho. He¡¯s ying your part so well, no one suspects a thing. And when the time is right, I¡¯ll make sure he dies in a nice little ¡®ident.¡¯ After that, everyone will believe udius is gone forever.¡±

    Kolton turned to leave, muttering as he walked away, ¡°I won¡¯t allow my son to be a disgrace to our family. I¡¯d rather you died.¡±

    The heavy door mmed shut, plunging the basement back into darkness.

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 Chapter 1174

    ?Chapter 1174:

    Meanwhile, in a private suite at the Heliopolis Hotel, a man in a wooden mask lounged on the couch, scrolling through Austen¡¯s phone and typing replies with practiced ease to keep up the illusion that Austen was still alive.

    ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought Faceless¡¯s web of contacts ran this deep¡­¡± the man chuckled, ncing over at hispanion¡ªalso masked, though his was carved from a different wood, not walnut.

    ¡°Any idea who this ¡®Enchantress¡¯ is?¡± he asked, holding up the phone.

    ¡°How would I know? Most likely a mistress,¡± thepanion replied, shaking his head. ¡°It¡¯s best not to engage with her too much¡ªany misstep could risk exposing your identity.¡±

    ¡°Calm down. I know exactly what I¡¯m doing,¡± the man in the walnut mask replied confidently.

    The Nelson family¡¯s vi.

    A phone notification chimed.

    Rosanna saw a fresh message from Austen. She¡¯d assumed it would take him longer to reach out, but to her surprise, he had written again almost immediately after hisst note.

    A victorious grin spread across her face. Austen¡ªmen like him outshone Vince and Axell by miles. He was better-looking, stronger, and wilder in bed.

    To think she had won a man like him¡­ the thrill was intoxicating.

    Rosanna sankzily into the sofa, letting it cradle her back. She opened the message and read it word by word. A satisfied smile tugged at her lips.

    Austen had typed, ¡°Give me a bit more time. Trust me. Don¡¯t reach out for now. When I¡¯m ready, I¡¯ll surprise you.¡±

    A surprise. The word danced on her screen like sunlight glinting on water.

    Rosanna traced the word ¡°surprise¡± with her fingertip, her grin widening with delight.

    Her heart pounded, each beat heavier than the one before¡­ Could it be that after all this time, Austen had finally decided to im her? His words sent her imagination racing.

    Momentster, another message appeared from Austen: ¡°Trust me. It¡¯ll be a surprise you¡¯ll never forget¡ªsomething you never sawing.¡±

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    Rosanna gripped her phone tighter, her breathsing in quick, shallow gasps.

    She read the message again, a rush of excitement washing over her.

    Was he¡­ Could he actually be nning to tell her how he felt?

    No. That wouldn¡¯t be shocking enough¡ªor unforgettable. After all, he had whispered words like that plenty of times in bed.

    Wait¡­ Could it really be that he was nning to propose?

    The ridiculous thought made Rosanna¡¯s cheeks burn hot.

    She paced a few steps across the living room before sinking back onto the sofa, her eyes fixed on the two messages, their glow reflecting in her bright gaze.

    Still¡­ maybe that was exactly what a ¡°surprise¡± was meant to be.

    ¡°Nothing in this scenario seems impossible. As long as Axell is out of the way, I could marry Austen without anyone raising a finger. The Nelsons wouldn¡¯t say a word, and no one outside would dare interfere. Besides, Austen would earn a reputation for caring for his elder brother¡¯s widow. It¡¯s a win-win all around,¡± Rosanna muttered quietly, picturing the life she might have with Austen once they were married.

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 Chapter 1175

    ?Chapter 1175:

    They wouldn¡¯t have to hide anymore. They could be together in the open and ept everyone¡¯s congrattions.

    ¡°Looks like I¡¯ll need to give Austen a surprise too¡­¡± Rosanna murmured. Her smile lingered, but her eyes hardened, glinting like ice that wouldn¡¯t melt.

    Naturally, it would be a shock for Axell as well.

    She had never forgotten that birthday banquet¡ªhow that brute Axell had grabbed her, how his alcohol-soaked stench and foul touch had clung to her skin. After that night, she had felt tainted from head to toe.

    ¡°For you, Austen¡­¡± Rosanna pressed a hand to her chest, her voice barely audible. ¡°I¡¯m ready to embrace widowhood.¡±

    Meanwhile, the man wearing the walnut-wood mask finally lowered his phone.

    He chuckled under his breath. ¡°I¡¯m dying to see the look on that woman called ¡®Enchantress¡¯ when she hears Faceless is dead. I¡¯ve done my part¡­ and it¡¯s almost a kindness. The woman he likes won¡¯t start crying so soon.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure this isn¡¯t some kind of torment? Keeping that woman in her illusion isn¡¯t a good option. She has to face reality sooner orter.¡± Hispanion shook his head.

    ¡°Come on. We can¡¯t leave the deputy leader waiting.¡± The man in the walnut-wood mask shrugged, set down Austen¡¯s phone, and turned to hispanion. ¡°Did you manage to get the invitation card for the charity event?¡±

    Hispanion smirked. ¡°Of course. That was a piece of cake. After all, I¡¯m something of a celebrity under this mask.¡±

    At Elysium Apartments, Chris hurried around, getting ready to head out. He¡¯d nearly forgotten he was supposed to be resting at the hospital¡ªhe had slipped out the day before.

    Just as he finished the meal Maia had prepared for him, his phone started ringing nonstop.

    On the line, a nurse from the hospital spoke sharply. ¡°Mr. Cooper, this is the nurse on dutyst night. No matter where you are, you need to get back to the hospital right away. I don¡¯t want the head nurse yelling at me because you sneaked out. If¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­you don¡¯t return soon, I¡¯ll have to tell your attending physician, and Dr. Walsh will give your family a serious talking-to.¡±

    Read it all on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Chris hurried down the stairs without wasting a second.

    Outside, the air smelled of wet soil and fresh rain.

    He swung open the car door and turned the key, but his phone buzzed right then. ncing at the screen, he saw Pattie calling.

    What could she want from him?

    The moment he picked up, Pattie¡¯s anxious voice spilled out. ¡°Chris, where are you right now? Are you with Maia?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? I¡¯m not with Maia right now.¡± Chris frowned slightly. ¡°Have you tried reaching her?¡±

    ¡°Of course I have. More than once.¡± Pattie drew a shaky breath, her tone dropping. ¡°I¡¯m stuck at the police station and can¡¯t get hold of Maia¡­ Also, Chris, could youe over? The police need me to give an eyewitness statement about the shooting in the alley yesterday.¡±

    Hearing this, Chris understood Pattie¡¯s situation. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Pattie. I need to swing by the hospital first, so I¡¯ll be a littlete.¡±

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 Chapter 1176

    ?Chapter 1176:

    ¡°Oh, right! I nearly forgot you got hurt yesterday.¡± Pattie paused, biting her lower lip as if unsure. Her voice carried a touch of awkwardness. ¡°Maybe you should stay put at the hospital. Don¡¯t wander around. If anything happens to you, I wouldn¡¯t know how to exin it to Maia.¡±

    She paused again, lowering her voice even further. ¡°Chris, something doesn¡¯t sit right. Yesterday¡¯s fight in the alley was loud enough for plenty of people to hear, yet the police now im they found no witnesses or shell casings. And the bullet marks? They say it¡¯ll take time to examine.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡± Chris narrowed his eyes. ¡°Here¡¯s what I¡¯ll do. I¡¯ll send Maxwell to the station right away. He¡¯s well-connected and can grease some wheels there.¡±

    ¡°Maxwell? Do you think he can handle it?¡± Pattie still sounded worried, but with the two witnesses¡ªMaia and Chris¡ªunable toe over, she had little choice.

    ¡°It¡¯s hard to say,¡± Chris admitted. ¡°But at least he can make sure you get out of the station safe and sound.¡±

    Pattie went quiet for a moment, her instincts kicking in as she weighed the situation.

    Her mind raced to a chilling conclusion: the police had likely been bought off by the hidden powers pulling the strings. Pattie pressed her palms together. ¡°Alright. Make sure hees quickly.¡±

    After ending the call, Chris wasted no time. He alerted Maxwell and set his team in motion to provide backup.

    It was obvious that the forces behind this mess were probably the Cooper family¡ªonly they had the clout to make the police sweep the truth under the rug.

    Chris tightened his grip on the steering wheel and stepped on the gas. The man he had faced yesterday was tough, backed by heavily armed men. They could smuggle guns into Wront so quietly that only The Mask or the Cooper Group could pull it off.

    Chris was sure it wasn¡¯t his own people; Raegan hadn¡¯t reported anything to him yet.

    Just as he was turning the situation over in his mind, his phone buzzed again, showing an unknown number. Chris nced at it and answered.

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    A familiar voice came through the line. Raegan said, ¡°Sir, I have some updates for you.¡±

    Chris lowered his voice, his resolve firm. ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    Raegan didn¡¯t waste time. She briefed him on thetest developments.

    ¡°Also, I¡¯ve alerted our nearby members to assemble in Wront. Kiley¡¯s charity g is ambitious, and I think we need to be careful. I n to have our people slip into the event unnoticed.¡±

    Hearing that, Chris felt even more certain of his earlier instincts. Kolton was on edge¡ªso much so that he was even sending his top assassins.

    ¡°Good work. Next, figure out a way to disrupt the g. We can¡¯t let the Cooper Group use it to boost their funds,¡± Chris ordered firmly. ¡°This time, we have to push them into deeper trouble, force Kolton to show his cracks, and dig up proof of their illegal smuggling.¡±

    ¡°Understood, sir!¡±

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 Chapter 1177

    ?Chapter 1177:

    Meanwhile, in an old chapel in Wront, rainwater ran in steady streams from the eaves, while the indoor lights glowed far too warmly.

    After hanging up, Raegan set her phone face down on the table and let out a long sigh. She hadn¡¯t lied¡ªshe just hadn¡¯t told him the whole story.

    She had even hidden the death of Faceless, the fourth-ranked man in The Mask.

    But every move she made was meant to use the organization¡¯s power¡­ to eliminate Maia, her rival for the leader¡¯s attention.

    With that thought in mind, Raegan tucked her hair behind her ear, a gleam of anticipation shing across her face. She felt one step closer to iming the leader¡¯s favor.

    A few momentster, she rose and pushed the door open. Outside, the room was already filled with assembled members of the organization.

    Raegan straightened, making sure she looked perfectly at ease.

    She lifted her gaze and, with a carefully measured expression, said, ¡°Everyone, listen up. Here¡¯s what the leader wants us to do¡­¡±

    After some time had passed, Raegan ryed the leader¡¯s message to the group. ¡°That concludes the leader¡¯s orders,¡± she said, her voice firm and low.

    She swept her gaze across the room before speaking again. ¡°Are there any questions?¡±

    Before her words could settle, a man seated near the back lifted his hand. His mask, carved from dark walnut, caught the dim light.

    Raegan frowned slightly. ¡°What is your question?¡± she asked, her tone edged with displeasure.

    The rest of the group turned to look at him, their attention fixed. But he remained calm, adjusting his mask with deliberate care, as though afraid it might slip and reveal who he truly was. Once he was sure it was secure, he spoke in an unhurried tone.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, I was wondering about the reasoning behind our target. Why Maia Watson? From what I know, she has no connection to the Cooper Group. Of course, I¡¯m only asking out of curiosity. It won¡¯t change what I have to do.¡±

    Though his voice was quiet, it carried through the silence and drew whispers from the others.

    ¡°He¡¯s got a point. The Mask¡¯s missions are meant to stay hidden, but going after her in public could blow our cover¡­¡±

    ¡°Now that the charity g¡¯s guest list has been posted across the inte, any exposed member could drag The Mask into the light. That would be reckless.¡±

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, would you walk us through the reasoning for this?¡±

    As the voices rose, Raegan lifted a hand deliberately.

    At once, the room fell into careful silence.

    Meeting his gaze, she nodded in approval and asked, ¡°That was a sharp question. Tell me, then¡ªwhat is your codename?¡±

    Walnut inclined his head and replied evenly, ¡°My mask is carved from walnut, so people call me Walnut. That is the name I go by.¡± He added, ¡°If I sounded presumptuous, I apologize. As vicemander, you may decline to answer.¡±

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 Chapter 1178

    ?Chapter 1178:

    Raegan studied him, searching her memory, but his presence stirred no recollection.

    ¡°Since so many of you are asking about the reason, I do need to exin.¡± She made a mental note of him before turning toward the gathered members. ¡°All of you should recall the recent press event held by the Cooper¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­Group. During that time, udius Cooper, the designated sessor of the Cooper family, openly voiced his admiration for Maia. Not long after that incident, Kolton dispatched udius to Otruitho. By choosing Maia as our target, we intend to stir udius¡¯s resentment toward Kolton and Kiley.¡±

    After a short pause, Raegan crossed the room to where Walnut stood and rested a hand on his shoulder. ¡°These are the orders passed down from the leader. We don¡¯t have the right to question his reasoning. I¡¯m only offering my personal interpretation.¡±

    Her eyes swept across the group, sharp and measuring.

    Years of service as vicemander¡ªalong with the credibility Raegan had earned¡ªwere enough to smother the whispers of doubt that had begun to form.

    Almost at once, a few members spoke up.

    ¡°So that¡¯s the intention. The leader truly sees farther than the rest of us!¡±

    ¡°Indeed! From what I¡¯ve gathered, ever since udius arrived at the Otruitho branch, he¡¯s barely been seen except during official meetings. It¡¯s a far cry from the lively man he used to be back in Wront¡­¡±

    ¡°If only we had managed to bring Maia into The Mask from the start, we could have used udius¡¯s feelings for her to extract the Cooper Group¡¯s confidential information with little resistance.¡±

    A chill settled over Raegan¡¯s features as she cut in sharply. ¡°Enough dwelling on what could have been¡ªthat is pointless. I have one question for all of you. Is there anyone who still needs rification?¡±

    Her attention shifted back to Walnut. ¡°What about you? Anything else to ask?¡±

    ¡°Nothing more for now.¡±

    ¡°Very well.¡± Raegan inclined her head slightly before her tone hardened. ¡°I expect every one of you to give your full effort when targeting Maia at the uing charity g. From what I¡¯ve gathered, this event, organized by Kiley, is tied to Radiant Jewels¡¯ productunch. She¡¯s trying to recover their slipping market share and stabilize their falling stock. At the same time, she intends to humiliate Maia.¡±

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    She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. ¡°That¡¯s where wee in. We¡¯ll make sure the me falls entirely on Kiley, forcing her to corner Maia. Once Maia feels trapped, she¡¯ll likelysh out against the Cooper Group. When that happens, we¡¯ll turn her chaos into our opportunity.¡±

    A small, confident smile curved Raegan¡¯s lips. ¡°That¡¯s how we¡¯ll take control of the game.¡±

    By the time Maia wrapped up herst surgery of the day, exhaustion clung to her like a second skin, and her scrubs were drenched with sweat.

    ¡°Excellent work!¡± Carsen strode toward her with evident satisfaction. ¡°I knew I wasn¡¯t mistaken about you, Maia. You¡¯ve got real talent.¡±

    With aposed smile, Maia gave a small nod. ¡°Thank you, Dr. Walsh. I truly appreciate all that I¡¯ve learned under your guidance.¡±

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 Chapter 1179

    ?Chapter 1179:

    But as her thoughts drifted to the approaching charity g, she looked up at him and spoke hesitantly. ¡°Dr. Walsh, I¡¯d like to take a day off the day after tomorrow, if that¡¯s all right.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡± Carsen asked, his face clouded with confusion, his brow furrowing under the sterile hospital light. ¡°Is there anything more important than performing surgery right now?¡±

    Maia met his gaze without hesitation, her voice steady. ¡°No, there isn¡¯t.¡±

    Carsen¡¯s expression shifted to worry, lines deepening around his eyes. ¡°Then why? Are you unwell?¡± he asked, his tone soft with concern.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine. I need to attend a banquet,¡± Maia replied, pausing briefly before adding, ¡°I promise to return to the hospital once it¡¯s over to continue learning surgery with you.¡±

    Carsen nodded, his reluctance easing. ¡°All right,¡± he said, his voice gentler. ¡°Perhaps this is a chance for you to rest, since you¡¯ve scarcely had anytely. I¡¯ll find someone to cover your duties. But please return to your post once your business is done.¡±

    His gaze sharpened as he continued, ¡°I¡¯ve taken on several surgeries recently, each patient¡¯s condition mirroring Chris¡¯. Their foreign objects, though, aren¡¯t lodged as deeply. These cases should be valuable lessons for you.¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes brightened, a spark of gratitude in their depths. ¡°I¡¯ll be back as soon as I can, Dr. Walsh,¡± she said, her voice warm with appreciation.

    Wront University.

    Mnie tugged Ethan into the hallway the moment ss ended, her urgency palpable in the crowded corridor.

    ¡°Quick! We need to get to the teacher¡¯s office for an exit. I told Marisa, so she¡¯s waiting outside,¡± she said, her words rushed.

    Ethan, breathless from her pace, gasped, ¡°Slow down a bit. I just got out of the hospital.¡±

    Mnie halted, exasperation shing across her face. ¡°Do you want your sister to marry my dad?¡± she asked, her tone sharp. ¡°I worked hard to get these invitations for you and Marisa.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s eyes widened, suddenly alert. ¡°Invitations? You mean to the charity g?¡± he asked, his voice rising. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say this earlier?¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s offers tales worth telling

    Energy surged through him, and he pushed past Mnie, taking the lead.

    Maia had been absent from Marvelous Gardentely, her whereabouts a mystery to him.

    Katie had voiced her worries, fearing Maia was in trouble, and Ethan¡ªunwilling to burden her further¡ªhad kept silent about the issue, especially since she rarely spent time online.

    His many calls and texts to Maia had gone unanswered, and his after-school vigils at Elysium Apartments had yielded nothing. It only made him more uneasy, and he couldn¡¯t concentrate in ss.

    But he was certain of one thing: since Maia had publicly stated online that she would attend the Cooper Group¡¯s charity g, she would definitely show up.

    They reached the teacher¡¯s office, where Marisa leaned against the wall, sucking on a lollipop, her posture casual but her eyes sharp.

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 Chapter 1180

    ?Chapter 1180:

    When she saw Ethan and Mnie approach hand in hand, a surge of anger red inside her. Her teeth crushed the lollipop with a sharp snap.

    Noticing it, Mnie quickly released Ethan¡¯s hand. ¡°We need an exit to attend the charity g together the day after tomorrow,¡± she said, her voice firm.

    Without a word, Marisa turned and pushed open the office door with purpose.

    Ethan watched, sensing Marisa¡¯s displeasure in the tension of her movements. Inside, Marisa approached the head teacher¡ªan elderly woman¡ªand stated bluntly, ¡°I need an exit.¡±

    The teacher paused, visibly swallowing at Marisa¡¯s directness. ¡°For how long?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with nervousness.

    ¡°A day,¡± Marisa replied.

    ¡°Just a day?¡± the teacher echoed, her unease evident. ¡°That won¡¯t be an issue. I¡¯ll handle it. Don¡¯t worry about the exit slip.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± Marisa turned and walked out.

    At that moment, the head teacher of ss One, Loraine, looked displeased and said, ¡°Mnie, Ethan, don¡¯t you know the entrance exams areing up? This is a crucial time! How can you simply take leave? Ethan, you¡¯ve missed numerous lectures due to your hospitalization, and now you n to miss more?¡±

    Mnie stepped forward, undeterred. ¡°We have something important to attend, Ms. Harvey. It¡¯s just for a day and won¡¯t impact our exams. Ethan has already caught up on his missed lectures.¡±

    Ethan nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right, ma¡¯am. It¡¯s just for a day.¡±

    Loraine frowned, shaking her head. ¡°No, I can¡¯t allow that,¡± she said, her voice resolute.

    Loraine¡¯s tone rose, her anger in. ¡°Since the two of you showed up in my office at the same time, I might as well get something off my chest. Are you two dating? You¡¯ve been glued together every day, and now you even filed for leave at the same time?¡±

    She cut herself off and mmed her fist on the desk again. ¡°Spit it out. Otherwise, I¡¯ll have no choice but to drag your parents here for a talk.¡±

    Marisa froze mid-step and shot a nce at Ethan. A strange tightness seized her chest.

    More than anyone else in the room, she was desperate to hear the answer. Were they really in love?

    The air in the office tightened without warning. A few nearby teachers, having caught themotion, shifted their gaze toward Ethan and Mnie.

    At Wront University, romance wasn¡¯t forbidden, but it wasn¡¯t exactly weed either. First-years¡ªor those about to be first-years¡ªwere expected to pour their energy into studying, not dating. Old-fashioned or not, that rule helped keep Wront University near the top of the national charts.

    ¡°Hmm? Still no reply?¡± Loraine¡¯s brow creased. ¡°Don¡¯t you get it? If you bomb this entrance exam or your rank sinks too low, the school could push you out.¡±

    Her eyes shifted to Mnie, then back to Ethan, weighing his situation. ¡°Ethan, I mean you in particr. You¡¯re not like the rest of them. Miss this shot, and you might never set foot in a college. So what if Maia Watson is your sister, or that she¡¯s close with the dean? Rules get rewritten every year. For all we know, the elite preparatory program might be scrapped entirely by next spring.¡±

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 Chapter 1181

    ?Chapter 1181:

    Loraine kept lecturing until her throat felt rough. She reached for her ss, blew lightly across the rim, and drank a mouthful.

    ¡°Well?¡± she demanded. ¡°Have you made up your minds? Who¡¯s going to speak first?¡±

    Mnie had wanted to cut in long before, but as a Cooper, manners still tied her tongue. Even with her bold, headstrong nature, she chose to hold back until the right moment.

    Yet the instant she tried to speak, Loraine lifted a hand to silence her. ¡°Mnie, hold your words. Let Ethan answer.¡±

    Her gaze hardened on him as she pressed, ¡°Tell me straight¡ªdo you fancy Mnie? Are you two together?¡±

    The air grew heavy enough to cut with a knife.

    Marisa felt her pulse pounding so loudly it seemed to echo in her ears.

    Deep down, Loraine weighed everything on her own invisible scale. She didn¡¯t dare cross Hurst¡¯s daughter, yet she also wanted to avoid shing with Maia. When she set the two side by side, pressing Maia¡¯s brother felt like the safer bet. The Cooper family had an entire empire behind them, while Maia was only one woman¡ªknown, but hardly untouchable. That was the difference.

    But Loraine failed to notice how her tactics only tightened the tension for both Mnie and Marisa.

    Mnie¡¯s hands curled into fists as her mind raced. She had never truly examined it before, yet the bond between her and Ethan¡ªonce marked by sharp conflict¡ªhad quietly shifted into something closer, something entirely new.

    Back in that underground boxing ring, Ethan had stepped up to shield her, and that moment had flipped her view of him upside down. What once seemed like a in, forgettable boy suddenly looked¡ªthrough her eyes¡ªlike someone cut from a hero¡¯s cloth.

    And when Maia tied the knot with her father, Hurst, Mnie realized the ties between her and Ethan would shift again. Hold on¡ªthat would mean Ethan became her stepmother¡¯s younger brother. Complicated.

    Yet somewhere in her heart, a spark of expectation stirred. After all, no girl truly minded if a nearby boy showed signs of affection¡ªunless he was unpleasant to look at or impossible to stomach. But Ethan was nothing of the sort. He had striking features, just as Maia had her own beauty. Clearly, the Watson family had been blessed in looks.

    At that moment, Ethan¡¯s head buzzed with countless thoughts. At first nce, the teacher¡¯s question seemed harmless. Since he and Mnie weren¡¯t truly a couple, it should have been easy to dismiss.

    But the more he considered it, the more he saw it as a trap with real weight.

    Their homeroom teacher had set it up on purpose. She expected him to deny it, splitting the issue of liking Mnie from actually dating her.

    If he tly said no, Mnie might feel slighted. But if he replied with something like, ¡°We¡¯re not together, but I don¡¯t mind her,¡± or ¡°I do like her,¡± it would sound too much like an admission.

    Truth be told, Ethan did feel something for Mnie. It wasn¡¯t only because they stood on the same side now, but also because, down the road, they might share family ties.

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 Chapter 1182

    ?Chapter 1182:

    And yet, if someone pressed him with the question, ¡°Do you like her?¡± he couldn¡¯t give a clear reply.

    The truth was, he had never sat down and truly thought about it at all.

    At that exact moment, as Ethan faced Loraine¡¯s question, his mind splintered and drifted¡ªpulled irresistibly to the image of Marisa. It was the only time she had ever worn a skirt.

    The sunlight that day had been blindingly bright, casting her in an entirely new light¡ªsomething wild and unfamiliar, a side of Marisa he never saw within the walls of school.

    Ethan could still feel the gentle breeze that had danced around her, carrying that faint, intoxicating scent. Somehow, without fully realizing it, he had already carved out a secret ce for her deep inside his heart¡ªright beneath Maia and Katie. Was it love? He couldn¡¯t tell. Not yet.

    Ethan snapped back to reality, his eyes locking with Loraine¡¯s sharp gaze. ¡°Ms. Harvey,¡± he drawled, ¡°I¡¯m just asking for a day off. It¡¯s not¡ª¡±

    He opened his mouth to exin, to tell her it wasn¡¯t what she thought.

    But before he could get the words out, Loraine cut in, her voice slicing through the air like a whip. ¡°Enough!¡± she snapped. ¡°Is that your answer or not? I don¡¯t care for your excuses. Admit it or deny it. That¡¯s all I want from you.¡±

    Loraine jabbed a finger at Ethan, her voice cutting andced with bitter disappointment. ¡°Ethan! I expected better from you¡­ If that¡¯s how it is, I¡¯ll call your sister, Maia, to take your ce.¡±

    ¡°Tsk¡­ this is getting unbearable,¡± Marisa muttered, calm but edged with irritation.

    In a sudden stride, she stepped forward, grabbed Ethan by the arm, and pulled him behind her. She squared her shoulders, facing Loraine with a cool, unbothered stare.

    ¡°Ms. Harvey, don¡¯t you think your entire question might be wed?¡±

    Before anyone could react, she mmed both hands down on the desk. The loud bang echoed like a gunshot through the tense silence.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Loraine recoiled, eyes wide with shock.

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    Marisa¡¯s reputation was legendary¡ªan untouchable force no one dared cross. Teachers whispered her name in uneasy tones, and even they avoided her path. Her shadowy past only fed the mystique around her, but one thing was certain: no one challenged Marisa and came out unscathed.

    The other teachers in the office quickly averted their eyes, silently abandoning Loraine to face the storm alone. Loraine¡¯s expression twisted with shock¡ªand a flicker of fear.

    Marisa leaned in, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m here to answer your question. It seems you didn¡¯t know¡ªEthan and Mnie aren¡¯t the only ones asking for time off. I¡¯m in on it too.¡±

    She moved closer, eyes gleaming as she stared Loraine down. ¡°By your logic, the three of us hang out all the time. I even shared the same hospital room with Ethan recently. So, Ms. Harvey¡­ should we all just admit we¡¯re in a rtionship? And maybe Ethan and Mnie both like me? Is that the conclusion you want?¡±

    Softer than Loraine¡¯s earlier scolding, Marisa¡¯s voice still carried through the office with sharper, more piercing rity. Loraine stood frozen, caughtpletely off guard by Marisa¡¯s sudden, ruthless counterattack.

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 Chapter 1183

    ?Chapter 1183:

    She hadn¡¯t expected this. The way Marisa twisted the usations with ruthless precision was almost terrifying.

    Seeing no response from Loraine, Marisa grinned at Ethan. ¡°Come on, dude¡ªhonestly, do you like me or not?¡±

    Ethan blinked,pletely thrown off guard. Mnie¡¯s eyes widened too, stunned into silence.

    ¡°Marisa¡­ what are you ying at?¡± Mnie whispered, overwhelmed by the sheer force of Marisa¡¯s presence.

    Marisa nced at Loraine once more, icy and unyielding. ¡°Ms. Harvey, what kind of answer will satisfy you? Because granting this time off is a courtesy. The day after tomorrow, we¡¯re leaving. And I dare you to stop us.¡±

    Minutester, the three of them stepped out of the teacher¡¯s office like victors.

    Marisa smirked first. ¡°Rx, you two. Ms. Harvey won¡¯t dare touch you.¡±

    Mnie suddenly burst outughing. ¡°Honestly, I wasn¡¯t worried. Did you see her face? It went from fiery red to ghostly pale¡ªlike she was about to pass out. I thought you were going to make her faint for real.¡±

    Marisa shrugged, ncing at a quiet Ethan. ¡°She brought it on herself. The head teacher of my ss knows when to back off better.¡±

    Ethan still looked lost in thought, and Marisa nudged him. ¡°Hey, what about you? Still thinking over the question I asked¡­¡±

    ¡°What question?¡± Ethan slowed, looking at Marisa in confusion.

    A sudden gust slipped through the hallway and tugged at the bulletin board, making one corner p.

    Then he remembered the bold question Marisa had asked earlier: ¡°Come on, dude¡ªhonestly, do you like me or not?¡±

    The words sank into him like heavy stones dropped into water, and the feeling rippled through his chest in restless waves.

    Heat rushed through Ethan until his skin¡ªneck to ears¡ªburned bright. He looked like a tomato about to burst.

    Mnie pressed her fingers tightly together, yet her face remainedposed as she asked, ¡°Ethan, are you feeling all right?¡±

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    Ethan let out a few strained coughs, his chest tight with nerves, his breathing uneven. ¡°A moment ago, I¡­¡±

    ¡°Forget it. I was just kidding around.¡± Marisa gave Ethan a yful smack on the shoulder,ughter glinting in her eyes. ¡°Rx, man. I know you¡¯re into me, but it¡¯s more like the kind of liking between friends. I like you too, and I like her as well.¡± She flicked her chin toward Mnie. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, Mnie?¡±

    Inside, Mnie felt a wave of relief, though she lifted her chin with mock arrogance and replied, ¡°Why don¡¯t you figure it out?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d say so.¡± Marisa slipped an arm around Mnie¡¯s neck and rested her other hand on Ethan¡¯s shoulder so that all three stood shoulder to shoulder. With a teasing cheer in her voice, she continued, ¡°We¡¯ve stuck together through everything, so of course we¡¯re the closest friends anyone could ask for.¡±

    ¡°Naturally. Although you used to drive me crazy.¡± Mnie didn¡¯t shrug Marisa off, but her tongue stayed sharp. ¡°Now, I¡¯ll admit you¡¯ve earned the title of friend.¡±

    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re the closest friends,¡± Ethan said suddenly. His pulse hammered in his chest.

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 Chapter 1184

    ?Chapter 1184:

    What lingered in his mind were Marisa¡¯s earlier words: ¡°I like you too.¡±

    Both Marisa and Mnie turned his way, and Ethan tried to steady himself, even though the redness in his ears betrayed him.

    Marisa narrowed her eyes in yful curiosity. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you, Ethan? You look jittery.¡± Tilting her head, she gave him a sly smile. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re trembling because of Loraine. Anyway, we should get back on track now.¡±

    Marisa shifted her attention to Mnie. ¡°So, what¡¯s going on with this banquet? I can¡¯t figure out why we¡¯re skipping the entire day. Doesn¡¯t it normally start in the afternoon with a few extra events tacked on?¡±

    At the change of subject, Ethan let out a quiet breath, grateful for the escape.

    Mnie gave a sly little wink, her eyes gleaming with mischief. ¡°Not this round. The banquet still takes ce in the evening, but it begins at three and drags on until ten.¡±

    Confusion washed over Marisa. She remembered Maxwell mentioning that Cooper Group dinners usually didn¡¯t begin until muchter. ¡°What¡¯s the deal? Did they add something new?¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Mnie said, snapping her fingers. ¡°Not just one addition either. Besides the charity auction, they¡¯re unveiling Radiant Jewels¡¯test collection. We can even check in early and grab the seats right in front.¡± She flicked her gaze toward Ethan. ¡°And someone here is saving a spot for his sister, Maia, right?¡±

    Ethan pressed his teeth into his lip. ¡°I was hoping¡­ maybe if she sees me there, I¡¯ll finally get to speak with her. Ever since she left the hospital, I haven¡¯t been able to reach her at all.¡±

    Marisa¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°You¡¯ve lost contact with Maia? That¡¯s impossible. Did something happen to her?¡± She tried to square it with what she knew of Maia, and it didn¡¯t add up. Maia had never been the type to sulk over online gossip. It seemed far more likely she¡¯d gotten herself tangled in something.

    ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know.¡± Ethan¡¯s fingers curled tighter. ¡°That¡¯s why I want to get there early and hope I can meet her before everyone else shows up.¡±

    They soon arrived at the stairwell, and their conversation continued.

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    Golden rays from the skylight poured over the stairs, tracing a glowing path downward.

    Without warning, the sharp ng of the school bell echoed through the hall.

    Mnie nced at Ethan and Marisa. ¡°Once sses are done, we should head out and shop for clothes. You can¡¯t stroll into a banquet dressed in something careless.¡±

    Marisaughed under her breath. ¡°I could already hear you saying that. Rx, I won¡¯t show up in these same clothes.¡± She tossed Ethan a mischievous wink. ¡°See youter.¡±

    Not wasting another second, Marisa darted ahead. Even as she moved, her heartbeat refused to slow.

    Turning the corner, she pressed her back against the wall and let out a shaky breath.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe¡­ I really confessed my feelings for Ethan openly.¡± She slipped a lollipop from her pocket, and a shadow flickered in her gaze. ¡°Still¡­ he probably didn¡¯t get it. Maybe he thought I was only being yful, and he didn¡¯t take it as anything more.¡±

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 Chapter 1185

    ?Chapter 1185:

    Over at the Erygan District Police Station, the corridor glowed dimly, and rows of metal benches lined the space in perfect order.

    The door swung open as Maxwell stepped inside, and his eyesnded on Pattie right away. She sat off to the side, fidgeting with unease while scanning the room.

    Maxwell raised a hand to greet Pattie. Then, with the cops nearby keeping a close eye, he strolled over and dropped into the seat beside her. ¡°Ms. Miller, it¡¯s been a while¡­ Need a hand?¡±

    Pattie shot him a weary re, then nced around. Just as she¡¯d suspected, every officer nearby had their eyes locked on them.

    From what she remembered, Maxwell always showed up in a way that grabbed attention. It seemed like second nature to him. His entrances felt staged, and today was no different¡ªhe¡¯d walked in wearing loose shorts, a cut-off tee, and worn sneakers.

    Pattie was at a loss for words. She had always thought Maxwell was a bit ky, but right now she was stuck with him. Lowering her voice, she said, ¡°Could you dial it back a notch? Do you really need to make such a show every time you show up?¡±

    ¡°Dial it back? I was only worried you might not spot me.¡± Maxwell slouched in his chair, a smug grin creeping across his lips, cool as ever.

    ¡°All right then. Fair enough. I¡¯ll give you that¡­ Something went down yesterday, and here¡¯s the story¡­¡± Pattie rattled off the events to Maxwell. Atst, her tone sharpened with anger as she added, ¡°Now my bodyguards are gone. That bunch could prove I¡¯m telling the truth if they bothered to check. There was a full-on gunfight at the scene yesterday.¡±

    Maxwell stayed silent for a moment, his eyes drifting shut.

    Seeing it, Pattie¡¯s gaze hardened. With a hint of doubt, she asked, ¡°Chris said I might not be allowed to leave¡­ Were you even paying attention to what I just told you?¡±

    No sooner had the words left her mouth than two uniformed officers walked over from a distance.

    ¡°Ms. Miller, we¡¯ve looked into the scene you mentioned.¡± The older officer, decorated with higher-ranking badges, spoke first, his voice cold and by the book. ¡°Unfortunately, there¡¯s no evidence at the location to back up your story.¡±

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    ¡°That can¡¯t be!¡± Pattie¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Did you even check for bullet holes? And what about the security cameras around the ce?¡±

    ¡°We did,¡± the younger officer answered, his face unreadable. ¡°But after checking the scene, we discovered it was a film crew shooting a gunfight. From what we can tell, Ms. Miller, it¡¯s very likely you were hallucinating from taking certain illegal substances and confused the set for a real shooting.¡±

    The older officer slowly pulled a form from his pocket. ¡°So, we¡¯re asking you to take a drug test and stay here for further questioning.¡±

    Pattie froze, stunned. She had expected the police station¡­

    ¡­might be crooked and that her story wouldn¡¯t be believed, but she never imagined they would use her of being high and seeing things.

    Just as Chris had warned, she wasn¡¯t only trapped at the station¡ªshe was being falsely med, too.

    A storm of emotions surged through Pattie. Anger, disbelief, and helplessness all tightened in her throat.

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 Chapter 1186

    ?Chapter 1186:

    Just as she opened her mouth, Maxwell¡¯s eyes snapped open. He jumped to his feet and nted himself in front of her. ¡°Sorry, but she¡¯s not staying here.¡±

    The senior officer scowled. ¡°Sir, don¡¯t get in the way of thew!¡±

    Maxwell yawned, stretchingzily. ¡°It¡¯ste, Ms. Miller. Time to get moving.¡±

    Pattie¡¯s mistrust of Maxwell only deepened. He seemed more unreliable than ever. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she couldn¡¯t help suggesting, ¡°How about¡­ I have Rnde over? He can be mywyer.¡±

    Maxwell rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°No need for that.¡± He faced the two officers, a cold smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°I¡¯ll count to three. If you still refuse to let us go, you¡¯ll be in big trouble.¡±

    ¡°Big trouble, huh?¡± a deep, gravelly voice called out from behind the officers.

    The two men immediately snapped to attention, stepping aside and saluting. ¡°Captain!¡±

    The man¡ªthe Captain¡ªturned toward Maxwell with a sly grin. ¡°I¡¯m eager to see what you¡¯ve got on my turf. Let¡¯s see this ¡®big trouble¡¯ of yours.¡±

    At the sight of their chief, the officers straightened, confidence returning. They pointed at Maxwell and shouted, ¡°Captain, this man is blocking our operation!¡±

    ¡°Even after repeated warnings, he keeps getting in the way. We have no choice but to proceed with mandatory detention.¡±

    Maxwell, however, didn¡¯t flinch. He held up three fingers and began counting down slowly. ¡°One. Two. Three.¡±

    Still, nothing happened.

    ¡°Ha ha ha¡­ So this is the ¡®big trouble¡¯ you promised?¡± The Captain chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re high on something, too. Arrest him!¡±

    Just then, the station doors burst open with a loud m. A tall, broad man stormed in, his voice cutting through the room. ¡°Halt right there!¡±

    The Captain spun around, his face going stiff at the sight of the police chief. ¡°Sir?¡± He snapped to attention, bowing slightly. ¡°What brings you here, sir?¡±

    If¡­

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    ¡°Enough! Shut your mouth! If I don¡¯t step in, you¡¯ll spark chaos.¡± The police chief of Erygan Police Station shot a venomous re at the captain before striding over to Maxwell.

    The two men held each other¡¯s gaze for a moment.

    The police chief¡¯s expression shifted instantly, and he offered a sycophantic smile. ¡°Mr. Payne, I had no idea you were here. My officers didn¡¯t recognize you, and they can be a bit ignorant sometimes. Please, don¡¯t take offense.¡± He motioned to the side. ¡°Come on, let me buy you a drink.¡±

    Maxwell gave a cool nod. ¡°Now that¡¯s more like it.¡±

    He turned to Pattie, who looked utterly baffled. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Ms. Miller. I¡¯ll buy you a drink¡­ courtesy of him.¡±

    ¡°Of course. Of course.¡± The chief bowed slightly, eager to please Maxwell. ¡°It¡¯s on me.¡±

    ¡°That fixed things? You look so unreliable. I¡¯m just surprised you have such powerful connections,¡± Pattie remarked, half impressed.

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 Chapter 1187

    ?Chapter 1187:

    Maxwell stayed silent.

    Just then, a man burst in¡ªRnd Cullen, Zenith Legal¡¯s topwyer.

    ¡°Are you all right, Pattie?¡± Rnd asked as he hurried to her side. Once he made sure she wasn¡¯t injured, his gaze shifted to the officers around them. Only then did he notice Maxwell standing among them.

    ¡°You¡¯rete, Mr. Cullen,¡± Pattie said with a light chuckle. ¡°But don¡¯t worry¡ªMaxwell already took care of the problem.¡± She had caught the worry etched on Rnd¡¯s face earlier, and it lifted her spirits more than she expected. ¡°Come on,¡± she added, grinning. ¡°Someone wants to buy us drinks. Oh, and I need to ask you something¡ªhow exactly do you sue someone for nder?¡±

    Just then, someone¡¯s eyes widened in recognition, and they blurted out in shock, ¡°Wait¡ªthat¡¯s Rnd Cullen from Zenith Legal! The undefeatedwyer!¡±

    The two officers who had harassed Pattie stiffened. Panic flickered in their eyes. If Rnd sued, their careers were toast.

    Their chief, drenched in nervous sweat, stepped forward. ¡°Mr. Cullen, it was all a misunderstanding. And everything¡¯s resolved now.¡±

    Maxwell nced between the chief and Rnd, then back to Pattie. A strange unease crept in. He didn¡¯t belong here. But Chris had sent him¡ªhe had no choice.

    Rnd¡¯s gaze turned icy. ¡°A misunderstanding?¡± He looked to Pattie. ¡°Is that true?¡±

    The police chief sidled up to Maxwell. ¡°Mr. Payne, please¡­ smooth things over. We can¡¯t afford trouble with thatwyer.¡±

    Maxwell sighed. ¡°Let¡¯s go. This isn¡¯t the ce to talk. We¡¯ll continue elsewhere.¡±

    Once Pattie and her group had exited, the captain wiped his brow and turned to the two officers. ¡°Who the hell is Mr. Payne? Why does the chief fear him?¡±

    The two officers exchanged nk stares and shrugged.

    ¡°Idiots!¡± the captain spat, storming off. He climbed to his office on the second floor, locked the door, and dialed a number.

    A voice answered instantly. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°We failed to keep that woman here. Maxwell Payne and Rnd Cullen showed up and wrecked our n,¡± the captain muttered, his eyes drifting to a mask encased in ss.

    Your source for updates g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls

    ¡°Understood. You did what you could,¡± the voice replied, low and deliberate. ¡°We¡¯ll use this against Maia. Spread the word of what happened. Pattie¡¯spromised¡ªand MCN and Maia are entangled.¡±

    ¡°Got it,¡± the captain said, then hesitated. ¡°The chief fears Maxwell. Do you know who he is?¡±

    ¡°Maxwell Payne? The ck market kingpin and an information broker¡­¡± The man¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Looks like your police chief has beenpromised. Maxwell must be holding something over him.¡±

    He paused, considering the implications. ¡°This is getting interesting. Pattie¡¯s tied to someone like him¡ªor maybe¡­ the real power behind Maia is Wront¡¯s criminalwork. That would line up with someone who¡¯s done time. We might be onto something here. Let¡¯s dig deeper into that angle.¡±

    At the Heliopolis Hotel, the man ended his call with the captain of Erygan.

    He reached for his coffee and took a slow sip. Next to him rested a carved walnut mask, its presence quietly unsettling.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1188

    ?Chapter 1188:

    ¡°Today brought some answers,¡± he muttered. ¡°But Austen¡¯s death¡­ that was sessfully buried.¡±

    He nced at Faceless¡¯s phone.

    The screen lit up. It was a message from ¡°Enchantress.¡± She promised a surprise.

    ¡°Interesting¡­¡± he breathed, giving the thought a voice.

    Suddenly, a knock echoed at the door.

    The man smirked and walked over.

    Standing outside was Raegan¡ªthe organization¡¯s deputy leader.

    ¡°I never thought you¡¯d show up right now. Don¡¯t you fear someone might catch sight of you?¡± The man smiled faintly, stepped aside to let Raegan into the room, then closed and locked the door behind her.

    ¡°If I feared that, I wouldn¡¯t havee.¡± Raegan picked up the walnut mask from the table and tossed it to him. ¡°I still prefer you as ¡®Walnut.¡¯¡±

    She met his unwavering smile and spoke his true title and name aloud. ¡°Seventh Seat¡ªthe Imitator¡ªSs Court.¡±

    Ss lifted his gaze slightly and gave a small bow. ¡°At your service, my lovely deputy leader.¡±

    Raegan¡¯s lips curved. ¡°You¡¯ve been performing well. From now on, I want you to keep ying the part of someone who raises objections.¡±

    ¡°As youmand,¡± Ss replied in a low tone.

    He paused, then added, ¡°I¡¯ll continue impersonating the ¡®Fourth Seat¡¯ and ¡®Walnut.¡¯ If you need me to be anyone else, just say the word.¡±

    Raegan stepped closer. ¡°No wonder they call you an award-winning actor¡ªyou slip into any role with ease. But beneath all those masks¡­ what does the real you even look like?¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t tell you,¡± Ss said, spreading his hands. ¡°When I live inside a character too long, I start to forget who I am.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah?¡± Raegan arched a brow. ¡°Then don¡¯t go forgetting you¡¯re not actually some new recruit to the organization.¡± Her eyes drifted to the walnut mask. ¡°And wooden masks don¡¯t suit you anyway.¡±

    For updates, visit ?¦Ál?ov??s.co?

    ¡°That¡¯s a pity,¡± Ss said. ¡°I¡¯ve rather grown fond of it.¡±

    He thought back over the past few days and found the experience oddly refreshing. It had been years since he¡¯d yed such a minor role¡ªthere was something newly nostalgic about it.

    Sure enough, every time Raegan summoned him, something interesting always followed.

    ¡°I¡¯m just reminding you,¡± Raegan said, flicking her hair back, ¡°don¡¯t lose yourself in the act.¡± She nced at her watch. ¡°You¡¯ve got twenty minutes to prepare. Then you¡¯reing with me to meet someone.¡±

    ¡°That soon?¡± Ss looked up. ¡°Who do I need to impersonate?¡±

    ¡°Yourself,¡± Raegan answered.

    A ck stretch Lincoln came to a stop at the entrance of the Cooper Group.

    Staff hurried forward, lining both sides of the red carpet to wee the internationally acimed actor, Ss Court.

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    .

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 Chapter 1189

    ?Chapter 1189:

    The car door swung open.

    Ss unfolded his long legs and stepped out. He nced up at the Cooper Group tower and gave the waiting crowd a practiced, charming wave.

    Two reporters rushed forward, cameras clicking instantly. Only then did Raegan emerge from the back seat, sunsses shielding her eyes, and slip her arm through his.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯ll introduce you to the most powerful woman in Wront right now¡ªKiley Cooper, CEO of the Cooper Group.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d be honored, Miss Foster,¡± Ss replied politely.

    News of Ss¡¯s arrival in Wront spread like wildfire.

    He had no shortage of fans in the city, and the buzz was enough to send them into a frenzy. Online, ¡°Ss Court Arrives in Wront¡± shot straight to the top of trending topics.

    Netizens spected endlessly¡ªwas he here to film a movie? On vacation?

    Many pointed out the timing: Ss showing up in Wront now almost certainly meant he¡¯d be attending the Cooper Group¡¯s uing charity g. Ss hadn¡¯t mentioned it on social media or in any public statement, but the coincidence was too perfect to ignore.

    Meanwhile, inside the Cooper Group¡¯s boardroom¡­

    Kiley shook Ss¡¯s hand with a warm smile. ¡°Mr. Court, here¡¯s to a sessful partnership.¡±

    Ss offered a gracious reply. ¡°Your vision is remarkable, Ms. Cooper. I have no doubt this will be a wonderful coboration.¡±

    After he left, Kiley walked over to Raegan and gently lifted her chin with one finger. ¡°Raegan¡­ I never imagined you¡¯d actually bring Mr. Court himself.¡±

    Raegan held her gaze. ¡°I only wanted to help you. That¡¯s all. Mr. Court¡¯s sister and I were college ssmates¡ªwe¡¯ve stayed close¡­ so¡­¡±

    Before she could finish, Kiley pulled her into a tight embrace. ¡°Raegan.¡± Kiley searched her eyes. ¡°Meeting you has been my luck. Thank you¡ªfor everything.¡±

    ¡°No thanks are needed between us,¡± Raegan said softly, returning the smile. ¡°Meeting you has been my luck as well. Sometimes¡­ I even wish you were a man.¡±

    Find your adventure at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§àm (uso de ¡°?¡± y ¡°§à¡± cir¨ªlica)

    ¡°Oh? Do you mean that?¡± Kiley leaned in close, her lips brushing Raegan¡¯s ear as she whispered, ¡°You truly think so?¡±

    Raegan didn¡¯t answer. Instead, she held Kiley¡¯s gaze¡ªdeep and unreadable, like a stillke hiding its depths. Sometimes, even she couldn¡¯t decipher what thoughtsy behind those eyes.

    ¡°I see sincerity in your eyes,¡± Kiley said softly. Then, unexpectedly, she stepped back, putting distance between them. ¡°On the surface, our n seems wless¡­ yet something feels off. I can¡¯t shake this feeling.¡±

    Raegan¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Which part worries you? Haven¡¯t we gone over every detail again and again? Even if things go sideways, we have contingencies. And even if Mr. M¡ªthe man behind Maia¡ªshows up, we¡¯ve already ounted for that¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not it,¡± Kiley interrupted, shaking her head. ¡°It¡¯s a gut instinct I can¡¯t exin. I¡¯ve never felt this way before.¡± She paused, then added quietly, ¡°Maia¡¯s been far too quiettely¡ªso quiet it¡¯s as if she doesn¡¯t even exist.¡±

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 Chapter 1190

    Chapter 1190:

    Silence lingered. Then, slowly and deliberately, Kiley spoke again. ¡°It¡¯s like the calm before the storm.¡±

    ¡°Could it be you¡¯re just exhausted?¡± Raegan suggested after a moment. She suspected Kiley was overestimating Maia.

    ¡°No,¡± Kiley replied firmly. ¡°I¡¯ve been sleeping well. I¡¯ve mapped out Maia¡¯s entire life since her release from prison. She¡¯s handled every challenge with near-perfect precision.¡±

    ¡°I even put myself in her ce¡ªif I were Maia¡­ I couldn¡¯t have resolved those crises half as cleanly as she did. Even if our theory is correct that her imprisonment was a cover, that she spent those four years training with some hidden organization, it still wouldn¡¯t exin how she pulled all this off.¡±

    Her hand clenched into a fist. ¡°I have to admit¡­ Maia is a genius. There¡¯s no other rational exnation.¡±

    A spark lit in Kiley¡¯s eyes. ¡°But only someone like her is worthy of being my true rival. So I forced myself to think like her¡ªhow would she dismantle our strategy?¡±

    She strode toward her executive chair. ¡°People keep making the same mistakes because they fail to learn from past failures. And that¡¯s when I saw it¡ªthe w in all our ns. We overlooked Radiant Jewels¡¯ biggestpetitor¡ªAnnie Crystal.¡±

    ¡°Annie Crystal?¡± Raegan repeated, frowning. ¡°You mean that design brand that exploded onto the scene two years ago¡ªthe one founded by the mysterious designer Anti?¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Kiley¡¯s eyes narrowed as she pitched a daring idea. ¡°What if¡­ Maia is Anti?¡±

    Raegan¡¯s breath caught. She shook her head instinctively. ¡°Kiley, that¡¯s absurd.¡±

    She countered quickly. ¡°We¡¯ve investigated. Shiloh confirmed it himself¡ªMaia did slip out of Wront Prison briefly during her sentence. But the rest of the time, she was locked inside. There¡¯s no way she could¡¯veunched apany, let alone build a global brand like Annie Crystal.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Kiley insisted. ¡°We must dare to hypothesize first, then test it.¡±

    She gestured to the screen. ¡°Look at my mind map. I¡¯ve traced every possible connection.¡±

    L?t??¦Ó ch¨»¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?????.??????

    Raegan stepped closer, scanning the details.

    As seconds passed, her frown deepened.

    ¡°This designer Anti¡­¡± she murmured, ¡°has never appeared in public. Not a single verified photo exists. Just like the painter Matias from that gallery exhibition¡ªthe one who never showed up¡­ who turned out to be Maia.¡±

    She swallowed hard, the implication settling like stone in her chest.

    Now she understood why Kiley had leapt to such a wild conclusion.

    The parallels were too precise, too deliberate¡ªlike history repeating itself.

    ¡°I just¡­ can¡¯t ept this theory,¡± Raegan whispered, pressing her fingers to her temples.

    She stared at the screen, searching desperately for a w¡ªanything to disprove it.

    ¡°If Maia¡¯s such a genius,¡± Raegan said after a long pause, her voice low, ¡°why is there absolutely nothing on her before prison? Not a single trace. Even if she¡¯s been hiding her talent all along¡­ human energy has limits. How could she possibly¡ª¡±

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: I hope you enjoyed the new chapters, dear ones. New novels will be released in a few hours, please enjoy them! God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. ( ? ? ¨C ) ?

    P.S. I will try to regrly release two new novels each week. I will announce which ones areing in the  WhatsAppmunity each time. (?????)

    .

 Chapter 1191

    ?Chapter 1191:

    ¡°Raegan,¡± Kiley cut in, raising a hand. ¡°Know yourself and know your enemy¡ªyou¡¯ll never be defeated.¡±

    ¡°Precisely because something seems impossible doesn¡¯t mean it isn¡¯t true. In fact, that¡¯s when you must investigate it most carefully. Never underestimate an opponent¡ªespecially not someone like Maia, who ys by no rules but her own.¡±

    She tapped the screen, first on Maia¡¯s photo, then on a highlighted eventbeled: ¡°Maia Watson¡ªFashion Design giarism Scandal.¡±

    ¡°Remember?¡± Kiley¡¯s voice sharpened. ¡°Everyone assumed Maia had stolen from Alice Byrd. But it was the other way around¡ªAlice copied her. Overnight, public opinion flipped. Maia went from pariah to sensation, gaining fans, credibility, and momentum. Now our conflict with her is out in the open. And if we can¡¯t prove something is definitively false, then we must treat it as potentially true.¡±

    ¡°I need you to go meet Anti¡ªthe founder of Annie Crystal. Confirm her identity. Eliminate every doubt. I will not let Maia sabotage Radiant Jewels¡¯unch at my g.¡±

    Kiley ced a firm hand on Raegan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I won¡¯t allow a repeat of that giarism fiasco. And I certainly won¡¯t let her steal the spotlight at the charity event. What I want¡­ is for her to be ruined.¡±

    For the first time, Raegan truly saw Kiley not as a privileged heiress riding on family legacy, but as something far more dangerous¡ªa lone wolf in her own right, the rightful sessor to the Cooper Group.

    She was coldly rational, ruthlessly decisive, and utterly serious about every rival she faced.

    If given a choice, Raegan would never want someone like Kiley as an enemy.

    Still, she voiced her concern. ¡°I don¡¯t know anyone at Annie Crystal. How am I supposed to get close to Anti?¡±

    Kiley smiled, a small, knowing curve of her lips. ¡°You don¡¯t need connections. Just go to this address.¡±

    She handed Raegan a folded slip of paper. ¡°Verify whether the person there is truly Anti.¡±

    Then she added casually, ¡°Most people say you shouldn¡¯t invitepetitors to your productunch. I disagree. Inviting them is the best way to apply pressure. Anti epted my invitation. She arrived in Wront just hours ago.¡±

    I@te$t ¡é#@pter$ In g@!novel$.c0m

    Kiley settled into her executive chair, calm butmanding. ¡°Disguise yourself however you like¡ªa server, a hotel manager, whatever works. Just get close enough to confirm she¡¯s the one.¡±

    Raegan left Kiley¡¯s office without dy and headed straight for the Marclif Hotel¡ªthe name on the note clutched tightly in her fist. She nced down: Room 1806.

    At the front desk, she said, ¡°I¡¯d like a room, preferably on the seventeenth floor or higher.¡±

    She piled on requests until the clerk, eager to please, offered, ¡°Actually, we have Room 1808 avable.¡±

    Raegan epted the key card with a polite nod.

    Inside the room, she wasted no time. From her suitcase, she pulled out apact surveince kit. Her hands moved with quiet precision as she assembled the device.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1192

    ?Chapter 1192:

    She pressed a circr acoustic pickup¡ªroughly ten centimeters in diameter¡ªfirmly against the wall, then slipped a discreet Bluetooth earpiece into her ear.

    Kiley had suggested impersonation, but Raegan wasn¡¯t Ss. She couldn¡¯t wlessly be someone else. A clumsy performance would only draw suspicion.

    Besides, Anti had never shown her face in public¡ªclear proof of extreme privacy awareness. Even if Raegan posed as a server, the best she could hope for was a fleeting glimpse. That wouldn¡¯t confirm identity. It wouldn¡¯t yield proof.

    But eavesdropping? That was different.

    People spoke an average of 14,000 words a day. Language revealed thought, and thought betrayed origin.

    By listening closely, Raegan could uncover far more than appearance ever could¡ªbackground, habits, secrets buried beneath polished words.

    She adjusted the gain knob.

    And then a young woman¡¯s voice drifted through the earpiece.

    A sharp burst of static crackled in Raegan¡¯s earpiece, followed by a young woman¡¯s voice¡ªmuffled, but unmistakably exasperated.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough! I¡¯m seventeen! Will you please stop hovering? I¡¯m here for a g, not some nightclub. And I swear I¡¯ll be back at school for midterms in two days!¡±

    Raegan¡¯s fingers froze on the knob. Her breath caught.

    Seventeen. Midterms.

    The words sliced through her thoughts like shards of ss. She could hardly believe what she¡¯d heard. Was the founder of Annie Crystal¡­ still in high school?

    Raegan stared at the flickering signal on her device, her heart sinking.

    If it was true, it meant the enigmatic force behind a global jewelry empire¡ªa brand bold enough to challenge Radiant Jewels¡ªwas just a teenager.

    It was absurd. Yet it wasn¡¯t impossible.

    Such a revtion would send shockwaves through the market. No wonder Anti had never shown her face. Who would believe a girl barely out of school could design pieces that rivaled Radiant Jewels?

    Every tale finds a home at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Raegan steadied herself and turned up the volume knob, straining to hear more. But only static answered.

    She exhaled softly, removed the earpiece, and tucked it away. Her expression hardened into resolve.

    Whether this girl was truly Anti or not, she needed confirmation. And if she was just a high schooler¡­ well, that made things far simpler than dealing with Kiley.

    If Raegan yed her cards right, she could win the girl¡¯s trust and extract valuable secrets.

    Raegan checked her watch. ¡°This is my chance,¡± she murmured.

    By noon, the Marclif Hotel¡¯s third-floor buffet glowed under cascading crystal chandeliers. The air hummed with the scent of seared steak, ck truffle, and quiet wealth.

    Raegan moved through the space with effortless grace, her custom gown catching the light like liquid silver. Heads turned¡ªbut she paid them no mind.

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 Chapter 1193

    ?Chapter 1193:

    Her eyes locked onto a table by the window.

    There sat a girl with high twin pigtails, her features still soft with youth.

    She idly nudged a slice of salmon with her fork, her posture rxed yet edged with quiet defiance.

    Raegan drew a breath and approached. ¡°Hi,¡± she said, her voice warm and open. ¡°Mind if I join you?¡±

    The girl looked up. Her eyes were bright and clear, yet sharp with unspoken calction.

    Then Raegan saw it: around the girl¡¯s neck gleamed the ne¡ªAnnie Crystal¡¯s signature piece fromst year¡¯s collection.

    Raegan had arranged for it to be delivered to the girl that morning¡ªa calcted gesture meant to spark recognition, even a sense of kinship. And it worked.

    A faint smile touched the girl¡¯s lips as she noticed Raegan¡¯s lingering gaze. ¡°Your taste is impable,dy,¡± she said lightly, dimples appearing. But her tone carried a thread of caution.

    Raegan reached for the chair across from her¡ª

    ¡°But you can¡¯t sit here,¡± the girl cut in, her voice crisp.

    Raegan¡¯s hand stilled midair.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡ªI can¡¯t sit here?¡± she asked, her voice cooling.

    The girl arched a brow, her smirk turning sly. ¡°Are you deaf? Need me to call a doctor for your ears?¡±

    The air between them snapped taut.

    Raegan¡¯s mind raced. Why the rejection?

    This girl was wearing an Annie Crystal icon¡ªproof of loyalty, admiration, even alliance.

    If she was truly connected to the brand, she should have weed the overture.

    Unless she didn¡¯t recognize it.

    Let your mind wander with g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??????

    ¡°Or maybe she¡¯s just a fake,¡± Raegan thought, lifting an inner brow.

    Still, she¡¯de this far. She might as well test the waters.

    She softened her tone, forcing a polite smile. ¡°Waiting for someone? Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t disturb you. Honestly, my arms are killing me from holding this tray, and I¡¯ll be gone before your friend even arrives.¡±

    ¡°I said no.¡± The girl¡¯s voice was ice wrapped in silk. ¡°I don¡¯t likepany while I eat.¡± She flicked a finger toward the far end of the room. ¡°There¡¯s an empty table over there.¡±

    Then, with a mischievous glint, she added, ¡°Unless¡­ you¡¯re trying to flirt with me? Sorry,dy¡ªwe¡¯re really not a match.¡±

    Raegan¡¯sposure cracked.

    This girl had zero manners.

    If this was how the so-called ¡°Anti¡± behaved, then Kiley had been right all along¡ªthis couldn¡¯t possibly be the real founder. Just some bratty imposter ying dress-up.

    Which meant¡­ the truth might lie elsewhere. With Maia?

    .

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    .

 Chapter 1194

    ?Chapter 1194:

    Had the organization behind Maia fabricated this identity too¡ªjust another mask in a long line of illusions?

    Convinced, Raegan turned to leave. She would report back to Kiley immediately.

    But before she could take a step¡ª

    ¡°Hey,¡± the girl called out, her voiceced with yful taunt. ¡°You¡¯re not that thin-skinned, are you?¡±

    Raegan paused.

    The girl speared a piece of beef and grinned around her fork. ¡°I was joking. If you still want to sit¡­ I don¡¯t mind.¡± Her tone carried a teasing edge.

    Raegan said nothing. She simply pulled out the chair and sat down, eyes fixed on her te, eating in deliberate silence. People always filled silence when they couldn¡¯t stand the tension.

    Sure enough, within seconds¡ª

    ¡°You mad?¡± the girl asked, leaning forward. ¡°Can¡¯t handle a little teasing? Though I gotta say¡ªyou look kind of cute when you¡¯re annoyed.¡±

    Her gaze swept over Raegan, sharp and assessing. ¡°You¡¯re a¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­model, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Raegan nced up and gave a single, curt nod.

    The girl¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Seriously? Perfect.¡±

    Then, just as quickly, her expression shifted¡ªyfulness giving way to something sharper, more focused.

    ¡°Look,¡± she said, lowering her voice, ¡°I owe you an apology for earlier. I just had a fight with my mom¡ªparents always think they own your life. But that¡¯s not why I¡¯m talking to you.¡± She leaned in, elbows on the table, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial hush. ¡°Here¡¯s the real question¡ªwould you consider bing Annie Crystal¡¯s exclusive runway model?¡±

    Raegan¡¯s fork ttered against her te.

    Her eyes narrowed. ¡°You? What¡¯s your angle?¡±

    In that instant, Raegan realized her mistake. She¡¯d approached this like a negotiation with an adult¡ªbut this girl wasn¡¯t ying by those rules. She was vtile, unpredictable¡­ and terrifyingly in control.

    Swallowing her disbelief, Raegan asked carefully, ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re offering to sign me?¡±

    She studied the girl across from her. The whole scene felt surreal.

    There was no way this girl was about to im she was the founder. Right?

    She had already dismissed that possibility. A seventeen-year-old running a global luxury brand? Ridiculous.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± the girl said, grinning now. ¡°I¡¯d love to sign you. Totally serious. Though¡­¡± She shrugged. ¡°The contract still needs my mom and legal to approve it.¡±

    The crystal chandelier overhead cast shards of white light into her eyes¡ªbright, unblinking, and far too knowing for someone so young.

    Then, leaning back with unmistakable pride, she delivered the final blow. ¡°Oh. Forgot to introduce myself. I¡¯m Anti. Founder of Annie Crystal.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 1195

    ?Chapter 1195:

    Raegan¡¯s breath hitched.

    She looked the girl over carefully, the entire situation suddenly feeling impossible to believe.

    ¡°You¡¯re not ying me this time, are you?¡± Raegan asked carefully. ¡°Do you even know when Annie Crystal was founded?¡±

    Just because this girl upied the room Kiley had specified didn¡¯t prove she was alone¡ªor even who she imed to be. She could be Anti¡¯s younger sister or daughter. Raegan had to be certain.

    As she spoke, she silenced her phone and pulled up Annie Crystal¡¯s public profile beneath the table.

    ¡°How could I not know?¡± Anti blinked, unfazed. ¡°Two years ago¡ªright after my fifteenth birthday¡ªIunched it with my cousin. Crystals have been my obsession since I was six.¡±

    ¡°And what sectors does Annie Crystal operate in?¡± Raegan pressed.

    ¡°Crystals, jewelry, crafts, perfume, and gaming,¡± Anti replied enthusiastically. ¡°We¡¯re about tounch a brand-new dress-up game¡ªyou y as the main character,plete all kinds of challenging missions, and collect different outfits.¡±

    The more she talked, the more animated she became, as if she were pitching a game project.

    It left Raegan torn¡ªwas this really Anti, or an imposter? But all of that information could be looked up by anyone with enough effort.

    So Raegan posed her final question. ¡°If you really are Anti, then why have you never shown your face before? And where¡¯s your assistant? You didn¡¯te here alone, did you?¡±

    She studied the girl¡¯s expression closely, missing no detail, then added, ¡°After all, even if the founder of Annie Crystal is still in high school, she¡¯d still need a professional manager and dedicated assistants to handle day-to-day operations. Your main focus should be on your studies, right?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right,¡± Anti said calmly, ¡°but I don¡¯t particrly enjoy being interrogated like this.¡±

    L¨»¦Ó??¦Ó c§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ??n g??l??ov?l??.??o??

    Her expression showed no trace of panic. Composed and collected, she reached into her handbag, took out her passport, and slid it across the table. ¡°Any more questions?¡±

    Raegan looked down at the passport.

    The name clearly read: Anti. Her age and birthce matched the publicly avable information exactly.

    ¡°Are you convinced now?¡± Anti asked. ¡°As for my assistant¡ªhe won¡¯t arrive until right before the g starts. Honestly, I¡¯m the one with the lightest workload in the wholepany, so my studies aren¡¯t affected at all. We have a professional team and career managers handling operations¡ªI don¡¯t need to spend much energy on it.¡±

    Then Anti pulled a gold-embossed invitation from her bag. ¡°This is the invitation to the Cooper Group Charity G. I think I don¡¯t need to exin anything further. If you ept my offer, we can¡¯t sign a contract right away¡ªbut I can arrange for you to do a few photoshoots and feature you in the next issue of Fashion Gems. I¡¯m quite close with the magazine¡¯s editor-in-chief. It¡¯s a rare opportunity.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1196

    ?Chapter 1196:

    Seeing those two items, Raegan¡¯s doubts were almost entirely dispelled.

    Noticing Raegan¡¯s stunned expression, Anti couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°You don¡¯t have to look so shocked. About your earlier question¡ªthere are no photos of me online and I¡¯ve never made public appearances, not because I didn¡¯t want to, but because I was too young back then. You know how parents are¡ªthey always worry too much and wouldn¡¯t let me appear in public. But I¡¯m turning eighteen soon, and I¡¯m done being a puppet.¡±

    After hearing that exnation, Raegan finally smiled. ¡°I was out of line just now. I¡¯m truly honored to receive your invitation.¡±

    ¡°No worries. I¡¯m used to it,¡± Anti replied lightly. ¡°Geniuses are always lonely and hard for ordinary people to understand, you know?¡±

    With that, Anti stood. ¡°I¡¯m full and need to go rest. Let¡¯s exchange contact info.¡±

    They quickly swapped phone numbers, and Raegan even followed her on Instagram.

    Anti proactively suggested they take a photo together, saying she wanted to show thepany staff what their future model looked like.

    As soon as Anti left, Raegan immediately opened Instagram to check her posts.

    At the top was their freshly taken photo, with Anti¡¯s caption reading, ¡°Such good luck today! I¡¯m nning to sign this beautiful model¡ªher aura is just like a sapphire, sparking so many ideas instantly.¡±

    Scrolling further down, Raegan saw Anti had also posted the invitation to the Cooper Group Charity G, adding, ¡°Didn¡¯t expect they¡¯d invite me! But I might not have time to attend¡ªmidterms areing up soon.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s almost exactly what she said just now,¡± Raegan murmured. ¡°The only difference is¡­ her personality ispletely unlike the low-key image described in all the reports.¡±

    After all, who would have thought Anti would openly unt her g invitation on social media and share her design inspirations without any restraint?

    Her Instagram was filled with countless sketches of her designs.

    ¡°Well, at least this proves Anti isn¡¯t Maia,¡± Raegan whispered to herself.

    Uncover new tales on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s??om

    Of course, that idea had always been a bit crazy to begin with. But still, it never hurt to y it safe.

    Raegan quickly got up and returned to her room. She dismantled the eavesdropping device, put it back into its case, checked out of the hotel, and left.

    Meanwhile, in the room on the other side of the wall, Antiy on the soft bed, a smile ying at the corners of her lips. ¡°If this is a dream,¡± she murmured, ¡°I hope I never wake up.¡±

    In truth, she had been lying¡ªrepeatedlytely.

    Her name really was Anti, but it was merely a coincidence; it happened to match the mysterious designer¡¯s name.

    A few months ago, she had been a timid girl who rarely spoke up, someone her ssmates saw as shy and awkward.

    At school, she was often mocked and bullied. Short in stature, freckles dotting her in face, she was the kind of person who faded into the background wherever she went.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1197

    ?Chapter 1197:

    One day, an online friend she¡¯d met in a video game asked whether she was the founder of Annie Crystal.

    It was because, in the game, Anti adored crystals¡ªso much so that she had collected nearly every type and even built an entire house out of them. That had sparked her friend¡¯s imagination. The friend imed to be Anti¡¯s biggest fan¡ªalmost obsessively so.

    In that moment, a sudden surge of vanity made Anti lie. She said she was Anti¡ªthe real founder of Annie Crystal.

    From then on, fate began to turn.

    Though she repeatedly begged her online friend to keep it a secret, word still spread.

    Soon, she became a sought-after figure in the gamingmunity. Countless yers wanted to team up with her. Because of her supposed status, teammates always let her im loot first, and she amassed rare in-game gear.

    Her pride swelled like never before¡­ Yet deep down, she knew she wasn¡¯t the real Anti. She lived in constant fear, terrified that one day someone would expose her.

    But day after day passed, and nothing happened.

    During that time, she scoured every avable source about the true founder of Annie Crystal.

    When she discovered, to her astonishment, that the designer had never once appeared in public, a bold and reckless idea took root in her mind.

    Still, she hesitated. She didn¡¯t dare impersonate such a famous figure in real life.

    So she stayed within the safe confines of the gaming world, basking in the admiration of those who believed her secret.

    But everything changed a month ago.

    One day, while being bullied again by older students, she identally blurted out that she was Anti¡ªthe founder of Annie Crystal.

    The punches she expected never came. Instead, the group burst into loudughter.

    ¡°You¡¯re joking, right?¡± one sneered. ¡°If you¡¯re the founder of Annie Crystal, then I must be the President¡¯s son!¡±

    L§Ñt??t ch¨»pt?rs ?n g??ln¦Ïv?ls.??¦Ï??

    ¡°Don¡¯t think sharing a name makes you her,¡± another spat. ¡°Bring us three thousand bucks by tomorrow¡ªor you won¡¯t being to school at all.¡±

    Just then, a tall man happened to walk by. He overheard their exchange and frowned.

    He sent a message to the Anti he knew from the game, then turned to look at the girl surrounded by bullies.

    At that very moment, Anti¡¯s phone rang.

    It was him¡ªthe teammate from the game, the self-proimed die-hard fan.

    By sheer coincidence, he hade to the city that day to meet other gaming friends.

    Thanks to him, Anti was not only rescued, but in the days that followed, she began reaping unexpected benefits.

    Her new allies helped cover up her deception while showering her with ttery and favors.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1198

    ?Chapter 1198:

    To maintain this persona and keep enjoying the attention, Anti gradually started believing she truly was the designer. Perhaps she had worn the mask for so long it could no longer be removed.

    She was no longer content hiding in the shadows. She began attending local gs as ¡°Anti,¡± the famed designer¡ªher identity reinforced by the people around her.

    Fortunately, those events were low-profile enough that Annie Crystal¡¯s actual team never noticed.

    Raegan had already returned to the Cooper Group and met with Kiley.

    ¡°I¡¯m certain,¡± Raegan said firmly, ¡°that we¡¯ve now eliminated the¡­¡±

    st possible risk.¡±

    Kiley gazed out the floor-to-ceiling window at Wront City, her eyes cool and distant. ¡°Good. Proceed with the n as scheduled.¡±

    ¡°Whether it¡¯s Maia or MCN¡ªthey¡¯re both far too conspicuous in this city,¡± Kiley said, her eyes narrowing to slits. Her fingertips traced a slow path across the desk, and her voice turned sharp as steel.

    ¡°You know what?¡± she continued. ¡°The Cooper Group has stood at the heart of this city for a hundred years¡ªnot because of charity, moral posturing, or gradual umtion. Those are just humble words winners use after they¡¯ve already won.¡± She let out a softugh,ced with mockery. ¡°What the Cooper Group truly relies on¡­ is plunder.¡±

    Raegan stood behind her, eyes lowered, silent, but her knuckles tightened ever so slightly.

    After a brief pause, Kiley went on. ¡°My ancestors struck gold during the Age of Exploration. They came to this city, seizednd, snatched businesses, and wed their way to the top, step by step, until they became the true masters of Wront. They now control the city¡¯s economic lifeline. It¡¯s not just corporations; they own factories, schools, real estate, fashion houses, jewelry brands¡ªyou name it. Their reach touches every aspect of daily life. You might find it hard to believe, but nearly sixty percent of the people living in Wront rely on Cooper Group paychecks to feed their families.¡±

    She turned sharply, her gaze as keen as an eagle¡¯s. ¡°Therefore, the Cooper Group must never fall. No one else can shoulder this burden¡ªnot me, and certainly not Maia.¡±

    L?t?st ch¦Ápt?rs ¦Én g??l??ov§Ö???.????

    Her voice rose, charged with fervor, like a general rallying troops before battle. ¡°This is a war we must win. It¡¯s time for thoseid-off workers to direct their anger squarely at Maia.¡±

    A slow, dangerous smile curled her lips¡ªcold, calcting, almost sinister.

    ¡°Also¡­¡± She pulled two gilded invitation cards from her handbag and handed them to Raegan. ¡°Since Anti isn¡¯t Maia, she¡¯s worth courting. I¡¯d like to ¡®identally¡¯ run into her tonight. I¡¯ve arranged a private soir¨¦e. Please bring her along.¡±

    Raegan took the invitations. Her fingertips felt icy, yet her expression remained perfectlyposed. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll go right away.¡±

    Raegan slid into her car but didn¡¯t start the engine immediately. Kiley¡¯s words echoed in her mind, again and again.

    ¡°The city¡¯s lifeline?¡± she murmured under her breath. ¡°Is the Cooper Group really that indispensable?¡±

    A bitter, soundlessugh escaped her. ¡°Kiley¡­ I never thought you¡¯d be such a hypocrite.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1199

    ?Chapter 1199:

    If Raegan hadn¡¯t already known about the Cooper Group¡¯s illicit dealings¡ªthanks to intelligence gathered by The Mask¡ªKiley¡¯s speech might have convinced anyone that the Cooper Group was the city¡¯s righteous guardian.

    But The Mask had long uncovered the truth. The Cooper Group wasn¡¯t the foundation of Wront¡ªit was its parasite. It wasn¡¯t building the city; it was bleeding it dry, stealing not just wealth, but lives.

    Raegan¡¯s mission tonight was twofold: first, use the party to destroy Maia. Second, and more crucially, steal the Cooper Group¡¯s ssified secrets. Following her leader¡¯s orders, she would dismantle this bloodsucking family once and for all.

    She snapped back to the present, pulled out her phone, and dialed Anti.

    Almost instantly, a haughty, yful voice answered. ¡°What is it? We just parted ways¡­ Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re already dying to be my model?¡±

    Raegan smiled faintly. She knew exactly what Anti wanted to hear, and precisely how to fulfill Kiley¡¯s assignment.

    ¡°Of course I¡¯m eager to sign as your exclusive model,¡± she said smoothly. ¡°But that¡¯s not why I¡¯m calling. There¡¯s a private cocktail party tonight, attended only by Wront¡¯s elite. Rumor has it many of them are your devoted fans. So, what do you say? Does it tickle your fancy? I went through quite a bit of trouble to secure two invitations.¡±

    She paused deliberately, then added with a teasing lilt, ¡°Truth is, I can hardly wait to see the look on their faces when they realize who you really are. You wouldn¡¯t refuse me¡­ would you?¡±

    ¡°Of course I refuse,¡± Anti giggled, her tone dripping with mock disdain. Her voice rose at the end, yful and sly.

    Then, in an instant, it shifted. ¡°But since you clearly busted your chops getting those invites¡­ I¡¯ll graciously ept this time. But don¡¯t you dare reveal my identity at the party.¡±

    ¡°No problem,¡± Raegan replied calmly, ncing at her wristwatch. ¡°That¡¯s entirely up to you. I¡¯ll be at the Marclif Hotel in about thirty minutes.¡±

    ¡°Before the party begins, we¡¯ll have time to stroll through Wront and pick out a gown that suits you perfectly.¡±

    Exclusive updates avable g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    .

    At the Nelson family vi, in the master bedroom, Rosanna stood before the full-length mirror. Her fingertips brushed lightly over the silver gauze of her gown, and a satisfied smile touched her lips.

    ¡°This one is perfect¡­ I¡¯ll wear this,¡± she murmured, the corners of her mouth curving upward in quiet delight.

    The maid understood at once. Without a word, she gathered the other gowns into garment bags and slipped silently out of the room.

    This was Rosanna¡¯s first formal invitation from the Cooper Group since bing Austen¡¯s wife.

    She hadn¡¯t appeared at such an elite social event in a long time. She¡¯d assumed she would have to wait until the Cooper Group¡¯s annual charity g to mingle once more with Wront¡¯s aristocratic families and celebrities.

    Yet now, Kiley was hosting a private cocktail party. Rosanna had a strong premonition¡ªtonight mattered. Kiley might make an announcement.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1200

    ?Chapter 1200:

    Regardless, Rosanna could hardly contain her eagerness. Sitting idle at home served no purpose. Better to arrive early, perhaps even catch Kiley alone before the crowd arrived.

    With that thought, she stepped out of the room and instructed the butler waiting outside, ¡°Have the car prepared.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mrs. Nelson,¡± the butler replied with a bow, then hurried off.

    Meanwhile, online buzz about the Cooper Group¡¯s uing charity g was exploding. The hashtag #CooperCharityG had surged to number one on trending lists, amassing over a billion views.

    ¡°Did you hear? Award-winning actor Ss Court is attending the g! Rumor has it he¡¯ll auction off part of his private collection and donate every penny!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s huge! Probably something royal or historic.¡±

    ¡°This g is unprecedented in scale. You could call it a star-studded summit. The main venue is said to be the Cooper Estate in northern Wront. Someone even filmed the red carpet setup on-site. There¡¯ll likely be a signature wall, and international media are nning live coverage!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d trade a year¡¯s sry for an invite! I refuse to watch history unfold only through a screen!¡±

    Undoubtedly, public interest in this year¡¯s Cooper charity event had eclipsed every previous gathering.

    Major news outlets ran continuous coverage, while rumors multiplied by the minute.

    Among them, one stood out: Anti, founder of Annie Crystal, had been invited.

    Netizens were stunned.

    ¡°Oh my god! Is this real? Anti¡¯s jewelry designs are my absolute favorite! She¡¯s my idol!¡±

    ¡°Can we trust this? Anti never shows her face in public. If she really appears, it¡¯ll be historic!¡±

    ¡°Wait¡ªAnnie Crystal and the Cooper Group¡¯s Radiant Jewels are rivals, right? Could this mean they¡¯re announcing a groundbreaking coboration?¡±

    Your escape is on g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    Thousands flooded Annie Crystal¡¯s official social media ounts, demanding confirmation.

    But the brand¡¯s response was maddeningly vague: ¡°Thepany cannot disclose information regarding Founder Anti¡¯s whereabouts.¡±

    The ambiguity ignited fury online.

    ¡°What kind of useless answer is that? Is Anti so hideous she can¡¯t be seen?¡±

    ¡°Is this all just a hoax? Maybe Anti doesn¡¯t even exist¡ªjust a fictional persona created for marketing!¡±

    ¡°I seriously suspect Annie Crystal¡¯s executives have sidelined their own genius founder. Why else would someone this talented remain invisible? It makes no sense!¡±

    Harsh usations and conspiracy theories spread like wildfire.

    The bacsh put Richie Ford, Annie Crystal¡¯s current CEO, on edge.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1201

    ?Chapter 1201:

    His phone hadn¡¯t stopped ringing since morning. Business partners, investors, even foreign distributors¡ªeveryone was fixated on one question: Would Anti appear at the Cooper g?

    After all, in the world of high jewelry, Anti wasn¡¯t just a designer. She was a legend.

    But Richie had no answers. He hadn¡¯t been able to reach Anti at all.

    He nced again at the stack of invitations on his desk¡ªdozens of them¡ªand recalled Anti¡¯sst instructions.

    Enough waiting. He pushed open his office door to find his senior executives already assembled in the hallway.

    ¡°Book flights to Wront immediately,¡± he announced. ¡°Whether our founder attends or not, we must see Radiant Jewels¡¯ new collection with our own eyes.¡±

    At an exclusive Cooper-owned venue, Rosanna arrived a full hour early.

    But contrary to her expectations, she was the only guest present. Not a single other attendee had shown up ahead of schedule.

    Worse still, a server informed her that, due to ast-minute change in ns, Kiley might not arrive until the very end of the evening.

    Rosanna¡¯s expression darkened for a moment, but sheposed herself swiftly, retreating to a quiet corner to sit.

    Then, scrolling through her phone, she saw the flood of posts about Anti. Her breath caught. Her entire body quivered with excitement.

    ¡°Anti¡¯s really going to be at the charity g?¡± Rosanna snapped her head up from her phone, pupils contracting in disbelief, her voice trembling with barely contained excitement.

    After all, Anti meant something far deeper to her than just another celebrity.

    Though many assumed singing was Rosanna¡¯s lifelong dream, it had always been nothing more than a hobby.

    Her true ambition had never wavered: to be the world¡¯s greatest jewelry designer andunch her own brand¡ªjust like her idol.

    And that idol, from the very beginning, had always been Anti, the visionary founder of Annie Crystal.

    M??? ?¦Ñ????? ?? ?????¦Í???.???

    Overwhelmed by anticipation, she quickly posted on social media. ¡°Oh my god! Am I actually going to meet my idol Anti at tonight¡¯s charity g?¡±

    Within three minutes, the post had already racked up over ten thousand likes.

    Thement section erupted instantly.

    ¡°Rosanna is a fan of Anti, too?¡±

    ¡°Wait, Rosanna¡¯s an Anti fan too? Amazing, so am I!¡±

    ¡°Please get me an autograph! I¡¯ll owe you big time!¡±

    ¡°If Anti shows up tonight, it¡¯ll be a historic night for Wront!¡±

    Rosanna stared at her screen, a soft smile tugging at her lips. She hadn¡¯t expected a single post to her over two thousand new followers so quickly. Clearly, Anti¡¯s fanbase was massive.

    An hour passed in the blink of an eye.

    At Orchid Land, the most exclusive private club in Wront, crystal chandeliers poured golden light across the room like liquid gold. Champagne towers shimmered on long banquet tables, and silver trays drifted through the crowd in the hands of impably dressed servers. Every dish looked like a masterpiece plucked straight from a gallery.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1202

    ?Chapter 1202:

    The guests were all scions of Wront¡¯s elite families¡ªsome chatting in hushedughter, others waiting expectantly for Kiley¡¯s arrival.

    Just then, a ripple of murmurs swept through the entrance.

    Raegan stepped inside, draped in a deep emerald velvet gown that hugged her silhouette with quiet elegance.

    Beside her walked a young woman with gently curled ck hair and a delicate sweep of silver eyeshadow at the outer corners of her eyes¡ªan arresting blend of cool reserve and bold confidence.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to carry yourself so well. Are you really a model?¡± Anti nced around curiously. ¡°And how exactly did you get an invitation to a ce like this?¡±

    Outwardly, she remainedposed, but inwardly, she was awestruck. This event dwarfed every other gathering she had ever attended.

    The rare delicacies on the tables, the bottles of wine that probably cost more than her monthly rent¡ªit all felt surreal.

    To her, the venue resembled less a private club and more a royal pce. Coming to Wront had definitely been the right choice.

    The circles she had moved in before now seemed embarrassingly provincial.

    This was where true high society gathered. Everyone exuded effortless grace, dressed in custom-tailored couture she had only ever seen on television.

    ¡°I am a model,¡± Raegan replied with deliberate vagueness, ¡°though I dabble in other things too. And I have my own connections.¡±

    She smiled faintly. ¡°But none of that matters right now. Let¡¯s just enjoy the evening.¡±

    Meanwhile, Rosanna was deep in conversation with a group of elegant societydies.

    ¡°I had no idea your idol was Anti, Mrs. Nelson!¡± one eximed. ¡°My husband owns her ¡®The Multitude¡¯ wine bottle set. He refuses to open any of them. They sit untouched on the top shelf of our wine cab.¡±

    ¡°The one that sold for seventeen million? My husband tried to bid too, but missed outpletely!¡±

    Discover more

    ¡°I heard Anti might actually show up tonight. My daughter¡¯s been begging for an autograph. But honestly? I want one even more than she does.¡±

    ¡°Her designs are so avant-garde¡ªevery single piece is a collector¡¯s dream¡­¡±

    Their voices reached Anti as she passed by with Raegan. A small, satisfied smile curved her lips. All traces of her earlier unease vanished.

    She knew that tone all too well¡ªreverent, awestruck, almost devotional.

    Anti understood perfectly. If she revealed her identity right now, she would instantly be the center of attention. She had tested that truth time and again in countless¡­

    ¡­settings. Besides, no one here could possibly prove she wasn¡¯t who she imed to be.

    Still, she wanted to hear how these women praised the legend they believed was untouchable.

    Raegan watched with quiet amusement as Anti seamlessly slipped into Rosanna¡¯s circle. Though she had long since drawn her own conclusions, she never tired of seeing them confirmed.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1203

    ?Chapter 1203:

    But soon, even Raegan was surprised by how deeply Rosanna understood Anti¡¯s work¡ªand how animatedly the two of them talked.

    ¡°Of course!¡± Rosanna eximed, eyes alight. ¡°I always knew Anti would think that way. Otherwise, there wouldn¡¯t be such intentional asymmetry in the design!¡±

    She turned eagerly to the young woman beside her. ¡°You¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve ever met who truly grasps Anti¡¯s creative philosophy. You must adore her too, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Anti replied without missing a beat, her voice steady and sincere. ¡°She¡¯s my greatest inspiration. In my eyes, she¡¯s simply the best in the world. You know what? You¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve ever met who could actually decode the concept behind that piece.¡±

    Rosanna beamed. The remark struck a chord deep within her. ¡°You¡¯re without a doubt the most insightful Anti fan I¡¯ve ever encountered.¡±

    Hearing those words, Raegan¡¯sst shred of doubt evaporated. For a fleeting moment, she even wanted to blurt out the truth¡ªthe girl standing before her was Anti.

    But just as that thought crossed her mind, a sudden hush fell over the entire hall. Every head turned toward the grand entrance.

    Servers lined up in perfect formation.

    At the far end of the crimson carpet, a solitary figure emerged¡ªgown trailing like moonlight, jewels catching the glow of a thousand crystals.

    Kiley had arrived.

    The guests offered warm smiles as they approached Kiley, but she acknowledged them only with a slight nod.

    Beneath the folds of her custom indigo gown, the elegant line of her long legs flickered into view with every subtle movement. The dress hugged her figure wlessly, entuating a grace that seemed almost otherworldly.

    Her face, nearly perfect, was sculpted like a masterpiece¡ªeach feature precise, poised, and arresting. Every gesture she made embodied elegance itself.

    ¡°Who¡¯s that? She looks so refined¡­¡± Anti¡¯s eyes sparkled. She had seen countless beauties, but few possessed that rare maism¡ªthe kind that held her gaze from the first nce. Aside from Raegan beside her, this woman was the only one who came close.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s©q??o?? is where stories live

    ¡°She looks familiar,¡± Anti murmured, sifting through the notes she¡¯d reviewed before the g. Then it hit her, a name surfacing like a ripple in still water: Kiley Cooper.

    Before Anti could voice the thought, Rosanna interjected. ¡°Is this your first time in Wront? That¡¯s Kiley Cooper¡ªcurrent CEO of the Cooper Group. The most powerful woman in the city¡­ and tonight¡¯s host.¡± She paused, excitement threading through her voice.

    Rosanna didn¡¯t question why Anti hadn¡¯t recognized Kiley. In her mind, someone so young at an event like this was likely just tagging along with family¡ªhere to observe.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of her,¡± Anti replied, ¡°but I didn¡¯t expect her to be even more striking in person. I almost didn¡¯t recognize her.¡± She stepped toward Raegan and lowered her voice. ¡°Do you know her well?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1204

    ?Chapter 1204:

    Raegan nced at her. ¡°Of course. Everyone in Wront knows Kiley Cooper. But if you¡¯re asking whether I can introduce you¡­¡±

    She hesitated. She couldn¡¯t risk revealing their true connection, so she nned to offer only a cautious attempt.

    But before she could finish, Anti cut in, utterly confident. ¡°No. What I mean is¡­ just tell her who I am. That alone will bring her to me.¡±

    Raegan froze for a fraction of a second. Then, slowly, she reassessed the girl before her. This audacity¡ªthis unshakable certainty¡ªsuddenly felt right. It was exactly the kind of arrogance one would expect from the founder of Annie Crystal. Her lingering doubts dissolved.

    She even recalled something the Leader once said: ¡°The world nevercks geniuses¡ªor the arrogant. But those who are both? They often wield extraordinary talent, and they refuse to be bound by convention. True brilliance, after all, walks hand in hand with entricity.¡±

    ¡°You really think she¡¯lle to you?¡± Raegan asked, testing her onest time. ¡°What if she refuses?¡±

    Anti blinked,pletely unruffled.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she said, voice steady and sure. ¡°She won¡¯t refuse. Not if you tell her who I am.¡±

    Raegan narrowed her eyes. This was precisely what Kiley had been waiting for, yet it felt too seamless.

    Still, a faint smile returned to her lips. ¡°Alright,¡± she said softly.

    Rosanna, overhearing their conversation, found it unbelievable.

    Were these two insane? Every sentence they spoke was perfectly intelligible, yet strung together, they formed something utterly baffling. What gave this girl¡ªbarely seventeen or eighteen¡ªthe confidence to believe someone like Kiley would drop everything just to meet her?

    The fragile rapport Rosanna had begun to build with Anti shattered in an instant.

    She had admired the girl¡¯s eloquence, her deep knowledge of Anti¡¯s designs, her ability to articte the vision behind every crystal piece.

    Find thetest stories g?ln¦Òv??ls

    But now, that same brilliance felt alienating¡ªwrapped in arrogance so absolute it carved a chasm between them.

    ¡°If you¡¯re set on humiliating yourself,¡± Rosanna muttered under her breath, stepping back, ¡°don¡¯t drag me into it.¡±

    She couldn¡¯t afford to be associated with such recklessness.

    Even she¡ªRosanna¡ªwould never dare approach Kiley directly. She had spent weeks preparing for tonight: choosing the perfect dress, rehearsing casual encounters, plotting the exact moment to catch Kiley¡¯s eye.

    After all, Mariana was finished. Rumor had it she¡¯d unraveled after the art exhibition¡ªlocked away at home, undergoing psychological treatment.

    And Rosanna had no intention of remaining Mariana¡¯s shadow any longer. She was Austen¡¯s wife now¡ªa new identity, a fresh start.

    Around them, whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

    ¡°Did you hear that? That girl actually said she wants Kiley Cooper toe to her? Does she even know what she¡¯s saying?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1205

    ?Chapter 1205:

    ¡°I heard that too,¡± murmured a noblewoman nearby. ¡°No one even knows whose child she is¡ªher entire family is bound to be disgraced by this before long.¡±

    Another woman gave a disdainful sniff and added, ¡°Exactly! One must think carefully before speaking at an event like this. Otherwise, you might end up with no way to save face.¡±

    Rosanna listened in silence, a cold smile flickering across her lips. Good thing she hadn¡¯t spoken to that girl for long earlier.

    Just then, someone hissed urgently, ¡°Look¡ªKiley¡¯s looking this way¡­ That girl¡¯s probably about to be escorted out by her bodyguards any second.¡±

    ¡°Now this ought to be interesting,¡± another guest murmured, eyes alight with anticipation.

    Rosanna lifted her gaze, a simrly amused smile ying on her lips.

    Yet Kiley¡¯s expression remained unchanged. Wearing a polite smile, she walked calmly toward the girl under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes.

    Meanwhile, Anti stood with her hands on her hips, chin held high, confidence curved on her lips.

    She had never been one to shy away from attention¡ªwhether at a small-town gathering back home or at a high-society soir¨¦e in an international metropolis like Wront. Composure came naturally; it was simply part of who she was.

    What had once held her back was her own insecurity and timidity. But the moment she chose to impersonate Anti¡ªto fully be the enigmatic, legendary designer everyone imagined¡ªshe truly became Anti.

    Now she could handle any situation, any person, without a flicker of doubt.

    That was why no one had ever seen through her¡ªand why Cooper Group had sent the invitation directly to her.

    Atst, Kiley stopped before the girl. Their eyes met.

    Just as Rosanna and the rest of the crowd braced themselves for the girl¡¯s inevitable humiliation, Kiley spoke, her voice warm and weing.

    ¡°Hello. We haven¡¯t met before. I¡¯m Kiley Cooper. It¡¯s a true pleasure to have you at my private¡­¡±

    Stay connected at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    soir¨¦e.¡±

    A stunned silence crashed over the room. Jaws dropped. Eyes widened in disbelief.

    Rosanna¡¯s breath caught in her throat.

    This couldn¡¯t be right¡­ Why would Kiley greet her with such genuine warmth? It sounded as if she¡¯d been expecting the girl all along.

    Rosanna¡¯s mind raced back to the girl¡¯s earlier words. Her gaze sharpened. Could it be¡­ this girl came from an exceptionally powerful background?

    ¡°Who on earth is she?¡± The same question zed through every guest¡¯s mind.

    And in the next heartbeat, they were struck by another shock, because the girl finally spoke.

    ¡°The pleasure is mine,¡± she said calmly. ¡°I¡¯m Anti.¡±

    The very air seemed to freeze. An absolute hush fell over the entire venue.

    Then Kiley¡¯s voice cut through the silence, filled with sincere admiration. ¡°Truly astonishing. I never imagined you¡¯d be so young.¡± She extended her hand with a gracious smile. ¡°No wonder you¡¯re the genius behind Annie Crystal.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1206

    ?Chapter 1206:

    Anti epted the handshake with ease. ¡°You¡¯ve surprised me as well¡ªyour beauty surpasses your photographs.¡±

    She smiled warmly. ¡°I¡¯d love to see you wearing my designs. Trust me, it would be breathtaking.¡±

    It was a social skill she¡¯d mastered through countless events: when someone praised you, don¡¯t bask in it¡ªreturn thepliment with grace, even if you didn¡¯t truly mean it.

    Their brief exchange hit the crowd like a silent storm. Guests traded stunned nces, mouths agape.

    Someone finally stammered, ¡°Dear God¡­ she¡¯s actually Anti?¡±

    ¡°Impossible! Am I dreaming? Annie Crystal stands shoulder to shoulder with Radiant Jewels as one of the world¡¯s most exclusive jewelry brands¡ªhow can its founder be so young?¡±

    ¡°Wait¡ªif Anti is here tonight, does that mean she¡¯s been personally invited to Radiant Jewels¡¯ new productunch and charity g?¡±

    At that moment, Kiley raised her voice, clear enough for all to hear.

    ¡°Distinguished guests, please allow me to introduce Miss Anti¡ªthe founder of Annie Crystal.¡±

    Then, gently taking Anti¡¯s hand, she added¡ªloud enough for every ear in the room to catch¡ª¡°Let¡¯s talk somewhere more private. I¡¯m truly excited about the possibility¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­of Radiant Jewels coborating with Annie Crystal. In fact, I¡¯d be honored if you¡¯d consider bing our chief designer.¡±

    Her wordsnded like a seismic wave.

    This wasn¡¯t just news¡ªit was market-moving intelligence. The mere prospect could send Cooper Group¡¯s stock soaring by morning.

    In an instant, the very women who had been sneering and whispering moments ago surged forward with eager smiles, desperate to exchange even a single word with Anti.

    But it was toote. Kiley was already leading Anti away, her security detail forming an imprable barrier around them.

    Your favorite tales are on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§ànn

    A cold gust swept through the garden.

    Rosanna finally snapped out of her daze.

    ¡°What?¡± she thought. ¡°That girl¡­ was actually Anti¡ªthe very designer I¡¯ve read so much about?¡±

    ¡°No¡ªno! This isn¡¯t real. This can¡¯t be real!¡± Rosanna¡¯s chest tightened, regret flooding through her like an icy tide. That girl, moments earlier, had been the very person she had idolized for years¡ªthe figure who drifted through her dreams and ambitions.

    Rosanna had yearned for the day their paths might finally cross, and just a heartbeat ago, she had stood within reach of her.

    Yet Rosanna had brushed her aside with a smirk, treating her presence like some absurd spectacle.

    She had stood there waiting¡ªalmost giddy¡ªfor Anti to be humiliated and marched out by Kiley¡¯s security detail. And now the bitter truth struck her: the fool in this scenario wasn¡¯t Anti. It was her.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1207

    ?Chapter 1207:

    She should have recognized it sooner.

    That girl had spoken with precision about every one of Anti¡¯s creations, unpacking concepts with the ease of someone who lived and breathed them, even mentioning confidential details known to only a handful of insiders.

    Knowledge like that could belong only to a fervent admirer like herself¡ªor to Anti herself, the mind behind the designs.

    Rosanna felt like a child caught mid-theft, hand still buried in the cookie jar. But this wasn¡¯t the fear of a scolded child facing a parent¡ªit was the deeper dread of confronting her own reflection.

    Murmurs drifted through the cluster of guests around her, each voice colliding with the next.

    ¡°We¡¯re loading up on Cooper Group shares tomorrow. Nobody outside this room has caught wind of it yet.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Keep this between us.¡±

    ¡°Once the media breaks the story about Anti¡¯s coboration with Cooper Group the day after tomorrow, tomorrow¡¯s price will look like a steal. I¡¯d bet this sends the stock soaring¡ªeasily five limit-up days in a row.¡±

    ¡°More than that. Look at this soir¨¦e¡ªCooper Group isn¡¯t just throwing money around. They¡¯re using Radiant Jewels to catapult themselves onto the international stage. The guest list alone tells you they¡¯re making a move.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. We owe Kiley thanks. Her invitation was basically an early alert.¡±

    ¡°No question. Tethering ourselves to Cooper Group and Kiley is the surest path to endless returns.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s fists curled so tightly her knuckles whitened. She made herself a vow: she would approach Anti again tonight, right here at this charity g, and she would not squander the moment. She wanted to learn, to absorb, to be guided¡ªand maybe, just maybe, she could carve her own path to bing a master jewelry designer far sooner than she had ever dared to hope.

    Meanwhile, inside one of the hospital wards, Chris had justpleted a full round of examinations.

    The monitors read normal, yet a troubling haze still clouded his memory.

    Updates loaded at g¦Ál¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe??s

    Maxwell sat close to the bed, brows drawn tight.

    ¡°Chris,¡± he demanded, his voice stripped of its usual careless ease, ¡°what exactly went down? You told me to watch over Pattie but never mentioned you¡¯d been ambushed. Why keep me in the dark?¡±

    His fists were clenched tight, knuckles trembling with barely checked fury. ¡°Who had the audacity toy a hand on you? If Pattie hadn¡¯t phoned me from the police station today, I wouldn¡¯t even know you¡¯d been hurt, let alone hospitalized.¡±

    Chris gave a slow shake of his head. It wasn¡¯t a matter of secrecy¡ªhe simply couldn¡¯t summon the memories.

    Fragments floated back: a shadow following Maia, his own footsteps trailing into a narrow alley, the sudden confrontation. The attacker had moved like a predator¡ªfast, deliberate, lethal. Chris had fought back without restraint, leaving his assant in bad shape.

    Then came the gunfire¡ªloud, echoing.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1208

    ?Chapter 1208:

    For a heartbeat, he thought he recognized a voice.

    And then agony, searing and unrelenting, as though his skull had been plunged into boiling water. His consciousness flickered and went dark.

    The final image branded into his mind was Maia¡¯s face, streaked with panic as she rushed toward him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone I¡¯m here,¡± Chris said firmly, sidestepping Maxwell¡¯s barrage of questions. ¡°Go dig into the ck market. I need intel on any recent smuggling runs¡ªespecially the source of those weapons.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already set people on it,¡± Maxwell murmured, his voice low and grim. ¡°But it¡¯s¡­ empty. No leads, no chatter¡ªnothing.¡±

    He paused before adding, ¡°Chris, something¡¯s off. None of Cooper Group¡¯s ships have left porttely, but everything¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­about this feels tied to them. Those shooters seemed to appear out of nowhere, and their guns¡ªlike they bypassed the ck market entirely.¡±

    Maxwell met Chris¡¯s eyes head-on, his expression hard. ¡°Did you catch a glimpse of them? Hear any words? If we could snag even one, I¡¯d never let those bastards walk free.¡±

    Chris¡¯s brow furrowed.

    He forced his mind to rewind¡ªand shes flickered through.

    His body sprawled on cold asphalt, blood pooling beneath his head. His reflection hidden behind a metal mask. A swarm of faceless masks, multiplying.

    Ance of pain shot through his skull. Chris pressed both hands to his temples, gritting his teeth.

    And then, in the throbbing dark, a woman¡¯s voice rose¡ªdistant, yet unmistakable.

    ¡°Quick! Save him!¡±

    It carried a timbre almost identical to Raegan¡¯s.

    Chris¡¯s brows knit in deep thought, a flicker of suspicion about Raegan tightening his chest. The possibility sent sharp, unsettling ripples of anxiety through him.

    ¡°Maxwell, the Cooper Group¡¯s charity g is approaching. I need you to closely monitor someone,¡± he said, his voice steady but urgent. ¡°Keep a sharp eye on Kiley¡¯s executive assistant, Raegan Foster.¡±

    Maxwell nodded, calm and unsurprised.

    In Wront, only the Cooper Group dared challenge Chris, their moves so cunning that even Maxwell¡ªhardened by years of vignce¡ªcould find no thread leading back to them.

    The two continued their discussion, refining their strategy. Maxwell would shadow Raegan, while Chris would attend the g hosted by Cooper Group alongside Maia.

    ¡°I¡¯ll head out now,¡± Maxwell said, rising. ¡°Take care.¡±

    Left alone, Chris rose from the bed and approached the window. Moonlight spilled through the ss, cloaking him in a silvery glow that sharpened the lines of his striking features.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1209

    ?Chapter 1209:

    When Chris founded The Mask, he had concealed his true identity.

    However, since most of the early members were people he already knew personally, he had been able to judge their character and secure their loyalty to the organization¡¯s interestsying a crucial foundation of trust.

    Among all the early members, Chris trusted Raegan most¡ªso much so that he elevated her to deputy leader, recing the original second-inmand.

    To shield The Mask from exposure, he had established a separate organization under his sole control, relinquishing leadership of The Mask to Raegan¡ªa choice he now feared had been a grave mistake. Was Raegan acting for the organization¡¯s good, or pursuing her own ambitions?

    The Mask¡ªhis creation¡ªhad turned against him and Maia. Yet he couldn¡¯t reveal himself until the Cooper Group was dismantled.

    ¡°What¡¯s your true n, Raegan?¡± he murmured, resolve hardening.

    He lifted his phone and dialed a number.

    The call connected instantly, a man¡¯s voice crisp. ¡°What are your instructions, sir?¡±

    Chris¡¯s tone was firm. ¡°I need you, gue, War, Famine, and Death, to meet me in Wront.¡±

    ¡°Understood, sir.¡±

    As he ended the call, a flicker of confusion crossed the man¡¯s face. What kind of crisis warranted summoning the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

    Despite his unease, he moved quickly. He notified gue, War, Famine, and Death of Chris¡¯s orders, then shrugged into his coat and instructed his butler to book the earliest flight to Wront.

    Meanwhile, in Borealis, at Wildebell, a man hurried out from a training ground and gged down a taxi with urgency. ¡°To the airport,¡± he said, sliding into the back seat.

    In Aether, at a West Coast boxing league event, a contestant poised to enter the ring took a call¡ªthen abruptly forfeited the match, leaving the crowd in bewilderment.

    In Xenevia, a chef tore off his apron and hat and sprinted from the restaurant while diners stared, stunned by his sudden exit.

    ???§ÁE ??P?¦«T¦®? I§ª G¦«?§ª?V¦®??.???

    Out on the Novaterra Ocean, a warship veered off course, its abrupt shift sending a ripple of confusion through the crew.

    Outside the Marclif Hotel, Anti stepped out of a Rolls-Royce Phantom, lifting a hand in farewell as Kiley departed.

    Her thoughts lingered on their recent partnership talk¡ªand on the ck card Kiley had given her, loaded with five million. A gleeful smile curved Anti¡¯s lips.

    ¡°Money is there for those bold enough to seize it,¡± she murmured, her eyes gleaming with ambition.

    ¡°I never imagined Ms. Cooper would be this generous. City life really is another world,¡± Anti murmured as she slipped into the elevator, gripping the ck card so tightly it was as if it might disappear the moment she loosened her fingers.

    With every number that changed on the panel, her heartbeat grew louder, keeping pace with the ascent.

    Soon, the doors opened on the eighteenth floor¡ªRoom 1806.

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 Chapter 1210

    Chapter 1210:

    Anti stepped out, hurried inside, and locked the door behind her. Only then did she press her back against the chilled surface and slide down until she sat on the floor, finally daring to look at the card in her hand. Its dark finish shimmered with gold patterns and delicate etching, and a string of numbers sat in the corner like a secret code.

    This kind of wealth was beyond anything she had ever held.

    When Kiley casually mentioned ¡°a five-million advance,¡± Anti had nearly lost control of her expression. But she¡¯d forced herself to remember the role she was ying¡ªan untouchable genius designer, someone who should look unmoved by ¡°trivial¡± sums and perfectly capable of weathering any storm.

    So instead of reacting, she¡¯d only narrowed her brows slightly and let her gaze drift away, like those cold-blooded negotiators in movies.

    The pause had worked exactly as she¡¯d hoped. Kiley had immediately sweetened the deal. ¡°That¡¯s only the advance. There¡¯s another fifteen million inpensation, plus half the profits from our future projects.¡±

    Hearing that, Anti had almostughed on the spot. Her heart had pounded with unrestrained excitement.

    Now, back in the hotel room, she sucked in a sharp breath, clutched the ck card tighter, and pressed her free hand to her chest as if that could keep her from bursting apart. ¡°Five million is already more than enough,¡± she whispered.

    Theposure she¡¯d worn like a mask all the way back finally shattered here.

    A brightugh spilled from her lips as she scrambled to the bed and flung herself onto it.

    She bounced, then rolled across the mattress with the carefree delight of a child.

    t on her back, she lifted the ck card toward the ceiling, grinning like an idiot as she admired it.

    ¡°Such a pity¡­¡± Herughter cut off, and the smile drained from her lips. ¡°I¡¯m not really Anti.¡±

    She pushed herself upright, her gaze drifting to theptop on the desk.

    Luck alone hadn¡¯t carried her through these past few months. Every time she wore Anti¡¯s name, situations surfaced that demanded real design work. At first, she¡¯d dodged them with clever excuses. But as her reputation solidified, her weekends were often swallowed by the library¡ªso her admirers would keep believing in the persona she performed.

    Don¡¯t miss out g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m

    She devoured everything she could find about jewelry: studies on metal flexibility, the precision of gemstone cuts, the elegance of Renaissance motifs, even daring futuristic concepts. And in forcing herself to learn, she¡¯d be something close to a true expert.

    Sketch after sketch filled her notebooks as she practiced by imitating Anti¡¯s masterpieces. Before long, she¡¯d produced more than a thousand drafts, many of them proudly disyed for her supporters to see. In her hometown¡¯s elite circles, no one suspected she was anything but authentic. Who would question someone who could capture the very spirit of ¡°The Multitude¡± series with such uncanny precision?

    ¡°In any case, I¡¯d better put together a few sketches, just to be safe.¡±

    Her voice steady, Anti tucked the ck card away, crossed the room, and flipped open herptop.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Wishing all my dear readers a wonderful weekend! A new novel will be out in just a few hours. God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. ? ?? ? ?? ?

    P.S. I¡¯ll be running a poll in the ga!novels WhatsApp group to see what you¡¯d like to read next. Hope I can bring something you¡¯re wishing for ¡ï

    .

 Chapter 1211

    ?Chapter 1211:

    ¡°If someone brings it up at the g, I¡¯ll present these drafts first. Since they¡¯re unfinished pieces, I can always im the ws are part of the process. Even if Kiley runs Radiant Jewels, she won¡¯t immediately detect anything suspicious.¡±

    Her n was already set: slip out of Wront and catch a flight the moment the g ended.

    The praise and attention had been sweet, but she wasn¡¯t naive. She knew perfectly well that every step she took was built on deception.

    Still, vanity had its ws in her. Once she¡¯d tasted its rewards, turning back felt impossible.

    She understood the lies would eventually copse. And for that reason, she decided she would wring everyst benefit from this borrowed identity¡ª¡°the founder of Annie Crystal¡±¡ªbefore the truth finally caught up with her.

    With enough money in hand, she could vanish into a new city, take on another name, and build a life where no one knew her past.

    Beforeing to Wront, she¡¯d imagined something very different. She¡¯d thought she would need to endure endless gs, carefully weave connections, and wait¡ªpatiently, painfully¡ªuntil she could finally turn a profit.

    But everything had gone far more smoothly than she¡¯d expected. She hadn¡¯t even set foot in the charity g yet, and she already had five million dors in her grasp. In her mind, it barely felt like fraud at all.

    ¡°You want drafts? Fine. I¡¯ll give you drafts,¡± she muttered, a sharpugh slipping out.

    Right then, her phone began to buzz. The caller ID shed her mother¡¯s name.

    ¡°Anti, what nonsense have you gotten yourself into?¡± her mother shrieked the moment she answered.

    Her voice was ragged, as if she¡¯d been crying. ¡°Did you steal money from the family to buy a ticket to Wront? Do you want your father to tear me apart?¡±

    Anti¡¯s mother screamed, the sound slicing through the line like a de.

    Anti¡¯s brows knit sharply. She jerked the phone away from her ear as if the noise could scorch her skin. The smile she¡¯d worn moments ago vanished, swallowed by a surge of raw fury.

    L??t??st ch??pt??rs in g¦Ál??ovels.c?m

    ¡°What are you screaming for?¡± she bellowed, her voice jagged and unrecognizable. ¡°How many times do I have to say it? That man is no father of mine. He¡¯s a drunk, a gambler, and an addict!¡± She twisted her tone into a cruel imitation of her mother¡¯s usual voice and sneered, ¡°How could taking money from home possibly count as stealing? I refuse to rot in that suffocating hellhole. I¡¯m seventeen¡ªpractically an adult. So don¡¯t call me again!¡±

    ¡°Anti!¡± Her mother¡¯s voice burst out, drenched in desperate anguish. ¡°I¡¯m your mother. We share the same blood. You have to give me the money! If your father finds out you took it and never came back, he¡¯ll kill me!¡±

    Anti let out a bitterugh. ¡°Then go to the police! Leave that godforsaken house, abandon that wretched man, and disappear to another city. I can¡¯t understand you.¡± Her voice sharpened, venomous. ¡°Look at how brilliant I am. How could I possibly be the daughter of someone who can¡¯t even understand a simple bill? Sometimes I think you stole me from my real parents.¡±

    She hurled the words with such ferocity her chest heaved, her breathing spiraling out of control.

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 Chapter 1212

    ?Chapter 1212:

    She¡¯d been sick of her old life for a long time¡ªthe leaky roof that dripped misery, the moldy corners that festered with decay, the ss shattered by flying bottles in the dead of night, the suffocating stench of alcohol when his hands closed around her throat.

    She refused to ept that she was that cursed, unlucky girl.

    She was Anti¡ªthe visionary founder of Annie Crystal, personally invited by Kiley herself, praised in elite circles as a genius designer.

    And soon, she would hold more money than her mother could earn in an entire lifetime of scanning groceries at a supermarket.

    ¡°How can you say such cruel things?¡± Her mother¡¯s voice softened suddenly, threaded with trembling sobs. ¡°Do you have any idea how agonizing childbirth is? How grueling ten months of carrying you can be?¡±

    Anti parted her lips, but no words came.

    Just then, the sharp crack of a bottle shattering against a wall burst from the other end of the line.

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    A coarse, savage male voice followed instantly. ¡°Where¡¯s the money, you worthless bitch? Why¡¯s the cash in my drawer gone?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± her mother¡¯s voice quavered, humility ground down to dirt beneath a boot. ¡°Maybe you took it yourself and forgot?¡±

    ¡°Bullshit! Why the hell isn¡¯t Anti at home? Did that little brat take it to prance around at some pathetic party? Does she actually think she¡¯s some kind of socialite now?¡± His voice rose, thick with rage. ¡°That¡¯s my money. Drag her back here right now¡ªsomeone¡¯s interested in her, willing to fork over three thousand dors for one night. We fed her and housed her all these years; she owes us that much.¡±

    ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± her mother screamed, desperate and cracking. ¡°Do you even hear what you¡¯re saying? She¡¯s your daughter!¡±

    ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± Anti¡¯s father snarled. ¡°She¡¯s my daughter, which means she should be earning money for me.¡±

    The call died abruptly.

    gal¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe?s.c?m is your update source

    Anti clutched the phone, her fingertips turning to ice.

    She didn¡¯t need to imagine what came next. That man would seize fistfuls of her mother¡¯s hair and m her head into the wall,sh her with a belt, spit at her, and call her a ¡°useless woman who couldn¡¯t even give birth to a son.¡±

    And Anti herself¡ªonly eight years old back then¡ªhad already mastered the art of hiding under the bed, teeth sunk into her own hand to muffle her sobs. From that day forward, she never said the word ¡°Dad¡± again.

    She had always dreamed of being born into elegance¡ªraised in a sprawling vi, with a father who was a polished CEO and a mother who was a graceful artist exhibiting in prestigious galleries. She would have been their cherished daughter, learning piano with delicate fingers, sketchingndscapes in the soft afternoon light, hosting refined tea parties beneath roses in bloom.

    But reality was a swamp that swallowed hope whole¡ªan abyss stretching endlessly downward, without mercy. Her real family squeezed the breath from her lungs.

    .

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 Chapter 1213

    ?Chapter 1213:

    Over the years, Anti had crafted countless false identities for herself, but only this one made her feel like a bird finally able to fly, a fish gliding through boundless currents, a human being worthy of existence.

    ¡°They¡¯re not my parents¡­ No. They can¡¯t be.¡±

    Tears carved hot paths down Anti¡¯s cheeks as she curled into herself, knees drawn tight to her chest, trembling as she repeated the words like a broken prayer.

    In that fragile moment, her borate masquerade crumbledpletely. The persona she had painstakingly built dissolved, and she became what she truly was¡ªa pitiful, broken girl from a small, forgotten town the world had left behind.

    After what felt like an eternity of drowning in silence, Anti slowly lifted her head. Her gaze drifted across the room and settled on the unfinished jewelry sketches scattered across her desk.

    Suddenly, she began to speak, her voice soft and hypnotic, as though she were narrating a fairy tale or casting a spell over herself. ¡°I am Anti, the founder of Annie Crystal. My father is the CEO of a prestigious listedpany, my mother a celebrated artist. Our family lives in a magnificent vi,plete with a shimmering swimming pool, a lush garden bursting with color, and everyone adores me¡­¡±

    But before she could finish the fantasy, her eyes shifted¡ªturning cold and sharp as winter ss.

    This wasn¡¯t the confident, radiant girl who had dazzled guests at the soir¨¦e, nor the shattered girl who had just wept into her knees. This was something new, something dangerous¡ªan unfamiliar Anti, armed with venomous intent.

    It was as if she had peeled away one mask only to slide another, darker one into ce.

    A vicious expression settled across her features like frost.

    Her voice dropped to a whisper, cold and deadly, carrying a menace that seemed to freeze the air itself. ¡°If only the real Anti were dead. Then I could keep pretending forever, without fear.¡±

    She paused, letting the thought breathe and expand in the silence. Then she murmured in that same cial tone, ¡°It would be even better if everyone who knew the real her simply disappeared, too.¡±

    Fresh updates loaded g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    At three in the morning, in Erygan Hospital, Jarrod stood in the doorway of the room, his final gaze lingering on his parents¡ªmotionless in theiras.

    The monitor¡¯s green glow washed over their pale faces, lending them the stillness of ancient statues.

    Thest few days had stretched into an eternity, each second suffocating him with a despair so profound it felt physical.

    Every time he closed his eyes, memories dragged him back to the days before Maia¡¯s release from prison. Back then, even with his parents¡¯ constant scolding, he had still known a measure of happiness.

    Now, the silence was absolute, broken only by the relentless, monotonous beep of the machines.

    ¡°Dad, Mom¡­ I¡¯m leaving,¡± Jarrod whispered, his voice a ragged scrape.

    The words hung in the sterile air. He hefted the heavy case containing the crossbow and trudged out into the night. The Morgan residence was gone¡ªsealed and ted for auction to cover their crushing debts.

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 Chapter 1214

    ?Chapter 1214:

    Jarrod was utterly,pletely alone.

    In the forest park on the outskirts, the nighty in total darkness.

    He pitched his tent, then fixed a peg into a tree ten meters away and hung a smallmp from it.

    With a click, themp lit, casting only a dim glow. From inside the tent, it looked like a fist-sized spark in the darkness, throbbing like a heart.

    A target.

    Jarrod lifted the crossbow, his knuckles turning white.

    ¡°Maia Watson!¡± he snarled, teeth bared, hatredcing every word. ¡°My parents raised you for seventeen years. Without them, you would have died. They gave you life, and you repay them by hurting them?¡±

    With a sharp pull, he squeezed the trigger.

    The bolt struck the tree, embedding itself just three inches from themp.

    He loosed another shot. Then another.

    Soon, five bolts were buried in the bark.

    ¡°Damn it! All misses!¡± he cursed, the reality of the difficulty crashing down on him. But he couldn¡¯t quit.

    He had failed at everything in his life, but not this. He would not fail at this.

    There was still time before the charity g, and he intended to practice until his aim was wless.

    His n was set: on the night of the g, he would cut the power, plunging the venue into perfect darkness.

    First, he would find a way to get close to Maia and daub her with glow-in-the-dark paint. In the ckness, she would be his one shining target.

    One shot was all it would take. After that, nothing else mattered¡ªnot capture, not consequence. Jarrod was a vessel of pure, single-minded vengeance.

    As for his parents, he had no worries. He trusted Rosanna would care for them.

    Keeping them alive in the ICU cost tens of thousands every day. Without the funds Rosanna secured from the Nelson family, his parents might not have made it.

    The thought only stoked his rage. He nocked another bolt and fired at the light as if it were Maia¡¯s heart.

    Meanwhile, at Erygan Hospital, the heart monitor by Richard¡¯s bedside suddenly surged, its waveform spiking erratically.

    A secondter, it settled back into its normal, steady rhythm. But his index finger had twitched¡ªa minute, almost imperceptible movement.

    Just then, a nurse stepped into the room. After a thorough check, she found no sign of consciousness and no irregrities.

    ¡°Must have been a glitch in the machine,¡± she muttered, frowning as she returned to the nurse¡¯s station.

    A second nurse caught her arm, eyes shining with recognition. ¡°Oh my God! I knew I¡¯d seen her before! That was Maia¡ªshe came here to cover Richard and Sandra Morgan¡¯s expenses!¡± she eximed breathlessly. ¡°The gossip online is wrong. She never abandoned them.¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1215

    ?Chapter 1215:

    The first nurse lifted a skeptical brow. ¡°I heard she cut ties with the Morgans and hasn¡¯t been back for days. Are you sure you aren¡¯t mistaken?¡±

    ¡°Look for yourself,¡± the other nurse insisted, swiveling theputer monitor.

    The surveince footage clearly showed Maia¡¯s figure at the payment counter. ¡°It really was her.¡±

    Elsewhere, at the Nelson family vi, Rosanna tossed in bed, unable to sleep.

    Her thoughts kept drifting back to Anti, reying the moments from the cocktail party earlier that evening.

    Anti was a seventeen-year-old genius. The revtion was as shocking as it was exhrating.

    Atst, there was someone younger¡ªand more brilliant¡ªthan Maia, and that person was her idol.

    ¡°I have to find out where Anti is staying. I¡¯ll meet her first thing in the morning,¡± Rosanna resolved, the n hardening into certainty.

    She recalled the woman who had been with Anti¡ªa woman named Raegan Foster.

    After a brief hesitation, she gave in and texted Austen: ¡°Austen, I need a favor. Can you get me Raegan Foster¡¯s contact number?¡±

    A momentter, Ss raised an eyebrow at Rosanna¡¯s message.

    Why was the woman saved as ¡°Enchantress¡± in Austen¡¯s phone suddenly asking about the deputy leader of The Mask?

    ying the imitator, Ss remained unfazed. Instead, he slipped into Austen¡¯s persona, weighing his reply with careful restraint.

    Propped against the window, Ss let his fingers drumzily along the edge of his phone. Only after weighing it over did he decide that Raegan should be the one to deal with this matter, as stepping in himself could create needless errors.

    With that, he ced the call, his voice carrying a yful edge. ¡°Someone¡¯s digging around about you, ma¡¯am.¡±

    ¡°Do you even know what hour it is? Who¡¯s behind it, anyway?¡± Raegan asked, her toneced with annoyance.

    L¦Á¦Ó??¦Ó ?§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??om

    Keeping his tone serious, Ss answered, ¡°Can¡¯t say for sure. But I think it might be Austen¡¯s woman. She¡¯s asking for your number.¡±

    Confusion clouded Raegan¡¯s face, as Austen had never once mentioned anything like that. Naturally, members of The Mask guarded their own secrets, and she had learned not to pry.

    Still, Austen was set apart from the rest. They knew each other beyond the circle, and he had never hidden how deeply he cared for her.

    Raegan¡¯s heart held space only for the leader of The Mask, leaving no opening for anyone else. For that reason, she kept pretending not to notice Austen¡¯s feelings. Persistence, however, defined him. More than once, he had dered that he would wait for her no matter how long it took.

    ¡°That¡¯s interesting.¡± A quietugh slipped from Raegan. ¡°Tell her then.¡±

    She ended the call immediately, not sparing another word.

    Soon after, her phone lit up with a message from an unknown number: ¡°Apologies for the intrusion. We crossed paths at the private gathering today. I¡¯m a follower of Anti, and I was hoping to learn where she¡¯s staying. Could you also share her contact number?¡±

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 Chapter 1216

    ?Chapter 1216:

    For a moment, Raegan stared at the message, feeling oddly absurd. Her earlier annoyance had sprung entirely from the false idea of Austen having another woman. Even without caring for him that way, the sudden pang in her chest came from an enemy who did not exist.

    ¡°Austen¡­¡± Raegan remembered his earnest confession and let out a gentleugh. ¡°You really are a liar.¡±

    Inside the Nelson family¡¯s vi master bedroom, Rosanna hid beneath the nkets, her phone clutched to her chest as her eyes stayed locked on the glowing screen.

    It was well past midnight. She assumed Raegan was already asleep, certain no reply woulde until morning. Still, she couldn¡¯t stop opening the chat again and again, each nce sparking an eager thrill she couldn¡¯t shake.

    She had worshipped Anti for three long years, and even though she had crossed paths with her, missing the chance to truly connect left her more devastated than any heartbreak.

    Atst, as night bled into dawn, her phone trembled with a fresh notification.

    Rosanna sprang upright.

    ¡°Apologies, but I can¡¯t reveal that.¡±

    Her excitement copsed the instant her eyes swept over the words.

    Again and again, Raegan¡¯s face surfaced in her mind.

    That unbearable woman. She was keeping it all to herself.

    Before Rosanna could stew any longer, her phone erupted with a piercing ring. She answered at once.

    ¡°Whoever passed my number along didn¡¯t bother asking me first.¡± Raegan¡¯s voice, thick with sleep, carried a faint edge of mockery. ¡°And honestly, you should know better than to disturb someone in the dead of night.¡±

    ¡°I apologize. I just couldn¡¯t contain myself.¡± Rosanna swallowed her irritation and forced her tone sweet. ¡°If sharing her number isn¡¯t possible, could you at least tell me which hotel she¡¯s staying at? Please¡ªif you ever need a favor and I¡¯m able, I¡¯ll do it for you.¡±

    Raegan kept the phone close to her ear, studying the woman¡¯s voice. Something about it felt familiar.

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    ¡°Are you Axell¡¯s wife, by any chance?¡± she asked, a cautious note slipping in.

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m Rosanna, Axell¡¯s wife,¡± came the quick reply.

    At the name, Raegan¡¯s curiosity sharpened.

    So this was the Morgan family¡¯s true daughter.

    Rumors had long circted that Maia¡¯s imprisonment had been her doing.

    If Rosanna truly had no idea Maia had never served time, then she might be exactly the kind of person eager to expose her at the charity g.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of you, and you¡¯ve left me with a decent impression.¡± Raegan¡¯s tone softened, though she cloaked her thoughts in careful hesitation. ¡°The truth is, Anti is the kind of genius who prefers to remain hidden from the public eye.¡±

    ¡°Please! I swear she¡¯ll never hear it from me. I¡¯ll make it look like we met by chance,¡± Rosanna insisted, realizing that as long as Raegan hadn¡¯t ended the call, there was still hope.

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 Chapter 1217

    ?Chapter 1217:

    Her voice gentled as she added, ¡°Name your terms, and I¡¯ll agree.¡±

    ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll tell you once I¡¯ve sorted that out,¡± Raegan replied with a yfulugh.

    The pull Anti had over others was stronger than Raegan had anticipated, but she only needed the situation to tip in her favor.

    What mattered most was whether Rosanna could be a useful weapon.

    After letting the silence stretch for a beat, Raegan continued, ¡°Anti asked me not to reveal her whereabouts. Still, I did hear the breakfast at Marclif Hotel is worth trying.¡±

    Once the call ended, Raegan sent Rosanna a message: ¡°We seem to get along well. If you¡¯re freeter today, why don¡¯t we meet for coffee?¡±

    Overjoyed by the sudden invitation, Rosanna epted without hesitation.

    She rushed into the bathroom, sshed water onto her face, and grabbed her makeup kit. The sleepless night had left dark shadows beneath her eyes, but with practiced hands, she concealed them with foundation and refined her look until it was wless.

    By the time she set her brush down, dawn had already given way to early morning. The clock was nearing seven, and she refused to let the chance of meeting Anti slip away. Without wasting another second, she hurried to the Marclif Hotel.

    In the hotel¡¯s buffet hall, the aroma of fresh coffee and warm baked bread filled the air.

    Anti sat quietly, savoring her breakfast, when someone approached her table.

    ¡°Is this seat free? Would you mind if I joined you?¡±

    The voice struck a familiar chord, and for a brief moment, it felt as though this had happened before. Anti looked up, her expression mirroring the shock on the woman¡¯s face.

    ¡°It¡¯s you!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s you!¡±

    They blurted the words at the same time.

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    Rosanna quickly pulled out a chair and sat down. ¡°Goodness. That hat almost fooled me into thinking you were someone else.¡± Excitement brightened her voice. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d run into you here. Yesterday, I assumed you were just another admirer of Anti, but it turns out you were Anti herself.¡±

    The memory of theirst encounter flickered through Anti¡¯s mind, and the irony made her smile. To her, moments like this felt like a stroke of unexpected luck.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t hiding on purpose,¡± she said. ¡°I just prefer keeping things low-key.¡±

    Rosanna nodded eagerly. ¡°Of course. I get it.¡± Her gaze drifted to Anti¡¯s te, and she added, ¡°Oh! We even have the same preferences in food.¡±

    What she didn¡¯t say was that she had already spotted Anti earlier and had been quietly watching her every move. After all, building a bond often started with something as simple as shared tastes.

    Although startled once again, Anti kept herposure and praised Rosanna¡¯s choices.

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 Chapter 1218

    ?Chapter 1218:

    By the time breakfast came to an end, their conversation flowed with such ease that it felt as though they had known each other for years.

    Rosanna believed her sharp eye had made the connection possible, while Anti saw no harm in it¡ªRosanna was Austen¡¯s wife, after all, someone who might prove useful.

    ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll see you at the charity g tomorrow.¡± With a quick wave, Anti stepped into the elevator and shed Rosanna a smile.

    Rosanna lifted her hand in return, her mood bright despite the fatigue of a sleepless night. She never imagined that spending time with Anti could be so enjoyable. For the first time in a long while, it felt as if fortune had finally turned in her favor.

    The moment the elevator doors slid shut, Anti¡¯s cheerful expression dissolved into open disdain.

    ¡°Austen¡¯s wife? What an idiot,¡± she thought coldly.

    Too many times, she had crossed paths with people who engineered ¡°coincidences,¡± measured every word, and moved with rehearsed nerves. Still, Anti had gained another admirer for the g¡ªone more person who would, by sheer presence, reinforce the lie that she was exactly who she imed to be.

    In the forest park, golden beams filtered through the canopy, sketching jagged patterns across the tent¡¯s fabric. Only a short distance away, a tree trunk bristled with bolts, while the ground beneath it glittered with shards of broken lightbulbs.

    Without warning, a deep roar rolled through the woods, shattering the stillness.

    A massive brown bear burst from the thicket, towering at nearly six and a half feet as it charged the tent, as though the forest itself had sent it to drive the intruder away.

    Jarrod jolted awake and snatched up his crossbow. He slid a bolt into ce and tore open the tent p¡ªonly to face the beast¡¯s hulking silhouette looming over him, its body blotting out the light.

    The musky, earthy stink of the animal filled his lungs. The bear growled, stretched its powerful jaws, and lunged forward, swiping with a wed paw.

    ¡°Dammit!¡± Jarrod shouted, bolting in panic as adrenaline surged through him.

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    If money hadn¡¯t been an issue, Jarrod would have chosen the safety of a shooting range instead of running for his life through this cursed forest park with a brown bear on his heels.

    The thought of firing the crossbow shed through his mind, but the beast was far faster than he had ever imagined.

    Every nce over his shoulder showed the massive animal nearly upon him, leaving him no choice but to throw himself to the ground again and again to avoid its swipes.

    Aiming was impossible, and pulling the trigger was out of the question.

    The tent had already been torn to shreds, and that destruction was the only reason the bear wasn¡¯t already crushing him beneath its weight.

    After another desperate roll, Jarrod sucked in a lungful of air and hurled himself toward the nearby river, clinging to the slim hope of escape.

    The instant he surfaced, dread seized him¡ªthe bear had leapt into the water after him.

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 Chapter 1219

    ?Chapter 1219:

    Shock rattled him to the core. All those stories about bears being poor swimmers were nothing but lies.

    ¡°Somebody help me!¡± Jarrod shouted, thrashing through the water as he struggled toward the opposite bank.

    Maia wrapped up her final surgery of the day and finally made her way back to Elysium Apartments.

    All she wanted was a few hours of real sleep. Then she would wake, prepare her gown for the banquet, review tomorrow¡¯s n with Chris, and¡ªif luck allowed¡ªsteal another stretch of rest afterward.

    Being a surgeon, she realized again, was easily one of the most exhausting jobs in existence.

    Thatst operation alone had stretched for six relentless hours. Yet under Carsen¡¯s steady mentorship, Maia felt her confidence growing¡ªespecially with Chris¡¯s uing procedure looming ahead.

    When she entered the apartment, her gaze instinctively swept to the kitchen, then to Chris¡¯s room.

    He wasn¡¯t home.

    That was strange. He had told her clearly that he wouldn¡¯t be going out for a while.

    Maybe something urgent hade up? She hesitated, then pulled out her phone and sent him a message: ¡°I¡¯m home. When will you be back?¡±

    After that, she headed to her room, changed into her pajamas, and copsed onto the bed.

    Within minutes, exhaustion imed her.

    Meanwhile, across town, Chris steered his car toward a secluded manor near the airport.

    He parked, lifted the titanium mask from the passenger seat, and carefully fitted it over his face.

    In an instant, his aura transformed.

    Gone was the mild-mannered illegitimate son everyone dismissed.

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    In his ce stood the maskedmander¡ªthe leader of The Mask, a figure whose very name sent tremors through the underground world.

    A man approached, his tone respectful. ¡°Sir, I¡¯ve informed all four as you instructed. They¡¯ve justnded at Wront Airport and are en route. My men have also secured surveince within a three-kilometer radius.¡±

    Chris gave a curt nod and strode toward the old rose-covered manor¡ªonce his father Kyle¡¯s estate, long before the family fractures began.

    At three in the afternoon, in the refreshment lounge of the Marclif Hotel, Rosanna sat stiffly beneath a wide-brimmed hat that nearly swallowed her face.

    She scanned the area with anxious eyes. Thest thing she needed was for Anti to spot her meeting Raegan. If that ¡°idental encounter¡± from the morning got exposed, everything would crumble.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. We¡¯ll talk somewhere else.¡± The low,posed voice came from right behind her.

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 Chapter 1220

    ?Chapter 1220:

    Raegan stood there¡ªunbothered, unhidden, not attempting to disguise herself. She had spotted Rosanna long ago but had waited, quietly observing from the shadows.

    She hadn¡¯t anticipated Rosanna being so strikingly noticeable. Within minutes, her choice of attire had turned her into the center of unwanted attention.

    Raegan sighed inwardly. There was a spark of cleverness in Rosanna¡ªbut only a touch.

    They soon reached a secluded private club tucked inside a forest park.

    Once the doors closed behind them, Rosanna exhaled in relief and removed her hat. ¡°Nice ce,¡± she muttered.

    ¡°Feel at home,¡± Raegan said, settling gracefully at a table. ¡°We¡¯re alone here. By the way, did you see Anti?¡±

    Rosanna nodded. ¡°I did¡ªthanks to your warning.¡± She met Raegan¡¯s cool gaze. ¡°So¡­ have you thought about my offer?¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± Raegan replied, her tone deliberate. ¡°But first, tell me the truth¡ªwhat¡¯s your real rtionship with Maia?¡±

    Rosanna narrowed her eyes, her gaze probing. The woman across from her remained an enigma she couldn¡¯t quite unravel.

    At the mention of Maia, anger surged. ¡°What kind of rtionship do you think we have?¡± she snapped.

    ¡°That¡¯s not the answer I want,¡± Raegan said mildly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Is Maia family to you¡ªor your enemy?¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s eyes burned red with fury as she spat the words through clenched teeth. ¡°Enemy? No¡ªMaia is my nemesis. There¡¯s a blood feud between us!¡±

    She made no effort to conceal the truth; anyone who knew her understood how strained things were between her and Maia. Open acknowledgment was far better than a futile denial.

    Thinking of Richard and Sandra¡ªhelpless, suspended between life and death¡ªRosanna¡¯s voice shook with rage. ¡°Maia stole the life that was meant for me. And she killed my parents.¡±

    Raegan lifted a brow, intrigued.

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    ¡°Oh?¡± she said. ¡°That¡¯s a serious usation. Do you have proof?¡± She studied Rosanna for a beat, then added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not your enemy.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s fists tightened. ¡°Not yet. But my brother Jarrod found out that, on the day it happened, my parents contacted Maia. If I had evidence, I would¡¯ve sent her straight back to prison.¡±

    Her voice faltered, and a thin, private smile ghosted over her lips.

    She didn¡¯t say it aloud, but she knew¡ªJarrod wouldn¡¯t wait for proof. He¡¯d already decided to kill Maia.

    Suddenly, a hoarse cry echoed from somewhere deep in the woods.

    Rosanna¡¯s head snapped up on instinct.

    The voice sounded familiar.

    But Raegan didn¡¯t flinch, as if she hadn¡¯t heard anything at all. Rosanna¡¯s brow furrowed, unease flickering in her eyes. ¡°Did someone just call for help?¡±

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 Chapter 1221

    ?Chapter 1221:

    ¡°This isn¡¯t fair! God, why does it always have to be me? I can¡¯t ept this¡­ Why is it that I fail at everything¡­¡±

    Jarrod pressed his weight against the blood-smeared rock, his awareness slipping away like a voice dissolving into the distance. Fire tore through his back, and every breath widened the wound, as if his flesh were being ripped open with each inhale.

    But the despair drowning him was heavier than the pain.

    Scenes red behind his dimming eyes, rushing past like fractured film.

    A small Maia, her hair tied into pigtails, rose on tiptoe to slip a candy into his palm. ¡°Take it. It¡¯s yours, Jarrod.¡±

    When he¡¯d hidden in the woodshed after failing an exam, a younger Maia had nudged the door open and stumbled through a silly joke until she doubled over withughter.

    He remembered how Maia always pushed the lone drumstick from her bowl into his while she chewed vegetables with a smile. ¡°I don¡¯t really like meat that much.¡±

    So small, and yet she tried so hard to make him happy. Other than his parents, nearly every scrap of warmth in Jarrod¡¯s life was tied to Maia.

    Once, he had spoken to her withplete sincerity. ¡°Maia, I¡¯m older than you. Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯ll protect you.¡±

    But what had be of those words?

    Somewhere along the way, he had let them fade. All he could remember now were Rosanna¡¯s usations¡ªthat Maia had once been a thief, that she was the one who ruined his family.

    The memories twisted and darkened, dragging Jarrod back to the side of his parents¡¯ bed, where theyy suspended in endless silence. There, he had sworn again and again that Maia would die by his hand.

    Yet he no longer remembered that Maia had once been his family¡ªthe very person he¡¯d vowed to keep safe.

    A gunshot cracked through the stillness, splitting the forest in two. Birds burst from the trees, wings beating frantically against the sky.

    Jarrod¡¯s eyes flew open in shock. The brown bear bolted in terror, crashing through the brush and vanishing deep into the woods.

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    ¡°I¡¯m saved¡­¡± His lips barely moved, the words escaping in the faintest whisper.

    But before Jarrod could even breathe in relief, a cold barrel mmed against his temple. ¡°Who are you? What are you doing here?¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s eyelids drooped. He fought to lift them, forcing his gaze upward.

    A bearded man stood over him¡ªmiddle-aged, broad-shouldered, with eyes sharp and unyielding, like a hunter long ustomed to danger. Jarrod tried to answer, but the world pitched. His vision swam, and his body slid sideways against the blood-stained rock.

    The man¡¯s eyes narrowed as he noticed the raw w marks raked across Jarrod¡¯s back. A frown pulled at his brow.

    He crouched, rifled through Jarrod¡¯s pockets, and found nothing that resembled a weapon.

    ¡°Did I imagine the threat?¡± he muttered, scanning the forest¡¯s edge. For ten long years, he had hidden here, always on guard against those who wanted him dead.

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 Chapter 1222

    ?Chapter 1222:

    ¡°You¡¯ve stumbled on me, boy. Fortune¡¯s on your side.¡± With a grunt, the man hoisted Jarrod over his shoulder and marched into the dense woods.

    A cabin emerged beyond a tangle of vines, its rough wooden frame tucked away in secrecy.

    Within the rose-covered manor, Chris sat at the head of a long table, the titanium mask on his face catching the light in a cold metallic sheen.

    His fingers were inteced, and his gaze swept over the four figures seated across from him.

    Invitation cards to the Cooper Group charity gy on the table between them.

    Even with their faces hidden behind masks, Chris never doubted their loyalty. Each of them was bound to him by a life debt.

    ¡°Do you all understand?¡± Chris¡¯s fingers tapped softly against the polished wood, his tone hard as steel.

    In perfect unison, the four rose, ced a hand over their hearts, and bowed low. ¡°Whatever you desire will be fulfilled, sir.¡±

    Their devotion came from more than duty. It was gratitude.

    A decade ago, in a fire that should have swallowed them whole, Chris had dragged them out at the risk of his own life. Without him, they would have be nothing but ash.

    Chris gave a brief nod. ¡°Good. Tomorrow, follow the n exactly.¡±

    After a short silence, he added, ¡°Keep this in mind. Nothing outranks Maia¡¯s protection.¡±

    Inside the car, Chris slipped off his mask.

    His face remained hard, the weight of the meeting still clinging to him.

    A nce at his phone revealed an unread message from Maia: ¡°Mr. Cooper, I¡¯ve just gotten home. When will you return?¡±

    The severity in his expression eased at once, and an involuntary smile curved his lips.

    ¡°Soon,¡± he typed in quick reply.

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    Without hesitation, Chris pressed down on the elerator. The engine roared, and the car surged forward at full speed.

    Maia¡¯s eyes fluttered open, hershes trembling. Her beautiful gaze found Chris hovering above her, tense and visibly on edge.

    She had rarely seen him so rattled, and augh bubbled up before she could stop it.

    ¡°Well then, Mr. Cooper. Time toe clean,¡± she said, yful. ¡°How did you manage to slip into my bed without me noticing? Think carefully before you answer. You won¡¯t get a second chance.¡±

    Chris didn¡¯t know which way was up. He couldn¡¯t tell whether Maia was truly angry or just teasing him.

    There was no dodging it¡ªhe had crept into her bedroom, and when she opened her eyes, he was practically on top of her.

    Chris parted his lips. Just as he started to exin, Maia looped her arms around his neck, a smile tugging at her mouth.

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 Chapter 1223

    ?Chapter 1223:

    Then she pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.

    The soft touch hit him like a wave, and everything he¡¯d meant to say vanished in an instant.

    What had he been about to tell her? In that moment, Chris drew aplete nk. The world fell away until Maia was the only thing he could see.

    Maia didn¡¯t give him another second to speak. She pushed him back onto the mattress and swung one leg over him, straddling his waist.

    She kissed him with hungry urgency, unrestrained, as if something inside her had broken loose and she couldn¡¯t hold it back anymore. Even when their teeth knocked now and then, their tongues still found each other, tangling again and again.

    This time, Maia set the pace¡ªbold and relentless¡ªstealing Chris¡¯s breath until he could barely keep up. Heat rushed through her, a feverish warmth spreading fast beneath her skin.

    She didn¡¯t need an exnation from him. He was her husband, and that was enough. The only man she trusted¡ªsomeone she would ce her life in without hesitation.

    To Maia, what they had had already grown far beyond the arranged marriage they¡¯d started with. She wanted all of him. She wanted the whole future.

    ¡°Take a breath,¡± Maia murmured, cradling the back of Chris¡¯s head in her palms. She studied his impossibly handsome face and hummed, satisfied.

    Their lips parted for only a heartbeat. Chris dragged in a deep breath, ready to speak, but Maia stole it again¡ªher kiss more urgent, more demanding, cutting him off before he could form a single word.

    Chris gave in, kissing her back just as fiercely.

    Their breaths tangled, warm and uneven, and they held each other tightly. The days apart had turned every kiss into something ravenous, soaked in longing. Right now, words would have been wasted between them.

    For the past several days, Maia had been consumed by surgical training, while Chris had been swallowed by his schemes. Now, everything they¡¯d been holding back finally broke free.

    Vince¡ªher former fianc¨¦¡ªhad once left Maia¡¯s heart in tatters. It had been an innocent heart, overflowing with dreams of romance, until betrayal shattered it beyond repair.

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    During those four years behind bars, on the nights when even the stars refused to show themselves, Maia had repeated the same vow again and again: never to fall for a man¡¯s sweet talk, never to hand her heart to anyone so easily.

    Back then, love had been thest thing on her mind.

    But now, the man beneath her was gathering up the broken pieces one by one. Chris was putting her back together¡ªquietly, patiently¡ªreturning to her the courage to love again.

    Maia had fallen for him,pletely.

    When they finally pulled apart to breathe, the light spilling through the window washed their faces in warm amber, turning everything soft and unreal.

    Chris tried again to speak, but Maia wouldn¡¯t let him. She lifted a finger and pressed it gently to his lips, her voice low and coaxing as she whispered, ¡°Shh¡­ Let¡¯s keep going.¡±

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 Chapter 1224

    ?Chapter 1224:

    Heat red through Chris. He had never seen this side of Maia before.

    And somewhere deep in his gut, he knew it¡ªthe invisible barrier between them had just dissolved into nothing.

    By chance, when Maia finished speaking, Chris realized the moment hade to reveal the truth to her as well. He was not a spoiled rich kid or a man who lived off women, as others had painted him to be.

    Back in his college years, Chris had already built several businesses thanks to his sharp eye for opportunities, amassing a fortune worth tens of billions. He had used that wealth to establish ST, the world¡¯s top hacker group, and to bring The Mask into existence.

    Everything he had done served a single purpose: to one day exact revenge on those who had killed his parents. It was his way of standing up to the power lurking behind Kolton.

    Not long ago, Chris¡¯s people had finally captured an undercover agent. Just before taking his own life, the man had revealed the organization¡¯s name: Shadow Syndicate.

    Pulling himself back to the present, Chris pressed his palms into the mattress and slowly pushed himself upright. ¡°I have something to tell you as well,¡± he said.

    The moment the words left his mouth, he noticed that Maia had gone silent. She was staring downward, her entire face flushed a deep red.

    Chris followed her gaze and realized that when he had just sat up, Maia, who had been sitting across his waist, had slipped slightly and ended up pressed against his groin.

    The air between them instantly grew thick and unbearably awkward. ¡°Um¡­ Mr. Cooper, please keep yourposure,¡± Maia whispered, her voice barely audible.

    But the sight of her looking so embarrassed only made Chris¡¯s body react even more strongly.

    He had no idea what to say.

    Maia was just as speechless.

    The situation had be painfully awkward, yet they couldn¡¯t remain frozen like this forever.

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    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± Maia said, gripping his shoulder. She quickly stood up, jumped off the bed, and rushed out of the room, heading straight for the bathroom and leaving Chris sitting there alone.

    He took deep breaths, trying to calm himself down, though it didn¡¯t work very well.

    Just the memory of Maia¡¯s tempting yet shy expression made Chris¡¯s body react all over again.

    He swallowed hard, feeling cornered by his own thoughts. He got up and stepped out of Maia¡¯s bedroom.

    The bathroom door was still shut. Chris didn¡¯t linger. He went straight to the kitchen, turned on the tap, and sshed cold water onto his face again and again until he finally felt somewhat normal.

    Once the charity g was over, he would act. The time hade to confront Cooper Group head-on.

    Chris didn¡¯t want to keep torturing himself like this, always afraid that next time he might lose controlpletely. He had sworn he would settle everything as soon as possible¡ªand then give Maia a wedding that would make the whole world stop and stare.

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 Chapter 1225

    ?Chapter 1225:

    Inside the bathroom, water rushed from the faucet. Maia turned it on and kept sshing cold water over her face, but her cheeks still burned, refusing to cool no matter how much she tried.

    This time, they¡¯d almost gone further than before. It wasn¡¯t just her mind in chaos¡ªshe had nearly lost her grip too.

    ¡°Get it together, Maia. Chris is just a regr guy. What happened is totally normal.¡±

    She repeated it like a mantra, reminding herself that Chris had kept his word. Besides, she was the one who had started it this time.

    Maia lifted her gaze to the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back at her. Strangely, she didn¡¯t mind what she¡¯d be.

    It seemed that once she¡¯d sorted out her feelings for Chris, she¡¯d returned to the person she¡¯d been before prison¡ªthe one who still believed in love.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s been ages,¡± Maia said with a grin at her reflection.

    Thinking of Chris¡¯s flustered expressions from a moment ago, she couldn¡¯t stop smiling. And honestly¡ªher husband¡¯s body was something else.

    Every now and then, Maia thought Chris ought to try being a male model.

    Then again¡­ maybe not.

    She¡¯d rather keep her man all to herself.

    Half an hour passed before Maia finally got her feelings under control and came out of the bathroom.

    Chris had already taken his seat at the dining table, looking calm again, though his eyes kept darting away.

    Two cups of coffee sat on the table, wisps of steam rising into the air. ¡°It¡¯s atte. Freshly brewed,¡± Chris said, breaking the silence first. ¡°I hope you¡¯ll like it.¡±

    ¡°Mm,¡± Maia replied. She sat down, picked up the cup, gently blew on the surface, and took a sip. ¡°It¡¯s pretty good.¡±

    Neither of them mentioned what had just happened, but the air between them still felt slightly off.

    ¡°Do you want sugar?¡± Chris asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

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    Maia shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s good like this.¡±

    Silence settled in again.

    They both lowered their gazes, sipping their coffee without saying a word. The things they had wanted to say earlier now seemed stuck in their throats, impossible to voice after everything they had just shared.

    It didn¡¯t feel like the right time to confess the secrets they had both been carrying. They figured it might be better to wait until after the charity g, when they could find a more appropriate moment to be honest.

    When Maia finished thest sip of her coffee, she lifted her eyes and met Chris¡¯s gaze.

    ¡°Chris¡­¡±

    ¡°Maia¡­¡±

    They spoke at the same time.

    ¡°You say it first.¡±

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 Chapter 1226

    ?Chapter 1226:

    ¡°No, you go ahead.¡±

    Once again, they talked over each other, creating another awkward pause as both waited for the other to start.

    The second hand of the clock continued ticking in the heavy silence.

    Maia hadn¡¯t expected her and Chris to be so perfectly in sync.

    The thought made her smile despite herself. ¡°Ahem. Ahem¡­ I guess I¡¯ll start.¡±

    This time, Chris remained quiet, giving a small nod to show his agreement.

    ¡°About the charity g tomorrow, I get the feeling that Kiley is pulling out all the stops, turning it into such a huge production. It can¡¯t be only about charity and theunch of Radiant Jewels. When something feels off, there¡¯s usually more going on beneath the surface. She has to have some other n up her sleeve,¡± Maia said as she looked at Chris.

    She knew perfectly well that Kiley had her sights set on her and MCN, but telling Chris wouldn¡¯t do any good. In fact, it might only drag him deeper into the mess.

    So she changed her approach. Reaching out, she took Chris¡¯s hand and continued, her voice filled with sincerity. ¡°But whatever happens, tomorrow you¡¯re going to see Laurence. I know that¡¯s something you¡¯ve wanted for a long time.¡±

    Chris felt the warmth of Maia¡¯s gentle hand spread through his blood and straight to his heart. Even now, she was still thinking about this and remembered how much he longed to see Laurence.

    But her next words knocked the wind out of him.

    ¡°Chris, I hope you can find a chance tomorrow to help your grandfather get away.¡±

    Maia¡¯s expression showed she was serious. ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to create an opening for you. No matter what happens tomorrow, don¡¯t hesitate. Just focus on getting Laurence out. Even though I¡¯ve only seen your grandfather from afar, at that Cooper Group banquet before¡­¡±

    Maia recalled the scene, remembering how slowly Laurence had moved and the vacant, distant look in his eyes. She tightened her grip on Chris¡¯s hand and continued, ¡°I watched him for quite a while. His condition looks worse than just being depressed after a setback.¡±

    Chris was caught off guard by her words, his brows knitting together as a suspicion he had been harboring was suddenly confirmed by someone else.

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    Maia held onto his hand, worried that what she was about to say might upset him and trigger a headache. But if she stayed silent, they might lose their chance to help Laurence.

    After all, Laurence was usually confined to the Cooper family¡¯s old residence, isted from everyone. The charity g was a rare opportunity.

    If Chris could get Laurence out, they could have Lenny run a blood test and check for any signs of poisoning.

    Maia set her jaw and spoke slowly. ¡°Chris, I think¡­ your grandfather has been poisoned.¡±

    She pressed her lips together and added, ¡°And if we don¡¯t act soon, it might be toote.¡±

    The moment those words reached Chris, it felt as if a de were hanging above him, ready to strike at any second.

    .

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 Chapter 1227

    ?Chapter 1227:

    He had never imagined things would spiral this far, turning into a threat he could almost taste in the air.

    ¡°I understand,¡± Chris said without hesitation, his gaze steady and calm.

    He trusted his wife¡¯s judgment more than his own. Deep down, he knew this was a door that might never open again if he let it pass.

    Chris¡¯s fists clenched so tightly that the veins stood out on his hands, a faint tremor betraying the storm inside him. ¡°Maia, thank you for being honest with me,¡± he said, his voice restrained yet sincere.

    Seeing the weight on his face, Maia softened her tone. ¡°Chris¡­ I know how hard this must be for you. They say a home is where the heart is, but not everyone has a ce that truly feels like one.¡±

    She brushed her fingers over his, her touch as light as a drifting feather. ¡°I used to think family meant love without limits, but I¡¯ve learned that some people only carry the name ¡®family¡¯ and nothing more.¡±

    Chris¡¯s expression eased at her words, and he enclosed her smaller hand in his own.

    Their fingers intertwined, as if two weary souls had finally found rest in each other¡¯s presence. Both bore wounds left by those who should have protected them. The pain ran deep, yet it drew them closer than ever.

    ¡°Chris,¡± Maia said, her voice warm, no longer clinging to the distant ¡°Mr. Cooper,¡± but speaking as someone who knew him by heart.

    ¡°Whateveres your way, I¡¯ll be right there beside you. We may not have a say in the family we¡¯re born into or the people waiting for us when we first arrive in this world,¡± she continued, a gentle smile touching her lips, like sunlight warming cold skin. ¡°But we do have the power to choose the people we call family. Together, we can create a ce that truly feels like home.¡±

    Her words came from the depths of her sincerity. In her heart, Chris had already be more than apanion; he was family.

    A rush of emotion surged within him, and his eyes glimmered with unshed tears.

    Meeting her was probably the best thing that had ever happened to him.

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    Years ago, she had pulled him back from the brink of death. And now she hade into his life once more, not only to mend the broken corners of his mind but also to protect Laurence¡ªthe man who meant the world to him.

    She hadn¡¯t changed. The kindness he had once admired still radiated from her.

    ¡°Maia,¡± he said suddenly, his voice steady and heartfelt. ¡°You¡¯re the best thing that¡¯s ever happened to me.¡±

    A gentle flush colored her cheeks as she whispered in return, ¡°And I feel the same. Meeting you is my greatest luck.¡±

    In the heart of the forest park, a dim glow flickered through the cracks of an old wooden cabin.

    A rugged man with a thick, unkempt beard, dressed in a hunter¡¯s garb, struck a match and lit an oilmp. The me swayed weakly, casting restless shadows across the cramped room.

    On a narrow coty Jarrod, face down, his back tightly wrapped in bloodstained bandages that made him look more like a corpse than a living man.

    .

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 Chapter 1228

    ?Chapter 1228:

    ¡°So you¡¯re awake atst, boy,¡± the hunter muttered, his voice rough andced with fatigue. ¡°Lucky for you. Another few hours, and you¡¯d be food for the worms.¡±

    Rummaging through a worn wooden box, he pulled out a syringe and examined it under themp¡¯s glow. ¡°Your wounds have gone bad,¡± he said tly. ¡°This shot¡¯s all I¡¯ve got left, and it might just keep you breathing.¡±

    ¡°Ahh!¡± Jarrod hissed as the needle pierced his skin, pain slicing straight through his spine.

    ¡°Can¡¯t handle a bit of pain, huh?¡± the man said, withdrawing the syringe and setting it aside. ¡°Listen carefully. Your body¡¯s too torn up to move. Three days, maybe more, before you can even stand. I don¡¯t usually help strangers, but I¡¯d rather not have a corpse rotting in my cabin and drawing rescuers out here. Once you¡¯re fit enough, I¡¯ll see to it that you¡¯re out of these woods.¡±

    Silence fell between them.

    After a moment, the hunter reached into his boot and drew out a sharp dagger.

    Under themp¡¯s faint glow, the de gleamed coldly, slithering with light like a serpent poised to strike.

    His voice dropped, chilling the room. ¡°Listen well. When you leave this ce, erase it from your memory, including me. If you break that rule, I will track you down and make you pay, no matter where you hide.¡±

    A sharp spike of fear constricted Jarrod¡¯s pupils, and the air around him turned dangerous.

    Just who was this man, carrying such a calm, lethal menace?

    Leaning forward until his breath warmed Jarrod¡¯s ear, the hunter murmured, ¡°Believe me. I know who you are. You¡¯re Jarrod Morgan, the son of the Morgan family.¡±

    A cold panic surged through Jarrod, stealing his breath in an instant. His tongue went dry as he forced out a trembling question. ¡°You¡­ you really know me?¡±

    ¡°I know more than you think. You have a little sister named Maia Morgan, and she was always unbearably sweet.¡± A flicker of memory crossed the middle-aged man¡¯s face as he slowly slid the dagger back into his boot. ¡°She used to follow you everywhere, calling your name as if she couldn¡¯t stand being apart from you, didn¡¯t she?¡±

    His tone suddenly turned cold again. ¡°I know where you live and who your parents and sister are, so do exactly as I say.¡±

    He rubbed his beard, his eyes boring into Jarrod. ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯ll wipe them out. I¡¯m not bluffing.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s voice came out ragged. ¡°Who the hell are you?¡±

    He tried to shift, but a searing pain tore through his back. Sweat beaded on his forehead, tracing cold paths down his face.

    With a sneer, the middle-aged man tossed a damp wallet onto the cot. The leather fell open, revealing Jarrod¡¯s own ID.

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 Chapter 1229

    ?Chapter 1229:

    ¡°Without that ID, I might never have pegged you as a Morgan,¡± he said. ¡°You used to be a good-looking kid. What happened as you grew up? But Maia¡­ everyone said she would grow into a beauty.¡±

    Images of rtives, old household staff, and his father¡¯s acquaintances flickered through Jarrod¡¯s mind, yet none of those faces matched the man standing over him. A battered cap shadowed his brow, a thick beard swallowed half his face, and dark lenses concealed his eyes¡ªclearly a deliberate disguise.

    The memories he shared of Jarrod¡¯s childhood, and the way he still called Maia by her old name, proved that he had been nearby long ago.

    No one could say how many seasons he had lived among these trees or why he had chosen such istion, as if deliberately keeping himself hidden from the world.

    Jarrod forced out another weak, rasping question, his voice tight with pain. ¡°Who are you, really?¡±

    The middle-aged man answered without ceremony, his tone t and dangerous. ¡°I am a hitman. Only the dead deserve to know my true name. Want it anyway?¡± As he spoke, his hand drifted toward his boot.

    Noticing the heavy tread of his boots and the tactical straps, Jarrod remained perfectly still, every nerve stretched tight.

    In that moment, he felt utterly exposed and helpless,pletely at the mercy of the man looming over him.

    Then visions crashed into him: his parents lying in the ICU, the vows he had sworn, and Maia soon to be paraded beneath the bright lights of the g.

    His vengeance was still unfinished, and that thought sliced through his fear like a de. Staying here was impossible.

    Pain sharpened every word as Jarrod forced out another question. ¡°You said it would take at least three days before I could leave?¡±

    ¡°What, scared to stick around with me?¡± A mocking curl tugged at the man¡¯s lips. ¡°If you can walk, you¡¯re free to go. But those wounds on your back are far from healed. They¡¯ll split open and bleed before you even find the trail out of these woods.¡±

    No sooner had he spoken than Jarrod strained, painstakingly pushing himself upright despite the agony.

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    ¡°Hey, are you deaf? Didn¡¯t you hear me? Lie down again!¡± the man barked. ¡°Don¡¯t die here and drag me into your trouble.¡±

    A rasp tore from Jarrod¡¯s throat as he gasped for breath. ¡°But I can¡¯t stay. I have to be at an important event tomorrow,¡± he said atst.

    Laughter rolled from the man like gravel. ¡°Have you lost your mind? I already told you. You spoiled brats care more about appearances than anything else. Here you are, half crippled, and you still want to show up at some event? If you drop dead here and they send searchers, my hideout will be exposed. And if that happens, I won¡¯t spare your family.¡±

    The contempt in his gaze hardened into a cold warning as he looked Jarrod over. ¡°If you don¡¯t value your own life, then at least think about your family,¡± he said, his voice heavy with derision.

    A faint, bitter smile touched Jarrod¡¯s lips as he murmured, ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about my family. They¡¯re no longer here.¡±

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 Chapter 1230

    ?Chapter 1230:

    The man blinked, momentarily thrown off. ¡°What are you saying? Are you telling me your parents and sister are all dead?¡±

    Jarrod avoided the question and answered instead, ¡°You saved my life. I have no reason to turn against you.¡±

    From the sharp edge in the man¡¯s tone, Jarrod could tell that the earlier threats had been nothing more than an attempt to intimidate him.

    With that realization, fear no longer had a ce in his heart. What remained was hatred, and the anger burning inside him was enough to steady his resolve.

    ¡°I have to be at that event tomorrow,¡± he said between ragged breaths. ¡°That¡¯s where I¡¯ll take my revenge for my parents.¡±

    The middle-aged man lifted an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. He could not understand what kind of madness drove Jarrod.

    For someone bleeding and only half conscious, Jarrod clung to his rage as if it could carry him all the way to that event. Maybe he wasn¡¯t lying about the fall of the Morgan family.

    Then again, why should it concern him? Richard had once given him shelter and a way out, but that debt had been settled the moment Jarrod walked away from the Morgan estate.

    ¡°Do as you please,¡± the middle-aged man muttered coldly, turning away from Jarrod without a trace of concern. ¡°If you end up dead, that¡¯s on you.¡±

    Jarrod pushed the door open.

    He forced himself forward, his legs dragging as if they were made of lead.

    Then, without warning, his strength gave out, and he copsed sideways with a heavy thud.

    ¡°Ah¡ª!¡± The cry tore from his throat as he tumbled down the wooden steps,nding with a sickening impact.

    Dust burst into the air from the dirt below, scattering in a thick cloud that sent a flock of birds fluttering wildly from the nearby trees. A few heartbeatster, faint groans drifted up from where he had fallen.

    The middle-aged man¡¯s jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists as a flicker of unease crossed his eyes.

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    Too many traces of their presence remained in this ce, and staying any longer would be nothing but foolishness.

    For a brief moment, memories long buried wed their way back to the surface. He could almost see his younger self again¡ªclean-shaven, brimming with confidence, and respected for his skill behind the wheel. Back then, his future had seemed unshakable.

    Once, he had gone by the name Cohen Archer. He had served as the trusted driver and confidant of Kyle, the eldest son of the Cooper family.

    But greed had a way of finding cracks in a man¡¯s loyalty. Kolton had offered him wealth in exchange for betrayal, and in a single reckless decision, Cohen had turned his back on Kyle. Had he remained loyal, Kolton would never have risen to power, and the Cooper family would have followed a very different path.

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 Chapter 1231

    ?Chapter 1231:

    When the betrayal wasplete, Kolton revealed his true nature. Instead of honoring his promise, he sent his men to erase the only witness to his schemes.

    Fortunately, Cohen¡¯s instincts had saved him just in time, allowing him to slip away before things turned fatal. But once he disappeared, Wront was no longer a safe haven. Every corner of the city felt like a trap waiting to snap shut around him.

    He kept running, yet Kolton¡¯s pursuit never wavered. Wherever Cohen sought refuge, killers soon appeared, as if even the shadows themselves carried his scent.

    When his hiding ce was finally discovered, desperation drove him to the doorstep of an old friend¡ªRichard¡ªhisst thread of safety in a world that had turned against him.

    Back then, he had lived like a ghost beneath that roof, never daring to step beyond the attic door.

    The shadows were his onlypanions until Richard¡¯s daughter began appearing with trays of food and a quiet smile that somehow lingered in his memory.

    Truthfully, Cohen had often wondered whether Maia was really Richard¡¯s daughter. She was far too clever and radiant to belong to a man as in as him.

    With each visit, she brought not only meals but also small pastries and stories from the outside world. She never questioned why he hid there, though her eyes suggested she already knew.

    In gratitude, Cohen entertained her with stories he made up on the spot, each more ridiculous than thest.

    Once, he had teased her, ¡°You¡¯re going to grow into a fine youngdy someday, Maia. I can¡¯t imagine which lucky man will get to marry you. Tell your father to send word when that dayes. I¡¯ll bring a gift that will make everyone talk.¡±

    Maia¡¯s cheeks had flushed a deep pink, and she had darted away, leaving only her shyughter behind.

    A sharp breath dragged Cohen back to the present. Those memories hovered before him, raw and vivid, as if they had happened only yesterday.

    The thought of Richard and Maia dying made him clench his fists, the pressure nching the skin at his knuckles.

    For years, he had nned to vanish and spend his remaining days in quiet exile. Saving Jarrod and learning what had be of the Morgan family felt like a strange twist of fate, one that pushed him forward.

    Grief swelled inside Cohen, stinging his eyes until they burned. Having betrayed his employer once, he refused to betray a friend now. Redemption called to him, and he would not allow past mistakes to bind him to regret.

    ¡°My gift to you will be this: the head of your enemyid at your grave, since I cannot attend your wedding,¡± Cohen said.

    In that moment, his resolve hardened. Leaving his hiding ce no longer seemed impossible, even if Kolton¡¯s men or covert operatives stood in his way.

    He slowly rxed his hands and muttered to himself, ¡°Thest time I repaid Richard, it was with collectibles worth more than ten million. This time, Maia will be the reason.¡±

    At first, he didn¡¯t bother to check on Jarrod¡¯s condition. Crossing the room, he lifted the mattress and revealed a hidden cache of firearms, boxes of ammunition, and several grenades. Without hesitation, he grabbed a tactical backpack and began stuffing it with weapons and supplies.

    .

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 Chapter 1232

    ?Chapter 1232:

    When he stepped out onto the porch, Jarrod was still lying motionless on the ground.

    A smirk tugged at his lips as he said, ¡°nning to y dead? Drop the act. People who chase revenge are hard to kill. They always get back up.¡±

    Gradually, Jarrod¡¯s blurred vision cleared, and his gaze fixed on the man standing before him.

    The sight gave him pause. Cohen¡¯s beard was gone, and the dark sses that usually concealed his eyes were nowhere to be seen. Something about that face stirred a faint sense of recognition he couldn¡¯t quite ce.

    Closing the distance between them, Cohen bent down and offered his arm. ¡°Get up. I¡¯ll make sure you get the revenge you¡¯re after.¡±

    By the following morning, the city was alive with activity. Preparations for the grand charity g filled every street, and the people of Wront buzzed with excitement, as though the entire city had been seized by the same fevered anticipation.

    The morning broadcast on Wront Channel at eight o¡¯clock filled the airwaves with the day¡¯s biggest headline¡ªthe grandunch of Radiant Jewels under the Cooper Group, apanied by the much-anticipated charity g. It was described as the most influential event of the year in Wront, and citizens were warned to avoid major roads.

    ¡°Due to several high-profile guests, main roads leading to the event will be under strict traffic control from 3 P.M. onward. Please n ordingly¡­¡± the news anchor¡¯sposed voice echoed from the television.

    In the meeting room, Kiley sat on the sofa, her expression calm yet satisfied. She tapped her fingers lightly against the coffee table and said, ¡°Let¡¯s begin.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Ms. Cooper,¡± her assistant replied promptly.

    Within minutes, the topics #CooperGroupCharityG and #RadiantJewelsLaunch surged to the very top of the trending searches, iming the first and second spots.

    Media outlets hurried to announce that they would be live-streaming the event.

    Shortly afterward, Kiley released a statement through the Cooper Group¡¯s official ount. ¡°All proceeds from today¡¯s Radiant Jewelsunch will be donated to the Cooper Charity Foundation to support child healthcare projects.¡±

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    The post spread like wildfire. Likes,ments, and shares climbed into the thousands within minutes. Yet amid the flood of reactions, one name began to surface repeatedly¡ªMCN, along with Pattie and Maia.

    Thements were suspiciously coordinated.

    ¡°I wonder if MCN will donate anything. Probably not a cent.¡±

    ¡°Was Maia staying silent because she couldn¡¯t handle the pressure?¡±

    ¡°If Maia truly cares, she should follow the Cooper Group¡¯s example and donate the profits from her own products.¡±

    ¡°The Cooper Charity Foundation has supported public welfare for decades. Why does MCN even need its own charity foundation? Are they just looking for an excuse not to give?¡±

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 Chapter 1233

    ?Chapter 1233:

    Each remark was carefully targeted, steering public opinion exactly where Kiley wanted it to go.

    Before long, the topic ¡°Will Maia donate?¡± climbed to third ce on the trending list.

    It felt as though the full weight of public scrutiny hovered over Maia¡¯s head, sharp and merciless.

    At 11:30 a.m., inside the CEO¡¯s office at MCN headquarters, Pattie stared at her phone screen, fury burning in her chest. Thements made her fingers tremble. For a split second, she nearly hurled the phone across the room.

    ¡°That shameless Kiley Cooper,¡± she hissed. ¡°She¡¯s manipting social media to turn everyone against Maia.¡±

    Her temper red as she dialed Maia¡¯s number.

    Before she could speak, Maia¡¯s voice came through, calm and steady.

    ¡°I was just about to call you, Pattie. It¡¯s about time. Let¡¯s head to the venue early.¡±

    Pattie froze, startled by Maia¡¯s unusual decisiveness.

    ¡°What? Did I hear that right?¡± she blurted. ¡°You finally realize how bad this looks? I was about to tell you the same thing. If we show up early and the reporters catch us, those angryments will disappear.¡±

    She paced in frustration. ¡°Listen, Maia, Kiley¡¯s using public pressure to squeeze money out of us and MCN. I was ready to donate earlier, but now? Not a single coin to that so-called charity foundation. It¡¯s a setup.¡±

    There was silence on the line. Then Maia replied, ¡°I¡¯ll go after lunch with Chris. You should eat too.¡±

    The call ended.

    Pattie lowered the phone, her brow deeply furrowed. She exhaled sharply, trying to steady her nerves.

    Fine. Lunch first, then battleter.

    She grabbed her jacket and stepped into the hallway.

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    As the elevator doors slid open, she stopped short.

    Standing there was a tall figure¡ªRnd.

    Her pulse quickened. She strode toward him. ¡°Rnd? What brings you here?¡±

    Rnd reached into his coat and took out a sleek ck-and-gold invitation. The words ¡°Cooper Group Charity G¡± shimmered under the light, bold and deliberate.

    He cleared his throat, his tone slightly uneven as he spoke. ¡°I¡¯m going to the g as well, so I figured¡ª¡±

    ¡°I know what you mean,¡± Pattie said with an amused grin, finishing his thought. ¡°You¡¯re hoping to go with me, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    The irritation stirred by the onlinements began to fade the moment she saw him. Whatever flimsy excuse he had for showing up no longer mattered. To her, his presence alone was reason enough.

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 Chapter 1234

    ?Chapter 1234:

    Rnd gave a small nod, his gaze steady. He brushed a hand over the badge pinned neatly to his chest, a quiet reminder of his profession, and said, ¡°Kiley is clearly stirring up attention to lure you and Maia into that event. It smells like a setup, and I¡¯d rather be there to keep an eye on things.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right. It¡¯s a trap, no doubt about it. Still, Maia is determined to attend, so I¡¯m going with her.¡± Pattie met his sharp gaze and added, ¡°I¡¯m half tempted to hire you and sue every single person spreading those ridiculous rumors.¡±

    Then her expression brightened as she tugged on his arm. ¡°But before that, we need food. Come on, lunch is on me. We can¡¯t face a scandal on empty stomachs.¡±

    Without missing a beat, she continued, ¡°Once we¡¯re done eating, we¡¯ll head straight to the g with Maia. I¡¯ve already called in a few friends from the press to capture her arrival. That way, everyone online will see she has nothing to hide.¡±

    Her words made Rnd pause for a moment. Though her tone carried a yful edge, the faint tension in her grip betrayed what she didn¡¯t say. Beneath thatposed exterior, she was furious. There was no mistaking it. She wasn¡¯t pretending this time.

    Across town, the lunch bell rang through MCN. Employees poured out of their cubicles, some slowing when they noticed the pair standing by the elevator.

    Several exchanged wary nces before stepping aside and gathering in a small circle to whisper.

    ¡°Wait. Did I just see Ms. Miller with someone?¡±

    ¡°They actually look good together. I¡¯ve never seen her link arms with anyone before.¡±

    ¡°Who is that man? He looks familiar. I swear I¡¯ve seen him on television.¡±

    ¡°Looks like every famous face in Wront showed up today. It almost feels like the city is hosting a red-carpet event. Did you see the news? Even Ss Court, the award-winning actor, is in town.¡±

    ¡°Wait a second, that guy sounds familiar. Isn¡¯t he Rnd Cullen from Zenith Legal?¡±

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    At a luxurious restaurant inside a five-star hotel, Ss ced his utensils neatly beside his empty te and lifted a napkin to wipe away the faint trace of sauce from his lips.

    The watch on his wrist shed 12:40.

    ¡°Perfect timing,¡± he murmured to himself. ¡°I should get going.¡±

    Sliding on his sunsses, he concealed the eyes that entertainment magazines imed could captivate anyone. He rose from his seat, the hem of his tailored coat swaying smoothly as he moved.

    ¡°Maia¡­ it¡¯s finally happening,¡± Ss whispered, a faint smile forming. ¡°Your music captivates me, but fate decided we¡¯d stand on opposite sides.¡±

    Truthfully, Maia had fascinated him for a long time. She was an artist he deeply respected, yet could never fully understand.

    A woman who had made headlines the moment she stepped out of prison, a name Raegan had quietly marked for removal, Maia was anything but ordinary.

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 Chapter 1235

    ?Chapter 1235:

    The night before, Raegan had summoned Ss and given him a mission: stir up trouble for Maia during the g and ignite a scandal.

    To Ss, the order felt crude, even reckless. It was the kind of task that could tarnish the reputation he had spent years building.

    So instead of following Raegan¡¯s instructions to the letter, he chose to reshape the n into something more refined.

    From his understanding of human nature, Maia would likely try to silence the rumors by projecting confidence¡ªarriving early, smiling through the chaos, and letting the cameras do the rest. If that happened, he could easily arrange a perfectly timed ¡°idental¡± encounter.

    At Elysium Apartments, Maia had just finished dinner with Chris and quickly retreated to her room.

    She had been preparing for this evening and soon pulled a gown from the wardrobe¡ªa ck velvet dress, its skirt scattered with crystals that shimmered like a starlit sky.

    Choosing ck wasn¡¯t merely a matter of style. Maia wanted to remain grounded and avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

    Yet the moment she stepped out in that gown, standing only a few feet from Chris, the effect was anything but subtle. Chris found himselfpletely captivated, his gaze fixed on her as if words had deserted him entirely.

    ¡°So? What¡¯s your verdict?¡± Maia asked, arching a brow with a faint smile. ¡°I made this myself, and tonight¡¯s its big debut.¡± Her tone carried a teasing lilt, brushing aside the storm of online chatter as though it barely existed.

    Then she added, half joking, ¡°Mr. Cooper, consider yourself lucky. You¡¯re the first human being to every eyes on this dress, so don¡¯t hold back on thepliments.¡±

    Chris snapped out of his daze, and only two words came to mind as he looked at her¡ªabsolutely stunning.

    Even dressed in ck, Maia wouldmand every gaze in the room once the lights hit her. There was something about her presence that transformed understated elegance into something truly grand.

    She didn¡¯t need to exin her intentions to him. The care behind her choice of attire spoke louder than any confession.

    Ga ln ovels . fuels your imagination

    Her aim was clear: draw Kiley¡¯s attention first, then the crowd¡¯s, creating the perfect opportunity for him to lead Laurence away.

    Atst, Chris spoke. ¡°I¡¯m convinced no one at that party will look more stunning than you.¡±

    To him, it wasn¡¯t ttery. It was a simple truth he believed with every fiber of his being.

    The tension that had weighed on him over Laurence melted away. With a faint smile, he adjusted his cor and cuffs, his tone so light it almost sounded yful. ¡°Then it seems only a man as handsome as I am could be worthy of the perfect you.¡±

    A hint of red crept up Maia¡¯s ears as she reached for her clutch, trying to hide the sudden quickening of her heartbeat. Her question had been casual, but she hadn¡¯t expected Chris to answer with such effortless charm.

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 Chapter 1236

    ?Chapter 1236:

    Chris¡¯s white suit, tailored perfectly to his frame, gave him an air of quiet refinement. The crisp fabric entuated his poise, carrying a touch of nobility that made him look every bit like a modern-day prince.

    For a brief moment, Maia wondered if it was just her imagination, but there was no denying that something had changed. Chris¡¯s eyes held a quiet authority now, a steady confidence that made him seem far more self-assured than before.

    Across from her, Chris¡¯s gaze drifted back to Maia once again. Even when she turned away, he found himself unable to look elsewhere. Every nce stirred something deep within him.

    Maia¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°Mr. Cooper, you look quite dashing yourself today. I imagine you¡¯ll draw plenty of attention at the party.¡±

    Turning to meet his eyes, she let her gaze linger briefly on his striking features before reminding him gently, ¡°But don¡¯t forget why we¡¯re going.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± He shrugged lightly. ¡°Tonight, I¡¯m not pretending to be yboy Chris. Tonight, I¡¯m only your bodyguard.¡±

    A soft smile curved Maia¡¯s lips as she stepped closer and slipped her arm through his. ¡°My dear bodyguard, it¡¯s time for us to depart.¡±

    Chris felt his pulse quicken the instant she linked her arm with his. Walking beside her felt unreal, as though they were heading toward an altar, ready to exchange vows before a crowd holding its breath.

    Back in Maia¡¯s room, herptop screen suddenly flickered to life.

    At the center of the disy appeared the insignia of Pris, the notorious hacking group famed for breaching the world¡¯s most secure systems¡ªthe symbol of Pris shining against the night sky.

    Momentster, a dialog box appeared, the message stark against the glowing screen. The sender, identified as Pris Chief, typed, ¡°Boss, everything¡¯s set. System infiltrationplete.¡±

    Meanwhile, at Cooper Vineyard, Hurst cut a striking figure beneath the golden afternoon light¡ªtall,posed, and sharp in a crisp white suit that stood out against the rows of lush green vines. There was a quiet authority in the way he carried himself, the air around him charged with purpose.

    He stood near the entrance, giving calm yet firm instructions as staff members carefully loaded crates of Bordeaux into the waiting van. Each bottle had been handpicked for the evening¡¯s banquet¡ªrare, exquisite, and worth a small fortune.

    Explore more fiction on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s???????

    Among them was one bottle in particr¡ªthe gem Maia had once secured for him at an auction, a brilliant deal that still made him smile whenever he thought of it.

    ¡°Hold on a second,¡± he called, raising a hand just as an employee reached for it. ¡°Not that one. Swap it for another.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Cooper,¡± the employee replied, hurrying off and leaving the prized bottle behind.

    Hurst lingered, lifting it himself and turning it slowly in his hand. The dark ss caught the sunlight, and for a fleeting moment, memories surfaced¡ªthe day he had first met Maia. It had been over a wine tasting, a meeting born of curiosity that had somehow unraveled into something far more personal. Fate, it seemed, had a peculiar sense of humor.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1237

    ?Chapter 1237:

    Who would have guessed that the wine expert he had once sought purely for business would be the one woman he couldn¡¯t stop thinking about?

    Every time he saw her, she seemed to shine in a different light¡ªrefined and perceptive, yet warm in a way that drew him in effortlessly.

    He set the bottle back into its case with almost reverent care. It was no longer just a rare collectible; it had be a quiet symbol of connection, of beginnings.

    ¡°If the proposal goes as nned,¡± he murmured to himself, a faint smile touching his lips, ¡°this will be the wine we serve at our wedding¡­ a story to share with our guests.¡±

    The thought lingered as he nced at his watch. Seven minutes to one. Perfect timing¡ªneither too early nor toote.

    With the same quiet precision that defined him, Hurst took out his phone and dialed Maia¡¯s number.

    The call connected almost instantly. Her voice came through, light and slightly surprised. ¡°Mr. Cooper?¡±

    His smile deepened, his tone softening with warmth. ¡°Miss Watson, I was just about to leave the vineyard. I¡¯ll be passing Elysium Apartments on the way. Would you like a ride to the venue?¡±

    ¡°Thank you for the offer, Mr. Cooper,¡± Maia replied politely. ¡°But I left a bit early. I should reach the venue in about ten minutes. See you there.¡±

    As the call ended, Hurst stood still for a moment, his phone still in hand, a faint trace of anticipation flickering in his eyes. The day was unfolding exactly as he had hoped, and yet, for reasons he couldn¡¯t quite exin, his pulse quickened all the same.

    He cleared his throat, forcingposure into his voice. ¡°All right. See you shortly.¡±

    The moment the call disconnected, he slipped his phone into his pocket and strode briskly toward his car. The engine roared to life, and without hesitation, he instructed the driver to head for the charity g.

    Originally, he had nned to arrive with Maia. That n had its merits¡ªthree of them, to be precise.

    First, their joint appearance would make it unmistakably clear that Maia was his date for the evening.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is where magic happens

    Second, the drive together would have given him the chance for a private, intimate conversation, away from prying eyes.

    And third, he could have remained by her side throughout the event, protecting the fragile connection they were still nurturing.

    Now that the n had changed, he refused to let the evening slip through his fingers. There was still time to salvage things.

    ¡°Step on it,¡± he ordered the driver, his brows knitting together. ¡°As fast as you can. I¡¯m running out of time.¡±

    Hurst wasn¡¯t the only one racing against the clock. Mnie, Ethan, and Marisa shared the same anxious urgency.

    The moment their lecture ended, they rushed out of the building and piled into Mnie¡¯s Rolls-Royce, not even stopping to change into their evening attire.

    Fortunately, Mnie had nned ahead. She had reserved a private suite at the venue, fully equipped for wardrobe changes and makeup touch-ups, so that was the least of their worries.

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 Chapter 1238

    ?Chapter 1238:

    What they hadn¡¯t anticipated was the traffic. The roads leading to the g werepletely clogged.

    Even with Wront¡¯s strict traffic control, tonight¡¯s event had drawn more guests than any previous year.

    Mnie leaned forward, ring through the windshield at the sea of taillights ahead. ¡°Seriously? It¡¯s this early and we¡¯re already stuck? We¡¯re not even moving.¡±

    ¡°Miss Cooper,¡± the driver said cautiously, ¡°I could try a shortcut I know, but the road is narrow and uneven. I¡¯m only concerned it might be ufortable for you.¡±

    At that, Mnie¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Then what are you waiting for? Take it. Don¡¯t worry about me¡ªI¡¯m not made of ss.¡±

    Though she had once been the picture of pampered elegance, her time with Ethan and Marisa had hardened her edges, refining her from a delicate heiress into someone who could take a few knocks without flinching.

    She clenched her fists, determination sharpening her gaze. ¡°If we¡¯rete, we¡¯ll lose our chance to sit next to Maia.¡±

    ¡°Got it. Don¡¯t worry, Miss Cooper. Not many people know this shortcut. We¡¯ll definitely beat the crowd,¡± the driver assured her as he stepped on the gas.

    He veered off the main road, slipped into a side street, and then made a sharp turn into a narrow alley that led onto the quieter Riverside Road.

    Mnie nced to her right and saw Ethan sitting beside her, his head lowered, eyes fixed on his phone. His brows were knitted together, clearly lost in thought.

    ¡°Ethan, rx. We¡¯ll get there on time,¡± she said gently. ¡°You two are family. It¡¯s better to talk face-to-face. Maybe things aren¡¯t as bad as you think.¡±

    Earlier, Ethan had confided in her that Maia hadn¡¯t replied to any of his messages for days. That had never happened before.

    It all seemed to trace back to a careless remark he had made about Chris, calling him a pretty boy. Since then, Maia had gone silent, and Ethan was beginning to feel as though she was punishing him for it.

    Marisa nced at Ethan, who remained quiet. She reached into her pocket, pulled out a lollipop, peeled off the wrapper, and leaned over to tap him lightly on the shoulder.

    Ethan looked up in confusion, just in time for Marisa to pop the lollipop into his mouth. ¡°Here. Have something sweet. You look like you need it,¡± she said, one eyebrow raised in mock seriousness.

    Then Marisa turned her attention to the driver. ¡°Wait a second. You¡¯re not actually taking us down Riverside Road, are you?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. You know the route too?¡± the driver replied, his eyes never leaving the road.

    Marisa clicked her tongue. ¡°I¡¯m not so sure that¡¯s a good idea.¡± She shot a quick nce at Ethan, concern flickering across her face, though she didn¡¯t voice what was really troubling her.

    After a brief pause, she continued, ¡°Sure, that road runs along the river and skips all the traffic lights. But with everything going on today, other drivers might think the same way. If it gets clogged, we¡¯ll be stuck with no way out.¡±

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 Chapter 1239

    ?Chapter 1239:

    At that, Ethan finally reacted, frowning as he turned toward her. ¡°Then what do you suggest we do?¡±

    Mnie stiffened, her gaze darting to Marisa, silently hoping she had an answer.

    She had left early to avoid trouble, but it seemed she had underestimated just how much buzz the charity g had stirred up.

    ¡°No wonder they set up traffic restrictions. If they hadn¡¯t, the whole city¡¯s roads would have copsed by now,¡± the driver muttered, sounding resigned. ¡°Should I head back to the main road?¡±

    Marisa let out a small sigh and shrugged. ¡°How would I know? But the Riverside Road route is too risky. I really wouldn¡¯t suggest taking it.¡±

    Meanwhile, Wront TV and Wront Traffic Radio continued broadcasting live updates on the gridlock.

    ¡°Good evening, everyone. The city¡¯s traffic system is experiencing an unprecedented strain today due to the ongoing charity g,¡± the announcer reported. ¡°Listeners, please note that all major roads are currently jammed. Drivers are advised to proceed with caution. The traffic bureau has deployed additional officers to help manage the congestion.¡±

    Online, social media was buzzing with frustration andints.

    ¡°Is this really Wront¡¯s city nning? We¡¯re bing a joke at this point.¡±

    ¡°The traffic department does nothing but make excuses. They should have widened the main roads ages ago. And don¡¯t even get me started on the organizers. They¡¯vepletely messed up everyone¡¯s schedule!¡±

    ¡°At this rate, even people with invitations won¡¯t make it to the event on time.¡±

    Just then, a tweet began making waves online, pointing fingers straight at Maia.

    ¡°Looks like some people might use today¡¯s traffic nightmare as an excuse to skip the g. I¡¯m sure we all know who I¡¯m talking about, right?¡±

    Replies flooded in within seconds.

    ¡°Who else could it be? It¡¯s got to be Wront¡¯s so-called heroine!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s always got some kind of luck on her side. But I checked the event schedule. There¡¯s still time. The g only starts after Radiant Jewels unveils their new collection, so she can still make it.¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m, your destination for tales

    ¡°Or maybe Maia is skipping it on purpose? You know, after those rumors about her stealing Radiant Jewels¡¯ jewelry back in the day?¡±

    Then came the post that blew up the entire thread.

    ¡°Hold on! Wront TV¡¯s entertainment reporter just went live from the Harmony za banquet hall. Maia is already there. She showed up!¡±

    At the same time, the earlierments were flooded with furious responses.

    ¡°Are you living under a rock? Maia was framed! She never stole anything from Radiant Jewels.¡±

    ¡°Who said Maia wasn¡¯t showing up? She¡¯s already there. Bet you¡¯re feeling pretty embarrassed right about now.¡±

    ¡°Wow, talk about instant karma. The reporter¡¯s photos are out¡ªMaia¡¯s dress tonight is jaw-dropping. She looks absolutely gorgeous.¡±

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 Chapter 1240

    Chapter 1240:

    News of the unfolding drama rippled across the inte, drawing countless viewers to their local television stations in a wave of breathless curiosity. Reporters swarmed the entrance of Harmony za¡¯s grand banquet hall, hastily setting up cameras and lights to capture every moment of the evening.

    Maia appeared at the threshold, a vision in a ck evening gown that gleamed like liquid obsidian. Diamonds embedded in the fabric shed with each subtle movement, leaving onlookers utterly spellbound.

    ¡°Good heavens, that dress is perfection,¡± one reporter breathed, her voice thick with admiration.

    ¡°No wonder she sets men aze. First Vince, then udius. They lose their minds, their hearts racing just being near her.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s extraordinary. A renowned designer,poser, and painter who¡¯s shaken the art world. What can¡¯t she master? And who wouldn¡¯t fall under her spell?¡±

    Spectators murmured in awe as Maia glided toward the registration area.

    She signed the oversized digital screen with fluid elegance, then stepped onto the crimson carpet, her radiance undimmed. Camera shutters erupted in a relentless storm, photographers calling out directions to secure the perfect angle.

    Spection about her attendance had swirled online,ced with venomous doubt, yet her appearance eclipsed the Cooper Group g itself.

    Viewership soared, subscriptions poured in, and reporters scrambled to capture endless shots of Maia.

    ¡°This will send our ratings through the roof,¡± a Wront TV correspondent eximed, relief flooding his voice. He had worried her absence would embolden detractors, but as a devoted fan, he couldn¡¯t hide his delight.

    Though she wasn¡¯t the first guest to arrive, Maia was among the earliest, likelying ahead of time to avoid traffic and silence her critics. The broadcast went live. ¡°Good evening, viewers. We¡¯re here with MCN¡¯s chief designer, Maia Watson¡­¡±

    Just behind her, Chris cut a striking figure in a pristine white suit and dark sunsses. His closeness to Maia sparked a current of electric whispers throughout the crowd.

    ¡°Her bodyguard? Why is he here? Does Maia get a plus-one, or is this something more intimate?¡± a woman draped in jewels murmured, her voice low with intrigue.

    New chapters now on .c?m

    Herpanion, elegant in flowing silk, leaned in conspiratorially. ¡°That¡¯s Chris Cooper. Tied to the family, they say. But look at the way he watches her. Every step he takes mirrors hers, as if pulled by an invisible thread.¡±

    A wide-brimmed hat tilted closer, the voice beneath it brimming with scandalous delight. ¡°You¡¯re behind on Wront¡¯s juiciest gossip. Chris Cooper, yes¡ªbut illegitimate. A notorious yboy whose gaze lingers far too long on Maia. Tell me that isn¡¯t desire burning in his eyes.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± another woman murmured. ¡°Then his closeness reeks of ulterior motives. Could he be hopelessly in love, his heartpletely ensnared by her fire?¡±

    .

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Have a great week dear readers! There will be new novels tomorrow. God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. ? ?? ? ?? ?

    P.S. There readers, the linktree is now avable: https://linktr.ee/ . There you¡¯ll find all our links, including the website and themunity¡ªand soon, we¡¯ll be releasing audio novels for you to enjoy ?(?? ? ??)

    .

 Chapter 1241

    ?Chapter 1241:

    The woman in silkughed softly, her pulse quickening. ¡°The Cooper family¡¯s chaos runs deep. First udius, now this one trailing her like a lovesick shadow. The air practically crackles when they¡¯re near each other.¡±

    The jeweled woman tittered, her cheeks flushing. ¡°Perhaps their blood carries a fatal weakness for Maia. They whisper that Hurst Cooper is close too, his gaze heavy with unspoken longing. But Chris¡ªillegitimate¡ªdares to dream of her touch.¡±

    ¡°Utterly unworthy, yet bold enough to stand this close,¡± the woman in the hat smirked, her breath hitching as she studied Maia¡¯sposed elegance. ¡°Every man desires her, hearts racing in her orbit. Chris doesn¡¯t stand a chance against that pull. Hurst, widowed and brooding, might stir her soul with his quiet intensity.¡±

    Suddenly, cheers erupted like thunder, heads snapping around in unison. A tall, charismatic man strode onto the carpet, his smile dazzling beneath the lights.

    ¡°Ss Court has arrived.¡±

    Maia and Chris moved gracefully along the red carpet woven with glints of gold as they entered the grand banquet hall of Harmony za. When they lifted their eyes, a ss ceiling greeted them with a soft wash of afternoon light. Chandeliers floated inyered tiers above, scattering radiance that rippled like a stream of stars.

    A pale carpet stretched toward the stage, nked on both sides by roses and ca lilies in full bloom. Their mingled fragrance drifted through the air, blending with the gentle hum of string instruments and wrapping the hall in an atmosphere of dreamlike elegance. Across the towering screen, the words ¡°Radiant Jewels New Product Launch and Wront Charity G¡± shimmered in silver and gold.

    The champagne tower sparkled beneath the lights, each drop of golden liquid reflecting a moment that felt suspended in time. Maia nced away with a quietugh. ¡°Kiley must have poured her heart and soul into this event. If I didn¡¯t know better, I¡¯d say we¡¯d walked into a royal wedding instead of a charity g.¡±

    Chris¡¯s gaze flickered. He understood the symbolism all too well. The pairing of roses and ca lilies spoke of love without end, a meaning more often reserved for wedding vows than g d¨¦cor.

    He turned toward Maia with a faint smile, his fingers curling slowly at his side. ¡°Do these appeal to you? One day, ours will outshine this by far.¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s, your source for inspiration

    ¡°Not at all.¡± Maia shook her head, sincerity coloring her tone. ¡°I¡¯ve always dreamed of something small and heartfelt instead.¡± After a brief pause, she added more gently, ¡°Besides, it¡¯s too soon to think about that. And I wouldn¡¯t want you to spend so much, Mr. Cooper.¡±

    Maia believed his words were nothing more than casual conversation. To her, a wedding was merely a formality. What truly mattered was the love that needed to be nurtured with patience and honesty. Though Chris didn¡¯t seem like a man of vast wealth, his sincerity was worth more than gold in her eyes.

    What Maia didn¡¯t know was that the man beside her had already built an empire powerful enough to shape the entire city of Wront. Chris¡¯s gaze lingered on her, admiring the quiet strength that softened her beauty.

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 Chapter 1242

    ?Chapter 1242:

    From her tone, he could tell she only wanted to spare him any burden, never realizing he was a man who carried the weight of the world with ease.

    Still, there was not a woman alive who didn¡¯t secretly wish for a wedding that would live on in memory forever.

    Maia, however, seemed more concerned about his pride, as if she feared burdening him with expectations he might not be able to meet.

    She looked radiant¡ªlike a golden angel whose wings were folded out of sight, yet whose light was still strong enough to illuminate the entire room. A surge of emotion rose within Chris so fiercely that his reason nearly slipped away.

    In that moment, he longed to tell Maia everything¡ªthe truth about who he was, the power he possessed, and the fact that every promise he made carried absolute certainty.

    The urge to confess burned in his chest. He wanted Maia to know that his words were never spoken lightly, that every vow he made was sincere. He would give her a wedding so magnificent that the world itself would pause to witness it.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on in that head of yours?¡± Maia asked, waving her hand in front of his face when she noticed his silence. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. You¡¯ve already done more than enough.¡± She gave his sleeve a yful tug and smiled. ¡°Come on. Pattie¡¯s waiting, and we need to save her a seat.¡±

    Pulled back to the present, Chris offered his hand and lightly guided her by the elbow. With a gentle smile, he said, ¡°Careful. The floor¡¯s slippery.¡±

    Lowering her gaze, Maia watched the hem of her ck-and-gold gown ripple like liquid silk across the polished floor.

    At her side, Chris guided their pace, and together they moved with quiet elegance beneath the admiring gazes that followed them.

    The gown itself was a masterpiece¡ªsleek, daring, and refined. With every step she took, the light seemed to bend toward her, as if the world itself wished to frame her in brilliance. Cameras clicked in rapid session as photographers rushed forward, lenses narrowing to capture every wless angle.

    From the press area, a Wront TV reporter whispered in awe, ¡°Like a prince and princess from a fairy tale¡­¡±

    Your adventure awaits at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c©–m

    Across the room, Kiley¡¯s smile faltered, her expression hardening into shadow.

    Beside her, Raegan tightened her grip on her phone, typed amand, and murmured a single word into the receiver, ¡°Proceed.¡±

    Not long after, social media erupted with chatter.

    The hashtag #MaiaShowoff surged through the rankings, climbing swiftly to third ce among the trending topics.

    ¡°What¡¯s she even trying to prove? Does Maia really have to turn a charity event into her personal runway? She¡¯s strutting around like the whole ce belongs to her. What¡¯s next, singing on stage in that gown?¡±

    ¡°Tell me about it. The whole thing feels over the top. She ignored the Cooper Group¡¯s invitation before, and now she¡¯s the first to show up, making sure every camera catches her face. Is this her way of forcing herself back into the spotlight?¡±

    ¡°No surprise there. Someone who¡¯s already been to prison would pull a stunt like this. I bet she paid off the press to keep their lenses fixed on her.¡±

    ¡°This was supposed to be Radiant Jewels¡¯ productunch, not an MCN fashion show. Maia can¡¯t resist attention, and honestly, it¡¯s exhausting to watch.¡±

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 Chapter 1243

    ?Chapter 1243:

    Hateful remarks flooded every corner of thement threads, spreading faster than wildfire.

    The abrupt shift in public sentiment sent a wave of unease through the television station¡¯s management.

    Things took a turn for the worse when the Cooper Group¡¯s spokesperson threatened to withdraw all future sponsorships, forcing the station head to grab the phone and immediately contact the on-site reporters.

    Momentster, the focus of the broadcast changed. Wront TV smoothly transitioned its feed to the exterior of the venue.

    There, Rosanna had just finished signing her name, sunlight catching on her pearl earrings and giving them a sharp, silvery gleam.

    ¡°This way, Mrs. Nelson,¡± a staff member said with a courteous smile. ¡°Please follow the red carpet to the main hall.¡±

    Rosanna lifted her chin with graceful poise, a measured smile curving her lips. Her champagne-colored evening gown hugged her figure in cascadingyers of shimmering fabric, while diamond earrings caught the sunlight in brilliant sparks. Her hair, swept into an elegant high bun, entuated her refined aura.

    Camera shes erupted around her, and Rosanna pivoted slightly, smoothing a stray strand with the effortless finesse born of long experience.

    The photographers lingered for only a moment before their lenses drifted away, drawn toward new arrivals.

    Compared to Maia¡¯s effortless allure, Rosanna¡¯s meticulously curated elegance felt faintly contrived, a polished fa?adeid bare under scrutiny.

    Then a sleek ck Rolls-Royce glided to a smooth halt, its polished surface gleaming like obsidian.

    The door opened, and Hurst stepped out briskly, adjusting his shirt cor with precise fingers.

    Though his expression remainedposed, a current of urgency pulsed through his movements. He had learned that Maia had already arrived, and the knowledge stirred an unfamiliar restlessness within him.

    Had it not been for the media presence, he would have slipped in through a rear entrance, bypassing the formalities to reach her side without dy.

    g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s, your storytelling home

    Maia was already inside, and he refused to waste a single moment on ceremony.

    Hurst¡¯s arrival immediately captured the photographers¡¯ attention, soft gasps rippling through the crowd as they took in his striking appearance.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the owner of Cooper Vineyard? He¡¯s incredibly dashing.¡±

    ¡°I heard he was handsome, but seeing him now, it¡¯s clearly true.¡±

    ¡°No wonder women still flock to him despite his past marriage.¡±

    Yet not every whisper carried admiration.

    ¡°Why the rush? He¡¯s heading straight for Maia.¡±

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 Chapter 1244

    ?Chapter 1244:

    For a brief moment, silence fell, before murmurs swelled once more.

    The stir caused by Ss had barely settled, and now Hurst appeared, openly moving toward her again. The implication was impossible to ignore. Camera shes fired in relentless bursts.

    Hurst signed the guestbook wall, cast a final nce over the scene, and then strode inside.

    Rosanna remained behind, absorbing the hushed conversations around her, when a sudden bump jolted her from her thoughts.

    She staggered back with a gasp, her clutch nearly slipping from her grasp.

    It all happened in a blur.

    Rosanna, who had arrived earlier, had basked in the media¡¯s attention, while Hurst, newly arrived, moved with purpose, intent on escaping it.

    ¡°My apologies,¡± Hurst said, his tone t and devoid of warmth. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect anyone to be in my way. If you¡¯re injured, contact meter. I have somewhere to be.¡±

    Though polite on the surface, his words carried no trace of kindness.

    Rosanna stood frozen, the moment stretching ufortably long. Snapping out of her daze, she rubbed the sore spot on her arm.

    When she lifted her gaze again, Hurst was already gone. A hum of excitement rippled through the crowd.

    Rosanna drew a steadying breath andposed herself, her practiced smile returning. She couldn¡¯t afford to lose herposure.

    Those who had witnessed the exchange began to whisper among themselves.

    ¡°See? I told you Hurst has feelings for Maia.¡±

    ¡°Rosanna staged that bump.¡±

    ¡°Lower your voice. She¡¯s Mrs. Nelson now.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t change anything. Everyone remembers her past.¡±

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t she caught in Axell¡¯s bed at her birthday party?¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m brings endless adventures

    ¡°Quiet. You¡¯ll be in trouble if she hears you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the one being loud. Be careful, or Mrs. Nelson will be furious.¡±

    Snide remarks drifted across the ballroom like poisoned darts, cloaked inughter and polite tones.

    Rosanna¡¯s smile wavered, its brightness fading until only a chill remained in her gaze. Yet deep inside, she felt nothing but a cool, unshakable calm. She had long since learned not to be wounded by such petty chatter.

    Turning her head slowly, she cast a measured nce toward the whispering women. A faint, knowing smile curved her lips, sharp as a de hidden in velvet.

    ¡°That is my talent,¡± she replied, her voice light yet cutting. ¡°Perhaps you should mind your own affairs. Otherwise, you may wake up one day to find your contracts quietly slipping away.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1245

    ?Chapter 1245:

    The wordsnded with precision. The women stiffened, color draining from their faces before they fell into silence.

    In the elite circles of Wront, everyone had skeletons tucked away in gilded closets, and no one in their right mind would risk jeopardizing profit.

    Rosanna lifted the hem of her gown with unhurried grace and moved forward as if none of it had touched her.

    Camera shes erupted, and reporters who had witnessed every second of the exchange wasted no time uploading the footage online.

    Within minutes, headlines stormed the trending charts.

    ¡°Hurst Appears at Wront Charity G.¡±

    ¡°Maia¡¯s Custom Dress Stuns the Crowd.¡±

    ¡°Rosanna and Hurst Brush Past on the Red Carpet.¡±

    ¡°Award-Winning Actor Ss Court Initiates a Conversation with Maia.¡±

    ¡°Charity G Rivals Fashion Week.¡±

    Thement sections exploded with excitement.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. Ss actually spoke to Maia. She¡¯s breathtaking. I wish I knew what they talked about.¡±

    ¡°Not only did Maia show up, but she did so with incredible style. That gown was dazzling. She outshone every other celebrity there.¡±

    ¡°Hurst looked restless, scanning the crowd. Who honestly believes it wasn¡¯t because of Maia?¡±

    ¡°Rosanna is present as well. I only hope she has learned her lesson and doesn¡¯t end up in another scandal with Maia.¡±

    The discussion went on and on, the buzz growing louder as more celebrities appeared on the live stream.

    The Queen of Pop herself, Brielle, made her entrance, silver-gray silk shimmering beneath the lights. She moved with cool elegance, drawing every shbulb toward her as apuse swelled like a rising tide.

    Soon after came Alice Byrd, the renowned Otruitho fashion designer. With a candid smile, she spoke directly into the cameras. ¡°I¡¯m here for Maia.¡±

    Then Aurielle Margaret arrived, the president of the International Jewelry Design Association.

    Her dignified presence nearly caused an uproar at the registration area, onlookers whispering in awe.

    ¡°Good heavens. They managed to invite Aurielle Margaret? That¡¯s almost impossible. Brands beg for years just to catch her attention.¡±

    The astonishment deepened further when a girl with twin ponytails appeared.

    Dressed in a delicate pink gown, she signed the backdrop with a single word: Anti. Gasps rippled through the crowd like wildfire.

    ¡°Anti? The founder of Annie Crystal, the prodigy designer?¡±

    ¡°She came in person?¡±

    ¡°But she looks far too young.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. Anti can¡¯t be that young. It has to be someone with the same name.¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1246

    ?Chapter 1246:

    Yet the relentless clicking of cameras confirmed the truth.

    Anti turned gracefully, offering a faint smile before heading into the main hall.

    Momentster, chaos followed as Ethan, Mnie, and Marisa burst onto the scene in a rush.

    ¡°We¡¯re not even in our formal clothes yet. Hurry!¡± Mnie panted, tugging Ethan by the hand. ¡°I just saw online. Maia is already inside.¡±

    Without hesitation, she dragged him onto the red carpet. Marisa grabbed his other hand, and the three of them surged forward together, hand in hand, rushing past a startled Anti.

    shbulbs exploded in rapid bursts, voices rising in confusion.

    ¡°Who let those kids in? Why isn¡¯t anyone apanying them? Where are their parents?¡±

    ¡°Kids? There weren¡¯t any children on the guest list.¡±

    ¡°Not a mistake. They showed their invitations and signed in.¡±

    Amid the uproar, Pattie and Rnd finally arrived, moving at a far more unhurried pace.

    ¡°d we made it,¡± Rnd remarked casually.

    Pattie arched a brow at him, a smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Who knew you could drive like that? Beforew school, were you a race car driver?¡± Her tone carried yful admiration, certain she had chosen well in him.

    Rnd responded with only a stiff, awkward smile, saying nothing.

    His past was something he could never reveal¡ªcertainly not to Pattie. Not yet.

    The banquet hall of Harmony za glittered beneath a wash of golden light, every chandelier zing as if determined to outshine the stars themselves.

    Maia and Chris had just taken their seats in the front row when Ss strolled over.

    His stride was unhurried, his posture rxed, and that practiced smile lingered on his face. Yet the full weight of it was directed at Maia.

    ¡°May I sit here?¡± His voice was light and coaxing, as though refusal had never even urred to him.

    Read more chapters at g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls

    Maia lifted her gaze, hesitation flickering in her eyes. She couldn¡¯t quite read his intentions, but her instincts urged caution. With Chris beside her, she had no desire to give another man space to intrude.

    Chris was prone to jealousy, and she would rather not stir unease where none was necessary.

    She parted her lips, ready to decline politely¡ªbut Chris spoke first.

    He extended a hand, his voice cool and clipped. ¡°No. You can¡¯t. This seat is taken.¡±

    Though spoken softly, his words carried a sharp edge that cut through the air.

    Ss¡¯s smile faltered.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1247

    ?Chapter 1247:

    He turned his head, dismissing Chris with a brief nce, then let his lips curve again in mock amusement. ¡°I wasn¡¯t asking you. Tell me, who exactly is it taken by?¡±

    The casual tone did nothing to conceal the sudden spike of tension in the air.

    Chris¡¯s hands curled into fists, veins standing out beneath his skin. Maia shifted slightly, hoping to ease the strain before it escted.

    Yet Ss¡¯s patience was already wearing thin. He had approached with the intention of being courteous, especially toward Maia. Her presence had struck him with such force that, for a moment, he had nearly forgotten how to breathe.

    But the man at her side was unbearable, an obstacle gnawing at hisposure.

    A thought crossed his mind. Why maintain polite restraint when provocation would serve just as well?

    A scene here could easily turn into headlines¡ªMaia¡¯s bodyguard shes with Ss Court, the award-winning actor¡ªa spectacle that would ripple through the press¡­

    Not only would it draw attention, it would also give him an excuse when reporting back to Raegan.

    Decision made, Ss brushed aside Chris¡¯s outstretched hand with careless force. His tone was indifferent, edged with arrogance. ¡°Since no one is here, I¡¯ll take it.¡± He leaned toward the empty chair.

    Before he could sit, a voice came from directly in front of him¡ªcalm, low, andmanding.

    ¡°Sorry. That seat is upied.¡±

    The words were not raised, yet they demanded stillness.

    Ss froze, irritation ring as he lifted his gaze. Why was he being interrupted again?

    Another man stood before him¡ªRnd. Dressed in a in ck shirt, his expression was unreadable, his presence steady as stone. He radiated a quiet dominance that filled the space around him. Relief flickered across Maia¡¯s face at once.

    Ss frowned. ¡°And you are?¡± His tone was sharp, stripped of courtesy.

    Your next story starts here: g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Rnd offered no verbal reply. Instead, he seized Ss¡¯s wrist with one hand and, without hesitation, yanked him back from the chair. The movement was swift, clean, and forceful. Ss stumbled half a step, shock shing across his face.

    Instinctively, he raised his free hand and twisted his wrist with practiced strength, a maneuver that had sent many opponents recoiling in pain.

    This time, it failed.

    Rnd¡¯s other hand rose, locking Ss¡¯s wrist with deliberate precision. The grip was steady as iron. His expression never changed, not even flickering with effort.

    A hiss escaped Ss¡¯s throat as pain surged up his arm, sharp and undeniable. His eyes widened, disbelief taking hold.

    It was shocking enough that Maia¡¯s quietpanion possessed such unexpected strength, but Ss had never imagined that a stranger¡ªone who seemed to emerge from the shadows themselves¡ªcould match him blow for blow. The sight was unthinkable.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1248

    ?Chapter 1248:

    Even among the ranks of The Mask, Ss was not known for brute strength.

    Yet his training, years of rock climbing, and relentless conditioning had made his grip formidable. It was his hidden edge, a weapon he wielded with ease.

    And tonight, he had been overpowered¡ªtwice.

    His expression darkened as camera shes red at the edges of the hall. Reporters moved like shadows, lifting their lenses with practiced speed, eager to seize even the faintest hint of scandal.

    The tension coiled in the air, taut and vtile, threatening to snap at any moment.

    ¡°Finally, we made it.¡±

    A bright, confident voice cut through the tension from behind.

    Pattie approached with quick, graceful strides, lifting the hem of her dress just enough to move freely. Her long hair shimmered with each step, and a cheerful smile lit her face. Her gaze swept over the small scene ahead, sharp and assessing. Without hesitation, she gave Ss a light push to the side and imed the seat as if it had always belonged to her.

    ¡°Almost missed my spot.¡± Her tone was calm, though a trace of irritationy beneath theposure.

    Turning toward Maia, Pattie¡¯s expression softened instantly. ¡°Maia, I appreciate you saving seats for Rnd and me.¡±

    With practiced elegance, she lowered herself into the chair, then nced over her shoulder. ¡°Rnd, stop dawdling. Come sit.¡±

    Every movement flowed effortlessly, her presence dissolving the awkward tension that had lingered in the air.

    Ss, meanwhile, felt heat rise to his face. Thest thing he wanted was a spectacle in front of the shing cameras, especially not one involving Maia. One misstep, and his carefully cultivated image¡ªand the devotion of his admirers¡ªcould crumble.

    Nearly every lens in the room swung toward him, the crowd¡¯s attention bearing down like an inescapable spotlight. Forcing himself to remainposed, he adjusted his cuffs and summoned his practiced charm, his voice smooth and polite.

    ¡°So this seat belongs to the youngdy,¡± he said evenly, casting a brief nce at Rnd. ¡°It seems there¡¯s been a bit of a mix-up.¡±

    Your escape begins at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Rnd did not respond. His grip on Ss¡¯s wrist did not loosen in the slightest.

    A faint crease appeared on Ss¡¯s brow as he studied the man restraining him. Another overly zealous bodyguard, he assumed. Suppressing the difort, he turned to Pattie with a strained smile. ¡°Miss, could you please ask your bodyguard to release¡ª¡±

    The word ¡°bodyguard¡± sparked a sharp glint in Pattie¡¯s eyes.

    Her lips curved into a smile devoid of warmth. ¡°How amusing,¡± she replied coolly. ¡°If you can¡¯t say something decent, it¡¯s better to stay silent. He¡¯s not a bodyguard. He¡¯s my boyfriend.¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1249

    ?Chapter 1249:

    Color rushed to Rnd¡¯s cheeks at her words, and his gaze dropped at once, carefully avoiding Maia¡¯s eyes.

    Meanwhile, Maia watched the exchange in silence. A flicker of quiet amusement passed through her eyes, and a faint smile touched her lips as she observed the scene unfold.

    Pattie¡¯s gaze hardened, steel shing in her eyes as her tone sharpened, cutting cleanly through the surrounding noise. ¡°And you¡ªwhat exactly do you think you¡¯re doing? Have you ever heard of respecting boundaries, or women in general? Are you blind, or just pretending to be? There are plenty of open seats, yet you insist on crowding beside Maia. What is it¡ªare you close, or are you simply looking for trouble?¡±

    Her words sliced through the whispers around them, firm and unyielding. The confidence in her voicemanded attention, drawing nearby reporters and guests toward the confrontation.

    Heads turned. Conversations died away. A heavy silence settled over the crowd like a drawn curtain.

    For the first time, Ss¡¯s practiced grin faltered. His throat worked as he swallowed, his expression stiffening under the weight of countless watchful eyes.

    The air grew thick with unease, the tension between them impossible to ignore.

    Clearing his throat, Ss forced a light cough and squared his shoulders, a strained smile tugging at his lips. ¡°There must be some misunderstanding, ma¡¯am. I¡¯m Ss Court. I assure you, I meant no offense. Surely you¡¯ve heard of me.¡±

    ¡°Who cares who you are?¡± Pattie replied coldly, her disdain undisguised. Her gaze skimmed over him once before turning away. ¡°I¡¯m not your fan, and I don¡¯t particrly know you. Unless my friend asks for yourpany, I suggest you give her some space.¡±

    The rejection could not have been clearer.

    Ss opened his mouth to respond but hesitated, the words catching in his throat. Atst, he lifted his hands slightly, a forced smile returning. ¡°There¡¯s no hidden meaning here. I¡¯m simply a fan of theposer K, that¡¯s all. Please don¡¯t misunderstand.¡±

    His voice carried farther than he intended, reaching the ears of a nearby reporter.

    Find your favorite stories at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s., conn

    Sensing potential buzz, the reporter¡¯s instincts red. Any story linking Maia to an international star was guaranteed to explode online. Fingers flew across the screen as he hurriedly drafted a headline meant to set the inte aze.

    Within minutes, the post went live¡ªand chaos followed. Views surged by the thousands, then by the millions.

    ¡°Breaking News: International superstar Ss Court expresses admiration for Maia, revealing he is a devoted fan ofposer K.¡±

    ¡°Oh wow! Ss is a fan of Maia?¡±

    ¡°My two favorites in one headline. I can¡¯t believe this is real¡ªmy idol adores the woman I admire!¡±

    Whispers rippled through the hall, excitement spreading like wildfire.

    Atst, Ss managed to slip away from the prying eyes around him, his relief carefully masked behind aposed smile.

    He turned his attention toward the second row. From there, he reasoned, he could observe Maia without attracting unnecessary attention, close enough to fulfill his assignment while remaining inconspicuous.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1250

    ?Chapter 1250:

    Just as he angled his body to step into the aisle, a firm hand shot out from the side, gripping his arm before he could take another step.

    Ss stiffened in surprise. Again? His thoughts spun wildly. Who could it be this time? Someone else looking to provoke him?

    ¡°Excuse me.¡±

    The voice cut through the low hum of conversation¡ªcool,manding, and leaving little room for dismissal.

    Ss turned, his expression stiffening the moment his eyes fell on the man before him. A middle-aged figure stood there in a perfectly tailored dark suit, his presence alone exuding an air of quiet dominance that Ss knew all too well.

    It was Hurst Cooper¡ªthe formidable head of Cooper Vineyard, a titan in Wront¡¯s business world and a powerful investor in Wront Media. His name carried weight in every circle, and he was already deeply entrenched among the glittering elite of the film industry.

    Ss¡¯s lips tugged into a strained smile as he stepped aside. ¡°Oh¡­ it¡¯s you, Mr. Cooper.¡± His tone carried the awkward respect of someone keenly aware of his position.

    Hurst acknowledged him with nothing more than a slight nod and moved past him, taking the empty seat directly behind Maia.

    ¡°Good evening, Miss Watson.¡±

    His voice was rich, steady, and refined, shaped by years ofmanding boardrooms. His gaze swept calmly over the space around her, sharp yet polished, as if quietly appraising thepany she kept. To Maia¡¯s right sat Chris, her bodyguard¡ªunremarkable to most, yet constantly at her side. On her left, Pattie from MCN chatted casually with Rnd, awyer from Zenith Legal.

    Hurst had arrived justte enough to miss the coveted seat beside Maia. His eyes lingered on Chris a moment longer than necessary, and though he voiced no objection, the faint crease in his brow betrayed his thoughts.

    Sensing his gaze, Maia turned to meet his eyes. The rigidposure in his expression softened, curiosity flickering beneath the surface.

    ¡°Good evening, Mr. Cooper,¡± she replied with a serene smile. Her tone was calm and gracious before she added lightly, ¡°You look dashing tonight. And thank you again for your help earlier.¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§àm, where stories thrive

    Her words were brief, perfectly measured.

    A camera shed nearby, the sharp sound cutting through the momentary silence.

    Within moments, a new headline surfaced online:

    Live now! Maia Watson publiclypliments Cooper Vineyard owner Hurst Cooper on his dashing appearance.

    Thements began to pour in like a rising tide:

    ¡°What the hell? Is Maia the star tonight?¡±

    ¡°First the award-winning actor, now Mr. Cooper? Everyone seems to orbit around her.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1251

    ?Chapter 1251:

    ¡°She has that kind of maism. You can¡¯t ignore her no matter where she goes.¡±

    In the second row, Ss clenched his fists beneath the tablecloth. Interruption after interruption had stripped him of the spotlight, again and again. Though a practiced smile remained on his lips, a darker edge flickered in his eyes.

    He drew in a slow breath, forcing himself to reset, when a bright, melodic voice suddenly rang out across the hall. ¡°Maia, guess who¡¯s here!¡±

    The guests stirred, instinctively parting as a vision in silver stiletto heels strode confidently into the room. Brielle¡ªthe Queen of Pop¡ªglided forward, her mermaid gown catching the light with every step.

    Her smile was gracious and regal, but when her eyes met Maia¡¯s, unmistakable warmth lit her expression.

    ¡°Long time no see,¡± Brielle said, her voice softening. ¡°You look breathtaking tonight.¡±

    Maia returned the smile, poised as ever. ¡°Thank you. You¡¯re radiant yourself.¡±

    With effortless elegance, Brielle took the empty seat behind Pattie, settling beside Hurst. Soon, the two women leaned closer, chatting lightly about recent events, theirughter bright and unrestrained, drawing curious ears in their direction.

    Around the hall, gasps and murmurs rose like a swelling tide.

    ¡°Oh my days, that¡¯s Brielle!¡±

    ¡°Sitting near Maia is like standing at the heart of the sun. Every star gets pulled in.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, Maia is unreal. Even my parents are fans.¡±

    Ss¡¯s smile finally faltered. He was no longer merely overlooked¡ªhe had be invisible, eclipsed by Maia and the growing constetion forming around her.

    Thest seat near her was behind Chris. Pride and patience slipped through his fingers.

    Even if it fueled gossip, he could no longer endure remaining in the shadows.

    Ss moved decisively toward the seat beside Hurst, but before he could im it, three clear voices rang out in unison.

    ¡°Dad!¡±

    ?¦Ò???? ¦Ô???????????? ¦É?? ?????????????????.??????

    The crowd shifted once more as three youthful figures burst into the aisle, brimming with vitality and color.

    Mnie, Ethan, and Marisa¡ªradiant with youthful energy¡ªcaptured every gaze the instant they appeared, stealing the hall¡¯s attention entirely.

    .

    Mnie appeared in a blush-pink gown that fluttered gently around her knees, the fabric moving like a whisper of wind. As she hurried forward, she clutched Ethan¡¯s hand, while Marisa kept a firm grip on his other.

    The trio swept past Ss in a blur of color andughter, forcing him to step back and drop into his seat to avoid being caught in their rush.

    ¡°Dad! I knew I¡¯d find you here,¡± Mnie¡¯s voice rang out, bright with delight. Before she had even finished speaking, she was already seated snugly beside Hurst.

    Ethan and Marisa followed her lead, sliding into the seats next to her with easy familiarity.

    In mere seconds, Maia found herself surrounded by loyal allies, forming an unspoken shield around her.

    To her right sat Chris. Pattie and Rnd upied her left. Behind her stood the calm, steady presence of Hurst.

    Beside Hurst sat Brielle, and just beyond them, Mnie, Ethan, and Marisapleted the circle.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 1252

    ?Chapter 1252:

    Once everyone settled, their arrangement felt almost deliberate¡ªa protective barrier that left no room for anyone else to draw closer to Maia.

    Ss¡¯s expression hardened, disbelief flickering into growing frustration. How could everything keep turning against him tonight?

    Annoyance simmered beneath hisposed exterior, yet arguing with three teenagers over seating would only make him look petty¡ªworse than his earlier near-argument with a woman.

    Forcing a steady breath, he swallowed his irritation and returned to his original seat. From there, Maia waspletely out of reach, and for now, his mission would have to wait.

    The longer he remained seated, the heavier his irritation grew, and a trace of resentment toward Raegan began to take root.

    Normally, events of this scale had assigned seating, names neatly arranged to prevent scenes like this from ever unfolding.

    But this time, the organizers had announced an open-seating arrangement, a supposed gesture of fairness that allowed guests to sit wherever they wished.

    Behind that decision, however, was Hurst¡¯s quiet influence. Determined to avoid any appearance of favoritism, he had discreetly shaped the arrangement from behind the scenes.

    His n had been simple: arrive at the right moment and take the seat beside Maia. Unfortunately, fate had other ideas, and his careful strategy unraveled before it could even begin.

    The one who truly altered the course of events was not Hurst at all¡ªit was Kiley. She had deliberately scrapped the seating chart that assigned guests to specific ces, though no one could quite discern her true intentions.

    Around the same time, attention naturally drifted toward Maia. There was an unspoken desire among the guests to approach her, yet the growing crowd made it difficult for anyone to take the first step.

    Not long after, Rosanna appeared near the front. Seeing Maia surrounded by so much attention sent a faint sting of envy through her chest.

    Still, curiosity won out. She hade to witness the tension for herself, and the front rows were exactly where she wanted to be.

    L¦¡¦Ó??¦Ó ch¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??????

    Only one seat remained close to Maia¡ªa solitary spot on the far left of the second row.

    Making a quick decision, Rosanna glided over and imed the empty chair. Seated beside her was none other than Ss.

    Ss cast her a brief, weary nce, his patience already wearing thin. Without a word, he turned his face away, unwilling to invite yet another unwanted interaction.

    Rosanna studied him for a fleeting moment, recognizing the famous star adored by countless fans. She kept her thoughts to herself, choosing silence over small talk as she quietly reached for her phone.

    Lowering her gaze, she scrolled through her contacts, her expression carefully masked. Her thumb paused when a familiar name appeared on the screen¡ªAusten.

    It had been a long time since Rosanna hadst heard his voice or seen his name light up her phone.

    While Maia basked in the warmth of cheerfulpany, Rosanna sat amid the crowd with a quiet ache pressing against her chest. Her thumb hovered above the ss, caught between pride and longing.

    A sudden wave of nostalgia washed over her, drawing thoughts of Austen to the surface. She yearned for thefort of his words, the calm of his presence.

    Without thinking further, she began to type, each word heavy with longing.

    ¡°Austen, when will youe back?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1253

    ?Chapter 1253:

    She continued writing, mentioning the Cooper Group¡¯s charity g, her anticipation for Radiant Jewels¡¯unch and the auction, and how she had even met her idol the day before¡ªthe incredible designer Anti, whose work shone across the fashion world. She still couldn¡¯t believe she had seen him in person.

    Her thumb hovered over the send icon, hesitation flickering across her face. After a brief pause, she deleted everything except the opening line, leaving only the simplest words. Atst, she pressed send.

    The screen lit up softly with the confirmation: sent.

    A quiet tension settled in Rosanna¡¯s chest as she tightened her grip on the phone, her pulse quickening with each passing second. Hope and doubt twisted together as she waited for Austen¡¯s reply.

    Beside her, Ss¡¯s attention shifted when a faint vibration buzzed from his pocket, drawing his gaze down to his own phone.

    Ss shifted slightly, slipping an old backup phone from the inner pocket of his tailored suit.

    The device was a relic, its edges scuffed and the brushed metal dulled by time, yet it still held one crucial thing¡ªAusten¡¯s SIM card.

    He pressed the power button. The screen flickered to life, a pale glow reflecting in his eyes. One unread message waited. It was from Enchantress.

    ¡°Austen, when will youe back? I¡¯m here at the Cooper Group¡¯s charity g¡­¡±

    Ss raised a brow. So Austen¡¯s mistress was at the event. Interesting.

    Then again, any woman capable of holding the attention of Faceless, a top figure within The Mask, was unlikely to be ordinary.

    A crooked smile tugged at Ss¡¯s lips. He had always been curious about the woman known as Enchantress.

    His gaze drifted toward Maia, sharpening with calction. How amusing it would be to stir a little chaos here.

    He quickly typed a reply, casual and teasing, and pressed send. Before he could slide the phone back into his pocket, the woman seated beside him flinched slightly¡ªher screen lighting up at the exact same moment.

    Ss froze. His smirk deepened. What were the odds?

    Without turning his head too obviously, he studied her from the corner of his eye. So this was Enchantress. She looked¡­ ordinary. Not unattractive, but nowhere near Maia¡¯s striking beauty or poised allure.

    A trace of disappointment settled in. He had imagined someone more dangerous, more intoxicating. Austen¡¯s taste, it seemed, was not as refined as he had once assumed.

    Perhaps this woman possessed other talents, ones better suited for darker paths. Even so, she was no match for Maia. No one was, at least in Ss¡¯s eyes.

    Composing himself, he switched the phone to silent and casually nced toward her screen.

    Rosanna remained oblivious. Her heart raced as she read the reply that had just arrived. A small, hopeful smile trembled across her lips, only to fade secondster.

    ¡°Austen¡± replied, ¡°Depends on the situation. Can¡¯t decide right now.¡±

    That was all. After everything she had written¡ªafter her soft plea for him to return¡ªhe had replied with a single, detached line.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1254

    ?Chapter 1254:

    Rosanna¡¯s fingers tightened around her phone. Her chest felt hollow and heavy. The familiar ache of being brushed aside crept back in, the same sensation she had once endured with Vince, back when his patience had worn thin after Maia¡¯s release from prison.

    It was happening again.

    She swallowed hard, forcing herself to breathe evenly, but doubt seeped through the cracks in herposure. Was Austen losing interest in her as well?

    Her thoughts spiraled as she pictured his sharp jawline, his confident stride, thatmanding presence that had drawn her in from the start.

    What woman could possibly pull him away from me?

    Her nails dug into her palms until they nearly broke the skin. The sting barely grounded her.

    She had endured pain before; it had taught her to be wary.

    Her throat tightened, her breaths turning shallow and uneven. She had sacrificed everything to stand beside Austen¡ªher morals, her peace of mind, even her conscience.

    Poisoning Axell had not been easy. But she had done it without hesitation, knowing the toxin would work slowly and cleanly, leaving no trace of suspicion. All for Austen.

    And now, he was slipping away.

    Her throat constricted again, her breathing shallow. She needed to hear his voice¡ªto know for certain. She lifted her phone, about to call him.

    Beside her, Ss¡¯s expression shifted. Recognition gleamed in his eyes. So the woman seated next to him truly was Enchantress.

    He smoothed his features into polite neutrality and spoke with effortless precision. ¡°Excuse me, ma¡¯am. Would you mind saving my seat for a moment? I need to step out.¡±

    Rosanna blinked, startled.

    Her hand froze mid-dial. She turned and found herself facing a pair of dark, refined eyes. The stranger was handsome and polished, radiating a quiet charm as a faint smile touched his lips.

    Step into new worlds at g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s?conn

    People often judged by appearances¡ªand so did she.

    ¡°Oh, of course,¡± she replied with a small smile, brushing imaginary creases from her gown. The irritation that had weighed on her moments earlier faded beneath the warmth of his voice.

    Rosanna had no reason to refuse a handsome man. If anything, his request fit neatly into her own unspoken n. Later, she could maneuver a seat swap, edging herself closer to Maia under the guise of coincidence.

    Ss inclined his head politely and stepped past her, moving with the ease of someone fully aware of the gazes trailing after him.

    Once inside the restroom, Ss closed the door, the faint click of the lock echoing softly in the quiet.

    The sound echoed softly against the tiled walls. He pulled out his phone again and opened a small program¡ªa voice changer. With a few taps, he selected the presetbeled Austen.

    When he spoke, the voice that emerged was no longer his own. It was Austen¡¯s, wlessly replicated,yered with perfect precision.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1255

    ?Chapter 1255:

    Acting was his profession; deception was his art. With the right tone and the right words, he could be anyone.

    The phone vibrated once more.

    Iing call: Enchantress.

    Right on cue. Exactly as he had nned.

    Ss steadied his breathing before lowering his voice into that familiar, velvety register that belonged to Austen. ¡°Did you miss me? Because I¡¯ve been missing you.¡±

    He could almost picture the way her eyes would glisten, her voice trembling just a little in response.

    Right on cue, Rosanna hesitated on the other end of the line, her irritation softening under the weight of his words. Her lips pressed together before she muttered, ¡°You¡¯re impossible. You¡¯ve been ignoring me so muchtely, I thought maybe there was someone else.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll make it up to you when I return. Promise me you¡¯ll let me try, okay?¡±

    A few more brief exchanges followed before the call ended. A faint flush bloomed across Rosanna¡¯s cheeks as she stared at her phone. She had to admit it¡ªAusten had a way with words that melted straight through her defenses. Still, something inside her refused to fully settle.

    After all, she hadn¡¯t forgotten the time Austen had installed a voice changer on her phone¡ªthe very same trick that had once allowed her to impersonate Maia without getting caught.

    Could it be that the man she had just spoken to wasn¡¯t Austen at all, but someone pretending to be him on his orders?

    The thought settled uneasily in her mind, refusing to fade. As she reyed the conversation, something felt undeniably off. The voice on the phone had sounded lighter, almost careless, unlike the Austen she knew.

    Her conscience whispered a quiet warning. Trust mattered, yet his behaviortely had been far too unpredictable.

    With that thought lingering, she opened a tracking application on her phone¡ªone capable of pinpointing a location as long as the target answered the call. It hadn¡¯te cheap. Rosanna had paid a hefty sum to obtain it from a shady online seller, all for the sake of keeping tabs on Austen whenever he responded to her.

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    That was why, despite sensing something amiss in his tone earlier, she had deliberately kept the call going for several more minutes before ending it.

    Almost immediately, the app¡¯s screen flickered to life, disying the words ¡°Parsing IP address¡­¡± Within seconds, streams of code cascaded down the disy. Then, a single coordinate appeared on the map, glowing faintly against the dark screen.

    On the screen, bold letters shed: ¡°Current location detected ¡ª Harmony za Banquet Hall, Wront.¡±

    Rosanna froze, disbelief striking her like a p. ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± she blurted, her eyes widening in shock.

    So Austen had lied to her after all.

    Springing to her feet, she swept her gaze frantically across the grand hall. No matter how far she searched, his familiar figure was nowhere to be seen.

    ¡°You lying fool! Where are you hiding?¡±

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 Chapter 1256

    Chapter 1256:

    Across the hall, Ethan shifted restlessly in his seat in the second row, his patience slowly unraveling. He had barely spoken since arriving, maintaining aposed exterior that felt increasingly forced. Beneath that calm, however, his thoughts churned relentlessly. He had spent the entire night rehearsing what he wanted to say, refining every word until dawn.

    Those words were never meant for anyone else. They belonged to Maia alone.

    Unfortunately, the moment had already slipped away. Justiceze, whose real name was Hurst, stood not far off, and that womanizing nuisance Chris was there as well¡ªthe very person Ethan could not stand. Their presence shattered every part of his carefullyid n.

    What stung even more was Maia¡¯s silence. She had not looked his way, not even offering a polite greeting. It was clear she still had not forgiven him for what had happened earlier.

    Out of nowhere, Marisa reached over and gave his shoulder a light tap. ¡°Tsk. It¡¯s starting soon. If you don¡¯t move now, you¡¯ll lose your moment.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± Ethan muttered, his voice low and uncertain. Still, Maia¡¯s cold distance unsettled him more than he wanted to admit. A part of him feared that her anger had not faded at all¡ªthat she still saw him as someone who interfered too much in her life.

    Never in his wildest thoughts had Ethan imagined a day when his sister would pull away sopletely, all because of someone else.

    He had always believed she would stand by him, that no matter what happened, Maia would remain his fiercest defender and the one who loved him without hesitation.

    More than anything, Ethan wanted Maia to be happy, not deceived by someone like Chris. In his heart, he truly believed he had done nothing wrong.

    From his left, Mnie leaned closer, her eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°Ethan, good luck,¡± she whispered.

    Before he could respond, she gave his arm a gentle push and lifted her gaze toward Maia seated ahead. Her tone brightened just enough for nearby ears to catch it. ¡°Maia, Ethan has something to say to you.¡±

    Though not shouted, her words carried clearly across the rows. The chatter in the hall faded almost at once as several heads turned in their direction.

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    Maia tilted her head slightly, faint surprise flickering across her brows. Her gaze met her brother¡¯s, and she caught the nervous tension written inly on his face. A tender smile curved her lips. The past few days of scolding Ethan had been enough, she thought. Perhaps now he would stop being swept up by gossip and finally think for himself.

    She nced at Chris beside her and spoke softly, ¡°Slide over a little. Let Ethan have some space.¡±

    Then she turned back toward her brother. ¡°Ethan,e sit here.¡± She lifted her hand in a small wave, her voice warm in a way he had not heard in days.

    For a brief heartbeat, Ethan thought he had imagined it. His chest tightened, emotion rising to his eyes before he could stop it. Could it be that Maia had finally forgiven him?

    Drawing in a shaky breath, Ethan pushed himself to his feet and slowly made his way toward the front row.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Happy weekend dear ones. Gods loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. (?? ? ??)?

    P.S. Next week I¡¯ll be starting the audio novels. For updates, please check the galn?velsmunity. You can also find all ourmunity links here:: https://linktr.ee/gaInoveIs . ( ? ? ¨C ) ?

    .

 Chapter 1257

    ?Chapter 1257:

    A gentle hum spread through the banquet hall as the orchestra began its warm-up. The sound rolled gently through the air, slowly swallowing the low whispers circling Maia and herpanions.

    Ethan moved along the first row with careful, almost rigid steps. Under the curious gazes that followed him, he settled into the seat beside Maia¡ªthe very one Chris had recently left. The cushion still carried his warmth.

    A nce shot toward Chris, and something sharp flickered in Ethan¡¯s eyes. His features tightened, revealing both contempt and irritation. It was clear enough to him that Maia¡¯s coldness toward him had everything to do with Chris.

    However, the bitterness passed quickly, too fleeting to be noticed. Within moments, Ethan¡¯s head dipped low, and his shoulders curved inward.

    ¡°Maia¡­¡± His voice was fragile, nearly lost beneath the rising chatter. ¡°Are you angry with me? You haven¡¯t answered any of my messagestely.¡±

    Maia¡¯s gaze lingered on his face, on the traces of boyish uncertainty there. A quiet sigh slipped from her lips.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Her voice came out calm and light as she reached over to ruffle her younger brother¡¯s messy hair. ¡°I was really upset back then.¡±

    After pulling her hand away, Maia met Ethan¡¯s eyes with quiet sincerity. ¡°I just don¡¯t want you growing up without a sense of judgment,¡± she said with care.

    There was no trace of anger in her tone. She sounded more like a mother offering gentle correction. ¡°So let this be a reminder. Think about what happened and learn from it.¡±

    That had always been her belief. Maia understood that constant indulgence would never help a child grow strong or steady. Since their parents had passed away years ago, she had epted that it was her role to raise Ethan with guidance and discipline, to teach him how to make sound choices and to stand firm on his own.

    Ethan¡¯s fingers tightened little by little until his hands formed trembling fists.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he muttered, lifting his head as his voice quivered. ¡°I said terrible things that day in the hospital.¡±

    Maia¡¯s expression softened as she watched him. She gave a slow, reassuring nod. She had never meant to shut Ethan out forever. Now that he owned up to his mistake, she felt ready to forgive and move forward.

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    ¡°Okay.¡± Her lips curved into a gentle smile as she spoke. ¡°From now on, when ites to things or people, take a moment before deciding what to believe. You can¡¯t im something as true without learning the facts first. And when ites to others, don¡¯t assume the worst just because someone else has spoken poorly of them.¡±

    Although Maia¡¯s tone was calm, her words carried a quiet weight that lingered in the air.

    Beside her, Chris remained silent, watching the exchange without interruption.

    She nced at him briefly before turning back to Ethan and saying, ¡°There are countless cruel things written about me online. But do you really think I¡¯m anything like that?¡±

    ¡°Of course not!¡± Ethan blurted out before she could say more. His voice cracked with urgency. ¡°Those people are lying! They don¡¯t even know you. To me, Maia, you¡¯re the kindest person there is!¡±

    Emotion surged through him. His shoulders trembled, and his breathing turned uneven, while tears shimmered in his eyes. Anyone could see how deeply Ethan despised those who tried to stain his sister¡¯s name.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1258

    Chapter 1258:

    A gentleugh escaped Maia as she gave his back a light pat. ¡°Calm down,¡± she murmured with an easy smile. ¡°I¡¯ve long stopped caring about what strangers on the inte say. Their words hold no power over me. You see, Ethan, people online say all sorts of things about me, yet you never once believed them because you know who I truly am.¡±

    For a moment, she hesitated. Her gaze flickered toward Chris before she looked back at Ethan and asked gently, ¡°Then tell me, do the ones who speak badly about Chris actually know him?¡±

    Something uncertain passed over Ethan¡¯s face.

    ¡°It¡¯s the same story, isn¡¯t it?¡± Maia went on, her voice calm but steady. ¡°The only difference is that this time, it¡¯s about Chris instead of me. You don¡¯t really know him, Ethan. So don¡¯t judge him based on what others say.¡±

    An uneasy stillness settled around them.

    Ethan opened his mouth to respond, but the words refused toe out. Every argument he¡¯d prepared vanished before he could speak.

    Deep down, he knew she was right. Everything he thought he knew about Chris came from rumors. Still, doubt lingered. How could Maia be so certain that Chris wasn¡¯t simply pretending to be the man she believed him to be?

    Most of Ethan¡¯s ssmates came from wealthy, well-known families in Wront, and whenever Chris¡¯s name surfaced in their conversations, it was rarely followed by kindness.

    Ethan had to admit, he didn¡¯t personally know Chris. Yet a quiet question stirred in his mind¡ªwas everyone else just as clueless? Could it really be that all those stories about Chris being an illegitimate son and a womanizer were nothing but lies? It seemed too far-fetched to believe.

    Although Ethan still carried a quiet grudge against Chris, something in Maia¡¯s calm gaze softened him. The urge to speak poorly of Chris faded, reced by the fear of seeing her turn away from him again. There was a warmth in her eyes that made him hesitate, a tenderness that reminded him how deeply he dreaded letting her down.

    He ran his tongue over his dry lips before whispering, ¡°I understand, Maia.¡±

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    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. I hope you really mean it,¡± Maia replied, a faint smile curving her lips.

    Leaning closer, she whispered softly enough for no one else to hear, ¡°Chris isn¡¯t as bad as you think. Give him time, and you¡¯ll realize that yourself.¡± Her hand brushed through his hair once more, the gesture filled with quiet affection.

    Maia reminded herself not to be too stern with her younger brother.

    Ethan was still growing, and although his actions sometimescked thought, there was always kindness behind them. Every word he spoke came from a ce of love and concern for her well-being.

    Of course, Maia understood him¡ªperhaps more than anyone else ever could. She knew that Ethan¡¯s ws were born not from defiance but from the absence of guidance. What he needed was patience, not reprimand¡ªnurturing, not control.

    A faint sigh slipped from her lips.

    At that moment, Ethan leaned closer and spoke in a quiet tone.

    ¡°Maia.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± asked Maia.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1259

    Chapter 1259:

    A flicker of unease crossed his face as he fidgeted with his fingers against his knees. ¡°I have a secret I want to tell you.¡±

    Curiosity sparked in her eyes as Maia turned toward him. ¡°What secret?¡±

    Ethan leaned closer, his eyes darting around as though the walls themselves might be listening. His voice dropped to a hurried whisper. ¡°It¡¯s about Justiceze.¡±

    The name struck Maia like a pebble breaking the still surface of water, sending quiet ripples through her chest.

    That alias was impossible to forget. On countless nights when the world had turned its back on her, that mysterious figure had stood up in her defense online. His words had carried courage and warmth¡ªa faceless guardian shielding her from cruelty.

    Maia studied Ethan¡¯s expression, her gaze gentle yet cautious.

    ¡°There¡¯s something you know about him?¡± she asked gently.

    Ethan gave a sharp nod, excitement flickering in his eyes. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ve actually been talking to him a lot on Twitter.¡± A hint of pride crept into his tone. ¡°He¡¯s incredible, really. Every time someone targets you, he steps in without hesitation.¡±

    Then Ethan¡¯s expression changed, his curiosity surfacing once more. ¡°Tell me, Maia¡ªwhat¡¯s your impression of Justiceze?¡±

    Maia tilted her head, a faint arch forming in her brow. Wasn¡¯t this conversation supposed to revolve around Justiceze¡¯s secret? Why had Ethan suddenly turned it into a question about her personal opinion?

    Leaning back, Maia crossed one leg over the other and rested her chin lightly against her hand. After a thoughtful pause, she said, ¡°I believe he must be a good man.¡± There was a soft glow in her tone, a quiet admiration that lingered in the air.

    Her hand came up to rest gently on Ethan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°He seems like someone who doesn¡¯t bend to the crowd, someone who thinks for himself¡ªand that¡¯s a quality I hope you¡¯ll develop too. As for Justiceze, I¡¯d say he truly lives up to his name. He embodies justice in its truest form.¡± Her words carried a sincerity that left no room for doubt.

    It was more than just praise¡ªit was the kind of acknowledgment that made Justiceze sound like a man worthy of respect, even someone Ethan could look up to.

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    Without their knowledge, Chris¡ªwho sat right beside Ethan¡ªcaught every word. Although he kept his expression neutral, the storm beneath his calm exterior was impossible to contain.

    Never in his wildest thoughts had he imagined Maia would think so well of him. And to hear her admiration spoken aloud, directly within his earshot, shook him more than he cared to admit.

    Maia, of course, remained unaware that the man she was describing so fondly was sitting only inches away. To her, her words were nothing more than an honest reflection of the truth.

    Before long, Chris sensed that something wasn¡¯t right. Ethan¡¯s earlier words about wanting to share a secret with Maia now echoed in his mind.

    A thought crossed him like a sh of lightning. Was Ethan actually nning to tell Maia that he was Justiceze?

    For as long as Chris could remember, he had believed Ethan already knew the truth. However, that assumption had been wrong all along.

    Out of nowhere, Ethan¡¯s cheerful tone filled the air once more. ¡°Exactly, Maia! I couldn¡¯t agree more.¡± His eyes gleamed with excitement as he turned toward Hurst, standing just behind Maia. ¡°Justiceze is the kind of man any woman could trust for a lifetime, a person worthy of a lifetimemitment,¡± he said with conviction.

    .

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 Chapter 1260

    Chapter 1260:

    Those words drew an unbidden smile from Chris.

    He wasn¡¯t sure why Ethan had suddenly spoken so highly of him, but the warmth that followed was undeniable. It felt good¡ªbetter than he cared to admit.

    After all, who wouldn¡¯t enjoy hearing such praise? Chris wasn¡¯t immune to ttery, and holding back his grin felt as impossible as keeping his finger off a loaded trigger.

    As for Hurst, the moment he caught Ethan¡¯s nce and heard the phrase ¡°a man worth a lifetime,¡± his whole face lit up in delight.

    Even though the name ¡°Justiceze¡± reached Hurst¡¯s ears, he brushed it off without much thought, assuming it was a game reference or maybe a nickname.

    His mind was elsewhere, busy nning how to strike up another round of conversation with Maia and, if luck allowed, offer to escort her home after the g.

    Because of that, he hadn¡¯t really followed what Maia and Ethan had been discussing earlier. But when Ethan suddenly looked his way, Hurst snapped out of his wandering thoughts just in time to catch the final words.

    Across from them, Maia¡¯s expression shifted ever so slightly. Her brows drew together as if Ethan¡¯sment didn¡¯t quite sit right with her.

    The way he spoke made it sound as though he was trying to introduce Justiceze to her.

    That wouldn¡¯t do at all.

    Chris was right there, and jealousy wasn¡¯t something he handled well. One wrong impression could stir up unnecessary trouble, and Maia wasn¡¯t in the mood for that tonight.

    ¡°What do you mean by Hurst is worthy of a lifetimemitment?¡± Maia asked. Her eyes grew cold and distant as she spoke the words softly.

    She¡¯d suspected something all along¡ªEthan hadn¡¯t truly learned his lesson. Instead, he¡¯d simply switched tactics in his fight against Chris.

    Now he wanted to use a different strategy. If he couldn¡¯t attack Chris directly in front of her, he¡¯d introduce another man into the picture. Maybe that would push her away from Chris instead.

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    Maia recognized this move. She¡¯d taught Ethan this very technique years ago when hepeted in gaming. He¡¯d learned it quickly: when one path fails, find another angle. Attack from a different direction.

    Now Ethan was turning that same strategy on her. It surprised her.

    ¡°Please think seriously about him,¡± Ethan suggested. He clenched his fists hard and forced courage into his voice. ¡°He¡¯s been secretly in love with you all this time.¡±

    The words caught Maia off guard.

    Chris, hearing that, coughed suddenly. The sound came from deep inside his chest¡ªhis body reacting before his mind could stop it. His heart was racing.

    Behind Maia, Hurst smiled broadly. He even gave Ethan a mental thumbs-up for his boldness.

    Pattie had been watching the whole thing. She pressed her lips tight, questions burning in her mind. She didn¡¯t dare open her mouth, though. Once she started talking, she knew she wouldn¡¯t stop until she understood every detail.

    Brielle stood slightly behind Maia too. She looked just as curious, her eyes fixed on Maia¡¯s face, waiting.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1261

    Chapter 1261:

    The air turned thick with tension. Everyone held their breath.

    All eyes in the room turned toward Maia, waiting to see what she¡¯d say.

    Rosanna stood alone not too far away. She couldn¡¯t see Austen anywhere, and she¡¯d missed the whole conversation between Maia and Ethan.

    But something bothered her deeply. Ethan used to be her brother. They¡¯d lived in the slums together years ago. Back then, he was distant from her. He acted like she meant nothing to him¡ªlike she was a stone.

    But with Maia, everything was different. He stayed near her. He smiled at her.

    Jealousy burned hot in Rosanna¡¯s chest.

    It made no sense. Why did Maia deserve all this attention? Why did people cluster around her and treat her like she mattered most of all? Maia had done terrible things. She¡¯d spent time in jail. She was disgusting. Maia wouldn¡¯t even publicly admit that she had a spouse. How fake. How dishonest.

    Rosanna¡¯s body shook with rage. She wanted to run over and scream at Maia. She wanted tosh out hard. Her hands turned into tight fists.

    But she fought to keep herself under control. Her eyes swept across the room, looking for Austen and Jarrod.

    Jarrod had to be here by now, because this was the final moment of today¡¯s n. Whatever he intended to do to Maia, it would be exciting.

    Then Ss came back. He walked to his seat in the second row.

    He¡¯d noticed Rosanna scanning the crowd. Confusion flickered through his mind for a moment, but his face showed nothing. Actors knew how to hide, after all.

    He greeted Rosanna first and then sat back down.

    Maia finally broke her silence. ¡°Ethan, I understand you spoke from kindness. But you are wrong,¡± she said. Her voice carried displeasure. The tone made Ethan¡¯s smile vanish. Tension flooded through him. He sensed he¡¯d crossed a line.

    Maia believed a strong response was needed. Ethan had to learn.

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    She understood what drove him. That didn¡¯t mean she¡¯d let him control her life. She wouldn¡¯t let him decide her romantic future. Conditional love was selfish¡ªnarrow, small, and ultimately hollow.

    ¡°Listen, Ethan,¡± Maia said firmly. Her words came out sharp. ¡°I will choose who I spend my life with. That choice belongs to me alone. You¡¯re my brother. Even so, you must respect my decisions.¡±

    Ethan took a sharp breath. He could feel the anger in her face and her tone.

    Before he could respond, live music began. The sound pulled everyone¡¯s attention toward the stage. The moment had arrived. Media cameras swung toward the center where a host in formal clothes stood, looking out across all the faces.

    The host raised the microphone to his lips. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, wee,¡± he began. ¡°Tonight marks a double celebration: Radiant Jewels presents its newest creations, and the Cooper Group honors itsmitment to phnthropy with its charity g.¡±

    When his words ended, apuse filled the room instantly.

    Ethan¡¯s gaze lingered on Maia¡¯s side profile, and for the first time, he felt an emptiness open inside him, a hollow space where his heart used to be.

    Love, he thought, should never have felt this heavy. It was meant to bring joy, not chains. He had only wanted to protect her¡ªto see his sister happy. That was all.

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 Chapter 1262

    Chapter 1262:

    ¡°Maia, forgive me¡­¡± he began softly.

    Before he could say more, thunderous apuse rolled through the hall like a crashing wave, swallowing every trace of his voice.

    Maia¡¯s brows tightened, her eyes fixed on the stage ahead. She didn¡¯t even nce Ethan¡¯s way, her faceposed yet distant. It was as though she had sealed herself away from himpletely.

    Ethan faltered, lowering his head. The urge to apologize again pressed against his chest, but the words refused toe. His throat felt tight, locked by remorse.

    Even though Ethan sat right beside Maia, it felt as though an invisible wall had risen between them¡ªcold, unyielding, and impossible to cross.

    A suffocating heaviness settled in his chest, and the echo of Maia¡¯s earlier words refused to fade. ¡°Whoever I choose to be with is my decision. Even as my brother, you must respect my choices¡­¡±

    It was a tone of gravity he had never heard from her before, a moment he never thought he¡¯d witness.

    Not even the thunderous apuse could mask the disappointment in Maia¡¯s tone.

    Ethan¡¯s hands curled into tight fists, guilt wing at him until his knuckles turned white. Overwhelmed by remorse, hepletely failed to notice the host¡¯s introduction.

    Another wave of startled voices filled the air. ¡°Look! It¡¯s the CEO of Cooper Group, the famous ice queen herself, Ms. Kiley Cooper!¡±

    ¡°Oh my god! Her outfit tonight is breathtaking! I didn¡¯t think anyone could rival Maia¡¯s look.¡±

    ¡°When ites to grace, Kiley stands equal to Maia. Besides, shees from a distinguished family and became Cooper Group¡¯s CEO at such a young age. Her potential is limitless.¡±

    Ethan lifted his head, his gaze drawn to the stage.

    Beside the host stood a woman dressed in a sleek ck evening gown. The neckline was clean and understated, its lines flowing smoothly to entuate her form. The tailored waist hugged her frame perfectly, while the in fabric, free of decoration, made her silhouette even more striking.

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    Her hair was styled with wless precision, and the cool-toned earrings she wore shimmered faintly beneath the lights, like stars scattered across a night sky. A faint,posed smile graced her lips¡ªone that carried the effortless dignity of a queen untouched by the world around her.

    The guests were left speechless, their awe filling the air, while the live stream exploded with admiration.

    ¡°Ms. Cooper¡¯s presence is incredible! She¡¯s breathtaking!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m now a fan of Kiley Cooper!¡±

    Kiley¡¯s eyes swept across the glittering hall, her gaze sharp and deliberate before settling on Maia.

    ¡°As the CEO of Cooper Group, it¡¯s an honor to wee you all tonight. To me, this event is more than a press conference or a charity g¡ªit¡¯s an opportunity to connect and celebrate excellence.¡± She paused, her lips curving into a subtle smile. ¡°I¡¯d especially like to thank one remarkable guest¡ªMs. Maia Watson. Maia isn¡¯t just MCN¡¯s chief designer, known by the name Eileen. She¡¯s also the acimedposer K, the artist Matias, and the heroine who acted fearlessly during the Harmony za incident. Her presence tonight promises to surprise and inspire us all.¡±

    As Kiley finished, a wave of astonishment rippled through the crowd. Whispered questions filled the air, particrly among foreign guests unfamiliar with Maia¡¯s name.

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 Chapter 1263

    Chapter 1263:

    ¡°Who exactly is Maia Watson? How did she manage to earn such remarkable titles?¡±

    ¡°You really don¡¯t know? Maia¡¯s quite the legend. When Kiley invited her, she didn¡¯t even ept at first. Everyone was waiting for her answer. If the public hadn¡¯t pressured her, she probably wouldn¡¯t have shown up at all.¡±

    ¡°Kiley clearly mentioned Maia for a reason. Everyone knows Maia¡¯s earned quite a fortune through her different identities. Maybe this is Kiley¡¯s way of reminding her it¡¯s time to give something back.¡±

    A few guests exchanged knowing looks, the glint of gossip bright in their eyes as they followed Kiley¡¯s gaze toward Maia.

    ¡°Is that really Maia Watson? She¡¯s pretty, I¡¯ll give her that, but something about her attitude feels off.¡±

    ¡°If she didn¡¯t want to attend, she shouldn¡¯t have. No one forced her, right? Acting like she¡¯s above everyone else¡ªit¡¯s so pretentious.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, what¡¯s so special about Maia? She¡¯s just some popr online figure. I heard she grew up in a poor neighborhood, and her parents were barely getting by. Doesn¡¯t exactly scream ss to me.¡±

    At the sound of that cruel remark, Ethan¡¯s temper snapped. His head jerked toward the voices, his expression darkening. ¡°What garbage are they spewing?¡± His jaw tightened, and his shoulders quivered while his eyes fixed on Maia.

    Yet Maia remainedposed, her posture elegant and her smile unbroken. Just as she¡¯d said earlier, no one¡¯s words could touch her now.

    Ethan, however, couldn¡¯t bear it. He was about to rise and defend her when a firm hand pressed against his shoulder.

    Chris leaned closer, his tone dripping with disdain. ¡°Let it go. Those people have no sense of decency. All they know is to unt family names and old wealth. Without their ancestors¡¯ shadows, they¡¯d have nothing to boast about.¡±

    The pointed sarcasm in his voice drew attention, and soon low chuckles rippled through the crowd.

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    ¡°Not judging by background or lineage? Then what else is there to judge? Every elite circle values family standing. That¡¯s how the world works.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s just a bastard, yet talks like he¡¯s some kind of genius. How utterlyughable!¡±

    ¡°And honestly, if Chris weren¡¯t a Cooper, he wouldn¡¯t even qualify to set foot in this ce.¡±

    At that instant, Kiley¡¯s voice rang out across the hall once again.

    Kiley¡¯s voice rang out with confidence and poise as she moved on to acknowledge her second special guest. ¡°I want to recognize Aurielle Margaret,¡± she said. ¡°She holds the position of president at the International Jewelry Design Association and has made a name for herself as a master of contemporary jewelry design.¡±

    A subtle smile yed across Kiley¡¯s face. Her eyes moved away from Maia and found someone else on the stage. ¡°Everyone¡¯s aware of Ms. Margaret¡¯s reputation,¡± she continued. ¡°Only the cream of the crop in jewelry brands manage to catch her attention. Radiant Jewels is proud to have earned her approval. We¡¯re a local brand under Cooper Group¡¯s umbre.¡±

    The cameras swiveled toward Aurielle right away. Her hair had gone silver with age, and everything about her movements screamed sophistication. She gave a slight nod and got to her feet, smiling. Her hand lifted in a wave for the photographers. She came across like somebody¡¯s sweet grandmother.

    People found it tough to believe this was the same woman once famous for ruthlessly critiquing jewelry. She used to have a reputation for spotting ws nobody else could see and speaking her mind without sugarcoating anything.

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 Chapter 1264

    Chapter 1264:

    Major social media tforms were broadcasting the whole thing live, and online viewers jumped into passionate debates. A number of international watchers felt pretty ticked off about how things had gone down.

    ¡°Why did Kiley start by thanking Maia instead of the president of the International Jewelry Design Association?¡± one person wrote. ¡°Does Maia rank higher than Aurielle somehow? This whole thing is supposed to be about Radiant Jewelsunching new products.¡±

    ¡°Maia didn¡¯t even bother to get up when Kiley thanked her earlier,¡± anothermented. ¡°Where are her basic manners? Just look at how Aurielle handled herself. It makes Maia look stuck-up.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t someone post online that Maia was ying the diva during sign-up?¡± yet another chimed in. ¡°They said she was acting like the main event¡­ and she got thanked first. What exactly did she do to earn that?¡±

    Plenty of people at the actual event felt just as confused about Kiley¡¯s choice to put Maia first.

    ¡°What¡¯s the deal here?¡± someone whispered. ¡°I heard Cooper Group and MCN couldn¡¯t stand each other. But Kiley¡¯s being pretty chummy with Maia, isn¡¯t she?¡±

    ¡°Right?¡± another person agreed. ¡°There was this huge drama online before. Everybody knows Maia turned down Kiley¡¯s invitations to tonight¡¯s party multiple times. Still, Kiley put her at the top of her thank-you list. Kiley is quite forgiving.¡±

    ¡°The Cooper Group is a toppany in Wront,¡± someone else added. ¡°They¡¯ve been around for almost two centuries. The heirs who inherit everything are famous for seeing the big picture. Just check out Kiley. She does see the big picture.¡±

    The whispers stayed fairly quiet, but they kept steadily tearing down Maia¡¯s reputation among the crowd. The words stabbed at Maia like needles, one after another, hitting their mark.

    Still, Maia kept that smile on her face. Her eyes stayed cool and collected. Her posture remained ramrod straight. She¡¯d definitely heard all the nastyments, but she didn¡¯t get up, and she didn¡¯t say a word in response.

    Her restraint actually made her stick out even more. It was like she was quietly telling everyone she didn¡¯t think any of this deserved an exnation.

    Discover your escape on g  aln ov el s

    Raegan sat somewhere toward the back. She watched the whole fascinating scene y out and couldn¡¯t hide her smirk. She¡¯d gotten her people to spread ugly rumors about Maia all over the ce,unching a full-scale online assault against her.

    Kiley had yed this really smart. She¡¯d put Maia on a pedestal, which meant everyone was now watching her closely. That setup would make it way easier to tear her downter. The fall would be that much more brutal. Meanwhile, Kiley could walk away from the mess with clean hands, never directly troubling Maia but always appearing to defend and favor her, thereby inciting more dissatisfaction toward Maia.

    All of a sudden, Anti¡ªseated beside Raegan¡ªraised an eyebrow. She¡¯d been listening to all the chatter happening around them. Her curiosity got the better of her.

    ¡°So who is this Maia Watson exactly?¡± she asked Raegan. ¡°Howe Ms. Cooper made such a big deal about thanking her first? What¡¯s she done to deserve getting singled out like that?¡±

    Raegan leaned closer to Anti, her voice a hushed murmur. ¡°Maia Watson is a puzzle. She served four years for theft, then transformed her life, rising to chief designer at MCN. She¡¯s also a celebratedposer and painter. Isn¡¯t that like something from a fairy tale?¡±

    Anti¡¯s jaw dropped, disbelief widening her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re kidding. An ex-convict pulling that off? She must be a fraud.¡±

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 Chapter 1265

    Chapter 1265:

    Raegan¡¯s gaze held steady. ¡°There¡¯s more. After prison, she wrested apany from Mariana, Ms. Cooper¡¯s sister.¡± She paused, letting the weight settle, then added, ¡°Aurora Apparel Company, once a titan in fashion design.¡±

    Anti¡¯s shock deepened, her voice sharp. ¡°Wrested it? How did she pull that off? Deceit? Threats?¡±

    A master con herself, Anti couldn¡¯t fathom someone outmatching her. Maia¡¯s feat seemed too grand for mere trickery.

    Curiosity sparked within her. Perhaps she¡¯d visit Maia to unravel her story.

    Raegan shrugged, her tone cautious. ¡°It¡¯s all spection. I¡¯m not certain.¡± She then continued, ¡°But everyone in Wront calls Maia a local legend, so it¡¯s not hard to understand why Ms. Cooper put her first on the list of people to thank, likely considering her influence.¡±

    The host¡¯s voice cut through the murmurs. ¡°Please settle down. Ms. Cooper has special guests to thank.¡±

    Silence fell over the hall.

    Pattie frowned, leaning toward Maia. ¡°What¡¯s with Kiley¡¯s dramatic pauses? Trying to steal the show? And making you first on her thank-you list feels like a setup.¡±

    Maia¡¯s faint smile held quiet confidence. ¡°I know,¡± she murmured, patting Pattie¡¯s hand gently.

    The spotlight swung to Kiley, who seized the microphone.

    ¡°I want to thank a guest, a giant in jewelry design yet fiercely private. The founder of Annie Crystal, the visionary designer, Anti.¡±

    Gasps echoed through the room, shock rippling at the unexpected reveal.

    Maia¡¯s eyes widened, surprise etching her face.

    Even Aurielle, ever poised as president of the International Jewelry Design Association, couldn¡¯t mask her astonishment, her gaze sweeping the room for Anti.

    Aurielle had oftenuded Anti¡¯s bold designs, letting slip her admiration more than once.

    ?@???? ??@t?¨¨?? ¨ª¨½ ??????????????????.??????

    Aurielle stayedposed on the outside, but inside she felt a twinge of annoyance. Kiley hadn¡¯t acknowledged her first, and that stung. The irritation grew worse when she realized there was yet another guest getting a special shout-out after her.

    Being President of the International Jewelry Association, Aurielle thought she deserved the spotlight. She wasn¡¯t the first to get praised, but in her mind, she should¡¯ve been the big finish. How could someone else get recognized after her?

    All that frustration melted away, though, when Kiley finally said the name Anti. Aurielle immediately felt that it was well-earned. Anti truly deserved that kind of recognition.

    Meanwhile, the inte went wild. Mentions of Anti skyrocketed to the top of trending lists almost instantly. Within three minutes, thement sections werepletely jam-packed.

    It was like everyone online had sugar in their veins, typing nonstop like maniacs.

    ¡°Wow, this is huge! Cooper Group actually brought in Aurielle and Anti.¡±

    ¡°Kiley really knows how to make an impression.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe Radiant Jewels managed to get Anti. If she touches the new designs, will there even be anything left for us to buy? Everything¡¯s gonna sell out instantly.¡±

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 Chapter 1266

    Chapter 1266:

    ¡°Seriously! Even if she just gives a tiny nod of approval, that alone guarantees sales.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t even know how huge Anti is in the global jewelry scene. She¡¯s a legend!¡±

    ¡°I second that!¡±

    The live chat was no different¡ªchaotic and buzzing with excitement.

    ¡°Wait, did Anti, the founder of Annie Crystal, actually show up?¡±

    ¡°Aurielle¡¯s here too. Can¡¯t miss this!¡±

    ¡°This productunch is basically a divine meet-up for the jewelry world.¡±

    ¡°I love you, Anti!¡±

    At the venue, Kiley glided down from the stage. Her high heels clicked loudly and confidently on the red carpet.

    With a poised smile and effortless grace, she walked straight toward Anti, who was sitting beside Raegan.

    The cameras were glued to her every move, and the spotlight followed her like a shadow. She could feel the crowd¡¯s anticipation and couldn¡¯t help smiling at the attention. Even though the earlier part of the event was designed to highlight Maia¡¯s stumble, Kiley didn¡¯t lose sight of her main goal: making Radiant Jewels the top luxury jewelry brand.

    Today, she also nned to use Anti¡¯s clout to win over Aurielle, who was a tough nut to crack. If she pulled this off, Radiant Jewels could go global.

    Kiley wanted everyone to get the memo: from now on, Radiant Jewels would team up deeply with Anti. They might even drop groundbreaking collections every year.

    Camera shes lit up the room as audience members stood up, eager to see the legendary figure of the jewelry world.

    Raegan nced at Anti and noticed something interesting about her.

    Anti wasn¡¯t nervous or shy at all. Instead, she looked genuinely excited, her eyes shining and sparkling with a little thrill.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s, where the best stories live

    But inside, Anti was a bundle of nerves.

    Luckily, she¡¯d been through enough of these high-profile events to keep herselfposed. Still, she couldn¡¯t stop muttering under her breath, ¡°Oh man! What is Kiley up to? Why¡¯s sheing over? She never said anything about this¡­ What¡¯s she nning?¡±

    Anti tried to keep her cool, but a little panic bubbled under the surface. Before she could gather herself, Kiley was already standing in front of her.

    Raegan had confirmed Anti¡¯s identity, and Kiley had spent some time figuring out how to make the most of this chance. She never handed out invitations without expecting something back.

    They stared at each other¡ªone sharp-eyed, the other smiling faintly.

    Kiley looked down at Anti, extended her hand, and said softly, ¡°Hey, Anti, want toe up on stage with me?¡± She added with a gentle grin, ¡°I think everyone¡¯s dying to hear your thoughts on jewelry, and I¡¯m hoping you¡¯ll give Radiant Jewels¡¯ new line your honest take.¡±

    Her tone was measured, smooth, making the invite feel natural, like she genuinely valued Anti¡¯s opinion.

    Kiley knew all eyes were on them. It had to look effortless, not like a scripted stunt. She added, ¡°I know I might be asking a lot, but¡­¡±

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 Chapter 1267

    Chapter 1267:

    ¡°Sure.¡± Anti cut her off, taking Kiley¡¯s hand in a firm shake. She stood up and teased, ¡°Just so you know¡­ I¡¯m not taking the me if thisunch tanks.¡±

    Kiley offered a small smile. ¡°Absolutely. I look forward to your¡­¡± She nced at Aurielle in the front row, her voice turning serious. ¡°¡­and Aurielle¡¯s honest feedback too.¡±

    The crowd went wild instantly.

    ¡°Wait, is that really Anti?¡±

    ¡°Wow! She looks so young. Maybe not even twenty?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been to a productunch or charity g like this.¡±

    ¡°Who else would dare invite someone like Anti to critique aunch? And it¡¯s live!¡±

    ¡°This is vision. I love it; thisunch is going to be remembered for ages.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Cooper really knows how to make a statement.¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡±

    Cameras clicked nonstop, lights flickered like stars, and the excitement hit a fever pitch.

    Down by the stage, Rosanna was nearly shaking with excitement. Her hands trembled.

    Not only was she seeing her childhood hero, but she would hear Anti¡¯s take on jewelry design firsthand. She was sure the insights would be game-changing.

    Online, the buzz exploded. Trending searches shot up.

    ¡°Annie Crystal founder Anti shows up at Radiant Jewelsunch.¡±

    ¡°Anti makes a public debut, sending the inte into a frenzy.¡±

    Within ten minutes, Radiant Jewels took the top three spots in trending searches. Comments about Anti flooded the live stream.

    Meanwhile, Kiley didn¡¯t forget about Maia. As she guided Anti toward the stage, she said, ¡°Let¡¯s also bring Ms. Margaret and Maia up to share their thoughts.¡±

    g¦Á ? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s has it all

    To make the event feel unscripted, surprises were key. Kiley¡¯s lips curved into a small, knowing smile.

    Then she made Maia an offer too good to refuse. ¡°After all, Maia, you¡¯re MCN¡¯s lead fashion designer. You¡¯ve created countless jewelry pieces as part of your designs. It wasn¡¯t easy to get you here¡ªthere¡¯s no way you¡¯d turn me down, right?¡±

    The cameras kept shing, tension crackling in the air. Suddenly, every lens turned to Maia.

    Many of the people around couldn¡¯t hide their sneers. Raegan had orchestrated things behind the scenes, spreading gossip, stirring chaos, and constantly smearing Maia¡¯s name. Now, they scrambled, trying to twist the situation to their advantage, intending to pressure Maia.

    ¡°This is a live broadcast, millions are watching. Maia can¡¯t exactly act like a diva and just turn Kiley down, right?¡±

    ¡°Kiley treated Maia with so much respect. Kiley invited her to the banquet more than once and even offered her a guest judge spot. It¡¯d be ridiculous for Maia to say no again, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°Who does she think she is? Acting like the star of the show. I wonder if her fans are just buying into her fake act.¡±

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 Chapter 1268

    Chapter 1268:

    Over on Twitter, trolls Raegan and Kiley had hired weren¡¯t sitting still either. Fake ounts multiplied like weeds, spamming nasty remarks about Maia.

    ¡°I can¡¯t deal with this anymore. I¡¯ve seen people put on an act, but she takes fakeness to a whole new level. If being this fake were illegal, she¡¯d be behind bars again.¡±

    ¡°Maia must be losing it right now. She¡¯s going to say no, because she knows nothing about jewelry design.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll bet she will refuse. Then Kiley will coax her into epting, and she¡¯ll pretend to agree reluctantly. If that doesn¡¯t happen, I¡¯ll eat my words.¡±

    But not everyone online joined in. Some people started speaking up for Maia.

    ¡°Clothing design and jewelry design aren¡¯t the same thing. Maia can make clothes, but does she really know jewelry? Feels like Kiley¡¯s just out to mess with her because of old grudges.¡±

    ¡°This newunch is a setup. Cooper Group kept inviting Maia only to trip her up. Kiley¡¯s intentions are obvious.¡±

    ¡°How much are you guys getting paid to trash Maia? If money¡¯s involved, count me in¡ªI want a piece too.¡±

    As supporters rallied to defend Maia, the paid trolls got ready to strike back. But then, suddenly, many found themselves locked out of their ounts. Some noticed strange logins from remote locations.

    Even more shocking, the nastyments aimed at Maia started vanishing, disappearing by the dozens. It was clear this was the work of the hacker group she had put together.

    ¡°Trying to mess with Maia using paidmenters? Cute. Amateurs can¡¯t touch us,¡± said a top hacker, curling his lips while stretching his fingers. ¡°Time to show them how real hacking is done.¡±

    Within seconds, shadows fell across his face. His fingers flew over the keyboard, almost like he was ying a piano. Commands typed in rapid session made the troll ounts glitch, crash, and be useless.

    Meanwhile, Maia rose slowly. Her gaze drifted toward Anti, who still looked like a child.

    ???€$? ?§ß???€?$ 1? g??l??ov?l??.????m

    Had Kiley purposely picked a puppet to impersonate Anti? Maybe the girl didn¡¯t know what she was doing¡ªor maybe she was a little con artist herself.

    Maia decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. She didn¡¯t call the girl out immediately and yed along with Kiley, curious to see what the next move would be.

    With a gentle smile, Maia turned to Kiley and said, ¡°Sure, I won¡¯t say no anymore. Besides, I actually know a bit about jewelry design.¡±

    Her voice was soft, but online, it hit like a bomb.

    ¡°She knows a bit? Did I hear that right? Still ying pretend, huh?¡±

    ¡°Ha! A fashion designer iming she knows jewelry too. Bold. Does she think she can master everything called ¡®design¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Funny! I¡¯m dying to see what kind ofments Maiaes up with next.¡±

    The trending topic ¡°Maia knows jewelry design¡± surged online, igniting skepticism.

    Many scoffed, doubting Maia¡¯s expertise amid seasoned professionals.

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 Chapter 1269

    Chapter 1269:

    The inte buzzed with debate.

    ¡°Does Maia think she can rival titans at such an event?¡± one post questioned.

    ¡°Kiley was just polite. How could Maia take it seriously? What could she critique?¡± another sneered.

    ¡°No designerpares to Annie Crystal¡¯s founder. Anti¡¯s critique is enough,¡± a third dered.

    At the event, disbelief etched the audience¡¯s faces, some curling into derisive smirks.

    When Kiley summoned Maia onstage, she chose a seat at the stage¡¯s rear.

    A sly smirk tugged at Kiley¡¯s lips as her suspicions were confirmed. Maia knew nothing of jewelry design. She was clearly afraid to sit up front, perhaps to avoid exposing her ignorance. Kiley had investigated her, and her investigation revealed Maia¡¯s artistic foundation and self-taught fashion design from prison, but jewelry design was a different realm.

    Without ess to real jewels during incarceration, how could Maia im expertise?

    Kiley had nned to merely showcase her but now craved her public humiliation before guests, reporters, and viewers.

    ¡°Maia wishes her critique to close the discussion,¡± Kiley said, her voice dripping with mockery.

    Turning to Aurielle, president of the International Jewelry Design Association, and Anti, Annie Crystal¡¯s founder, she asked, ¡°Which of youdies will start?¡±

    Aurielle, ever a fan of Anti, graciously deferred to her.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go first,¡± Anti dered, iming the front chair with confidence. She shed a smile at Aurielle. ¡°You don¡¯t mind, do you?¡±

    ¡°Not at all,¡± Aurielle replied, her enthusiastic grin bright as she settled to Anti¡¯s left.

    The seating sparked murmurs among the audience.

    g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s, where stories thrive

    ¡°Maia¡¯s lying about her jewelry knowledge. She¡¯d have taken the first seat otherwise,¡± one whispered.

    ¡°She¡¯s clueless and will likely just echo the experts,¡± another sneered.

    ¡°She¡¯ll parrot Anti and Aurielle¡¯s words, a cheap tactic,¡± a third added.

    Online, the sentiment echoed.

    ¡°She talks big but can¡¯t deliver. Smart to hide at the back,¡± onement read.

    ¡°Her past sess has her thinking she¡¯s omniscient,¡± another jabbed.

    ¡°If she were skilled, she¡¯d sit up front. All bluff, no substance,¡± a third scoffed.

    Rosanna¡¯s fists clenched, her gaze icy as she watched Maia, who hadn¡¯t nced her way despite their close proximity.

    ¡°How long will you y this game, Maia?¡± Rosanna muttered under her breath.

    Turning to Reagan, she found calm in the evidence Reagan had provided.

    A faint smirk curled her lips before her expression grew cold once more. She eyed Maia, bathed in stage light, and resolved to bide her time before stripping away Maia¡¯s moment of glory.

    After all, she wasn¡¯t Maia¡¯s only opponent this time.

    There was Kiley and Reagan, and thetter had evidence of Maia¡¯s prison break.

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 Chapter 1270

    Chapter 1270:

    Rosanna scrolled through her phone, ready to post a new update on Twitter. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought Maia had such talent for jewelry design? Quite a surprise. Prison must¡¯ve been a fine ssroom for her. If I didn¡¯t know she was serving time, I¡¯d swear she¡¯d gone off for graduate studies.¡±

    Just as her finger hovered over the send button, she froze. The words on her screen suddenly felt heavy. Her hand quivered ever so slightly, and she stared at her draft in silence.

    Each time she¡¯d taken a jab at Maia online, it had always backfired. The moment she tried to tarnish Maia¡¯s name, someone would fire back and humiliate her instead. One user in particr, called Justiceze, had a way of flipping the entire crowd against her.

    Rosanna¡¯s lips twitched at the memory. With an irritated huff, she erased the draft, switched ounts, and typed again. ¡°Hard to believe that person spent four years in prison. Was it a correctional facility or a graduate school? She seems to know everything the moment she steps out.¡±

    This time, the post took off fast. Likes and retweets poured in, leaving Rosanna blinking in disbelief. Apparently, more people resented Maia than Rosanna had thought.

    What she didn¡¯t realize was that Raegan had arranged every bit of that support through herwork of paid influencers.

    At the same time, Ss, seated beside Rosanna, leaned back and narrowed his eyes. A faint grin curved his lips as he rubbed his palms together, amusement flickering in his gaze.

    Momentster, Twitter was awash with indirect remarks¡ªposts calling Maia ¡°that person¡± or ¡°someone,¡± leaving her unnamed but unmistakably targeted.

    Before long, every thread rted to her brimmed with snidements and cutting jokes.

    Across town, Raegan reviewed her team¡¯s reports with a smug smile. She had just learned that a group of hackers was already working to scrub away any lingering negativity about Maia online.

    If Maia¡¯s name wasn¡¯t mentioned, the hackers ran into an unexpected wall. Their crawlers searched for her name specifically, yet the vague references like ¡°that person¡± and ¡°someone¡± slipped past their filters. Because of this, deleting all the negative remarks about her became a slow, chaotic mess.

    I??§Ö$§ä ¡é#¦Áp?¨º§ñs I§Ú galno¦Íels

    Raegan leaned back with a smug grin.

    A mocking thought flickered through her mind. ¡°Maia, is this really your best? Counting on such childish tactics to wipe out our posts? Howughable. The people standing behind you must not be as powerful as you think.¡±

    Raegan had seen thising and made her move long before Maia could react. Every possible countermeasure was already in ce.

    Whoever tried to shield Maia this time would find it impossible to protect herpletely.

    Onstage, Kiley lifted her chin ever so slightly and turned toward the host.

    Catching her signal at once, he swept his gaze across the hall, his voice calm yetmanding. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. The moment we¡¯ve all anticipated has finallye. Radiant Jewels proudly presents this year¡¯s newest collection. Jewelry is said to bring fortune to its wearer. Please wee the Clover Series.¡±

    Interest rippled through the hall almost immediately. The reason was clear. The Clover motif had been revisited by countless jewelry houses over the years, each leaving behind unforgettable ssics. It was a daring move to attempt it again. Only a brand certain of its artistry and innovation would risk stepping into such familiar territory.

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 Chapter 1271

    Chapter 1271:

    Excited whispers spread among the female guests.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see what Radiant Jewels has created this time. I¡¯ve always loved Clover designs.¡±

    ¡°Trust Radiant Jewels to take on something this iconic. Launching a collection like this before the media¡ªhow bold! I bet it¡¯ll be the next ssic.¡±

    ¡°With Anti and Aurielle here to critique theunch, you can tell how much faith they have in the quality. Radiant Jewels never disappoints.¡±

    Just then, soft beams of light swept across the stage, bathing it in a tranquil glow.

    Across the massive screen, clover images bloomed one after another. Their leaves shifted and shimmered in the light, moving so softly it seemed they were alive and breathing.

    Momentster, a procession of models appeared on stage, each dressed in identical ck silk gowns and walking withposed elegance while carrying a finely crafted wooden box.

    The boxes gleamed under the spotlights, their smooth surfaces reflecting a soft radiance. Tiny gold sps shaped into Radiant Jewels¡¯ emblem fastened each lid¡ªa subtle mark of refinement that spoke of quiet luxury rather than extravagance.

    Cameras clicked in rapid session, their shutters echoing through the grand hall as brilliant shes bathed the elevated stage in a cascade of light, illuminating the five exquisite wooden boxes positioned precisely at its center.

    The livestreamment sections erupted instantaneously.

    ¡°That packaging exudes pure elegance. I can¡¯t help but wonder what magnificent jewels are concealed within those boxes,¡± one enthusiastic viewer typed.

    ¡°Radiant Jewels is truly sparing no expense this time. Those boxes are crafted from a rare and extraordinarily valuable wood species, the cost of which alone could rival a small fortune,¡± another observer noted with evident admiration.

    ¡°I sincerely hope the new release from Radiant Jewels includes this stunning box in the package. I desperately want to own one,¡± a thirdmenter pleaded.

    The live audience, seated in opulent rows beneath crystal chandeliers, mirrored this collective awe, their expressions a blend of wonder and desire as they silently vowed to secure the jewelry regardless of the extravagant price tag.

    ????t??st ch??pt??rs in g??lno¦Íels.??????

    To these elite patrons, such jewelry transcended mere adornment. It served as a tangible emblem of familial prestige and elevated societal rank, a visible deration thatmanded respect and envy from peers.

    Acquiring a piece from Radiant Jewels¡¯test collection could transform its wearer into the undisputed focal point at any high-society g, drawing admiring gazes and whispers throughout the evening.

    The powerful spotlights remained unwaveringly fixed upon the five intricately carved wooden boxes, and every pair of eyes in the venue followed suit, utterly transfixed.

    Five boxes equated to five groundbreaking new pieces, a deliberate choice that underscored unparalleled rarity. Each design had undergone countless meticulous modifications to achieve perfection.

    In the world of luxuryunches, the caliber of the event was inversely corrted with the number of items unveiled. Fewer pieces signified greater exceptionality and exclusivity.

    Yet Radiant Jewels had boldly opted to reveal five masterpieces simultaneously, an audacious strategy that immediately distinguished them frompetitors and amplified the evening¡¯s grandeur.

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 Chapter 1272

    Chapter 1272:

    Initially, many in attendance had anticipated that this jewelryunch would serve merely as a sophisticated prelude to the uing Cooper Group charity g, but the scale and ambition on disy shattered those expectations, elevating the moment to standalone prominence.

    ¡°Five entirely new pieces in one unveiling? That¡¯s absolutely insane! Only a handful of prestigious brands worldwide would even contemte such a daring move,¡± someone whispered, the sentiment rippling subtly through nearby clusters of guests.

    The entire audience held their collective breath in suspenseful silence, hearts pounding as they eagerly awaited the dramatic opening of the boxes.

    However, a wave of palpable disappointment swept through the crowd when the host gracefully stepped aside, yielding the spotlight entirely to Kiley without initiating the reveal.

    Kiley stood poised at the forefront, surveying the sea of expectant faces with aposed and enigmatic smile that hinted at deeper intentions.

    Her gaze swept deliberately across the room, lingering just long enough on select individuals to elicit sharp gasps of heightened anticipation from the assembly.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen,¡± Kiley began, her voice resonant and authoritative, cutting through the tension like a finely honed de.

    She delivered her speech with unhurried grace, hermanding presence dominating the space and drawing every ounce of attention as she wove a narrative of heritage and innovation.

    The cameras zoomed in meticulously, framing her elegant silhouette and confident demeanor against the backdrop of shimmering lights as she eloquently recounted the brand¡¯s founding philosophy, its evolutionary journey through the years, and the passionate vision that continued to drive its excellence.

    The audience remained utterly captivated, hanging on her every word, the earlier disappointment forgotten in the spell of her oratory.

    Then, without warning, Kiley paused mid-flow, her expression shifting subtly as her sharp gaze pivoted and locked directly onto Maia seated among the panel.

    Every chapter lives on g a lno vels ;m

    ¡°When we speak of Radiant Jewels¡¯ legacy,¡± she continued smoothly, her toneced with pointed intent, ¡°we simply must mention our iconic masterpiece that has defined the brand for generations. You¡¯ve had a personal encounter with this very masterpiece, haven¡¯t you, Maia?¡±

    The atmosphere in the hall thickened instantly with electric tension, a collective intake of breath audible as every head turned in unison toward Maia, the weight of scrutiny descending like a spotlight of its own.

    In that charged instant, Maia fullyprehended Kiley¡¯s cunning strategy¡ªto leverage the discussion of the iconic masterpiece as a weapon, dredging up the painful memory of her unjust imprisonment that had robbed her of four precious years of freedom.

    Yet Maia¡¯sposure remained unbroken. Her lips curved into a faint, serene smile that betrayed no hint of turmoil, and in a voice calm and unflinching, she responded, ¡°Of course. I spent four years in prison because of it.¡±

    The cameras stopped clicking all at once. The whole hall went dead quiet.

    Maia stayedpletelyposed. Her voice came out soft and even as she talked about it like it was no big deal. ¡°Good thing everything got sorted out in the end.¡± She gave a little smile. ¡°I¡¯m not a thief.¡±

    What she said hit everyone hard. Her words carried real weight.

    People in the know weren¡¯t shocked by her reaction at all. They understood the whole situation. Someone had set her up. The usations were total garbage. She¡¯d never stolen anything. She definitely shouldn¡¯t have done time for it.

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 Chapter 1273

    Chapter 1273:

    Sure, the truth came out eventually. But nobody could give her back those four years. They were just gone.

    Rnd had actually brought up the idea once¡ªthey could sue and get money from the state. Maia turned him down t.

    Money was never what mattered to her. She just wanted people to know what really happened. She wanted some peace. Plus, prison wasn¡¯t all bad. That was where she crossed paths with Zoey.

    Greed wasn¡¯t part of who Maia was. Yeah, she lost four years behind bars. But something changed in her during that time. Her spirit got stronger. Zoey put her through hell with the training. She came out the other side a different person.

    The international guests sitting out there had no clue about any of this. They kept looking at each other. Whispers spread through the crowd.

    People were frowning everywhere. Others kept shaking their heads.

    ¡°Wait, she did time in prison? Someone framed her? That¡¯s actually what happened?¡±

    ¡°Why the hell is someone like that up on stage?¡±

    ¡°Who on earth is this woman, really?¡±

    Those few sentences totally flipped how tons of people saw Maia. Sheid out her side of the story, but doubt still hung in the air like smoke.

    Kiley had treated Maia like royalty. She had all these impressive credentials. And now everyone found out she¡¯d been locked up for stealing. She was literally a convicted criminal. The overseas crowd couldn¡¯t wrap their heads around it.

    Kiley¡¯s grin grew wider. Something dark shed behind her eyes. She¡¯d gotten exactly the reaction she was going for.

    Kiley turned around slowly. Her heels clicked softly against the stage floor. She looked straight at Maia.

    The spotlight came down on both of them, splitting them into two separate pictures. Kiley was the Cooper Group president. The light made her glow like a star. Maia stood there on the other side. The crowd stared at her, but she didn¡¯t even flinch.

    Explore captivating tales on  .

    Kiley kept her smile going. She kept poking at the wound, her voice gentle. ¡°That¡¯s right. Lucky that Radiant Jewels got their masterpiece back eventually. That¡¯s what cleared your name.¡± Her tone sounded sweet, but something sharp hid underneath.

    Kiley kept talking. It came across like she was being nice. ¡°I want to say sorry on behalf of Radiant Jewels. Sorry that you were locked up for four years.¡±

    She stopped for a second. Her smile stretched wider. Then she switched gears again. ¡°But at least you¡¯re doing great now. Even after being locked up, you still managed to shine bright.¡±

    People in the audience started muttering when she said that. What Kiley said sounded like praise on the surface. Anyone paying attention could hear the doubt and contempt dripping from it.

    Four years in prison¡ªmost regr people would struggle just to keep their sanity, forget about getting society to ept them again. But Maia walked out of prison and became a designer. Then a painter. Then aposer. She was apparently good at everything. Way too perfect. It didn¡¯t seem real.

    And that was exactly what Kiley wanted everyone to think. She wanted to rip apart that ¡°perfect¡± image.

    She twisted the microphone in her hand a little. A smile yed on her mouth.

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 Chapter 1274

    Chapter 1274:

    ¡°You impress me, Maia,¡± Kiley said. ¡°How¡¯d you manage to level up like that in prison? Can you share the story with us?¡± Her voice kept that gentle quality, but it stabbed at Maia like a thin needle going straight for the heart.

    Nobody made a sound in that hall. Even the cameras quit clicking for a few seconds.

    Rosanna sat somewhere in the audience section. Her mouth curved up a bit. As she watched everything y out, a quiet kind of satisfaction filled her up inside.

    If she had that ¡°evidence¡± Raegan had, maybe she could¡¯ve humiliated Maia like Kiley was doing right now.

    Rosanna had been through enough that she could look at her old failures without getting emotional about it. She could admit to herself now that Kiley¡¯s approach beat hers by a mile. At least Kiley didn¡¯t put herself in direct opposition to Maia.

    That was where Kiley¡¯s real talent showed. She didn¡¯t go for shy moves, but pushed people right to the edge using nothing but soft words.

    ¡°Thanks for the kind words, Ms. Cooper.¡± Maia didn¡¯t budge an inch. Her face stayed peaceful. That faint smile never left her lips. Her voice came out steady and polite, like none of this touched her. ¡°There¡¯s really not much to tell about it.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s eyes got a bit narrower. She was getting ready to push harder.

    Right then, Maia cut Kiley off. Her head came up. Her voice rang out clearly through the whole ce. ¡°After all, today is Radiant Jewels¡¯ new productunch.¡±

    Maia stopped talking for a moment. Her eyes looked gentle but held deeper meaning. ¡°No more jewelry will be lost, right?¡± she asked.

    Those calm words dropped like a bomb. The crowd sat there, totally shocked and silent.

    Maia gave a little shrug. A slight smile crossed her face. She made it sound like a joke when she added, ¡°I really don¡¯t want to be falsely used again or recall anything rted to prison.¡±

    The atmosphere seemed to freeze up.

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    That was when Kiley¡¯s coolposure finally fell apart. The perfect smile she¡¯d been wearing went stiff. Some anxiety showed through the calm front she¡¯d been keeping up. She hadn¡¯t expected Maia to throw out a ¡°joke¡± like that with all the cameras broadcasting live.

    The remark seemed casual enough, but it pointed to betrayals from the past. It also hinted that the same thing might happen again. The worst part? Maia had cleverly changed the subject and shifted where the conflict was headed. This left Kiley stuck¡ªshe couldn¡¯t keep grilling Maia in front of everyone.

    They were on live TV, after all. Kiley knew what would happen if she kept pushing. The public might get the wrong idea and think she was scheming against Maia all over again. That would be way too obvious. It would also turn her into Maia¡¯s enemy and mess up her ns down the road.

    Kiley had been hoping Maia would drop her guard sooner. She¡¯d wanted Maia to talk about her prison experience. That would¡¯ve given Raegan¡¯s crew an opening toe forward and go after Maia. But the evening was just getting started. There¡¯d be plenty more chances.

    Kiley clenched her jaw. She worked hard to keep that smile stered on. She got herself under control and quickly responded, ¡°Of course, Miss Watson. You can rest assured about that.¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes lifted a bit. Her hand waved elegantly. ¡°I was just joking,¡± she said. Her tone stayed light and didn¡¯t seem aggressive at all. This didn¡¯t give Kiley any way to fire back.

    Over on the inte, people were going crazy debating the short exchange between the two women.

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 Chapter 1275

    Chapter 1275:

    One person asked, ¡°Is Maia cheating? How does a convict suddenly be aposer, a fashion designer, and a painter?¡±

    Anothermented, ¡°Why are those foreigners so shocked? We¡¯ve long been used to it. She¡¯s just a genius¡­ Besides, it¡¯s not like you can¡¯t read or study in prison. Ever heard of a prodigy?¡±

    A third person wrote, ¡°Kiley gave Maia plenty of respect today and even apologized on behalf of Radiant Jewels, a prestigious jewelry brand, for what happened back then. Kiley is so gracious, even letting Maia be a special guest on stage. But Maia¡¯s joke seemed a bit hostile, didn¡¯t it?¡±

    That was when Justiceze posted a tweet. ¡°Every time someone mentions Maia¡¯s imprisonment, Rosanna should be rebuked, as she was the thief herself and the one who framed Maia back then.¡±

    The post blew up immediately. Its poprity went through the roof.

    Miles away, Hawk was hard at work. He was ST¡¯s best hacker. He kept Justiceze¡¯s post protected while frantically wiping outments that trashed Maia.

    Hawk pushed his sses up. He realized he wasn¡¯t working alone. Another bunch of hackers was doing the exact same thing. Out of curiosity, he tracked and analyzed one of the IPs, only to discover it was his old rival.

    Hawk muttered, ¡°Pris again?¡± He couldn¡¯t wrap his head around it. ST and Pris were rival hacking groups. They¡¯d always been at each other¡¯s throats. Buttely, their targets and moves had matched up more than once.

    A wild thought crossed Hawk¡¯s mind. Maybe his boss had secretly won over the heart of Pris¡¯s mysterious female leader.

    Then again, there was another option. Maybe that woman hadpletely captivated his boss instead.

    So was his boss just following orders based on what she wanted?

    Hawk got worked up. ¡°No. That¡¯s impossible!¡± he said. He refused to believe such a thing. His dream his whole life had been to beat Pris¡¯s founder. He wanted to prove he was the greatest hacker in the world.

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    Back at the event, Rosanna sat in her seat. Her phone kept buzzing like crazy. Confusion hit her. She unlocked her screen to see what was going on.

    Twitter showed more than a hundred notifications.

    A secondter, Rosanna¡¯s face went pale with rage. She opened Twitter to check everything.

    Justiceze¡¯stest post had caused all this. Thousands of inte users were now hitting her with usations and insults.

    Shock, anger, and panic flooded through Rosanna. Kiley was acting like the good guy this time around. And once more, she¡¯d be the person everyone hated.

    Rosanna ground her teeth together. Her eyes shot daggers at Maia up on the stage. Inside her head, she cursed, ¡°Justiceze again! Who the heck is he?¡±

    Rosanna desperately wished she could take out Justiceze. She wanted him to die along with Maia!

    As Rosanna simmered with resentment, the host on stage surged forward with rekindled enthusiasm. Following a subtle nod from Kiley, he addressed the assembled crowd once more. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, prepare yourselves to witness the first jewelry masterpiece of this extraordinary evening.¡±

    A model glided forward and carefully opened the first wooden box.

    Click!

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 Chapter 1276

    Chapter 1276:

    As the lid ascended, the spotlights pivoted as though directed by phantom hands, converging their brilliance upon the treasure within.

    It was an exquisite bracelet, its chain woven from luminous white crystals, crowned by a gleaming clover at its center. The clover defied convention, neither drowning in excessive ornamentation nor sumbing to triteness. Each leaf was sculpted with elegant simplicity, its edges precise as cut ss, capturing and releasing light without aggressive brilliance. At its heart rested a small emerald, a gem of crystalline green, evocative of nature¡¯s pulse, conjuring images of a dewdrop suspended eternally in time.

    The first murmurs of wonder erupted, that universal response to encountering genuine beauty. ¡°Oh my goodness! This is breathtaking! Far beyond anything I imagined!¡±

    Someone else drew a sharp, involuntary breath, their voice trembling with unrestrained admiration. ¡°Utterly iparable! Devastatingly beautiful! Brilliantly radiant! This is simply extraordinary!¡±

    Nearby, other guests exchanged hushed evaluations, measuring this revtion againstpeting brands. ¡°No wonder Radiant Jewels has unleashed everything in their considerable arsenal this time, inviting renowned figures from across the globe to this charity g. They clearly possess the absolute conviction to establish the Clover Series as an enduring ssic for generations.¡±

    Meanwhile, many calcted silently, their minds already weighing price against acquisition potential. ¡°This bracelet is absolutely worth acquiring. The gemstones alone carry immeasurable value. The price will certainly climb to stratospheric heights, avability will prove impossibly scarce, and the appreciation potential appears nothing short of substantial.¡±

    Simultaneously, the live stream¡¯sment section exploded into absolute chaos once more.

    ¡°Wow, that precision in the cut! How does it radiate like captured lightning? Is this visual trickery or genuine reality?¡±

    ¡°I award perfect marks for the emerald¡¯s coloration. How did they even conceive of thisbination? The design is nothing short of visionary brilliance.¡±

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    ¡°Hold on! Was this crafted by Anti? It bears her unmistakable signature style throughout every detail, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    On-site, the cameras swept deliberately from the jewelry toward the judges¡¯ table.

    Anti appeared utterly serene, a subtle smile dancing at the corners of her lips like a secret she refused to share. Her fingertips traced gentle, absent patterns across the polished table¡¯s surface, her eyes illuminated with barely restrained excitement that threatened to spill over.

    Although she hadn¡¯t contributed a single sketch to this piece¡¯s design, she couldn¡¯t suppress her deep appreciation for its wless execution.

    The live stream captured her fleeting smile in perfect rity, catapulting online viewers into instantaneous collective frenzy.

    ¡°My God! Anti¡¯s smile rivals the breathtaking beauty of her jewelry designs. She appears as though she¡¯s stepped directly from a Renaissance painting into our modern world.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t itpletely transparent now? I believe Kiley¡¯s strategy is crystallizing before our eyes. Don¡¯t overlook Annie Crystal¡¯s legendary cutting design and superior craftsmanship. I¡¯d wager everything that Anti yed a significant role in this creation.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯mpletely smitten! I¡¯m drowning in envy of those fortunate enough to experience this spectacle live. If this masterpiece reaches the market, it¡¯ll be an instant, record-breaking bestseller. Absolutely no question whatsoever.¡±

    Twitter simultaneously erupted with passionate critiques and bold predictions.

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 Chapter 1277

    Chapter 1277:

    ¡°This represents an unprecedented coboration that rewrites industry standards. I adore both Radiant Jewels and Annie Crystal independently, but only now do we witness a singr piece synthesizing their distinctive styles and revolutionary design philosophies into something transcendent.¡±

    ¡°I understand the picture now with perfect rity. Maia has no genuine talent, while the other two judges are genius designer Anti and the president of the International Jewelry Design Association himself. I don¡¯t need to spell out Kiley¡¯s calcted intentions, do I?¡±

    ¡°This is merely the opening piece, and it¡¯s already devastatingly stunning beyond words. I genuinely can¡¯t fathom how breathtaking the remaining four will prove to be.¡±

    At that precise moment, Kileymanded the stage with an expression of profound, almost predatory satisfaction. Everything unfolded with perfect precision ording to her carefully orchestrated design.

    Although Anti had contributed absolutely nothing to the jewelry¡¯s actual creation, Kiley felt no hesitation whatsoever in cultivating a strategic misunderstanding that subtly suggested otherwise. Such calcted ambiguity would undoubtedly elerate sales to unprecedented levels.

    It formed one crucialponent of her meticulous, multyered strategy. Kiley was a ruthlessly shrewd businesswoman, utterly determined to see Cooper Group triumph spectacrly at this high-profile event, propelling it toward unprecedented heights of sess while simultaneously eliminating any impediments that dared block its inevitable ascent.

    She intended for Maia to humiliate herself tonight in spectacr fashion, crushed so thoroughly that recovery would prove impossible.

    Did Maia genuinely believe that positioning herself at the table¡¯s far end would somehow shield her from being the first to field a question?

    Kiley¡¯s gaze transformed into something cial and merciless as it swept over Maia before she spoke, her voice carrying effortlessly through the hall. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, this inaugural piece is called La Primavera. Its design drew profound inspiration from the natural imagery of spring¡¯s eternal rebirth, symbolizing the infinite cycle of life and unwavering hope, with each individual leaf representing a fresh beginning waiting to unfold.¡±

    Her voice flowed with practiced calm, guiding the captivated audience into a luminous dreamscape painted entirely with her carefully chosen words.

    Read it first on g?lno?els.c?m

    Kiley paused with deliberate calction, her lips curving into a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her cold eyes, but she didn¡¯t continue borating on the jewelry¡¯s finer details, nor did she solicit Anti for the professional critique everyone anticipated. Instead, she turned with predatory precision toward Maia, abruptly redirecting the entire conversation.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, before we proceed to the official review process, I have two elementary questions for you, specifically designed to help introduce this extraordinary collection to our distinguished guests. Do you know where the original design inspiration for the Clover Series truly originates? And what profound symbolic meanings are traditionally assigned to each of the four leaves?¡±

    Her tone remained deceptively soft, yet carried unmistakable barbs hidden beneath its carefully maintained veneer of professional politeness.

    The attention of everyone assembled in the opulent hall shifted like a sudden tidal wave, every single eye now fixed with burning curiosity upon Maia.

    Kiley¡¯s mouth twisted into a smirk. ¡°Easy as pie, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡±

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 Chapter 1278

    Chapter 1278:

    The truth was different, though. Her pair of questions looked straightforward, but the first one? It was designed to trip people up. Anyone without expertise in jewelry design would probably nail the second question. The first one, however, was a different story.

    Most people didn¡¯t really get this particr jewelry collection. They¡¯d mess up the first question. Plenty of folks who actually owned pieces from the line fell into the same trap. They figured the whole thing started with the clover nt.

    Kiley¡¯s n wasing together. If Maia got it wrong, that would expose her as a fraud. She¡¯d look like someone pretending to understand jewelry design¡ªsomeone who couldn¡¯t even handle the basics. Kiley wouldn¡¯t have to lift a finger at that point. The actual designer, Anti, could step in and give the right answer. Maia would be humiliated in front of everyone. Her reputation would take a hit. People would see her as a wannabe, someone trying to con her way into the upper crust.

    But what if luck was on Maia¡¯s side? What if she stumbled onto the correct answer? No big deal, really. Kiley had a backup n. She could pivot to Maia¡¯s prison time. The conversation could shift in that direction.

    Either way, Kiley came out looking clean. She could y the victim¡ªsomeone who¡¯d been fooled by Maia¡¯s act. This whole thing gave her an opening to snatch back the Cooper family¡¯s business interests that Maia had gotten her hands on.

    Kiley¡¯s mind went back to a specific detail. Mariana, her younger sister, had lost Aurora Apparel Company. Maia had taken it from her.

    Rosanna¡¯s eyebrow went up. Confusion crossed her face. Why was Kiley bringing this stuff up now? Everyone knew the answer already, didn¡¯t they? The jewelry drew its inspiration from the clover¡ªa rare type of the regr clover, actually.

    Western folklore talked about how rare it was, how lucky you¡¯d be to find one. The darker section of the leaf formed a heart shape. The really fascinating part? You might search through a hundred thousand alfalfa nts and maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªyou¡¯d discover one four-leaf clover. The odds sat at roughly one in ten thousand. Stumbling across one meant serious good fortune.

    Rosanna¡¯s opinion was prettymon. Most people saw it the same way.

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    Maia grabbed the microphone. A soft smile appeared on her face. ¡°Of course. People look at this collection,¡± she went on, ¡°and they connect its design to the clover nt. But that¡¯s where they¡¯re wrong.¡±

    Her confident delivery grabbed everyone¡¯s focus. Hushed whispers rippled through the crowd.

    Someone said, ¡°Wait, the Clover Series didn¡¯te from the clover? Am I hearing this correctly? She¡¯s got to be confused.¡±

    Another voice chimed in. ¡°No way, right? The whole series became famous because of the good luck angle. Four-leaf clovers are super rare.¡±

    Maia kept her cool on stage. Her exnation continued without hesitation. ¡°People also call this collection the Alhambra Series. Its design came from somewhere else entirely. The Alhambra Pce sits in Dranaga, Voltagra. The original designer found inspiration there. A fountain in the pce garden had a four-leaf pattern. That¡¯s where the name originated. Symmetrical patterns define the design. It looks simr to a clover. The four leaves stand for luck, health, wealth, and love. But here¡¯s the thing¡ªthe original concept represented something different. Eternity and symmetrical beauty.¡±

    Nobody made a sound. The audience had gonepletely quiet.

    Over on the live stream, though, thements went crazy.

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 Chapter 1279

    Chapter 1279:

    ¡°Holy cow! She really knows what she¡¯s talking about. I brought up that fountain thing before. Nobody took me seriously.¡±

    ¡°I genuinely believed nts inspired the series. Turns out I was totally off base, huh?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s spot-on! I just did a quick search. Maia nailed every detail.¡±

    Maia scanned the hall. She tacked on one more point. ¡°These days, people treat this series more like a ¡®lucky charm.''¡±

    She finished speaking. Her eyes moved to Kiley. They were crystal clear, seeming to look straight through Kiley¡¯s scheming. A question came out. ¡°Should I be the one to give the firstmentary on this piece?¡±

    Kiley¡¯s face went rigid for a second. She pulled herself together fast, though.

    The answer Maia had given was spot-on. She¡¯d even exined the symmetrical beauty concept behind the design. This proved something important¡ªMaia genuinely understood jewelry design, at least for this particr collection.

    Kiley brushed it off internally. The real evidence would surfaceter. She¡¯d wait and see how Maia tried to worm her way out of that one. The saying held true: the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

    Kiley addressed the crowd. ¡°Ms. Watson, we appreciate your introduction.¡± Her attention turned to Anti. ¡°Anti, what¡¯s your take on Ms. Watson¡¯s response? Anything you¡¯d like to add?¡±

    She deliberately ignored Maia¡¯s offer. The microphone went straight to Anti instead.

    Down in the audience, Rosanna¡¯s frown deepened. Heat flooded her face. Embarrassment washed over her.

    Maia actually knew her stuff about jewelry design? For real?

    This possibility had never crossed Rosanna¡¯s mind. The reality stung. She was the one who¡¯d been totally in the dark. Not Maia.

    Damn! Prison hadsted four years for Maia. How much knowledge had she picked up in there? Did she seriously know everything now? It seemed impossible.

    Read thetest updates at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    A wave of self-hatred hit Rosanna right then. A dark thought crept in. Maybe Maia wouldn¡¯t have be this aplished without help. Rosanna had set her up. She¡¯d gotten Maia thrown behind bars for four years.

    Up on stage, something shifted. Anti¡¯s gaze slowly lifted. She acknowledged Maia¡¯s presence for the first time since this whole thing began. Her lips pressed together. The microphone came up slowly in her hand.

    ¡°Maia Watson, I presume?¡± The question came from Anti, who, despite being only seventeen, tilted her chin up with the practiced condescension of a seasoned professor. It was a technique she had perfected through her extensive attendance at high-profile gs and international events. Amanding opening exuding professionalism and confidence was often enough to silence dissent and secure agreement.

    Even if she made an error, her admirers would reinterpret it as a stroke of genius, a unique insight only a top designer could possess.

    A yful yet unmistakably arrogant note entered her voice. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve done some basic research, but you¡¯re merely reciting facts. You¡¯vepletely failed to grasp the distinctive soul of this collection.¡±

    Her words immediately captured the room¡¯s attention.

    What did she mean? The distinctive soul?

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 Chapter 1280

    Chapter 1280:

    Maia¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. She had delivered a precise, by-the-book introduction. More importantly, Kiley had never asked for her personal interpretation. Why was Anti shifting the focus like this?

    A nce at Kiley¡¯s smug expression confirmed Maia¡¯s suspicion that this was a carefully orchestrated public ambush.

    ¡°Pardon the interruption, Anti,¡± Maia¡¯s voice cut through the murmurs, steady and clear, drawing all eyes back to her.

    No one enjoyed being the target of a setup, least of all her. She felt zero obligation to participate in the maniptive little drama Kiley and the young designer were staging.

    ¡°My earlier remarks were a simple introduction to the collection¡¯s origins, not an interpretive analysis,¡± she stated, her gaze calm and unyielding. ¡°But since you¡¯ve raised the subject of deeper understanding, Anti¡ªas the world¡¯s most celebrated jewelry designer¡ªI¡¯m certain you have unique insights to share. I believe everyone here is as eager as I am to hear them. So, I¡¯ll happily yield the floor to you.¡±

    With that, Maia took her seat, settling back as if she were an audience member preparing to enjoy a performance.

    A ripple of understanding passed through the crowd. Some realized Kiley had never actually asked for an interpretation, making Maia¡¯s initial response perfectly adequate. Others, however, remained under Anti¡¯s spell.

    When people idolize someone, they often view them through a forgiving lens, where even missteps can be seen as endearing quirks.

    Online, the tide ofments shifted. The criticism directed at Maia was swiftly drowned out by Anti¡¯s legion of fervent fans.

    ¡°Maia has a point. Anti is the definitive voice in jewelry design today.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to hear Anti¡¯s perspective! This is a masterss in the making.¡±

    ¡°Ugh, why is the camera on someone else? This is Anti¡¯s moment! I only want to see her!¡±

    Meanwhile, seated in the audience, Ss leaned back in his chair, an appreciative glint in his eyes as he watched Maia¡¯s confident and poised retreat.

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    ¡°Well yed,¡± he thought. Maia was quick-witted, knowing precisely when to advance and when to withdraw. Arguing about design with the immensely popr Anti would have been a trap. Instead, she had deftly turned the tables, putting the pressure back on the young designer.

    A momentter, Ss caught himself and frowned.

    Why was he admiring his opponent? It wasn¡¯t ack of resolve¡ªshe was simply thatpelling. For a fleeting instant, he even felt a renewed temptation to reconsider his allegiance to The Mask.

    Shaking his head, he crossed his legs, refocusing his thoughts.

    A soft, sharp sound beside him drew his attention. It was Rosanna, her face dark and her gaze venomous. Ss couldn¡¯t help but think that Austen must have been blind to be taken in by a woman with such a transparently bitter spirit.

    Back on stage, Kiley¡¯s voice broke the silence, her expression a mask of pleasant neutrality, though inwardly she seethed with regret that Maia hadn¡¯t taken the bait more recklessly.

    ¡°Then let¡¯s not keep everyone waiting,¡± she said, her voice sweet. ¡°Anti, the floor is yours. Please, enlighten us.¡±

    Anti¡¯s fingers drummed an irritable rhythm against the polished armrest, her mind already scheming retaliation for Maia¡¯s bold interruption.

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    Message from Noa: Have a very lovely week, dear readers. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. ?(?? ? ? )??

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 Chapter 1281

    Chapter 1281:

    Yet beneath the annoyance, youthful exuberance stirred. Maia¡¯svish praises burrowed deep, igniting a swell of pride that lifted the corners of her mouth into a triumphant smile.

    As a teenager thrust into the spotlight, Anti remained delightfully susceptible to ttery, unlike seasoned veterans who might brush it aside with cool indifference.

    What had Maia Watson dered earlier?

    That Anti reigned as the world¡¯s most acimed jewelry designer.

    And she was absolutely right. At least the woman possessed discerning taste amid her audacity.

    Pivoting once more toward Maia, Anti appraised her rival¡¯s poise: sharp-tongued yet strategically yielding, never reduced to a mere doormat.

    ¡°Since Ms. Cooper has requested a thorough exnation,¡± Anti announced, her toneced with regained confidence, ¡°I¡¯ll oblige. But before diving in¡­¡± She allowed a deliberate pause, letting anticipation build like a gathering storm. ¡°It would serve us better to unveil every piece at once. I detect a unifying theme binding them, if I¡¯m not mistaken.¡±

    Turning squarely to Kiley, she concluded, ¡°Does that suit you?¡±

    Kiley¡¯s responding smile radiated approval, warm yet calcted. ¡°Of course,¡± she affirmed, extending a graceful hand in gesture.

    In that instant, the four remaining boxes parted with synchronized elegance, revealing jewels that danced with inner fire under the piercing stage lights. The shlights from cameras formed a continuous stream.

    A symphony of gasps cascaded through the hall, raw awe etching every face.

    ¡°An earring, a brooch, a ne, and a ring. Who could have anticipated a wlessplete set?¡± one spectator breathed in wonder.

    ¡°Anti¡¯s reputation is well-earned; she pinpointed the cohesion from the start,¡± another murmured admiringly.

    ¡°These designs are breathtaking. I¡¯m already hooked,¡± a third confessed with fervent passion.

    Your imagination thrives at  punt

    Even Aurielle, the paragon of unppableposure, surged to her feet, her mask of serenity fracturing in genuine astonishment.

    Complete sets weremonce in the industry, but this quartet¡ªinfused with a four-leaf clover motif, each element distinctly vored yet seamlessly intertwined¡ªdemanded visionary genius.

    A slight mishap in the details could easily make them seem like mere variations with different gems and color schemes.

    Yet no discordant notes disrupted the harmony. Every jewel, standing alone, bewitched the senses, leaving viewers entranced and yearning.

    Maia, undeterred by the fervor, leaned in withser focus, dissecting the revtions. Immense dedication pulsed from the creations. Premium materials sourced with precision, craftsmanship honed to perfection, and proportions bnced with mathematical grace. Individually, each piece shone as a triumph.

    Yet a shadowy imperfection nestled within the splendor, elusive but undeniable to her trained eye.

    Kiley seized the moment, her voice rising clear and triumphant. ¡°These earrings capture Stars in Summer Night.¡± She drifted to the brooch next. ¡°This embodies Autumn Melody. And these final two,¡± she indicated with poised fingers, ¡°evoke Winter¡¯s Whisper and the Eternity Ring.¡±

    A pregnant pause hung in the air, then enlightenment dawned. ¡°United with the initial bracelet, they chronicle life¡¯s perpetual cycle through four transformative seasons, crowned by love¡¯s unending vow.¡±

    Thunderous apuse erupted, a tidal wave of adtion crashing over the crowd as praises spilled forth in ecstatic torrents.

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 Chapter 1282

    Chapter 1282:

    ¡°The rhythm of seasons blended with eternal love. This cries out to be a cherished family heirloom!¡± one elite patron exalted.

    ¡°Radiant Jewels justifies every whisper of its legendary status. Who imagined a humble four-leaf clover yielding such infinite variations? Each fragment is unique, yet the ensemble must evoke pure transcendence when worn as one.¡±

    ¡°Seasons symbolize fleeting change. Eternity defies time. What profound artistry!¡±

    The livestream chat ignited in a ze of fervor: ¡°masterpiece,¡± ¡°must-have,¡± ¡°instant ssic.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s soft chuckle echoed satisfaction as her gaze darted expectantly between Aurielle and Anti, craving their expert validations to propel the collection into the viral stratosphere. She dreamed of these five gems dominating global discourse for months.

    Yet the relentless cameras fixated on Maia, her deepening frown a solitary thorn amid the blooming ecstasy. Murmurs swelled as the audience registered her istion, the sole dissenter in a sea of rapture.

    Trending notifications surged across screens.

    ¡°Maia¡¯s expression radiates disdain. What¡¯s her issue?¡±

    ¡°She truly dislikes the designs?¡±

    ¡°Or perhaps she fails to grasp their profound brilliance?¡±

    Maia¡¯s changing expression didn¡¯t escape Kiley¡¯s eyes, but her main concern wasn¡¯t that. She wanted Anti to shine and elevate Radiant Jewels¡¯ newest line into something unforgettable.

    She cleared her throat softly and said, ¡°Anti, would you mind sharing your thoughts with everyone now?¡±

    At once, every gaze returned to Anti. The cameras followed, drawing closer until her face filled the screen.

    Anti lifted her head with unhurried grace. Her smile grew wider as she took hold of the microphone and rose to her feet, soaking in the bright light that framed her like a performer ready for her cue.

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    ¡°Everyone knows that jewelry isn¡¯t simply decoration,¡± she said with quiet confidence, tilting her head slightly. ¡°It should carry its own character and depth. Each piece must speak to the heart, bing a mark of meaning and emotion.¡±

    The line was one she had delivered before in an earlier interview, yet she spoke it now with the same conviction, as though she had lived by those words. Her voice carried through the hall, filling the air with energy that stirred the audience and left them inspired.

    Meanwhile, the live chat scrolled endlessly.

    ¡°This is what mastery sounds like.¡±

    ¡°Anti¡¯s absolutely right. Jewelry holds stories and emotions within it.¡±

    ¡°A true ssic endures because its meaning runs deep.¡±

    ¡°Only a master designer, one who has crafted endless timeless pieces, could possess that kind of vision.¡±

    Without warning, the cameras shifted again and settled on Maia. Her face stayed unreadable, not a flicker of emotion showing despite Anti¡¯s eloquent speech.

    Across the room, however, Aurielle¡ªthe president of the International Jewelry Association¡ªcould barely hide her enthusiasm.

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 Chapter 1283

    Chapter 1283:

    That sharp contrast quickly fueled another wave of chatter online.

    ¡°Even Aurielle, who¡¯s famously hard to impress, was moved by Anti¡¯s words. But Maia wasn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°Is she there to disrupt the event? She¡¯s been stone-faced from the start, like she¡¯s not even paying attention.¡±

    ¡°Maybe Maia finds Anti¡¯s thoughts too basic. Could it be she thinks her own ideas are deeper?¡±

    ¡°She hasn¡¯t cracked a smile once. What¡¯s she doing there? Trying to stir something up?¡±

    Then, after a brief moment of silence, Anti rose from the judges¡¯ table and made her way toward the five new designs from Radiant Jewels. Confidence radiated from her as she reveled in the attention surrounding her triumph.

    ¡°Thetest collection from Radiant Jewels speaks volumes of precision and artistry. Every gemstone has been shaped with remarkable care, and each facet seems to whisper its own story. The four-leaf clover, beyond being a symbol of luck, reflects the rhythm of nature¡ªthe shift of seasons and the gentle march of time. To me, these pieces go beyond ornaments. They feel like promises, small emblems of hope that echo life¡¯s persistence. Look at this one. The emerald cut doesn¡¯t just reveal the gem¡¯s brilliance. It creates a dance of light, alive and moving.¡± With a faint smile, she gave it a gentle shake. ¡°That glimmer reminds me of moments in life¡ªfleeting, yet unforgettable.¡±

    A gentle wave of whispers rippled through the audience. Many nodded, visibly drawn in by her words and the meaning she breathed into each piece.

    With each passing moment, Anti¡¯s energy heightened. She began evaluating the entire set with animated enthusiasm. Stars in Summer Night shimmered like a warm evening sky. Autumn Melody burned with the richness of red leaves. Winter¡¯s Whisper held the stillness of frost, while Eternity mirrored the endless loop of time itself. Her descriptions flowed like verses, filled with elegance and quiet grace.

    Every word seemed drenched in admiration, leaving no hint of criticism¡ªas though she were praising her own creations rather than another brand¡¯s.

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    From the back row, a young designer turned to the man beside her, her brows furrowed in disbelief. ¡°Mr. Ford, is she really part of ourpany? The way she¡¯s talking, you¡¯d think she works for Radiant Jewels.¡±

    Beside her sat Richie Ford, the current president of Annie Crystal. Narrowing his eyes, he leaned closer and muttered, ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure. I¡¯ve never actually met Anti in person.¡±

    The woman¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°You haven¡¯t? Not even you?¡±

    Despite being one of Annie Crystal¡¯s founders, Anti remained an enigma to most within thepany.

    The young designer had always assumed the CEO would know her personally, but his answer left her momentarily speechless.

    ¡°It¡¯s strange, isn¡¯t it?¡± Richie admitted with a faint, humorless smile. ¡°But that¡¯s how it¡¯s always been. Our conversations happen only through email.¡± His gaze drifted toward the stage. ¡°Even so, she doesn¡¯t seem like how I pictured her. She looks far too young.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯splimenting Radiant Jewels!¡± the woman said, twisting her fingers nervously. ¡°Why would she do that? Did we offend her somehow? Or is she trying to ruin Annie Crystal¡¯s image?¡±

    Richie said nothing in response. He had hurried to attend the banquet precisely because he feared something like this might unfold.

    But here it was¡ªAnti, standing before everyone, praising their rival with undeniable confidence. Her words flowed so seamlessly, so convincingly, that Richie couldn¡¯t bring himself to object.

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 Chapter 1284

    Chapter 1284:

    Richie¡¯s brows furrowed as silence settled between them, the weight of uncertainty pressing heavily on his thoughts.

    Aurielle was the first to rise and apud the moment Anti wrapped up her review on stage. Her gaze never wavered from Anti, admiration shimmering in her eyes like a clear spring about to overflow.

    ¡°Ipletely agree with Anti¡¯s perspective,¡± Aurielle dered. ¡°It¡¯s already the most perfect review¡ªI couldn¡¯t have said it better myself.¡±

    Kiley responded with a gentle nod, her lips curling into a wless smile. ¡°Thank you both, Anti and Ms. Margaret, for such insightful reviews. To be honest, I never imagined receiving such glowing praise from you.¡±

    Her eyes then drifted toward Maia, and the curve of her smile deepened slightly. ¡°Of course, everyone interprets design in their own way. After all, we¡¯re gathered here not topete but to exchange ideas.¡±

    Kiley paused deliberately, her gaze shifting toward therge screen.

    In an instant, the screen flickered and froze on a close-up of Maia¡¯s earlier frown and detached expression.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but notice Miss Watson¡¯s reaction,¡± Kiley said smoothly, her tone gentle yetced with precision. ¡°Perhaps she has her own insights¡ªwhether praise or criticism. Please, Miss Watson, feel free to share your thoughts.¡±

    Silence fell like a curtain. Every eye in the hall turned toward Maia, bright as spotlights.

    Maia lifted her head slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Do you really want to hear the criticism?¡± she asked softly, then sighed.

    Maia¡¯s conscience was still troubling her. Watching the young woman before her tread the wrong path¡ªpolished words hiding falsehoods¡ªmade her heart sink. She believed this so-called Anti was merely a pawn in someone else¡¯s game.

    And if she didn¡¯t expose the truth today, Annie Crystal¡¯s hard-won reputation might be dragged through the mud.

    Besides, the ws in this design were as in as day to Maia.

    Annie Crystal had to keep its name untarnished¡ªfor once its reputation cracked, countless skilled designers would lose both work and security.

    Resolving her thoughts, Maia shook her head slightly. Her eyes sharpened, and her voice cut through the quiet like a drawn de. ¡°To be frank, Radiant Jewels¡¯ design this time still has plenty of room for improvement.¡±

    Almost instantly, the chat feed erupted like a storm.

    ¡°This woman doesn¡¯t know what she¡¯s talking about! Does she even understand jewelry design?¡±

    ¡°Exactly! She¡¯s just a fashion designer. What¡¯s she showing off for? How dare she criticize Radiant Jewels? Who does she think she is?¡±

    ¡°Is Maia Watson just stirring trouble for attention? What a stunt!¡±

    Maia remainedposed, her eyes steady as she turned toward Anti. ¡°I believe your exnation just now was off the mark¡ªitcked harmony and bnce in the overall design.¡± She paused, her gaze reflecting the flicker of panic in Anti¡¯s eyes. ¡°And besides, you¡¯re still young. If you truly love jewelry design, I hope you spend your time learning¡ªnot deceiving others.¡±

    The hall erupted into chaos.

    But Maia did not flinch. Her voice was calm, each wordnding like a stone in still water. ¡°You are not Anti, are you?¡±

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 Chapter 1285

    Chapter 1285:

    Anti¡¯s face turned ashen in an instant. She stumbled half a step back, her voice trembling as she stammered, ¡°What¡­ What nonsense are you talking about?¡±

    Aurielle¡¯s expression darkened the moment Maia¡¯s words struck. Fury overtook herposure. She shot to her feet, pointing at Maia with all the authority of her title as President of the International Jewelry Design Association, and snapped, ¡°You¡¯d better have evidence for such an usation!¡±

    Laughter rippled through the audience.

    ¡°Guests like her surely went through a background check. Doesn¡¯t she understand that?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s acting like she knows it all, daring to question a top designer?¡±

    ¡°Does she think she¡¯s someone special? On what grounds does she speak like that?¡±

    From her seat, Rosanna leaned back, her eyes narrowing with sharp disapproval. Her fists clenched tightly. She could not believe that Maia dared to question her idol.

    For years, Rosanna had admired Anti¡ªand onlyst night, at Kiley¡¯s private cocktail party, she had shared an engaging conversation with her.

    Though Anti was just seventeen, Rosanna was utterly certain that the girl on stage was the real Anti.

    ¡°Maia, you¡¯ve really walked yourself into a corner this time,¡± she muttered under her breath. ¡°Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d see your downfall this soon.¡±

    The livestream chat zed withments.

    ¡°Maia¡¯s done for¡ªshe just offended a world-famous designer.¡±

    ¡°Those who stick their fingers in every pie always end up embarrassing themselves.¡±

    ¡°Anti¡¯s a prodigy. Who does Maia think she is?¡±

    Mockery, suspicion, and glee came crashing down like waves.

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    Maia had held back all along¡ªshe hadn¡¯t wanted to cause a scene, nor humiliate a young girl caught in deceit. But now, the dam had broken.

    Lifting her gaze, Maia swept the room with an icy calm. Her tone was measured yet carried the weight of thunder. ¡°I dare to question because I know¡­¡±

    She paused, letting her words sink into the silence. ¡°She is not Anti at all. I co-founded Annie Crystal with a friend of mine.¡±

    The hall froze in absolute silence.

    Then, like a snapped string, the room burst into wildughter.

    ¡°Hahaha¡­ has Maia lost her mind? Does she even hear herself?¡±

    ¡°So by her logic, she¡¯s Anti¡ªthe founder of Annie Crystal? What a joke!¡±

    ¡°Is she delusional now, thinking she can be everything at once?¡±

    The chat flooded with disbelief and scorn.

    ¡°Never seen anyone so shameless!¡±

    ¡°She already has so many titles, and now she¡¯s iming Anti¡¯s identity too!¡±

    ¡°Get off the stage, Maia. You don¡¯t deserve to be here!¡±

    The hall descended into chaos. The host stood at the edge of the stage, desperately calling for order, but his pleas were swallowed by the roaring crowd.

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 Chapter 1286

    Chapter 1286:

    Beside Rnd, Pattie¡¯s knuckles were white, her nails digging into her palms. ¡°Since when was Maia involved with Annie Crystal?¡± she whispered, her voice tight with anxiety.

    Rnd¡¯s hand closed over hers, his grip steady. ¡°The Maia I know never enters a fight she can¡¯t win,¡± he murmured, his low voice a calming anchor.

    Nearby, Ethan stared in stunned silence.

    Hurst¡¯s brow was deeply furrowed, while Marisa and Mnie exchanged bewildered nces.

    On the other side of the venue, Chris leaned forward, a slow, proud smile spreading across his face as he watched his girlmand the stage.

    Maia always surprised him. She was just too impressive. If Maia said it was true, Chris would believe her without question.

    Had he listed all his own aplishments before her, she¡¯d likely have nodded and said, ¡°I see.¡± She was just that remarkable.

    Maia was naturally outstanding. She had unshakable confidence that let her face any difficulty without backing down.

    On stage, Kiley arched a perfectly sculpted brow. Her expression was amused but unshaken.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, please,¡± she began, her voice soft yet cutting cleanly through the noise. ¡°I believe Maia must be joking.¡±

    Surprisingly, the crowd started to calm down.

    But quiet, unhappy whispers still filled the air.

    Everyone had to show Kiley this respect because she was the host and the leader of Radiant Jewels.

    Online, viewers were less forgiving.

    ¡°Joking? At an event like this? I think Maia did it on purpose.¡±

    ¡°So the rumors about tension between Maia and Cooper Group were true.¡±

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    ¡°Kiley¡¯s being far too gracious. She even invited Maia.¡±

    Kiley turned slightly, her gaze settling on Anti with an apparent sense of reassurance. ¡°You, of course, are the real Anti,¡± she said, her tone smooth as still water.

    She appeared to beforting Anti, but her true intention was to quietly make the situation worse. ¡°After all, how could someone so young possess such a profound understanding of jewelry design?¡±

    She paused, letting her words hang in the air before driving her point home. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right?¡±

    It was a masterful y. She was pitting Anti directly against Maia while positioning herself above the fray.

    In the end, no one would trust the words of a liar. The only way to make people forget what Maia said was to ruin her reputation.

    Also, Raegan had already looked into Anti¡¯s identity. Anti could not possibly be fake.

    Even if Maia had some unbelievable way to make Anti seem fake, it wouldn¡¯t matter. In that case, they could talk about Maia¡¯s prison escape. That would definitely be a shocking topic.

    They could always fix Anti¡¯s reputationter.

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 Chapter 1287

    Chapter 1287:

    By now, Anti had gotten over her initial surprise. She had never been questioned in public before.

    Every time she appeared, she was met with apuse, camera shes, and admiration. The more people praised her, the more humiliated she felt now.

    She clenched her fists tightly. Her nails pressed into her palms. She looked at Maia with a face full of disdain. ¡°You started Annie Crystal?¡±

    She let out a cold, mocking sound. ¡°I have seen many people like you. Everyone knows I hardly ever appear in public. So every year, someone tries to pretend they are me.¡±

    Anti¡¯s confidence seemed to grow as she spoke. She looked directly at Maia as she challenged her. ¡°You say you are Anti. What proof do you have?¡±

    Her words made sense to many people. They quickly agreed with her.

    ¡°Exactly. What right does Maia have to question who Anti is?¡±

    ¡°Is she just making usations without proof? Let us see the evidence.¡±

    ¡°Maia is far too arrogant. If she ims to be the founder of Annie Crystal, then I must be the founder of MCN.¡±

    ¡°Who gave Maia the nerve to do this? This is being shown all over the world. She¡¯d better be ready for the legal consequences of her ims.¡±

    Off the stage, Rosanna was especially angry. ¡°Since Maia says that, let us see the proof!¡± she said, repeating the challenge.

    A quiet sigh escaped Maia¡¯s lips, the sound barely audible amid the tense silence.

    In that instant, she understood there was nothing more she could do for the woman before her. Even cornered, Anti clung to herposure with stubborn grace, unwilling to let the mask slip.

    Before Maia could gather her words, a sharpmand shattered the air. ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡±

    Aurielle, president of the International Jewelry Design Association, shot up from her seat. Her cheeks burned red with fury. ¡°This nonsense has gone far enough. I won¡¯t allow such disgraceful behavior to continue at an event of this importance.¡±

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    Her hand shot forward, finger aimed directly at Maia. ¡°You chose to question others, so now you must be ready to be questioned yourself.¡±

    With her chin tilted upward, she spoke with biting authority. ¡°Frankly, I suspect you¡¯re being used to ruin this event. And if you can¡¯t present solid proof¡­¡± She paused, her next words falling like a verdict. ¡°You¡¯ll face not only permanent expulsion from the association but also the possibility of legal action for your misconduct today.¡±

    Gasps rippled through the hall as the weight of her words sank in.

    Because of Aurielle¡¯s outburst, the crowd turned toward Maia, their expressions shifting between sympathy and contempt.

    Somewhere in the back, a quiet snicker broke the uneasy silence. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her now? Did Maia suddenly forget how to speak?¡±

    ¡°Now that Aurielle has stepped in, isn¡¯t that enough proof that Anti¡¯s identity is real?¡±

    At that very moment, Anti decided it was time to y her final move. She reached into her pocket and drew out an identification card, holding it up for everyone to see. ¡°Here¡¯s my ID. It has my photo, my information, and my name. I¡¯ve been called Anti since the day I was born.¡±

    shes from the photographers¡¯ cameras lit up the hall as therge screen projected a magnified image of the card.

    With a calm, almost triumphant smile, Anti spoke again, ¡°So, what now? Are you going to say my ID¡¯s a forgery?¡±

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 Chapter 1288

    Chapter 1288:

    Then, as if sealing her im, she pulled out her passport for everyone to witness.

    The live chat exploded instantly.

    ¡°Guess Maia¡¯s out of excuses now, huh?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no way every one of Anti¡¯s IDs is fake. What seventeen-year-old could pull that off?¡±

    ¡°Her knowledge of jewelry design already says it all. Maia¡¯s the one who looks delusional here.¡±

    On stage, Kiley cast a meaningful look at the host.

    Catching on, the host lifted his microphone and said, ¡°All of Anti¡¯s documents have been verified. They¡¯repletely authentic.¡±

    The moment his words echoed through the hall, every head turned toward Maia.

    Aurielle¡¯s temper red hotter than before. ¡°Well? What excuse do you have now?¡±

    Across the room, several people shot to their feet, their anger spilling out in shouts. ¡°I can¡¯t believe Maia Watson would sink this low just for attention! She¡¯s ruining the entire event! Get her out before she causes more trouble!¡±

    Seeing the uproar build, Kiley seized the moment to step in. Her tone was calm yetmanding. ¡°Everyone, please settle down!¡±

    Turning to Maia, she put on a gentle expression. ¡°Ms. Watson, this evening was meant to celebrate Radiant Jewels¡¯ new collection. I invited you here hoping to clear the tension and silence those false rumors about us. I¡¯m not sure what made you say those things or what I might have done to upset you. But I think I deserve to hear your exnation.¡±

    Her voice sharpened as she added, ¡°And everyone here deserves to hear it too!¡±

    Each word dripped with usation, and the sympathy in the room quickly shifted in her favor.

    ¡°What did Kiley even do wrong? Is Maia really willing to go this far just to make a scene?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Maia should exin herself right now.¡±

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    Up on the stage, Maia appeared unfazed by themotion around her.

    She slowly turned her gaze toward Kiley. ¡°Ms. Cooper, I¡¯m only trying to help you. The truth has a way of surfacing on its own. Many people share the same name, and having an ID or passport only proves she¡¯s called Anti¡ªit doesn¡¯t prove she founded Annie Crystal. If she truly were who she ims to be, she¡¯d have recognized the ws in that collection instead of praising it blindly like some hired promoter.¡±

    A faint smile curved Maia¡¯s lips as she continued. ¡°And I can back that up. I can prove she¡¯s wrong.¡±

    Kiley gave a gentle, almost mocking sound before saying, ¡°So you¡¯re suggesting that you¡¯re more knowledgeable about jewelry design than she is?¡±

    Laughter rippled across the room, growing louder with every passing second.

    Waves ofughter crashed through the grand hall, surging toward the stage where Maia stood alone at its center.

    ¡°Ridiculous¡­ Maia fails to produce a shred of evidence, yet she dares im superior knowledge of jewelry design over Anti, the renowned designer herself.¡±

    ¡°Enough with this desperate bid for attention! After everything, she still cannot definitively prove she¡¯s Anti, can she?¡±

    ¡°If representatives from Annie Crystal were present, what would their reaction be?¡±

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 Chapter 1289

    Chapter 1289:

    ¡°Certainly, they would recognize their own founder without hesitation, wouldn¡¯t they?¡±

    The cutting remarks sliced through the charged atmosphere like sharpened des.

    At that precise moment, a spark of realization illuminated Kiley¡¯s features as memory struck¡ªshe had extended an invitation to Annie Crystal as well.

    Her gaze swept across the crowd, lips curving into a calcted smile as she interjected, ¡°Please, distinguished guests, let¡¯s maintain ourposure. We extended a formal invitation to Annie Crystal for tonight¡¯s productunch as well.¡±

    Her tone remained soft yet carried perfectly through the hall as she pressed on. ¡°Certainly, they would never fail to identify their own founder.¡±

    Seizing the moment, the host gripped the microphone with renewed purpose and announced, ¡°Would the representatives from Annie Crystal please make themselves known? Perhaps you could assist us in verifying yourpany founder¡¯s true identity?¡±

    Without missing a beat, Raegan signaled her team to pull surveince footage from the registration area. The moment Annie Crystal¡¯s delegation revealed themselves, swift identification would follow.

    Within seconds, the massive screen flickered to life with footage capturing Annie Crystal¡¯s arrival at the registration desk. Even from behind, their presence at the venue was undeniable. Multiple figures had arrived together.

    From his position in the back row, Richie¡¯sposure finally cracked.

    His assistant¡¯s persistent whispers grew more urgent. ¡°Mr. Ford, they¡¯re challenging our founder¡¯s credibility. We cannot remain silent any longer, can we? Our continued silence will only fuel more spection.¡±

    The tension escted when a nearby attendee¡¯s recognition cut through the murmuring crowd. ¡°Wait! Isn¡¯t that Mr. Richie Ford, the CEO from Annie Crystal?¡±

    A hundred heads swiveled toward Richie in unison.

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    A voice rang out with certainty. ¡°That¡¯s definitely him! I encountered him at the banquet.¡±

    Mocking whispers rippled through the audience. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought? Annie Crystal¡¯s CEO graces us with his presence. Let¡¯s witness how Maia maintains her charade now!¡±

    Nearly every gaze in the hall swiveled toward Annie Crystal¡¯s CEO as the spotlight tracked his movement with surgical precision.

    Richie rose from his seat with deliberateposure. The impably tailored gray suit entuated hismanding presence as he stood, his expression carved from stone¡ªa general preparing for the decisive battle ahead.

    The development sparked surprise throughout the audience, yet somehow aligned perfectly with the evening¡¯s unfolding drama.

    Kiley¡¯s sideways nce caught Maia¡¯s expression of genuine shock mirroring the crowd¡¯s astonishment.

    A calcted smile graced Kiley¡¯s features as she proimed, ¡°How extraordinary that Mr. Richie Ford, Annie Crystal¡¯s esteemed CEO himself, honors us with his presence. Clearly, Radiant Jewels¡¯test collectionmands significant industry attention.¡±

    Through that single masterful statement, Kiley exploited Annie Crystal¡¯s sterling reputation to elevate Radiant Jewels¡¯ brand positioning.

    Richie¡¯s gaze lifted to meet the poised womanmanding the stage. Her formidable reputation in business circles preceded her, and he knew Kiley operated as a strategic force to be reckoned with. That knowledge had propelled his immediate flight here, determined to evaluate firsthand the threat Radiant Jewels¡¯ new line posed to Annie Crystal¡¯s market dominance.

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 Chapter 1290

    Chapter 1290:

    Yet the evening had taken an unexpected turn¡ªthis young woman iming Anti¡¯s identity had emerged to champion Radiant Jewels. And now he found himself maneuvered into position as another piece in Kiley¡¯s calcted gambit.

    Whispers of an impending partnership between Annie Crystal and Radiant Jewels would inevitably circte by morning¡ªa scenario Richie refused to allow under any circumstances.

    His eyes narrowed to calcting slits as his measured footsteps carried him toward the illuminated stage.

    Upon the gleaming stage, Anti maintained a facade of sereneposure, yet beneath the surface, chaos churned through every nerve.

    Annie Crystal¡¯s CEO himself? What cruel twist of fate had orchestrated this encounter?

    Istion crashed over Anti like an arctic wave. Neither Raegan nor Kiley had breathed a word about this devastating development.

    Her fingers curled into white-knuckled fists as she forced down the rising panic, fighting desperately to maintain herposure while beads of perspiration traced down her temple.

    As Richie¡¯s authoritative presence finally loomed before them, Kiley¡¯s honeyed voice sliced through the tension once more. ¡°Mr. Ford, we would be deeply grateful if you might assist us with this verification matter¡ªassuming, of course, you wouldn¡¯t find it troublesome.¡±

    Richie took the microphone from the host, his faint smile carrying a trace of bitterness.

    His voice, low and steady, filled the hall as he said, ¡°There are things I cannot turn away from. Anti isn¡¯t just one of Annie Crystal¡¯s founders. She stands as its face, its spirit, and the very image that inspires all of us.¡±

    He swept his gaze across the hall, his tone turning resolute. ¡°For that reason, I will never permit anyone to pretend to be her.¡±

    The firmness of his words echoed through the room, leaving behind the unmistakable sting of restrained fury.

    L¨»t?st ch¦Ápt?rs ??n g??l??ov????.§ã??m

    A chill crept into Anti¡¯s palms as sweat gathered on her skin. At the same time, Maia eased the tight line of her brows and gave a small nod, quietly approving what Richie had said. Only a leader of his stature could steer Annie Crystal toward unbroken progress.

    ¡°Well said!¡± Anti said as she moved forward, deliberately taking her ce beside him. ¡°I came here today for one reason¡ªto stop anyone from taking my name.¡±

    She turned her head toward Richie, her tone calm but sharp. ¡°This must be our first meeting, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd as her words struck the air. Nobody realized she was taking a dangerous chance.

    Her entire act hinged on one risky assumption¡ªthat the current CEO of Annie Crystal had never seen Anti in person. She dared to stake everything on that thought for two clear reasons.

    To begin with, she had spent years perfecting her imitation of Anti. Every photograph, video, and article she could find had been studied carefully, and not once did shee across proof that the CEO and Anti had ever appeared together.

    Another thing that emboldened her was Richie¡¯s behavior. Since stepping on stage, he hadn¡¯t exposed her at once. Instead, his eyes kept darting between her and Maia, a reaction she found oddly revealing.

    That could only mean one thing¡ªthe elusive Anti had never met Richie in real life.

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 Chapter 1291

    Chapter 1291:

    By now, Richie was close to settling on his own conclusion¡ªthe woman standing before him truly seemed to be the founder of Annie Crystal.

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll admit it. I¡¯ve never met Anti before¡ªnot even once,¡± Richie said, his deep voice carrying through the hall.

    A wave ofmotion swept across the audience once again.

    Kiley fought back a grin, her gazending on Maia with a trace of sympathy that barely hid her amusement.

    Was that really all Maia was capable of? Had her strength and intellect, once seen as unmatched, amounted to nothing more than this? Or perhaps she had never imagined that the web of lies she spun so carefully would one day unravel before everyone?

    For years, the world saw Maia through a grand illusion. She wore every title with poise¡ªaposer, a fashion designer, a painter, a prodigy, a heroine, and the woman admired by the elusive Mr. M.

    But the mask was never meant tost. Kiley had never trusted such perfection. The first time she heard about Maia¡¯s long list of talents, she already suspected that everything about her was staged. In her eyes, Maia was nothing more than a puppet performing for unseen masters. Those same masters, Kiley believed, had their eyes set on something far greater¡ªthe entire Cooper Group.

    It was time, she decided, for the truth toe out¡ªMaia was not a genius or an icon, but a mere pawn moved by powerful hands from the shadows.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that you were aware of that,¡± Maia said, her calm gaze shing with cold resolve. ¡°Then you must also be aware that Richie and I have only evermunicated through emails.¡±

    Her tone hardened as she continued. ¡°If that¡¯s true, you should be able to name both of our addresses¡ªthe real one belonging to Richie and the other to Anti.¡±

    The hall erupted once more the moment her words left her lips.

    ¡°Unbelievable! Is Maia really still pretending?¡±

    ¡°Right? How could the real Anti be clueless about something like that? This has to be a bad joke!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got to hand it to her, though. She¡¯s holding herself together like a pro, even with everyone watching.¡±

    Even Richie¡¯s patience began to thin, though he held himself back from saying anything.

    Being the CEO of Annie Crystal required more than sharp intelligence and influence. It also demanded restraint.

    Meanwhile, Anti¡¯s pulse pounded in her ears as her breathing grew uneven. The calm expression she had practiced for years was starting to crack¡ªno seventeen-year-old could hold it for long.

    Over and over, she tried to calm down. She had to keep herselfposed.

    ¡°You¡¯re Anti,¡± she said to herself fiercely. ¡°Don¡¯t lose control. No one¡¯s ever exposed you before, and they won¡¯t start today.¡±

    Anti clenched her teeth as she repeated those words in her head, forcing herself to believe them.

    The hall fell silent at once, as though the entire audience had stopped breathing.

    A heartbeatter, the livestream exploded across the screen.

    ¡°Oh wow¡ªAnti¡¯s presence is insane.¡±

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 Chapter 1292

    Chapter 1292:

    ¡°This is exactly how a real genius designer carries herself.¡±

    ¡°Maia must be crazy, thinking she can bait Anti and the CEO of Annie Crystal for an email.¡±

    ¡°Anti always snaps back wlessly. She¡¯s never lost a verbal spar in her life.¡±

    Kiley arched a brow, eager for any chance to humiliate Maia.

    As far as she was concerned, Maia had already been defeated. Lifting the microphone, she shattered the silence. ¡°Exactly. Radiant Jewels has no intention of being associated with ¡®design ws.''¡±

    Then she turned to Maia with open provocation. ¡°So tell us, Maia¡ªdoes our Clover Series really have defects?¡±

    The atmosphere tightened, the tension stretched thin like a drawn bowstring.

    The guests began chiming in mockingly from the seats. ¡°Maia can¡¯t prove anything. Does she think she knows more about jewelry than Annie Crystal¡¯s founder?¡±

    ¡°Look, Richie Ford¡¯s already siding with Anti. The verdict is obvious¡ªMaia¡¯s a fraud.¡±

    ¡°Quit wasting our time! Either show the Clover Series has ws or get off the stage!¡±

    As public opinion swung sharply against Maia, her friends and family grew visibly anxious.

    Ethan clenched his fists helplessly. He wished he could silence everyst voice in the room.

    Maia wasn¡¯t a liar¡ªshe was the most upright person he knew. If she said the woman on stage wasn¡¯t Anti, then she was telling the truth.

    Beside him, the outspoken Pattie yelled without the slightest restraint, ¡°Maia, these people are delusional! If they want the truth, don¡¯t hold back! Show them real design. I almost threw up when I saw this so-called Clover Series.¡±

    Rnd followed, his voice determined. ¡°If Aurielle Margaret tries to sue you, I¡¯ll take the case. You won¡¯t lose.¡±

    galn¦Ò¦Íels.c¡ðm hosts fresh updates

    Chris said nothing, but fury burned in his bloodshot eyes. He silently vowed that Cooper Group would answer for every humiliation they caused today.

    Brielle and the others were so tense their hands trembled.

    Hurst and Mnie looked equally strained. If not for their connection to Cooper Group, they would have stepped up beside Maia already.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Maia said softly. Her gentle yet unshaken voice rippled through the hall like a stone breaking the surface of still water.

    Eyes turned toward her in surprise.

    Calmly, she walked toward the five wooden boxes and began putting on Radiant Jewels¡¯test pieces.

    The host moved as if to intervene, but Kiley stopped him with a confident nce. She didn¡¯t believe Maia could pull off anything worthwhile.

    One by one, Maia adorned herself with the La Primavera bracelet, the Stars in Summer Night earrings, the Autumn Melody brooch, the Winter¡¯s Whisper ne, and the Eternity ring.

    Under the lights, she looked ethereal¡ªlike a queen stepping out of a fairytale castle.

    Comments surged again.

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 Chapter 1293

    Chapter 1293:

    ¡°What¡­ is she doing?¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t she say the designs were wed? They look gorgeous on her.¡±

    ¡°Her aura changedpletely. This set looks stunning.¡±

    On site, Anti let out a sigh of relief. Seeing the jewelry¡¯s effect on Maia, she felt reassured.

    iming these pieces had ws was a joke.

    She smirked to herself¡ªMaia was probably regretting her own im now.

    Rosanna sneered, unable to hold back her amusement. ¡°What happened, Maia? Cat finally got your tongue?¡±

    Aurielle approached, examining the pieces closely.

    Richie joined her, studying every detail, a faint crease forming on his brow.

    Maia finally spoke. ¡°I believe our experts can already see the problem.¡±

    Richie froze, eyes wide. He had heard those exact words before¡ªlong ago¡ªfrom the true founder.

    ¡°Talent is the core of jewelry design¡­ Design must center on the wearer.¡±

    In that moment, it all fell into ce. Maia hadn¡¯t been bluffing or specting¡ªshe was the true founder of Annie Crystal.

    Talent is the core of jewelry design¡ªthe phrase drifted across the room. Richie¡¯s assistant, a beautiful woman, went rigid. Recognition struck like lightning. Her eyes locked on Maia, standing confident beneath the spotlight. Her mouth fell open in a silent gasp of horror.

    This couldn¡¯t be happening. Had Richie failed to see it? Maia was the genuine Anti. That seventeen-year-old girl basking in adoration under those brilliant lights was nothing more than an borately constructed lie.

    The assistant couldn¡¯t remain seated another second. She bolted upright, desperation bleeding into her voice. ¡°Richie! Maia is Anti!¡±

    But her seat sat too far back. Her words dissolved into the distance, swallowed by the crowd¡¯s sudden, mockingughter.

    I??€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? ?¦Ç ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.c??

    ¡°What is that woman ranting about? Absolutely ridiculous!¡±

    ¡°Maia just knows how to dress up empty ideas with flowerynguage. Does anyone actually believe she¡¯s Anti?¡±

    ¡°Could you please sit down? You¡¯re blocking everyone behind you. And iming Maia is Anti? Have you lost your mind?¡±

    The assistant¡¯s face zed crimson as fury flooded through her veins. ¡°How could you¡­¡± She trembled with rage, stunned that guests at such a prestigious event would behave so crudely.

    What she didn¡¯t realize was that these weren¡¯t ordinary guests at all¡ªthey were Raegan¡¯s operatives, nted throughout the venue with one purpose: to discredit and tear down Maia.

    Across the audience, fashion design maestro Alice sat forward, her eyes gleaming with pure exhration.

    Maia was everything she¡¯d hoped for and more¡ªnot only a visionary fashion designer, but a masterful jewelry creator as well. How could Alice contain her excitement?

    She¡¯d always believed that true designers transcended boundaries, that exceptional creators could conquer any artistic medium. The fundamental principles of beauty remained constant, regardless of the canvas.

    Without hesitation, Alice pulled out her phone and typed a message on Twitter: ¡°Someone capable of designing countless iconic garments naturally understands jewelry. Remember¡ªjewelry and fashion are partners in adornment.¡±

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 Chapter 1294

    Chapter 1294:

    Meanwhile, the livestream exploded with viewers rallying behind Maia.

    ¡°Wait¡ªafter hearing Maia¡¯s critique, I can actually see the imbnce now.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right. When someone wears it, the piece overwhelms them. That clover is far toorge.¡±

    ¡°This is hrious! It looked stunning a moment ago, but now the wearer feels like nothing more than a prop.¡±

    On stage, Anti stood frozen in brief silence before something inside her snapped. She shouted, her voice cracking through the tension, ¡°Enough! You understand nothing about jewelry design.¡±

    Her chest heaved as she battled to control the anger and panic threatening to consume her. ¡°I don¡¯t care where you picked up these theories, but you¡¯re performing¡ªnothing more. Have you ever designed a single piece of jewelry? Do you evenprehend what harmony means? Don¡¯t mistake your ignorance for expertise!¡±

    Fury saturated every syble.

    She stood at the edge of a precipice now. Two paths stretched before her: either Maia would expose herpletely and turn her into an object of universal ridicule, or she would fight back with everything she had and prove Maia was the actual impostor.

    Inside, she cursed Maia with every fiber of her being. Without Maia¡¯s interference, today would have belonged to her¡ªthe apuse, the praise, the wealth.

    Anti¡¯s eyes burned as she fixed her gaze on Maia and issued her challenge. ¡°Since you¡¯ve dismissed these designs so easily, do you darepete against me? We¡¯ll both use clover as our theme and see whose jewelry design proves superior.¡± She thrust a finger toward Maia. ¡°I¡¯ll demonstrate with actual skill that you¡¯re nothing but a pathetic fraud.¡±

    Instantly, Raegan¡¯s nted aplices erupted in jeers.

    ¡°Exactly! If she¡¯s the real Anti, let her prove it with Anti¡¯s level of talent!¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m is packed with great reads

    ¡°I¡¯ll bet anything Maia won¡¯t ept. What could she possibly know about jewelry design? Criticism is easy¡ªcreation is an entirely different beast.¡±

    ¡°Words mean nothing. Real skill is what matters. This is live design¡ªthere¡¯s nowhere to hide.¡±

    The livestream chat transformed in seconds, earlier support for Maia drowning beneath a wave of taunting messages.

    ¡°If Maia has any courage at all, she¡¯llpete. The founder of Annie Crystal wouldn¡¯tck the spine.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I was thinking. If they both im to be Anti, why not settle this with a contest?¡±

    ¡°Honestly, I never noticed the supposed imbnce Maia mentioned. So the clover isrger¡ªwhat¡¯s the problem?¡±

    Maia turned toward Anti, her voice carrying the stillness of ake before dawn. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s necessary.¡±

    The words barely settled beforeughter detonated around her.

    ¡°What does she mean, not necessary? Afraid to lose?¡±

    ¡°I thought she¡¯d impress us, and that¡¯s all she¡¯s got?¡±

    ¡°I knew it! She doesn¡¯t dare topete at all. Maia is absolutely not Anti.¡±

    Maia didn¡¯t acknowledge them. She didn¡¯t even lift her eyes. Instead, she took one graceful step forward.

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 Chapter 1295

    Chapter 1295:

    Anti jerked backward as though struck, her high heels scraping sharply against the floor.

    ¡°Do you intend to spend your entire existence wrapped in deception?¡± Maia¡¯s voice remained soft, yet every word rang clear as crystal. ¡°Living perpetually in someone else¡¯s shadow?¡± She paused, and something gentle flickered across her expression. ¡°You¡¯re only seventeen. Time still exists for you to correct this. Don¡¯tpound your mistakes.¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Anti¡¯s shoulders convulsed violently, her voice climbing toward a scream. ¡°What gives you the authority to say that? To stand there and lecture me? You have no right whatsoever!¡±

    Her eyes burned red with the raw humiliation and desperation of someone whose carefully constructed facade had just shattered. ¡°Who do you think you are? You¡¯re not my mother.¡±

    Then a voice sliced through the chaos like a de through silk¡ªdeep, unwavering, resolute. ¡°Maia certainly possesses that right!¡±

    The room plunged into absolute silence.

    Richie moved forward to stand beside Maia, his gaze sharp enough to draw blood. ¡°She is the founder of Annie Crystal.¡±

    The silence deepened, became something tangible.

    Kiley¡¯s eyes narrowed to slits. Was Richie actually serious?

    Just moments earlier, he¡¯d clearly championed Anti. Now he¡¯d suddenly reversed his allegiance? All because of Maia¡¯s brief critique?

    Kiley¡¯s fingers curled into a tight fist as her attention slid toward Raegan somewhere in the crowd.

    Right then, Aurielle¡ªthe illustrious president of the International Jewelry Design Association¡ªcharged toward Richie like a woman possessed. She jabbed a finger in his direction. ¡°Richie Ford! How dare you make such a preposterous deration? Maia couldn¡¯t possibly be Anti!¡±

    Richie responded with a subtle shake of his head, his voice deliberately calm. ¡°Ms. Margaret, I can stake my honor on this truth¡ªMaia is ourpany¡¯s founder and the authentic Anti.¡±

    Every story starts at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??§àm

    He moved to retrieve his phone, ready to dispatch an email to Anti on the spot¡ªproof that would be undeniable the instant Maia¡¯s device lit up with the message.

    But Aurielle intercepted him, consumed by her fury and her irond determination to shield her idol from disgrace. ¡°I¡¯m profoundly disappointed in you!¡± she hissed.

    Aurielle had no intention of entertaining whatever justification Richie nned to offer, because she¡¯d already dismissed it as borate fiction.

    This wasn¡¯t simply the Radiant Jewelsunch¡ªit was one of the year¡¯s most anticipated charity gs. Standing before this constetion of celebrities and society¡¯s upper echelon, serving as the current president of the International Jewelry Design Association, she absolutely could not publicly confess to an error of such catastrophic proportions.

    If Maia proved to be the legitimate Anti, it would detonate her reputation like a bomb and strip away everything she¡¯d spent decades building. She had to prevent that nightmare from materializing.

    Aurielle angled the microphone away, dropping her voice to a venomous whisper as she leaned into Richie¡¯s space, speaking words meant for his ears alone. ¡°Has this brazen woman purchased your loyalty? Or perhaps Maia is your mistress? Are you scheming to swap Anti out for her? I recognize ambition when I see it, but¡­¡±

    She raised one eyebrow, her tone brooking absolutely zero resistance. ¡°If you¡¯d prefer Annie Crystal not be permanently exiled by the International Jewelry Design Association, I suggest you shut your mouth this instant!¡±

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 Chapter 1296

    Chapter 1296:

    The unexpected viciousness of her nder made Richie¡¯s face darken as rity snapped back into focus.

    He realized Aurielle had crossed intoplete irrationality.

    How could she possibly spew such usations?

    This behavior obliterated every aspect of the respected jewelry authority and association president the public believed her to be.

    Within seconds, Aurielle swept the microphone back to her mouth. ¡°I¡¯m aware you¡¯ve never actually encountered your founder face-to-face, so considering that¡­¡±

    She rotated back toward Maia, her voice plummeting to arctic temperatures. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯ve dangled before Richie to earn his support, but I refuse to stand by while you swindle the entire world.¡±

    Aurielle amplified her voice until itmanded the room. ¡°Every person in attendance tonight represents distinction and influence. I¡¯m asking you all to bear witness. Let¡¯s settle who the genuine Anti is by examining the clover jewelry design sketches as our definitive evidence. I assume no one objects to this approach.¡±

    She swiveled her focus back to Kiley. ¡°Ms. Cooper, I¡¯d value your perspective.¡±

    Kiley released a soft, knowingugh. She hadn¡¯t dared hope fortune would smile this brilliantly upon her schemes. Events had materialized exactly as she¡¯d calcted.

    In certain respects, reality had even exceeded her most optimistic projections¡ªlike sessfully engineering open warfare between Maia and Aurielle.

    Whether Maia genuinely was Anti carried zero weight in Kiley¡¯s calctions. As long as Maia exhibited her jewelry design abilities, that alone would prove sufficient to summon Raegan¡¯s carefully positioned operative, who would inevitably surface to seed doubt and stoke the mes of controversy.

    ¡°Of course, Ms. Margaret. What an excellent proposal.¡± Kiley¡¯s tone was smooth, her expression a mask of sincerity as she yed the part of the harmless observer. ¡°If my Clover Series can inspire better creations, I would be thrilled to invest in outstanding designs that elevate our Radiant Jewels brand. After all, our founding purpose has always been to pursue perfection. While theunch of our new line may face dys, I will never tolerate anyone pretending to be the real Anti.¡±

    Her words dripped with grace and poise, yet every syble carried strategic precision.

    Magic begins at g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    Kiley used the moment masterfully, painting herself as magnanimous, unconcerned with profit or prestige. She positioned herself as a paragon of virtue¡ªsomeone standing up for integrity in the industry.

    Her carefully chosen words not only lifted her reputation but also turned the entire exchange into a golden marketing moment, wlessly showcasing Radiant Jewels¡¯ vision before millions of viewers.

    At that point, the event¡¯s live broadcast ratings soared to record-breaking heights.

    Kiley turned toward Maia with a polite, knowing smile. ¡°So, Ms. Watson, I trust you won¡¯t take offense at my interruption and that you¡¯ll ept this challenge with grace.¡±

    All eyes snapped to Maia once again.

    In the audience, Ethan sat rigid in his chair, tension locking his chest until he could barely breathe.

    Beside him, Pattie¡¯s hand instinctively tightened around Rnd¡¯s.

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 Chapter 1297

    Chapter 1297:

    Rnd met her gaze briefly, his lips parting as if to speak, but he stayed silent.

    Instead, he returned the gesture, his hand firm over hers.

    Mnie bit her lip hard, tugging at her father¡¯s sleeve as she whispered, ¡°Dad, shouldn¡¯t we do something? Kiley¡¯s being awful to Maia. It¡¯s so obvious she¡¯s trying to humiliate her.¡± Her voice trembled with frustration.

    She had hoped Maia would one day be her stepmother. Seeing her cornered like this in front of everyone filled her with helpless anger.

    Hurst forced aposed expression, though his eyes darkened.

    He patted Mnie¡¯s hand and said quietly, ¡°Calm down. Maia¡¯s smart¡ªshe¡¯ll find a way to handle it.¡±

    Inwardly, even he wasn¡¯t sure. But his mind was already made up. If Maia ended up disgraced tonight, he would wee her. This entire event was a setup from the start, after all.

    Still, one question gnawed at him¡ªwhy was Kiley so intent on targeting Maia? His thoughts darkened. Was it because of him?

    Kolton, being the head of the family, had long restricted the Cooper Group¡¯s expansion, stifling his ventures at every turn. And now, he was allowing his people to publicly crush the woman Hurst had feelings for.

    That, Hurst thought grimly, was something he could never forgive.

    With that thought, Hurst silently cursed Kolton and Kiley under his breath, his jaw tightening.

    He quickly typed a message to his assistant. ¡°Get me a few jewelry design drafts¡ªnow!¡±

    He nned to send the sketches to Maia immediately, hoping to give her an edge in thepetition.

    Meanwhile, Chris could no longer keep hisposure. Fury burned through him as he red at the stage.

    Aurielle¡¯s every question dripped with malice, each word meant to corner Maia and drag her name through the mud.

    Step into a new world at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    Chris, gifted in lip reading, caught every venomous exchange between Aurielle and Richie. His fists clenched. It was infuriating.

    Without hesitation, he sent a sharpmand to Hawk, ST¡¯s top hacker. ¡°Dig up everything on Aurielle Margaret¡ªevery scandal, every skeleton. I want her reputation ruined by tonight!¡±

    Hawk¡¯s response came instantly, and the keys began to fly.

    At the same time, Pris¡¯s chief hacker had alreadyunched an investigation of his own, tracing the so-called Anti¡¯s credentials.

    ¡°How dare they question my boss? That fake Anti and her little association are done for. I¡¯ll expose every one of them.¡±

    Under the bright stage lights, Maia finally spoke, her voice calm yet cutting through the tension like ss. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to humiliate you, but if you insist¡ªfine. I¡¯ll ept.¡±

    She turned away from Kiley, her expression unreadable.

    She knew exactly what game Kiley was ying.

    But Kiley would never understand¡ªschemes meant nothing when faced with true skill.

    Maia¡¯s eyesnded on Anti, who was ring daggers at her. ¡°I¡¯ve already given you a chance,¡± she said evenly.

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 Chapter 1298

    Chapter 1298:

    Anti let out a disdainful scoff. ¡°Don¡¯t act high and mighty! We¡¯ll see who the real designer is.¡±

    Following Aurielle¡¯s signal, staff members rushed to set up the materials¡ªpaper, pencils, and tools neatly arranged under the spotlight.

    Maia and Anti sat opposite each other at the long table, every camera trained on them. There would be no room for imitation or tricks.

    Excitement rippled through the audience like wildfire. Online, hashtags about the Maia versus Anti showdown shot straight to the top of trending lists.

    Twenty minutester, the tension snapped when Anti suddenly stood up.

    ¡°I¡¯m finished,¡± she dered, her chin raised in pride. ¡°You haven¡¯t even started, have you?¡±

    The crowd gasped, disbelief echoing through the hall.

    ¡°That fast? Is she serious?¡±

    ¡°Could this really be the work of a genius?¡±

    ¡°I have to see what she came up with!¡±

    The cameraman discreetly redirected his equipment toward Maia.

    Anticipation hung thick in the air as spectators held their collective breath, expecting Anti to retrieve herpleted work.

    A faint grin tugged at Maia¡¯s mouth. She gave her head a gentle shake. ¡°I¡¯ve just finished too,¡± she said.

    Silence descended upon the venue without warning as every pair of eyes locked onto her.

    An aura of tranquility surrounded Maia. Her pencil came to rest on the surface before her with deliberate slowness, as though she¡¯d merely wrapped up some routine assignment.

    Shock registered across Anti¡¯s features. Her pupils narrowed and her mouth hung open as she stared at Maia. ¡°Your design isplete?¡± The words tumbled out. Reality seemed impossible to grasp. The notion that another designer could match her pace caught Antipletely off guard.

    Your source: g??ln??v??ls.??????

    Years of relentless practice had consumed her existence¡ªendless days and sleepless nights devoted to mimicking the authentic Anti.

    Her education had been thorough beyond measure. She¡¯d deconstructed jewelry pieces through reverse analysis, transforming them into fresh preliminary drawings.

    Annie Crystal¡¯s entire catalog lived permanently in her brain, avable for sketching whenever necessity arose.

    The Clover Series held particr significance in her collection of preferred designs, and hundreds of variations on it had flowed from her imagination. She could draw at least a dozen designs with her eyes closed.

    Speed remained her unshakable advantage, regardless of whether her creations achieved peak quality.

    Anti¡¯s words wavered slightly. ¡°This isn¡¯t some kind of trick, is it?¡±

    No verbal answer came from Maia, only a small nod. Her gesture of cing the pencil down had alreadymunicated everything necessary.

    A dismissive sound escaped Anti¡¯s throat as uncertainty crept through her system. This woman¡¯s behavior struck her as peculiar. Could this be nothing more than empty posturing?

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 Chapter 1299

    Chapter 1299:

    Certainty filled Anti¡¯s mind now. No individual possessed greater speed than she did, barring someone whose training dwarfed her own dramatically.

    Such a scenario defied logic entirely. Four years behind bars had stolen Maia¡¯s time, and the opportunity for practice simply hadn¡¯t existed.

    Anti forced her misgivings aside and let out a scornfulugh. ¡°Very well,¡± she dered. ¡°Our distinguished audience members will determine which creation holds superior merit.¡±

    Her design sheet rose into the air.

    The camera operator adjusted his focus, bringing the image into sharp detail on the oversized disy.

    A hand-rendered illustration appeared, showcasing a four-leaf clover bracelet constructed from gold material, its veins replicating authentic botanical patterns with precision.

    Heart-shaped precious stones nked the clover on either side, their cut surfaces seeming to emit light directly from the paper itself, creating an illusion of sparkle. Fluid strokes and exact proportions characterized the overall presentation.

    Anti advanced with confidence radiating from her posture. Her voice rang out with rity and conviction as she presented her work. ¡°The title I¡¯ve chosen is ¡®Luck of Clover.¡¯ Gemstone decoration on the leaves themselves has been deliberately avoided. Gold became my material of choice as its superior malleability allowed me to achieve lifelike foliage texture. Layered leaves work in harmony with heart-shaped stones to deliver wless symmetrical bnce.¡±

    Her presentation reached its endpoint. Numerous guests rose from their seats spontaneously, their handsing together with vigor. Thunderous apuse filled every corner of the space, praise flowing without cessation. Victory appeared to belong to Anti as her authenticity seemed beyond dispute.

    Murmurs circted through the crowd of onlookers.

    ¡°Radiant Jewels¡¯test offering struck me as the ultimate expression of clover bracelet design, yet Anti has blown past it without breaking a sweat.¡±

    ¡°Creating something that eclipses Radiant Jewels¡¯ newest release within such apressed timeframe¡ªonly the legitimate Anti possesses that capability.¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c¨®m is your escape

    ¡°Perfection defines this clover bracelet. There¡¯s no need for furtherparison; Maia has already lost!¡±

    Admiringments saturated the digital discussion tform.

    ¡°The visual impact of Anti¡¯s design is extraordinary. Did conception truly ur within a mere twenty-minute window?¡±

    ¡°Annie Crystal¡¯s founder delivers exactly what we¡¯d expect¡ªpure design genius!¡±

    ¡°Producing a sketch of this caliber demands years upon years of expertise.¡±

    Relief washed over Aurielle as she examined the piece, and her head moved in an approving gesture.

    Absolute confidence filled her regarding the drawing¡¯s authenticity. Precision, restraint, and dedication to craft permeated every element¡ªAnti¡¯s unmistakable signature.

    Her familiarity with Anti¡¯s creative output surpassed nearly everyone else¡¯s knowledge. Only the real Anti could so adeptly sketch such a draft.

    Her gamble had paid dividends. The seventeen-year-old girl standing before them was unquestionably the real Anti. Shame touched her for having permitted doubt to cloud her judgment.

    At that moment, Maia¡¯s design sheet lifted into view at a measured pace, and the next instant brought the apuse to a jarring stop.

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 Chapter 1300

    Chapter 1300:

    The crowd let out a unified gasp of astonishment.

    In Maia¡¯s hands sat not one but fiveplete design sketches. The collection spanned all seasons: a spring bracelet, summer earrings, an autumn brooch, a winter ne, and an eternal ring.

    Her draft disyed all five pieces with perfect alignment. The lines flowed beautifully, and the structures were exquisite. She had captured even the smallest details¡ªthe way metal reflected light and how gemstones refracted it.

    Within the same twenty-minute window, she had recreated theplete Clover Series. Her drawing abilities were wless, and each design demonstrated ingenious craftsmanship.

    Anti¡¯s eyes widened with disbelief, and her mouth fell open. Words seemed to escape her. Her high heels made her unstable, and she stumbled backward, nearly toppling over. Her voice shook. ¡°Fiveplete design drafts? How could you manage that?¡±

    Maia¡¯s smile was subtle, and her voice stayed even. ¡°I¡¯ve simply put in countless hours of practice. Remember something important: I work as a fashion designer too.¡±

    She stopped speaking momentarily. Her eyes traveled across the hall. ¡°Creating sketcheses naturally to me.¡±

    Her conclusion came softly. ¡°Jewelry ought to showcase a wearer¡¯s unique character rather than limit her self-expression. The person matters most, not the essory.¡±

    Her final words hung in the air. Silence nketed the hall.

    The gap between the two designers¡¯ work was strikingly clear. Nearly everyone recognized Maia¡¯s designs as the better ones.

    Anti¡¯s legs buckled beneath her, and she crumpled to the floor atst. Her loss seemed impossible to ept. A question tormented her: was Maia truly Anti?

    Public opinion shifted dramatically on Twitter and in the live broadcast chat.

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    ¡°Maia just wiped the floor with an entire design team by herself. How does someone possess this much talent?¡±

    ¡°Those g rumors must have been urate¡ªthe ones about Maia sketching fashion designs and winning Aurora Apparel Company over. Her abilities surpass the ordinary!¡±

    ¡°Keep in mind that Maia paints as well. She¡¯s the famous Matias. The art world knows her for groundbreaking work. That background exins her speed and skill with drawings.¡±

    At the same time, Rosanna sat trembling in her seat. Her face had drained of all color. Her mind spun from a shock without precedent. Her entire world felt like it was caving in.

    The thought tormented her. What if Maia genuinely was Anti? Her entire life would be a joke!

    Rosanna had followed this light forever. She had worked tirelessly to emte this person. Anti was the idol she¡¯d worshipped morning and night. Now this figure might actually be Maia¡ªthe very person Rosanna loathed most, the one she¡¯d been desperate to annihte.

    The possibility was unbearable. Rosanna refused to entertain it. eptance seemed impossible.

    Her thoughts raced. No! This couldn¡¯t be happening! Her idol Anti could never turn out to be Maia. Anti was probably just having a rough day. That had to be the exnation. Everybody experienced off moments asionally, didn¡¯t they?

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 Chapter 1301

    Chapter 1301:

    Rosanna¡¯s nails dug into her palms. Her eyes darted around the stage in a frenzy. She desperately hoped for a miracle; she needed the tables to turn somehow.

    The very next moment, though, a figure crashed through the security barrier. Someone jumped onto the stage. It was Richie¡¯s assistant.

    She was gasping for air, but her voice boomed out anyway. ¡°Listen up, everyone! You¡¯re all being deceived! Maia Watson actually founded our Annie Crystal!¡±

    Her phone was raised high. Its screen showed a social media post that Catherine Jones had just published. ¡°Catherine Jones made an announcement moments ago. She¡¯s the other Annie Crystal founder. She¡¯s confirmed on social media that Maia is Anti.¡±

    Something inside Rosanna broke. The tiny spark of hope she¡¯d been clinging to had just beenpletely extinguished. She stared nkly at Maia as if her soul had just been ripped away.

    Then came even more bombshell revtions. The full extent of Aurielle¡¯s bribery and designer suppression was exposed before them.

    A sudden chorus of buzzing phones shattered the hall¡¯s electric euphoria. The sound drew every gaze downward in unison.

    Identical alerts glowed on screens. ¡°International Jewelry Design Association President Aurielle Margaret stands used of bribery and stifling emerging talent.¡±

    An anonymous sender had unleashed damning proof. The evidence included email chains, bank transfers, and ndestine meeting recordings. It rendered denial futile.

    Before shock could settle, a second wave vibrated through devices. The alert exposed the counterfeit Anti. ¡°Impostor unmasked. Father: chronic alcoholic; Mother:plicit in fraud; Daughter: expelled for academic dishonesty.¡±

    Online fury detonated instantly.

    ¡°Drunk dad, doormat mom, scam-artist kid. What a family disaster,¡± one post sneered.

    ¡°Oscar-worthy performance. Who knew Annie Crystal¡¯s ¡®founder¡¯ was a teen fraud?¡± another mocked.

    Every story starts at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    ¡°I fell for a seventeen-year-old con. Lock her up,¡± a third demanded.

    The venue erupted in chaos.

    Chris¡¯s lips curved in faint satisfaction at the first st. ST¡¯s hack into local cell towers had executed wlessly. Yet the follow-up notification twisted his triumph into unease. This wasn¡¯t ST¡¯s signature. Another yer lurked. Who, and why?

    Attention swiveled to Aurielle and Anti. Whispers hissed like venom. usatory stares pierced.

    Aurielle fumbled for her phone. Color drained as truth red back. She staggered. The microphone ttered to the stage with a hollow thud.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t real,¡± she stammered. Her voice fractured. Wild eyes locked on Maia. ¡°You orchestrated this! I never harmed you. Why ruin me?¡±

    Maia embodied serene steel. ¡°I am Maia Watson. I am also Anti, the true founder of Annie Crystal.¡±

    Richie seized the chaos. Credibility crumbled around Aurielle like fragile ss, and Richie¡¯s fear of her influence evaporated. He nted his towering frame to block her advance. Hismand rang out¡ªresonant and final. ¡°Step back.¡±

    Aurielle red upward. Contempt zed. ¡°Move!¡±

    A shrill scream sliced the tension from behind. ¡°No!¡±

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 Chapter 1302

    Chapter 1302:

    Heads whipped toward the impostor Anti. Her face turned ashen. The phone trembled in her grip. Exposure gutted her deeper than any design loss ever could.

    Years of deception and the child-genius facadey stripped bare. Every sordid detail had be public. Bacsh crashed like a tsunami.

    She crumpled to the floor. Tears carved rivers down cheeks once smug with arrogance.

    On Twitter, discussions about Aurielle and the fake Anti exploded, quickly dominating the trending list.

    ¡°Shocking revtions about Aurielle Margaret! She allegedly slept with over a hundred junior designers within a year.¡±

    ¡°Aurielle Margaret used of taking bribes to endorse a brand.¡±

    ¡°Maia Watson exposes the fake Anti. She¡¯s the true founder of Annie Crystal!¡±

    Within moments, the hashtags surged into the top five trending topics.

    Netizens flooded thements.

    ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought Radiant Jewels¡¯ productunch would turn into a live fraud expos¨¦?¡±

    ¡°This is wild! I¡¯ve never seen anything this dramatic.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t believe this trash is the president of the International Jewelry Design Association. What a joke!¡±

    Meanwhile, at the charity g, chaos filled the air. As organizers debated how to contain the situation, Kiley lifted her hand, signaling four security guards to restrain Aurielle Margaret.

    ¡°Ms. Cooper, please, have them release me!¡± Aurielle¡¯s voice quivered with panic. ¡°This isn¡¯t what it seems. It¡¯s all lies¡ªlet me exin!¡±

    Beside her, Anti¡ªthe imposter¡ªstruggled even harder. ¡°Let me go! I¡¯m the real Anti! Don¡¯t believe Maia! She must¡¯ve nted these designs and paid people to nder me¡ªit¡¯s all fake!¡±

    Her voice came out hoarse and shaky,ced with tears, yet it only earned coldughter from the crowd.

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    ¡°Seriously? She¡¯s still pretending even now?¡±

    Everyone knew Annie Crystal¡¯s co-founder had verified Maia¡¯s identity. Yet the fake Anti refused to admit defeat, still treating the audience like fools.

    Public outrage ignited instantly.

    ¡°The evidence is right there, yet she¡¯s still denying it? Shameless!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s only seventeen and already so twisted.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s lived the lie so long she can¡¯t stop now.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t believe I ever supported her¡ªpathetic!¡±

    ¡°Serves her right for being such a fraud!¡±

    All eyes then turned to Kiley, the CEO of the Cooper Group and the event¡¯s host.

    Theunch of Radiant Jewels was in ruins, and the entire fiasco was still being broadcast live to viewers worldwide.

    Yet Kiley remainedposed.

    Facing Aurielle¡¯s cries and the fake Anti¡¯s protests, she said coolly, ¡°Take them to the police station. Cooper Group¡¯s legal team will handle the rest.¡±

    Then, in her sleek high heels, she walked toward Maia, unruffled¡ªas if this scandal were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

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 Chapter 1303

    Chapter 1303:

    And to her, it was. The stage was set, and the real show was just beginning.

    Turning slightly toward Raegan, who gave a subtle nod, Kiley smiled faintly and raised the microphone.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen,¡± she began, her voice poised and steady, ¡°as the CEO of Cooper Group and owner of Radiant Jewels, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Ms. Watson.¡±

    A stunned silence fell over the hall. No one had expected that the very woman who once backed the fake Anti would now be thanking Maia¡ªand with such unsettling calm.

    Kiley shifted her weight slightly and faced the camera, her voice steady and sincere. ¡°If Ms. Watson hadn¡¯te forward to expose the truth, who knows how many morepanies might still be misled?¡±

    Her gaze lingered briefly on Maia, a flicker of admiration in her eyes. ¡°She¡¯s also shared an extraordinary design for the Clover Series¡ªone that gave me valuable insight. Today¡¯s ns may have been thrown off course, but if this helps Radiant Jewels create better pieces for our customers, I¡¯d say it¡¯s a worthwhile oue.¡±

    With a few well-chosen words, Kiley turned a public rtions disaster into a moment of strength, demonstrating both her leadership and strategic grace as CEO of the Cooper Group.

    The audience broke into apuse. Impressed whispers rippled across the hall.

    ¡°Such poise and quick thinking¡ªno wonder she¡¯s the head of Cooper Group.¡±

    ¡°After hearing her speak, I can¡¯t wait to see the redesigned Clover Series.¡±

    ¡°If Maia¡¯s concept is used, the new collection will sell out for sure.¡±

    Hearing the growing chatter, Kiley¡¯s lips curved slightly in satisfaction. Her eyes found Maia once again, and her tone softened, though it carried a hint of calction. ¡°Maia¡­ or should I say, Anti? Would you consider letting Radiant Jewels purchase your newest design?¡±

    Maia met her gaze, eyes narrowing as she studied Kiley in silence.

    L?t§Öst ch¦Ápt?rs ??n g??l§ßov?ls.§ã§à??

    Before she could answer, a shrill voice cut through the air like ss. ¡°No! That can¡¯t be true!¡±

    All heads turned¡ªRosanna had risen from her seat, eyes bloodshot and full of rage. ¡°You spent four years in prison! How could you possibly be aposer, a designer, a painter, and a jeweler all at once?¡±

    She stepped forward, her hands trembling, nails digging deep into her palms.

    ¡°Tell us the truth¡ªdid you really serve those four years?¡± Her usation rang through the hall, heavy and raw.

    Rosanna¡¯s world had already crumbled. Maia had destroyed everything she once cherished¡ªand now even her idol, the person she had devoted herself to, turned out to be Maia. Everything she believed in¡ªher dreams, her pride, her purpose¡ªhad copsed in an instant.

    It was unbearable.

    So when Raegan¡¯s instructions came, telling her to confront Maia in public, she didn¡¯t hesitate. Not for a moment.

    The atmosphere shifted sharply, tension thickening as whispers filled the room.

    Rosanna¡¯s question struck a nerve¡ªit echoed the doubt many had secretly shared.

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 Chapter 1304

    Chapter 1304:

    Everyone knew that human energy and time were finite. Even a prodigy who devoted four years entirely to study couldn¡¯t have mastered so many fields at once¡ªlet alone someone serving time in prison.

    Soon, Raegan¡¯s associates joined in, amplifying the storm. Guests began debating among themselves, and onlinements flooded in almost instantly.

    ¡°So Maia started Annie Crystal while locked up?¡±

    ¡°Is Wront Prison some kind of luxury academy?¡±

    ¡°This story doesn¡¯t add up¡ªmaybe she was never actually in jail.¡±

    ¡°I always thought something about it didn¡¯t add up. Finally, someone¡¯s said it out loud.¡±

    Under the harsh re of the spotlight, Maia stood motionless, her expression unreadable. She finally looked back at Rosanna and spoke evenly. ¡°There¡¯s nothing unbelievable about it. I simply worked harder than everyone else¡ªwhile they rested, I kept learning.¡±

    Her calm deration hung in the air¡ªuntil a man from the crowd suddenly leapt to his feet, fury etched across his face. ¡°You¡¯re lying!¡± he shouted, pointing straight at her.

    The man wearing a suit of deep brown and spectacles with golden rims curled his lip in disdain.

    ¡°Two years back, Annie Crystal sprang into existence out of nowhere,¡± he dered. ¡°And during that period, you were locked away behind bars.¡±

    What he said sparkedmotion throughout those gathered.

    Right then, Raegan issuedmands to every member of The Mask who had infiltrated the event as guests.

    Without dy, skeptical remarks erupted once more.

    ¡°That¡¯s right! None of it adds up. Running a business from a jail cell? I¡¯ve nevere across such a thing.¡±

    ¡°Does Maia possess superhuman abilities or something? Managing studies, operating a corporation, and doing prison time all at once? What inmate could pull that off?¡±

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    ¡°The whole situation boggles the mind. Did Maia have ownership of Wront Prison perhaps? What kind of prison runs so loosely? Inmates get to act however they want, is that it?¡±

    Up on the tform, Maia¡¯s eyes settled on the individual in question. His features werepletely unknown to her, which verified he was a stranger.

    She responded withposure. ¡°Your statement holds truth. While I was imprisoned, I co-founded Annie Crystal with a friend. She took care of most things like registration from the outside. My sole responsibility was designing.¡±

    After a brief pause, she added, ¡°That exins exactly why I¡¯ve stayed out of the public eye.¡±

    The moment her exnation concluded, Pattie, who had been seated in the first row, swiveled toward the man wearing the gold-rimmed spectacles. ¡°What¡¯s remotely surprising here? MCN functions the same way.¡±

    Her gaze swept around fiercely,pletely unbothered by what anyone thought of her, as she reprimanded them. ¡°Launching nonstop verbal attacks against Maia. Has somebody been pulling your strings to behave this way?¡±

    Once she¡¯d spoken, Pattie fixed her stare squarely on Kiley, who stood on the stage. Her voice carried an edge of hostility. ¡°Ms. Cooper, exactly who did you extend invitations to? Their manners are absolutely atrocious. What¡¯s more, Maia just exposed a fraudulent scheme on your behalf, and yet these individuals attack her, which obviously shows disrespect toward you.¡±

    Having said her piece, Pattie crossed her arms and resumed her seat, then addressed Rnd, who sat at her side. ¡°Do they actually believe MCN can be pushed around? I¡¯m going to have Zenith Legal take these fools to court.¡±

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 Chapter 1305

    Chapter 1305:

    Rnd gave a nod of support. ¡°Absolutely. Pro bono for the legal representation.¡±

    A collective intake of breath rippled through the venue.

    Nobody could have predicted that Pattie from MCN would publicly chastise other attendees without worrying about negative repercussions or bing a trending topic online for the wrong reasons.

    The event was streaming live. After the recent fake Anti controversy, viewing numbers had skyrocketed and had almost surpassed the ten million mark.

    Additionally, Pattie had skillfully redirected scrutiny away from Maia and onto Kiley instead, which put Kiley in a position where she had to address the situation rather than staying on the sidelines.

    Following a small cough, Kiley, appearing visibly ufortable, eventually broke her silence. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I think some confusion exists when ites to Maia.¡±

    She stopped speaking momentarily, cast a look in Raegan¡¯s direction, and then went on. ¡°However, since Maia has offered her exnation, I¡¯m hoping that all of you¡­¡±

    Just then, someone from the crowd cut her off mid-sentence. ¡°Ms. Cooper, you shouldn¡¯t pay attention to what Pattie Miller says because she¡¯s trying to change the subject. All we¡¯re after is the truth. What¡¯s inappropriate about that? That young woman from before turned out to be a fraud, so does that make Maia the genuine Anti? These days, attention-seekers are a dime a dozen. Pattie Miller counts Maia among her friends. Her reaction just now waspletely over the top. Doesn¡¯t that just add more evidence that Maia looks even more suspicious?¡±

    Hearing this made Pattie clench her jaw in frustration. ¡°st it! These people drive me up the wall!¡±

    She was about to fire back when Rnd held her back. ¡°No matter whates out of your mouth right now, they won¡¯t pay any attention and it¡¯ll only make things worse.¡±

    His head turned slightly, and his eyes came to rest on Maia. ¡°I have faith that Maia can set the record straight.¡±

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    At that precise instant, Rosanna, consumed by hatred that had drowned out reason, pressed her lips together and suddenly got to her feet, her eyes zing crimson as she stared at Maia positioned on the stage.

    She said, ¡°Maia, how much longer are you going to put on this performance? You were never a prisoner at all!¡±

    After a brief hesitation, Rosanna posed a challenge in a voice straining with emotion. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve said you are Anti, why don¡¯t you exin to all of us how you managed to get out of Wront Prison¡ªa facility known for its tight security¡ªjust to do interviews? No magazine would have sent journalists into a prison to interview you. If they had, everyone would already be aware that Anti was locked up.¡±

    What she¡¯d thrown out there made every single person in the room unconsciously furrow their brows.

    Whispered conversations started breaking out among the crowd.

    Someone pointed out, ¡°What she¡¯s saying makes sense. Maybe Maia could have finished her design work while incarcerated, but there¡¯s no way they would have let her out just to sit down with reporters, right?¡±

    Another voice chimed in, ¡°What would even be the purpose of imprisonment if inmates could just walk out whenever they felt like it? Are they really allowed that kind of freedom?¡±

    A third person stated with confidence, ¡°There¡¯s absolutely no question that Anti conducted those interviews outside the prison walls. I can¡¯t imagine any journalist would have gone to a correctional facility.¡±

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 Chapter 1306

    Chapter 1306:

    Taking advantage of the moment, Kiley feigned flustered concern and suggested, ¡°Perhaps this would be a good opportunity for you to clear things up for everyone, Maia?¡±

    After letting out a slight cough, she turned to the audience and announced, ¡°Maia has something to say.¡±

    Maia gave Kiley an icy stare. She¡¯de to realize she¡¯d misjudged Kiley.

    On the surface, Kiley had seemed detached and guileless, but underneath it all, she¡¯d been cunningly maniptive, carefully shaping public perception from the shadows. At this moment, she¡¯d sessfully cornered Maia.

    Comments were flooding in on the livestream¡¯s chat section.

    ¡°I only just tuned in. Could someone fill me in on what¡¯s going on? I thought this was supposed to be a new productunch for Radiant Jewels. How did it turn into Maia being put on trial?¡±

    Another spected, ¡°Rosanna must know something really damaging. What other exnation would there be for her making these kinds of statements?¡±

    Yet anothermenter dered, ¡°There¡¯s no way one person could aplish all of this at the same time. Maia has to be hiding some dark secrets.¡±

    Maia turned her attention away from Kiley and began walking toward Rosanna at a measured pace.

    The woman standing before her was Richard and Sandra¡¯s biological daughter, Jarrod¡¯s true sister, yet rather than being at the hospital where her parentsy inas, she¡¯d made the trip all the way to this charity function just to confront and condemn her.

    The thought suddenly filled Maia with sympathy for Richard and Sandra.

    Rosanna was both absurd and pitiable. Were it not for the fact that the Morgan family had raised her for seventeen years, Maia wouldn¡¯t have shown any mercy based purely on the way Rosanna had conducted herself.

    While everyone looked on, Maia came to a halt directly before Rosanna.

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    Rosanna reflexively shrunk back, pushing her body against the chair. ¡°What¡­ what are you going to do?¡±

    Dropping her gaze, Maia responded in a cial tone, ¡°I received official authorization to leave prison temporarily for those interviews. I went through all the proper channels. I can¡¯t fathom why you¡¯ve decided to raise this issue in a setting like this.¡±

    Rosanna shot back with a contemptuousugh. ¡°What¡¯s preventing me from doing so? Don¡¯t I have the right to speak my mind? Quit with the act. You¡¯re just bluffing! What kind of circumstances could possibly justify letting someone leave prison in the middle of their sentence? Do you honestly think I¡¯m¡­ that all of us areplete morons?¡±

    Her feelings intensified, causing her voice to get louder. ¡°You think I¡¯m ignorant about the sordid affair you were having with the previous warden? You used those connections to arrange your release¡ªyou were his lover. After that, you got involved with a string of powerful men who all helped create multiple fake identities for you.¡±

    Rosanna practically screamed, ¡°You kept exploiting your rtionships with influential people to get special treatment, and that¡¯s how you turned yourself into a web of personas. Isn¡¯t that the truth?¡±

    A profound hush descended over the hall¡ªso heavy it felt suffocating.

    What Rosanna had cried out had reverberated through every part of the space and had quickly raced across the livestream and exploded online. Everyone was attempting to make sense of the charges Rosanna had just thrown at Maia.

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 Chapter 1307

    Chapter 1307:

    Such bombshell revtions rendered many people temporarily unable to speak. Even the livestream chat went quiet. Time seemed to suspend. It all took on the character of that unsettling calm thates just before a storm, a fleeting moment of peace.

    Then, pandemonium broke loose.

    One person eximed in shock, ¡°This can¡¯t be real! Is that truly what Maia is like? Was her whole image just an borate deception?¡±

    ¡°So she was sleeping with the warden¡ªthat¡¯s how she got permission to leave prison for those interviews.¡±

    ¡°This is going to end up being the most explosive scandal of the entire year, possibly even more dramatic than what went down with Aurielle.¡±

    The online chat was aze with insults.

    ¡°The higher Maia rose, the harder she fell.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s really pathetic!¡±

    ¡°Maia should be too embarrassed to show her face in public!¡±

    A faint, satisfied smile curved Kiley¡¯s lips as she watched the chaos unfold. Everything was moving precisely as she had nned¡ªeach thread pulled, each downfall timed to perfection. Just when Maia had been basking in admiration, when her guard was down and her pride stood tall, Kiley struck. It was the ideal moment to drag her from that pedestal.

    Raegan¡¯s smirk mirrored Kiley¡¯s satisfaction.

    Atst, Maia would fall from grace¡ªdisgraced before everyone and branded as a woman unworthy of respect. No man would want her now¡ªnot even the leader of The Mask. And that was exactly what Raegan desired.

    Once Maia was ruined, Raegan believed the leader would finally turn his gaze toward her.

    The audience had seen enough. Raegan intended to leave no room for Maia to defend herself. Lifting the walkie-talkie, she ordered coolly, ¡°Stop the live broadcast.¡±

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    Her voice carried like frost. Within moments, Kiley¡¯s private security team moved to seize control of every camera at the venue.

    The feed cut off abruptly. Viewers watching from home stared in shock as the screen froze¡ªMaia¡¯s image locked in confrontation with Rosanna.

    The inte exploded in confusion and spection.

    ¡°Oh my God! When the fake scandals about Anti and Aurielle broke, the signal stayed on! Why cut it now? This must be serious!¡±

    ¡°Is there anyone at the venue who can tell us what¡¯s happening?¡±

    ¡°Could it be that Rosanna was telling the truth?¡±

    In the hall, Maia¡¯s expression darkened. Her silence carried weight¡ªan unsettling calm before the storm.

    Rosanna¡¯sughter pierced through it. ¡°Hahaha¡­ Why are you so quiet? Did I hit the nail on the head?¡±

    In the next heartbeat, Maia¡¯s hand shed through the air. The sharp smack cracked through the room, echoing across the marble floor.

    ¡°This p,¡± Maia said icily, ¡°is on behalf of your parents. They would never wish to see you like this.¡±

    Before anyone could react, her hand struck again. Rosanna¡¯s cheeks red red beneath the second blow.

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 Chapter 1308

    Chapter 1308:

    ¡°This is for thete warden you disgraced. You should never smear the dead,¡± Maia added.

    Then came a third strike, fiercer than the rest.

    Rosanna staggered back, unable to defend herself as her right cheek swelled with pain.

    ¡°And this one,¡± Maia dered, her voice trembling with fury, ¡°is for myself. Do you even understand how sacred a woman¡¯s honor is to her?¡±

    Her words rippled through the hall, silencing every whisper.

    Pattie suddenly shouted, ¡°Good strike! She deserved it!¡±

    Rnd rose sharply. ¡°Rosanna, please present your evidence and stand by your words.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s face reddened as he thundered, ¡°Rosanna Morgan! What have you be? You weren¡¯t like this when we were struggling in the slums!¡±

    Chris surged forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Maia, shielding her from Rosanna¡¯s potential retaliation.

    Mnie¡¯s eyes glistened with anger and disbelief. Her voice came out raw. ¡°You¡¯re lying! Maia would never do such things. You¡¯re ndering her!¡±

    Hurst could no longer stay seated. He rose with a dark expression, fists clenched, eyes zing at Rosanna.

    Brielle and several others who trusted Maia stood as well, silent but resolute.

    Marisa snapped her lollipop clean in two. ¡°Tsk! Who is that woman? She¡¯s insufferable!¡±

    In the far corner, hidden beneath the dim lights, Maxwell leaned back with a faint smirk. So Chris had chosen well¡ªhe had indeed found a woman of courage.

    And as for Kiley¡¯s attempt to end the broadcast? She could keep dreaming.

    Maxwell retrieved a miniature camera from his pocket, his movements unhurried. Within seconds, the live stream resumed.

    L§Ñt?st ch¦Ápt?rs in g?lnov?ls.?¦Ïm

    Viewers erupted with excitement as the frozen screen flickered back to life, revealing the charged atmosphere of the g once more.

    Rosanna clutched her cheek and sneered through the pain. ¡°Are you panicking now? Hahaha¡­ Do you still want to deny it? I will expose all your secrets tonight. I have evidence!¡±

    Her eyes darted toward the crowd. ¡°Shiloh Hayes! What are you waiting for? Come out and testify!¡±

    A sharp click echoed as the side door creaked open. Shiloh stepped into the hall, moving slowly, every gaze following her entrance.

    The spotlight pivoted with dramatic precision, enveloping Shiloh in a stark pool of light that entuated his heavy, deliberate steps and the somber mask etched across his features. He wore the crisp uniform of Wront Prison warden, each crease a testament to reluctant duty.

    Reagan¡¯s promise echoed in his mind: obey, and tomorrow he¡¯d hear his daughter¡¯s voice after endless silence; defy, and lose her forever.

    Five men and one woman trailed him, d in varied attire yet united by gleaming smiles that sliced through Shiloh¡¯s brooding shadow like defiant sunlight.

    A ripple of hushed spection ignited the moment they ascended the stage.

    ¡°Shiloh Hayes? The name rings no bells. Who is this man?¡± one guest murmured.

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 Chapter 1309

    Chapter 1309:

    ¡°No clue, but his presence screams authority,¡± another replied.

    ¡°So many witnesses? All targeting Maia?¡± a third wondered aloud.

    The livestream chat mirrored the confusion, scrolling with frantic guesses.

    Recognition struck like lightning. ¡°Wait, that¡¯s him! Warden of Wront Prison!¡±

    The revtion crashed over the audience,prehension dawning in widening eyes.

    ¡°The warden himself? Rosanna pulled the ultimate card. Maia¡¯s doomed.¡±

    ¡°Her rise via connections? We¡¯ll know soon.¡±

    ¡°I always suspected she slept her way to the top. Vindicated!¡±

    Chat erupted in prized frenzy.

    ¡°Seriously? Maia exposed atst?¡±

    ¡°No, I adore her! This hurts!¡±

    ¡°Foul y. Rosanna hired actors.¡±

    Kiley verified Shiloh¡¯s identity with casual efficiency, then redirected focus to Maia. ¡°Warden Hayes, why are you here? Is it about Maia?¡± Her gaze flicked between them. ¡°She¡¯s my honored guest. Please handle matters after the broadcast. The banquet proceeds.¡± Her tone sealed the event from external eyes.

    Shiloh bowed politely, though steel glinted in his stare. ¡°Pardon the intrusion, Ms. Cooper. This concerns the former warden and ex-prisoner Maia Watson.¡± His deliberate stress on ¡°prisoner¡± plunged the hall into uneasy hush, certainty settling that their testimony would condemn Maia.

    ¡°Your cooperation, please,¡± he pressed, iming the microphone. ¡°We¡¯ve recently received reports of Maia Watson¡¯s jailbreak, and I brought with me witnesses to address the subject.¡±

    Rosanna slipped into the aisle amid Maia¡¯s distraction, her jaw throbbing from the earlier blow. ¡°You¡¯ll regretying your hands on me,¡± she hissed.

    Maia recognized the six figures and advanced steadily.

    Your next story begins at  .

    Shiloh passed the microphone to the beaming woman. ¡°It¡¯s you! Remember me? You floored me in that fight three years back.¡±

    A wave of shock spread through the audience. What was going on?

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t Maia in prison three years ago?¡± A whisper slowly spread through the crowd.

    The woman continued, ¡°I can prove it. The masked fighter in Emeraldis who won the championship and took the gold belt in the underground fighting arena three years ago was her.¡±

    Uproar exploded, disbelief carving faces.

    Hurst and Mnie shared loaded nces, piecing the puzzle together. ¡°So Maia could have defeated Tyrant in the underground boxing ring because she¡¯s also a fighter?¡±

    Marisa¡¯s eyes sparkled with glee. ¡°Maia¡¯s incredible!¡±

    Ethan was dumbfounded. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder how many identities Maia had that he knew nothing about.

    Chris, too, registered mild astonishment at this new facet of Maia¡¯s identity.

    Chris watched Maia¡¯s retreating figure, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. It seemed that, after all this time, he barely knew her. But he quickly dismissed that thought. With Maia, surprises always came thick and fast.

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 Chapter 1310

    Chapter 1310:

    Over the years, it wasn¡¯t only Chris who had grown tougher. Maia had also carved her own path with unwavering resolve, bing stronger with every challenge life threw at her.

    Chris had always thought he held many hidden titles under his belt. It had never crossed his mind that Maia possessed just as many, perhaps even more, spanning an astonishing range of fields.

    The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He suddenly understood that his role as her so-called bodyguard might no longer be necessary.

    He remembered the fight in the alley. If Maia hadn¡¯t shown up in the nick of time, he would have been captured while still unconscious.

    Once again, that uneasy feeling crept in, the sense that he was merely riding on his wife¡¯s coattails.

    Still, the storm hadn¡¯t passed. That woman¡¯s wordspletely confirmed that Maia had never served time in prison.

    By then, Maia was already back on stage. She strode up to the woman, raised her fist, and the woman met it halfway, their greeting firm and familiar.

    Maia¡¯s smile was bright. ¡°I remember you. You¡¯re my formidable rival, Vivian Ortega.¡± Her voice carried pure excitement, no tension at all, as though she were reuniting with an old friend after years apart.

    Vivian tilted her head slightly. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to shine in so many fields. You¡¯re truly the one I admire most.¡± She then passed the microphone to the man beside her.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Ms. Watson,¡± the man began in a deep, steady voice. ¡°Two years ago, your breathtaking live jewelry design left asting impression. You may not remember me, but my jewelry stores now span the globe. I¡¯m Adonis Saunders, the new president of Silverstrike Jewelry. Of course, when I first met you, I was just another jewelry designer.¡±

    The audience erupted in disbelief.

    ¡°He¡¯s the president of Silverstrike Jewelry, Adonis Saunders?¡±

    ¡°Good heavens! What¡¯s happening with Maia?¡±

    ¡°No wonder Silverstrike Jewelry has always been Annie Crystal¡¯s distributor. It turns out Adonis and Maia go way back!¡±

    Comments started flooding the live feed.

    ¡°I¡¯mpletely floored.¡±

    ¡°Wait, what are these people even doing here?¡±

    ¡°Weren¡¯t they supposed to prove Maia escaped from prison?¡±

    The air in the g hall turned electric.

    Those guests were meant to embarrass Maia and back her into a corner. Instead, it felt as though she were greeting old friends, and not just any friends but all titans in their fields.

    Then someone uncovered Vivian¡¯s identity and gasped, ¡°Oh my! Vivian Ortega wasst year¡¯s women¡¯s mixed martial arts world champion!¡±

    ¡°The champion lost to Maia three years ago?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding! Even if Vivian wasn¡¯t at the top back then, she was still a pro fighter. Maia¡¯s strength is off the charts!¡±

    Raegan¡¯s once-smug expression twisted into a frown. What in the world was happening? Hadn¡¯t Shiloh arranged everything down to thest detail? Why did it feel like things were spiraling out of control? Did he no longer care about his daughter¡¯s safety?

    On stage, Kiley¡¯s face darkened as she shot Shiloh a sharp look. What an absolute fool. How could he have bungled the exnation to those witnesses? All they had to do was prove Maia hadn¡¯t been in prison, yet somehow, they had ended up confirming every one of her titles.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noa: Have a spectacr weekend dear ones, a new novel will be released in just a few hours. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. ( ? ? ¨C ) ?

    .

 Chapter 1311

    Chapter 1311:

    That revtion told everyone the truth loud and clear. Those identities were genuinely hers.

    One by one, the remaining guests stepped forward to greet Maia, and with each introduction, another of her aplishments was confirmed. She was indeed the legendaryposer K, the top-ranked MCN fashion designer Eileen, the gifted painter Matias, the award-winning game designer, the masked fighter who had clinched the underground fighting championship, and the reigning global champion of hacker defensepetitions.

    The audience stood frozen, mouths agape and eyes wide with disbelief, struck dumb by the truth staring them in the face.

    It even led some to wonder if Rosanna had actuallye to endorse Maia instead.

    After all, every single witness she¡¯d summoned ended up proving Maia¡¯s brilliance beyond question.

    Maia was a bona fide genius, a goddess zing at the pinnacle of her craft. Having spent four years in prison, she had risen like a phoenix from the ashes, her brilliance impossible to dim.

    Rosanna stumbled back, eyes wide with panic as Maia¡¯s radiance seemed to burn right through her. No! This was not how the script was supposed to go. How had everything flipped upside down?

    This was not what Raegan had promised her. What was happening with the warden?

    Rosanna¡¯s breathing quickened. She rushed onto the stage like a gust of wind cutting through still air.

    Snatching the microphone from the host, she shouted, ¡°Enough! What on earth are you all doing? What¡¯s so shocking? Everything they¡¯ve said proves Maia was never in prison, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    Her re was fierce as she jabbed a finger at Maia. ¡°You broke out of jail! You¡¯re a fraud!¡±

    Then she turned sharply to Shiloh. ¡°And you! Did Maia sleep with you too? Is that why you dragged these actors and actresses here?¡±

    Stay tuned at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°Humph!¡± Shiloh sneered, shooting her a cold, dismissive look.

    Shiloh sneered, and the sound sent a cold shiver through the hall¡ªa chill honed by years spent facing ouws and death-row inmates behind steel bars.

    In the next heartbeat, he lunged forward with the speed of an arrow. The p cracked sharp and clear, its echo ringing off the high walls.

    Rosanna folded to the floor, stunned. The world seemed to narrow as she tried to process what had just happened¡ªeverything had moved too quickly to intercept or answer.

    ¡°Consider this a lesson for your disrespect.¡± Shiloh did not spare Rosanna a second nce as he retrieved the microphone and tapped it with a practiced hand.

    ¡°Testing, testing,¡± he called, confirming the sound like a man verifying the steadiness of his authority. ¡°Good. Seems to be working.¡±

    He turned to Kiley and offered a clipped apology. ¡°Sorry, Ms. Cooper. I have no tolerance for disruptions. Besides, it appears someone here is unwell and causing trouble. Fortunately, I intercepted it and handled the situation.¡±

    Faces in the hall registered disbelief, but no one moved to contradict the warden.

    Taking the silence as consent, Shiloh¡¯s voice smoothed over. ¡°Great. There is finally some peace and quiet.¡±

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 Chapter 1312

    Chapter 1312:

    He flicked a nce toward Raegan in the crowd, then fixed Maia with an unreadable expression and continued, ¡°Ms. Watson, could you please exin how you managed to leave Wront Prison during your sentence?¡±

    He paused, letting the question hang. ¡°I hope you can clear the name of the former warden. Tell us: by what method did you escape? Every word you speak will be considered when determining your sentence. I will not allow any prisoner to abscond from Wront Prison.¡±

    A new ripple of shock passed through the audience. The direction of the interrogation made no sense to many of them. They could see Shiloh was not an ally of Rosanna, and yet now his scrutiny had shifted toward Maia.

    Rosanna, lips split and bleeding,y on the floor in equal parts bewildered and fearful.

    She fixed her eyes on Shiloh, dread and a strange anticipation knotting in her chest as she waited to see what he would do next.

    Her mind grasped for an exnation and settled on one: the p must have been punishment for disrupting Raegan¡¯s n. Inwardly, she med herself for losingposure. A hard curl of contempt touched her mouth as she believed, with brittle certainty, that fortune would not always favor Maia. Her expression oscited betweenughter and tears¡ªa grotesque mask Kiley observed with thinly veiled disdain.

    Kiley considered Rosanna an idiot, useful only for loud, pointless outbursts. She had no patience for the woman¡¯s theatrics.

    Kiley¡¯s eyes returned to Shiloh, calcting quietly. She admired the way he had set the stage for Maia¡¯s downfall. No matter how formidable Maia had been, evidence of her escape would justify her capture.

    Under Wrontw, an escape doubled a prisoner¡¯s sentence. That meant Maia faced at least eight more years¡ªa sentence that would shred her reputation.

    Maia would fall from Wront¡¯s celebrated genius and hero to a wanted fugitive.

    In the crowd, Raegan loosened her grip on her phone as if a weight had lifted from her shoulders. She hade perilously close to ordering Shiloh¡¯s daughter executed.

    Dive into the story world at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s?c?m

    A small, satisfied smirk curved her lips. Shiloh had surprised her. This twist was brilliant.

    For a moment she had feared he would sacrifice his own child to side with Maia; instead, he had chosen differently.

    Across the live chat, viewers flooded the stream with question marks. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Maia met Shiloh¡¯s stare with a cool, raised brow. ¡°You¡¯re the warden of Wront Prison, correct? If so, you¡¯d know as well as I how escapes happen. Or are you not the real warden?¡± She tilted her head. ¡°What exactly are you? Who are you working for?¡±

    Shiloh¡¯s smile was faint, unreadable. ¡°I serve Wront Prison.¡± He walked toward her, each step measured. ¡°Now answer carefully. This is yourst chance. Otherwise I¡¯ll have you arrested immediately.¡±

    Maia lowered her gaze, examining Shiloh as he stood before her.

    When they hadst crossed paths, she had verified he was working undercover for Zoey inside Wront Prison.

    His current bearing told a different story though. He looked severe and spoke with the unforgiving hardness of someone passing judgment. He seemed every bit an officer conducting an official interrogation.

    Had he betrayed Zoey? Was he now working for Kiley? Maia found herself forced to consider the possibility.

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 Chapter 1313

    Chapter 1313:

    Zoey¡¯s warning echoed in her mind: ¡°Keep your friends close and your enemies closer!¡±

    Zoey¡¯s own ruin had begun when Kolton turned traitor¡ªa betrayal that had led her to where she was now.

    A coldness crept through Maia¡¯s fingers, though her mind stayed steady as she turned over the facts and began to notice inconsistencies in Shiloh¡¯s words.

    What did st chance¡± actually mean here? How could he take her into custody when he had no warrant?

    The procedure wasn¡¯twful. It looked more like theater. Maia worked out what Shiloh was really getting at with his speech. She stayed quiet briefly, then gave a nod, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

    She turned to Kiley with a calm smile. Her tone came out cheerful and genuine as she said, ¡°Thank you, Ms. Cooper. I really appreciate this kind of arrangement.¡±

    Her statement left the hall inplete silence.

    Kiley and Raegan weren¡¯t the only ones thrown off; even audience members looked confused and creased their foreheads. Maia was thanking Kiley?

    Kiley¡¯s eyes narrowed, her nails digging into her palm without her realizing it. She didn¡¯t know how to respond. Something felt wrong about Maia¡¯s gratitude.

    Shiloh was interrogating Maia¡ªshe ought to have looked nervous, scared, or at least unsettled. Instead, she stood perfectlyposed, even sincere.

    It gave Kiley the uneasy sense that Maia could see straight through her schemes.

    Still, what did it matter if Maia suspected her? Maia had no proof, and without evidence, words were meaningless. Besides, Kiley had never once humiliated Maia publicly during the event and had actually been thanking her the whole time. Kiley wondered what was happening with Maia. Why didn¡¯t she show any signs of worry?

    Raegan was equally baffled by Maia¡¯s reaction. Her frown deepened, hands balling into fists at her sides.

    In all her years dealing with people, Raegan had rarely encountered someone so unreadable, so impossible to predict. She told herself Maia was only pretending to be calm¡ªthat inside, she must be so rattled she¡¯d ended up thanking her enemy. How pathetic.

    Question marks flooded the chat feed.

    People watching the livestream also felt lost. Many began voicing their confusion.

    ¡°Kiley just thanked Maia for exposing the fake Anti, and now Maia¡¯s thanking Kiley back? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯mpletely lost. Can someone exin?¡±

    ¡°Howe Maia seems so pleased even though she¡¯s being interrogated?¡±

    ¡°Has she lost it? Or have I?¡±

    Someone started sharing insider information on Twitter and simr tforms.

    One user revealed, ¡°The Cooper Group holds major power in Wront, and they¡¯ve always controlled Wront Prison.¡±

    Another added, ¡°Word is that anyone wanting to be warden of Wront Prison needs the head of the Cooper family to sign off on it.¡±

    ¡°Think about what type of event this is today. Would any of these people even be here without the Cooper Group allowing it?¡±

    Public sentiment began shifting without anyone quite noticing.

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 Chapter 1314

    Chapter 1314:

    Up on stage during all this, Maia walked toward Kiley. Her delivery stayed measured and every syble came through distinctly as she said, ¡°I believe you¡¯re repaying me this way for revealing the fraudulent Anti earlier.¡±

    She paused, allowed a small smile, then turned to face the assembled guests with utterposure. ¡°To be honest, Ms. Cooper¡¯s considerate gesture has both surprised me and earned my appreciation. Lately, people have questioned who I really am. I never imagined Ms. Cooper would provide an asion like this to set the record straight.¡±

    Her short speech brilliantly reframed what clearly looked like an ambush into something rare and valuable.

    True experts never lost their heads the way Rosanna did; they handled things with Maia¡¯s kind of poise instead.

    She met the challenge without breaking her stride and flipped the situation around, using Kiley¡¯s own tactics right back at her.

    Under the bright stage lights, Maia drew a steadying breath. Her voice rang out, clear and resolved, as she continued, ¡°I¡¯m going to use this moment today toy everything out inly for all of you.¡±

    After she spoke those words, Maia¡¯s gaze drifted leisurely back toward Shiloh. Throughout the entire exchange, not once did he cut her off.

    Shiloh¡¯s silence spoke volumes on its own. One thing stood out as in as day: Shiloh had never betrayed Zoey.

    Beyond any shadow of a doubt, he had shown up at the g to lend her a hand that day, even though Kiley read the situation all wrong. The real show was just getting started.

    Maia pressed her lips together, then offered the warden a soft, knowing smile. Her voice came out calm and reassuring. ¡°Warden Hayes, you¡¯ve caught wind of the prisoner rehabilitation initiative, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    Shiloh¡¯s face took on a grave look, and he gave a small nod, responding in a low rumble, ¡°The previous warden conceived of that n and put it into action during his time in charge.¡± He stopped for a moment and raised his voice so everyone in the room could hear him clearly. ¡°The way he saw it, most of the inmates ended up behind bars simply because they made mistakes¡ªpoor choices, wrong turns. The exceptions were those with violent tendencies, severe antisocial disorders, or psychological conditions that made them a genuine risk to others. He believed some of these prisoners were actually brilliant minds. If they could turn their lives around and give back to society, that would mean more than just locking them up and putting them to work.¡±

    Shiloh¡¯s eyesnded on Maia once more, and now his voice turned icy. ¡°Are you iming you were part of that transformation initiative?¡±

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    He didn¡¯t give Maia a chance to answer. His tone shifted as he let out a mockingugh. ¡°When I firstid eyes on your case, that¡¯s exactly what crossed my mind. But here¡¯s the kicker: Ibed through every single document tied to that program and your name didn¡¯t pop up anywhere.¡±

    Shiloh¡¯s mood swung wildly yet again.

    Raegan, who had just picked up her phone a second time, froze mid-dial. What on earth was Shiloh ying at? Had he lost his mind and forgotten they were holding his daughter hostage?

    Raegan came close to making the call to order her people to make the girl cry for her father, a sharp reminder of what was at stake.

    But against all odds, the tables turned once more.

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 Chapter 1315

    Chapter 1315:

    Every pair of eyes in the room swung back to Maia, who kept her cool and didn¡¯t show even a flicker of rm.

    Maia went along with Shiloh¡¯s little performance. She cocked her head to one side as if sifting through memories, before speaking in a gentle voice. ¡°It¡¯sing back to me now. Give the prison¡¯s record keeper a ring. Her name¡¯s Siena Collins. She ought to have my paperwork.¡±

    ¡°Siena Collins?¡± Shiloh said with a furrowed brow, pretending not to know the name. Right there in front of the whole crowd, he whipped out his phone with an air ofmand and punched in the number for Wront Prison¡¯s duty room. He spoke in a no-nonsense tone. ¡°Get Siena Collins on the line.¡±

    At the same time, Maia made her way over to where the witnesses stood. She carried on exining things to the guests. ¡°The previous warden¡¯s prisoner rehabilitation initiative opened a door for me to go head-to-head with these brilliant minds. In 2021, I won the undergroundbat league title, with Vivian as my observer. In 2022, I entered the Silverstrike Jewelry Design Competition; Adonis served on the jury. That very same year, with four prison guards breathing down my neck every second, I pulled off the Twilight art exhibition using the name Matias Watts.¡±

    Sheid out the specific dates, locations, andpetition titles one by one, driving the point home once more. ¡°Every bit of this went through the proper channels and took ce with prison guards keeping a hawk¡¯s eye on me.¡±

    Shiloh jumped in right on cue, his expression dead serious. ¡°Fair enough. The minute I get my hands on those documents, I¡¯ll stack them up against what you just told us to make sure it really went down that way and everything was done by the book.¡±

    It was only then that the realization struck Kiley¡ªthings were spinning out of her control. But it was already toote to stop Shiloh.

    After Maia¡¯s statement, the mood in the g hall began to shift.

    Most attendees now epted her ount as truth. What had begun as doubt and unease softened into whispers of understanding.

    One guest remarked, ¡°I see now¡­ Without Maia¡¯s exnation, I would have missed that Kiley was actually trying to help restore Maia¡¯s good name.¡±

    Step into fiction with g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s???o??

    Another agreed, ¡°That¡¯s what I keep saying. Rumors fall apart when you know the facts. Why did anyone think Kiley and Maia were enemies?¡±

    Someone else chimed in, ¡°The warden came here to set the record straight and defend Maia¡¯s reputation.¡±

    A fourth voice added, ¡°Absolutely. The Cooper family proves why they¡¯re Wront¡¯s most respected family.¡±

    Praise for Kiley began to ripple through the crowd. She had no way to refuse it.

    She couldn¡¯t possibly confess that her real goal was destroying Maia¡¯s name because such an admission would wreck Cooper Group¡¯s standing and credibility.

    All she could manage was a strained smile. She kept up appearances, swallowing her frustration. She could only pray that Shiloh¡¯s action was actually a clever tactical move.

    At the same time, Maia walked back to where the witnesses stood. She spoke in a quiet voice. ¡°Because I was an inmate at Wront Prison, I never used my real identity back then.¡±

    Her gaze swept the room, a trace of regret in her expression. ¡°I apologize that I can only introduce myself as Maia Watson today.¡±

    Adonis responded warmly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. We understand the situation.¡±

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 Chapter 1316

    Chapter 1316:

    The other witnesses standing near him showed their agreement with nods. Their faces reflected both understanding and admiration.

    Vivian moved forward instead, pressing her hands together until the knuckles made a sharp cracking sound.

    Her stare cut like a knife as she demanded coldly, ¡°By the way, I picked up some information on my way here. Someone set you up back then, correct? Who on earth was that bastard? When I find them, I¡¯ll make sure they regret it.¡±

    Before she could finish speaking, the others started joking. ¡°Hold on a second! Regr people can¡¯t survive even one of your punches. A few hits and they¡¯d be dead.¡±

    Another suggested, ¡°I¡¯ve got a better n. Challenge them to a proper fight, make them sign a liability waiver, and let things y out naturally. Everything will be above board.¡±

    ¡°Yes! That¡¯s perfect! Whether they can handle a beating bes their problem.¡±

    ¡°Just keep them alive. Otherwise it would be too merciful¡­ I think crippling them for life would be the ideal punishment.¡±

    Their banter carried across the venue. Many guests who knew the backstory looked in Rosanna¡¯s direction on the tform.

    Right at that moment, Adonis lifted his hand and touched his chin in thought. Then he stated, ¡°If my memory serves me right, that person was named Rosanna Morgan.¡±

    Everyone¡¯s attention shifted to Rosanna standing on the stage. Vivian turned to look as well. Her face showed rage and her eyes burned with predatory intensity.

    Rosanna trembled, stumbling backward in terror and clutching her red, puffy face with both hands. She looked utterly pitiful and trapped.

    She begged in a muffled voice, ¡°Stay back¡­ Stay away! It wasn¡¯t me.¡±

    The bruises around her mouth garbled her words. Nobody understood what she said, nor did anyone care.

    Rosanna was obviously terrified beyond reason. She had no idea that a miniature camera tucked in Maxwell¡¯s sleeve was broadcasting her miserable condition live to millions of people around the world.

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    The onlinements went wild immediately.

    ¡°This woman has no shame! She framed Maia years ago, and here she goes doing it again, right?¡±

    ¡°nder and defamation are actionable offenses. If I were in Maia¡¯s position, I¡¯d take Rosanna to court without hesitation.¡±

    ¡°Who would have guessed that Rosanna was the real fool all along? Even her own witness wants to beat her senseless.¡±

    ¡°This isedy gold¡­ Where are all those people who were attacking Maia earlier? Why the sudden silence?¡±

    ¡°Once the warden backs someone up, every false rumor falls apart by itself.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m dyingughing! If I were Rosanna, I¡¯d never show my face in public again. Complete humiliation.¡±

    ¡°Certain people stay petty forever and never grow wiser.¡±

    Up on the stage, Maia didn¡¯t even look in Rosanna¡¯s direction. She simply spoke without emotion. ¡°Forget about it. That¡¯s ancient history. There¡¯s no point spending your time and effort on someone so meaningless.¡±

    That dismissal¡ªthat utter indifference¡ªcut deep into Rosanna¡¯s chest like a de.

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 Chapter 1317

    Chapter 1317:

    Rosanna¡¯s breath came in wild, uneven gasps. Her chest rose and fell violently.

    Throughout her entire life, she had viewed Maia as her ultimate adversary. She had spent countless hours cursing Maia¡¯s name, pushing herself forward without rest.

    But now the truth hit her hard. To Maia, she was nobody at all. She wasn¡¯t even worth considering as an opponent¡ªnothing more than a speck of dust. A single gust of wind could sweep her away.

    She couldn¡¯t bring herself to believe it. Maia had to be saying these things deliberately. The words were lies, pure and simple.

    A hysterical scream tore from Rosanna¡¯s throat. ¡°You¡¯re lying! There¡¯s no way I mean nothing to you!¡± Her voice came out muffled and broken. It sounded like air wheezing through damaged equipment. Nobody could make out what she was trying to say.

    Nobody answered her. Instead, cruelughter filled every corner of the hall.

    One voice rang out, ¡°What on earth is she doing? Can anyone tell what she¡¯s saying?¡±

    Another person chimed in, ¡°This is the funniest thing I¡¯ve ever seen! She looks pathetic and absurd at the same time!¡±

    ¡°Why is she even bothering to yell in that condition? Hasn¡¯t she embarrassed herself enough already?¡±

    Kiley turned her attention to Raegan down below the tform. Her expression showed clear dissatisfaction.

    This marked the first time Raegan had failed her¡ªand the mistake couldn¡¯t have been more devastating.

    The n Kiley had crafted so carefully had been ruined; the borate ¡°jailbreak conspiracy¡± hadpletely fallen apart because Shiloh¡¯s unexpected betrayal at the final moment destroyed everything.

    Raegan stood apart from the stage. Her fists clenched tighter as she felt Kiley¡¯s judgmental stare.

    The situation was clear now: Shiloh had turned his back on his own daughter. This possibility had never even crossed Raegan¡¯s mind.

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    Everyone put themselves first, didn¡¯t they? But how could anyone throw away their own child for Maia¡¯s benefit? The whole thing seemedpletely absurd. It made her blood boil!

    Raegan cursed Shiloh in her thoughts. He had thrown her under the bus just to help Maia.

    Her jaw tightened with fury and a bitter thought consumed her mind. ¡°What does Maia have that makes everyone act this way for her? Fine then. You can kiss your daughter goodbye forever!¡±

    Raegan reached for her phone to make the call. However, her subordinate¡¯s number shed on the screen before she could dial.

    She swiped to ept immediately. A frantic voice burst through the speaker. ¡°Raegan, we have a serious problem! The girl got away!¡±

    The words left Raegan speechless for several seconds.

    The three people she had stationed to watch Shiloh¡¯s daughter belonged to The Mask organization. They weren¡¯t the most powerful members by any means. Still, an average person shouldn¡¯t have been able to take them down so easily.

    Raegan pulled in a long breath. She held back the urge to call them worthless idiots. She kept her voice controlled as she pressed for details. ¡°Exin it to me. How did this happen? Three of you couldn¡¯t keep one girl contained?¡±

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 Chapter 1318

    Chapter 1318:

    The subordinate¡¯s panicked words tumbled out. ¡°Someone came and took her. The woman who showed up had incrediblebat skills. She fought with a katana, and¡­ and¡­¡±

    Raegan¡¯s voice turned cold as ice. ¡°Spit it out!¡±

    ¡°It sounds impossible, but Shiloh¡¯s daughter turned out to be an amazing fighter herself. The moment her rescuer arrived, she became apletely different person. She¡¯d been pretending to be weak the whole time.¡±

    The memory clearly shook the subordinate. His voice trembled as he went on. ¡°Oh, and one more thing¡ªshe called the woman who rescued her ¡®Siena¡¯.¡±

    Raegan¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Her gaze shot toward Shiloh on the stage. An icy sensation crawled through her body as terror took hold.

    At that instant, Shiloh¡¯s eyes met hers. His mouth curved upward into a smile. The harsh, serious look from earlier had vanishedpletely. The expression seemed designed to mock Raegan for being so sure of herself.

    Everything felt unreal to Raegan. The world seemed to spin around her.

    Had Shiloh seen all of thising from the very beginning? Was even his daughter¡¯s abduction part of the n?

    Raegan rejected the possibility outright. Nobody could n that far ahead, could they?

    Shiloh turned his attention away from her. He faced the crowd gathered before him, and his voice rang out with the rity and strength of a bell. ¡°The archives department just sent me the data.¡±

    He paused briefly. His eyes moved across the room until theynded on Raegan and Kiley. He spoke his next words with deliberate emphasis. ¡°Maia told you theplete truth. Those documents aren¡¯t confidential at all. They¡¯ll be posted on the Wront Prison official website very soon.¡±

    His eyes narrowed to slits, and his tone suddenly became freezing cold. ¡°Starting right now, I expect nobody here to spread lies or stir up problems.¡±

    The moment he finished speaking,plete silence nketed the hall.

    Solid proof always killed rumors dead in their tracks. Evil schemes crumbled and died when exposed to the light.

    Raegan remained standing in the darkness while the color drained from her face until it was as white as paper.

    Shiloh turned toward Maia, his expression softening as his voice dropped. ¡°Ms. Watson, the reports say you did remarkably well during your sentence. You earned your ce in this program through sheer effort. Out of everyone who joined, you were the only one who never gave up.¡±

    He gave a short bow, his tone firm yet respectful. ¡°As the warden of Wront Prison, I confirm that everything you¡¯ve aplished came entirely from your own hard work.¡± Then he slowed his words, each onending with weight. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the trouble you went through. That mistake came from our side. The previous warden¡¯s sudden death caused chaos, and some documents never reached me.¡±

    Shiloh¡¯s face showed genuine regret. ¡°I¡¯ll keep pushing forward with Wront Prison¡¯s reform program and speak on its behalf to offer our apology. Also, regarding the wrongful imprisonment, you should know I¡¯ve already filed forpensation on your behalf.¡±

    While he spoke, he nced meaningfully toward Kiley, who stood nearby. ¡°Ms. Cooper, my part here is finished. I should be on my way. Someone else is waiting for me.¡±

    He turned to leave, but after walking a few steps, he stopped. His eyesnded on Raegan. Without a word, he changed direction and headed toward the door behind her.

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 Chapter 1319

    Chapter 1319:

    As he passed her, Shiloh slowed down, muttering softly with a faint edge of irony, ¡°In truth, I never had a daughter.¡±

    Everything had unfolded just as Zoey had nned long ago. Years earlier, she had carefully created a weakness for him¡ªone that seemed real but wasn¡¯t.

    He still remembered that stifling afternoon in the garden when Zoey had told the younger version of him, ¡°Shiloh, if you want Kolton to trust you, you¡¯ll need a w he can exploit. Only then will he let you get close enough to reach higher positions, like warden of Wront Prison.¡±

    The supposed ¡°sickly daughter¡± he¡¯d imed as his own was no child of his at all, but Siena¡¯s disciple, trained since childhood to masterbat.

    Thinking back on that moment sent an icy tremor through Shiloh¡¯s body. Zoey¡¯s web of schemes had beenid out long before anyone suspected a thing. When he stepped through the doorway, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a grim sort of admiration for her. Every move she made had been deliberate, every piece positioned years in advance.

    Onstage, a few witnesses smiled and waved farewell to Maia before gracefully following Shiloh¡¯s lead. Their exit carried an air of calm professionalism, as though the entire scene had unfolded exactly as nned.

    Then the quiet broke. A chorus of phone vibrations rippled through the room.

    Guests began checking their screens, confusion turning into shock. ¡°Wait¡­ this is already trending!¡± someone gasped.

    In moments, the crowd was glued to their Twitter feeds, scrolling through an avnche of posts.

    ¡°Four years locked away, yet she came out a prodigy. This is a woman who refused to break.¡±

    ¡°Maia Watson: a victim turned visionary.¡±

    ¡°Protect human rights! Apud Wront Prison¡¯s reform n for giving people a real second chance.¡±

    Articles andmentary spread like sparks in dry grass.

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    ¡°Breaking: Cooper Group¡¯s CEO, Kiley Cooper, stands with Maia Watson, silencing gossip with unexpected grace.¡±

    ¡°What other hidden titles does Maia Watson have? An analysis of the importance of time management.¡±

    ¡°Once dismissed, now divine: Maia Watson overturns arrogance and bias.¡±

    The color drained from Kiley¡¯s cheeks as she read the headlines. Her pulse spiked and the world tilted. She steadied herself against the nearest chair.

    Just minutes before, she had believed the live feed was cut and that she might still rewrite the story. But the cameras had never stopped rolling.

    Every word, every expression, every revtion had gone out to the entire world.

    What she thought she controlled had slipped away in less than an hour. Power, influence, image¡ªall gone, shattered beyond recovery. Her pride, once unshakable, fractured under the weight of humiliation.

    Anger and disbelief churned in her chest, while her resentment toward Raegan reached its limit. Yet even cornered, Kiley refused to surrender. She still had a backup n.

    Worried that Rosanna might open her mouth and let dangerous truths slip, Kiley turned to the security guards. Her voice came out sharp and cold. ¡°Remove this woman immediately. She¡¯s spreading lies.¡±

    Several security personnelunched themselves forward in unison, cutting through the air with the lethal precision of hawks descending upon unsuspecting prey. Within a heartbeat, they had seized Rosanna¡¯s arms, locking them in an iron grip.

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 Chapter 1320

    Chapter 1320:

    She writhed against their hold, fighting with everything she possessed, but her swollen face collided brutally with the unforgiving marble floor. The impact echoed with a sickening thud that seemed to reverberate through the silence.

    ¡°Let go¡­ Let me go! You have no right to treat me this way! Do you have any idea who I am?¡± Rosanna¡¯s words tumbled out garbled and distorted, reminiscent of a wounded creature¡¯s final, desperate wail.

    Yet her anguished protests dissolved into nothing. Not a single soul answered her cries.

    Though she carried the title of Axell¡¯s wife, she remained as inconsequential as a solitary raindrop vanishing into the vast, indifferent ocean when measured against the towering might of the Cooper Group.

    The two imposing security guards ultimately hauled Rosanna away, her desperate pleas scattering like autumn leaves in an uncaring wind, heard by no one.

    The assembled guests wore expressions that suggested they were witnessing an borate theatrical production unfold before their eyes. Several even captured the spectacle on their devices, broadcasting it across social media.

    The moment Rosanna disappeared from view, the crowd seemed to arrive at an unspoken understanding. Their voices rose in chorus to condemn her behavior while simultaneously elevating the bond between Kiley and Maia to something almost sacred.

    ¡°I suspected all along those digital whispers were fabricated lies. There exists no fracture in the rtionship between Ms. Cooper and Maia. Anyone with eyes can see they share a profound friendship.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely! If they weren¡¯t bound by extraordinary closeness, who among us would have emerged to defend Maia¡¯s honor at such a prestigious gathering?¡±

    ¡°The pieces are falling into ce now. Kiley had been extending invitations to Maia for this charity g specifically to restore her reputation. Maia¡¯s initial refusals stemmed not from ingratitude but from her reluctance to burden Kiley or cast any shadow over the Cooper Group¡¯s charitable endeavor. Yet when Maia discovered someone was masquerading as Anti, the visionary founder behind Annie Crystal, she embraced the invitation to shield Kiley from falling prey to deception.¡±

    ¡°Of course! This represents nothing less than a beautiful testament to two remarkable women lifting each other higher. What an exquisite narrative!¡±

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    The guests nodded with newfound understanding, their faces glowing as though they had suddenly glimpsed some profound truth previously hidden from view.

    By remarkable coincidence, simr interpretations blossomed across the inte, with waves of admiration celebrating the quiet, steadfast support flowing between these two extraordinary women.

    Someone even stirred the pot on Twitter with a tantalizing morsel: ¡°Word on the street suggests Kiley embraces attraction to both men and women. She cultivated romantic connections with several women during her time studying abroad.¡±

    That particr revtion ignited a firestorm of discussion across every digital tform imaginable.

    ¡°Could Kiley harbor romantic feelings for Maia? A genius mind paired with a powerhouse CEO. The chemistry practically writes itself!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d wager it¡¯s entirely usible. Didn¡¯t Kiley¡¯s younger brother, udius, publicly dere his admiration for Maia some time ago? The Cooper family clearly shares remarkably consistent taste.¡±

    ¡°Maia possesses something truly maic. Not only does she captivate menpletely, but now women are surrendering to her charm as well.¡±

    ¡°Please! We desperately need a coboration between Radiant Jewels and Annie Crystal. They should unite their brilliance. We need them to be something more together.¡±

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 Chapter 1321

    Chapter 1321:

    Supporters who had been championing both Kiley and Maia across social media reacted with the euphoria of lottery winners who had just struck gold.

    In the public¡¯s eye, amanding CEO alongside a visionary designer represented one of the most intoxicating storylines that captured the public imagination.

    Twitter¡¯s trending topics quietly weed fresh additions to their ever-changing roster.

    #KileyCooperRumors

    #KileyIntoMaia

    #DesignerAndCEO

    Yet merely overhearing the hushed spection rippling through the venue drained every trace of color from Kiley¡¯s face.

    Her attraction to multiple genders had beenmon knowledge for quite some time, but the notion that she harbored romantic inclinations toward Maia lodged itself in her throat like a stone she could neither swallow nor spit out. What should have unfolded as a devastating character assassination against Maia¡ªa carefully orchestrated trap designed to obliterate her standingpletely¡ªhad instead turned into an absurdedy of errors.

    Without warning, several oblivious individuals drifted toward Kiley, their eagerness clear from their animated expressions.

    ¡°Ms. Cooper, you stand as undoubtedly the most gracious and formidable CEO I have ever had the privilege of encountering. Today¡¯s remarkable events will surely be recounted with admiration for generations toe.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Cooper, your unwavering support for Maia transcends mere words. Weprehend the depth of yourmitment now, and moving forward from this day, anyone who dares question Maia¡¯s integrity will face our collective resistance.¡±

    ¡°Precisely! Not only have the malicious rumors suggesting discord between you and Maia been thoroughly dismantled, but I firmly believe the partnership between Radiant Jewels and Annie Crystal will illuminate the industry with unprecedented brilliance.¡±

    Kiley cleared her throat with a delicate cough, struggling to maintain her carefully constructedposure.

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    The sensation of silently bearing this unexpected agony sent sharp pulses of pain radiating through her temples, each throb a reminder of how spectacrly her ns had unraveled.

    Confronted by the expectant gazes of her guests, Kiley found herself trapped in a performance she couldn¡¯t abandon. She pivoted toward Maia, sculpting her features into something resembling warmth. ¡°Ms. Watson, it appears the fog of misunderstanding that lingered between us has finally lifted. You¡¯ve witnessed everyone¡¯s hopes with your own eyes. Please give genuine consideration to a potential partnership between Radiant Jewels and Annie Crystal. I remain eager for your answer and anticipate the privilege of coborating with someone of your extraordinary talent across multiple ventures in the days ahead.¡±

    Her words emerged polished to a mirror shine, each syble a calcted fusion of praise and strategic positioning designed for the assembled crowd. She wielded the tantalizing prospect of their coboration as a weapon to elevate both Radiant Jewels and the Cooper Group empire, pursuing advantages that would benefit them both.

    Even in this moment of humiliation, Kiley continued her charade as a generous benefactor, hoping to dismantle Maia¡¯s defenses brick by careful brick.

    At minimum, she needed to preserve themanding presence expected of the Cooper Group¡¯s president before these watching eyes.

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 Chapter 1322

    Chapter 1322:

    ¡°Should you harbor any conditions or specific requests, don¡¯t hesitate to contact me whenever the inclination strikes, and I¡¯ll move heaven and earth to satisfy them.¡±

    Kiley held Maia¡¯s gaze, suspended in anticipation of her response.

    ¡°A partnership?¡± Maia released a softugh that danced through the air, her eyes lifting with feline amusement. Her voice carried with yful confidence edged in deliberate arrogance, as though she existed on some unreachable ne. ¡°Well, I suppose I¡¯ll give it some thought.¡±

    Maia neither embraced nor dismissed the proposition outright. She remained in the process of calcting her own strategy and certainly possessed too much sense to publicly antagonize Kiley in this charged atmosphere.

    In circumstances like these, whoever surrendered theirposure first would inevitably emerge as both the defeated party and the object of merciless ridicule.

    The spectators, blessed with wild imaginations, had already constructed an borate narrative of something extraordinary blooming between these two remarkable women. Now, they naturally decoded Maia¡¯s measured response as nothing more than affectionate banter.

    They interpreted it as the kind of yful sparring that urred between potential lovers, or perhaps a dash of deliberate flirtation. Not a single soul questioned whether these two corporations would ultimately forge an alliance after tonight¡¯s g concluded.

    The gathering erupted into a symphony of excited whispers.

    ¡°My goodness! This transcends any ordinary business negotiation. We¡¯re witnessing pure romantic chemistry in action.¡±

    ¡°Maia is simply keeping Ms. Cooper dancing on her toes. How utterly charming!¡±

    ¡°Have no doubt whatsoever. Radiant Jewels and Annie Crystal will absolutely unite their forces. Perhaps they¡¯ll make the official announcement before this very evening concludes.¡±

    Nobody challenged this interpretation, viewing their exchange as the opening chapter of an intoxicating romance between amanding CEO and a brilliant designer whose talents seemed almost otherworldly.

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    Only Kiley, with a vein throbbing relentlessly at her temple from the migraine building like a storm, struggled to sustain her peculiar smile despite the fury coursing through her veins like liquid fire.

    Concealed partially by the curtain of her hair, her expression became a jarring collision of rage barely contained and manufactured cheerfulness, utterly discordant and deeply unsettling.

    Maia and Kiley remained locked in silentbat for several heartbeats until Kiley became the first to surrender, breaking eye contact.

    She spun on her heel and departed with calcted swiftness. The stato rhythm of her high heels striking the polished floor cut through the ambient noise, sharp and violent, like fingernails dragged deliberately across a chalkboard.

    Nobody witnessed her teeth sinking mercilessly into her bottom lip or caught the venomous words she breathed to herself through clenched jaw. ¡°Maia Watson, savor this fleeting moment of victory while you still possess the capacity to enjoy it. Before long, you won¡¯t find a single reason left to smile.¡±

    Watching this drama unfold with keen attention, Raegan immediately rose from her seat and pursued Kiley¡¯s retreating figure.

    She desperately needed to provide an exnation for the catastrophic failure that had just transpired before their eyes. Her defeat stemmed entirely from Shiloh¡¯s treacherous betrayal, nothing more.

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 Chapter 1323

    Chapter 1323:

    She had already dispatched orders to two exceptionally skilled operatives within The Mask to permanently silence the warden who had demolished their meticulously constructed n with such devastating efficiency.

    Raegan clung to a dark certainty¡ªShiloh¡¯s days were numbered, and his end would arrive swiftly, violently. That knowledge steadied her. She hadn¡¯t lost anything yet. This was only the opening move, and she¡¯d already scattered backup ns across the board.

    Confidence surged through her as she swept out of the banquet hall, heels clicking against marble.

    What Raegan couldn¡¯t have known was that Shiloh had seen through her intentions long before she¡¯d acted.

    The moment he¡¯d slipped from the hall earlier, he¡¯d abandoned all pretense ofposure and bolted toward his car, barking orders at his driver to head straight back to Wront Prison.

    Even now, safe inside the vehicle, cold sweat slicked his temples. His hands shook as he fumbled for his phone, fingers barely steady enough to dial the encrypted number.

    The line connected, and panic spilled from his lips before he could stop it. ¡°Siena, I don¡¯t feel safe. Not even close.¡±

    ¡°The boss dispatched experts to escort you back.¡± Siena¡¯s voice came, clipped and efficient.

    The call ended before Shiloh could respond. He exhaled shakily, relief washing through him in waves. Turning toward the driver, he leaned forward. ¡°Floor it. And keep your eyes open.¡±

    Behind them, a ck Audi closed the distance with predatory precision. In the passenger seat, someone lifted a silver mask and settled it over their face. The metallic click of a gun¡¯s safety sliding off punctuated the tension inside the car.

    Back at the banquet, Maia glided into her seat with the poise of someone who¡¯d just won a battle without breaking a sweat.

    Pattie practicallyunched herself forward, her eyes sparkling with admiration. ¡°You were incredible! Come on, tell me the truth¡ªyou saw Kiley¡¯s moveing from a mile away, didn¡¯t you? You arranged everything with that warden beforehand.¡±

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    Pattie wasn¡¯t alone in her assumption. Everyone surrounding Maia who understood what had just transpired shared her conclusion.

    Rnd, Brielle, Hurst and his daughter, Ethan, Marisa¡ªall of them leaned in, hungry for answers.

    Chris took things a step further. He shifted closer and spread his arms wide, forming a human barrier between Maia and the approaching guests.

    As her bodyguard, he saw nothing wrong with the gesture. As her husband, he cared even less about appearances. He paid no attention to the daggers being red his way.

    Ss, the celebrated actor, stood nearby, his jaw clenched so tight his knuckles had gone bone-white.

    Maia surveyed the circle of expectant faces and allowed herself a small, knowing smile.

    She¡¯d already pieced together the truth¡ªthis had been Zoey¡¯s masterwork, her mentor orchestrating events from the shadows.

    Maia had simply moved when the moment demanded it, leaving Kiley and Rosanna with nowhere to strike back. The victory belonged to both of them, separated by distance but perfectly synchronized.

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 Chapter 1324

    Chapter 1324:

    ¡°This isn¡¯t the ce for that conversation,¡± Maia said atst.

    Pattie nced around and dropped her voice to a whisper. ¡°You¡¯re right. I got too excited. We¡¯re still at the charity g.¡±

    The next instant, her expression brightened, mischief dancing in her eyes. ¡°But did you see Kiley¡¯s face? She went pale as a ghost in seconds. Absolutely priceless! Though I¡¯ll give her credit¡ªshe can act. That forced smile stayed stered on somehow.¡±

    Pattieunched into a vivid reenactment of Rosanna¡¯s earlier humiliation, then paused, concern creeping into her tone. ¡°Just watch yourselfter, Maia. Kiley took a serious blow tonight. She won¡¯t forget it.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± Maia nodded. Then her gaze drifted toward Chris, worry flickering across her features.

    She¡¯d never told him about her time behind bars, never mentioned the different identities she¡¯d worn like armor. The fear gnawed at her¡ªwhat if he thought she¡¯d been dishonest? What if he realized how much she¡¯d kept hidden?

    She pressed her lips together, gathering courage. ¡°Chris, could you step away with me for a moment? There¡¯s something I need to tell you.¡±

    Alice threaded her way through the thicket of the crowd, only to find with a pang of regret that Maia and her bodyguard had already vanished from the venue.

    However, her disappointment was fleeting, for she felt certain Maia would reappearter.

    She scanned the room, her eyes quicklynding on the vacant spot where Rosanna had previously been seated.

    That venomous woman had been expelled and would not be resurfacing.

    Alice deemed the situation perfect. She could im Rosanna¡¯s chair and secure a superior vantage point for watching Maia.

    As she weighed this n, Alice registered the familiar face of the actor, Ss, and politely leaned in to inquire, ¡°May I sit here, sir?¡±

    Ss snapped free of his reverie, redirecting his gaze from the spot where Maia had slipped away to the elegant woman poised before him.

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    She was encased in a light gray gown, tailored to hug her figure, highlighting her graceful and ethereal form.

    Compared to Rosanna, this woman carried herself with far more poise and sophistication. Her fashion choices were both refined and singr.

    Ss searched his memory, attempting to ce her background, yet no details surfaced.

    He swiftly concluded she must be a devoted admirer. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have migrated from her original spot merely to sit beside him.

    Faced with an admirer, Ss effortlessly slipped into his public persona, inhabiting the role of the perfect gentleman.

    ¡°Of course,¡± Ss replied with a courteous nod. ¡°This seat is freely avable.¡±

    Alice offered a soft, demure smile in return and settled slowly into the chair. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted that Ss was still scrutinizing her face.

    A flicker of confusion passed through her, prompting her to wonder why his attention remained so fixed.

    Feeling mildly uneasy, Alice paused for a moment, certain she shared no history with the acimed actor.

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 Chapter 1325

    Chapter 1325:

    Meeting his gaze, she offered him a truly perplexed expression.

    Finally, Ss broke the silence. ¡°If I may ask, which of my films captivates you most?¡± His voice was velvety, his eyes brimming with hopeful anticipation.

    Alice instantly recognized the mistake¡ªhe had misconstrued her presence for fandom.

    ¡°I apologize,¡± she stated, her tone direct and unadorned, ¡°but my idol is Maia.¡±

    With that sharp distinction, Alice dismissed the now-somewhat-presumptuous man. She produced her phone and immediately immersed herself in scrolling through news and online updates concerning Maia.

    Ss¡¯s expression stiffened.

    Alice¡¯s abrupt behavior was a clear dismissal, signaling an end to the dialogue and leaving him feeling noticeably deted once more.

    What kind of day was this? How many times had he been shrugged off? Had his entire fanbase simply evaporated?

    A sharp spike of frustration rose in him. Ss shot a hard nce at the woman beside him. Whatever initial admiration her appearance had sparked was gone, reced by a corrosive dislike.

    A fan of Maia? A malicious idea took root. Perhaps he could leverage her presence to manufacture some trouble, therebypelling Maia to intervene. That path would guarantee the fulfillment of the task Raegan had assigned.

    If Maia, however, chose to ignore themotion, she would acquire the reputation of being indifferent to her own supporters.

    Either oue would serve his purpose.

    As he was lost in these cold calctions, Ss¡¯s gaze turned cial.

    The woman sitting next to him had, in his eyes, utterly transformed into a convenient tool, and this was an opportunity delivered directly to hisp. He would, of course, seize it.

    Alice, oblivious to Ss¡¯s unfriendly scrutiny, remained preupied. She was busyposing a message to Maia, informing her that she had rushed over and was now upying the very spot recently vacated by the ousted woman.

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    Following that, Alice published a post on social media: ¡°What a thrill! My mentor is not only a fashion designer but also a jewelry designer. I feel incredibly fortunate to know her.¡±

    She thenvished sincere praise upon Maia within the rted trending topics.

    Throughout the venue, the murmur of the guests continued to revolve around Maia, her name the unavoidable nucleus of every discussion.

    Suddenly, a girlish voice sliced through the ambient noise nearby. ¡°Dad! You have to move quickly. After the disy today, who knows how many new suitors Maia will attract?¡±

    The man beside her responded with a low, resonant tone. ¡°Indeed. Maia is even more imposing than I had imagined. I once believed she carried the weight of some powerful backing, but today I realize she has never needed anyone or anything to lean on. She is a self-sustaining force.¡±

    Alice lifted her head. She observed the speaker¡ªa girl¡ªand another beside her, who was lounging, hands sped behind her head, a lollipop perpetually lodged in her mouth.

    Alice did not recognize them, but their animated discussion of Maia immediately captured her attention.

    ¡°Tsk. Mnie, are you serious? If that were the case, Ethan would be relegated to the same status as your uncle,¡± Marisa snipped, arching a brow.

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 Chapter 1326

    Chapter 1326:

    She spoke lightly, though secretly she rather liked the idea. If Maia were to be Mnie¡¯s stepmother, then Mnie and Ethan would see any potential future extinguished. Yet the mere thought made Marisa¡¯s cheeks warm unexpectedly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind in the least. After all, he wouldn¡¯t be my true uncle. It wouldn¡¯t shatter our friendship,¡± Mnie chortled. ¡°Besides, Ethan might actually prefer that we bond more.¡±

    Marisa huffed and turned away, sealing her lips. Yet her eyes flickered toward Ethan periodically.

    Ever since Maia departed with Chris, Ethan had seemed utterly deted, hunched and motionless in his seat. No one could discern the current of his thoughts, but his expression clearly broadcast a deep disquiet.

    The next instant, Ethan shot to his feet and bolted outside without uttering a single word.

    Meanwhile, in a secluded pavilion away from the crowd, Maia stood with her fists subtly clenched, nerves drawn tight, as she met the intense gaze of Chris, who was staring fixedly at her.

    Maia had never known such profound nervousness. Not when she faced a difficult adversary in the underground boxing ring, nor when she parried the public nder and aggressive questioning on stage.

    Yet standing before Chris, the man who had rekindled her capacity to love, she trembled with a quiet, consuming anxiety. Her heart hammered against her ribs in a frantic, escting rhythm.

    Chris swept his final gaze around the secluded pavilion, ensuring their absolute safety before settling on Maia¡¯s clear eyes. He lowered his voice. ¡°I¡¯ve scanned the perimeter. We are alone. We can speak freely.¡±

    The moonlight bathed Maia in a soft, ethereal radiance, lending her a luminous, romantic aura.

    Chris stood mesmerized, a sudden, powerful impulse to pull her into an embrace surging through him.

    Maia raised her chin, meeting Chris¡¯s deep, searching gaze, and her voice emerged as a hesitant murmur. ¡°Chris, I didn¡¯t intend to withhold anything. It¡¯s simply that those multiple secret roles and personas¡­¡±

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    ¡°I understand.¡± Chris closed the distance between them in a single, swift stride, enveloping Maia in a tight embrace. ¡°Everyone shelters secrets, don¡¯t they? Besides, if Kiley had uncovered your hidden titles earlier, things might not have fractured this badly.¡±

    In that moment, a powerful urgepelled Chris to confess. ¡°Maia, there are things I haven¡¯t shared with you either¡­ not just my hidden titles, but the instant, staggering attraction I felt for you. In fact, we met years ago.¡±

    However, the weight of the asion and the imminent charity g constrained him. Chris chose silence, swallowing the urgent words.

    Maia sank into the warmth radiating from his chest, feeling the steady, strong rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her cheek. A sudden doubt pricked her conscience, yet she dared to ask, her voice hushed against his shirt, ¡°You¡¯re truly not angry?¡±

    Chris shook his head, his hand settling gently on her back.

    As his words faded, Chris¡¯s gaze scrutinized her expression, awaiting her reaction with palpable tension.

    He had spoken partly to validate Maia¡¯s caution¡ªa shared defense, given his own deceptions¡ªand partly toy the foundation for his inevitable confession.

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 Chapter 1327

    Chapter 1327:

    Chris¡¯s response rendered Maia momentarily stunned. She was the one cloaked in secrets, yet he showed no anger. Instead, he radiated pride and deep satisfaction.

    A profound sense of being understood, a sensation she had never before experienced, washed over her.

    ¡°Thank you for saying that.¡± Maia offered a gentle smile. She leaned back slightly and began again, ¡°Actually, my titles¡­¡±

    Her titles were an umtion of battles fought, achievements earned, and shadows inhabited.

    But before the first true disclosure could escape her lips, Chris intervened, his voice firm. ¡°No matter what other impressive identities you might hold, they hold no real consequence. In my eyes, the most important role you have is being my wife, and that, Maia, is enough.¡±

    At his sudden deration, Maia swallowed the remainder of her confession. After all, certain titles were never meant for public unveiling, such as her ndestine role as the founder of the hacker organization, Pris. Chris already grasped the substance of most of her other lives.

    Though Chris projected an image of unconcern, the chasm between their respective family backgrounds and social standing loomedrge in her mind. She still ventured her concern. ¡°But won¡¯t this create pressure for you? After all, you are currently between jobs, and the outside world might¡­¡±

    Chris¡¯s eyelid gave a slight, telling twitch. He fixed his gaze on Maia, noting the hesitation that mped her words in her throat, and deliberately adopted a serious, unyielding expression.

    The air between them stilled, taut and silent, in that suspended moment.

    Chris suddenly chuckled again. His smile carried the warmth of an afternoon sunbeam or the gentle glow of a winter hearthforting, steady, and bright.

    ¡°Why bother with what others say?¡± Chris said, his tone light and voice soothing. ¡°I learned long ago not to let other people¡¯s opinions get to me. You know my story. My parents died when I was still a kid. In the Cooper family, I¡¯ve always been looked down on¡ªthe illegitimate son. Even now, there are plenty who still whisper.¡±

    He stopped when he felt Maia¡¯s arms tighten around him. The small gesture made him pause, and he instinctively lowered his head toward her.

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    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he said softly, a hint of teasing in his voice. ¡°Once everyone knows I¡¯m your husband, they¡¯ll say I¡¯m living off you. But honestly? I¡¯ll just take it as jealousy.¡±

    Maia couldn¡¯t help butugh at his calm, sincere reply. ¡°If that¡¯s how you see it, then I¡¯ve got nothing to worry about.¡±

    Their eyes met, and in that quiet moment, the space between them seemed to vanish.

    Finding someone who truly understood you was rarer than finding a needle in a haystack¡ªalmost impossible. Let alone meeting someone with an interesting soul, someone unshaken by the world¡¯s judgment.

    Chris, born out of wedlock, and Maia, once a convict¡ªneither cared aboutbels when they were together.

    Chris¡¯s thoughts were simple. ¡°Maia, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve got plenty of titles and influence myself.¡±

    And Maia¡¯s thoughts echoed his. ¡°That won¡¯t matter soon. I¡¯ll return the entire Cooper Group to you. You¡¯ll be its rightful CEO.¡±

    Just as they shared that quiet embrace, a rustling came from the nearby bushes¡ªfollowed by a sharp gasp. ¡°No way! Impossible!¡±

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 Chapter 1328

    Chapter 1328:

    Startled, Maia and Chris froze. They exchanged a nce before hurrying toward the sound.

    There, sitting on the grass with a dazed expression, was Ethan.

    ¡°Ethan?¡± Maia eximed, stepping forward to help him up.

    But Ethan flinched away, his face pale. ¡°No way¡­ it can¡¯t be¡­¡± he muttered again, shaking his head.

    Chris moved closer, quickly scanning the garden to make sure no one else was around. Thankfully, they were alone. Since Ethan was Maia¡¯s younger brother, it shouldn¡¯t have been a big deal.

    ¡°Are you alright, Ethan?¡± Chris asked gently, extending his hand.

    The moment Ethan heard Chris¡¯s voice, he snapped.

    His hand shot up, smacking Chris¡¯s away.

    Then he pointed at Chris furiously. ¡°Chris Cooper! You yboy! What are you doing to Maia?¡±

    Emotion overtook him. His mind refused to ept what he¡¯d just seen¡ªMaia, his sister, holding Chris so tightly.

    The image shattered everything he believed.

    Chris¡¯s hand hung awkwardly in the air as he considered whether to tell Ethan the truth.

    ¡°Ethan Watson!¡± Maia¡¯s face hardened in anger. She hadn¡¯t expected him to say something so outrageous. ¡°Have you forgotten what I told you before the productunch? Do you even know what you just did?¡± She turned sharply and pointed at Chris. ¡°Apologize to him. Now!¡±

    But Ethan only shook his head in disbelief. ¡°Why are you always defending him, Maia? Your marriage¡ªit¡¯s fake, isn¡¯t it? Or¡­¡± His gaze shifted to Chris. ¡°Is it real?¡±

    The moment the words left his mouth, his chest tightened, and his breath caught. If their marriage was real¡­ then what would that mean for Justiceze?

    Meanwhile, two figures finally appeared at the entrance of the banquet hall.

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    Jarrod¡¯s face was pale, his steps unsteady, but his eyes were razor-sharp. His voice came out hoarse. ¡°We finally made it.¡±

    Beside him stood a man in sunsses, silent and still. In his hand, he carried a long case. Inside was a modified hunting rifle.

    Jarrod inhaled sharply. The cold evening air left a metallic, bloody taste in his mouth. He looked back at Cohen, overwhelmed by feelings he couldn¡¯t name. Sometimes fate worked in mysterious ways.

    Danger had trapped Jarrod earlier. He¡¯d been certain his end was near, but then Cohen had appeared out of nowhere and rescued him.

    Later, Jarrod had believed he¡¯d never reach the banquet to carry out his revenge. Yet again, Cohen hade through for him¡ªnot only getting him to the banquet center at Harmony za, but also providing him with a superior weapon to rece his worn-out crossbow.

    What Cohen had done for Jarrod¡¯s father remained a mystery. Cohen kept repeating one thing, though: ¡°The Morgan family saved my life. I owe them everything.¡±

    The old saying about silver linings came to Jarrod¡¯s mind. It seemed that his luck had finally turned.

    Cohen nced his way. ¡°Is something the matter?¡± His voice was barely more than a whisper. He used his left hand to pull down his cap¡¯s brim. ¡°You stopped. Do I have something on my face?¡±

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 Chapter 1329

    Chapter 1329:

    Cohen¡¯s hand went instinctively to his stubbled chin. Years on the run had trained him to interpret any strange behavior as a w in his disguise, and for this reason, he was always on alert.

    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Archer,¡± Jarrod said. He held out his hand. ¡°Hand over the case. I need to do this on my own.¡±

    Cohen pulled the suitcase away. ¡°You little rascal!¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s reaching hand found only air. ¡°We just got here and you¡¯re trying to shake me off? Didn¡¯t I spell everything out during the trip?¡±

    ¡°You did. I heard every word,¡± Jarrod said, moving closer to grab the case¡¯s handle. ¡°But I can¡¯t let you get mixed up in this. I¡¯m thankful you brought me this far, but the thing is, I¡¯m about tomit murder.¡±

    Cohen shook his wrist. ¡°Humph! Let go!¡± He yanked the case back easily. ¡°Your family helped me once. Anyway, you¡¯re in no shape for this. One shot and the recoil will put you on your back. You¡¯ll miss your chance and won¡¯t have the strength to try again.¡±

    A bitter smile crossed Jarrod¡¯s face. He knew Cohen was telling the truth.

    His shoulder wound hadn¡¯t healed yet, and each breath sent a de of pain through him.

    Still, one shot was all he needed. His aim didn¡¯t worry him at all.

    The rifle was loaded with buckshot. At ten meters or less, he wouldn¡¯t miss.

    Jarrod¡¯s eyes went to the reception staff. He tried another argument. ¡°I¡¯ve only got one invitation, though. There¡¯s no way we both get inside.¡±

    Cohen followed his gaze andughed. ¡°That¡¯s your concern? Go in through the front. I¡¯ll find my own way and meet you inside. You don¡¯t trust me? This ce was built years ago and I watched them build it. It used to be amunity college, actually. I studied here.¡± His voice rang with confidence. He hoisted the case and walked in the opposite direction.

    Jarrod stood frozen, his gaze jumping between the reception desk and Cohen¡¯s retreating figure.

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    Finally, he dropped the invitation card on the ground and ran after Cohen. ¡°I¡¯ming with you. If you can¡¯t get in, I won¡¯t get my hands on what¡¯s in that case.¡±

    ¡°You rascal,¡± Cohen muttered with a snort. ¡°At least you know when to think straight. The whole way here, you never once mentioned who this enemy is.¡± He gave Jarrod¡¯s shoulder a pat. ¡°We¡¯re partners now, so shouldn¡¯t you fill me in?¡±

    Jarrod flinched. ¡°Watch the shoulder,¡± he said, his eyes bloodshot. ¡°You¡¯ll meet her soon enough. She¡¯s a terrible woman. My younger sister was driven away because of her. Then my parents went over a cliff because of her, too.¡±

    Cohen stopped walking. His mind went back to the days when he¡¯d hidden out at Richard¡¯s house.

    Maia, Jarrod¡¯s sister, hade by to see him. She¡¯d brought him food. Cohen could still picture her smile. The Morgan family¡¯s troubles now weighed on him, making him grip the case harder. ¡°What happened to your sister? Where is she?¡±

    Another bitter smile appeared on Jarrod¡¯s face. He gave no answer.

    Cohen decided not to push for more information. Instead, he walked faster.

    ¡°A hidden entrance runs through the garden up ahead. It takes us straight inside.¡±

    Meanwhile, at the gazebo, Ethan remained seated on the cold tiles.

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 Chapter 1330

    Chapter 1330:

    His eyes stayed wide as he stared at Chris. No words came from him because Chris had moved close and was whispering right into his ear. ¡°Shush. Stay quiet. Keep this between us for now, okay, Winters?¡±

    The shock still gripped Ethanpletely. It was as though he had been struck by lightning.

    All this time, the Twitter user Justiceze had been chatting with him and lifting his spirits. This person had be like a pir of strength. Now, it turned out Justiceze was actually Chris. It seemed impossible.

    At the hospital, Ethan had confronted Hurst directly about it, and Hurst had confirmed he was Justiceze.

    Had Ethan gotten it wrong somehow?

    Chris seemed to read the confusion on his face. Without waiting for any questions, he pulled out his phone, unlocked it, opened Twitter, and pulled up his profile.

    Right there on the screen sat the username ¡°Justiceze.¡± No mistaking it.

    Ethan¡¯s eyes went wide, and his jaw dropped. This time, goosebumps covered his skin.

    His mind raced back to how he had treated Chris before, all those cutting things he had said.

    ¡°Maia deserves better than you. You¡¯re nothing but a bodyguard who gets by on good looks. Keep your distance from my sister. Don¡¯t bring shame on her!¡±

    It felt like another bolt of lightning. The person he had looked down on the most was the very same one he had looked up to the most.

    Maia had told him more than once, ¡°He¡¯s not who you think he is.¡±

    Those words felt like knives.

    Shame crashed over Ethan like a wave. When he raised his eyes to Chris again, all the anger had vanished, leaving only embarrassment and regret.

    The apology wouldn¡¯te out. The words caught in his throat. He had no idea how to look Chris in the eye anymore.

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    Just moments ago, he had thought Chris might be lying. But the proof was staring him in the face. There was no way to doubt it now.

    Ethan saw clearly how foolish he had been.

    Chris held out his hand, his words gentle but steady. ¡°I want you to go back to the hall now without making a fuss. We¡¯ll hash everything outter.¡±

    He didn¡¯t bother keeping his voice down this time, making sure Maia, standing behind him, could hear.

    Ethan paused before slowly extending his own hand. Chris took hold of his wrist and, with one easy pull, got him back on his feet. ¡°Come on. The banquet¡¯s about to start.¡± Then he turned toward Maia, and a small smile crossed his face.

    He winked at her and spoke in an easy tone. ¡°Ethan and I already talked things through. The whole misunderstanding is cleared up, so go easy on him.¡±

    Maia hadn¡¯t caught the quiet parts of their conversation. Looking at Ethan now¡ªhead hanging, acting so cooperative¡ªsurprised her.

    A minute ago, Ethan had t-out refused to apologize, but a few words from Chris had turned him aroundpletely. It felt unbelievable.

    Maia looked at Ethan with a frown. ¡°I¡¯ll keep quiet about it, but what he did earlier was pretty disrespectful.¡±

    Before she could finish, Ethan stepped forward and gave Chris a deep bow, his voice ringing with sincerity. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for how I acted before. I really hope you can forgive me.¡±

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 Chapter 1331

    Chapter 1331:

    Chris smiled and nodded. ¡°It¡¯s okay. You¡¯re forgiven.¡±

    The way the two of them interacted made Maia frown even harder, but she couldn¡¯t press further.

    She let out a sigh. ¡°Chris, people spreading rumors probably got to Ethan. That¡¯s what caused this whole mix-up. I¡¯ll sit down with himter and straighten things out.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s head dropped even lower. Right then, all the pieces starteding together. Justiceze was Chris. And Chris was the husband in Maia¡¯s pretend marriage. Since the marriage was fake, he hadn¡¯t bothered telling his sister about his Twitter ount.

    But something still felt off to him.

    He had just watched Maia and Chris holding each other close. The way they looked at each other and how they stood together definitely wasn¡¯t fake.

    How far along were things between them at this point?

    Ethan studied the two of them with growing curiosity. He felt he needed to do something to make up for his past mistakes.

    Then in the next instant, he realized something serious.

    If Chris was actually Justiceze, then his earlier guess about Hurst being Justiceze had been totally wrong.

    The real problem was that he had told Hurst with total confidence, ¡°I¡¯ll definitely help you get together with Maia.¡± And then there was that whole n he had worked out with Mnie.

    The whole situation had turned messy.

    Never mind figuring out how to exin it all.

    Ethan hadn¡¯t just pointed to the wrong guy as Justiceze¡ªhe¡¯d also identally created a rival for the real one.

    On top of that, given Hurst¡¯s family background, Ethan honestly thought he seemed like a better match for Maia than Chris did. After all, people knew Chris as ¡°the Cooper family¡¯s illegitimate son,¡± ¡°a yboy,¡± and ¡°Maia¡¯s bodyguard.¡±

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    When that thought hit him, Ethan wanted to sink through the floor.

    If Mnie came to him for help again, what could he possibly tell her?

    ¡°Sorry, I got your whole family mixed up?¡± Ethan couldn¡¯t imagine saying that out loud.

    Back in the banquet hall, Maia and her group settled into their seats again.

    Pattie leaned over right away, dropping her voice low. ¡°Hey, where did you guys disappear to? I just heard they¡¯re going to have an auction during dinner. Kiley¡¯s definitely going to pressure us to donate something from MCN. What¡¯s our strategy?¡±

    Maia had wanted to ask Chris exactly what he¡¯d said to flip Ethan¡¯s attitude sopletely.

    Ethan had kept his eyes on the ground ever since, looking truly remorseful and thoughtful.

    It struck her as strange. Ethan never listened to her, but he seemed ready to listen to Chris now.

    But Pattie¡¯s interruption forced Maia to put her questions aside. She had to start nning for what came next.

    She thought for a moment, then spoke seriously. ¡°You run thepany, so I think you need to put up a decent show at least. That way Cooper Group can¡¯t use it as ammunition against us.¡±

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 Chapter 1332

    Chapter 1332:

    Right as she finished talking, a voice rang out from behind her.

    It sounded clear and familiar, filled with surprise and respect.

    ¡°Ms. Watson, my dear mentor!¡±

    A jolt of surprise shot through Maia. She turned slowly to find Alice charging toward her, arms waving enthusiastically.

    ¡°What brings you here?¡± Maia asked, managing a strained smile as she stood to greet her properly.

    Maia had never officially epted Alice as a student, but Alice behaved as though it were already settled. And she had just called Maia ¡°mentor¡± loud enough for everyone to hear.

    When Ss heard how Alice addressed Maia, his eyebrow shot up. A mocking sneer crossed his face.

    So the woman who had been sitting beside him was supposedly Maia¡¯s student. The revtion caught him off guard. He thought this might be fate.

    Without wasting time, Ss grabbed his phone and sent Raegan a message about his discovery.

    A devious scheme began forming in his mind. He would exploit the woman¡¯s status as ¡°Maia¡¯s apprentice¡± to create discord.

    While Alice kept up her animated conversation with Maia, Raegan finally entered Kiley¡¯s second-floor lounge.

    The scene that greeted her was one of disarray: broken porcin scattered across the floor and the dressing table inplete disorder.

    Kiley sat in the chair facing the mirror, her eyes closed, her features clouded by a dark expression.

    Raegan swallowed nervously. She had never seen Kiley in such a furious state.

    She knew Mariana had a tendency to smash things in anger, but she never imagined that Kiley, who usually kept herposure, shared this destructive impulse. Apparently, a fiery temper ran in the Cooper family.

    These thoughts upied Raegan as she crept closer on tiptoe. Without warning, Kiley¡¯s cold voice cut through the silence.

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    ¡°Are you aware of the humiliation I endured on that stage?¡± Her eyes opened gradually as she finished speaking, and she turned to face Raegan. ¡°After all our nning, what happened? Instead of tearing Maia down, we ended up confirming her aplishments. We set out to be her enemies, but we¡¯ve turned into her helpers. Tell me, can you imagine anything more absurd? Maia yed us for fools.¡±

    Ice filled Kiley¡¯s gaze, and her voice carried the chill of a winter evening. ¡°Raegan, your actions today have nted seeds of suspicion in my mind.¡±

    She spun the chair around abruptly, raising the handgun she had been holding¡ªa substantial Desert Eagle, fitted with a silencer.

    Raegan froze, thrusting her hands into the air. ¡°Kiley, what are you doing?¡±

    Kiley stared at her with intense, grave focus. ¡°What am I doing? Raegan, this pretense needs to stop. When did you first appear at my side? Right when Maia walked out of prison! Do coincidences like that really exist?¡±

    A mixture of pain and disillusionment colored her next words. ¡°You belong to that mysterious organization backing Maia, don¡¯t you? That exins everything. Today¡¯s failure happened because you sabotaged our n.¡±

    A flicker of surprise passed through Raegan. Her initial panic stemmed from thinking Kiley had uncovered her membership in The Mask, but it turned out that Kiley had drawnpletely wrong conclusions. Relief washed over her as she understood Kiley¡¯s actual suspicion.

    ¡°Kiley, my feelings for you are no secret,¡± she said, letting a pause hang in the air to project deep hurt before continuing. ¡°The thought that you could see me this way never crossed my mind. If you¡¯re convinced I betrayed you, then pull the trigger.¡±

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 Chapter 1333

    Chapter 1333:

    As she spoke, Raegan moved closer and lowered herself into a crouch, so the gun¡¯s barrel lined up directly with her forehead. ¡°I already have people on Shiloh¡¯s trail. We might uncover information about Maia¡¯s backers through him.¡± After saying this, she let her eyes fall shut, showing no fear of an imminent bullet.

    Her specialty happened to be firearms, and the instant Kiley drew the weapon, she had noted the crucial detail: the safety was still on.

    ¡°That¡¯s all I have to say. The decision is yours now, Kiley.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s features remained rigid. The gun¡¯s barrel moved forward inch by inch until it made contact with Raegan¡¯s forehead.

    ¡°Death doesn¡¯t frighten you?¡±

    ¡°Yes, it does. I absolutely fear death,¡± Raegan shot back without hesitation, her voice solid and unwavering. ¡°But what terrifies me more is you misunderstanding me. If dying proves my innocence, then I can ept that.¡±

    Silence descended on the room like a heavy nket.

    Time seemed to stand still.

    Finally, Kiley broke the silence. ¡°Does my keeping you close because of my feelings for you make you think you¡¯ve figured me out?¡±

    Then a distinct click rang out. Kiley had released the safety on the Desert Eagle.

    The click of the safety catch sent a chill down Raegan¡¯s spine, shattering herposure in an instant. Unease washed over her.

    Her muscles tensed, and adrenaline surged automatically through her veins.

    Raegan had survived plenty of dangerous missions before, and this one didn¡¯t even rank among the worst. Truth be told, at such close quarters, she could have snatched the gun from Kiley¡¯s grip and reversed the situation if she wanted to.

    But making a move wasn¡¯t an option. She had to gamble.

    ¡°I never imagined you¡¯d be the one to end me,¡± Raegan said quietly. She raised her eyes slowly, meeting Kiley¡¯s icy stare. Her words were barely louder than a breath. ¡°But maybe¡­ there¡¯s something fitting about dying by the hand of someone you care for. I can¡¯t say I¡¯ve really figured you out, but I think I understand you better than anyone else does.¡±

    She paused, her voice growing rough. ¡°Kiley, I belong to you. Don¡¯t you see that?¡±

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    They held each other¡¯s gaze.

    A few beats of unsettling silence passed, and then Kiley lowered the gun. Her voice turned strangely gentle, as if the murderous rage from moments before had been an illusion. A slight, ambiguous smile touched her lips. ¡°That gorgeous face would be such a waste to ruin.¡±

    Before thest word faded, she aimed the Desert Eagle toward the floor and held it out to Raegan.

    Raegan didn¡¯t reach for it. She just looked puzzled. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Kileyughed softly. She took Raegan¡¯s hand, pressed the cold gun into her palm, and curled Raegan¡¯s fingers around it, one by one.

    ¡°Go on, hold it. No need to be nervous. That was just a little test. You passed.¡±

    Her smile widened, but her eyes held no warmth. ¡°You need this to protect yourself.¡±

    Kiley lowered her voice, making it sound enticing. ¡°Of course, you could also use it¡­ to kill Maia.¡±

    She locked eyes with Raegan, her gaze expectant. ¡°Would you kill for my sake?¡±

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 Chapter 1334

    Chapter 1334:

    Warning bells rang in Raegan¡¯s head.

    Studying Kiley, she realized that even after all this time by her side, she still had no idea what went on in Kiley¡¯s mind.

    Kiley switched between cruelty and icy detachment, then tenderness and deep distrust. Thistest test had left Raegan drenched in cold sweat.

    She gripped the gun tightly. The cold metal brought her back to the present.

    She had the power to shoot this walking contradiction standing before her.

    Raegan figured it was precisely because Kiley was such a dangerous enigma that she could never fully decipher her. No one operating on normal logic could predict Kiley¡¯s actions. Her emotions were vtile, her distrust corrosive, and even her affection came with sharp edges.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You look on edge. Don¡¯t you want to do it? Or maybe you were just lying to me before?¡± Kiley pressed, her tone quieter than before butced with even more danger.

    Raegan caught the shift immediately. She nodded and answered with conviction, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll do it.¡±

    A pleased smile finally broke across Kiley¡¯s face. She took Raegan¡¯s hand and gave it a soft pat. ¡°Rx. I didn¡¯t really expect you to go through with it. Jobs like that are for professionals. Assassins, I mean.¡±

    As the words left her mouth, she raised a hand.

    The heavy curtains suddenly parted.

    A man in full tactical gear stepped from the shadows near the window. A sniper rifle hung from his shoulder, and a mask concealed his face, leaving no trace of his prior presence.

    Raegan started, her pupils contracting sharply. She hadn¡¯t detected him at all.

    She understood immediately: this man was highly skilled, a true professional.

    Any sniper who could conceal himself that well was the embodiment of death on a battlefield.

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    Fear struck Raegan then. If she had tried to grab the gun earlier, she¡¯d be dead now. Good thing her gamble had paid off.

    Kiley exined, ¡°My father sent this covert operative. You won¡¯t have to deal with Maia yourself. The job will be done after the banquet concludes anyway.¡±

    Then she turned to the operative and ordered, ¡°Proceed.¡±

    The sniper gave a slight nod. He pulled a box of ammunition from his backpack and ced it on the dressing table. Without a word, he slipped quickly out the door.

    Kiley walked over and locked the door securely behind him. She let out a long breath, her tone softening further. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if that frightened you. My father insisted on testing you.¡±

    As she spoke, Kiley handed the ammunition box to Raegan.

    ¡°That gun wasn¡¯t actually loaded, but the sniper¡¯s rifle was.¡±

    Raegan immediately feigned lingering shock. Her fingers trembled, and her voice came out soft, tinged with hurt. ¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking clearly before. I just felt¡­ you wouldn¡¯t hurt me. But since the n failed, I can¡¯t avoid taking responsibility.¡±

    Kiley reached out and gently stroked Raegan¡¯s hair. ¡°Stop dwelling on what happened. When a n has such a major w, you naturally have to check for a traitor first.¡±

    She gave Raegan¡¯s back a light tap. ¡°Stay here and rest for a bit. I need to go meet my father.¡±

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 Chapter 1335

    Chapter 1335:

    At the door, Kiley paused. Her voice turned icy. ¡°Keep Shiloh alive. I need him to talk, to find out who¡¯s behind him.¡±

    With that, Kiley walked out and shut the door behind her.

    The lounge door closed with a click. Raegan wasted no time pulling the magazine from her weapon.

    It was empty. Kiley had been telling the truth¡ªthere were no bullets.

    She pressed her back against the wall and let out a long breath. Cold sweat finally beaded on her brow.

    Any show of doubt or defiance moments earlier would have cost her everything, leaving behind only a corpse.

    Her death would have been just the beginning. Her real identity would have been exposed, destroying every carefullyid n by her leader.

    The truth was, Raegan answered to neither Maia nor Kiley. She belonged to The Mask. Right now, nothing mattered more than finding Shiloh.

    Moreover, Kiley was suspicious by nature. The loyalty test might still be ongoing. Raegan needed to maintain the act of hunting him down relentlessly.

    She also had personal scores to settle with Shiloh. His betrayal at the worst possible moment had made her look like a fool.

    Raegan hurriedly pulled out her phone. She called one of the team members assigned to eliminate Shiloh.

    No one picked up.

    Her brow furrowed. She tried another person on the assignment. Again, no answer.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± The curse escaped her lips. Her grip tightened on the phone.

    Had they moved too fast? Had they already found him?

    Shiloh couldn¡¯t be allowed to die yet.

    ¡°Answer! Just pick up!¡± Her face was grim as she dialed again.

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    At the same time, Kiley had only walked a few steps from the lounge when a waiter in formal attire appeared at the far end of the corridor.

    He bowed deeply, his excessive politeness unsettling. ¡°My boss is waiting for you in the meeting room on the third floor. He instructed me to follow your orders.¡±

    Kiley gave a slight nod. Her father¡¯s methods no longer surprised her. His eyes saw everything, and his control extended through countlessyers.

    She had absorbed some of those tactics herself.

    She threw a cold nce back toward the lounge entrance. ¡°Keep a close eye on Raegan for me.¡±

    ¡°Sure, Miss,¡± the waiter replied, nodding vigorously, a strange and unsettling grin spreading across his face.

    They passed each other¡ªone heading toward the lounge, the other toward the stairs.

    Kiley¡¯s expression was icy. She had never been one for foolish romantic notions. She had already investigated Raegan¡¯s background.

    The surface appeared clean: records, history, all checked out.

    Yet Kiley had noticed discrepancies. A closer look revealed that parts of Raegan¡¯s past didn¡¯t align properly. Someone had clearly tampered with her records.

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 Chapter 1336

    Chapter 1336:

    Her fists clenched. Heavy thoughts weighed on her mind, darkening her expression.

    Raegan clearly wasn¡¯t Maia¡¯s nt. So who was pulling her strings?

    Pushing her suspicions aside, her nails nearly digging into her palms, she focused on facing her father first. She quickened her pace.

    In the third-floor conference room, Kolton stood with his back to the door, looking out the window¡ªhis usual posture when deep in thought.

    Three cigarettesy crushed in the ashtray on the table, all extinguished halfway in apparent irritation. His mood was obviously foul.

    Not long after, Kiley knocked and entered. She approached carefully and gave her report. ¡°Father¡­ I tested her. Raegan doesn¡¯t work for Maia. She was willing to risk her life to prove her loyalty.¡±

    Her fingers tightened as she watched her father¡¯s back. In the end, she decided to withhold her discovery about Raegan¡¯s falsified history.

    She spoke with assurance instead. ¡°I trust herpletely. I can vouch for her.¡±AdChoicesADVERTISING

    ¡°You trust her?¡± A low snort came from Kolton as he turned and walked toward her with measured steps. ¡°She has been the sole point of contact with Shiloh these past several days. Remember this: you must stay vignt, especially with those you deem trustworthy.¡± His cial stare met his daughter¡¯s eyes.

    Kolton tilted his head slightly, squinting at her, his tone icy. He had never been quick to trust anyone¡ªnot even his own children.

    Anyone who trusted too easily andcked independent judgment could never take over Cooper Group. Managing an empire would be impossible for them.

    This was his fundamental rule, expected of every Cooper heir.

    udius would have understood this once. But everything changed after he met Maia. He had discarded the family¡¯s teachings entirely. The principle of putting family interests first now meant nothing to him.

    Kiley¡¯s brows drew together slightly. After a moment¡¯s thought, she asked, ¡°Doesn¡¯t that point to Shiloh being the problem, Father? Are you still doubting Raegan?¡±

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    She recounted everything that had happened in the lounge, emphasizing, ¡°She passed the test.¡±

    Kolton looked at her, disappointment flickering in his eyes.

    Rumors about his daughter¡¯s personal life came to mind. He spoke coldly, ¡°Whatever rtionship you have with that woman, I expect clear thinking from you, not decisions clouded by sentiment.¡±

    He paused briefly, then a sneer appeared on his face. ¡°Want to know why I suspect her? Shiloh answers to me.¡±

    Kiley froze. Her blood ran cold.

    Shiloh? Her father was the one behind him? How was that even possible?

    Kolton waved a dismissive hand through the air, his gesture carrying the weight of long-held indifference. His voice emerged calm yet edged with a philosopher¡¯s resignation. ¡°You need not feign such shock. People prove disloyal time and again, and betrayals weave through the fabric of existence. History brims with countless examples of trust shattered and alliances broken.¡±

    He pivoted the conversation smoothly, his curiosity sharpening like a de. ¡°What precisely did Raegan murmur to Shiloh topel my own subordinates to turn against me?¡±

    The spotlight of suspicion swung back to Raegan with renewed intensity.

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 Chapter 1337

    Chapter 1337:

    Kiley paused for a fraction of a second, her mind racing to process the implication, before she responded with measured caution. ¡°Iprehend your point fully. I will remain vignt regarding Raegan. Her operatives have already departed to apprehend Shiloh.¡±

    Her words trailed off as a chilling realization dawned upon her. The gravity of the potential disaster settled heavily in her chest.

    Kolton brought his palm down upon the table with explosive force. The impact echoed through the room like a thunderp and caused the surface to vibrate.

    ¡°What in zes are you prattling about?¡± he roared, his face contorting with raw fury. ¡°Do you truly believe Raegan would allow Shiloh to speak freely? She will find a means to silence him forever!¡±

    Urgently, he extracted his phone from his pocket and dialed with fingers that trembled slightly from anger. The moment the line connected, he issued hismand in a voice brooking no dy. ¡°Dispatch personnel immediately to locate Shiloh. Deliver him to me alive and unharmed.¡±

    He then hung up the phone.

    Kolton finally turned his gaze back to Kiley, who kept her head bowed in submission. He let out a derisive scoff that cut through the tension. ¡°Once Shiloh is secured and returned, you will conduct the interrogation personally.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Father,¡± Kiley replied in a muted tone, her deference absolute despite the storm brewing within her.

    Kolton drew out a chair with deliberate slowness and lowered himself into it. His posture rxed marginally as his tone softened to something approaching paternal guidance. ¡°This is our strategy moving forward. The paramount priority at present lies in convincing the affluent elites to contribute generously at the forting charity g. We must replenish the group¡¯s cash reserves without dy. Failure to do so will force us to liquidate assets merely to preserve liquidity, and that path leads to ruin.¡±

    His expression eased further, a rare glimmer of warmth entering his eyes as he lifted them to meet hers. ¡°I have also acquiesced to your earlier request. Your grandfather rests in the adjoining room. He will apany you onstage to recount a poignant charity narrative that tugs at the heartstrings.¡±

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    Kiley¡¯s eyes ignited with unfeigned excitement, a spark of genuine joy breaking through herposed facade. ¡°Thank you, Father. I will visit Grandfather immediately.¡±

    ¡°One moment,¡± Kolton interjected sharply before she could rise fully. ¡°Heed my prior instruction. You must devise a method to extract a substantial donation from Maia during the g.¡± His stare hardened once more, turning cial. ¡°Ensure she repays double the amount she extracted from the Cooper Group.¡±

    After the tense meeting, Kiley departed the room atst. She released a deep sigh of relief the instant the door closed behind her.

    To the outside world, she embodied the epitome of a cold and aloof CEO, unapproachable andmanding. Yet in her father¡¯s presence, she reverted to the vulnerability of a child seeking approval.

    As she proceeded down the corridor, her mind wandered to her younger brother, udius. How might he have navigated this treacherous situation with his characteristic poise and insight if their roles were reversed?

    She retrieved her phone to scan for messages and noted with growing unease that no response had arrived. This absence gnawed at her deeply.

    Though bound to Wront and unable to depart, she had dispatched a reliable aide to Otruitho to probe udius¡¯s recent whereabouts and activities. Strangely, the aide had vanished without a trace upon reaching the destination.

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 Chapter 1338

    Chapter 1338:

    Kiley resolved inwardly tounch a thorough personal investigation the moment the charity g concluded.

    She approached the door of the adjacent room and rapped firmly. A caregiver responded promptly, swinging it open.

    Within sat an elderly man with silver hair, confined to a wheelchair, his face pale and drawn.

    Yet the instant he beheld her, animation flooded his features with childlike excitement. ¡°Zoey, my dear Zoey. You havee atst to visit me,¡± Laurence eximed in a hoarse whisper, tears welling in his faded eyes.

    A doctor drew near Kiley and spoke in a subdued tone. ¡°We have exhausted numerous treatments on old Mr. Cooper, yet his condition persists in worsening. The brain atrophy proves irreversible at this stage. Our efforts focus solely on symptom alleviation and dementia dy through cognitive exercises and appropriate medications.¡±

    Kiley acknowledged the prognosis with a solemn nod. She steeled herself for the progression toward severe cognitive impairment and vivid hallucinations.

    ¡°I require privacy to speak with my grandfather,¡± she stated, stepping closer to Laurence. ¡°I am Kiley, Grandpa, not Zoey.¡±

    The delight on Laurence¡¯s countenance evaporated instantaneously, giving way to profound confusion. ¡°Not Zoey? Then who might you be? Have youe to inflict harm upon me? You intend to harm me¡­¡±

    His agitation escted rapidly. His voice rose in volume, and the heart monitor registered a sharp increase in his vital signs.

    Observing the distress, Kiley employed a familiar calming technique. ¡°Cease your outcries. I will escort you to Chris.¡±

    As anticipated, the mere utterance of Chris¡¯s name quelled his outburst. A serene, childlike smile spread across his face. ¡°Yes, please take me to my grandson.¡±

    Kiley had always regarded this fixation as odd, yet she refrained from probing it. She simply attributed it to Chris being Laurence¡¯s favorite grandchild.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s is where imagination thrives

    Arranging a meeting between Laurence and Chris served not only to honor a wager from the art exhibition but also to guarantee Laurence¡¯spliance during their joint stage appearance.

    She positioned herself behind the wheelchair and grasped the handles firmly. ¡°Conduct yourself properly onstage, and you may visit Chris afterward. Demonstrate exceptional behavior, and I will arrange a private encounter. Does that appeal to you?¡±

    Laurence nodded enthusiastically, his smile broadening. ¡°You appear to be a truly kind youngdy, and I hold kind youngdies in high regard.¡± He then erupted into giggles infused with innocent delight and dered, ¡°I am going to see my grandson.¡±

    ¡°You must maintain good behavior, or the visit will not ur,¡± Kiley emphasized once more.

    Laurence¡¯s smile faded abruptly, his body tensing into rigidity. Even his breathing appeared to halt in that instant of sudden apprehension.

    A brutal kick mmed open the heavy iron gate of the underground cell beneath the Cooper Estate.

    Metal crashed against metal. The sound pierced through the cold, damp corridor, disrupting the stale air thick with mildew and the scent of old blood.

    A shlight beam cut through the darkness.

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 Chapter 1339

    Chapter 1339:

    ¡°Move!¡± The order came from the tall man at the front, his deep, authoritative voice filling every corner of the cramped space.

    The man, known as ¡°Falcon,¡± pushed his tactical goggles down. He served as one of udius¡¯s most trusted aides andmanded Orchid Shield, the elite security team from Otruitho.

    His squad responded at once. Elite soldiers filed in behind him, one after another, all of them fully armed.

    Their movements were quick and precise. Despite the wet floor, their tactical boots made no sound. Under the weak lights, their weapons gleamed coldly.

    The guards didn¡¯t stand a chance. Buttstocks came down with perfect uracy. Joint-lock techniques wrapped around limbs like striking serpents. Within seconds, every guard crumpled to the ground like discarded dolls. All were knocked out cold.

    The squad kept moving fast,ing to a halt at the third cell.

    The iron bars were covered in old rust and bloodstains. Falcon peered inside, and his throat tightened. He knelt on one knee, his tactical glove scraping harshly against the bars. Guilt and regret weighed heavily in his voice. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. We¡¯rete.¡±

    Behind those bars, udius hung from an iron frame, secured by chains. His prison clothes were shredded. Bruises and whip marks covered every bit of exposed skin.

    His face was deathly pale, his lips split and bleeding. His eyes remained shut, his chest barely moving with each shallow breath.

    The familiar voice reached udius. His long eyshes fluttered weakly. Slowly, his eyes opened. He managed a small nod of recognition before his eyes closed again.

    Falcon saw this and made a quick hand signal. Two team members moved forward immediately, positioning a tiny bomb¡ªnorger than a bottle cap¡ªat the cell door¡¯s lock.

    The bomb used thermite, and the reaction it triggered was violent. In an instant, the temperature soared to 2,500 degrees Celsius.

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    ¡°Hiss!¡± A sh of white light momentarily blinded them. The sharp smell of burning metal filled the air, mixed with a scorched odor. The lock melted into glowing droplets before their eyes.

    Falcon leaped up and kicked the door wide open. He rushed inside, his fingers working carefully to free udius from the freezing chains.

    The other team members crowded in close behind him. Someone opened a portable medical kit quickly. A heart monitor began beeping, breaking the silence.

    The medic knelt beside udius and inserted a needle into his vein. udius¡¯s wrist dropped limply, his fingers grazing the dried blood on the floor.

    Adrenaline flowed into his system, followed by nutrients. Before long, a trace of pink returned to his bloodless lips.

    His eyes opened. His voice was weak, like a candle me struggling against wind, yet it held a tone ofmand that nobody could ignore. ¡°Report the current situation.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Falcon bent down and lifted udius onto his back. A touch of remorse entered his voice as he spoke. ¡°The emergency distress signal reached us, and we rushed to Wront immediately. We tried several different approaches, but every single one failed.¡±

    He walked with heavy, deliberate steps, careful not to jostle udius and cause further injury.

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 Chapter 1340

    Chapter 1340:

    ¡°Continue.¡± udius¡¯s voice was barely audible, as if he were down to his final breath. ¡°Focus on the main points.¡±

    Falcon¡¯s chest tightened with worry. ¡°Until today, our people had no way to slip past the surveince of the covert operatives. Every operative departed from the estate alongside Kolton. Only a handful of regr security staff remained behind. This finally gave us the opening we needed to break in.¡±

    Falcon continued without waiting for a response. ¡°Kolton made his way to the banquet center at Harmony za for the charity g Cooper Group was hosting. The event also served as theunch for Radiant Jewels¡¯ new product line. Kiley had extended invitations to numerous guests.¡±

    udius offered no response, quietly taking in the information. Each breath he drew was slow and measured. His eyelids drooped halfway. Nearly all energy had been wrung from his body.

    Falcon continuedying out the details of what had transpired at the Harmony za banquet center.

    Then one name broke through to udius: ¡°Maia.¡±

    In that instant, his lifeless eyes shot wide open. His pupils constricted dramatically. The word seemed to pierce the surrounding darkness and rekindle that singr beacon in his heart.

    ¡°Maia?¡± udius forced the question out with difficulty. ¡°Wait! What did you just say? What took ce with Maia at the scene?¡±

    Every ounce of his remaining strength appeared to go into his next words. He pressed again. ¡°Go through it in detail. What exactly happened at that moment?¡±

    Falcon paused, considering what had transpired. Online discussions were rife with spection about the apparent closeness between Kiley and Maia, with many calling them inseparable friends.

    ¡°Some suspect there might be even more to their rtionship,¡± Falcon said, leaving the implication unspoken.

    udius repeated the words quietly. ¡°More than friendship?¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s has your next chapter

    A growing difort settled within him.

    He knew his elder sister Kiley well enough¡ªshe would never defend Maia without ulterior motives. It seemed more likely that Kiley intended to humiliate Maia publicly, leveraging the attention from the Radiant Jewelsunch and the charity event to publicly dismantle Maia¡¯s reputation.

    Yet Maia had turned the situation around once again. She was shrewd enough to repurpose Kiley¡¯s scheme to her own advantage.

    udius reflected on how his father and sister remained relentless in their efforts to eliminate Maia.

    Falcon continued his report, interspersing his own analysis. He wasn¡¯t attempting to showcase his intelligence. In fact, he considered udius the true strategist.

    Then something unexpected happened. Falcon felt the weight on his shoulder suddenly lighten, followed by a heavy thud. udius had jumped down from his back.

    Falcon, who held deep respect for udius, spun around swiftly to steady him.

    udius shook his head slightly. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he said, though his eyes gleamed with sharp intensity. ¡°Give me the X-079 serum.¡±

    Falcon¡¯s eyes widened at the serum¡¯s name. ¡°Sir, that serum hasn¡¯tpleted clinical trials. The side effects could be¡ª¡±

    udius¡¯s eyes shed with cold determination. His voice brooked no argument. ¡°I said give it to me! Or would you prefer to watch me die here?¡±

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noa: Good morning, lovely readers. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. ?(?? ? ??)

    .

 Chapter 1341

    Chapter 1341:

    Falcon clenched his jaw and retrieved a metal case from his bag. He opened it, extracted a vial of deep blue serum, and handed it to udius.

    Without hesitation, udius gritted his teeth and mustered his remaining strength. With trembling hands, he injected the serum into his arm.

    The serum took immediate effect. Veins bulged along his neck. A low groan escaped his throat despite his efforts to suppress it.

    His voice emerged rough and strained. ¡°Prepare the car. Take me to the Harmony za banquet center.¡± Despite its hoarseness, his tone carried unmistakable authority.

    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Falcon replied, concern evident in his voice.

    Several minutester, a ck sedan sped away from the estate, moving as swiftly as an arrow shot from a bow.

    Inside the car, udius sat back, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. He silenced the heart monitor¡¯s rm with one hand. The screen¡¯s blue light cast a sickly pallor over his face, though his skin was visibly flushed.

    Sweat beaded on his forehead. One droplet traced a path down the bridge of his nose, finally collecting in the hollow of his corbone.

    He made a silent vow, his eyes burning with resolve. ¡°Maia¡­ wait for me. I won¡¯t let anything happen to you.¡±

    The serum was a specialized stimnt developed covertly by Cooper Group¡¯s bib. Designed to temporarily enhance soldiers¡¯ physical capabilities beyond normal limits, it remained experimental and carried severe side effects. Users facedplete exhaustion and reduced lifespan once its effects wore off.

    The previous year, udius had uncovered something significant: his father Kolton had initiatedrge-scale production of the serum.

    However, the entire shipment had mysteriously vanished after reaching the port. Subsequent investigations led nowhere. It was as if the cargo had disappeared into the open sea.

    udius suspected the involvement of Kolton¡¯s covert operatives. These operatives possessed extraordinarybat abilities, likely gained from prolonged serum use¡ªtrading years of their lives for enhanced power.

    Falcon checked his watch, then nced at udius. ¡°Sir, you have four hours and twenty-seven minutes left. I¡¯ll ensure you¡¯re extracted and treated before then.¡±

    udius nodded. ¡°Good. That¡¯s enough. Once this is over, I¡¯ll leave the rest to you.¡±

    Color had returned to his face, and his speech was clearer. Yet upon closer inspection, something was amiss: veins throbbed visibly beneath his skin.

    His heart rate elerated as his blood pressure rose. A faint reddish tint began to tinge his eyes, giving him the appearance of a Gothic vampire.

    Meanwhile, at the Harmony za banquet center, crystal chandeliers hung overhead, their light cascading like a river of stars.

    Kiley guided Laurence¡¯s wheelchair onto the red carpet, and immediately every camera lens swiveled toward them.

    ¡°Mr. Laurence Cooper himself¡ªhe¡¯s actually here!¡±

    Gasps rippled through the crowd as reporters surged forward, camera shutters erupting in a rapid-fire chorus of clicks.

    Kiley stood rigid behind the wheelchair, her fingertip drumming a slow rhythm against the handles. She surveyed the room with a sharp gaze, her attention finally settling on Maia.

    Something cold flickered across her face¡ªnot quite a smile, more its shadow¡ªas her hands curled into subtle fists.

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 Chapter 1342

    Chapter 1342:

    The legendary business titan had arrived. Guests rose from their seats one after another, eager to honor the elderly man who had built an empire.

    Maia didn¡¯t move. She simply turned toward Chris, studying his reaction.

    His expression crumbled on cue. He shot to his feet with such force that it startled even her¡ªhis response fiercer than she¡¯d calcted.

    She shifted her focus back to Laurence.

    Since that night at the banquet, something vital had drained from him. His eyes now held a vacant emptiness. He resembled a me sputtering in its final moments, or a sky heavy with storm clouds that refused to break.

    ¡°I need to speak with Kiley,¡± Maia murmured, leaning closer to Chris. ¡°Follow the n exactly. Get Laurence out of here.¡±

    ¡°I will. Just promise me you¡¯ll stay alert.¡± Chris nodded, though worry etched lines around his eyes as he searched her face.

    ¡°I always am. You know that.¡± A faint smile touched her lips. ¡°Besides, Kiley won¡¯t risk anything reckless with this many witnesses present.¡±

    ¡°The moment Grandpa¡¯s safe, I¡¯ming straight back for you.¡±

    Chris couldn¡¯t quite mask his unease. His fingers flew across his phone screen, sending a quick message to Maxwell¡ªa plea to keep Maia protected from the shadows.

    By then, Kiley had already guided Laurence to center stage.

    Staff members moved through the hall, approaching guests with polite smiles and firm instructions: no live streaming for the remainder of the evening. They worked to manage the fallout from earlier disruptions, though the effort felt bted.

    Maxwell was unimpressed.

    ¡°No live streaming? As if that¡¯ll stop anything.¡± He smirked to himself, straightening in his seat as he made a slight adjustment to his cor. The hidden camera now captured a clear view of the stage.

    A spotlight flooded down as Kiley took the microphone, her voice projecting with practiced confidence. ¡°Distinguished guests, before tonight¡¯s charity g officially begins, allow me to introduce my grandfather¡ªMr. Laurence Cooper. Many of you know his name, though perhaps not the full measure of his journey. In his younger years, during times of widespread hardship, my grandfather was determined to create change. He built businesses from nothing, expanded trade routes across borders, and invested his fortune in city infrastructure and educational grants for children who dreamed of different futures¡­¡±

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    Silence settled over the hall. Every ear was attuned to her.

    She painted Laurence¡¯s legacy in vivid strokes¡ªindustries rising from barren ground, schools opening their doors to the underserved¡ªwhile historical photographs appeared on therge screen behind her, each image a window into decades past.

    The audience sat transfixed, transported back through time.

    ¡°Years have passed without mercy. Five decades have faded like morning mist, yet Cooper Group has never wavered in itsmitment to those in need.¡± Kiley¡¯s eyes found the cluster of reporters, holding them in her gaze.

    ¡°Charity flows through my grandfather¡¯s veins¡ªit¡¯s the legacy he values most. He reminds us constantly: the Cooper family owes everything to society. We have harvested prosperity from this soil, so we must sow generosity back into it. Communities flourish when we nurture them, creating ripples that strengthen economies and advance our collective well-being.¡±

    Her eyelids lowered, and her voice softened with emotion. ¡°Though his body now weakens with each passing season, his devotion to giving burns as brightly as ever.¡±

    Kiley delivered her speech with masterful skill, weaving Cooper Group¡¯s ascent into a broader narrative of social progress.

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 Chapter 1343

    Chapter 1343:

    She moved seamlessly from sweeping ideals to intimate appeals, her delivery sopelling that apuse began in scattered pockets, then built toward a crescendo.

    ¡°The Cooper Charity Foundation carries more than half a century of wisdom in its mission,¡± she dered, her tone solemn. ¡°We guarantee that every dor donated reaches those whose need is greatest.¡±

    Her voice filled the hall as heads nodded in agreement. Several guests dabbed their eyes with handkerchiefs.

    Then she pivoted, her demeanor sharpening. ¡°This evening, we will auction exceptional antiques from the Cooper collection¡ªevery cent raised will serve charitable causes. Naturally, we also wee direct contributions from our guests. Your donations will be part of this enduring legacy.¡±

    Her gaze locked onto Maia like a missile finding its target, her words sweetly phrased yet edged with venom. ¡°Ms. Watson, your brilliance in haute couture design, jewelry creation, and fine art has made you extraordinarily sought-after. Surely you have something in your possession that would make a magnificent auction piece. Would you do us the honor of leading by example?¡±

    A slight smile curved her mouth, though her eyes remained hard. ¡°You would not decline such a meaningful request, would you?¡±

    The entire room turned toward Maia. Tension thickened the air until it felt difficult to breathe.

    Then Laurence¡ªwho¡¯d been slumped in his wheelchair like a forgotten puppet¡ªsuddenly spotted Chris seated in the front row.

    Light zed back into his eyes, recognition striking like lightning. ¡°Chris!¡± His voice cracked with excitement, trembling and raw. ¡°Grandpa¡¯s right here¡­e closer to me. Did you miss me, Chris? Tell me you missed me.¡±

    The crowd recoiled as if struck.

    Nobody had anticipated Laurence breaking his silence, much less calling out for his grandson with such raw, desperate longing.

    Hadn¡¯t whispers circted that his health had deteriorated, rendering him virtually mute?

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    The jarring scene ignited murmurs that swept through the hall like wildfire.

    ¡°Chris? Who¡¯s Chris? I¡¯ve never heard Laurence mention a grandson by that name.¡±

    ¡°That can¡¯t be right. His eldest grandson is udius¡ªeveryone knows that.¡±

    ¡°Only outsiders wouldn¡¯t know. The Cooper family has a hidden branch¡ªa grandson from outside the marriage named Chris Cooper.¡±

    ¡°The illegitimate one¡¯s here? Where? Point him out.¡±

    Heads swiveled, following Laurence¡¯s fixed stare, but found no clear answer. Instead, they watched Maia rise with deliberate grace and glide toward the stage, a tall, striking man following closely behind her.

    Laurence¡¯s yearning consumed him now. His weathered hands mped onto the wheelchair¡¯s armrests as he fought to stand, his voice breaking. ¡°Chris!¡±

    His legs betrayed him instantly. Strength abandoned his limbs, and he teetered dangerously close to toppling from the chair.

    Kiley¡¯s fingers tightened around the handles, irritation flickering behind herposed mask. She had orchestrated this moment to pressure Maia into making a substantial donation¡ªnot to have her grandfather derail everything with his sudden outburst.

    ¡°Grandpa,¡± she whispered, leaning close so only he could hear. Her voice threaded urgency with false tenderness. ¡°We discussed this, remember? You promised to stay quiet while we¡¯re on stage.¡±

    Then her tone turned icy. ¡°Keep this up, and you won¡¯t see Chris at all. I¡¯ll wheel you back to your room this instant.¡±

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 Chapter 1344

    Chapter 1344:

    The threat prated Laurence¡¯s confusion. He blinked up at her, bewilderment washing across his features. Someone dared threaten him? Who was this woman blocking his path to his grandson?

    The connection severed in his mind¡ªKiley transformed into a stranger, her identity as his granddaughter evaporating.

    Maia¡¯s voice sliced through the tension, crystal clear. ¡°Ms. Cooper, I trust you haven¡¯t forgotten the terms of our arrangement.¡±

    She closed the distance between them, each step measured. ¡°Since you¡¯ve requested that I set an example, perhaps you could allow Mr. Laurence Cooper to restfortably and spend time with his grandson?¡±

    Her eyes flicked toward Chris before returning to Kiley, sweetness coating her words. ¡°That would give me a moment to prepare something truly worthy. I¡¯d value your guidance, Ms. Cooper¡ªwhat sort of item would create the most impact at auction?¡±

    Shock rippled through the audience once more.

    Maia¡¯s words sounded reasonable on the surface, yet beneath them lurked subtle implications.

    More intriguing still, she appeared to be granting Kiley the power to dictate the donation.

    Whispers erupted anew, spreading quickly through the crowd.

    ¡°An arrangement? What kind of deal exists between Kiley and Maia?¡±

    ¡°Does Maia already know this Chris Cooper? Why does she seem connected to the Cooper family?¡±

    ¡°This evening keeps delivering surprises. The visionary behind Annie Crystal and the force driving Radiant Jewels¡ªwhat a fascinatingbination they make.¡±

    Kiley stood frozen, blindsided. She¡¯d never imagined Maia would pivot this direction.

    Convention dictated a polite refusal or the offer of something trivial¡ªa token gesture to satisfy appearances.

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    But Maia operated outside convention, presenting herself as willing to offer anything within reason.

    ¡°You¡¯re genuinely asking for my input?¡± Kiley¡¯s tone danced with mockery, testing the waters. ¡°Aren¡¯t you terrified I¡¯ll demand the moon?¡±

    Maia feigned a look of sudden realization. ¡°Naturally, I¡¯d be terrified. If you suggested auctioning Aurora Apparel Company itself, I¡¯d have to refuse¡ªI couldn¡¯t possibly auction Aurora.¡± A smile bloomed as she spread her hands in helpless admission. ¡°But as you so astutely observed, my fashion and jewelry designsmand considerable attention. Let¡¯s select something from that particr domain.¡±

    For Maia, such a concession barely registered as loss. Her imagination overflowed with designs¡ªan endless wellspring of creativity.

    Something prickled at Kiley¡¯s instincts, though she couldn¡¯t immediately identify the source. It felt as though Maia had executed a strategic retreat, channeling the donation into territory she controlled.

    Recognition dawned. Kiley¡¯s eyes narrowed to slits as she realized Maia had deployed her cleverness again, redirecting the conversation with precision. Yet perhaps Maia had overlooked something crucial in her calctions.

    Kiley¡¯s gaze settled on Maia, triumph curling at the corners of her mouth. ¡°You¡¯re truly giving me free rein? Then I won¡¯t hold back.¡±

    Meanwhile, Maia had already reached Laurence and crouched before him.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1345

    Chapter 1345:

    She pressed two fingers against his wrist. The pulse beneath her touch was faint and irregr. His skin carried an unsettling coldness.

    Her brows drew together sharply. Laurence had crossed into territory where every second mattered.

    She lifted her gaze to Kiley, reading the calction behind those eyes. Kiley had dragged Laurence out here for leverage, nothing more.

    Maia dropped her voice low, but the steel in it left no room for argument. ¡°Have Chris take Laurence somewhere he can rest. Right now. Whatever I have, it¡¯s yours.¡±

    Nothing outweighed getting Laurence to safety. A clear offer would cut through the negotiation faster than appeals, and Maia had never been one to hesitate over costs when lives were at stake.

    Kiley¡¯s eyebrows climbed. She drifted closer, lips nearly brushing Maia¡¯s ear, and let out a softugh. ¡°Three things, then. That¡¯s fair, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡±

    She wasn¡¯t about to leave empty-handed. The whisper continued, carrying a note of false sweetness. ¡°Rx. I¡¯ll pick from what you mentioned before.¡±

    Maia gave a single nod.

    Only then did Kiley release her hold and pivot toward Chris. ¡°Take Grandpa up to the third-floor lounge, would you?¡±

    She showed no concern that Chris might try anything reckless. Cooper family members filled every corner of the venue. Her father waited upstairs, surrounded by bodyguards who answered only to him.

    Kiley had yed this exactly as she¡¯d intended¡ªusing Laurence without wasting a single move.

    Chris didn¡¯t acknowledge her. He moved forward and gripped the wheelchair¡¯s armrests.

    Bending down, he brought his face level with Laurence¡¯s. ¡°Grandpa, it¡¯s Chris. Let me get you somewhere quiet.¡±

    Laurence nodded with surprising energy. Confusion clouded his thoughts, yet he could still summon the image of his eldest son, Kyle, and even more vividly, Kyle¡¯s son standing before him now.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    Time seemed to blur. He might have slipped back a decade, to the day he¡¯d drafted his will and decided the entire Cooper Group would pass to Kyle.

    Then pain seized his chest. Memories he¡¯d buried wed their way to the surface.

    Laurence remembered now¡ªKyle¡¯s death hade too soon, and Zoey, his youngest daughter, sat behind prison walls.

    He still couldn¡¯t ept it. Zoey would never have killed Kyle.

    She couldn¡¯t have.

    His temple pulsed. The rity in his eyes dissolved.

    He peered up at Chris, searching. ¡°Who¡­ are you?¡±

    Chris, mid-step, went still. The questionnded like a blow to the ribs. His grandfather no longer knew him.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ Chris.¡± His voice came out rough, strained by the ache of being forgotten by someone he loved.

    ¡°Chris?¡± Laurence tilted his head, puzzled. ¡°Why are you pretending to be seven years old?¡±

    Chris looked down. He resumed pushing the wheelchair without a word.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1346

    Chapter 1346:

    When he finally spoke again, his voice barely rose above the quiet creak of wheels. ¡°Chris asked me to tell you that. He wanted me to look after you.¡±

    Laurence¡¯s gaze drifted somewhere distant. After a long silence, words emerged slowly. ¡°I thought Chris had grown up by now¡­ I miss them¡ªtheir whole family. Nic hasn¡¯te to see me in so long.¡±

    Chris felt heat prick behind his eyes and a sting climbing into his nose.

    Tilting his head back slightly, he spoke in a voice that threatened to break. ¡°They miss you too.¡±

    Below the stage, restlessness rippled through the crowd. Nearly everyone had caught the exchange between Kiley and Maia. Murmurs rose like steam.

    ¡°What are these three things she¡¯s asking for? Why won¡¯t Kiley just say it outright? She loves her mysteries.¡±

    ¡°Maia¡¯s designs sell for fortunes. Did she really agree that easily?¡±

    ¡°This feels staged. I¡¯m half-convinced they rehearsed the whole thing.¡±

    ¡°Is Maia actually going to hand over whatever Kiley demands? Just like that?¡±

    ¡°Wait¡ªshould I be buying Cooper Group stock right now? Have I already missed the window?¡±

    On stage, Maia watched Chris guide Laurence through the banquet hall doors. Only then did she turn back to Kiley. ¡°We can move forward now.¡±

    Kiley seemed to collect herself, as if returning from distant thoughts. A smile touched her lips as she stepped closer.

    ¡°Feeling better?¡± She lowered her voice, turning her microphone aside, and added something meant only for Maia¡¯s ears. ¡°Just don¡¯te crying to me when the auction starts.¡±

    At that moment, Maia let out a faint, bitter smile.

    Kiley, with her theatrical manner, truly had the temperament of a performer¡ªthough her acting wasn¡¯t terrible, Maia could see only the ws.

    ¡°I meant what I said, and I don¡¯t take any of it back,¡± Maia stated firmly.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s has stories worth exploring

    Looking quite satisfied, Kiley faced the audience beneath the stage. She smiled as she lifted her microphone. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I just shared a small secret with Ms. Watson. Honestly, I never expected her dedication to charity to run so deep.¡±

    She paused, then turned toward the host with a polite nod. ¡°We can start now.¡±

    To the guests watching below, however, it appeared as if the two had spent their whispered conversation finalizing the auction items. None realized this was all part of Kiley¡¯s setup.

    As Maia nced at Kiley, intending to ask about the three items, she noticed her microphone had suddenly stopped working.

    Before she could address the issue, the host immediately spoke to the crowd, leaving her no opportunity to intervene. ¡°Everyone, the auction will now begin. Here are the rules: this is a charity auction, so each item starts at a minimum of five million dors. Every bid must increase by at least one million, with no upper limit!¡±

    His voice rose with excitement. ¡°Let the auction begin!¡±

    The announcement prompted a wave of chatter.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1347

    Chapter 1347:

    ¡°Won¡¯t Maia¡¯s three items total at least fifteen million?¡±

    ¡°With a crowd like this, the total could reach a billion.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s just setting the tone. She won¡¯t actually offer anything that pricey. What design could start at five million each?¡±

    Meanwhile, the live stream exploded withments.

    ¡°Whoa! This is my first time watching a real auction!¡±

    ¡°Five million starting price? Isn¡¯t that a bit much?¡±

    ¡°I just want to know which three pieces Kiley wrangled out of Maia.¡±

    ¡°Why does Kiley look so pleased? Did she trick Maia into a massive loss?¡±

    Kiley then addressed the audience again. ¡°I¡¯d like to thank Maia once more. Even though I advised her otherwise, she insisted on auctioning off the four-leaf clover jewelry set she presented at Radiant Jewels¡¯ new productunch. Maia is providing the design, and Radiant Jewels will use their finest gems to create the piece.¡±

    The moment she said this, gasps spread throughout the room.

    The crowd interpreted her words as confirmation that Annie Crystal and Radiant Jewels were already coborating.

    Someone eximed, ¡°That¡¯s brilliant! Why didn¡¯t I think of that?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m buying Radiant Jewels¡¯ stock first thing tomorrow. It¡¯s going to surge.¡±

    ¡°If this is a signed exclusive designer set, five million is basically a bargain. It¡¯s undervalued.¡±

    Guests already had their bidding paddles poised.

    Richie, Annie Crystal¡¯s CEO, wiped cold sweat from his forehead.

    Something was wrong. The co-founder had just called, instructing him to follow Maia¡¯s decisions and stressing that Annie Crystal absolutely would not partner with Radiant Jewels.

    The reasoning was simple: Annie Crystal had been built as an independent brand, one that represented youth aesthetics, original creativity, and self-reliance¡ªwithout coborating with any jewelry designpany.

    So Richie stared at Maia onstage,pletely uncertain of what he should do.

    Kiley¡¯s voice echoed again. ¡°And, it¡¯s an entire set¡ªsigned by the designer¡ªmaking it a one-of-a-kind piece in the world.¡± She nced at Maia with a satisfied smile.

    Inwardly, she thought, ¡°Maia, you said that one careless sentence, and now you can¡¯t back out. I¡¯ll make sure the Cooper Group benefits from you.¡±

    Feeling triumphant, she announced, ¡°The bidding begins now.¡±

    In an instant, paddles shot up across the room.

    ¡°Ten million!¡±

    ¡°Fifteen million!¡±

    ¡°Twenty million!¡±

    The price rose quickly, soon exceeding fifty million, and people were still bidding.

    Pattie frowned at the scene. ¡°Is making money really this easy? Maybe MCN should hold an auction too.¡±

    Meanwhile,ments in the live stream continued nonstop.

    ¡°This is insane, but somehow it feels worth it.¡±

    .

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    .

 Chapter 1348

    Chapter 1348:

    ¡°After today, Maia will definitely bebeled the most valuable jewelry designer of the century.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe how wealthy these people are¡ªbidding like it¡¯s nothing.¡±

    When the price reached sixty million, the number of bidders noticeably decreased.

    Then, out of nowhere, a calm male voice echoed through the venue. ¡°One hundred million.¡±

    The entire room erupted in shock.

    The livestreamments erupted instantly.

    ¡°One hundred million dors? What on earth is happening? Who is that guy?¡±

    ¡°Are you kidding me? It¡¯s just a jewelry design!¡±

    ¡°Someone pinch me¡ªthis is insane! I¡¯m utterly envious.¡±

    Even Kiley hadn¡¯t imagined anyone would be this reckless. Everyone turned simultaneously, searching for the person behind the outrageous bid.

    A spotlight swung over the crowd. There, a strikingly handsome man lounged with his legs crossed¡ªtall, blond, with sharp features¡ªholding up his bidding paddle as if it were nothing. Surrounding him stood more than ten tall men in identical suits and sunsses, clearly his private security team.

    People frowned in confusion. Who was this man to bring such arge entourage? Tonight¡¯s event required real-name invitations. Even top-tier guests were allowed only one or two bodyguards with extra approval.

    Yet he had brought a small team. He looked less like a bidder and more like someone preparing for a confrontation. And starting the night with a 100-million-dor bid? Only someone truly formidable could pull that off.

    Maia stared at him, her brow slightly furrowed. He seemed familiar, yet she couldn¡¯t ce him.

    Then the man slowly rose to his feet. He scanned the hall with a cold, superior gaze before raising his index finger. His voice was icy. ¡°Is anyone else bidding?¡±

    The hall fell silent. He made a gesture which signaled an open-ended bid. By making it, he was dering that he would keep raising his offer, no matter the price, until the item was his.

    In theory, others could keep bidding to drive up the price. In practice, the opposite often urred.

    Once bidders recognized the determination behind such a bid, many preferred to withdraw rather than provoke conflict. No one wanted retaliatory trouble over a single auction item.

    Besides, making such an aggressive move was considered taboo in these circles. Doing it too often was a sure way to alienate everyone present.

    With many lots still avable, there was little point in fixating on this one.

    Those imposing bodyguards alone gave anyone pause. Still, several high-status attendees were unwilling to back down.

    ¡°Who do you think you are? Making an open-ended bid on the first item? Do you even know the rules?¡±

    ¡°A hundred million and you call that an open-ended bid? Are you mocking us?¡±

    ¡°So he has a few bodyguards¡ªdoes he think that makes him invincible?¡±

    Some didn¡¯t waste words. They simply raised their paddles.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1349

    Chapter 1349:

    ¡°One hundred and ten million!¡±

    ¡°I bid one hundred and twenty million.¡±

    ¡°One hundred thirty million!¡±

    Once again, the livestreamments exploded.

    ¡°What is happening? These people have lost their minds!¡±

    ¡°This auction is more exciting than a movie!¡±

    ¡°I work hard to earn a living. Meanwhile, money seems to grow on trees for these people.¡±

    ¡°If I could sell one piece for this price, I¡¯d wake upughing every day.¡±

    ¡°Too bad the money won¡¯t go to Maia¡ªit bes a donation anyway.¡±

    Suddenly, the man who had dered the open-ended bid lifted his paddle again. His expression didn¡¯t change as he said, in a t tone, ¡°Three hundred million.¡±

    He said it as if quoting three hundred dors.

    Shock rippled through the room.

    ¡°I did say it was an open-ended bid,¡± he added with a cold smirk. ¡°If you aren¡¯t afraid of me stopping, by all means¡ªraise your paddles.¡±

    The bidders who had just spoken up flushed with anger.

    ¡°Who is this man? How dare he do this? I want a report on him in three minutes.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s outrageous! Does he have any idea who he¡¯s provoking? I¡¯m Emeraldis¡¯s shipping tycoon!¡±

    ¡°Three hundred million? Has he lost his mind? He¡¯s practically giving up the rest of the auction.¡±

    Yet none of them lifted their paddles again. They could tell he wasn¡¯t bluffing¡ªhe had both the resources and the will to see it through.

    Going above three hundred million far exceeded what any of them considered the item¡¯s value. The premium was too steep.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m is a world of wonder

    What if he really withdrew after they pushed him? Who would be stuck paying that impossible price? No one dared take that risk.

    Onstage, Kiley was filled with unrestrained joy. Her lips curved upward despite every attempt to keep themposed.

    This was merely the beginning. A jewelry design that existed only in blueprints had just secured three hundred million dors for the Cooper Group. The sum staggered her expectations.

    Her gaze drifted back to Maia, and she felt a flicker of unwilling admiration. Maia was an absolute gold mine wrapped in elegance.

    No wonder her father refused to dispatch his shadow operatives to eliminate Maia outright. Instead, Kolton wanted Kiley to squeeze every drop of value from her at this charity g before dismantling her piece by piece.

    The realization struck hard. Kiley recognized the gap between her own cunning and her father¡¯s ruthless patience, and she felt a pang of shame.

    The man who had ced the open-ended bid cut through the murmuring crowd with barely concealed scorn. ¡°Nobody else wants topete, correct?¡±

    He turned toward the host onstage. ¡°The piece belongs to me now, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    The host seized the moment, words tumbling out rapidly. ¡°Three hundred million going once, three hundred million going twice¡­¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1350

    Chapter 1350:

    A voice sliced through the anticipation. ¡°Wait. I¡¯m offering three hundred ten million.¡±

    Silence crashed over the hall.

    The host, poised to dere the item sold, nearly stumbled over his words. Every head turned, tracking the voice to its source.

    Pattie lifted her paddle, her expression stoic. Sweat dampened her palms. She hadn¡¯t the faintest clue why Maia kept signaling her to raise the paddle.

    Still, as Maia¡¯s closest friend, she chose trust over understanding.

    Seeing Pattie finally raise her paddle, Maia exhaled in relief. She offered the subtlest nod of acknowledgment.

    Maia understood Kiley¡¯s scheme with perfect rity¡ªthe trap being set, the exploitation nned. If that was Kiley¡¯s game, then Pattie would bid on every auction item tonight.

    But actual payment? That was impossible. Maia wouldn¡¯t allow Pattie to spend a single cent.

    The conflict with the Cooper Group had already begun.

    In recent weeks, Maia had uncovered troubling information: the Cooper Group¡¯s cash flow was critically low,pounded by a stock price copse that choked their financing options. Several real estate projects remained half-finished, each draining resources. The financial pressure mounted daily, meaning the Cooper Group¡¯s liquidity would soon copse entirely.

    That desperation had spawned this hastily arranged charity g on such an ambitious scale.

    Maia refused to believe the Cooper Group would channel these donations toward genuine phnthropy. This was a profit-making scheme disguised as charity, which exined why Maia had initially declined their invitation firmly.

    Yet here she stood, determined to dig a deep pit for the Cooper Group to fall into.

    More importantly, Maia¡¯s conscience couldn¡¯t bear watching innocent donors be swindled by their borate charade. So she had arranged for trusted friends to bid aggressively throughout the evening.

    She would let Kiley savor the illusion of victory while ensuring actual defeat. Ultimately, the entire endeavor would copse¡ªnot a single penny secured.

    When the Cooper Group¡¯s financial crisis became unavoidable, they would hemorrhage assets and stocks in desperation, creating the perfect opportunity to acquire thepany and restore it to Chris¡¯s rightful control.

    Thankfully, Pattie had finally understood her intentions. Now every eye pivoted back toward the man who¡¯d made that audacious open-ended bid moments earlier.

    He remained unnaturallyposed, lifting his paddle with deliberate slowness. ¡°Five hundred million. And if that proves insufficient, I¡¯ll add whatever is necessary.¡±

    Before his final word faded, astonishment detonated through the crowd.

    ¡°Holy smoke! Is this man actually serious? He just raised the bid by two hundred million?¡±

    ¡°Wait! Why did Ms. Miller suddenly raise her paddle? Why didn¡¯t she bid earlier?¡±

    ¡°I understand now! Maia must have signaled Ms. Miller to enter the bidding, deliberately inting the price.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1351

    Chapter 1351:

    ¡°Maia must be orchestrating this for Kiley¡¯s benefit, acting from pure generosity.¡±

    Standing beneath the stage lights, Maia found herself momentarily speechless. She desperately wished this mysterious man wouldn¡¯t be the unwitting benefactor propping up the Cooper Group¡¯s scheme, yet he seemed determined to step into the trap.

    She began suspecting this vaguely familiar figure had been nted by Kiley to artificially inte the charity g¡¯s donation total through exaggerated bidding.

    This pattern couldn¡¯t continue. Maia decided intervention was essential. Her fingers tightened.

    Beside her, Kiley¡¯sposure was threadbare, barely restraining theughter threatening to escape.

    Though she couldn¡¯t decipher Maia¡¯s true intentions, the current trajectory was clear: the Cooper Group emerged as the undisputed victor.

    Her father, Kolton, would be thrilled with tonight¡¯s oue.

    Seizing a moment when Kiley¡¯s attention wavered, Maia smoothly took the microphone.

    ¡°Sir, have we met before?¡± She glided toward him, her voice honeyed with concern. ¡°The jewelry you¡¯re bidding on hasn¡¯t even been crafted yet. You needn¡¯t invest such a staggering amount in something hypothetical. Please reconsider carefully and avoid acting on impulse.¡±

    Maia had no intention of exposing Kiley¡¯s machinations prematurely¡ªshe needed to buy precious time for Chris¡¯s coordinated actions behind the scenes.

    Beyond that, she aimed to set additional traps for Kiley, nurturing her confidence that tonight would yield even more illicit funds.

    The man¡¯s expression hardened when Maia¡¯s words reached him. He lifted his gaze, meeting Maia¡¯s scrutinizing stare, and rm shed across his features like lightning.

    Impossible! Could she have actually recognized him after all this time?

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    The man swallowed hard, sensing the situation bing precarious.

    He had deliberately changed his hairstyle earlier that day, yet the disguise had aplished nothing.

    Resigned, he abandoned his charade and prepared to reveal his true purpose.

    This scene, however, sent panic through Kiley, who stood behind Maia. If this wealthy bidder abandoned the auction now, the financial repercussions would be severe.

    Kiley stepped forward smoothly and took the microphone from the host. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I recognize everyone¡¯s eagerness to acquire Maia¡¯s auction items, butposure is essential. As Ms. Watson has wisely advised, rash impulses lead to regret. Once a bid is made, it cannot be retracted.¡±

    She maintained her bright smile, deftly twisting Maia¡¯s cautionary words into benevolent guidance while reinforcing the auction¡¯s binding rules to secure bids. Her performance was wless.

    Now, if the man dared withdraw, public skepticism would descend on him.

    ¡°I¡¯m remarkably calm, and I appreciate your concern. Second thoughts won¡¯t be necessary,¡± the man dered, bowing slightly in a gesture of unexpected reverence. Humility colored his tone as he addressed Maia directly. ¡°We have indeed met, though only briefly. I never imagined you¡¯d remember, Ms. Watson. The honor is entirely mine.¡±

    Silence fell over the hall.

    The hush stemmed not only from his refusal to withdraw, but also from witnessing such a bold figure¡ªsomeone who carried himself with confidence¡ªshowing profound respect toward Maia.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1352

    Chapter 1352:

    The livestreamments filled with exmations. Viewers expressed disbelief.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe my eyes.¡±

    Audible astonishment rippled through the guests. ¡°Oh my goodness! What¡¯s happening? Has this man met Maia before?¡±

    ¡°Could he be another admirer joining Maia¡¯s circle? Goodness!¡±

    ¡°I wish I could live Maia¡¯s life, surrounded by so many wealthy, handsome admirers.¡±

    Hearing the man¡¯s unwavering response, Kiley exhaled in relief. She grudgingly acknowledged the truth: Maia remained an elegant and formidable adversary.

    As Maia descended from the stage, she glided toward the man and stopped before him.

    ¡°We¡¯ve met?¡± she repeated, scrutinizing his features with renewed intensity. ¡°May I ask why you¡¯re so determined to win this auction item?¡±

    The man nodded, warmth lighting his expression. ¡°Of course,¡± he replied, surveying the room with calcted gravity. ¡°Because the piece bears your signature. And my employer wishes to repay your extraordinary kindness. Since you¡¯re auctioning your personal creations to raise charitable funds, therger the donation, the greater the impact. Therefore, regardless of cost¡ªwhether it requires a billion or ten billion dors¡ªI will secure every auction item you offer on behalf of my employer.¡±

    His deration left everyone momentarily speechless.

    The banquet hall fell into stunned silence.

    Though brief, every word carried significant meaning.

    Many guests furrowed their brows in confusion.

    ¡°This arrogant figure is merely a representative? Who on earth is his employer?¡±

    ¡°Hmph! Refusing to appear personally at such a prominent event¡ªhe must represent someone who cannot withstand public scrutiny.¡±

    ¡°Who could possibly have such audacity? Who has the power to act so recklessly?¡±

    g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s takes you away

    At that moment, understanding dawned on Maia. She finally recalled where they had met.

    The memory surfaced: the Morgan residence, during the birthday banquet the Morgans had hosted for her and Rosanna.

    A mysterious man wearing a mask and white gloves had repeatedly approached her, presenting birthday gifts with ceremony.

    Maia had pursued him afterward, desperate to uncover his identity.

    Unexpectedly, he had removed the mask. Beneath it were blonde hair, blue eyes, and a distinguished nose¡ªthe very man now standing before her.

    He belonged to Mr. M¡¯s inner circle.

    Maia grasped the connection instantly and opened her mouth to speak, but the man anticipated her.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t reveal anything.¡± He spoke softly, ensuring only Maia could hear.

    Maia froze briefly.

    Regardless of Mr. M¡¯s true identity, she absolutely could not allow his money to be swindled by the Cooper Group through this deception.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1353

    Chapter 1353:

    She genuinely wanted to contribute to charitable causes, but countless opportunities would arise in the future¡ªjust not tonight. The Cooper Group¡¯s charity g was a calcted scam.

    ¡°I won¡¯t speak his name, but you must stop bidding immediately!¡± Maia whispered urgently.

    Yet the man shook his head with finality. ¡°I apologize, but I cannotply.¡±

    He stated bluntly, ¡°Securing all your auction items is my employer¡¯s direct order.¡±

    A leisurely smile spread across his face.

    In truth, his employer, Mr. M, had never intended to transfer a single penny to the Cooper Group¡¯s ounts. That was why he had initially panicked about Maia recognizing him¡ªto prevent her from mentioning Mr. M¡¯s name aloud.

    But Maia, embodying the woman his employer admired, remained calm andposed, not uttering a word of surprise.

    From beginning to end, this entire performance was merely a strategic ploy aimed at the Cooper Group, designed to prevent uninformed guests from being scammed while sabotaging the Cooper Group¡¯s scheme to embezzle charity funds for their copsing cash flow.

    ¡°Is he here tonight?¡± Maia clenched her hands, recognizing the need to speak with Mr. M directly. ¡°Can you take me to meet him immediately?¡±

    Meanwhile, Chris, who was guiding Laurence¡¯s wheelchair into the third-floor lounge, inexplicably sneezed without warning.

    Once Chris closed the door behind him, he locked it securely and shoved a chair against it for good measure.

    Chris was certain that Kiley would have people tailing him, which meant the front entrance was not an option.

    Time was short. Without hesitation, Chris retrieved a climbing rope from his equipment.

    Laurence sat observing everything with a warm, gentle expression.

    Stay tuned for updates at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    Chris walked quickly to Laurence and pulled a specialized strap from his pocket.

    The strap was remarkably durable, capable of supporting up to 300 kilograms.

    Chris held it up. ¡°Grandpa, want to y a game with me?¡±

    Laurence¡¯s smile widened, though his weak condition made him cough slightly. ¡°Sure, Chris. What kind of game?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to be Spiderman, and you¡¯re the person who needs rescuing,¡± Chris said as he crouched low. ¡°I¡¯ll fly you right out of here. Now hold onto my shoulders tightly and don¡¯t make a sound.¡±

    Laurence mped his mouth shut and nodded cooperatively.

    Chris carefully hoisted him onto his back, securing them both with the strap.

    He then moved to the window. After checking outside and seeing the coast was clear, he pushed it wide open.

    At that moment, footsteps echoed from the hallway. Someone tried the door, and the knob twisted slightly.

    A man¡¯s voice called out, ¡°Hurry up! Break that door down! If anything happens to the old man, every one of you will pay!¡±

    The door flew open with a thunderous bang. Several people burst in only to find the room empty.

    A small section of strapy on the floor, and cold air rushed through the open window.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1354

    Chapter 1354:

    ¡°Damn it! Contact the boss right now! Someone took Mr. Laurence Cooper!¡±

    Hurried footsteps faded away, leaving the room quiet once more.

    The wardrobe door opened a tiny crack.

    Chris peered out carefully with sharp, vignt eyes to assess the scene.

    Someone had either nted listening devices in the room or his grandfather was under direct surveince¡ªthere was no other way those people could have barged in so quickly after he spoke.

    Anticipating this, Chris had staged a fake escape to mislead them.

    Shortly after, the door opened again, and a man entered wheeling a food cart. He left it there and mutteredints.

    ¡°Man, I¡¯m exhausted today. Rich people are such a pain to deal with.¡± He sighed. ¡°I wish someone else would take this job.¡±

    Chris heard this and stepped out of the wardrobe. Those words were the prearranged signal, meaning this man was an ally.

    They made eye contact but remained silent. Working quickly, they concealed Laurence beneath the cart.

    Chris then changed into the waiter¡¯s uniform.

    Their builds were simr enough that from behind, they were nearly indistinguishable.

    Chris produced a realistic mask from his pocket and put it on.

    In an instant, they became nearly identical unless examined closely.

    The man chuckled quietly before climbing into the wardrobe where Chris had been hiding.

    Chris wheeled the cart out into the hallway.

    Immediately after, the man inside the wardrobe deliberately knocked his head against the wall. A muffled thump sounded as he rendered himself unconscious.

    Five minutester, Kolton charged in, his face red with fury.

    Latest updates at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    He nced out the window, then struck his subordinate violently across the face. ¡°You fool! You actually believe Chris could escape from this height while carrying someone? Even if it were possible, my father¡¯s condition wouldn¡¯t survive it.¡±

    The subordinate kept his head down as understanding dawned. ¡°So he didn¡¯t go through the window. He¡¯s still hiding somewhere in this room?¡±

    ¡°Obviously!¡± Kolton snapped. He strode to the wardrobe and jerked it open. ¡°He staged that whole show to distract you and get you out of here. Can¡¯t you recognize an obvious trick?¡±

    He stepped back instinctively, bracing for an attack, but his face darkened when he saw only a naked, unconscious man.

    His voice dropped to a harsh whisper as he issued orders. ¡°He couldn¡¯t have gotten far. Track him down! Pay special attention to anyone dressed as a waiter.¡± He narrowed his eyes. ¡°Wait a minute.¡±

    How had Chris actually smuggled Laurence out?

    Kolton stared down at the unconscious man on the floor, his tone icy. ¡°Wake him up. I¡¯m going to question him!¡±

    He paused briefly before adding anothermand. ¡°Lock down the entire banquet center immediately. Search for anyone suspicious. No one leaves!¡±

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 Chapter 1355

    Chapter 1355:

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±

    At that same time, Raegan finally got her call through. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you pick up before? What¡¯s Shiloh¡¯s status? I need him kept alive.¡±

    The urgency in Raegan¡¯s voice was unmistakable. When the call connected, her tension lessened slightly.

    Thenughter came from the other end¡ªa sound that sent a chill through her.

    The voice belonged to Shiloh. He taunted mockingly, ¡°Well, well! The people you¡¯re looking for can¡¯t answer right now, but I¡¯m doing just fine. So tell me, Ms. Foster, what¡¯s going through your mind? Are you surprised? Did you see thising?¡±

    Raegan¡¯s eyes widened in rm. She had thought her subordinates might have killed Shiloh or left him badly wounded. The possibility that both agents from The Mask could have lost had never urred to her.

    More urately, they might actually be dead. The situation seemed impossible, but it was brutally real.

    She forced the words out between clenched teeth. ¡°What have you done, Shiloh Hayes?¡±

    Rage surged through Raegan. Shiloh had humiliated her, and she had lost two operatives. Her face contorted with anger.

    Shiloh responded with amusement. ¡°What have I done? I simply protected myself. But if you¡¯re looking to assign me, point it at your operatives forcking strength. Nothing more than that.¡±

    He nced at the smoking vehicle and the unconscious driver. His white shirt was stained with blood. He steadied his voice. ¡°Well, well¡­ The tables have turned. My operatives areing after you. I wish you the best of luck staying alive. Farewell!¡±

    He ended the call.

    The encounter had been terrifyingly close. Death had nearly imed him. The bullet had only grazed his shoulder, which was fortunate. Siena¡¯s people had arrived just in time and eliminated his attackers.

    On her end, Raegan gripped the phone tightly, the veins on the backs of her hands standing out.

    .c¨®m is the source

    She snarled his name. ¡°Shiloh Hayes!¡± His audacity in threatening her astounded her. He was courting disaster.

    She dismissed Shiloh¡¯s threat as empty words. She had held back her strongest fighters to use against Maia. Deploying The Mask¡¯s top ten members, she had believed, would guarantee Shiloh¡¯s death.

    ¡°I¡¯ll wait patiently and let you survive a little longer. After Maia is dealt with, you¡¯ll be next.¡± She decided to return to the banquet hall.

    At that moment, her phone buzzed repeatedly. Multiple messages appeared in quick session.

    Raegan opened one without much thought and skimmed it. As she did, her expression transformedpletely.

    The auction had already started? Bidding for Maia¡¯s items had grown intense and surpassed three hundred million dors?

    Processing this, she immediately turned and hurried toward the banquet hall.

    Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, the man who had offered three hundred million gave Maia a slight smile. He declined her request. ¡°That¡¯s not possible at this time, Ms. Watson.¡±

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 Chapter 1356

    Chapter 1356:

    He paused briefly, then added in a whisper, ¡°I mentioned earlier that destiny will connect you.¡±

    This kind of answer didn¡¯t catch Maia off guard. She simply sighed in response.

    The enigmatic Mr. M had been avoiding a face-to-face meeting all along. His identity didn¡¯t truly matter to her. What mattered was preventing the Cooper Group from swindling him.

    She kept her voice low, trying to persuade him further. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what your employer wants, but I believe his intentions are good. However, please ask him to stop increasing his bid.¡±

    The blond, blue-eyed man suddenly raised his voice. ¡°Ms. Watson, you¡¯re the mostpassionate person I¡¯ve ever met. But there¡¯s no need for concern. This amount means very little to my employer. In fact¡­ your work is worth three hundred million, so it¡¯s quite reasonable.¡±

    His words carried through the entire hall, sparking another wave of excitement.

    People started specting aloud. ¡°Maia came down here because the bid was getting too high? What is she thinking? Wouldn¡¯t anyone else want their pieces to fetch as much as possible?¡±

    Others questioned the identity of this man¡¯s employer. ¡°Who does this man work for? Is he really that wealthy? If he¡¯s not romantically interested in Maia, that¡¯s hard to believe.¡±

    ¡°And we¡¯re talking about just one item. He said he wants everything Maia put up for auction, which could total over a billion dors.¡±

    Kiley had followed them down and now shot Maia a venomous look. She stepped forward, speaking with false concern. ¡°Ms. Watson, I understand you¡¯re worried such a high price might strain the bidder, but perhaps they can handle it without difficulty. I¡¯m confident this gentleman¡¯s employer recognizes this as a worthy cause.¡±

    The man nodded in agreement. ¡°You make an excellent point, Ms. Cooper. Shall we proceed?¡±

    He nced toward Pattie and lifted his paddle once more. ¡°My bid is four hundred million dors.¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s hosts captivating tales

    The host announced excitedly, ¡°Four hundred million is the bid! Does anyone wish to go higher? Four hundred million going once! Four hundred million going twice!¡±

    Pattie clenched her jaw and stood. ¡°I bid five hundred million!¡±

    She looked at Maia, her eyes glistening. This was all she had left. Another bid from that man would leave her with nothing.

    The hall wentpletely silent.

    The man lifted his paddle once more without hesitation. ¡°Six hundred million!¡± His voice was low andmanding. He seemed to see through Pattie¡¯s situation. ¡°You¡¯ve reached your limit, haven¡¯t you, Ms. Miller?¡±

    Maia was shocked to discover that the other party knew about MCN¡¯s reserve funds. This revtion deepened her suspicions about Mr. M¡¯s true identity.

    Could Zoey be that person? If so, perhaps their own team had inadvertently attacked itself.

    Maia felt certain that Zoey had no real intention of paying. She suspected that Zoey shared her own goal: to create problems for the Cooper Group.

    This thought led Maia to decide to stop Pattie from cing any more bids.

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 Chapter 1357

    Chapter 1357:

    However, at that very moment, Brielle raised her paddle. Her voice was gentle but clear as she said, ¡°I bid seven hundred million.¡±

    Brielle¡¯s bid caught Maia off guard.

    Maia looked toward her, and Brielle responded with a wink.

    Maia realized Brielle had misunderstood her intentions.

    Suddenly, Hurst stood up and raised his paddle high. ¡°One billion!¡± he dered, then challenged the man sitting next to Maia. ¡°An open-ended bid, huh? Let¡¯s see how capable you really are.¡±

    The atmosphere grew tense the instant Hurst made his bold move.

    Maia felt dizzy as things began spiraling out of control.

    Hurst had intervened because he interpreted Maia¡¯s earlier signal to Pattie as opposition to the mysterious man purchasing her jewelry designs.

    He saw this as a perfect chance to make a good impression.

    Another factor motivated him: the man¡¯s arrogant behavior seemed to imply that people from Wrontcked financial resources, something Hurst refused to tolerate.

    Kiley nearly cursed when she saw Hurst raise his paddle. Hurst was her father¡¯s cousin. Wasn¡¯t he undermining their entire n? This was like pointlessly moving money from one pocket to another.

    Kiley made her displeasure known. ¡°Hurst, are you really sure about bidding one billion?¡± she asked, a clear threat in her tone.

    Normally, Hurst would have backed down. But he had prepared to sever ties with Kolton and had no intention of paying a single cent.

    He simply wanted to see Kolton suffer a severe blow, knowing that non-payment meant they could walk away from the purchase. The thought of Kolton¡¯s impending humiliation filled Hurst with satisfaction.

    He nced at Maia. ¡°Ms. Watson¡¯s work has immeasurable future value, so I want a piece of the action too,¡± he said.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??§àm opens doors to fiction

    Comments flooded the live chat.

    ¡°One billion already!¡±

    ¡°Priceless jewelry!¡±

    ¡°Everyone¡¯s gone crazy!¡±

    The man who had made the open-ended bid chuckled. He hadn¡¯t expected anyone to raise the bid, but this oue suited him perfectly.

    The higher the price, the better it served his purpose, as he also had no intention of paying. The Cooper Group would be left with nothing but hollow victory.

    So he raised his paddle once more. ¡°One and a half billion,¡± he announced, then added with feigned embarrassment, ¡°That¡¯s as high as I can go.¡±

    Cold sweat broke out on many foreheads the moment he finished speaking. No one dared to bid carelessly now.

    All eyes turned to Hurst.

    Maia looked at Hurst and shook her head vigorously. Hurst noticed and stopped, wondering if she wanted him to quit.

    Scratching his head, he coughed and sat back down, not raising his paddle again.

    The host quickly announced, ¡°One and a half billion going once, going twice, sold!¡± He turned to the man. ¡°Guest 99, congrattions on winning the auction item!¡±

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 Chapter 1358

    Chapter 1358:

    Kiley started the apuse and others followed.

    One and a half billion far exceeded anyone¡¯s expectations, giving the auction a superb start.

    ¡°Our next item is ¡®Angel¡¯s Tear,''¡± Kiley announced loudly.

    Deep lines of concern appeared on Maia¡¯s forehead¡ªKiley had gone too far. ¡°Angel¡¯s Tear¡± did not belong to her.

    Although Mr. M had called it a gift, Maia had never intended to keep such valuable jewelry.

    She had kept it safe, nning to return it when the right moment came.

    Kiley continued, ¡°Everyone here knows that ¡®Angel¡¯s Tear¡¯ is renowned as the world¡¯srgest sapphire, famous for its size and beauty. Originally owned by the Cooper Group, it waster purchased by a mysterious buyer for twenty-one billion and given to Maia as a gift. After much consideration, Maia has decided to auction this famous gemstone so the proceeds can help more children living in poverty.¡±

    After finishing her statement, Kiley¡¯s eyes swept across the room. She dered solemnly, ¡°The bidding can begin now!¡±

    Maia had reached her limit. She turned to face Kiley. ¡°I believe a mistake has been made. That gemstone doesn¡¯t belong to me!¡± she stated.

    However, nobody believed her.

    The incident had made headlines at the time, creating quite amotion.

    The man who had just bid one and a half billion was more shocked than anyone. He was the one who had personally delivered ¡°Angel¡¯s Tear¡± to Maia on Mr. M¡¯s behalf.

    Staring at Maia in disbelief, his mouth fell open¡ªhis boss had given that to Maia as a gift.

    He couldn¡¯t restrain himself. ¡°Do you really mean to auction off such an important present?¡± he asked.

    Maia¡¯s head snapped sideways in instant refusal, prepared to deny everything once again.

    Check new chapters at

    Kiley moved faster, her palm pressing down over Maia¡¯s microphone with decisive force. ¡°Think about Chris and everything you just imed!¡± Her voice cut through the air like winter frost. ¡°What happened to all that confidence? Are you really folding this quickly?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not folding¡ª¡¯Angel¡¯s Tear¡¯ was never mine to begin with,¡± Maia fired back without hesitation.

    But before another word could escape her lips, the man who had ced the audacious open-ended bid spoke again. ¡°No, Ms. Watson. ¡®Angel¡¯s Tear¡¯ belongs to you¡ªthere¡¯s absolutely no question about that.¡±

    He lifted his paddle high, his voice booming across the hall. ¡°Three billion! The sapphire is mine.¡±

    Then he repeated that unmistakable open-ended gesture, slow and deliberate.

    The guests¡¯ faces drained of color, twisting with outrage asints erupted from every corner.

    ¡°What kind of bidding strategy is this? He jumps straight to three billion.¡±

    ¡°Unbelievable! I was about to call two billion two hundred million, and this lunatic skyrockets it out of nowhere. Does he think cash just falls from the sky?¡±

    ¡°Is he actually serious? Has anyone verified his credentials? He¡¯s probably running his mouth with empty pockets.¡±

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 Chapter 1359

    Chapter 1359:

    ¡°Precisely! This isn¡¯t some bargain-bin fantasy novel. Wealthy people aren¡¯t fools¡ªthey calcte every move carefully and would never throw money around like this.¡±

    The onlinementary painted an entirely different picture, though.

    ¡°Wait, who is this mystery man? That level of boldness is absolutely breathtaking!¡±

    ¡°Dropping three billion like it¡¯s loose change in his couch cushions? That¡¯s devastatingly attractive. I¡¯mpletely smitten by him.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m literally weeping with envy over here. He tosses around three billion the way I splurge thirty dors on lunch. Why does such a massive chasm exist between human beings?¡±

    Just then, movement rippled through the crowd as someone rose abruptly from his seat.

    ¡°Hold everything!¡± A man pushed his sses higher up the bridge of his nose, his tone cial. ¡°Ms. Cooper, I strongly suspect this individual infiltrated the event because I distinctly remember that seat standing empty earlier.¡±

    He gestured sharply toward the mysterious bidder. ¡°I¡¯ve questioned several guests just now, and not a single person recognizes him. I have every reason to believe he¡¯s aplete fraud.¡± His finger stabbed through the air usingly. ¡°I demand concrete proof of his identity.¡±

    His usation detonated another explosion of chaos.

    Kiley had already considered that exact possibility and had quietly dispatched someone to dig into the man¡¯s background moments earlier.

    No report had surfaced yet, though.

    What caught her off guard was how the man¡¯s theatrical behavior had sparked suspicion from other guests first.

    Kiley certainly wasn¡¯t about to waste this opportunity. After all, if she challenged him directly and discovered he represented some powerful magnate, she¡¯d inevitably create a dangerous enemy.

    Now, however, that concern evaporated.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    She manufactured a polite smile that never touched her eyes. ¡°Sir, to eliminate everyone¡¯s lingering doubts, would you mind sharing your identity or revealing which organization you represent?¡± she asked, her voiceced with carefully measured embarrassment.

    The man swept his gaze across the room, his lips curving into an unbothered smile. His employer had predicted this exact scenario long ago.

    That was precisely why leaving Mr. M¡¯s signature at Maia¡¯s birthday celebration had been so strategically brilliant¡ªit ensured everyone understood that Mr. M was a fabulously wealthy yet maddeningly elusive enigma.

    The man reached into his inner pocket and extracted a half-mask, positioning it carefully over his features while his eyes locked forward with arctic intensity.

    Simultaneously, the bodyguards surrounding him stood as one, sliding dark sunsses onto their faces.

    The moment that familiar tableau materialized, a woman gasped sharply and pped her hand over her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s him!¡± she eximed.

    Her trembling finger extended toward the masked figure. ¡°The same man who appeared at the Morgan family¡¯s birthday celebration for their twin daughters¡­ He delivered Maia¡¯s birthday present on behalf of the legendary Mr. M.¡±

    Her revtion sparked a chain reaction of recognition among several Wront elites who¡¯d attended that extravagant banquet.

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 Chapter 1360

    Chapter 1360:

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t figure out why his presence felt so hauntingly familiar. Now it¡¯s crystal clear¡ªhe serves as Mr. M¡¯s representative.¡±

    ¡°Of course! He wore this exact mask that night. Everything suddenly makes perfect sense. No wonder he throws money around with such abandon. His employer is that mythical Mr. M himself.¡±

    ¡°For Maia¡¯s birthday alone, Mr. M orchestrated an entire citywide fireworks spectacle paired with a drone show, then casually gifted the ¡®Angel¡¯s Tear¡¯ sapphire valued at twenty-one billion dors.¡±

    The banquet hall erupted into frenzied excitement once more.

    Numerous members of The Mask scattered throughout the audience disyed genuine shock upon seeing that distinctive mask, including the award-winning actor Ss.

    He narrowed his eyes, studying the exquisitely crafted mask on the man¡¯s face, feeling ice crystallize in his chest.

    The mask¡¯s material, particrly those unique patterns, mirrored his own with unsettling precision. Could this mean he also belonged to The Mask organization?

    Ss struggled to make sense of it. Raegan had never breathed a word about any of this.

    Beyond that, he could read this man¡¯s intentions perfectly¡ªhe was unmistakably championing Maia¡¯s cause! Was this entire spectacle orchestrated?

    Yet¡­ that exnation didn¡¯t hold up either.

    At that charged moment, the man¡¯s voice sliced through the chaos with frigid precision. ¡°I¡¯m cing this three-billion-dor bid on behalf of Mr. M.¡±

    He turned his head slowly, his gaze sweeping across the room.

    ¡°Now then, does anyone still have any questions?¡±

    The hall fell into hushed silence.

    Mr. M¡¯s birthday gift to Maia had carved itself into everyone¡¯s memory with indelible force.

    More content at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    More importantly, they vividly recalled the exchange between the masked man and Maia just minutes earlier.

    The man had posed a pointed question. ¡°Are you certain you want to part with this birthday gift?¡±

    Maia¡¯s response had painted the truth in stark colors¡ªshe had been firmly denied permission to sell ¡°Angel¡¯s Tear.¡± The reason was obvious: she feared the consequences. More precisely, she worried that Mr. M might take offense. After all, ¡°Angel¡¯s Tear¡± had flowed from his hands as a birthday gift meant specifically for her.

    At that exact moment, the onlinement section erupted into fresh chaos.

    ¡°Is this actually happening? The man represents Mr. M himself¡ªwho in their right mind would dare challenge him now?¡±

    ¡°Mr. M spent twenty-one billion on a single piece of jewelry for Maia. That kind of extravagance doesn¡¯t exist in most wealthy people¡¯s vocabry.¡±

    ¡°Wait, doesn¡¯t this mean Mr. M essentially just repurchased ¡®Angel¡¯s Tear¡¯ for three billion?¡±

    ¡°I just watched videos from the Morgan family¡¯s birthday banquet online. Good heavens! Mr. M¡¯s gift was absolutely breathtaking!¡±

    The hashtag ¡°Mr. M¡¯s representative bids three billion at Cooper Group charity g¡± rocketed to the top of every trending chart within minutes.

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 Chapter 1361

    Chapter 1361:

    The entire inte ignited into feverish discussion all over again.

    Countless guests who had witnessed the birthday celebration uploaded their footage online, where it instantly umted mountains of likes and cascadingments.

    ¡°This level of romance is absolutely unreal! I¡¯ve never witnessed anything remotely close to this. If this were a marriage proposal, I seriously doubt any woman alive could refuse.¡±

    ¡°Good lord! Who exactly is this Mr. M? How does someone umte that kind of staggering wealth?¡±

    ¡°Mr. M must embody true sophistication¡ªa man of means who genuinely understands the art of capturing a woman¡¯s heart.¡±

    Inside the banquet hall, Kiley swiftly gathered her scatteredposure.

    Even though her heart still churned like an ocean in a storm, she had to acknowledge one undeniable truth: Mr. M possessed genuinely unwavering devotion.

    To champion Maia¡¯s cause, he had gone to extraordinary lengths¡ªsomething the vast majority of men wouldn¡¯t even dream of attempting.

    In fact, during her tenure working in Otruitho, she had stumbled across whispers about Mr. M¡¯s existence.

    Kolton had dispatched numerous investigators to uncover his identity, and she had been among that persistent group.

    Yet despite her relentless efforts, Kiley had discovered absolutely nothing of substance, never imagining she would encounter his representative at Cooper Group¡¯s charity g tonight.

    At this pivotal juncture, merely two auction items had already generated four and a half billion for Cooper Group, soaring far beyond anything Kiley had dared anticipate.

    With that financial windfall secured, Cooper Group¡¯s cash flow crisis could dissolvepletely, potentially opening doors to even greater profits down the road.

    This so-called charity g served merely as an elegant vehicle to capitalize on people¡¯s desperate hunger to purchase their own sense of benevolence.

    Kiley¡¯s eyes narrowed into calcting slits as her gaze drifted back toward Maia, and she acknowledged silently, ¡°It appears Maia carries far more strategic value than I¡¯d initially calcted.¡±

    As bait dangled before the world, Maia had sessfully hooked Mr. M¡ªthat magnificent, elusive prize¡ªwhich represented the genuine triumph here.

    Perhaps this had been Kolton¡¯s true intention all along, and Kiley found herself marveling at his foresight with renewed appreciation.

    ¡°Mr. M has ced his bid at three billion. Does anyone else wish to enter thepetition?¡± Kiley elevated her voice, attempting to drag the guests back from their stupefied state.

    However, upon hearing her invitation, not a single soul stepped forward¡ªespecially those who¡¯d questioned the man¡¯s legitimacy earlier.

    They desperately wished the floor would simply swallow them whole, having suddenly grasped that Mr. M¡¯s financial firepower existed in an entirely different stratosphere beyond their wildest reach.

    The host rushed to interject, his words tumbling out in barely controlled excitement. ¡°Three billion going once¡­ sold!¡± His enthusiasm over the generousmission he¡¯d earned caused him to skip an entire call.

    Yet even with such a ring procedural mistake, nobody dared raise an objection.

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 Chapter 1362

    Chapter 1362:

    When confronted with a mysterious figure wielding immeasurable power, the wisest and safest strategy remained simple: don¡¯t position yourself as their adversary.

    Maia slowly unclenched her tightly balled fists, letting tension drain from her rigid fingers.

    From the precise moment the man unveiled himself as Mr. M¡¯s representative, she¡¯d deliberately chosen silence as her shield.

    She studied him now, watching as he smiled directly at her with knowing warmth.

    His theatrical performance practically screamed its message to Maia¡ªeverything unfolding tonight was part of an borately orchestrated conspiracy nned long in advance. Perhaps the genuine setup had germinated at the Morgan family¡¯s birthday banquet itself, on that pivotal day when everyone first learned Mr. M existed at all.

    Kiley, however, interpreted Maia¡¯s silence as capittion. The money belonged to Mr. M¡¯s empire, not hers.

    Kiley¡¯s lips twisted into a sneer. She¡¯d never anticipated Maia would demonstrate such fierce loyalty to her bodyguard, willing to transform herself into a puppet just to satisfy Chris¡¯s modest wish to see Laurence again.

    Meanwhile, Pattie copsed heavily into a chair, dragging her hand across her damp forehead.

    She threw a nce toward Maia, bitterness coating her thoughts like acid.

    Mr. M had casually offered three billion dors. Who in God¡¯s name was this man really?

    Even if she mortgaged her entire MCNpany down to its foundation, Pattie couldn¡¯t possibly secure that astronomical sum from any bank.

    Online spection swirled that Mr. M was actively pursuing Maia¡¯s affections. Pattie suddenly wondered whether Chris had discovered this truth long ago.

    She instinctively twisted in her seat to check Chris¡¯s location, only to freezepletely.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??om has it all

    Chris had vanished without a trace. Where had he disappeared to? Could it be that Mr. M¡¯s overwhelming presence had stirred feelings of inadequacy deep within him?

    Chris maneuvered the kitchen cart through the chaotic swirl of ttering pans and shouted orders, the metallic scent of steam and spices cloaking his movements.

    He slipped past harried staff without drawing a nce and emerged into the shadowed alley where the garbage truck waited, its hydraulic arms groaning as it lifted a bin and emptied its contents into the grindingpactor.

    Two men in grimy overalls stood ready.

    Chris offered no words.

    Kolton might have seeded trackers or live microphones on Laurence.

    Silence remained safest. Chris positioned the cart squarely before the two workers and peeled away the mask in one fluid motion.

    Recognition shed in the two men¡¯s eyes.

    They produced handheld scanners and swept them across Laurence¡¯s frail form. The devices erupted in shrill beeps almost instantly.

    Four dots pulsed on the screen: one in his shoe sole, one in the wheelchair¡¯s armrest, beneath the cor, and at the hem of one pant leg.

    Chris¡¯s brows lifted in grim admiration. Kolton had anticipated everything. He truly yed chess while others yed checkers.

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 Chapter 1363

    Chapter 1363:

    They worked with practiced efficiency, removing each device in hushed urgency.

    Laurence, however, shattered the quiet with childlike delight. ¡°This is thrilling. We must do it again soon.¡±

    The trackers red crimson the moment his voice registered. They were about to be exposed. Chris grabbed the four devices, gave a curt nod to the two workers, and bolted.

    The two workers hoisted Laurence into the truck¡¯s cavernous belly and fired the engine.

    Laurence¡¯s smile faltered as he realized Chris was gone. ¡°Grandson?¡± he called, voice cracking.

    Before panic could rise, a gloved hand pressed a syringe to his neck. Laurence¡¯s eyelids drooped, his body slumping into merciful darkness.

    ¡°Forgive us, sir. It is for your protection,¡± one of the two men murmured, withdrawing the empty sedative. He then said to hispanion, ¡°To the ambnce. Move!¡±

    Chris sprinted through service corridors, lungs burning, pulse hammering. His mission was halfplete. Laurence was secured. Now, to retrieve Maia and vanish before rms sounded.

    He slowed as a waiter crossed his path. With theatrical ease, he pped the man¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Harry! Moonlighting here too?¡±

    While the bewildered server opened his mouth to protest, Chris¡¯s fingers slid the four blinking trackers into the back pocket in one seamless motion.

    ¡°Who¡¯s Harry?¡± the waiter sputtered.

    ¡°My mistake. Thought you were an old friend,¡± Chris answered with an apologetic grin before melting back into the crowd.

    Kiley would discover Laurence¡¯s disappearance any minute, and it was best if he and Maia were not present for that.

    Raegan swept into the banquet hall,posure fraying at the edges.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    Several members of The Mask immediately converged around her like shadows.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, is that man one of ours?¡± one hissed, gesturing toward the figure in a gleaming silver half-mask.

    Raegan froze mid-step. She followed the operative¡¯s pointing finger across the room and felt ice flood her veins.

    A tall figure stood near the auction podium wearing a gleaming silver half-mask that covered the upper portion of his face.

    Raegan¡¯s breath caught. She recognized that mask.

    The mask belonged to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Thirteenth rank. Codename Death. Grayson Jones. Master of disguise and corpse disposal. A top detective in Wildebell.

    Ice flooded her veins.

    Low-ranking members knew nothing of the Four Horsemen. They could not grasp the catastrophe unfolding.

    The leader¡¯s warning echoed in her skull. If Death walked openly, the leader himself might lurk among them, witnessing her every move.

    Panic wed upward. She seized the nearest subordinate. ¡°Speak. What did he do?¡±

    The man swallowed hard. ¡°He bid one billion five hundred million on Maia¡¯s jewelry. Then offered three billion for ¡®Angel¡¯s Tear.''¡±

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 Chapter 1364

    Chapter 1364:

    Raegan¡¯s vision blurred, and the blood drained from her face.

    ¡°He imed to serve Mr. M,¡± the subordinate added in a whisper.

    Raegan staggered, the world tilting.

    Mr. M. The leader of The Mask.

    Confirmation struck like a guillotine. She whirled toward Maia, hatred zing scarlet in her eyes.

    Why always her? What was so good about her? It was frustrating.

    In Raegan¡¯s eyes, the leader belonged to her alone. Not Maia. Never!

    Rage crystallized into lethal resolve.

    She faced her operatives, voice dropping to cial steel. ¡°That man is an imposter. Lethally dangerous. Eliminate Maia. Now.¡±

    Under the spotlight, Death¡ªGrayson¡ªonce again removed the mask. His features wereid bare before the silent, expectant crowd.

    In the stillness that settled over the venue, he turned slightly and offered Maia a refined, almost old-fashioned bow. When he spoke, his tone was modest yet carried a powerful certainty. ¡°Ms. Watson, although I was the one who won the ¡®Angel¡¯s Tear,¡¯ I have said from the start that it belongs to you, and only you. No one else is worthy of owning it.¡±

    He straightened slowly, his focus shifting to Kiley. His voice was not loud, but it carried undeniable authority. ¡°Therefore, a transfer of the item is unnecessary.¡±

    A faint smile touched his lips. ¡°The ¡®Angel¡¯s Tear¡¯ is already in the hands of its true owner.¡±

    Another ripple of astonishment surged through the audience. Grayson¡¯s serene smile didn¡¯t waver, hisposure suggesting that everything was unfolding exactly as he intended.

    He had not dared to let Maia transfer the ¡°Angel¡¯s Tear¡± rashly, partly out of distrust for Cooper Group, and partly because it was entirely pointless.

    With an unshakable demeanor, he promised, ¡°I will cover all the expenses. The auction can proceed. My statement stands¡ªMr. M will take all of Maia¡¯s auction items.¡±

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    His deration sent another wave of excitement through the crowd.

    ¡°Does that mean Mr. M is donating three billion dors without even taking the item?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s supporting Maia unconditionally with his wealth!¡±

    ¡°Oh my! I¡¯m so envious. If I were Maia, I would marry Mr. M on the spot.¡±

    The live broadcast exploded withments.

    ¡°Did you see that,dies? A man who truly loves you will buy you jewels without a second thought.¡±

    ¡°This just proves that outstanding people attract outstanding partners. Maia deserves all of this.¡±

    ¡°Even with so many men adoring her, I can¡¯t bring myself to be jealous. Maia is simply worthy of it all.¡±

    ¡°The ¡®Angel¡¯s Tear¡¯ belongs to Maia, and only her. That line gave me chills.¡±

    Kiley offered a delicate, cheerful smile. ¡°Of course.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 1365

    Chapter 1365:

    Her gaze toward Grayson was now more eager than ever, filled with pure desire for the money Mr. M could bring to Cooper Group.

    All her earlier doubts had vanished the moment his identity was confirmed. She trusted himpletely, not just because of the whispers around her. The report fed through her earpiece had verified what her subordinates discovered: the man before her was indeed the mysterious buyer who had won the ¡°Angel¡¯s Tear¡± from udius.

    ording to the report, he was a major oil magnate, and his name was Granger Sparrow.

    ¡°Mr. Granger Sparrow,¡± Kiley began, her voice soft, ¡°since you have ced an open-ended bid, I assume no one will challenge you for the third item. Perhaps you would like to name your price? The third item is the painting ¡®Rebirth,¡¯ created by Maia under the pen name Matias Watts. This piece was highly acimed at the Otruitho exhibition and holds significant collectible value. I¡¯m sure you are familiar with it and know its current market worth.¡±

    Grayson¡¯s expression remained unreadable, giving no hint of his inner thoughts. Yet inwardly, he was amused.

    As a member of The Mask, maintaining multiple identities was standard practice.

    The persona of ¡°Granger Sparrow¡± was entirely fabricated. It was a name borrowed from a novel where it served as the protagonist¡¯s own false identity.

    ¡°Certainly,¡± Grayson drawled. ¡°But if I were to bid based on its current valuation¡­¡± He paused, eyes lifting with a subtle, knowing glint. ¡°That may be¡­ a bit difficult for me.¡±

    Keeping to the persona of a wealthy magnate, he added smoothly, ¡°To tell the truth, I believe ¡®Rebirth¡¯ is¡­ beyond valuation.¡±

    The audience was once again struck speechless.

    Guests quickly searched for the original online, and the room filled with gasps as they found the painting.

    Grayson continued, ¡°Mr. M once said that the value of this piece will one day far surpass that of the ¡®Angel¡¯s Tear.''¡±

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    The live broadcastments exploded instantly.

    ¡°Wow! Far surpass it?¡±

    ¡°Oh my! I saw that painting earlier¡ªI can¡¯t believe Maia painted it.¡±

    ¡°The talent gap is just disheartening. What a blow.¡±

    ¡°Four billion? Or five billion?¡±

    ¡°Maybe even higher.¡±

    Kiley¡¯s eyes glittered at Grayson¡¯s words.

    She asked softly, ¡°Then, Mr. Sparrow, what price do you intend to offer for the painting?¡±

    Grayson nced at Kiley before shifting his attention back to Maia. Instead of the restless tension she had shown earlier, Maia carried herself with a steady calm that reminded him of water untouched by wind.

    The change caught Grayson off guard, and he realized Maia had understood the situation far better than he expected. He recalled what Mr. M had told him before the mission began. ¡°You can trust Maia. She will figure out what I intend to do.¡±

    Such confidence must have meant something. People at their level of power often sensed each other¡¯s ns even without speaking.

    With that thought, Grayson prepared to introduce a bold offer meant to draw Cooper Group into a trap.

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 Chapter 1366

    Chapter 1366:

    He steadied himself and spoke in a low, firm tone. ¡°I¡¯m prepared to offer ten billion.¡±

    The statement struck the room with startling force.

    The crowd reacted with disbelief, and the shock spread quickly.

    A few people had guessed the bid would fall around four billion, five billion, or maybe six billion. They believed the offer would simply double the price of ¡°Angel¡¯s Tear.¡± Yet none of them imagined ten billion.

    The amount stood so high that it matched the annual GDP of certain small countries.

    A few people immediately picked up on how strange the situation seemed and began questioning it.

    ¡°Is this real? Is someone pulling a prank? How does ten billion even make sense? Is this whole event nned ahead of time?¡±

    ¡°Think about the rtionship between Maia and Kiley. This has to be staged. If ¡®Angel¡¯s Tear¡¯ didn¡¯t need to be delivered, then this painting might follow the same pattern.¡±

    ¡°Now that you pointed it out, it does look suspicious. Maia hasn¡¯t actually handed over any auction item tonight, and we might never find out if the bidder intends to pay for those items.¡±

    In a matter of minutes, the online chat filled with the words ¡°ten billion.¡±

    Right then, as the audience whispered their doubts, Maia narrowed her eyes.

    She knew from the start that the n carried risks. Once the number grew too outrageous, the entire situation would look unbelievable. Still, Zoey would have nned for a moment like this.

    Her attention shifted to Grayson, and she noticed he remainedpletely steady.

    Kiley appearedposed as well, yet her thoughts raced wildly beneath the surface.

    A bid of three billion would have seemed reasonable, and even a slightly higher offer could have passed. However, hearing someone dere ten billion all at once struck her as excessive, and it made the entire moment feel staged.

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    Kiley found herself trapped in a strange fog of doubt, and the uncertainty tightened around her.

    She shifted her gaze toward Maia and noticed how steady she appeared, which only heightened her unease. Mr. M¡¯s attention was clearly fixed on Maia. That made her wonder if Granger might be working with Maia to mislead her.

    Kiley pushed the thought away almost immediately because the idea felt unreasonable. Maia had tried to stop the bidding earlier, and her reaction seemed genuine.

    The possibility shed again, making her question if Maia¡¯sposure had something to do with the threat she had made.

    Kiley believed Maia would never involve herself in such a n for Chris. He had be someone without value after his own family abandoned him.

    While Kiley wrestled with her confusion, Grayson narrowed his eyes and released a coldugh. ¡°It seems it¡¯s true that average people can never imagine the life of the truly wealthy. Still, a sum thisrge is not easy to move in a single transfer, and that often leads to needless assumptions.¡±

    He turned his attention toward Kiley and said in aposed tone, ¡°To be clear, I cannot bring out that amount in direct cash.¡±

    His words brought an immediate hush over the room.

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 Chapter 1367

    Chapter 1367:

    A small frown touched Kiley¡¯s face. ¡°Then what are you trying to say?¡±

    ¡°I intend to suggest another way toplete the transaction.¡±

    Grayson offered a faint smile and snapped his fingers with quiet confidence.

    A towering bodyguard stepped forward as if he had been waiting for this moment. He lifted a ck leather case from the floor.

    Before the entire audience, Grayson utched the case and disyed a neat arrangement of documents along with the gleam of a contract.

    ¡°Inside this case are oil extraction rights that exceed fifteen billion in value,¡± he said with steady conviction. ¡°These rights can yield several hundred million dors in yearly profit. That is more than enough to support every bid I have made tonight.¡±

    The crowd reacted instantly. The number alone stunned them, and the mention of oil extraction rights pushed their shock even further.

    A guest said, ¡°Oh my God! Oil extraction rights worth fifteen billion? Is this real life?¡±

    ¡°Granger Sparrow¡­ Granger¡­ Now I remember. He¡¯s connected to the oil industry.¡±

    The realization spread through the room, and the guests stared in disbelief.

    ¡°What? Is he an oil tycoon? That would make his employer, Mr. M, someone with enormous influence.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wrap my head around it! Cooper Group has been hoping to move into the energy market, and this opportunity drops right into their hands.¡±

    ¡°How is this still a charity event? This feels more like Cooper Group announcing its rise to power. By tomorrow, their stock price will probably soar to the highest point possible.¡±

    Grayson looked particrly pleased. The Cooper Group, famous for throwing its weight around in Wront, was walking straight into a trap that his boss hadid out piece by piece. To outsiders, it seemed as if Cooper Group had just secured a massive advantage.

    Kiley could barely hide her excitement.

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    Unknown to her, while the transfer agreement itself was legitimate, the oil fields listed in it didn¡¯t exist at all.

    All the paperwork was wless, but in reality, the three fields mentioned were nothing more than abandoned plots, concealed beneath a thinyer of soil.

    Once Cooper Group took ownership and spent a fortune on drilling machinery, they would quickly realize that not a drop of oil could be extracted, and they would be theughingstock of the industry.

    Grayson stepped forward and presented the documents with practiced smoothness.

    ¡°I trust you¡¯ll direct all these proceeds toward charitable causes, Ms. Cooper.¡± He turned and gave Kiley a brief look. ¡°Please take your time reviewing everything. We can sign whenever you¡¯re ready.¡±

    With that, the oil magnate admired by everyone raised his brows slightly, surveying the room with a faint, taunting smile.

    ¡°Any questions?¡±

    The hall went dead silent.

    Those who had been aggressively interrogating moments before were now pale, breathing lightly and carefully.

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 Chapter 1368

    Chapter 1368:

    Kiley moved closer, scanned the agreement, and smiled graciously. ¡°Mr. Sparrow, thank you¡­ and thank you to Mr. M for such generosity. We¡¯ll proceed with the signing a bitter.¡±

    She faced the guests again. ¡°And thank you to Maia for her donation. The Cooper Charity Foundation will issue certificates within fifteen working days.¡±

    Apuse broke out, but everyone¡¯s thoughts were still stuck on the supposed fifteen billion dors¡¯ worth of oil extraction rights.

    Meanwhile, in the restroom outside the banquet center, Chris slipped into one of the cubicles, took off the server¡¯s uniform, and pulled out another outfit he had hidden earlier inside the toilet tank. It had been sealed well,pletely protected from the water.

    Right then, he heard two men talking just beyond the door.

    Both sounded middle-aged. One, speaking in a thick Wront ent, said, ¡°There¡¯ll be a ckout soon. The second the lights go out, take out the target.¡±

    The other man¡¯s voice was rough and low. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ve already located the best sniping point.¡±

    Chris stayed perfectly still until their footsteps faded. Only then did he exhale.

    Take out the target? Sniping?

    He pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to Maxwell. ¡°There¡¯s a sniper in the banquet hall. Find them before they act.¡±

    After hitting send, he changed into the dry clothes, shoved the server¡¯s uniform into the tank, and closed the lid, eliminating any sign of what he¡¯d done.

    When he finished and stepped out, he nearly collided with an older man and a younger one, not realizing the younger man was Jarrod.

    As the restroom door shut behind Chris, Cohen nced back, then turned to Jarrod. ¡°With that injury, you can¡¯t handle the shot.¡±

    He hesitated briefly, then lowered his voice. ¡°Stick to your n, but let me pull the trigger.¡±

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    Jarrod clenched his teeth. Sweat gathered on his forehead, and blood seeped through his shirt from the shoulder wound. His hand shook slightly as he held a small vial filled with a fluorescent substance.

    Not being able to kill Maia himself was a bitter disappointment. But his body was failing him. The wound had reopened during the climb.

    After a long, frustrated breath, he finally agreed with a nod.

    Cohen immediately opened his backpack, took out fresh bandages, and began rewrapping the injury.

    Jarrod¡¯s eyes were red as he spread the transparent fluorescent liquid across his palms.

    A single touch would leave a glowing mark on Maia.

    He lifted his head slowly, a crazed anticipation flickering in his gaze.

    Once the lights went out, Maia would shine like a beacon¡ªan easy target in the dark.

    Inside the banquet hall, the auction carried on.

    Guests continued approaching the stage with their items, but nothing presented now even came close to a hundred million dors. Conversations buzzed everywhere, all centered on the dramatic events from earlier.

    Maia sat back down, gripping her phone tightly, anxiety twisting in her stomach as she wondered what Chris was dealing with.

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 Chapter 1369

    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¡ªespecially 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.

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    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¡ªalmost 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¡ªrage 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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 Chapter 1370

    Chapter 1370:

    That would be the ideal oue. And if it didn¡¯t happen¡ªif Maia somehow dodged the orchestrated mob¡ªhidden operatives would step in at the end to finish the job.

    Either way, the conclusion was the same. Maia wasn¡¯t meant to make it through tonight.

    But as Kiley reveled in her calctions, a loud argument suddenly erupted behind Maia.

    ¡°Ss, take that back right now!¡±

    The outburst drew immediate attention.

    Maia turned toward themotion and saw Alice shaking with fury, pointing a trembling finger at Ss.

    Ss leaned back in his chair, legs crossed, impatience dripping from his voice. ¡°I didn¡¯t even mention you. Why are you freaking out?¡±

    He then ncedzily at Maia, giving a mocking smirk. ¡°And what I said is the truth. I¡¯d say it even if Maia were standing right here.¡±

    The sarcasm in his voice was unmistakable.

    ¡°Maia hasn¡¯t contributed anything. The first auction piece was made by Radiant Jewels. The second was bought and gifted to her, and the third painting is still on exhibition in Otruitho. Who knows if the buyer will ever receive it?¡±

    He scoffed and added in a low voice meant only for Alice, ¡°Isn¡¯t this just gaining benefits without doing a thing? Hiding behind the word ¡®charity¡¯ and spending other people¡¯s money? Sounds like relying on a man to me. Who knows what kind of rtionship she has with Mr. M?¡±

    Ss let out a quietugh.

    Alice trembled with rage, her teeth clenched. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re making things up! Maia is where she is because of her own abilities. She isn¡¯t depending on any man!¡±

    Maia stopped walking, a slight crease forming between her brows as she approached Alice and Ss.

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    ¡°Are you alright?¡± she asked softly, steadying Alice by the arm and giving her back a light, calming pat. ¡°What happened?¡±

    Alice¡¯s breathing came fast and uneven, her face drained of color as fury tightened her jaw.

    ¡°He¡­ He said that you¡­ He said you are¡­¡±

    With so many guests staring, Alice found herself too upset to finish the sentence in public.

    Maia gave her another gentle pat. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Breathe. People can say whatever they like. You don¡¯t need to let it affect you.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ But¡­¡± Alice¡¯s voice trembled with anger as she jabbed a finger toward Ss. She was so enraged that she looked ready to spit in his face, hoping it would knock the prejudice out of him.

    At that moment, Pattie walked over, arms folded and an eyebrow raised toward Ss. ¡°You can¡¯t expect sense from certain people. Some folks are just full of garbage.¡±

    With a cold snort, she didn¡¯t bother to soften her words. ¡°If you can¡¯t say something directly to someone¡¯s face and can only whisper like a sewer rat, that¡¯s pretty pathetic.¡±

    Maia pressed her hand against her lips, unable to hide augh. When it came to verbalbat, Pattie was unmatched.

    .

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noa: Happy weekend dear readers. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?

    .

 Chapter 1371

    Chapter 1371:

    Ss¡¯s expression twisted, as though he had swallowed something rotten. ¡°You¡­ How can a woman like you be so uncultured? Do you have any idea who I am?¡±

    Pattie lifted a shoulder in a casual shrug. ¡°Oh? Did I mention your name? Why do you think I was talking about you? Unless you recognized yourself. Makes sense.¡±

    Then she suddenly raised her voice. ¡°Everyone, look over here! Life really does take all types. Some people go looking for fortune, while others run straight into trouble. Seems like someone with a guilty conscience is outing himself!¡±

    Laughter erupted among the surrounding guests.

    ¡°Harsh, but urate!¡±

    ¡°Maia¡¯s so gentle, but her partner is terrifyingly sharp.¡±

    ¡°Look at Ss¡ªhe¡¯s turning green! What a sight!¡±

    The chuckles andments around him were like sparks to a powder keg. Ss looked ready to explode.

    But years in the entertainment industry helped him cling to a thin thread ofposure.

    ¡°You certainly have a sharp tongue,¡± he muttered, brows tightening. ¡°But you¡¯re sticking your nose where it doesn¡¯t belong.¡±

    The atmosphere instantly tightened.

    Ss knew perfectly well that losing control in front of a crowd would be disastrous for his public image.

    Most importantly, a disturbing truth dawned on him. When it came to arguing with Pattie, he was utterly outmatched. The feeling of being bested made his blood boil, but he had no way to turn the situation around.

    Damn it! But none of that mattered.

    He had alreadypleted Raegan¡¯s request to stir up trouble and drag Maia to the nned location for the assassination to take ce.

    Now the angle was ideal, the distance precise, and the lighting just right. The sniper surely had Maia centered in his scope. All that remained was to cut the power, and the bullet would rip through the darkness, killing Maia instantly.

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    Ss even felt a flicker of pity. It would be a shame for someone as beautiful as Maia to die.

    But as he was congratting himself on the n¡¯s sess, Alice suddenly snapped. She lunged forward and seized Ss by the cor, lifting him off the floor with surprising force.

    ¡°Say it again!¡± she screamed, her eyes zing. ¡°Maia is standing right here. If you¡¯re so bold, repeat it where everyone can hear you!¡±

    Her fury sent her voice cracking through the hall. ¡°You owe her an apology. Take back your disgusting assumptions!¡±

    The crowd¡¯s attention shot to them immediately.

    Ss stumbled, dragged forward by Alice¡¯s grip, and found himself pushed directly into the line of danger.

    His expression changed instantly. He froze in terror, a sheen of cold sweat forming on his forehead.

    He knew exactly where the sniper was positioned. And now¡ªSs was standing directly in front of Maia.

    If the shot came at this moment, the bullet would punch straight through his chest.

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 Chapter 1372

    Chapter 1372:

    ¡°Y¡ªyou! Let go of me!¡± Ss shouted, panic leaking into his voice for the first time.

    But Alice didn¡¯t hear him. She was consumed by the need to defend Maia, anger surging through her veins.

    There was no way she would allow anyone to smear her mentor¡¯s name.

    In that split second, with a bullet possibly ready to pierce his body, Ss finally abandoned the polished mask of the award-winning actor he had been wearing.

    He let out a furious roar, raw and animalistic. ¡°Get out of the way!¡±

    But immediately, a sharp snap echoed through the hall. All the lights in the banquet hall went out at once, plunging the entire room into darkness.

    Adrenaline surged through Ss as his heart pounded violently. Summoning every ounce of strength, he wrenched himself free from Alice¡¯s grip and threw himself to the floor.

    It was as if pressing himself against the floor might shield him from the bullet aimed directly at his chest.

    However, the expected shot never came.

    Death did not arrive.

    Instead, Ss could hear Maia and herpanions speaking calmly nearby.

    There were no screams, no chaos, no unusual disturbances¡ªonly the soft murmur of normal conversation.

    And there hey, trembling uncontrobly, pinned to the floor like a frightened animal.

    Within seconds, the lights flickered back on.

    The banquet hall brightened again as if nothing had happened, and the guests showed no sign of rm from the brief ckout.

    Under the sudden light, Ss¡¯s ridiculous posture was impossible to miss.

    The famous actor now knelt on the floor, rear raised, head buried in his arms, like a deer caught in headlights.

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    For half a second, the room was still.

    Thenughter erupted.

    Guests nearly spilled their champagne as amusement spread like wildfire.

    ¡°This is the award-winning actor? Afraid of the dark like that?¡±

    ¡°That pose is priceless.¡±

    ¡°Oh no, I can already see this going viral as a GIF.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m done. His image is ruined. No way I can be a fan anymore.¡±

    Theughter and chatter crashed over Ss. Heat rushed to his ears, his face drained of color, and he froze.

    What happened?

    Where was the sniper? Wasn¡¯t the ckout supposed to be the signal?

    The n was wless, the position perfect, the timing precise.

    Yet everything had been cut short by some unseen force.

    Ss looked around, mortified, and struggled to salvage the situation.

    He could only force the illusion of a ¡°simple fall¡± as he slowly got to his feet, stering on a stiff, fake smile.

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 Chapter 1373

    Chapter 1373:

    Internally, he reassured himself. At least the live broadcast had ended. Otherwise, his public image would have been destroyed.

    In fact, the cameras had already stopped when Maia returned to her seat, and Maxwell had left his previous position.

    Maia noticed Ss¡¯s strange reaction and frowned slightly. There was something off about him, an aura of fear, as if he were trying to avoid some unseen threat.

    Meanwhile, high above, a sniper remained in position, motionless.

    Blood trickled from the center of his forehead, and the back of his head was badly damaged.

    A tiny, almost invisible hole in a nearby window allowed a cold breeze to enter. A more precise shot had struck the sniper first, from another angle.

    In the darkness, Maxwell closed his rifle and descended steadily down the maintenancedder from the ceiling. He pulled out his phone and typed a message. ¡°It¡¯s done.¡±

    A momentter, his phone vibrated.

    Chris¡¯s reply came almost instantly. ¡°Good work. Stay alert.¡±

    Maxwell paused briefly at the message, then disappeared into the night once more.

    In the electrical room, a many unconscious on the floor.

    Chris stood over him, retrieving a mask from the man¡¯s pocket.

    He studied the unique pattern of The Mask, fingers tightening, eyes darkening.

    Raegan was truly disappointing, beyond redemption.

    Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, Raegan watched Ss¡¯s behavior in disbelief. Something wasn¡¯t right.

    She immediately pulled out her phone and dialed the assassin¡¯s number to get a report.

    No one answered.

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    Her brows knit tightly. How could this be? Was the ckout merely coincidental, not the signal from her operative?

    Even so, the sniper should have fired.

    Before she could think further, Maia approached Ss and took his wrist in her hand.

    Ss went pale. ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    Maia¡¯s voice was calm. ¡°Mr. Court, you look terrified.¡± She positioned Ss carefully in front of her, appearing casual, but in reality shielding herself from any potential line of fire. ¡°I just want to ask,¡± she said, her eyes sharp as knives. ¡°What exactly are you afraid of? A sniper?¡±

    Her words were soft, almost a whisper, yet carried a bone-chilling authority.

    Ss¡¯s face drained of color, cold sweat streaming down his cheeks.

    Oh no! Maia had seen through everything.

    Maia kept her eyes fixed on Ss with a depth that seemed to cut straight through him, as though she recognized everyyer he tried to hide.

    She spoke in a slow, almost amused tone. ¡°There¡¯s no need to act so stunned. Your response earlier looked like something straight out of a field manual.¡±

    She lifted her brow with a hint of challenge. ¡°Did you serve in the special forces? Or did you undergo tactical training somewhere?¡±

    Ss reacted with a quick, uneven breath. He swallowed with difficulty, and sweat began to form across his forehead.

    .

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 Chapter 1374

    Chapter 1374:

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re implying.¡± He abruptly raised his voice, trying to give himself strength. ¡°Release me! I only slipped!¡±

    Maia¡¯s lips carried a small, cool smile, and her eyes stayed firm.

    ¡°Is that so?¡± she asked gently. ¡°It¡¯s unusual for someone to slip andnd¡­ in that sort of stance.¡±

    Ss¡¯s eyes tightened to narrow points. His breathing lost all rhythm, and his chest rose sharply as though an invisible hand pressed against him.

    Every line Maia delivered wrapped around him like a tightening shackle. The muscles in his face twitched, his gaze darted without control, and whatever calm he tried to maintain copsed in an instant.

    Maia couldn¡¯t help but find the situation darkly humorous. The auction had barely concluded, yet Kiley¡¯s people already seemed eager to make their move.

    A quiet breath slipped from Maia, and a cold sharpness settled in her eyes. She lifted her head and found Kiley across the chaotic room, matching her stare.

    Kiley remained at the most secure spot on stage, her postureposed and her feet nted firmly. She behaved as though the disturbance unfolding nearby had nothing to do with her. Kiley¡¯s gaze carried a distant calm and a touch of scrutiny, and she met Maia¡¯s look without hesitation.

    The moment their eyes locked, the atmosphere stiffened around them.

    The host rushed forward, sweat gathering along his temples, and he bowed quickly. ¡°Ms. Watson, Mr. Court, are the two of you alright? I offer my deepest apologies. Our lighting system encountered a short disruption.¡±

    He raised his voice to inform the whole venue. ¡°Everyone, please remain at ease. Harmony za¡¯s banquet hall uses a dual power setup. If the main system shuts down, the second one activates within five minutes. If anything unexpected happens, try to stay calm and avoid crowding the exits¡­¡±

    His exnation stopped short when a sharp, hurried p echoed through the noise.

    ¡°Maia!¡±

    Feel the magic at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c¦Ï??

    Someone struck Maia¡¯s shoulder with force.

    She narrowed her eyes and turned, taken off guard. Jarrod stood behind her.

    Jarrod looked pale, and his breathing came in quick, uneven bursts that made it seem as though he had run the length of the hall.

    ¡°I need to know something¡­¡± His voice wavered under the weight of his fear. ¡°What happened to my parents on the day of the ident?¡±

    His hand tightened on Maia¡¯s shoulder, and the faint fluorescent powder on his palm smeared against her clothes like something cold creeping outward.

    A harsh stillness settled over them, and the temperature in the room felt as though it dropped.

    Jarrod¡¯s grip shook from the force of his emotions, and he held on harder until his knuckles turned pale. His voice broke into something strained and raw. ¡°Answer me! When my parents fell from that cliff, did you speak to them on the phone or not?¡±

    The question split through the noise of the room as sharply as a sudden crack of thunder.

    People nearby turned to look, and the whisper of curious voices swelled around them.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Jarrod Morgan? Richard and Sandra Morgan¡¯s son?¡±

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 Chapter 1375

    Chapter 1375:

    ¡°I heard the Morgan couple fell off a cliff not long ago¡­ Is Maia involved somehow?¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound right. Maia isn¡¯t someone who would do something like that.¡±

    ¡°But judging from how he¡¯s acting¡­ he must have a reason for asking her that, right?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps he¡¯s simply losing control. The Morgan family has already copsed.¡±

    The whispers spread through the crowd like threads of sound tugging at every listener.

    Maia raised her eyes, and although her expression stayedposed, her tone turned colder than before. ¡°Why are you asking me something like that?¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s restraint slipped away, and he shouted, ¡°I¡¯m giving you onest chance. Did you talk to them on the phone or not?¡±

    Maia held her silence briefly, then gave a slow shake of her head. ¡°No. I didn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Ha!¡± Jarrod released a bitter sound, and his voice carried both hurt and fury.

    His reddened eyes gleamed with raw emotion, and he looked as though he hovered at the edge of breaking. ¡°Maia, it really was you. You can stand here and lie¡­ as if it costs you nothing.¡±

    Pattie reached her breaking point and lunged forward, pushing Jarrod aside as her anger finally erupted. ¡°Has every member of the Morgan familypletely lost their sanity?¡±

    Her patience vanished, and she shouted, ¡°Security! Someone here is creating a scene.¡±

    A group of guards hurried toward them as soon as she called out.

    Jarrod stumbled backward while muttering, ¡°Maia, you won¡¯t escape the consequences.¡±

    He shot Pattie a frigid re and added, ¡°I¡¯ll leave without your help.¡±

    The tension inside the banquet hall thickened, and the room felt colder with every passing second.

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    Maia followed Jarrod¡¯s retreat with her eyes while confusion tightened her expression.

    A troubling thought crept into her mind. Could Richard and Sandra¡¯s fall have been something far more deliberate than an ident?

    By then, Cohen had already reached the electrical room ahead of schedule. Inside the cramped chamber, the dim emergency lights washed everything in a dull red tint.

    Moving with practiced ease, he slipped past the camera¡¯s blind zones and retrieved a detonator he had stashed in his pack. The device¡¯s metal shell caught the weak light and gave off a chilling shimmer.

    With steady hands, Cohen fitted the detonator into the main circuit board as if he were assembling a delicate instrument. From countless simr jobs, he knew thesevish venues always relied on a secondary power supply.

    He needed a buffer of extra minutes, and he refused to risk being exposed once the lights returned.

    ¡°Got you,¡± Cohen whispered when he finally spotted the backup power cables.

    A tactical knife appeared in his grip, and its edge reflected the red glow like a thin line of ice.

    Within thirty seconds, the auxiliary wiringypletely cut through.

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 Chapter 1376

    Chapter 1376:

    Once the task was finished, Cohen sparked the detonator¡¯s fuse without hesitating. As the me crawled along the fuse, he kept his expression steady and unreadable.

    While the me advanced, he whispered, ¡°One¡­ two¡­ three¡­¡±

    Every heartbeat reminded Cohen that the explosives would go off the moment the fuse reached its end.

    Another thought surged through him¡ªRichard pulling him from the brink of death all those years ago.

    Under his breath, Cohen whispered, ¡°Richard, that debt has been hanging over me for too long. I¡¯m settling it tonight.¡±

    He narrowed his eyes and slid a set of modified rounds into the shotgun. The crisp metallic clicks rang through the small room with unnerving rity.

    A single st from that weapon could topple even the fiercest animal in the wild.

    Back in the banquet hall, Maia tightened her grip around Ss¡¯s wrist until he felt as though a trap had snapped shut on him.

    ¡°Mr. Court, since honesty isn¡¯t an option for you, you¡¯ll apany me instead,¡± she muttered, and the quiet tone only intensified his realization that he had just be her shield.

    Sweat gathered along Ss¡¯s forehead as dread coiled inside him. He understood Raegan¡¯s reputation too well. She never backed down once a mission was set in motion.

    Within The Mask, dying for a task was treated as a privilege, not a consequence.

    For that reason, abandoning a mission for the safety of a single member was unthinkable. Ss, however, had no desire to die.

    ¡°Release me!¡± Ss shouted, trying to sound fierce. ¡°Don¡¯t make me do anything¡ªI don¡¯t want to strike a woman.¡±

    Even as he spoke, the words carried little weight and felt empty.

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    ¡°Have it your way,¡± Maia answered, wearing a faint, almost yful smile that made the moment feel oddly casual.

    Taking in a shaky breath, Ss tried to wrench his arm free, only to discover that Maia¡¯s grip was far stronger than he ever expected.

    Only after that attempt did he remember who he was dealing with¡ªa woman rumored to dominate underground fight rings. That realization crashed over him, swallowing any remaining hope he had.

    Without warning, the hall¡¯s lighting wavered again.

    Reacting on instinct, Ss dipped low and scurried back like a cornered animal desperate to escape. But this time, the bulbs only flickered instead of shutting downpletely.

    The host tried to salvage the situation and said, ¡°Everyone, please stay calm. The staff is likely adjusting something.¡±

    Before he even finished, an explosion ripped through the venue.

    The st echoed from afar, and the entire hall was swallowed by darkness as the power finally copsed.

    Using pure adrenaline, Ss pulled Maia to the floor, no longer caring about appearances. His voice quivered when he whispered, ¡°There¡¯s a sniper out there.¡±

    ¡°You seem rather attached to living. I almost expected you to throw yourself in the line of fire just to get rid of me,¡± Maia replied, her words cutting through the pitch-ck room.

    Ss suddenly felt as though she could see right through him, and fear tightened inside him while he prayed for a way out of this nightmare.

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 Chapter 1377

    Chapter 1377:

    ¡°Everyone, please remain calm! We¡¯ll have the power restored in about five minutes!¡± the host called out, his voice straining to keep the growing panic under control.

    ¡°Why is the power cutting out again?¡±

    ¡°That sound earlier¡ªwas it the electrical system blowing out?¡±

    ¡°No¡­ it felt more like something exploded.¡±

    Through the chaos, Maia kept herposure, fully aware that Pattie and the others were close behind her, even in the pitch-ck hall.

    Facing the direction of their voices, Maia said, ¡°Stay back. Whoever is behind this is after me, not you.¡±

    ¡°Maia¡­¡± Pattie tried to step toward her, worry thick in her tone, but she stopped when strong hands restrained her.

    Rnd¡¯s low voice rumbled from behind. ¡°Do as Maia says. Don¡¯t rush toward her without thinking.¡±

    Shadows clung to the corners, yet a pair of eyes tracked Maia¡¯s every move.

    Jarrod lingered in the hall, though he seemed to have left. He hungered for the moment Maia¡¯s life would falter.

    He had settled into the shadows. From that hidden vantage, every step Maia took was visible.

    Even the darkness could not hide her from him. The faint shimmer of her clothes betrayed her location.

    A gentle glow radiated from Maia¡¯s form, subtle enough to seem idental. Most would call it just a trick of the fabric, unaware it was a deliberate trap.

    Revenge hovered just within reach. Every detail had unfolded perfectly, and yet triumph refused to stir.

    An unfamiliar hollowness rose in Jarrod¡¯s chest. In ce of victory, an odd emptiness filled him, gnawing silently.

    No one knew better than Jarrod that the Morgan family was a phantom, its former glory forever beyond reach, even if Maia¡¯s blood soaked the earth. And his parents, locked in their silentas, would never open their eyes again.

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    Yet it was precisely his hatred that had kept him going all this time, like fuel feeding a raging fire. His mind spun with thoughts, calctions, and doubts¡ªa storm of emotion in the darkness.

    He was acutely aware that in the shadows, Cohen was steadily closing in on Maia.

    Death hovered nearby.

    At that moment, the buzzing of a phone cut through the tension.

    Jarrod¡¯s phone vibrated violently. He yanked it out and froze as he saw the caller ID.

    It was the number from the hospital¡¯s duty room.

    Could something have happened to his parents?

    ¡°Hello¡­ this is Jarrod Morgan,¡± he said, his voice low, cautious.

    The nurse¡¯s voice came, brimming with excitement. ¡°Mr. Morgan, you need toe to the hospital immediately.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s fingers shook. ¡°What¡­ what happened?¡± he asked nervously.

    ¡°Your father, Richard Morgan, has regained consciousness. He just woke up.¡±

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 Chapter 1378

    Chapter 1378:

    Her words were like a sudden burst of light in the darkness.

    ¡°What?¡± Jarrod couldn¡¯t hold back, shouting with a mixture of disbelief and relief.

    Then the nurse added something that left him utterly stunned.

    Her tone grew serious. ¡°Also¡­ please inform Maia Watson that the previous payment she made has not been used up. She doesn¡¯t need to make another transfer for the medical expenses.¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s voice rose sharply. ¡°Maia paid? Are you certain? When did she make a prepayment for the hospital?¡± His grip on the phone tightened.

    ¡°It was the previous time,¡± the nurse exined, quickly rifying. ¡°I even reviewed the surveince footage from that day. It was definitely Maia. Recently, another sum came in, and I verified the remitter¡¯s information¡ªit was the same ount, also hers.¡±

    Jarrod felt as if he¡¯d been struck by lightning, his mind freezing. He couldn¡¯t believe that Maia had paid his parents¡¯ medical expenses.

    Wasn¡¯t it supposed to be Rosanna? Had he misremembered?

    No, it couldn¡¯t be Maia. The nurse must have made a mistake.

    He refused to ept it. ¡°Are you absolutely certain it was Maia? Not my younger sister, Rosanna?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± the nurse replied. ¡°You cane to the hospital and review the footage yourself, Mr. Morgan. Aren¡¯t you all family?¡±

    Her words shattered Jarrod¡¯s mental defenses.

    Ending the call, he remained motionless, as if turned to stone. Maia¡¯s earlier response echoed in his mind. ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡±

    Her voice had been so steady, so natural¡ªnothing like someone lying.

    And yet, in his fury, he had refused to believe her.

    Damn it! What on earth was happening?

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    Rosanna had imed she made the payment. And his father¡¯s phone records showed that he had received a call from Maia before the fall.

    Jarrod couldn¡¯t imagine Rosanna lying. Nor could the nurse have fabricated the story.

    The contradictions were suffocating.

    Had Maia really been the one to ce his parents in danger? Had she truly been thest person to speak with his father?

    It was a question that had tormented him for so long. Now, the truth was on the verge of being revealed.

    If it wasn¡¯t Maia, had he been seeking revenge against the wrong person all along?

    No, he couldn¡¯t let that happen.

    Jarrod¡¯s eyes fell on the faint glow in the darkness, the mark he had personally painted on Maia. That light now seemed to mock his own foolishness.

    Jarrod stood abruptly.

    There was only one thought in his mind. He had to stop Cohen.

    Until he knew the truth, Maia could not die.

    Meanwhile, Cohen moved silently through the crowd, using the cover of darkness to close in on Maia.

    His boots made no sound, each step measured and precise. Equipped with specialized night vision goggles, he could see the surroundings far more clearly than anyone else.

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 Chapter 1379

    Chapter 1379:

    To Jarrod, Maia¡¯s faint glow was like a tiny firefly, but in Cohen¡¯s enhanced vision, it zed like a beacon.

    It left a vivid trail in the shadows, almost blinding in its rity.

    Bearing death itself, Cohen advanced, the distance between him and Maia steadily shrinking.

    Ten steps.

    Nine steps.

    When he was about three paces away, Cohen stopped. Slowly, he raised his shotgun, his finger hovering over the trigger.

    Meanwhile, Jarrod struggled through the darkness, far behind. The shadows hampered his movement, and he had just taken a fall.

    It seemed impossible for him to stop Cohen now¡­ everything felt toote.

    Jarrod fought his way through the crowd, lurching ahead with desperate urgency. Stopping Cohen before a single shot could be fired became the only thing on his mind.

    Before he managed to get close enough, a sharp burst of brightness cut across the scene.

    Pattie lifted her phone and switched on the shlight, and Rnd quickly mirrored her.

    Brielle raised her phone high to add to the glow. Mnie, Marisa, Ethan, and Hurst turned on their own lights right after, each one contributing to the growing radiance.

    All around Maia, countless others copied them without a second thought, moved by a collective instinct to shield her.

    What began as a few beams turned into an overwhelming ze that washed over the space in front of Maia, breaking through the darkness like a sudden sunrise.

    The intense glow revealed Cohenpletely, and the metal of his gun threw the light back in a sharp gleam.

    ¡°That¡¯s a gun! He has a gun!¡±

    ¡°Move!¡±

    ¡°Get down!¡±

    The entire ce fell into a frenzy as terrified screams spiraled into frantic chaos.

    People scrambled backward in a frantic wave of retreat, with some losing their bnce while others dropped low and covered their ears as fear rattled through them.

    Cohen¡¯s expression twisted into something darker when the flood of light overwhelmed his vision. He forced rapid blinks until the brightness stopped disorienting him enough to refocus on his target with sharp, predatory intent.

    He rolled his shoulders back for stability, strengthened his hold on his weapon, and corrected the angle of the barrel. Only a single pull separated him from ending everything.

    Right then, Maia sprang forward, driven by courage that showed no hesitation.

    The sheer suddenness of her movement startled Cohen more than he could process, and her speed shot across the space with the intensity of a lightning strike. Her heels mmed against the floor again and again, producing a fierce rhythm that matched the force of her resolve.

    The crowd sucked in their breath as she hurled herself straight into the line of fire like a razor-edged shadow cutting through the chaos.

    Cohen felt as though he had stepped into the path of something primal, and instinct warned him that this was a challenge far beyond what he expected.

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 Chapter 1380

    Chapter 1380:

    Not even the time he faced a charging brown bear had crushed his chest with this level of pressure.

    This was the terror of recognizing a truly formidable adversary.

    Cohen¡¯s fingertip mped down tighter on the trigger as instinct outweighed reason.

    In the next heartbeat, illuminated by the glow of countless phone lights, Maia whipped her right leg upward in a fierce arc, and the sharp snap of her toes striking the side of the gun barrel vibrated through the air with startling force.

    The rifle jerked sideways and sent pellets punching into the ceiling.

    Boom!

    A burst of light sprang through the hall as the chandelier exploded and scattered ss in a sharp and glittering fall.

    Shards and wine flew across the room as steel balls tore through the champagne tower and crashed onto the piano in a jarring sh.

    People reacted at once. Some scrambled beneath the tables while others held their wounded arms with trembling hands.

    Chris felt his chest tighten until it almost hurt. He had trusted Maxwell to stop the sniper, yet someone had still slipped close enough to threaten Maia.

    At the same moment, on the rooftop, Maxwell scowled and spoke in a low, frustrated tone. ¡°Damn it. This angle ispletely blocked.¡±

    He had stayed alert for a second shooter, and he never imagined an attack meant for Maia woulde this directly.

    ¡°Maia, you need to stay safe, or I will always carry the me for letting Chris down,¡± Maxwell muttered as he hurried to im a better position.

    Cohen stepped away and worked with practiced ease as he loaded another round. He steadied himself to fire once more. This time, he believed the shot wouldnd exactly where he wanted it.

    ¡°He¡¯s going to shoot again,¡± Pattie shouted in fear.

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    Brielle could barely hold herself steady while Mnie cried openly, herst bit of hope feeling close to breaking. Ethan tried to move forward at once, yet Marisa stopped him by gripping his shoulder firmly.

    At that exact second, Jarrod unleashed a roar that split through the chaos. ¡°Stop! She¡¯s Maia Morgan!¡±

    His voice rolled through the hall like a violent crack of thunder.

    The crowd fell silent all at once.

    Cohen pulled his hand back in shock. He lifted his gaze and stared hard at Maia. ¡°You are Maia Morgan?¡±

    Nothing made sense to him. Jarrod¡¯s intended target turned out to be Maia, the daughter of the Morgan family, the same girl who had once shown him quiet kindness when his world had fallen apart.

    A sudden chance appeared before her. Maia sprang forward and used Cohen¡¯s stunned pause to close the gap. She caught hold of the gun barrel with her left hand while her right hand locked the trigger mechanism.

    That move left him with no way to fire.

    The distance between them shrank until each breath felt sharp and audible.

    Cohen looked into a face that tugged at an old memory. His throat tightened as he pictured a small girl bathed in warm afternoon sunlight, smiling at him through an open window long ago. The girl tilted her head and said to him, ¡°Mr. Archer, eat some more. If it¡¯s still not enough, I will bring you another helping.¡±

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 Chapter 1381

    Chapter 1381:

    A sudden rush of nostalgia hit Cohen, catching himpletely off guard. A shiver ran down his spine as fear of what might have happened gripped him.

    Another question formed in his mind as he wondered why he had acted so recklessly.

    A quiet curse echoed within him, and he finally managed to speak with an unsteady voice. ¡°Are you Richard¡¯s daughter?¡±

    A heavy weakness settled over Cohen. He could no longer keep a firm grip on the rifle as his strength slipped away without warning.

    Maia moved quickly and jerked the rifle from his hands. She handled the weapon with ease until it came apart in one swift motion.

    A sharp ¡°click¡± followed as the bullets scattered across the floor.

    A momentter, she flung the empty rifle to the side.

    ¡°Who are you supposed to be?¡± She stood with a steady posture and met him with a gaze as cold as steel. Her tone stayed calm. ¡°Richard is not my real father. I stopped using the name Maia Morgan years ago.¡±

    A look of shock settled on Cohen¡¯s face as he pointed a finger toward his own chest. ¡°It¡¯s me. I am Mr. Archer. Do you still remember me?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Archer?¡± Maia arched a brow, genuine confusioncing her voice.

    The moment the name slipped out, the entire hall drew a sharp breath.

    ¡°What? Maia knows the man trying to kill her?¡±

    ¡°What did she do to deserve this? Why does this man hate her so much?¡±

    ¡°No, look¡ªhe didn¡¯t even recognize her at first. He nearly shot the wrong person!¡±

    Another voice cut through the growing murmurs. ¡°Where are the security guards? Why isn¡¯t anyone restraining him?¡±

    Up on the stage, Kiley stayed unnervingly calm. The situation was spiraling, but she didn¡¯t know whether this was part of Raegan¡¯s design or aplete derailment. She subtly signaled her people to hold position.

    Pattie and Rnd moved as if to rush in, but Maia lifted a hand, stopping them with a steady warning.

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    ¡°Stay back. Be careful.¡± Her gaze never left the man in front of her.

    The name Mr. Archer tugged faintly at her memory.

    But the middle-aged man standing there¡ªstubble covering his jaw, skin weathered, eyes sunken with years of exhaustion¡ªfelt like a stranger. His cheekbones were sharp, his expression harsh. He was a man remade, almost beyond recognition, by years of toil.

    But regardless of who he once was, the way he¡¯d pulled the trigger moments ago told her everything she needed to know.

    He hadn¡¯t hesitated. He had fully intended to kill her.

    Maia¡¯s eyes hardened. She shifted her weight, ready to move at the slightest twitch. A man who fired once could easily have another weapon hidden.

    Seeing she didn¡¯t recognize him, Cohen grew unexpectedly agitated. His shoulders shook, and his voice trembled with something caught between excitement and desperation. ¡°When you were little,¡± he stammered, ¡°you used to bring me meals. Every time, I¡¯d tell you a story.¡±

    Maia froze. It was as though a sealed door in her memory cracked open, and light spilled through.

    From the depths of her childhood, she recalled the injured man who had taken refuge in the Morgans¡¯ attic.

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 Chapter 1382

    Chapter 1382:

    ¡°It¡¯s you.¡± Her voice softened with realization.

    Looking past the roughness time had etched onto him, she could finally see the familiar shape of his brows, the gentleness that once lived in his eyes.

    But even recognizing him, she didn¡¯t lower her guard. People change. Time changes them.

    And she had no idea what had happened to him after he disappeared all those years ago.

    For all she knew, this could be a ploy¡ªa nostalgic memory dangled like bait to make her lower her defenses.

    Maia¡¯s tone cooled. ¡°Why did you attack me?¡±

    Beneath her calm wordsy genuine confusion.

    The man she remembered had been gentle. Silent. Grateful. Certainly not someone who would raise a gun at her in a crowded hall.

    Cohen¡¯s throat bobbed. He opened his mouth, but no exnation came out.

    The crowd, paralyzed by fear, scattered rather than help. No one dared restrain an armed man.

    And then a hoarse voice cut through the tension.

    ¡°I told him to do it,¡± Jarrod said without hesitation, doubled over from the sprint, his hands gripping his knees as he struggled to catch his breath.

    Worse still, he was already injured, and the frantic sprint had torn his wound open again. Blood seeped through the bandage at his side, spreading across his white shirt in a deep, rming red.

    Pattie gasped when she saw it, but Jarrod didn¡¯t so much as flinch.

    He forced himself upright, facing Maia head-on.

    ¡°I ordered him to shoot you,¡± he repeated, unwavering. There was no fear, no attempt to twist the truth¡ªonly brutal honesty.

    Maia blinked, taken aback. ¡°You wanted to kill me?¡± Her voice stayedposed, though disbelief flickered in her eyes.

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    This revtion made no sense.

    She had assumed the assassin belonged to Kiley¡¯s n, or perhaps Kolton¡¯s. But Jarrod? The only son of Richard and Sandra?

    He hadn¡¯t fired the gun himself, but he had given the order.

    Yet another puzzle unsettled her. Moments earlier, she was certain she¡¯d heard Jarrod shout, ¡°Stop! She¡¯s Maia Morgan!¡± And Cohen had hesitated¡ªlong enough for her to fight back.

    Why would a man determined to kill her yell to stop the attack?

    Jarrod slowly lifted his head, his bloodshot eyes swimming with exhaustion, anger, pain, and a dark, near-feverish obsession.

    His lips parted slightly as he began to speak

    ¡°I just wanted to avenge my father and mother.¡± Jarrod tightened his grip on his knees, his breath ragged. ¡°I thought¡­ I thought you were the one who caused them to fall off the cliff.¡±

    His voice came out hoarse, scraped raw by panic and pain. Maia stared at him as if he had lost his mind. ¡°I had no hand in the tragedy that happened to your parents.¡±

    Her expression chilled. ¡°If you truly believe I did it, then report it to the police. Hand over whatever evidence you think you have.¡±

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 Chapter 1383

    Chapter 1383:

    Her tone sharpened, each word striking like a de. ¡°But instead, you chose this?¡±

    She looked at Jarrod, a young man swallowed by hatred, and for the first time, her voice carried disappointment rather than anger. ¡°Do you realize that no matter what excuse you cling to, what you did today is a crime? And you¡¯ll be the one going to prison for it?¡±

    Maia stepped forward, eyes locking onto his. ¡°Jarrod¡­ is this really how you n to throw away your life?¡±

    Jarrod¡¯s mouth twitched, his face flushing with shame. His reopened wound throbbed violently, burning like salt pressed into raw flesh.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think about that at all!¡± he shouted, cracking under the weight of his own impulsiveness.

    ¡°You¡¯re always so disappointing.¡± Maia let out a soft sigh and shook her head.

    She owed the Morgan family nothing. She had paid her debts¡ªmore than paid them. When Richard and Sandra¡¯s ident happened, she had gone to the hospital herself, covered the bills, and even left an advance payment.

    Maia knew she had done everything she could for the Morgan family.

    Her words now weren¡¯t to persuade Jarrod, nor out of lingering affection¡ªthey came from a simple unwillingness to watch another young life spiral into ruin.

    Jarrod suddenly let out a brokenugh. ¡°Disappointing?¡± He lowered his head, then snapped it back up. His bloodshot eyes sparkled with pain, desperation, and madness¡ªlike ss fractured under too much pressure.

    ¡°I have no future!¡± he roared. ¡°Do you even know what the Morgan family is now?¡±

    His shoulders shook violently. ¡°I have nothing left!¡±

    Before Maia could speak again, a voice from the crowd cut in sharply. ¡°No way¡­ Isn¡¯t that Cohen Archer?¡±

    Heads turned toward the middle-aged man who had just tried to kill Maia.

    Someone gasped. ¡°Cohen Archer? Kyle Cooper¡¯s chauffeur?¡±

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    Whispers rippled outward in shock.

    Another exmation followed. ¡°What? Kyle Cooper¡¯s chauffeur? But he died years ago!¡±

    ¡°I heard he died not long after Kyle!¡±

    The murmurs swelled instantly, spreading like wildfire through the hall.

    Chris stiffened at the name, his pupils narrowing in an instant.

    The man his father trusted most. The man who used to tell him stories. The man who vanished the day his father died.

    That unresolved mystery had always been one of the strangest pieces of Chris¡¯s past¡ªand one of the deepest sources of pain.

    Rumors had once imed that Cohen betrayed Kyle, handing him over to so-called enemies.

    But Chris knew the truth better than anyone. Kolton had orchestrated everything.

    For years, Chris had hunted for evidence, and now the biggest clue had stumbled right in front of him.

    But before Chris could take a step, the sound of frantic footsteps sliced through the chaos.

    Atst, security personnel stormed in, shlights swinging and electric batons crackling, driving Cohen roughly to the floor. He was mmed down hard, his arms wrenched behind him, unable to move.

    On stage, Kiley¡¯s voice cut through the chaos with sharp rity. ¡°Everyone, stay calm. We¡¯ll take the attacker into custody and hand him over to the police immediately.¡±

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 Chapter 1384

    Chapter 1384:

    Herposure never wavered, calm and collected amid the turmoil. But Chris knew that if Cohen ended up in Kiley¡¯s or Kolton¡¯s hands, he might never live to see a trial¡ªhe would be silenced. That could not happen.

    Just as Chris took a step forward, a sudden movement caught his eye. Another figure was rushing toward Maia through the shadows.

    His heart leapt. Was it a backup n?

    Chris caught the motion in a single nce. They were about to shoot. The target was unmistakable¡ªMaia.

    Oh no!

    Chris pivoted instinctively, sprinting toward her with all his strength. His movements were a blur of urgency.

    But the assassin had already raised the gun.

    It was toote.

    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Chris lunged at Maia, throwing himself into her path.

    The instant his hands touched her shoulders, a deafening bang cracked through the air.

    A gunshot rang out. A bullet streaked toward Maia.

    In that instant, it felt as though time itself had slowed to an impossible crawl. The air hung rigid and unmoving, the echoing noise around them muffled as if smothered by an unseen force. All the screams surrounding Maia drifted away.

    Maia¡¯s eyes¡ªclear and ss-bright¡ªreflected Chris¡¯s determined silhouette. His expression, usually icy, was now sharpened by unwavering resolve.

    He was leaping toward her, a bullet tearing through his shoulder.

    Blood burst out in a vivid spray, like red blossoms exploding in midair. The droplets scattered violently, falling onto Maia¡¯s hands, streaking her face, spattering across the floor.

    It was so sudden¡ªtoo sudden. Maia reacted quickly, but death¡¯s approach was faster still. She hadn¡¯t even been able to step aside.

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    ¡°Chris!¡± Maia cried out, her voice cracking, raw and trembling. Her breath hitched, panic wing through her chest as if gripping her heart with iron fingers.

    She wrapped her arms around him, rolling backward to break the fall. Her movements were swift, desperate, threaded with terror.

    But the moment they hit the floor, her palms met something slick. Chris¡¯s blood¡ªwarm, thick, horrifyingly real.

    Maia¡¯s heart lurched. Tears spilled before she could stop them. She knew that warmth belonged to him.

    ¡°Chris¡­ wake up. Please, you¡¯re scaring me,¡± she begged, her voice shaking so hard it barely sounded like her own.

    Chaos erupted around them. Screams, crashes, frantic movements¡ªall merging into a tidal wave of panic.

    People bolted in every direction. Some women tripped, others tottered on broken heels toward the exit, and some dropped to their knees, shaking uncontrobly.

    Ss, hearing the shot, ran so frantically he lost a shoe, vanishing into the crowd within seconds.

    Pattie had copsed, legs giving out beneath her, gasping so fast it looked like she might pass out.

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 Chapter 1385

    Chapter 1385:

    Her heart hammered violently, hands mped over her ears, yet she still felt the gunshots reverberating in her bones.

    Rnd crouched in front of her, eyes locked on the direction of the attack. He extended his arm, phone raised, its shlight cutting through the darkness.

    A matching beam of light red from across the hall. Brielle held her phone too, her hand trembling but resolute.

    Courage sparked between them like a chain reaction. One light became two, and then dozens.

    The crowd formed a barricade of blinding beams, shining directly onto the lurking figure hidden in the shadows.

    The attacker stepped into the light like a cornered animal¡ªmasked, face obscured, but radiating unmistakable, chilling intent.

    Just as he lifted his weapon to fire again, another bullet shot in from somewhere unseen. A sharp, explosive crack resounded, unleashing a fresh surge of screams.

    In the whirl of crossing lights, a sudden mist of blood burst outward.

    The assant¡¯s right arm jerked violently, snapped aside as though struck by an invisible sledgehammer.

    A sniper round¡ªits force devastating¡ªhad nearly obliterated the arm¡¯s bone and muscle in an instant.

    His gun ttered to the floor, its metallic clink drowned by the bem.

    The masked man let out a shriek¡ªhigh, piercing, skin-crawling.

    Meanwhile, a distance away, Maxwell¡¯s eyes burned red. Clinging to the dim maintenance tform, his shoulders heaved, veins standing out across his forehead.

    The weak safety lights caught the tears sliding down his cheeks.

    ¡°Bastard!¡± he roared. The sound ripped from somewhere deep and desperate¡ªfury, fear, and regret braided into one raw, shaking scream. His whole body shuddered with it.

    In the next heartbeat, Maxwell pulled the trigger again, unleashing the fury that roared through his veins.

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    The first shot cracked through the night. Bang!

    The bullet tore forward like a lightning bolt, sinking into the attacker¡¯s chest with brutal finality.

    Another sh followed. Bang!

    Sharper, faster¡ªthis one carved straight through the assant¡¯s throat, painting the dim air with a thin crimson arc.

    A third time, Maxwell¡¯s finger tightened. Bang!

    The bullet left the barrel with the cold precision of Death¡¯s own hand, severing whatever thread of life the attacker still clung to.

    For a single suspended moment, the man¡¯s body wavered as though something unseen had drained him hollow, and then he copsed, boneless, to the floor.

    Blood unfurled across the tiles in dark, uneven petals, like the remnants of a flower crushed under a soldier¡¯s boot.

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 Chapter 1386

    Chapter 1386:

    Maxwell¡¯s fingers trembled violently. Tears blurred his sight until the world dissolved into smears of light and shadow. He scrubbed at his eyes with his sleeve, only sharpening the sting. His vision burned, reddened, as if mes had taken root behind his eyelids.

    He bit down on his lower lip, nearly breaking the skin.

    Memories surged through him with merciless force.

    Five years ago¡ªtorrential rain, a deserted country road, mud swallowing him whole as he bled out under the downpour. Hunted, cornered, half-conscious, he had believed death would im him in that lonely darkness.

    But Chris had arrived through the curtain of rain like a final beam of hope. The man with the cold face and the unwavering gaze had dragged him into his car without a word of hesitation.

    Maxwell still remembered the voice that cut through the storm. ¡°Since I saved you, we are bound by fate. You shall not die as long as I refuse to allow it.¡±

    Those words had been steady, powerful¡ªthe only warmth Maxwell had felt that night.

    Later, when Maxwell had nowhere left to run, Chris had extended his hand again. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to return to the Payne family of Drakmire, thene with me to Wront. From this day on, the ck market shall be under your management.¡±

    From that moment, they had be brothers not by blood, but by survival. Their bond had been forged in stormwater and life-or-death loyalty.

    Yet now¡ªChrisy fallen under gunfire.

    ¡°Chris¡­ I have not repaid the life you gave me,¡± Maxwell breathed, pressing his knuckles so hard against the rifle stock that the grooves dug into his skin.

    Tears fell onto the metal in quiet, steady drops. He wiped them again, but the world remained blurred, smeared with grief.

    Gritting his teeth, Maxwell forced his senses to sharpen.

    The banquet hall below erupted again. Another gunshot.

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    Shadows surged through the room. More masked figures appeared¡ªseveral this time, slipping from the crowd like phantoms.

    Maxwell¡¯s heart clenched. There was no time left for sorrow. No space for fear.

    He swallowed every tremor of pain and anchored his aim once more. Despite the blood trickling from the wound on his lip, despite the sting down his chin, he remained relentless.

    He aimed. He fired.

    He struck down each figure that crossed his scope.

    Until the inevitable click. The chamber was empty.

    But the enemies kept multiplying. More shadows. More masks. More silent killers crawling out from among the guests.

    A wave of despair hit him. In all his calctions, he had never imagined Cooper Group would unleash assassins of this magnitude.

    These were not ordinary attackers. Their steps were precise. Their movements low, fluid, lethal.

    He had already taken down five, yet the rest prowled forward with chilling stealth.

    Below, Maia fought her own storm. She pressed her trembling shoulders over Chris¡¯s fragile body, shielding him with every breath she had left. Panic quivered in her voice as she called his name again and again.

    ¡°Don¡¯t fall asleep, Chris! Hold on. We¡¯re taking you to the hospital soon. You won¡¯t die. You promised me a grand wedding.¡±

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 Chapter 1387

    Chapter 1387:

    But Chris¡¯s eyelids grew heavier, sinking with each breath. His mouth opened as if to speak, but no sound emerged. He lifted a hand to touch Maia¡¯s face, yet it faltered midway and fell back limply.

    ¡°Chris!¡± Maia cried, her voice fracturing.

    This chaos had long surpassed anything she had feared. The attack was too clean, too deliberate¡ªexpertly woven into the event. These assassins had been hiding in in sight all along.

    Her eyes, bright with panic, scanned the riot of lights, overturned tables, and drifting gun smoke.

    But Kiley was nowhere to be seen.

    Maia shifted her gaze back to Chris, his ashen face stinging her heart.

    Her knuckles cracked audibly in a sharp, angry pop as rage surged through her veins, hot and choking. But she forced it down, straining to keep from erupting.

    Resentment churned inside her chest like a storm. If Chris slipped away¡ªif he died here tonight¡ªshe would drag Kiley, Kolton, and the entire Cooper Group into the same abyss. She would make them pay for every breath he lost.

    Across the hall, almost in the same heartbeat, Grayson¡ªDeath among the Four Horsemen¡ªcaught sight of Chris. Something snapped in him. Hisposure, usually cold and unshakable, shattered like brittle ss.

    A raw, guttural ¡°No!¡± tore from his throat. The sound cracked through the chaos as he hurled himself forward like a man possessed. His men surged with him, a tidal wave of ck-d bodies cutting through the panicked crowd.

    In seconds, they formed an imprable wall around Maia and Chris, shields of flesh and loyalty.

    Every man braced himself without hesitation, prepared to be the first body struck if bullets flew.

    Then a small metallic clink echoed. A smoke bomb rolled across the floor and burst.

    A strange, chemical scent curled into the air, spreading fast, thick, and disorienting.

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    Before fear could take root, two shadows swept into the chaos¡ªgue and Famine, arriving side by side with deadly calm.

    gue said, steady as a de, ¡°Don¡¯t panic. Only those who drank the champagne and inhaled thepound will lose consciousness for a short while.¡±

    Famine added, almost casually, ¡°And your drinks were switched long before the event began.¡±

    Though their tones were light, authorityced each word, settling the room like an invisiblemand.

    The frantic energy faltered. Movement slowed. Within seconds, the entire hall seemed to hold its breath.

    As the smoke thinned, War appeared.

    He strode in like a dark omen, nked by a fully armed tactical unit moving with the synchronized precision of machinery.

    Boots thundered against marble. An armed helicopter hovered above the shattered skylight, its searchlights cutting down in sweeping arcs.

    The sudden illumination revealed the carnage.

    Bodiesy strewn across the hall¡ªsome unconscious, some writhing, some ominously still.

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 Chapter 1388

    Chapter 1388:

    Blood mingled with spilled champagne, shards of crystal glinting beneath the harsh lights.

    Raegan stumbled back, tearing off her mask with shaking fingers. Her face drained of color, leaving her with a ghost¡¯s pallor.

    Confusion and terror warred in her wide eyes as she watched the Four Horsemen show up at the same time.

    She struggled to understand, voice barely a whisper. ¡°Why are you¡­ here?¡±

    Grayson raised his head, and his gaze cut through the air like frost. ¡°You fool. You allowed our members to ughter one another. If gue and Famine had not infiltrated early and spiked the drinks, do you know how many would have died?¡±

    Each word struck her like a physical blow. Her knees weakened, and she swayed, her breath shallow and uneven.

    But worse awaited her. The guards in front shifted, parting like a dark curtain.

    There¡ªkneeling before Chris¡ªwere gue and Famine themselves. Their posture held no arrogance, only rmed devotion. Their eyes flicked to Chris with something startling beneath the surface: fear¡­ and reverence.

    Raegan¡¯s breath hitched sharply. Her pupils constricted, and a cold shiver crawled along her spine.

    Panic seized her throat.

    Her voice cracked as she pointed at the motionless man lying in Maia¡¯s arms. ¡°Who¡­ who on earth is he?¡±

    No one answered. The silence itself became a judgment, heavy and suffocating.

    Her question drifted away, swallowed by the thick, icy stillness.

    Raegan staggered back, trembling from head to toe. Panic hollowed her eyes, and each breath came thin and ragged.

    In the very next moment¡ªright beside Raegan¡ªGrayson suddenly sprang forward.

    Every move he made was sharp and controlled, never a hint of excess. His arm cut through the air with lethal precision. A crisp smacknded squarely on Raegan¡¯s carotid artery. The strength behind it was perfectly calcted¡ªnot brutal, nor gentle, just enough to knock her out cold.

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    Raegan¡¯s pupils shrank, her eyes rolled back, and she copsed like a marite whose strings had snapped. Her legs folded beneath her, dropping her to the floor.

    The panic etched on her face remained frozen there, thest expression she managed before losing consciousness. Grayson¡¯s strike was surgical¡ªclean, fast, leaving her no chance to react.

    Behind Maia, through the thunderous roar of the helicopter des, urgent footsteps and shouting broke through. ¡°Move! Hurry!¡±

    A tactical team rushed in with a stretcher, pushing through smoke and chaos with practiced efficiency.

    They ced it beside Chris.

    Maia practically gathered him into her arms as she helped lift him onto it.

    Chris was still unresponsive, his face drained of color, his blood continuously oozing out.

    Maia¡¯s hands were slick with crimson. Her heart felt like it was being wrung dry.

    As the team prepared to pull back, a staggering figure emerged from the panicked crowd.

    Maxwell. He had finally made it to the scene.

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 Chapter 1389

    Chapter 1389:

    He managed only a few steps before a faint voice called to him. ¡°Maxwell¡­¡±

    Soft as a whisper, yet it struck him like lightning.

    He halted abruptly. When he turned and saw Marisa, his eyes widened in shock.

    He sprinted toward her. Marisa was slumped on the floor, face deathly pale, blood pouring from her leg. A stray bullet had struck her.

    Something inside Maxwell felt like it tore open.

    ¡°Marisa!¡± He dropped to his knees, pressing his hands over her wound, his fingers shaking with the pressure. ¡°Stay with me. I¡¯ll get you to the hospital.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t drink the champagne,¡± she murmured, voice weak but still stubborn. ¡°Oh no¡­ I can¡¯t seem to stand.¡± She tried to push herself up, only to copse again.

    Maxwell immediately hoisted her onto his back. ¡°Don¡¯t move. I¡¯m taking you to the hospital.¡±

    Not far away, Ethany on the floor, face drained of color, consumed by guilt.

    Marisa had shoved him aside. Otherwise, he would¡¯ve been the one shot.

    Meanwhile, Maia was already in the helicopter with the tactical team, her eyes burning red.

    A hundred questions wed at her, but she gave voice to none. Saving Chris was all that mattered now. As the helicopter lifted off, she gripped the rail beside the stretcher as if clinging to her final hope.

    The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse saw the aircraft rising and snapped into action.

    Grayson called out, ¡°Erase everything!¡±

    gue, Famine, and War mobilized instantly, sweeping their squads into motion. They didn¡¯t spare a thought for the fleeing guests¡ªonce every trace of their presence was wiped away, any testimony could be dismissed as panic-induced illusion. By the time the police arrived, every ount would be muddled and unreliable.

    Years ofrge-scale operations had taught them to leave nothing behind.

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    Meanwhile, Ss¡ªone foot bare and frantic¡ªwas bolting away. He hadn¡¯t gotten far before he mmed into a woman. He stumbled back with a pained hiss and snapped without looking, ¡°Are you blind?¡±

    The woman didn¡¯t respond.

    Ss scrambled to his feet¡ªonly to hear something tter. His phone slipped from his pocket and skidded to a stop at the woman¡¯s feet.

    He lunged for it instantly.

    But she moved faster. She bent down and lifted it before he could touch it.

    Ss¡¯s face drained of color. ¡°Give me my phone!¡±

    But the woman slowly raised her head.

    Her eyes were blown wide, her voice trembling as she whispered, ¡°Austen¡¯s phone¡­ Why do you have it?¡±

    Ss froze. That voice¡ªhe knew it.

    The woman he¡¯d crashed into was Rosanna.

    A sharp, icy breath tore out of him. A wave of cold dread washed over him.

    Ss blinked hard, panic tightening his features. ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re talking about.¡±

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 Chapter 1390

    Chapter 1390:

    Before the words even settled, he lunged forward. ¡°Give me the phone. Now!¡±

    All pretense of civility vanished as he reached out, rough and frantic, trying to rip the device from her grasp.

    Rosanna jerked back, trapped by his hand mped around her arm. Panic surged through her, hot and blinding. On instinct, she twisted and sank her teeth into his flesh.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Ss¡¯s scream split the night. He recoiled violently, stumbling backward. Already missing one shoe, he lost what little bnce he had and crashed onto the pavement. Under the washed-out moonlight, he stared in disbelief at the deep bite marks swelling on his hand, blood gathering in thin, trembling beads.

    But Rosanna didn¡¯t run. She didn¡¯t even hesitate. With the fury of a cornered creature, she threw herself at him, knocking him t again and wing wildly at his face. Her nails raked across his skin, and before he could shield himself, she leaned in and bit hard at his ear.

    Through clenched teeth, her voice came ragged, feral, almost unrecognizable. ¡°Tell me¡ªwhere the hell is Austen?¡±

    Ss had never been humiliated like this. One shoe gone, his hand bleeding, his cheek burning with fresh scratches, and his ear¡ªGod, his ear¡ªfelt like it was hanging by a thread.

    And Rosanna, the trembling woman from moments ago, had be a storm made of desperation and raw grief. Her small frame trembled with adrenaline, giving her a strength that terrified him.

    ¡°Stop! Stop! I¡¯ll talk¡ªjust get off me!¡± Ss bellowed, writhing beneath her.

    But she didn¡¯t loosen her hold. If anything, her fingers only dug harder into his throat. Ss felt her breath hot against his cheek.

    Even muffled, her threat was unmistakable. One wrong answer and she¡¯d rip his ear clean off.

    Cornered by sheer madness, he choked out, ¡°O-okay! I¡¯ll tell you!¡±

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    But even then, the instinct to lie clung to him like a second skin. ¡°Austen is my best friend,¡± he rasped, scrambling for a convincing lie. ¡°I know about the two of you¡ªjust let go already!¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s grip didn¡¯t budge. Her gaze¡ªwild, broken, feral¡ªmade the truth m into him: he couldn¡¯t talk his way out of this. Not with reason. She was past listening.

    Swallowing hard, he shifted tactics¡ªtell her the truth now, and then deal with herter. ¡°The reason I have Austen¡¯s phone¡­¡± His voice dropped, trembling despite himself. ¡°It¡¯s because¡ªhe¡¯s already dead.¡±

    The world detonated inside Rosanna¡¯s mind. A deafening, imaginary thunderp tore through her¡ªsplintering the fragile hope she¡¯d been clinging to.

    Somewhere deep inside, she had feared this. The messages from Austen had felt wrong for days¡­ distant, hollow, like they came from someone else entirely.

    Her intuition had whispered it.

    But hearing it spoken aloud¡­

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 Chapter 1391

    Chapter 1391:

    Rosanna shattered. Tears streamed down her cheeks in violent, uncontroble waves.

    She released him abruptly, stumbling back as her voice cracked into a broken wail. ¡°No! You¡¯re lying! You¡¯re lying¡ªthis isn¡¯t true! Austen can¡¯t be¡­ he can¡¯t be dead!¡±

    She sobbed harder, every denial ripping out of her like a wound too deep to close.

    Freed from her hold, Ss staggered up, breath ragged. Pain from his torn ear exploded across his skull, sharp enough to make his vision blur. Rage lit his eyes. Without restraint, he drove his fist into the side of Rosanna¡¯s head.

    A heavy, sickening thud echoed. The fight drained out of her instantly. Her body went ck, copsing like a doll whose strings had been brutally severed. She crumpled onto the cold ground, motionless, her hair spilling across the dirt.

    Ss sucked in a shaky breath, pressing his palm against his shredded ear. Agony pulsed through it¡ªhot, blinding, merciless.

    And then, as he lifted his gaze¡ªa new horror revealed itself in the moonlit dark.

    Ss stared at his trembling palm, unable toprehend whaty in it. The mutted curve of an ear¡ªhis ear¡ªred back at him like a taunt.

    For a heartbeat he simply froze, his mind refusing to stitch sense into the horror. Then rage roared through him, primal and scorching, burning away everyst trace of reason. He spun toward Rosanna¡¯s limp body sprawled on the ground. A snarl tore free. With a brutal, unrestrained swing of his leg, he drove his foot into her abdomen.

    ¡°You damned, filthy woman!¡± he spat, his voice jagged with shock and fury.

    Another kick. And another¡ªeach delivered with such reckless force that his shoe finally flew off and skidded across the ground.

    Ss hovered over her, chest heaving, cursing her between breaths as though words alone might w back the dignity she had stripped from him.

    Then the distant rumble of voices rolled through the night. A crowd.

    Without a second thought, Ss staggered back, pivoted, and bolted barefoot into the shadows¡ªblood slicking the side of his neck where his ear once clung.

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    He barely made it three steps before a shrill scream burst out of him. ss¡ªthin, vicious shards scattered across the ground¡ªpierced straight into the soft flesh of his sole. He copsed to a crouch, gritting his teeth as blood pooled beneath his heel.

    ¡°This night is cursed,¡± he hissed, his breath shaking as he plucked a fragment from his skin. ¡°An absolute nightmare.¡±

    The crowd drew nearer, their fury vibrating through the air. Dozens poured in holding banners scrawled with ¡°I need a job!¡± while chanting with venomous rhythm, ¡°Get Maia out of Wront!¡±

    Faces twisted with resentment. Eyes burned. This was no spontaneous gathering.

    Kiley¡¯s army of the unemployed¡ªsummoned, fed lies, and unleashed.

    Ss lunged toward the nearest patch of brush and rolled inside, but even the bushes betrayed him. Something sharp stabbed into his foot, dragging another strangled noise from his throat. He pped a hand over his mouth to stifle it.

    In the scramble, the ear slipped from his hand. ¡°No¡ªno, no!¡± he whispered fiercely, fingers wing through leaves and dirt. He groped desperately, as though the severed piece of him could reverse the grotesque unraveling of his night.

    Not far away, hidden in a car, Kiley watched everything unfold with cold satisfaction. She had slipped away the moment blood stained the air, blending into the shadows like a serpent patiently observing the havoc she had engineered.

    The more violent the uproar, the cleaner her victory. When victory came wrapped in mes and corpses, me always found the most convenient target¡ªthe wronged, the desperate, the ones who had lost everything because of Maia.

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 Chapter 1392

    Chapter 1392:

    By dawn, Maia would be dead. And the families of the in guests would tear apart whatever remained of Maia¡¯s legacy with grief and vengeance as their excuses.

    Cooper Group would rise again, unchallenged and untarnished.

    What was a little bloodshed? In this world, massacres were merely stepping stones for the powerful.

    Yet before her triumph could solidify, a fleet of armored vehicles skidded to a stop around her. Their headlights shed across the trees.

    Doors swung open with practiced precision. A full tactical squad stepped out¡ªsilent, disciplined, lethal.

    Then udius emerged.

    Kiley¡¯s breath hitched. udius? Here? He was supposed to be in Otruitho, far from this carefully orchestrated chaos.

    She opened the car door and hurried toward him, calling, ¡°udius! When did youe back?¡±

    But udius did not so much as flick a nce in her direction. His pace¡ªslow but determined¡ªangled straight toward the banquet hall, nked by soldiers who fell into formation the moment he moved. Two neat lines formed beside him, escorting him with unwavering vignce.

    ¡°udius!¡± she snapped, herposure cracking as she followed her younger brother. ¡°Stop right there! Things have gone too far. Don¡¯t be stubborn!¡±

    She quickened her steps, heels sinking in the grass. ¡°Do you truly want to provoke our father again?¡±

    udius halted. His back remained to her, rigid, shadowed by the chaos beyond.

    When he finally spoke, his voice rasped with a depth that scraped the air.

    ¡°Father?¡± He let out a short, humorless exhale. ¡°I don¡¯t have such a father.¡±

    Then, without waiting for her response, he continued toward the growing inferno of screams and shattering ss.

    Although his strength was boosted by the injection of X-079, his muscles were still stiff and his movements werebored after prolonged suffering. His eyes skimmed the churning mass of bodies ahead. Kiley¡¯s words reyed in his mind, and in an instant, he understood exactly what she had nned.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    udius flicked his hand sharply, his voice low but ringing withmand. ¡°Get over there immediately¡ªand make sure Maia is safe.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Several team members sprang into motion, but the team leader remained rooted in ce.

    udius shot him a hard look. ¡°You too.¡±

    The team leader stiffened. ¡°I can¡¯t. I have to stay with you. In ten minutes, the medication will wear off¡ªyou won¡¯t be able to stand.¡±

    udius¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°If something happens to Maia¡­ I won¡¯t survive it.¡±

    With that, he surged ahead, every step fueled by frantic determination. ¡°If you won¡¯t go, then I will.¡±

    A sheen of cold sweat broke across the team leader¡¯s forehead. He hurried after udius, panic gnawing at hisposure. The situation had veered far beyond protocol¡ªfar beyond anything any of them had prepared for.

    News had just reached him: a terrorist attack at Harmony za¡¯s banquet center. Chaos was spreading fast. And in this chaos, udius was absolutely not safe.

    The team leader quickened his own stride, instinctively moving closer to shield him.

    Behind them, Kiley watched udius¡¯s retreating figure and paused mid-step.

    .

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 Chapter 1393

    Chapter 1393:

    Her brother¡¯s voice echoed sharply in her mind. ¡°I don¡¯t have such a father.¡±

    She would never have imagined those wordsing from him. udius, who had worshipped their father since childhood. udius, who would¡¯ve walked through fire for the man.

    Kiley¡¯s eyes narrowed. Something ran deeper than the surface tension she had sensed. A fracture, not a disagreement. A truth she had never been told.

    Maybe she needed to ask her brother directly. After all, she had only pretended to ept the role of Cooper Group¡¯s head. In her heart, she had always intended to return it to udius when the time was right.

    She started forward, intending to catch up, to demand answers, but the world ahead exploded into chaos. People who had rushed into the banquet hall now barreled back out in terror. A heartbeatter, smoke erupted from inside, thick and wing, followed by mes that roared upward as the wind fed them.

    ¡°Fire! Run!¡± Voices scattered around her, frantic and raw.

    The wind whipped her hair andshed her face, carrying the acrid bite of burning debris.

    Kiley lifted her chin, and for a breath, the corners of her mouth curved faintly. The result wasn¡¯t what she expected¡ªbut Maia, one way or another, was gone to the mes.

    Ahead, udius stumbled to a halt. His face drained of all color. ¡°Maia¡­ am I toote?¡± His voice cracked, a thread pulled too tight.

    His knees buckled, hitting the ground with a hollow thud.

    Before Kiley¡¯s stunned eyes, the hair at his temples paled, bleaching into silver. In seconds, he looked a decade older¡ªmaybe more.

    In that moment, the strength drained out of udiuspletely. Fear. Devastation. A copse of everything holding him upright.

    His vision blurred, shrinking into darkness. His body swayed, and then fell sideways.

    ¡°Sir!¡± The team leader lunged, arms catching him before he struck the pavement.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    Kiley rushed forward, her breath catching. Legends spoke of lovers turning gray overnight from heartbreak¡ªold stories, poetic illusions. Never real. Never this real.

    She grabbed the team leader¡¯s arm, her voice trembling with urgency. ¡°Tell me. What is happening to him?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the side effects,¡± he said, eyes sharp with worry. ¡°He took X-079 just to get here in time. When we found him in the Cooper Estate¡¯s dungeon, he¡¯d been tortured almost to death¡ªunrecognizable. Barely breathing.¡±

    The words hammered through her skull, each one striking a nerve she didn¡¯t know existed.

    The team leader continued, lowering his voice. ¡°He told me that¡­ if anything happened to him, I should give you this.¡± He produced a USB drive, small and cold in his palm.

    Kiley¡¯s breath hitched.

    The Cooper Estate¡¯s dungeon? Tortured? Unrecognizable?

    Her voice wasn¡¯t just shaken¡ªit trembled with the dawning terror of a truth she had never suspected. ¡°What did you just say? What dungeon?¡±

    The team leader pressed the USB drive into Kiley¡¯s hand. ¡°Your brother has been locked in the Cooper Estate¡¯s dungeon this entire time. He never left Wront.¡±

    Kiley felt the ground drop beneath her. In that instant, the image she had always held of her father crumbled to dust. Her fingers shook as she epted the USB. She looked up at the man before her. ¡°Is there still a chance to save udius?¡±

    .

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    .

 Chapter 1394

    Chapter 1394:

    But the team leader was already hoisting udius onto his back. ¡°Come on. There¡¯s medical gear in the car. He needs immediate treatment.¡±

    Inside the car, Kiley couldn¡¯t stop herself from lifting udius¡¯s shirt. The sight of the brutal scars made her eyes instantly well up.

    How could this be?

    Her father had told her udius was sent to Otruitho, to take charge of the branch there and reflect on his mistakes. Yet the truth nowy bare. Kolton had lied. He had deceived herpletely.

    But what she could not understand was why her father¡¯s cruelty ran so deep¡ªwhy he had gone to such lengths. All he needed to do was get rid of Maia, and udius would have abandoned those naive, impossible dreams. The n had unfolded wlessly, just as intended. Yet her younger brother was now hanging on by a thread.

    Kiley remembered the question she hadn¡¯t asked earlier. ¡°You said he took some kind of drug. What exactly is it?¡±

    The team leader tightened his grip on the steering wheel. His voice dropped. ¡°You should check the USB. All I can say is¡ªit¡¯s a drug Cooper Group developed to temporarily boost physical abilities. But it¡¯s still experimental.¡± He hesitated, and then added, ¡°I tried to stop him. He insisted on saving Maia.¡±

    Kiley frowned. A Cooper Group drug? Experimental stage?

    How had she heard nothing about this?

    Neither Kolton nor udius had ever mentioned anything remotely like it.

    Shock swirled through her chest, thick and oppressive. But the man¡¯s words revealed something important¡ªthe drug carried terrifying side effects.

    ¡°Oh, udius¡­ you idiot. Was saving Maia worth throwing your life away?¡± she whispered.

    Her phone suddenly rang. It was someone she had left back at the banquet hall.

    She answered quickly. ¡°Ms. Cooper,¡± her subordinate reported, ¡°the fire is too intense. We haven¡¯t seen anyone who looks like Maia escape.¡±

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    Kiley nced at udius¡¯s unconscious form. She said nothing and ended the call.

    Meanwhile, the headline ¡°Fire Erupted at Cooper Group Charity G¡± spread like wildfire online, quickly shooting to the top of trending topics.

    ¡°Oh my God! What happened? Everything looked fine on the livestream!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why are people iming it was a terrorist attack?¡±

    ¡°Did anyone get out? Can someone exin? I¡¯m freaking out.¡±

    ¡°I heard someone tried to assassinate Maia. How did it escte into a massive fire?¡±

    ¡°What is happening? Cooper Group needs to release a statement!¡±

    At the same time, a helicopter descended onto the hospital rooftop where Carsen was waiting.

    The doors opened, and armed personnel rushed out carrying a stretcher.

    Chrisy on it, ghost-pale and drifting in and out of consciousness.

    Maia followed right behind, eyes swollen and red.

    Ahead, an entire medical team stood assembled.

    Carsen had dropped everything and returned as soon as he got Maia¡¯s call. He had even gathered every surgeon who usually operated with her.

    ¡°Hurry! Take the patient¡ªstart the surgery now!¡± he barked.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1395

    Chapter 1395:

    A thick tension lingered in the air outside the operating room. Even with the bright lights overhead, a heavy pressure settled over the hallway and made people draw quieter breaths.

    Inside the changing room, an unnatural silence hovered as if the entire space held its breath.

    Maia slipped into her surgical gown and carefully tightened each strap. Once she finished fastening the final button, the room fell still as everyone paused mid-movement.

    Nobody broke the silence. Every gaze drifted toward Maia¡¯s slim figure and the unwavering steadiness she carried.

    Maia dipped her head and fought a slight tremor in her fingertips, forcing them to stay firm. She pulled on her surgical cap with practiced precision and adjusted the white mask into ce.

    Her usually crystal-clear eyes appeared muted, carrying a faint haze that hinted at the storm building inside her.

    She took a deep breath and pushed the emotional turmoil aside. She reminded herself that maintainingpleteposure was the only way to carry out the surgery sessfully.

    By the time Maia lifted her gaze, aposed resolve filled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m prepared. You can trust that my feelings won¡¯t interfere with the procedure,¡± she said to them.

    For a brief second, the room hesitated. After that, the medical team traded quiet looks, and their silence shifted into steady, reassuring voices.

    ¡°Maia, it¡¯s alright. We¡¯ll put everything we have into this.¡±

    ¡°Think back to all the procedures we¡¯ve handled together. This one is just another we¡¯ll ovee.¡±

    ¡°Believe us, Maia. We¡¯re standing beside you.¡±

    Their words rose gently, yet they carried the strength of a guiding light, drawing Maia away from the edge of despair. Hearing them, she nced over her shoulder, and tears gathered as aforting warmth spread through her chest. She answered with a small, grateful nod.

    At that moment, a gentle hand settled on her shoulder.

    g¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s is your story hub

    Maia shifted her head to see who it was¡ªshe found Carsen standing there.

    He stood fully prepared for surgery, and although his voice sounded familiar, it held a firmer weight as he said, ¡°I informed the team that the person we¡¯re trying to save tonight matters deeply to you.¡±

    A flicker of surprise crossed Maia¡¯s face before she gently shook her head. ¡°It isn¡¯t about that,¡± she replied quietly. ¡°It¡¯s just that¡­ seeing everyone here means more than I can say.¡±

    Bit by bit, the emotions she had kept locked away began to loosen.

    From across the room, a few staff members said, ¡°Come on, nothing formal between us.¡±

    ¡°Saving lives is what we do.¡±

    ¡°And honestly, even without Dr. Walsh telling us, we figured it out¡­ the patient is your husband.¡±

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 Chapter 1396

    Chapter 1396:

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Maia. Your privacy stays with us.¡±

    ¡°And always remember, we¡¯re one unit. Whatever challenges show up, we¡¯ll handle them together.¡±

    A tightening sensation rose in Maia¡¯s chest, and she drew in a steadying breath. The weight of their support gradually calmed her.

    ¡°Thank you, everyone,¡± she said with genuine warmth.

    A sharp glow red to life above the operating room doors as the indicator light switched on.

    That harsh red message dering ¡°Emergency in Progress¡± pressed against the air and seemed to tighten every breath in the room.

    At the center table, Maia stepped into the lead position and lifted her hands so the circting nurse could slide the sterile gloves into ce.

    Before the nurse even finished, Carsen shifted away from the secondary spot and slipped into her original ce, trading positions with Maia in one swift motion.

    The change caught Maia off guard. ¡°Dr. Walsh? You¡­¡±

    Carsen cut her off before the rest of her question formed. ¡°Listen carefully,¡± he said, and his steady eyes did not waver from Maia¡¯s. His voice carried the weight of a settled decision. ¡°For tonight, you are the surgeon in charge.¡±

    He offered another firm reminder. ¡°The report will show your name at the top.¡±

    His words left Maia rattled, and an odd tremor moved through her chest.

    Was Carsen preparing to take over the procedure himself? Even if he stayed in the secondary role, he would still be exposing himself to significant risk.

    That realization settled heavily on Maia, and she understood exactly what he intended.

    Before she managed to form a word, Carsen swept his eyes across the room with practiced calm and spoke. ¡°We are starting the operation right now. The patient sustained two gunshot wounds. The first one entered through the front of the left shoulder. It moved along the back edge of the corbone and came out near the inner side of the scap. His left upper lung is badly injured, and there is noticeable bleeding gathering inside the chest.¡±

    He stopped for a beat, and his expression deepened. ¡°The second bullet struck the head.¡±

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    That single detail made her chest clench, and Maia felt her pulse stagger out of rhythm.

    A new thought surfaced, and she wondered if Carsen meant to tend to the older wound Chris carried.

    Her eyes returned to Carsen. She remembered thest time he turned down her request.

    This time, Carsen slid the scan results toward her and traced a finger along a faint, ominous blur on the image. ¡°There are metal fragments lodged under the temporal bone. Their shapes are uneven with edges that can cut. Any mistake could cause those pieces to shift and press against the temporal lobe. The risk is severe.¡±

    A hush settled over the operating room, and every sound seemed to fall away.

    Even though the entire team recognized the injury as an old one, not a single person questioned it.

    Each member of the staff moved with quiet intention, responding to him as though they shared an unspoken pact, and their cooperation unfolded with natural ease, as if this arrangement had always been expected.

    ¡°Everyone, stay sharp. The operation ahead will test us to our limits.¡± Carsen lifted his gaze, sweeping it across the room. ¡°I expect zero errors.¡±

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 Chapter 1397

    Chapter 1397:

    ¡°Yes, Dr. Walsh,¡± the medical team answered in perfect sync.

    Maia raised her head, her eyes already rimmed with red. A swell of gratitude rose in her chest, but she forced it down.

    She understood exactly what this meant. No surgeon willingly risked their career on a brain foreign-body extraction. Even top neurosurgeons could only promise their best, never absolute sess.

    The metal fragments lodged in Chris¡¯s skull sat in a treacherous position. A millimeter off could injure the temporal cortex and cause irreparable damage.

    And if the surgery failed, the main surgeon would bear the full weight of the me, their career effectively over.

    Yet Carsen¡ªthe prodigy surgeon, the medical world¡¯s legend¡ªhad stepped forward without hesitation.

    With him here, Chris¡¯s chances of survival rose dramatically.

    Maia felt a quiet, steady force grip her heart. Even if she had been slow to see it, she understood now.

    She knew the truth of her skills.

    Despite all her training, she was still leagues behind Carsen in experience, uracy, and decisive technique.

    ¡°Dr. Walsh¡­¡± Her voice quivered, emotions churning like a storm. She had countless things she wanted to say. But in the end, only two words escaped. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Carsen didn¡¯t look at her. He was inspecting the instruments, the tendons on his hand pulled tight, his expression cold andposed.

    ¡°I¡¯m only here to guide,¡± he said evenly, as if tamping down something in his chest. He reminded her, firm and quiet, ¡°You¡¯re the one holding the scalpel.¡±

    Only after that did he look at her. ¡°If you¡¯re thanking anyone, thank yourself.¡±

    Maia froze for a moment.

    L?t??st ch¦Ápt?rs in ???lnovels.??????

    Carsen continued, ¡°Your resolve to save a life is what convinced me¡ªand everyone else in this room.¡±

    He exhaled slowly. ¡°Alright. Enough talking. Let¡¯s start before I rethink this.¡±

    The staff exchanged subtle nces. They all knew Carsen: brusque words, soft heart. He could sound curt, even dismissive, but his actions never aligned with the harshness of his tone.

    Ever since learning why Maia had pursued surgery, he had quietly carried the weight for her.

    In his officete at night, in meeting rooms lit by harsh fluorescentmps, he had reviewed Chris¡¯s case over and over.

    He had held small private discussions repeatedly, neverining, never asking for acknowledgment.

    As for his reputation, his career, his standing in the medical world? He had never been the type to care.

    Carsen had once said, ¡°I studied medicine to save people, not to show off.¡±

    Tonight, his actions proved every word true.

    ¡°Focus.¡± Carsen¡¯s voice cracked through the air like ice.

    Tension snapped into ce instantly across the room.

    ¡°Make the incision.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Dr. Walsh.¡±

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 Chapter 1398

    Chapter 1398:

    Everyone¡¯s attention shifted back to the operating table.

    Maia inhaled deeply, her fingertips trembling.

    She locked away her emotions, letting her gaze sharpen into pure resolve.

    Her grip on the scalpel steadied. No fear. No doubt.

    Only one goal remained.

    She would save Chris¡ªno matter what.

    That night, Wront¡¯s entire medicalwork surged into emergency mode.

    Sirens wailed through the streets. Hallways zed with light. Doctors and nurses raced to triage the flood of wounded. Security guards struggled to keep terrified crowds under control.

    Panic rippled through the masses¡ªscreams, tears, and bodies fainting amidst the chaos.

    Stretchers flew past, orders barked with urgent authority.

    It was the most chaotic, perilous night Wront had faced in years, and the most disastrous day Cohen had ever known.

    Hidden in the shadows, he cursed how close he hade to killing Maia.

    She was no longer Maia Morgan¡ªshe had be Maia Watson.

    Cohen didn¡¯t understand why Richard¡¯s son wanted her dead. But one thing was clear: Jarrod had changed his mind at the end.

    The scent of conspiracy was unmistakable, dragging up memories Cohen wished he¡¯d left buried.

    Someone had manipted Jarrod¡ªused him like a pawn.

    And now, things had turned grim for Cohen. His identity had beenpromised. Kolton had surely dispatched assassins already.

    He needed to disappear fast. Somece no one would think to search.

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    A sudden idea struck Cohen, and he bolted toward the Morgan family¡¯s vi.

    He had to get back to the attic, where he¡¯d once hidden¡ªsomewhere he could lie low. He refused to die like this.

    ¡°At the very least, before I go, I have to tell Chris what really happened,¡± he muttered. ¡°I never betrayed his father. I was tricked by Kolton Cooper.¡±

    At Wront Central Hospital, the operating room buried furthest within theplex was flooded with stark, blinding light. The harsh white glow fell across the blood-stained figure lying on the table.

    Maia lifted the scalpel.

    ¡°Incise the fascia,¡± she said, her voice steady and precise.

    ¡°Suction.¡±

    ¡°Hemostat.¡±

    ¡°Ready the thoracoscope.¡±

    Every direction was crisp and exact. Her movements were clean, swift, unwavering.

    Only the metallic tter of instruments disturbed the tense stillness. Seconds ticked by like a countdown, and the operation unfolded as a duel with Death itself.

    Every cut was a desperate contest against the clock. Every time Maia stemmed the bleeding, she wrested life from the brink.

    She quieted her heartbeat, steadied her breathing to near stillness.

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 Chapter 1399

    Chapter 1399:

    The only thing she focused on was the faint rise and fall of Chris¡¯s chest.

    Meanwhile, videos from the burning banquet hall at Harmony za began flooding the inte¡ªposted by those who had managed to escape.

    The first clips were grainy, shapes swallowed by fire. But as more angles surfaced, details sharpened.

    People trapped inside were screaming. Some kicked at the doors, others pounded at the windows. Smoke rolled through the room, plunging everything into chaos.

    Online viewers shifted from shock¡­ to horror¡­ to fury.

    Comments exploded across social media.

    ¡°How could this happen? There¡¯s no way this was just an ident; someone set that fire.¡±

    ¡°The authorities still haven¡¯t released casualty numbers. Completely negligent!¡±

    ¡°Kiley Cooper needs to give the public an exnation. Was this an ident or an attack?¡±

    ¡°I heard Maia Watson might not have made it out¡­ and many others didn¡¯t either.¡±

    In barely twenty minutes, the topic shot to the top of the trending list. The more posts vanished, the faster new ones multiplied. As ounts were muted, leaks surged even harder.

    Cooper Group¡¯s PR team was on the brink of copse.

    The fire meant to wipe out evidence instead thrust the Cooper family into blinding public scrutiny. The crisis spiraled, fast and uncontrobly.

    With fear gripping the public, the hunger for truth intensified. And with no truth in sight, emotions raged even hotter.

    The night reached its peak under a storm of screams, outrage, questions, and rumors.

    In the western district of Wront, the night hung heavy. Pale hospital lights outside Cooper Group¡¯s private medical center gleamed like frost on metal. The air reeked sharply of disinfectant.

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    Kiley stood at the entrance of the emergency room, pacing relentlessly. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor, each sound tight, anxious, betraying the turmoil twisting inside her.

    The glowing red ¡°No Entry¡± sign on the ER doors seared her eyes.

    udius was inside, being resuscitated.

    The doctor¡¯s earlier words echoed in her skull¡ªprolonged whipping, starvation, total physical breakdown, organ damage.

    No father should ever do that to his own son. Yet Kolton had.

    Kiley¡¯s fingers curled so tightly her knuckles whitened. She had always known her father to be stern, distant, impossible to approach.

    But never¡ªnot once¡ªhad she imagined he could be this cruel.

    Was this what he thought fatherhood meant?

    He¡¯d nearly killed udius.

    ¡°Despicable¡­¡± Kiley choked, barely holding her voice together.

    In that moment, she even wondered whether Kolton still considered udius his child at all.

    She stopped pacing, yanked out her phone, and dialed her father in fury.

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 Chapter 1400

    Chapter 1400:

    As she hit the call button, her own heartbeat thundered in her ears.

    Since everything had erupted, Kolton had disappeared.

    But the call went straight to voicemail.

    Kiley froze briefly, and then tried again. The call still went unanswered.

    Her brows knotted tighter, anger and dread twisting inside her.

    She resumed pacing, turning in frantic loops.

    A few minutester, she tried calling Raegan instead.

    But there was no response from her either.

    A wave of helplessness crashed over Kiley. She felt trapped in a fog, stranded on an isted shore with no way forward.

    Her once-glorious family had crossed lines she couldn¡¯t forgive. Her trusted partners were failing at critical moments. And the entire Cooper Group was tilting toward ruin.

    For the first time in her life, Kiley felt true, bone-deep fear.

    Kiley¡¯s fingers clenched around the USB drive until her knuckles whitened. The metal casing bit into her palm with an arctic chill that seemed to prate flesh and settle deep within her bones.

    ¡°udius¡­¡± Her brother¡¯s name escaped her lips in a whisper that carried the weight of a thousand unspoken promises.

    She had to unearth the truth, to discover what dark secrets Kolton concealed and why udius had endured such unbearable suffering. Remaining here any longer would aplish nothing but deepen her despair.

    Drawing a shuddering breath, Kiley wrestled her turbulent emotions back into submission, forcing them down where they couldn¡¯t interfere with what came next.

    She raised her head, fixing the team leader with a gaze sharp enough to cut ss. Her voice emerged low andmanding. ¡°I need you to guarantee my brother¡¯s safety.¡±

    The man¡¯s response came without hesitation. ¡°You have my word.¡±

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    Kiley¡¯s eyes drifted once more toward the emergency room entrance. That single nce containedyers of guilt, rage, and emotions too tangled to name or separate.

    The next heartbeat found her turning away, her footsteps swift and purposeful as though an invisible clock counted down the seconds until disaster struck.

    She had to reach her office immediately and unlock whatever secrets the USB drive protected.

    Perhaps it contained the real exnation for why her father had treated udius with such inexplicable cruelty.

    At Erygan Hospital, the corridors overflowed with chaos and desperation.

    The fire at Harmony za had sent waves of injured victims flooding into every medical facility within reach.

    Agonized screams pierced the air alongside children¡¯s wails and the relentless thunder of medical staff racing between rooms. The metallic tang of blood mingled with harsh disinfectant created a nauseatingbination that made even the most hardened visitors¡¯ stomachs turn.

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    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noa: Have a wonderful day dear readers. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. (?? ? ??)?

    .

 Chapter 1401

    Chapter 1401:

    Medical personnel wheeled Marisa toward the surgical preparation area. Her face had drained of all color, yet she fought to maintain consciousness with visible determination.

    ¡°Try to stay calm. Your injuries could have been much worse,¡± the surgeon assigned to her case offered with practiced reassurance. ¡°We¡¯ll extract the shrapnel quickly and have you recovering in no time.¡±

    Ethan recognized the lie in thoseforting words immediately.

    Earlier, he¡¯d caught fragments of the doctor¡¯s hushed conversation with Maxwell. ¡°The shrapnel embedded itself in the thigh bone¡­ Immediate removal is critical to prevent bone marrow infection from developing.¡±

    Standing beside Marisa¡¯s gurney, Ethan trembled as his shoulders shook with suppressed emotion. He kept his head bowed, unable to force out even a single syble.

    He should have been the one bleeding on this table, not her. But when the moment arrived, she¡¯d shoved him aside without a second¡¯s hesitation.

    Words crowded desperately in his mouth¡ª¡±I¡¯m sorry,¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± even ¡°Don¡¯t frighten me like this¡±¡ªbut each one lodged there like stones, forming a blockage that strangled his breath.

    He couldn¡¯t find thenguage to convey the terrible tension, the gnawing unease, the crushing guilt that threatened to suffocate him.

    Marisa studied him before releasing a soft sound of exasperation. ¡°Tsk. Ethan, stop looking at me like that.¡±

    Pain etched lines across her features, yet she managed to summon a brave smile. ¡°I¡¯m not dying here, you know.¡±

    She extended her hand and jabbed the back of his with one finger. ¡°It¡¯s merely a flesh wound, right? If I¡¯m not terrified, why should you be?¡±

    That gesture shattered something inside Ethan¡¯s chest. He lifted his gaze, eyes brimming with unshed tears that caught the harsh fluorescent light. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±

    Marisa arched one eyebrow in challenge. ¡°What are you apologizing for? Didn¡¯t I tell you already¡ªI¡¯ve got your back no matter what happens?¡±

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    She tilted her chin upward with defiant pride. ¡°You should be thanking me, not apologizing.¡±

    Ethan blinked in surprise, and then his voice cracked as he spoke. ¡°Thank you for saving me¡­ for taking that bullet meant for me.¡±

    The moment those words left his mouth, awkwardness crashed over him like a wave. He¡¯d transformed into someone he barely recognized. His hand flew up to scratch his head while his ears zed crimson.

    Marisa couldn¡¯t help the softugh that bubbled up at his clumsy sincerity. ¡°Actually, you could have stopped after ¡®saving me.''¡±

    She waved dismissively, and then inhaled deeply to push back against the throbbing pain. ¡°If you genuinely want to thank me, you can buy me an incredible meal.¡±

    Ethan froze, clearly caught off guard.

    Marisa pressed forward. ¡°Just the two of us. Nobody else.¡±

    Her heart performed an erratic dance the instant those words emerged, but she maintained an expression of perfectposure.

    After a weighted silence stretched between them, she emphasized the point again with quiet intensity. ¡°Did you hear me clearly? You and me. Just us.¡±

    She understood her own mind with crystalline rity. If Ethan dared to extend that invitation to anyone else¡ªespecially Mnie¡ªshe would turn her back on him permanently and never waste another word on this infuriating fool.

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 Chapter 1402

    Chapter 1402:

    Ethan nodded with solemn gravity. ¡°All right. Just the two of us. I promise.¡±

    Maxwell chose that precise moment to stride through the doorway, one eyebrow climbing toward his hairline as he surveyed the scene before him.

    ¡°Are you two arranging a date right now?¡± His tone carried unmistakable amusement.

    Marisa found herself suddenly unable to form coherent words. Ethan fared no better.

    Both sets of ears transformed into matching shades of scarlet.

    ¡°You¡¯re not nning a date?¡± Maxwell pressed, clearly enjoying himself.

    ¡°No!¡± The denial exploded from both Ethan and Marisa simultaneously, their voices colliding and reverberating off the corridor walls with almostical force.

    Then, moving as though they¡¯d touched burning coals, they whipped their faces away from each other, ears now zing so brightly they could have lit the darkened hallway.

    The silence that descended afterward carried an almost supernatural quality, thick and suffocating and impossibly loud despite containing not a single sound.

    Maxwell positioned himself squarely between Ethan and Marisa, watching them as though waiting for a spark to fly.

    With one brow lifted, he opened his palms in a slow gesture. ¡°Then exin why the two of you seem so bothered.¡±

    What he said sounded harmless enough. However, Ethan and Marisa heard it like someone had tugged open a door they kept locked inside themselves.

    Neither of them bothered to answer. Silence wrapped around them.

    Soon after, medical staff guided Marisa down the hallway on the gurney, herplexion carrying the fierce red of embarrassment.

    Ethan did not follow. He stayed where he stood and shifted his feet, studying the floor like a child caught misbehaving.

    Moments passed before the operating room doors thudded shut. Only then did Maxwell ce a light hand on Ethan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re Maia¡¯s brother, correct?¡±

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    Almost immediately, Maxwell continued speaking. ¡°I noticed my sister cares about you.¡±

    Ethan snapped his head up at once.

    A breathter, color surged across his face. Pink crept over his cheeks, then climbed to his ears, and even his neck showed the heat of his flustered surprise.

    Words rose to the edge of his tongue but scattered before they formed, leaving him breathing fast through parted lips.

    Maxwell leaned into the silence with ease. ¡°Settle down. I¡¯m fairly sure you have feelings for my sister as well. Would I be wrong to think so?¡±

    Ethan still offered no reply. Instead, Maxwell¡¯s remark cracked open something hidden inside him. He stood stiff and unmoving, and even hisshes trembled like they carried his secret.

    He tried to push out a denial. However, his voice lodged somewhere deep, and warmth climbed up until both ears glowed red.

    Maxwell watched the reaction unfold and let out a quietugh. ¡°No need to exin. I understand perfectly.¡±

    With another firm press of his hand to Ethan¡¯s shoulder, Maxwell seemed to grant him silent permission. ¡°You handle things here for now. I have something else that needs my attention.¡±

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 Chapter 1403

    Chapter 1403:

    Maxwell excused himself and walked off, carrying a lingering worry for Chris that he couldn¡¯t shake.

    ¡°What?¡± Ethan blinked, dragged out of his thoughts as he spotted Maxwell sprinting toward the elevator with surprising speed.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to track down your sister and Chris,¡± Maxwell called out, giving a quick wave while moving away. ¡°And you¡ªdon¡¯t waste this chance. My sister isn¡¯t someone you should let slip by.¡±

    The elevator doors slid shut after his deration, and Ethan remained in the hallway, overwhelmed as heat rushed to his ears and his heartbeat thundered in his chest.

    Somewhere else in the hospital, Jarrod sat beside Richard and held his father¡¯s hand with excitement that seemed toe from deep within him.

    A rasp of a voice left him as he spoke. ¡°Dad¡­ you¡¯re finally awake.¡± His eyes were rimmed with red.

    Richard blinked his way into consciousness, first recognizing his son, and then turning toward the other bed where his wifey. ¡°Your mother¡­ tell me, how is she?¡±

    Jarrod bit his lower lip and offered only a faint shake of his head.

    The answer hit Richard like a cruel blow. Whatever strength he had gathered broke apart in silence. No questions followed. Tears slipped from the corners of his eyes and sank into the pillow beneath him.

    A quiet moment stretched out between father and son while the steady ticking of time surrounded them.

    Jarrod gathered his courage after a long pause. He needed rity, no matter how painful. ¡°Dad, on that day, was it truly Maia who asked you to meet?¡± he said, forcing his words to stay steady.

    The room felt colder after the questionnded.

    Richard¡¯s expression shifted as if a hidden nightmare wed back into view. His body lurched in shock.

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    He seized Jarrod¡¯s hand with trembling fingers. ¡°It wasn¡¯t Maia. It was Rosanna. She pretended to be Maia and led us there.¡± Richard¡¯s voice cracked open with raw panic. ¡°She messed with the car. It was all her doing.¡±

    A sudden eruption of rms filled the room as machines reacted to the spike in distress. Shrill beeping sliced through the air.

    After confessing that much, Richard weakened fast. His hand ckened in Jarrod¡¯s grasp, and his eyes slid shut as consciousness slipped away from him.

    ¡°Dad!¡± Jarrod mmed the call button with urgency. ¡°Please stay with us. You can¡¯t leave like this.¡±

    In a rush of footsteps, medical staff poured into the room, and a nurse guided Jarrod out of the way with firm hands. ¡°I warned you not to upset him so soon,¡± she muttered, sounding beyond tired, as though the night had aged her.

    A doctor stepped forward with a stern set to his jaw. ¡°His condition is unstable. You need to wait outside.¡±

    The room door shut behind them with a final thud.

    Out in the corridor, Jarrod slid down the wall until he sat on the floor.

    His hands twisted tightly into his shirt, and tears slipped free, falling one after another and darkening the fabric beneath them.

    A storm of feelings churned inside him.

    Every choice he had made felt like a disaster. He had failed everyone, failed himself. Worse still, he had walked straight into Rosanna¡¯s trap without ever questioning it.

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 Chapter 1404

    Chapter 1404:

    Jarrod pressed his palms against his face, pushing through his hair as though he could rip out the shame lodged in his heart. His chest throbbed like it was ready to burst.

    Memories rushed through him. Maia covering his parents¡¯ hospital fees. Rosanna weaving lies like silk. His own blind anger almost striking down the wrong person.

    No longer able to hold it in, Jarrod lifted his hand and struck his own cheek with sharp force.

    A crack of impact echoed through the hallway.

    Heads turned. People cast quick looks in his direction, but none dared interfere.

    Jarrod hardly noticed. Their silence didn¡¯t matter. The sting on his skin was the only thing grounding him, pulling him back into himself.

    Red-rimmed eyes narrowed with fury as he whispered through clenched teeth, ¡°Rosanna Morgan¡­ you ruined everything. The moment you came back, we pushed Maia aside, and every downfall followed in your wake. You should never havee home. Maia was the one who truly belonged in our lives.¡±

    Leaning back against the cold wall for support, Jarrod pushed himself upright and moved forward on shaky legs.

    A silhouette appeared ahead of him, one he recognized instantly.

    Ethan stood by the operating room doors. His face had gone pale, and worry clung to him like a shadow.

    Dread coiled in Jarrod¡¯s stomach at the sight. Maybe Maia was behind those doors.

    He took a step toward Ethan, and every footfall felt like dragging lead across the floor.

    Jarrod moved as though heavy chains clung to his ankles, dragging at his every attempt to move forward.

    His footsteps sank deeper and deeper, as if he were wading through a suffocating mire.

    He advanced at a torturously slow pace, as though an unseen force kept yanking him backward, making even the smallest step forward feel like his lungs were being crushed.

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    The corridor lights glowed cold and pale, washing him in a bleak, frostbitten hue.

    Inwardly, Jarrod kept whispering Maia¡¯s name like a plea. Memories of her flickered through his mind¡ªsharp, uninvited, relentless.

    Every kindness she had shown him, he never valued.

    Every warning she had offered, he brushed aside.

    Every time Rosanna wounded her, he failed to truly shield her.

    Jarrod always believed he was fighting to bring Maia back into the Morgan family, yet he never acknowledged how mercilessly they had cast her out.

    Only now did he see it clearly¡ªhis efforts were nothing but pride masquerading as sincerity.

    All of this was retribution, the bitter fruit of the Morgan family¡¯s arrogance and blind bias.

    Realizing that, Jarrod let out a hollow, self-mockingugh.

    He halted several steps before reaching Ethan, his chest tightening with a slow, tearing ache¡ªas if his heart had been shredded and stitched shut again, leaving him sustained by nothing but a thin thread of despair.

    Jarrod bowed his head.

    He couldn¡¯t bring himself to show up in front of Maia, nor Ethan¡ªher real brother¡ªcrushed beneath the weight of his own guilt.

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 Chapter 1405

    Chapter 1405:

    Jarrod¡¯s lips twitched faintly, the motion caught between self-mockery and a quiet farewell.

    ¡°I¡¯m nothing but a failure¡­¡± His voice came out as a whisper, barely scraping the air. ¡°I can¡¯t aplish anything, can¡¯t read people¡¯s intentions, can¡¯t protect the ones I¡¯m supposed to¡­ And all I¡¯ve ever done is hurt Maia again and again¡­¡±

    His body folded as he slowly bent forward, hands bracing on his knees, shoulders trembling without pause.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Maia. Everything is my fault. I¡¯m not worthy of being called your older brother,¡± he murmured. His vision swam as tears suddenly welled up.

    He raised a hand to wipe them, but more spilled over the moment he touched his face.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seeded at anything in my entire life. But it¡¯s alright¡­¡± He drew in a shaky breath, forcing the suffocating weight in his chest back down. ¡°If today¡¯s assassination really yed out, it¡¯d be the one thing I regret for the rest of my life.¡±

    He stared at the tear streaking across the back of his hand, the corridor light catching on the droplet and scattering it into a faint, ghostly shimmer.

    ¡°Maia¡­ you never owed the Morgans anything. It¡¯s us¡ªthe Morgan family¡ªwho owe you more than we could ever repay.¡±

    Her name slipped from him so softly it seemed afraid to disturb even the stillness in the air.

    Jarrod lifted his head then, eyes rimmed red, but a chill steadily settling into his gaze.

    He hurled curses at Rosanna in the privacy of his mind¡ªevery part of this disaster had her fingerprints on it.

    Whatever twisted reason she¡¯d had¡ªjealousy, spite, or something darker¡ªthere was no excuse for endangering their parents.

    There would be no forgiveness for her.

    A reckoning was long overdue.

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    Jarrod¡¯s jaw tightened, as though he had finally embraced the choice he¡¯d been avoiding.

    Even without a rifle, the crossbow would be enough.

    Pulling himself together, he turned and began walking toward the elevator.

    His footsteps came quicker¡ªlighter¡ªas if shedding a burden with every stride.

    ¡°Ding!¡± The elevator doors began to close.

    Just before they sealed shut, Ethan suddenly twisted around, startled by an odd sensation he couldn¡¯t exin.

    How strange!

    Why did it feel as if someone¡¯s gaze had been burning into his back a moment ago?

    A heavy, indescribable pressure still clung to him like a shadow.

    Ethan narrowed his eyes, scanning the corridor¡ªbut nothing was there.

    Just then, his phone buzzed sharply in his hand.

    Mnie¡¯s name lit up the screen.

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 Chapter 1406

    Chapter 1406:

    The second he answered, her voice burst through¡ªtight with worry.

    ¡°Ethan, where are you? Is Maia with you?¡±

    Ethan drew in a steadying breath before replying, ¡°I¡¯m at Erygan Hospital. My sister¡­ she¡¯s not here with me.¡±

    Mnie¡¯s anxiety spiked. ¡°Maia¡¯s not there? Do you have any idea where she is now?¡±

    Ethan¡¯s voice dropped to a low murmur. ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but¡­ she should¡¯ve gotten away.¡±

    On the other end, Mnie¡¯s breath eased, her tone softening. ¡°Alright. Don¡¯t panic. My dad¡¯s already searching for her.¡±

    A small pause¡ªand then, more firmly, she added, ¡°Stay where you are. I¡¯lle to you soon.¡±

    The call ended, but Ethan didn¡¯t lower the phone.

    He held it tightly, staring at the screen¡ªand finally tapped to open thest message Maia had sent him.

    A dim, cold glow from the screen cast shadows across Ethan¡¯s face.

    The message from Maia was short, yet its weight pressed on his chest, making each breath a struggle.

    ¡°I¡¯m okay. I¡¯m with Chris now, and his condition is critical¡­ Also, if anyone asks about me, say you don¡¯t know.¡±

    Ethan bit his lower lip, nails digging into his palms. This time, he chose to trust his sister and stand by her.

    From the moment he saw Chris throw himself in front of Maia, taking the bullet meant for her, all his doubts and prejudices had crumbled.

    Chris was the real ¡°Justiceze¡±¡ªtrue heroes never die.

    But what if¡­ what if Chris had actually died this time?

    L§Ñ¦Ó??¦Ó ch?¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?ls.??????

    The thought churned inside him, mixing with the memory of his harsh words and past resentment. Regret twisted his throat.

    He hadn¡¯t apologized, hadn¡¯t witnessed Chris marry Maia, hadn¡¯t acknowledged him as family.

    Fists clenched until knuckles went white, shoulders trembling, Ethan suddenly felt a warm drop on his hand. Another followed. His tears fell freely, unstoppable.

    At that very moment, Ethan could no longer hold back the flood of emotions surging through him.

    Elsewhere, in a shadowed room, a faint gasp broke the silence.

    Raegan¡¯s eyes fluttered open.

    Moonlight sliced through a high window, casting a pale streak across the floor.

    Her limbs were tightly bound, a gag silencing her, leaving herpletely powerless.

    Shattered fragments of memory raced through her mind¡ªgunfire, a haze of blood, and the figure copsing.

    It felt almost unreal, yet she knew it had all truly urred.

    The fatal shot that felled Chris hade from the subordinate who followed her orders. Maia had been the target, but it had been the leader who took the bullet. The only man Raegan had ever loved.

    Grayson¡¯s voice echoed in her mind. ¡°You fool¡­¡±

    She felt herself plummeting from unimaginable heights, suspended between heaven and hell, fate dealing its cruelest hand.

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 Chapter 1407

    Chapter 1407:

    Forgiveness seemed impossible, even though the leader had never truly been hers.

    Tears traced slow paths down her cheeks as grief and heartbreak clenched her chest.

    She thrashed against the walls, desperate to release the pain, but it was futile.

    Eventually, despair overtook her, and she fainted once more.

    At the same time, Ss finally reached the hospital after a grueling struggle to retrieve his fallen ear.

    Blood streamed from his feet with every step, leaving a trail of crimson.

    Dried blood coated his face, giving him a fearsome, almost monstrous appearance.

    Crowds screamed and scattered, wary of approaching the famed actor.

    ¡°Doctor! Where¡¯s the doctor?¡± he shouted as he barreled into the emergency room. ¡°Hurry! My ear¡ªit¡¯s fallen off!¡±

    But the sheer chaos around him rendered him momentarily dumbfounded.

    The emergency hall was overflowing with injured patients.

    Some clutched their stomachs, screaming in pain; others convulsed on the floor. Nurses rushed with stretchers while doctors performed CPR on their knees.

    The air was thick with the stench of blood and disinfectant.

    No one had time for Ss. He lunged toward a doctor. ¡°Quick! Reattach my ear!¡±

    The doctor didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°I¡¯m treating an emergency patient¡ªplease wait.¡±

    A nurse stepped in, stern. ¡°Sir, do not interfere with patient care.¡±

    Ss ignored her, ustomed to fame and privilege.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care! Treat me now! Do you know who I am? I¡¯m Ss Court, movie star!¡± His voice rang sharp with impatience and indignation.

    The doctor fixed Ss with a look of pure disapproval. ¡°I don¡¯t care what your name is or where you came from. Stop this ridiculous shouting. Dozens of patients here are in far graver condition than you, and at least you possess enough strength to make noise. Open your eyes¡ªcan¡¯t you see the ones who are barely clinging to life?¡±

    ???¨¨?? ¡é?¦¤T?¦Å§Á? ?¦Ç ?a?§Úo¦Í???.???

    Ss had trudged the entire distance without shoes, and whatever patience he¡¯d possessed had long since abandoned him.

    Rage flooded through him at being dismissed so casually. He thrust his hand into his pocket and withdrew the severed ear, waving it like some grotesque trophy.

    His voice cracked with barely controlled fury. ¡°Did you not hear a single word I said? Reattach my ear immediately. My condition is far more critical than anyone else¡¯s here.¡±

    His deration ignited a wildfire of anger throughout the emergency room. Hostile res converged on him from every direction.

    One rtive of a patient currently fighting for survival lunged forward and snatched the ear straight from Ss¡¯s grip. Without hesitation, the person strode to the nearest window, flung it open, and hurled the severed flesh into the darkness beyond.

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 Chapter 1408

    Chapter 1408:

    ¡°No!¡± Ss¡¯s scream tore through the room. Driven by pure desperation, heunched himself through the window and crashed onto the grass outside, wing frantically at the soil with trembling fingers, his entire body shaking.

    Behind him, the emergency room held its breath for one suspended moment before erupting into thunderous apuse.

    ¡°Well done,¡± someone said with unfiltered satisfaction.

    Another voice cut through the celebration. ¡°Who does this madman think he is?¡±

    A third person chimed in, dripping with contempt. ¡°Someone needed to teach him a proper lesson in humility.¡±

    ¡°Shut those windows now! Don¡¯t let that fool climb back inside!¡± yet another voicemanded from somewhere in the crowd.

    A young nurse, initially shocked by what had transpired, moved to chase after Ss to offer assistance, but several wounded patients quickly surrounded her, blocking her path.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, I think my wound has started bleeding again.¡±

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, please examine this for me¡­ Something feels much worse now.¡±

    Meanwhile, Laurence had been transported to the underground facility.

    A fully assembled medical team wasted no time conducting an exhaustive examination of his condition.

    As he monitored their progress, the base leader attempted to reach Chris by phone, but the call refused to connect.

    A nearby subordinate voiced the worry spreading through the room. ¡°What if Chris has run into trouble? The entire inte is aze with coverage of tonight¡¯s fire.¡±

    The base leader stared down at his phone, his jaw tight with tension, before finally speaking. ¡°The only course avable to us now is to execute Chris¡¯s instructions exactly as nned.¡±

    At that precise moment, one member of the medical team gasped in unmistakable shock. ¡°We¡¯ve detected Mandrake extract in his system!¡±

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    A heartbeatter, another team member cried out with equal astonishment. ¡°We¡¯ve also found Higanbana extract!¡±

    The base leader¡¯s head snapped toward them. ¡°What effects do these two substances produce?¡±

    Before anyone could answer, a different staff member spoke up, voice trembling with disbelief. ¡°This¡­ this is an extract derived from the Idiot¡¯s Vine¡­ This nt is extraordinarily rare, and its fruit contains apound that works in reverse on neural myelin.¡±

    A heavy silence descended over the room like a suffocating nket.

    ¡°I need to know immediately what effects or toxins these three extracts create,¡± the leader pressed, shaking himself free from his momentary paralysis.

    Though he had suspected some form of misconduct, he couldn¡¯t begin toprehend anyone poisoning their own biological father with such heinous substances¡ªan act that transcended mere cruelty into something inhuman.

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 Chapter 1409

    Chapter 1409:

    What the base leader hadn¡¯t yet discovered was that Kolton¡¯s sins extended far beyond poisoning his father; he had also imprisoned and tormented his own son. Had he known the full scope of Kolton¡¯s depravity, his entire understanding of human nature would have shattered into fragments.

    The truth was stark and simple: Kolton loved no one but himself. Paranoia coursed through his veins alongside ruthlessness and cunning. Trust was anguage he refused to speak.

    The elderly doctor paused, his difort visible in the way his shoulders sagged, and then pressed onward. ¡°As for the third substance, the Idiot¡¯s Vine, the name itself reveals its purpose. It dulls cognitive function catastrophically, causing the transmission of neural signals to degrade in progressive stages¡­ In essence, it throttles the brain¡¯s processing capacity, systematically reverting a person¡¯s mental abilities back to those of early childhood.¡±

    The instant those words left his lips, every person in the room drew in a sharp, horrified breath.

    The base leader stumbled backward, nearly losing his footing entirely. Panic seized his voice. ¡°Is there any method to purge these toxins from his body?¡±

    Around him, several others scowled with undisguised revulsion, their mutterings thick with rage. ¡°Kolton Cooper is truly a demon wearing human skin. He¡¯s nothing more than a savage beast.¡±

    In the CEO¡¯s office of Cooper Group, Kiley pushed through the door, only to freeze as the leather swivel chair rotated slowly toward her.

    ¡°Father?¡± The word escaped her lips in a startled whisper. ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    Her mind raced immediately to the USB drive udius¡¯s subordinate had pressed into her hand.

    Kolton upied the chair with predatory stillness, his eyes sharp as a hawk¡¯s talons, studying Kiley with a coldness that stripped the warmth from the room¡ªhis face an unreadable mask.

    With practiced deliberation, he began tapping the desk in a slow, rhythmic pattern. Each tap resonated like a war drum striking directly against Kiley¡¯s exposed nerves.

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    Her pulse elerated violently. The blood drained from her lips, leaving them ghostly pale as the air itself seemed to crystallize around them, heavy and suffocating.

    After a fleeting exchange of nces with Kiley, Kolton stood, sping his hands behind his back, and advanced toward her with measured deliberation.

    The atmosphere thickened with each footfall he made. His shadow spilled across the carpet, elongated and threatening like an unsheathed de.

    ¡°So this is the n you mentioned?¡± His voice emerged low and deliberate, every syble dripping with displeasure. The tone sliced through the space between them, sharp as a needle finding its mark in Kiley¡¯s chest.

    Kiley flinched, caught off guard, yet beneath the surface a wave of relief washed through her¡ªas though some crushing weight had finally rolled from her shoulders.

    Her father hadn¡¯te for the USB drive¡ªshe¡¯d spun herself into needless panic earlier. His concern fixated solely on tonight¡¯s event and its aftermath.

    Kiley bowed her head. ¡°Forgive me, Father¡­ I never anticipated such a catastrophic fire.¡±

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 Chapter 1410

    Chapter 1410:

    Her voice emerged quiet yet saturated with genuine, trembling apology. ¡°I¡¯ll ept full responsibility for the damages incurred.¡±

    Kolton released a cold, derisive snort. ¡°ept responsibility? Do you honestly possess the means?¡±

    He leaned in closer, his gaze transforming into something resembling a frozen de. ¡°Do you have anyprehension of the manpower and resources poured into constructing that banquet center?¡±

    Kiley scarcely dared to raise her eyes. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, silence stretching between them, her throat feeling as though it had been mped in iron jaws.

    ¡°Ten billion dors.¡± Kolton¡¯s voice crystallized with frost. ¡°Now enlighten me¡ªhow much revenue did tonight¡¯s auction generate?¡±

    Kiley steadied the rhythm of her breathing and answered without embellishment. ¡°Twenty billion.¡±

    ¡°Twenty billion?¡± Kolton¡¯s expression froze, suspended in disbelief before hardening into something even more cial. He ced his hand on Kiley¡¯s shoulder with deliberate weight. ¡°You¡¯re not testing my patience with some borate jest, are you?¡±

    That figure soared far beyond anything Kolton had dared project.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of it, Father.¡± Kiley lifted her gaze to meet Kolton¡¯s prating stare and borated, ¡°We secured fifteen billion from Maia alone, supplemented by contributions from the remaining guests¡­¡±

    Before she couldplete her exnation, Kolton severed her words with an abrupt wave of his hand, a fleeting chill flickering through his eyes. ¡°What did you just say? You managed to extract fifteen billion from Maia?¡±

    His voice plummeted into icy territory, the words reminding Kiley of a shard of ice driven straight through flesh.

    ¡°How could she possiblymand such funds? Haven¡¯t you been thoroughly deceived by her? You¡¯ve genuinely disappointed me.¡±

    ???€$? ?§ß?t??§ñ? 1¦Ð ?al§Úo¦Í¦Å??.???

    Kiley hastened to rify. ¡°No, Father. Maia doesn¡¯t possess that magnitude of wealth, you¡¯re correct; it was Mr. Sparrow.¡±

    Then she proceeded to recount the entire auction sequence to Kolton in meticulous detail.

    ¡°Oil extraction rights? Has the transfer agreement been executed?¡± Kolton¡¯s brows drew together, skepticism still threading through his features.

    ¡°The other party has signed. It requires only your signature for the transfer to achieve legal validity,¡± Kiley answered with unwavering precision. ¡°However, I had no knowledge of your arrival; the transfer agreement remains in my vehicle. I¡¯ll retrieve it immediately for your examination.¡±

    ¡°Wait.¡± Kolton¡¯s eyes narrowed as he directed his attention toward a nearby covert operative. ¡°Apany her. To prevent any unforeseenplications.¡±

    Kiley nodded. She grasped the dual nature of his instruction¡ªit served as both protection and surveince in equal measure.

    Within moments, she reappeared with the agreement sped in hand, extending it toward him.

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 Chapter 1411

    Chapter 1411:

    Kolton crossed his legs with casual authority and scrutinized the agreement with painstaking thoroughness while Kiley maintained her position beside him.

    Time crawled forward, second by agonizing second.

    Without warning, Kolton tossed the agreement onto the desk¡¯s surface. ¡°Impressive. Bring me a pen.¡±

    He epted the pen from the covert operative¡¯s outstretched hand and inscribed his name with confident, flowing strokes. ¡°I¡¯ve encountered references to this oil field, and Granger Sparrow, the oil tycoon, is undeniably a legitimate figure,¡± he observed. ¡°In this particr matter, you¡¯ve exceeded expectations.¡±

    Kolton offered his approval, and then pivoted toward Kiley, adding, ¡°Within the next few days, arrange a flight to the site and conduct a personal inspection. Assess what resources arecking and whether operations canmence smoothly.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Father,¡± Kiley acknowledged.

    Then, with a trace of nervous anticipation coloring her words, she ventured, ¡°Father, regarding tonight¡¯s fire and its ramifications¡­¡±

    ¡°No ramifications.¡± Kolton dismissed her concern with a careless wave, his tone radiating indifference. ¡°I¡¯ll manage the fallout. You only need to project profound grief and publicly denounce the arsonist responsible. Regarding the reconstruction of the banquet center following the fire, I intend to orchestrate another charity event, soliciting donations while employing the pretext ofpensating the victims¡¯ families to mobilize even greater participation.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s features arranged themselves into a sly, fox-like expression of satisfaction. ¡°Charity amounts to aplishing one¡¯s ambitions with other people¡¯s currency. You didn¡¯t actually believe I was reprimanding you, did you? I simply wanted to evaluate your capacity to withstand pressure. You¡¯re destined to be the captain steering Cooper Group, that mighty vessel.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for your confidence, Father,¡± Kiley responded softly, concealing the turbulent emotions churning beneath herposed exterior.

    Kolton¡¯sughter erupted, rich and self-satisfied, before he continued, ¡°Kiley, I¡¯m now assigning you a task of paramount importance. Locate Chris with all possible speed and retrieve your grandfather. Whether breathing or otherwise¡­¡±

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    Kiley¡¯s eyes narrowed into calcting slits.

    Did her father care so little for Chris¡¯s survival, or was it her grandfather¡¯s fate that left him unmoved?

    A sudden realization struck her¡ªKolton possessed a cold-blooded nature, regarding everyone around him as instruments to be wielded for his purposes. And instruments deserved no emotional investment whatsoever.

    She couldn¡¯t suppress the creeping question of whether she, too, existed merely as another tool in his collection.

    As for assumingmand of Cooper Group, that mighty vessel?

    Kiley shook her head with quiet resolve. The prospect held no appeal for her whatsoever.

    Everything she desired now centered on excavating the truth, on discovering the secret encrypted within that USB drive.

    After Kolton departed from the office, Kiley expelled a prolonged breath of relief.

    She sank into the chair, rotating it in leisurely circles, her gaze drifting through the floor-to-ceiling window toward the night stretching beyond.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1412

    Chapter 1412:

    After several seconds psed, confirming her father wouldn¡¯t return tonight, she cautiously extracted the USB drive and inserted it into herputer with trembling fingers.

    Kiley opened the document nestled inside.

    More than a hundred pages materialized before her widening eyes.

    Meanwhile, positioned not far from the CEO¡¯s office, Kolton cast a frigid nce toward the covert operative stationed beside him. ¡°Return. Maintain constant surveince on Kiley, and deliver an immediate report if anything irregr transpires.¡±

    After delivering his orders, Kolton pivoted toward another covert operative andmanded, ¡°Initiate an immediate investigation to establish Mr. M¡¯s true identity. If the situation demands it, consult with Thomas.¡±

    ¡°Understood, sir,¡± the covert operative responded with deferential precision.

    Near the building¡¯s entrance, the driver had already positioned himself in the darkness, alert and prepared. Upon detecting the approaching footsteps, he executed a fluid motion, opening the car door with practiced efficiency.

    Kolton slid inside, his figure appearing topress slightly within the vehicle¡¯s confines, and then pressed his fingertips against his temples and murmured softly, ¡°Return to the Cooper Estate.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Cooper.¡± The driver sealed the car door and swiftly resumed his position behind the wheel.

    The bulletproof, elongated Lincoln eased into motion, merging gradually onto the main thoroughfare.

    Kolton reclined against the seatback, his attention drifting toward the window¡¯s expanse.

    The scenery blurred past in rapid session; fire trucks, police vehicles, and ambnces with their sirens wailing persistently streamed into his field of vision. The inferno consuming the banquet center at Harmony za continued its relentless assault.

    Tick¡­ Tick¡­ The rain drummed against the ss with a hushed, rhythmic persistence.

    New updates live on g¦Ál¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe?s

    Kolton allowed his eyes to drift closed, as though mentally cataloging one incident after another, submerged in profound contemtion.

    Lately, he¡¯d felt increasingly besieged¡­ The cascade of unforeseen events had cultivated in him a growing suspicion that someone orchestrated schemes from the shadows.

    Strangely enough, he sensed that multiple adversaries had set their sights on Cooper Group, or perhaps on him directly.

    Maia represented only one threat. There existed also those enigmatic factionsunching assaults on the cargo vessels. Even certain foreign corporations of considerable influence had recently attempted to manipte Cooper Group¡¯s stock valuation downward.

    All of this bred anxiety within him, frequently robbing him of sleep¡¯s refuge. Now, beyond Thomas, Kolton appeared to have no remaining allies to call upon.

    Initially, Mr. M had also fallen under suspicion, but tonight¡¯s charity auction had transformed Kolton¡¯s perception of the man into one ofplete foolishness.

    For Maia¡¯s sake, Mr. M had squandered billions without hesitation, transparently intoxicated by romantic devotion¡ªa sentimental fool who represented no genuine danger.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1413

    Chapter 1413:

    Kolton¡¯s pupil contracted sharply. Unbidden, his thoughts turned to udius¡­ who bore striking simrities to Mr. M in precisely this regard.

    Kolton had envisioned transferring Cooper Group¡¯s legacy to udius, as udius embodied the heir he had meticulously cultivated from youth.

    Before Maia¡¯s intrusion into their world, udius had approached perfection¡ªa finely honed weapon forged by his own hand.

    But following Maia¡¯s emergence, udius had deteriorated into a corroded de,pletely devoid of utility. Kolton struggled toprehend how his masterpiece could betray his family for a woman¡¯s affection.

    Did udius imagine himself starring in some tragic romance reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet?

    Utterly pathetic!

    From another vantage point, it invalidated every effort Kolton had invested in molding udius¡¯s character.

    With that realization festering, Kolton¡¯s eyes snapped open. His expression crystallized into something cold and unforgiving, his chest rising and falling with suppressed fury.

    By this point, the gentle drizzle beyond the windows had metamorphosed into a punishing deluge. Thunder growled across the heavens, its reverberating boom cascading through the atmosphere.

    Lifting his gaze, Kolton peered through the narrow spaces between towering buildings, discerning in the distance a massive circr edifice belching ck smoke, mes writhing and leaping in wild abandon.

    He drew in a measured breath and issued his directive with calctedposure. ¡°Tomorrow, arrange for the Wront police to randomly detain several managers ountable for the banquet preparations to suppress public discourse. Cooper Group has financially supported them for years; the time has arrived for them to reciprocate that investment.¡±

    The driver¡¯s grip on the steering wheel intensified, his head bobbing in acknowledgment. ¡°Understood, sir.¡±

    Stay tuned galnov??????.co??

    Kolton¡¯s eyes narrowed into calcting slits. ¡°Once we pass through the estate gates, direct the vehicle toward the dungeon,¡± hemanded.

    At this moment, his thoughts centered on persuading his misguided son one final time.

    Kiley¡¯s demonstration today still fell short of surpassing udius¡¯s capabilities.

    After all this psed time, the moment had arrived to restore the edge to that tarnished de.

    Meanwhile, within the hospital¡¯s operating room, Chrisy submerged inplete anesthesia.

    The bullet fragments embedded in his chest had been sessfully extracted, leaving only the one lodged within his brain. The subsequent procedure would prove the most perilous and demanding brain surgery yet undertaken.

    Perspiration gathered continuously across Maia¡¯s forehead, and a nurse maintained vignt attention, repeatedly dabbing it away.

    As she methodically peeled backyer afteryer of tissue, she finally exposed the bullet fragment that had gued Chris for such an extended duration.

    It stretched belief that Chris, flourishing in the prime of his existence, had survived an assassination attempt.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1414

    Chapter 1414:

    Throughout the passing years, he had weathered sporadic headaches and unrelenting public examination. Yet he had refused to surrender to despair¡­

    Maia¡¯s internal voice whispered with fierce determination, ¡°Chris, regardless of what lingering effects may manifest, I refuse to abandon you.¡±

    ¡°Steady yourself, Maia. I¡¯m positioned right here beside you. Strive to minimize any damage inflicted upon the surrounding brain tissue.¡± Carsen¡¯s resonant voice emerged from behind her position.

    As the words left his lips, he redirected his attention toward the two assistants. ¡°How are you managing this responsibility? Can you guarantee unwavering stability? If doubt clouds your confidence, step aside immediately! I require someone who can ensure the scalp incision remains absolutely motionless throughout the entire procedure.¡±

    The two assistants acknowledged his directive with synchronized nods while responding, ¡°No problem, Dr. Walsh.¡±

    Carsen transferred his scrutinizing gaze toward Maia. ¡°Let¡¯smence! Adhere to the rehearsed sequence precisely; no margin exists for errors.¡±

    The operating room lights burned with merciless intensity. Maia¡¯s eyes strained against the re, yet she refused to blink. Her hands moved with surgical precision, each gesture deliberate.

    Sweat pooled across her forehead, gathering in glistening beads before trickling down to cling to her eyshes like morning dew.

    ¡°Ease back slightly, shift the suction device point-two inches to the right.¡± Carsen¡¯s voice cut through the silence, every syble weighted with quietmand.

    This type of surgery left no margin for error¡ªone miscalction could shatter a life beyond repair. The work demanded absolute focus, a feat that drained the soul.

    Carsen understood his role: he would guide Maia through the treacherousndscape of this operation, steering her away from costly missteps before they could take root.

    The brain tissue quivered beneath the de.

    Read exclusive updates g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls

    On the monitor, the venttor¡¯s rhythm pulsed in steady intervals, a mechanical heartbeat marking the passage of each precious second.

    ¡°Scar tissue ahead. Separate it with patience, don¡¯t force the separation,¡± Carsen cautioned.

    Maia¡¯s hand never faltered, her scalpel moving with the lightness of breath itself. She forced down the trembling in her chest; every incision carved into Chris felt like a wound she inflicted upon herself.

    Carsen remained at her shoulder, his eyes locked on the narrow surgical field as though the world beyond it had ceased to exist.

    The breathing of everyone present seemed to align with Maia¡¯s movements, growing shallower as the operation progressed.

    Minutes bled into more minutes.

    Time elongated until it felt infinite, and the tension grew so thick that each person could hear the thunder of their own pulse.

    Only the mechanical hiss of suction, the quiet drip of blood, and the clipped exchange of orders disturbed the oppressive quiet.

    Then, the curve on the monitor jolted. Blood pressure readings flickered across the screen like a warning.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 1415

    Chapter 1415:

    ¡°Blood pressure dropping,¡± the surgical assistant murmured.

    Carsen¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡°Prepare fluid infusion, stabilize vascr diameter. Watch yourself, there¡¯s a concealed vessel rupture,¡± he ordered without hesitation.

    Maia drew in a controlled breath, her fingertips gripping tighter. Through the lifted dura mater, she glimpsed the bullet fragment nestled dangerously close to the functional zone¡ªcloser than any preoperative scan had suggested.

    She couldn¡¯t fathom it¡ªhow had Chris survived all these years carrying this inside him?

    ¡°Here.¡± Maia¡¯s voice dropped to barely a whisper as she adjusted the scalpel¡¯s angle. ¡°Expose it further, just a fraction more.¡±

    Another bead of sweat rolled down her cheek and disappeared beneath her cor.

    The air itself seemed to hold its breath.

    In that moment of crystallized tension, the fragment of metal finally began to lift away from the brain tissue, guided by the steady grip of the forceps.

    The room remained silent¡ªno one dared apud. Instead, relief flooded through them like a wave, audible only in the collective exhtion that followed.

    Maia stood motionless, tears suddenly burning behind her eyes. The fragment¡­ it was out. Finally out.

    ¡°Begin reconstruction now. Layer byyer. Control the bleeding, close the sutures, and seal the scalp with care.¡± Carsen¡¯s voice resonated through the space, his inner tion held tightly in check as he continued directing the procedure.

    Pride and astonishment warred inside him. He knew without doubt that Maia was the most gifted student he had ever trained; this surgery would carve her name into the annals of medical history.

    Each second crawled past with agonizing slowness. When Maia secured the final stitch, she stepped backward and nearly copsed to the floor.

    ¡°Dr. Walsh, did we¡­ did we actually seed?¡± she whispered, her voice trembling. Her entire body shook with exhaustion. The marathon surgery and relentless concentration had wrung every ounce of strength from her frame.

    Feel inspired by ga ln o vels .

    ¡°You performed brilliantly,¡± Carsen confirmed, his tone warm with approval. ¡°The surgery was an unqualified sess.¡±

    At those words, Maia released the breath she¡¯d been holding. Chris would finally escape the prison of those agonizing headaches.

    All at once, the tension, the fear, the crushing weight she¡¯d carried in her throat throughout the operation crumbled.

    In the next instant, before anyone could react, Maia¡¯s legs gave out and she crumpled sideways, unconscious before she hit the floor.

    ¡°Quickly! Get Maia somewhere she can rest!¡± Carsen spun toward the assistant beside him. ¡°Administer glucose immediately to restore her strength!¡±

    Then he swept his gaze across the remaining surgical staff. ¡°The rest of you, maintain your positions. Monitor the patient¡¯s vitals without pause. No errors, not one.¡±

    Across the city, Kolton finally arrived at the Cooper Estate.

    He was running three and a half hours behind schedule.

    The ze at Harmony za had wreaked havoc far beyond initial projections¡ªit had paralyzed traffic throughout the entire metropolitan area.

    Kolton registered the dy with mild annoyance but little genuine concern. It was simply a matter of crafting the right narrative for the public, selecting a few convenient scapegoats to shoulder the me. Within a year at most, he reasoned, the incident would fade from collective memory like smoke dissipating into air.

    Such was the mncholy truth of modern society¡¯s relentless pace, though for Cooper Group, it represented an unexpected advantage.

    Yet something was wrong. The driver who should have opened his door stood frozen outside the vehicle, unmoving for far too long.

    Confusion flickered across Kolton¡¯s face.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noa: Hope you have a great Friday dear ones. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (¡ä?? ? ??`) ?

    .

 Chapter 1416

    ?Chapter 1416:

    Kolton lowered the window, irritation clear in his expression. ¡°What¡¯s the holdup? Why didn¡¯t you open the door?¡± Rain hammered relentlessly against the car, each drop echoing like a drumbeat.

    The driver¡¯s silence, however, was colder than the storm itself ¡ª enough to send a shiver down Kolton¡¯s spine.

    When the driver finally turned around, terror had contorted his face. His voice trembled. ¡°Mr. Cooper¡­ something happened. Everyone¡¯s copsed.¡± He swallowed hard, already at the edge of panic, bracing himself as he shielded Kolton from whatevery outside. ¡°Please stay in the vehicle. It could be an ambush.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Kolton¡¯sposure shattered instantly.

    The calm fa?ade he always wore dissolved, reced by a crawling, primal fear. Never had he imagined anyone would dare infiltrate the Cooper Estate.

    Rain streaked down the windows, twisting into distorted shadows that wrapped around his gaze.

    ¡°All our guards are down,¡± the driver whispered, drawing a pistol and flicking off the safety. ¡°I don¡¯t know if they¡¯re dead.¡±

    Kolton clenched his jaw and pulled out his phone, dialing the covert operatives. The screen¡¯s cold glow lit the dark interior, casting his features in an even frostier light.

    The wait felt endless.

    In those few short seconds, Kolton ran through countless possibilities. Had he not reassigned his covert operatives to Harmony za earlier, no one could have breached the premises ¡ª which meant the attackers possessed critical intelligence. Only a select few knew of it. Was it Kiley, or someone else?

    He dismissed the thought. If the intruders understood the situation well enough to know he wasn¡¯t home, what was the point in attacking the estate?

    Then a sudden chill raced across his back. Their target wasn¡¯t him.

    He lowered the window again. ¡°Check the dungeon. Now.¡±

    The driver hesitated, then ran out into the rain.

    The moment he left, a suffocating dread surged through Kolton. Could this be another setup? He shut the window immediately and locked the doors.

    Silence fell, broken only by his uneven breathing.

    ?????????§Ös ??o?? w§à??¡¯?? §â???? ???????? ???? ??§Ñ????????§Ö????.§ã??m

    The limousine was bulletproof ¡ª even a sniper round wouldn¡¯t prate on the first shot. Still, Kolton crouched low. You never knew what weapons an enemy might bring. An anti-materiel rifle could punch through tank armor.

    The rain intensified, pounding like fists on the roof. He gripped his phone tightly and waited.

    A lifetime of losses had made him cautious ¡ª paranoid, even. He trusted no one. Not Kyle, his eldest brother. Not Zoey, that unhinged woman. Everyone wanted something. Everyone wanted control.

    Then his phone rang. The sound made his heart jump. He answered.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper, the dungeon door has been forced open. All guards are down.¡± The driver¡¯s voice came in ragged bursts over the line. ¡°Every cell is empty, and there¡¯s blood everywhere.¡± Wind, rain, and the driver¡¯sbored breathing blurred together across the connection.

    Kolton narrowed his eyes.

    Just as he had suspected ¡ª someone hade for udius.

    What surprised him, though, was that anger didn¡¯t strike him first. Calm did. A strange, cool satisfaction settled over him, and he even smiled. The rain tapping against the window sounded almost like apuse.

    He exhaled slowly, feeling something close to pride for his son.

    udius had prepared for this. He¡¯d known imprisonment was inevitable and had arranged a team to wait for the perfect moment. Excellent. This was his son ¡ª someone who trusted no one, not even his own father.

    Darkness settled into Kolton¡¯s gaze, heavy as the storm outside.

    This was the rule of survival. People had grown soft, forgetting the shadows of old wars. But he never had.

    udius might hate him forever. Yet that was the final lesson he could give his son. udius knew nothing of the covert operatives¡¯ origins, nor of how terrifying Thomas truly was. Kolton, as head of the Cooper Group, was merely a piece on a board controlled by global giants. But in Wront, he was still king. He would never let the Cooper legacy crumble.

    A sudden knock on the window snapped his attention. Kolton looked up sharply. A covert operative stood outside, rain sliding down his tense face.

    Kolton lowered the window. ¡°Find udius. He¡¯s injured ¡ª he won¡¯t get far. He¡¯s likely seeking medical help.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± The operative vanished into the storm like a shadow.

    Meanwhile, rainshed winds swept across the airport runway as Cade, the private investigator, finally stepped off the ne. His stride was steady but urgent.

    Behind him descended an imposing elderly man with steel-gray hair. His sharp gaze and medal-covered military coat radiated authority. Soldiers lined both sides of the ramp in a strict, ceremonial formation.

    The old man ced a firm hand on Cade¡¯s shoulder, his voice deep andmanding. ¡°Let¡¯s go. Take me to Maia.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1417

    ?Chapter 1417:

    ¡°Of course, General,¡± Cade answered promptly. ¡°Maia is currently living at Elysium Apartments ¡ª about an hour from the airport.¡±

    The old man gave a brief nod and climbed into the vehicle. The motorcade set off, moving with solemn purpose down the main road.

    Outside the window, the scenery streaked by in blurred fragments, streetlights shimmering faintly through the rainfall. The general watched the passing view, the medals on his chest catching the dim interior light with a cool metallic gleam. His expression appearedposed, almost pleased ¡ª but beneath that fa?ade, his heart was pounding. After so many years, he had finally found a trail. Just one strand of Maia¡¯s hair was all he needed to confirm through DNA whether she was truly his granddaughter.

    ¡°Hurry. Alert the local traffic department if necessary,¡± he instructed, his fingers working slowly over the top of his cane, his voice steady.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± The driver pressed down on the elerator. The speedometer surged, and the engine growled deeply. Cade straightened in the passenger seat, hands neatly ced on his knees, posture rigid as he guided the driver step by step.

    The wipers beat a steady rhythm against the ss. In the rearview mirror, the old man¡¯s weathered silhouette remained calm, though his eyes shone with unmistakable intensity.

    Coming from a military background himself, Cade understood the gravity of the man sitting behind him. Even now, the situation felt surreal. All he had done was look into Maia¡¯s parentage ¡ª he had never imagined he woulde face-to-face with a national hero, the legendary General Dominic Watson.

    He shifted his gaze ahead. Raindrops swept clean from the windshield only to be reced by more, and beyond that watery veil, a string of crimson taillights stretched into the distance.

    ¡°Sir, traffic jam ahead,¡± the driver said, easing his foot onto the brake. The tires hissed softly against the slick pavement. Before them, the congestion seemed endless.

    Dominic¡¯s brows drew together. He lowered the window, letting the damp wind and the faint wail of distant sirens fill the cabin. Far ahead, an enormous fire raged, staining the rain-soaked night a dark, fiery red.

    ¡°Find out what¡¯s going on,¡± he ordered.

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The driver unbuckled quickly and sprinted out into the storm.

    ??r??n???????? ????????l?? on ??§Ñ??n??v??l?.§ão??

    Only then did Cade remember his phone. He had switched it off after boarding, unwilling to use it in the presence of someone so distinguished. The moment he powered it on, a flood of notifications filled the screen.

    Banquet Center Aze ¡ª Fire Burns for Over Five Hours.

    Wront Tragedy: 12 Dead, 230+ Injured, Nearly 500 Unounted For.

    Firefighting Teams Deploy 50 Trucks, 400+ Personnel ¡ª Situation Partially Controlled.

    Maia Watson Missing; Witnesses Report Shots Fired at Her.

    Still No Updates on Maia¡¯s Rescue ¡ª Rumors Suggest She May Be Among the Casualties.

    Cade froze, eyes widening, his heartbeat crashing into his ribs. His breath caught. Sweat formed instantly on his forehead as his thumb trembled over the screen. He turned stiffly toward Dominic, but the words lodged in his throat. After steadying himself, he opened one of the articles. The photos showed the banquet hall¡¯s dome copsing, sparks falling like torrents.

    The driver returned soon after, soaked and breathless. ¡°Sir, a massive fire at the banquet center. Traffic is at aplete standstill ¡ª most of the vehicles ahead belong to emergency services.¡±

    Dominic¡¯s expression darkened. After a brief pause, his voice came out firm and resolute. ¡°Pass down my order ¡ª everyone deploy to the site and assist the firefighters.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The driver straightened and saluted.

    Cade¡¯s heart lurched.

    Dominic ced a hand on his shoulder. ¡°We can find Maiater. As soldiers, we know what must take priority.¡± With that, he opened the door. ¡°Move out. We¡¯ll go on foot ¡ª it¡¯ll be quicker.¡±

    Cade rose immediately to attention. ¡°Yes, sir!¡±

    Rain slid from the brim of his cap and darkened his coat. Ahead of him, Dominic¡¯s upright figure cut through the downpour like an unwaveringmander.

    ¡°Attention!¡± Dominic barked. ¡°Advance to the fire site!¡±

    The soldiers fell into formation and began jogging forward, their synchronized footsteps echoing across the wet asphalt. Cade watched, astonished that Dominic, despite his age, kept pace with the younger men without effort.

    It only made him more certain ¡ª Maia truly was his granddaughter. Their resilience was the same.

    But then his expression dimmed. He curled his fingers into fists and slipped his phone away. Only one thought remained: he had to save Maia. She was kind ¡ª too kind. Surely the world wouldn¡¯t let her die so senselessly. She had to be somewhere safe. She had to be alive.

    With that conviction, Cade quickened his stride.

    Dominic nced sideways. ¡°Your training hasn¡¯t left you ¡ª you¡¯ve kept your pace well.¡± Drawing a breath, he pushed himself even faster. ¡°I won¡¯t lose to these young men,¡± he muttered under his breath.

    Meanwhile, in a hospital ward, Maiay quietly beneath the soft glow of the overhead lights. An IV drip was attached to her arm. Her breathing was steady, her body still ¡ª already deep in sleep.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1418

    ?Chapter 1418:

    Suddenly, Maia¡¯s sleeping face tightened, her brows knitting together. Her mind drifted through a dense, suffocating fog that pinned her in ce, leaving her powerless and breathless.

    Then something split open in the darkness. A blinding light surged in.

    mes. Smoke. A roaring inferno engulfed everything around her.

    Maia found herself alone in a banquet hall consumed by fire. Shadowy figures flickered at the edges of her vision, their outlines warped by the heat until they dissolved like fading memories. She wanted to move, to run, but her feet felt fused to the floor. Voices called her name from somewhere beyond the inferno, yet the roar of the mes devoured every sound, leaving only faint, hollow echoes.

    ¡°Are you Maia too?¡± a soft voice asked.

    Despite its gentleness, the question pierced straight through her heart like an icy needle. Maia turned toward it.

    There, wavering in the firelight, stood a small figure ¡ª her younger self. The ponytail was neat, the dark eyes bright. She clutched a workbook to her chest, standing timidly by a doorway.

    ¡°I got first ce in ss today,¡± little Maia whispered, her voice fragile with hope. ¡°Will Mom and Dad praise me?¡±

    In the next moment, the mes surged and swallowed the child¡¯s delicate outline. In her ce, Richard¡¯s indifferent figure materialized. He stood at his desk without so much as ncing back. ¡°I¡¯m busy right now. I don¡¯t have time for this.¡±

    ¡°Maia, stop bothering us!¡± From the sofa, Sandra flippedzily through a fashion magazine, her expression heavy with irritation. ¡°We expect you to do well ¡ª that¡¯s why we pay for tutors. Stop making a fuss. Running over here for every tiny thing¡­ can¡¯t you see we¡¯re upied?¡±

    The scene warped again, like water disturbed by a falling stone.

    Young Maia stumbled after a tall figure. Ahead of her walked a young Jarrod ¡ª cold, distant. Abruptly, he spun around, annoyance shing across his face. ¡°Give me some space. Stop following me. You¡¯re so irritating. Stay away from me.¡±

    Darkness closed in once more, thick and suffocating ¡ª then suddenly split apart.

    Everything copsed. At the center of the wreckage stood young Maia, alone, tears carving silent trails down her face. Her lips trembled as she whispered, barely audible, ¡°But¡­ I just wanted you to notice me.¡±

    ??????????e ??????????????t?? §à?? ??a???o??????s.??????

    Nearby, the distorted shadows of Richard, Sandra, and Jarrod loomedrge against the fire, but none of their eyes ever truly settled on her. A searing ache branded Maia¡¯s chest, so sharp she couldn¡¯t make a sound ¡ª as though an invisible hand had closed around her throat.

    She knew it was a dream, yet the cold sting of being ignored felt painfully, undeniably real.

    Maia fought to wake herself, thrashing and struggling, but her consciousness felt submerged, trapped in quicksand.

    Then the mes dimmed. The scene stretched and shifted into a long corridor from her high school days, sunlight streaming warm through the windows.

    Vince walked past her, unhurried, his white shirt spotless. He paused, turned back, and offered her a gentle smile ¡ª one touched with rare, quiet approval.

    ¡°Maia, you did an amazing job,¡± he said, his voice clear as a bell.

    Just a simplepliment, yet it lit a smallmp in her endless darkness ¡ª dim, but enough to warm a corner of her world. For the first time, teenage Maia felt seen. Acknowledged.

    But the warmthsted only a breath. The scene splintered like ss struck hard. Vince¡¯s kind smile fractured before it could fully form, cracking like delicate porcin, then shattering into countless jagged pieces that fell onto the scorched ground with a sharp hiss. Reflected in the shards was Vince¡¯s face ¡ª still wearing the ghost of a smile, but now twisted with cold derision.

    ¡°You idiot,¡± he sneered. ¡°I was lying.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1419

    ?Chapter 1419:

    Vince¡¯s words drifted into the air ¡ª light, almost casual ¡ª yet cold enough to freeze bone. The reflections in the shattered fragments around them stretched on endlessly.

    A swirl of ck mist formed in Vince¡¯s arms, gathering rapidly until it solidified into Rosanna¡¯s familiar, fragile figure. She clung to him.

    ¡°But,¡± Vince¡¯s smile widened, though his eyes stayed cial, ¡°since you¡¯re so devoted to me¡­ I suppose I can show mercy and keep you as my secret lover.¡± Each wordnded like a toxin-tipped de.

    Maia stood amid the inferno and watched in silence. Her expression did not change, her eyes steady and unmoved. She had stopped caring. That small, pathetic chapter of her past ¡ª along with the cheap affection she had once held for Vince ¡ª had long since been reduced to ashes.

    Suddenly, the world copsed into darkness. Thick. Eerily silent.

    Then the mes surged up again, zing so bright they seared her vision.

    A bullet cut through the fiery air, shrieking toward her chest. In the heartbeat before impact, a tall figure threw himself in front of her, shielding her with his own body.

    Chris.

    The bullet tore into him brutally. Blood burst into the air and blurred her vision. He fell like a wounded eagle ¡ª like a severed kite ¡ª descending slowly, with heart-wrenching force. Yet his eyes stayed on her, filled with longing and resolve.

    A scream wed out of Maia¡¯s throat as a crushing pain seized her chest. A deafening crack followed. The ground split apart, mes surging higher, coiling hungrily as they devoured Chrispletely. Only scorching red and suffocating heat remained.

    ¡°Chris!¡±

    Maia jerked awake on the hospital bed, gasping, her heart pounding wildly. Cold sweat soaked her forehead, and tears still clung to hershes. She drew shaky breaths, her fingers digging into her palms to anchor herself in reality.

    The hospital room was silent except for her ragged breathing. Pale lights cast a cold, frosted glow over everything. Every fragment of the nightmare remained vividly etched in her mind ¡ª every image, every wound, every moment swallowed by fire pressing heavily on her chest.

    Why had she dreamed that? Perhaps it was the release after too much strain, or the old scars that had never truly healed, or simply her fear of losing him ¡ª the one who had risked everything for her.

    ?????? ??e???? ??§Ö??????n?? e§ç??§Ö????§Ö??ce §à?? ??a??n????§Ö???.??????

    How was Chris now?

    Maia flung off the nket and ripped the IV from her arm, ignoring the sharp sting and the blood that followed. She slipped into her shoes and pushed herself toward the door, unsteady but determined.

    The moment she stepped outside, a flood of noise crashed over her. Distant ambnce sirens wailed. Footsteps hammered the floors. Gurney wheels rattled. Frantic voices ¡ª medical staff, distressed families ¡ª merged into a tense, urgent chaos. The air carried the smell of disinfectant, sweat, and blood.

    ¡°Make way! Move aside!¡±

    ¡°Critical patients iing!¡±

    ¡°ER 3, prepare immediately!¡±

    A team of masked staff rushed past with a gurney, a rush of wind trailing in their wake. Maia instinctively pulled on a mask and moved closer. Her gaze swept over the injured ¡ª then suddenly stopped.

    Her eyes locked onto one particr gurney.

    The face was pale, battered, barely recognizable beneath the dirt and wounds. But Maia knew it instantly.

    Rosanna.

    Her hair clung to the gashes on her face. Her clothes were torn and stained with mud and blood. Purple bruises bloomed across her skin, and a dark, swollen mark stretched from her forehead to her temple, covering nearly half her face.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1420

    ?Chapter 1420:

    Maia leaned closer to Rosanna, whoy unconscious and barely breathing, and a slow sigh escaped her as her chest tightened for a moment.

    She recalled how Rosanna had been perfectly fine when carried out of the banquet hall, and she could not understand how everything had fallen apart so quickly. Still, Maia knew Rosanna well enough to believe that anyone who had attacked her this severely must have had a reason. Perhaps Rosanna had pushed them to a breaking point.

    The constant trouble between them had grown exhausting, because every quarrel with Rosanna only chipped away at Maia¡¯s own dignity. She had given Rosanna chance after chance to act with decency, and each one had been thrown aside. She had offered patience again and again, yet Rosanna had answered it with schemes, humiliation, and plots that had nearly destroyed her.

    Should she save Rosanna?

    She faced the truth inly ¡ª helping someone as cruel as Rosanna would only be another act of harm toward herself. Mercy, she believed, should never be handed to people who refused to value it.

    Because of that, Maia intended to look away, even as the gentler part of her nature wrestled with the thought.

    At that moment, a nearby nurse raised her voice in a rush. ¡°Dr. Watson! Please take a look at this patient!¡±

    A brief pause ran through Maia as she weighed what to do. Those hurried words nudged her forward. She was a doctor, and Rosannay before her as a patient. Maia knew she was no saint ¡ª forgiving someone who had hurt her so deeply did note without a fight. Even so, she refused to let personal resentment interfere with the nurse¡¯s work or bring shame to the hospital and to Carsen¡¯s position.

    In that moment, Maia¡¯s thoughts moved through many concerns, none of them for Rosanna¡¯s benefit. She decided she would assess the condition first. As for the treatment that followed, another doctor could take over. It was better to give her time to patients who truly deserved her care.

    Before she couldy a hand on her, however, Rosanna¡¯s tightly shut eyelids began to tremble. A heartbeatter, her swollen eyes snapped open, clouded with haze, pain, and bewilderment. Her wandering gaze drifted across the chaotic corridor until itnded sharply on Maia¡¯s face.

    A broken groan escaped her ¡ª the sound of something lodged in her throat, strangling every word before it could fully form. Her one working hand began to shake with such force that her fingers curled inward, and she pointed at Maia with a spite that seemed to burn. Her lips trembled as if fighting to say more.

    ??????? ?????? ??????????n?t?? §à? ????????o????ls.c§à??

    ¡°Do not be rmed,¡± the nurse said quickly. ¡°This is Dr. Watson. She is here to examine you.¡±

    Those words snapped something awake inside Rosanna.

    ¡°Maia! Watson!¡± she shouted.

    Her voice scraped the air like a saw through old wood, yet it carried enough force for everyone nearby to hear. ¡°You came here to mock me, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    The nurse blinked, startled. Maia remained where she stood, her faceposed, watching as Rosanna¡¯s expression twisted with hatred. To Maia, Rosanna was someone so consumed by bitterness that even mercy could not reach her.

    ¡°Please stay calm,¡± the nurse said carefully, trying to steady her. ¡°She is one of the doctors here. Her purpose is to treat you.¡±

    ¡°Treat¡­ me?¡± A rough, brokenugh scraped from Rosanna¡¯s throat.

    A momentter, she threw every ounce of strength she had into her hand. A sharp crack split the air. The blow struck the nurse¡¯s cheek with vicious force. The nurse staggered in shock, her sses shifting sideways, the skin on her cheek blooming red.

    Rosanna lost her bnce from the effort and crashed off the gurney, hitting the cold tile floor with a dull thud. The pain burned so fiercely that she curled inward, yet her mouth continued to spit curses. ¡°Maia Watson! You vicious snake! You heartless wretch! Rot in hell! Everything happened because of you. I¡¯ll haunt you even after death!¡±

    Every insult struck like venom from a bared fang. The nurse pressed her cheek with trembling hands. ¡°You¡­¡±

    Maia raised a hand to stop her, and her eyes turned cold.

    There was a limit to how farpassion could reach. Showing mercy never meant surrendering to cruelty. Even if Maia lived with kindness, no one could force her to save a person who rejected treatment and attacked others without restraint. Rosanna had made her own choice. She had turned away from the help offered to her.

    ¡°Get another doctor and a different nurse to take over,¡± Maia said evenly. She nced at the time, then spoke with quiet detachment. ¡°This patient has formally declined my examination. I am ending my shift.¡±

    The nurse stared at her with wide eyes, uncertain whether Maia was protecting her ¡ª or herself. If Maia refused a patient, consequences would follow. Hospital authorities would not ignore it, and disciplinary action could range from a reprimand to a suspension.

    Maia turned to the nurse and spoke gently. ¡°Let me know if your cheek still hurts.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine, Dr. Watson,¡± the nurse said, steadying her voice, though her eyes shimmered.

    ¡°Put ice on it. It will keep the swelling down.¡± Maia¡¯s gaze shifted onest time to Rosanna, crumpled on the floor. After a quiet pause, she delivered her decision without hesitation. ¡°I won¡¯t treat her. I¡¯ve chosen to leave this job.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1421

    ?Chapter 1421:

    ¡°Furthermore, I believe she needs an urgent psychiatric consultation. The patient shows strong aggression, signs of persecution, and emotional instability consistent with acute mental disorder symptoms,¡± Maia said in a steady voice,pleting her assessment.

    The nurse nodded at once. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll get right on it.¡± She hurried away, one hand still pressed to the cheek Rosanna had struck red.

    Realizing that everyone was moving on without her, Rosanna fell into a frantic panic. She thrashed and shrieked, desperate to force sympathy from the people around her. ¡°Maia Watson! Don¡¯t you walk away from me! You¡¯re standing there watching me suffer ¡ª what kind of doctor behaves like that?¡± Her sharp voice cut through the hallway.

    Maia slowed her steps.

    A flicker of triumph crossed Rosanna¡¯s twisted expression. ¡°What, aren¡¯t you the one wearing the doctor¡¯s coat?¡± she called out.

    A momentter, a sharp ache tore through Rosanna, and she sensed at once that something was terribly wrong. ¡°Wait ¡ª when did you be a doctor?¡± The figure standing before her seemed to take on a monstrous shape in her mind as Maia¡¯s many titles rose all at once, and the sight left Rosanna frozen. ¡°What are you supposed to be? How did you manage all of this?¡±

    A deeper ache settled in Rosanna¡¯s chest, stinging far more than the injuries on her body. She could not bear the thought of Maia surpassing her. She was the true daughter of the Morgan family, while Maia hade from a poor neighborhood ¡ª a ce she had always considered beneath her.

    ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a liar! You must be pretending to be a doctor. You only came here to enjoy my misery. Maia Watson, you¡¯re cruel! I never should have believed you rose to the top on your own. Someone powerful must have cleared the way for you. None of your sess feels earned ¡ª while I pushed through every hardship one slow step at a time, so how did I end up behind? This cannot be right!¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s wild, poisonous voice rang through the hall. Unable to ept that Maia had outshone her, she hurled even uglier words.

    The uproar drew attention from those nearby, and curious eyes began to gather. Among them, a nurse trembled with quiet anger. She knew better than anyone how much effort Maia put into her work ¡ª every night on duty, she had seen Maia practicing long after the others had gone home, the lights in the operating room burning well past midnight. Respect for Maia¡¯s dedication had long since spread through the hospital. Watching this unhinged woman spit lies about someone she admired pushed her patience to its limit.

    Maia turned around slowly. She almostughed at herself for ever having wasted sympathy on someone like Rosanna. Perhaps it was nothing more than her own gentle nature getting in the way.

    ???? ????e ?????????? t§à ???????? ???? ??????????????????.??§à??

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1422

    ?Chapter 1422:

    She kept her faceposed as she lifted her gaze, and the sharpness in her eyes cut clean through the noise. With that single look, Rosanna stiffened and fell silent.

    Maia then raised her hand with quiet purpose and unclipped the badge from her chest. The metal caught the light as it glimmered between her fingers. She released it without hesitation, and it struck the floor with a hard, ringing crack.

    A heaviness settled over the hallway.

    Maia stepped forward until she stood inches from Rosanna, towering over her with a cold stare that sent a deep chill racing through Rosanna¡¯s heart.

    ¡°What¡­ what are you doing?¡± Rosanna¡¯s voice shook, her eyes stretching wide.

    Then a p burst through the air ¡ª far louder than thest.

    Maia¡¯s hand, driven by anger held back far too long,nded hard across Rosanna¡¯s bruised and dirty face.

    ¡°Keep your filthy mouth shut,¡± Maia said, her voice quiet and sharp as an icy de, each word falling with its full weight. Her eyes swept over Rosanna¡¯s pitiful state, and her lips curved into a cold, thin line. ¡°Why not use that energy to find a mirror and see what you¡¯ve be?¡±

    Before the echo of her words had faded, Maia gripped the cor of her white coat and pulled it off with one forceful jerk. The once-clean garment fell to the floor and gathered dust. Then, without a backward nce, she lifted her chin and walked with purpose toward the far end of the corridor.

    Rosanna sat in stunned silence. The fierce burning along her cheek confirmed it ¡ª Maia had truly struck her, in front of everyone, without a trace of concern for her own reputation or image. The humiliation struck so deeply that her thoughts scattered into nothing.

    Before she could make sense of it, a second blow cracked against the opposite side of her face. Rosanna looked up in shock to find the nurse she had struck earlier standing over her, shooting her a fierce re before turning and striding away.

    ¡°You ¡ª all of you¡­¡± Rosanna trembled as rage pushed through the pain.

    A frightened voice suddenly cut through the tension. ¡°Whoa! Mommy! That person looks so scary ¡ª like a monster!¡± a young boy wrapped in bandages cried out. His parents rushed to muffle him. ¡°We¡¯re so sorry ¡ª he doesn¡¯t know any better.¡±

    But when they finally looked at Rosanna closely, their faces drained of color. Her swollen skin, the bruises, the twisted expression, the dark patches spreading across her features ¡ª it was enough to make them recoil. The father grabbed his child and pulled back sharply. ¡°Good God, that¡¯s terrifying. Let¡¯s go!¡± His voice shook with fear and disgust as the family turned and fled, vanishing down the hallway in an instant.

    ???????????????????????? ???????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    An uneasy quiet fell over the corridor.

    Then, one by one, the murmurs of nearby onlookers rose without restraint.

    ¡°Something must genuinely be wrong with her, right? She looks like that and still refused to let a doctor examine her?¡±

    ¡°Of course. She hit a nurse and shouted at a doctor. Anyone can see she¡¯s not well.¡±

    ¡°No one would want to deal with a person like that. Being ignored is exactly what she brought on herself.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1423

    ?Chapter 1423:

    Rosanna stopped moving.

    The world around her drifted into a strange quiet. Only that cruel voice lingered in her mind ¡ª looks so scary. The stares felt sharp. The nearby whispers made her nerves twist. And Maia¡¯s parting words clung to her thoughts like a heavy spell: ¡°Why not use that energy to find a mirror and see what you¡¯ve be?¡±

    A mirror.

    A wave of panic rose inside Rosanna until she struggled to breathe. She pressed her teeth together, pushed through the pain, forced herself upright, and made her way to the restroom at the end of the corridor. She shoved the door open and turned the lock until it clicked.

    Inside the small room, her breathing filled the silence. She steadied herself against the cold tiles and moved toward the mirror above the sink, one careful step at a time, each one weighted with fear. She wanted to see the truth. She needed to know what she had be.

    At that same moment, Kiley opened thepressed file stored on the USB drive. The process finished quickly ¡ª the password happened to be her birthday.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1424

    ?Chapter 1424:

    Addictive novels on

    Before she could study what she had uncovered, her phone began to vibrate on the desk. Not a call ¡ª the sharp, rhythmic pulse of a warning. Someone was drawing near.

    A jolt of fear shot through her. She reacted faster than thought. She shut theputer screen without hesitation and, with steady hands, pulled the USB drive free. The soft click that followed seemed far louder than it should have in the quiet office.

    Kiley rose from her chair, picked up her phone, and moved toward the tall window, making it appear as though she were mid-conversation. She held the phone close to her ear while her gaze stayed fixed on the alert disyed on the screen.

    That alert came from the defense system she had set up on her very first day as CEO of Cooper Group. Raegan had questioned the need for it back then, wondering what would happen if she ever triggered it by mistake. In truth, the system worked through infrared detectors that sensed unusual movement in the surrounding environment. Under normal circumstances, if the rm triggered identally, Kiley could disable it through her phone without trouble.

    All the while, a tiny red dot ¡ª marking the intruder ¡ª crept steadily toward the office door.

    Kiley narrowed her eyes and kept her voice level. ¡°How useless can you get? Must I spell out everything for you? Hold a press conference first thing tomorrow morning. Gather what we need to speak to the survivors and calm them down. We must show the public that we were the ones harmed. And investigate the source of the fire ¡ª this incident has ced us in a difficult light, and we need to brace ourselves for the rumors that will follow.¡±

    For several minutes she maintained the performance, her voice steady and unhurried, but the red dot refused to move.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1425

    ?Chapter 1425:

    That told her enough. The intruder had to be one of Kolton¡¯s covert operatives assigned to watch her. Her father trusted no one ¡ª not even his own blood.

    On certain days, Kiley thought it a sorrowful thing to grow up in such a family. Every child longed for a parent¡¯s trust, yet she had never once felt her father¡¯s faith in her. Over the years, she had convinced herself that her only purpose was to clear a path for her younger brother, udius. In the end, even that belief had shattered into something close to a dream that never touched the ground.

    What she had glimpsed on the screen before closing it ¡ª those stark words that had shed before her eyes ¡ª felt like cold needles breaking through her thoughts.

    Bacterial experiments. Human trials. Viral vectors. Illegal organ transnts. Human trafficking.

    The terms carried the stench of cruelty, like foul bubbles rising from a swamp long left to rot. The Cooper Group ¡ª apany polished by a hundred years of glory, a name praised in every hall of business ¡ª concealed beneath its surface a darkness so foul it seemed to sneer at its own bright reputation.

    This darkness reached far beyond her father¡¯s so-called wisdom of aplishing one¡¯s ambitions with other people¡¯s resources. Kiley felt her long-held beliefs tremble like a house struggling to stay upright in an earthquake. She could make peace with the coldness of turning charity into personal gain ¡ª such things were part of the world she had grown up in, shaped by profit and power. There were times she had even enjoyed the quiet rush of clever schemes and careful nning.

    But what the USB contained went far beyond ambition. It was a record of cruelty so deep it felt like a bottomless pit. Kiley almost sensed the smell of blood rising from those stained reports, almost saw the hopeless faces hiding behind the cold rows of numbers. Her younger brother udius ¡ª the once-promising heir of Cooper Group ¡ª had been pulled into it and forced to take something called X-079. What was that substance? A newpound designed to kill more efficiently? Or something far worse ¡ª something meant to bind a person¡¯s mind entirely?

    The Cooper Group, the institution she had given her loyalty to, the one she had been willing to sacrifice her own safety for, had been secretly feeding a dark force, helping it spread ruin and craft poisons strong enough to threaten the entire world.

    A rush of dread swept through her and tightened her breath. Her grip closed around the USB drive without thinking. Its sharp corners pressed into her palm and sent a jolt of pain through her skin, yet it did nothing to settle the nausea rising inside her.

    Then, amid the spiral of her thoughts, she caught a faint click from the other side of the door ¡ª so quiet she almost doubted it.

    ??he ???????? r????d???g §Öx§âe????e???§Ö ???? ????????ov??l??.??????

    Someone was trying to get in.

    The sound shook her. She had believed her performance convincing enough. Clearly, things were not moving the way she had expected.

    With careful movement, Kiley pulled open the desk drawer and lifted out a handgun. If the operative was already making his way inside, there was a real possibility that Kolton had sent him to silence her. Such a thought would once have seemed impossible ¡ª Kolton was her father. But after everything that had happened, especially what had been done to udius, Kiley could no longer ce her faith in anyone.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1426

    ?Chapter 1426:

    A sharp metallic snap shattered the silence.

    The lock on the office door released. The heavy wooden door inched open, revealing a thin slice of darkness ¡ª like a watchful eye cracking open.

    Kiley immediately crouched low, taking cover behind the broad desk. Her grip on the pistol tightened until her knuckles went white. Her heartbeat thundered so loudly she could hear nothing else, each pulse like a hammer striking inside her skull. Adrenaline flooded her veins. Her chest burned with every breath.

    She clenched her teeth and forced her breathing steady. She was ready. She would shoot the moment they entered. It was them or her.

    The air itself turned thick and heavy, a suffocating pressure that made every breathborious.

    Time stretched grotesquely.

    One second. Two seconds. Ten seconds.

    Still nothing. No footsteps. No breathing. The door hung open just slightly, and silence draped the room like a shroud.

    What was going on?

    Kiley¡¯s heart leapt into her throat. Cold sweat gathered at her temples and slid down, dripping onto her hand and icing her skin. Had they discovered something? Or had she missed a sound in her hyper-alert state? The unknown was worse than death.

    More seconds crawled by.

    Kiley held her breath and slowly tilted her head, peering around the edge of the desk. Her eyes swept the dim room. The office door now stood wide open, as if nudged by an invisible hand. Nothing else seemed out of ce.

    She inhaled deeply, swallowing down the rising dread, then sprang to her feet with both hands on the gun and the barrel aimed straight ahead. Her steps were feather-light, each one a careful dance along a razor¡¯s edge as she approached the door. At the threshold, she lunged forward in one swift motion, sweeping the gun left, then right.

    The corridor was empty.

    Pale, eerie light stretched across the deserted hall. Not a soul in sight.

    ?????????????????? ??????????????????.?????? ???? ???????? ??????????????

    ¡°Damn it,¡± Kiley muttered, her voice echoing faintly, disbelief bleeding into her tone.

    A wave of pure, disorienting dread hit her. This wasn¡¯t right. None of it was right. The sound of the door unlocking had been unmistakable. The sense of being watched had been so real it had prickled her skin. Someone had been there ¡ª so why had they vanished without a trace? Was it a warning? A game of cat and mouse?

    She couldn¡¯t piece it together, but every instinct screamed that this ce was dangerous. The very air tasted like death.

    She needed to leave. Now.

    Without hesitation, Kiley holstered her gun and sprinted to the elevator. Her fingers jabbed the down button repeatedly. The doors slid open and she rushed inside, hammering the close button over and over. As the doors shut, she sagged against the wall, the tension draining from her limbs for just a moment.

    The elevator began its descent.

    Back in the CEO¡¯s office, behind the still-open door, a panel slowly shifted. From the shadows, a pair of eyes emerged ¡ª cold and mocking, fixed on the direction of the descending elevator.

    Rain hammered the night outside the Cooper Estate. Though the living room zed with light, a cold, sinister aura filled every corner of it.

    Kolton sat in the high-backed chair at the head of the room, a porcin mug in hand. The coffee was a rich, deep brown, steam curlingzily upward. He took a sip,pletely at ease ¡ª like a man watching a particrly engaging performance.

    Before him, the servants and guards he¡¯d had doused with cold water knelt on the marble floor, shivering violently. Teeth chattered in rhythmic bursts. Around them, fully armed covert operatives in ck stood motionless, weapons trained on the trembling group. At the very fronty two bodies, each shot cleanly through the forehead. Charred bullet holes marred their skulls, and blood pooled behind their heads, spreading across the pristine white marble like grotesque crimson flowers blooming in snow.

    Vivid. Merciless.

    The nauseating blend of blood and coffee hung in the air. Kolton set his mug down with a decisive click that rang through the silent room like a thunderp. His sharp gaze swept over the cowering servants.

    ¡°The mole. Who is it?¡± he asked, his voice utterly cold.

    Foreheads pressed to the floor, the servants trembled, their backs soaked with sweat. Silence pressed down until it crushed. Atst, someone broke.

    A young staff member raised his head, tears streaming down his face. ¡°Mr. Cooper, it wasn¡¯t me. I¡¯ve always been loyal ¡ª please ¡ª¡±

    A gunshot tore through the air, cutting off his plea mid-breath. A neat hole appeared in his forehead, and his body copsed backward with a heavy thud. Another corpse on the floor.

    Sobs and muffled wails rippled through the group. Kolton didn¡¯t blink. He extended his hand, and an operative stepped forward immediately to refill his coffee. He took another sip, warmth sliding down his throat, his eyes growing colder still.

    udius was cunning. Escaping right under his nose had been quite an aplishment. But Kolton would never tolerate anyone prying into his territory ¡ª especially not now.

    He had attended the charity g deliberately, taking all his covert operatives with him, confident the Cooper Estate was imprable. Even without them, no outsider should have been able to get in. Yet reality had pped him across the face.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1427

    ?Chapter 1427:

    Kolton¡¯s analysis of the dungeon was methodical, chilling in its rity. The evidence spoke of a meticulously nned operation. The rescue team had moved with the confident knowledge of insiders ¡ª they knew theyout intimately, and their first acts had been to blind the estate¡¯s electronic eyes and sever its rms.

    What was truly damning, however, was the coordination. The fire at the prison gates had erupted with stopwatch precision. Such precision was not the work of outsiders feeling their way in the dark. It was the signature of a conspiracy. Without internal betrayal, a rescue of this speed and scale would have been impossible.

    Someone loyal to udius. Perhaps more than one.

    Kolton¡¯s jaw tightened. Traitors. He would find them, make them pay, and let the rest of the estate witness the cost of disloyalty.

    He finished his coffee and set the mug down firmly. Everyone flinched at the sharp clink ¡ª the sound of impending danger. Among the kneeling servants, one man clenched his teeth, guilt twisting in his stomach. Innocent people were dying for a secret he alone carried. He drew a slow breath and steeled himself. If he had to die, he would at least die clean.

    Then a sharp ringtone cut through the silence.

    Kolton¡¯s brow knitted in displeasure as he drew out his phone. The call was from the operative trailing Kiley.

    ¡°Report,¡± he said, swiping to answer.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper¡­ there¡¯s a problem.¡± The voice quivered with a tension that was wholly unlike the cold-blooded operative he knew. That unusual tremor betrayed something deeper than nerves.

    Kolton¡¯s expression hardened. It was the first time one of his operatives had shown any hint of emotion.

    ¡°Speak,¡± he demanded.

    A brief silence followed on the other end, as if the man were gathering himself ¡ª or confirming what he was about to say.

    ¡°Critical security breach.¡± The words came out heavy, deliberate. ¡°You shoulde to the Cooper Group headquarters immediately. I apologize, sir, but the situation is severe, and I must report everything directly to the boss.¡±

    A series of beeps followed. The call ended.

    Read from your phone on

    Kolton¡¯s grip on the phone snapped tight, his knuckles draining to white. A thin sheen of cold sweat formed on his brow. His chest tightened as though an invisible hand were squeezing his heart without mercy.

    He had only tasked the operative with keeping an eye on Kiley. How had it escted into a critical security breach? As head of Cooper Group, Kolton knew exactly what that phrase meant ¡ª the highest alert level. Every ndestine operation, every buried secret, every shred of evidence that could destroy him, exposed. And the operative had mentioned the boss, meaning Thomas. The true puppeteer behind everything.

    Fear overtook his anger, sharp and immediate.

    ¡°Prepare the car!¡± He rose, the chair scraping the floor like a warning. ¡°Cooper Group headquarters. Now!¡±

    After a few steps, he stopped.

    His gaze swept over the shivering household staff and guards kneeling on the marble floor. Disgust and cold fury burned in his eyes. A critical security breach meant only one thing ¡ª a purge had begun. Better to eliminate a hundred innocents than let a single traitor slip through.

    ¡°Take care of them. All of them. Make it clean.¡± His voice was t and detached, as though issuing a routine order.

    The mole among the kneeling group froze, eyes going wide. He lurched to his feet, his voice cracking. ¡°It was me! I¡¯m the mole! It has nothing to do with them ¡ª take me instead!¡±

    Kolton didn¡¯t pause. He didn¡¯t even nce back. He stepped out into the rain, his silhouette rigid and merciless. He had no interest in tormenting udius¡¯s people, no time to weigh innocence against guilt. In the face of the family¡¯s survival ¡ª and this unforgivable security failure ¡ª a handful of disposable lives meant nothing.

    Bang. Bang. Bang.

    The operatives opened fire without hesitation. The living room erupted in a storm of gunfire, muzzle shes leaping like the Reaper¡¯s cruelughter. Bullets tore through the kneeling crowd with the relentlessness of a hurricane. Screams, sobs, and desperate cries for mercy ricocheted through the grand room. Blood sprayed across the once-pristine white roses, turning them into a grotesque tapestry of red.

    At Cooper Group¡¯s private hospital, the emergency room hummed with the steady beeping of machines.

    On the bed, udius ¡ª long held in aa ¡ª slowly fluttered his eyshes. Then he opened his eyes.

    The first thing he saw was the ceiling, blindingly white under the harsh overhead lights. Difort stabbed at him. Consciousness returned in shards. Memories surfaced in fragments: the dungeon, the fire, the escape, the surgery.

    He had survived.

    udius shifted his gaze, taking in the flurry of doctors and nurses moving around him. He wanted to ask questions, to signal, to move. He willed his right hand to rise.

    Nothing happened.

    It was as if his arm had turned to stone ¡ª or ceased to exist entirely. He willed his toes to move.

    Still nothing.

    A chilling detachment swept over him. This was his body, yet not his. A foreign shell. A cage. Panic wed at him, sharp and suffocating ¡ª his mind fully alive, trapped inside a lifeless vessel.

    He refused to ept it. He forced his eyes to move, the only part he could stillmand, though even that was minimal. He tried to speak, to roar, to produce any sound at all, but his throat betrayed him. His vocal cords, like broken strings, refused to obey. Only a faint puff of air escaped ¡ª audible to himself alone.

    Despair crashed over him like a relentless tide.

    He had once been the sharpest de of Cooper Group ¡ª the brilliant strategist, the heir who could outthink anyone. Now he was a prisoner in his own flesh.

    Damn it.

    He cursed silently, rage smoldering behind his still expression, as a single cold tear slid from the corner of his eye.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1428

    ?Chapter 1428:

    udiusy in the hospital bed, consciousness sharp despite his motionless limbs. Every second of stillness carved itself into his mind like a brand he could not escape.

    A suffocating sensation pressed around him, as if an unseen cage had locked him in ce. He could see the world beyond, as though separated from it by a cold ss barrier he could not break. Everythingy within reach, yet his body refused to obey even the smallestmand.

    His thoughts turned to the serum, and he began to piece things together.

    The data he had studied resurfaced with perfect rity. The substance carried severe side effects, yet none of the reports had suggested it could induceplete paralysis. In the next heartbeat, however, the answer settled in his mind with grim certainty. Previous test subjects had never been confined for months that drained their strength, never endured a darkness that pressed against sanity, never suffered the starvation that had hollowed him out. His weakened body had been stretched far beyond its limit, leaving him unable to withstand a drug of such brutal potency.

    A bitter taste gathered in his chest. Frustration coiled inside him, and he tried to lift the corners of his mouth ¡ª grasping for even a hint of expression ¡ª but even that tiny motion had be an impossible desire.

    His mind still worked, thoughts aligned with careful logic, each idea sharp despite his failing body. But rity offered nothing, because he could not even twitch a finger in response.

    ????§Ñ?? ??v§Ör§å????? ???? ??§Ö????????? ??? ????l????????l??.c????

    The weight of helplessness settled over him, more suffocating than the darkness of the dungeon. His thoughts shifted to his sister, Kiley ¡ª who always carried jealousy in her gaze, yet still sought proof of her own worth. He hoped that once she opened the USB drive, whatever remained of her conscience would stir. He hoped she couldplete what he had been forced to abandon.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1429

    ?Chapter 1429:

    Cooper Group, the colossal empire he had devoted his life to, should not copse in disgrace, nor crumble beneath their father¡¯s voracious ambition. The lessons carved into him since childhood had never left him ¡ª the century-old foundation of Cooper Group must alwayse first. Yet he could no longerprehend, and could no longer tolerate, the monstrous acts his father hadmitted: the human experimentation, the deployment of viral agents, any one of which possessed the power to annihte Cooper Group and reduce a century of prestige to dust in a single heartbeat.

    He had never obtained the chance to correct those wrongs. He hadcked the strength to protect the woman he cherished ¡ª Maia.

    Her name flickered through his thoughts, stirring a muted ache that settled heavily inside him.

    udius felt like nothing more than a failure.

    He had anticipated every variable, navigated deception and corporate scheming, and dissected the tangled interests rooted within the Cooper bloodline ¡ª yet he had never foreseen his own father¡¯s merciless strike against his son. He had been absurdly naive, believing that even the most vicious predator guarded its offspring. Reality now mocked him with cruel rity. Kolton had already crossed lines no sane man would dare approach, yet udius had clung to the illusion that some fragment of humanity remained ¡ª that a father would cherish his own blood.

    In Kolton¡¯s eyes, family held no meaning and affection was a foreign concept. He viewed his children as tools to be shaped, stripped of will, emptied of spirit, and molded into obedient instruments that would follow his everymand.

    udius was sinking deeper into the abyss of despair when a thunderous crash ripped through the room without warning.

    The ICU door burst open under a violent impact, jolting the sterile silence. The sudden noise rattled the doctors and nurses mid-rounds. A clipboard slipped from a doctor¡¯s grasp and ttered against the tiles as the medical staff stared, wide-eyed and speechless, at the squad of heavily armed operatives flooding into the room.

    ¡°What¡­ what are you doing?¡± the attending doctor managed, his voice barely holding itself together.

    The man at the forefront towered over the others, a cold, razor-edged stare cutting through the room. He was the captain of udius¡¯s covert special forces unit, known only by the code name Falcon. Without acknowledging the doctor¡¯s question, without so much as tilting his head, he raised his hand in one swift, upromising signal ¡ª a gesture that demanded immediate execution of his orders.

    .

    ??e ????e f??r???? t?? r?????? o? ga?????????????.§ã????

    .

    .

 Chapter 1430

    ?Chapter 1430:

    Two soldiers advanced without hesitation, released the restraints from udius¡¯s bed, and pushed him out of the ICU at a brisk pace. The wheels scraped along the polished floor, their sharp screech slicing through the tense hallway.

    ¡°I advise you to forget everything you witnessed tonight,¡± Falcon said, drawing a firearm from his belt with practiced ease. The cold metal barrel caught the dim hospital light, radiating a quiet menace that belonged to someone intimately familiar with death.

    The doctors and nurses snapped their mouths shut at once, pressing themselves into the corner, nodding in terrified unison.

    Falcon fell into step alongside the rolling bed and bent down, letting his words slip directly into udius¡¯s ear. ¡°Sir, it is no longer safe here. We must evacuate immediately.¡±

    udius¡¯s gaze shifted a fraction, a faint question flickering behind his immobilized eyes.

    As Falcon guided the bed through the corridor, he continued in a low voice. ¡°The man stationed at the Cooper Estate¡­ his heart monitor just tlined.¡± Falcon¡¯s grip on the gun tightened, his knuckles draining white, his voice trembling with barely restrained anguish.

    Every operative under hismand carried a small imnted device that tracked vital signs and transmitted an alert the moment a heartbeat ceased ¡ª sending a final signal to the captain¡¯s terminal. It was an unspoken rule, the grim safeguard of the special operations unit, designed to prevent reckless rescue attempts while serving as an upromising warning system. During missions soaked in danger, when members found themselves unable to report critical details in time, the device was thest means to send a signal ¡ª simple in concept, direct in purpose, and devastatingly final.

    Falcon, burdened by the weight ofmand, had always prayed he would never see that alert sh across his screen. Each signal meant a fallenrade, a life extinguished in darkness, another soul consumed by the abyss.

    Rain hammered the city as if trying to wash away something that clung to the steel and stone.

    Moments after udius was covertly transferred, the roar of an engine tore through the storm like a de. A red Ferrari supercar burst through the rain-soaked night like a streak of fire, sending a towering spray of water skyward as it screeched to a stop at the entrance of the private hospital owned by Cooper Group.

    .

    ????a?? f?????? ????u?? ph????§Ö §àn g§Ñl?????????s.c????

    .

    .

 Chapter 1431

    ?Chapter 1431:

    The car door flew open, slicing through the rain. Kiley staggered out, her steps uneven, the downpour instantly ruining the wless makeup she had so carefully applied. Her body was taut with tension, and naked fear flickered in her eyes.

    She was consumed with worry for her younger brother, the anxiety gnawing at her without mercy. At the same time, she had nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Across Wront, Kolton¡¯s eyes seemed to be everywhere. Hiswork of spies formed an invisible, tightening by the second, pressing down with a suffocating sense of being watched.

    Raegan was still missing. Kiley had called again and again, only to be met with silence each time. Raegan ¡ª her most trusted assistant, the person she relied on without question ¡ª had vanished as though she had been erased from the world. Worse still, Kiley could not reach her security team at all. That had never happened before. Not once. The message was unmistakable: she waspletely alone, her defenses stripped away, her ws cut to the bone.

    If she ran into her father¡¯s covert operatives under these conditions, she would have almost no ability to resist. Even with a gun in her hand, Kiley knew it would make little difference against those ruthless enforcers who never showed mercy.

    She needed protection. She needed something solid enough to stand against the storm closing in on her.

    At udius¡¯s side, at least, there was a fully armed, rigorously trained special operations team ¡ª her younger brother¡¯s final trump card. And now, they were likely her greatest lifeline. Perhaps her only one.

    Standing beneath the relentless rain, Kiley drew a deep breath. Cold air flooded her lungs, washing through her chest and clearing the fog in her mind, if only slightly. She trusted her judgmentpletely. udius would never abandon her. He was her only family left.

    She shut the car door behind her and hurried toward the hospital entrance, her high heels striking the wet pavement in sharp, frantic clicks. Her figure looked disheveled against the rain-soaked night, yet there was a stubborn, desperate resolve in the way she moved.

    Meanwhile, inside the CEO¡¯s office at Cooper Group headquarters, Kolton sat on a leather sofa facing the massive floor-to-ceiling window. Aptop rested before him, a recorded video ying across the screen.

    The footage showed Kiley inside the office ¡ª opening the USB drive, scrolling through the ssified files, terror and fury inly written across her face. Kolton watched without blinking, his expression as dark and heavy as the sky before a violent storm.

    ????§â???????? ??????rie? ???? ????????§à????ls.??§à??

    Kiley would never have imagined that herptop had been tampered with long ago by covert operatives. Hidden within it was top-tier surveince software capable of recording every screen movement and transmitting it directly to Kolton¡¯s terminal. Within Cooper Group, secrets did not exist ¡ª not even for his own daughter.

    When the video ended, Kolton closed his eyes. His brows drew together, the deep line between them cutting across his face like a wound that refused to heal. He felt as though he were standing at the edge of an abyss, suspended between stepping back and throwing himself forward. If he did nothing ¡ª if Kiley leaked the evidence ¡ª Cooper Group would copse beyond saving. But if he acted, it meant ending his own daughter¡¯s life with his own hands.

    He let out a slow breath. When his eyes opened again, thest trace of warmth had vanished, reced by pure, merciless rationality.

    He turned to the covert operative standing nearby and asked, his voice rough. ¡°What did Thomas say?¡±

    The man¡¯s face was nk, as lifeless as a statue. ¡°He said to handle it yourself. You already know which choice to make.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s hands curled into tight fists, his nails biting into his palms as heart and duty shed inside him. Yet in reality, barely a second passed before the struggle ended. He had already chosen. When family interest and blood ties stood opposed, he had always chosen the former. And that choice meant sacrificing Kiley to preserve Cooper Group ¡ª to protect everything he had built.

    ¡°Find the USB drive,¡± Kolton ordered, his voice saturating the office with unmistakable killing intent. ¡°Eliminate anyone who hase into contact with it.¡± He paused. ¡°Including Kiley.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± the operatives answered in unison, their voices resonating through the room, the air thick with lethal resolve.

    Just then, the operative responsible for monitoring spoke up, his fingers moving rapidly over the keyboard. ¡°Located her. Kiley¡¯s car has just arrived at the private hospital under Cooper Group.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s gaze darkened instantly.

    The hospital? Why would she go there?

    In the next heartbeat, a terrifying possibility detonated in his mind. She had taken the USB drive to udius. No ¡ª udius could not be allowed to see what was inside. Even if he never opened it, the operatives would still consider him a knowledgeable party, and that alone would mark him for elimination.

    Kolton had to stop Kiley from making contact with udius, and fast. Losing Kiley was one thing. But he could not afford to lose udius as well. If that happened, both of his heirs would be gone.

    He shot to his feet, intending to intervene himself.

    But it was already toote. The operatives had rushed out ahead of him.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1432

    ?Chapter 1432:

    Meanwhile, a restroom in Wront Central Hospitaly in suffocating quiet. Only the faint, rhythmic drip of a half-closed faucet disturbed the stillness.

    Rosanna clutched the cold edge of the sink, her legs heavy as stone. She wavered, nearly buckling, before forcing herself upright.

    The mirror was cracked, fine lines spidering outward, gleaming sharply under the harsh white light. She lifted her head ¡ª but the instant her eyes met the mirror, she recoiled. She couldn¡¯t bear to face herself. In those jagged shards, her reflection was no longer a single face but a collection of warped, broken women. All of them her. A gallery of grotesqueries. Puffed cheeks. Purple bruises. Hair in wild disarray. She looked like something the world had discarded.

    A warm drop hit the spotless tiles. A bloom of red spread outward. It dripped from her right hand ¡ª knuckles split, skin torn, blood still fresh. The price of hammering her fist into the mirror again and again. The pain barely registered.

    Her breath quickened, rough and uneven. Her mind shed with chaos.

    The banquet hall. The lights. And that man ¡ª Ss, the celebrated actor. He was the cause of everything. That bastard had destroyed the face she had once taken pride in.

    But why?

    Rosanna dug her fingers into her hair, nails scraping her scalp. She tried to remember, tried to make sense of it, but her thoughts were a tangled snarl. Each time she edged close to the truth, a sharp, blinding pain shot through her skull. Without her realizing it, grief and terror had triggered her mind¡¯s emergency response ¡ª severing the connections to memories too unbearable to confront.

    Yet her chest still throbbed, as if something had been violently torn away. A hollow ache bloomed inside her, so fragile that a breeze could shatter her.

    ¡°Ss Court,¡± she hissed at the shattered reflection. ¡°You won¡¯t get away with this.¡±

    Hatred took root and surged like wildfire. Then a sudden sting red across her cheek, and a door in her memory creaked open. She remembered Maia ¡ª the vile woman who had pped her in public. The crack of that blow still rang in her ears. Every degrading word was carved into her heart like iron spikes.

    Rage consumed her in an instant, burning away thest trace of reason.

    ¡°Cough¡­ cough¡­¡± The violent rush of emotion worsened her injuries. Rosanna doubled over, coughing hard. A metallic tang filled her mouth, and she coughed up multiple spurts of blood that sshed bright against the sink. She stared at the crimson smear and abruptlyughed ¡ª the sound rough and raw.

    ??????l§à?? ??? o? ??al????v??????.??o??

    ¡°You all want me dead,¡± she rasped.

    She lifted her head, a wild, feral glint reflected in her eyes. ¡°But too bad. I¡¯m not that easy to kill. What doesn¡¯t crush me only makes me stronger.¡± Laughter and tears tangled together as she unraveled ¡ª a woman standing at the very edge of madness.

    She had no idea how long she had been in that restroom when a knock broke through the silence.

    ¡°Someone in there? I really need to use the restroom!¡± A man¡¯s urgent voice called from the other side of the door.

    Rosanna smothered herughter and clenched her jaw. Hatred flooded her veins, giving her just enough strength to push past the tearing pain in her body. She straightened her clothes and moved toward the door, one unsteady step at a time. Her hand closed over the knob and turned it.

    The door swung open.

    A middle-aged man in a hospital gown stood outside, one hand pressed to his stomach in impatience. But the moment he saw her ¡ª mangled, bruised, a figure twisted into something monstrous ¡ª his eyes went wide with terror.

    ¡°Holy¡ª¡± His scream ricocheted down the corridor. ¡°A ghost! There¡¯s a ghost in there!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1433

    ?Chapter 1433:

    The middle-aged man felt a terror so deep it hollowed him from the inside. He spun on his heel and ran, but in his frantic rush his foot betrayed him, sending him crashing to the floor with a brutal thud. Pain ring, he scrambled upright and staggered forward as if a demon were hunting him down the corridor, his screams piercing the air and drawing the attention of patients and their families alike.

    When they saw Rosanna at the restroom door, shock rippled through the crowd ¡ª gasping, stepping back, faces etched with fear. Some children broke into tears. People recoiled as though she carried a contagious gue.

    Rosanna remained untouched by their terror. Her expression was nk, her gaze empty yet unwavering, as she crossed the threshold. All she wanted was the quiet of the Nelson vi ¡ª a refuge where she could sink into her bed and escape the world, even if only for a while. Her injuries could be treated by the finest doctors she could summon. As for her ruined face, Rosanna¡¯s fingers brushed her uneven cheek, a cold gleam settling in her eyes. She had made up her mind. Once her injuries healed, she would go to Heliana, the pinnacle of cosmetic surgery, and undergo the most exquisite treatments avable. Her face would be reborn ¡ª perhaps even more beautiful than it had ever been.

    Having plumbed the depths of hysteria ande out the other side, Rosanna was now eerilyposed. If they saw her as a demon, then a demon she would be. She, Rosanna Morgan, was the vengeful spirit crawling back from hell ¡ª and she hade for vengeance.

    She moved forward, and the crowd parted around her, eyes wide with fear and revulsion. Rosanna walked on, stepping over their terror, and vanished down the corridor.

    Meanwhile, the emergency hall raged with chaos.

    Maia moved swiftly between beds, tending to patient after patient in rapid session. Her hands were skilled and precise ¡ª bandaging, stanching bleeding, suturing with dizzying speed. There were far too many injured and far too few staff to tend to them all. Her borrowed white coat and tightly worn mask concealed her identity; otherwise, many would have recognized her.

    Most of the patients were guests from the charity event. Just hours ago they had been dressed in haute couture, champagne sses in hand, maintaining the facade of high society. Now, charred and soot-streaked, their faces and clothes ruined, their beauty and dignity stripped away, they wailed and wept and cursed.

    Maia had just finished treating a woman whose arm had been shed by ss. She straightened ¡ª and the room blurred and doubled before her eyes. The noise of the emergency hall faded as if separated by thick ss. It was a clear sign of exhaustion. Her body swayed dangerously, and just as she was about to go down, a strong hand steadied her.

    ??o????n§ã§Ö ???vel?? ???? ??§Ñ???o????????.????m

    ¡°I wondered where you had gone,¡± said a firm, steady voice beside her.

    Maia looked up to find Carsen, his expression serious.

    ¡°You¡¯re in no condition to treat patients,¡± he said, leaving no room for argument. As the attending physician, he understood her condition better than anyone.

    ¡°Dr. Walsh¡­¡± Maia whispered weakly.

    Carsen gave no opportunity for protest. He gestured to the young doctors behind him. ¡°Take over these patients.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Dr. Walsh,¡± they answered immediately, stepping in to continue her work.

    Without another word, Carsen supported Maia and guided her out of the noisy emergency department. Once inside his office, he helped her onto the sofa, then produced a glucose pack from his white coat, tore it open, and held it to her lips.

    ¡°Drink,¡± he said.

    Carsen had long made a habit of carrying glucose through lengthy surgeries ¡ª a habit that, at this particr moment, was proving its worth.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1434

    ?Chapter 1434:

    Maia epted. She was acutely aware of how much she needed it.

    The cool drink soothed her throat, its sweetness bringing a wave of relief that momentarily cleared the turmoil in her head. Only when a hint of color had returned to her face did Carsen draw a chair close and sit opposite her, his expression serious, his eyes heavy with the weight of what he was about to say.

    ¡°Chris is stable for now,¡± he began. ¡°His vital signs aren¡¯t showing any decline at the moment.¡±

    Maia let out a small, restrained breath ¡ª a brief flicker of relief.

    But Carsen¡¯s voice shifted, darkening with caution. ¡°As for when he will wake up, that¡¯s impossible to predict. Every patient is different. It could be a week, a month, or even longer.¡±

    Maia nodded quietly, her face betraying nothing. Her training as a surgeon had prepared her for moments like these. Extracting a bullet fragment from the brain carried a high risk of leaving the patient in aa afterward.

    Seeing her remain calm, Carsen hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing his gaze. But he knew he could not withhold the truth from her.

    ¡°There¡¯s something else I need to tell you,¡± he said, lowering his voice.

    Maia slowly raised her eyes to meet his, a subtle unease stirring in her chest. ¡°Go ahead,¡± she said softly.

    Carsen folded his hands over his knees and spoke with care. ¡°You need to prepare yourself. Surgeries like this almost always carry consequences for memory and cognition. The brain is fragile ¡ª even small disruptions can have longsting effects. Some abilities may slowly return, but others may be lost forever.¡± He paused, letting the weight of his words settle before delivering the most painful part. ¡°He could forget people, moments¡­ even you.¡±

    Maia¡¯s thoughts screeched to a halt.

    Though Carsen¡¯s voice was calm, his words hit her like a tidal wave, stealing her breath and dragging her under. She sat rigidly on the sofa. Would Chris really forget her? Erase every shared memory, even the ones forged in life and death?

    ¡°It can¡¯t be that much of a coincidence, can it?¡± she whispered, barely audible, clinging to a fragile strand of hope.

    That hope was extinguished a momentter as Carsen¡¯s next words poured over her like ice water.

    §à????????i??§Ö ???????? ?????r?????? ??? ????l??§àv§Ö????.??§à??

    ¡°Maia, you¡¯re a doctor. You know how this works,¡± he said, his expression a careful blend of pity and resolve. ¡°The brain holds the memories of those we love most with the greatest depth. But when trauma strikes that exactwork, those memories can be the first to go ¡ª erased or walled off as a form of defense.¡±

    He continued gently. ¡°It¡¯s a cruel paradox. He may remember facts about Maia Watson. He may recall stories that feature you. But seeing you in person could trigger nothing at all. The memory exists, but the emotional connection ¡ª the recognition ¡ª can be severed entirely. It¡¯s a form of cognitive dissociation.¡±

    Carsen sighed, the sound heavy in the quiet room. ¡°This is why top surgeons often turn these cases down. The surgery can save a life, but the cost may be the patient¡¯s entire identity. The oue is never certain.¡±

    The office fell silent except for the steady ticking of the clock.

    Maia¡¯s heart stuttered. A sharp, acidic fear rose in her throat. She looked down and bit her lower lip until she tasted blood. A chill crept through her ¡ª what if she became nothing more than a stranger in Chris¡¯s mind?

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1435

    Chapter 1435:

    ¡°Don¡¯t lose hope just yet,¡± Carsen said, noticing Maia¡¯s solemn, almost frozen expression. His voice was unusually soft in the quiet office ¡ª steady and low. ¡°The brain has an incredible capacity to adapt. Recovery is not impossible.¡±

    He reached out and rested a hand lightly on Maia¡¯s shoulder. The warmth seeped through her clothing, offering a subtlefort.

    ¡°But regardless of everything else, the surgery isplete,¡± he continued. ¡°The fragment that constantly endangered his life has been removed. Chris will no longer suffer from those excruciating headaches, nor will he face the constant risk of seizures. That alone is a major victory.¡±

    Maia listened, her head nodding slowly. His logic was irrefutable. The oue she had fought for so desperately was the only one that had ever truly mattered. Chris was alive. His heart was beating. And where there was life, there was still hope.

    She inhaled deeply and exhaled the tension from her chest.

    Carsen was right. They had already achieved the best possible result. Even if Chris woke and no longer remembered her, Maia resolved to start over. She would reintroduce herself, rebuild their connection from the ground up. Their bond, formed long ago, had been deep and enduring ¡ª she was confident it could be rekindled.

    She pictured the moment in her mind: Chris seeing her for the first time with unfamiliar eyes, and she stepping forward, hand extended, smiling. ¡°Hello, Mr. Cooper. Nice to meet you for the first time. I¡¯m Maia Watson. Your wife.¡± She wondered what expression would cross his face. Surprise? Confusion? Or perhaps the faintest flicker of recognition?

    A small, tired smile tugged at her lips. The tension in her eased, reced by a quiet resilience ¡ª like the calm after a storm.

    ¡°I understand, Dr. Walsh,¡± she said, her voice clear. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s pointless to worry about things that haven¡¯t happened yet. May I go sit with him now, even for just a little while?¡±

    Carsen studied the redness beneath her eyes and the exhaustion etched into her pale features. A flicker of sympathy crossed his face. ¡°Of course,¡± he said. ¡°But keep quiet. Don¡¯t speak to him or try to wake him. Let hime around on his own.¡±

    He paused, then added, ¡°As your mentor, I have to insist ¡ª you need sleep first. You¡¯re on the edge of copse. If Chris wakes and sees you this drained, even if he doesn¡¯t remember you, he¡¯d worry.¡±

    He reached into his coat pocket and drew out a set of keys, the metallic clink sharp in the silence. He handed one to Maia. ¡°This opens the doctors¡¯ rest room next door. There¡¯s a bed inside. Rest first, then go and watch over him.¡±

    Quality trantions on

    Maia looked at the key for a moment, then up at Carsen¡¯s concerned eyes. She knew she had reached her limit ¡ª pushing any further risked copsing at the most critical moment. She took a steadying breath and epted the key. The cool metal pressed into her palm, sharpening her awareness just enough.

    ¡°All right. Thank you, Dr. Walsh,¡± she said softly.

    In the observation room beside the ICU, machines hummed in steady rhythm.

    Chrisy motionless, his head swathed in thick bandages, his skin pale as parchment. Each breath beneath the respiratory mask released a faint mist into the air. Then, ever so slightly, his long fingers twitched ¡ª a faint spark of life.

    Inside his mind, chaos surged.

    Consciousness plunged into a stormy abyss. Dreams crashed over him like waves ¡ª cold, damp, and oppressive. He felt confined, jostling in a cramped space that reeked of gasoline. He was in the passenger seat of a car. Outside, a dense fog swirled violently against the windows, obscuring the road and any sense of direction. Only the engine¡¯s roar filled his ears.

    Then a familiar voice pierced the mist. ¡°Chris¡­¡±

    Gentle, yet urgent ¡ª carrying a tremor that made his heart contract. He knew that voice. It belonged to his mother.

    He turned sharply, and with the movement the gray fog seemed to scatter. There she was: Nic. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles pale from the effort. Her eyes were sharp and focused as she pressed hard on the elerator, navigating treacherousnes with precision. Eachne change was a gamble with fate, teetering on the edge of disaster.

    ¡°If we get separatedter, don¡¯t try to find me.¡± Her voice was low and urgent, stripped of its usual softness ¡ª nothing but determination remained.

    Fear gripped him like a vice. His body seemed to shrink, his voice faltering into a childish whimper. ¡°Mom¡­ I don¡¯t want to be apart from you.¡±

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noa: New week with renewed hopes! Have a great week, dear readers. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?

    .

 Chapter 1436

    ?Chapter 1436:

    Chris¡¯s small hand fumbled for his mother¡¯s sleeve in the dream.

    ¡°Chris, there¡¯s no time for this!¡± Nic¡¯s voice cracked like a whip, then instantly softened into something thick with grief. ¡°Leaving you is thest thing I want. I wish I could be there for you ¡ª always.¡± Tears threatened, but she held them back. ¡°But if they capture us both, no one will be left to seek justice for your father. One of us must survive. And you, Chris, are the future of the Cooper family. You must live.¡±

    With a savage wrench of the steering wheel, she swerved the shuddering car past a looming semi-truck. She turned her gaze back to him, and in her eyes he saw a storm ¡ª love, pain, steel resolve, and the dark promise of retribution, all surging together.

    ¡°Endure whateveres,¡± she whispered fiercely. ¡°Survive at any cost. And never, ever forget who did this to us.¡± Her voice turned to frost, every syble weighted with a grief too vast for tears. ¡°Kolton Cooper. He murdered your father. He destroyed our family. Remember his name.¡±

    Young Chris trembled before the ferocity in her gaze, but his head bobbed in a frantic nod, tears spilling over. ¡°I won¡¯t forget, Mom. Kolton Cooper.¡±

    Suddenly, muffled cracks split the air. Gunfire.

    Almost immediately, destruction followed. The rear window exploded inward, sending a cascade of ss shards raining through the car. A bullet tore through the seat back with a dull, sickening thud ¡ª it struck Nic¡¯s right shoulder. Blood soaked quickly through her white shirt, yet she didn¡¯t cry out or flinch. Pain seemed irrelevant. Her focus remained solely on Chris.

    ¡°I love you, Chris.¡± Her final words carried warmth ¡ª a fragile beacon in the chaos.

    She gritted her teeth and steered with one hand, pressing the elerator to the floor with the other. The engine screamed in protest. She had to speed up, dodge the gunfire from the assassins behind them, and carve out even the smallest chance of survival for her son.

    The car surged off the main road like a wild animal, tearing into the rough terrain at the roadside. The tires shrieked over the uneven ground, leaving two jagged, ckened trails ¡ª theirst act of defiance.

    In the turmoil, Nic¡¯s shoulder wound tore open. Thick, warm blood streamed down her arm, each droplet falling in a relentless rhythm. Some sshed onto Chris¡¯s face, coating his vision in crimson. The world blurred into red ¡ª the color of blood, the stain of revenge.

    Then, with a deafening impact, the car collided violently.

    Po?????????? ???????ie?? ??n ??§Ñ??n????e??s.§ã§à??

    Everything spun out of control. The airbags deployed with a thunderous pop, lifting Chris from his seat as fear surged through him. But a strong hand seized him ¡ª Nic, shielding him with her own body through the crash. The door twisted and buckled. Ignoring the pain radiating from her wounds, she kicked it open, clutched Chris to her chest, and stumbled free.

    ¡°Go! Run, Chris!¡± Her breaths came in ragged bursts, each step leaving drops of blood behind.

    She carried him through narrow, filthy alleys, finally ducking into a dark corner. Arge green dumpster reeked of rot, but it was the only refuge they had.

    ¡°Chris, stay here.¡± She ced him inside and cupped his face with icy, blood-stained fingers. ¡°Staypletely silent. Whatever happens, don¡¯t move. I¡¯ll lure them away ande back for you.¡± Her hand ruffled his hair gently, her eyes burning with protective love. ¡°If¡­ if I don¡¯t return by sunset¡­¡± Her voice faltered. ¡°Leave. Find a safe ce to hide. Pretend you know nothing. Forget your past. Don¡¯t show anger toward Kolton. Wait ¡ª like a coiled snake ¡ª until the right momentes.¡±

    With that, she released him.

    The lid mmed shut, cutting off thest thread of light.

    Chris was plunged into pitch-ck darkness. The stench was overpowering, yet he dared not move or breathe too deeply. He curled into himself, knees pulled tight to his chest, trembling with fear. Outside, footsteps faded, followed by the distant crack of gunfire.

    He was terrified beyond words.

    Then, slowly, the trembling ceased. His gaze sharpened. His body no longer felt like that of a helpless child ¡ª something calmer, steadier had taken hold.

    ¡°I¡­¡± Chris lifted his head, peering into the familiar darkness. ¡°This is a dream.¡±

    He understood it wasn¡¯t reality ¡ª it was memory, a rey of past horrors. His small hands, still smeared with his mother¡¯s dried blood, rested before him. Every detail, every sensation, returned with vivid rity.

    A faint, bitter smile curved his lips ¡ª nostalgic, yet tinged with sorrow.

    ¡°Next,¡± he whispered, his breath thin as mist, ¡°a girl wille. She¡¯ll draw the operatives away. She¡¯ll¡­ save me.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1437

    ?Chapter 1437:

    The moment those words left Chris¡¯s lips, the lid of the trash can suddenly lifted.

    He looked up ¡ª and a chill shot through him, freezing his blood. His flesh crawled with a tangible, electric dread.

    What appeared before him was not the bright-eyed girl from his memories. Instead, a pale, smooth face loomed over him ¡ª featureless, without eyes, nose, or mouth. An eerie nkness stared down at him.

    ¡°No!¡±

    A piercing scream tore from the depths of his throat.

    His eyes snapped open.

    Reality mmed into him ¡ª dizzying and disorienting rather thanforting. The white ceiling above churned and spun, pulling at his senses like a whirlpool ready to drag him under. The monitors surrounding his bed shed urgent red rms. Yet Chris heard nothing. Everything was muted, save for a relentless buzzing inside his head, as if invisible wings were beating against the walls of his skull.

    He gasped, chest heaving, cold sweat soaking through his hospital gown. His vision blurred as he struggled to focus, but the faceless image remained burned into his mind. And then, behind the fear, came a wave of sorrow.

    Who was that figure? Why had they appeared in his memory?

    A sudden, deafening bang jolted him further. The observation room door mmed open, and a wave of doctors and nurses rushed inside, white coats billowing. Carsen was at the front, his eyes flicking to the chaotic monitor readings, his face tightening with rm. He issued orders immediately ¡ª sedatives, blood pressure, heart rate ¡ª but Chris heard none of it.

    The terror of that featureless face had wrung thest drop of strength from him. Darkness rose again like a crushing tide and dragged him under. His eyelids drooped, and he fell back into deep, unconscious sleep.

    On the first floor of Cooper Group¡¯s private hospital, the corridor lights flickered.

    Kiley sprinted down the hallway in high heels, heart hammering. The contents of the USB drive had left her frantic with worry for her brother. She skidded to a halt at the emergency room door. The bright red Surgery in Progress light was dark. The doors were shut, and the room beyond was silent and pitch ck.

    Where was everyone?

    Ch????????e ??????????? ????????????at§Ö?? ??? ??a??n????e????.c????

    A sense of foreboding seized her. She spun on her heel, rushed to a nearby doctor¡¯s office, and flung the door open.

    Inside, a young male doctor sat slumped in a chair, pale and trembling, clutching a cup of water.

    ¡°Where is the patient who was undergoing resuscitation?¡± Kiley demanded, bending toward the desk, her tone razor-sharp.

    The doctor flinched, spilling the water across the floor. His eyes darted toward her, fear etched into every line of his face. He raised his hands in surrender and shook his head rapidly. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know anything,¡± he stammered.

    He was trembling with raw, unfiltered fear. He hadn¡¯t forgotten the sudden arrival of armed intruders ¡ª the cold, unyielding gun barrels and the icy stares. Above all, he hadn¡¯t forgotten the leader¡¯s warning before they left: ¡°I advise you to forget everything you witnessed tonight.¡± At the end of the day, he was simply a doctor, and he just wanted to make it out alive.

    Kiley¡¯s gaze sharpened, turning cold. ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡±

    Without hesitation, she drew a sleek handgun from her coat and aimed it squarely at his forehead.

    ¡°Ah!¡± The doctor lurched violently in his chair, nearly toppling backward. His mind raced. What in the world was happening today? Why was everyone suddenly armed? This was a hospital ¡ª a ce where people were supposed to be saved, not shot at.

    He had only transferred to Cooper Group¡¯s private hospital the previous month, drawn in by the generous pay, thefortable benefits, and the well-mannered, affluent patients. Nobody in HR had mentioned that the position came with a risk of getting killed. He still couldn¡¯t process the fact that he had encountered armed intruders twice in a single day.

    Kiley¡¯s eyes cut toward the trembling man, her irritation rising. In her own hospital, she was staring at a doctor who had no idea who truly held power here. It was an embarrassment ¡ª an insult to Cooper Group.

    ¡°I won¡¯t ask you again.¡± She thumbed the safety with a sharp, deliberate click.

    That sound snapped thest thread of the doctor¡¯sposure. He sucked in a shaky breath, his face draining of color entirely. Between keeping quiet and staying alive, he didn¡¯t hesitate for a second.

    ¡°D-don¡¯t shoot ¡ª please!¡± he blurted, grinding the words out through chattering teeth, eyes brimming. ¡°The patient¡­ he was taken. Taken by a group with guns!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Kiley¡¯s pupils tightened, her heart clenching as though caught in a vise.

    A group with guns. Had udius¡¯s special ops team been wiped out?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1438

    ?Chapter 1438:

    Kiley¡¯s instincts screamed that it was the only exnation that made sense. If udius¡¯s own men were behind this, why would the doctor describe it so forcefully as him being taken? Besides, udius was barely hanging on ¡ª he couldn¡¯t handle any chaos. There would be no reason to move him unless it was their father¡¯s doing.

    The cold realization hit her. Kolton had found this ce and arrived before her. Those armed men were almost certainly the covert operatives he had sent.

    Damn it.

    A chill crawled down her spine. If udius had already been taken, then her reckless dash here wouldn¡¯t save him ¡ª it would only expose her. She had walked straight into a trap.

    She needed to get out. Now.

    Kiley holstered her gun and spun toward the exit, her steps quick and decisive. But the moment she reached the lobby doors, she froze.

    Beyond the ss, the threat revealed itself in full.

    A convoy of roughly eight ck armored SUVs surged into the hospital courtyard ¡ª a coordinated pack of predators cornering their target. They screeched to a stop, forming a fan-shaped blockade that boxed in her unmistakable red Ferrari. Doors burst open. Dozens of covert operatives in ck uniforms poured out, their movements synchronized, their presence radiating lethal precision.

    Kiley¡¯s pulse spiked. She had seen what was on the USB drive ¡ª more than enough to earn herself a ce on her father¡¯s kill list. If they took her now, there was only one oue. Death.

    But what terrified her more was the thought of udius. Her deepest fear was that he had already met a grim fate. Their father was capable of anything.

    ¡°udius¡­¡± she whispered, hopelessness flickering in her eyes.

    But survival instinct struck hard. She couldn¡¯t use the front entrance. Whirling around, Kiley sprinted down the opposite corridor toward the service wing. The rear exit led straight into South Lake Park ¡ª a dense, winding maze of trees and shadows. It was her only chance. She had to vanish into the darkness before they caught up.

    Meanwhile, the operatives had already stormed the hospital lobby, sweeping through the building like a rising ck tide andunching a floor-by-floor search.

    ???????? o?? §Ñ???? ??ev??§ã?? ??? g??l???v§Ö????.??o??

    Back in the doctor¡¯s office, the young doctor had only just begun to recover from the shock. He slumped weakly in his chair, gulping air, hisb coat soaked through with sweat.

    ¡°This is insane¡­ I¡¯m quitting. I¡¯m definitely quitting,¡± he muttered, trembling.

    Heavy footsteps thundered down the hallway.

    The doctor bolted upright like a frightened animal, torn between dread and curiosity. He edged to the door and cracked it open to peek outside ¡ª and instantly locked eyes with something cold and merciless. A man in ck stood right there, apact submachine gun resting in his hands.

    Another gun?

    The doctor¡¯s eyes went wide, his breath catching in a silent scream. Before he could make a sound, the operative shoved the door open and delivered a sharp blow to the side of his neck. The doctor crumpled without a cry, his eyes rolling back as he folded to the floor like a discarded rag doll.

    Expressionless, the operative grabbed him by the cor and dragged him out into the corridor, hauling him toward the lobby as easily as dragging a sack.

    Momentster, the unconscious doctor was dumped at Kolton¡¯s feet. A basin of ice-cold water crashed over him. He jolted awake immediately, sputtering and gasping, scrambling to sit upright. He blinked in confusion at the scene before him.

    The lobby swarmed with armed operatives, the tension thick enough to cut. At the center of it all stood a middle-aged man whose presence was sharp enough to draw blood.

    The doctor rubbed his eyes ¡ª and recognized that face instantly. Kolton Cooper. The chairman of Cooper Group. He saw that face every day: in the bronze statue near the hospital entrance, on posters, in the news. The man who funded the hospital. His ultimate boss.

    Relief flooded the doctor¡¯s eyes, desperate and pure. He scrambled to his feet and lurched forward as if rushing toward salvation itself. ¡°Mr. Cooper! Thank goodness! You¡¯re here to rescue us, aren¡¯t you? There were terrorists ¡ª¡±

    Kolton raised an eyebrow and stepped back in distaste, as though avoiding contamination.

    Was this man an idiot?

    ¡°Where is Kiley?¡± Kolton asked, his tone ice-cold.

    The doctor blinked. ¡°Who?¡±

    Kolton¡¯s brows drew together instantly. He had no patience for fools. He flicked his gaze sideways. The operative beside him understood at once, stepped forward, and drove a heavy boot into the doctor¡¯s abdomen.

    The doctor folded over and curled on the floor like a boiled shrimp, bile rising in his throat. Only then did it finally dawn on him ¡ª these people and the woman who had aimed a gun at him earlier were clearly not working together.

    At least¡­ he was fairly certain they weren¡¯t.

    The operative pulled out a phone, brought up a high-resolution photo of Kiley, and shoved the screen in the doctor¡¯s face. ¡°Have you seen this woman?¡± he demanded coldly.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1439

    ?Chapter 1439:

    The doctor¡¯s hands shook, his vision swimming as he forced his bleary eyes to focus on the image.

    That face ¡ª he would know it anywhere. It was the same unhinged woman who had just held him at gunpoint.

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen her ¡ª yes, I have,¡± he babbled, his head bobbing in frantic, jerky nods.

    ¡°Tell me everything.¡± Kolton¡¯smand sliced through the air, cold and absolute.

    The doctor didn¡¯t dare hold back. Wincing through the stabbing pain in his stomach, he slowly raised his head and spilled it all ¡ª how Kiley had stormed in with a weapon drawn, demanding the patient¡¯s location, and how he had told her the man had been taken away. ¡°She asked where he went, I told her he¡¯d been taken, and then she left,¡± he concluded, a fragile spark of hope lighting in his eyes. Surely this cooperation would earn him some mercy.

    Kolton offered none. His expression remained a mask of ice.

    A glint of brutality passed through his eyes. Kiley¡¯s question had made the doctor an informed party ¡ª possibly even a liability. He never tolerated unnecessary witnesses.

    With a single wave of his hand, Kolton signaled.

    The operative at his side raised a silenced pistol and pressed it to the back of the doctor¡¯s head. A muffled shot rang out. The doctor¡¯s smile froze mid-expression. Shock overtook him as his body slumped, blood spreading slowly across the pristine floor. To hisst breath, he never understood why Kolton had killed him.

    Kolton didn¡¯t spare the corpse a nce. His jaw was clenched, his features carved with cold anger. The detail from the doctor¡¯s ount nagged at him ¡ª a team of armed men. udius had been moved? What had happened to his rescuers?

    His instincts red. Something was off. The emergency room showed no signs of a struggle ¡ª no bullet holes, no bloodstains. Those people had to be udius¡¯s own.

    Kolton¡¯s gaze swept across the operatives surrounding him, sharp as daggers. Who could have tipped udius off, enabling such a wless extraction? All the vi staff and security were dead. There was no way the information hade from them.

    The inescapable conclusion was that a mole had been nted within his own inner circle.

    A wave of distrust surged through him ¡ª and he crushed it beneath a wall of denial. It was unthinkable. These operatives had been trained from youth, loyal only to Thomas. Their loyalty ran deeper than blood. Even Kolton, as head of Cooper Group, did not hold fullmand over them. No matter how cunning udius was, he could not have swayed these emotionless killers. Not one.

    ??h?????? ????u?? f??v§à??i?????? ???????? ??a????o??§Öl??.??§à??

    The leak had to have another source ¡ª perhaps some sophisticated surveince device. For now, that question would be suppressed. Damage control came first.

    ¡°Search everywhere!¡± Kolton¡¯s voice rang through the hall. ¡°Find Kiley. Alive or dead, I want her.¡±

    He paced, his leather shoes tapping ominously against the floor. His eyes swept thebyrinth of hallways before he issued crisp orders. ¡°Split up. Team one locks down every exit andbs this building floor by floor ¡ª check everywhere, including the morgue. Team two searches South Lake Park. The terrain is rough, but it¡¯s her only viable escape route.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The operatives divided at once, flowing outward like a ck tide in two directions.

    Elsewhere, under the dark city night, the Nelson family vi zed with light.

    The gates creaked open, and Rosanna staggered inside. Her red dress hung in tatters, a man¡¯s jacket she had picked up at the hospital draped over her shoulders. Her hairy matted across her face, the smell of blood and burnt flesh clinging to her.

    The maids tidying the living room froze, abandoned their work, and lined up to greet her. ¡°Mrs. Nelson, you¡¯re ¡ª¡± The words died on the leading maid¡¯s lips.

    Rosanna lifted her head. Her face ¡ª swollen and grotesquely distorted ¡ª resembled something from a nightmare. The maid¡¯s pupils dted with terror.

    ¡°Oh no!¡± she screamed, stumbling backward and dropping the feather duster.

    Rosanna stopped. Her bloodshot eyes locked onto the screaming girl, venom radiating from her gaze.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± she rasped, her voice hoarse and grating.

    The maid copsed to the floor, legs trembling, unable to lift her eyes. ¡°I-I¡¯m so sorry, Mrs. Nelson¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡± she stammered, her voice quivering with fear.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1440

    ?Chapter 1440:

    Rosanna looked at the maid without blinking. Something dark stirred in her chest, slow and deliberate.

    Being pointed at and whispered about outside did not matter. But being screamed at by a servant in her own house crossed a line she had no intention of forgiving.

    ¡°Get the doctor,¡± she said. Her voice came out hoarse, scraped raw by smoke and pain.

    The maid froze, then nodded repeatedly as if her head mighte loose. She scrambled up from the floor and fled down the hall, shoes slipping, breath loud and uneven. Rosanna watched her retreat. Her mouth curved, almost imperceptibly.

    ¡°You scream too much,¡± she murmured to herself. ¡°When I recover, you will not scream again.¡±

    Her body was ruined. Her temper was not. If anything, what remained of her had grown sharper.

    The other maids did not speak. They moved toward her carefully, as though approaching a wild animal that mightsh out without warning. Their hands trembled as they supported her weight, every touch hesitant and apologetic. They peeled away the ruined coat. Fabric dragged across open wounds. Rosanna sucked in a breath through her teeth. Pain red. So did hatred.

    Footsteps followed ¡ª fast, controlled. The butler entered the living room.

    He had already heard. The fire. The banquet center. Rosanna¡¯s name circting quietly through phones and hurried conversations. He had served the Nelson family for three decades, and he had prepared himself on the way back, telling himself he had seen worse.

    Yet the sight of Rosanna in the living room still jolted him.

    For one unguarded breath, hisposure slipped. She did not look like the Morgan daughter the city had once admired. She looked like someone who had crawled out of an aftermath she refused to speak about. His training caught him before the shock could show. He straightened, smoothed his expression, and stepped forward with a practiced bow.

    ¡°Mrs. Nelson. Wee back.¡±

    Leaning closer, he dropped his voice to a confidential murmur. ¡°Mr. Nelson returned early today. He is resting in the bedroom on the second floor.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s spine stiffened. Not like this. Axell could not see her in this state.

    ?n??§Ö????? ro?????????? ???? ??§Ñ??????v§Ö????.c????

    ¡°Do not tell him I am here.¡± Her voice was low but sharp enough to draw a line. The warning in her eyes needed no further exnation.

    The butler dipped his head. ¡°Understood, Mrs. Nelson. I will inform the staff that you were not seen tonight.¡±

    A slow breath escaped her, shaky but controlled. She nced around, searching for somewhere to disappear. ¡°Is there a vacant room? I am exhausted. Not on the second floor.¡±

    The butler gestured politely. ¡°Yes, Mrs. Nelson. The guest rooms on the third floor are prepared. Please follow me.¡±

    He led her up the thickly carpeted staircase. The quiet deepened on the third floor, as if sound itself had retreated from this part of the house. The butler stopped beside a carved wooden door and pushed it open.

    ¡°You may rest here. The medical team will arrive shortly.¡±

    The room was immacte ¡ª the kind of curated luxury designed tofort without revealing anything personal. Rosanna stepped forward to enter, but her eyes drifted almost involuntarily to a closed door further down the hall.

    A deep brown door. A charm hung from the handle, worn smooth at the edges as though touched many times.

    A strange pull caught at her. A familiarity without context.

    Rosanna paused mid-step. The feeling crept over her slowly at first, then settled with a quiet, unnerving certainty ¡ª she had stood here before. That room felt familiar in a way that scraped along her nerves. Even the faint trace of cedar drifting through the air steadied her in a way that made no sense, as though her body recognized something her mind refused to grasp.

    Why? The question pressed against the inside of her skull.

    A sharp, needling pain followed, stabbing deep until she raised a hand and gripped her head, trying to hold the sudden ache together.

    ¡°Whose room is that?¡± Her voice shook as she pointed at the deep brown door.

    The butler followed her gesture, puzzled by her sudden interest, but answered with polite precision. ¡°That is Mr. Austen Nelson¡¯s bedroom. He has been away for quite some time, so it remains unused.¡±

    Her fingers ckened. Her vision blurred for a breath.

    ¡°Austen?¡± She repeated the name slowly, as though tasting something foreign on her tongue.

    The butler assumed she had simply forgotten after the evening¡¯s ordeal. His tone softened. ¡°Yes, Mrs. Nelson. You have met him. He is the second son of the Nelson family ¡ª Mr. Austen Nelson.¡±

    Boom.

    The namended with brutal finality.

    Something inside her cracked. The mental wall she had unconsciously built ¡ª thick, cold, imprable ¡ª copsed in an instant. A violent surge of memory forced its way through the breach. Her legs gave out. She clutched at her scalp, nails digging into skin, blood trickling down, but she felt none of it.

    ¡°Ah!¡± The pressure behind her forehead intensified until a raw, guttural cry tore out of her ¡ª a sound ripped from somewhere deep and long buried. Tears streamed down her cheeks, mixing with the blood on her swollen face.

    Austen. The name echoed again ¡ª not as a stranger¡¯s, but as something she had once held close. Memories flooded in, bright and warm and devastating. She remembered everything.

    Austen was gone. Her beloved was gone.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1441

    ?Chapter 1441:

    The night was shattered by the violent drumming of rain against the ss, and beyond the windows, a dense, oppressive darkness swallowed the city whole. Thunder cracked overhead.

    On the second floor of the Nelson family vi, an eerie stillness clung to the bedroom.

    Axell jolted awake, struck by a sudden, piercing agony. It felt as if countless dull, rusted des were grinding inside his abdomen, twisting his intestines and wrenching them in opposite directions.

    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± He curled inward, cold sweat pouring down his temples and soaking through his silk pajamas. ¡°Water¡­¡± he murmured, the word barely audible beneath the storm. ¡°Someone¡­ anyone¡­¡±

    Panic began to seep into his voice. His trembling hand groped for the call bell. He pressed it. Its sharp ring echoed through the corridor.

    No answer came on the first call. Nor the second. The grand vi stood as hollow and silent as a tomb.

    The scorching pain in his stomach shot through his limbs. It was more than agony ¡ª a numbing, creeping sensation slithered through his veins like thousands of needles stabbing from the inside.

    Poison.

    The realization struck him like lightning. He tried to stand, only to discover in horror that his legs were utterly lifeless. With a heavy thud, he toppled off the bed and hit the handcrafted carpet. Gritting his teeth, he dragged himself forward on his elbows, nails scraping across the carpet with a teeth-grating sound.

    Fifteen feet. Ten. Five.

    Just as his fingertips brushed the edge of the doorknob, the door swung open from the outside with a slow creak. A thin de of cold light cut into the room, falling across Axell¡¯s pale, contorted face. Hope fluttered in his chest ¡ª he assumed it was the butler.

    ¡°Help¡­ help me¡­¡± he gasped.

    But the figure who entered was not the butler.

    A person in red stepped inside. Barefoot, wearing a torn dress smeared with mud and dried blood, she moved in silence ¡ª like an apparition drawn from the storm itself. She stopped before him and stared down at where hey helpless on the floor.

    Axell struggled to force his vision to focus. The figure leaned down and swept aside tangled strands of hair. When her face came into view, his pupils stretched wide.

    ?????? ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    What a face. Swollen. Bruised. A massive dark-purple welt across her forehead. Dried blood clinging to the corner of her lips. Under the dim light, she looked like something crawling out of the underworld.

    ¡°Ah! A ghost!¡± Axell shrieked, hisposure shattering. His body tried instinctively to recoil, but paralyzed, he could only twitch helplessly.

    ¡°A ghost?¡± The woman stared at him and let out a mockingugh ¡ª hoarse, cracked, and disturbingly familiar. She crouched slowly. Her bloodshot eyes, emptied of warmth, locked onto his. ¡°Darling, look closely. Don¡¯t you recognize me?¡±

    Darling. The word mmed into Axell like a thunderp.

    He trembled violently, staring at the ghastly face looming over him. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re¡­ Rosanna?¡± he whispered, horrified.

    It seemed impossible. The gentle, timid Rosanna ¡ª reduced to this?

    Rosanna gazed at his terrified expression without a trace of pity. A twisted smile curled her lips. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡±

    She lifted a hand ¡ª fingers cut and swollen from smashing through a mirror ¡ª and brushed Axell¡¯s cold, sweat-slick cheek. Her touch was icy, carrying the faint smell of blood.

    ¡°Does it hurt?¡± she asked softly, her tone almost tender, like a wife weing her husband home. ¡°Does it feel like your insides are tearing apart? Like your limbs won¡¯t obey you?¡±

    Axell stared, horrified. ¡°You¡­ how do you know? Hurry ¡ª call a doctor¡­¡±

    ¡°A doctor?¡± Rosanna shook her head slowly. Madness and quiet satisfaction glimmered in her eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t need a doctor. This isn¡¯t a sickness.¡±

    She leaned close to his ear, her voice dropping to a low, sinister whisper. ¡°I poisoned you myself, darling. A slow-acting toxin. It builds up day by day ¡ª and tonight, it finally reached its limit.¡±

    Axell felt his soul go numb.

    ¡°You ¡ª you vicious woman! Why would you do this to me?¡± he roared, summoning thest of his strength. ¡°Haven¡¯t I treated you well? You¡¯re my wife ¡ª anything you wanted, I gave you! Why betray me ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± Rosanna threw her head back and cackled ¡ª a shrill, broken sound filled with despair and venom. Herughter echoed through the empty room, chilling the air. Then it cut short. Her eyes narrowed to lethal slits.

    ¡°Axell Nelson, you wretch. You really have the nerve to ask me why?¡± She leaned in, her voice dropping to something low and venomous. ¡°You think I wanted to marry you? You think I wanted to be Mrs. Nelson? Every single day, looking at your face ¡ª I could barely hold back the urge to be sick.¡±

    Her teeth clenched, her mind dragged back to the night that had destroyed her life.

    ¡°That night, I drugged Maia Watson. I wanted her name dragged through the mud.¡± Her expression contorted with hatred and bitter regret. ¡°So why ¡ª why was I the one who ended up vited? Why wasn¡¯t it Maia?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1442

    ?Chapter 1442:

    Rosanna¡¯s voice ripped through the room in a wild, broken scream, every word dripping with fury at the fate that had destroyed her life. The memory of that night ¡ª the one that had shattered her future ¡ª was a torment that had never stopped haunting her. She had designed that scheme. Instead, she had been reduced to nothing but a shattered victim.

    ¡°I hated you from the moment I met you. If not for that night, why would I ever have ended up chained to trash like you? Do you honestly think I would have stooped this low if you weren¡¯t useful to me?¡±

    Axell shook violently, rage wing up his throat until he coughed out a mouthful of thick, dark blood. ¡°You¡­ you used me¡­¡±

    ¡°Of course I did,¡± Rosanna said coldly, a cruel gleam of triumph in her eyes. ¡°I took full advantage of you ¡ª for the status of Mrs. Nelson, for the wealth, for the name. You were nothing but a stepping stone. Did you actually believe I loved you?¡± Sheughed sharply. ¡°Absurd. Take a good look at yourself sometime.¡±

    A sh of memory ¡ª Austen ¡ª passed through her mind. For one brief moment, her expression softened. Then it dissolved into raw grief. ¡°It was Austen I loved. Austen Nelson. Your younger brother.¡± Her voice cracked. ¡°He and I were already together long ago.¡±

    Axell¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.

    ¡°But¡­¡± Rosanna suddenly buried her face in her hands, dissolving into wrenching sobs that cut through the silence. When she lowered her hands again, she fixed Axell with a vicious, de-sharp re. ¡°Austen is gone ¡ª gone forever. The memories are flooding back¡­¡±

    ¡°Austen is dead. Killed. So why are you, a worthless piece of trash, still breathing? You¡¯re the one who should have died.¡± She rose, nted her bare foot on Axell¡¯s hand, and crushed down with merciless force.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Axell shrieked, the pain nearly knocking him unconscious. The poison coursing through him left him entirely helpless.

    Rosanna let out a twisted, delightedugh. ¡°Don¡¯t die yet. You still have onest job to do.¡±

    She crossed to the mahogany desk, opened a drawer, and drew out a document she had prepared long ago. A will ¡ª every word carefully forged to match Axell¡¯s handwriting, perfected through countless hours of practice. The message was simple and devastating: owing to his medicalplications, Axell had voluntarily ceded all Nelson properties, stock holdings, and the leadership position to his beloved wife, Rosanna.

    She carried the will and a pen back to him and crouched at his side. ¡°Sign it, and I¡¯ll make your end quicker.¡±

    ??or§Ö ???????????? §à?? g????n??v??????.??§à??

    When Axell realized what it was, he thrashed weakly, eyes stretching wide with horror. ¡°No¡­ I won¡¯t¡­ You monster¡­ I¡¯ll kill you¡­¡±

    ¡°Kill me?¡± Rosanna scoffed. ¡°Perhaps in your next lifetime.¡±

    She grabbed his broken hand and forced a pen between his fingers. Axell used thest of his strength to pull away, but the poison had stripped him of any real resistance.

    ¡°No!¡± he cried ¡ª but Rosanna mmed his hand onto the paper and dragged out his signature. Dark ink carved a damning line across the page.

    Axell could only watch, the veins in his eyes bursting red. Blood-tinged tears slid down his face.

    Then, abruptly, something in him shifted. His gaze turned cold. Poisonous. He stopped fighting. Stopped speaking. Deep inside, with thest sparks of his fading mind, he sneered. Rosanna was such a fool. She thought she had won? She thought she was inheriting wealth? The Nelson family was already bankrupt ¡ª buried in illegal debts, drowning in holes the upper ss had forced them to cover. Without him, she would crumble. If she wanted the Nelson name, she could take it and rot with it. He would be dead soon, but Rosanna would be left facing devils far worse than him. He almost wanted to live long enough to watch her fall.

    With hisst, venomced curse, Axell¡¯s lips twitched into a weak imitation of a smile. A violent shudder tore through him. ¡°You¡¯ll burn in hell,¡± he rasped.

    Those were his final words. His head tilted to one side, and his eyes stayed open ¡ª empty, frozen.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1443

    Chapter 1443:

    The room fell silent. Only the thunder outside continued to growl through the night.

    Rosanna didn¡¯t know his final thoughts. She simply stared at his lifeless body, at the stiff, vacant eyes. She felt no fear. No remorse. Only the numb quiet that follows vengeance ¡ª and a warped, hollow sense of satisfaction.

    ¡°Hell?¡± she echoed softly, her mouth curving into a fractured, icy smile. She reached out and closed his eyes. ¡°Axell, you¡¯re wrong. This is hell. And I¡¯m the demon ruling it.¡±

    She slipped the blood-spattered will somewhere safe, stood, straightened her ragged red dress, andbed her hair with steady fingers. Then she left the bedroom as calmly as if nothing had happened, pulling the door shut behind her.

    The body. The blood. Her former shame. She left them all in the darkness.

    She returned to the guest room on the third floor,y down on the soft bed, and waited quietly for the medical team to arrive. She would recover. She would seize control of the Nelson empire. And then she would destroy Ss ¡ª the celebrated actor who had caused Austen¡¯s death ¡ª and Maia.

    At South Lake Park, rain sheeted from the sky without pause, soaking everything in sight.

    Hidden behind a cluster of shrubs, Kiley crouched low. Her designer trench coat clung to her, heavy and waterlogged. She drew sharp, controlled breaths, determined to stay silent. Nearby footsteps sshed through muddy puddles, closing in with an unsettling rhythm. Her father¡¯s covert operatives swept across the park with grim precision, inspecting every shadow as though dissecting a crime scene. shlight beams skimmed past her hiding ce with every sweep, each one threatening to expose her.

    ????in ????o????§Ñ?????? ???? f??n?? ???? ga??????v??ls.??????

    Kiley bit her lower lip until she tasted blood. Raegan had gonepletely silent, and her bodyguards had been wiped out, leaving her utterly isted. The USB drive clutched in her hand felt like her only leverage ¡ª the sole means to bring her father down. Being caught was not an option. Neither was betraying udius¡¯s trust.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1444

    ?Chapter 1444:

    Meanwhile, a ck bulletproof SUV tore through the storm. udiusy on a stretcher inside, his expression drawn tight. The heart monitor beside him kept a steady rhythm.

    Beep. Beep. Beep.

    Each sound echoed the rising tension in the vehicle. Then a surge of unease swept through udius without warning, and a troubling possibility took shape in his mind. Once his father learned his whereabouts, he would dispatch people to track him down. If Kiley had viewed the USB¡¯s contents and gone to the hospital to find him, she could easily cross paths with Kolton. Given his father¡¯s obsessive suspicion, he would question every reason for her presence, dissecting her answers until the truth ¡ª or panic ¡ª slipped through. He might even leap to the conclusion that Kiley had been the one who freed udius from the dungeon. If that happened, Kolton would drag her into an interrogation, and once he found the USB drive, her fate would be sealed.

    ¡°Sir?¡± Falcon leaned over udius, searching his distressed gaze. ¡°What is it?¡±

    udius blinked twice with effort and fought for each word, every syble scraping past his throat. ¡°Kiley¡­ tell her¡­ not to go to the hospital.¡±

    The message struck Falcon immediately. Understanding shed across his face, followed swiftly by guilt ¡ª he had missed what udius had grasped in an instant. ¡°I¡¯ll call her right away and warn her off,¡± he replied, already reaching for his phone.

    Back at South Lake Park, the storm churned on. Hidden deep within the shrubs, Kiley held her breath and strained to catch the hushed exchange between two operatives just yards away.

    ¡°Did we cover this section yet?¡±

    ¡°The growth is too thick. Can¡¯t see a thing.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s check over there.¡±

    ???????? ??????el?? ???? ??a??n§à????????.??§à??

    Their boots trudged closer. Fifteen feet. Ten. Each step shrank the distance between hunter and prey. Kiley¡¯s fingers tightened around the handgun in her grip, every muscle coiled for ast-ditch struggle.

    Then a shrill ringtone erupted through the night, slicing the tension wide open.

    Ring. Ring. Ring.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1445

    Chapter 1445:

    Her phone. She had forgotten to silence it. The piercing tone ricocheted through the storm like a beacon announcing her exact location ¡ª a death knell ringing out in the dark.

    Her thoughts scattered in pure terror. There was no escape. She was finished.

    ¡°Someone¡¯s in the bushes.¡±

    ¡°The sound came from over there.¡±

    ¡°Quick ¡ª surround her!¡±

    In an instant, more than a dozen shlight beams snapped together, converging like des. A stampede of footsteps surged across the wet ground, closing in from every direction.

    Panic wed through Kiley¡¯s chest. She fumbled desperately for the phone, but her trembling fingers refused to obey. It slipped from her grasp, ttered against something hard, and disappeared into the mud. Its ringtone wailed on ¡ª relentless and usatory.

    Dark figures pressed closer, their formation tightening into a suffocating ring. Her escape routes vanished one by one, sealing her inside a cage of shadows and rain.

    Kiley¡¯s gaze snapped toward the pitch-ckke directly ahead ¡ª the single opening left untouched. Thest thread of hope she could grasp.

    She shrugged off the sodden trench coat, snatched up a jagged stone, and bundled it tightly inside the dripping fabric. Summoning every shred of strength she had, she hurled the weighted bundle straight toward the water.

    Thud. A violent ssh erupted on impact, droplets bursting into the air like shattered ss.

    Shouts cut through the rain. ¡°She jumped in theke!¡± ¡°She¡¯s in the water ¡ª go after her!¡±

    Instinct drove the operatives toward the sound, certain she had plunged beneath the surface to escape. Every shlight locked onto the rippling waves, scanning for her silhouette. The area around the shrubs fell into a blind spot.

    §åou?? ?e???? ??????§à???????? r?????? ???? ??n ??a??n§à????ls.??????

    Kiley had not touched the water.

    The instant sheunched the decoy, she spun away and hurled herself toward a massive tree nearby. Now she crouched deep within its thick canopy, limbs coiled tight against the rough bark, fingers refusing to release the USB drive.

    Below, operatives surged toward theke¡¯s edge with weapons raised. Several plunged straight in, sshing frantically before dragging the sodden trench coat back to shore.

    ¡°There¡¯s no one here.¡±

    ¡°The coat¡¯s here ¡ª she must be holding her breath. She won¡¯t get far.¡±

    ¡°Make sure no one leaves with the intel. Everyone ¡ª shoot!¡±

    Themand ignited chaos. Operatives opened fire without restraint, bullets tearing through the rain-soaked air and puncturing theke¡¯s surface in violent bursts. Kiley¡¯s life meant nothing to them now, even if she carried Kolton¡¯s blood. The mission had narrowed to a single objective: destroy the USB drive and anyone protecting it.

    High in the tree¡¯s embrace, Kiley peered through the leaves at the shadows darting below, every breath snagging in her throat. Her palm mped over her lips, terrified that even the faintest gasp might give her away. Cold droplets slid from the trembling foliage and struck her skin like icy needles.

    All she had to do was endure until dawn, or convince them she had drowned ¡ª only then would she have any chance of surviving.

    But the fragile hope shattered when a stray shlight beam swept upward andnded directly on the treetop where she crouched in trembling silence. The leaves quivered under the harsh re, mirroring the frantic rhythm pounding inside her chest.

    In that suspended heartbeat, she could have sworn she felt death itself leaning close ¡ª exhaling against the back of her neck.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1446

    ?Chapter 1446:

    Beneath the shrouded night sky, Harmony za¡¯s banquet centery in ruins.

    The grand domed building that had once dazzled the city now stood as nothing more than a scorched framework ¡ª a proud monument reduced to the skeletal remains of a fallen beast, lying silent amid the devastation. Embers still glimmered weakly at the edges. Plumes of dense smoke curled upward, staining the night a gloomy gray. The air reeked of burned timber and the sickening tang of charred flesh.

    ¡°Lift it!¡± A gravellymand split the air like thunder.

    Dominic stood near the wreckage, d in his battered military uniform. Once a symbol of honor and authority, it was now smeared with soot and ash. His face was ckened, but his eyes burned with fierce resolve. His blistered hands, caked with grime, gripped a b of broken concrete with the strength of a man who refused to yield. A survivor was trapped beneath it.

    ¡°Up ¡ª now!¡± he barked, jaw clenched, the veins in his neck straining with effort. ¡°Move! Get yourself out!¡±

    With a bone-jarring crack, he forced a gap wide enough for rescue. Several soldiers surged forward immediately, dragging out a young woman with a crushed leg.

    ¡°Stretcher! Quickly!¡±

    Before they could carry her away, another faint voice drifted from inside the rubble. ¡°Someone else is alive!¡±

    Gasps erupted, followed by cheers. Firefighters squeezed into the gap and pulled out a second young woman. Only once both survivors were clear did Dominic release the concrete. It crashed back into ce with a heavy thud, kicking up a cloud of dust.

    Dominic swayed, his legs trembling. His breath came in ragged bursts, like bellows wheezing on theirst gasp. But watching the two survivors being rushed toward the ambnces made every shred of pain worth it.

    He had fought on countless battlefields and watched too manyrades fall. He knew intimately the weight that followed loss. And for years, he had carried guilt ¡ª believing his stubborn pride had driven his daughter away and left her to die alone. When her medical records eventually surfaced, revealing that she had left children behind, Dominic made a vow: he would find his grandchildren.

    ?????§ã§à?????? h??d??e? ???????? o?? ????????o??????s.??????

    He had searched the entire country without sess ¡ª until recently, when a private investigator brought him a name.

    Maia Watson. A name that felt like fate. One look at her photograph, and his breath had nearly stopped. She had his daughter¡¯s eyes.

    He had wanted to seek her out immediately. But disaster had struck first, and he could never ignore a call for help.

    The world tilted around him without warning. His vision swam. His knees buckled.

    ¡°General!¡± a guard shouted, dropping his tools and rushing over.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need help,¡± Dominic snapped, shoving the man away despite the tremor running through his limbs. His movements were slow, but his posture remained painfully upright ¡ª unyielding as forged steel. ¡°Go save them. Don¡¯t stand around.¡± He leveled the nearby soldiers with a bloodshot re. ¡°That¡¯s an order.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±

    The moment they were gone, Dominic lowered himself heavily onto the debris-strewn ground.

    ¡°Damn it,¡± he muttered, patting his aching knees with dry humor. ¡°Time really waits for no one. Once upon a time, I could march over a hundred miles without feeling winded.¡± He exhaled deeply. ¡°I¡¯m here to meet my granddaughter. I can¡¯t fall apart now. I¡¯ve never backed down in my life, and I won¡¯t start today. What would she think if she saw her grandfather copsing like an old fool?¡±

    He forced himself upright and rejoined the rescue line.

    The destruction around him mirrored scenes he thought he had left behind on the battlefield. His steps were slow, his body weary ¡ª but his figure remained unwavering, a pir standing firm amid the chaos. His guards watched him with eyes that stung with emotion. Everyone knew the general was pushing himself past every limit.

    The emergency rescue,bined with a totalmunications breakdown, had given Dominic no opportunity to summon the main forces. Only a few dozen personal guards had managed to follow him into the chaos. The official engineering and rescue units were still racing to the site. Until they arrived, this once-formidable general stood alone as the backbone of the shatteredndscape ¡ª proving to everyone around him, and to himself, that the spirit of the Watson men had not died out.

    In the doctors¡¯ lounge, at three in the morning, Maia shot upright with a sharp cry, her clothes clinging to her skin, drenched in cold sweat.

    ¡°No!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1447

    ?Chapter 1447:

    Maia sucked in harsh breaths, her pupils tightening as the terror from her nightmare clung to her like a shadow.

    The nightmares had returned. In her dream, there was nothing but an oppressive, blood-red haze. Chris stood at the edge of a cliff, his back to her. No matter how loudly she screamed or how frantically she ran, he never turned around. And in the end, he stepped forward ¡ª disappearing into a bottomless abyss.

    The suffocating panic followed her into wakefulness. Her heart hammered wildly, her chest taut and aching. She pressed a hand to her sternum, feeling the dread swell with no sign of easing. Sleep was impossible now.

    She slipped on her shoes, took the key Carsen had given her, and headed out.

    The corridor was deserted, lit only by the stark white glow that cast her shadow long and thin. The air carried the cold, sterile smell of disinfectant ¡ª a scent suspended somewhere between death and rebirth. Maia¡¯s walk quickened to a half-run, and then to a full sprint toward the intensive care unit.

    But when she reached the ICU doors, she stopped dead.

    Through the thick ss, the once-steady monitor lines lurched in chaotic spikes. Red alert lights red relentlessly. Carsen and two nurses crowded around the bed, hands moving swiftly. Another nurse rushed in with an emergency cart.

    Something had happened to Chris.

    Maia¡¯s stomach dropped. She threw on sterile gear and pushed through the ICU doors without hesitation.

    ¡°Dr. Walsh!¡± Her voice shook, teetering on the edge of tears.

    Carsen was checking Chris¡¯s pupils. He turned at the sound of her voice. Seeing her panic-stricken face, he pulled down his mask. Even he ¡ª normallyposed ¡ª looked rattled.

    ¡°What happened? Did he get worse?¡± Maia demanded, gripping Carsen¡¯s arm so hard her nails nearly pierced his sleeve.

    Tho????a????s ???? re????e???? ???? ?????????v§Ö????.c§à??

    Carsen nced at Chris ¡ª unconscious once more ¡ª his expression conflicted. He exhaled slowly. ¡°No, it¡¯s not deterioration. His vitals are stable. But¡­¡±

    He trailed off, troubled by the hope burning in Maia¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°But what?¡± she pressed.

    ¡°He woke up,¡± Carsen said, his voice growing solemn. ¡°A few minutes ago he came to suddenly, and his heart rate spiked to 180. But now¡­ something is off.¡± He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. ¡°When he woke, his eyes were hollow. No focus, no recognition ¡ª nothing. He only asked, ¡®Where am I?¡¯ before slipping under again.¡± He paused. ¡°His brain scans also show that even during deepa, his neural activity is extremely high ¡ª as if he¡¯s trapped in an unending nightmare.¡±

    Carsen took Maia¡¯s icy hands in both of his, his tone weighted with care. ¡°Maia, as your doctor and mentor, I have to warn you. Abnormal cycles of waking and copsing like this usually indicate impaired brain function. You need to be prepared. When he wakes again¡­ he may not be the Chris you remember.¡±

    ¡°I understand, Dr. Walsh,¡± Maia whispered, meeting his eyes with quiet conviction. ¡°But I believe he¡¯ll remember me.¡±

    Memories of her life with Chris after walking out of prison drifted through her mind. The day they registered their marriage ¡ª Chris grinning ear to ear. Cooking side by side. Eating together. Washing dishes. Cleaning their home. Scene after scene rose up, tightening her chest until she could barely breathe.

    Maia steadied herself with a long inhale. ¡°Everyone, thank you for your hard work. I¡¯m all right now. Please let me stay with him.¡±

    Carsen studied her for a moment, then turned to the others. ¡°If you¡¯re exhausted, go rest. Anyone who still has the energy ¡ªe with me to support the ER.¡±

    ¡°I can go.¡± ¡°Me too.¡± Voices echoed their agreement around the room.

    Carsen gave Maia¡¯s shoulder a gentle pat. ¡°We¡¯ll leave him in your care, Dr. Watson.¡± The others each offered the same small gesture as they filed past ¡ª trust expressed in the quiet weight of a hand on her shoulder.

    Once they were gone, Maia sank into the chair beside the bed and watched the monitors pulse with faint, steady light. She reached out and wrapped her fingers around Chris¡¯s left hand, holding it firmly.

    ¡°I¡¯m here, Chris. Don¡¯t be afraid.¡± Her voice faltered aloud, but inwardly she finished the promise. Even if you really do forget me, I¡¯ll make sure you fall for me again.

    Morning broke.

    Pale sunlight filtered through the blinds,ying thin stripes across the sterile white floor. Dust motes driftedzily in the still air. Maia had fallen asleep at the bedside, her brows drawn tight, dried tear tracks at the corners of her eyes. Even in sleep, her hand clung to Chris¡¯s ¡ª unwavering.

    On the bed, Chris slowly opened his eyes.

    It felt as though he had been dreaming for years. Everything seemed distant and unreal. But this time, there was no dizziness, no ringing, no suffocating weight pressing down on his skull. His surroundings settled into a stark, quiet rity.

    His gaze drifted from the ceiling to the beeping machines and the tangled IV tubes. Then itnded on the young woman sleeping beside him.

    He watched her in silence, his eyes deep and still ¡ª like an untouched autumnke.

    But the warmth that had once melted snow and ice was gone.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1448

    ?Chapter 1448:

    Chris¡¯s gaze swept over Maia ¡ª sharp and precise, like a scientist observing a critical new development. When he noticed her hand resting against his, he instinctively pulled back.

    Perhaps it was the weight of his gaze, or the absence of his warmth leaving her hand, but Maia¡¯s eyshes fluttered and slowly lifted. She looked up, and her vision collided with his ¡ª dark, unreadable, yet utterly maic. Their eyes locked, and the air between them seemed to freeze.

    ¡°Chris¡­¡± Her voice was rough from sleep, but beneath the hoarseness shone an overwhelming joy ¡ª pure, desperate, ecstatic at seeing him alive, at reiming what she had thought was lost. ¡°You¡¯re awake¡­ you¡¯re really awake!¡±

    Her excitement spilled over, leaving her words tangled and breathless. Instinctively, she reached for his face, as if touch alone could prove he was truly there.

    But Chris¡¯s reaction stopped her cold.

    He remained perfectly still, his expression unreadable. No flicker of relief, no warmth at their reunion, no softness born from everything they had endured together ¡ª only a cold, almost clinical politeness that sent a chill straight through her.

    ¡°Thank you for taking care of me,¡± he said. His voice was weak yet distant, as though a ss wall stood between them. ¡°Miss Watson.¡±

    Maia¡¯s heart plummeted.

    His words were colder than the harshest winter wind, yanking her from the heights of hope and dropping her into an icy, bottomless void. Chris had never called her that. Not once. He had always said ¡°honey.¡± The echo of it rang sharply in her memory ¡ª his voice, soft and familiar. And she had never once said it back.

    Her smile froze. Pain gripped her chest like an invisible fist, making it hard to breathe.

    ¡°Miss Watson? Are you unwell? Should I call a doctor?¡± Chris asked, his tone calm, his expression puzzled.

    ¡°Miss Watson?¡± Maia repeated, her voice trembling, her eyes reddening instantly. ¡°You¡­ you really don¡¯t remember me?¡±

    Q???????????? ????????????????o??? §àn g????????????l??.??????

    Chris¡¯s frown was slight but deliberate, as though he were digging through locked memory. Seconds passed. Then he nodded ¡ª terrifyinglyposed.

    ¡°I remember you. We registered our marriage. You are my legal wife.¡± His voice was crisp, every word delivered with the detached rity of someone reading from a document rather than speaking from the heart. ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten what you said the day we registered either. You told me, ¡®I¡¯ll keep my end of the bargain, Mr. Cooper. Once Zoey¡¯s request is fulfilled, I won¡¯t stick around. I¡¯ll file for divorce right after.''¡±

    He paused, his gaze dropping briefly to Maia¡¯s tear-filled eyes, a flicker of confusion ¡ª and stark rationality ¡ª passing across his face. ¡°But even knowing all of this¡­ it feels strange. I know who you are, I know what happened between us, yet it all feels like a dream I can¡¯t quite wake from.¡± He touched his temple lightly. ¡°In my memory, the images of you are washed out. The emotions, the colors ¡ª gone.¡±

    His tone remained t, indifferent. ¡°And I cannot remember why I agreed to marry you in the first ce. Even if Aunt Zoey rmended you, it doesn¡¯t make sense to me that I agreed.¡± He met her eyes, his gaze earnest yet unsettlingly calm. ¡°Do you know why? I don¡¯t. I truly don¡¯t. But I won¡¯t deceive you ¡ª there is someone I care for. Someone I have been searching for.¡±

    Maia went still. Her world seemed to fracture around her.

    She would have preferred he had lost his memory entirely. At least then, she could have started over. But now he remembered everything ¡ª and yet denied the very foundation of their story. He had turned her from the woman he loved into nothing more than a name.

    ¡°How could this happen¡­¡± she murmured, tears finally spilling over.

    ¡°You have someone you care for?¡± she whispered, her voice barely holding. ¡°Then why¡­ why did you marry me?¡±

    Chris tilted his head, his expression calm yet distant. ¡°I wish I knew. I¡¯m sorry. But I cannot lie to you. Once I leave the hospital, I¡¯ll exin everything to Aunt Zoey and do whatever it takes to make things right.¡± His voice was sincere, even gentle. ¡°In my memory, you are one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. But I cannot deceive you. I want to find the girl from my past.¡±

    Chris had not lost his memory entirely. But the nightmare had fractured something ¡ª he now separated the Maia standing before him from the young girl who had once lifted the lid of that trash can, treating them as two different people. He could not remember that face, nor the words spoken in that dark alley. Only a faint, uncertain name lingered at the edges of his mind. The girl¡¯s surname had been Morgan ¡ª or something close to it. Certainly not Watson.

    Then the ICU doors swung open, breaking the fragile silence.

    Carsen entered with his team for morning rounds. Relief crossed his face at the sight of Chris awake ¡ª but the scene before him brought him to an uneasy halt. He nced at Maia, tear-streaked and pale, then at Chris, distant and impassive. A chill ran down his spine.

    Something was terribly wrong.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1449

    ?Chapter 1449:

    Carsen initially assumed Chris was struggling with postoperative confusion. With professional calm, he stepped closer to the bedside and began the routine examination. ¡°How are you feeling? Is there any difort?¡±

    Chris lifted his gaze toward the unfamiliar doctor. For a moment he seemed to search his memory, then raised a hand and touched the thick bandages wrapped around his head. ¡°Here ¡ª there is a dull ache,¡± he answered, his tone steady and unhurried. ¡°Other than that, I feel fine.¡±

    ¡°The dull ache is expected. The wound will take time to heal,¡± Carsen exined. As he jotted down the information, he leaned in to observe the subtle contraction of Chris¡¯s pupils, and his brow slowly drew together.

    Chris was far too calm.

    Most patients who had undergone a craniotomy showed some form of unease ¡ª restlessness, difort, a quiet fear over the fragility of their own bodies. Yet Chrisy there like a man awakening from an exceptionally deep sleep, still bridging the distance between the world inside his mind and the one outside his eyelids.

    Carsen cleared his throat softly. ¡°How about your thinking and memory? Do you notice anything different from before?¡±

    Chris met his eyes withposed, cool rationality. ¡°My thinking feels quite sharp,¡± he replied. ¡°I can even recall moments from my childhood with perfect rity ¡ª every detail.¡± A flicker passed through his gaze, something distant and almost haunting. ¡°If there is anything unusual,¡± he added quietly, ¡°it is only that I had a disturbing dream.¡±

    ¡°A dream?¡± Maia, who had been standing still like a forgotten shadow, lifted her head immediately. Carsen¡¯s voice followed at once, precise and measured. ¡°A dream? Would you tell us about it? It could help us understand your current mental state.¡±

    Chris hesitated. His gaze drifted from Maia to Carsen, and a faint guardedness stirred beneath the calm surface of his expression. ¡°I am sorry. I cannot describe it,¡± he said, his voice firm but not unkind. ¡°The dream involves personal matters.¡±

    Carsen paused, then nodded. He had worked with enough patients to know that certain doors were better opened from a different angle. Rather than pressing further, he lowered his voice and shifted course. ¡°Perhaps you could share only what felt unsettling about it ¡ª nothing specific. Just what left you disturbed.¡±

    ??????? t??e ?????????????????? at g§Ñlno????ls.§ã????

    Beside him, Maia¡¯s fingers curled tightly at her sides. Her background in psychology was limited, but she understood enough to know that dreams often carried the unfiltered truths the conscious mind refused to acknowledge. Perhaps the answer to Chris¡¯s sudden distance was buried there.

    Chris drew a slow breath. ¡°That, I can exin. I dreamed of a faceless person,¡± he said. ¡°You could interpret it as a figure without facial features ¡ª or someone wearing a featureless mask.¡±

    Carsen fell silent immediately, his mind moving through possibilities. Beside him, Maia¡¯s heart lurched.

    A mask. Her thoughts snapped at once to the banquet hall ¡ª to the gunmen who had stormed through with nk, expressionless masks gleaming beneath the chandeliers.

    ¡°Is this post-traumatic stress disorder?¡± Maia whispered, unable to steady the tremor in her voice. The pieces were falling into ce in a way she feared. Soldiers, disaster survivors, victims of violence ¡ª they often carried fragments of trauma into sleep: repeated nightmares, symbolic fears, shadowed figures. For Chris, that symbol appeared to be the mask.

    Carsen closed the medical file, unwilling to assign abel just yet. ¡°It is too early to draw any conclusions,¡± he murmured. Then, in a more formal tone, he addressed Chris directly. ¡°For now, your brain requires extensive rest. You should stay in the hospital for at least two weeks so we can monitor your neural activity and other indicators. If everything looks stable afterward, you may recuperate at home with scheduled check-ups.¡± He went through the list of postoperative precautions carefully and patiently before signaling for Maia to step outside.

    They moved into the corridor, where the sharp scent of antiseptic and freshly sterilized floors pressed coldly against the air. Carsen pulled down his mask, and his expression shifted into something more personal.

    ¡°Can you tell me what happened between the two of you?¡± he asked gently.

    Maia lowered her eyes, her voice nearly swallowed by the quiet hallway. ¡°He has changed so much from the person I knew.¡± Her breath trembled. ¡°It feels as though¡­ he has forgotten everything that was between us.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1450

    ?Chapter 1450:

    Maia could not reveal the truth about their contract marriage, nor could she bring herself to recount the subtle, chilling estrangement that had shed across Chris¡¯s face moments earlier ¡ª the way he had looked at her as though she were a stranger passing by on the street. She could only distill it into a single cruel exnation: Chris had forgotten the feelings that had once existed between them.

    Carsen nodded, absorbing her words with a calm that suggested he had already anticipated this possibility. ¡°I understand. But don¡¯t let it weigh on you too heavily. This may be temporary.¡± He folded his arms and considered carefully. ¡°From what I observed, Chris¡¯s logical thinking appeared intact ¡ª sharper than most, if anything. What he is experiencing may simply be a temporary block, a defense mechanism triggered by intense emotional memory.¡±

    He paused and scratched his head in an almost boyish gesture of helplessness. Surgical brilliance, it turned out, did not trante easily into emotional wisdom. He attemptedfort anyway ¡ª awkward but sincere. ¡°People say affection grows with time. Allow the process to unfold naturally. If he stabilizes, he may be able to leave the hospital early. Being back in familiar surroundings might help restore whatever has been pushed aside.¡±

    Maia inhaled slowly, letting the air steady her. ¡°Thank you, Dr. Walsh,¡± she murmured, a quiet resolve settling back into her shoulders. ¡°I feel much better now.¡±

    In truth, she had prepared herself for this possibility long before it arrived. The panic earlier had been nothing but a brief crack in her armor. A woman who loved deeply always learned to guard her heart with steel while leaving her affection open only to the man she loved. Her defenses had slipped for a moment because her care for Chris ran far deeper than she ever admitted to herself.

    She reminded herself that he was still a patient. The old injury had been removed, but his body and mind were still recovering from the ordeal of brain surgery. A patient¡¯s words were not always aligned with his true intentions ¡ª especially under the haze of trauma, detachment, or the fog that followed psychological shock. If he could not remember loving her, she would simply lead him back to that feeling again, one steady step at a time.

    Carsen exhaled in quiet relief, seeing rity return to her eyes. ¡°Good. For now, observation is the central part of his treatment. I¡¯ll also bring in neurology specialists to evaluate his recovery.¡±

    ?????????????ds o?? ????a??e???? ??n g??????????e??s.??§à??

    His sentence had barely finished when hurried footsteps burst through the corridor behind them.

    ¡°Dr. Walsh! Dr. Walsh!¡± A nurse appeared, breathless. ¡°Please, quickly ¡ª this elderly gentleman needs help!¡±

    Carsen spun around just as a group of people rushed forward carrying a stretcher. An elderly many upon it, his gray hair matted with sweat, his old military uniform darkened with smoke and grit. His eyes were shut, and his face was flushed with an unnatural, rming red. Several soldiers trailed behind in camouge gear, their expressions tense and dust-streaked.

    Carsen moved immediately. He knelt beside the stretcher, retrieved a small shlight from his coat, and lifted the man¡¯s eyelids. The pupils contracted ¡ª faint but immediate. A small relief. It suggested he had only fainted, with brain function appearing unaffected for now.

    ¡°Give me a full rundown,¡± Carsen said, his voice sharp and steady.

    The nurse stepped forward. ¡°Extremely high blood pressure, irregr heartbeat, severe dehydration, and exhaustion.¡±

    ¡°Take him to the emergency room. Prepare anti-hypertensive medication and have a defibritor on standby,¡± Carsen ordered briskly, already moving alongside the stretcher as they rushed toward the ER.

    Maia remained where she stood for half a breath, her gaze flickering between Chris¡¯s room and the unfolding chaos. The emergency room was flooded with patients, and the medical staff scrambled with exhausted urgency ¡ª severely outnumbered and visibly strained.

    Her hesitation dissolved. She reached for her white coat, slipped into it with a familiar, purposeful motion, and strode into the emergency room without wasting another second.

    Momentster, Cade burst out of the stairwell, panting and drenched in sweat. The moment he had heard that Dominic copsed while saving the wounded, a terror so sharp it nearly stole his breath had seized him entirely.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1451

    ?Chapter 1451:

    Cade rushed toward the entrance of the emergency room, only to be halted by a nurse who stepped firmly into his path. He barely heard her exnation. The moment he learned that Dominic was still inside, undergoing emergency treatment, a heavy knot of dread pulled tight in his chest.

    His mind refused to settle. Dominic¡¯s condition was uncertain, but what tormented him even more was Maia. Despite relentless search efforts across the ruined banquet center, she had not been found. The rescue teams had already listed her as officially missing.

    Damn it. How had everything fallen apart so quickly?

    Cade paced the corridor like a trapped creature fighting for air, his footsteps echoing against the sterile tiles in an uneven, restless rhythm that betrayed the turmoil churning inside him. Around him, the soldiers from the guards regiment stood in gloomy silence, shoulders tense, faces drained by exhaustion and dread.

    Then a sharp rhythm of hard, arrogant footsteps cut through the corridor like knives striking quiet stone.

    Cade looked up. Several men strode down the hallway with the swagger of people who feared nothing and respected even less. Their expressions were vicious, their eyes scanning the environment with predatory indifference. One after another, they yanked open doors, peered into rooms, and surveyed patients with brazen familiarity ¡ª as though the hospital were their personal hunting ground.

    These men belonged to Kolton.

    He had failed to seize udius at the Cooper Estate or at the Cooper Group¡¯s private hospital, but he knew the extent of his son¡¯s injuries. Someone that badly wounded would need immediate medical care, and Kolton wanted him found fast. He had therefore sent dozens of his men into the city with orders to turn every hospital inside out.

    These men were not refined operatives, but they were far frommon street thugs. They carried the boldness of those who survived on muscle and intimidation ¡ª and there were many of them.

    A nurse finally stepped into their path, her voice shaking but determined. ¡°Who are you? What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±

    ?????????????? ?????? ??????¡¯?? ?????? ???????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    ¡°Move.¡± The tall man leading the group barely nced at her. His hand shot out and shoved her aside. She hit the floor with a sharp cry, her tray flying from her grasp and ttering apart across the tiles.

    The noise drew attention instantly. Cade and several nearby soldiers turned, brows drawing together in sharp, rising anger. At a time when the entire city was straining everyst ounce of its strength to save lives ¡ª when doctors had not slept in hours and soldiers had been pushed to their limits ¡ª who dared bring this kind of chaos into a hospital?

    Before Cade could fully process the situation, Kolton¡¯s men escted. Doors flew open under their force. Patients were yanked upright. Bedsheets were torn back as they inspected faces and bodies with rough invasiveness. Cries of pain, outrage, and fear filled the hallway, but no one dared resist. The unmistakable shapes bulging beneath their jackets made the threat in. Weapons. Malice. And most of the people around them were injured, weakened, in no condition to fight back.

    Cade had seen enough. His fists tightened until his knuckles went white, and he stepped forward, ready to confront them.

    But just as he moved, the group reached Chris¡¯s room.

    A thunderous crash followed ¡ª the door of the intensive care unit flew inward and mmed against the wall. Inside, Chrisy in the bed, eyes closed, his body still in exhausted rest. The moment the racket erupted around him, he opened his eyes. Calm. Focused. Unafraid.

    The tall leader strode to the bedside and loomed over him, pulling out his phone topare Chris¡¯s face against the image on the screen. udius. The patient¡¯s head was wrapped in thick white bandages, leaving only his eyes and mouth visible. The brows and eyes bore a faint resemnce to the photograph, but the simrity ended there. Besides, udius reportedly could not move. This patient clearly could.

    After a few seconds of scrutiny, the tall man shook his head with visible irritation. ¡°This isn¡¯t him.¡± He gestured toward the hallway. ¡°Check the emergency room next. He might be in there.¡±

    He turned to leave. But as he did, Chris caught a clearer look at the man¡¯s face ¡ª and recognition struck like a spark. Alex Bates. Pumpkin Street¡¯s notorious enforcer. A man who ruled the seedier corners of Wront with a pack of thugs at his back. Kolton¡¯s loyal dog. The kind of muscle sent out when dirtier orders needed willing hands.

    If Alex was here ¡ª tearing through a hospital with this kind of reckless urgency ¡ª this was no small matter. He was hunting someone.

    And then a far more chilling thought struck Chris. Could they be looking for Maia? His wife?

    A cold dread surged through him. Maia was in danger.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1452

    ?Chapter 1452:

    A sudden tension gripped Chris.

    His heart skipped a beat, leaving a strange, unfamiliar unease in its wake. Logically, his rtionship with Maia was nothing but a performance ¡ª a staged marriage, a contractual arrangement. Yet instinctively, he found himself worrying about her safety more than his own.

    Whatever the reason, he knew he had to act. He couldn¡¯t let these men harm Maia, or stumble onto anything suspicious.

    Grinding through the pounding ache in his head, he struggled to sit upright.

    ¡°Alex,¡± he called out, his voice weak but carrying the unmistakable weight of someone ustomed tomand. ¡°Who are you looking for?¡±

    He needed to draw their attention ¡ª and buy Maia time.

    At the sound of his name, Alex froze. The men surrounding him paused too, their sneers sharpening into something more wary.

    ¡°Who the hell are you? How dare you call him Alex!¡± one growled.

    ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Bates to you, understood?¡± another snapped.

    ¡°Who gave you the nerve to use his first name?¡±

    Several men stepped forward, rolling up their sleeves, ready to teach the insolent patient a lesson. Alex shoved them aside and squinted at the figure in the bed.

    ¡°Who¡­ are you?¡± His tone was sharp, his eyes cold and calcting. In Wront, few had ever dared address him by his first name ¡ª and even fewer had walked away without consequences.

    Chris held his gaze without flinching. ¡°You don¡¯t remember me?¡± His words cut through the room like steel. ¡°We met at the Cooper Estate. I¡¯m a member of the Cooper family.¡±

    The gang members, brimming with arrogance a moment before, exchanged uneasy nces. A member of the Cooper family? That was the family of their top boss ¡ª the ones who stood above all of them.

    J?????? t???????a?????? ???? f?????? ??? ??al????????ls.??§à??

    Alex¡¯s expression shifted at once. He couldn¡¯t ce the man¡¯s face, but his entire bearing adjusted instinctively. He had always been careful, fully aware of the Cooper family¡¯s tangled web of influence. Even a distant rtive was someone he couldn¡¯t risk offending. What if this bandaged man was someone important, lying here injured and recovering?

    ¡°I see¡­ so you¡¯re one of our own,¡± Alex said quickly, forcing a wide, sycophantic grin andughing a little too loudly. Inside, he was scrambling to recalibrate. No wonder the man had reminded him of udius ¡ª he was Cooper blood too.

    ¡°Of course¡­ how could I forget?¡± Alex added, stering the smile back on. ¡°So it¡¯s you, Mr. Cooper. No wonder you looked familiar.¡±

    To mask his unease, he nced at his watch. ¡°Mr. Cooper, I have urgent matters to attend to. Let¡¯s talkter, shall we?¡± He turned to leave, his men falling in behind him ¡ª when one sharp-eyed subordinate caught sight of the patient information card hanging at the bedside.

    ¡°Alex,¡± the man whispered, leaning close. ¡°Look at that name. It says Chris Cooper.¡±

    ¡°Chris Cooper?¡± Alex went still. His forced smile faltered, suddenly ridiculous on his face.

    Damn it. The fearsome figure he had just groveled before was nothing more than the most disregarded illegitimate child of the Cooper family. That pitiful wretch. Worthless ¡ª lower than a stray dog. How dare he im to be a Cooper? The thought wasughable, and humiliating.

    ¡°So it¡¯s you, is it, bastard!¡± Alex whipped around to face Chris, his sycophantic grin snapping into a mask of fury. ¡°I actually thought you were someone important ¡ª you nearly gave me a heart attack!¡±

    Then a sharper thought struck him. When Kolton had issued the search order, he had been clear: if Chris was found, he was to be brought back to the Cooper Estate alongside udius.

    Greed and opportunity lit up Alex¡¯s eyes. This was a golden chance, delivered right to him.

    He let out a cold, humorlessugh and raised his hand. ¡°What a fortunate turn of events. Take him.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1453

    ?Chapter 1453:

    Cade¡¯s eyes snapped to the scene ahead, and fury surged through him so fast it stole the air from his lungs. The instinct of a soldier ¡ª carved deep into bone and blood ¡ª red awake like a beast unchained. His jaw tightened. Knuckles cracked as his fists coiled, ready to make the reckless thug regret ever drawing breath near this hospital.

    But before Cade couldunch forward, a blur of dark-green uniforms sliced through the corridor like a sudden gale. Dominic¡¯s security unit. They moved as one ¡ª silent, sharp, and immovable ¡ª forming a living barricade between the thugs and the patient. Their presence seemed to drop the temperature in the hallway by ten degrees.

    Alex, who had swaggered forward just moments before, paused mid-step. He lifted his gazezily, sweeping over the soldiers with an arrogance so thick it almost had physical weight. Not a flicker of restraint. Not even a crease between his brows.

    He was, after all, a Cooper familyckey ¡ª and in Wront, that meant untouchable. Backed by power, Alex had long grown ustomed to walking through life with his chin up and consequences nowhere in sight.

    ¡°Ah. Soldiers, huh?¡± he drawled, lips curling into a smirk. He twirled a knife between his fingers ¡ª casual, almost yful ¡ª its de catching the fluorescent light and throwing a cold gleam across his face. ¡°Which military district do you belong to? Do you idiots even know who I¡¯m working for?¡± His voice boomed down the corridor, arrogance dripping from every word. He shifted his weight, tapped a foot against the tile, and jerked his chin at his men. ¡°Keep moving. Ignore them. Let¡¯s see if these dogs even dare touch us.¡±

    His confidence was a shield, his arrogance curling around him like smoke.

    The soldiers exchanged tense nces, teeth grinding as their restraint strained under the pressure. They wanted to act ¡ª to crush the insolent thug in front of them ¡ª but military discipline was irond. No civilian could be harmed without Dominic¡¯smand, even one who reeked of viiny.

    That was the iron rule.

    Yet righteousness burned fiercely inside them. Years of serving Dominic had forged their dedication not only to him, but to the people they had sworn to protect. And seeing the patient ¡ª vulnerable, barely out of surgery, surrounded by these men like a cornered animal ¡ª pushed the moral line into sharp relief.

    I?????????t ??c??§Ö???? ???? ??a??n??v??????.??????

    ¡°Sergeant,¡± the lead soldier murmured, his voice low but unwavering. ¡°Permission to intervene.¡±

    Before the sergeant could respond, the soldier made his own decision.

    With one swift motion, he unbuttoned his regtion coat and let it fall from his shoulders into the hands of a stunnedrade. ¡°Hold this.¡±

    Now in nothing but a thin shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal corded, powerful forearms, he stepped forward ¡ª a human barricade, immovable as stone.

    ¡°I¡¯m just a passerby right now,¡± he said, his voice steady andmanding. ¡°But a passerby cannot stand idle in the face of injustice.¡± He positioned himself between Alex and the bed, his eyes softening briefly as they met Chris¡¯s ¡ª pale, fragile, watching from the pillow. ¡°Do not worry,¡± the soldier said, the words carrying a quiet, unshakable resolve. ¡°I will not let these men take you.¡±

    Something shifted in Chris¡¯s otherwise indifferent gaze ¡ª a flicker of unspoken emotion, a tightening in his chest.

    ¡°Watch out,¡± he whispered ¡ª perhaps already toote.

    Alex¡¯s eyes sharpened, shing with lethal intent. He cared nothing for honor, codes, or the loyalty of other men. Anyone who stood in his way was a target.

    Swoosh. A silver streak cut through the air. The dagger in Alex¡¯s hand struck like a serpent, the de kissing the soldier¡¯s throat and drawing a thin, precise line of blood.

    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± Alex hissed, leaning close enough that his breath hit the soldier¡¯s cheek, spit flying with every word. ¡°I work for the Cooper family. This is none of your concern. Leave now, or I will make tonight a massacre.¡±

    His threat dripped venom.

    The soldier went rigid ¡ª shock and disbelief flickering through him. He had not anticipated this. The thug moved with lethal precision, with the practiced ease of someone who had left a trail of broken men in his wake. Alex was not merely bold. He was dangerous.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1454

    ?Chapter 1454:

    The other soldiers erupted into motion ¡ª a synchronized wave of instinct and training. Guns were drawn in unison, ck steel leveled squarely at Alex¡¯s head.

    ¡°Let him go!¡±

    ¡°Drop the knife!¡±

    Theirmands cut through the corridor like gunshots ¡ª sharp, upromising, absolute.

    Cade¡¯s jaw tightened. A thug daring to press a de against a soldier¡¯s throat? That was madness. Pure insanity.

    The air thickened in an instant, crackling with tension, every second stretched taut as a wire about to snap. Nearby patients and their families scattered, screaming, tripping over one another in blind panic. The emergency hall, already a storm of chaos, descended into pandemonium.

    But Alex didn¡¯t flinch. His lips curled into a feral grin, eyes glinting with reckless thrill. ¡°Go on,¡± he said, his voice cutting through the chaos. ¡°Shoot. Let¡¯s see if your bullets are faster than my knife.¡±

    The confidence in his eyes wasn¡¯t born of arrogance alone ¡ª it was born of experience. In Wront, neither police nor soldiers had ever truly challenged the Coopers. Their name alone acted as armor, an unspoken shield of power. Most men who wore badges yed the part of justice for the public eye only. Out of sight, they bowed, apologized, stepped aside ¡ª and sometimes even helped his kind. That was the world Alex had navigated for years, and thrived in.

    He shoved the knife forward. Blood bloomed across the soldier¡¯s white cor, vivid red against the crisp fabric.

    ¡°Tell your men to lower their guns,¡± Alex hissed, eyes glinting with malice, ¡°and I might pretend this never happened.¡±

    But before he could finish, the soldier moved.

    ??????????§ã§Ö ?????? ??????s??o?? ???? ??§Ñ??????????????

    He locked eyes with Alex ¡ª steady, unhesitating, unafraid. The de pressed against his artery might as well have been a feather. In one sharp motion, he seized Alex¡¯s wrist and twisted with controlled, devastating force. The world flipped. Alex was airborne, caught in a textbook shoulder throw.

    Bang.

    The floor mmed into him with bone-jarring impact. Pain exploded across his back. The knife flew from his grip and ttered harmlessly against the tiles.

    Before Alex could gather himself, a boot ¡ª thick and unforgiving ¡ª struck his face. He let out a strangled grunt, blood smearing across his features, and cked out mid-scream. The world copsed into darkness and agony.

    The soldier didn¡¯t pause. Like a hurricane finally released, he surged into the remaining thugs. Fists cut through the air ¡ª precise, brutal, efficient. Each strike incapacitated. Each movement was a masterss in controlled chaos. Groans and curses filled the hallway as bodies hit the floor, one after another, until the entire groupy writhing and helpless.

    Only then did the soldier stop.

    He swayed slightly. His hand moved instinctively to his neck, where a thin, two-inch cut wept blood and stained his shirt ¡ª a vivid testament to the risk he had epted without hesitation. The artery was safe, but the spreading crimson was rming nheless.

    Fellow soldiers rushed forward, holstering their weapons and catching him before he went down entirely.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he murmured, waving them off weakly. His gaze found Chris, sitting silently in his wheelchair nearby. Relief softened his eyes. The promise he had made ¡ª that the patient would not be harmed ¡ª had been kept.

    Then the dizziness struck, sudden and merciless. The strength drained from his limbs. Darkness crept in at the edges, and he crumpled sideways, unconscious.

    ¡°Get a doctor ¡ª now!¡± Cade¡¯s voice cut through the chaos, urgent and sharp.

    Inside the emergency room, the rhythmic beeping of monitors formed a fragile oasis of calm. Carsen stood over Dominic ¡ª still unconscious ¡ª reading the vitals with methodical focus. The shouting outside made him pause, a frown creasing his brow. He nced at Maia, then back at the monitors.

    ¡°Heart rate is back to normal. Blood pressure stable,¡± he murmured, exhaling slowly. ¡°Go check outside. He¡¯s stable ¡ª he just needs rest.¡±

    The scale of the noise told him something serious had happened. Maia understood immediately. She stripped off her blood-stained gloves and pushed through the doors at a run. The smell hit her the moment she stepped into the corridor ¡ª the sharp, unmistakable tang of blood.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1455

    ?Chapter 1455:

    Maia¡¯s eyes locked immediately onto the soldier sprawled across the floor, a dark pool of blood spreading beneath him. He was held upright only by the trembling hands of his colleagues.

    A neck injury. One wrong move, one dyed second, and it could be fatal.

    Her instincts surged forward ¡ª swift, precise, upromising. She raced over, her gaze already scanning the wound, her fingers mapping the fastest way to control the bleeding.

    ¡°Press down ¡ª hard!¡± Her voice was calm and unwavering, yet carried an authority that brooked no argument. She snapped orders at the approaching nurses, each word crisp and unhesitating. ¡°The gurney ¡ª now! Prepare for surgery and get ready for a blood transfusion!¡±

    ¡°Right away!¡±

    The familiarity of that voice stopped Cade cold. He had been standing a few paces away, but in that instant the world seemed to slow, the air thickening around him. That voice. That tone. That unmistakable edge of determination.

    His head snapped toward the source. Even with the mask covering her face, her eyes ¡ª sharp, steady, impossible to mistake ¡ª met his for a fraction of a second.

    Maia? Impossible. Was she even alive?

    A wave of dissonance mmed into him. He had heard the news ¡ª the fire at the charity event, the missing persons list. She should have been counted among the vanished. And yet here she was,manding the emergency response with theposure of a seasoned surgeon, pulling a life back from the edge of death.

    He shook his head, trying to force logic back into ce. Maybe it was just the voice. The posture. But no ¡ª even her back, the graceful and upright silhouette, the confident stride ¡ª matched every memory he carried of her.

    Cade¡¯s pulse hammered in his ears. He wanted to push forward, pull off her mask, and be certain. But the soldier¡¯s life hung in the bnce.

    ???????? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    ¡°Make way ¡ª move aside!¡± The nurses cut through his daze. A gurney barreled past him, and the soldiers quickly lifted the injured man onto it. Maia pushed the gurney herself, sprinting toward the operating room with relentless precision.

    Bang.

    The operating room doors mmed shut behind them. A glowing sign flickered on above: Operation in Progress. Absolute. Final. No one could enter.

    Cade stood frozen, throat dry, words lodged uselessly in his chest. The man who had risked everything to protect the patient was now in the hands of the medical team, and there was nothing left to do but wait. Interfering now would be unforgivable.

    What am I thinking?

    His mind resisted the impossible notion ¡ª Maia, a doctor capable of standing alongside surgeons of Carsen¡¯s caliber? It was absurd. And yet the certainty refused to leave him. He exhaled slowly, trying to push the tidal wave of disbelief back.

    He nced down at the thugs lying unconscious across the floor, then at the bandaged figure sitting silently in the wheelchair. The patient¡¯s face was entirely obscured. Cade had no way of knowing it was Chris.

    ¡°I should call the police,¡± he muttered, his voice low and steady.

    He pulled out his phone and dialed the station, reporting the incident with crisp efficiency. Anyone who dared brandish a de in a hospital, who dared raise a hand against soldiers, was finished.

    Within minutes, sirens tore through the city, and a battalion of armed officers swept in with practiced coordination, handcuffing the thugs and loading them into waiting vehicles. Strangely, once conscious, the captured men offered no resistance ¡ª some even wore expressions that bordered on relief, as if the police station represented a safer destination than whatever they had just walked into.

    The lead officer jotted down notes, asked a few curt questions, and departed without inquiring further about the injured soldier. It was all too smooth, too efficient. Cade¡¯s instincts prickled ¡ª something was off ¡ª but he couldn¡¯t ce it.

    Outside the operating room, soldiers slumped against the walls, heads bowed under the weight of guilt.

    ¡°He can¡¯t die.¡± A young soldier struck the wall with his fist, eyes red and brimming. ¡°I should have been the one to step forward. His child was born just a month ago ¡ª if anything happens to him, what bes of his wife?¡± Another soldier stared at the floor. ¡°What will we tell the general when he wakes up?¡±

    The tension in the corridor was suffocating, thick enough to taste. Every man bore the invisible weight of a responsibility he felt he had failed to carry.

    Then a series of steady, rapid footsteps echoed down the hall.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1456

    ?Chapter 1456:

    Tap. Tap. Tap.

    The sound echoed down the sterile corridor ¡ª steady, deliberate, and heavy with menace. Cade and the soldiers froze, every muscle drawn taut. Recent events had left their nerves frayed to the edge. Could the thugs from before have brought reinforcements?

    Their hands drifted instinctively toward their waists, fingers brushing the cold metal of their weapons.

    But when the figures finally emerged into view, Cade¡¯s breath caught.

    They were impably dressed in tailored suits, though the fabric bore the marks of someone who had fled the earlier disaster ¡ª blood smears, smoke stains, the subtle evidence of chaos survived. Yet despite the disarray, they radiated authority. A noble bearing that demanded respect without asking for it. Their eyes cut through the air, sharp and calcting, their presence instantlymanding.

    These were not ordinary men. They were members of The Mask ¡ª more precisely, the organization¡¯s core enforcers, including the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

    Without hesitation, they advanced toward the room where Cade had witnessed the earlier chaos unfold. Then, as though enacting a sacred ritual, they sank as one to a single knee beneath his astonished gaze. Heads bowed. A unified murmur rolled through them.

    ¡°Sir.¡±

    It was not merely a greeting. It was devotion made audible ¡ª loyalty given form.

    Chris sat in the wheelchair, his injuries severe, his face partially obscured, yet the man radiated authority simply by existing. A single nod was enough to conveymand.

    Grayson, the renowned oil tycoon, stepped forward with a quiet, purposeful humility. He leaned close to Chris and murmured, ¡°We need to move you. It is not safe here.¡±

    Chris¡¯s reply was soft and measured, yet carried weight. ¡°All right.¡±

    The immediate chaos had been contained ¡ª the thugs removed, the police involved, hospital security reinforced. Maia, for the moment, was safe. And yet a hollow ache gnawed at Chris¡¯s chest, as though something crucial had slipped just beyond his reach.

    ??o??n??§à§Ñ?? §âD??s ???????? §à?? ??????n????§Öl??.c????

    His gaze settled on Grayson, who recognized the look immediately and stepped closer, attentive and poised.

    ¡°Protect Maia,¡± Chris said, each word deliberate, every syble a quietmand.

    Despite the detachment he felt toward her, despite his uncertainty about the nature of their bond, his instinct was unerring. Maia was his wife. Protecting her was a duty etched into something deeper than memory.

    ¡°Understood, sir,¡± Grayson replied, bowing slightly, solemn and unwavering.

    Cade watched, bewildered. Questions churned through his mind. Was this group connected to the thugs? If so, why did they carry themselves with such an air of nobility? If not ¡ª why were they taking the same patient? He hesitated. One thing was beyond doubt: their presence could not be challenged by force alone.

    Then a nurse appeared, nked by several security guards. She nted herself firmly in their path.

    ¡°What on earth do you think you¡¯re doing? He is our patient. You cannot simply take him away,¡± she demanded, though her defiance wavered under the sheer weight of their presence.

    The corridor seemed to shrink around the imposing figures, tension crackling like static in the air.

    Grayson, ever perceptive, recognized the risk immediately. Any confrontation here would draw unwanted attention ¡ª and that attention would fall on Chris. He stepped forward with an elegance that contrasted sharply with the raw authority behind him ¡ª aposed gentleman in the face of potential chaos.

    From his jacket pocket, he produced a document and extended it to the nurse. ¡°Please do not misunderstand, ma¡¯am. This is an approved transfer request. We are here to move him to a safer and more suitable treatment environment.¡±

    Cautiously, the nurse took the paper and scanned the contents. The hospital director¡¯s signature and official seal confirmed its legitimacy.

    Grayson remained perfectlyposed. The document was genuine, of course ¡ª with the influence they wielded, arranging such a transfer was effortless. Had he not been dyed by that minor matter for even a few minutes, the thugs would never have reached the ward, never have disturbed Chris¡¯s fragile peace. The others had been preupied tending to burns from the earlier fire, and no one had anticipated this intrusion. A smallpse ¡ª and yet a fateful one.

    That Chris remained unharmed was a stroke of luck they would never take for granted. Had anything happened to him, forgiveness would have been impossible.

    The close call only hardened Grayson¡¯s resolve. Chris had to be moved ¡ª away from this ce, away from a hospital that had already proven it could not protect him.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1457

    ?Chapter 1457:

    ¡°Everything checks out. You may proceed.¡± After confirming the final details, the nurse released a long breath and stepped aside, clearing the way.

    Before they left, Grayson spoke again, his tone calm yet deliberate. ¡°By the way, someone showed remarkable courage here tonight. He protected my employer.¡± His gaze drifted toward Cade, then toward the operating room beyond, a faint glimmer of admiration settling in his eyes.

    He reached into his suit pocket and withdrew a business card embossed in gold, its edges catching the overhead light. He extended it toward the nurse and said evenly, ¡°We will take responsibility for all his medical expenses. This is my personal number. Please pass it to him ¡ª or to his family. If there is anything they need, they may contact me directly.¡±

    It was repayment, carefully packaged with discretion. And silence.

    Once the words were delivered, Grayson did not linger. With a brief gesture, the group began to move. Chris, seated in the wheelchair, was guided forward as the entourage closed ranks around him ¡ª their formation tight and protective. They advanced down the corridor in a steady procession, curious eyes following in their wake.

    ¡°Who was that man? He looked important.¡±

    ¡°Did you see the people who rushed in? Who could he possibly be? Some hidden billionaire?¡±

    ¡°What a shame he was so badly injured. His head waspletely wrapped ¡ª you couldn¡¯t even see his face.¡±

    The murmurs spread through the hallway, spection multiplying with every whispered exchange.

    Cade watched them disappear from view, questions stacking up in his mind without answers to anchor them.

    Momentster, the nurse who had spoken with Grayson hurried back and slipped the business card into Cade¡¯s hand. ¡°Sir, you were with the soldier who stepped in earlier, weren¡¯t you? Hold onto this ¡ª it may be useful.¡± She didn¡¯t wait for a reply. The emergency department was already pulling her away.

    ????o??s?????s o?? r??§Ñ???????? ??n ??§Ñ???o??§Öl??.??????

    Cade lowered his gaze to the card. The texture was firm, refined, understated in its quality. Stamped across it in gold lettering was a name: Granger Sparrow.

    The name stirred a faint sense of familiarity, as though he had heard it mentioned somewhere before. Wasn¡¯t he ¡ª a well-known oil tycoon? The head of a multinational conglomerate?

    Cade pulled out his phone and typed the name into the search bar. The moment the results loaded, his eyes widened. It really was him ¡ª a world-renowned energy magnate worth billions. For someone of that stature to extend such courtesy to the man in the wheelchair, the question was unavoidable: who exactly had that patient been?

    Cade slipped the card into his pocket, resolving to pass it to Dominicter. The injured soldier would require extensive recovery andpensation ¡ª that responsibility could not fall on him alone. He could only hope the man would be all right.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1458

    ?Chapter 1458:

    Just then, the nurse who had left earlier reappeared, struggling under the weight of several bags of blood sma, sweat beading along her forehead. When she spotted Cade, relief shed across her face. ¡°You¡¯re a soldier too, aren¡¯t you?¡± she asked quickly. ¡°Could you help me for a moment? I can¡¯t carry all of this by myself, and I still need to get the medication. I¡¯mpletely overwhelmed.¡±

    Cade put his phone away and nodded without hesitation. ¡°Of course.¡± He took the heavy container from her and followed a step behind as they moved through the corridor.

    The hallway buzzed with ovepping footsteps and colliding voices, the urgency unrelenting. Yet Cade¡¯s mind was elsewhere. That figure. That presence.

    He stopped abruptly. The thought he had been avoiding surfaced again ¡ª impossible to ignore any longer. Or perhaps it wasn¡¯t certainty he clung to, but hope. He hoped his assumption was right. He hoped Maia was safe.

    ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯d like to ask,¡± he said, his voice roughened by tension. ¡°Who is the doctor in the operating room?¡±

    Without slowing, the nurse answered, ¡°Dr. Walsh. Carsen Walsh. Our hospital¡¯s best surgeon and the director.¡±

    Cade exhaled quietly. Was he reading too much into things? Coincidences rarely unfolded so neatly.

    Then, as though recalling something trivial, the nurse added in passing, ¡°Oh, and Dr. Watson is in there as well. She assisted Dr. Walsh earlier when we brought in the elderly patient ¡ª her skills are exceptional. Even Dr. Walsh speaks highly of her. She¡¯s the one attending to your colleague right now.¡±

    The world tilted. Cade¡¯s eyes widened, his heartbeat stuttering violently.

    ¡°Dr. Watson,¡± he echoed, the name trembling on his tongue. He turned sharply, his gaze snapping toward the tightly sealed doors of the operating room at the far end of the corridor.

    ¡°Could it really be¡­ Maia?¡± The thought slipped from his lips in a hushed murmur, disbelief tangled with an emotion he struggled to contain.

    R??§Ñ?? ??n ????§å ??????i???? ???? ???????????????s.??????

    ¡°Huh?¡± The nurse paused and nced at him, curiosity flickering across her face. ¡°You know Dr. Watson?¡± A note of admiration crept into her voice. ¡°She really is something, you know. Even with a mask on, her eyes are absolutely unforgettable.¡±

    Boom.

    The realization struck Cade like a thunderp, exploding through his mind without warning. In that instant, every scattered detail copsed together ¡ª the familiar cadence of the woman¡¯s voice, the resemnce in her posture, the surname Watson, that unmistakable presence. It was not coincidence. It was her. Everything aligned with chilling, undeniable rity.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I need to speak with Dr. Watson.¡± Cade shoved the medical container back into the nurse¡¯s hands and was already turning away. ¡°Wait here ¡ª I¡¯ll send another soldier to help you.¡±

    The nurse stared after him, head tilted, utterly perplexed.

    Cade barely noticed. His pulse thundered as he broke into a run, each stride fueled by urgency and disbelief, his heart pounding so hard it felt ready to tear free from his chest.

    As he sprinted toward Dominic¡¯s hospital room, the words came out in a breathless murmur. ¡°General Watson, you have to hold on. The one who just pulled you back from the edge is Maia Watson ¡ª your own flesh and blood, the granddaughter you have searched for all these years.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1459

    Chapter 1459:

    Within the operating room, the overheadmp cast a harsh, pale glow over everything.

    Atst, the final stitch went in. With a quick motion, the thread was cut. Only then did Maia let out a long breath, allowing the tension that had gripped her for hours to loosen.

    The operation had gone well. The wounded soldier had been pulled back from the edge of death.

    Still, Maia¡¯s expression dimmed as she studied the deep, brutal wound along his neck. Even with his life saved, returning to regr training or active duty did not seem possible anytime soon. Permanent damage was a real possibility. Because she had once stood at the thin line between life and death herself, she understood exactly how ruthless and deliberate that strike had been ¡ª calcted with deadly intent, aimed straight for the artery. Only years of relentlessbat training, and a neck built stronger than most, had kept him alive.

    Chaos had swallowed the city whole over the past hours. mes had consumed the entire banquet center, explosions had torn through the air, assassinations had spread fear, and unrest had surged through the streets. Inside the hospital, violence had followed ¡ª and the acts unfolding there were just as horrifying. It was obvious that someone was exploiting the disorder, using the city¡¯s copse as cover to carry out calcted killings.

    But who, exactly, were they trying to eliminate?

    Maia suddenly pictured Chris with his face wrapped in bandages, and panic struck her chest without warning.

    Could the target be ¡ª

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave the rest in your hands.¡± Maia stripped off her blood-soaked gloves and dropped them into the medical waste bin. ¡°Watch him carefully, and contact Dr. Walsh at once if anything changes.¡±

    ¡°Understood, Dr. Watson,¡± the nurses answered.

    Maia turned without hesitation and walked out of the operating room, which still reeked of blood. Unease settled deep in her chest as she moved down the hall. The truth pressed in with full force ¡ª remaining in this hospital had be a risk she could no longer afford. She had to get Chris out immediately, before anyone from the Cooper family found him first.

    T???? ???????? ?????????????? §à?? ??al????v??????.????m

    She went straight to the changing room, stripped off the white coat, and pulled on her original ck clothes. As she zipped everything closed, the softness in her eyes disappeared, reced by sharp-edged caution.

    She pushed the door open and ran.

    Noise flooded the corridors. She pressed forward against the flow of people, moving straight for the intensive care unit where Chris was kept. Each step brought her closer. Each second felt heavier than thest.

    Atst she arrived outside the familiar room ¡ª breathless, chest tight ¡ª and stopped dead.

    Something was wrong. The heavy doors that should have been firmly shut stood wide open. A cold stillness drifted out from inside.

    Panic climbed straight to her throat.

    ¡°Chris, are you here?¡± She called out as she hurried in.

    The room was empty. The bed stood rumpled and abandoned. The monitor continued its soft, rhythmic beeping, but the screen had gone dark.

    Maia pressed her hand t against the sheets. The cold fabric confirmed what she feared. There was not even a trace of warmth left. He had been gone far longer than a few minutes.

    Oh no.

    Fear crashed into her without mercy. Had someone taken him? Or had something gone terribly wrong?

    Without another thought, she spun around and bolted out of the room.

    The moment she burst into the corridor, movement shed at the far end ¡ª someone charging straight toward her at frightening speed. They nearly collided at the corner. Maia twisted aside, but pain still shot through her shoulder as it was clipped.

    She was about to apologize out of habit, but the other person beat her to it.

    ¡°Sorry ¡ª I have something urgent. Please excuse me!¡± The voice was low, rushed, carrying clear impatience. Without sparing her a nce, he kept running and vanished down the corridor within seconds.

    Maia pressed a hand to her sore shoulder. Still wearing her mask, she had no time to dwell on it. Finding Chris came before everything else.

    After steadying her breathing, she made her way to the nurses¡¯ counter. Chaos ruled the area. Phones rang in an unbroken stream. Buried under stacks of medical charts, the nurse on duty struggled to keep pace.

    ¡°Where is the patient who was in the observation room?¡± Maia braced herself against the counter and tried to steady her breathing.

    Without lifting her head, the nurse kept writing rapidly. ¡°Which observation room? We have too many patients tonight ¡ª I can¡¯t keep track of all of them.¡±

    ¡°The room beside the intensive care unit. Head injury,pletely bandaged.¡± Maia kept her voice even, reining in her frustration.

    The description made the nurse stop writing. She raised her head, pushed her sses up, and studied the masked woman with sharp eyes. Recognition dawned slowly. ¡°Dr. Watson?¡±

    Even in different clothes, Maia¡¯s eyes gave her away. The nurse set her papers aside and straightened immediately, her manner turning respectful. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Dr. Watson ¡ª tonight has been absolutely overwhelming. Which room were you asking about?¡±

    ¡°Room 302. Chris Cooper.¡±

    ¡°Oh ¡ª that patient.¡± Recognition crossed the nurse¡¯s face. She turned to the cluttered stack of files, searched through them, and pulled out a single form. ¡°He was transferred to another hospital earlier.¡±

    ¡°Transferred?¡± The word struck Maia like a blow.

    ¡°Yes ¡ª it¡¯s all recorded here.¡± The nurse tapped the page and gestured toward the official stamps and signatures. ¡°Patients who have just undergone cranial surgery are normally not permitted to be transferred due to the risk involved, but exceptions exist in certain circumstances.¡± A faint, helpless shrug followed. ¡°Influential individuals usually arrange moves to facilities with better resources.¡±

    As those words sank in, Maia¡¯s hand stilled ¡ª her fingers stopping just short of taking the document.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noa: Good afternoon dear readers. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?

    .

 Chapter 1460

    ?Chapter 1460:

    Maia stood frozen in ce, disbelief rippling through her as she began to doubt her own hearing.

    Still unsettled, her gaze shifted to the nurse, searching her face for rity. Nothing about the words made sense, and she could not grasp why the nurse would speak of such a thing.

    After all, Chris was the Cooper family¡¯s illegitimate child ¡ª someone they had pushed aside and discarded long ago. He barely held a respectable job now. How could he possibly be someone others whispered about as one of the so-called ¡°influential figures¡±?

    The nurse seemed to catch the confusion written inly across Maia¡¯s face. She nced around cautiously, then lowered her voice and leaned closer, her eyes alive with barely contained curiosity.

    ¡°Wait, Dr. Watson. You really have no idea?¡± she blurted out. ¡°A whole group of people just arrived.¡±

    As she spoke, the nurse lifted her hands, her gestures growing broader, her tone turning dramatic. ¡°They were all wearing those expensive, custom-fitted suits ¡ª the kind that practically announces wealth. Their presence alone made people uneasy. They walked right up to the hospital room door, and then, without saying a single word¡­¡±

    The nurse paused, drawing in a breath, excitement flooding her voice as she continued. ¡°Every one of them dropped to one knee in front of the patient.¡±

    ¡°Dropped to one knee?¡± Maia¡¯s brows pulled together instinctively.

    ¡°Yes. Like knights bowing before an emperor.¡± The nurse grew so animated that color rushed to her face. ¡°It was unbelievable ¡ª so dramatic, like a scene straight out of a high-stakes thriller. People passing by were stunned. Everyone started whispering that the patient had to be someone incredibly important.¡±

    ¡°Incredibly important?¡± The words slipped from Maia¡¯s lips in a daze.

    F????? ?§àv???? P??F?? ??n ??????n????§Öl?.§ã????

    They sounded foreign to her ears, utterly ipatible with the Chris she knew.

    ¡°Of course,¡± the nurse continued casually. ¡°Most of the injured today were guests from the charity event ¡ª every one of them either wealthy or well-connected. I¡¯ve seen plenty of high-society typese through here in a single night. But for people like that to kneel before a patient¡­ doesn¡¯t that mean his status stands above all of theirs?¡±

    Maia fell into silence. Her head dipped as her eyes locked onto the transfer form clenched in her hand.

    The signature at the bottom was unfamiliar, offering her no reassurance. Yet the patient information was unmistakable, clearly spelling out the name Chris Cooper. The handwriting appeared steady and deliberate, the pen strokes pressed firmly into the paper.

    For a moment, confusion swelled inside her. She could not reconcile the gentle, almost fragile Chris she remembered with the powerful ¡°influential figure¡± the nurse described ¡ª a man capable ofmanding such reverence. This had to be a mistake.

    Wait a second. Maia¡¯s expression hardened abruptly, a chill shing through her eyes.

    Could this transfer form be fake? Had Kolton¡¯s people forged it, using it as part of some carefully staged scheme to take Chris away?

    Who had actually taken Chris?

    Just then, a set of hurried yet controlled footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1461

    Maia¡¯s senses sharpened instinctively. She spun around at once, her gaze slicing through the bustling crowd until it collided with another pair of eyes.

    The shock hit them both at the same time.

    ¡°Maxwell?¡± Maia called out, surprise breaking through her guarded expression.

    ¡°Maia?¡± Maxwell paused, clear astonishment flickering across his face.

    The next moment, they spoke simultaneously, voicing the question weighing heaviest on both of them.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Chris?¡±

    Their identical words hung between them, and once again, both were left momentarily stunned.

    Meanwhile, Cade and the soldiers were finally granted entry into the observation room.

    Inside, Dominicy against the bed, hisplexion still pale, yet rity had returned to his eyes. He lifted a hand to remove the oxygen mask, turned toward Cade as he entered, and managed a faint smile.

    ¡°Cade¡­ what happened to me?¡± His voice drifted out thin and hoarse, the sound scraping his throat. ¡°Did I pass out?¡±

    Cade surged forward with the soldiers at his back, excitement shing openly across their faces. ¡°General!¡±

    One of the soldiers stepped in quickly, recounting the moment Dominic had copsed and the chaos that followed.

    After listening, Dominic let out a low chuckle, unconcerned, and lifted a hand in a casual wave, brushing it all aside.

    ???o????§Ö?? yo?? ??on¡¯?? ?????? ???????? §àn ??§Ñ??????????????.§ã????

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. Death has not imed these old bones yet.¡±

    A sharp resolve ignited in his eyes, cutting through the lingering weakness. ¡°I will see my granddaughter, even if I have to drag myself there.¡±

    At the mention of ¡°granddaughter,¡± Cade¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He drew in a steadying breath, forcing his voice to remain calm despite the tremor threatening to surface.

    ¡°General, can you guess¡­ who saved your life just now?¡±

    A bright, almost feverish light danced in Cade¡¯s eyes as he fixed them on Dominic.

    Dominic frowned, confusion creasing his brow. He shot Cade a weak re, impatience flickering through it. ¡°Cade, you brat, when did you learn to toy with people like this? I was unconscious ¡ª how am I supposed to guess?¡±

    Yet in the very next moment, his expression stiffened abruptly.

    Slowly, his eyes widened, reflecting Cade¡¯s barely contained excitement. Why would Cade ask such a question?

    A tremor crept into Dominic¡¯s fingers as his breathing quickened, unease flooding his chest.

    ¡°Could it be¡­¡± His lips parted slightly, yet the name refused to cross them. What if it was only an illusion ¡ª a fragile hope that would copse the moment he reached for it?

    Cade couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. His hands mped around the metal railing of the bed, knuckles whitening under the force of his grip.

    ¡°It was your granddaughter, Maia Watson,¡± he dered.

    The truth struck Dominic like a violent thunderp, rattling every remaining trace ofposure.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1462

    ?Chapter 1462:

    ¡°What?¡± He jolted upright without warning, sending the tubes connected to his body trembling violently. The monitor reacted at once, heart rate numbers surging as a shrill rm rang out in rapid session.

    Beep. Beep. Beep.

    None of it registered with Dominic. He locked his gaze onto Cade, eyes stretched wide and bursting with disbelief.

    ¡°Are you telling me the truth? Was it really¡­ Maia?¡± He flung the covers aside and shifted forward, already intent on leaving the bed despite the chaos around him. ¡°Help me up ¡ª I have to see her. Right now!¡±

    ¡°General, please try to stay calm. Your body is still weak, and you have not fully recovered. We will find Dr. Watson immediately, so please do not strain yourself.¡±

    Seeing Dominic struggle to get out of bed despite his fragile state, the soldiers panicked at once. They hurried to his side, trying to support him while gently talking him down, afraid that his heightened emotions might cause him to copse again.

    To them, he was not just a superior officer. He was their hero ¡ª the person they all looked up to. If something were to happen to Dominic, none of them would ever forgive themselves.

    Still, Dominic paid them no attention. Though his vision was hazy, his gaze carried a fierce urgency and a longing he had never experienced before.

    ¡°Do not try to stop me!¡± He seized the arm of the soldier closest to him and forced himself upright through sheer will. His legs shook violently, yet he kept his spine straight and refused to bend.

    ¡°She is my biological granddaughter, and I have spent more than twenty years searching for her. How do you expect me to stay calm?¡± His voice trembled as emotion clogged his throat. ¡°Hurry. Take me to her. Take me to see Maia!¡±

    Uneasy looks passed between the soldiers as they studied him, their expressions caught somewhere between sympathy and quiet resignation. No one dared restrain him by force.

    §ã????ne??e ??o??????s ???????????§Ñ??§Ö?? §à?? ??a????????§Ö???.??????

    With no other choice, they moved carefully, holding him steady and honoring his insistence as they guided him toward the exit.

    Before they could reach the door, someone in a white coat rushed in and blocked their path.

    Carsen had arrived after hearing the disturbance.

    ¡°Sir, what do you think you are doing? This is extremely dangerous!¡± His eyes immediately caught the blood seeping from Dominic¡¯s arm where the needle had been pulled free, and his expression hardened. ¡°Your condition is unstable. Your blood pressure has not settled, and you need to remain in the observation room for continued treatment. You are putting your life at serious risk.¡±

    Carsen did not know who Dominic truly was. Judging only by the worn uniform and the soldiers¡¯ reactions, he had assumed Dominic was a veteran. To a doctor, rank meant nothing ¡ª patients were patients.

    Turning his head, Carsen addressed the nurse beside him without hesitation. ¡°Prepare a fresh IV set and reinsert the needle immediately.¡±

    ¡°I am finished with treatment.¡± Dominic dismissed the order with a wave of his hand, and despite his weakened state, hismanding presence surged unmistakably. ¡°I have to see my granddaughter. I have to see Maia.¡±

    The name stopped Carsen mid-step.

    He turned back, a deeper frown forming as he studied the elderly man who was clearly overwhelmed with emotion. ¡°Are you saying you are Maia¡¯s grandfather?¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1463

    ?Chapter 1463:

    Questions flooded Carsen¡¯s mind. Earlier, while Maia had helped treat this old man, she had remainedposed and professional ¡ª showing no personal reaction whatsoever, just as she would with any ordinary patient. If this man truly was her grandfather, herck of response made no sense at all.

    ¡°You are misunderstanding the situation, and I can exin it.¡± Dominic caught the confusion on Carsen¡¯s face and began speaking in a rush, which immediately triggered a harsh coughing fit. Pressing a hand to his chest, he turned toward Cade. ¡°Cade, exin it to him. Tell him everything!¡±

    Cade straightened at once and delivered a sharp salute. ¡°Yes, General!¡±

    After Cadeid out the facts in a concise and orderly manner, rity finally dawned on Carsen.

    It was a long-dyed reunion ¡ª one that had waited more than twenty years to happen. Maia was the granddaughter this elderly general had lost so many years ago.

    Hearing the full ount stirred a rush of emotion inside Carsen. That calm and capable young woman, who carried herself with such quiet strength, had endured a life filled with hardship. For years she had lived without her real family, suffered under her adoptive household, and had even been imprisoned along the way.

    As those thoughts settled, Carsen looked at Dominic again, and his expression softened with newfound respect.

    ¡°Sir, you do not need to worry anymore,¡± he said gently. ¡°Now that this bond is clear, Maia will definitely want to see you as well. Please lie back down and rest ¡ª I will bring her to you right away.¡±

    ¡°Is that true? Where is she right now?¡± Hope red in Dominic¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°She is on this floor. She was just in the operating room saving a patient,¡± Carsen answered, then turned and left in haste.

    ???????? ?????? ???????????? ???????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    His first stop was the observation room adjacent to the intensive care unit, where Chris had been ced. When he opened the door, the room was empty. Only a rumpled bed remained behind.

    ¡°Where did Chris go?¡± rm jolted through Carsen as his pulse jumped. ¡°What happened here? Maia is gone too.¡±

    Without hesitation, he hurried straight to the nurse¡¯s counter.

    ¡°Dr. Walsh, are you trying to find Dr. Watson?¡± The nurse looked up when she saw his strained expression and quickly continued, ¡°She stopped by earlier to ask about the patient in Room 302, then rushed off. It looked like she went after the patient.¡±

    Tension locked Carsen¡¯s features in ce. Something was very wrong.

    A heavy sense of dread pressed against his chest. Chris had vanished, and Maia had left the hospital as well. None of it pointed to a good oue.

    Without pausing to think further, Carsen spun around and headed back toward the elderly man, intending to tell him that Maia was already gone.

    Reaching the observation room, he froze in shock. Dominic was being supported by his soldiers and escorted into the corridor. An IV line trailed from his arm, one soldier holding the bottle aloft to keep it flowing. Despite the unsteady way he moved, the authority he carried was so overwhelming that no one dared meet his gaze directly.

    Carsen had barely opened his mouth to speak when Dominic suddenly barked orders at several soldiers who had just returned. ¡°Go investigate immediately. I want everything uncovered.¡±

    Fury zed in Dominic¡¯s eyes, his voice shaking with anger. ¡°Who dares to attack our elite soldiers inside a hospital? Mobilize the troops at once. Lock down the entire city. I will not tolerate criminal forces running rampant in Wront ¡ª this madness has to end. Our soldiers risk their lives on the battlefield, and they will note home only to be attacked while saving others.¡±

    Though his voice was rough from strain, it carried undeniable force, and every word struck with crushing authority.

    The soldiers surrounding him were just as furious. They answered as one: ¡°Yes, sir!¡±

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    .

 Chapter 1464

    ?Chapter 1464:

    That unified shout and the intensity behind it left Carsen standing frozen where he was.

    In that instant, a name surfaced clearly in his mind ¡ª one he had only ever encountered in headlines and military briefings. The legendary figure known as ¡°The War God.¡±

    General Dominic Watson.

    Dominic Watson. Maia Watson. They shared the samest name.

    Shock held Carsen still as he stared at the elderly man before him. That meant Maia was the granddaughter of General Dominic Watson ¡ª not merely some adopted daughter of a wealthy family, but someone who genuinely came from a powerful and deeply respected bloodline.

    Outside the hospital, night hadpletely swallowed the streets.

    A ck SUV shot out of the hospital gates at full speed. Behind the wheel sat Maia, weaving through traffic with practiced ease, a Bluetooth headset secured in her ear.

    ¡°Boss! The online tide is already shifting!¡± The excited voice of Pris¡¯ chief hacker rang through the headset. ¡°The bacsh against Cooper Group is exploding everywhere. The buzz is insane right now. Next, I¡¯ll drop everything I uncovered on them ¡ª proof of tax evasion,mercial bribery. They will not recover from this.¡±

    No satisfaction crossed Maia¡¯s face. Her tone stayed level, edged with impatience. ¡°Put that on hold for now. Pull up every piece of surveince footage from the hospital immediately. I need to know who took Chris and where they went. Track the license te of any vehicle involved and give me live updates.¡±

    A brief pause followed on the other end of the line.

    From Maia¡¯s tone alone, the chief hacker could tell she was not in a good mood ¡ª and that something serious had gone wrong. He realized at once that he had misjudged what mattered most.

    B?? p§Ñr?? ??f ????r ??§à??m???????y §à?? ??a??????????????.§ã????

    ¡°Got it.¡± He dropped the excitement immediately, his hands moving rapidly across the keyboard. ¡°I¡¯m breaking into the hospital surveince system right now and running facial recognition to find Chris. I¡¯ll need a few minutes.¡±

    Rather than ending the call, Maia kept the line open. She slotted her phone into the holder beside the steering wheel, its screen disying the live map of Wront. As she drove toward the main road, she continued issuing instructions to her subordinate, her focused eyes sweeping over every vehicle she passed.

    She was searching for any car that could have taken Chris.

    What she failed to notice was that the moment her car cleared the hospital gates, two unmarked ck SUVs quietly emerged from the darkness ¡ª following close behind her, like shadows that refused to let go.

    Far inside South Lake Park, the rain had only just let up, leaving the forest soaked and biting cold.

    Beneath the dense cover of branches, Kiley finally released a long, shaky breath.

    Moments earlier, when powerful shlight beams swept over her hiding ce, she had been certain it was the end. Panic had sent her heart pounding so hard that breathing felt impossible. In her mind, she had already resigned herself to being torn apart by gunfire.

    By sheer luck, at the most dangerous moment, the covert operative¡¯s phone suddenly buzzed. The vibration made him pause, abandon his search of the tree, and turn away to answer the call. After only a few seconds, his expression shifted ¡ª clearly shaped by an urgent order.

    Lowering his voice, he spoke quickly to the subordinates beside him. ¡°Keep searching. At the same time, send a team to seal off every entrance and exit of the park. The boss has given the order ¡ª anyone who knows the secret must be eliminated. We cannot afford to take risks.¡±

    With that, the covert operative vanished into the darkness, moving swiftly toward the park¡¯s exit.

    Hidden beneathyers of wet leaves, Kiley heard every word clearly. A wave of cold fear swept through her, chilling her so deeply it felt as though it had reached her bones.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1465

    ?Chapter 1465:

    In that moment, she understood something painfully clear: her father was truly merciless. Family bonds meant nothing to him ¡ª he had personally ordered her execution.

    What Kiley had no way of knowing was that Kolton was not the most frightening figure involved. Standing behind him was an even more terrifying presence ¡ª Thomas, the true master of the covert operatives.

    Right then, all she could feel was a crushing sense of despair and cold hopelessness.

    Slowly, Kiley drew in a deep breath and forced herself to steady her nerves. Once her emotions had settled slightly, she began to assess her situation.

    Even though part of the covert team had pulled back, they had not fully withdrawn. On top of that, every entrance and exit of the park had already been sealed off. What surrounded her now felt like an enormous prison, and in this ce she was little more than helpless prey.

    Everything that had once been hers ¡ª the power and assets of Cooper Group ¡ª had lost all value. Reaching out to anyone connected to Cooper Group would only mean stepping straight into danger. There was no way of knowing whether those people had already been bribed or brought under her father¡¯s control.

    That left only one possible source of allies: Cooper Group¡¯s enemies ¡ª the long-standing rivals who had openly opposed Kolton and dared to challenge him.

    That realization made Kiley grit her teeth, conflicting emotions flickering through her eyes. No matter how deeply she despised Maia, no matter how much she had once wished her dead, she had to face the truth: Maia was her only chance of escape.

    She waited a little longer, listening carefully until she was certain no covert operatives were moving nearby. Only then did she slowly pull out her phone, its surface soaked from the rain. Earlier, afraid that it might ring again or that the signal could betray her position, she had shut it offpletely.

    Now, a desperate gamble was her only remaining option.

    ???????????????? ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    The moment she turned the phone on and reached out to Maia, Kolton¡¯s people would almost certainly trace her location. For trained covert operatives, tracking a signal was effortless. The risk could not have been higher.

    Win, and she would survive. Fail, and she would die.

    With her jaw set, Kiley gripped the phone tighter, drew in a slow, steadying breath, and pressed the power button. A dim light bloomed across the screen. She keyed in the number.

    Her pulse surged. The space around her felt unnaturally still, as though the tension had stretched the moment to its breaking point.

    While keeping her eyes on the road, Maia suddenly frowned.

    An unknown number blinked across her screen.

    ¡°Continue the investigation and inform me the second you find anything,¡± she said to the hacker, quickly ending that call before epting the iing one.

    Given the timing ¡ª with Chris missing and his conditionpletely unclear ¡ª the call felt disturbingly like a ransom attempt. Whoever was on the other end was almost certainly tied to Cooper Group.

    ¡°Maia.¡± The moment the line connected, a voice she recognized spoke her name.

    It was low and unsteady, heavy with fear ¡ª and it sent a wave of unease straight through her.

    Recognition struck Maia at once. The caller was Kiley.

    Confusion followed immediately, and Maia¡¯s eyes narrowed with sharp focus. Without warning, she hit the brakes. Tires shrieked against the asphalt as the car slowed and pulled over to the side of the road.

    Once the noise faded, Maia wasted no time. Her voice turned frigid. ¡°Kiley, do you have Chris with you?¡±

    Hearing Chris¡¯s name left Kiley stunned for a moment. Chris? The thought crossed her mind that her father might have taken him, and she could not understand why Maia would direct such a question at her.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1466

    ?Chapter 1466:

    Back on Maia¡¯s end, she held her emotions in check and waited in silence for an answer. She had braced herself for Kiley¡¯s usual taunts, threats, or some outrageous demand. Instead, what came through the line was a trembling, tear-choked voice flooding with panic.

    ¡°Chris? I really don¡¯t know. Maia, I¡¯m at South Lake Park, behind Cooper Group¡¯s private hospital. My father¡¯s covert operatives have surrounded me, and they¡¯re trying to kill me. Pleasee save me. I¡¯m begging you. I have something you want. If youe, I will¡ª¡±

    Beep. Beep. Beep.

    The call cut off without warning.

    Shock flickered across Maia¡¯s face. Why would Kiley end the call before finishing her sentence?

    Frowning, Maia stared at the darkened screen and fell into thought. There was no doubt the voice had belonged to Kiley, and the fear and desperation she heard did not sound fabricated. Still, she could not reconcile that broken, desperate plea with the arrogant and domineering Cooper daughter she had always known.

    It was the same disconnect she had felt earlier at the hospital ¡ª the same inability to align the Chris she knew with the so-called influential figure who could make powerful men drop to one knee, just as the nurse had described.

    Nothing about the night made sense anymore. Contradictions piled up one after another.

    So what was truly happening? Was Kiley deliberately setting a snare to draw her in, or had some unforeseen turn of events thrown everything off course?

    Maia broke the silence and called her chief hacker. ¡°Stay on the surveince feed and notify me the moment there is any update on Chris.¡±

    ????a???? yo???? fa???????t??? ??r§à?? ????????o??§Öl?.c§à??

    When the call ended, her hands tightened around the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white.

    Unbidden, Zoey¡¯s words from the day of her release surfaced in her thoughts. ¡°Maia, if you ever face a problem you cannot handle by yourself, do not force it. Remember this ¡ª I am always here for you. Whenever you need me, I will be there.¡±

    Yet the truth was that since leaving prison, Maia had faced every hardship and every misunderstanding entirely on her own. Over time, she had learned to rely only on herself, and grown ustomed to carrying that weight alone.

    This time, however, everything felt fundamentally different. Control had slipped away entirely. Chris was gone, Kiley was begging for help, and Mr. M¡¯s men had vanished after escorting both her and Chris to the hospital.

    Something clicked.

    A thought surfaced in Maia¡¯s mind ¡ª sharp and daring. What if Mr. M had also been at the hospital earlier? If the reason those men in tailored suits had knelt was that Mr. M had been present in Chris¡¯s room, possibly standing right beside him, then every strange detail would finally fall into ce. That would mean Chris had been taken by Mr. M himself.

    Even so, the theory still felt iplete.

    For some time now, the signs had been pushing Maia toward a single conclusion: Mr. M was most likely her mentor, Zoey. That belief had once felt solid, but doubt now crept in where certainty used to be. By all ounts, Zoey should still have been behind bars ¡ª her freedom made no sense. And if Mr. M was not her, then why had this mysterious figure helped Maia time and again without ever asking for anything in return? Why would Mr. M take Chris now?

    Each possibility only deepened the confusion rather than clearing it.

    A heavy sense of uncertainty closed in around her, as though she had been drawn onto a vast chessboard and could no longer see the next move.

    Steeling herself, Maia inhaled deeply and reached for her phone to call Zoey.

    The moment the call connected, Zoey¡¯s anxious voice rushed through the line. ¡°Maia, are you alright? I just saw the fire department¡¯s report ¡ª the list of missing people. Are you safe? Are you with Chris?¡±

    The instant Chris¡¯s name surfaced, Maia¡¯s heart clenched violently, as though an unseen hand had seized it without warning.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1467

    ?Chapter 1467:

    ¡°I am fine¡­¡± She hesitated, her breath catching. Her voice came out rough, scraped raw. ¡°Chris¡­ he¡­¡±

    She never finished. Zoey cut in immediately, relief spilling through her words. ¡°Thank goodness. I have been worried sick. Has Chris been taking care of you? If he dared let you get hurt, I will give him a piece of my mind¡­¡±

    The rest faded into the background. A memory mmed into Maia¡¯s mind without mercy.

    The sharp crack of gunfire. The metallic stench of blood. And Chris ¡ª moving without hesitation ¡ª stepping into her path, his body absorbing the bullet meant for her.

    She remembered his eyes in that moment. Unyielding. Resolute. And unmistakably filled with affection.

    Maia¡¯s lips parted, but no sound emerged. Her throat felt stuffed with cotton, heavy and suffocating. She could not force a single word past it.

    She reached out instead and pressed the window button down. Cold air surged into the car, whipping against her face.

    ¡°Is something wrong? Did Chris fail to take care of you properly? Give him the phone ¡ª I¡¯ll talk to him myself.¡± Zoey¡¯s voice rose again,ced with the protectiveness only an elder could carry.

    Outside, the wind howled, carrying with it the damp scent of rain-soaked earth. Maia didn¡¯t know why, but her eyes suddenly burned, tears blurring her vision. The frustration, fear, and sorrow she had suppressed for so long finally burst through the dam she had built.

    ¡°Chris¡­ he¡¯s gone.¡±

    Her voice cracked, a sob breaking free despite every effort to contain it.

    ??????d ????§à?? §å?????? §â???????? §àn ??a????§àv?????.§ã????

    Her words carried a double meaning. Chris wasn¡¯t only gone in body ¡ª his heart seemed to have vanished with that surgery. The man who had once looked at her with unmistakable love no longer existed.

    On the other end of the line, silence fell.

    Zoey sensed immediately that something was terribly wrong, and her tone turned solemn. ¡°What happened? Where did Chris go? Take your time. Tell me everything.¡±

    Maia drew in a shaky breath.

    Under normal circumstances, she would have faced any crisis withposure, locking her emotions away no matter how violently they churned. But now, with Zoey¡¯s concern flowing steadily through the phone, every facade Maia had painstakingly built copsed. It felt as though a hollow had been carved straight through her heart.

    The wet wind roared into the car, rattling softly against the ss. Still, she knew she couldn¡¯t afford to drown in grief. There were too many unanswered questions. Too many things left to do.

    Maia tightened her grip on the phone, forced her breathing steady, and briefly exined everything that had happened.

    When she finished, a loud thud echoed through the line ¡ª as if Zoey had mmed her fist onto a table. Her anger was unmistakable.

    ¡°I am familiar with the situation now.¡± After a brief pause, Zoey spoke again, her voice calmer and gentler, like a soft hand pressing against Maia¡¯s raw nerves. ¡°I¡¯ll have Siena take a team to South Lake Park to assist you. But before Siena arrives, you must not go in alone ¡ª no matter what. Whether it¡¯s a trap or something else entirely, you must be extremely cautious. Your safetyes first.¡±

    Maia¡¯s fingers tightened around the steering wheel, her knuckles whitening. She did not answer.

    Zoey seemed to read the silence. After a moment, she continued more softly, ¡°Do not worry about Chris for now. I will pull every string I have. If he is still in Wront ¡ª or even if he is still on this ¡ª I will find him.¡±

    Her tone sharpened with focus. ¡°As for this Mr. M you mentioned, I have no impression of him, which suggests a false identity. However, you said one of his subordinates is a well-known oil tycoon. That is enough. I can trace him through that connection.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1468

    ?Chapter 1468:

    Maia¡¯s eyes flickered. Brightened.

    She inhaled sharply as realization struck her all at once. She had been so consumed by chaos and emotion that she hadpletely overlooked that crucial thread.

    Granger, the oil tycoon, was no ordinary name on the world stage. His influence stretched across continents, his movements and history woven tightly into global affairs. A man like that could never move without leaving traces behind.

    If Maia could uncover who Granger had recently contacted ¡ª or whose orders he had been carrying out ¡ª then Mr. M¡¯s true identity would no longer remain buried in shadows.

    ¡°Okay. I understand. Thank you, Zoey.¡± Maia¡¯s voice, moments ago strained and brittle, finally recovered a thread of steadiness.

    Zoey, however, sounded faintly displeased on the other end of the line. ¡°Why are you thanking me? Do not forget ¡ª you are not alone. I am your mentor. I am always here. No matter what happens, I have your back.¡±

    When the call ended, Maia lowered the phone slowly. A warm current spread through her chest, easing the hollow ache that had weighed her down. The emptiness she had been carrying finally found somewhere to settle.

    She restarted the engine, pressed down on the elerator, and sent the car surging toward South Lake Park.

    Meanwhile, deep inside the park, Kiley clung to the trunk of a towering tree, her spirit sinking further by the second.

    She had tried calling Maia again, only for her phone to betray her at the worst possible moment. The screen went dark without warning. No matter how hard she pressed the power button, there was no response.

    ????????????????? §àf ????????ers o?? ??al?o??§Ö???.c§à??

    ¡°Damn it,¡± she cursed under her breath, fury and panic tightening her throat.

    After several futile attempts ¡ª and knowing full well the danger of a traceable signal ¡ª she bit down hard on her lower lip. With a sharp, desperate motion, she hurled the expensive phone into the distantke. A soft ssh followed, swallowed instantly by the darkness as the device sank out of sight.

    Kiley froze, holding her breath as she clutched the tree trunk, terrified that even that small sound might draw the attention of those ghost-like covert operatives.

    But as if fate itself were conspiring against her, misfortune came in waves.

    Just when the rain had briefly stopped, it returned with a vengeance. Heavy droplets hammered against the leaves overhead, the noise thick and suffocating. Cold water streamed along the branches and soaked through her clothes in moments. Even beneath the dense canopy, Kiley was drenched ¡ª her hair clinging messily to her face, her makeup washed away entirely, leaving her in a state ofplete disarray.

    Yet, in that misery, an opportunity revealed itself.

    The roar of the downpour swallowed other sounds, dulling visibility and disrupting the operatives¡¯ senses. The chaos of the storm could mask movement. It was a chance to escape.

    But the perimeter had already been sealed.

    Should she stay hidden and wait for Maia to find her? Or should she risk everything and attempt to break through under cover of the rain?

    Kiley wavered, trapped between hope and desperation. Her body trembled ¡ª not only from the cold, but from fear. She knew exactly how ruthless those covert operatives could be. Mercy was never part of their vocabry.

    Near Cooper Group¡¯s private hospital, a ck unmarked van sat quietly in a concealed corner, nearly invisible beneath the rain-soaked night.

    Falcon, the squad leader dispatched by udius, had finally returned.

    Though he had been unable to reach Kiley by phone, the tech team had just picked up thest known signal from her device, cing her somewhere near the hospital. The signal had flickered briefly ¡ª then vanished. That was not normal.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1469

    ?Chapter 1469:

    Falcon studied the digital map carefully, his brow tightening. South Lake Park? Why would she be there?

    ¡°Everyone, prepare forbat. Night vision on,¡± he ordered without hesitation, his voice carrying the sharp authority of years on the battlefield.

    Inside the van, metallic clicks echoed as the squad chambered their weapons. Though only part of the team was present, they were the elite ¡ª special operations soldiers capable of overwhelming multiple enemies on their own.

    They exited the vehicle swiftly, breaking into groups of three and moving toward the park like phantoms swallowed by the rain and darkness.

    Falcon tightened his grip around his submachine gun, his gaze cold and predatory. Two possibilities yed through his mind: either Kiley had already been captured by Kolton and this was a trap, or she was still hiding and the phone signal had been a silent cry for help.

    No matter which it was, there was no turning back. The order hade directly from udius ¡ª and orders like that were absolute.

    Soon, the group reached the outer edge of South Lake Park.

    Rain came down in relentless sheets, smearing the world into a blur of shadows and motion. Visibility shrank with every step, the downpour swallowing sound and sight alike. Ahead, the path dissolved into a chaotic sprawl ¡ª twisting trails vanishing into dense vegetation, branches and undergrowth intertwining into natural cover that was ideal for ambushes, concealment, and silent kills.

    Falcon raised a hand, his movements sharp and precise. He leaned toward his earpiece and lowered his voice to a breath. ¡°Be careful not to harm our own. Spread out. Advance and search.¡±

    At the same moment, Maia¡¯s car rolled to a stop at a side gate on the opposite end of South Lake Park.

    ?????? §ã??§Ñ?????????? ????§Ö???? w§Ö???? o? g§Ñ??n????e??s.§ã§à??

    Beyond the windshield, the world was swallowed by night. Darkness pressed in from every direction, broken only when lightning split the sky, illuminating the forest in stark, ghostly shes. The wipers swept across the ss in steady arcs, their scraping rhythm monotonous and hollow ¡ª a sound that matched the tension settling in Maia¡¯s chest.

    She reached forward and switched off the headlights. The car disappeared into the dark.

    Lowering her gaze, she checked her phone. Its dim glow brushed across her face, calm andposed, betraying nothing of the storm around her. She was waiting for Siena¡¯s call ¡ª waiting, watching, listening.

    Then her eyes narrowed.

    Through the curtain of rain, movement flickered. Figures. Shadows advancing through the storm, closing in from her direction.

    Elsewhere, Chris had been relocated to the vi that once belonged to histe father, Kyle.

    He reclined against a soft leather sofa, his face still drained of color, though the dazed haze in his eyes had finally lifted. Consciousness had returned in full ¡ª sharp and unrelenting.

    At his side, a personal doctor worked methodically, recing bloodstained bandages and checking his vitals with careful precision.

    The door opened abruptly. Grayson entered with brisk strides, rain still clinging to his coat. He stopped beside Chris, straightened, and bowed slightly.

    ¡°Sir,¡± he reported, his voice controlled and respectful, ¡°we just received word from the team assigned to protect Maia. She has gone to South Lake Park.¡±

    Chris¡¯s gaze shifted almost imperceptibly. South Lake Park? At this hour, in rain like this? What was she doing there?

    ¡°Anything unusual?¡± he asked, his voice deep and steady.

    Grayson shook his head. ¡°No ambush detected so far. However, I have authorized full weapon ess. If anyone attempts to harm her, no mercy will be shown.¡±

    Chris did not respond. His eyes darkened, unfathomable ¡ª like an ocean beneath storm clouds. Whatever thoughts churned beneath the surface, none were revealed.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1470

    ?Chapter 1470:

    The doctor finished his examination and excused himself quietly.

    Though Chris¡¯s condition had stabilized, the sight of his injuries still unsettled everyone present. Bandages wrapped his forehead. His chest was bound tightly,yers of white concealing how close death hade. The bullet had missed his heart by the narrowest margin. Too close.

    Chris lowered his gaze to his chest.

    The memory surged back without warning. In that instant, there had been only one thought in his mind ¡ª if he had to die, then so be it, as long as Maia lived. The instinct had been raw and overwhelming, and recalling it now sent a chill through him.

    Was it because she was his wife?

    Since waking up, Chris had found it difficult toprehend his own actions. Within those blurred fragments of memory, it felt as though he had already fallen deeply, irrevocably in love with Maia ¡ª so deeply that there had been no turning back. Yet the mysterious woman who appeared in his dreams, the girl whose face remained indistinct, lingered like a thorn embedded in his heart. He still had not found the girl who had once saved his life.

    He pushed the tangled thoughts aside and closed his eyes briefly, forcing the noise in his mind into silence.

    Another face emerged ¡ª clearer, colder. The instigator of tonight¡¯s chaos. The woman who had betrayed The Mask. The woman who had nearly cost both him and Maia their lives.

    After a long moment of silence, he opened his eyes. They locked onto Grayson with a gaze sharp enough to cut steel, and his voice dropped ¡ª icy and absolute.

    ¡°Bring Raegan to me.¡±

    Y?????? ??e???? ????????r????e ??§Ö§Ñ?? ???? ??? ??§Ñ??????????????.c??m

    Grayson snapped to attention instantly, his right hand clenching into a fist and pressing firmly against his chest in a precise, knight-style salute. ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    The basement was dark, damp, and suffocating.

    Moisture clung to the walls, the air thick with decay and neglect. Inside a cramped cell, Raegany sprawled across the cold cement floor, unmoving. The chill seeped through her clothes, but she did not react.

    Footsteps echoed down the corridor. Click-ck. Click-ck. Slow. Deliberate. Then came the turn of a key.

    Click.

    She should have felt something ¡ª fear, anticipation, relief ¡ª but there was nothing. Her body remained still, her mind hollow, like a shell long emptied.

    The cell door creaked open. A tall figure stood framed in the doorway, blocking the weak light behind him.

    ¡°Raegan.¡± Grayson¡¯s voice sliced through the stale air, cold and merciless. ¡°The leader wants to see you.¡±

    At those words, Raegan¡¯s lifeless eyes flew open. Her body shuddered violently, as though struck by lightning.

    The leader¡­ was still alive?

    Slowly, she turned her head. Tears spilled freely, streaming down her face as herposure finally shattered.

    Inside Kyle¡¯s secret vi, at the heart of the living room, Chris fitted the metallic mask back over his face.

    The surface caught the light with a cold sheen, concealing his pale, unreadable features and leaving only his deep-set eyes exposed. Authority clung to him ¡ª edged with chill and secrecy.

    Raegan approached on unsteady feet, hesitation dragging at every step as panic churned inside her. She saw it. That mask she knew all too well. And beneath it, the man she had once worshipped like a god.

    In that moment, guilt surged violently through her chest.

    Raegan cursed her own foolishness again and again. Her thoughts dragged her back to the alleyway fight, when her people had nearly killed him ¡ª then to the charity event, where her subordinate had fired at him once more. Twice. Twice she had attacked the man she loved above all others.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1471

    ?Chapter 1471:

    She had suspected Chris¡¯s identity for a long time ¡ª his build, his voice, even the unusual attention he paid to Maia. Looking back now, Raegan finally saw how blind she had been. How had she failed to connect it all? The leader¡¯s method of concealing his identity was the perfect deception, true to the saying about keeping enemies closer than friends. No one in their right mind would ever connect the feared ruler of The Mask to the meek, overlooked illegitimate son of the Cooper family.

    Even after he had explicitly ordered her to investigate Cooper Group and warned her not to touch Maia, she had dismissed every word. Jealousy had rotted her judgment, pushing her to cross lines she should never have approached.

    A heavy thud rang out. Raegan¡¯s strength gave outpletely, and she crashed down onto her knees several paces in front of Chris. The sound of bone striking the floor rippled through the living room, sharp and unforgiving.

    ¡°Lift your head.¡± Themand emerged through the voice changer, distorted and stripped of any trace of mercy.

    Raegan shuddered as she obeyed, forcing her gaze upward bit by agonizing bit. Even seated in a wheelchair and visibly wounded, Chris exerted an oppressive force that crushed resistance and demanded surrender.

    ¡°Do you know how many members we lost today?¡± His tone dropped lower, every wordnding against Raegan¡¯s chest like a blow meant to bruise the soul. ¡°You were my most trusted deputy, yet I clearly misjudged your discipline and your ability to execute orders.¡±

    He let the silence stretch, his stare fixed on her like a de held just short of the kill.

    ¡°Raegan,¡± he said atst. ¡°Answer me. Have you turned your back on us and chosen the Cooper family instead?¡±

    As the final word left his mouth, his fingers dug hard into the wheelchair¡¯s armrests, the skin over his knuckles bleaching white. A violent ache pulsed through his head, as though something vital had slipped from his grasp and his mind was struggling to drag it back into ce.

    ?????? b?????? ????????§Öw?? ??? ??a??????????????.??o??

    Drowned in remorse, Raegan failed to notice the brief fracture in hisposure.

    Her head dropped lower, her voice shaking under the weight of guilt. ¡°I know my recklessness has caused severe damage to the organization, but I have never betrayed The Mask. I have always carried your doctrine with me. The Mask exists to purge corrupt forces and to uphold justice.¡±

    Her hands curled into tight fists, nails carving into her palms until her joints cracked under the strain. ¡°Whatever judgment you pass, I will ept it. Even death.¡±AdChoicesADVERTISING

    Raegan remained kneeling, her head bowed, waiting for the leader¡¯s verdict.

    No sound followed.

    A suffocating stillness settled over the room. Chris offered no response, and the silence dragged on until it became unbearable ¡ª each second pressing down on Raegan like an unseen weight threatening to crush her. Her breathing turned uneven, caught between hope and the terror of being cast aside.

    After a long moment, Chris released a slow, heavy breath.

    Fresh from brain surgery, his body was in no condition to endure strain. Speaking even that much had drained him, blurring his vision and scattering his thoughts.

    His initial intention had been to deal with Raegan harshly ¡ª to strip her of her position and spare her life only out of consideration for her past contributions to the organization. Even so, the price would not have been light. One of her hands would have been destroyed as tribute to those who had died. That rule had never been broken.

    But now, Chris found himself reassessing. He considered Raegan¡¯s remaining usefulness, her influence within The Mask, and the fact that Kiley still ced trust in her. From a practical standpoint, she retained value, and the organization could not afford to waste capable operatives in its current state. He also considered that the chaos created by her actions was hers to resolve ¡ª that responsibility certainly did not fall on him.

    More importantly, his condition remained dangerously unstable. He knew he could lose consciousness again at any moment.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1472

    ?Chapter 1472:

    What Chris failed to notice was that his prolonged silence felt to Raegan like a crushing verdict ¡ª as though a vast and unseen threat loomed over her, ready to descend without warning.

    ¡°Answer me,¡± he said abruptly. ¡°Why did you target Maia?¡±

    The question shattered the stillness, tearing through the silence he had allowed to stretch too long.

    ¡°I want the truth.¡± Chris tightened his hold, his tone hardening as he spoke. ¡°Since you did not betray us, exin this. Why did you disobey my orders? Why did you put Maia directly in danger?¡±

    Raegan dropped her gaze.

    The restraint she had maintained began to unravel. All the feelings she had buried ¡ª longing twisted with envy ¡ª burst free in that instant.

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m jealous of Maia. Because I suspected you were Mr. M, sir, and I saw how generously you treated her. You gave her expensive gifts. You were good to her.¡±

    At her words, Chris¡¯s brows drew together beneath the mask. Jealousy? That was her reason?

    ¡°You have overstepped,¡± he said quietly.

    A faint shudder ran through Raegan¡¯s body. Even so, there were questions she could no longer keep buried. She understood what awaited her ¡ª severe punishment, perhaps even death. Still, as long as the leader remained unharmed, she could meet that end without regret.

    She paused briefly, then raised her head and met Chris¡¯s gaze. ¡°I know. But I can¡¯t control myself. Because I love you, sir. Why won¡¯t you look at me the way you look at her? In what way am I inferior to Maia? I want to know what makes her better than me, and why you chose to love her. Please ¡ª give me a clear answer.¡±

    Raegan held her head high, her eyes fixed on Chris as he sat above her.

    ¡°My connection with Maia is strictly business,¡± Chris answered evenly, his voice steady, leaving no space for doubt or misinterpretation.

    W??a?? e????ry?????? ???? ????????????? o?? ????????§à??el??.??o??

    In his mind, the one he had always treasured was the young girl who had saved him years ago. As for Maia ¡ª ¡°In more ways than one, Maia has slowed Cooper Group¡¯s progress,¡± he continued. ¡°Right now, she represents Cooper Group¡¯s greatest obstacle.¡±

    He constructed a rational justification for every act of generosity he had shown her. Though an unspoken discord lingered within him ¡ª a hollow space in his chest ¡ª cold logic was sufficient to keep those sensations contained.

    ¡°Strictly business?¡± Raegan¡¯s eyes flew open.

    Chris¡¯s exnation reached her ears like a hymn of salvation. Everything suddenly aligned. Her jealousy, born without proof, had driven her toward a false conclusion. Chris had only wanted to ensure she stopped targeting Maia ¡ª and perhaps Mr. M¡¯s gifts had been nothing more than tools to elevate Maia into a visible threat, forcing Cooper Group to shift its focus onto her.

    That, in truth, was exactly what had been happening.

    Kiley had long regarded Maia as a thorn she could not ignore, mobilizing every resource at her disposal to suppress her. In that instant, it felt as though a sharp current surged through Raegan¡¯s thoughts, and rity washed over her.

    She had been blind ¡ª failing to recognize the leader¡¯s calcted brilliance. He had used Maia as bait to draw Cooper Group¡¯s attention, cing her squarely in the spotlight while Raegan remained concealed, operating from the shadows, earning Kiley¡¯s trust and quietly collecting information. Every step had served a single purpose: uncovering concrete proof of Cooper Group¡¯s crimes.

    Chris was an illegitimate son of the Cooper family who had turned against his own blood in the name of justice. How could a man driven by ideals that lofty allow himself to be distracted by something as trivial as romantic attachment before his mission wasplete?

    Raegan mocked herself inwardly. She was truly pathetic. She had nearly destroyed the leader¡¯s entire n over something so small, so selfish.

    ¡°I understand now, sir,¡± she said aloud, her voice trembling, caught somewhere between a sob and a hollowugh. ¡°Thank you for making me see how foolish I was. I am not worthy of being the deputy leader of The Mask. I am willing to pay for this with my life.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1473

    ?Chapter 1473:

    The atmosphere stiffened, a heavy silence pressing down on them once again.

    After a long stretch of quiet, Chris finally spoke, exhaustion threading through his measured tone. ¡°My father once told me that a subordinate¡¯s first mistake should be forgiven.¡±

    Raegan wentpletely still, her mind struggling to ept what she had just heard.

    This time, she had nearly caused the leader¡¯s death, sparked internal discord, and cost the organization the lives of manyrades ¡ª and that did not even ount for her past errors, none of which deserved mercy. If their positions were reversed, she knew she would never spare a subordinate who had disobeyed her orders.

    Bitterness surged through her without warning, and tears spilled down her face again. ¡°Sir¡­ please punish me. I will ept anything. Even if you decide I must die, I will not resist.¡±

    Behind the mask, Chris cast her an impatient look.

    She wanted death? That was nothing more than a convenient escape ¡ª and far too merciful for what she had done.

    His voice dropped, cold and deliberate. ¡°This time, you should thank my father. It is because of his principles that you are being given an opportunity to redeem yourself. However¡­¡±AdChoicesADVERTISING

    He paused.

    Chris¡¯s voice cooled to a lethal calm, every word edged with unmistakable intent. ¡°My father left another instruction: make sure your subordinates suffer the price of repeating old errors.¡±

    The strength drained from his tone without warning, and his frame swayed as though bnce had slipped away. ¡°Do not fail me again.¡±

    ?????? ??????? ??§Öa???????? §Öx§â§Ö????????c?? ???? ??§Ñ?????ve????.§ã????

    The ground beneath him seemed to whirl, the space around him refusing to stay still. His thoughts dulled into emptiness, his vision bleeding into a hazy blur.

    Raegan sank her teeth into her lower lip, pain grounding her as resolve settled deep within her. ¡°Thank you for showing mercy, sir. I swear I will never betray your trust again. From this moment on, my life is bound to yourmand.¡±

    Pain twisted through Chris¡¯s body, and he forced himself to remain conscious as he spoke through the strain. ¡°Next, show me the limits of what you can endure. The strategic confrontation with Cooper Group begins now. Kolton Cooper¡¯s corruption must be exposed to the public, and Cooper Group must be crushed entirely. This is a direct order.¡±

    When the words had left his mouth, he turned his gaze toward Grayson. His voice was barely steady. ¡°Get me somewhere I can rest.¡±

    Grayson moved without hesitation ¡ª hurrying forward, lowering himself, and signaling for Chris to lean against his back.

    Raegan watched Chris go, guilt weighing heavily alongside a growing sense of reverence. She had no idea he had also undergone head surgery to remove an old fragment from his brain, and so she believed every injury he carried existed because of her. In that moment, hismanding presence and sweeping vision seized herpletely. She swore to fulfill his mission, uncover decisive evidence of Cooper Group¡¯s crimes, and bring them down without mercy. In her heart, this became her way of avenging him.

    Just then, a man stepped forward from the shadows.

    His figure was draped in a ck cloak, his face concealed behind a gas mask. It was gue, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

    ¡°Our leader is always like this,¡± he said, drawing out a key and unlocking the restraints binding Raegan. ¡°His vision never stops at what lies in front of him. Since the leader has spoken, your position as deputy leader remains unchanged. Please proceed with arranging the next phase.¡±

    Raegan responded with a firm nod, slowly flexing her wrists ¡ª the skin raw and reddened from the shackles. She was inplete agreement, not a single doubt forming in her mind. Now that she knew the leader was actually Chris, the illegitimate child of the Cooper family, her admiration for him had deepened into something closer to reverence. Turning his back on his own blood for the sake of countless others made him the embodiment of both quiet romance and undeniable heroism.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1474

    ?Chapter 1474:

    ¡°But before anything else, I need¡­¡± Raegan began, her voice trailing off.

    ¡°I understand. You require rest, but with injuries this severe, seeing a doctores first,¡± gue said. He stepped closer, his presence pressing in as his voice dropped to a cial tone. ¡°Even though the leader chose to spare you, my forgiveness is not part of that mercy. You will earn back what you have lost. Cross the organization or the leader one more time, and I have countless ways to make you suffer for it ¡ª slowly, and without end. I will ensure you regret every decision, every single day.¡±

    Meanwhile, in South Lake Park, rain crashed down without mercy.

    Gunfire thundered through the darkness like an unending tempest, smearing Kiley¡¯s vision as shey sprawled across the slick grass, her body caked in mud and rainwater. Her eyes stretched wide as she stared at the chaos unfolding before her ¡ª a sh between three opposing forces.

    Confusion locked her in ce. How could there be three separate groups?

    She had only contacted Maia for backup, so one team should have belonged to her. Another unit clearly consisted of covert operatives dispatched by her father to erase her existence. But the third group ¡ª where had theye from? Why had they erupted intobat without warning, turning everything into uncontrolled chaos?

    Sheets of rain distorted Kiley¡¯s sight, the world dissolving into a smeared, shifting blur. Bullets tore through the air at random, any one of them capable of ending her life instantly. She could no longer stay hidden against the tree ¡ª not after a stray round had mmed into the trunk beside her, missing her skull by only a few inches.

    Momentster she had abandoned her cover, dragging herself forward across the ground until she reached her current position. Her heartbeat hammered wildly against her ribs as she pressed herself low, tucking her head down and struggling to dodge the spray of gunfire.

    Panic seized her ¡ª raw and uncontroble. She had never felt this level of terror in her entire life. The smallest misstep could mean death, yet she had no idea which direction to flee or where safetyy amid the chaos.

    J????n ?????? ???????????????? §Ñ?? ??????n§àv§Ö????.c§à??

    Which path would let her live?

    South Lake Park descended into chaos as the battle intensified. Bullets sliced through the torrential downpour, carving deadly arcs of light through the night.

    Kileyy prone on the sodden, muddy grass, despair washing over her in drowning waves. The cacophony of gunfire and screams pressed in from all sides. She clutched her head, frozen like a deer in headlights, her silent prayers pleading for survival.

    Then, suddenly, a rhythmic strobe pierced the gloom in the distance ¡ª the high beams of a vehicle. The light cut a swath through the rain, illuminating her position.

    Kiley squinted against the re, and her heart stuttered as she discerned a pattern: three long shes, followed by a short one. Then it repeated.

    Morse code.

    Trained as an elite operative by the Cooper family, her mind instantly shifted into decryption mode, tranting the pulses into words. I¡­ am¡­ here.

    Maia hade.

    A surge of relief steadied her frantic heart. Salvation was near. Ignoring the mud caking her clothes and skin, she began crawling desperately toward that beacon of hope.

    Gunfire erupted dangerously close. Adrenaline screamed through her veins, her own heartbeat a deafening drum in her ears.

    Fifty yards. Thirty yards.

    As she closed within a dozen yards of the light source, a shadow erupted from the nking bushes. It moved with lethal speed ¡ª a panther in the night ¡ª pinning her to the ground before she could even gasp.

    ¡°Ah!¡± A sharp cry escaped her as the air left her lungs.

    Terror locked her in ce, her mind nk, breath caught in her throat. She was certain it was a covert operative sent to finish her off. She writhed and twisted in the mud. ¡°Let go! Leave me alone!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1475

    ?Chapter 1475:

    Her rescue had been moments away. Why now? Why did everything crumble when she was almost free?

    Her hand stretched toward the distant shing light, fingers wing at nothing but rain and darkness. That light remained forever out of reach, taunting her like her own fate ¡ª always slipping from her grasp no matter how fiercely she fought.

    ¡°It¡¯s me.¡±

    Just as Kiley shut her eyes and braced herself for the end, a low, familiar voice cut through her panic. Though deliberately pitched low, she recognized it instantly.

    Falcon. udius¡¯s most trusted team leader.

    He pressed her head firmly into the grass, shielding her from stray rounds. In swift, practiced motions, he stripped off his tactical vest and bulletproof jacket. ¡°Put this on. Follow me.¡± His words were sharp and absolute.

    Then he was up, rifle raised toward the enemies closing in from behind. Gunfire ripped through the night, muzzle shes lighting the rain as heid down covering fire ¡ª his body a wall between Kiley and death as she pulled on the jacket that still held thest trace of his warmth.

    The team of special operatives closed ranks around her, forming a solid wall of protection. ¡°Fall back! Cover her withdrawal!¡±

    The fierce engagementsted nearly an hour before the sporadic shots dwindled into an uneasy quiet, and silence gradually reimed the battered park.

    The downpour had finally ceased.

    In the east, the sky softened into a pale, bruised gray, heralding the approach of dawn. A new day was breaking, yet the air remained thick ¡ª saturated with the metallic scent of blood and the acrid tang of spent gunpowder.

    Maia stepped out from behind the bullet-riddled SUV, her sharp eyes sweeping the devastated field. There was not a single trace of Kiley.

    ??om???????? ?????? ??a?????on §à? g??l??§àv?????.??§à??

    ¡°So it was Kiley¡¯s trap all along,¡± she muttered, a cold sneer twisting her lips, a glint of bitter self-reproach in her eyes. She should have known better than to hope. That woman was poison ¡ª selfish, duplicitous, a nest of lies. Utterly unreliable.

    Maia concluded it had been Kolton¡¯s n all along to draw her out.

    At that moment, Siena moved closer, her gaze fixed on the motionless shapes near the trees. A faint crease appeared between her brows. ¡°They know what they¡¯re doing,¡± she said, her tone detached, almost conversational. ¡°The area¡¯s clean ¡ª no identification, no markers. Has to be Kolton¡¯s covert operatives.¡±

    ¡°Covert operatives?¡± Maia seized on the unfamiliar term. It was the first she had heard of a secret organization within the Cooper family structure.

    Siena¡¯sposure cracked for a fraction of a second. She blinked, a flicker of rm in her eyes, and her hand rose almost involuntarily to her mouth. She had said too much.

    Maia didn¡¯t press. She understood that Zoey likely had reasons for keeping certain things sealed off.

    ¡°Take me to Zoey,¡± she said tly instead. If Siena couldn¡¯t talk, she would get her answers directly from the source. She already had too many questions weighing on her mind ¡ª one more wouldn¡¯t tip the scales.

    Just then, the situation took an unexpected turn.

    A sudden movement erupted from the shadows near a scorched tree trunk. A covert operative, presumed dead, lunged with his remaining strength. A pistol gleamed in his right hand, its muzzle swinging unsteadily toward Maia¡¯s exposed back.

    ¡°Look out!¡± Siena¡¯s shout cracked through the air like a whip. She didn¡¯t hesitate ¡ª throwing her full weight against Maia and shoving her clear.

    As the operative¡¯s finger tightened on the trigger, another sound split the dawn.

    The operative¡¯s body jolted violently. His right arm seemed to vaporize in a mist of crimson, torn from his shoulder and hurled several yards away. An inhuman scream ripped from his throat.

    The shot hade from a high-powered sniper rifle.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1476

    ?Chapter 1476:

    Already moving from Siena¡¯s shove, Maia hit the ground and rolled instinctively beneath the chassis of the nearest SUV. A sniper. She couldn¡¯t tell whether the shooter was an ally or an enemy ¡ª or whether she herself had been the intended target. After all, if Siena hadn¡¯t shoved her aside at thest second, she would have taken that bullet head-on.

    Siena reacted just as fast, rolling into cover in one fluid motion and firing three shots in rapid session. Theynded with brutal uracy ¡ª a clean execution.

    They had barely steadied their breathing when the low growl of an engine cut through the air. A fully ck, heavily modified off-road vehicle tore down the road like a beast at full throttle, vanishing into the pale light of dawn before either of them could react.

    Maia and Siena exchanged a look, shock mirrored clearly in each other¡¯s eyes.

    Had the sniper already withdrawn? Was it a missed shot followed by a clean escape ¡ª or had the shooter intervened deliberately, eliminating the attacker to protect them?

    ¡°Stay alert,¡± Siena said quietly, weapon still raised. ¡°It could have been staged. And if there¡¯s another sniper out there ¡ª if you are the real target¡­¡±

    Maia pressed herself t against the damp, icy ground, barely daring to breathe. Siena wasn¡¯t wrong. If she was the target, standing up now could mean stepping straight into another shot.

    Yet the more she reyed the moment, the clearer it became. The angle. The timing. The bullet hade from the direction of the fleeing vehicle, fired before the covert operative could pull the trigger. It hadn¡¯t been random. It had saved her.

    But that only raised a deeper question ¡ª who was the sniper, and why?

    Maia clenched her jaw. Waiting helplessly wasn¡¯t an option. She drew in a breath and made her choice ¡ª better to move than to die lying still.

    ??????o????????d ????????????§Ö????.c§àm ???? ??§àu?? ??ri??nd??

    ¡°Wait,¡± Siena murmured, sensing her intent. ¡°Reinforcements are on their way.¡±

    As if summoned, the growl of multiple engines approached. Five camouged tactical vehicles converged from a side road, swiftly encircling the two women in a protective steel cordon. Moving in a low crouch, Maia and Siena scrambled into the nearest vehicle.

    ¡°Go!¡±

    The convoy surged forward as one, its formation shifting fluidly to obscure which vehicle now carried Maia.

    Not far away, hidden in another blind spot, a ck sedany in wait.

    Inside, a masked member of The Mask held a secure line, calmly reporting to Grayson. ¡°The sniper team haspleted the operation. The threat has been eliminated, and the unit has withdrawn.¡±

    Grayson¡¯s voice came through steady and unruffled. ¡°Good. The other team has beenpromised. From now on, you remain in the shadows. Protect Maia at all costs, but do not expose yourselves. You are the only line left. Nothing is to go wrong.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± the man replied at once, his tone clipped and resolute.

    The call ended. The engine purred to life, smooth and quiet. Keeping its distance, the sedan slipped into motion ¡ª unseen, unacknowledged ¡ª following the convoy ahead like a ghost guarding its charge.

    Inside the reinforced vehicle, Maia sank into the plush rear seat and let a slow, deliberate breath ease the tension from her shoulders. The adrenaline was fading, leaving a deep-seated weariness in its wake.

    ¡°Try to rest if you can,¡± Siena advised from the driver¡¯s seat, her eyes fixed on the road. ¡°These vehicles are fully armored. You¡¯re safe here.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Maia answered softly.

    But instead of closing her eyes, she turned her gaze to the window. Dawn had broken in full, yet the sky remained a sheet of dull, leaden gray ¡ª heavy and threatening, much like the weight pressing against her chest.

    Her thoughts drifted unavoidably to Chris. Was he even alive?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1477

    ?Chapter 1477:

    Maia¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, her mind shifting into a sharper, more calcting gear. Perhaps she didn¡¯t have to wait for Zoey to unravel everything. She still had resources of her own.

    Since the trail on Mr. M had gone cold, she could approach from another angle ¡ª the people closest to him. She would instruct Pris¡¯s top hacker to dig into everything about Granger Sparrow, the oil tycoon linked to Mr. M. If she could reach Granger, she might finally find the path back to Chris.

    Thinking quickly, Maia pulled out her phone and dialed her subordinate.

    The moment the call connected, a nervous voice spilled out. ¡°Boss¡­ please don¡¯t be mad. I still haven¡¯t located Chris. The cars that took him had fake tes and moved with professional precision. I¡¯mbing through surveince footage, but the strange thing is ¡ª after they passed an intersection, they simply disappeared. Like they vanished into thin air.¡±

    ¡°I understand,¡± Maia said calmly, her tone steady and without usation. ¡°It seems they know how to cover their tracks, which means they¡¯re no ordinary people. But I may have a lead.¡±

    Her subordinate¡¯s voice brightened instantly. ¡°A lead? Boss, you¡¯re incredible! What is it? What should I do?¡±

    ¡°Track one person for me.¡± Maia narrowed her eyes, her voice dropping ¡ª sharp andmanding. ¡°Granger Sparrow. An oil tycoon. Find his location, his contact information, and everything he¡¯s been doing recently in Wront.¡±

    ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll start immediately and update you the moment I have anything.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Maia hung up, but barely had time to set the phone down before it buzzed again. It was Pattie.

    She hesitated a moment, then answered.

    §Ñ????????§Ö c????mu???ty ???? ????????????els.§ã§à??

    ¡°Maia! Thank goodness ¡ª you¡¯re okay?¡± Pattie¡¯s voice trembled with panic. ¡°After Rnd and I woke up, we searched everywhere for you. Then we saw you listed as missing ¡ª I nearly lost my mind!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ managing,¡± Maia said carefully.

    She bore no physical scars, yet the absence of the person she loved cut deeper than any wound.

    ¡°Managing? You can¡¯t say things like that!¡± Pattie¡¯s anxiety spiraled. ¡°Where are you? Tell me ¡ª I¡¯ming to get you right now.¡±

    ¡°Pattie!¡± Maia¡¯s sharp interruption silenced her friend instantly.

    ¡°Yes?¡± Pattie whispered.

    ¡°I am alright. What I need is for you and Rnd to look after Ethan for me. Please.¡± Maia¡¯s tone firmed. ¡°That¡¯s the most important thing right now. There are pressing matters I need to deal with. When they¡¯re finished, I¡¯lle see you.¡±

    Before Pattie could reply, Maia ended the call.

    She leaned back, eyes closed, fists clenched. Kiley Cooper. Kolton Cooper. Cooper Group. This time, she would settle everyst debt.

    Pattie stared at her phone, the abrupt disconnect tone buzzing in her ear.

    Maia never ended a call that way. Something was deeply wrong.

    ¡°Maia¡­¡± she breathed, turning toward Rnd just as he finished his own call. ¡°Rnd, did you find which hospital Ethan is in?¡±

    He nodded, his expression tense but clear. ¡°Erygan Hospital. It¡¯s close. Ethan¡¯s stable and under care.¡±

    ¡°Then let¡¯s go. Now.¡± Pattie was already in motion, snatching her coat and heading for the door. ¡°I just spoke to Maia.¡±

    Rnd was right behind her, his longer strides quickly matching her pace. ¡°How is she? Was she hurt?¡±

    Pattie bit her lip, the words feeling insufficient. ¡°She said¡­ she said she was okay.¡±

    A wave of relief washed visibly over Rnd. ¡°Good. That¡¯s good.¡±

    But then his face clouded, a memory surfacing through the haze. ¡°Wait. Just before I cked out¡­ I saw Chris. He jumped in front of Maia. He took a bullet for her.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1478

    ?Chapter 1478:

    Pattie froze mid-step, her hand shooting out to grip Rnd¡¯s arm. ¡°What did you say?¡± Her voice dropped to a whisper. She remembered nothing after the chaos began ¡ª only the dizzying fall into darkness.

    Rnd met her shocked gaze, his own expression somber. ¡°I saw it clearly. Someone fired at Maia, but Chris pushed her out of the way and was hit.¡±

    The pieces clicked together into a horrifying picture ¡ª Maia¡¯s strained voice, her evasive ¡°managing,¡± the sudden, urgentmand to protect Ethan.

    Pattie¡¯s face drained of color. Could Chris already be¡­

    ¡°Do you think¡­ Chris could be¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t finish the sentence.

    Rnd looked down, aplex mix of respect and sorrow in his eyes. ¡°I never thought much of him ¡ª the Cooper family¡¯s illegitimate son. But this¡­¡± He shook his head slowly. ¡°This changes things. He acted like a hero.¡±

    He didn¡¯t voice the grim conclusion. But it hung heavily between them, thickening the air with a shared, unspoken dread.

    It was clear that Pattie and Rnd had jumped to the wrong conclusion.

    In the chaos of that moment, no one had actually seen Chris¡¯s body. But the terrifying image of him throwing himself into harm¡¯s way, followed by hisplete disappearance, was more than enough for those who cared about him to assume the worst.

    Heavy-hearted and exchanging few words, the two hurried to Erygan Hospital.

    The corridors were brightly lit yet unnervingly cold, the air thick with the acrid sting of antiseptic. They stopped outside Room 306. A nce through the window and a shared look brought a slight easing of their tense shoulders.

    Marisa¡¯s surgery was over. Her condition was stable, though she remained sedated in recovery. Ethan was by the bedside, his head resting on the mattress ¡ª looking physically unharmed but utterly drained in sleep.

    ????n?? ??????§Ö?? PD???? ???? ??a??n§à??????s.co??

    In truth, Ethan was awake.

    After a night of terror, his nerves were too frayed for real rest. Sensing movement at the door, he cracked his eyes open and glimpsed a familiar face through the ss ¡ª Pattie, Maia¡¯s best friend.

    He stirred carefully, first checking on the sleeping Marisa and gently smoothing her nket. Then, moving silently, he slipped out of the room and closed the door behind him with a soft click.

    In the hallway, the morning light was gentle, the day¡¯s medical bustle already beginning.

    ¡°Ethan, are you okay?¡± Pattie rushed forward, her eyes scanning him anxiously. From a distance he had seemed fine, but up close she could see only minor scrapes. A wave of relief washed over her.

    ¡°I¡¯m alright, Pattie,¡± Ethan said, taking a small, shy step back from her fussing. He was a young man now, unustomed to such open concern.

    His gaze drifted back toward the closed door, his expressionplicated. ¡°It was Marisa who saved me. She got hurt because of me.¡±

    Pattie nodded, her hand settling on his shoulder with firm, meaningful pressure. ¡°I can see how much she cares for you, Ethan. As a man, you must always treat Marisa well. Never take for granted a girl who would risk her life for you.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s cheeks flushed, and he rubbed the back of his neck, caught off guard. But a momentter, worry overtook his embarrassment.

    ¡°Wait ¡ª where¡¯s Maia? Why isn¡¯t she with you?¡±

    The air in the corridor seemed to still. Pattie¡¯s hands, which had been straightening her jacket, froze. She nced toward Rnd, her expression conflicted. Rnd pressed his lips together and looked down, his focus suddenly fixed on the floor.

    Their silence was louder than words.

    Ethan might have been young, but he wasn¡¯t naive. His brows drew together, and his voice rose slightly, edged with rm. ¡°What¡¯s that look for? Did something happen to my sister?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1479

    ?Chapter 1479:

    Pattie drew a slow breath. She couldn¡¯t keep him in the dark.

    ¡°Ethan, don¡¯t overthink it,¡± she said, forcing calm into her tone. ¡°Maia is safe.¡±

    His eyes locked onto hers, wary and intense. ¡°Then why isn¡¯t she answering her phone? I¡¯ve called her over and over.¡±

    Pattie softened her voice, offering what reassurance she could while skirting the full truth. ¡°She¡¯s shaken. There was an incident, and her phone isn¡¯t essible right now. But I spoke to her earlier ¡ª she just needs some time. I promise you, she is safe.¡±

    Some of the tension left Ethan¡¯s shoulders, easing slightly at the reassurance. But his hands clutched the hem of his shirt as his voice wavered with the next question.

    ¡°And Chris¡­ is he with Maia? Is he alright?¡±

    Memories of gunfire and Chris shielding Maia surged through him. Chris had risked everything to protect her ¡ª he had been a hero ¡ª and Ethan prayed silently that he hade through unscathed.

    Pattie hesitated, her gaze softening as she looked at him. She thought of all Chris had endured for Maia, and tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

    With a heavy, measured sigh, she finally spoke ¡ª letting out the painful truth that even she struggled to ept.

    ¡°Chris saved Maia,¡± Pattie said, her voice barely a breath. ¡°But he¡­ might not have made it.¡±

    The wordsnded like a physical blow. Ethan felt the air rush from his lungs, his world tilting on its axis. A cold numbness spread from his chest outward, and his face went pale.

    ¡°Not made it?¡± he repeated, the meaning dawning on him with horrific rity. ¡°You mean¡­ Chris is dead? He died for my sister?¡±

    ?????? ??h????s???????? §à?? ???????? ???? ???????o??§Ö????.??????

    Chris. Justiceze. The brother-inw he had finally, truly weed. Gone?

    Disbelief short-circuited his thoughts. He staggered backward until the cold, unyielding hospital wall stopped his retreat. ¡°No. It can¡¯t be true. It can¡¯t end like this.¡±

    A storm broke within him ¡ª a whirlwind of anguish and a crushing, particr regret. He had never apologized. He had never told Chris he epted him. And now that chance was gone forever.

    This was the cruelest twist of fate.

    A wave of regret, guilt, and furious self-reproach crashed over him, pulling him under. He squeezed his eyes shut, but the tears escaped anyway, tracing hot paths down his cheeks.

    Pattie watched, her own heart breaking for him. She opened her mouth, then closed it again. Some grief was a solitary road that no one could walk for another. That was why, despite her worry for Maia, she had refrained from seeking her out. She knew Maia would hide her wounds, would push everyone away to hurt alone. All Pattie could do was wait, hoping her friend would reach out when the storm inside had quieted.

    Meanwhile, in the adjacent VIP suite, morning light fell in soft stripes through the blinds, painting the room in bands of gold and shadow.

    On the bed, Richard¡¯s fingers twitched. Then, slowly, his eyelids fluttered open.

    His vision was blurred, as though looking through a rain-streaked window, but his mind ¡ª for the first time in what felt like an eternity ¡ª was crystal clear. The pervasive mental fog had lifted.

    He scanned the room. Jarrod wasn¡¯t there. Only his wife, Sandra, remained, still unconscious in the other bed. His heart ached at the sight of her.

    He willed his fingers to move. They obeyed.

    A surge of joy rushed through him ¡ª the long-lost feeling of control, of self, was finally his again. Slowly, painstakingly, he reached for the emergency call button beside the bed. After several strained attempts, he pressed it.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1480

    Chapter 1480:

    Momentster, the door opened. A doctor and two nurses entered, moving with brisk efficiency. They checked his pupils, reflexes, and vital signs.

    The doctor¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°A miracle. Truly a miracle ¡ª the patient has regained consciousness and his functions are stabilizing. Contact the family immediately!¡±

    At that moment, the soft murmur of the hallway television filtered through the half-open door.

    ¡°Good morning. We interrupt with an urgent news update¡­¡±

    The screen showed the charred ruins of Harmony za¡¯s banquet center. Smoke twisted into the sky, rubble smoldered, and the sense of devastation was immediate and suffocating. Scrolling captions confirmed the chaos.

    The fire at the banquet center has been brought under control. Several people remain missing; rescue operations continue.

    Richard¡¯s gaze sharpened. Then his body froze.

    The television shed the list of missing persons. A name stabbed into his vision, searing his heart like fire.

    Maia Watson.

    Time seemed to stop. His breath caught. The room fell silent, as if the world itself held its breath.

    ¡°Maia¡­ Maia¡­¡± His lips trembled, his voice quivering and nearly breaking. ¡°My¡­ Maia¡­¡±

    Tears slipped down his cheeks and ran into his graying hair, unbidden and unstoppable.

    The footage switched to a solemn on-site reporter. ¡°Search and rescue efforts continue. Due to the intensity of the fire and multiple explosions, survival chances remain uncertain¡­¡± The camera lingered on survivors ¡ª soot-streaked and shaken, voices raw with fear and grief ¡ª as they recounted the horrors in broken fragments.

    ????d???????????? ????§àr?????? ??n ????l??????e????.??o??

    Richard let out a strangled howl, a sound thick with anguish. His pupils dted with sheer, undiluted horror.

    Regret surged through him, crushing and absolute. This should never have been Maia. It should have been Rosanna ¡ª the malicious force that had tormented the Morgans for so long. He could not fathom why fate had chosen Maia. Why she, of all people, had been caught in such peril.

    The shock, stress, and grief battered his already fragile body without mercy, and beneath the weight of despair, his health began to crumble.

    The once-steady readings on the bedside monitor spiraled into chaos, warning lights shing like frantic signals. The piercing rm cut through the ward, sending a shiver down everyone¡¯s spine.

    Richard¡¯s blood pressure shot up, his pulse surging past 160.

    ¡°Oh no ¡ª he¡¯s in a hypertensive crisis! Ventricr tachycardia!¡±

    The doctor¡¯s face drained of color as he watched the numbers leap uncontrobly, cold sweat forming on his brow. Moments ago, Richard had seemed stable ¡ª even awakening from a vegetative state. Now, the signs pointed straight toward acute heart failure. One wrong second could mean sudden death.

    ¡°Quick! Prepare intravenous lidocaine ¡ª get the defibritor ready!¡± the doctor barked, his voice taut with urgency. ¡°Call the department head immediately. Something is seriously wrong. Hurry!¡±

    Meanwhile, within the secluded garden of Wront Prison, a world apart reigned.

    Beyond the high walls and electrified fences, the city was still reeling from the aftereffects of the previous night¡¯s chaos. Here, however, the air was still, carrying only the rich, serene aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

    Zoey set her white porcin cup down on the stone table with a soft click. Her gaze drifted to the old-fashioned radio beside it, which was crackling with updates about the Harmony za fire.

    ¡°Siena, would you turn that off? The noise is grating.¡±

    Siena reached over at once and pressed the power button. A low buzz marked the silence, leaving only the sound of wind stirring through the leaves.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noa: Sometimes time flies by, dear ones! Have an excellent Tuesday. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (??????)

    .

 Chapter 1481

    ?Chapter 1481:

    Zoey then turned her attention to Maia, seated across from her. Fatigue still shadowed Maia¡¯s features, etching dark circles beneath her eyes, but her gaze had regained its familiar rity and focus.

    ¡°Regarding these covert operatives you encountered,¡± Zoey began, her tone measured, ¡°my knowledge is limited. I understand they are Kolton¡¯s personal instrument ¡ª highly efficient, utterly detached, and loyal only to him. They are his sharpest de.¡± She paused, deftly steering the conversation. ¡°But for now, I would like to hear your assessment of the situation.¡±

    Maia gave a slow nod, her hands cradling the warm coffee mug. ¡°It was unusual,¡± she said, her voice low but precise. ¡°At South Lake Park, a sniper intervened on my behalf.¡± She met Zoey¡¯s eyes. ¡°I believe it was one of Mr. M¡¯s people. And while I once thought Mr. M might be an alias of yours, or someone acting under your direction¡­ I no longer believe that.¡±

    Zoey shook her head with an open gesture. ¡°Of course not. If it were me, I would admit it ¡ª there is no reason to hide things from you. And I mostly agree with your analysis.¡± She nced at Siena before continuing. ¡°But Siena reported three distinct forces shing at the park. It leads me to wonder whether there were also three separate yers at the banquet center.¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes lifted slightly at the suggestion.

    Zoey¡¯s slender finger tapped a thoughtful rhythm on the stone table. ¡°If the Coopers wanted you dead ¡ª whether Kolton or Kiley ¡ª they would have struck on your journey home, not at their own public event. An assassination there would devastate the family¡¯s reputation and interests. I am therefore convinced the shooter was a third party, though their motives and identity remain obscure to us.¡±

    ¡°That leaves us with one clear lead: Mr. M¡¯s associate, Granger Sparrow,¡± Maia said, her voice dropping. ¡°Mr. M may have intelligence on this third party. More importantly, it seems Chris was taken by Mr. M¡¯s people.¡±

    Zoey gave a slight nod. ¡°I already have people looking into it.¡±

    As if on cue, a sharp buzz vibrated through the quiet. Zoey¡¯s phone hummed against the stone. Almost simultaneously, Maia felt her own phone vibrate in her pocket.

    I??s??a???? §Ñ??§ãe??s ???? ????l????v??????.??o??

    The two women exchanged a look.

    Zoey nced at her screen, a faint crease appearing between her brows. Maia answered her call and ced it on speaker.

    Instantly, the agitated voice of her lead hacker crackled through. ¡°Boss ¡ª we¡¯ve hit a wall. That oil tycoon, Granger Sparrow¡­ he doesn¡¯t exist. The entire identity is a fabrication.¡±

    Maia¡¯s grip on her phone tightened, her pulse thudding in her ears. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    The voice on the line was grim. ¡°The real Granger Sparrow died in a private medical facilityst December. I verified the death certificate myself. The man active in Wront right now is an impostor.¡±

    A cold shock shot down Maia¡¯s spine, her pupils constricting.

    If the identity was fabricated, then who had taken Chris? And where did Mr. M truly stand? The memory of the auction was sharp, yet the motivations behind it remained shrouded in fog.

    ¡°I understand.¡± Maia ended the call, her voice carefully controlled.

    She lifted her eyes to meet Zoey¡¯s gaze. Wordlessly, Zoey slid her own phone across the stone table. Its screen disyed a matching intelligence brief: Granger Sparrow deceased Decemberst year. Identity confirmed as fraudulent.

    The trail had gone cold.

    Maia¡¯s hands curled into fists, her nails biting into her palms. Chris was gone ¡ª his location, his condition, a void of unknowns.

    A heavy silence settled over the garden.

    ¡°Don¡¯t panic.¡± Zoey¡¯s voice cut through the quiet, steady as an anchor. ¡°They¡¯re human. They will leave traces. And where there is no body, there is still hope.¡± Her tone softened, offering a thread of logic to cling to. ¡°Besides, their actions suggest they mean Chris no harm. If they wanted him dead, they would have done it at the hospital. They took him for a reason. I believe he is safe.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1482

    ?Chapter 1482:

    Maia gave a slow nod, drawing a deep breath to quell the storm of fear and frustration in her chest. Her expression was a mask ofposure, but her eyes burned with a fierce, unyielding light.

    ¡°Chris will be safe.¡± She looked directly at Zoey, her voice clear and deliberate, each word a vow. ¡°I am going to take control of Cooper Group. And then, I am going to give it back to him.¡±

    Her gaze never wavered. ¡°You once said that only the head of the Cooper family can authorize your release from this prison. You made a promise, and Kolton used it to trap you here for twenty years.¡±

    Maia¡¯s tone hardened with resolve. ¡°Then I will make Chris the head. He will set you free. And Kolton ¡ª that scheming old man ¡ª will answer for everything.¡±

    Zoey¡¯s hands trembled slightly around her coffee cup, a profound emotion stirring within her. She looked at her prot¨¦g¨¦ ¡ª now fully forged in fire ¡ª with immense pride.

    ¡°It seems you¡¯ve pieced my n together, Maia.¡± A faint, wry smile touched Zoey¡¯s lips as she set her cup down. ¡°My initial design was to train you to help Chris im the position of family head and, in doing so, secure my freedom. But now, after seeing the dangers you¡¯ve both faced¡­ I find this prison isn¡¯t so terrible. Your safety and happiness matter more than my release.¡±

    Then Zoey¡¯s eyes brightened with recollection. She leaned forward, a spark of strategic excitement returning.

    ¡°Speaking of your safety ¡ª since you intend to move against Kolton, and every faction is hunting for you now, there is something worth considering. My eldest brother, Kyle ¡ª Chris¡¯s father ¡ª owned a secluded vi in the southern suburbs. He purchased it under an alias years ago. Only Chris and I know of its existence.¡±

    Her gaze turned sharp and analytical. ¡°The third party that attacked you is still searching, and the intentions of this false Sparrow remain unknown. Perhaps you should stay there for a while. Use your disappearance. Turn it from a vulnerability into a position of strength ¡ª and prepare to strike Kolton where he least expects it.¡±

    Maia paused.

    ??o????????§Ñ?? PD???? ???????? §à?? ??§Ñ??n????§Ö????.??§à??

    With Chris missing, she had nned to return to Elysium Apartments. But safety there was no longer guaranteed.

    ¡°I understand,¡± she said atst, a cold, resolute smile forming at the corner of her lips. ¡°You want me to vanish ¡ª and make them bleed in the dark.¡±

    Zoey returned the smile, her expression one of deep satisfaction. ¡°Maia, never underestimate your own influence. You are now a figure of public interest. This time, even Cooper Group¡¯s expert PR team will not be enough to contain the fallout. The tide of opinion is turning. I predict Kolton will soon be forced to make a desperate move ¡ª perhaps even attempt a quiet escape. Our task is to wait for him on the road he must take.¡±

    Inside the study at the Cooper Estate, heavy curtains blocked all daylight, creating a stifling, airless gloom.

    ¡°Damn it all! How did ite to this?¡±

    Kolton stumbled into the room, mming the solid mahogany door behind him and turning the lock. Gone was theposed patriarch ¡ª he moved now like a cornered animal. His tie hung crooked, sweat soaked through his cor, and his hands trembled so badly he could barely steady himself.

    Panic drove him forward. He crashed into the desk, his knee mming painfully against the edge. He didn¡¯t even flinch.

    With unsteady fingers, Kolton powered on the specially encryptedputer, adjusted the camera, and dragged in a ragged breath. Facing the ck screen, he straightened his cor and forced himself to look presentable. He had to convince Thomas. If Thomas believed he had lost control of the situation, Kolton would not live to see the end of the night.

    To the outside world, Kolton was the omnipotent head of Cooper Group ¡ª untouchable, absolute. But only he knew the truth. He was nothing more than a puppet. Those so-called loyal covert operatives had never answered to him. Their allegiance belonged to one man alone, known as the Master of Shadows. Thomas.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1483

    ?Chapter 1483:

    A burst of static hissed from the speakers. Then an image coalesced on the ck screen ¡ª a form shrouded in deeper darkness. A man sat cloaked in a ck robe, his face hidden within a deep hood. The only visible detail was a hand resting on the chair¡¯s arm: skeletal, the skin stretched taut over bone like desated parchment, pale and lifeless, the nails filed to sharp points. The sight radiated a palpable aura of decay.

    ¡°Speak.¡± The voice rasped through the speakers, harsh and grating, like metal scraping stone. ¡°How do you intend to deal with this situation?¡±

    Kolton shuddered. He sat bolt upright, hands t on his knees, posture rigid ¡ª like a terrified student awaiting judgment.

    ¡°Thomas, please ¡ª have faith in me,¡± he said hoarsely. ¡°Things aren¡¯t beyond control. This was an ident. I can still fix it. I just need time. Please.¡±

    The figure on the screen didn¡¯t move. Only those skeletal fingers tapped the armrest ¡ª slow, deliberate.

    ¡°I want a n,¡± Thomas said, his voice sinking lower and heavier. ¡°Not excuses.¡± The pressure in the room seemed to thicken. ¡°You disappoint me, Kolton.¡±

    Kolton felt as though an invisible hand had closed around his throat.

    ¡°Have you forgotten ourpact?¡± Thomas¡¯s head tilted slightly. From the depths of the hood, two points of cold light seemed to fix upon him. ¡°I cleared your path to the head of the Cooper family. In return, you pledged your life and its resources to my service. You have one final opportunity.¡±

    The words struck like thunder. Cold sweat streamed down Kolton¡¯s temples, dripping onto the pristine carpet beneath his feet.

    Fear dragged him backward ¡ª back to that storm-soaked night years ago. Lightning split the sky. Thunder roared. Rain came down in sheets, just as suffocating as the darkness closing in around him now.

    Back then, Kolton had been nothing more than the younger son. He had worked himself to exhaustion ¡ª eighteen-hour days, deal after deal ¡ª desperate to prove his worth. But his father, Laurence, had never once looked his way. Instead, Kolton had overheard him in the study, telling Kyle ¡ª his elder brother ¡ª that the Cooper legacy would pass to him.

    A????????t?v?? ??o????l?? §à?? ?????????????????.??????

    Why Kyle? Because he was older? Because he wore that infuriating mask of benevolence?

    That night, jealousy consumed Kolton whole. He charged into the pouring rain and sought refuge in a bar, desperate to drown his seething fury in alcohol. That was when he met Thomas ¡ª a man shrouded in mystery, radiating a power so terrifying it seemed to bend reality itself.

    ¡°Do you want what should have been yours?¡±

    The temptation had been irresistible. From that moment, a ruthless n took shape: eliminate Kyle, then shift every sin onto Zoey. Only then could Kolton be the sole, uncontested heir. Zoey had once meant everything to him. He had loved her. But love meant nothing beside power.

    That rainy night, Kolton bowed, kissed Thomas¡¯s withered hand, and epted him as something greater than a master.

    A sharp inhale snapped him back to the present.

    Sentiment was a luxury he could not afford. Survival was the only imperative.

    Kolton steadied himself, forcing calm into his voice. ¡°Thomas, hear me out. The situation looks dangerous ¡ª but this fire¡­¡± His eyes gleamed faintly. ¡°It came at exactly the right moment.¡±

    A sharp gleam shed through Kolton¡¯s eyes, malice flickering beneath a strategist¡¯s practiced calm as heid out his n without warmth.

    ¡°We turn this disaster into bait and drag every media outlet straight to us. I can have my people stir confusion and cloud the narrative ¡ª we burn Cooper Group¡¯s reputation ourselves, flood the channels with manufactured scandals, and let the chaos snowball until rumors spread unchecked. The more absurd the ims, the more useful they are. The louder the noise, the better it works. Stories about corrupt executives, dangerous products, environmental hazards tied to our construction projects ¡ª all of it will do nicely. That way, even if my useless daughter betrays me and reveals the so-called human experiments, the usation will vanish into the noise and be dismissed as just another smear campaign. It is a matter of raising enough false rms until the truth is drowned out and ignored.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1484

    ?Chapter 1484:

    As the n took shape, Kolton¡¯s voice steadied and his posture eased, confidence swelling as though he had uncovered a perfect solution.

    ¡°After that, I bring in a first-rate firm to dismantle every fabricated story we nted ¡ª one piece at a time, backed by carefully prepared evidence. When the public sees most of the scandals exposed as lies, the credibility of the real usation will copse. They will assume it is nothing more than another corporate attack aimed at Cooper Group.¡±

    Across the screen, silence lingered. Thomas¡¯s thin fingers began to drum softly against the tabletop. Tap, tap, tap.

    The measured rhythm echoed like a second heartbeat inside Kolton¡¯s chest. He watched the motion closely, recognizing it as Thomas¡¯s unconscious habit when weighing a decision ¡ª a signal of restrained consideration rather than outright rejection.

    Still, he refused to rx and pressed on with careful emphasis.

    ¡°Naturally, this only applies if things reach the worst possible oue. Kiley is still a Cooper ¡ª my daughter, raised under my guidance to ce the interests of Cooper Group above everything else. Now that she is safe, she will calm down and think rationally. She has to understand that exposing the contents of the sh drive would destroy Cooper Group, and as the Cooper daughter, she would lose everything along with it. Based on what I know of her, fear will stop her from revealing it outright. She will try to use the sh drive as leverage against me instead.¡±

    Kolton narrowed his eyes, the curve of his mouth lifting into a merciless smile. ¡°If ites to that, the problem bes far easier to manage. As long as she dares to appear ¡ª as long as she seeks negotiation ¡ª I will take her into custody. And then I will inject her with theboratory¡¯s newest breakthrough: the Amnesia Serum. It will wipe out every memory she formed over the past year, stripping her back to a clean te and returning her to thepliant young woman she used to be.¡±

    He shifted his gaze back to the screen and continued without pause. ¡°And that is not all. I have taken precautions to ensure there are no loose ends. I have already issued orders for the immediate relocation of all core technical data. At the same time, the self-destruction protocol has been initiated to eliminate everyboratory and any evidence tied to them. I anticipated this scenario from the beginning ¡ª each underground facility has been packed with sufficient explosives. Onemand is all it takes to turn everything to ash. Nothing will remain for investigation. Only ruins.¡±

    Kolton finished in a single breath, his throat tightening as dryness crept in.

    ??????? ???????? ??????o??????e ??o??????s ??n ??§Ñ??????v????s.c????

    Yet Thomas remained silent. The brief stillness pressed down like a physical weight, and sweat slowly gathered along Kolton¡¯s brow. He pressed his teeth into his lower lip before forcing the question out carefully. ¡°Thomas, do you find this n satisfactory?¡±

    The screen remained mute.

    In the stillness, Kolton could hear the pounding of his own heart. Several seconds dragged by in absolute quiet, until Thomas finally spoke, his voice emerging unhurriedly from the darkness.

    ¡°I expect to see tangible results soon. Remember.¡± His tone hardened without warning, carrying a cold menace steeped in bloodshed. ¡°Failure means death.¡±

    Beep. The screen cut out at once, the image copsing into lifeless ck.

    Kolton sank heavily into his chair, strength draining from his limbs as though someone had cut the strings from his body. His chest hitched as he dragged in uneven breaths, air burning its way into his lungs.

    The head of the Cooper family ¡ª once a feared tactician who bent others to his will ¡ª now looked no different from a discarded marite. Cold sweat drenched the back of his shirt, the damp fabric clinging unpleasantly to his skin.

    That suffocating pressure weighed heavier than death itself. No matter how many times he faced Thomas, the dread never faded or softened. In that moment, Kolton understood with brutal rity that the situation had turned sharply against him.

    A deep disquiet coiled in Kolton¡¯s gut, but he was a man who never gambled on a single throw of the dice.

    Alongside executing the discussed strategy, he required an insurance policy. A prudent man always kept a second path open.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1485

    ?Chapter 1485:

    His mind turned to the prize his daughter had secured at such great cost the previous night ¡ª the oil extraction rights agreement. Bearing the personal signature of the tycoon Granger, it represented a direct pipeline to limitless capital.

    ¡°Should this endeavor ultimately fail¡­¡± Kolton whispered to the empty room, his eyes burning with avarice as he stared at the document, ¡°these rights will be my ticket to resurgence abroad.¡± He continued in a low murmur. ¡°Wealth can buy loyalty. It can build a new army. It can fuel a return.¡±

    This was his escape hatch ¡ª his final card. Even in permanent exile, it guaranteed a life of opulence.

    With cold calction, Kolton picked up the encrypted satellite phone from his desk and punched in a sequence. ¡°Ry mymand,¡± he ordered, his voice stripped of all doubt. ¡°Allboratory directors are to begin immediate transfer of core data archives. They have sixty minutes. Uponpletion, activate the purge protocols. I want every trace obliterated ¡ª utterly destroyed. And if any of them hesitates¡­ remind them of the consequences for their families.¡±

    Dawn crept over Wront, but the sky remained a sullen, oppressive gray, pressing down on the city.

    As the organizer of the ill-fated charity event, Cooper Group¡¯s PR machinery moved with formidable speed. A meticulously worded letter of apology was drafted and broadcast across every major media tform in the city, promising a staggering two billion dors for the reconstruction of the Harmony za banquet center and forpensating all victims. The sheer magnitude of the sum was designed to quell the outcry before it could take hold.

    Simultaneously, the Cooper Charity Foundation issued a global call for disaster relief donations. It was a ssic maneuver: redirect attention, project responsibility, and bury the scandal beneath a mountain of money and performative contrition. History had shown that a sufficient financial offering and a suitably remorseful tone could quickly sway public sentiment ¡ª even earning praise for corporate ountability.

    This time, however, they had miscalcted. They had met their match.

    The public¡¯s reaction was not cated. It was explosive.

    R???????§ã?? ?????? ??§Ñs??????? o?? ??????nov????s.??????

    Guided by the deft hand of Pris, the online narrative refused to follow Cooper Group¡¯s script. Across forums, social media, and news sites, a damning flood of evidence surged forth, targeting the very heart of the Cooper Charity Foundation¡¯s phnthropic facade.

    Breaking News: Cooper¡¯s Charity School Project Is a Scam. The hashtag rocketed to the top of every trending list. Loaded with photographs and documents, the postid bare the truth. Two years prior, Cooper Group had proudly announced a one-billion-dor investment to build one hundred state-of-the-art charity schools in impoverished regions. In reality, after on-the-ground investigations and satellite imageryparisons, only five schools could be verified ¡ª and those five were dpidated shells with cracked walls, leaking roofs, and no basic furniture. The other ny-five were either half-built skeletons or empty plots ofnd. They did not exist.

    Netizens demanded answers. Where had all the money gone?

    Before the public could fully process this betrayal, a second wave of revtions crashed down.

    Blood Money: How Cooper¡¯s Nutritional Breakfast Program Preys on Children. Their heavily promoted initiative was dismantled. The ¡°high-end nutritional meal¡± valued at a hundred dors per serving was actually provided by a shellpany secretly owned by Cooper Group. The contents: a box of near-expired milk, two stale pieces of bread, and asionally a moldy apple. The real cost was under ten dors. The remaining ny was siphoned back into corporate coffers as procurement fees. This was not charity. It was profiteering from the most vulnerable.

    And the scandals kepting.

    Cooper¡¯s Overseas Orphan Rescue n Fabricated. Billions Vanish from Cooper Charity Medical Fund; Audit Trail Goes Cold.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1486

    ?Chapter 1486:

    More damning evidence poured online with each passing hour. Public fury reached a boiling point, the collective outrage bing an unstoppable tide sweeping across the digitalndscape.

    ¡°Scammers! Cooper Group, get out of Wront ¡ª you have no moral bottom line!¡±

    ¡°Exploiting children¡¯s hunger for profit. Kolton Cooper, you are a monster.¡±

    ¡°We call for a total boycott of Cooper Group! The authorities mustunch a full investigation immediately!¡±

    Under the joint cyber onught of Pris and ST, Cooper Group¡¯s once-vaunted internal database copsed like wet cardboard. The firewall barely resisted before shatteringpletely.

    In an instant, a trove of damning evidence flooded the inte ¡ª dual contracts, tax evasion trails, bribery records, allid bare for the public to see. What truly ignited outrage, however, was a leakedyoff list and a covert cklist directive with Maia¡¯s name stamped clearly at the top.

    That was the breaking point. Employees who had lost their livelihoods, families forced from their homes by Cooper Group¡¯s ruthless decisions, finally erupted. They poured into the streets with banners raised, converging on the headquarters in a wave of fury.

    ¡°We want our jobs back!¡±

    ¡°We are not disposable tools!¡±

    The capital markets reacted with merciless speed. As if forewarned, major financial institutions began dumping Cooper Group stock in unison. Within twenty minutes of market open, the share price nosedived ¡ª over twenty percent wiped out in free fall. Trading was halted. Billions in market value evaporated in minutes.

    The massivemercial empire of Cooper Group was beginning to crack and crumble.

    ?????????????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    In the southern suburbs of Wront, inside the secret vi once owned by Kyle, the true pulse of the city was being controlled from a ce of deceptive tranquility.

    Beyond the window, lush, untamed woods stretched into the distance. Inside, Chris sat in his wheelchair, still wearing his mask, his gaze cold and impassive as he watched the data stream on his tablet and the fury erupting online.

    ¡°Continue,¡± he said, his voice calm yet imbued with chilling finality. ¡°Press the advantage and dismantle Cooper Grouppletely. I want Kolton¡¯s reputation utterly destroyed. That corporation should have been erased long ago.¡±

    His subordinate bowed in immediate acknowledgment. ¡°Understood, sir. This day has been years in the making.¡±

    At that moment, Raegan approached quickly, her expression tense. She held an encrypted schematic and bowed before Chris to deliver her report. ¡°Sir, pardon the interruption. Cooper Group is now inplete internal disarray, and their security systems are riddled with vulnerabilities. Our infiltrators have secured the exact coordinates of their undergroundboratories. Furthermore, we have intercepted signals indicating a major data transfer ¡ª they are likely preparing to activate a system-wide self-destruct protocol. This is our perfect window to storm thosebs and secure the evidence.¡±

    Raegan kept her head respectfully lowered, avoiding direct eye contact with Chris. Even with clemency granted, a deep-seated fear still lingered in her heart.

    Chris¡¯s eyes narrowed sharply. ¡°A self-destruct protocol? They¡¯re trying to bury the evidence?¡±

    He mmed his hand down on the armrest of his wheelchair. ¡°That is wishful thinking. Handling this is your responsibility ¡ª consider it your opportunity for redemption. I want Cooper Group to never recover. I want every one of their inhuman crimes, every horrific truth, fully exposed to the light of day. This is judgment day for all of Cooper Group¡¯s evils.¡±

    His deration was stern, each word carrying the weight of thunderous resolve.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Raegan bowed deeply once more, then walked away with decisive purpose, her silhouette resolute. She knew this was her final chance to prove her loyalty.

    A short while after she departed, a side door swung open. Grayson hurried over to Chris, bent down, and spoke in a hushed, urgent tone directly into his ear.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1487

    ?Chapter 1487:

    ¡°Sir, we have an unexpected development. The team we have secretly assigned to protect Maia has just sent word¡­¡±

    Grayson paused, carefully observing Chris¡¯s reaction before continuing. ¡°Maia is currently on her way here. She is less than three miles away.¡±

    Chris was momentarily taken aback. The cold detachment in his eyes briefly fractured, reced by a sh of surprise and deep confusion.

    Maia? How could she know about this ce? Was sheing here for him?

    This vi was his father¡¯s most closely guarded secret ¡ª a location known only to himself and Zoey. Could it be that Maia had known Zoey long ago, and known her well enough for Zoey to have divulged its location? Chris instinctively wanted to reject such a possibility.

    Sensing his hesitation, Grayson waited for instructions. ¡°Sir, what are your orders? Shall we¡­¡±

    Chris drew a slow breath, his gaze drifting toward the storm clouds gathering ominously beyond the window. His voice came out low and firm.

    ¡°Clear all evidence of our presence here. Evacuate everyone. Immediately.¡±

    The forest road stretched endlessly ahead.

    The ck SUV cut through the winding asphalt like a bolt of silent lightning, wind screaming past the windows with a harsh mor. Maia¡¯s knuckles whitened around the steering wheel. Her eyes stayed on the road, yet her mind wandered ¡ª blurry and fractured.

    Memories flickered like two films ying in alternation.

    One reel glowed with warmth. An afternoon at Elysium Apartments, Chris¡¯s eyes fixed on her ¡ª tender and teasing ¡ª his voice low in her ear. ¡°I¡¯m your husband, and you have every right to look wherever you want.¡± Every nce had made her heart leap. Every word had stolen her breath.

    Then the scene abruptly shifted. ck and white. Silent. Cold. Piercing.

    ????????§ãt?????? ???????????? ???? ????ln??v§Ö???.c§à??

    Post-surgery, Chris had awoken with a distant gaze, coldly scrutinizing ¡ª as if she were a stranger passing by. The warmth, the affection, all of it gone.

    Maia mmed the brakes and released them. Inertia threw her forward, the seatbelt biting into her chest. The sharp pain hauled her back into the present.

    ¡°A living nightmare,¡± she breathed into the sudden quiet.

    Without Chris, every second felt like torment. Where was the man who had once whispered ¡°honey,¡± who had risked his life to shield her?

    She inhaled slowly, steadying herself, and scanned through the windshield. Amid the dense forest, the gray-white silhouette of a building emerged ¡ª Kyle¡¯s secret vi. Her destination.

    A sudden, powerful intuition electrified her nerves. It was a feeling both profoundly familiar and overwhelming ¡ª a visceral pull telling her someone important was near. Perhaps right there, in that forest.

    Chris?

    Her pulse surged.

    Headlights zed through the trees. A convoy of roughly five ck SUVs barreled toward her, exuding an unmistakable keep-back menace. The road narrowed sharply, leaving barely enough room for the vehicles to pass side by side.

    Inside the middle bulletproof car, Chris ¡ª masked and motionless ¡ª sensed a shift. His eyes snapped open and he turned his head. Through the one-way privacy ss, he spotted a ck vehicle racing past. The silhouette was unmistakable.

    It was Maia.

    Yet Chris did not speak. He did not reach for the window control. He simply sat in the dim interior as a sudden,nce-sharp pain spiked behind his eyes ¡ª a pain that brought no memory with it. He remained perfectly still, a silent spectator in the shadows, watching Maia¡¯s vehicle sh past his own.

    They were close enough that a raised hand might have touched the ss between them. But mentally, they were worlds apart.

    At that exact moment, Maia instinctively turned her head, her gaze drawn to the passing SUV. Yet all she saw was her own reflection and the blur of trees rushing past, mirrored in the imprably dark tinted window. She saw nothing of the upant within.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1488

    ?Chapter 1488:

    In a sh, the two vehicles sped past one another ¡ª one heading south toward an unknown conflict, the other driving north toward the vi and the faint hope of finding the man who had vanished from her life.

    Maia pulled her gaze back and watched the convoy shrink to a speck in her rearview mirror. The strange, sharp pang in her chest gradually dulled into a cold numbness. Had it all just been her imagination?

    Inside the bulletproof vehicle, the atmosphere was thick and silent.

    From the front passenger seat, Grayson had caught Chris¡¯s fleeting nce in the rearview mirror ¡ª a look he had never seen before, aplex fracture in hismander¡¯s usual imprable resolve. Something had shifted in Chris, especially where Maia was concerned.

    But Grayson knew better than to voice it.

    He remained silent and picked up the encrypted satellite phone instead, his voice dropping to a low murmur. ¡°Maia has entered the vi perimeter. Secure the area and ensure her safety. Maintain full surveince.¡± He paused, his tone hardening slightly. ¡°Remember ¡ª do not reveal your presence.¡±

    Ten minutester, Maia¡¯s SUV came to a stop in front of the secluded vi.

    She killed the engine and stepped out into the silence. The only sound was the wind whispering through the leaves. The vi¡¯s door was shut tight, the surroundingwn impably manicured, showing no signs of neglect.

    Maia retrieved the key Zoey had given her. With a soft click, the lock turned. She pushed the heavy door open.

    Inside, the space was orderly ¡ª the furniture clean and free of dust. Yet the air itself held a peculiar charge, a subtle and lingering sense of a hurried departure, as if the upants had vanished only moments before.

    ??????d ?????? ??????e??t ??????n???? §à?? g??????????????s.????m

    She tossed her car keys onto the entryway console and shrugged off her jacket. A profound weariness, born from sustained tension and the long drive, settled over her. She pinched the bridge of her nose and gathered her resolve.

    Carrying a bag of groceries she had picked up on the way, she walked into the open-concept kitchen. She would eat first, then rest. She needed her strength for the search that stilly ahead.

    Setting the bag down on the marble ind, she turned to switch on the gas stove to boil some water. But the moment her fingers brushed the sleek ck ss control panel, her whole body went still.

    The warmth Maia felt beneath her fingertips wasn¡¯t the cold of ss ¡ª it was lingering heat, subtle but undeniable.

    Her pupils constricted instinctively. She recoiled as if burned, then pressed her hand back to confirm the sensation. The stove was still warm, radiating significant heat. Someone had been here very recently ¡ª perhaps just before she stepped through the door.

    Her attention snapped to the built-in oven. Its indicator light was off, yet the casing was also warm. A faint aroma of coffee lingered in the air.

    Someone had been here, and they had left only moments before her arrival.

    Maia¡¯s mind immediately raced back to the ck convoy on the forest road ¡ª the darkened windows, the fleeting encounter that had unsettled her.

    ¡°Chris¡­¡± she whispered, her nails digging into her palms as she spun toward the floor-to-ceiling window.

    Her gaze swept the empty road outside. There was no doubt now. The person in that car had been Chris. He had been here, and the moment she arrived, he had vanished.

    Why was he avoiding her?

    Her eyes swept the surrounding woods, reflecting hurt ¡ª but above all, fierce determination. If he was deliberately keeping his distance, it only steeled her resolve to track him down.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1489

    ?Chapter 1489:

    Outside, the roady deserted, a gray ribbon abandoned in the quiet. Maia¡¯s stare hardened, cold as ice.

    She didn¡¯t rush out blindly. She knew she couldn¡¯t catch up with the convoy now, nor would she pursue someone who had already nned an escape route. Her top priority was to leverage every resource at her disposal andunch a targeted counterstrike.

    Maia pulled out her phone and quickly sent a message to Pris¡¯s lead hacker. ¡°Initiate a live track on a convoy of approximately five vehicles. Theirst confirmed location was the intersection of Forest Road and South Suburb Main Road, approximately five minutes ago.¡±

    Gripping her phone, she nced back at the stove, still warm from recent use. The timing was impossibly precise, and the logic of it clicked into ce with cold rity.

    It was too coincidental.

    The lingering warmth meant their departure had been within a ten-minute window ¡ª and she hadn¡¯t been dyed. They hadn¡¯t simply left. They had timed their exit to coincide with her arrival. It was a deliberate maneuver, a calcted retreat designed to avoid her.

    But how? The timing had been wless.

    Maia¡¯s eyes narrowed, her focus turning razor-sharp. Her hand moved instinctively to the car keys on the counter as a cold certainty settled in her gut. The only exnation was that she had been under constant surveince ¡ª every turn, every eleration monitored and fed into a system predicting her arrival to the minute.

    A sneer tugged at her lips. She had thought herself the hunter. In reality, she had been the prey.

    But if they wanted to y this game, she would change the rules.

    ?????? ???????? ?????????????? ???????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    She immediately dialed Zoey¡¯s encrypted line. It connected instantly.

    ¡°Maia? Did you arrive safely?¡± Zoey¡¯s voice was calm.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Maia replied evenly. She gave a quick, clinical summary ¡ª the warm stove, the passing convoy, the calcted timing. ¡°Zoey, I¡¯m being tracked. They have a live feed of my location.¡±

    A brief silence, then Zoey¡¯s voice turned serious. ¡°What¡¯s your n?¡±

    ¡°We y their game and flip the board,¡± Maia said, her gaze fixed on the dense woods beyond the window. ¡°If they want to stay hidden, we¡¯ll force them into the light. Send Siena with a team ¡ª have them infiltrate the perimeter woods, not approach directly. I¡¯ll create an opening, stage a disturbance, fake a departure. When the watcher moves, Siena closes the trap.¡±

    She needed that watcher. It was the only thread leading back to the convoy ¡ª back to Chris.

    ¡°Understood.¡± Zoey¡¯s reply was immediate, her voice firm. ¡°Siena¡¯s unit is elite. They¡¯ll be in position within thirty minutes. Be careful, Maia. Don¡¯t take unnecessary risks.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± Maia ended the call.

    She drew a steadying breath, walked to the kitchen ind, and tore open the bag of bread. She forced herself to eat. It was tasteless ¡ª a mechanical act of fueling her body ¡ª but she needed her strength. The real fight was just beginning.

    She washed the dry mouthfuls down with cold water, then pressed her palms to her cheeks, sharpening her focus.

    While she waited for Siena, she wouldn¡¯t be idle. This vi was Chris¡¯s father¡¯s legacy. If Chris had used it as a refuge, it held significance ¡ª and perhaps it also held clues.

    Maia began a systematic, inch-by-inch search of the vi.

    On the first floor, shebed through the living room, kitchen, and guest room with methodical precision. Beyond the residual warmth and a few forgotten scraps, she found nothing of consequence.

    She moved upstairs, focusing on the master bedroom and the study.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1490

    ?Chapter 1490:

    Pushing open the study door released a scent of aged paper and old wood. The room was a time capsule, dominated by a heavy ssical desk and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. A fineyer of dust covered the desk¡¯s surface ¡ª except for one spot in the center, where a perfect rectangle of clean wood stood out. Something had been removed from there, and recently.

    Her heart sank. Whatever they had taken was likely the most critical piece.

    Steeling herself, she moved behind the desk and tried the drawers. The first two were empty. The third was locked.

    Without hesitation, Maia plucked a bobby pin from her hair, straightened it with practiced ease, and worked it into the lock. A soft click echoed in the silent room. The drawer slid open.

    Inside, there were no treasures, no ssified dossiers ¡ª only a single aged notebook resting in the corner. Its pages were yellowed, the edges worn soft from time. It looked like a relic. An inexplicable pull drew her in, and her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for it.

    The cover was nk.

    She opened to the first page. The handwriting was childish and unsteady ¡ª the script of someone just learning to write. Yet the strokes carried a strange, fierce determination. The contents were a chaoticption: hand-drawn maps littered with cryptic symbols, notes on wilderness survival such as how to identify poisonous berries and start a fire with flint, and diagrams for cutting ropes quickly.

    This wasn¡¯t a child¡¯s diary. It was a manual. A guide for escape.

    Maia traced the faded ink with her fingertip, a wave of profound mncholy washing over her. She turned the pages.

    In the middle section, the entries shifted to a first-person narrative, recounting a harrowing experience.

    ???????? o?? ?????? ????v????§Ö o?? gal?o??e???.??????

    ¡°It was raining. I thought I was going to die. The bad men caught up. They had guns. I was so scared. But a little girl saved me. She told me to hide in a dumpster, and then she led them away. She came backter. Gave me a piece of candy. It was sweet. Strawberry vor.¡±

    Maia¡¯s breath caught.

    A strawberry-vored candy. Rain. Gunshots.

    The details mmed into her memory like blunt instruments. A powerful, dizzying sense of familiarity swept over her, apanied by a sharp spike of pain behind her eyes. It felt less like reading and more like remembering ¡ª a scene from a half-forgotten dream, or a life she had lived.

    Gritting her teeth against the headache, she read on.

    The final entry was written with such force that the pen had torn the paper. ¡°She left. I never knew her name. But I remember her eyes. When I grow up, I will find her. And I will protect her, even if it costs me my life.¡±

    The familiarity was agonizing, but the memory itself remained locked ¡ª just out of reach.

    She turned to the veryst page. It held no words, only a rough, hurried pencil sketch. The lines were chaotic, but the form was unmistakable.

    Maia¡¯s pupils dted.

    It was a mask. A cold, half-face metal mask. And in its lower right corner, a single sharp-angled cursive letter had been etched: M.

    The realization struck her with the force of a physical blow. Her hands jerked, nearly dropping the notebook.

    M? Was this notebook Mr. M¡¯s ¡ª the one who had been aiding her from the shadows all along? And why was it here, in Chris¡¯s father¡¯s vi?

    Maia¡¯s brow furrowed deeply, her eyes a storm of confusion and shock.

    The notebook was clearly decades old. If its author was Mr. M, then he had been just a child at the time of writing. But if the boy behind these entries was Mr. M ¡ª why had he drawn the mask? Did that mean Mr. M had known Chris since childhood? Or was he connected to Chris¡¯ste father, Kyle? What was the link?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1491

    ?Chapter 1491:

    There was no other way to exin Mr. M¡¯s relentless, behind-the-scenes support for her.

    Then a wild, heart-stopping possibility shed through her mind ¡ª could Chris be Mr. M?

    The very next second, she dismissed it as impossible.

    Before the thought could fully take shape, the insistent buzz of her phone shattered her reverie. Maia snapped back to the present. Siena was in position. The trap wasid. The hunt was on ¡ª none of those lurking in the shadows would escape.

    Meanwhile, the online battlefield had erupted into a war of perception.

    Kolton¡¯s strategy ¡ª to sow chaos ¡ª began to reveal its sinister genius. After hours of simmering, the initially unified public fury against Cooper Group took a bizarre turn.

    Amidst the genuine, damning expos¨¦s about charity fraud and financial misconduct leaked by Pris, a flood of shocking and grotesque ¡°insider revtions¡± suddenly surfaced.

    Exclusive: Cooper Group¡¯s Food nt Uses Corpse Oil in Production to Cut Costs. Photographic Evidence Provided.

    Whistleblower: Foundation of Cooper-Built Skyhigh Tower Severely Cracked; Imminent Copse Feared. Multiple Fatalities Allegedly Covered Up.

    Deep Dive: Cooper Group is a Front for International Terrorist Money Laundering.

    More rumors, crafted for maximum outrage and paired with doctored images, swamped every feed. Netizens were bombarded with pictures of eerily bubbling oil drums, photoshopped structural cracks, and blurry staged handshakes. These viral fabrications drowned out the rational, documented charges about substandard meals and dual contracts, pushing public emotion to a fever pitch of hysteria.

    ????????? ???????? f??????????t???? f??§à?? ????????ove????.??o??

    ¡°I just ate Cooper-brand bread¡­ does that mean¡­¡±

    ¡°This is terrifying! There¡¯s a subway under Skyhigh Tower! Evacuate!¡±

    ¡°Outrageous! Cooper Group must leave Wront!¡±

    Then came the masterstroke.

    At the peak of this emotional frenzy, several authoritative media outlets ¡ª pre-arranged by Cooper Group ¡ª along with official police statements, intervened with surgical precision, presenting irrefutable evidence that debunked each outrageous im one by one.

    ¡°Wront Police Department: Surprise inspections andb tests confirm all Cooper food nt products meet national standards. The circted photographs are decade-old images from a foreign waste processing facility, maliciously repurposed.¡±

    ¡°City Housing Authority: Skyhigh Tower¡¯s structural integrity is confirmed safe. All monitoring data is normal. ims of a cover-up are entirely fabricated.¡±

    ¡°Financial Regtory Commission: Investigation finds Cooper Group¡¯s financial flows fullypliant, with no evidence of transactions with overseas illegal entities.¡±

    This cycle of extreme rumor-mongering followed by authoritative debunking swiftly shifted the public mood. A powerful sense of having been manipted began to spread.

    ¡°What the hell? They invented something as disgusting as corpse oil? These clickbait ounts have no bottom line.¡±

    ¡°I knew it. A new tower like Skyhigh couldn¡¯t just copse. I was too scared to leave my apartment.¡±

    ¡°Looks like those charity fraud ims were probably smears too, right? Mixing truth with lies is the easiest way to fool people.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. This is disgusting ¡ª they think we¡¯re idiots? I¡¯m not believing any of it now.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1492

    ?Chapter 1492:

    The genuine evils were thus buried beneath a mountain of carefully crafted, easily disproven lies. The previously solid ims about substandard nutritional meals lost all credibility in the wake of the fabricated scandals. Public trust had imploded. It was the fable of the boy who cried wolf: after enough false rms, no one believes the real danger.

    Watching from hismand post, Kolton observed the warming sentiment on his screens ¡ª some voices even beginning to express sympathy for Cooper Group and resistance to what they perceived as cyberbullying. A cold, satisfied smile touched his lips.

    That was human nature. In the frenzy of heightened emotion, truth was always the first casualty.

    Kolton¡¯s n was proceeding perfectly.

    The harsh truth proved far more merciless than any battle fought behind a screen.

    Hidden beneath the sprawling city of Wronty the concealed gateway to a highly ssified biochemicalboratory.

    Rain crashed down without pause, drumming against concrete and steel alike. Dressed head to toe in ck tactical gear, Raegan locked both hands around her submachine gun. Rainwater and mud smeared her features, yet her eyes remained sharp and cial, devoid of warmth.

    Static hissed through her earpiece, cutting through the storm alongside frantic voices. ¡°Ma¡¯am, Famine squad¡¯s assault on Zone C was unsessful. The target facility triggered a top-tier self-destruct protocol. The explosion urred before we could override the entrance systems¡­¡±

    Another voice broke in before silence could settle. ¡°Zone B has also been lost. Cooper Group personnel wentpletely off the rails ¡ª they didn¡¯t even attempt a data transfer. Every server was incinerated on the spot.¡±

    Each update struck harder than thest, piling ruin upon ruin.

    ??§Ñv§Ö §å§àu?? ????vo??i???? ???????????? on ??a??n§àv??ls.??????

    Raegan¡¯s chest tightened brutally, as though an iron mp had snapped shut around her heart. They had lost. Every single operation had copsed. Cooper Group had responded with terrifying speed ¡ª Kolton, that calcting predator, had been ruthless enough to sever every connection clean, leaving no evidence behind.

    Now, only Raegan and her unit remained. They were the final card on the table, tasked with finding evidence in the core facility designated as X-079. This was thest chance the leader had extended to her ¡ª and the only path left to atone, to demonstrate unwavering loyalty.

    What if she also failed?

    Chris¡¯s eyes surfaced in her mind. Frail though his body had been, the authority in his stare had never wavered, nor had his warning about severe punishment for repeated mistakes. A cold shiver crept along her spine.

    Failure could not be tolerated. If she could rectify her errors, perhaps she could w her way back into his trust. She had not forgotten his words ¡ª his connection to Maia was strictly professional. That meant the door was not fully closed. She had to prove herself once more, to make it undeniable that she alone deserved to stand at the leader¡¯s side.

    ¡°Attention!¡± Raegan barked into hermunicator, her voice raw as urgency and ferocity fused into a singlemand. ¡°If you want to live, move. Now! Even if you have to rip your way through with bare hands, force that door open. No one gets left behind!¡±

    Boom! A precisely nted charge detonated, tearing apart theb¡¯s reinforced st door in a violent rupture. Thick smoke billowed outward, swallowing the entrance whole.

    ¡°Go!¡± Raegan surged ahead like a predator unleashed, plunging into the smoke before anyone else could react.

    Gunfire erupted instantly, sharp cracks ricocheting through the narrow corridor. Theboratory plunged intoplete disorder. Sirens shrieked as emergency rms wailed, crimson warning lights shing wildly and staining the walls in an ominous red glow. Researchers in white coats scattered in terror, screams echoing as they bolted in every direction. Documentsy strewn across the floor alongside shattered ssware, slicked through with fresh blood.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1493

    ?Chapter 1493:

    Raegan ignored it all. Her objective was fixed on a single point ¡ª the core control room. Once she seized it, she could abort the self-destruct protocol and secure irrefutable proof of Cooper Group¡¯s human experimentation.

    ¡°Stop her! Do not let her reach the control panel!¡±

    Two Cooper Group security guards swung their weapons up and opened fire. Raegan dropped into a sharp tactical roll, bullets tearing past where she had stood a moment before, then snapped off two calcted shots.

    Bang. Bang.

    Both guards copsed instantly. She did not slow, vaulting past their falling bodies without a second nce.

    The distance closed rapidly. The control room loomed directly ahead. Through the thick bulletproof ss, a single figure stood inside ¡ª an older supervisor, gray hair slicked back, wire-framed sses perched firmly on his nose. Loyalty to Kolton radiated from him unmistakably, his stare burning with a fanatical devotion that bordered on madness.

    As Raegan barreled toward him, he did not retreat. His lips curled into a cruel, unwavering grin. ¡°Mr. Cooper made it clear no one was taking anything from this ce,¡± he yelled, conviction sharpening every word.

    In the next breath, he spun and bolted for the central console. There, beneath a transparent protective cover, sat a ring red button ¡ª theboratory¡¯s self-destruct trigger. The moment it was activated, explosives embedded deep within the building¡¯s structural columns would erupt, erasing everything: the gruesome experiment records, the lists of victims who had vanished here.

    ¡°No!¡± Raegan¡¯s pupils contracted violently, her vision narrowing to a single point.

    She was still nearly twenty yards away. A reinforced ss barrier stood between them, thick and unyielding. Was she already out of time?

    No. She refused to ept that.

    ??§Ö ????e fi????? ??o ??e§Ñd o?? g??????o????????.??om

    In that fraction of a heartbeat, Raegan acted without the slightest hesitation, raising her weapon even as her boots thundered forward. There was no window left to line up a shot. She surrendered entirely to instinct ¡ª the kind honed through endless brushes with death.

    Bang.

    Muzzle sh erupted from the barrel. The round tore free, screaming through the air as it smashed through the bulletproof ss and hurtled straight toward the deranged supervisor. It was her only opening ¡ª thest gamble she had left to stake everything on.

    The bullet tore through the air with searing heat, striking the crazed supervisor squarely in the back.

    A sickening, wet thud echoed through the room. The impact jolted his entire body ¡ª he lurched forward, mmed into the cold white control panel, and copsed against it.

    He wasn¡¯t dead. A surge of adrenaline drowned out the pain, holding him upright for a few stolen seconds. In that narrowing world, his eyes locked onto a single point.

    The red button. That was his mission. His family¡¯s lifeline.

    With a feral roar wed from deep in his chest, he forced out thest of his strength and mmed his hand against the transparent cover. With a click, the protective casing snapped open. The button ¡ª capable of erasing everything ¡ªy exposed. Just one press. Only a fraction of movement was needed.

    ¡°Stop!¡± Raegan¡¯s heart mmed against her ribs, her pupils contracting to pinpricks. Her submachine gun erupted again as she charged forward, firing wildly. She couldn¡¯t let him touch it.

    But the old man seemed deaf to pain, blind to death. His gaze was unfocused yet frighteningly resolute. With stubborn, inhuman will, he raised his arm, intent on mming the button even if it killed him. Even in death, he would destroy theb.

    Time stretched thin.

    In his fading consciousness, a single image surfaced ¡ª a family portrait. His wife, Kathy Fuller. His daughter, Annabelle Fuller. Kathy worked at a private hospital. Annabelle attended a private school. Both were employed and enrolled through Cooper Group.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1494

    ?Chapter 1494:

    The so-called privilege, the generous sry, the perfect life ¡ª none of it had been real. They were chains.

    Kolton¡¯s voice echoed in his memory, cold and amused. ¡°Your loyalty is your family¡¯s protection. Fail the mission, leak a single word, or let theb fall into other hands¡­ and you will be looking at their corpses.¡±

    A terror deeper than the fear of death propelled his broken frame. For Kathy. For Annabelle. He had to erase it all. Destroying the evidence was the only way to keep them safe.

    Gritting his teeth until blood filled his mouth, he forced his arm downward.

    But just inches from the button, his hand stopped. An invisible chasm yawned between him and the only thing that mattered. His eyes widened in horror. No matter how desperately his mind screamed, his arm refused to obey. It hung limp and useless at his side.

    ¡°What¡­ happened¡­¡±

    He looked down, horror dawning. Raegan¡¯s volley had destroyed his right arm entirely ¡ª bone pulverized, muscle shredded, the limb held together by little more than a thread of skin and tendon. It could notplete that final motion.

    ¡°No.¡± The protest emerged as a choked, bloody gurgle. Warmth flooded his mouth.

    He watched, helpless, as his lifeblood sttered across the console ¡ª over the button that was now forever beyond his reach. His strength drained away. His vision dimmed.

    Beneath the pulsing red rm lights, the world softened.

    He saw sunlight. An autumn park. Annabelle¡¯s small hand in his, Kathy smiling beside him. Golden leaves. A gentle breeze. Annabelle¡¯sugh drifting toward him ¡ª ¡°Daddy¡­ Daddy¡­¡±

    He tried to smile. Tried to reach for them.

    ??????e???? ???? ?????????? ???? g??????§à???????.????m

    Then a cold gust tore through the illusion. The scene shattered like ss, and Kathy and Annabelle crumbled into dust before his eyes, scattering into nothingness.

    ¡°No¡­¡± Two cloudy tears slid down his ashen cheeks.

    The button ¡ª symbol of both destruction and false protection ¡ª remained untouched. His hand slipped away. A single drop of blood fell beside it, sshing softly against the metal.

    Then, silence.

    Raegan reached the control panel, breathing hard, her chest rising sharply. She stared down at the old man slumped over it, lifeless. Her eyes were cold. Detached. Without pity.

    She lifted her boot and pushed his body aside. It rolled onto the floor, his eyes remaining wide open ¡ª refusing to close even in death.

    Only then did the tension drain from Raegan¡¯s limbs. She leaned against the control panel, her fingers trembling faintly. She had won the gamble. One secondter, this ce would have be a wastnd.

    Slowly, she lifted her head. Her gaze swept across theboratory ¡ª sinful, sterile, monstrous. When her eyesnded on the massive ss containers surrounding her, her pupils shrank sharply.

    Raegan stared, her mind refusing to process the horror before her. She took an involuntary step back.

    The formaldehyde-filled tanks did not contain animal specimens or isted organs. They held children ¡ª curled into fetal positions, ranging in age from toddlers to adolescents. Some bodies were grotesquely malformed. Others were pierced by a web of tubes. Their eyes were shut, as if in deep sleep, yet their expressions suggested an endless, silent scream.

    These were not medical specimens. They were victims. Evidence of live human experimentation.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1495

    ?Chapter 1495:

    On a nearbyb table, several blood-spattered reportsy open.

    Subject X-079: Infant Neural Stripping Trial. Failure. Subject Age: 3. Dead.

    Raegan¡¯s heart ¡ª hardened by battle, numbed by killing ¡ª was suddenly engulfed by a volcanic rage. A wave of visceral nausea clenched her stomach.

    ¡°Monsters,¡± she spat through gritted teeth, her voice trembling with fury. ¡°How low can they sink? Using children likeb rats ¡ª they deserve an eternity of torment.¡±

    Any lingering shred of guilt for killing the old supervisor evaporated. Complicity in this atrocity was its own death sentence.

    She took a sharp, controlled breath and forced the violent surge of emotion down. Now was not the time for rage. It was time for exposure. The world needed to see the rot festering beneath Cooper Group¡¯s polished exterior.

    Raegan turned to her team. They stood frozen, equally stunned by the nightmare before them.

    Her voice cut through the silence, cold andmanding. ¡°What are you waiting for? Tech team ¡ª breach the mainframe. Download and package everything. Action team ¡ª document this ce. Photograph every inch. Secure every hard drive, every file. I want Kolton Cooper stripped bare with nowhere to hide.¡±

    ¡°Understood!¡± The response was immediate, a unified snap back to purpose.

    In the Cooper Estate study, the air was thick enough to choke on.

    Kolton paced frantic circles on the heavy carpet, his movements jerky and unhinged. His online smear campaign had bought a moment¡¯s reprieve, but he knew it was a bandage on a hemorrhage. Only by reducing the undergroundbs to ashes ¡ª ensuring every data drive was melted and every specimen turned to dust ¡ª could he hope for absolution from Thomas, the dreaded Master of Shadows. Only then might he be granted a chance to w his way back from the brink.

    R§Ö??§à????e???? ??a??????????????.??om ??§à y??u?? ??????e??d??

    ¡°Why is there no word¡­¡± He checked his watch again, the ticking second hand a drumbeat to his ruin. By his calction, the self-destruct sequences should have finished. The sites should be smoking craters.

    A knock sounded at the study door ¡ª hollow, arrhythmic, and heavy with grim finality.

    ¡°Enter!¡±

    Kolton stopped and straightened his cor, expecting his meek assistant. Instead, a covert operative in tactical ck stepped in, drenched and reeking of rain and fresh blood. His face was a nk mask, but his eyes held no deference ¡ª only the cold assessment one gave a corpse.

    Kolton¡¯s blood ran cold. A premonition of disaster mped around his heart.

    ¡°Lab Three in Wront,¡± the operative stated, his tone disturbingly t. ¡°The self-destruct sequence was halted. The central control room was breached. Hostiles stopped the detonation. All core data has been infiltrated.¡±

    The words struck Kolton like a physical blow. His face drained of all color. He swayed, gripping the edge of his desk to keep from falling.

    ¡°Halted?¡±

    The word came out as a breathless rasp. His ultimate failsafe ¡ª his scorched-earth protocol ¡ª had been dismantled. Data infiltrated meant every damning record, every document bearing his signature authorizing these projects, was now in enemy hands.

    It was a death warrant. Neither thew nor Thomas would show mercy.

    ¡°Idiots! Ipetent fools!¡± He mmed his fist on the desk, the crash echoing through the opulent room.

    But panic was a luxury he couldn¡¯t afford. He choked the fury down and forced a semnce of icy calm to his features, though his eyes glinted with manic calction.

    ¡°Report the details,¡± he demanded, tapping the desk.

    The operative continued, but Kolton wasn¡¯t truly listening. His mind was already several moves ahead. If the secret was out, then every potential witness had to be permanently silenced.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1496

    ?Chapter 1496:

    ¡°I understand,¡± he interrupted, before the operative could finish. A mad light gleamed in his eyes. ¡°Mobilize all covert units. Intercept those thieves. Retrieve that data at any cost.¡± He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. ¡°Remember ¡ª dead men tell no tales. And secrets die with them.¡±

    With that, he picked up another encrypted phone and dialed a direct line ¡ª the security detail responsible for monitoring the families of theb personnel.

    ¡°Listen.¡± Kolton¡¯s voice carried the chill of the grave. ¡°To eliminate all investigative leads and future liabilities, there must be no loose ends. That includes the families of every employee connected to thebs. Clean the house. Completely.¡±

    Kolton paused only a beat before adding a final, chilling instruction. ¡°Make sure it looks like an ident ¡ª something to halt any investigation for good. A gas leak, a car crash. I don¡¯t care how. Just ensure they are permanently silenced. There must be no inquiry into the cause of their deaths.¡±

    The call ended, but Kolton didn¡¯t put his phone away. He dialed the head of Cooper Group¡¯s public rtions department, his orders crisp and cold. ¡°Flood the inte with rumors about theboratory. It doesn¡¯t matter what they are ¡ª just cause widespread panic first. Then have our controlled outlets issue swift denials. Muddy the waterspletely.¡±

    Having set these wheels in motion, Kolton finally looked up at the covert operative who still stood motionless by the door. This disy of ruthless efficiency was as much a performance of loyalty for Thomas as it was necessity. The operative said nothing. He fixed Kolton with an inscrutable, prating stare before turning on his heel to leave.

    The heavy door mmed shut, the soundnding on Kolton¡¯s chest like a physical blow.

    He copsed into his chair, his fine shirt stered to his skin with cold sweat. He understood the meaning behind the operative¡¯s look all too well.

    ¡°No. I will not die here. Not like this.¡± A desperate, feral light shed in his eyes as he surged to his feet.

    ??o???? ??ex?? f§Ñ???????????? ???????? ??? ???? ??§Ñ????§à????l??.??????

    Without hesitation, he moved to a hiddenpartment behind a section of bookshelf and retrieved a pristine, untraceable backup phone. His fingers flew across the screen, typing out a message and sending it.

    The recipient was Jimmie Graham ¡ª his special assistant, who had recently pledged his loyalty. The young man owed Kolton everything, having been plucked from destitution; his entire life offort was a gift from Kolton¡¯s hand. In this moment, Jimmie was his most reliable pawn.

    The message was brief: Prepare the car at once. We leave for the private airport immediately.

    Kolton tucked the phone away, moved to his safe, and worked thebination with practiced speed. He pulled out the singr document inside ¡ª the oil extraction rights agreement, personally signed by the tycoon Granger. It represented a ten-billion-dor oil field, his ultimate insurance policy. He shoved it into his briefcase.

    With money like that waiting abroad, he could still live as a king. He would still be the head of the Cooper family.

    ¡°Wront¡­¡± Kolton gritted his teeth, the name a venomous promise. ¡°When I return, I will grind everyst one of you beneath my heel.¡±

    Briefcase in hand, he fled his own study like amon thief and disappeared into a secret passage.

    Meanwhile, in a guest room at the Morgan family vi, Cohen hid in the semi-darkness, heavy curtains drawn tight against the world. The only light came from a single dimmp.

    In his hand, his phone screen glowed as he scrolled through the tidal wave of condemnation now swallowing Cooper Group online.

    Suddenly, his thoughts turned to his former boss ¡ª Kyle Cooper. Chris¡¯s father. A man who had been genuinely kind and fair, who had seen potential in Cohen and promoted him on merit alone.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1497

    ?Chapter 1497:

    ¡°Cohen¡­¡± The memory of Kyle¡¯s earnest voice surfaced, clear as day. ¡°Cooper Group must never fall into Kolton¡¯s hands. His mind is twisted, filled with malice. He craves shortcuts and will sacrifice any principle for profit. If he takes control, he will ruin this century-old foundation.¡±

    Back then, Cohen had dismissed the warning. Now, the truth of it was a knife in his heart. He squeezed his eyes shut, but hot tears escaped, tracing paths down his cheeks.

    He had never wanted to betray Kyle. But Kolton¡¯s ruthlessness had known no bounds. He had engineered a gambling trap, burying Cohen under a mountain of debt overnight and threatening the lives of his family. To survive, to protect his loved ones, Cohen had switched sides ¡ª bing Kolton¡¯s nt beside Kyle, a betrayal that indirectly led to the tragedy that followed.

    For years, he had lived like a cornered animal, eaten alive by daily guilt and paralyzing fear.

    ¡°Mr. Cooper¡­ I am so sorry,¡± Cohen whispered into the empty room. He knelt on the floor, hands sped together in a futile gesture of penance.

    Then he raised his head, his eyes refocusing on the phone screen ¡ª on the victims¡¯ usations and Cooper Group¡¯s grotesque, ongoing attempts to whitewash the truth.

    A new, steely determination hardened within him.

    ¡°I have lived in shadows long enough.¡± Cohen¡¯s fists clenched until his knuckles turned white, his gaze solidifying into one of grim resolve. He pushed himself to his feet and wiped the tears from his face. ¡°It is time to step into the light. Time to expose Kolton Cooper¡¯s true face to the world. I will be the witness. I will point directly to the murderer.¡±

    At the same moment, outside the imposing gates of the Nelson family mansion, the weather mirrored the turmoil within. The sky was a cauldron of dark, stormy clouds.

    Addictive stories on

    A tall figure in a ck trench coat stood perfectly still before the ornate entrance. It was Jarrod. In his hand, he carried a long ck metal case. Rain soaked his hair and dripped from the hem of his coat, but he seemed not to feel the cold. Only his eyes betrayed the tempest within ¡ª burning with an intense, almost spectral light in the gathering gloom.

    He pressed a switch on the case. Thetches released with a soft hiss and the lid opened. Inside, cradled in fitted foam,y a meticulously craftedposite crossbow, beside it several arrows with polished metal tips that gleamed with cold precision.

    Jarrod reached in, his fingertips brushing the cool, anodized stock. He felt the texture, the promise of contained power. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to thevish vi before him. This was the Nelson residence ¡ª the ce where Rosanna was hiding.

    ¡°Rosanna¡­¡± Jarrod¡¯s voice was a low, grating rasp, each syble forced out between clenched teeth. ¡°You devil. Today, justice finds you.¡±

    With a decisive motion, he snapped the case shut and hefted it in his hand. Then he stepped forward, moving with grim purpose toward the wrought-iron gates.

    The air in the Nelson vi was thick with the sharp scent of antiseptic and blood.

    Rosanna sat before her vanity, studying her reflection in silence. A night of emergency care had transformed her once-beautiful face into something mummy-like, swathed entirely in bandages. Only her cold eyes, her nostrils, and her swollen mouth were visible.

    The sight was grotesque ¡ª yet it stirred nothing within her.

    She knew that in the master bedroomy the man she despised with every cell in her body. Axell. Now just a corpse.

    Servants moved through the halls with hushed, tense efficiency, breaths held. They feared the capricious mistress of the Nelson house, certain her ruined face would make her a tyrant.

    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Nelson.¡± The butler entered with her breakfast tray, his toneyered with respect and extreme caution. ¡°Please, you must eat something.¡± He hesitated, then added, ¡°Mr. Nelson has not yet emerged. He must be exhausted from his travels and is still resting.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1498

    ?Chapter 1498:

    Rosanna knew perfectly well her useless husband was not resting. He was dead.

    Yet she summoned the voice of the doting, understanding wife, letting it emerge hoarse through her bandaged mouth. ¡°Let him sleep a little longer. He¡¯s been so worn out thesest few days. Have someone take breakfast to his room and leave it on the nightstand. Don¡¯t wake him.¡±

    She paused, as if struck by a sudden, painful thought, and deliberately raised her voice,cing it with panic and insecurity. ¡°Oh. And please don¡¯t tell Axell I¡¯ve returned. I¡­ I couldn¡¯t bear for him to see me like this¡­¡±

    She brought a bandaged hand up to touch her face, her gaze downcast and dim. ¡°Also, book me a ticket to Heliana immediately. I¡¯m going for reconstructive surgery. I¡¯ll spare no expense. I want my face back.¡±

    Thest sentence was nearly hissed through her teeth ¡ª a perfect performance of a woman crippled by vanity, deeply in love yet terrified of her husband¡¯s rejection.

    The butler watched her, and a genuine pang of sympathy struck him. Nearing fifty himself, with a daughter of his own, he understood a woman¡¯s fear. No one would wish to reveal such damage, least of all to the one they loved.

    ¡°Understood, Mrs. Nelson,¡± he sighed, nodding gravely. ¡°I will see to it at once. And rest assured, Mr. Nelson will not learn of your current condition.¡±

    Rosanna gave a slight nod and watched him go.

    The moment the door clicked shut, the self-doubt and devotion evaporated from her eyes, reced by a cial, triumphant sneer.

    She was waiting. Waiting for the scream ¡ª for the moment that would announce her total freedom and her absolute im to the Nelson family¡¯s power.

    Her wait was brief.

    ??d???c??iv?? ?§à???????? ??n g??l??????e????.????m

    Roughly ten minutester, a crash reverberated through the quiet vi. The sharp, unmistakable sound of fine porcin shattering on a hard floor ¡ª followed by a shriek of pure, unadulterated terror.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    The scream, saturated with horror, pierced walls and floors, seeming to shake the very foundations of the house. Instant chaos erupted ¡ª a cacophony of running footsteps, shouts, and panicked voices.

    Rosanna alone remained an ind of calm. She sat serenely in her chair, picked up a piece of toast from her tray, and began to chew it slowly, with deliberate relish.

    This, she thought, was the taste of victory.

    Her room door was thrown open. The butler stumbled in, his face a ghastly gray and slick with cold sweat. He was a portrait of barely contained distress. He looked at Rosanna ¡ª still ¡°blissfully unaware,¡± finishing her breakfast ¡ª and his lips trembled as he forced the words out.

    ¡°Mrs. Nelson¡­ there has been a terrible¡­ Mr. Nelson¡­ Mr. Nelson, he¡­¡±

    Rosanna turned her bandaged head slowly, her gaze one of practiced confusion. ¡°What¡¯s happened to Axell? Calm yourself. Speak.¡±

    The butler bit his lip so hard it nearly bled. His legs gave way, and he copsed to his knees with a heavy thud. ¡°Mrs. Nelson,¡± he choked out. ¡°Mr. Nelson¡­ is dead.¡±

    ¡°What¡­ what did you just say?¡±

    Rosanna shot to her feet without warning. The slice of bread slipped from her grasp and struck the floor with a dull sound. The revtion hit her like a physical blow ¡ª her steps faltered, breath tearing from her throat as she pressed a hand to her chest, face contorting as though an old wound had been ripped open by sheer emotional force.

    ¡°It cannot be real. How could Axell possibly be dead? What kind of nonsense are you spewing? Take me to him. Now!¡±

    Supported by several anxious maids, Rosanna staggered after the butler, her movements unsteady as they descended to the master bedroom on the second floor.

    The door swung open. A suffocating chill poured out.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1499

    ?Chapter 1499:

    Axelly sprawled face down across the carpet, his body rigid and unmoving. His eyes stared lifelessly ahead, still stretched wide, as though resentment and injustice clung to him even in death.

    ¡°Axell!¡± A scream tore from Rosanna¡¯s chest, raw and agonized. She wrenched herself free from the maids and rushed forward, copsing beside him. Her hands hovered above his body, quaking, unable to bring themselves to make contact. ¡°How could this happen¡­ how could this happen¡­ Axell, wake up. Please. Do not do this to me.¡±

    Rosanna¡¯s disy was impable. The grief she projected proved contagious ¡ª several maids lowered their heads, tears streaking down their cheeks as quiet sobs filled the room.

    The butler, eyes reddened and wet, stepped forward and tried to console her. ¡°Mrs. Nelson, please ept our deepest condolences. May you find strength in this unbearable moment.¡±

    ¡°Call the police ¡ª at once!¡± Rosanna jerked her head up, tears clinging to hershes, eyes blown wide with terror sharpened by fury. ¡°Axell was killed. This was murder. Call the police immediately. I want the murderer found.¡±

    ¡°The authorities have already been notified, Mrs. Nelson,¡± the butler replied without hesitation. ¡°They are on their way.¡±

    At those words, relief washed through Rosanna¡¯s body. She copsed over Axell once more, her sobs growing louder as her disheveled hair fell forward, concealing the corner of her lips curling into a deranged smile.

    Meanwhile, beyond the vi walls, a lone figure scaled the towering barrier with the agility of a gecko and dropped down without a sound. It was Jarrod.

    The long case rested against his back as his gaze cut through the garden with predatory focus. He knew exactly where he was ¡ª the Nelson vi, notorious for its heavy security. Once he acted, there would be no clean escape. The thought failed to give him pause. Rage and resentment had hollowed him out, scorching away what little reason he once possessed.

    Di?????v§Ö?? ????dd§Ön ????m?? on ??????????????????.§ã????

    He had lived as a punchline, a discarded failure. But this single act would define his end. He owed it to his parents, destroyed by Rosanna¡¯s schemes; to Maia, who had endured undeserved suffering; and to the weak, frightened version of himself he had long buried.

    ¡°Rosanna will die,¡± he swore under his breath.

    As Jarrod crouched within the bushes, inching toward the main structure in search of a suitable position to assemble his weapon, a sudden sound cut through the quiet.

    The piercing howl of police sirens. Approaching fast.

    Jarrod stiffened. Every movement halted.

    What was happening? Why were the police here? Had Rosanna somehow discovered his n?

    No. That could not be possible.

    He caught himself spiraling and pushed the thought aside ¡ª he was jumping to conclusions over sirens alone when he hadn¡¯t even made his move. Perhaps nervousness had gotten the better of him, like a thief frozen beneath a spotlight.

    Forcing his breathing to steady, Jarrod parted the leaves and looked on.

    Three patrol cars pulled up to the vi gates. Armed officers spilled out, spreading fast as they secured every entrance.

    Jarrod¡¯s fists tightened, nails biting into his palms until pain grounded him. ¡°Damn it.¡± He understood then ¡ª under these circumstances, there was no opening, no chance to strike. Making an attempt now would only ensure Rosanna¡¯s escape, while his own death would amount to nothing.

    He had no choice but to wait. As long as he remained alive, hope still existed.

    Jarrod adjusted the case on his shoulder and turned back without a second thought. Hands and feet working in practiced coordination, he scaled the wall again through the same entry point he had used before.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1500

    Chapter 1500:

    The moment his boots hit the ground outside and he prepared to melt into the shadows of the alley, a sharp voice rang out.

    ¡°Freeze! Wront Police Station!¡±

    A young patrol officer rounded the corner and caught sight of him. He broke into a run, his hand mming down on his radio as he spoke rapidly. ¡°Commander, respond ¡ª suspicious individual spotted fleeing over the rear wall of the Nelson vi, carrying a long ck case. Requesting backup. Requesting backup.¡±

    The call echoed through nearby channels, drawing officers from surrounding positions as they converged on the rear alley. Jarrod¡¯s scalp prickled as shouts and pounding footsteps erupted behind him.

    He did not dare look back. Grinding his teeth, he surged forward into a full sprint and disappeared into the tangledbyrinth of narrow alleys.

    Inside the Nelson family vi, two detectives from the criminal investigation division had arrived in the master bedroom.

    After a preliminary examination of the scene and a brief round of questioning, they turned their attention to Rosanna ¡ª sobbing uncontrobly ¡ª and to the signed suicide note left by Axell. The two officers exchanged a significant nce, their expressions turning grim.

    Axell¡¯s death was fraught with inconsistencies. Despite the presence of a note, the evidence clearly pointed to poison. This was a homicide. As the primary beneficiary, Rosanna ¡ª for all her apparent grief ¡ª could not be fully ruled out as a suspect.

    ¡°Mrs. Nelson, we understand this is an extremely difficult time,¡± one officer said, stepping forward with a formal tone. ¡°For your own safety and to assist with our inquiries, we must ask you to apany us to the station. We cannot dismiss the possibility that the perpetrator may still pose a threat to you.¡±

    Rosanna dabbed at her tears and nodded inpliance. ¡°Alright¡­ If it helps find the person who did this to Axell, I¡¯ll cooperate fully.¡±

    Just then, a crackling report came through on the officer¡¯s radio from the units posted outside. ¡°We spotted a suspicious male scaling the perimeter wall and fleeing the property. He is carrying a long case ¡ª possible weapon inside. In pursuit.¡±

    ????e????i???? n§àv§Ö???? §à?? g??l??????el??.??o??

    The officer¡¯s demeanor changed instantly. Scaling the wall? Carrying a weapon? Had their initial assessment been wrong? Could Rosanna be innocent after all ¡ª and the real suspect have used an unknown method to administer the poison?

    That theory seemed to hold more weight.

    ¡°Lock down the immediate area! I want him contained!¡± the officer barked into his radio.

    Beside him, Rosanna kept her head bowed, a handkerchief pressed to her face. Behind the fabric, a faint, triumphant smile touched her lips. She had no idea which fool had chosen that exact moment to make a run for it, but fortune was squarely on her side. Not only had a suspect conveniently materialized to take the me ¡ª he had also sessfully diverted the police¡¯s focus.

    Soon, news of Axell Nelson¡¯s death exploded across Wront. The Wront Daily rushed out a special edition.

    Shocking Twist for Blue-Blooded Family: Axell Nelson Tragically Killed.

    Mysterious Assassin Escapes Over Wall ¡ª Police Launch Citywide Manhunt.

    Grieving Mrs. Nelson Offers Reward for Capture of Murderer.

    For a time, the city was consumed by nothing else.

    Meanwhile, on the highway leading to Wront¡¯s private airport, a ck Maybach cut through the traffic.

    In the back seat, Kolton clutched his briefcase to his chest like a lifeline. Jimmie sat in the front passenger seat, ncing back periodically, his expression filled with apparent concern.

    ¡°Kolton, you should drink some water,¡± he said softly, handing back a bottle of mineral water with its cap already loosened.

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noa: Friday is here, dear readers! Have a great time. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?

    .

 Chapter 1501

    ?Chapter 1501:

    Kolton took the bottle but didn¡¯t drink. He turned it slowly in his hands, his gaze fixed on thendscape blurring past the window, his expression unreadable.

    ¡°Jimmie,¡± he began abruptly, his voice low. ¡°This move abroad¡­ it may be for a very long time. We might never return. Do you have any regrets?¡±

    Jimmie seemed startled by the question. He turned fully in his seat to face Kolton, his expression one of unwavering sincerity. ¡°Kolton, that could never be. I was an orphan with nothing. You fed me. You gave me a home. Wherever you are is my home. I will follow you anywhere.¡±

    Kolton studied the young man¡¯s earnest face and clear eyes. A short, humorlessugh escaped him ¡ª but his smile didn¡¯t reach his eyes, which remained cold and calcting. A flicker of his innate suspicion passed through them.

    In this world, Kolton trusted no one ¡ª not even this young man he had helped. He understood all too well that human loyalty rarely survived a true test. Still, he forced a deep breath and suppressed the thought. At this point, doubting Jimmie could ruin everything. In a foreignnd, he needed Jimmie¡¯s loyalty to maintain control.

    Over the years, Kolton had always calcted gains and losses, manipting hearts and minds. Yet in the end, he was isted ¡ª alienated from family and allies alike. His own children, Kiley and the useless udius, had turned against him. A bitter irony: the strategist trapped by the very game he had mastered.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Kolton said, patting Jimmie¡¯s shoulder and softening his tone. ¡°Once we secure that oil field, I won¡¯t let you down.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Kolton,¡± Jimmie replied, eyes glistening with gratitude.

    Y?????? ?§Öx?? f?????????t§Ö ????a?? ???? §à?? g§Ñ????????e????.??o??

    Soon, the Maybach arrived at the private airport tarmac. A sleek white Gulfstream G650 waited, engines already roaring. Without dy or security checks, Kolton settled into the luxurious leather recliner. The cabin door closed.

    The aircraft began its taxi, then elerated down the runway. The force of the thrust pressed Kolton back into his seat. With a thunderous roar, the private jet lifted its nose and soared into the sky.

    Kolton kept his gaze fixed beyond the ne window, letting it linger as the rain-soaked city stretched beneath him for thest time.

    The Cooper Group headquarters ¡ª once stamped with his name and authority ¡ª steadily shrank until it dissolved into a lone ck speck against the gray sprawl. Resentment pooled in his stare, bitterness tightening his jaw as the view disappeared.

    ¡°Maia Watson,¡± he muttered, lips curling. ¡°Chris Cooper. And that damned Mr. M. Enjoy this while you can. I, Kolton Cooper, will be back.¡±

    The private jet sliced through the cloud cover, its nose turning toward his destination.

    Far away, in the southern outskirts beyond Kyle¡¯s concealed vi, Maia burst through the door without warning and sprinted straight for the thick forest lining the estate.

    ¡°Quick ¡ª she¡¯s relocating!¡± Figures concealed within the darkness snapped to alert, muscles coiling as the team from The Mask reacted instantly. Their directive allowed no hesitation. Maia¡¯s safety outweighed everything, including their own lives. Her abrupt and unnned flight shattered their expectations, forcing an immediate shift.

    ¡°After her! Do not let her out of sight!¡±

    The order came from Maynard Smith, a veteran operative of The Mask, hardened by years of pursuit and counter-surveince. With a sharp hand signal, he directed the remaining four members forward, and they melted into motion, trailing her as silently as shadows.

    Once Maia plunged deeper into the forest ¡ª where the ground twisted unevenly and vehicles were useless ¡ª the team abandoned their cars and continued on foot. To remain unseen, they kept roughly fifty yards back, weaving between trees in a tight triangr formation honed by years of training.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1502

    ?Chapter 1502:

    ¡°Something¡¯s off,¡± Maynard muttered as he ran, his brows drawing together. ¡°Why is she running like this? Did she spot us? Or is there another presence behind her?¡±

    Questions pressed at him, but protocol overruled every doubt. Maia had to stay within sight, no matter what.

    After nearly ten minutes of relentless running, Maia shoved through a wall of brush and stumbled into a small clearing where the trees thinned. Then, all at once, she stopped.

    Her steps faltered, her body pitching unsteadily. Her knees buckled and she dropped hard to the ground,nding on her back with her limbs ck. She appeared to have lost consciousness.

    Maynard froze at once, sliding into a crouch behind a thick trunk and shing silent signals ¡ª hide, stay sharp. No one spoke. Even breathing seemed too loud.

    The forest settled into an uneasy stillness, disturbed only by leaves whispering as wind threaded through the branches.

    One minute crawled by. Then another, just as heavy and tense. Maia did not stir.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Maynard narrowed his eyes and lifted his binocrs to study her closely. There was no blood staining the ground, no broken branches or disturbed earth to suggest a struggle. Had she simply run herself to the brink of copse? Or had she suddenly fallen ill?

    If this was a fainting spell, hesitation was not an option. Their standing orders left no room for error ¡ª Maia¡¯s safety was absolute, and any failure on their watch would carry unforgiving consequences.

    ¡°Numbers three and four, hold your positions and keep eyes on the perimeter. Number two, you¡¯re with me. We¡¯re going in.¡± Maynard kept his voice low as he spoke.

    He and one operative drew their pistols, staying crouched as they advanced toward Maia¡¯s motionless form ¡ª step by deliberate step, closing the gap. Thirty feet. Then fifteen.

    ????pu?????? s??o??????? o?? ????????????el??.??????

    At that distance, Maynard could finally make out her features clearly. Her eyes were shut, her skin drained of color, her stillness absolute. She truly appeared unconscious.

    A breath eased from his chest. He slid his weapon back into its holster and quickened his pace, reaching out to check her pulse.

    ¡°Ms. Watson?¡± he called out softly.

    But just as his fingers hovered inches from her neck, everything shifted in a single breath.

    The woman who had appeared unconscious snapped her eyes open. There was no haze of disorientation, no weakness lingering in her stare ¡ª only sharp awareness, edged with a knowing glint.

    ¡°Oh no.¡± rm detonated in Maynard¡¯s chest, and instinct screamed at him to pull back. But the warning came toote.

    ¡°Move!¡± Maia¡¯s voice cut through the clearing, crisp andmanding. In response, multiple gun barrels slid into view from the surrounding brush, rising from behind tangled shrubs and low-hanging branches. They belonged to Siena¡¯s people ¡ª d in camouge, they emerged with predatory precision, bodies coiled like leopards springing from concealment.

    ¡°Freeze! Hands up!¡± Siena¡¯s voice rang cold and unwavering. A frigid muzzle pressed firmly against the back of Maynard¡¯s head.

    The remaining members of The Mask were overtaken just as swiftly ¡ª weapons stripped, movement locked down. It was a wless ambush.

    Maynard remained rigid, hands lifting slowly, dejection carving itself across his expression. The reversal was unmistakable. The hunter had been cornered by the very prey he believed he controlled.

    He tracked Maia as she pushed herself upright and brushed soil from her clothes, shock tightening his chest even as reluctant admiration followed. Only then did the truth settle in. She had offered herself deliberately. Bait, ced with precision.

    Maia flicked the dirt from her palms and stepped toward him. She looked down at the man behind the half-mask, her stare honed and merciless.

    ¡°That was quite the run,¡± she said calmly. ¡°You led it straight to this.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 1503

    ?Chapter 1503:

    She leaned closer, closing the distance until her eyes locked onto his, every syble delivered with intent. ¡°Now let¡¯s have a conversation.¡± Her tone hardened. ¡°Who are you people? Where is Chris?¡±

    ¡°Chris? I don¡¯t know anyone by that name.¡± Maynard spoke without thinking, the words spilling out as he stared at the gun barrel inches from his face. The confusion in his eyes was brief but real ¡ª an instinctive reaction under intense pressure.

    Maia looked down at the subdued man, mild surprise flickering across her expression. ¡°You¡¯ve never heard of him?¡±

    She didn¡¯t wait for an answer. Taking the Glock from Siena, she checked it swiftly, loaded it, and raised it with steady hands until the muzzle aligned with Maynard¡¯s forehead.

    ¡°This is yourst chance,¡± Maia said quietly. Her voice was gentle, yet the weight behind it was unmistakable. ¡°Don¡¯t lie.¡±

    The cold steel pressed against his skin, sending a wave of dread through him, as if death itself were marking him.

    Maynard stared at her ¡ª at the woman who appeared delicate yet radiated absolute resolve. Swallowing hard, he spoke with difficulty. ¡°I can¡¯t betray my organization. But I swear, we¡¯re here to protect you. If you think I¡¯m lying¡­¡± He paused. ¡°Then go ahead. Shoot.¡±

    He shut his eyes and epted whatever came next.

    Maia hesitated. That level ofposure and loyalty wasn¡¯t something ordinary mercenaries possessed.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± she said after a moment, pulling the gun away. Her tone rxed, though the threat remained. ¡°We¡¯re not in a rush. Tell me your name.¡±

    ??????d fr???? ???????????? ???? ??§Ñ??????????????.??§à??

    ¡°Maynard Smith.¡±

    His name was so ordinary, shared by countless others across the country, that he felt no hesitation in sharing it.

    Without warning, Maia reached into her coat and removed an old notebook. She flipped straight to the final page and held it up. Below the drawing of a mask, penned in an elegant script, was the solitary initial M.

    The moment Maynard¡¯s eyes fell upon the image, a jolt of recognition pierced hisposure ¡ª his pupils tightening against his will. That faint reaction, swift as it was, did not escape Maia¡¯s keen eye.

    Maia closed the notebook. ¡°That reaction gave you away,¡± she said calmly. ¡°You¡¯re with an organization called The Mask, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    It was a calcted guess. The drawing was a deliberate, ambiguous test ¡ª it didn¡¯t definitively prove the organization¡¯s name. But Maynard¡¯s reaction was proof enough.

    Stunned and shaken, he stared at her with wide eyes, thoughts reeling. How could she possess that secret ¡ª the leader¡¯s own emblem?

    Watching his shock, Maia allowed herself a faint, knowing smile. Her deduction was right. Her education in Zoey¡¯s prison-cell library, particrly her study of micro-expressions, had served her perfectly.

    ¡°I know it all,¡± she lied coolly. ¡°This was simply a verification to ensure we¡¯re on the same side.¡±

    Sweat rolled down Maynard¡¯s temple. He reyed his orders in his mind ¡ª there had been no instructions for this situation, no warning that the target might know who they were. Finally, his resistance copsed.

    ¡°Yes,¡± he said quietly. ¡°We are members of The Mask. Our mission is to protect you.¡±

    ¡°Did Mr. M send you?¡± Maia asked.

    Maynard shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know that name. I report to my superior ¡ª codename Death.¡±

    Maia¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Death. So the group operated strictly through aliases. That exined why the name Chris had meant nothing to them.

    ¡°And the sniper in the park earlier ¡ª were they your people?¡±

    ¡°Yes. They intervened to cover your escape, but their position waspromised and they had to pull out. We were assigned afterward.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1504

    ?Chapter 1504:

    Everything aligned.

    ¡°Onest thing,¡± Maia said. ¡°Was someone from your organization inside this vi earlier? Or was that person taken away with the convoy?¡±

    Maynard froze. He avoided her gaze, lips sealed.

    Sometimes, saying nothing spoke louder than words.

    The pieces clicked into ce. Chris had been part of the departing convoy.

    Lowering her weapon, Maia straightened and turned toward Siena. ¡°Siena, your interrogation skills exceed mine. I¡¯m entrusting these people to you.¡±

    Siena gave a calm nod, understanding immediately. A sharp light flickered in her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Leave it to me.¡±

    With a brief wave of her hand, her team moved in at once, restraining Maynard and the others tightly before dragging them deep into the forest, where the shadows swallowed them whole.

    ¡°I¡¯ve already ced my people all around this area,¡± Siena said firmly. ¡°No one will get close to you.¡± With that, she turned her attention back to the captives.

    Maia returned to the vi alone.

    She sank onto the sofa, tapping her knee absently while her thoughts collided and unraveled. Chris had been ambushed in an alley. At the auction, someone in a mask had tried to kill her. And now ¡ª another team of masked figures had stepped in to protect her.

    The contradictions didn¡¯t add up. What was really going on behind the scenes? Was The Mask divided from within ¡ª one side bent on eliminating her, the other determined to keep her alive? Or was something even more calcted at y, her survival being deliberately preserved to serve a muchrger scheme?

    There were too few clues to draw a clear conclusion. Still, one thing stood firm: since the people who had left the vi and those shielding her outside shared the same allegiance, Chris was safe for now.

    Buzz. Buzz.

    D?????§àv??r ????????e?? ge??? ??? ????ln??????l?.??????

    Maia¡¯s phone vibrated. The call was from Pris¡¯s chief hacker.

    ¡°We¡¯ve uncovered something,¡± the subordinate said, urgency creeping into his voice. ¡°Those ck vehicles just reached the Wront highway entrance, but¡ª¡±

    ¡°But what?¡± Maia asked.

    ¡°They were stopped. Five minutes ago, the entire city suddenly went into military lockdown.¡±

    ¡°Military lockdown?¡± Maia frowned. ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°The details haven¡¯t been released. The authorities have sealed everything off,¡± the hacker exined. ¡°Highways are blocked,mercial flights are grounded, and even private jets are barely getting clearance. A full no-fly order may being at any moment.¡± He paused before adding, ¡°It might be connected to the fire at Harmony za. The officials seem furious.¡±

    Maia¡¯s gaze sharpened. A military lockdown meant one thing ¡ª Chris and the people who had taken him were now trapped inside Wront. For her, that was a rare opening.

    ¡°I understand,¡± Maia replied coolly. ¡°Now listen carefully. I want you to investigate an organization called The Mask.¡±

    ¡°The Mask? The ones who attacked you at the auction?¡± the subordinate snapped. ¡°Those bastards. I¡¯ll get everyone on it ¡ª every hacker we have. We¡¯ll dig until nothing¡¯s left.¡±

    ¡°What happened at the auction wasplicated; we¡¯ll discuss thatter,¡± Maia cut in, her voice dropping to ice. ¡°For now, let others continue their current operations. Use the chaos in the media and the financial markets. Tear away Cooper Group¡¯s remaining disguise. I want thempletely destroyed.¡±

    She looked out at the darkened sky beyond the window, her posture steady ¡ª like amander delivering a final order. ¡°Launch a full-scale attack. Take control of Cooper Group as quickly as possible.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡±

    The line went dead.

    After a moment of reflection, Maia ced another call ¡ª this time to Siena.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1505

    ?Chapter 1505:

    ¡°Yes, Maia?¡± Siena answered. ¡°What¡¯s going on? That young man hasn¡¯t said a word. Stubborn as a rock.¡±

    ¡°You can stop the interrogation,¡± Maia said quietly, her eyes glinting with calcted intent. ¡°If they won¡¯t talk, let them go.¡±

    ¡°Let them go?¡± Siena repeated, clearly confused.

    ¡°Yes. Release them.¡± A faint sneer touched Maia¡¯s lips as she nced toward the forest outside. ¡°Only then can we track where they run ¡ª and that will lead us straight to Chris.¡± She paused before adding, ¡°Besides, since this force exists to protect me, it may prove useful in the future.¡±

    Deep within the slums of Wront, inside an abandoned basement soaked in dampness and rot, the air was thick with the stench of mold.

    ¡°Ouch¡­¡± Jarrod leaned against a wet, crumbling wall, using the dim glow of his phone to examine a long gash on his arm. The injury hade from the barbed wire atop the Nelson family vi¡¯s perimeter wall, which had torn through his skin. Blood had soaked through his sleeve.

    ¡°Damn it,¡± he muttered through clenched teeth, fury burning in his eyes.

    His revenge had failedpletely. He hadn¡¯t even caught sight of Rosanna before the sudden arrival of the police forced him to flee like a criminal.

    ¡°Who the hell called the cops?¡± he muttered, confusion mixing with rage. He unlocked his phone and opened the news app.

    The moment the screen loaded, a red alert dominated the disy.

    Breaking News: Axell Nelson, head of the Nelson family, was brutally murdered at his residencest night. The suspect fled the scene by scaling a wall. Police have confirmed the suspect¡¯s identity as Jarrod Morgan, a fugitive from the Morgan family.

    ???????? ??h?? ??o????u????y ???? ga????????el??.??o??

    Jarrod froze. The words blurred before his eyes as his grip loosened, his phone nearly slipping from his hand.

    Axell was dead. And the timing ¡ªst night.

    In an instant, everything clicked into ce.

    ¡°So Rosanna killed Axell¡­ and I was made the scapegoat,¡± Jarrod said ¡ª and then burst intoughter. The sound echoed through the empty basement, hollow and unhinged. ¡°Well yed,¡± he said betweenughs, his voice sharp with bitterness. ¡°Truly impressive tactics, my dear younger sister. You did a fine job.¡±

    It all made sense now. The police must have suspected Rosanna at first. But with himbeled as the suspect who had escaped over the wall, every trace of suspicion had been wiped clean from her hands.

    ¡°Rosanna Morgan!¡± Jarrod roared, mming his fist into the wall until his knuckles split. Being used like this hurt far more than death ever could.

    Meanwhile, in the interrogation room of the police station, Rosanna remained seated in a chair, her head swathed inyers of thick bandages that concealed everything except her reddened, swollen eyes.

    The moment the officer revealed that the identified suspect was her biological brother, Jarrod, Rosanna let her lips curve beneath the gauze ¡ª a hidden, twisted smile blooming as secret satisfaction surged through her chest.

    Luck had chosen her without reservation. Who could have imagined that the fool who had slipped out of the Nelson vi would turn out to be Jarrod of all people? It felt less like coincidence and more like a gift delivered neatly into her hands. Before this, she had only managed to dispose of Richard and Sandra while searching in vain for an opening to deal with her useless older brother. Now the scales had tippedpletely, with Jarrod cornered, exposed, and conveniently cast in the role of her shield.

    ¡°How could this happen¡­ how could it be Jarrod¡­¡± In an instant, Rosanna transformed into a picture of devastation, tears spilling freely as she faced the officer, her voice trembling. ¡°Officer, these past few days I felt eyes on me ¡ª someone lurking, watching my every move. Jarrod has always resented me and Axell. He med us for failing to save our parents, and that hatred never faded. He even issued threats against the Nelson family before, swearing we would all pay one day. I never expected he would actually target my husband. My poor Axell¡­ he did not deserve this. This is all because of me. I dragged him into my family¡¯s trouble.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1506

    ?Chapter 1506:

    Her strength appeared to give out as she slumped back into the chair, sobs wracking her body without restraint.

    Then, as though steeling herself with sudden resolve, Rosanna reached into her bag, withdrew a check, and mmed it down on the table with a sharp motion. Her gaze lifted ¡ª eyes gleaming with a carefully crafted mix of righteous fury and unwavering resolve.

    ¡°Officer, I am prepared to offer a reward ¡ª five million dors. It does not matter who captures him. Whoever brings this killer to justice and avenges my husband will receive every cent.¡±

    Rosanna intended to turn the situation into a spectacle, leveraging the full force of the police and drawing bounty hunters from every corner of the city to hunt Jarrod down and erase himpletely. Only then could she sever every lingering thread that might ever lead back to her. After all, a corpse carried no secrets.

    As night settled in, the rain returned with renewed force.

    Hidden inside the deserted basement, Jarrod listened to the shrill police sirens echo through the streets outside, each piercing note ringing in his ears like a funeral bell tolling for him alone. He understood with brutal rity that Wront was no longer a ce he could ever appear in openly again.

    The headline about the five-million-dor bounty had already spread across the inte and reached him. It was no longer justw enforcement on his trail ¡ª the underground gangs had joined the hunt. Jarrod had officially be prey.

    A cold, crooked sneer tugged at his mouth as he exhaled. He reached into the corner and dragged out the long, matte-ck case streaked with age and grime. The lid snapped open, exposing theposite crossbow gleaming faintly under the dim light. He extended a hand and brushed his fingers slowly along the weapon, his stare hollowing out, slipping into something unhinged and distant.

    Since the police wanted him alive and Rosanna wanted him erased, he saw no reason not to gamble everything and see his n through to the end.

    ???????????? ??§Ö??e????e?? ???? g??l??????e???.??§à??

    ¡°Rosanna Morgan¡­ Before I die, I will drag you down with me. I will make you learn what happens when you corner someone who has nothing left to lose.¡±

    Jarrod hoisted the case over his shoulder, pulled up his hood, and steeled himself to step out.

    Just as his hand touched the door, a calm, familiar face surfaced in his thoughts. Maia. She might have been the only person left who could believe he had not killed Axell ¡ª the same woman he had once wounded and disgraced.

    But if he went to her now¡­

    The idea caused his steps to stall. He remained standing in the downpour for a long stretch of time, rain soaking through his clothes. Atst, he squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head, anguish tightening his expression.

    ¡°No. I can¡¯t go.¡±

    The thought of standing in front of her again filled Jarrod with a shame so heavy it rooted him in ce. He yanked his cor higher, shielding his face, then turned away and stepped back into the curtain of rain.

    In another country, after much effort, Kolton and Jimmie finally reached the oil field specified in the signed agreement.

    The sun burned mercilessly above them, waves of heat rippling across barrennd. Kolton took in the towering drilling rigs and the endless rows of pumpjacks. Though outdated in appearance, he did not see rusting machinery ¡ª he saw veins of wealth, endless gold waiting to be harvested.

    ¡°Do you see it, Jimmie?¡±

    Kolton flung his arms wide as if embracing victory, his face glowing with a feverish excitement he had not worn in years. ¡°This is our escape. The foundation for our return. Even if we crash and burn back home, so what? With this oil field, give me less than three years and I¡¯ll carve out an entirely new business empire right here.¡±

    He pped a firm hand on Jimmie¡¯s shoulder, his voice overflowing as he painted vision after vision of their future. ¡°When that dayes, you¡¯ll stand as one of the founders. Ten percent of thepany will be yours.¡±

    Hope flickered unmistakably in Jimmie¡¯s eyes, and he nodded again and again. ¡°Thank you, Kolton. Truly.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1507

    ?Chapter 1507:

    At that moment, several local herders rode past on lean horses, headscarves wrapped tight against the sun. They slowed, eyeing the two men in suits with open curiosity and called out.

    Unable to catch their words through the thick ent, Kolton scowled. ¡°Ask them who is in charge here ¡ª and why no one has shown up to wee their new boss.¡±

    Jimmie hurried forward, exchanged a few sentences with them, and slipped into the role of interpreter. After only a few exchanges, the color drained from his face, leaving him pale as if he had just seen a ghost. He turned stiffly toward Kolton, his pupils shrinking, his voice shaking beyond his control.

    ¡°Kol¡­ Kolton¡­¡±

    ¡°What now?¡± Kolton snapped, irritation creeping into his tone.

    Jimmie swallowed hard and raised a trembling finger toward the massive machinery, despair spilling into his words. ¡°They said¡­ this oil field was shut down three years ago. The reserves werepletely depleted. There is nothing left underground. Not even a single drop of oil.¡±

    Jimmie¡¯s words hit Kolton like a splitting headache, a sharp throb pulsing through his skull. His thoughts buzzed chaotically, refusing to settle.

    The relentless heat and ring sunlight made the ground seem unsteady beneath his feet. For a moment, it felt as though the entire world was tilting, leaving him struggling to remain upright.

    He surged forward abruptly and seized Jimmie by the shoulders, his grip tight enough to hurt. ¡°What did you say?¡± Kolton demanded hoarsely. ¡°Are you sure you understood them? Did you mistrante? How could there be no oil here?¡±

    Jimmie froze, stunned by the intensity of Kolton¡¯s reaction. He had never seen him like this. The man known for hisposure and razor-sharp judgment now looked frantic ¡ª almost unhinged.

    Even so, Jimmie forced himself to speak again, dashing Kolton¡¯s hopes without mercy. ¡°Kolton¡­ they were very clear. This oil field waspletely depleted three years ago. It has been abandoned ever since. There is nothing left underground.¡±

    R??????n§ã?? ???????????? ??? ??????n§àv????s.§ã§à??

    Kolton turned stiffly toward the impassive local herdsmen. A heavy wave of despair crashed into his chest. How was this possible? This deal had been his final gamble. Could it all really be a mistake?

    His hands shaking, Kolton pulled out the contract he had been clinging to like ast lifeline. He jabbed at the coordinates and map, barking at Jimmie to verify them again. As Jimmie struggled through an awkward exchange in the broken local dialect, Kolton felt as if he were sinking deeper into a bottomless pit.

    His naturally suspicious mind began spiraling out of control. Where had things gone wrong? Had Kiley deceived him with a forged agreement? Had Granger, that damned oil magnate, yed him from the start? Or worse ¡ª Kolton¡¯s gaze hardened as it slid toward Jimmie, the young man he had saved and trained. Had Jimmie brought him here deliberately? Had he mistranted the herdsman¡¯s words on purpose, tricking him into believing the oil field was gone ¡ª just so he could swoop in and take the agreement once Kolton gave up?

    The thoughts grew darker, more erratic, feeding on one another like poison.

    Then suddenly, Jimmie came running back, his face lit with relief, as though he had narrowly escaped disaster. ¡°Kolton ¡ª good news! We were at the wrong location. I told the herdsmen we¡¯re looking for Granger Sparrow¡¯s oil field and showed them the exact coordinates from the contract. They said this is just an abandoned mining site. The real oil field is further ahead.¡±

    In an instant, the fog in Kolton¡¯s eyes lifted. The wild paranoia evaporated, reced by blinding hope ¡ª like a drowning man breaking the surface for air.

    ¡°Excellent,¡± Kolton said, forcing himself to steady his voice despite the surge of excitement in his chest. ¡°Ask them if they can take us there. Tell them we¡¯ll pay double ¡ª no, ten times the usual fee.¡±

    Jimmie hurried off and soon returned. ¡°They agreed. They say it¡¯s not far.¡±

    ¡°Then let¡¯s move. Now.¡± Kolton couldn¡¯t contain his eagerness any longer.

    Still, the earlier shock left a trace of unease. Once inside the car, Kolton pulled out his phone and dialed the number listed on the contract ¡ª the so-called oil field manager. He had tried calling repeatedly during the flight and along the road, but no one had answered, which was why he had rushed here in person.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1508

    ?Chapter 1508:

    This time, after a brief tone, the call connected. A polite voice answered, exining that their staff were already waiting at the industrial park and were prepared to wee their new boss at any moment.

    Atst, Kolton¡¯s lingering doubts dissolved. The call had gone through. People were waiting. They must simply have taken a wrong turn earlier.

    Kolton followed the herdsmen¡¯s vehicle deeper into the area. Dust billowed into the air as they drove, the silence among the herdsmen heavy and unsettling. Before long, a fenced industrialpound appeared ahead, ringed with barbed wire and filled with machinery and factory buildings. It looked legitimate ¡ª solid, established.

    But the moment Kolton and Jimmie¡¯s car passed through the gates, something felt wrong.

    With a metallic shriek, the gates mmed shut behind them. Armed men wearing masks poured out from the surrounding buildings, AK-47s raised, ck barrels snapping into position and locking onto their car.

    Kolton was still trying to process what was happening when he saw the herdsmen break into wide grins, yellowed teeth shing. One of the gunmen handed them a thick stack of cash. They didn¡¯t even bother counting it before climbing back into their vehicle and driving off without a backward nce.

    ¡°What¡­ what¡¯s happening?¡±

    Kolton stared in horror as the situation spiraled out of control. A raw, unfamiliar fear crawled up his spine, freezing his limbs. He snapped his head toward Jimmie, whose face had gone deathly pale. ¡°Trante ¡ª now! Ask them what they want!¡±

    Jimmie stumbled out of the vehicle, his entire body shaking. After only a few exchanges, his courage copsedpletely. His knees hit the ground. He pressed his forehead to the dirt, sobbing uncontrobly as he begged the armed men for mercy.

    Kolton¡¯s heart lurched. ¡°Jimmie!¡± he shouted furiously. ¡°Get up! What are you doing?¡±

    ??our ??a?????? ??§à???? o?? ????v?????? ??? ga??no????????.????m

    Jimmie slowly turned back, tears streaking his face, despair written into every line. ¡°Kolton¡­ we were tricked. Those guides weren¡¯t local herdsmen ¡ª they sold us.¡± His voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°These people say we¡¯re merchandise. Either for dissection¡­ or experiments.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Kolton¡¯s vision narrowed.

    The term struck a nerve, its familiarity sending a shiver of pure terror through him. For a fleeting second, he convinced himself this had to be a misunderstanding ¡ª a nightmare, some borate ruse. Then reality struck.

    Rough hands hauled him from the car. A rifle mmed into his back, forcing the air from his lungs. He was dragged through metal doors into a room drenched in chemical stench. Figures inb coats surrounded him, restraining his arms as needles pierced his skin and blood filled clear tubes.

    As he struggled, something caught his eye. The symbols. The markings etched into the equipment and walls. Recognition hit him like ice water. These weren¡¯t foreign insignias ¡ª they belonged to Cooper Group.

    This facility, this nightmare, was one he had personally authorized years ago.

    ¡°Stop!¡± Kolton shouted hoarsely. ¡°You¡¯re making a mistake! I¡¯m Kolton Cooper ¡ª Chairman of Cooper Group! I¡¯m the one who owns this ce. Call your superior immediately!¡±

    The technician froze, studied Kolton carefully, then stepped away to make a call.

    Momentster, footsteps echoed through the corridor. A tall man entered, half his face concealed behind a mask. His gaze was calm and assessing ¡ª almost amused.

    ¡°You im you¡¯re Kolton Cooper?¡± the man asked.

    Koltontched onto that question like a lifeline. ¡°Yes! Untie me right now ¡ª you¡¯ve crossed a line you can¡¯t afford to cross!¡±

    The man examined him intently but issued nomand to free him. Then, without warning, he stepped forward.

    A brutal pnded across Kolton¡¯s face, forcing stars behind his eyes. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he nearly cked out.

    ¡°You¡­ you just hit me?¡± Kolton stammered, stunned, eyes wide with disbelief.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1509

    ?Chapter 1509:

    ¡°Pretending to be our boss? You must be courting death,¡± the man said, his tone icy andced with authority. ¡°How did you even learn our boss¡¯s name? Our boss is in Wront overseeing operations ¡ª there¡¯s no way he¡¯d be here. Are you trying to trick me? Try that in your next life.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s heart sank.

    Only now did he realize that all the deceptions he had set up ¡ª his faked presence in Wront, the illusions designed to throw off covert operatives and rivals ¡ª had backfired spectacrly. He was trapped in the very snare he had meticulously crafted for others. He needed to prove his identity, and fast.

    ¡°I am Kolton Cooper! I can prove it ¡ª otherwise, how would I know what¡¯s happening here? Thisb was authorized by me three years ago, codename¡ª¡±

    The man cut him off before he could finish, his gaze mocking and merciless. ¡°Right, you¡¯re Kolton Cooper. And maybe I¡¯m your son. Save yourself the trouble. Cooper or not ¡ª just ept your role as a test subject.¡±

    He nced sideways and barked an order. ¡°Take him and lock him up alone. He¡¯s our special sample. Keep eyes on him at all times.¡±

    In a secluded room, Kolton yelled relentlessly at the surveince camera, desperate to prove his identity by revealing secrets known only to Cooper Group¡¯s top executives.

    Meanwhile, in the monitoring room, the man from earlier had pushed his mask aside, his stern face now visible as he watched Kolton¡¯s frantic movements on the screen. A mocking smile tugged at his lips.

    He picked up an encrypted phone and called his superior ¡ª one of the feared Four Horsemen, codenamed War.

    ¡°Sir,¡± he reported, ¡°progress is excellent. Kolton Cooper prides himself on being clever, but he¡¯s now cornered. He¡¯s confessing all his misdeeds on camera, afraid we might kill him.¡±

    ????g?????????? ???????? ??????r??r§å ??n ??§Ñ??????????ls.??§à??

    War¡¯s voice, cold and unflinching, came through the line. ¡°Good. Follow the n. The leader will interrogate him personally next.¡±

    ¡°Understood, sir.¡±

    At Wront¡¯s highway entrance, a convoy of sleek ck cars lined the roadside.

    Chris sat in the back seat, earphones in, scrolling through reports on a tablet. His fingers drummed lightly as his eyes swept the data. He raised his phone and spoke.

    ¡°It¡¯s time. Start the global live stream. I want him to confess his crimes before the world. The Cooper Group¡¯s corruption ends here, with him.¡±

    In the vi in the southern suburbs, Maia stared at herptop, reviewing streams of reports and digital chatter about Cooper Group.

    She saw through their scheme immediately ¡ª recognizing the method beneath the apparent chaos of conflicting rumors and calcted denials.

    A smirk crossed her lips. ¡°A clever ruse,¡± she muttered. ¡°They¡¯re using false rms and controlled chaos to desensitize the public, even inciting bacsh. It might fool ordinary people, but hackers? This isughable.¡±

    Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she logged into thergest hacker forum, her golden ID lighting up ¡ª Pris¡¯s founder, L.

    She swiftly created a bounty task, pinned it prominently, and highlighted it in red. The mission was titled ¡°Exposing Lies,¡± with a single directive: investigate the swirling rumors about Cooper Group online and uncover verifiable evidence to publish globally. She attached a reward ¡ª confirmed findings would earn core membership in Pris and a share of a ten-million-dor prize pool.

    The announcement sent shockwaves through the global hackermunity, drawing elite hackers from every corner. Though the mary reward was tempting, many were even more eager to join Pris itself ¡ª one of the world¡¯s top two hacker organizations, a mark of ultimate prestige.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1510

    ?Chapter 1510:

    At ST¡¯s headquarters, a hacker known as Hawk stared at his screen, eyes narrowing at the familiar golden Pris ID.

    ¡°Again,¡± he muttered. ¡°Why does Pris keep mirroring our movestely? It¡¯s as if our two organizations are being guided by the same mind.¡±

    A thought struck him. Could it be that L, Pris¡¯s enigmatic founder, was secretly also ST¡¯s founder?

    The idea made his temples throb ¡ª yet it neatly exined a string of recent coincidences.

    Just then, his phone rang. A disguised voice, belonging to ST¡¯s founder, came through with a terse instruction. ¡°Post a bounty. Raise the reward to twenty million. Duplicate Pris¡¯s task exactly. And also¡­¡±

    In his car at the highway entrance, Chris gazed out the window and issued a finalmand. ¡°Initiate the global live stream. Broadcast it everywhere ¡ª now.¡±

    Minutester, the digital world erupted in chaos.

    At the entrance of a police station, Jarrod lowered his cap and tried to blend into the crowd. Suddenly, a nearbymercial LED screen flickered, its advertisement feed dissolving into static.

    A tense buzzing filled the air. Then the screen came to life ¡ª disying a man bound to a chair, bruised and battered, terror etched into every line of his face.

    Jarrod froze mid-stride, his forward momentum breaking as his chin lifted sharply. A crease formed between his brows as he turned and headed straight toward the oversized LED disy.

    ??r??n??in?? ?§à??????? ???? ????????ov??????.??om

    In the hospital, Ethan worked a de through an apple, carving thin slices while keeping up a stream of idle chatter meant to pull Marisa¡¯s focus away from the ache gripping her body. Without warning, Marisa¡¯s attention snapped upward, her finger lifting toward the television mounted on the wall.

    ¡°Ethan, look ¡ª what¡¯s happening on the TV?¡±

    Out on the street, Maxwell pushed forward with purpose, jaw set as he prepared to confront the punks who had tormented his sister. All at once, the crowd around him stalled ¡ª heads tilting skyward, fingers pointing toward the enormous screen fixed to the mall¡¯s facade, murmurs breaking out in every direction. Maxwell followed their line of sight and stopped cold.

    Inside the police station, Rosanna had just wrapped up her statement and was turning to leave. Then her gaze caught on the lobby television, where the face of a man she had encountered once at a party filled the screen. It was Kolton ¡ª the head of Cooper Group.

    Officers surged closer, several fumbling with the remote in an effort to switch channels, only to discover it refused to respond. Every attempt brought up the identical broadcast. No matter how many times they tried, the image did not change.

    At the same time, with Cade guiding him, Dominic was en route to Elysium Apartments to check on his granddaughter when he noticed that every street-side screen was airing the very same footage.

    ¡°Stop.¡± Dominic raised his hand, eyes narrowing as he focused on the disy.

    Cade followed his gaze and went still, shock shing briefly across his face. He recognized the man on the screen at once. ¡°That is Kolton Cooper, chairman of Cooper Group. Theirpany hosted the charity gst night.¡±

    Dominic stared at the screen, taking in the man¡¯s rumpled appearance with a tightened gaze. Who could have taken someone like him and reduced him to this?

    In Drakmire, Elvira paused mid-motion and gently lowered her coffee cup to the table.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1511

    ?Chapter 1511:

    Over in Wront, Pattie pped a hand over her lips. Rnd¡¯s eyes red wide. Alice slowly set her wine ss aside.

    The Cooper family¡¯s covert operatives reacted in stunned disbelief as the news reached them. They charged into Kolton¡¯s office in a frantic rush ¡ª only to be met with an empty room. The sole object left behind was a spare phone, abandoned in in sight on the tabletop.

    Meanwhile, the Master of Shadows stared at the broadcast, skeletal fingers curling until his nails split skin, his gaze zing with lethal intent. ¡°Fool,¡± he snarled under his breath.

    Online, social media erupted. Users flooded every tform with frantic spection,ments streaming faster than they could be read.

    ¡°What is going on? Is this some kind of cyberattack?¡±

    ¡°I heard two major hacker factions joined forces. This feels like the start of something massive.¡±

    ¡°Is that really Kolton Cooper, the wealthiest man in Wront? How did he end up bound like that?¡±

    ¡°New evidence about Cooper Group just dropped. Some of the rumors were true. They¡¯re finished.¡±

    And at that moment, a hoarse voice spilled from every screen at once.

    The audio crackled with heavy interference,yered in static that distorted its original tone, yet the words carried an unmistakable air of cold authority.

    ¡°Are you truly Kolton Cooper?¡±

    ?????????§Ös ??o?? w§à??¡¯?? §â???? ???????? ???? ??§Ñ????????§Ö????.§ã??m

    On screen, Kolton faltered for a brief second, surprise shing across his face. He had already worn his throat raw trying to exin himself to these so-called kidnappers, never expecting them to circle back to the very first question. Irritation surged through him ¡ª he waspletely unaware that his every reaction was being broadcast to the world.

    ¡°I am. I really am. How many times do I have to say it?¡± Kolton yelled, his voice pitching toward hysteria. ¡°I am the chairman of Cooper Group. Bring your leader to me right now. I will make you regret this.¡±

    The stream cut off the curseden tirade that followed, silencing it cleanly.

    ¡°Very well.¡± The distorted electronic voice lingered, its pause edged with unmistakable mockery. ¡°To confirm your identity, please respond to the following question. Mr. Kolton Cooper ¡ª would you care to exin the real purpose behind Cooper Group¡¯s global underground biochemical research facilities?¡±

    The single question dropped like a shockwave, plunging the world into silence.

    On screen, Kolton stiffened, reflexively lifting his head to nce toward the camera fixed in the corner. He still believed this was nothing more than a private interrogation.

    Beyond that room, however, countless eyes across the globe were locked onto his image on massive public disys.

    In the next instant ¡ª whether driven by panic or by the urge to assert his authority in hopes of bargaining for his freedom ¡ª Kolton pulled his lips into a crooked, overconfident smile.

    ¡°Well. You really asked the wrong question.¡±

    Kolton locked eyes with the camera, his gaze wild and unhinged, radiating ruthless arrogance ¡ª a twisted certainty, as if he existedpletely beyond the bounds of morality andw.

    A chilling smile crept across his blood-streaked lips. ¡°This isn¡¯t just a research project,¡± he said slowly, each word deliberate. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ our Deification Project.¡±

    His breathing was ragged, each gasp punctuating his words. He leaned closer to the camera as though peering straight into the soul of whoever watched. ¡°Naturally, this is far beyond your pay grade. Call your superiors. Speak the words ¡®Deification Project¡¯ ¡ª they¡¯ll recognize me immediately. They¡¯ll have you on your knees, untying me before you can even catch your breath.¡±

    For a heartbeat, the world seemed to freeze.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1512

    Chapter 1512:

    Inside a sleek ck car, Chris¡¯s eyes darkened, a flicker of surprise crossing his usually unreadable face. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, tense.

    Deification Project?

    Even he had never encountered such a name ¡ª audacious, sphemous, and chilling. He swiftlybed through the ST database, but only fragmented files surfaced, disjointed and iplete, impossible to piece into a coherent picture.

    ¡°Kolton and the Master of Shadows behind him have buried themselves deeper than we imagined,¡± Chris murmured, his voice cold. ¡°Kolton¡¯s turning fanaticism into a tool to glorify his crimes ¡ª like some cult leader.¡±

    His gaze hardened. ¡°No matter who the Master of Shadows is, this time¡­ we will unmask him.¡±

    Almost simultaneously, following Kolton¡¯s brazen confession, ST unleashed a deluge of verified evidence online, exposing Cooper Group¡¯s darkest crimes for the world to see.

    Across the globe, hundreds of millions of people watching the live broadcast shifted from outrage to bewilderment ¡ª and then to sheer terror. How could words soaked in blood and death ¡ª biochemicalbs, human experiments, grotesque specimens ¡ª be tied to something called the Deification Project?

    A shiver ran through everyone connected to thework, an unsettling chill creeping down countless spines.

    After a brief pause, the online chatter erupted into frenzy.

    ¡°What did I just hear? Deification Project? Is he sick in the head?¡±

    ??r??n???????? ????????l?? on ??§Ñ??n??v??l?.§ão??

    ¡°He¡¯s no longer just a businessman ¡ª he¡¯s a cult leader.¡±

    ¡°This is terrifying. What about the fire at the charity g in Wront? Officials called it an ident, but now¡­¡±

    ¡°Are you saying it was a ritual sacrifice?¡±

    ¡°Hundreds of lives? What kind of hellish operation is Cooper Group running?¡±

    Fear spread online like wildfire, twisting the initial outrage over corporate corruption into something deeper and more primal ¡ª panic over an iprehensible evil.

    On the west side of the city, a private sanatorium provided a quiet sanctuary for udius.

    Inside his room, the television disyed Kolton¡¯s twisted, deranged face. Kiley stood by the window, fists clenched so tightly that blood seeped from her palms.

    ¡°Deification Project¡­¡± she whispered the words over and over, herplexion draining to the color of paper.

    As a daughter of the Cooper family, Kiley had encountered many secrets. But that phrase had surfaced only once ¡ª in her father¡¯s drunken mutterings ¡ª and she had dismissed it as nonsense. Now, after seeing the sh drive¡¯s evidence and her father¡¯s crazed image on screen, everything felt different.

    She turned to udius, lying frail and colorless in the bed. ¡°udius¡­¡± Her voice trembled. ¡°Is this what the Deification Project really is? How many innocent people has our father sacrificed?¡±

    His eyes, once full of life, were now hollow with despair. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ by the time I learned the truth, it was already toote.¡±

    He stared at their father on the screen ¡ª not with hatred, but with a profound and indescribable sorrow.

    ¡°Kiley¡­ you saw it too,¡± udius whispered hoarsely. ¡°Father has long since lost his sanity. The Deification Project is merely a pretext ¡ª a vehicle for his obsession with immortality and control. We, including you, are nothing more than resources to him.¡±

    He coughed, an unnatural flush rising in his pale face. ¡°The organ trafficking, the enhancement drugs ¡ª those were only side operations. Now it seems he¡¯s been cornered, forced to reveal himself in a desperate bid to bargain for his freedom and his life.¡±

    His trembling hand gestured toward the silver sh drive on the nightstand.

    ¡°It¡¯s time, Kiley.¡±

    .

    .

    .<hr>

    Message from Noa: Have a great time dear readers. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?

    .

 Chapter 1513

    ?Chapter 1513:

    udius fixed Kiley with a resolute gaze. ¡°Release everything on this sh drive to the public.¡±

    Kiley froze, instinctively taking a step back, fear and hesitation shing across her face. ¡°Are you certain? udius, do you even grasp what this means? Once this goes online, it won¡¯t just destroy Father¡ªit could obliterate the entire Cooper legacy, a hundred years of history gone in an instant. And once it¡¯s out, there¡¯s no turning back. Even as victims, as members of this family, we¡¯ll be implicated. We could even face prison.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t death that frightened Kiley, but the thought of ending the Cooper name by her own hands¡ªand worse, dragging her younger brother down with her.

    ¡°It¡¯se to this.¡± udius let out a bitterugh, his eyes sweeping toward the television, fixed on their father¡¯s arrogant smirk. ¡°Kiley, look at Cooper Group now. Look at Father. He¡¯s a monster. Did you forget that he once tried to eliminate you? Does an organization like this even deserve to exist?¡±

    Kiley shivered, her gaze drifting from udius¡¯s pleading eyes to the face of their father on the screen¡ªsomeone utterly alien to her now. The room fell into a heavy, suffocating silence.

    After a long pause, Kiley slowly unclenched her fists. Thest flicker of family honor died within her, reced by cold determination. Wordlessly, she took the sh drive and walked toward theptop, poised to strike the final, irreversible blow against their father.

    On the live broadcast, Kolton leaned his head back with a sneer after uttering the words ¡°Deification Project,¡± his contemptuous gaze fixed on the camera lens as though scorning an audience beneath him.

    ??o????????§Ö ??n?? ???????i???? ??? ??al??§à??§Öl??.??§à??

    ¡°Humph! Do you finally believe I am Kolton Cooper? No one else knows this n. Release me. I¡¯m your boss. Help me escape, and I¡¯ll pay any sum you want.¡±

    The distorted, crackling voice cut through the silence, icy and unyielding. ¡°We don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about. Knowing a random project name doesn¡¯t prove who you are. We only care about money, goods, and whether your story matches the facts we already have.¡±

    The interrogator¡¯s tone sharpened, filled with cold authority. ¡°Answer carefully. If you truly are our boss, then tell us about the experimental subjects. Where are the people locked in those cages from?¡±

    Kolton¡¯s expression stiffened. He had expected the mention of the ¡°Deification Project¡± to cow them into submission¡ªbut they were stubborn, unafraid, and utterly unimpressed.

    ¡°Where are they from?¡± he muttered, irritation flickering behind his eyes. To him, the question seemed as absurd as asking where pork came from. Yet to survive, he had no choice but to answer¡ªand in doing so, he exposed the full, rotting depth of his twisted ideology.

    ¡°What does it matter?¡± he sneered, his eyes glinting with cold indifference. ¡°There is so much worthless trash in the world. Vagrants, addicts, gamblers drowning in debt, the mentally ill abandoned by their families, unwanted children from remote corners of the earth. Their lives mean nothing¡ªthey are leeches, dead weight. And I¡ª¡±

    He paused, then raised his voice, eyes wild with fanatical zeal. ¡°I give them purpose. I feed them, house them, and in return they be part of human evolution and scientific progress. Isn¡¯t it an honor to make such a sacrifice? Without me, they would rot in the gutters. I am doing charity work¡ªhelping society cleanse its waste. I am recycling humanity.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1514

    ?Chapter 1514:

    His words struck like a bomb.

    If the ¡°Deification Project¡± had seemed grotesque before, his shameless rationalization now obliterated every remaining moral boundary. Across the globe, the inte erupted. Outrage spread like wildfire,ments surging in a tidal wave of disbelief and fury, drowning out everything else.

    ¡°Filth. Absolute evil!¡±

    ¡°Did he seriously just reduce human beings to trash?¡±

    ¡°Execute him. No punishment is severe enough for something this monstrous.¡±

    ¡°My cousin vanished two years ago. They said he¡¯d gone off for work and never returned¡­ Was it you? Kolton Cooper¡ªI will never forgive this.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not phnthropy. That¡¯s a devil hunting prey in in sight.¡±

    A tidal wave of fury detonated across the inte. Behind millions of glowing screens, rage boiled over. Some people mmed their keyboards until keys flew loose; others hurled their phones aside, shaking with hatred.

    Cooper Group¡¯s stock crashed yet again, free-falling without resistance. Hesitant investors panicked and fled, dumping shares as though escaping a spreading ze.

    ???? ???????????? e????r?? ????§Ö?? ??n ???????????e????.??????

    And yet¡ªeven in the face of overwhelming public outrage¡ªmoney still spoke. A small circle of Cooper Group¡¯s beneficiaries rushed to shield the copsing empire. Online celebrities, opinion leaders, and what remained of thepany¡¯s PR division scrambled to post damage control statements.

    ¡°Everyone stay calm. This livestream is obviously fabricated.¡±

    ¡°With current AI deepfake technology, forging a face and voice is effortless. Someone is framing Mr. Cooper.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. He has always been dignified and courteous. Those words don¡¯t fit him at all. The audio doesn¡¯t sync properly¡ªit¡¯s fake.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t jump to conclusions. Wait for an official response.¡±

    Reading thosements, Maia¡ªseated in the quiet vi on the city¡¯s southern edge¡ªlet her gaze turn cial. ¡°So you need proof shoved in your face?¡±

    Her fingers moved swiftly. Within seconds, the inte was flooded with hard evidence: encrypted transaction trails exposing Cooper Group¡¯s financial ties to trafficking syndicates, geolocation oveys linking missing persons to Cooper-owned facilities, and grainy surveince clips showing unconscious bodies being transported into sealed researchpounds.

    There was no room left for doubt. The defenders¡¯ voices were instantly buried beneath a roaring avnche of public outrage.

    Onscreen, the interrogation continued. Oblivious to the chaos erupting worldwide, Kolton still basked in his twisted confidence, convinced his reasoning was wless.

    Then the distorted voice returned,ced with mockery. ¡°Well¡­ for someone pretending to be our boss, you¡¯re remarkably convincing. You clearly did your homework.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s smile froze. ¡°What¡­ what are you implying?¡±

    The reply was ice-cold. ¡°It means you know too much. And people who know too much don¡¯t survive.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1515

    ?Chapter 1515:

    Kolton¡¯s pupils blew wide, terror twisting his features. He thrashed violently, the chair shrieking against the floor. ¡°No! Stop! I told you¡ªI am Kolton Cooper! Your real superior! Touch me and my covert forces will erase every one of you!¡±

    Suddenly, hurried footsteps cut through the room, followed by a second voice¡ªtense and urgent. ¡°Boss! Emergency report! The No. 3 Biochemical Lab in Wront has been destroyed. Total ckout¡ªno signals, no survivors. We just received a new shipment, but there¡¯s nowhere left to send them.¡±

    The shift felt chillingly real. The interrogator¡¯s tone sharpened. ¡°Destroyed? Impossible. Thosebs are fortified beyond military standards.¡±

    The interrogator¡ªChris¡ªpaused deliberately, as though a grim thought had just struck him, and his voice dropped. ¡°Unless it was a controlled detonation. An internal st. Did someone trigger the self-destruct sequence? Damn it. Get in touch with the other twobs immediately and verify¡ªsomething may have gone very wrong.¡±

    Every word carried clearly to Kolton¡¯s ears. At the mention of detonation and self-destruct, the panic in his eyes evaporated, reced by a sudden, feverish light.

    That order hade from him. No one but the true mastermind possessed the authority to activate a protocol of that level. If they couldn¡¯t reach thebs now, it meant only one thing¡ªthere was no one left alive to answer.

    And to Kolton, that realization felt like salvation. His one chance to finally prove who he was.

    D??????§à??er ?????? s??§à????e?? ???? g??l?????§Ö???.??om

    Kolton clung to a final sliver of hope and blurted out urgently, ¡°There¡¯s no point contacting anyone. Don¡¯t waste your time. Every biochemicalb has already been wiped out. You won¡¯t reach a single soul.¡±

    The interrogator froze, clearly caught off guard, then barked, ¡°Shut up! How would you know that?¡±

    Kolton lifted his head. His face was swollen and bruised, yet a smug, almost arrogant smile curled his lips. ¡°Because those were my orders,¡± he said calmly. ¡°I personally authorized the self-destruct sequence in everyb a few hours ago. I told you before¡ªI¡¯m your real boss. Do you believe me now?¡±

    The interrogator hesitated for a heartbeat but quickly regained hisposure. ¡°Don¡¯t get clever. Saying it doesn¡¯t make it true. We¡¯ll verify it ourselves.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Be my guest,¡± Kolton sneered, his thoughts already racing ahead.

    Then it struck him¡ªthis was leverage. The perfect bargaining chip.

    ¡°If you¡¯re not stupid and still want your payout, you¡¯d better let me go,¡± he said coldly. ¡°Thebs are gone. Everyone involved¡ªand their families¡ªwill disappear soon enough. I¡¯m the only one left who can pay you that bounty. Kill me, and you won¡¯t see a cent. Worse, you¡¯ll earn the full wrath of Cooper Group.¡±

    Triumph surged through him. He was certain he had cornered them, exploiting their greed and forcing their hand.

    What he never imagined was that this was precisely the snare Chris hadid for him.

    The instant Kolton admitted to issuing the destruction order, reports of mysterious explosions began flooding the inte.

    Breaking News: Massive Underground Explosion in Wront¡ªSuspected Detonation.

    Abandoned Factory Copses. Witnesses Report a Mushroom Cloud.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1516

    ?Chapter 1516:

    Every headline perfectly mirrored Kolton¡¯s so-called confession. In one breath, he had admitted to human experimentation, evidence destruction, coordinated explosions, and the silencing of witnesses. It was irrefutable¡ªan open confession broadcast to the entire world.

    Inside the ck convoy, Chris listened to Kolton¡¯s smug voice through the earpiece, a cold smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He lifted a hand and cut off the voice changer and remote mic, then turned to Grayson beside him.

    ¡°The fish has bitten¡ªand it¡¯s hooked deep. Stick to the script and keep pressing him.¡± His gaze sharpened like a de. ¡°And notify Raegan. Since he¡¯s confessed to destroying evidence, we can release the data we so thoughtfully saved for him.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Grayson replied, a flicker of awe crossing his eyes.

    Chris¡¯s n was ruthless in its elegance. By feeding Kolton¡¯s paranoia and desperation, he had coaxed the man into sealing his own fate¡ªlive, before the entire world.

    Grayson immediately dialed Raegan. ¡°Proceed,¡± he said.

    On the other end, Raegan had been waiting. She stared at the screen, eyes cold as she watched the man who made her skin crawl. ¡°With his confession and our evidence, it¡¯s more than enough,¡± she said tly. ¡°Crimes against humanity. Even ten executions wouldn¡¯t be justice.¡±

    She hit Enter.

    Hundreds of gigabytes of encrypted data surged outward to major media outlets and tforms worldwide, like a dam bursting under unbearable pressure. These were not vague reports or grainy images¡ªthey were crystal-clear videos, detailed experimental records, and autopsy reports, each file soaked in blood.

    Back in the car, Chris leaned against the seat, the strain finally catching up with him. A wave of dizziness washed over his pale face. He was still recovering from surgery, after all.

    ??????????? ??????????e??? ???? ??????????v??l??.??????

    ¡°I¡¯m done,¡± he murmured, closing his eyes. His voice remained steady despite the fatigue. ¡°Continue the operation. Even while I rest, don¡¯t give Kolton or Cooper Group a single chance to regroup.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Grayson replied. He picked up the prepared ybook and turned toward the surveince monitor. Now it was his turn.

    He activated the voice changer, roughening his tone into something crude and menacing. ¡°Hey! Old man!¡±

    Onscreen, Kolton was still blustering, trying to intimidate his captors with the weight of his name. ¡°Where¡¯s the person in charge? Bring him to me. The situation is clear¡ªuntie me. Get me water. Get me food.¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Grayson snapped. ¡°Our leader¡¯s gone to confirm things. Damn it¡ªwe never expected thebs to blow. But if you really are the boss, that works in our favor. Land routes are cut, but you know we still have two lines open on the sea, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Kolton fell silent, confusion flickering across his battered face.

    The open sea? His thoughts scrambled, rifling through fragments of memory. Before he could piece it together, Grayson¡¯s altered voice broke the silence¡ªcurious on the surface, butced with naked greed.

    ¡°Listen carefully. What exactly is the ¡®special cargo¡¯ aboard those two freighters? If you answer correctly¡ªprove you¡¯re really Kolton Cooper¡ªI might be generous. Some food, maybe even a ss of wine.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1517

    ?Chapter 1517:

    Kolton swallowed hard. It had been ages since he¡¯dst eaten. Thirst scorched his throat, exhaustion pressed down on his limbs, and his empty stomach felt like it was on fire. Still, suspicion was woven into his bones.

    He narrowed his eyes at the camera. ¡°Why are you asking me this? It sounds an awful lot like an interrogation.¡±

    In the surveince room, Grayson¡¯s pulse skipped. The man was sharper than expected.

    But Grayson recovered instantly, snapping back with practiced irritation. ¡°Of course it¡¯s an interrogation. How do we know you¡¯re not a spy sent by a rival? Someone like Kolton Cooper wouldn¡¯t just fall into our hands. Answer if you want to eat. Otherwise, stay hungry until my leader gets back¡ªand he¡¯s got far less patience than I do. He might decide you¡¯re better off feeding the sharks.¡±

    The threat was crude, believable, and perfectly in character.

    Kolton¡¯s suspicion eased. It made sense. These people had never seen him in person¡ªof course they¡¯d be cautious. They were using questions as a verification method, far safer in their eyes than circting a photograph. Desperadoes preferred old-school methods.

    Kolton wet his cracked lips. He needed water. He needed food. Above all, he needed to stay alive.

    ¡°Fine,¡± he said atst. Drawing a slow breath, he straightened as much as his restraints allowed, slipping back into the posture of a man ustomed tomand.

    ¡°The two ships are codenamed Leviathan and Behemoth. On paper, they¡¯re just massive cargo freighters.¡± His voice dropped, steady and precise. ¡°In reality, they¡¯re floating warehouses of freshly harvested human organs¡ªsourced from multiple countries through various channels. Hearts. Kidneys. Corneas. Livers.¡±

    ??§Ö???? t???? l????????t t??§Ö?????? ??n g??l??????e???.??§à??

    He continued without hesitation, as though reciting an inventory list. ¡°The organs are either matched and transnted aboard medical vessels operating in unregted international waters, or sh-frozen and airlifted to elite clients worldwide. That¡¯s where the real moneyes from.¡±

    When he finished, Kolton stared coldly into the camera. ¡°Verify it with your contact, or whoever sits above you. Or simply send them my photo¡ªthey¡¯ll tell you exactly who I am.¡±

    A chill crept up Grayson¡¯s spine. He had known about Cooper Group¡¯s crimes for years, but hearing Kolton describe it all so casually made his stomach turn.

    ¡°Damn,¡± Grayson sneered, unable to fully mask his disgust. ¡°You think we didn¡¯t already try that? Your photo was sent long ago. We received no reply. But¡ª¡± He paused deliberately. ¡°What you just said checks out.¡±

    His tone shifted, almost mocking. ¡°A deal¡¯s a deal. I¡¯ll have food sent in. Might as well enjoy it¡ªcould be thest meal of your life.¡±

    Without waiting for a response, Grayson cut the microphone. They had everything they needed.

    Kolton¡¯s confession had already gone out live, detonating like a bomb across the world. From the streets of Wront to global financial capitals, media outlets descended like vultures. Alerts red. Feeds refreshed. Screens flooded with a single name.

    Cooper Group Chairman Confesses to International Organ Trafficking.

    Floating ughterhouse Exposed¡ªLeviathan Tracked by International Navies.

    The Deification Project Unmasked: Kolton Cooper Named Architect of Crimes Against Humanity.

    Verified Evidence Released¡ªVictim Lists from Cooper Group¡¯s Biochemical Labs Confirmed.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1518

    ?Chapter 1518:

    Where doubt once lingered, only judgment remained. With Raegan¡¯s data release reinforcing Kolton¡¯s own words, Cooper Group¡¯s vast empire¡ªonce worth hundreds of billions¡ªhad struck an iceberg head-on. And this time, there would be no lifeboats.

    Panic ripped through the market once again as investors fled in droves, dumping Cooper Group shares without hesitation. What followed could no longer be called a crash¡ªwithin minutes, the stock mmed into limit-down, frozen there like a corpse.

    Banks, corporations, and partner enterprises moved with ruthless speed. One after another, public statements were released, cutting all ties, suspending cooperation, and announcing preparations for massivepensationwsuits. The once-prized Cooper Group employee badge became a mark of disgrace overnight, drawing res, insults, and open hostility wherever it appeared.

    Outside Cooper Group¡¯s headquarters, rage boiled over. The crowd smashed through security barricades. Rotten eggs sttered against the ss fa?ade. Buckets of paint were hurled. Someone tried to set the building aze.

    ¡°Justice for the murdered!¡±

    ??av?? y?????? ??§Ñvo???????? ???????????? ???? ?????????????l?.§ã§à??

    ¡°Kolton Cooper,e out and answer for your crimes!¡±

    ¡°Give my daughter back!¡±

    Cries of grief, furious curses, and wailing sirens blended into a dirge for the Cooper empire.

    Inside Wront¡¯s highest administrative building, the conference room was thick with cigarette smoke. Senior officials stared at the rey on the massive screen, faces darkening, fists mming the table.

    ¡°Outrageous!¡±

    ¡°Absolutely unforgivable! A betrayal hidden right under our noses!¡±

    ¡°Investigate everything¡ªeveryone. No exceptions!¡±

    ¡°We owe the people the truth!¡±

    Orders flew out at lightning speed: arrest warrants, asset freezes, sweeping investigations dispatched to every relevant department. Yet someone moved even faster.

    On the outskirts of Wront, the earth shook as a deafening rumble rolled across the ground. It wasn¡¯t thunder¡ªit was the sound of armored vehicles and military trucks advancing in formation.

    Inside the leadmand vehicle sat Dominic, dressed in full military uniform. Age had not dulled him. His presence alone radiated irond authority. As Kolton¡¯s face flickered on the screen, Dominic mmed his cane against the floor.

    ¡°The Deification Project,¡± he said coldly. ¡°Cooper Group dared to bully my granddaughter, ughter civilians, and traffic human organs. I no longer trust Wront¡¯s police to handle this.¡± He turned sharply to his adjutant. ¡°Pass on my orders. The army is to enter Wront at once. Seal every traffic artery. Encircle the Cooper Group headquarters, the Cooper Estate, and all affiliated assets. No core member is to escape.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The adjutant snapped a salute and rushed off.

    That day, Wront¡¯s citizens witnessed a sight they would never forget. Fully armed soldiers flooded the city like a steel tide, bypassing paralyzed police stations and going straight for their targets.

    ¡°Freeze! Hands up!¡±

    Executives were caught mid-destruction¡ªshredders running, files burning¡ªwhen soldiers burst through the doors and mmed them to the floor. At the city center, Dominic established a temporary Designated Surrender Station and Reporting Center, broadcasting citywide: ¡°Anyone involved in Cooper Group¡¯s crimes who surrenders voluntarily may receive leniency. Those who conceal information will be punished severely. Anyone providing critical evidence will be rewarded.¡±

    The announcement shattered thest remnants of loyalty. With their power base gone, insiders poured in¡ªmid-level managers, former enforcers, terrified employees¡ªeach afraid that a moment¡¯s dy might seal their fate.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1519

    ?Chapter 1519:

    Among them stood a gaunt middle-aged man in a baseball cap, hands trembling as he approached the desk. It was Cohen. He removed his cap and looked up at the officer before him. Tears streamed down his face¡ªnot from fear, but from something closer to relief.

    ¡°Sir,¡± he said hoarsely, ¡°I want to confess. And I want to report.¡±

    His voice trembled, yet carried a strange, unburdened quality.

    ¡°My name is Cohen Archer. I was Kolton Cooper¡¯s assistant.¡± He swallowed hard. ¡°Twenty years ago, Kolton Cooper personally murdered his elder brother, Kyle Cooper. I was his aplice.¡±

    The venue erupted.

    Jo??? t???????an???? §à?? ???????? ??n ??????????ve????.§ão??

    Kyle Cooper¡¯s death had long been ruled an ident, and Zoey had borne the stigma for two decades. Now the truth came crashing down¡ªKolton was not only today¡¯s monster, but a fratricidal murderer from the past. Crime upon crime, each etched permanently into history.

    Against such overwhelming revtions, the mysterious death of Axell, head of the Nelson family, barely registered. It faded into irrelevance. Law enforcement was stretched to its limit, fully absorbed in assisting the military¡¯s purge of Cooper Group¡¯s remnants. No one had time to reopen a closed home invasion murder case.

    And so, amid the chaos, someone slipped quietly into the shadows¡ªand vanished without a trace.

    Outside the police station, Rosanna stepped out with firm resolve, her high heels striking the pavement in sharp, deliberate clicks. Thick bandages wrapped around her face, exposing only her eyes and mouth, giving her an odd and slightly unsettling appearance. Yet amid the turmoil gripping Wront¡¯s streets¡ªpolice sirens ring, vehicles racing past, nerves stretched to breaking¡ªno one spared her a second nce.

    She paused on the steps and narrowed her eyes at the distant Cooper Group building. ck smoke rolled into the sky, and military trucks and armored vehicles thundered down the road, deepening the sense of chaos swallowing the city. There was no fear in her gaze¡ªonly a trace of cold satisfaction.

    ¡°Well, Cooper Group has finally reached its end,¡± she muttered, lips curling into a sneer, every word steeped in quiet malice.

    Whether it was Mariana or Kiley¡ªthose Cooper women who had once looked down on her¡ªthey were probably scrambling like rats abandoning a sinking ship. That was exactly how it should be. They deserved to crumble. Only when everyone fell into ruin did the world feel fair.

    Rosanna felt no sympathy for the Cooper family. On the contrary, she wished to see them wiped out entirely. Her mind had already moved on to two clear goals: first, she would use the Nelson family¡¯s money to travel to Heliana and have her face repaired, ensuring it would emerge more captivating than before. Second, once she returned, she would settle scores with the two people she hated most¡ªMaia and Ss.

    A ck business vehicle waited quietly by the roadside. Rosanna opened the door and slid into the back seat. ¡°To the airport. I want a direct flight to Heliana.¡±

    The driver didn¡¯t move right away. He turned around with an uneasy expression. ¡°Mrs. Nelson, all flights have been canceled today. And with the military takeover, the highways are sealed. No vehicles are allowed to leave.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 1520

    ?Chapter 1520:

    ¡°What?¡± Rosanna shot a nce at the chaotic street outside, muttered a sharp curse, and let out a frustrated sigh. It seemed she wouldn¡¯t be leaving today.

    ¡°Fine,¡± she said after a pause. ¡°Find the best hotel near the airport. I¡¯ll stay there. Inform me the moment things reopen.¡±

    ¡°Understood, Mrs. Nelson.¡±

    The car started and slowly merged into traffic. Rosanna failed to notice that an unremarkable ck sedan fell in quietly behind them, maintaining a careful distance.

    Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in the desert of a foreignnd, the moment the live broadcast came to an abrupt end, the door to the room where Kolton was being held clicked open.

    Kolton stiffened. He assumed someone hade to deliver food¡ªthe deal had just been reached, after all. But something was off. The door stood open, yet no one entered.

    ¡°Hey!¡± he shouted. ¡°Where¡¯s my food? We had an agreement! What the hell is going on?¡±

    He cursed a few more times, but no one responded. Silence swallowed the space around him.

    ???????????????? ??§à???? ????????a??§å ??? ??a??n??v??????.§ã????

    Gathering his nerve, Kolton stepped forward and pulled the door wider. It creaked open to reveal a long, dim corridor illuminated only by the faint green glow of emergency lights. He leaned out and scanned the hallwaypletely empty. An uneasy feeling settled in his chest.

    He didn¡¯t rush out. Instead, he turned back to nce at the camera mounted in the corner. To his shock, the red indicator light¡ªproof that his every move had been monitored¡ªwas gone. The camera had been shut off.

    Kolton¡¯s heart lurched. Had the kidnappers fled?

    Starving and weak, his stomach clenched painfully. He found it hard to believe they would simply abandon him. But there was only one exnation that made sense: those fools must have finally confirmed his identity after reporting back to their superiors, then panicked and run, too frightened to face the consequences.

    ¡°Bastards! You¡¯ll never get another cent from me. Never!¡± he cursed through clenched teeth, even as a wave of relief crept in. As long as they were gone, he was safe.

    Moving carefully, Kolton stepped out of the room and headed toward the faint light at the far end of the corridor, every step cautious, his senses alert for traps. But the farther he went, the more certain he became that his guess was right. The basement was empty, the only sound the wind moaning through exposed pipes. The ce had beenpletely abandoned.

    ¡°Goddamned idiots!¡± he cursed again.

    Just as he was about to search for an exit, a familiar, tearful voice suddenly echoed from somewhere ahead.

    ¡°Kolton, is that you? Kolton?¡±

    The voice carried from down the corridor. It was Jimmie.

    ¡°It¡¯s me!¡± Kolton answered immediately, relief and excitement spilling into his voice.

    Momentster, the two men¡ªboth unkempt and exhausted¡ªfound each other at the end of the hallway. Leaning on one another for support, they made their way outside together.

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 Chapter 1521

    ?Chapter 1521:

    Beyond the doors, the factory grounds were eerily empty. The armed guards were gone. The doctors in white coats had vanished without a trace. In the distance, the sun was sinking toward the horizon, dyeing the desert in a deep, unsettling red.

    ¡°Those bastards,¡± Kolton muttered, his brows knitting as he looked at Jimmie. ¡°They took everything. We need to figure out how to survive tonight. Once the sun goes down, the desert temperature will drop fast¡ªif we¡¯re not careful, we¡¯ll freeze.¡±

    He turned back toward the silent factory. ¡°Since they¡¯ve cleared out, let¡¯s check inside. Maybe they left something useful.¡±

    Ten minutester, Jimmie¡¯s voice rang out from what appeared to be an office. ¡°Kolton! Kolton! I found it! Our stuff is here¡ªall of it!¡±

    Kolton rushed over. Just as Jimmie had said, their confiscated phones, wallets, and even the briefcase containing the agreement were neatly arranged on the table. Kolton snapped the briefcase open at once. The documentbeled Oil Extraction Rights was still inside, untouched, and not a single bill was missing.

    What surprised him even more was the food¡ªseveral pieces of bread and bottles of water sitting openly beside everything else.

    ¡°Ha.¡± Kolton let out a short, satisfiedugh as he reached for a piece of bread. ¡°Looks like they left in such a hurry they didn¡¯t bother taking anything. Not even the cash.¡± He sneered. ¡°Serves them right.¡±

    Starving, he tore into the bread without hesitation. At the same time, he picked up his phone and pressed the power button. A few secondster, the screen lit up, and notifications flooded in without pause.

    ??h?? ???????? ??evie???? ???? ??????????????????.??§à??

    Kolton nced at them absentmindedly.

    The next second, the bread slipped from his mouth and fell to the floor.

    His eyes flew wide, frozen in disbelief, as though he were staring at something utterly iprehensible. The screen was filled with headlines¡ªevery one of them about Cooper Group.

    The Department of Justice Announces: Effective Immediately, Cooper Group and All Affiliated Subsidiaries Are Legally Seized.

    Nationwide Manhunt¡ªThe National Security Department Issues a Top Warrant for Cooper Group Chairman Kolton Cooper. Reward up to Fifty Million Dors.

    Breaking News: Multiple Core Executives of Cooper Group Arrested on Suspicion of Crimes Against Humanity, Murder, and Other Grave Offenses.

    Kolton stood motionless. His fingers tightened around the phone as his hand began to shake. His face was drained of color, his expression hollow with shock.

    ¡°What¡­ what the hell is this?¡± he muttered hoarsely. ¡°Didn¡¯t I already have the PR team muddy the waters? How did it end up like this?¡±

    He unlocked the phone in a panic and opened one of the articles. When he saw the pinned video¡ªits view count already surpassing ten billion¡ªa cold dread spread through him.

    The title read: Exclusive Live Broadcast Rey: Confessions of a Demon¡ªKolton Cooper Admits to the Deification Project and Human Organ Trafficking.

    ¡°What¡­ what is this?¡± Kolton whispered. His hands trembling, he tapped the video.

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 Chapter 1522

    ?Chapter 1522:

    The screen showed footage of himself from earlier¡ªstanding calmly before the camera, speaking with confidence, even a trace of pride visible on his face. His own voice poured from the speaker, each sentencending like a blow. ¡°This isn¡¯t just a research project¡­ It¡¯s our Deification Project¡­ There¡¯s so much worthless trash in the world¡­¡±

    Kolton¡¯s mind went nk.

    Everything that had happened¡ªit had all been broadcast live. His entire exchange with the so-called kidnappers had beenid bare before the world.

    Cold sweat broke out instantly, soaking his forehead as thest of the color drained from his face. Only now did he understand. From the very beginning, it had been a trap. None of it was real. They hadn¡¯t wanted to confirm his identity. They had wanted a confession¡ªwanted him to condemn himself in front of everyone.

    ¡°Is¡­ is this real, Kolton?¡± Jimmie¡¯s voice trembled beside him.

    Jimmie had seen the same alerts and the same video on his own phone. His face was ashen, his body rigid, as though the shock had drained all warmth from him.

    He had followed Kolton not merely out of ambition. To him, Kolton had been a benefactor¡ªthe man who pulled him out of the slums, paid for his education, and gave him a future. Even as Cooper Group crumbled and rumors spread everywhere, Jimmie had believed Kolton was being framed by rivals. Yes, Kolton was calcting and ruthless, but Jimmie had still seen him as human¡ªsomeone who had stumbled and was struggling to rise again. He had been prepared to stand by him, even to give his life if necessary.

    But he had never imagined the truth.

    ??a???????? §ã????????????s ???? ??????????v??????.§ã????

    Kolton was not simply corrupt. He was a monster¡ªone who had spent a lifetime hiding behind a human face.

    Jimmie stared at the video, his gaze locked onto the screen as Kolton¡¯s contorted face loomedrge. Kolton spoke openly, almost casually, describing those inhumane experiments¡ªliving people reduced to tools, discarded when no longer useful. Even children from the slums had been dragged into it.

    Jimmie hade from those slums. He retreated step by step until his back mmed against the wall. His breathing grew ragged, as though the room itself had be suffocating, thick with the invisible weight of spilled blood. It was the body¡¯s most honest reaction to absolute evil.

    In that moment, everything Jimmie had believed in copsed. His world cracked apart, leaving nothing intact. He looked at Kolton again, and where admiration had once lived, there was only naked fear and deep, instinctive revulsion.

    ¡°Stay away from me!¡± Jimmie shouted. ¡°You freak! Monster! I will never follow you again.¡±

    He seized several portions of bread and bottles of water from the table and sprinted out the door, vanishing into the vast, empty night without a single backward nce.

    Kolton didn¡¯t follow. He no longer had the strength.

    He lowered his head, staring at the phone in his hand, frozen in ce as shock seeped into his bones. Then the phone slipped free. It struck the floor, bounced once, andnded with a heavy thud¡ªmirroring the sound of something inside him breaking beyond repair.

    ¡°It¡¯s over,¡± he whispered. ¡°Cooper Group is finished. And so am I. Thomas¡­ the Master of Shadows¡­ his covert operatives must already be on their way.¡±

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    .

 Chapter 1523

    ?Chapter 1523:

    Kolton knew the organization¡¯s methods too well. Once exposed, there was no escape. Elimination was the only oue¡ªswift, certain, and without hesitation.

    Suddenly, the phone on the floor began to vibrate violently. The sharp buzzing cut through the silence like a de. Kolton jolted, his body trembling as though startled awake from a nightmare. He hesitated, staring at the screen.AdChoicesADVERTISING

    In the end, survival won. He bent down and picked it up.

    The call came from an unknown number with no caller ID. Kolton swallowed hard and answered, his voice unsteady. ¡°Hello¡­¡±

    A familiar voice came through¡ªone he would never forget. It crackled faintly, carrying a strange, razor-edged quality. ¡°Mr. Cooper, did you enjoy the live stream? Quite stimting, wasn¡¯t it? Oh, and I nearly forgot to share some good news.¡±

    The tone was openly mocking. ¡°Your prized oil tycoon¡ªGranger Sparrow¡ªactually diedst year. Which means the agreement you¡¯ve been clinging to is nothing more than a nicely printed piece of waste paper.¡±

    Kolton¡¯s vision dimmed, his knees nearly giving out. Waste paper. All of it fake.

    Before he could regain hisposure, the voice continued¡ªcolder now, every word precise and merciless. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to be ughtered like a pig by the covert operatives, you already know what you should do. Good luck, Mr. Cooper.¡±

    The line went dead, leaving only a series of hollow beeps.

    Kolton stood motionless, eyes wide, hand frozen in the air. They knew everything¡ªall his secrets, even the covert operatives. He clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms. If he wanted to avoid dying at their hands, there was only one path left.

    ??§Ö??????m§Ö?d ??al?§à??????s.c???? ??§à y?????? ??????e???s

    In the presidential suite of the Marclif Hotel in Wront, Rosanna reclinedzily on the plush bed. A silk robe draped over her body, thick bandages still covering her face, as she scrolled through the exploding online news with undisguised amusement.

    ¡°Tsk, tsk¡­ Crime really does pay well. No wonder Cooper Group got so rich. Who would have guessed they were involved in something this inhumane?¡±

    Her eyes lingered on the headline showing Cooper Group¡¯s stock crashing to the bottom, and a sharp gleam shed across her gaze. A new idea was already taking shape¡ªone that promised enormous wealth in the years ahead.

    She was about to inherit Axell¡¯s estate, worth nearly three billion dors. And now, with Cooper Group copsing and its shares in free fall, its assets would inevitably be liquidated and auctioned off. Not all of them were tainted. Many were solid, legitimate holdingsnd, hotels, shopping centers. At a time like this, everyone was panicking, and no one dared step forward. Which meant opportunity.

    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s right,¡± Rosanna said, sitting up, greed shining inly in her eyes. ¡°No one will touch them now. That makes it my chance. Buy low, wait for the storm to pass, then sell. The profit will be several times over¡ªmaybe even tenfold.¡± She smiled to herself. ¡°I¡¯ll be the new richest person in Wront.¡±

    In her mind, vast fortunes already seemed within reach.

    .AdChoicesADVERTISING

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 Chapter 1524

    ?Chapter 1524:

    Meanwhile, inside Kyle¡¯s secluded vi, the study was brightly lit. Maia sat calmly before herptop, her postureposed, her expression steady as streams of data flowed across the screen.

    ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± she said quietly to herself. ¡°Tomorrow, the moment the market opens, we begin a full-scale acquisition of Cooper Group¡¯s prime assets.¡±

    Maia began to weigh her options, quietly tallying the resources at her disposal. Between MCN¡¯s liquid assets, her earlier profits, and the loans secured through mortgages, she could scrape together roughly 1.5 billion dors. An impressive sum by any standard¡ªyet set against the vast wreckage of Cooper Group, it still fell short.

    Just then, a soft buzz broke the silence. Her phone vibrated in her hand. Maia picked it up and found a message from Zoey¡ªshort, but carrying unmistakable weight. ¡°Maia, I don¡¯t have much, but everything I have is yours. I¡¯ve asked Siena to take care of it. This time, it all depends on you.¡±

    A quiet warmth spread through her chest.

    ???? ????e ??i??s?? ???? ??e§Ñ?? §à?? ??a????????§Ö??s.??§à??

    Before that feeling could settle, her phone vibrated again. A bank notification shed across the screen: her checking ount ending in 0228 had been credited with two billion dors. The remark bore Siena¡¯s name.

    Two billion. Maia¡¯s fingers tightened around the phone.

    She hadn¡¯t even lowered her hand when another alert came through. She nced at the screen¡ªand froze. Her checking ount ending in 0228 had been credited with ten billion dors. Once again, the remark read: Siena.

    Ten billion. Maia stared at the screen, instinctively counting the zeroes as though afraid they might vanish. For a brief moment she sat perfectly still, Zoey¡¯s earlier words echoing in her mind. I don¡¯t have much, but everything I have is yours.

    Maia¡¯s lips twitched.

    Was this what Zoey meant by ¡°not much¡±? She couldn¡¯t help wondering whether they had a very different understanding of that phrase.

    Far away in Drakmire, inside a private room of a top-tier club that was equal partsvish and suffocating, thick smoke hung in the air. Around a table sat several heavily built men, arms covered in tattoos, ying cards.

    Bang!

    A tall man in a ck suit, a cigar clenched between his teeth, mmed his palm onto the table and sent cards scattering in every direction. ¡°What did you just say? That bastard Axell is dead? No damn way!¡±

    He shot to his feet, expression dark. ¡°Damn it. That bastard still owed me money. He got off far too easily.¡± He turned coldly to the underling who had delivered the news. ¡°Go. Check the books. I want to know exactly how much that fool owed me¡ªprincipal and interest included.¡±

    Shaking with nerves, the underling hurriedly flipped open the ledger and punched numbers into a calctor. ¡°L-Leo¡­ Axell borrowed three billion dors from us as bridge capital. ording to your terms, he now owes more than six billion.¡±

    ¡°Damn it!¡± Leo Reid cursed, drawing hard on his cigar. ¡°Six billion? That much?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Leo, absolutely,¡± the underling said, wiping sweat from his brow. ¡°To be precise, six billion two hundred and eighty-five million dors.¡±

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 Chapter 1525

    ?Chapter 1525:

    The moment the figure left his mouth, the fury on Leo¡¯s face faded. He broke into a wide grin and burst outughing. ¡°Perfect. He died at just the right time. Debts don¡¯t disappear just because someone¡¯s gone¡ªthe family left behind can pay them.¡± He cut the air with a sharp wave of his hand, eyes shing. ¡°Get moving. Bring me every loan contract and mortgage Axell signed, and call all our members. We¡¯re heading to Wront. We¡¯re taking over the Nelson family¡¯s assets. Since he died without settling up, everything they have belongs to me now.¡±

    Downstairs at the Marclif Hotel, inside the ck sedan that had been tailing Rosanna¡¯s car, a young officer turned to the older man beside him. ¡°Sir, can we really catch the real culprit this way?¡±

    The older officer lit a cigarette and took an unhurried drag. ¡°Why do you think I let her walk? Axell¡¯s death is unusual. The coroner¡¯s preliminary report points to poisoning, but the exact substance still needs further analysis.¡±

    The younger officer nodded slowly. ¡°But I still don¡¯t fully understand your thinking. Jarrod Morgan has already been listed as the main suspect in Axell¡¯s murder, hasn¡¯t he?¡±

    The older officer exhaled a slow curl of smoke. ¡°You¡¯ve got a lot to learn, kid. For one thing, the motive isn¡¯t strong enough. And if Jarrod wanted revenge for Rosanna, why was Axell the only one who ended up poisoned?¡±

    The younger officer hesitated, then voiced his thoughts. ¡°I did hear that Axell assaulted Rosanna at her birthday party. Witnesses said Jarrod nearly killed him on the spot and even struck him with an ashtray. Jarrod only avoided charges after Axell issued a letter of forgiveness.¡± His eyes widened. ¡°I think I understand now. Rosanna was forced to marry Axell, so there were actually two possible killers. Rosanna and Jarrod could have worked together¡ªwhich would exin why Rosanna herself wasn¡¯t poisoned.¡±

    The older officer nced at him but said nothing, smoke continuing to curl upward from his cigarette in the silence.

    The young officer paused, brows knitting together. ¡°But if that were true, why did Jarrod panic and run back then? He could have simply stayed hidden¡ªor never appeared at all.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± the senior officer replied, crushing his cigarette underfoot. ¡°Check with the front desk for Rosanna¡¯s room number and book the one next to hers. A theory that sounds reasonable doesn¡¯t automatically make it true. What we need is evidence, not guesswork.¡±

    Elsewhere, Chris jolted awake, his body soaked in cold sweat.

    ??ow?????????? ??DF?? ??????§Ö ???? ??????n??????l??.§ã??m

    For reasons he couldn¡¯t exin, he had been dreaming of Maia¡ªscenes so vivid they felt like memories borrowed from another lifetime. In that dream, they shared meals, walked shoulder to shoulder, even argued over who deserved thest rib. The happiness was ordinary, almost trivial, yet it clung to him, making waking up feel like a loss.

    The headache that had gued him earlier had faded, but the emptiness inside only deepened, spreading through him like a slow ache. More often than not, he found himself staring at his phone, thumb hovering just above Maia¡¯s contact. He wanted to call her, to see her, to talk to her face to face.

    There was no point pretending otherwise. Her face and silhouette surfaced constantly¡ªhaunting his thoughts not just in sleep, but even during quiet pauses at work.

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 Chapter 1526

    ?Chapter 1526:

    At times, the conflict inside him felt unbearable. His memories told him his heart belonged to the girl who had once saved him. Yet the undeniable truth remained¡ªhe was married to Maia. The contradiction tore at him, leaving a wound that refused to close.

    ¡°If only the girl who saved me had been Maia,¡± he whispered, leaning back in his chair and staring into the unlit night beyond the window. ¡°Everything would make sense.¡±

    At the same moment, in the study of Kyle¡¯s vi in the southern suburbs, warmmplight filled the room. Maia sat curled into a spacious chair, arms wrapped around her knees, her phone screen glowing softly with her chat history with Chris. Thest message between them felt like it belonged to another era.

    She typed: ¡°How are you doing? How is your wound?¡±

    Her finger hovered over the send button for a long moment¡ªthen she erased every word. A faint, bitter smile tugged at her lips. If Chris no longer loved her, or had truly chosen to forget, why should she hold on and burden herself further? In a game where survival and death were constantly weighed, love felt almost indulgent.

    As the night deepened, loneliness settled over her in silence.

    ¡°At least he gave me many beautiful memories, didn¡¯t he?¡± she murmured.

    She closed her eyes, thinking of the Chris who had once thrown himself into danger to shield her. ¡°Maybe he only forgot me because of his injury. Maybe distance will help¡ªgive him space, and me some as well.¡± She inhaled deeply and opened her eyes again, determination flickering within them.

    Her focus was clear: dismantle Cooper Group and help Chris reim everything that had been taken from him. Only after those threats were dealt with could they even begin to talk about what came next.

    ¡°Chris, if you¡¯re still out there,¡± she whispered, ¡°we¡¯ll meet again someday.¡±

    Online, the struggle continued. Beneficiaries tied to Cooper Group pushed back relentlessly, attempting to scrub thepany¡¯s image clean, and some went as far as issuing vicious threats to silence potential witnesses. Maia operated several social media ounts at once, countering their narratives, while her hackers kept uncovering fresh evidence and ripping away the masks of those with vested interests.

    ???????????? ???? ????§Ö??d ??n ??al????ve??s.??§à??

    At the same time, Chris directed members of The Mask to use intelligence obtained from Raegan to protect the families of researchers from Cooper Group¡¯sboratories, urging them to step forward and testify.

    Unaware of each other¡¯s efforts, Maia and Chris¡ªeach longing for the other¡ªworked without pause to break through Cooper Group¡¯s final line of defense. Under the quiet pressure of their unspoken coordination, the situation began to tilt decisively. Families who had long been threatened found the courage to speak once they were promised protection. Thepany¡¯s crimes wereid bare through firsthand ounts, tearful usations, and undeniable proof.

    Many rtives of research staff fled overnight, acting on their loved ones¡¯ final warnings: ¡°If I disappear or die, and something happens to Cooper Group, leave Wront immediately and reveal everything. It¡¯s the only way you¡¯ll survive.¡±

    Then came even more startling developments.

    The following morning, inside a hospital ward, Kiley and udius went live.

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 Chapter 1527

    ?Chapter 1527:

    The camera jolted violently several times, apanied by a sharp, grating crackle. After a few seconds, the picture finally steadied. Behind the two figures stretched a nk white wall, stripped of any decoration, its emptiness pressing in with a suffocating sense of confinement.

    Kiley¡¯s hair was loosely tied at the back of her head. Her face was drawn, her cheeks hollow, her eyes deeply sunken. She was no longer the proud and untouchable daughter of the Cooper family, once admired across Wront¡¯s elite circles. Now she looked startled and exposed, like someone caught with nowhere left to run.

    Beside her sat udius in a loose blue-and-white striped hospital gown, his body so thin it barely resembled the man people remembered. His cheekbones stood out sharply, his eyes hollowed, giving him an almost skeletal appearance. Hisplexion was deathly pale, and his lips were cracked and drained of all color.

    ¡°Hello, everyone. I am Kiley Cooper.¡±

    ¡°And I am¡­ udius Cooper.¡±

    ??e ?????? ?????????? t?? ??§Ö???? on ????????????e??s.??§à??

    They spoke in turn. udius¡¯s voice was barely above a whisper, as though each word had cost him thest of his strength.

    Kiley drew a deep breath. Her hands trembled as she lifted a silver sh drive. The small metal object caught the light, reflecting a cold glimmer¡ªas if it carried a burden far heavier than its size suggested.

    ¡°In our hands, we hold irrefutable evidence of Kolton Cooper and his criminalwork. As his children, we feel profound shame and pain. But for the sake of justice, and for the innocent people who suffered, we have chosen to step forward and expose all of Kolton¡¯s crimes.¡±

    Their appearance ignited an immediate storm online. Across every corner of Wront, people who had once depended on Cooper Group¡ªor been crushed by it¡ªwere glued to their screens. The live stream¡¯s viewership surged past one million within minutes, overwhelming the servers and causing them to crash briefly.

    In a dpidated budget hotel, Marianay wrapped in a damp, mold-scented nket. Only moments earlier she had been clinging to fantasies of Cooper Group¡¯s revival. Now, staring at her phone, her pupils widened and her fingernails dug viciously into the sheets.

    ¡°They¡¯ve lost their minds¡ªboth of them!¡± Mariana shrieked, hurling her phone onto the bed. ¡°That¡¯s our father! What do you gain by destroying the Cooper family? You traitors! If you¡¯re bent on dying, don¡¯t drag me down with you!¡±

    Fear and fury consumed her, though none of it came from any sympathy for Kolton. What she mourned was her own copse¡ªthe loss of her identity as the daughter of a powerful family.

    With the blow delivered by udius and Kiley, the Cooper family¡¯s future was effectively erased. There would be no recovery.

    At udius¡¯s vineyard, Mnie stared at the screen, her body shaking as she took in his gaunt appearance. ¡°How did things end up like this?¡± She turned to her father, Hurst, who looked equally stunned. ¡°Dad, did you know anything about this?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Hurst replied grimly, his voice low and heavy. ¡°But I always knew Kolton was involved in underhanded dealings. The Cooper family¡­ is finished this time.¡±

    Meanwhile, the live stream¡¯s viewership exploded past one hundred million,ments flooding in like a tide.

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 Chapter 1528

    ?Chapter 1528:

    ¡°My God¡ªeven Kolton Cooper¡¯s own children have turned against him. That old monster has truly been abandoned by everyone.¡±

    ¡°This is what real integrity looks like. Well done, Mr. and Miss Cooper. You have our support.¡±

    ¡°What happened to udius? Why does he look so ill? After he stood up for Maiast time, he vanished from public view. There¡¯s definitely more behind this.¡±

    Doubt followed just as quickly.

    ?????? ???????????????? ?????????? ???????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    ¡°Is this all an act? Cooper Group is copsing, and now they betray their own father. Isn¡¯t this just self-preservation?¡±

    ¡°You two deserve trophies for your performances. Enjoying Cooper Group¡¯s benefits for years and now iming ignorance¡ªwho would believe that?¡±

    ¡°They should be investigated thoroughly. They might be aplices jumping ship now that the tide has turned.¡±

    In truth, this was the final n udius and Kiley had prepared together. udius had anticipated this oue long ago. Kolton was finished, his crimes unforgivable and beyond any chance of redemption. Cutting ties was their only remaining option¡ªthe only way to preserve what little foundation was left of the Cooper family before it was consumed entirely. Beyond that, Kiley had genuinely known nothing, and udius himself had been far more victim than participant.

    On the live stream, Kiley recounted through reddened eyes how she had been targeted for assassination, and how her younger brother udius, after identally uncovering their father¡¯s illegal operations, had been imprisoned and subjected to brutal torture.

    As the broadcast continued, more viewers poured in¡ªincluding Maia. When udius¡¯s bloodless face filled the screen, her heart clenched without warning.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t udius go to Otruitho? How did he end up like this?¡±

    Then his weak voice echoed through the screen once more. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe what we¡¯ve said¡­ then look at this.¡±

    Slowly, his trembling hands moved to the buttons of his hospital gown. He undid them one by one, then removed his shirt entirely.

    As the fabric fell away, the world seemed to go silent.

    What appeared was a body reduced to skin and bone¡ªbut that alone was not the most devastating sight. Across his chest and back ran brutal whip marks. Old scars twisted over his skin,yered and intertwined, while fresh wounds still seeped blood. These were the traces of torture inflicted by his own father, endured during the months he had been imprisoned inside the Cooper Estate.

    The image broke countless viewers, leaving them shattered in silence.

    Almost instantly, livements flooded the screen.

    ¡°Oh my gosh¡ªare those injuries on udius real? They don¡¯t look like special effects at all.¡±

    A forensic expert weighed in shortly after. ¡°Speaking as a forensic professional, I can say responsibly that those are old whip marks.¡±

    ¡°Where are the people who insisted this was all acting? Say something now. Would udius really push himself this far just for a performance?¡±

    ¡°There were rumors that udius was ¡®banished¡¯ to Otruitho, but it turns out he was actually under house arrest and being abused the entire time.¡±

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 Chapter 1529

    ?Chapter 1529:

    Thements kept pouring in, faster and louder. Public opinion was gradually, unmistakably, turning in favor of the two Cooper siblings. udius in particr had already earned a measure of goodwill¡ªhis firm and public defense of Maia at the charity g had left a strong impression, and many of Maia¡¯s supporters had long admired him for it. Those who had hoped the two might belong together felt only more certain of it now.

    With thebined weight of being the family¡¯s outcast and an undeniable victim, udius had unexpectedly be the only member of the Cooper family who inspired genuine sympathy amid the chaos. Several former Cooper Group employees stepped forward soon after, confirming that he had been sidelined for years and had no involvement in thepany¡¯s core operations. Opinions on Kiley remained divided¡ªbut if the contents of that sh drive proved genuine, it would be more than enough to settle the matter.

    Maia¡¯s brows drew together slightly. Her first thought was the danger udius had brought upon himself by making this move. The forces surrounding Cooper Group were far moreplicated than most people understood, tangled with countless hidden alliances and interests.

    ¡°He¡¯s trying to give Cooper Group onest chance to survive,¡± Maia said quietly, ¡°but he¡¯s also putting himself directly in harm¡¯s way.¡±

    Her fingers tapped lightly against the tabletop, steady and deliberate. In that moment, her decision was clear¡ªudius was in danger, and she would not sit back and watch.

    As the founder of a hacker organization, Maia moved quickly. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, and before long she had pinpointed the exact location of the live stream. She picked up her phone and made a call.

    ¡°Siena, I need you to protect those two and secure the sh drive. I¡¯ve sent you the address.¡±

    Siena paused briefly, then answered without hesitation. ¡°I¡¯m already on my way.¡±

    A quiet calm settled over Maia. She knew Zoey had reached the same conclusion she had.

    At the same time, inside the military¡¯s temporarymand center, Dominic stared at the live broadcast on his tablet, brows tightly knit, fingers tapping the table in a measured rhythm.

    ???????? ?????? ???????????? ???????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    ¡°Kolton¡¯s children are clever,¡± he said slowly, ¡°but not clever enough.¡±

    Shaped by decades of war, Dominic¡¯s instincts cut deeper than most. He knew that an operation as vast and brutal as the Deification Project could never have been controlled by Kolton¡ªor even Cooper Group¡ªalone. Behind it had to be an extensive web of interests, possibly reaching beyond national borders. Now, with Cooper Group on the brink of copse, those hiding behind it would want these secrets buried forever.

    ¡°These children are in real danger,¡± Dominic said heavily, resolve hardening in his eyes. ¡°At this moment, far more people want them dead than want them alive.¡±

    He rose abruptly and began issuing orders. ¡°Technical department¡ªlocate that live stream immediately. Deploy a special operations unit to reach Kiley Cooper and udius Cooper before any assassins do. That sh drive is critical.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The soldiers snapped to attention and moved at once.

    Standing nearby, Cade focused on a small detail at the edge of the live stream image. As a top-tier private detective, he caught what others overlooked. He narrowed his eyes, paused the video, and zoomed in. On the corner of a pillow behind udius, a faint blue iris logo came into view.

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 Chapter 1530

    ?Chapter 1530:

    ¡°Got it,¡± Cade said, cross-referencing it against the map database on his phone. ¡°General Watson¡ªthat logo belongs to a high-end private sanatorium called Tranquil Haven in the western suburbs of Wront. Approximately neen miles from here.¡±

    Dominic¡¯s gaze sharpened with approval. ¡°Well done, Cade. You have the instincts of a scout.¡± He turned to the unit. ¡°Everyone¡ªmove out. Now!¡±

    Just as Cade prepared to follow, a firm handnded on his shoulder. He turned back, confused.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to go,¡± Dominic said, his tone noticeably gentler. ¡°Remember your assignment.¡±

    F????l§à?? ??? §àn ????l?§à??e????.????m

    Cade hesitated, then understanding settled over him. He nodded. ¡°Understood, sir. I¡¯ll go find Maia.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Dominic¡¯s eyes lingered on the chaotic scenes still unfolding across the news before he spoke again, his voice low and solemn. ¡°I¡¯m entrusting my granddaughter to you. I trust your abilities. Once you locate her, contact me immediately. With Cooper Group¡¯s copse, I¡¯m concerned their more desperate allies may retaliate and target her as well. She needs protection.¡±

    A trace of pride surfaced in his expression. ¡°From the intelligence you provided, that girl walked into an underground fight club just to save someone. She¡¯s truly a Watson¡ªcourage runs in our blood. But I don¡¯t want her facing danger alone anymore. I hope to see her soon.¡± He paused. ¡°Take this as an old man¡¯s request, Cade. Not an order.¡±

    Facing Dominic¡¯s graying temples and steady, unwavering gaze, Cade straightened and replied with quiet resolve. ¡°Understood, General Watson.¡±

    Three hourster, Maia¡¯s phone broke the silence with a sharp ring. Siena¡¯s name shed on the screen.

    ¡°Maia,¡± Siena said the moment the call connected, her voice tight but controlled. ¡°The location has already been locked down by the military. They¡¯ve taken full control of the area. I suspect they saw the live broadcast. I¡¯ve reported everything to Zoey.¡±

    Maia¡¯s heart tightened. ¡°You didn¡¯t sh with the military, did you?¡± she asked, brows drawing together.

    ¡°No,¡± Siena replied without hesitation. ¡°They arrived before we could. It was chaotic, though¡ªcrowds, barricades, a lot of noise.¡±

    Only then did Maia allow herself a shallow breath of relief. The tension in her shoulders eased briefly¡ªthen another unease crept in, quiet but insistent. ¡°Siena,¡± she said, lowering her voice, ¡°what did Zoey say? Is there any issue with this unit?¡±

    Her concern was clear. She wasn¡¯t worried about the military itself, but about who might be standing behind them. Kolton¡¯s shadow, or that of other interested parties, lingered too close forfort.

    ¡°Zoey thought of that as well,¡± Siena answered. ¡°But we don¡¯t have confirmation. All we know for certain is that they¡¯re from Drakmire.¡±

    Maia fell silent, her thoughts turning inward. After a moment she spoke again, calm and deliberate. ¡°I understand. Then we need to make sure the public knows that udius and Kiley are under military custody. The more attention this draws, the better. Even if Kolton¡¯s people are involved, they won¡¯t dare act recklessly if the whole world is watching.¡±

    Once the call ended, her phone chimed again. Several photos from Siena came through. She was about to instruct her team to release them online when a new notification slid onto her screen.

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    .

 Chapter 1531

    ?Chapter 1531:

    Military Announcement: Security measures have been implemented for key witnesses in a major case. Their safety is guaranteed. Any attempt to interfere, obstruct, or intervene will be dealt with severely in ordance with thew. The military remainsmitted to upholding judicial fairness.

    Maia stared at the message, fingers hovering above the screen. Perhaps she had been overly worried. And yet she couldn¡¯t stop herself from wondering¡ªwhich military leader was behind this sudden intervention?

    Before she could dwell on it, her phone vibrated again. A message from Zoey appeared: ¡°Regarding the military, there¡¯s no additional information at the moment. Since an official announcement has been issued, you don¡¯t need to worry for now.¡±

    The following week, Wront¡¯s business world was thrown into chaos unlike anything it had seen before.

    At the opening bell, Cooper Group¡¯s stock copsed as though the ground beneath it had given way. It mmed straight into the limit-down threshold, plunging without even a flicker of resistance¡ªno rebound, no hesitation, just a free fall. Investors wailed, some in disbelief, others in fury. Financial analysts scrambled to revise their forecasts, many predicting that Cooper Group¡¯s valuation wouldn¡¯t merely be halved¡ªit might sink all the way to zero, ending in delisting.

    ???? p§Ñ???? ???? ?????? §ãom??????????§å ???? ??§Ñ??????????l??.??§à??

    The authorities delivered another blow. An official announcement confirmed that Cooper Group¡¯s core assets had beenpletely seized, every ount frozen, and a court-ordered auction scheduled in one month to liquidate assets, repay debts, andpensate victims.

    Panic rippled through the market. Though Cooper Group¡¯s reputationy in ruins, its tangible assets¡ªprimend, massive factories, proprietary technologies, and valuable patents¡ªremained tempting prizes. Opportunists across Wront sharpened their knives and circled like vultures, eager to carve up the remains of a fallen giant. But no matter how one looked at it, the truth was undeniable: the once-dominant Cooper family had been utterly crushed, its legacy reduced to rubble.

    Far from the spotlight, in the narrow, dimly lit alleys of the old town, Siena¡¯s team finally struck gold.

    ¡°Siena, we¡¯ve got something,¡± one of her subordinates said, pointing at a blinking red dot on the digital map. ¡°Because of the military blockade, they can¡¯t leave the area. They disappeared at the end of this alley¡ªthere¡¯s only one ce there. An underground bar called Nightshade. It¡¯s heavily shielded from casual surveince. This has to be their base in Wront. Maynard is inside.¡±

    Siena¡¯s lips curled into a sharp, satisfied smirk. ¡°Well done.¡±

    She immediately dialed Maia. ¡°Maia, we¡¯ve located Maynard¡¯s hideout.¡±

    After the call ended, Maia remained seated before herptop, the glow of the screen reflected in her eyes as her fingers moved rapidly across the keyboard. Sheunched a full-scale background investigation into the Nightshade bar, pulling records, ownership details, and hidden connections with ruthless efficiency.

    At the same time, inside the military¡¯s temporarymand center, tension hung thick in the air. Personnel moved in hurried steps, voices ovepping, screens shing with data.

    At the center of it all, Cade sat hunched over a makeshift desk, raking his fingers through his hair. ¡°Damn it,¡± he muttered. ¡°Why can¡¯t we find her?¡±

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 Chapter 1532

    Chapter 1532:

    Using advanced surveince systems, hebed through cell signal data in an effort to pinpoint Maia¡¯s real-time location. But no matter how many times he recalibrated, the result was the same¡ªMaia had vanished, cleanly andpletely, as if she had dissolved into thin air.

    ¡°Calm down,¡± he told himself, forcing his body back into the chair. ¡°If I can¡¯t find her directly, I can find the people around her.¡±

    A name surfaced in his mind¡ªEthan. Maia and Ethan were close. If he could locate Ethan, it might lead him straight to her. With renewed focus, Cade opened the rtionshipwork files he hadpiled earlier, searching for Mnie¡¯s number as a possible route to Ethan.

    But as the file opened to the relevant page, Cade froze.

    His eyes locked onto the screen. His expression shifted¡ªfirst confusion, then disbelief, then pure, burning frustration.

    Right there, staring back at him from the very first page, was Maia¡¯s private phone number.

    ¡°I am¡­ unbelievably stupid,¡± he muttered, pressing his hands together as the realization hit him full force.

    He had been so consumed by worry that his mind had unraveled. He had conducted an exhaustive investigation into Maia in the past¡ªof course he had her contact information. Yet somewhere along the way, panic had overridden logic. He had assumed she must have disabled her phone or changed her number entirely, then dove headfirst intoplex tracing techniques, hitting dead ends at every turn¡ªall while overlooking the most obvious solution. He could have simply called her.

    And yet Cade knew one thing for certain: Maia was safe. She had even saved Dominic earlier, acting as a doctor amid the chaos. That alone suggested her situation was stable. There was no real reason to believe her phone wasn¡¯t still active.

    R§Ö??§à????e???? ??a??????????????.??om ??§à y??u?? ??????e??d??

    He exhaled a long, unsteady breath and pulled out his phone. Carefully, deliberately, he entered the number from her profile, pressing each digit as though afraid it might vanish.

    The waiting tone echoed in his ear, stretching his nerves thin.

    Then¡ªit connected.

    A few seconds passed before the call was answered. A cool,posed female voice came through the speaker, calm and unhurried. ¡°Hello? Who is this?¡±

    Maia¡¯s cool, restrained voice filtered through the line, detached and distant, as though an invisible wall separated her from the world.

    The knot of tension in Cade¡¯s chest loosened slightly. He inhaled slowly, fingers clenched around the phone until his knuckles nched. Despite years of battlefield reconnaissance, his nerves betrayed him, sweat gathering in his palms.

    ¡°This is Cade Riley speaking, a licensed private investigator. I was retained earlier by Miss Mnie Cooper,¡± he began, choosing each word with care.

    He didn¡¯t get the chance to finish.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of you,¡± Maia interrupted evenly, her tone clipped. ¡°Skip the formalities.¡±

    Cade stiffened. The authority in her voice felt like standing beneath the gaze of an unyielding magistrate. Everything he had rehearsed evaporated mid-thought.

    Noticing his own hesitation, he drew another breath and forced himself to continue. ¡°Ms. Watson, your biological maternal grandfather has recently arrived in Wront and hopes to see you.¡±

    Time seemed to stall.

    .

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noa: Dear readers we got today two new novels that you requested for, enjoy them. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. ( ? ? ¨C ) ?

    .

 Chapter 1533

    ?Chapter 1533:

    In the dimly lit room, Maia¡¯s fingers paused against the phone as silence settled around her. The cold blue light from theptop washed over her features, hiding her expression¡ªbut her gaze sharpened instantly.

    Maternal grandfather. The phrase sounded distant and outdated, like something pulled from an old story.

    Wront was anything but safe now. Cooper Group stood on the verge of copse, and rival forces were circling like predators drawn by blood. Her past entanglements with thepany meant danger followed her every step¡ªwhich was precisely why Zoey had insisted she remain out of sight. Yet at such a sensitive moment, a private detective had called out of nowhere, iming her biological grandfather wanted to meet her.

    The timing was too convenient to ignore.

    A cold, faintly mocking glint passed through Maia¡¯s eyes. ¡°I think you¡¯re mistaken.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call.

    Beep. Beep. Beep.

    The sharp tone echoed coldly through the line. Cade stood frozen, phone still raised in his hand. ¡°She just¡­ hung up?¡± he murmured in stunned disbelief.

    ???????????? ???? ????§Ö??d ??n ??al????ve??s.??§à??

    He blinked, trying to process it. ¡°No. My approach was reasonable. My tone was genuine.¡± He muttered it to himself as though trying to believe it¡ªthen, slowly, understood where things had gone wrong.

    After everything Maia had lived through, suspicion toward anythingbeled ¡°family¡± was only natural. The damage inflicted by the Morgan family had left deep marks. Viewed from her side, his call would have sounded exactly like a scam¡ªespecially regarding a person she didn¡¯t even know existed.

    ¡°Idiot,¡± Cade scolded himself, the word sharp with self-reproach. His palm came down hard against his thigh. ¡°Rushing like that only makes things worse.¡±

    He could hardly ept that he had fumbled something this critical. If Dominic ever learned of it, what right did he have to im that trust?

    Teeth clenched, he beganposing a message at once, fingers racing across the screen. He condensed his findings on Maia¡¯s parents from Drakmire, his investigative trip there, and the unexpected meeting with her grandfather¡ªhundreds of carefully chosen wordsid out in sequence.

    Just as he was about to send it, his hand stalled.

    No. This approach was wed. That level of detail would only expose that he had been secretly investigating her life. He deleted the draft and started again, paring everything back to its essence. At the very end of the revised message, he added the one line he believed might carry enough weight to be trusted.

    This inquiry was authorized by Hurst Cooper, who hopes to help you uncover your true origins.

    He pressed send and let it go.

    Inside Kyle¡¯s vi, heavy drapes sealed the room in shadow. Maia¡¯s phone buzzed once on the table, its screen ring and fading. She was reclined against the sofa and made no move to check it¡ªnot immediately. Only after a long moment did she unlock the screen withzy indifference.

    Her eyes traced the message slowly, then stopped at the final name.

    ¡°Hurst?¡± she murmured, doubt threading her tone.

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 Chapter 1534

    ?Chapter 1534:

    One brow lifted. What reason would Hurst have to dig into her past? She had never asked him, nor given him any cause to involve himself. Mnie before, Hurst now¡ªwho was Cade actually answering to? The pieces didn¡¯t fit together cleanly, and Maia had learned long ago that coincidences were usually traps dressed as luck.

    Confirming it, at least, would be simple enough.

    She tapped the screen and ced a call to Hurst. After a brief pause, the line picked up.

    ¡°Ms. Watson¡ªare you hurt? Did anything happen to you?¡±

    Hurst¡¯s voice carried a strained urgency, the excitement beneath it frayed by exhaustion. Maia understood all too well that Cooper Group was under siege, and as a Cooper, Hurst was enduring immense pressure.

    ¡°I¡¯m safe for now. How are you managing on your end?¡± Her reply was soft,ced with genuine concern.

    Beside Hurst, Mnie had caught Maia¡¯s voice and moved closer, her excitement surpassing even her father¡¯s. ¡°Dad, hang in there¡ªyou can do it,¡± she murmured. To her, Maia calling meant that her father still mattered. Even with Cooper Group¡¯s reputation in ruins, Mnie refused to let go of the hope of bringing them together.

    Hurst gave a restrained nod, drawing quiet strength from his daughter as he pressed his emotions down. ¡°I¡¯ve taken refuge at the vineyard for now¡ªit¡¯s rtively secure. But Cooper Group has truly fallen this time, and I don¡¯t expect the days ahead to be easy.¡±

    Maia hesitated briefly before offering reassurance. ¡°I believe in who you are. I don¡¯t think you¡¯re capable of what they¡¯re using you of.¡±

    ??????¡¯t ???????? ?????? ????l?????????? ??? g???????????????.§ã??m

    At her words, warmth spread through Hurst, the relief of being trusted easing something in his chest. While the world turned its back on the Cooper family, Maia alone had chosen to believe in him.

    Then Maia shifted direction without warning.

    ¡°You¡¯re acquainted with Cade Riley, aren¡¯t you? Did you have him dig into my biological parents?¡±

    No preamble¡ªonly a blunt strike to the heart of the matter.

    Hurst went rigid, a bead of cold sweat sliding down his temple. The warmth he had felt a moment ago evaporated instantly. How could Cade, a so-called private investigator, be this careless?

    Hurst chose denial without hesitation. Admitting the truth would shatter the trust he wanted Maia to keep.

    ¡°Ahem¡­ Do you mean the investigator my daughter hired?¡± He swiped at his brow, forcing a casual tone. ¡°I¡¯m not particrly familiar with him. Is something troubling you?¡±

    The moment Maia heard his reply, frost crept into her gaze. That awkward pause, the forced cough, the rushed denial¡ªevery detail screamed guilt.

    ¡°Take care of yourself, Mr. Cooper. I have other things to deal with.¡± She ended the call without waiting for a response, then tossed her phone aside and sank back into the cushions.

    If Hurst had lied, then Cade¡¯s ount was likely genuine. Had Cade truly uncovered her grandfather¡¯s whereabouts?

    The moment the call ended, Hurst felt a sharp unease crawl up his spine. He immediately rang Cade, his anger spilling out in a rush. ¡°What were you thinking? Didn¡¯t I make it clear this had to stay hidden? Why would you reveal that I was involved?¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 1535

    ?Chapter 1535:

    Cade winced as the words thundered through the line. Only then did he fully grasp that he had mishandled both sides of the situation. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Give me a moment¡ªI¡¯ll exin everythingter.¡± He cut the call and began pacing, searching for a way to salvage the mess.

    At that exact moment, Maia¡¯s name lit up his screen.

    Cade¡¯s fingers trembled, and the phone nearly slipped from his grasp. He steadied himself and answered.

    ¡°Tell me where and when we meet.¡± Maia¡¯s voice was even and decisive, free of doubt or usation.

    Cade froze. Every excuse he had prepared dissolved from his mind. After a few seconds, he finally managed, ¡°O-okay. I¡¯ll send you the location and time shortly.¡±

    Only after the call ended did the full weight of what had just happened settle over him, his back soaked in cold sweat. Hurst clearly hadn¡¯t confessed¡ªwhich meant Maia had caught the lie and chosen to trust his investigation instead. That level of perception surpassed even his own, despite his years as a reconnaissance soldier. Shock lingered, followed by a quiet surge of respect.

    This was exactly what one would expect from the granddaughter of General Watson.

    Cade wasted no time dialing Dominic to pass along the long-awaited news.

    Once Cade sent the time and location, Maia made her decision to go.

    ?????§Öl? ??n ????§Ö??? ???? ??a????????e??s.??om

    She slipped into a fitted ckbat jacket¡ªpractical and sleek, made for swift movement. Siena ran a quick check over the equipment at Maia¡¯s waist, gaze sharp, then fell in beside her. She would be the one behind the wheel and the shield at Maia¡¯s side.

    The vehicle cut through Wront¡¯s lively streets at speed. Neon signs streamed past the windows, painting the night in shifting colors. Maia stared at the city blurring past, her mind tangled with restless thoughts, her fingers twisting the edge of her jacket without her noticing.

    Back when she lived with the Morgan family, there had been a stretch of warmth¡ªa time when Vicki taught her what it meant to belong. After discovering she was never truly a Morgan, her thoughts had often drifted to her real parents and grandparents. What came instead was a merciless truth: they had been gone for years.

    Now, without warning, a man iming to be her biological grandfather had surfaced.

    Maia found herself imagining what he might be like¡ªwhether he was severe, what kind of man he was. What was she even supposed to call him? Grandfather? Did that sound too sudden? She still couldn¡¯t understand why he would appear only now, after all these years. Did he know the truth behind her parents¡¯ deaths¡ªwhat had really happened back then?

    Anticipation, yearning, bitterness, and unease churned together like a brewing storm in her chest. The calm mask she always wore finally fractured, exposing the girl beneath¡ªstill aching, after everything, to belong to someone.

    The car rolled to a stop before a luxurious five-star hotel. On the surface, the lobby looked perfectly ordinary¡ªguests chatted casually, reception staff processed check-ins, and cleaners buffed the marble floors. Yet an invisible strain lingered in the air.

    Siena swept the surroundings, her brows knitting at once. ¡°Stay alert,¡± she murmured close to Maia¡¯s ear. ¡°I¡¯ve marked targets at three o¡¯clock, eleven o¡¯clock, and six.¡±

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 Chapter 1536

    ?Chapter 1536:

    That level of vignce was far beyond what an average tycoon couldmand. Maia¡¯s eyes narrowed, a faint weight settling in her chest. It seemed her so-called grandfather carried an identity far moreplicated than she had expected.

    At that moment, Cade strode over briskly, now dressed in casual clothes. ¡°Ms. Watson, please follow me.¡±

    Siena immediately stepped forward, cutting off Maia¡¯s path, her body coiled tight and every nerve primed for defense. If Cade so much as twitched, she was ready to strike.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Maia said calmly, resting a reassuring hand on Siena¡¯s arm. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡±

    On the fifteenth floor, the corridor outside the executive suite was lined with thick carpeting that muffled every footstep and pressed down with suffocating quiet. Cade straightened his cor, drew in a steadying breath, and lifted his hand to knock.

    Knock. Knock. Knock. Three deliberate raps.

    ??d????????????e ????o????e?? ??n ??§Ñ???????els.??§à??

    ¡°Come in.¡± The voice inside was low and unyielding.

    The door swung open. The suite was dim, illuminated only by a floormp that spilled a muted amber glow across the room. An elderly man strode toward them at once. His back remained straight with a soldier¡¯s discipline, yet his pace was rushed, his steps faintly unsteady. The instant his gazended on Maia, the hawk-like sharpness in his eyes faltered, his pupils tightening in shock. Even the cane clenched in his hand trembled.

    Maia did not move, allowing the old man to study her freely while she examined him in silence. His brows and eyes bore an undeniable resemnce to the blurred impressions she held of her mother.

    Dominic said nothing, his gaze devouring her features¡ªtracing from her brow to her eyes, lingering at her chin. He was verifying, searching for the shadow that had vanished over twenty long years ago.

    The quiet pressed in, almost suffocating. Cade, unable to endure the weight of it, nced at Siena and murmured, ¡°Should we give them a moment and step outside?¡± Siena paid him no mind, standing alert as a sentry, eyes sharp as she surveyed the room.

    Atst, Dominic broke the silence. His voice was rough and trembling, as though each word scraped painfully from somewhere deep in his chest.

    ¡°You look just like her.¡±

    Only a single sentence¡ªyet it carried the gravity of decades.

    ¡°Your nose and lips are your mother¡¯s. And that look in your eyes¡­ that¡¯s your father¡¯s from his youth.¡± The old man¡¯s eyes brimmed red, twin trails of tears carving paths down his deeply lined face. ¡°Child, I¡¯ve searched for you for so many years. I truly believed I would never find you in this life.¡±

    In that instant, he was no fearsome general. He was simply an aged man standing at the end of his years.

    Maia looked at him, and a memory suddenly surfaced, ovepping with the present. That day at the hospital¡ªan old man hovering between life and death, clutching her hand, begging her to save his granddaughter.

    The pieces clicked perfectly into ce.

    ¡°Was that you?¡± Maia asked quietly. ¡°The elderly man we rescued that day?¡±

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 Chapter 1537

    ?Chapter 1537:

    Dominic paused, then let out a heartyugh¡ªthe relief of one who had escaped death woven through every note of it. ¡°Yes. That¡¯s right. Fate truly has a sense of humor. Who could have imagined that the doctor who saved my life was my own granddaughter?¡±

    He stepped closer and took Maia¡¯s hand. His grip was warm and steady, the skin rough with calluses forged by decades of holding a rifle. ¡°Come inside. Sit down. Let me look at you properly.¡±

    Maia didn¡¯t pull her hand away. The warmth felt real and grounding.

    ¡°Are you truly my grandfather?¡± she asked. ¡°Can you tell me about my parents? I want to know who they were.¡±

    ??ho????§Ñnd?? ???? r???????????? o?? ??a????????????.c????

    Dominic¡¯s movements faltered at her words, his gaze sliding aside. Maia caught the change at once. From the discreet guards surrounding him, she had already guessed he was a man of high military rank. Yet if that was true, why had her parents lived in a slum?

    Sensing her scrutiny, Dominic released a long breath. He shut his eyes, as though the full weight of years had suddenly pressed down upon him¡ªthen sighed again, deeply.

    ¡°Alright. You deserve the truth.¡±

    He opened his eyes, sorrow heavy in his voice. ¡°Back then, I failed your mother. I owe her an apology. One I can never repay.¡±

    Dominic¡¯s emotions slipped beyond his control. Though he struggled to restrain himself, the spine that had never bent on any battlefield now carried an invisible weight, curving slightly. His chest rose and fell unevenly, breath rough andbored, as if unseen hands were wing at a heart long scarred by regret.

    He opened his mouth to speak, yet only a dry, broken sound escaped. After several seconds, his gaze drifted past Maia and fixed on an empty distance, eyes hollow. In that moment, the once-formidable old man seemed dragged by time itself back to a rain-soaked night that had haunted him for decades.

    ¡°Maia,¡± he finally said, after a long silence.

    His voice was hoarse and frayed, worn thin by years of words left unsaid. ¡°What I¡¯m about to tell you¡ª¡± He faltered, his Adam¡¯s apple working with effort. ¡°I¡¯ve buried it in my heart for more than twenty years.¡± Each syble felt torn from somewhere deep within his chest.

    Dominic lowered his gaze, concealing the tears gathering in his eyes. In that instant, he was no longer a revered general¡ªonly a remorseful father.

    ¡°Sadly¡­¡± His voice sank to a whisper. ¡°Your mother will never hear it again.¡±

    With those words, thest of his hardenedposure finally crumbled. He lifted his hand and roughly scrubbed at his face with calloused fingers, wiping away the tears. The movement was clumsy,cking any grace. Under the dim light, the scars and rough skin on his hand stood out sharply, his knuckles whitening as he pressed too hard.

    Maia watched in silence, neither speaking nor interrupting. She looked at the old man standing before her¡ªalready nearing the end of his years, gray at his temples, a faint tremor in his shoulders¡ªand saw himid bare in rare fragility, like a child caught unguarded.

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 Chapter 1538

    ?Chapter 1538:

    The emotional defenses she had builtyer byyer over time began to fracture. A swell of feeling surged through her chest, unfamiliar and difficult to name. It was neither anger nor forgiveness.

    Maia took a careful step forward, paused briefly, then slowly reached out and ced her hand against Dominic¡¯s trembling back. At her touch, his aged body stiffened. The warmth beneath her palm was unmistakable¡ªthin and rigid. Even through the fabric, she could feel the grief he had been holding down.

    ¡°No need to hurry,¡± Maia said softly. In the quiet, heavy room, her voice sounded especially clear. ¡°Take your time.¡±

    Those simple words worked like a calming balm. Dominic¡¯s tense frame slowly eased. He drew in a long, steady breath, as if the air itself had restored some fragment of his strength. Gradually, he raised his head and met Maia¡¯s eyes once more. The haze had cleared from his gaze, leaving behind a deep, settled calm¡ªas though he was no longer seeing only Maia, but someone elseyered within her, carved into the very marrow of his soul.

    ¡°You and your mother,¡± he murmured, a strained and rueful smile touching his lips. ¡°You truly resemble her. Not just your features, but that stubborn will and unbending pride as well. So alike it feels as though you are the same person.¡±

    ?????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    His eyes drifted toward the window, voice carrying into the distance. ¡°When she came into this world, I ced all my hopes on her. I wanted her to enter the military academy, to wear a uniform like mine, to be a soldier. I wanted her to defend the nation and carry forward the Watson family¡¯s honor.¡± That had been the future Dominic had mapped out for his daughter¡ªthe only road he believed was right.

    Beyond the window, a low roll of thunder moved through the sky, dense and oppressive, warning that a greater storm was drawing near. Inside the suite, however, an unnatural stillness lingered, with only Dominic¡¯s low voice echoing softly in the room.

    ¡°But she told me her heart leaned toward a different path.¡±

    Dominic shut his eyes, as though his daughter¡¯s resolute voice still rang clearly in his ears. ¡°She said she didn¡¯t want to wear a military uniform. She said a life already nned step by step was not the life she desired. She wanted to be a doctor¡ªto heal wounds and save lives.¡±

    A short, sadugh escaped him,den with regret and quiet self-reproach. ¡°I was furious at the time, yet not entirely opposed. I thought being a doctor was admirable. Even the army needs its doctors. As long as she stayed within the military, under my watch, I believed she could choose anything.¡±

    Maia stayed quiet, her attention unwavering as she absorbed every word. With Dominic¡¯s narration, a long-missing portrait of her mother gradually took shape in her thoughts.

    ¡°And after that¡­¡± Dominic¡¯s tone sank into heaviness. ¡°She wavered. She told me medicine was no longer the path she wanted. She chose journalism instead. She wanted to walk into the heart of chaos and reveal the world without filters.¡±

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 Chapter 1539

    ?Chapter 1539:

    As he continued, shadows swallowed the light in his eyes. ¡°Back then, I couldn¡¯t ept it. I told myself she was being reckless¡ªchallenging me on purpose, refusing the future I had already designed for her. I convinced myself she was desperate to break free from my grasp.¡±

    A faint tremor threaded through his voice. In those years, he had been unyielding and authoritarian, deaf to his daughter¡¯s wishes.

    Maia slowly raised her eyes and met his gaze with steady calm. ¡°Why did you see it that way?¡±

    To Maia, her mother¡¯s dreams had never required anyone¡¯s permission¡ªthey were a matter of personal freedom. Choosing her own path had always been her mother¡¯s right, and no one had the authority to deny it. The real mistakey with the aged man before her, who had tried to chain his daughter¡¯s destiny under the banner of a father¡¯s love.

    Dominic turned toward her, and instead of bristling, his features softened slightly. ¡°Because that¡¯s how I saw it.¡± A rigid conviction underscored every syble. ¡°The armed forces demand many kinds of brilliance. Whatever field she pursued, so long as it served the military, I was willing to back her. I could leverage my standing to give her the finest opportunities. With her ability, excellence was inevitable¡ªI never doubted that.¡±

    As he spoke of his daughter¡¯s talent, the restraint in Dominic¡¯s voice finally cracked, revealing unmistakable pride. ¡°Your mother showed exceptional intelligence from childhood. She had an extraordinary memory. Whether medicine or journalism, she absorbed everything effortlessly. Before she was twenty-three, she had alreadypleted two doctoral degrees. Among her generation in the military, she outshone them all. She was the child who made me prouder than anyone else in my life.¡±

    ???? §â?????? ???? §àur ????m?????????y §àn ga??????v?????.c????

    His eyes rested on Maia, a fleeting spark shing within them before dimming again. His tone fell quiet, heavy with unspoken emotion.

    ¡°And it was exactly because of that I pushed her toward the military even harder. To let such brilliance drift outside would have been a loss to the nation, and a betrayal of the Watson family¡¯s legacy.¡± He paused, eyes clouding as old scenes resurfaced. ¡°She eventually yielded. She became a military doctor and put on the uniform I had always envisioned for her. You can¡¯t imagine how proud I felt that day.¡±

    But in the next breath, Dominic exhaled heavily. ¡°And yet she was miserable. From dawn till dusk, her gaze was dull and lifeless, like a puppet stripped of its own will.¡±

    He lowered his head, fingers curling tightly into the fabric over his knees. ¡°Looking back now, I finally understand how wrong I was. I should have honored her choices.¡± The words clearly cost him immense effort to voice.

    Maia¡¯s fingers curled slightly at her side. She could feel the weight of his remorse¡ªa realization forged through twenty years of loneliness and suffering.

    ¡°I never should have meddled in her life. Never should have forced my will upon her.¡± Dominic¡¯s gaze dropped again. ¡°Because of that, a rift formed between your mother and me. She began keeping her distance, and our arguments became constant. But that¡ª¡± He drew in a slow, deep breath. ¡°That wasn¡¯t the real reason she ultimately left home.¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 1540

    ?Chapter 1540:

    As the words fell, he suddenly lifted his head, eyes locking onto Maia with piercing intensity. His lips twisted into a smile more painful than tears.

    ¡°Maia,¡± he asked hoarsely. ¡°Do you think I¡¯ve been too harsh? A stubborn, outdated man? A tyrant who only knows how to control?¡±

    Maia didn¡¯t answer. She simply looked at him¡ªweathered, old, andid bare.

    After a few seconds of silence, she softly asked, ¡°Will you tell me what my mother was called?¡±

    Dominic visibly froze, caught off guard, as if only now realizing he had been so consumed by his own emotions that he had overlooked the most essential thing. His granddaughter didn¡¯t even know her own mother¡¯s name.

    How tragic. How painfully ironic.

    He looked into Maia¡¯s clear eyes, his expression growing solemn. ¡°Your mother¡¯s name is Melody Watson,¡± he said softly, his voice lowering with reverence. As the name left his lips, something in his face visibly eased¡ªas though the word itself carried everything beautiful he had ever known.

    ¡°It was your grandmother who chose it,¡± he added, a faint smile touching his lips. ¡°She hoped Melody would live a joyful life and walk toward a future filled with light.¡±

    His eyes took on that unmistakable look of pride and longing once more. ¡°Melody was extraordinarily gifted,¡± he continued, emotion threading through his tone. ¡°Her words flowed like poetry, her paintings carried soul. She was brilliant¡ªwhatever she learned, she mastered with ease, as if talent itself bowed to her.¡±

    ???????? ??h?? ??o????u????y ???? ga????????el??.??o??

    Dominic paused for a brief moment, his voice lowering as he resumed, heavy with reflection. ¡°I once had such high hopes for her future. I pictured myself watching her get married, raise children, and shine brilliantly in her career. But maybe the way I went about it was wrong.¡±

    He drew in a slow, deep breath, his chest rising and falling as though the memory he had reached for was still painfully close. ¡°In her second year at the military hospital, she told me she wanted to leave. One day, she brought me her resignation letter. She said she wanted to quit medicine and be a war correspondent¡ªreporting from the most dangerous front lines.¡±

    Maia listened without interrupting, yet her chest tightened, as if an invisible weight had settled there, making every breath feel strained.

    Dominic paused again before continuing. ¡°To make her stay¡ªto force her to abandon what I called her ¡®unrealistic¡¯ dreams¡ªI decided to arrange a marriage for her.¡± His voice grew heavier, colored with restrained and helpless resolve. ¡°At the time, your mother was a celebrated figure in Drakmire. She came from a prominent family and was exceptionally beautiful. I let it be known in high society that the Watson family was searching for a husband for their daughter. I thought marriage and family would secure her future.¡±

    He shook his head, a bitter, self-mocking smile crossing his face. ¡°People with status from all over Drakmire crowded the entrance of our home. There were countless noble heirs and young men everyone praised as promising.¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 1541

    ?Chapter 1541:

    Maia¡¯s hands clenched without her realizing it, knuckles whitening as her nails pressed into her palms. Just imagining that scene made her feel trapped. Her mother had been put on disy, evaluated, arranged for¡ªstripped of any choice of her own. Maia knew the elderly man sitting before her had truly loved his daughter. But that love was oppressive, overwhelming, wrapped in control that felt more like chains than protection.

    Dominic noticed her reaction. He caught the brief sh of resistance in her eyes and said nothing more about those days¡ªnothing more about those so-called promising young men.

    Silence stretched between them.

    Outside, the thunder rolled closer, as though echoing directly overhead. The ss trembled faintly.

    ?e?? ????????l?? §ã????????e???? ???? ????????§à????l??.??????

    ¡°I know,¡± Dominic said atst, his voice distant. ¡°My need to control everything was too strong. Your grandmother scolded me harshly back then. She said Melody was our daughter, a living person¡ªnot my soldier, and certainly not my subordinate. She said I had no right to decide her entire life or use her to carry out my own will.¡±

    His voice gradually faded. ¡°But at that time, I was at the height of my career¡ªarrogant, stubborn, unwilling to listen. I believed I was acting for her own good. I thought my experience outweighed everything. I was convinced that one day your mother would understand, that she would even thank me.¡±

    As he spoke, Dominic lifted the back of his hand and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. A faint, self-deprecating smile crossed his face, filled with emptiness and bitter irony. ¡°It turned out I was wrong. Terribly wrong.¡±

    He rose unsteadily to his feet and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window, his steps slow and uncertain. At that moment, thunder exploded outside. A blinding bolt of lightning tore through the dark sky like a silver de against the night, flooding the suite with sudden, harsh light. For an instant, Dominic¡¯s aged face was fully revealed¡ªevery line carved deep with regret and years of remorse.

    Rain mmed against the ss in a relentless downpour, producing a dull, pounding rhythm.

    Maia watched his back. His figure looked painfully lonely, steeped in quiet destion. A suspicion had already taken root in her mind. She lifted her gaze, her voice gentle but firm. ¡°Is it because of my father?¡±

    Dominic¡¯s body stiffened. He turned around slowly, standing against the light, his face swallowed by shadow and his expression unreadable¡ªonly his eyes shone sharply.

    ¡°You really are just like your mother,¡± he said with a sigh, then walked back and lowered himself onto the sofa.

    This time, his expression was more serious than she had yet seen it.

    ¡°The truth is far moreplicated than you think. In the beginning, it was my arrogance and need for control that fractured things between your mother and me.¡± He stopped, as though bracing himself for what came next.

    What followed was a secret buried for over forty years¡ªthe greatest taboo of the Watson family.

    ¡°But what I¡¯m about to tell you,¡± Dominic said slowly, ¡°is the real reason she left. And it is the root of all this tragedy.¡±

    Dominic¡¯s gaze drifted toward Siena and Cade, who stood some distance away. This time, the two of them seemed to understand at once and quietly excused themselves. When the door clicked shut, Dominic turned back to Maia, his tone slowing, each word chosen with deliberate care.

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 Chapter 1542

    ?Chapter 1542:

    ¡°Maia, you¡¯ve probably noticed something already. Your surname is Watson. Both of your parents share the same family name.¡±

    Maia stiffened slightly. She had wondered about it before¡ªat one point convincing herself that perhaps her parents were from two different Watson lines with no blood ties, or that she had simply taken her mother¡¯s surname. But hearing it spoken aloud by Dominic made the matter feel heavier, as though something morey beneath the surface.

    ¡°Your father, Garrett Watson, is my eldest son,¡± Dominic said gravely, each wordnding with quiet weight. ¡°And he is also the elder brother of your mother.¡±

    Outside, a sh of lightning split the sky, followed by a deafening roll of thunder.

    Maia¡¯s breath stalled. Her pupils shrank abruptly. Her fingers clenched the edge of the sofa, knuckles nching, her body frozen as though the lightning had struck her instead.

    ¡°But,¡± Dominic continued, lowering his eyes to avoid her stunned, confused expression, his voice dropping low and steady, ¡°that¡¯s not the truth.¡±

    Thunder rumbled on, its echo lingering in the room.

    Maia felt as though she were being dragged through sharp rises and sudden drops, her heart thundering in her chest. She stared at him, brows drawing together. ¡°Then what is the truth?¡±

    Dominic exhaled slowly¡ªa long breath that sounded almost like release. Atst, he was ready to speak.

    ¡°Garrett is not my biological son. He is my adopted child¡ªthe son of a colleague from the army.¡± He closed his eyes, as though the past had risen before him. ¡°That year, a border conflict broke out. Garrett¡¯s father and I were both assigned to the assault unit. We went to the front lines together. The battle was merciless. An entire toon was wiped out, and I was the only one who came back alive.¡±

    Dominic coughed softly, as if the smell of gunpowder and blood still lingered somewhere in his throat. ¡°I took his belongings to the countryside to find his wife, only to learn that she had already died as well. Garrett was left behind¡ªan orphan with no one to rely on. He was only three years old, skinny and frail.¡± His voice wavered slightly. ¡°When I looked at him, it was like seeing my colleague all over again. So I brought him back from the orphanage and raised him in the Watson family as my own.¡±

    ????e????y ??????????????? o?? ??a????§à???????.??o??

    Dominic lifted his head and met Maia¡¯s eyes directly. ¡°Very few people know this. Only me, your grandmother, and your mother. No one else. Even our old neighbors believe Garrett was an illegitimate child I brought back from the countryside.¡±

    Only then did Maia¡¯s heart ease. Her parents were not rted by blood¡ªonly siblings in name.

    ¡°They grew up together, carefree and close,¡± Dominic continued. ¡°Garrett was calm and restrained. Melody was bright and lively. They were inseparable. I always assumed it was nothing more than sibling affection¡ªuntil one day, I realized the look in their eyes had changed. It had crossed a line that brothers and sisters should never cross.¡±

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 Chapter 1543

    ?Chapter 1543:

    Maia couldn¡¯t stop herself. ¡°If that¡¯s the case¡­ wouldn¡¯t it have been good for them to be together?¡±

    From her perspective, her parents shared no blood ties, cared deeply for one another, and understood each other better than anyone. And Garrett was the son of Dominic¡¯s fallenrade¡ªit felt like a bond strengthened rather than broken. They deserved happiness.

    For reasons she couldn¡¯t quite exin, Maia¡¯s thoughts drifted briefly to Zoey, the adopted daughter of the Cooper family¡ªa woman who had never been able to be with the person she loved, and who had suffered far worse for it.

    At Maia¡¯s words, Dominic let out a bitterugh, the smile on his face edged with self-mockery. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± he said quietly. ¡°It would have been good. That¡¯s how I see it now.¡± His hand curled into a fist and struck his thigh with a dull thud. ¡°But back then, I couldn¡¯t think that way at all.¡± He tightened his grip, regret heavy in his voice. ¡°At the time, I was firmly against them being together.¡±

    ????i?? ??????u?§Ñ?????? o?? ??????s §àn ??§Ñ??????ve??s.??????

    Maia looked at him, puzzled. ¡°Why?¡± she asked softly. ¡°Did you have other concerns back then?¡±

    Dominic¡¯s reaction was barely perceptible. He paused for a fraction of a second, then gave a slow nod, his expression steeped in long-held contempt¡ªfor himself.

    ¡°Because of my dignity.¡±

    The moment the words left his mouth, his brows drew together. He shut his eyes tightly, as though repulsed by the man he had been.

    ¡°Back then, I was afraid of rumors¡ªafraid of whispers behind our backs, afraid people would drag the Watson family through the mud, afraid it would damage my career. The Watson family stood at the height of its influence then. Too many eyes were fixed on us. I did think about telling the truth, but adoption procedures weren¡¯t well established at the time. Even if I had exined everything, who would have believed me?¡±

    His hands curled into fists, the sharp crack of his knuckles cutting through the quiet room. ¡°People only believe what they want to believe¡ªespecially when it¡¯s ugly. They would have said Dominic Watson failed to raise his own children and brought shame upon the family.¡±

    His voice sank lower, weighted with an exhaustion that seemed toe from somewhere deep within. ¡°So when your mother and father begged me for permission, I lost control. That night, I had a fierce argument with your mother. I said many cruel things¡ªand forced them out.¡±

    Maia stared at him, her gaze keen and unyielding, untouched by the regret in his tone. ¡°What did you say?¡± she asked quietly.

    She needed to hear it¡ªto understand what words could push two people who loved each other to abandon everything and walk away from home.

    Dominic turned toward her, his eyes heavy with remorse. ¡°I said that if they insisted on staying together, they should leave the Watson family. I said I would act as though I had never had a daughter and never adopted a son. I told them never to appear before me again.¡±

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 Chapter 1544

    ?Chapter 1544:

    The moment he finished, it was as if all his strength drained away. He sank back into the sofa, shoulders copsing inward.

    After several slow breaths, he went on. ¡°Those words were spoken in anger¡ªnothing but impulse. In truth, that very same night I regretted them. I began thinking about how to exin everything to the public, how to restore their rightful ce, even about letting them marry overseas first. But when morning came, they were gone. Your mother left behind only a letter.¡±

    Maia did not respond. Her mind moved quickly, connecting every fragment she had ever noticed.

    She had long sensed that her parents were educated people who had been forced to leave their original family. When they arrived in Wront, with their skills and abilities, they could have livedfortably. Yet they chose to remain in the slums¡ªand eventually died there.

    ?????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    Now, atst, the truth was in. Her parents had been hiding from Dominic¡¯s search. They had never wanted him to find them. Maia remembered how she herself had once wanted to sever all ties with the Morgan family after being wrongfully imprisoned. In that moment, she understood her parents¡¯ choice more clearly than ever¡ªand the weight of the hardship they had quietly endured.

    ¡°So they fled Drakmire and came to Wront?¡± Maia¡¯s voice turned cold. ¡°Do you know they lived in the slums the entire time?¡±

    The color drained from Dominic¡¯s face. His body trembled as silence took hold of him, his mouth opening and closing as though the words were lodged in his throat.

    After a long pause, he finally managed, ¡°I only learned of their situation after they reached Wront, through Cade. If I had known they were living in such conditions, I would have¡ª¡±

    ¡°Would you?¡± Maia cut in, her tone sharp and even, her eyes locking onto his.

    She rose to her feet and stood over him.

    If her parents had simply eloped, would they truly have needed to disappear sopletely? Unless someone had been searching for them all along¡ªand had eventually found them.

    ¡°You knew they had gone to Wront back then,¡± Maia said quietly. ¡°You even sent people to speak with them, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    Her voice was not raised, yet every wordnded with crushing force.

    Dominic froze. His expression shifted drastically, his pupils contracting in sudden fear¡ªthe unmistakable panic of someone whose secret has beenid bare.

    Outside, lightning tore across the night sky and flooded the room with harsh, unforgiving light. It illuminated both their faces at once, exposing the terror in Dominic¡¯s eyes and leaving him nowhere left to hide.

    Dominic let out a hollowugh, as though thest of his strength had drained from him. ¡°You really are just like your mother,¡± he murmured.

    He lifted his clouded gaze to Maia. ¡°There¡¯s nothing I can hide from you.¡±

    Though Maia had never lived through those years herself, her understanding of human nature was unnervingly precise. Faced with that piercing insight, Dominic abandoned all pretense.

    ¡°Yes. I admit it,¡± he confessed.

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 Chapter 1545

    ?Chapter 1545:

    He sank deeper into the sofa, head bowed, fingers inteced tightly, knuckles pale with tension. ¡°Back then, my people in Wront did find your parents. I even had one final phone call with your mother. It didn¡¯t end well¡ªit turned into a heated argument. After that, she and your father disappeared from my people¡¯s sight.¡±

    Dominic drew a shaky breath, his voice quivering. ¡°I thought they had gone to another city, so I widened the search. But who would have thought they were still in Wront, hiding so carefully? They never left the city at all.¡±

    His vision blurred as the shell he had built around himself finally gave way, tears spilling freely down his lined face. ¡°I was the one who caused them trouble. I hurt them. If I hadn¡¯t pushed so hard, they would never have gone to such extremes. Who could have imagined that two people like them would choose to live in a ce like that?¡±

    Dominic covered his face, his voice breaking. ¡°Do you know what your mother was like? She was proud. Meticulous to a fault. She couldn¡¯t tolerate even a speck of dust on her clothes. How could someone like that endure such an environment?¡±

    Regret surged through him, swallowing him whole.

    Maia watched him without reacting, her expression steady and untouched. She stepped closer, bent down, and pulled a few tissues from the nearby box, handing them to him without a word.

    ¡°So you assumed she would never go to a ce like that¡ªnever adapt to such conditions,¡± she said quietly, her tone calm and unwavering. ¡°But did you ever consider that precisely because of that assumption, they would choose the opposite? Go to the ce you thought impossible?¡±

    Dominic froze mid-motion as he epted the tissues, his face going nk¡ªas though the truth had finally struck him after all this time. The answer that had escaped him for over twenty years suddenly seemed painfully simple.

    ??rg§Ñni???? y?????? ????????a???? ??n ga?????????????.??????

    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. I let your mother down. I failed you too.¡±

    Maia pressed her lips together, holding back whatever feelings might have surfaced. Perhaps it was because she had endured too much coldness and false affection in the Morgan family, or perhaps four years behind bars had already worn away her longing for familial warmth. His bted apology stirred nothing in her. Her heart felt hollow, incapable of producing even the smallest reaction.

    Even so, Dominic was still¡ªaside from Ethan¡ªthe only blood rtive she had left in this world. Looking at the aging man before her, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to imagine him spending whatever years remained weighed down by endless remorse.

    After a brief pause, she softened her tone. ¡°What¡¯s done is done. Regret won¡¯t change anything. That¡¯s something I learned in prison¡ªthere, regret is the most useless emotion. You survive only by looking forward.¡±

    Dominic wiped his tears with trembling hands. ¡°Maia¡­ do you think your mother, watching from heaven, would forgive me? If I could go back, I¡¯d never force her to live ording to my wishes.¡±

    Maia let out a quiet sigh. ¡°Life doesn¡¯t give do-overs. What¡¯s missed is already gone.¡± She hesitated, then met Dominic¡¯s hopeful gaze and decided to offer him a small measure offort. ¡°But I believe my mother may have forgiven you long ago.¡±

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 Chapter 1546

    ?Chapter 1546:

    Dominic¡¯s head snapped up, a faint glimmer lighting his eyes. ¡°Maia¡­ is that really true?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t be certain. It¡¯s only my conclusion,¡± Maia said, spreading her hands slightly. Even while consoling him, she remained measured and precise. ¡°Because I never once heard my younger brother Ethan say that our motherined about you. Not even a single time.¡±

    Her words seemed to revive something in Dominic¡¯s exhausted eyes, as though he had finally found something to hold on to.

    ¡°So I believe my mother must have forgiven you.¡± Maia passed him more tissues. ¡°Life was difficult, but she was probably happy. She broke free from her restraints and lived on her own terms. That¡¯s what I learned from the slums.¡±

    Then she smoothly changed the subject. ¡°I think you should go there someday. Learn about their past. Help the people who live there. I¡¯m sure my parents received a great deal of care from those around them. Even in poverty, thatmunity is kind¡ªpeople look out for one another.¡± Dominic blinked, clearly struggling to follow her sudden shift in direction.

    P??????????r ?????r????s §à?? ?????????ve????.??????

    Maia held his gaze steadily, her clear eyes seeming to reach straight through to something deeper. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be better? Instead of apologizing again and again, do something that actually matters. I¡¯m sure my mother would rather see you helping people than mourning what can¡¯t be changed.¡±

    She paused, then added in a calm, even tone, ¡°And if you¡¯re hoping to earn my forgiveness through repentance¡ªthat isn¡¯t necessary.¡±

    Maia¡¯s words struck Dominic with unexpected force. For a brief moment, he could only stare at her. The young woman before him was unnervingly calm, herposure steady and measured, like someone long ustomed to weighing intentions and oues. It felt as though she stood at a higher vantage point, looking down at the situation with clear, unclouded judgment. She had already seen through everything¡ªincluding the selfish undercurrent hidden beneath his remorse.

    Dominic opened his mouth, yet nothing came out. His regret was real. His apology to his daughter had been sincere. Still, he did not want his granddaughter to harbor resentment toward him. Deep down, part of his purpose in revealing the past had been to close the distance between them.

    Just as he searched for words, Maia spoke again. Her voice carried a faint trace of self-mockery, restrained but unmistakable.

    ¡°You know, all these years, I always tried to make the people around me notice me. I studied hard, earned good grades, won awards. Other times I did the opposite¡ªI rebelled, fought, caused trouble. But no matter what I did, I never managed to truly catch my adoptive parents¡¯ attention.¡±

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 Chapter 1547

    ?Chapter 1547:

    She shook her head lightly, as though quietly ridiculing her younger self. ¡°I always thought it was unfair, and it hurt more than I was willing to admit. By the time they sent me to prison, the part of me that still hoped for family had already died.¡± She paused. ¡°Everyone has their own path to follow. I can¡¯t say who was right or wrong between you and my mother, and I¡¯m not in a position to judge what happened in the past.¡±

    She turned and walked slowly toward the door, her back straight and resolute. ¡°Let¡¯s end this here. If you want to know more, you can ask Ethan. Goodbye.¡±

    Panic surged through Dominic. This was nothing like what he had imagined¡ªthe emotional reunion, grandfather and granddaughter reconciling, old grudges dissolving in tears. What had Maia gone through during all those years?

    There was no time to think. He hurried after her. ¡°Maia, where are you going? We¡¯ve only just reunited. Are you leaving already?¡± He stepped in front of her, unable to conceal his anxiety. ¡°I¡¯ve already lost your mother. I don¡¯t want to lose you too. This time, I came to take you and Ethan back to Drakmire.¡± His voice filled the room, heavy with urgency. ¡°You¡¯re my only grandchildren left. One day, the entire Watson estate will belong to you both. That¡¯s power and wealth countless people spend their lives chasing¡ªa direct path into the highest circles of Drakmire.¡±

    At those words, Maia finally stopped.

    She turned her head. The calm in her eyes cooled instantly, and her tone lost its earlier restraint, carrying a faint but unmistakable edge of disdain. ¡°General Watson, if you¡¯re here looking for an heir, then I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll be disappointed.¡±

    Her words were firm and deliberate. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be an heiress. I only want to live well and help others when I can. And please¡ªhave some respect for yourself.¡±

    Without waiting for a response, she quickened her steps and pushed the door open.

    ???????? e??e????§à???? ???? re?????n?? ???? ?????????????????.c§à??

    Outside, Siena¡ªwho had remained tense throughout¡ªimmediately moved to her side. She cast a guarded nce into the room, and after confirming Maia was unharmed, escorted her away. Their footsteps echoed briefly down the corridor before fading into silence.

    Inside the suite, the stillness felt oppressive. Thunder rumbled outside as rainshed against the windows.

    Only moments earlier, Dominic had appeared weary and grief-stricken. Now he looked like an entirely different man. He slowly straightened his back. The sadness, remorse, and helplessness vanished from his face, reced by a cold, controlled sharpness¡ªthe will and discipline of a seasoned soldier.

    ¡°Very well.¡±

    He walked to the window and watched as Maia got into the car below. ¡°She truly is my granddaughter,¡± he murmured. ¡°She passed my test.¡±

    A smile touched his lips, all traces of sorrow gone. He had once worried that Maia might have grown vain after years in the Morgan household, or that her aplishments across so many fields had been obtained through improper means. It was never easy for someone cast aside by a wealthy family to turn their life around sopletely.

    If Maia had forgiven him too easily¡ªif she had shown even the slightest hunger for the Watson family¡¯s power¡ªDominic would have been deeply disappointed. But now it was clear she lived up to every word of her reputation.

    ¡°It seems those four years in prison taught her far more than endurance. They made her resilient.¡±

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 Chapter 1548

    ?Chapter 1548:

    A flicker of admiration crossed his eyes before settling into something deeper and moreplicated. ¡°However, her understanding of human nature is almost too sharp. She¡¯s decisive¡ªeven cold. She shows no softness, not even toward her own grandfather.¡±

    Ruthless when it mattered, and unwavering in her choices. This was precisely the kind of person who could carry the Watson family¡¯s future.

    Gazing out at the dark, rain-soaked night, Dominic murmured quietly, ¡°Melody, your daughter is truly exceptional. Even more outstanding than you were back then.¡±

    He withdrew his gaze, adjusted his cor, and returned to hisposed and authoritative bearing. Then he turned to his adjutant. ¡°Bring Ethan Watson from the room next door.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± the adjutant responded solemnly.

    Shortly after, Dominic finally met Ethan.

    The moment the young man with delicate features and a schrly air appeared at the door, Dominic¡¯s frame shuddered. ¡°You¡¯re the very image of my youth!¡± He rushed forward and sped Ethan¡¯s hands. ¡°Atst, I can see you, my boy.¡±

    Ethan was bewildered. He studied the imposing yet gentle-faced elder before him, then the adjutant in military uniform standing nearby. ¡°Are you really¡­ my grandfather?¡± he asked.

    Over the following hour, Dominic delivered a performance of astonishing skill, nearly recreating the entire exchange he¡¯d had with Maia. The pacing, the intonation, the expressions, the gestures¡ªeven the guilt-ridden bearing and the tears¡ªwere reproduced with wless precision. Had the award-winning actor Ss witnessed it, he would have retreated into the shadows in shame. Dominic was the true master of performance.

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    Unlike Maia, Ethan did not possess her prating insight into people. He did not resist Dominic¡¯s embrace, and soon grandfather and grandson were locked in an emotional, tearful hold.

    ¡°Ethan, I know your mother resented me,¡± Dominic said, patting the young man¡¯s back, his tone carefully exploratory. ¡°But we are family. Blood ties bind us. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?¡±

    Eyes red-rimmed, Ethan answered, ¡°I don¡¯t me you. Mom always said not to judge by appearances alone¡ªthat everyone has their own burdens.¡±

    The boy had a gentle heart. Melody had raised him well.

    A new glint entered Dominic¡¯s eyes as he patted Ethan¡¯s shoulder, his voice taking on a meaningful weight. ¡°Good boy. There is a matter where your assistance would be most valuable. Would you be willing to help me?¡±

    Ethan met his grandfather¡¯s eyes, his expression open and untroubled. Without even knowing what would be asked of him, he gave a steady nod. ¡°Of course. I¡¯m willing.¡±

    A satisfied smile touched Dominic¡¯s lips. He reached over and affectionately ruffled Ethan¡¯s hair. ¡°I wish to bring you and your sister home to Drakmire,¡± he said, his tone softening with a note of vulnerability. ¡°These old bones won¡¯tst forever, and the Watson legacy must pass to you both one day. Will you help me convince your sister to return with us?¡±

    Home. Drakmire. The words struck Ethan with the force of something distant and intangible¡ªa fantasy he had never dared to imagine as real. Yet seeing the earnest hope lighting his grandfather¡¯s aged eyes, his hesitation dissolved into resolve.

    ¡°Alright,¡± he agreed firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to her.¡±

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 Chapter 1549

    ?Chapter 1549:

    Meanwhile, the city of Wront streamed past the windows of a moving sedan. Maia watched the lights blur into ribbons of color, but her mind was somewhere else entirely.

    Without warning, Chris¡¯s image surfaced in her thoughts. Her hands tightened in herp. She wondered what he was doing right now¡ªhow his health was, whether he was in pain. The post-operative phase was the most delicate, but Maia¡¯s deepest worry wasn¡¯t his physical recovery. It was whether he remembered his feelings for her. Had any trace of their past surfaced in his mind?

    She had consulted Carsen twice by phone in recent days. Drawing on his extensive expertise, Carsen had identified Chris¡¯s condition as a form of post-operative emotional cognitive dissociation. ¡°Attempting to forcibly restore his memories may provoke resistance¡ªeven deepen the psychological rift,¡± he had advised, after studying simr cases. ¡°Patience is the only path forward.¡±

    And so Maia waited, holding onto the hope that the Chris who had once loved her would slowly reawaken. It wasn¡¯t that he had forgotten her entirely¡ªonly the love they shared had slipped from his grasp.

    Then, unexpectedly, the memory of their first meeting returned to her. A sunlit afternoon at City Hall. Chris stood before her in a simple ck shirt, looking as though he had stepped off the pages of a fashion editorial. She remembered beingpletely arrested by his presence, staring at him as though he were someone famous. His voice, yful and teasing, came back to her clearly. ¡°You¡¯ve been staring for a while now, Miss Watson.¡± Even now, the echo of her heartbeat from that moment remained vivid.

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    Scenes from their time together yed before her eyes like a silent, treasured film.

    A slow, determined smile touched Maia¡¯s lips. Since when had she started waiting for fate to decide her story? If Chris had forgotten, then let him fall for her all over again¡ªonce, twice, as many times as it took.

    A familiar confidence steadied her. She drew a quiet breath, her gaze sharpening with renewed purpose. Turning to Siena, she said calmly, ¡°Take me to Nightshade.¡±

    There was an immediate, sharp screech of brakes.

    Siena mmed on the brakes without warning. The piercing screech tore through the night, and the tires skidded violently across the asphalt, leaving a long, ck scar on the road. Her pupils dted as she turned to Maia, shock in on her face.

    ¡°Nightshade?¡± she blurted. ¡°That ce is aplete unknown. Why would you go there?¡± Her entire demeanor shifted instantly¡ªtaut andbative, like someone bracing for a battlefield. ¡°If you really have to go, give me time. I need to gather people.¡±

    ¡°No. You¡¯re misunderstanding.¡± Maia raised her hand calmly, her voice even and unhurried. ¡°I¡¯m just going to take a look.¡±

    Half an hourter, Siena parked along the roadside. They had arrived in a neglected corner of the old town¡ªa ce where dim streetlights barely reached and unsavory dealings thrived in silence, the kind of area that never appeared on tourist maps yet whose reputation everyone seemed to know.

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 Chapter 1550

    ?Chapter 1550:

    Maia stepped out of the car and fixed her gaze on the narrow alley ahead. At the far end hung a small, unremarkable sign¡ªNightshade. The neon lights flickered on and off, casting a faint, unsettling glow. Anyone not deliberately searching for it would walk straight past without noticing.

    ¡°This alley is the only entrance and exit,¡± Siena said, moving to Maia¡¯s side, her body unconsciously shifting into a heightened state of alertness. Her sharp eyes swept the surroundings with practiced precision. ¡°Look at the residential buildings on both sides. Those windows are ideal observation points. With just two people stationed there, you could monitor everything and establish crossfire if needed.¡±

    Maia gave a small nod. ¡°This location wasn¡¯t chosen casually. They nned this long ago. It might even be one of their core bases.¡±

    Siena¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Exactly. Intelligence suggests this area is under gang control. Our people have almost no contact here, which makes infiltration extremely difficult. If we want to move against this ce, we¡¯d need a detailed n¡ªespecially with such a narrow alley. Once it¡¯s sealed off, anyone inside would be trapped.¡±

    She was still speaking when Maia stepped forward.

    Without hesitation, Maia walked into the alley, her pace calm and steady, as though she were heading to a casual meeting rather than a dangerous stronghold.

    Siena¡¯s heart lurched. She rushed forward and blocked her path. ¡°I don¡¯t rmend this,¡± she said firmly. ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous. Even if they haven¡¯t shown hostility yet, they¡¯re a well-armed and unknown organization. Walking in like this is reckless.¡±

    Maia stopped and turned to face her. Her eyes were clear and coolposed yet sharp, reflecting a mind that missed nothing. ¡°I know, Siena,¡± she said quietly. ¡°I just want to have a drink.¡±

    After a brief pause, she asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t Zoey worried about Chris at all?¡±

    Siena froze. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Chris is the rtive Zoey treasures most,¡± Maia said calmly. ¡°Now that his whereabouts are unknown, Zoey doesn¡¯t seem particrly anxious. Don¡¯t you find that strange?¡± She stepped closer, her gaze locking onto Siena¡¯s. ¡°Or is Zoey hiding something from me?¡±

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    Siena flinched almost imperceptibly, her pupils tightening for a split second. Shock surged through her, followed quickly by an admiration she couldn¡¯t suppress. Maia¡¯s intuition was frighteningly sharp.

    The truth was, Zoey knew Chris was safe. They had not only spoken by phone¡ªthey had argued heatedly. But without Zoey¡¯s permission, Siena didn¡¯t dare reveal a word of it.

    ¡°Your silence already tells me enough.¡± Maia smiled faintly, as though the answer had long been clear to her. She reached out and patted Siena¡¯s tense shoulder gently. ¡°I understand why you can¡¯t say anything. It¡¯s your duty. But since Zoey knows Chris is safe, that means this ce isn¡¯t as dangerous as I initially thought. In that case, going in for a drink shouldn¡¯t be a problem¡ªso please don¡¯t stop me.¡±

    With that, Maia quickened her pace, and in moments her figure melted into the shadows of the alley.

    ¡°Wait¡ª¡± Siena tried to speak, but the words fell apart before they could leave her mouth. She stood alone as the night breeze brushed past her, a deep unease settling in her chest.

    Maia¡¯s reasoning was airtight. It formed a wless loop. ¡°I need to report this to Zoey.¡±

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 Chapter 1551

    ?Chapter 1551:

    As Maia drew closer, the underground base beneath Nightshade erupted into chaos. rm sirens wailed as red warning lights shed violently, flooding the entire space in an oppressive crimson glow.

    ¡°Alert! Alert! Unidentified individual approaching¡ªlevel-one alert!¡±

    Staff members shouted in panic, fingers flying across keyboards. ¡°Bring up the surveince¡ªnow!¡±

    The massive screen flickered rapidly before freezing on a single figure emerging slowly from the alley entrance. Despite the poor lighting, that calm, unmistakable face was clearly visible.

    ¡°It¡¯s Maia!¡± one of the guards shouted.

    In an instant, the room fell silent. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned toward the screen. She was the person their leader had strictly forbidden them to approach¡ªyet had ordered them to monitor at all times.

    Seated in themand chair with his eyes closed, Chris had been resting. The moment he heard her name, his eyes snapped open.

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    Chris slowly lifted his eyes toward the massive screen.

    The instant Maia appeared, a shock ran straight through his chest. His heartbeat surged without warning, fast and heavy¡ªa sudden, uncontroble excitement flooding through him, overwhelming and fierce, as though a single nce hadpressed an entire lifetime into one moment.

    For a brief second, he felt unsteady, almost disoriented.

    Without warning, a memory rose vividly in his mind. He was standing at the entrance of City Hall, sunlight spilling across the steps. Back then, Maia had looked at him the same way he was looking now¡ªdazed and uncertain, her breathing uneven, her eyes wide with a trace of innocence she hadn¡¯t yet learned to hide.

    He remembered that moment clearly, and the yful remark he had made. Half-joking, half-teasing, he had said, ¡°You¡¯ve been staring for a while now, Miss Watson.¡±

    At the thought, the corners of his lips lifted unconsciously into a faint, gentle smile.

    But in the very next moment, the scene shifted. They were walking out of City Hall, marriage documents in hand. Maia had held the documents tightly, her expression solemn, her voice calm. ¡°I¡¯ll keep my end of the bargain, Mr. Cooper. Once Zoey¡¯s request is fulfilled, I won¡¯t stick around. I¡¯ll file for divorce right after.¡±

    That single word¡ªdivorce¡ªcut sharply into his thoughts.

    The smile vanished. His brows drew together, lips tightening.

    Divorce. Yes. That was what reason demanded. He should divorce her. He shouldn¡¯t trap Maia by his side. Someone like her deserved happiness of her own¡ªsomeone who could love her openly andpletely, far more than he ever could.

    Yet in the very next instant, a stabbing pain surged through him.

    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Chris let out a low groan. His mind felt as though it were being wrenched apart, thoughts tangled and strained, reason and emotion shing violently until the pain became unbearable.

    Another image forced its way forward¡ªMaia turning to leave at the entrance of City Hall while he stood there staring down at the marriage certificate in his hands. He seemed to hear his own voice from that day, clear and resolute. ¡°Divorce? Not happening. Nobody could guess how long I¡¯ve been waiting for this moment.¡±

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 Chapter 1552

    Chapter 1552:

    With a loud crash, Chris mmed his clenched fists against the table. The sharp sound startled everyone nearby. Heads turned instantly, faces filled with rm.

    Several people dressed as doctors rushed toward him. ¡°Are you alright, sir?¡±

    ¡°Prepare the sedative¡ªhurry!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Chris waved them off, his voice rough and strained. ¡°Don¡¯t give her any special attention.¡±

    As he spoke, he forced himself to pull away from the memories. Slowly, the searing pain in his head eased. Even so, confusion settled heavily in his chest. The overwhelming sense of contradiction made him doubt everything he thought he knew.

    If those memories were real, then his marriage to Maia had never been an ident¡ªnever a temporary arrangement or a calcted mission. It was something he had waited for, nned for, an oue born from long restraint and near-obsessive longing.

    Could it be that the girl who had appeared again and again in his dreams was Maia?

    The moment that thought surfaced, the blurred face from his memories began to shift, trying to merge with the face on the screen.

    ¡°Ugh¡ª¡± The pain that had barely subsided surged back, sharper and more intense.

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    Chris shut his eyes and leaned back in his chair, gripping the armrests tightly. His knuckles turned pale under the strain, veins standing out starkly. Cold sweat slid down his forehead, but he clenched his teeth and made no sound¡ªrefusing to rm those around him, or reveal any weakness before his subordinates.

    Still, Grayson, who stood nearby, noticed the change immediately. He stepped forward and said in a low, steady voice, ¡°Sir, you¡¯ve been overworking yourself these past few days. You should rest.¡±

    Not far away, Raegan had been watching Chris closely, her fists tightening, nails biting into her palms. Seeing him in pain, a fleeting trace of concern crossed her eyes¡ªonly to be swiftly swallowed by bitterness. She misread everything. In her mind, Chris¡¯s reaction had nothing to do with longing or confusion. She believed it was pure rejection¡ªdifort caused by Maia¡¯s presence, a headache brought on by her continued involvement.

    Raegan¡¯s expression darkened, jealousy burning fiercely beneath the surface. Clenching her teeth, she muttered under her breath, ¡°Maia Watson. Why can¡¯t you just leave the leader alone? He only used you to achieve his goal. Now that the n against Cooper Group is almostplete and the Cooper family has fallen, you¡¯re no longer useful. So why are you still holding on?¡±

    She nced at Chris again. His brows were tightly knit, eyes shut in visible strain. In that moment, a decision settled firmly in her mind.

    Grayson would soon escort Chris away to rest, and that would give her the opening she needed. Since Maia¡¯s existence seemed to cause him such distress, she would be the one to eliminate the source of it. Chris had strictly forbidden her from handling Maia directly¡ªbut he had never said she wasn¡¯t allowed to approach her.

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