Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 501:

After the competition ended, Melanie dragged herself home, each step heavier than the last. She pushed open the door and made a beeline for her bedroom, only to freeze at the unexpected sight of her father — who typically worked late — already occupying 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 otherwise composed features. His eyes flicked to the clock before settling on her with glacial disapproval. “So you’ve finally decided to come 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 — the days of indulgence were over.

Melanie’s pulse quickened as her mind raced for a plausible excuse. She’d kept the gaming competition a complete 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, Melanie softened her tone as she replied, “Today, the evening study session ran late.”

Hurst lowered the newspaper, studying Melanie’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.

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

lips

Complet3 c0nt3nt at g𝒶lnovels.𝓬𝗈𝗺

Maia’s composed yet kind face materialized in her thoughts, alongside the echoes of classmates singing

“have you ever

fell over

“What did you just say?” Across the room, Melanie looked just as

had no idea why those words had slipped out of her mouth. Maybe, after learning more about Maia, she

That was absolutely ridiculous.

shake of her head, Melanie threw up her hands. “Forget it. It was just a dumb question. I’m heading back to my room now.” Without giving anyone a

shut tightly, slicing