Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 525:

Because if Maia truly favored Claudius, then Vince — compared to that titan — might as well have been grasping at shadows.

With that thought, he exhaled, long and slow, as though releasing a breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding.

Then, pulling out the gift he had prepared with utmost care, he offered a warm smile and stepped forward toward Maia.

Seeing Claudius give a gift, the rest of the guests began to stir. One by one, they followed suit, eager to offer Maia their own presents. And all the while, Rosanna stood off to the side, as unnoticed as a shadow at high noon.

Sandra’s face flushed with embarrassment. She elbowed Richard sharply and whispered, “Say something! We can’t let Rosanna be left out like this!”

Richard’s expression had already darkened. At Sandra’s urging, he quickly stepped in, trying to regain some semblance of control. He raised his voice just enough for the guests to hear. “Everyone, please — let’s proceed one at a time.”

Then, glancing between Claudius and Rosanna, he lowered his voice and said cautiously, “Mr. Cooper, about Rosanna…”

after Maia’s rejection, scowled with clear displeasure. He couldn’t be bothered with Richard’s diplomacy. Instead, he

see who would dare disrespect

event had been a hotbed of gossip, much of it

Rosanna? She had had the audacity to claim that the last

she was? The idea was so ridiculous that

l no v els

elite families in attendance to exchange knowing, somewhat mocking glances. Clearly, they had all read the situation wrong earlier. Rosanna was not the focus of

their gifts, swapping out the finer offerings meant for

in place, stiff

yet he felt as if he stood

luxury goods, caught a glimpse of the packaging and immediately gasped. “Oh my goodness! Isn’t that a limited edition gift box from Skyflare, the high-end luxury brand? I can’t believe it! That particular model’s price was pushed all the way up to ten

of collapse? How can

family still has some tricks left up their sleeve. I imagine they’re going all out to mend ties with the Morgan family. After all, Vince did abandon Rosanna at the engagement