Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 575:

Their dynamic had shifted slightly since last night — warmer, more natural — but Maia hadn’t allowed herself to fully lean into the idea of being Chris’ wife. Even so, she had no problem wearing the title when it suited her goals.

If Chris followed her lead, Maia had no doubt that she could position him at the top of the Cooper Group within three years.

Chris stood still for a beat before breaking into a loud, unfiltered laugh, his smile edged with playful charm.

Seeing Maia slowly open up to the idea of being his wife sparked something in him. Her image reflected clearly in his eyes, and with it came a quiet resolve — someday, he’d give her the kind of wedding that turned heads and left no doubt she belonged to him.

From overhead, a robotic female voice said, “V03, Chris Cooper, please proceed to Consultation Room 1.”

“That’s us!” Maia said quickly, grabbing his hand as she guided him down the hallway.

They were just about to knock when a voice floated from the room, crisp and clear. “Dr. Beresford, I reviewed the paper you mentioned yesterday. If we integrate a simulation point for optic nerve response, the monitoring model might improve significantly.”

her senses. It sounded… startlingly like Elvira. Before she could make sense of it, Chris had already nudged the door

creaked open, her conversation faltered as instinct made her glance toward the entrance. What she saw caused a visible shift — Chris stepped into view first, and just behind

shift swept across Maia’s face the instant she recognized

Elvira was here. But why would she suddenly show up in

magic

a shock through Maia’s chest, her instinct screaming to step

retreating wasn’t an

look flustered, as if she

gaze on Maia. “Maia? You and him…

flicked back to Chris, this time with a frown that spoke volumes. Frustration clouded her expression. No matter where Maia

yet, seeing them side by side now made it painfully clear that

a held breath. Breaking the tension, Maia finally

The doctor’s waiting. I’ll step