Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 616:

The line barely connected before Pattie’s voice erupted, frantic and sharp. “Maia, thank God you’re awake! Richard — he’s at the company entrance, making a scene since dawn. Says he’ll jump off the rooftop if you don’t show up!”

Maia shot upright, her pulse spiking. “Why? Has he lost his senses?”

Pattie’s exasperated sigh crackled through the speaker. “Clearly. The entrance is a circus — crowds, cameras, the works. If you don’t get here soon, you’ll be trending for all the wrong reasons by tonight.”

Rubbing her temples, Maia felt frustration coil tightly in her chest. Richard’s desperation had spiraled into madness, dragging her into his chaos.

“Understood,” she said, her voice clipped. She flung the covers aside and swung her legs out of bed, urgency propelling her.

As she stepped into the hallway, she nearly collided with Chris, who was balancing a tray of breakfast in his hands. His brow lifted, a question in his eyes. “You’re up. I made—”

coat from the rack and

behind her, the sound echoing in the

untouched plate of

floor at the entrance, completely ignoring the shocked, confused, or

am? If anyone tries to lay a hand on me again, I’ll throw myself off the roof! Get Maia out here right now! Let her face me and say what she needs to say! If

planted herself in the doorway, folding her arms and releasing a heavy sigh. For the first time in years, she finally understood what it felt like to have reason on her side, yet not a single person cared to

Richard point-blank that Maia was on her way and urged him to sit down and wait quietly near the door. Richard wanted none of it. He accused her of hiding

?????? ????? ??:

patience finally ran out, Pattie signaled for security to step in and remove him. What she didn’t expect was for Richard to yank off his tie, drop to the floor, and start making a public spectacle out of himself

She was convinced now — no one

lifted her gaze just in time