Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 637:

Not far off, another figure had seen it all. From a distance, Melanie watched the exchange unfold. Her eyes narrowed, her fists clenched in silent fury. Without a word, she turned away and climbed into her car, never looking back.

A storm of accusations swept the internet that day, branding Maia a plagiarist.

Melanie’s cousin, Mariana, fueled the fire with an Instagram post, setting a pile of MCN’s clothes ablaze in a public spectacle, her caption a veiled jab calling Maia a thief. Larkin’s evidence, meticulously laid out, left little room for doubt: Maia’s designs mirrored those of an overseas fashion designer, stitch for stitch.

The revelation hit Melanie like a punch, shattering the fragile respect she had begun to build for Maia. Disgust coiled in her chest.

She constantly reminded herself that a woman as deceitful as Maia was utterly unworthy of her father.

The Cooper Group, her father’s pride, would never stand for such a person, either.

Melanie vowed to shield her father from ridicule, her resolve hardening like steel.

living room, warm and steady. “Ms. Watson, you have my

froze. “Ms. Watson? He’s speaking to

each syllable stoking her anger. The audacity of Maia, worming her way into her father’s good graces after such a scandal, set Melanie’s blood

Maia was cunning, no doubt about it. Even now, she was trying to manipulate her father, wrapping him around her finger like a puppet. She would never let that happen — not on her

Hurst who had reached out to Maia. News of the plagiarism allegations had prompted him to call, offering

with gratitude. “I appreciate your kindness, Mr. Cooper, but

and turned toward the kitchen for a glass of water. That

is a world

brow furrowed, concern etching his features. “Is something wrong? Did

her steps deliberate. “Were you

cut through the air, sharp and

off guard, then