Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 657:

Regaining his nerve, Vance quickly backed him up. “That’s right! Ms. Byrd’s collection went public first. All you have are some sketches you just whipped up — what do they even mean?”

Despite his words, Vance felt a chill of uncertainty deep down. His years in the industry left him floored by the artistry Maia displayed. Whatever else she was — thief or not — Maia’s designs revealed a mastery of the craft that couldn’t be denied.

Alice initially scanned the sketches with icy indifference, but as her gaze caught the minute details and signature, the confidence on her face began to fade. Shock widened her eyes, disbelief washing over her features. Drawn as if by an invisible force, she reached out, lifting the drafts from the table with trembling hands, her eyes locked on every line and shade Maia had sketched.

Her gaze roved across each intricate detail, and a breathless whisper escaped her lips. “How is it possible for designs to be this extraordinary?” As her attention drifted to the bottom right corner of the page, her entire body seemed to freeze.

Hidden in plain sight, a delicate signature nestled at the hem—a detail so subtle it would have been easy to miss. One word stood out now, clear as day—Salina.

gaze to Maia,

remember after all. Yes, I am Eileen—and

brief pause, Maia continued evenly, “Three years ago, someone picked up my discarded sketches, telling me a friend in the industry wanted to take a look. I’m guessing that friend was you. You took those designs and used them for inspiration, but you never dared submit the original version, did you? Instead, you displayed it at the Royal

the two of us, who is the

words rippled through the room, plunging

Maia, her disbelief slowly shifting into something

had hit rock bottom—every design attempt left her dissatisfied and restless. It was during that creative drought that a friend presented her with a draft titled “Summer,” a spark that soon ignited the acclaimed “Black Swan” series she would

a world

afterward, Alice hunted for any sign of the mysterious Salina, only to