Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 659:

He’d thought his plan was foolproof, every angle covered. Now here was Alice, publicly admitting her mistakes, pleading to be Maia’s apprentice, and praising Maia’s genius above her own.

Instead of bringing Maia down, this situation ended up becoming her greatest triumph—something Larkin never saw coming.

What was supposed to undermine her reputation had transformed into a product launch that marked Maia’s rise in the design world.

He couldn’t believe he had let things spiral this far.

Larkin shot up from his seat, fury etched across his face. Pointing a trembling finger at Alice on stage, he exploded, “Ms. Byrd, have you lost your mind? This isn’t what we agreed to! You were supposed to stand up here and accuse Maia—not do this!”

of his shock at his

stood and pointed accusingly at Alice. “Ms. Byrd, you’re a global icon in fashion! Does your reputation mean nothing? How could you stand before the press and say such things? Was

the energy shifted instantly. Dozens of eyes turned to Pattie, sitting coolly on her folding chair as if unbothered by the

claim. Surely Alice’s brilliance couldn’t have come from Maia’s

a revered trendsetter, would seek Maia as her mentor seemed

made sense,” someone muttered. “Why else would Ms. Byrd suddenly show such respect to Maia? Pattie must have paid her to put on this

you really think MCN has that kind of influence? Could they really buy off

a half-smirk of pure disdain fixed on Vance. No panic flickered in her gaze—only mockery as

you choose to draw? Grasping at wild accusations like a drowning man desperate for a lifeline? Stop tossing baseless claims around. If all you have is a

is your