Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 727:

A faint shadow crossed Maia’s face as she glanced at Alice, who stood beside her, remarkably poised despite the chaos swirling around them.

Alice, once considered a giant in the international fashion world, looked nothing but earnest now.

Maia hadn’t anticipated this level of determination from Alice. Truthfully, her silence the day before had been a gentle way of turning Alice down.

After all, Alice was older and already respected as a master designer. While her admission of borrowing from Maia’s work had stirred plenty of controversy, her reputation in Otruitho still held strong.

More importantly, Maia’s priorities were already clear. She simply didn’t have the time or energy to take on an apprentice.

Still, allowing this situation to linger wasn’t going to solve anything.

Maia kept her tone cool and direct.

“Ms. Byrd, this isn’t the place for a discussion. Let’s move this somewhere more private. Come with me.”

across Alice’s face, and

“Yes, of course.”

unlocked the car, holding the

the car pulled away, leaving

Maia tightened her grip and shot Alice a sidelong glance. Without beating around the bush, she shut

but I can’t accept you as my

Maia continued,

don’t believe I have anything to teach you — or that I’m even qualified to be your

Lㆀ$† ¢♄∆þŧëяş ¡η Ġ@lnøνêlş.¢ø₥

as if she hadn’t heard a single word. She pressed on, her

of my creative slump. I looked up to you from that day forward. So many of my pieces since then have been inspired by your work. When I realized you were Maia, the genius behind MCN, I was over the moon! Not even that wild storm last night could put out my excitement. I spent the whole night reviewing your recent collections. Your work blows me away every

Alice’s eyes. She took a breath,

officially accept me or not, you’ll always be the mentor

found herself at a loss for