Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 778:

A faint trace of disappointment flickered in Mariana’s eyes at her sister’s words. Deep down, she had suspected it. Kiley wasn’t in Sceibar just to see her. Still, Mariana reminded herself that Kiley had always been like Claudius — ambitious, driven, and guided by what was best for the family, not sentiment.

“I get it. I’ll give it everything I’ve got,” Mariana replied, keeping her voice steady.

That didn’t escape Kiley’s notice. A quiet laugh slipped out as she leaned forward. “You sound a little upset, Mariana. But I promise I didn’t just come here on Cooper Group’s behalf,” she said, placing her glass down with care.

Her tone softened a beat later. “I also heard things didn’t end well for you back home. Aurora Apparel Company got pulled out from under the Cooper Group, didn’t it?”

Mariana had tried to stay composed, but Kiley’s words struck a nerve. Her eyes turned misty in an instant.

No matter how loud or fearless she usually was, standing before Kiley always made Mariana feel like a younger version of herself — uncertain, exposed, and longing to be understood.

Group’s event still haunted her. Losing Aurora Apparel Company had left a bitter taste she couldn’t shake. She had counted on the plagiarism

had brought it up, Mariana realized it was the perfect moment to unload everything

bit her lower lip briefly to steady herself, then nodded and began recounting every slight Maia had supposedly inflicted — each one exaggerated to cast Maia in the worst

accusations, she didn’t forget to claim that Maia

shifted instantly. Her jaw tightened, and her eyes lost all warmth. “So that’s the kind of

now at

someone like Claudius — reserved, disinterested in women, and always composed — to fall for her? That was

Group’s finances to throw

Her focus had been strictly professional. If Mariana hadn’t

eventually stand in the way of Cooper Group’s

dropped to a chilling calm. “Anyone who crosses