Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 798:

Certain of her talent, Mariana refused to be rattled by empty theatrics. Arms folded, she arched a brow and smirked.

“Your art? It’s hardly worth my attention. But if you want to make things interesting, I’ll match your wager.”

Without warning, she raised a single elegant finger.

“But I’m not done. I’ve got a condition of my own to add.”

Mariana’s gaze finally found its mark — Chris.

She bit her lower lip, determination flashing in her eyes like a blade drawn from its sheath.

“If you lose, then from this day forward, stay away from anyone associated with the Cooper family.”

the weight of her next words sink like

they were born outside of wedlock like Chris — you are not to go near them or have any kind of

the air, sharp and cold. It lingered there, a silent

the crowd. People glanced at one another, bewilderment spreading like wildfire. Whispers drifted through the air, confusion etched on every

Without turning her head, she subtly glanced at Kiley to gauge her reaction — still no visible shift. The corners of Mariana’s mouth lifted in

had anticipated this. If she had bluntly forbidden Maia from approaching Chris, it would have sounded too personal, too

had come up earlier in conversation with Kiley, Mariana could easily justify this later — claiming she

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outside of wedlock”? That, too, had its purpose. She could argue that Chris needed the reminder: any indiscretion on his part would

of it was just window

wanted to ensure that as long as she defeated Maia, this woman would stay

Maia raised an eyebrow and cast

shrugged —