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.”

paused, letting the weight of her next words sink like stones into still

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

cut through the air, sharp and cold. It lingered

bewilderment spreading like wildfire. Whispers

her reaction — still no

had bluntly forbidden Maia from approaching Chris, it would have sounded too personal, too obvious. It

Mariana could easily justify this later —

𝓵α𝓽𝓔𝓼𝓉 с𝖍𝖆ρ𝗍𝓮𝗋𝓈 𝗀α𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝖑𝘀﹒ⅽ𝗈𝗆

had its purpose. She could argue that Chris needed the

of it was just

Mariana simply wanted to ensure that as long as she defeated Maia, this woman would stay away from

Maia raised an eyebrow and cast

his part, only shrugged — he looked just as