Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 804:

Before Maia could get a word out, Chris pursed his lips with exaggerated suspicion, his eyebrows climbing upward. “Hold on… could it possibly be that you’re jealous?”

Maia whipped her head away with theatrical indignation, folding her arms across her chest. “Absolutely not.”

“It’s just a little strange, that’s all,” she muttered after letting the silence stretch between them, her eyes flickering with something unreadable. “You might see her as just a cousin, but does she really see you the same way?”

Her seemingly innocent question cut straight through to something deeper.

Chris felt his thoughts scatter for a moment. His mind drifted back to those brutal days at the Cooper family’s residence, when everyone else treated him like an unwanted stain on the family name. Mariana had been different, though. She had offered him warmth and genuine concern when no one else would even look his way.

“Maybe she just took pity on me back then,” Chris said with a soft chuckle.

the subject. “Speaking of tomorrow’s

question clearly caught Chris

such genuine warmth it could have melted Maia on the spot. “Honestly, there’s nothing from Cooper Group that I need or want. Just seeing you win would be

across Chris’ expression then, as if a memory had surfaced unexpectedly. When he spoke again, his voice carried the gentle quality of wind across still water. “Actually, if there’s one thing I can’t completely let go

pressed her lips together and fell into thoughtful silence. She looked into Chris’ deep eyes, realizing for the

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steady warmth as his expression settled back to normal. “You should focus on what you want

are, a Cooper family member, actually encouraging me to strip them of everything

What matters to me is making sure you, my wife, get what you deserve.” Chris’ eyes sparkled with mischief as he chuckled

affection for you, and he