Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 817:

A flash of scorn flickered in her gaze as her lips twisted into a taunting grin. “Does anyone see Maia? Maybe she finally lost her nerve.”

The sting in her words didn’t go unnoticed. Reporters who caught her remark looked at one another in surprise, unsure how to respond.

“Honestly, where did Maia disappear to?” someone said.

“Is she hiding because she’s afraid to show her face?” another voice asked, trying to stifle a laugh.

“If she bailed at the last second, she’s never going to live it down,” someone else added.

Suddenly, Grover’s voice boomed over the speakers, formal and commanding as ever. “Attention, please. The painting contest is about to begin. Mariana Cooper, kindly make your way to the exhibition hall at once, or you’ll be disqualified.”

The announcement rippled through the audience, spreading unease. People glanced around, whispering among themselves. They had kept a close watch on the main entrance all morning, yet not a single person recalled seeing Maia arrive.

was looking? Did anybody spot her?” a woman near the front

might have skipped the media and sneaked in another way,” someone replied,

in, the huge

to the poised

Every movement she made seemed elegant, almost

competition space behind her stood ready, awaiting what would come next. A heavy silence

????? ???? ??

of voices rose up among the crowd and reporters.

charm you’d expect from

chimed in, “People always say painting transforms a person. Maia looks like she was born with a brush

could never pull off that kind of presence. She fits my idea of a

swept through the hall. Just minutes before, everyone had seemed eager to witness Maia stumble. The mood