Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 818:

While Mariana tried to regain her composure, Kiley remained at her side. Her face revealed nothing, but her eyes grew sharp as she studied Maia’s image on the screen.

Without saying a word, she turned and began walking away, thoughts spinning about what could have drawn Claudius to someone like Maia.

Seeing Kiley move off, Mariana scrambled after her.

Neither of them noticed that Raegan, trailing behind, had turned pale, clenching her fists tightly.

Raegan was getting her second real look at Maia. Her gaze stayed glued to the screen, where Maia’s gentle face appeared calm and collected. Each breath felt tighter, as if invisible hands were squeezing her heart.

Not even a day earlier, Raegan had been convinced that Maia’s looks were nothing special, and her figure less remarkable than hers. This time, though…

the glow of every spotlight, Maia held herself with a poise that seemed to draw the gaze of all who entered. There was an undeniable strength in

heart reeling, tangled in the same storm it had barely calmed from before. The thought that The Mask’s leader could have fallen for Maia swept over her all at once, pressing down on her thoughts like a sky thick with storm clouds. Raegan

did

frustration rose in Raegan, flooding her with

going to stand there?” Kiley called, snapping her out

Raegan back to her senses. She responded quickly, picking up her pace to rejoin the

???’?? ???????

action, ensuring every detail was perfect for what was about to unfold. Grover’s instructions led them to set up a clear space in front of the renowned painting Rebirth, cordoning off the area to

barrier to protect the proceedings. Off to the side, the judges’ seats had been arranged in a tidy cluster, giving the panel a direct

influential collectors. The front row boasted veteran professors from the