Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 836:

“Who could possibly doubt Maia now? She had proven it all with her talent! Today would be etched in Otrultho’s art scene for many years. Her painting was destined to be legendary!”

The applause swelled, cheers booming through the gallery, louder than ever before.

Just as the noise began to fade, a voice suddenly pierced the crowd. “I… lost?”

Mariana stood frozen, her lips trembling, eyes wide with disbelief and shock. She stepped back, clutching her chest, barely able to catch her breath. It felt like she was plunging into a bottomless pit.

“This can’t be… How did I end up losing?” Mariana glanced at her sister Kiley, her face drained of color.

Kiley’s expression was just as serious and heavy.

There was no denying it — Mariana had been defeated.

Still, Kiley needed to figure out how to contain the fallout from this art battle.

who had stayed quiet most of the

to skill, or had luck played its

hadn’t found that photo of Chris’ mother, would Maia have had some secret

careful planning and a

quieted down once again, tension thick in the

face was calm, but her eyes gleamed with a cutting edge. “Mariana,

struck Mariana like a blow. Mariana froze in

words were what she had intended to say to Maia — but now,

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wave of shame

Mariana’s voice cracked, raw with emotion. “Maia! If

her a

you, you called her the winner?” Mariana spun toward the judges, her glare sharp and accusing. “Is that fair? Tell me — how is my painting

hard against the crushing truth, desperate to break free from the odds