Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 841:

Maia silenced them with a single cool gesture, then leveled a sharp look at Kiley. “There’s no need for theatrics, Ms. Cooper. Just tell me what you want.”

Kiley’s gaze narrowed a fraction. Maia’s willingness to negotiate gave her hope — perhaps she could salvage something from this loss in the painting contest.

Letting a thoughtful silence linger, Kiley finally spoke, her tone almost mournful. “As Mariana’s sister, I know how deeply she loves painting. It is everything to her. If she’s banned forever, it’s as if you’re taking the light from her life. I can’t let her wither away like that.”

Her eyes locked on Maia’s. “So, Ms. Watson, if you’ll agree to adjust the wager — let’s make it a one-year ban from art exhibitions for Mariana — I’ll move heaven and earth to get Chris that opportunity with my father.”

Maia’s answer came with a cold laugh. “From a lifetime to a year? That’s a bold counteroffer.”

The crowd around them erupted in whispers once again.

“Do the Coopers even know what dignity means anymore?”

losing? Wasn’t Mariana the one who set the whole wager

families with all that power can wriggle out of

side comments buzzed

Kiley didn’t bat an eye. The opinions of bystanders meant nothing compared to shielding the Cooper

focus on damage

understand,” Kiley replied, her smile never

options in silence, then met Kiley’s eyes, the ghost of a smile on her lips. “I’ll play along — but I want more. Mariana’s out of the art scene for five years, and she’ll make a public apology to me. And as of now, she stays away from Chris

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in negotiations, but Chris’ future came first, so she was willing to give ground — on her own

enough to dim any artist’s spark and deliver a real lesson. Those words landed like

ringing out. “What did you just

her tone unruffled and cool. “I believe I’m the winner of this contest and get to call the shots. Perhaps your memory is slipping. Allow me to

Mariana, and her complexion faded to