Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 842:

“Either you apologize on the spot, or you can forget about ever calling yourself a Cooper,” Kiley declared, her ultimatum ringing out for all to hear.

Tears sprang to Mariana’s eyes, emotions bubbling over as her gaze darted to Chris, standing at a distance. “Chris…”

She hoped — prayed — that Chris might defend her, remembering that she was the only Cooper who had ever shown him kindness. Maybe he cared, even just a little?

Chris, however, watched with cold detachment, his silence more cutting than any words.

Mariana’s fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles blanched, pain radiating through her chest as if a blade had pierced straight through.

Where once she had nurtured a forbidden affection for Chris, bitterness now took root in its place.

either. Steeling herself, Mariana swallowed every ounce

a fragile whisper, so faint it nearly vanished in the air, as if every syllable cost her

never broke, though her fingers curled so tightly they nearly

Mask’s leader once

now, it was obvious — Maia played her own game and moved herself across the board. Whatever ties existed

you clearly. Could you speak up?” Maia’s voice cut through the silence, her expression deceptively calm while her gaze locked onto Mariana with laser focus. “If you’re not sincere in

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crystallized into something far more

piercing stare, her lips quivering as tears gathered in her eyes.

slightly toward Kiley, she spoke with deliberate calm. “What do

landed

temperature seemed to plummet as gasps rippled through the audience. Nobody had anticipated Maia’s ruthless precision, the way