Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 861:

With a warm smile, Maia gave a few small nods, acknowledging the heartfelt words.

Out of nowhere, a reporter near the front cut through the cheerful chatter with a pointed question. “Ms. Watson, can you clarify your real relationship with Mr. Chris Cooper?”

Without missing a beat, another voice jumped in. “People are starting to wonder if there’s something deeper going on — beyond the typical employer and bodyguard dynamic.”

The energy in the crowd shifted. For a moment, the noise faded.

All attention locked onto Maia and Chris, eyes wide with curiosity and expectation.

A short distance away from the commotion, Vince remained still, hidden behind dark sunglasses and a black mask, his stare sharp and burning with envy.

Underneath his breath, a bitter whisper escaped. “Maia… and that worthless bastard…”

fixed entirely on her figure in the distance — his fists tightening inside his coat like coils

he would finally get the jump on Maia and see her

channels, then reached the airport long before her plane was set to land, believing that fate might just give him a

hope was quickly

to approach Maia fell

of eager supporters and a wave of reporters blocked every path, leaving him

Vince could do nothing but wait and

???? ???? ???? ???⸱?????ν????⧸ⅽ??

reporter’s question drifted to him without effort. That simple inquiry about the relationship between Maia and Chris felt like a knife twisting

nearby seemed to freeze, hanging on Maia’s next

look away from her. He

only offered a faint, knowing