Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 957:

Still, she tossed her head lightly, her expression softening just a touch as she glanced behind her at Ethan. Her tone was calm — cool as riverstone — but carried a protective edge. “Ethan, take a step back. I’d rather you didn’t get hurt by accident.”

Ethan stood frozen, her words echoing in his mind, stealing the air from his lungs.

His gaze lingered on Marisa as she walked away, her parting vow replaying like a drumbeat in his chest: “Don’t worry. You’re under my protection. No one’s going to lay a finger on you.”

Then came the challenge that still rang in his ears: “I’ll take you on.” His hands clenched at his sides.

Ethan’s heart pounded faster, a rush of unfamiliar emotions surging through him — anxious, uncertain, and laced with silent prayer and tightly coiled tension.

A desperate prayer echoed in his mind: “Please, Marisa — be safe.”

Meanwhile, across from Marisa, Viper let out a cold laugh, his hands forming claws as he assumed an aggressive stance, his voice low and chilling. “Let’s see what you’ve got, young lady.”

crowd responded with raucous laughter and venomous

he’s going in for real

for? Finish her

who she’s dealing with. She’ll be begging for

ring thickened

now at

Marisa didn’t flinch. She’d faced worse. And those who had underestimated her rarely

was firm, with her right fist tucked close and her left hand raised defensively. Her steps

a strange calm

danger, her instincts didn’t falter — they sharpened like a blade. “Bring it,” she whispered, poised and resolute, her eyes glinting with the lethal

face flashed in her

it everything she had. She would be the one to break through, to fight

hand. “Round

began — and the crowd exploded into a frenzy of