Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 997:

“You gave me the fright of my life, Maia,” Pattie muttered, never pausing her task. “When did you learn those martial arts? Every muscle in your body was torn. You really put yourself through the wringer. People who know the truth realize you handled a tough fighter, but anyone else would think you just stood there and took a beating…”

Leaning into her pillows, Maia could only offer a sheepish smile. “Sorry for making you worry.”

A sharp glance from Pattie accompanied her next words. “At least you admit it,” she said, handing Maia a neat slice of apple. “Eat this.”

After a gentle bite, Maia replied quietly, “You’re exaggerating. I wasn’t prepared for all that. I guess I just haven’t moved around much lately, and the excitement got to me.”

“Not prepared? You call that just a little excitement?” Pattie’s eyes widened with disbelief. “Honestly, Maia, are you sure you weren’t getting into scraps every day behind bars? Nothing else explains how tough you’ve gotten.”

A memory of the doctor’s visit flashed through Pattie’s mind, making her grin. “Want to hear something funny? The doctor said you’re basically a medical marvel. No broken bones after all that chaos. He joked about writing a journal article on you!”

just have good luck on my side,” she said, grateful

through the door, her eyes rimmed in red. Emotion tightened her voice as she finally spoke, frustration and fear mingling together. “Why can’t you look out for yourself? Sure, you won the fight, but you

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like that will happen again. But it does mean I’ll need to take a

can keep everything under control. What really threw

livestream. “Who knows what Claudius

lips, though her gaze

up another concern. “And listen, Vince’s trial is next week. I’m counting on Roland to put

lowering her voice to a whisper.

question caught Maia completely off guard. “What