Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 11: His eyes, reddened with rage and humiliation, narrowed into a grin. "Is that right? Then by all means - show me."

Without hesitation, he wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned forward, trying to steal a kiss.

Maia didn't hesitate either. Her knee shot up fast and brutal, catching him right where it hurt the most.

A low groan slipped from Vince as he loosened his hold. Bent over in agony, he couldn't find the words. The shock stole even his breath. All he could do was stare at Maia, disbelief written all over his face.

Rubbing her sore wrist where his grip had left its mark, Maia spoke with a voice stripped of warmth. "Consider that your first and only warning. Come near me again, and I won't hold back."

With that, she turned around and walked off, not even sparing him a backward glance.

Unbeknownst to them, a figure stood upstairs behind the velvet curtains of the Morgan family villa, watching it all unfold.

Rosanna bit her lip hard as she watched Maia leave.

"You think you can steal Vince from me, Maia? Over my dead body!" Rosanna muttered.

Turning away, she stepped inside and unlocked the drawer beneath the vanity, pulling out a small iron box.

Lifting the lid, she revealed what lay within - an antique emerald bracelet, glinting softly in the light. She held it up between her fingers. A sly grin stretched across her face.

In her mind, she snapped, "Seventeen years, Maia. You stole what should've been mine, the bracelet… and Vince. That ends now. I won't let you keep them."

Fresh updates available at ɢ@lnσνeℓs․com

Meanwhile, at Elysium Apartments, Maia pushed open the door, peeled off her shirt, and dropped onto the couch in nothing but a camisole. Zoey had made the arrangements for this place.

Even though Maia could've stayed elsewhere, Zoey had made it clear - this was where she was meant to be after stepping out of prison. And going against Zoey's wishes? That wasn't an option.

The space was small, but spotless - like someone cleaned it every single day.

Even so, the air felt empty. It was too clean, like no one really lived there.

While she sat there in silence, her phone lit up with a soft ping. A WhatsApp notification appeared, making her sit up straighter in an instant.

"Maia, I heard you and Chris got your marriage license, so that makes you my niece-in-law now! I don't have much to give, but here's a little wedding gift. I hope it's enough - it's from the heart."

Another notification dropped down right after - this time, it was a transfer message lighting up her screen. Zoey had transferred a million to her.

Maia counted the zeros carefully. It was six in total!

A disbelieving smile tugged at her lips as she replied, "Zoey, you really didn't have to send this much!"

In no time, Zoey responded, "Did you just say too much? You think it's hard for me to make this money?"

Maia didn't even know how to respond. For someone like Zoey, money flowed like tap water.

So she settled on a cheerful response. "You're the best, Zoey! Thank you!"

.

.

.