Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 127: Before Maia could respond, a door to a nearby lounge swung open forcefully. A cluster of ruffled socialites spilled out, rage twisting their features - the same ones who had quarreled over the bracelet earlier.

"Where's Maia? Find her!" one shouted. "She can't just mess with us and walk away!"

Another quickly spotted Maia standing down the hallway. "There she is!"

"Move!" Maia urged. Without thinking, she seized Chris' wrist and darted off.

Together, they sprinted toward the club's exit, where a row of cabs awaited. By the time the angry women neared, Chris and Maia were safely inside a taxi, escaping victorious.

Once the commotion faded and quiet settled over them, Maia let out a soft breath of relief. She wasn't scared of confrontation - far from it. If she had to, she could easily defend herself.

But making a spectacle, especially with Chris present, was the last thing she wanted.

That was when she suddenly noticed the lingering heat in her hand.

Only then did she realize that their fingers were still entwined - a gesture far too intimate for comfort.

Flustered, she jerked her hand back, folding her arms stiffly across her chest.

Chris' lips quirked into a knowing smirk as he watched the color rise along her ears.

"Those women earlier… who exactly were they?" he asked, his voice low and curious.

A slight dryness crept up Maia's throat, but she waved it off with an easy laugh. "Nothing more than a bunch of crazy women, that's what they were. They tricked me into coming over, tried to take something from me, failed, and now they're just throwing a tantrum."

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Her tone was light and dismissive, but it still made Chris' deep eyes darken slightly.

"What room were you in earlier?" he asked, his tone deceptively casual.

Blinking in surprise, Maia hesitated. "Uh… 502. Why?"

Chris replied with an easy, offhand tone, "Funny. We were on the same floor." Pulling his phone from his pocket, he tapped out a quick text message without another word.

A sudden thought struck Maia, making her sit up straighter, concern flashing across her face. "Mr. Cooper, did I pull you away from something important? I didn't mess up any of your plans, did I?"

Her earnest expression made Chris lift an eyebrow, amused. "Not even a hint of curiosity crossed your mind about who I was with tonight? Maybe wondering if there happened to be any women around?"

The question made Maia stiffen slightly. She darted her gaze away and answered quietly, "Whatever you do is your business. I don't really have the right to question it."

"But we're husband and wife."

For a second, Maia could only sit there, speechless.

It was precisely because she understood what kind of man Chris was that she didn't ask.

Their marriage had always been an arrangement, not built on love or trust.

Chris wouldn't be changed by a marriage with no real love.

Fully aware of that, she constantly reminded herself not to cross into his personal world, no matter how close they lived under the same roof.

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