Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 142: Turning toward Rosanna, Sandra's tone became stern. "You rushed things, Rosanna. This should have been handled quietly between you and Maia. Stirring up the internet crowd never ends well. They're fickle. They'll tear you down faster than they built you up."

Rosanna sat frozen, her lips pressed into a hard line, unwilling or unable to answer.

"Another thing I don't get," Sandra continued, "how did Maia get hold of the media's footage? And why is Cooper Group suddenly backing her up? None of this makes any sense." Sandra frowned.

But Rosanna tightened her fists until her knuckles turned white. The only explanation was chillingly clear. Maia had help. Powerful help. She had prepared for everything - except the possibility that Maia's backer might have ties to the Cooper family.

If her suspicion was right, then everything that had happened made perfect sense.

The Cooper family weren't just rich - they ruled Wront. Their power eclipsed even the Ward family, a level the Morgan family could only dream of reaching. So how could someone from the Cooper family take an interest in Maia?

For now, Rosanna told herself that she had to find proof to tell everyone that Maia was being kept. She needed something that would reveal the man behind it all. Only with that knowledge could she plot her next move and crush Maia once and for all.

As for the current internet storm, there was no point fighting it yet. Timing was everything. When the truth came out, it would destroy Maia completely. With her mind made up, Rosanna's stiff shoulders finally loosened a little.

Facing Sandra, she said in a low, broken voice, "Mom, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight. I just wanted to get the bracelet back… Our family's struggling, and I thought if it really was worth 150 million, it could help us survive this mess. I never imagined it would turn into such a disaster… This is all on me. I'm sorry."

Sandra's stern expression melted away the moment she heard Rosanna's apology. "You're not the only one to blame. Maia should have been honest about the bracelet's worth. No wonder she didn't want to come back to us - she must have been planning to keep all that money for herself."

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Rosanna gave a weak nod and pressed her hand to her forehead. "Mom, I don't feel well. I think I'll go lie down for a bit."

Seeing Rosanna's pale and weary appearance, Sandra felt a pang of guilt. The bitter words she had thrown at Rosanna earlier weighed heavily on Sandra's mind. Thinking back, she realized that Rosanna never meant any harm. Every move had been driven by a desperate attempt to help the Morgan family. Now that the situation had spiraled out of control, Rosanna had ended up beaten by the fallout too.

But no matter how much sympathy she felt, the Morgan family's troubles were real. Their strongest business partner had already abandoned them, and now the internet outrage only tightened the noose.

Pressing her fingers to her aching temples, Sandra closed her eyes, trying to will away the pounding headache that had become a constant companion. Once Rosanna disappeared upstairs to rest, Sandra dragged herself back to her own room, too drained to think anymore.

Meanwhile, Richard had spent the entire day scrambling to put out fires at the company. By the time he finally checked the news, it felt like the walls were closing in on him.

By the time evening rolled around, he stomped into Morgan Villa like a storm brewing on the horizon. He walked, seething, uncertain where to aim his fury. Blaming Rosanna seemed impossible - his heart just would not allow it, and deep down, he knew that she had not acted alone.

Mid-stride, his gaze caught Jarrod lazily making his way down the stairs. Without thinking, Richard lunged forward, grabbed Jarrod by the ear, and dragged him toward the living room.

"Ow, ow! Dad, what the hell?!" Jarrod yelped, trying to wriggle free.

Richard jabbed a finger toward his son's nose, his face filled with fury. "Didn't you say you filed a report with the police? Where's the progress? Why hasn't the internet been cleared of this garbage yet?!"

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