Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 180: Chris, still savoring his meal, lazily replied, "What are you trying to say?"

Elvira's blood boiled. Was he really pretending to be this clueless? She was practically spelling it out for him, yet he acted like he had no idea. Was he doing this on purpose?

Elvira gripped her fork so tightly that her hand trembled, nearly shattering it. She forced herself to stay calm, straightened her posture, and looked Chris dead in the eye. "What I mean is, Maia isn't someone you can fantasize about. I don't care what you're thinking. Drop it now. Look at yourself. Aside from a decent face, what else do you even have that's good enough for Maia? Do you have any idea how many people…"

"Elvira!" Maia cut her off sharply, her voice laced with warning. "That's enough. You're out of line." Elvira shrugged, unbothered. She'd said her piece.

Across the table, Chris's expression hardened.

Chris paused mid-motion, his hand hovering in the air with a piece of food. He let out a soft scoff and set his fork down. Then, with a graceful motion, he wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I'm done. You two carry on," he remarked smoothly.

Maia blinked in surprise, but before she could speak, Chris had already risen and exited.

The door clicked shut behind him, and only then did Maia sense that something was wrong.

Frowning slightly, she faced Elvira and remarked with a trace of scolding, "Elvira, Mr. Cooper has been good to me. Even if you dislike him, you shouldn't speak like that in his presence. He's not the kind of person you believe him to be."

Elvira leaned back casually, lips pursed. "Really? Didn't you notice the way he stared at you? My observation can't be wrong! Feelings like that need to be snuffed out early. Otherwise, when I leave for Drakmire, what if he tempts you? He hasn't been out of line, yes, but who knows about the future? His unrealistic fantasy about you is dangerous, and you need to kill it off before it's too late."

Maia knew Elvira's blunt nature. Once her mind was made up, it was nearly impossible to sway her.

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However, Maia also knew that her connection with Chris wasn't what Elvira imagined. There was no way to explain everything now. Calming Elvira down before her departure seemed the only option. Maia let out a quiet sigh, tinged with resignation. "Relax. I'm not someone who falls easily anymore," she assured.

Indeed, after suffering betrayal from someone she once adored, Maia had closed off her heart and guarded her trust fiercely.

Realizing that she might have gone too far, Elvira pressed her lips together before dismissing the tension with a flick of her hand. "I mean, avoid the bad ones… but if it's someone like my brother, that's different," she amended.

"If you're finished eating, I'll clear the plates," Maia interjected with a pointed glance.

Elvira said nothing further but still sat tall, believing she had protected Maia from future heartache.

Faced with a table brimming with dishes she had craved, Elvira eagerly dug in, her spirits lifting. She even gave Maia a thumbs-up, exclaiming, "Maia, your cooking is incredible!"

"Has reached new heights! I could feast like this forever. Pity my brother's missing out!" Maia merely smiled, offering no reply.

Later, the two lounged on the couch, chatting idly.

When Maia mentioned her fatigue, Elvira reluctantly rose to leave. Maia walked her to the car and stood by as the red Ferrari roared off into the distance.

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