Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 2: Sandra's face darkened instantly. Back then, in order to cut off any connection with Maia, the Morgans had forced her to sign a severance document - with a representative from the Cooper Group as a witness, just to clear their name from any future accusations. It had been an act of desperation, not dignity.

A swarm of reporters rushed in, shoving microphones toward Sandra. "Mrs. Morgan, is this true? You once said you wouldn't abandon Maia, that she was still your daughter even after reuniting with your biological child."

Trying to keep her composure, Sandra mustered a smile that barely held. "That's… not true. Of course not."

With a sly grin, Maia said, "So, Mrs. Morgan, do you have the nerve to call someone from the Cooper Group and find out if that severance document exists or not?" "Maia, don't go too far! The people from the Cooper Group aren't someone we can just summon at will!" Jarrod shouted, his anger flaring from the sidelines.

With a smug tilt of her brow, Maia glanced his way. "So you're admitting you won't call them?"

Jarrod was left speechless.

The image they had worked so hard to maintain was starting to fall apart, and Sandra scrambled to play the sympathy card. Her body shook with a sudden cough, loud and dramatic.

Catching on quickly, Rosanna hurried to her mother's side and rubbed her back in gentle circles. "Mom, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

Her gaze then shifted to Maia, filled with exaggerated grievance. "She's been worried sick ever since you were locked up. She cries every night, Maia. The doctor warned us that her health is getting worse. And if you still care - even a little - for everything she did for you growing up, don't make this harder. Just come back with us."

Maia felt nauseated by Rosanna's pretentious act.

"Come back with them?" Those words used to bring comfort to her. But now, they meant nothing anymore. The last thing she wanted was to get caught up with them again.

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There was no mistaking the resolve etched across her face. "That girl you all knew - she died four years ago. And the Morgans were the ones who buried her."

Maia said her piece, then strode through the crowd and walked away without looking back.

The moment she was gone, Sandra dropped to the ground, putting on a show of sobs as if her heart had just shattered. She took a dramatic, deep breath before collapsing in a faint.

Panic erupted instantly as gasps and shouts filled the scene.

Wasting no time, Jarrod lifted Sandra into his arms, while Rosanna trailed right behind him. The second the car doors shut and the cameras were behind them, Sandra's eyes snapped open, and she straightened up without effort.

Had she not faked that collapse, everything might have unraveled beyond repair. This whole mess, in her mind, traced back to one person - Maia.

They had shown up at the prison, making a public effort to welcome her back with grace. And how did she respond? By dragging the entire Morgan name through the dirt in front of a crowd.

There wasn't a single ounce of gratitude in that girl.

"She's outrageous! We gave her everything, and she turns on us like this!" Jarrod cursed angrily, gripping the steering wheel.

The warmth in Sandra's face vanished, replaced by a sudden chill in her eyes. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "No money. A criminal record that sticks to her like glue. She's got nothing to her name. Without us, she's done. There's no doubt Maia will return - and when she does, I'll have more than enough ways to handle her!"

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