Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 244: "Exactly," Pattie scoffed, folding her arms. "They're not worth a second thought. Let's get some food."

At that moment, Vince interjected coldly, "Hurl insults and then walk away? Say you're sorry to Rosanna, and I'll drop the issue."

Rosanna, hearing him, lifted her chin with a serene smile. "Vince, no worries. I get it if Maia's unwilling to attend the formal celebration of our engagement. I mean, you're exceptional, but I'm the one you're choosing - not her. It's understandable if she loses her temper over this."

The words oozed with mockery. Maia, who had started to leave, halted mid-step and glanced back with an amused expression.

Rosanna immediately grew quiet and instinctively retreated a pace.

Maia moved closer, a sly curve gracing her lips, eyes gliding over Vince and Rosanna before settling pointedly on Rosanna. She then asked leisurely, "Do you know what a deceitful scoundrel is like?"

Rosanna froze, staring at Maia in bafflement and blurting out, "What are you talking about?" Maia let out a soft laugh.

She shifted her attention to Vince and answered with deliberate slowness, "The man beside you - he's exactly that."

Vince was simply someone who craved everything, while Rosanna valued him as if he were priceless. Maia almost felt bad for her. "Honestly, Rosanna, I think you're quite pathetic," Maia said, her voice laced with ridicule.

Without lingering, she spun around and strode off.

Pattie and Brielle quickly went after her, disregarding the couple left behind.

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The trio departed, lighthearted and chatting as though nothing had happened.

Rosanna stayed rooted to the spot, fists clenched rigidly. What was Maia insinuating? She and Vince were soon to announce their engagement; she had clearly won! How could Maia call her pathetic?

Rosanna's face darkened, her teeth sinking sharply into her bottom lip. Vince stayed quiet, his attention glued to Maia's retreating silhouette, a murky emotion churning in his gaze.

He barely caught snippets of conversation between the three as they walked farther away.

"After eating, should we hit Nexus Collective for karaoke?"

"Sounds good. I'm free these days."

"Perfect, it's a plan."

Their chatter gradually disappeared into the distance.

Nexus Collective?

Vince remained immobile, face impassive, though his eyes sharpened into slits.

Inside the restaurant, a gentle glow bathed the tabletop in a cozy warmth.

Vince carefully carved his meat, while Rosanna, eating slowly, kept a wary eye on his face.

Luckily, Vince acted as usual, though his enthusiasm for food seemed unusually muted.

When the plates were cleared, Rosanna suggested a shopping trip, but Vince declined, citing urgent office matters and insisting that he would drive her back instead.

The vehicle glided to a halt at the Morgan estate's front gate.

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