Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 246: He chain-smoked and drank without pause.

Finally, when the alcohol had dulled his senses, the waiter returned. "Sir, I found her and did everything you asked."

Vince crushed his cigarette in the ashtray, stood, tossed the waiter a card, and headed out.

Meanwhile, across the building, Maia, Pattie, and Brielle were reveling. Brielle belted out a song, while Pattie clapped along and cheered, "Brielle, you're incredible! A real pop queen! You nailed it! Maia's got to pen another hit for you - you'll dominate Zephyria's charts in no time!" Maia lounged against the couch, swirling her drink before tossing it back.

Turning to Pattie with a grin, she teased, "Planning to overwork me with endless requests? Luckily, I'm not your employee, or I'd be swamped with work every day."

Pattie shot her a look. "You don't want to chase fame, fine. But at least help Brielle out! What's wrong? Lost your passion?"

Then, laughing, she playfully poked Maia, and the room was filled with giggles.

Just then, Maia's phone buzzed.

An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen.

She hesitated, frowned, then rose. "Keep the party going. I'll take this outside."

Pattie, slightly buzzed, teased, "Miss Popular!"

Chuckling, Maia slipped out and closed the door behind her.

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As she turned, she spotted a tall figure nearby, phone pressed to his ear.

It was Vince.

He was using a burner phone Brian had arranged beforehand.

Maia's face immediately hardened.

Without answering the call, she canceled it and pivoted to return inside.

But Vince lunged forward, gripping her wrist before she could retreat.

"Have you completely lost your mind, Vince?" Maia shouted, struggling to break free from his iron grip.

Without warning, a wave of dizziness crashed over her, making her legs feel like they could barely hold her up.

Shadows clung to the narrow hallway, the dim lighting offering no comfort.

Dragging her along without hesitation, Vince hauled her straight into his private room.

The door slammed behind them with a heavy, echoing thud, cutting her off from everything and everyone outside.

With a rough shove, Vince sent her stumbling backward.

A rough shove from him sent Maia stumbling, barely catching herself against the wall. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her body betraying her with trembling limbs and a burning fever she couldn't explain.

Heat prickled under her skin, unnatural and suffocating, blurring the edges of her awareness.

Something was terribly, terribly wrong.

Locking her gaze onto Vince's shadowed figure, Maia barely managed to whisper, "Vince… what did you do to me?"

Even speaking felt like dragging words from the bottom of a deep well. Her fingers clawed weakly at the wall behind her for support, but strength abandoned her completely.

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