Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 277: The sting of that comparison hit hard.

The crowd gasped in awe, followed by a rush of excited chatter among the guests.

"This gown has Eileen's touch, doesn't it? It looks like something she'd make!"

"I thought the same! It's hard to miss! The impact and skill… the last time I saw anything like this was Blue Sea!" "No way! Eileen's been keeping to herself since she did Blue Sea. She hasn't dropped anything new for a while."

"But look at the details - the stitching, the rich fabric? This isn't something any designer could pull off!"

"If this dress really is Eileen's, it might even outshine Rosanna's custom couture!"

The livestream chat blew up again, flooded with thrilled messages.

"Wow! This gown is unreal!"

"This is top-tier design!"

"I'm so envious! I want it too!"

At the event, every guest's eyes were fixed on Maia. She was just too radiant. Anyone who glimpsed her couldn't look away.

The Morgan family stood frozen, their throats tight as if someone had cut off their air.

This was a clear display of flaunting. Evidently, Maia was here to cause trouble, to ruin this engagement party!

Charles, the head of the Ward family, slammed his glass down, the sound sharp and heavy. His expression was stormy with anger.

Gavin leaned toward Brian and whispered, "This is a live stream. There are too many reporters here. Keep things in check and watch our image. Keep a close eye on Maia and find a way to get her out of here."

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"Understood, sir."

The moment Maia stepped onto the stage, Rosanna's expression shifted in the blink of an eye.

She had not anticipated this. Never, in her wildest thoughts, had she imagined that Maia would outshine her tonight - especially at her own engagement party.

Rosanna had spent weeks orchestrating every detail, pulling every string, even calling in favors to secure a custom-made MCN gown. She had envisioned herself as the unrivaled center of attention. Yet now, Maia's casually chosen dress - if it could even be called casual - radiated an effortless allure that eclipsed Rosanna's painstaking preparations.

Rosanna's fingertips curled against the smooth fabric of her gown. Jealousy clawed at her, rising like a tidal wave, threatening to sweep away the smile she forced to remain on her face. Drawing a slow, measured breath, she summoned a honeyed tone. "Maia, you look absolutely stunning tonight."

Every word tasted bitter on her tongue, but she pressed on, a glimmer of malice flickering behind her smile. "Tell me, who bought this dress for you?"

Before Maia could answer, Sandra leaned closer to Jarrod, her eyes narrowing with poisonous glee. "It must be that old man keeping her," she whispered, loud enough for nearby ears to catch. "Maia would stoop to anything just to wreck Rosanna's big night. Shameless."

The venom seeped into Jarrod's veins in an instant. His face darkened to an angry crimson as he surged to his feet, his voice slicing through the hum of conversation. "Was it the man who's keeping you that bought this dress? You truly have no shame, Maia!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd. A wave of low laughter and murmured whispers spread like wildfire.

Maia stood perfectly still, the storm around her barely brushing the edges of her composure.

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