Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 292: Maia simply nodded, choosing not to delve further.

Today, Maia had thoroughly embarrassed Vince, exposing his hypocrisy and bringing disgrace to the Morgan family. The wave of triumph she felt made this moment perfect for a celebratory drink.

Maia lifted her glass, her gesture inviting a toast. "Here's to your serendipitous discovery, Mr. Cooper, and to our triumph today." The champagne in their glasses danced lightly, the gentle clinking sound enhancing the room's quiet ambiance.

As they sipped more champagne, the mood in the room softened, and it felt as if they were drawing nearer to each other. Buoyed by the champagne, their conversation drifted from current events to the past. When Chris asked about what happened to Maia four years ago, she recounted how Rosanna had framed her maliciously, leading to her imprisonment at the hands of the Morgan family. Chris absorbed her words in silence, his fingers tightening around the glass, his eyes deepening with intensity.

Although he was familiar with Maia's past troubles from his own investigations, hearing the details directly from her intensified his empathy.

Chris had been searching for Maia for many years. Locating her had become his driving obsession. When he finally discovered her whereabouts, Maia was already committed to another, deeply in love with her fiancé, Vince.

Chris had indulged in heavy drinking that day. The following morning, he made the silent decision to leave Wront. He ventured overseas, spending six years living a bold and unrestrained life abroad.

In his moments of solitude, time seemed to stretch endlessly, and Chris' yearning for Maia intensified to an almost unbearable degree. Upon his return, he was shocked to learn that Maia had spent the last four years in prison.

Overwhelmed by regret and fury, Chris found himself tormented by sleepless nights and nagging anxiety. He had believed that distancing himself from Maia was an act of love, a necessary sacrifice for her well-being. However, he hadn't anticipated that in his absence, she would endure such profound injustices.

Chris blamed himself for failing to protect her.

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He carried this regret for a long time, until his aunt Zoey reached out. She had encountered a young woman in prison who, despite being wrongfully incarcerated, remained both beautiful and virtuous, proving herself to be remarkably capable.

Zoey also chided Chris for his carefree lifestyle abroad, suggesting that it was no way to meet a worthy partner. Having stepped into a maternal role after Chris's mother passed away early, Zoey felt a strong parental responsibility toward him. She proposed that he consider marrying this young woman.

The moment Chris realized that the woman Zoey mentioned was Maia, he accepted the proposal without hesitation. He had made up his mind - he would never allow Maia to fall into someone else's hands again. This time, he would be her shield. His deepest wish was to make Maia the happiest woman alive.

Pulled back into the moment, Chris shifted his attention to the woman sitting before him.

Maia, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue, felt his gaze and lifted her head. When their eyes met, she noticed a tenderness in Chris's expression, a depth and warmth that she had never glimpsed before. Something about him today felt different - unfamiliar yet comforting. A soft smile played on Maia's lips.

Without thinking, Chris reached out, wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, and drew Maia into his embrace, holding her as if he would never let her go.

"Mr. Cooper…" Maia's voice faltered, her expression filled with surprise. Chris tightened his embrace, holding her as though she was something he could not afford to lose.

With his forehead nearly brushing hers, he stared into her clear eyes and said, his tone heavy with seriousness, "Maia." The sound of her name caught her off guard.

Never before had Chris spoken to her in such a solemn way. She blinked and softly asked, "Is something wrong, Mr. Cooper?"

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