Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 328: She raised an eyebrow and looked at Roland, her expression challenging, as if daring him to drop the subject. But to her surprise, Roland didn't flinch. His expression darkened, and he answered with an unwavering seriousness that surprised even Maia. "I'll be responsible for you." The air thickened, freezing in an instant. Maia was momentarily speechless, as though the ground beneath her had shifted. "I can marry you," Roland continued, his voice calm yet resolute, leaving no room for doubt. Maia was stunned into silence.

Before she could gather her thoughts, the roar of an engine interrupted the charged atmosphere. A sleek silver Maserati appeared around the corner and stopped near them. A tall figure emerged from the driver's seat, his presence commanding attention. Chris!? Maia's instinct was to pull her wrist free, but Roland's grip tightened, holding her in place. Chris's eyes flicked to Maia's wrist, still encircled by Roland's hand. A cold expression spread across his face, his gaze narrowing into icy hostility as he locked eyes with Roland.

The tension between the three of them was palpable, each person silently sizing up the others, the air thick with unspoken challenges. Roland's mind raced. What was this man doing here? Wasn't this Maia's home? And that car-where had he gotten the money for that? It hit him like a lightning bolt. Since this man had been kept by Maia, that car was probably hers-or maybe she bought it for him. Frustration surged within Roland. He tugged at his tie, his irritation mounting. "Maia, you brought him home? Where's your husband?" His voice dripped with annoyance.

In that brief moment of distraction, Maia wrenched her wrist free, her heart racing with the sudden surge of anxiety. She felt as if she had been caught red-handed, a deer in headlights. @ gⲁⳑν﹒ⅽ Before she could speak, Chris let out a humorless laugh, the sound sharp and biting. "So you do know she has a husband? Yet here you are, hanging around. What is it, Roland? You want to become the other man knowingly?" Chris's words were brief but packed a punch, dripping with sarcasm. Roland lost his cool, his face falling into a scowl.

He locked eyes with Chris, his anger flaring as he shot back, "You, of all people, a man living off someone else, dare to criticize me?!" Chris let out a quiet laugh, his voice playful and a bit mischievous. "I'm Maia's-" Before Chris could finish, Maia gave his arm a quick pinch. Chris, always quick on the uptake, immediately clamped his mouth shut. Even so, he wasn't exactly pleased about it. Roland, remembering how Chris had carried himself the night before, tightened his grip on Maia's wrist. He jabbed a finger at Chris, then faced Maia, his voice full of disbelief.

"Maia, what could you possibly see in him?" Maia kept her face neutral as she answered, "He's handsome." Chris immediately relaxed, a proud smile spreading across his face. Roland, on the other hand, froze, his expression stiffening. His eyebrow twitched slightly. "Aren't you concerned he's been intimate with many women?" Maia shrugged casually. "As long as he can please me." Roland was left utterly speechless. Chris almost burst out laughing, the irritation he'd felt moments ago completely gone. He took Maia's hand, led her to the car, and helped her into the passenger seat. . . .