Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 39: A bitter grin spread across his face. "You may not carry the Morgan name anymore, but don't forget - seventeen years, Maia. Seventeen. I took care of you. So don't say I've got no heart. Seeing you like this, it's just sad. I'll let what happened earlier slide. But don't expect a free pass."

Then he lifted his chin, full of himself, and continued, "Here's how this goes. You get on your knees. Say you're sorry. Admit you messed up. I might be generous and let you work as a maid. Of course, the salary will be generous." His smirk deepened. "And I'll tell everyone you're still the Morgan family's daughter. Not too shabby, right?"

He let out a booming laugh, and the boys around him joined in. Some laughed uneasily. Others were enjoying the show.

"Come on, Maia. He's giving you a way back. Most people don't get that kind of offer." "If I were you, I'd drop the act and just apologize. Don't be stupid."

"At least being tied back to the Morgans might get you married off someday. Beats singing for drunks."

Maia lifted her gaze slowly, her lips curling into a faint, amused smile. She looked him right in the eye. "Jarrod, what makes you think I'd ever want to come back?"

The words hit harder than a slap.

The crowd, which had assumed she'd been tossed out like trash, suddenly didn't look so sure.

The way she said it - calm, sharp, and sure - it was like she was the one who walked out and never looked back.

Jarrod's expression darkened, sinking into a furious shadow.

He glared at Maia. The more composed she appeared, the more violently his rage churned inside him.

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He had never truly wanted to disown her from the Morgan family. She'd backed him into that decision.

"What had the Morgans ever done to earn such spite? Why couldn't she just come home?" The thought gnawed at him.

It didn't make sense - and he couldn't stomach that.

She used to trail after him like a loyal pup, always watching him with evident admiration and respect, radiating warmth and light. Now, she was little more than a stranger carved from ice.

His hands balled into fists at his sides. His voice curled with venom as he spat, "So you're here to sing tonight, huh? Did you forget to mention to the manager that you've done time? What do you think he'll do when he finds out? And believe me, once that secret's out, Wront won't hire you. No bar, no venue, no gig. You think your sad little songs are enough to make you survive without the Morgan name? That criminal record's permanent."

A nasty smirk twisted at the corners of his lips, smugness simmering beneath his skin.

Did she really believe a few gigs had made her untouchable?

Jarrod planned to lock every path behind her. Shut every door. Then, when she had nowhere left to go, she'd crawl back. She'd be the one begging - pleading - for her place in the family again.

Maia's eyes shimmered for the briefest moment, but the flicker vanished as quickly as it came.

A criminal record?

Wasn't that their fault to begin with?

All she wanted was a clean break. No ties. No name. No family.

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