Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 485: "Oh my God, he's even more gorgeous in person! Photos don't do him justice!" "Tall, rich, insanely talented - and he looks like that? Somebody save me!" "Get real! Not a single socialite in Wront's elite circle has ever caught his eye. He's been single for years!" "Then what kind of woman could win him over? Just imagining being loved by a man like that makes my knees weak..." The women in the audience screamed in waves, unable to contain themselves.

Meanwhile, the men craned their necks, squinting through the lights for a closer look at Wront's most talked-about figure - the infamous pride of the Cooper family. In the crowd, Chris sat unmoved. His eyes narrowed, his jaw tight. A cold scoff slipped from his lips. So even he had come. Claudius Cooper - the untouchable heir making an appearance at a gaming tournament? That was no casual detour. From what Chris knew of the man, everything Claudius did was calculated. His gaze shifted toward Maia, suspicion darkening his brow. There had to be more to this.

Beside him, Maia remained unusually quiet. Her arms were crossed, eyes locked on Claudius with a contemplative stillness. Ark Technology, the gaming subsidiary under Cooper Group, had organized this entire event. Claudius, as heir, had every reason to be involved - but showing up in person to present the trophy? No, this was not just for publicity. This was a strategy. What was he playing at? Up on stage, the host bowed with respectful deference, placing the championship trophy carefully in Claudius' hands. The spotlight found him instantly.

In the crowd, Melanie's heart plummeted into her stomach. Claudius? Here? Her blood ran cold. This was a disaster. If news spread within Cooper Group that she only managed to get third place in the gaming tournament, she would surely be mocked by those annoying people. If her father found out - she would be humiliated, laughed at, scolded, and torn apart. She ducked her head instinctively, heart racing. "Please don't see me. Please, please don't see me!" : g⍺ν⧼ⅽ Claudius' eyes swept the finalists. They lingered - briefly on Melanie.

His brows arched slightly, and a quiet smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. She was trying to disappear. That only made her more obvious. Claudius stifled a laugh, choosing not to acknowledge her. Without missing a beat, he turned to Ethan and stepped forward, holding the trophy with effortless grace. Standing close now, Claudius offered the award with a composed expression, but his voice held that undeniable air of command. "Ethan, congratulations," he said evenly. "Your reflexes, strategy, and grasp of the game - impeccable work." A faint smile touched his lips.

"Ark Technology would like to sign you. We'll give you every tool to become a future e-sports star. Are you interested?" This was it - the golden ticket every gamer dreamed of. Ark Technology stood at the top of the national e-sports ladder. A contract meant a million-dollar salary, international exposure, and a future most could only imagine. Backstage, Claudius had already reviewed Ethan's file. No rich family, no famous lineage. Just raw ability, determination, and a clean reputation. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Claudius knew it.

He was confident that Ethan would say yes without any hesitation. But... "I'm sorry." The words dropped like a stone in a still pond. Ethan's voice was quiet but steady. He bit his lower lip, then met Claudius' gaze without flinching. "I can't decide this on my own," he said plainly. "I need my sister's approval first." . . .