Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 517: The crowd's whispers swelled into a chorus of condemnation, their collective judgment washing over Vince like an incoming tide. Many present had witnessed the engagement party debacle firsthand, the scandal etched permanently in their social consciousness. That the Morgan family had extended an olive branch by including Vince in Rosanna's celebration spoke volumes about their magnanimity. Any other family of their standing would have excommunicated the Wards without hesitation. The young women circled Rosanna protectively, seizing their chance to curry favor with her.

They dismissed the fading prestige of the Ward dynasty without ceremony, their barbed comments flying like arrows toward Vince. "Such brazen disrespect!" someone hissed. "Maia wears another man's ring, yet he pines for her still - how repulsive!" "His obsession hardly matters now. Miss Morgan has found Claudius Cooper's protection.

The Wards are mere shadows compared to Cooper's influence!" "He failed to treasure Rosanna when she was within reach - now she soars where he cannot follow!" Sandra, who had been navigating toward the confrontation with peacekeeping intentions, halted abruptly upon hearing Vince's tactless inquiry. His first concern - Maia - betrayed a complete disregard for Rosanna's dignity. The engagement party disaster resurfaced in Sandra's mind with painful clarity, her dormant anger rekindling with unexpected intensity. Yet as her anger flared, Sandra realized that it no longer mattered.

Rosanna had secured Claudius' favor - from now on, Vince would only be able to gaze up at Rosanna from below. The thought filled Sandra with quiet satisfaction. She secretly hoped that these young women would drive Vince away, sparing Claudius any discomfort upon his arrival. Hearing the chatter around him, Vince frowned and asked, "Claudius? He's coming today as well?" gⲁν. - Stacy uncrossed her arms with calculated slowness, her lips curling into a venomous sneer. "That's right. Why? Surely you're not so ill-informed as to miss that Mr.

Cooper traveled here specifically for Rosanna's birthday celebration?" The crowd around them exchanged knowing glances, their eyes brimming with undisguised pity as they regarded Vince. The once-mighty Ward family had crumbled to nothing, its future stretching before them like a barren landscape. Rosanna's lips twisted into a self-satisfied smile as she pressed on. "Vince, Mr. Cooper has graced us with his presence today solely to honor my birthday. You're not... troubled by this revelation, are you?" Vince released a soft, dismissive scoff.

He had come today for Maia alone, not to concern himself with the guest list at Rosanna's frivolous celebration. What possible relevance could that have to him? With the ghost of a smile playing across his features, Vince replied coolly, "Of course not. Why would I waste a moment's thought on it?" His casual indifference ignited an unexpected storm of rage within Rosanna's chest. Yet she swiftly reassured herself that none of it mattered. Vince couldn't begin to compare to Claudius. Tonight, she was determined to humiliate Maia as well as Vince.

After this evening, no soul would dare look down upon her again. Rosanna's features melted into a tender smile. "I'm so pleased to hear that," she murmured, her voice honey-sweet. Vince spared her no further words. He turned away, his eyes sweeping methodically through the room in search of Maia. Watching his retreating figure, Rosanna clenched her teeth, her anger simmering beneath the surface. . . .